IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS AND CHAIN CABLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS AND CHAIN CABLES,
AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME."-A communication from abroad.
by Augustin Onésime David, Engineer, of 13, Boulevart St. Martin,
Paris.
Sealed the 12th July 1870, and dated the 21st January 1870.
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville
Clark at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his.
Petition, on the 21st January 1870.
+
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare, the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS, AND.
CHAIN CABLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of chains
and chain cables from cast steel without welding, the links being double
and of round form (in cross section) with eyes at each end, by which

page_text: improvements the strength of the chain is considerably increased. The
links are to be made of bar steel or scrap steel rolled or hammered to
the desired form, or it may be from scraps of plate iron or old springs.
•
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings which
show, 1st, the several stages of manufacture of the link; and, 2ndly, a
portion of a chain with an improved form of connecting link..
The following are the means employed to produce the links by
rolling:-
· 1st. I take a flat bar of the form shown in Figure 1, the angles being
slightly rounded; this bar is of the width required to form the ends of
the links, and of the necessary thickness for the diameter of the middle
of the link. The bar is passed between grooved rollers of the form
shown in Figure 2, in which the dotted lines show a second series of
grooves. The first operation produces a bar of the form shown in
Figure 3, and by subsequent rolling the metal is formed with a series of
broad parts, as shown in Figure 4.
2ndly. I may obtain the links from scrap steel, from rods of an inch
to an inch and a half in diameter, the ends being flattened, as shown in
Figures 5 and 6, by means of rollers, such as those used in the manu-
facture of springs. The blank thus formed is then reduced to the shape
shown in side view and plan, Figure 7.
3rdly. I may produce the links by means of a forge hammer. from
bar steel of from ¾ to one inch in thickness and from 2 to 23 inches
in width. The depressions in the bar are first obtained by means of a
hammer and anvil of suitable form, see Figure 8, by which the bar is
caused to assume the form shown in Figure 9. The bar with a series
of broad parts, as in Figure 4, is then divided at the points a, a', and the
ends rounded.
4thly. The unshaped blanks being thus. obtained, either by rolling
or hammering, I then proceed to shape them by means of the dies
represented in Figure 10, so as to obtain a finished blank of the form
shown in Figure 7.
5thly. In cases where from the form of the steel the requisite breadth
for the ends cannot be obtained, I may slit the ends of the blank, as at-
c, c', and then expand them so as to form the eyes of the link.

page_text: The finished blank brought by any of the above-mentioned means to
the form shown in Figure 7 is then placed under the action of a punch
of the form shown in Figure 12 for making the apertures in the ends, and
forming a finished link, as in Figure 13. Before connecting the links
into a chain each of them undergoes two bending operations; illustrated
in Figures 14 and 15 preparatory to its being introduced into the chain-
making machine.
Figure 16 shows four links connected together, the intermediate
link A, which is a union link, being in addition divided at one part to
admit of the introduction of the other link (the parts being afterwards
rivetted together), while the end link B is shown inserted in the last link
of the chain in readiness to receive the pressure of the machine.
When I utilize old scrap iron clippings, or leaves of old springs, I
punch out the blanks of the desired form, taking care to make the inter-
mediate section of the eyes or loops of sufficient width to obtain on
stamping a round form of shank, and also to make the rectangular
sections of the loops equal in thickness to one-half that of the inter-
mediate part or shank.
Figure 17 shows the formation of a link from an old spring plate.
Figure 18 shows the mode of cutting the links out of plate iron of
greater width than that above mentioned. In this case the links are
stamped out quincuncially so as to save material. Figure 19 shows
the link after stamping.
According to another mode I take a strip of metal and thin it by
rolling or hammering at each end in the form shown in Figures 20
and 21, which are views at right angles to each other. The centre
portion is round or nearly so, while the thinned ends are of half-round
section. The length is such that by bending up the thinned ends by any
suitable means I obtain a link having eyes or loops at each end, as
shown in side and edge views at. Figure 22. The loops are formed by
simply bending the ends. until they meet the shank, the ends may also be
welded at these points if desired. to increase the strength of the link.
The bending of the link, Figure 22, may be effected either by the aid
of pressure, or in a machine such as used for bending railway wheel.
spokes.
The improved machinery for manufacturing chains of the links above
11
1
Te 00
L
01

