IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LINKS FOR WATCH AND OTHER CHAINS
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, SIGMUND LEDERER of the firm of S. and B. Lederer of 66 and 67 Stewart
Street Providence, Rhode Island and of 22 Maiden Lane New York both in the
United States of America but at present of the Holborn Viaduct Hotel in the. City
of London England Manufacturing Jeweller do hereby declare the nature of said
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LINKS FOR WATCH AND
OTHER CHAINS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention refers to the construction of links for watch and other chains
whereby the chains when made up of such links are to a certain extent elastic and
at the same time the articles which are made up of such links are also ornamental;
According to my invention I insert a spiral or helical spring as hereafter described
inside each link so that the connecting loops of the link may be drawn out against
the resistance of the spring.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
and similar letters of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures. Figure 1
shows two links of a chain constructed according to my invention one link being
shown in side elevation and the other in part vertical longitudinal section. Figure 2
shows in part horizontal section one of the links with the spring contracted.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the same on line x, y of Figure 2 and Figure 4 is a
view in parallel perspective of one of the links drawn on a larger scale than that
of the previous Figures. a and b are the two limbs composing the link proper, the
limb b being free to slide in the limb a or one within the other; c is the coiled
spiral or helical spring one side of which is guided within and by the limb a and
the other side within the limb b; the normal position is as shown at Figure 1, the
abnormal is as shown at Figure 2; d, e, are two guides against which the ends of
the spring cabut, these guides travel along the limbs a and b as the latter are
extended and the spring is consequently contracted. The guides may be formed in
the links themselves and not of separate pieces. Sometimes the guides & may be
dispensed with as shown at Figure 5 in elevation Figure 6, cross section, and
Figure 7 in horizontal section.

page_text: The section of the links are here shown U-shaped, each of them being notched or
grooved, for example, the link b6 Figures 6 and 7 being notched or grooved in four
plates bb at one end and the link a being similarly notched at its opposite end
at a¹ and it is in these notches that the edges or inner flanges of the links a and b
slide, the general appearance and section of the links being somewhat box-shaped
and it will also be noticed that the opposite ends of each limb a and b are slightly
pinched or contracted. In the enclosed or nearly enclosed space the spring c is
placed. Sometimes the guides may be arranged outside the links a and b in the
shape of rings or sleeves.
As shown at Figure 8 in elevation, at Figure 9 in cross section and Figure 10 in
horizontal section the limbs a and b may be of a rectangular or flattened form,
d, e being two rings fitting into notches in the limb b and forming guides keeping
the limba in position, the spring occupying the space enclosed or nearly so by the
limbs a and b.
Figure 11 shows in vertical cross section and Figure 12 in sectional plan one of
the limbs a or b attached to a sleeve d which may be of any required length and
in which sleeve & the limbs a or b slide; it also serves the purpose of enclosing or
partially enclosing the spring c.
Figure 13 shows in elevation and Figure 14 in plan a link similar to that shown
at Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 but here arranged and constructed as a double link. The
limbs are or may be made of such a section as to fit the springs and so that the
springs form guides whereby no displacement of the limbs forming the link can
take place.
The springs while being useful are ornamental and at the same time they give
the articles of jewellery to which they are applied a novel appearance and the links
being able to contract and expand within certain limits if the chain gets a sudden
jerk it yields and is not therefore so liable to get broken as when they are made
rigid.
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
In links for watch and other chains the combination with the limbs composing
the link of a spring and guide or guides whereby the links may be extended and a
useful and ornamental article is at the same time obtained all substantially as
herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Eighteenth day of November 1884.