THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPROVED CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING LINK."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Walker, of Derby, in the County of Derby,
Foreman, for an Invention of "THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPROVED
CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING LINK."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Walker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th February 1881.
JAMES WALKER, of Derby, in the County of Derby, Foreman.
CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPROVED CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING LINK."
"THE
This Invention consists in the construction of an improved connecting and dis-
connecting link to be employed for facilitating the connecting or disconnecting at
will of portions of chains, and for other analogous purposes.
The link is formed in two parts by being divided at both ends, the abutting.
portions of each part being bevilled, stepped, or otherwise suitably formed, so that
when they are brought together they will bear one against the other. Across the
centre of the link is a bar divided in the centre, the two parts so formed being
attached to or formed on the inner face of the respective parts of the link. Through
the sides of the link and through the length of the said bar is drilled or otherwise
formed a hole, into which is introduced a bolt or rivet for the purpose of riveting or
connecting together the two parts of the link in such a manner as to admit of their
being turned at an angle to each other on the said rivet or bolt, so that the
abutting ends of the two parts of the link can be opened or moved a sufficient distance
from each other to admit of the insertion of the ends of the links or other analogous
contrivances to be connected or disconnected, then by turning the portions of the
link back to their former positions so that their respective ends again abut against
each other the ends of the said links or analogous contrivances will be securely
enclosed within the connecting and disconnecting link. As the ends. of the link so
connected will be under ordinary circumstances situated over the abutting ends of
the said improved link, any strain will have a tendency to force the said abutting
ends more firmly together.
The withdrawal or disconnection of the links is readily effected by opening the
said abutting ends of the parts of the improved link.
Although any suitable metal may be employed for constructing the said improved.
links, it is preferred to make them of malleable iron.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Walker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th August
1881.
JAMES WALKER, of Derby, in the County of Derby, Foreman.
CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPROVED CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING LINK."
"THE
My said Invention consists in the construction of an improved connecting and
disconnecting link to be employed for facilitating the connecting or disconnecting
at will of portions of chains, and for other analogous purposes.
The link is formed in two parts by being divided at both ends, the abutting
portions of each part being bevilled, stepped, or otherwise suitably formed, so that
when they are brought together they will bear one against the other. Across the
centre of the link is a bar divided in the centre, the two parts so formed being
attached to or formed on the inner face of the respective parts of the link. Through
the sides of the link and through the length of the said bar is drilled or otherwise
formed a hole, into which is introduced a bolt or rivet for the purpose of riveting or
connecting together the two parts of the link in such a manner as to admit of their
being turned at an angle to each other on the said rivet or bolt, so that the abutting
ends of the two parts of the link can be opened or moved a sufficient distance from
each other to admit of the insertion of the ends of the links or other analogous
contrivances to be connected or disconnected, then by turning the portions of the
link back to their former positions so that their respective ends again abut against
each other, the ends of the said links or analogous contrivances will be securely
enclosed within the connecting and disconnecting link: As the ends of the links so
connected will be under ordinary circumstances situated over the abutting ends of
-the said improved link any strain will have a tendency to force the said abutting
ends more firmly together. The withdrawal or disconnection of the links is readily
effected by opening the said abutting ends of the parts of the improved link.
I will now proceed to refer to the accompanying Drawings, from which the nature
of my said Invention will be more clearly understood. Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 an end view of the said improved link, and Figure 3 is a view of the same
open for the purpose of inserting or withdrawing the ends of the links or other
analogous contrivances to be connected or disconnected. The same letters of
reference indicate like parts in all the Figures. A, A¹, are the two portions of the
link, the ends of which abut against each other at a; b, b¹; are the parts of the bar
across the centre, through which the rivet or bolt is arranged; c, c, are the loops
formed for the reception of the links or other analogous contrivances to be con-
nected. In the above mentioned Figures two of the ends of the portions of the link
are shown provided with a rib d fitting into a corresponding recess in the opposite
abutting ends; these ribs or similar projections may be formed or attached in any
suitable manner or position on the ends of the links so as to counteract any
tendency of the ends to separate when exposed to great strains. Figure 4 is a view
of a link constructed without ribs or projections on the abutting ends, and Figures
5 and 6 are respectively plan and end view of the same.
Although any suitable metal may be employed for constructing the said improved
links, it is preferred to make them of malleable iron.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which it is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting

page_text: the Invention secured to me by the said hereinbefore in part recited Letters
Patent is,
The construction of the improved connecting and disconnecting link, substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Walker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.
JAMES WALKER. (L.S.)