Improvements in Connecting Links and Studs for Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Connecting Links and Studs for Chains.
I, OTTO KLATTE, of Neuwied-on-the-Rhine, in the Empire of Germany,
Director of "Walzwerk Germania," 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 a coupling shackle or link for joining two lengths of
chain, and for the reception of a swivel-link or ring between two lengths of chain,
and also for the arrangement of a hook or ring or both at one end of a chain the
said coupling shackle or link being more especially intended for use with mooring
cables.
This connecting link possesses the following characteristics. It is so cut or
divided at one or both ends in a longitudinal direction as to form a separable,
dovetail joint or joints, and is provided with an adjustable transverse stay by means
of which the link can be distended and then loosened in the direction of its width
in order to either wedge the dovetail joints firmly together or to slacken them, as
may be desired.
The accompanying drawings shew two constructional forms of a link of this
kind.
Figures 1 to 4 shew a connecting link divided at both ends,
Figures 5 to 19 various modifications of the transverse stays.
Figures 20 to 22 represent a connecting link having one cut or divided end
only, and
Figure 23 is a view of the stay, hereinafter referred to.
Figure 1 is a plan of the first style of link.
Figure 2 a longitudinal central section.
Figure 3 an end elevation of the same.
The connecting link illustrated in these figures is formed in two halves a and b,
the parts of which that come into contact, engage one another in a kind of dovetail
joint so that the two halves when united cannot be separated either in the direction
of the length of the link or of, its breadth. They can however be separated in a
plane perpendicular to the plane of the link. The dovetailing is preferably so
formed that one half of the link can be turned upon the other around a central
axis in the plane of the link, as shewn in Figure 4 of the drawings. The pivot
required for this purpose is formed in the following manner.
The half link a has an inwardly projecting central stud c Figure 1 which
terminates in a head d of spherical form. The other half link b has, opposite to
the head d, a larger stud e, the end adjacent to the said head being bored or
hollowed out.
When the halves of the link are in the relative positions shown in Figure 4, the
head d, after first a spiral spring and then a washer has been passed upon its shank,
is inserted in the recess in the hollow stud e, after which the edge of this hollow
stud, which has been suitably split, is bent inwards so that the head d cannot leave
the recess in the stud e.
The end links of the lengths of chain to be connected are then placed within
that half of the opened link which is shewn in a horizontal position in Figure 4,

page_text: whereupon the vertical half is turned in the direction indicated by the arrows
until the ends of the two halves fit closely one within another, as shewn in.
Figure 1.
The spiral spring above referred to distends the two halves in the direction of
the breadth of the link, and thereby causes the dovetailed ends to be firmly wedged
together or against each other.
Finally a pin is driven through corresponding holes pierced in the hollow
stude and the head d, in order to prevent all possibility of the halves turning back.
The pin may advantageously be attached to a small chain connected with one of
the halves of the link. The said pin may be wedge-shaped or a cotter may be used
instead, so as to admit of the closed link being still further forced apart or stretched.
in the direction of its width, should the force exerted by the spiral spring not be
sufficient for the purpose.
The above described transverse stay may be modified in various ways.
In Figures 5 and 6 each half of the link has an inwardly projecting short
central portion g, one of such portions having a right handed and the other a left
handed internal thread. Into these internally, screw-threaded portions the.
oppositely screw-threaded parts of a bolt i are screwed. According as the
bolt i is turned in one or the other direction, the closed link in the direction of its
width is either forced apart or loosened.
When the half-links have been loosened they may be made to occupy the position
shewn in Figure 4 and, after the end links of the lengths of chain to be connected
have been inserted, they may be again caused to occupy the position shewn in
Figure 1, whereupon the screw-bolt h, is-screwed on up by means of a pin or
peg which is inserted in a hole provided in the head t. This pink may be.
attached to one of the halves of the link. by means of a small chain.
In the form represented in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings, one half link, is
provided with an inwardly projecting stud having a key-way, the other half of
the link having a knob m. A suitably recessed socket n is passed upon this knob
from the side (see Figure 9) in which socket the stud l-is inserted. Alter the
halves of the link have been turned into their closed position, a pin is driven
through corresponding holes in the socket or sleeve n and the key way of the stud 1,
which tightens up the closed link in such a manner as to prevent the. two halves
from being displaced against one another. If it is desired to separate the lengths
of chain, this can be done after the cutter or pin has been forced out and the halves
of the link again turned round.
In the form of transverse stay shewn in Figures 10 and 11 a pin o provided with
a key-way is screwed into one half of the link and over the square portion of such
pin a socket or sleeve p open at one side is passed, which has a stud having screw
thread, but contrary to the thread of the pin v, and engaging an internally screw-
threaded recess in the other half of the link. The socket or sleeve p and the pin o
being connected by a cottar.
The form of transverse stay shewn in Figures 12 and 13 only differs from
the form shewn in Figures 7, 8 and 9 in that the stud 1 is externally and
the socket or sleeve n internally screw-threaded. The key is in this case not
required.
In the form shewn in Figures 14 and 15 the transverse stay comprises two
screw-threaded pins g and r whose heads are hinged one within the other, the joint
being maintained by means of a key. The two pins are oppositely screw threaded
and screw into corresponding internally screw-threaded recesses in the two halves
of the link. By driving the taper key in or out the connection can be either
tightened or slackened as desired. The head of the pin is provided with
holes which may likewise be used to effect the tightening or slackening of the
connection.
In this case, as well as those shewn in Figures 5 and 10, the key or pin may be
EO arranged as to lie in the plane of the link, which renders it quite impossible for
it to drop out.

