Improvements in Pitch or Driving Chains.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 1st Oct., 1891-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pitch or Driving Chains.
A communication from THOMAS MAXON, of Dayton, County of Montgomery,
State of Ohio, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is chiefly to produce an extremely simple and
practical link for use in pitch or driving chains whereby the same may be readily
disconnected at any desired point in its length.
In chain constructed according to this invention a link of improved construction
is inserted between every two other links which are of ordinary construction, the
improved links being arranged to alternate with and connect the adjacent end-bars
of the plain links. The plain links are preferably rectangular and are constructed
in the usual manner with round end-bars which are embraced by the end hooks of
the interposed separable or improved links. The separable links are each con-
structed of two flat frames loosely superimposed upon each other and provided at
their ends with open hooks or cylinders adapted to embrace each other and entirely
enclose the round end bars of the adjacent single-frame or ordinary links. Each
of the flat frames is provided at one end with a small hook and at its opposite end
with a larger hook both of these hooks being formed out of extensions of the end-
bars of the superimposed frames. These hooks ale of less width than the links in
order that they may work freely between the side bars of the plain links. The
smaller hook of each frame is embraced by the larger hook of its adjacent frame
the hooks fitting snugly within each other and the pivotal end bars of the plain
links working in and being enclosed by the inner or smaller hooks. Sufficient
space is allowed between the ends of the smaller books and the bodies of the
frame for the insertion of the round end bars of the plain links and the openings
between the ends of the larger hooks and the end bars of their adjacent frames are
sufficiently large to permit the smaller hooks to be readily inserted in the larger
ones. The portions of the smaller hooks not embraced by the larger ones are
enlarged sufficiently to come flush with and conform to the cylindrical shape of
the latter thereby not only materially strengthening the link but also presenting a
smooth even exterior wearing surface for contact with the pitch wheels upon which
the chain may be working.
To separate the superimposed frames (when it is desired to disconnect the chain
for the removal or insertion of links) it is simply necessary to slacken the chain
sufficiently to permit the two plain links adjacent to the separable link to be turned
in opposite directions to positions at right angles to said separable link whereupon
by a slight end wise movement of the frames in opposite directions the smaller
hooks will pass out of engagement with the larger ones and the two frames become
disengaged.
It will be observed that this improved separable link is very strong and durable,
that it is inexpensive being capable of being readily stamped or cast out of steel,
that it renders the chain readily separable at any point without the use of removable
screws and without notching and weakening the bars of the frames and that it is so
constructed as to run upon the pitch wheels with a minimum of friction and wear
this latter advantage being an important desideratum in this class of chains.
Dated this 25th day of April 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pitch or Driving Chains.
A communication from THOMAS MAXON, of Dayton, County of Montgomery,
State of Ohio, United States of America.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 :-
The chief object of this invention is to produce a simple and practical link for
use in pitch or driving chains whereby they may be readily disconnected at any
desired point in their length. The invention will be best understood by reference
to the accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the improved chain.
Fig. 2 a longitudinal section, and
Fig. 3 a perspective view showing the manner of disconnecting the parts of
the chain.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A represents the ordinary rectangular links which throughout the chain alternate
with the separable links B which form the subject of the present invention. Each
complete link B is made in two similar parts C and D the larger end of C over-
lapping and embracing the smaller end of D and the larger end of D overlapping
and embracing the smaller end of C. The smaller end of C is composed of a part
tube or cylinder C₁ forming a hook which half encircles the end bar E of the
straight link A. The cylinder C¹ is thickened up at C presenting a shoulder C³
against which the end of the large cylinder or hook D' of the link D abuts. This
part cylinder D' is of larger diameter than the part cylinder C¹ upon which it
bears and the thickened portion C is made of a suitable size and shape to com-
plete the circle of D'. The longitudinal section Fig. 2 will show how these parts
lie when the link is fitted together. The side frame C and D project sideways
beyond the cylinders C' D' so as to maintain the even outline of the chain and to
leave the proper interior space for the teeth of the wheels to which the chain
appertains.
If preferred as will be readily seen one link, say D, may have both the large
ends, and the other link, say C, both the small ends; however the arrangement
shown in the drawings is probably the most convenient and suitable.
The perspective view Fig. 3 will serve to show the positions of the various parts
while the link is being taken apart or put together. The plain links A are placed
parallel to each other but in different planes separated by the parts of the separable
links which lie in a plane perpendicular to those of the plain links. The end bar
of one link A is placed inside the small cylinder C of the link C while the end
bar of the other link A is placed inside the small cylinder of the link D and the
ends of the respective small cylinders having the plain link end bars inside them
are then inserted into the ends of the large cylinders and the parts pushed up side-
ways until the links coincide when the plain links A can be straightened out and
the chain will assume its normal condition. The separable links B can only be
separated and the links A removed in the position described and illustrated in
Fig. 3 so that there is no possibility of the chain coming apart during the working
of the chain and even if a portion of a link broke it would be hardly possible for
the links first of all to assume the position of Fig. 3 and then to move sideways
the whole breadth of the link so as to disconnect it; it may therefore be considered
that while in use these links can only be separated by breakage. These separable
links are simple and economical to manufacture and can be readily and simply
fitted together or taken apart while an exceedingly strong chain is produced; they
may be cast, forged or stamped as required.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
1. The combination in a link for separable chains of a pair of superimposed
separable frames such as C and D each frame being provided with a small hook
such as C C at one end and a larger hook such as D' at its opposite end the
smaller hook of each frame fitting within the larger hook of the other frame
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination in a link for separable chains of a pair of superimposed
separable frames such as C and D one of which frames has two large heads and
the other two small heads the smaller heads of one frame fitting within the larger
heads of the other frame substantially as described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
3. In a link for separable chains the combination of a pair of frames such as CD
loosely placed one upon the other each provided with a small cylindrical open hook
such as C' and a similar larger hook such as D¹ at its respective ends the smaller
hooks fitting within and being partly embraced by the larger hooks and the
portions C of the smaller hooks not embraced by the larger hooks being enlarged
so as to come flush with the latter substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
4. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete
separable chain link substantially as described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of September 1891.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.