Improvements in and relating to Chain Links.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1895-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Chain Links.
I, RICHARD ALVIN BREUL, a citizen of the United States of America,
residing at 55 Beach Street, in the City of Bridgeport, County of Fairfield and
State of Connecticut, one of the United States of America, Inventor, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained, in and by the following
statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in chain links, and consists in the novel
construction and arrangement for securing together the free ends of the wire of
which the link is formed. Up to the present time only two successful. kinds of
links, with regard to satisfactory results in tensile strength, are in use...These are
the welded links, aud links of a construction in which the ends of the wire are
returned to hook on or close around a suitable portion of the link-body. The
production of welded chain, however, is very expensive, and gives reliable and
perfect results only when the utmost skill and care are exerted; while links with
hooked or returned ends closing around a suitable portion of the link-body are
more or less clumsy and contain much superfluous metal.
The invention claimed in this Specification is the result of many lengthy and
careful experiments undertaken with the purpose in view of producing of a single
piece of wire a chain link of the general shape and proportions and the same or
superior tensile strength possessed by the welded coil chain, and to obtain such
finished links, or any number of them joined together into continuous chain, by
forming them directly from a coil of wire, in a cold state, by rapidly operating
machinery. I am convinced, by the results obtained, that in my present invention
I have obtained a perfect link with all these excellent qualities, and, as such a
link has often been sought for, but invariably with unsatisfactory results,
producing links entirely unfit for practical use, I do not hesitate to claim that
by this present invention I have established a new stage of the art in the
production and manufacture of such wire links and chains.
Before giving a description of my improved link I think it best to allude to the
former state of the art in chain links nearest approaching the construction I have
adopted. As will be seen later on, the constructive shape of this link is the same
as the old well-known sister hook; one end of the link being formed by the hooked
overlapping and coinciding ends of the wire of which the link is made. Also the
universally used chain repair links, the link shown in the method Patent of the
United States, No. 255,866 to David Hults, granted April 4, 1882; also one of
my own Patents of the United States on a split link, No. 375,045, dated
December 20, 1887, which is limited to the use of flat wire and having offset
hooks all these have a similar general formation. In none of these, however, is
any provision whatever made for strengthening or securing the hooked overlapping
ends, and the strength of all these links is limited to the small strain necessary to
unbend the hooked portions.
I will now proceed to describe and fully explain my invention, in which I have
succeeded in obtaining a locking of the ends which is equal to and even exceeds
the tensile strength of the full-size stock employed. Instead of removing or
cutting away a part of the stock on the adjacent faces of the overlapping ends,
I slightly shift some of the material, by pressure or otherwise, on the meeting
sides of the link ends to form shallow inclined, or hooking, locking teeth, which

page_text: .
are formed of the greatest possible length and strength by being located,
preferably, in a line across the hooked overlapping ends of the link; and at
the same time strengthen this part of the stock by cold swaging. By the
peculiar disposition or arrangement of these teeth their gripping or resisting
power is increased at a ratio proportionate to the strain exerted on the chain;
that is to say, the greater the strain the more resistance is offered by these teeth,
owing to their construction and automatic locking arrangement; an'l no strain short
of one sufficient to overcome the tensile strength of the wire will separate any of
the links. This firm hold of the contacting ends is induced and effected by the
action under strain of the surrounding end of the next link, which forces
the two toothed surfaces closely and irresistably together, as hereinafter fully
described.
Referring to the accompanying drawing-
Figures 1 and 2 are views of part of a chain embodying my invention;
Figure 3 illustrates in detail, on an enlarged scale, the locking end of one of the
links of the same;
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the link-end, taken on line - Figure 3;
Figures 4 and 5 are views of part of a chain als embodying my invention;
Figure 6 is a view of a link, hereinafter described.
Figures 7 and 8 show the ends of the link formed with a greater number of
teeth; and
Figure 9 shows a straight link embodying my invention.
The links constructed according to this invention are formed each of a single
length or piece of wire A, which is bent at its center to form a loop, B, sides C, C,
and converging overlapping ends, D. It will be seen that these ends converge
towards each other, passing and overlapping, forming a double thickness or layer
of the wire stock; these curved converging and overlapping ends being locked
together and against the direction of the strain by the inclined teeth E, which
are formed on the said meeting faces or sides, without removing any of the
material, by pressure or otherwise. The exact form or curve of the link-body
has, of course, no bearing on this locking device for its meeting ends; as the link
may be left a plain straight link, as shown in Figure 9, the said link being shown open
for use as a repair link; or its locking ends may be curved or offset to bring
them into a plane at right-angles to the loop-end B of the link, as shown in
Figures 1 to 6; or in any suitable plane intersecting that of the bow end; and the
interlocking teeth may be formed at any convenient distance, to secure the most
desirable location, from the extremeties of the wire-blank.
The meeting faces or sides of the converging overlapping link-ends, are formed
as stated, with the inclined teeth E. As shown in Figures 1 to 5, which illustrate
the preferred arrangement of the teeth, the same are formed of the greatest
possible length and strength by being located in a line across the overlapping ends,
as most clearly illustrated in the enlarged detail view, Figure 3; from which it
will be seen that the inclined teeth on the inner face of each link end are arranged
in line across said end, at right angles to the length of the link-body, so that the
combined length of the two locking teeth on each bent end is nearly equal to
the full width of the link. The straight faces e³ of each pair of teeth E lie on
the same straight line extending across the link-end or bow, but face in opposite
directions, as shown, so as to interlock for the full width of the link-end; this
construction giving the greatest possible bearing surface to the straight interlocking
faces of the inclined teeth which interlock when the overlapping ends of the link
are brought together, so that any strain on the link will simply press said straight
faces of the interlocking teeth of the meeting ends more firmly together; it being
impossible for the contacting inner faces of the meeting ends to slip on each other.
