Improvements in Chain Links.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec, 1894-Accepted, 26th Jan., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chain Links.
I, JOHN CHARLES SCHMIDT, of York, in the County of York, State of
Pennsylvania, Umted States of America, Gentleman; do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he
particularly described and ascertamed in and by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object the production of a chain of the barred type
which shall be strong, light and easily and cheaply manufactured.
The invention consists primarily in constructing the links from rods or bars of
metal bent into proper shape with the two ende united by twisting and the united
ends formed into a bridge or bar extending across the center of the link; further
the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and
arrangements of parts, all as will be now described and pointed out particularly in
the appended claims.
Referring to the accompanying diawings.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of three links of a chain constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section though one of the links showing the preferred
formation of the ends of the rod.
Figure 3 18 a side elevation of a link showing the ends of the rod twisted
together but not making a complete tuin.
Like letters of reference in the several figures denote the same parts.
In carrying my present invention into practice, I preferably form the links of
the chain hom bar or rod metal of proper cross sectional area and length, for the
strength and style of chain desired. As shown, each link is formed from a section
of round bar or 1od metal, the length of the section of metal being sufficient to
form the desired size link when the two ends are brought together and firmly
united by twisting
In the preferred method of manufacture the straight rod or section of metal has
the two cuds brought together substantially parallel and twisted as shown at A.
Complete twists should be given m order that there may be no danger of
separating under the maximum stram for which the chain is designed.
The ends of the rod having been twisted together, the link is then properly
shaped and the twisted section brought to appioximately the center of the link,
although it is obvious that it may be brought to any point intermediate the ende
and turned in to form what is known, as a bar or stud, which bar extends across
bridging the space between the separated sides of the link. The end of this bar,
or as I shall term it cross bar should extend into proximity to the opposite side B
of the link, and as shown in Figure 2, for instance, the two ends a which have been
twisted together are preferably left one on each side of the portion B and are
caused to embrace the same to a greater or less extent, thereby giving increased
rigidity to the whole structure.
It will be understood that it is not essential to the success of my invention that
the twisted ends should embrace the opposite side of the link, although the
The same result would be
preferred construction they do so, to a slight extent.
secured by forming a simple V-shaped channel in the end of the twisted portion
without regard to the particular location of the two extremities a of the twisted
portions in which channel the opposite side of the link might rest, for instance

page_text: when the metal of the cross bar is heated, the opposite side of the link might bo
simply driven down into the same, thereby forming a seat.
The external contour or configuration is quite immaterial, and while I have
shown it as relatively narrow and long it is obvious that it might be square or
substantially circular without departing in the least from the essential feature,
which is the uniting of the two ends of the rod by twisting and extending the
united ends across the link so made to form a cross bar or stud at a point inter-
medinte the ends of the link.
It is also immaterial what method is pursued in manufacturing the link or links
of the chain, for instance, if the metal of which the link is composed is sufficiently
malleable in a cold state or where very light links are formed it might not be found
necessary to heat the metal at all, and on the other hand where heavy links are
formed it is desirable that the metal should
he heated.
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
claum 18.
1. A chain link of the character described having its side portions separated from
each other and formed of an integral iod or bar of metal with its two ends united
firmly by twisting and the united portion of both ends extended across the link
between the two sepainted side portions to form a cross bar, substantially as
described.
2. A link for chains, formed of bar or rod metal having the two ends twisted
firmly together, the twisted portion extended across the link to form a cross bar or
stud with a seat for the opposite side of the link formed in the end of such twisted
portion substantially as described.
3. A link for chains formed of bar or rod metal having the two ends united and
twisted firmly together, the twisted portion being extended across the center of the
link to form a cross bai or stud, said ends being formed to receive the opposite
side of the link between them; substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of December 1894.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.