Improvements in Driving Chains.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 24th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Chains.
I, JOSEPH APPLEBY, of 60 Caroline Street, in the City of Birmingham,
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manner in which I construct and arrange metal
chains for use upon cycles, and general machinery for driving purposes, and has
reference principally to the manner in which I provide for a fixed rivet pin or
central stud, for the improved methods of connecting the links or plates in a manner
to more effectually sustain the tension upon the chains, while providing for increased
wearing surfaces upon the chain; and also for improved bearing surfaces or beds
of chains for the teeth of the driving wheel to work against.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct chains suitable for any desired
type of wheel, making the central portions of the link in the form of rollers or
connected blocks, as may be desired to suit any particular kind of wheel or arrange-
ment of machine to which the chain is to be applied. When constructing my
improved chains with the central portion of the links in the form of double blocks,
to suit two rivets or pins, I form the side plates or link plates out of steel or other
suitable metal, and I make holes within the plates at any desired distance or pitch
for receiving the rivets or connecting pins. These holes I form of a shape other
than circular so that when the similarly shaped pin is placed therein the pin is
prevented from revolving or moving in the link plates. Over the central pin I
place a distance piece or sleeve formed out of sheet metal, and arranged when
placed over the pin to fit the peculiar shape of pin so that the sleeve will be
stationary upon the pin, quite incapable of working loose. The holes within the
side plates I make to suit the shape of the sleeve, when arranging that the sleeve
shall pass through or into the plates.
I prefer to form my improved chain with supplementary supporting links for
preventing a sudden snatch which may be given to the chain, from causing any
rupture or damage when hardened steel central blocks are employed, upon which
the teeth work. This supplementary link I may place inside or outside the ordinary
side plates or links, but in each case I arrange that the rivet or central pin shall
pass right through the block and the four thicknesses of plate before being riveted
up. The object of this arrangement of additional or supplementary strengthening
plates being to provide for withstanding the shock caused by sudden snatches upon
the chain when hardened blocks are employed, while the central hardened block
provides in the usual manner for the ordinary wearing and steady driving purposes.
In each case I arrange that the sleeve or bush shall be stationary by means of
projections or the peculiar shape of the central pin. I sometimes make the bush
or sleeve of a circular form externally, throughout its entire length, but I cut
away the ends to form flats or grooves for the purpose of effectually securing the
sleeve to the plates or links in a manner to prevent rotation; passing through the
connected plates and sleeve an ordinary pin or rivet of circular or other form.
The bush or sleeve I harden in any usual manner so that the hardened central
block may work thereupon without wearing the same away.
When employing blocks of ordinary metal not hardened I dispense with the
supplementary links.
When constructing a chain in accordance with my present invention having
rollers or bowls arranged between the links, I form the inner links or side plates
with central holes to receive steel bushes which I place therein, so that they will
fit tightly and project beyond the surface on one side of the link plate a short

page_text: distance. The central bowl I provide with a recessed hole, the recesses being on
each side of a depth to suit the projecting portions of the bushes. These projecting
portions preventing the displacement of the bowls or rollers even when the pins
are removed. Through the bowls or rollers I pass a long sleeve of a length
sufficient to pass right through the central bowl and the side plate connected
therewith on each side, and then to project slightly beyond in order to enter
suitable recesses formed within the outer side plates or links; the recesses being
of a shape to receive the peculiar form of sleeve which I employ to prevent
rotation. I connect the whole of the side plates and central bowl together by
means of a long pin or rivet passing through them, the rivet being of a shape to
prevent rotation when united with the outside links. I sometimes place a key or
keys upon the pin to enter recesses or key-ways cut within the outside plates.
The central rollers, bowls and blocks I prefer to form with semi-circular tooth
bearing surfaces, so that the thrust of the teeth may be communicated to the centre
of the pin, and a more uniform thrust or pull given to the chain than is at present
possible with the ordinary form of block and roller.
I do not limit the application of my present invention to any particular form or
size of chain or to any special arrangement of cycle, lawn-mower or other machine,
whereupon such chains may be employed, but I modify the same essential features
herein before described to suit any particular requirement.
