Improvements relating to Cycle and other Driving Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Cycle and other Driving Chains.
I, LUCIEN STEPHEN CRANDALL, Gentleman, of Clarence Chambers, Cor-
poration Street, in the City of Birmingham, 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 relating to cycle and other driving
chains my object being to produce at small cost, an effective and durable power
transmitting chain of either the block or roller pattern, and to so arrange the
same that any link in the chain can be readily attached or detached.
In order that my invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect may
be the more readily understood I append hereunto two sheets of explanatory
drawings to be hereinafter referred to ;-
Figure 1 Sheet 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 a plan of a pair of links and
blocks arranged in accordance with my invention.
On Sheet 2 Figures 3 to 8 inclusive are detailed views illustrating my improved
construction of the chain blocks.
Figures 9 to 11 inclusive represent one method of constructing my improved
roller chain, and Figures 12 and 13 another construction of such chain.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
In constructing a chain with the ordinary solid blocks A, as illustrated at
Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet !), I place such blocks between the links B and connect
them together with pins C having flat sided or T shaped heads as illustrated, the
pins being arranged in pairs with their stems driven tightly into the blocks and
thus secured by frictional contact. The diameter a over each pin head is. rather
less than the length of the slot b in the links B in order that when any adjacent
pair of blocks are placed in the position shown by dotted lines at Figure 1 the links
may be entirely withdrawn as illustrated by the dotted lines at Figure 2 or slipped
over the heads of the pins. In the same manner the links can be placed over the
pin heads when the blocks are in the dotted line positions shown at Figure 1; on
returning the blocks to the positions shown by the full lines at Figure 1 the links
will be effectually attached or secured in their working position.
The block illustrated by the Figures 3 to 8 I build up with pins and with
piercings or stampings from steel or other metal, preferably of the same thickness
or gauge as the plates from which I pierce or stamp the links B. I am thus
enabled to build up the complete links and blocks with stampings made from the
one plate or one thickness or gauge of plate, in conjunction with pins C having
flat sided heads.
To form the block I stamp out a blank D such as illustrated at Figure 3 which
I form to the configuration shown at Figures 4, 5, and 6, consisting of side pieces
with a central bridge or connecting strip. I insert between the side pieces of the
blank, preferably before pressing the same to the required configuration, the
stamped washers or collars E (Figures 6 to 8 inclusive) each collar being secured
by its own pin as illustrated. I preferably rivet over the inner end of the stem of
each pin in order the more effectually to secure the collar and the pin in
place.
In the construction of the roller chain illustrated at Figure 9, I replace the fixed
collars E (Figures 6 to 8) with the rollers F (Figure 9) which I mount freely

page_text: upon the stems of the pins C, one of which is illustrated at Figures 10 and 11.
The pins are secured within the frames in one convenient manner by frictional
contact or they may be held by other means. The diameter of the rollers is such
as to cause them to project but slightly beyond the adjacent ends or extremities of
the block or frame to which they are attached, and thus on the wear of the rollers
or slight yielding of the same together with the pins in the event of the imposition
of an undue stress or pressure the periphery of the rollers will become flush with
the extremities of the frame which will thus receive a direct application of the
force from the chain wheel.
With the roller chain illustrated at Figure 13 I employ but one roller upon
each pair of pins, and to assist in securing the pins within the frame I sometimes
cut a groove in the portion of the pin fitting within the frame or block, as illustrated
in the separate view of the pin at Figure 12 and also by dotted lines at Figure 13,
and I then force or spin a portion of the metal forming the block side plate into
such groove by suitable beading or like tools, and thus effectually secure the two
parts together:
Any suitable links or side plates may be employed between my improved block,
and I sometimes employ ordinary pins or rivets instead of the pins having T shaped
heads as herein before described.
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. In cycle and other driving chains the means whereby the links may be readily
attached and detached substantially as described.
2. In cycle and other driving chains the combination of blocks with links B
secured together by the pins C having flattened or T shaped heads, the links
having slots or apertures of sufficient width to permit of their being drawn over the
pin heads in a manner substantially as described and as illustrated.
3. The construction of a block or frame for a cycle or other driving chain from
one blank of metal substantially as described and as illustrated.
4. A block for a cycle or other driving chain consisting of a stamping such
as D in combination with the washers or collars E and connecting pins, substantially
as described and as illustrated.
5. In roller chains for cycles and for other purposes the combination of a frame
formed from one blank or piece of metal with rollers substantially as described.
6. A roller chain for cycles and for other purposes comprising a frame formed
from one blank or piece of metal in combination with rollere, connecting pins, and
suitable links, substantially as described and as illustrated.
7. The general construction and arrangement of parts forming the improved
cycle and other driving chain substantially as described.
Dated this 4th day of De
han 1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.