Improvements in Sprocket Chains and Wheels.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th July, 1895-Accepted, 31st Aug.,
1895
Improvements in Sprocket Chains and Wheels.
1, ERICK JUNO SWEDLUND, of Atwater, Kandiyohi Co., Minnesota, U.S.A.
Jeweller, 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 invention relates to sprocket chains of a peculiar construction, and to sprocket
wheels to be used in connection therewith.
The object of my invention is to provide inexpensive, but strong and durable
sprocket chains, which will operate upon the sprocket wheels with a minimum
friction, and with a maximum grip, and a further object is to so form the chain and
wheels as to greatly reduce the wear on the face and teeth of the wheels, and
further my invention consists in various constructions and combinations, all as
hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming part of this Specification, and in which,
Fig. 1 is a side view of a sprocket chain and wheel embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof.
Fig. 3 is a perspective of the link.
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of link.
Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 7 is a side view of the wheel and another form of chain.
Fig. 8 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of still another form of link.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the same form of link inverted.
Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are details showing the manuer of connecting the adjoining
links.
As shown in the drawings. the sprocket wheel 10 differs in construction from the
ordinary sprocket wheel in having shorter teeth 11 measured from the face of the
wheel to the ends thereof. A further difference consists in the side recesses
provided in the side of the wheel and between the teeth. The teeth are wider
than the face or periphery which latter serves simply to carry the chain or belt
while the ends of the links engage the wide surface of the teeth 11.
The links of the chain are of a general rectangular form stamped from sheet
metal or made either of wire, rod material or cast metal. Each link consists of
the straight side portions 7 connected at each end by the cross bar portions 8 which
rest upon the periphery of the wheel 10 between the teeth 11. The overlapping
ends 9 of the side portions 7 are rivetted together, and when in use the cross bar
portions 8 will rest upon the edge or face of the wheel 10 between the teeth 11,
while the side portions 7 will extend down over the sides of the teeth as shown in
Fig. 1.
As the spaces between the teeth are substantially filled by the ends of the links,
all wear which might be caused by a relative backward and forward movement of
the wheel caused by changing the load is avoided.
Furthermore the direction of rotation may be changed repeatedly without danger
of throwing the chain off the wheel.
Five 5 and 6 show o modification of the link which consists in the side portions 7¹.

page_text: the upwardly and inwardly turned cross bar portions 8¹ with the intervening
loops 91 through which the rivets 14' pass connecting the adjacent links.
Another modified form of link is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 in which the loops 12
of the respective links formed at the end of the side portions 13 and extending
beyond the cross bar portions 14 are connected by the small links 15.
Still another modification is shown in Figs. 9 10 11, 12, & 13 it which the links
are preferably stamped from sheet metal, and the side portions 16 of each alternate
link are provided at each end with the studs or lugs 17 adapted to enter the slots 18
provided in the ends of the side portions 19 of the adjacent link, said slots being
enlarged at their inner end to permit the free movement of the studs therein, and
at the same time prevent the links from becoming disengaged except when the stud
is turned to a certain position. Longitudinal slots are provided in the ends of the
side portions 19 to receive the ends of the side portions 16 of the adjacent links.
The side portions may be cast or stamped and turned in to form the longitudinal
slot as shown in Fig. 13.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The general arrangement, construction and combination of parts comprising
my improved sprocket chain ard wheel, substantially as described, and as illustrated
in the accompanying two sheets of drawings.
2. A sprocket chain composed of links, comprising side portions, cross bar
portions connecting the upper longitudinal edges of said side portions, and means
connecting the abutting ends of the side portions of adjacent links, for the purpose
and substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and shown.
3. A sprocket chain, consisting of the links comprising side portions, the end or
cross bar portions connecting said side portions, and means for connecting the
overlapping ends of the side portions of adjacent links, substantially as described
and as most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings.
4. The modified construction described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 of the
drawings.
5. The modified construction described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10 of the
drawings.
6. The modified construction described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the
drawings.
7. The sprocket wheel provided with the short teeth, and opposite shallow
recesses in each side between every two teeth whereby the narrower convex face
portion between the same is formed, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 25th day of July 1895.
LI D WITZDA TRICK
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70 Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.