page_text: dinal section of same on line A, B, Figure 25, which is-a front view of
the machine.
This machine performs three successive operations, special mechanism
being employed for each, viz., 1st, bending and closing the links on a
mandril of the same form as the inside of said links; 2ndly, gearing
acting on the eccentrics whereby the operation of closing the links. may
be repeated or not as desired; 3rdly, gearing for disconnecting the
mandril and clamp for fixing the chain on the table of the machine, so
as to permit of the links being advanced on turning the pulley used for
winding said chain.
1st. After the link A has been introduced in the last link B. of
the chain B¹, B2, B³, the two ends of said link are closely united by
means of pressure applied by the aid of eccentrics C, C'. The link is
thereby caused to take the form of the mandril D on the inside, and on
the outside that of the dies E, E¹, fixed to the two frames or sliding
puppets T, T', operated by the eccentrics. The stroke of the eccentrics
C, C¹, is greater than that necessary for closing the two limbs of the
link, and their pressure is regulated by springs F, F, which while acting
on the puppets T, T', with sufficient power to effect the perfect, contact
of the limbs of the link will yield, should there be any unusual
thickness of metal or other impediment so as to prevent damage to the
machine.
2ndly. The pressure as above mentioned may be repeated as often as
necessary, stop bars I, I', operated by hand lever J, J, J², being intro-
duced or withdrawn from the puppets T, T', according as it is desired
to arrest or continue their action.
3rdly. After closing the two ends of the link I proceed to detach the
chain and link, first arresting the motion of the eccentrics in the manner
above mentioned. I then raise bar L by means of lever K and disconnect
mandril D from the link just formed, and at same time raise clamp M,
which fixes the chain to the table. The chain being in this manner
disconnected I raise the lever still more, describing an arc of a
circle K¹, K³, and in this manner cause pawl N to act on the ratchet
teeth P¹ of the chain pulley P, causing it to advance one link of the chain.
The lever is then allowed to fall, and the chain again fixed on the table,
the mandril D also resuming its former position in readiness to receive
another link..

page_text: ·
4thly. The shafts H, H', of eccentrics C,. C', carry toothed gearing
O, O', at their lower ends driven by a pinion Q on shaft Q'. The machine
is supported on a standard, R having a hollow foot or pedestal R' and
table R², the latter being provided with rods S, S', forming guides for the
puppets of eccentrics, and which take the whole of the pressure and so
prevent damage to the framing of the machine. The chain after being
made is tempered so as to increase its strength and elasticity.
In order to ensure perfect regularity in this tempering and annealing
process whatever may be the length of the chain under treatment, I
impart a slow rectilinear motion thereto and cause it to pass through a
furnace of such length and grate surface that the chain on issuing
therefrom will be of a red heat suited for tempering. The chain on
leaving the furnace passes over pulleys into a vessel filled with water,
and then again rises and passes through a second furnace similar to the
first mentioned except that it is heated to a lesser degree either by means
of a fire-grate or by the waste heat from the first furnace. The second
furnace is used for annealing the chain, and the latter on leaving the
same is wound on a large drum to which rotary motion is imparted. It
will be understood that the rate of speed at which the chain is passed
through the furnaces is regulated according to the degree of heat, and
that the furnaces may be made of sufficient size to allow of two or more
chains being tempered and annealed therein at one time..
'
Figure 26 of the Drawings shows a longitudinal section, and Figure 27
a plan of the furnaces above referred to. a, furnace closed at both ends
by hinged or sliding doors b; c, fire-grate. The red lines indicate
the chain which first passes over a pulley d and through a small
aperture in door b into furnace a, where it is heated by the flames
throughout its length, and then passes out at an aperture made in the
door at the opposite end of the furnace. In the Drawing the heat from
the furnace a is conducted to the second furnace by two lateral
flues g, g, although furnace f may be also provided with a fire-grate if
desired. The chain on leaving the furnace a at a red heat is conducted
over pulleys h, i, into a vessel j filled with cold water; by which the
tempering is effected. The reservoir j may also if desired. have a
continuous supply of water provided. The chain on leaving the reservoir
passes up over a pulley and through the second furnace where it is
annealed and thence over a pulley on to winder m. The pulleys d, d;
k, k, may be grooved and mounted loose on their axes while pulloys h, h,
l

