Used in the Manufacture of Chains.
Year: 1885

page_text: Used in the Manufacture of Chains.
I FRANCIS LEY of the Vulcan Iron Works in the town and county of the town
of Derby Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FEEDING APPARATUS TO BE APPLIED TO MACHINERY USED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS (a communication to me from abroad by Eugene
Lincoln Howe of Ewart's Manufacturing Company 109 Fulton Street Chicago,
Illinois, United States of America, Superintendent) to be as follows:-
»
This invention has for its object improvements in feeding apparatus to be
applied to machinery used in the manufacture of chains.
The invention relates to a contrivance especially designed for facilitating the
feeding into, or placement on the lower die of a drop-press of the malleable iron
links of what are known as detachable drive-chains, but which may be modified to
use in connection with other articles than such chain links.
Previous to my invention it has been customary in the operation of straightening
or giving final and perfect shape to the malleable iron links designed to be put
together in the manufacture of detachable drive-chains, to place one link at a time
on the lower die of the drop-press then allow the upper die to descend and impart
the necessary blow to the link and to then remove the latter and replace it by a
fresh link, and so on; the operative placing each link by hand on the lower die and
subsequently removing it therefrom to make room for another. As will be readily
seen, this mode of manipulation by the operative is not only comparatively
slower but in performing it he runs more or less risk all the time of getting his
fingers caught in the last link.
My Invention has for its object the combined means by which any possibility of
accident is avoided, and by which also the operator is enabled to feed on to the
dies in a perfect manner, and to discharge therefrom a much greater number of
links in a given time than it has been possible to manage in the manner heretofore
practiced. To these main ends and objects my invention consists in the employment
in combination with the drop-press of any desired construction of an upwardly

page_text: inclined trough or feeder in which a series of links or other devices may be placed
so that the operator, by pushing on the lowermost article of the series will cause
the leading one of said series to be properly placed upon the lower die of the
press, and so that by a repetition of this pushing operation on the lowermost device,
the straightened article or the one last placed on the lower die will be discharged
therefrom during the operation of placing the next one on said die. Also in
making said inclined trough or feeder adjustable with reference to the lower die of
the press both vertically and longitudinally in order that articles of different
lengths and thicknesses inay be fed with equal facility by the same trough or
feeder to the device of the straightening press. Also in the use, in combination
with the feeder trough or device of an adjustable stop by which the movement of
the operative's hand in inserting the articles successively at the lower end of the
feeder will be regulated so as to insure the pushing of the series of the articles in
the feeder to exactly the proper extent. Also in the combination with the feeder
trough of a spring latch or holder device for holding upwardly and in proper place
the last inserted article at each operation of placing in the feeder a fresh link by
the operative.
Or the feeding apparatus may be made automatic so that it requires only that
a sufficient supply of links or blanks shall always be maintained by the operator
in the feeder trough or shoot the periodical or intermittent feeding of the contents
of the feeder shoot or trough being effected automatically by a suitable mechanism,
preferably connected with or operated by some moving part of the press or drop.
The feed trough which is combined with the stationary die of the press has an
ascending leg and a descending leg and these are connected by an intermediate
curved portion where means are provided for periodically moving the contents of
the feeder. This purpose is served by a feed wheel the periphery of which is
adapted to engage with the separate blanks in the feeder. A pawl attached to a
lever worked from the moveable die of the press or its connections periodically
moves the feed wheel. The feed trough in its straight portions is provided with
ledges to confine the links which pass between these ledge and the bottom of the
trough. The feed wheel has notches across its periphery to accomodate the cross
bars of two adjacent links and the wheel also has projections adapted to enter
the central openings of the chain links so as to act positively against their plain
end bars.
1002

