IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF of Durham for an Invention of CHAINS AND CHAIN CARLES "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Holloway Reed, of Sunderland, in the County
$$ IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
of Durham for an Invention of
CHAINS AND CHAIN CARLES
"
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Holloway Reed at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th October 1883.
CHARLES HOLLOWAY REED, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS AND CHAIN CABLES
"
The principal objects of the present improvements are to dispense with the
process of welding in the manufacture of the links of chains and chain cables, and
to manufacture such links of cast steel, cast or malleable or cast malleable iron, or
other suitable metal, in parts, in such a manner as that the links may be readily
and completely formed by simply and securely fitting such parts together
substantially in the manner hereinafter described.
One modification of the improved system of manufacture, comprises the
formation of the links in half. parts, and the uniting of such parts, to form the
complete links, by means of dovetailing or similarly fitting the one part into the
other.
In carrying this modification into effect, the parts to be joined together are cast
or otherwise formed in the required metal with the parts or faces which are
intended to be fitted together of corresponding but inverse formation, so that the
tongue or projection of the one part will fit into the dovetail or recess of the
other part. These projecting parts and corresponding recesses, are respectively
formed on and in cross bars which are cast or formed together with and extend
from side to side of the parts of the links. These cross bars are of considerable
advantage in strengthening the links, and as struts in preventing any lateral
collapse thereof.
The parts thus formed are fitted together to form the complete link by ▸liding or
inserting the tongue of the one part into the recess of the other, the parts may
then be securely fastened with a cotter or pin, or other such means inserted through
an elliptical or circular hole formed transversely of the cross bars, to prevent the
parts of the link from becoming separated.

page_text: I do not limit myself to any particular formation of the tongues and recesses,
either as regards their dimensions, or precise shape, as some formations may be
better fitted for certain particular uses than others, and I should in practice use
those which experience would determine to be best suitable to the strains which
the intended chain or cable might have to bear. The sides of the recesses or slots,
and of the tongues or keys, may be made with a slight taper from end to end, to
admit of the ready introduction endwise of the tongue or key into the recess or
slot, or they may be made parallel.
In another modification, dovetailed slots or other suitable recesses, are formed in
the opposite faces of both the parts which form one link, and these parts are
united by a reversely conformed key piece, having tongues which fit into the slots
or recesses in the parts of the link; or, dovetailed recesses may be formed in an
intermediate key piece, and the tongues be formed on the opposite faces of the
parts of the link; in either arrangement the parts may be secured by a pin, or
cotter, or other such means.
Each part of the link is preferably cast complete with its recess or tongue, but
the latter may be subsequently formed by cutting, or finished to perfect form by
filing or other means.
These improvements may be applied to links of various patterns, forms,
proportions, and contours.,
In order that links formed after this improved system may be connected into
continuous chains or cables, I, according to one modification, cast or form the one
part of one link, and place it in a suitably shaped mould, and cast or form the
connecting part of the next adjacent link about it, so that when removed from the
mould the adjacent end parts of the adjacent links will be in usual connection,
the solid part of each link passing through the aperture or opening in the other.
The above described system of forming links in parts which can be readily
connected together, and of forming the adjacent end parts of adjacent links in
connected pairs, is resultant of very considerable practical advantages. Should
any faulty link of a chain or cable exhibit its defect or weakness on being tested,
or should any damage or breakage occur to any link of a chain or cable at sea or
elsewhere, it can be immediately replaced by a sound link. Chains and cables can
be more readily made and with less skilled labor by this improved system of
construction than is possible with any system wherein the links are welded, and
they can be made, according to the present Invention, of a less weighty construction
for any required strength than according to existing systems of construction; so
that in a given length of cable a considerable reduction of weight can be effected
without loss of strength ;-and they may thus be rendered more portable, and
may be transported or carried either in detached pairs of parts of adjacent links,
or in short lengths of connected links, which, when required, can be easily and
securely fitted together into any desired length.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Holloway Reed in the Patent Office on the 4th April
1884.
CHARLES HOLLOWAY REED, of Sunderland, in the County of Durham,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS AND CHAIN CABLES
"
This Invention relates to certain improvements in or applicable to the
manufacture of the links of chains and chain cables, and consists in manufacturing
such links of cast steel, cast or malleable or cast malleable iron, or other suitable
metal in parts, in the improved manner hereinafter described, and which dispenses
with the process of welding in the manufacture of the links, and permits of them
being readily and securely formed by simply fitting such parts together,
substantially as herein-after described.
According to the improved method of manufacture which is illustrated on the
accompanying drawings in Figs 1 to 4, the improved links are each made in half
lengths or parts 1, 2, which are united to form the complete link by dovetailing
or similarly fitting the one part into the other.
