Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Motion to Machinery and for other Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 7th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 20th Jan., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Motion to Machinery and
for other Purposes.
I, EDOUARD JEAN-BAPTISTE AUGE, of 37 Avenue Lumière, Paris, France,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a chain of the class described in the Specification filed with
my application for Letters Patent dated February 4th 1887 No. 1809, and composed
of different kinds of links arranged alternatively, that is to say, links provided with
two transverse pins at each of their extremities, forming pivots and links serving to
connect the first kind of links by embracing the said pins or journals, the said links
being united in such a manner that they can be easily united or separated, provided
they are placed in the desired position relatively to each other, which position
however must be such as io prevent them from becoming disconnected accidentally.
My said invention has especially for its object to render the accidental separation
of the links altogether impossible. I accomplish this by an arrangement which
enables a connecting link to be removed only after having placed the said link and
the two links provided with pins, which it unites in an unique position relatively to
each other. The relative positions which enable the separation are not moreover the
same for the two connecting links facing each other at the two sides of the chain, so
that if one of them were by any possibility to fall out the other would still maintain
the connection.
The invention consists partly in the shape given to the oval heads which terminate
the connecting pins, and also in the shape of the opening provided in the connecting
links between which the links having the pins are located. Instead of making the
two ends of the oval head symmetrical, as has heretofore been the case, one of the
extremities of the oval head is of semicircular shape of the same radius as the pin,
whereas the other extremity of this oval head, or in like words, the projection
provided on the pin at the point diametrically opposite, is a lug the width of which is
less than the diameter of the said pin.
The connecting links which unite the pin carrying links with each other present
openings the width of which is equal to the diameter of the pins, as described in the

page_text: said former specification but which are provided with internal shoulders or pro-
jections.
The shape and position of these shoulders or projections are such that between the
two which face each other sufficient space is left for the passage of the lug, so as to
enable the removal of the connecting link when the pin has been pulled a little to the
interior of the opening to enable the semicircular portion of the head to be dis-
engaged.
This relative position of the link having pins and of the connecting link is the only
one which permits them to be separated from each other, for in any other position
they are held together by the head. This is the case even in a position at 180 degrees
from the normal position, that is to say, when the connecting link has made half a
turn and when the lug has taken the place of the semicircular portion of the head.
Indeed in this case, although the connecting link is in the direction of the axis of the
oval head it is nevertheless retained either by the lug acting against the extremity of
this link, or by the rounded portion of the head bearing upon the internal shoulders
or projections. This portion is in fact too broad to pass between the said projections.
With the arrangement on the contrary, described in the said former specification,
the separation would be possible in this position by reason of the absence of the said
shoulders.
The improvement which I have described also renders it impossible for the pins
pertaining to two adjacent pin links and located in the opening of the same connecting
links to approach each other by sliding the length of this opening, the said shoulders
permitting each of the pins to make only the slight displacement above mentioned
which is indispensable.
I can therefore dispense with the shoulders with which the connecting parts of
links having pins are commonly provided and which serve as abutments for the
extremities of the outer connecting links.
The projections which I form on the interior surfaces of the connecting links
replace these abutments with advantage for they increase the security against
accidental disconnection of the chain. In fact, with the ordinary arrangement, when
the pin carrying links formed nearly a right angle with their connecting links the
abutments did not prevent the pins from slipping along the openings of the connecting
links so that the oval heads could become disengaged and a separation could take
place. This danger is obviated by the new arrangement.
Collars are provided at the extremities of the bars of the pin carrying links which
collars give a better support to the connecting links and at the same time serve to
reinforce the pin links.
The oval heads formed at the two extremities of each pin do not form the same
angle with the axis of the pin link. Of the four heads which a link comprises that
which is situated at one end of one pin is placed at the same angle as the oval head
situated at the opposite end of the other pin and vice versa. As regards the position
of the lugs of the four heads, it is a matter of course that they are opposite to the
semicircular portions.
These precautions for placing the oval heads in a proper angular direction, render
the accidental slipping of the connecting links and the disunion of the chain practically
impossible.
The invention consists furthermore in pins distinct from the bars carrying them
instead of casting or forging them in one piece with the said bars so that the said
pins can be slipped into the bars when putting the chain together. In this case the
holes provided in the link bars must be enlarged so as to enable the passage of the
oval head with which each extremity of the pins is provided.
A
These holes can have a regular oblong shape of the same form as the heads.
double reinforcement provided upon each head fills its opening when the link is in
place, thus preventing the pin from turning about. In order to maintain the distance
between the link bars they resi upon shoulders formed by the enlargement of the
entire portion of the pin which is located between them, or by simple collars or small
projections.