page_text: Improvements in Feeding Apparatus to be Applied to Machinery
Used in the Manufacture of Chains.
I FRANCIS LEY of the Vulcan Iron Works in the town and County of the town
of Derby, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication
to me from abroad by Eugene Lincoln Howe of Ewart's Manufacturing Company
109 Fulton Street Chicago, Illinois, United States of America Superintendent) and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :—
This Invention has for its object improvements in feeding apparatus to be applied
to machinery used in the manufacture of chains.
The invention relates to a contrivance especially designed for facilitating the
feeding into, or placement on the lower die of a drop press of the malleable iron
links of what are known as detachable drive chains, but which may be modified to
use in connection with other chain links.
Previous to my invention it has been customary in the operation of straightening
or giving final and perfect shape to the malleable iron links designed to be put
together in the manufacture of detachable drive chains, to place one link at a time
in the lower die of the drop press then allow the upper die to descend and impart
the necessary blow to the link and to then remove the latter and replace it by a
fresh link, and so on; the operative placing each link by hand on the lower die and
subsequently removing it therefrom to make room for another. As will be readily
seen, this mode of manipulation by the operative is not only comparatively slower
but in performing it he runs more or less risk all the time of getting his fingers
caught in the last link.
My invention has for its object the combined means by which any possibility of
accident is avoided, and by which also the operator is enabled to feed on to the
dies in a perfect manner, and to discharge therefrom a much greater number of
links in a given time than it has been possible to manage in the manner heretofore
practiced. To these main ends and objects my invention consists in the employment
in combination with the drop press of any desired construction of an upwardly
inclined trough or feeder in which a series of links or other devices may be placed
so that the operator, by pushing on the lowermost article of the series will cause
the leading one of said series to be properly placed upon the lower die of the press,
and so that by a repetition of this pushing operation on the lowermost device, the
straightened article or the one last placed on the lower die will be discharged
therefrom during the operation of placing the next one on said die. Also in making
said inclined trough or feeder adjustable with reference to the lower die of the press
both vertically and longitudinally in order that articles of different lengths and
thicknesses may be fed with equal facility by the same trough or feeder to the
device of the straightening press. Also in the use in combination with the feeder
trough or device of an adjustable stop by which the movement of the operative's
hand in inserting the articles successively at the lower end of the feeder will be

page_text: regulated so as to insure the pushing of the series of the articles in the feeder to
exactly the proper extent. Also in the combination with the feeder trough of a
spring latch or holder device for holding upwardly and in proper place the last
inserted article at each operation of placing in the feeder a fresh link by the
operative.
Or the feeding apparatus may be made automatic so that it requires only that a
sufficient supply of links or blanks shall always be maintained by the operator in
the feeder trough or shoot the periodical or intermittent feeding of the contents
of the feeder shoot or trough being effected automatically by a suitable mechanism,
preferably connected with or operated by some moving part of the press or drop.
The feed trough which is combined with the stationary die of the press has an
ascending leg and a descending leg and these are connected by an intermediate
curved portion where means are provided for periodically moving the contents of
the feeder. This purpose is served by a feed wheel the periphery of which is
adapted to engage with the separate blanks in the feeder. A. pawl attached to a
lever worked from the moveable die of the press or its connections periodically
moves the feed wheel.
The feed trough in its straight portions is provided with ledges to confine the
links which pass between these ledges and the bottom of the trough. The feed
wheel has notches across its periphery to accommodate the cross bars of two
adjacent links and the wheel also has projections adapted to enter the central
openings of the chain links so as to act positively against their plain end bars.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a vertical section of a portion of an ordinary drop press (such as
used in straightening chain links), having applied thereto, one of my feeder
devices or contrivances as it is arranged to be operated by hand; this figure
shows also the arrangement and illustrates the movement of the series of chain
links, such as used in making what is known in the market as the "Ewart"
drive chain.
Figure 2 is a front view or elevation of the feeder device and the chain links
therein detached from the press.
Figure 3 is a detailed cross section of the feeder device taken at the line x. x. of
Figure 1 looking in a direction opposite to that in which the operative would look
while in a working position.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the adjustable hand stop detached from the feeder
device.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing better the general shape of one of the
links of a Ewart detachable drive chain.
Figure 6 is a vertical central section showing my improved automatic blank
feeding mechanism and so much of a drop press as is necessary.
Figure 7 is a detailed vertical cross section at the line x. a. of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a detailed cross section on the line y. y. of Figure 6.
In the several Figures from 1 to 5 the same part will be found designated by the
same letter of reference.
A is a portion of a frame of an ordinary drop press, such as usually employed
in straightening or perfecting the shape of cast, malleable iron chain links; and
B is the lower, and Ċ the upper die of said press, the opposing faces of which are
of course cut out to match respectively the two sides or surfaces of the link which
is to be struck between them.
At that side of the press at which the links are usually fed on to the lower
die B by the operative is secured a metallic stand, or bracket E to the upper
inclined surface of which is fastened the obliquely arranged feeder trough or

