Improvements in Cycle and other Driving Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycle and other Driving Chains.
I, LUCIEN STEPHEN CRANDALL, of Clarence Chambers Corporation Street, in
the City of Birmingham, Gentleman, 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 cycle and other driving chains, my object being to
construct a compact and durable chain fitted with balls to reduce the friction
during running and thus enable the power to be transmitted with greater efficiency
than with the gearing chains now in ordinary use.
In order that my invention may be the more readily understood I append here-
unto one sheet of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred to ;-
Figure 1 is a plan and Figure 2 a side elevation representing one method of
constructing a chain in accordance with my invention.
Figure 3 is a plan of one link and Figure 4 a section of a portion of the same.
Figure 5 is a sectional plan of a link representing a modification of con-
struction.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
I produce the links A from steel or other metal, making them to the form shown
in the drawings or such other configuration as may be best adapted to the
particular service for which the chain is required. One end of each link is
cranked or pressed in, as shown, to a sufficient extent to bring the exterior face of
the whole of the links in one straight line, thus making a very compact chain of a
neat and finished appearance.
Through each end of every link I provide a hole for the reception of the joint
pin and upon the central portion of each pin I mount a roller B. Adjacent to the
pin eyes or holes in the links, sockets or guards as C are formed, and on
connecting or jointing the links together such guards C on the respective links are
disposed or arranged in pairs as illustrated at Figure 1 for the purpose of retaining
the balls D in position.
The force or stress imposed upon the balls D by the teeth of the chain wheel,
which gear into the spaces such as E between the balls, is transmitted through the
centre of the ball to roller B. No stress is imposed upon the sockets C which
serve only to retain the balls in position and thus require but little strength or
resistance.
I vary the form of the sockets or ball guards C, sometimes making them as
shown at C Figure 5, or as separate pieces as C3, to be forced into the links or
side plates and secured by frictional contact or otherwise.
Although I preferably employ the balls D in conjunction with rollers such as B,
I do not limit myself to such a combination but sometimes dispense with the rollers
and employ balls alone with suitable sockets or other like means of connection with
the links A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
ion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
laim is :-
1. In cycle and other driving chains the use of balls substantially as and for the

page_text: 2. In cycle and other driving chains the combination of balls with rollers
substantially as described.
3. An improved power transmitting chain substantially as described and as
illustrated.
Dated this 26th day of November 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.