page_text: 7, 1, gear with the chains, and impart. motion thereto at the desired speed
by any suitable means in connection with their axes.
By an arrangement of parts such as above described the action will be
continuous, and I thus obtain the uniform tempering and annealing of
chains of any length.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th July 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, 1
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy, in the
thirty-third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc- 1
_cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark,
Her special licence that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and 2
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle
of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS
AND CHAIN CABLES, AND IN MACHINERY FOR THE SAME, a communication
to me from abroad by Augustin Onésime David, Engineer, of 13,
Boulevart St. Martin, Paris, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
"

page_text: NOW KNOW. YE, that I; the said Alexander Melville Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed; to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the 5 Sheets
of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked.
thereon (that is to say) :-
This Invention relates to improvements in the manufacture of chains
and chain cables from cast steel without welding, the links being double
and of round form (in cross section) with eyes at each end, by which
improvements the strength of the chain is considerably increased. The
links are to be made of bar steel or scrap steel, rolled or hammered
to the desired form, or it may be from scraps of plate iron or old
springs.
The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, which
show the several stages of manufacture of the link.
The following are the means employed to produce the links by
rolling-
1st. I take a flat bar of the form shown in Figure 1; the angles being
slightly rounded; this bar is of the width required to form the ends of
the links, and of the necessary thickness for the diameter of the middle
of the link. The bar is passed between grooved rollers of the form
shown in Figure 2, in which the dotted lines shew other series of
grooves. The first operation produces a bar of the form shown in
Figure 3, and by subsequent rolling the metal is formed with a series
of broad parts, as shown in Figure 4.
2ndly. I may obtain the links from scrap steel from rods of an inch
to an inch and a half in diameter, the ends being flattened, as shown.
in Figures 5 and 6, by means of rollers, such as those used in the
manufacture of springs. The blank thus formed is then reduced to the
shape shewn in side view and plan Figure 7.
3rdly. I may produce the links by means of a forge hammer. from
bar steel of from 3 to one inch in thickness and from 2% to 23 inches
in width. The depressions in the bar are first obtained by means of a
hammer and anvil of suitable form, see Figure 8, by which the bar
is caused to assume the form shown in Figure 9. The bar with a series
of broad parts, as in Figure 4, is then divided at the points a, a', and
the ends rounded.

page_text: 4thly. The unshaped blanks being thus obtained either by rolling
or hammering I then proceed to shape them by means of the dies
represented in Figure 10 so as to obtain a finished blank of the form
shown in Figure 7.
5thly. In cases where from the form of the steel the requisite breadth
for the ends cannot be obtained I may slit the ends of the blank as at
c, c³, and then expand them so as to form the eyes of the link.
•
The finished blank brought by any of the above-mentioned means to
the form shown in Figure 7 is then placed under the action of the
punch of the form shown in Figure 12 for making the apertures in the
ends and forming a finished link, as in Figure 13. Before connecting
the links into a chain each of them undergoes two bending operations,
illustrated in Figures 14 and 15, preparatory to being introduced into
the chain-making machine.
Figure 16 shows four links, connected together, the intermediate link A,
which is a union link, being in addition divided at one part to admit of
the introduction of the other link (the parts being afterwards rivetted
together), while the end link B is shown inserted in the last link of the
chain in readiness to receive the pressure of the machine.
When I utilize old scrap iron clippings, or leaves of old springs, I
punch out the blanks of the desired form, taking care to make the
intermediate section of the eyes or loops of sufficient width to obtain on
stamping a round form of shank, and also to make the rectangular
sections of the loops equal in thickness to one-half that of the inter-
mediate part or shank.
Figure 17 shows the formation of a link from an old spring plate.
Figure 18 shows the mode of cutting the links out of plate iron of
greater width than that above mentioned. In this case the links are
stamped out as shown in Figure 18, so as to save material; Figure 19
shows the link after stamping.
According to another mode I take a strip of metal and thin it by
rolling or hammering at each end in the form shown in Figures 20
and 21, which are views at right angles to each other. The centre
portion is round or nearly so, while the thinned ends are of half-round
section. The length is such that by bending up the thinned ends by
any suitable means I obtain a link having eyes or loops at each end,
as shown in side and edge views at Figure 22. The loops are formed by