page_text: In the form of transverse stay shewn in Figures 16 and 17 one half of the link
has firmly fixed in it a right handed and the other a left handed screw. These
two screws are screwed into a nut a common to both, one end of which has a
right handed and the other a left handed internal thread. By turning the nut
in one or the other direction the link may be either tightened or slackened.
In the form of transverse stay illustrated in Figures 18 and 19 one half of
the link is provided with a stud a only the outer half of its length being screw-
threaded the other half being turned to a smaller diameter. The other half
of the link has a hollow stud t which is provided with a corresponding internal
thread, such thread being formed only upon half the depth of the bored or
hollowed portion of the stud. The lower portion of this boríug is turned to larger-
diameter.
Before screwing the studs into the hollow stud ta spiral spring is passed over
the latter. The stud is then screwed in far enough to free it from the internal
thread, whereupon the two halves of the link may be freely turned one upon the
other as desired. The tightening up of the closed link is effected by means of the
spiral spring and by driving in a cotter or key v. If it is desired to loosen and
to separate the two halves of the link, the key is removed, the spiral spring-
compressed and the studs & and unscrewed.
When the link is only divided at one end as shewn in Figures 20 to 22 the cut
or divided portions are dovetailed in the manner shewn in Figure 1. This form of
link is heated at the undivided end and the parts bent away from each other, as
shewn in Figure 22, after which the ends links of the lengths of chain to be
connected are inserted in the opened link which is then bent together. This link
needs no safety keys, as, when being cooled, 'its engaging ends cannot be displaced
by the forces acting upon the chain. In this ense a stay formed in three parts.
(see Figures 20, 21 and 23) serves to tighten up and slacken the connecting link.
This stay is similar to that shewn in Figures 16 and 17, with this difference; here.
the opposite screws a and 2 are not fixed in the link but are separated therefrom..
Each of these screws has a saddle shaped head. The two screws are screwed into..
the nut z, which has left and right handed internal screw. threads, until the stay
which is made up of the screws and the nut can be inserted in the closed connecting.
link. Then by suitably turning the nut, both saddle shaped parts are pressed
against the inner side of the link until the latter is sufficiently stretched. The
slackening is effected in the reverse manner, after which the link may be re-opened,
by bending the ends apart.
This last described stay may also be used with the form of link in two parts.
first described. It may also be employed to replace a missing stay of a link of
cable.
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 connecting link or shackle for two lengths of chain and for the reception of t
a swivel-link or ring between two lengths of chain and for the arrangement of a
book or ring or both at one end of chain, characterized by being cut or divided
longitudinally of the link either at one or both ends and there dovetailed whilst
transversely it is provided with an adjustable stay by means of which the link may
be stretched in the direction of its breadth in order to wedge the dovetail joints..
firmly together.
2. A constructional form of the link divided at both ends described in Claim 1
characterized by the fact that the two halves of the link are pivotally connected
one with another by means of a suitably formed stay and the dovetails so curved.
that upon turning the halves of the link in opposite directions the link may be.
either opened or closed.
3. A constructional form of the connecting link described in Claim 1 characterised.
by a stay comprising two oppositely threaded screws provided, with saddle shaped.

page_text: heads and a common nut coupling the said screws, in order that the stay may be
introduced into the closed link and that it is likewise capable of being used to
replace a missing stay.
Dated this 16th day of November 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.