page_text: device D. The feeder D it will be seen is secured to the top of stand E by means
of a bolt b which passes through an oblong opening f in the top of stand E and
engages at its threaded end with the bottom of said feeder D. By this mode of
attachment of said feeder trough to said stand, the former may be adjusted or set
at different positions longitudinally on the latter, so as to bring the upper end of
said feeder trough further towards the front, and nearer to the front edge of the
lower die B of the press.
The vertical portion of the stand E it will be seen is secured to the side of the
press by means of the bolt a which passes through an oblong hole e in said stand,
and by this means the latter may be set at different elevations, and thus effect the
adjustment of the upper end of the feeder D to different heights relatively to the
top surface of the die B of the press. By these two adjustinents the feeder trough
may be set so that the machine will operate equally well with links of several
different sizes, as to length and thickness.
The feeder trough D is made of such a shape, as is clearly shown, that the chain
links m, after having been successively entered therein, at the lower enlarged end
of the feeder, will fit and easily slide within said feeder trough, the side bars of
the links moving in the said grooves or depressions n (see Figure 3) of said feeder
tiough.
G is a spring latch retainer-device which is mounted near the lower end of the
feeder D on a pivot y, and which has a tendency to remain in the position seen
at Figure 1 by reason of the action of the spring c, one end of which is secured to
the fixed pivot y, and the other end of which presses upwardly against the pin z
of the catch. Said catch or stop G is so shaped that its forward lower-most end d,
comes against the bottom of the trough D. While its upper forward portion is of
such oblique form that the forward end of a chain link m when inserted at the
lower end of the feeder trough D and pushed upwardly in said trough will depress
and pass over said latch or holder device G and so that in like manner will the
coupler hook end of said link pass over said latch when the latter will spring up
into the position seen at Figure 1 and act as a stop or retainer to prevent the
descent of the last inserted link while the operator is getting ready to insert
another one.
h is a moveable or adjustable finger or hand-stop which is composed as shown,
simply of a U-shaped piece of wire, the ends of which are inserted in some one of
the several pairs of holes i, in the top surface of the feeder trough D. At Figure 1
this finger stop is shown as placed in the lowermost set of holes, as that is the
proper position for it, with the size of chain link m, as shown in the drawing.
With a size of link slightly shorter, this finger stop would be placed in the set of
holes higher up on the feeder D, and so on. The object and effect of this finger-
stop is to regulate the movement of the hand of the operator every time he shoves
forwardly and upwardly in the feeder D a fresh link, so that he will always, in
pushing up the freshly inserted link, shove the series of inserted links just far
enough to properly place the upper or leading link of the series, on the face of the
lower die B of the press.
It will be here understood that as the series of links contained in the feeder is
periodically pushed upwardly and forwardly by the successive introduction of fresh
links by the operator, the links at the leading end of the series will be in succession
placed upon, and discharged from, the surface of the die B; a link being placed on
said die during each ascent of the upper die C, and removed therefrom after the
straightening operation, and to make room for the fresh link at the next ascent of
said die C.
The dotted lines at Figure 1 illustrate the movement of each link while it is
being removed from the die B after having been straightened, and indicates two
successive positions of the link while being discharged. The link while on the
face of the die B being in a horizontal position, while the link which is to take
its place is in an oblique position (in the feeder D), it will be seen that the enforced

