Improvements in Auxiliary Links for Bicycle Drive Chains.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Auxiliary Links for Bicycle Drive Chains.
I, JOHN PEDDIE BROWNING, of 68 Market Street, in the City of Brantford, in
the County of Brant, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Manufacturer's Agent,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in Auxiliary Links for Bicycle Drive
Chains and the object of the invention is to design a link, which may be adopted
should the chain become broken to connect the broken links of the chain and
thereby form a temporary link in order to enable the rider of the bicycle to reach
his destination and get the chain repaired at his leisure and it consists essentially
of a peculiarly formed reach, which is connected together at the outer ends by a
suitable bar or other form of connection, the inner end of the said auxiliary link
being designed to fit the inner side of the solid link as hereinafter more
particularly explained.
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of portion of a sprocket chain showing a break
in the solid link where the pin of the double link passes through it.
Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are details of alternative forms of auxiliary links.
Fig. 5, is a view of portion of a sprocket chain and two auxiliary links joined
together in order to connect the broken chain when the break is made in a double
link.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A are the double links of the chain and B are the solid links and a are the pins,
which extend through the ends of the double links and the ends of the solid links
to connect the links of the chain together. The solid links in most chains are
formed concaved longitudinally inside and outside as indicated.
C is the U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link, which is substantially
broad U-shaped in form longitudinally and fits the inner side and the ends of the
link as shown. The outer free ends C of the U-shaped portion or reach of the
auxiliary link are preferably made thicker than the base of the link, which is
made thin so as to make practically no difference in the total width of the link,
as it fits between the teeth of the sprocket chain.
D is a bolt, which extends through the outer ends C₁ and has a nut & secured
on its threaded end outside the one end C as shown. The bolt d serves to brace
the outer ends C₁ together. As the pin fitting through the broken portion of the
solid link and the corresponding end of the double link is encompassed by the
U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link it will be seen that such auxiliary
link will serve to hold securely together the two double links connected to the
solid link, broken, and I find in practice that such auxiliary link is

page_text: very effective for the purpose for which it is designed viz. to form a
temporary repair of the chain until the rider of the bicycle can reach his desti-
nation when of course he may have a new link inserted by expert mechanics and
not have to walk as is now frequently the case where the chain becomes broken on
the road.
The auxiliary link of course it will be understood might form part of the
equipment of every bicyclist.
In Fig. 2, I show the reach C2 of the auxiliary link with a bar C³ pivoted
between the jaws 2 at one outer end of the reach. The other end of the bar ("
has a slot formed in it, which is designed to fit over a spring catch formed at
the outer end of the other side of the reach of the auxiliary link. Instead of
the catch a threaded stem might be provided at the upper end of this portion
of the link and fit in a corresponding hole in the bar and be provided with a
nut on the top of it.
In Fig. 3, I show the reach of the link connected together by a bar C* having
curved gripping ends which extend into recesses C5 made in the sides of the
outer ends of the U-shaped portion or reach of the link.
In Fig. 4, I show still another alternative form in which the connecting bar
for the ends of the U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link is formed in
two parts C6, which are pivoted in jaws c at the outer ends of the U-shaped portion
or reach of the link. The centre of the bars are fitted together as shown and are
connected by any suitable form of screw or connection C².
In Fig. 5, I show two auxiliary links, which would require to be used should
the double link of the chain become broken. The broken ends in this case of
course would be wrenched off and the ends of the bolts would have heads on them
one in the shape of a jaw 8 into which the flat head of the other bolt would
extend and be hinged therein by a pin c¹. This latter form will effectually serve
to join the broken chain where a double link has been broken.
Although I show three alternative forms it will of course be understood that
several equivalent or simple forms might be devised which might accomplish the
object which I have in view, that is to form an auxiliary link, which will effectually
connect a broken chain temporarily when required.
.
101
1
1000
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
I, JOHN PEDDIE BROWNING, of 68, Market Street, in the City of Brantford, in
the County of Brant, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Manufacturer's Agent,
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 improvements in auxiliary links for bicycle drive chains
and the object of the invention is to design a link, which may be adopted should
the chain become broken to connect the broken links of the chain and thereby
form a temporary link in order to enable the rider of the bicycle to reach his desti-
nation and get the chain repaired at his leisure and it consists essentially of a
peculiarly formed reach, which is connected together at the outer ends by a suitable
bar or other form of connection, the inner end of the said auxiliary link being

