Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Jan., 1897--Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
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 has for its object the production of a new and improved chain
designed for use upon bicycles and similar machines which chain is strong durable
noiseless and clean and which requires no lubrication thereby eliminating the
objectionable features of such chains as are at present commonly in use for
propelling bicycles.
This invention consists principally of a piece of raw hide interposed at the
point of contact between the chain and the sprocket wheel.
The invention also consists of a modification in the structure of the inside link.
or block link of the ordinary chain and in the method of applying the raw hide
and securing the same to said inside link, all of which will be fully described
hereinafter and pointed out in the claims. Reference is to be had to the accom-
panying drawing forming part of this specification in which similar characters of
reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.
Fig. 1 is a side view of the improvement complete.
Fig. 2 represents a strip of raw hide of the same width as the inside link of
chain and from to of an inch in thickness with a hole in centre to accom-
modate the screw or bolt which connects the plates E & F (Fig. 1).
Fig. 3 represents plates E & F (side view).
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of improvement complete.
Fig. 5 is a top view of improvement complete.
The improvement in bicycle chains consists of a chain having an inside link
somewhat shorter between its extreme points relatively to the outside link or
side plates than those in common use, such shortening of the link being for the
purpose of compensating for the space occupied by raw hide strip hereinafter
mentioned which inside link has a hole (B Fig. 1) to admit the passage of a screw
or bolt situated in centre of inside link, and perpendicular to the plane of the
rivets by which the links of the chain are connected.
This inside link is surrounded longitudinally by a thin strip of rawhide (C)
covering all points of contact with the sprocket wheels and held in place aud
caused to conform to the shape of the link by the plates E & F (Fig. 3). The
plate E which is used to cover the ends of the rawhide strip and hold the same in
place is serrated or otherwise roughened upon its under surface in order to cause
it to hold more firmly to the rawhide, against which it is drawn by a screw or
bolt (G Fig. 4) which passes through said plate E and also through the hole in
the link heretofore mentioned and into the plate F which plate F serves as a nut
for the connecting screw and also serves to cause the rawhide to conform to the
contour of the link.
The rawhide used for the manufacture of the improved bicycle chain has had
the hair removed by any process that will not injure the fibre or texture of the
skin nor
remove any of the natural oils or other animal substances therein
contained. In applying the rawhide to the link the material is first softened and

page_text: +
rendered pliable by soaking in water, it is then cut to the required size and shape,
punched for screw or bolt and pressed around the link with the fingers or by other
means. The plate E is then pressed into place and the screw inserted, the plate F
is then placed and the screw tightened.
My invention is not restricted to the precise method of applying the rawhide as
herein described, for it may be applied and held in place by a variety of means
such as wire passing through the hole in link, staples passing through both
rawhide and link, bands surrounding the link or even by sewing or tying upon the
link as was actually my method of experiment to test the durability of the
material.
The advantages obtained by use of this improved chain are-noiselessness-
secured by having the shock of contact between chain and sprocket fall upon a
more resonant substance. Cleanliness secured by avoiding the use of all
lubricants the natural oils contained in the rawhide being sufficient to reduce
the friction to a minimum.
Improved appearance-secured by cleanliness and further secured by coating
with varnish such parts of the raw hide as are visible and not subjected to contact
with the sprockets. The varnish renders the rawhide clear and gives it the
appearance of celluloid varying through all degrees of translucency to trans-
parency. The chain owing to its cleanliness may also be rendered ornamental by
plating all its metal parts.
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 :-
1st. A link for a chain and a covering of rawhide applied thereto combined
with blocks applied to opposite sides of the link to hold the covering in position
and a fastening bolt or screw which is passed through the parts to hold them in
position substantially as shown.
2nd. A link for a bicycle chain and a covering of rawhide applied thereto
combined with clamping blocks applied to opposite sides of the link, and curved
upon their inner sides so as to conform to the shape of the link and hold the
covering in close contact therewith and a screw rod which is passed through the
parts to secure them together substantially as described.
3rd. A link for a bicycle chain and a covering of rawhide applied thereto
combined with blocks applied to opposite sides of the link and which blocks
conform to the shape of the link and have roughened sides and a screw for
securing the parts together substantially as set forth.
Dated this Fifth day of January 1897.
A. H. REED,
Agent for Applicant.