page_text: simply bending the ends until they meet the shank; the ends may also
be welded at these points if desired to increase the strength of the
link. The bending of the link, Figure 22, may be effected either by
the aid of pressure, or in a machine such as used for bending railway
wheel spokes.
The improved machinery for manufacturing chains of the links above
described is illustrated in plan, Figure 23; Figure 24 is a longitudinal
section of same on line A, B, Figure 25, which is a front view of the
machine.
This machine performs three successive operations, special mechanism
being employed for cach, viz., 1st, bending and closing the links on a
mandril of the same form as the inside of said links; 2ndly., gearing,
acting on the eccentrics whereby the operation of closing the links may
be repeated or not as desired; 3rdly, gearing for disconnecting the mandril
and clamp for fixing the chain on the table of the machine, so as to
permit of the links being advanced on turning the pulley used for
winding said chain.
:
Action of the Machine.-After the link A has been introduced in the
last link B of the chain B1, B2, B3, the two ends of said link are closely.
united by pressure applied by the aid of eccentrics C; C'. The link is
thereby caused to take the form of the mandril D on the inside, and on
the outside that of the dies E, E', fixed to the two frames or sliding
puppets T, T', operated by the eccentrics. The stroke of the eccen-
trics C, C¹, is greater than that necessary for closing the two limbs of
the link; and their pressure is regulated by springs F, F', which while
acting on the puppets T, T', with sufficient power to effect the perfect
contact of the limbs of the link will yield should there be any unusual
thickness of metal or other impediment and so prevent damage to the
machine.
The pressure as above mentioned may be repeated at will as often as
necessary, stop I, I', operated by hand lever J, J', J³, being introduced
or withdrawn from the puppets T, T', according as it is desired to arrest
or continue their action.
After closing the two ends of the link I proceed to detach the chain
and link, first arresting the motion of the eccentrics in the manner
above mentioned; I then raise bar L by means of lever K and dis-
connect mandril D from the link just formed, and at same time raise

page_text: clamp M which fixes the chain to the table. The chain being in this
manner disconnected I raise the lever still more describing in arc of
a circle K³, K³, and in this manner cause pawl N to act on the ratchet
teeth P¹ of the chain pulley P, causing it to advance one link of the
chain. The lever is then allowed to fall and the chain again fixed on
the table, the mandril D also resuming its former position in readiness
to receive another link.
The shafts H, H³, of eccentrics C, C¹, carry toothed gearing O, O¹, at
their lower ends driven by a pinion Q on shaft Q. The machine is
supported on a standard R having a hollow foot or pedestal R' and
table R², the latter being provided with rods S, S₁, forming guides for
the puppets of eccentrics, and which take the whole of the pressure
and so prevent damage to the framing of the machine. The chain after
being made is tempered so as to increase its strength and elasticity.
In order to ensure perfect regularity in this tempering and annealing
process, whatever may be the length of the chain under treatment, I
impart a slow rectilinear motion thereto, and cause it to pass through
a furnace of such length and grate surface that the chain on issuing
therefrom will be of a red heat suited for tempering. The chain on
leaving the furnace passes over pulleys into a vessel filled with water,
and then again rises and passes through a second furnace similar to the
first-mentioned except that it is heated to a lesser degree either by
means of a fire-grate or by the waste heat from the first furnace. The
second furnace is used for annealing the chain, and the latter on leaving
the same is wound on a large drum to which rotary motion is imparted.
It will be understood that the rate of speed at which the chain is passed
through the furnaces is regulated according to the degree of heat, and
that the furnaces may be made of sufficient size to allow of two or more
chains being tempered and annealed therein at one time.
Figure 26 of the Drawings shows a longitudinal section, and Figure 27
a plan of the furnaces above referred to. a, furnace closed at both ends
by hinged or sliding doors b; c, fire-grate.
The red lines indicate the
chain, which first passes over a pulley d and through a small aperture in
door 6 into furnace a, where it is heated by the flames throughout its
length, and then passes out at an aperture made in the door at the
opposite end of the furnace. In the Drawing the heat from the furnace a
is conducted to the second furnace by two lateral flues g, g, although
furnace f may be also provided with a fire-grate if desired. The chain