page_text: designed to fit the inner side of the solid link as hereinafter more particularly
explained, reference being had to the deawing accompanying my Provisional
Specification, in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of portion of a sprocket chain showing a break
in the solid link where the pin of the double link passes through it:
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are details of alternative forms of auxiliary links:
Figure 5 is a view of portion of a sprocket chain and two auxiliary links
together in order to connect the broken chain when the break is made in a double
link.
joined
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A are the double links of the chain and B are the solid links and a are the pins,
which extend through the ends of the double links and the ends of the solid links
to connect the links of the chain together. The solid links in most chains are
formed concaved longitudinally inside and outside as indicated.
C is the U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link, which is-substantially
broad U-shaped in form longitudinally and fits the inner side and the ends of the
link as shown. The outer free ends C of the U-shaped portion or reach of the
auxiliary link are preferably made thicker than the base of the link, which is
made thin so as to make practically no difference in the total width of the link, as
it fits between the teeth of the sprocket chain.
D is a bolt, which extends through the outer ends C₁ and has a nut d secured
on its threaded end outside the one end C as shown. The bolt d serves to
brace the outer ends C together. As the pin fitting through the broken portion
of the solid link and the corresponding end of the double link is encompassed by
the U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link it will be seen that such
auxiliary link will serve to hold securely together the two double links connected
to the solid link, broken, and I find in practice that such auxiliary link is very
effective for the purpose for which it is designed, viz, to form a temporary repair
of the chain until the rider of the bicycle can reach his destination when of course
he may have a new link inserted by expert mechanics and not have to walk as
is now frequently the case where the chain becomes broken on the road.
The auxiliary link of course it will be understood might form part of the
equipment of every bicyclist.
In Figure 2 I show the reach C of the auxiliary link with a bar pivoted
between the jaws c2 at one outer end of the reach. The other end of the bar C³
has a slot formed in it, which, is designed to fit over a spring catch e formed at
the outer end of the other side of the reach of the auxiliary link. Instead of the
catch a threaded stem might be provided at the upper end of this portion of
the link and fit in a corresponding hole in the bar e and be provided with a nut
on the top of it.
In Figure 3 I show the reach, of the link connected together by a bar C having
curved gripping ends which extend into recesses C made in the sides of the
outer ends of the U-shaped portion or reach of the link.
In Figure 4 I show still another alternative form in which the connecting bar
for the ends of the U-shaped portion or reach of the auxiliary link is formed in
two parts C, which are pivoted in jaws & at the outer ends of the U-shaped portion
or reach of the link. The centre of the bars are fitted together as shown and are
connected by any suitable form of screw or connection C.
In Figure 6 I show two auxiliary links, which would require to be used should
the double link of the chain become broken. The broken ends in this case of
course would be wrenched off and the ends of the bolts would have heads on them one
in the shape of a jaw c8 into which the flat head c of the other bolt would extend
and be hinged therein by a pin e. This latter form will effectually serve to
join the broken chain where a double link has been broken.
Although I show three alternative forms it will of course be understood that
several equivalent or simple forms might be devised which might accomplish the

page_text: object which I have in view, that is to form an auxiliary link, which will
effectually connect a broken chain temporarily when required."
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 auxiliary link for sprocket chains comprising a flat yoke having a convex
central portion adapted to snugly fit the concave of a solid link, and concave
portions forming continuations of said convex portion, each end portion of said
link extending at right angles to said central portion, and means for detachably
connecting said ends, substantially as described.
2. An auxiliary link comprising a thinned yoke having a central
convex portion and concave portions thereof extending substantially at
right angles to said central portion and tapering from said concave portions
outwardly toward their ends, and the detachable connection between said ends,
substantially as described.
3. As auxiliary links for joining broken and disconnected links in a bicycle
chain, two U-shaped yokes adapted to fit snugly around the inner sides and ends
of the adjacent disconnected links, a connecting device extending between the
outer ends of each U-shaped yoke and a flexible connection between the auxiliary
links as, and for the purpose, specified.
4. As auxiliary links for joining broken and disconnected links in a bicycle
chain, two U-shaped yokes adapted to fit snugly around the inner sides and ends
of the adjacent disconnected links, bolts extending through the outer ends of
the U-shaped yoke, a jaw head on the end of one bolt and a flat head on the end
of the opposite bolt between the auxiliary links and a pin extending through the
jaw head and flat head to form a hinge as, and for the purpose, specified.
Dated the 24th day of August 1897.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.