Dated this 23rd dow of Nov 1802
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Chains.
I, JOSEPH APPLEBY of 60 Caroline Street, in the City of Birmingham,
Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manner in which I construct and arrange metal
chains for use upon cycles and general machinery, for driving purposes, and has
reference principally to the manner in which provide for a fixed rivet pin or
central stud, for the improved methods of connecting the links or plates in a manner
to more effectually sustain the tension upon the chains while providing for increased
wearing surfaces upon the chain, and also for improved bearing surfaces of chains
for the teeth of the driving wheels to work against.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct chains such as illustrated at
Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Sheet 1 of explanatory drawings, or of other
form suitable for any desired type of wheel. I make the central portions of the
link in the form of rollers or connected blocks, such as A. (Figures 1 and 2) or in
such other form as may be desired to suit any particular kind of wheel or arrange-
ment of machine to which the chain is to be applied. When constructing my
improved chain with the central portion of the links in the form of double blocks
such as B (Figures 3 and 4) to suit two rivets or pins, I form the side plates or
link plates C (Figures 3 and 4) out of steel or other suitable metal and I make
holes within the plates at any desired distance or pitch for receiving the rivets or
connecting pins. These holes I form of a shape other than circular so that when
the similarly shaped pin is placed therein the pin is prevented from revolving or
moving in the link plates. Over the central pin I place a distance piece or sleeve
formed out of sheet metal and arranged when placed over the pin to fit the peculiar
shape of pin so that the sleeve will be stationary upon the pin, quite incapable of
working loose. The holes within the side plates I make to suit the shape of the
sleeve when arranging that the sleeve shall pass through or into the plates.
J

page_text: I prefer to form my improved chain with supplementary supporting links such
as D (Figures 3 and 4) for preventing a sudden snatch which may be given to the
chain, from causing any rupture or damage when hardened steel central blocks are
employed, upon which the teeth work. This supplementary link I may place inside
or outside the ordinary side plates or links, but in each case I arrange that the rivet
or central pin shall pass right through the block and the four thicknesses of plate
before being riveted up. The object of this arrangement of additional or
supplementary strengthening plates being to provide for withstanding the shock
caused by sudden snatches upon the chain when hardened blocks are employed,
while the central hardened block provides in the usual manner for the ordinary
wearing and steady driving purposes. In each case I arrange that the sleeve or
bush shall be stationary by means of projections or the peculiar shape of the central
pin. I sometimes make the bush or sleeve of a circular form externally throughout
its entire length, but I cut away the ends to form flats or grooves for the purpose
of effectually securing the sleeve to the plates or links in a manner to prevent
rotation; passing through the connected plates and sleeve an ordinary pin or rivet
of circular or other form. The bush or sleeve I harden in any usual manner
so that the hardened central block may work thereupon without wearing the same
away.
When employing central blocks of ordinary metal not hardened I dispense with
the supplementary links.
When constructing a chain in accordance with my present invention having
rollers or bowls arranged between the links, I form the inner links or side plates
with central holes to receive steel bushes which I place therein, so that they will
fit tightly and project beyond the surface on one side of the link plate, a short
distance. Such a link or side plate with the bushes secured to same is shown at
Figure 9.
The central bowl I provide with a recessed hole, the recesses being on each side
as shown in the upper and sectional view at Figure 10, of a depth to suit the
projecting portions of the bushes. These projecting portions preventing the
displacement of the bowls or rollers even when the pins are removed. Through
the bowls or rollers I pass a long sleeve such as shown by two views at Figure 7,
of a length sufficient to pass right through the central bowl and the side plate
connected therewith on each side, and then to project slightly beyond in order to
enter suitable recesses formed within the outer side plates or links; the recesses
being of a shape to receive the peculiar form of sleeve which I employ to prevent
rotation. One such outer side plate is shown at Figure 8 having recesses E E' for..
