Improvements in Driving Chains and Chain Wheels for Cycles, Motor- cars, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan.,
1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Chains and Chain Wheels for Cycles, Motor-
cars, and the like.
I, FRANCESCO FEDERICO ROTHY, of 29, Via Roma, Turin, in the Kingdom of
Italy, Civil 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:-
My present invention has for its object a new or improved driving chain for
cycles, motor cars and the like; and relates to means for obviating the defects
found in chain driving devices hitherto used, which devices usually consist of
chains whose links have apertures to engage with the teeth upon the chain wheel.
Most driving chains, cause when working, a noise due to the friction of the
teeth with the chain, and they are moreover liable to lengthen, when in use;
and in rainy weather become easily clogged with mud and dirt, thus rendering
the propulsion of the machine a matter of difficulty.
By the employment of my improved device the hereinbefore mentioned defects
are obviated, and in order that my invention may be clearly understood I will
describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved chain driving device;
Figure 2 is a plan view and side elevation of one link of the driving chain,
and a plan view of a bolt used for connecting the links together.
Figure 3 is a plan view and side elevation of a modified form of link.
Like reference letters denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
According to my present invention I construct the driving chains of links
having spherical ends R adapted to engage into correspondingly shaped recesses S.
in the rim of the chain wheel. A chain constructed in this manner is not liable
to lengthen, owing to the link junction bolt (which in other driving chains is
liable to bend) having a very small space between its two supports. Further
the central portion of the bolt n is hardened and as the link is made in one
piece, it can be made of such dimensions as to prevent any lengthening by the
ordinary work of the cycle, without increasing the total weight of the chain.
In order to better avoid wear I insert a bearing sleeve m of hardened steel or
the like in the eye for the bolt at the opposite end t of the link.
For convenience in riveting the junction bolt, both ends thereof may be
softened, as for instance, by forcing the same into contact with a rapidly turning
emery-wheel, or by other suitable means.
It will thus be seen that a chain constructed in accordance with my invention
has no apertures to become clogged with dirt in bad weather. and should mud
or dirt enter the recesses S in the periphery of the chain wheel, the spherical
ends of the links will expel it through the holes p¹. And to prevent the dust
or dirt accumulating in the groove U receiving the portion T of the link, I provide
holes 22 therein.
The herein described driving device offers also the advantage of great sim-
plicity, every link consisting of only 3 pieces, the link, the junction bolt, and

page_text: the bearing sleeve; instead of four to six parts as usually employed, and it is
moreover easier to cleanse than those hitherto used.
In order to have a larger bearing portion of the bolt in the sleeve I may
modify the construction of the link as shown in Figure 3. The bolt is placed
eccentrically to the spherical end R; consequently the recess r may be wider
than before.
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 what
I claim is
-
1. An improved chain for cycles, motor cars and the like, consisting of links,
enlarged at one of their ends to a sphere shaped head, provided with a recess to
receive other disc shaped ends; said links being pivotally connected one to
another and entering corresponding recesses and grooves in the periphery of
the chain wheel; substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
2. A chain wheel, the recesses and grooves on the periphery of which are
provided with holes to discharge dust, dirt, and the like substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
3. A junction bolt for the chain links claimed in Claim 1, the ends of which
can be riveted, and which is hardened only at its middle, and adapted to work
in a hardened bearing sleeve placed in the disc end of the link, substantially as
described and for the purposes specified.
Tatul this 7th bay of Documber 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.