page_text: In the arrangement which I have described, the two link bars entering into the
composition of a pin link are similar because the openings formed in them have their
axes in a line with the axis of the piece, it is accordingly only necessary to manu-
facture a single pattern of these pieces. There are moreover no precautionary
measures to be taken in putting them together as the same link bar can be indifferently
placed at one extremity of the pins or at the other, and without distinction between
front or back. Again, only a single pin pattern is necessary and the pin does not
materially differ from the pin herein before described.
In the construction of the chain the link bars are slipped upon the cylindrical part
of the pins by passing the oval heads through the openings provided for this purpose.
These pins are then caused to turn so as to place them at the desired angle and to be
able to introduce the oval heads into the openings of the link bars. The connecting
links are then put in place by presenting them in the position which enables the
passage of the oval heads terminating the pins.
The openings provided in the link bars as well as the heads provided upon the
pins and which must be located therein (instead of having their large axes in the
direction of the axis of the piece and having any form inscribing that of the extreme
ovals of the pins, as has been described) might have the form of the extreme
neighboring oval head and the same direction.
In this case also only a single pattern of pins and a single pattern of link bars is
required. It is sometimes necessary to turn the pin endwise and upon itself through
180 degrees, again, to make the upper link bars serve as the lower link bars and
vice versa, it is necessary to place them upside down and to turn them round
end wise.
All the parts of the chain would then be found in the desired position, and it
would only be necessary to put the link bars upon the pins and then place the
connecting links in position.
It is evident that these links maintain the said link parts, being themselves held by
the oval heads on the pins.
In certain cases for the sake of greater simplicity, the pin links can be made of a
single piece with their pins, and the oval heads terminating the latter can have the
whole of their large axes perpendicular to the plane of the link, the lugs being all
iurned towards the same side of the chain.
Dated this 7th day of March 1887.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Motion to Machinery
and for other Purposes.
I, EDOUARD JEAN-BAPTISTE AUGE, of 37 Avenue Lumière, Paris, France, Engineer,
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 a chain of the class composed of two different kinds of
links arranged alternately, that is to say links provided with two transverse pins at
each of their extremities, forming pivots, and links serving to connect the first kind of
links with each other by embracing the said pins or journals, the said links being
united in such a manner that they can be easily connected or separated, provided they
are placed in the desired position relatively to each other, which position howover
must be such as to prevent them from becoming disconnected accidentally.
My said Invention has especially for its object to render the accidental separation
of the links altogether impossible. 1 accomplish this by an arrangement which
enables a connecting link to be removed only after having placed the said link and
the two links provided with pins which it unites in an unique position relatively to
each other. The relative positions which enable the separation being by preference
different for the two connecting links facing each other at the two sides of the chain
so that if one of them were by any possibility to fall out, the other would still maintain
the connection.
The Invention consists partly, in the shape given to the oval heads which terminate
the connecting pins and also in the shape of the opening provided in the connecting
links between which the links having the pins are located.
Instead of making the two ends of the oval head symmetrical as I have done in my
first trials and as represented in Figures 7 to 9 of the accompanying Drawings, I
prefer to give them respectively the forms shown at 6 and in Figures 1 and 2 of
the Drawings which are a plan and an elevation respectively of the chain.
As shown, one of the extremities of the oval head is of semi-circular shape of the
same radius as the pin, whereas the other extremity of this oval head, or in other words,
the projection provided on the pin at the point diametrically opposite is a lug the
width of which is less than the diameter of the said pin.
The connecting links B B which unite the pin carrying links A with each other
present openings the width of which is equal to the diameter of the pins, but which
are provided with internal shoulders or projections d, d and e, e.
The shape and position of these shoulders or projections are such that between the
two which face each other for example d, d, sufficient space is left for the passage of
the lug b so as to enable the removal of the connecting link B when the pin has been

page_text: pulled a little to the interior of the opening to enable the semi-circular portion of the
head to be disengaged from the head, as shown in Figure 1.
This relative position of the link A having pins and of the connecting link B is the
only one which permits them to be separated from each other, for in any other position
they are held together by the head 61, 62. This is the case even in a position at
180 degrees from the normal position, that is to say when the connecting link B has
inade half a turn and when the lug 62 has taken the place of the semicircular portion &¹
of the head.
Indeed in this case, although the connecting link B is in the direction of the
axis of the oval head it is nevertheless retained either by the lug 2 acting
against the extremity of this link, or by the rounded portions of the head
bearing upon the internal shoulders or projections d d. This portion is in fact
too broad to pass between the said projections. With the arrangement shown in
Figures 7 to 9 on the contrary the separation was possible in this position by reason
of the absence of the said shoulders d d.
The arrangement which I have described also renders it impossible for the pins per-
taining to two adjacent pin links A and located in the opening of the same connecting
links B to approach each other by sliding the length of this opening; the said
shoulders d, d and e, e permitting each of the pins to make only the slight displace-
ment above mentioned, which is indispensable for the connecting links B.to be enabled
to pass through as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1.