page_text: movement upwardly and forwardly of the latter, when the operator pushes in a
fresh link at the bottom of the feeder, will operate on the link which is on the die-
face, in such manner as to tend to first slightly elevate the coupler hook end of the
link, and to then push the link bodily, off the face of the die.
Now this peculiar operation upon the link on the die face is necessary to remove
it therefrom, and its removal could not be practically or successively effected, if the
pushing link (or the series of links in the feeder) was in a horizontal position, or
moved in the same plane in which the link on the die face is located. Hence the
oblique arrangement of the feeder device D is an essential and important feature of
the novel contrivance made the subject of my application.
By reason of having the peculiar device or contrivance adjustable, after the
manner shown, and described I am enabled to use the same feeder trough on the
same press, and for straightening links of different lengths and thicknesses (within
a certain range), by simply shifting or changing the dies of the press, while by the
use of the adjustable finger stop h, I am enabled, by operating with different
lengths of links, to regulate the extent of motion or stroke of the operator's hand,
so that every time he pushes in a fresh link he will push the contents of the feeder
trough D just far enough to properly effect the dislodgment of the link which has
been straightened, and the placement on the die B of the link to be straightened.
Of course, in using links a little shorter, for instance, than those shown in the
drawings, which would necessitate an adjustment of the finger stop h, the retaining
catch G will still operate to prevent the descent, or sliding out, of the lower-most
one of the series of contained links, although it would permit the series of links,
after they had been pushed up to a maximum extent by the operator, to slightly
recede, which, however, would make no difference in the practical operation of the
machine, the function of said retaining catch G being simply to prevent the escape
of the contained links while the operator is procuring a fresh link to insert.
Of course more or less variation may be made in the sizes proportions, and
precise relative arrangements of the parts of the contrivance, without departing
from the spirit of my invention, so long as the machine involve substantially the
principle of construction and mode of operation therein shown and described.
I will now proceed to describe my automatic blank feeding mechanism.
This mechanism is illustrated by the Figures 6. 7 and 8.
In the several figures the same part will be found designated by the same letter
of reference.
A represents part of the base frame of an ordinary drop press, and B the lower
die thereof. C is an upper die which is represented as being provided with the
usual lifter bar, or strap D, and which is periodically raised by two friction rollers
E. E. and permitted to drop or fall in the usual manner.
Bolted to one side of the lower portion A of the press is an angular, metallic
stand or bracket which preferably is secured to A, by means of a bolt b, passing
through an oblong hole in said stand, so that the latter by loosening and retightening
said bolt b may be set and fastened at slightly different elevations, relatively to
the top surface of the lower die B of the press.
To the upper oblique surface of this stand is secured by means of a bolt a, the
feeder trough preferably in such manner that by loosening and retightening the
bolt a, the said feeder trough or device F may have that end which is nearer to
the die B set or adjusted to a greater or less distance from the top of said die.
The feeder trough or device F is formed it will be seen, with a curved central
portion which is almost semi-circular and two straight divergent portions or legs,
the shorter one of which extends upwardly towards and into close proximity with,
the top of the die B, while the longer one projects upward to a height convenient
for the placement within this end of the feeder device, by the operator of the links
to be fed to the press.
As is clearly shown, the outer or receiving end of the feeder device F is made
flaring or funnel shaped, so as to facilitate the insertion of the links-one at a time

page_text: by hand as required while the shape of F. at each of the straight or leg like
portions is such in cross section (see Fig. 8) as that there shall be overhanging
ledges ff at the open sides of the legs to confine the links at opposite sides within
the feeder legs and thus compel the links to follow each other perfectly both while
descending by gravity in the longer leg of the feeder F. and while being pushed
upwardly within the shorter leg of the said feeder. As the chain links while
travelling through the carved portion of the feeder assume positions such as to
render impracticable the presence of the retaining ledges or lips f. at the said carved
portion of the feeder the ledges or lips are omitted from the curved part. Over
the curved or dishing portion of the feeder F. is mounted a feed wheel or disc G.
which is arranged to turn freely on an axle or spindle h. the ends of which are
properly supported in the upwardly projecting side portions of the Feeder F.
(see Fig. 7).
This feed wheel G. has its periphery notched or cut out crosswise at proper
intervals in a manner clearly shown at Fig. 6 for the production of the adjacent
plane end bars and coupler hook end bars of the links which have to pass along in
the feeder F. and which are moved forward positively through the curved portion
of the said feeder by the feed wheel G. in a manner to be presently explained.
This feed wheel G. has a face of such width that those portions of its periphery
which are furthest from its axis will easly or readily pass into the central openings
of the chain links as shewn at Fig. 6 after a fashion in which the sprockets of
a chain wheel enter the central openings of such chain-links when the latter are
made up into a drive chain.
"
I is a crank-arm, one end of which is made fast to a hub of the feed wheel G (or
to the spindle h, if it be preferred to have said spindle move with the feed wheel G),
and the other end of which has pivoted to it at I, a pawl J, the free end of which
engages with the notches in the periphery of the feed-wheel, and also the lower
end of the pitman K the upper end of which is pivoted at m to a vibratory arm or
lever M the fulcrum of which is pivoted at o, in any fixture P and the free end of
which passes through a slot or hole, through the lifter bar D of the drop press; by
which lifter-bar it is periodically vibrated.
p represents chain-links such as are to make that kind of chain known as the
Ewart" Detachable Drive Chain; and the upper or working face of the die B and
the lower face of the die C are of course shaped, respectively so as to conform to,
and effect the straightening of, opposite sides of such a link, when the latter shall
be struck between the dies in the usual manner.
In the operation of the contrivance, shewn in the drawing and thus far explained
the operator simply inserts successively the malleable iron links p at the upper
flaring end of the feeder F keeping the outer leg of the said feeder amply supplied
at all times. As the press or drop is continuously worked the vibrating arm M is
moved up and down at its free end by the lifter bar D of the press and thus the
pitian K is caused to vibrate the arm I, and through the medium of the pawl J
turn the feed-wheel G (in the direction indicated by the arrow Fig. 6) to an extent
equal to the distance between any two of its peripheral notches whereby the links
in the curved or dishing portion of the feeder F are positively moved along in the
feeder by the wheel G, a distance about equal to the length of one link. This
periodical movement of the wheel G and the links upon which it operates once to
each double stroke (that is to each ascent and descent) of the lifter bar D and upper
die C of the press, and this periodical movement of the links thus affected by
the feeder G, causes the link or links, as the case may be, which lie in the shorter
leg of the feeder F to be pushed upwardly and forwardly to an extent just
sufficient,
First, to place the foremost one of said links properly on the die B as shewn at
Fig. 6 and to thereafter periodically or intermittently remove from said die the
link which has been dropped or straightened, and place thereon a fresh link to be
operated upon.

