Improvements in Sprocket Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1896-Accepted, 20th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sprocket Chains.
I, FREDERICK MYERS, of No. 147 East Fifty-sixth Street, in the City, County,
and State of New York, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and the following
statement :-
This invention has relation to sprocket-chains of the class in which the alternate
links are similar and are connected by coupling-blocks, the links and the blocks
being detachable one from the other.
The object of the invention is the provision of a chain of the character described,
the links of which can be coupled and uncoupled with the greatest ease and
readiness; which shall be of great strength, while the weight thereof is reduced to
a minimum; which can be formed partially of sheet-metal; and which shall
possess such structural features and characteristics as will enhance its efficiency and
its durability.
To these ends, the invention consists in the improvements which I will now
proceed to describe and claim.
Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this Specification,-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a piece of sprocket-chain embodying my
invention, two of the connecting pintles being shown in section.
Figure 2 represents a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and a plan view of the
portion of the chain below said line.
Figure 3 represents a side view, showing one of the links turned to position to
permit the removal of the stud connecting it with the accompanying coupling-
block.
Figure 4 represents a section on line 4-4, Figure 3.
Figure 5 represents, in separate views, the component parts of the chain.
Figure 6 represents a perspective view of one of the links.
Figure 7 represents a perspective view of one of the coupling-blocks, the pintle-
studs being removed therefrom.
Figure 8 represents a section on line 8-8, Figure 3.
Figure 9 represents a section on line 9-9, Figure 3.
Figure 10 represents a section similar to Figure 9, showing a pintle-stud partially
removed.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.
In carrying out my invention, I make a sprocket-chain composed of links a and
coupling-blocks b. The links a are composed of two side-straps a' a', which are
located side by side and parallel with each other, and cross-bars a² a connecting
the outer edges of said straps, the inner edges of the straps being disconnected, so
that the straps are separated by an opening which is unobstructed at the inner
edges of the straps and is obstructed only by the cross-bars a² a², said opening
receiving the end portions of the coupling-blocks hereinafter described, and the
teeth of the sprocket-wheel, which enter the spaces between the ends of the
coupling-blocks, the cross-bars a³ a being preferably separated sufficiently to
permit the sprocket-teeth to project between them, although in case the teeth do
not project beyond the outer edges of the links, the cross-bars a³ may be differently
arranged, or a single cross-bar may be used.

page_text: Each side-strap a¹ is provided with a longitudinal slot a³.
The coupling-blocks b are formed at their end portions to enter the spaces
between the side-straps, and are provided with outwardly projecting transverse
pintles bb at their end portions, which pintles are formed to closely fit the end
portions of the slots a³, and are provided with heads or flanges of greater
diameter than the width of the end portions of the slots a³, said heads bearing
against the outer sides of the side-straps a¹, as shown in Figure 8, and preventing
said straps from spreading. The pintles & are formed upon the studs 63, which are
removably inserted in sockets 64 b (Figure 7) in the coupling-blocks b.
The side-straps a have provisions for the independent insertion and removal
of the pintle-studs 63, said provisions as here shown being enlargements a formed
at the central portions of the slots a³. The diameter of the enlarged portions a' is
somewhat greater than that of the studs 63 and heads 62; consequently by adjusting
a link on the accompanying pintle-stud, so that the stud will coincide with the
enlarged portions of the slots in the link, as shown in Figures 4, 9, and 10, the
stud may be moved endwise into or out of the slots a³ and sockets 6, as indicated in
Figure 10.
It will be seen, therefore, that the parts of the chain can be readily assembled,
and as readily separated, and that when the said parts are in their operative
relation to each other, they cannot become disconnected.
I prefer to make the coupling-blocks of a plurality of separate plates placed side
by side, as indicated in the drawings, the plates being firmly secured together by
any suitable means.
It will be seen that the described construction of the links enables them to be
readily and cheaply made, of sheet-metal, by striking out a suitable blank from a
flat sheet, and bending the blank into the form shown in Figure 6.
It will be seen that the wear is sustained by the pintle-studs, and that said studs,
being separable from the other parts of the chain, can be hardened to any desired
extent to enable them to sustain the wear.
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
clain is :-
1. A chain composed of links and coupling-blocks, alternately coupled together,
each link comprising two parallel straps containing longitudinal slots, and cross-
bars connecting the outer edges of said straps, their inner edges being disconnected,
so that there is a space between the straps which is open or unobstructed at the
inner edges of the straps, while the coupling blocks are formed to enter said space
and are provided at their end portions with oppositely projecting transverse pintles
formed to enter the said slots and provided with heads to engage the outer sides of
the straps.
2. A chain composed of links and coupling-blocks, alternately coupled together,
each link comprising two parallel straps containing longitudinal slots, and cross-
bars connecting the outer edges of said straps, their inner edges being disconnected,
so that there is a space between the straps which is open or unobstructed at the
inner edges of the straps, while the coupling-blocks are formed to enter said space
and are provided at their end portions with oppositely projecting transverse pintles
formed to enter the said slots and provided with heads to engage the outer sides of
the straps, the said straps having provision for the insertion and removal of the
pintles.
3. A chain composed of links and coupling-blocks alternately coupled together, each
link comprising two parallel straps provided with longitudinal slots which are centrally
enlarged, and cross-bars connecting the outer edges of said straps, their inner edges
being disconnected, while the coupling-blocks have in their end portions removable
studs the ends of which form oppositely projecting transverse pintles, which are
formed to fit the end portions of the slots and have heads which engage the outer

page_text: sides of the straps, the diameter of said studs and heads being less than that of the
enlarged portions of the slots, so that the studs are independently insertible and
removable when in line with said enlargements.
Dated this 16th day of April 1896
FREDERICK MYERS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.