page_text: on leaving the furnace a at a red heat is conducted over pulleys h, i,
into a vessel j, filled with cold water by which the tempering is effected.
The reservoir j may also, if desired, have a continuous supply of water
provided. The chain on leaving the reservoir passes up over a pulley k
and through the second furnace f, where it is annealed, and thence over
a pulley on to winder m. The pulleys d, d, k, k, may be grooved and
mounted loose on their axes, while pulleys k, k, l, l, gear with the chains,
and impart motion thereto at the desired speed by any suitable means in
connection with their axes.
By an arrangement of parts such as above described the action will
be continuous, and I thus obtain the uniform tempering and annealing
of chains of any length.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the doubling and
threading of the links are final operations, forming the complement of
the improved system of manufacture herein explained, and although I
have only shown one arrangement of apparatus for the purpose, yet such
doubling and threading of the links may be effected in any other
suitable manner, and the Invention is based principally on the peculiar
form of the link in the flat, and in the methods of producing the
same.
'I will next proceed to describe the mode of producing a link (of the
form before indicated) which is at once both the most practical and
economical. .
The chief points of this Invention thus consist, 1st, in the double-
eyed link of round form in cross section throughout, that is to say, with
two eyes or loops of half round section, the two flat sides of which
when brought in contact form a circle of the same diameter and surface
as the shank forming the middle of the link; I thus obtain a link of
uniform section throughout, which is not the case with other descriptions
of chains, and possessing great strength and rigidity at all points. 2ndly,
in the different modes of producing the link in the flat herein described,
and more particularly in the manner I will now proceed to describe with
reference to Figure 28, which represents a round rod of about 1 inch.
in diameter, from which is produced a blank of about ths of an inch
in diameter at its centre by subjecting it to pressure in a series of
matrices or stamps for imparting the desired form as indicated.
The rod, Figure 28, is first operated on by a hand or power hammer in
a matrix or stamp in order to give it the form illustrated in side view

page_text: and transverse sections at Figure 29. The blank, Figure 29, is then
placed in a second matrix and brought to the form shown in the side
view and transverse sections, Figure 30. The blank now consists of a
round rod a having the two ends flattened out at b. The blank,
Figure 30, is then placed in a third matrix, by the aid of which the
hollows c, c, are formed in the flattened ends b, b, as represented in
plan and transverse section at Figure 31. The blank 31 is then trans-
ferred to another matrix of somewhat similar form, but with reliefs
and depressions of greater depth, length, and breadth for finally
moulding the ends of the link; I then apply considerable pressure
gradually by the aid of an hydraulic press or otherwise, so that the
reliefs of the matrix may produce depressions in the metal and form
the spaces c, c, in the blank, Figure 31, and open out the eyes of the
link to the required dimensions, as shown in plan and transverse section
at Figure 32, where the depressions d are shown as connected to the
link only by a slight thickness of metal. The bulged parts d are then
removed either with shears or a circular saw, the blank being then
again subjected to pressure in the matrix in order to finish the link
without further manipulation in the form shown in plan, edge view,
and transverse sections in Figure 33. By producing links (as shown in
Figures 31 and 32) by compression and extension combined a minimum
waste of material is ensured. Further by the employment of an
hydraulic press I am enabled to reduce the cost of manufacture and
also the wear of the dies. Lastly, the tempering and annealing processes
impart to the chain the qualities essential to enable it to resist strains,
and more particularly to prevent the links being drawn out of shape,
even under excessive strains, and also render the chain elastic to the
extent of about 2 per cent. of its length whatever may be the strain;
which guarantees it against breakage on receiving a sudden shock.
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to
be secured by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,--
1st. The particular form of link herein shown for making weldless
chains and chain cables.
2ndly. The several methods herein described of producing the said
links.
3rdly. The improved machinery for manufacturing chains and chain
cables of links produced in the manner herein described.
}
;
:

page_text: 4thly. The method of and apparatus for tempering and annealing the
chains, substantially as shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of July, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane.
A..M. CLARK. (L.S.)