page_text: I have shown in dotted lines at Fig. 6 two different positions which fairly
illustrate the successive positions or the movements of a link while being pushed up
or off of and away from the die B by the incoming link.
The mode of operation where the series of links, arranged in the ascending feeder
is pushed by hand, has been fully described; and as the operation in the present
case is similar I need not further explain it.
In the machine herein shown and described however, the supply of links in the
feeder device or trough, instead of having to be pushed by hand at the proper times
and to the proper extent to effect the dislodgment of the straightened links, and to
place a fresh link on the die B is controlled and effected automatically and in perfect
accordance with the requirements of the press, so that all the operator has to do is
to simply see that the ascending leg of the feeder F, is kept always properly
supplied with links. This duty, of course can be performed by any mere boy, or
unskilled operative, while at the same time the machine will supply the links
properly for a more rapidly operated drop-press than could be successfully effected
continuously by the hand of a skilled operative.
Of course many modifications and variations in the details of construction of the
contrivance, shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit
of my invention, so long as the machine be made to involve the same principle of
construction and work in substantially the same manner. It will be obvious that
although it is preferable to have the feeder wheel G operated or manipulated
through the medium of connections with some part of the press, it might be worked
by some independent driving power arranged to operate the said feed wheel
synchronously with the movements of the upper die of the press; also that
variation may be made in the construction of the machine to adapt it for use with
other sorts of chain links.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) In combination with an ordinary drop-press an ascending or obliquely
arranged feeder-trough, adapted to receive and retain one or more chain-links; the
relative arrangement of said feeder-trough with the die of the press, being such,
that whenever a fresh article is inserted and pushed upwardly within said feeder-
trough, the preceding one may be forced on to the said die discharging therefrom
the one which may be on the die; substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
(2.) An obliquely arranged feeder-trough or device combined with an ordinary
drop-press, and adjustable both longitudinally and vertically, relatively to the lower
die of said press; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
(3.) In combination with the feeder-trough, an adjustable finger or hand stop;
substantially as, and for the purpose set forth.
(4.) In combination with an obliquely arranged ascending feeder-trough, adapted
to receive one or more chain-links, a spring-catch or depressible retainer device,
constructed and operating in a manner and for the purpose described.
(5.) In combination with the ascending leg portion of a feed-trough, a descending
supply-leg, a connecting or intermediate curved portion and means for periodically
moving the contents of the feeder, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
set forth.
(6.) In combination with a drop-press, the feed trough or device F, and a feed-
wheel, the periphery of which is adapted to engage with the separated blanks in
the feeder, substantially as and for the purposes described.
(7.) In combination with the stationary die of the press, a feed trough F, and
feed-wheel and means, such as described for periodically moving said wheel through
the medium of a device worked from the movable die of the press or its connections,
substantially as herein before set forth.

page_text: (8.) The combination, with a fe der-device F, having the open sides of its straight
portion provided with ledges, of a feed wheel having notches across its periphery
to accommodate the adjacent plain end-bar, and a coupler-hook end-bar of each
pair of links and adapted to enter the central openings of the chain-links, so as to
act positively against the plain end bars in moving forward the supply column
substantially as set forth.
(9.) Feeding apparatus substantially as described and represented in the annexed
drawings to be applied to machinery used in the manufacture of chains.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.