The half parts of each link are cast or otherwise formed in the required metal
with the parts or faces 3, which are intended to be fitted together of corresponding
formation in such a manner that the tongue or projection 4, of the one part will
fit into the dovetail or recess 5, of the other part. The projecting part 4, and the
corresponding recess 5, are respectively formed on and in cross pieces or bars 6,
which are cast or formed together with and extend from side to side of each part
of the link, and are of considerable advantage in strengthening the link, and as
struts in preventing any lateral collapse thereof.
The parts of the link as thus formed are fitted together to form the complete
link by sliding or inserting the tongue of the one part into the recess of the other,
the parts may then be securely fastened with a cotter or pin 7, or like means
inserted through an elliptical or circular hole 8, formed transversely of the cross
bars to prevent the parts of the link from shifting or separating.
I do not restrict myself to any particular formation of the tongues 4, and
recesses 5, either as regards their dimensions, or precise shape, as this is not
material to the Invention, and as some formations may be better fitted for
particular uses than others. In practice I should use those which experience would
determine to be best suitable to the strains which the intended chain or cable
might have or would be required to bear. The sides of the recesses or slots, and
of the tongues or keys, may be made with a slight taper from end to end as shown
in Fig 3, to admit of the ready introduction endwise of the tongue or key into the
recess or slot, or they may be made parallel.
Figs 1, 2, and 4, illustrate, by way of example, different formations of the
juxtaposed parts, with one and the same formation of the alot and tongue.
In the modification illustrated in Figs 5, and 6, dovetailed slots or other suitable
recesses 5, are formed in the opposite faces of both the parts 1, 2, which form one
link, and these parts are united by a reversely conformed key piece 9, having
tongues 4, which fit into the slots or recesses 5, in the parts of the link, or, as
illustrated in Fig 7, dovetailed recesses may be formed in an intermediate key
piece 10, and the tongues be formed on the opposite faces of the parts of the link;
in either arrangement the parts may be secured by a pin or cotter 7, or like
means.
Each part of the link is preferably cast complete with its recess or tongue, but
the latter may be subsequently formed by cutting, or finished to perfect form by
filing or other means.

page_text: These improvements may be applied to links of various patterns, forms,
proportions, and contours, Fig; 1, represents a parallel-sided link of one formation.
Fig; 2, represents in full lines the form and proportion of links of chain cables
used in the British Navy; the dotted lines in this Fig show a parallel sided link,
and one of an intermediate contour, all being of the same formation as regards
fitting the parts of the link together, as seen best in the plan view of the link.
In order that links formed in accordance with the present improvements may
be connected into continuous chains or cables, I, according to one modification, cast
or form the one part (2,) of one link, and place it in a suitably shaj ed mould, and
cast or form the connecting part (1), of the next adjacent link about it, so that
when removed from the mould the adjacent end parts 2, 1, of the adjacent
links 11, 12, will be in usual connection, the solid part of each link passing through
the aperture or opening 13, in the other.
The above described improved system of forming links in parts which can be
readily connected together, when used in combination with the system of
forming the adjacent end parts of adjacent links in connected pairs, is resultant of
very considerable practical advantages. For example should any faulty link of a
chain or cable exhibit its defect or weakness on being tested, or should any damage
or breakage occur to any link of a chain or cable at sea or elsewhere, the faulty
parts can be at once removed, and replaced by sound parts. Chains and cables
can be more readily made and with less skilled labor by this improved system of
manufacture than is possible with any system wherein the links are welded, and
they can be made, according to the present Invention, more reliable and of a less
weighty construction for any required strength than according to existing systems
of manufacture, so that in a given length of cable a considerable reduction of
weight can be effected without loss of strength;-and they may thus be rendered
more portable, and may be transported or carried either in detached pairs of parts
of adjacent links or in short lengths of connected links, which, when required. can
Lo easily and securely fitted together into any desired length.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical offect I would observe in conclusion that what I consider
to be novel and original and therefore claim as constituting the Invention secured
to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is:-
1. The manufacture of the links of chains and chain cables, by casting or forming
them of steel or other suitable metal in half lengths or parts, with transverse bars
or pieces having on their opposing faces corresponding tongues and recesses, by
means of which the paris may be readily fitted together, and secured by a cotter
or pin passing through the said cross bars or pieces to form the complete link,
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying
drawings
2. The manufacture of chains and chain cables, by casting or forming the links
thereof in half lengths or parts which can be readily and securely fitted together
to form the complete link as herein before described and claimed, and by casting or
forming the adjacent end parts of adjacent links in usual connection, substantially
as herein before describe 1.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Charles Holloway Reed, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this 31 day of March, in the year of Our Lord, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.