Improvements in Driving or Power Transmitting Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving or Power Transmitting Chains.
I, LUCIEN STEPHEN CRANDALL, of Clarence Chambers, Corporation Street, in
the City of Birmingham, Engineer, 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 consists of improvements in driving or power transmitting chains
for use upon cycles, motor cars, and for other services, my object being to construct
a strong and durable chain from few and simple parts so formed and arranged as to
permit of ready connection and disconnection at any one of the joints, and to
provide a slight degree of spring or elasticity in the chain.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred
to ;-
Figure 1 is a plan with part in section, and Figure 2 a side elevation representing
a link and a pair of blocks of one form for my improved chain, one of the blocks
being in position for detachment.
Figure 3 is a plan and Figure 4 a sido elevation of a link with both blooks
in their working position, but with the detaching position indicated by dotted
lines.
Figure 5 is a plan and Figure 6 a part sectional plan representing another
construction of my improved chain.
Figure 7 is a section of the double or telescopic pin employed with the chain as
shown at Figures 5 and 6.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 iuclusive, I stamp or press the links A from steel or
other metal providing a strengthening stud or cross piece A' and cranking or
forcing out the entire central portion A' of each link to give an enlarged central
space, such as B, Figure 3, between the links. The complete chain is made up
alternately of pairs of links such as A, and a block such as C of any suitable and
ordinary configuration. The joint or conuection between the links and the blocks
is formed by a pair of pins such as D which are driven tightly into the eye of, the
block from opposite sides, meeting or nearly so, in the centre of the block as clearly
illustrated in the section at Figure 1. The portion of each pin adjacent to the
head is larger in diameter than the portion driveu into the block and is of such
length as to permit the link pivotted upon it to freely move or adjust itself to the
chain wheels during running.
By forming the outwardly projecting central portion of each link to a curved
outline as shown in the plan views Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6, I provide for a slight
temporary elongation of the linka in order that in the event of the imposition of an
undue stress or jerk on the chain when transmitting an intermittent or varying
driving force, such stress will expend itself in producing a slight extension of the
links, thus avoiding any shock or jar upon the gearing. On the removal of the
undue stress or when it has expended itself in the manner described, the elasticity
of my peculiarly formed links will cause them to return to their normal or
unstretched condition.
The spaces or apertures through the links have an outline preferably as shown in
the elevations at Figures 2 and 4, but in all cases I make the width near to the
stud or cross-piece A greater than at the opposite ends, to permit of any one of the

page_text: pin joints or connections being drawn to the centre of its link when required and
the block turned to the right angle position shown at Figures 1 and 2 and by the
dotted lines at Figure 4. When in such a position the block can be readily
disconnected from the link without withdrawal of the joint pins and thus with an
endless cycle or other chain built up with links, blocks, and joints, in accordance
with my invention, no special coupling link is required as any block can be readily
connected to any pair of links, or disconnected for lengthening or shortening or for
any other required purpose.
In order to provide sufficient space for the withdrawal or disconnection of the
blocks with links of short length or pitch, I sometimes cut away the outer side of
each of the pin heads as illustrated at Figure 2 or I may make the beads of an
elliptical shape.
The links employed with the method of construction illustrated by Figures 5 to 7
inclusive, are similar to the links hereinbefore described, but the blocks, instead of
being formed in one piece are made up of two or more pieces stamped or pressed
out of steel or other metal plates. The pieces are rigidly secured by frictional
contact with the central portion of a pin preferably such as E whose outer onds
form the pivots for the links A. The pin has a head at one end only, the opposite
head being formed upon the pin E' which telescopes within the pino E as illustrated
and is secured by frictional contact.
I employ my improved links and pin connections with roller chains instead of the
block pattern as hereinbefore described, and also with other forms of chains adapted
for driving or for the transmission of power, making such modifications as may be
necessary to meet the requirements of varying services.
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. A driving or power transmitting chain having links with outwardly projecting
central portions providing sufficient space between any pair to perinit of ready
connection or disconnection without withdrawal of the joint pin or pins, substantially
as described.
2. The construction of links for driving or power transmitting chains having
outwardly projecting central portions providing sufficient space between any pair to
permit of ready connection or disconnection without withdrawal of the joint pin or
pins, and a strengthening stud or cross piece, substantially as described and as
illustrated.
3. The provision of a slight degree of elasticity in driving or power transmitting
chains, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. The improved general construction and arrangement of the parts forining
driving or power transmitting chains substantially as described and as illustrated.
Dated this 19th day of November 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.