reception of the ends of the sleeve shown at Figure 7. I connect the whole of the
side plates and central bowl together by means of a long pin or rivet as shown in
detail at Figure 6 passing through them, the rivet being of a shape to prevent
rotation when united with the outside links. The chain as completely built
the manner hereinbefore described is shown at Figures 1 and 2. I sometimes place
a key or keys upon the pin to enter recesses or key-ways cut within the outside
plates. The central rollers, bowls and blocks I prefer to form with semi-circular
tooth bearing surfaces as illustrated by the sectional view of the double block B at
Figures 3 and 4, so that the thrust of the teeth may be communicated to the centre
of the pin and a more uniform thrust or pull given to the chain than is at present
possible with the ordinary form of block and roller.
up in
Figures 11 and 12 (Sheet 1) show another form of central pin and sleeve which
I sometimes employ, the projection F on the pin being made suitable for passing
through the slot or passage & formed in the sleeve, and Figures 13 and 14 show a
further modification where the pin, (Figure 13), has a groove H formed for passing
over the internal projection J of the sleeve, (Figure 14).
.
Figures 15 and 16, (Sheet 2), are two views showing my improved chain having
the central portion of double blocks, of a different configuration to that shown at
Figures 3 and 4.

page_text: Figures 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are details of the chain shown at Figures 15 and 16,
and such details are in part applicable also to the construction of the chain shown
at Figures 3 and 4.
Figure 18 is the central pin, having a flat face or surface K, the pin being made
to correspond with the interior of the sleeve shown by two views at Figure 19.
Figure 20 gives two views of a supplementary supporting link, such links being
shown in position at I. in Figures 15 and 16.
Figure 21 gives a detail of the side plate M in Figures 15 and 16.
The holes N (Figure 21) formed through the side plates for the central pins, are
enlarged on the one side for the reception of the end of the sleeve (Figure 19), the
enlarged portion being of suitable form to correspond with the irregular shape or
section of the sleeve.
Figure 22 is a detail of the double blocks or central portions O, (Figures 15
and 16).
In Figure 17 I illustrate my improved chain having supplementary supporting
links P on the outside of the side plates.
Figure 23 represents the form of side plate which I employ in conjunction with
the sleeve shown at Figure 24. This sleeve is kept from revolving or turning when
fixed in the eyes or pin holes of the side plates, by means of a nipple or projection
such as Q (Figure 23), formed in the eye or pin hole, such nipple or projection
fitting into the recess or slot R (Figure 24) at each end of the sleeve.
Figure 25 represents another form that I sometimes give to the eyes or pin holes
of the side plates when employing a central pin and sleeve such as illustrated
in Figures 26 and 27.
I do not limit the application of my present invention to any particular form or
size of chain, or to any special arrangement of cycle, lawn-mower or other machine,
whereupon such chains may be employed, but I modify the same essential features
hereinbefore described to suit any particular requirement.
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 construction of driving chains for use upon velocipedes and for like
purposes in which the central pin or rivet is fixed or held stationary between the
side plates by means of holes formed in these plates of a shape other than circular,
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In a driving chain, the construction and arrangement of a loose distance piece
or sleeve shaped to suit the peculiar form of central pin so as to remain stationary
upon it, substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The construction of driving chains having supplementary supporting links or
plates for strengthening and preventing any sudden snatch or strain causing fracture
to the hardened central roller or block between the plates, substantially as
herein before described and as illustrated at D L P Figures 3, 4, 15, 16 and 17 of
the accompanying drawings.
4. The construction of bushes or sleeves for use upon driving chains, the ends of
such bushes being cut away or shaped in a peculiar manner other than a true circle
so as to fit within recesses of a like shape formed within the side plates substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
5. The construction of driving chains having side plates or links recessed or
formed to receive and carry short sleeves or bushes for entering into the bowls or
central blocks, substantially as herein before described and as illustrated at S,
Figures 1, 9, and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a driving chain, the construction and arrangement of a central bowl, roller]

page_text: or block having semi-circular or curved bearing surfaces for the driving teeth,
substantially as hereinbefore described, and as illustrated at Figures 3 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
T] 1 of Wahnu 1803
MARKS & CLERK,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.