Year: 1890

page_text: My invention consists in a new article of manufacture-the improved chain-link—
hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view of a chain of several links formed after the manner of my
invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a similar chain, one link being shown in
outline.
Throughout the drawings like reference letters refer to like parts.
In order that a chain should possess the greatest strength with the least possible
weight, be free from tendencies to kink up, and run smoothly over pulley wheels
through guides and over obstructions of any kind without catching, it is necessary
that the material of the link should be so disposed that it shall be subjected as nearly
as possible to equal strains at all points, the space between the two sides of the link
should be at all points a little greater than the thickness of the material forming the
next link in the chain, and the width and thickness of each link at all points in its
length should be as nearly as possible uniform, so that there may be no projections to
catch upon obstructions. I obtain these objects by forming each link of my chain
out of a single piece of metal A, A1, A", of uniform cross section-such as wire-or
a metal strip of any suitable shape other than circular and of proper dimensions.
One end portion a of the piece is twisted around the first ond portion at a point b
near the point where it surrounds the central portion B. The piece of metal is bent
through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees at the points D and F, and
through an angle of ninety degrees at b, to enable this twisting of the ends, the one
upon the centre and the other upon the first to be done. The twisted portions are
closed up tightly, so as to keep the thickness of the link down and to form as slight
projections as possible. The result is a link in which each portion of the wire, strip
or metal piece A is subjected to nearly the same strain. The link is of nearly uniform
breadth throughout. At the bight of the link at D and F, the bend of the metal is
not so sharp as to materially weaken it. The sides d, d', of each link are nearly
parallel ono to another, and at every point the space between them is greater than the
thickness of the material which forms the bight D1 of the next link, and danger of
kinking is thereby avoided. The thickness of the link at different points is preserved
as nearly as possible uniform, the twisted portions a, and a', being kopt apart and not
superimposed one upon the other.
The advantages of my invention are that a chain made of these links will run
smoothly over any object-such as a windlass-and bear evenly upon it. The various
turns of the chain about the windlass will lie snugly together. It has the greatest
possible strength for a given weight of material, and all danger of kinking and getting

page_text: jammed in a guide-way-such as a hawse-hole--are reduced to the minimum possible
with chains of this general character.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
As an improved article of manufacture, a chain link formed of a single piece of
metal of uniform cross-section, one end portion of the piece being formed into a loop
and the free end twisted around its central portion only, and the other end portion of
the piece formed into a loop and the free end twisted about the first end portion near
the point where it is bent to form the cross bar which surrounds the central portion,
but said second end portion not engaging said central portion, substantially as
described.
Dated this 18th deve of A1800
J. W. GARLAND.
By L. W., per F. B.