I can therefore dispense with the shoulders with which the connecting parts a a of
links having pins are provided in the modifications represented in Figures 7 to 9
to serve as abutments for the extremities of the outer connecting links B.
The projections which I form on the interior surfaces of the connecting links replace
these abutments with advantage, for they increase the security against accidental dis-
connection of the chain. In fact, with the ordinary arrangement, when the pin carrying
links A formod nearly a right angle with their connecting links B the abutments on the
pin carrying links a did not prevent the pins from slipping along the openings of the
connecting links B so that the oval heads could become disengaged and a separation
could take place. This danger is obviated by the new arrangement.
Collars are provided at the extremities of the bars of the pin carrying links a
which collars give a better support to the connecting links B B and at the same time
serve to reinforce the pin links A.
It will moreover be seen on reference to Figures 1 and 2 that the oval heads formed
at the two extremities of each pin are represented as not having the same keying
angle or in other words noi forming the same angle with the axis of the pin link A.
of the four heads which a link comprises, the one which is situated at one end of
the pin bis placed at the same angle as the oval head cc situated at the opposite end
of the other pin c and in like manner, the oval head c', c² is placed at the same angle
as the oval head which is diagonally opposite to it. As regards the position of
the lugs ², b, c c of the four heads, it will be seen that they are turned to the right
for the pin band to the left for the pin c; it is a matter of course that the lugs b b c³ c
are opposite to the semicircular portions.
These precautions for placing the oval heads in a proper angular direction, render
the accidental slipping of the connecting links and the disunion of the chain practically
impossible.
În certain cases for the sake of greater simplicity and as shown in plan in
Figure 3, and elevation in Figure 4, the pins be being formed in one piece with tho
link A terminate in oval heads having lugs which have all their major axes perpen-
dicular to the plane of the link, and the lugs 6, b, c c are all turned towards the
front of the chain.
The security against breakages or separation is likewise very great with this
simplified chain, although the oval heads are all arranged in the same direction. This
security is due first to this, that these oval leads project from the two sides of the
axis of the pin or pivot ; second, to the fact, that a single one of the projections thus
formed, that is to say the lug b b c or c is narrow enough to be able to pass bet woon
the interior projections d d or ee of the connecting link B or B¹, so that the

page_text: dismounting can only be effected in a single position of the latter relatively to the
link A having a pivot; and third to this, that the oval head is entirely outside the con-
necting link, which obviates the cutting of this link, and at the same time enables the
oval head to be made of the desired thickness.
The Invention consists furthermore in pins distinct from the bars carrying them
instead of casting or forging them in one piece with the said bars so that the said
pins can be slipped into the bars when puiting the chain together. In this case the
holes provided in the link bars a must be enlarged so as to enable the passage of the
oval head with which each extremity of the pins is provided.
Figures 5 and 6 represent in plan and elevation an arrangement by which this
object can be attained.
The pin carrying link a presents, at each end, a sufficiently large opening for the
oval head of the pin to pass through and which, if it is preferred to give it the
same form as this oval head, can have a regular oblong shape as represented. A
double reinforcement g, g of corresponding shape provided upon each head fills its
opening when the link is in place thus preventing the pin from turning about. In
order to maintain the distance between the link bars a a they rest upon shoulders
formed by the enlargement of that portion of the pin which is located between them,
as illustrated in the drawings, or by simple collars or small projections.
In the arrangement which I have described, the two link bars a a entering into the
composition of a pinlink A a e similar because the openings formed in them have their
major axes in a line with the axis of the piece; it is accordingly only necessary to
manufacture a single pattern of these pieces. There are moreover no precautionary
measures to be taken in putting them together, as the same link bar can be indifferently
placed at one extremity of the pins or at the other, and without distinction between
front or back. Again, only a single pin pattern is necessary and the pin c does not
materially differ from the pin & hereinbefore described.
In the construction of the chain the link bars a a are slipped upon the cylindrical
part of the pins b and c by passing the oval heads through the openings provided for
this purpose. These pins are then caused to turn so as to place them at the desired
angle and to be able to introduce the oval heads g, 9'; ' into the openings of the link
bars a. The connecting links B are then put in place by presenting them in the
position which enables the passage of the oval heads & terminating the pins.
The openings provided in the link bars a as well as the heads provided upon the
pins and which must be located therein (instead of having their large axes in the
direction of the axis of the piece and having any form corresponding to that of the
extreme ovals of the pins, as has been described) might have the form of the extreme
neighbouring oval head and the same direction that is to say that y would be similar
to and would be similar to b³, 64.