It will further be seen that the loop end B of each link in these chains encircling or
enclosing the rounded contacting ends of the next link through which it passes, will
under a strain operate to force the toothed surfaces of the rounded ends together,
with a force which will of course increase as the strain on the chain increases,

page_text: At the outer end of the tooth--
rendering it impossible for said ends to separate.
impression e, on the shank side of each curved link-end the small strengthening
rib E is formed, which renders that part of the curved end stronger and stiffer,
and, extending over and hiding the joint somewhat, as the extremity of the
neater and better
link-end seats back of said rib, thus gives the link a
appearance.
These locking teeth may of course be varied somewhat in shape, or be shifted in.
position, or more teeth may be added by making the teeth of less depth or making
the hooked ends longer, without deviating from the spirit of this invention..
In Figure 6 the small strengthening ribs E' are shown dispensed with; in Figure 7
the link ends are shown formed with a larger number of the locking teeth; while
in Figure 8 the series of teeth are shown inclined to the line of the wire, instead of
extending across it at right-angles.
As the construction of every part of my improved link is, from the drawings and
above description, now well understood, I desire to call attention to special features,.
their advantages, and the results produced. As will be seen, the combined length
of the two locking teeth on each beut end is nearly equal to the full width of the
link. By these means I obtain the greatest length of teeth attainable, their area.
of effective hooking surface being twice as large as that of a tooth intersecting the-
wire at right-angles; and the compressed parts at the recesses are made very
broad and consequently strong. These points, although very important and far
reaching in desirable results, comprise only part of the improvement and advantage
gained by placing and forming the teeth in the preferred form shown. Not only
are the effective parts of the teeth absolutely placed into the stiff unyielding stock
in the doubled end of the link, which is closely surrounded and the teeth immovably-
held in contact by the U-shaped embracing end of the next link, but, as these teeth-
are disposed at right-angles to the length of the link, they directly resist and oppose
any end strain on the link; no shifting or displacement of the shape of the link or
any part thereof can take place unless an overstrain or stretching of the wire itself
should take place, or if after that the wire should be pulled apart. Also, the
hooked overlapping ends are positively kept in the same position and exact shape.
until the link is broken, as a strain on the link, no matter how great, will cause the
shanks of the link to pull squarely against the tooth, e2 on the end of the hook of
the opposite shank; both curved hooks having this end-tooth e², by the peculiar
transverse arrangement of the teeth, as shown. This feature of unaided positive.
balance of strain on every part of the link has not been obtained heretofore
in any link of analogous construction, not welded, and made of a single piece.
of wire.
I have also gained the following advantages, rendering my link an important
improvement which promises great success as a new article of manufacture; I do
not lose any material or weaken the stock by thus forming and placing the locking
teeth; I do away with costly and tedious forging, welding, milling or cutting
operations, consequently the objectionable features of chips, scales, sharp corners,
or burs are avoided. The links are formed by rapid bending and swaging
operations, many feet of continuous chain being thus produced in a single minute :
also this chain has proved to be of greater tensile strength than the common welded
coil chain of same weight, no weak or defective links can occur, as all links are of
practically equal strength.
What hereinafter claim as new and as embodying the gist of my present.
invention consists in the locking teeth of the described shape and disposition on the
inner meeting surfaces of the overlapping hook-shaped ends of the old and well
known split chain link, also shown and described as provided with my improvement ;.
the recesses necessary for the production of these teeth being formed without any
cutting away or loss of material, the superfluous stock being shifted into the
flattened portions, thereby broadening and hardening them, and rendering them as.
strong or nearly so, in the direction of end strain on the link as are those parts of
the link and wire wbich contain no indentations.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:―
"
1. The improvement in a chain link, constructed of a single piece of wire, bent
at its center to form a loop, sides, and converging, curved, overlapping ends, the
lapped portion containing an unreduced double layer of the wire employed, said
improvement consisting in the herein-described interlocking teeth E, located on and
mutually engaging the inner meeting faces of the above defined overlapping ends,
all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. As a new article of manufactnre, a split chain link having overlapping hooked
ends, on the inner faces of which are formed by pressure, without removing any of
the stock or material, the herein-described interlocking teeth E and strengthening
ribs E, arranged as specified, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. A chain consisting of links each of which is formed of a single piece of wire
bent at its center to form a loop, sides, and converging curved overlapping ends
forming a double layer of the stock employed, said ends being provided on their
adjacent sides with interlocking inclined teeth, the bow of the adjoining link
running through and enclosing said curved toothed ends and forcing them together
under any strain on the chain, substantially as set forth.
4. As an improved article of manufacture, a chain link made from a single piece
of wire bent at its center to form a bow, the curved ends of the wire converging,
passing, and overlapping each other, forming a double layer of the wire, and locked
together and against the direction of strain by registering inclined teeth extending
in line across said curved ends, at right-angles to the length of the link-body;
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 20th day of July 1805
JENSEN & SON,
77 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.