Reciprocating Chains in Machinery.
Year: 1885

page_text: Reciprocating Chains in Machinery.
I, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MEYER, of 739, Walnut Street, in the City of Camden,
State of New Jersey, United States of America, Machinist, 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:-
The object of this Invention is to construct a mechanical movement or device
for compensating for the wear of reciprocating driving or lifting chains in
machinery.
On the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1, represents a view of the present improvements as applied to the drop
box mechanism of a loom.
Fig. 2, represents a face view of the device.
Fig. 3, a side view.
Figs. 4, and, 5, detached perspective views, and,
Fig. 6, an enlarged view of part of the chain used.
Referring to Figs. 2, and, 3. A is a sheave to which is secured one end of a
chain, D, by a bolt, d.
This sheave is formed with a flange, e, and with a hub, f, and has its periphery
turned to a true circle.
On this hub is mounted a cam, B, (Fig. 5.) so as to be adjustable thereon, and
this cam is also formed with a flange, g, and with a hub, h.
The cam, B, and sheave, A, are fastened together by a set screw, i, and are hung
to or mounted on a suitable stud, j.
A chain, D¹, which is attached by bolts or otherwise to a lug, e¹, on the flange, e,
of the sheave, A, passes over the face, b, of the cam, B, as shown in Fig. 3.
As will be observed on reference to Figs. 1, and, 6, where there is a constant
working of a small portion of a chain over a sheave at the same portion theroof,
both the chain and the sheave over which it passes, wear away to a great extent.
For instance, if two links wear away as indicated by the dotted lines, in Fig. 6,
the centre of that portion of the chain will be brought nearer to the centre of the
sheave than that of the unworn portion, and consequently the movement of the
chain will be irregular.

page_text: But by adjusting the cam, B, around on the hub of the sheave so as to throw
the part of the chain not worn nearer the centre to correspond with the worn part,
or to throw the worn part outwards to correspond with the unworn part, the wear
will then be properly compensated for, and the movement of the chain be made
regular.
Amongst other applications the improvements may be applied to a loom, and, as
illustrated in Fig. 1. the chain D¹ is shown as connected to the lathe, W, of the
loom and passing over a sheave, v, secured to the drop box frame, V, and as provided
with adjustable nuts, x. The sheave, A, and cam, B, are adapted to a stud, j,
projecting from the frame of the loom, Y.
In a loom of this construction, where the drop boxes are lifted by chains, the
loom may be run for months on two boxes, and then a new pattern may be used
and four boxes come into use. It will then be found that the adjustment made to
take up the wear on the chains for the two boxes by moving the adjusting nuts, x,
will not compensate for the variations caused by the wear of parts of the chain and
sheave but only for the slack caused by the lengthening of the chain incident to
the wearing away of the pins.
Consequently the third or fourth boxes would be lifted too high if the first and
second rise to the proper height, for if say two links wear away to the extent
indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 6, it will bring the centre line of such portion
of the chain nearer the centre of the sheave than that of the portion which comes
into use, when the remaining boxes are lifted.
By adjusting the cam, B, in the manner above described, however, the wear may
be properly compensated for and all the boxes lifted to their proper heights.
This compensating device can be used in any chain-operated machine where the
chain moves a greater or less extent at different times.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
I claim, is
The compensating device consisting of a sheave and a cam, and chains passing
over the same, the said cam being adjustable with reference to the sheave, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
Dated this 4th dow of November 1885
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
Agents for the Applicant.