In this case also only a single pattern of pins and a single pattern of link bar is
required, in order to make the pin and the pin c, or inversely it is necessary to turn
it round end for end or through 180 degrees to make the upper link bars serve as the
lower link bars and vice versa, it is necessary to place them upside down and to turn
them round endwise. All the parts of the chain would then be found in the desired
position, and it would only be necessary to put the link bars a upon the pins, and then
place the connecting links in position.
It is evident that these links maintain the said link bars, being themselves held by
the oval heads on the pins.
Figures 7 and 7 show an elevation of a modification of my chain; Figures S and SA
are plans of the same. In these four Figures the links A' A² A' having pins, present
between them slight differences in the construction.
Figure is likewise a plan of the improved chain but shows the links in a position
other than the operating position.
In this modification, as shown, the links, carrying
full piece a or in a piece a¹ or a that is hollowed
teeth of a chain wheel, and with two transverse pins
and which terminate at their extremities in oval heads
pins, are formed either in one
out, if they are to receive the
which are in the same piece
16 c¹¹¹

page_text: These oval heads differ from those above described in not having a lug, and are
formed with two symmetrical projections provided upon the pin.
As in the arrangements above described, the links having pivots are connected on either
side of the chain by links B B, but here these latter do not present any interior projec-
tion for preventing the pins be from sliding in their holes instead of which the same
result is obtained by means of ribs d or projections e e cast upon the links themselves
that carry the pins, and against which the extremity of the connecting links B B¹
butis, except when the two kinds of links have been brought into the relative position
which permits the dismounting of the chain.
In order to obviate the accidental dismounting of the chain I prefer that the major
axis of the oval heads shall be nearly perpendicular to the plane of the link having
pivots, so that the dismounting is only possible if the link has been brought relatively
to the connecting links B B to the position shown for the link A' in Figure 9.
Moreover I prefer that the oval head or c¹ on one of the extremities of a pin
shall not be exactly opposite the oval head or c" on the other extremity of the same
pin, and that its major axis shall be inclined in the opposite direction relatively to the
plane of the link having pivots, as represented in Figures 7 to 9. From this it
follows that the two connecting links B B placed one in front of the other cannot in
any case pass out at the same time and for the same relative position of these links
and of the links having pivots that unite them; in order to remove the link B₁ it is
necessary to incline the links A and A to the right (in Figure 9 A' is shown in this
position), whilst it is necessary to incline them to the left to enable the corresponding
link B on the other side of the chain to be removed.
If the precautions above mentioned are observed, the modification represented in
Figures 7 to 9 offers nearly the same security as the arrangement shown in Figures 1
and 2 with lugs. The security becomes complete if the pivots are prevented from
sliding along the connecting links, either by making these latter short enough so as to
leave only sufficient space for the oval heads to pass the two links, or (if the con-
necting links must be longer, in order that all the pins shall be equidistant and can be
carried by a chain wheel) by leaving a solid part in the middle of the length of these
links, providing only at each end an opening that allows the passage of an oval
head.
As shown in the drawings the links having pivots or the connecting links of my
chains can be provided with lugs designed to serve as attaching points for buckets,
paddles, or the like, or for rods to which are hooked small waggons for drawing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. In a chain formed of links A which consist, each of two pins bc which
connect two longitudinal bars a a, and of connecting links B B, of double the number
of the links A, and embracing on each side of the chain two pins be belonging to
two different links; the formation, at the two ends of the said pins 6c of retaining heads
or projections, such as for example 6 Figures 1 and 2 or 6 Figures 7 and 8, these
heads offering the threefold feature of being placed altogether outside the connecting
links B B, of forming a projection on both sides of the axis of the pin; of the heads
situated at the two ends of the same pin not being exactly opposite each other, their
major axes being inclined in an opposite direction relatively to the plane of the link A,
substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Second. In a chain of the kind specified in the first claiming clause, the formation
of exterior retaining heads with broad parts 163, c² or e³ Figure 1, on one side of
the axis of the pin, and narrow parts or lugs bbc or on the other side of the
axis of the pin, in combination with projections d d ore e provided or secured on the
interior of the connecting links B and B', the heads thus formed enabling the links
to be placed in different directions or in the same direction as regards the two ends
of each pin relatively to the plane of the link A, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings for the purpose specified.

page_text: Third. In a chain of the kind specified in the first claiming clause, the formation
of the links A by means of the two pins b, c, terminating in exterior retaining heads
of the shape shown at bb, Figures 1 and 2, or that shown at 61, Figures 7 and 8,
and of two bars a a Figures 5 and 6 which towards their extremities are pierced with
holes through which the heads of the pins can pass, and which, when the bar has once
been put in place, are filled up by a projection of the same form which each of the
pins presents so that all the paris are firmly united when the chain is connected and
when the connecting links B B1, themselves maintained by the oval heads, keep the
said bars a a connected; substantially as above described and represented in Figures 5
and 6 of the drawings.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.