Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
I, WILLIAM SHAVE, of 6 Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead, in the county of Berks,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is the construction of solid links which can readily be
connected to form a chain, and be as easily disconnected from each other when it is
desired to shorten or lengthen the said chain, or to replace a defective link, &c., such
links requiring no welding, brazing, or rivetting when being formed into a chain, but
which are of such shape and design as to be safe from becoming disconnected while
in use.
These links are of two patterns, of relative proportions, one a right-angled
link (Fig. No. 2) of any dimensions (hereinafter called the "square" link) the sides
of which are extended beyond the end-pieces C, as shown at A, such sides being also
enlarged at the ends, as shown in the section (Fig. No. 1) at B; the said lengthening
and enlarging, which may be varied in shape and amount, having for their object the
preventing the square links escaping from the oval link the other link is an oval
one D. whose width is determined by the length of C, the inner dimensions being
three diameters of the end-piece C of the square link, by one diameter; the opening
to admit the square links being also one of the said diameters in width. When the
first of two square links is inserted into the oval link, it is pushed into its place at one
end, which leaves space for the insertion of a second square link, which is also pushed
into its place at the other end, and when they are extended the lengthened ends A of
the square links meet each other (see No. 1.) and keep C from reaching the opening
in the oval link the same effect is produced by the enlargement B when the chain
is bent into other positions. When this chain has been joined up it can only be
disconnected in one way, viz. by bringing two square links into as parallel a position
as the oval links will permit, and as doing this shortens the chain by the length of
two square links, it cannot happen when the chain is stretched, hence it is as secure
in use as a chain with links welded or brazed together.
Dated thin 15th of M 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains for Velocipedes and other Purposes.
1 WILLIAM SHAVE, of 6 Craufurd Rise, Maidenhead, in the county of Berks,
gentleman, 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 object of my invention is the construction of solid links which can readily be
connected to form a chain and be as easily disconnected from each other when it is
desired to vary the length of the said chain or replaco a defective link, &c., such links
requiring no welding, brazing, or rivetting when being formed into a chain, but
which are of such shape and design as to be safe from becoming disconnected while
in use.
These links are of two patterns- a right angled link (hereinafter called the
square" link) Figs. 1, 3, 4, 11, 12, which may be of any dimensions, proportions,
or substance required, and an oval link of relative proportions. Figs. 2, 13, 15, used
both with and without the centre-piece Fig. 14 Fwith these I form three varieties
of detachable chain, which I now proceed to describe.
"
CHAIN No. I. FIGURES 1 TO 7.
This chain is formed with the square and the oval links only, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4,
without the centre-piece F. The square link is formed with two flat sides and two
round end-pieces C, on which the oval links work; its sides being extended beyond
the end-pieces (see A, Figs. 1, 3, 4) and are also enlarged above C (or below it,
according to the position of the link) as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, at B; the said
extension and enlarging (which may be varied in shape and amount) having for their
object the preventing the separation of the links when the chain is in use, which they
effect, by blocking the access of C to the opening in the oval link in every position
the chain can assume except the one necessary for connecting and disconecting the
links (see Figs. 5, 6, 7.) The size of the oval link (Fig. 2) is determined by the
dimensions of (of the square link with which it is intended to connect it,-its inner
dimensions, in this chain, being three diameters of C by one diameter; its width is
the length of C of the square link with which it is used; the opening to admit the
link is one diameter of C in width.
square
To form these links into a chain, the end-
piece of a square link is inserted into an oval link, and pushed into its place at one
end, which leaves space for the insertion of a second end-piece C, which is also pushed
into its place at the other end of the oval link, and when the links are extended, their
lengthened ends A meet each other (see Fig. 5) and keep C from reaching the
opening in the oval link; the same effect is produced by the enlargement B when
the chain is bent into other positions (see Figs. 6, 7.) To disconnect these links, the
unenlarged sides of two contiguous square links are brought as nearly parallel to each
other as the oval liuks will permit, which enables them to be withdrawn from the

page_text: In Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, the extension or lengthening of the sides of the square
link at A beyond C, and the widening or enlarging of the sides B above C, are cach
to the extent of half a diameter of C. The extensions and enlargements may be to a
greater extent, but if B is enlarged beyond half of the chain is then not fully
flexible in both directions.
In Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, the square link is represented as having the enlargement B
above C, but the link may be inverted, and the enlarged side will then appear
below C. It may be used in either position.
Fig. 1.-plan of square link. the round end-piece on which the oval link
(Fig. 2) works. A extension or lengthening of sides beyond C.
Fig. 2. section of oval link, the inner dimensions of which are three diameters
of C by one diameter. The opening to admit the square links is also equal to one
diameter of C. The width of the oval link is the length of C of the square link with
which it may be used.
Fig. 3.-section of the square link, showing the extensions A beyond C, also the
widening at B above C.
Fig. 4.--section of a lighter form of the square link, in which the widening at B
is not continued for the whole length of the sides, but occupies a portion at their ends
only, forming with A half a circle of enlargement round C.
Fig. 5. shows the links joined up and in a straight position. It will be seen
that the lengthened ends AA of the square links meet, keeping CC at the extremities
of the oval link and so preventing their escape.

page_text: Fig. 6. shows the chain bent, and the effect of the widening of the square link
at B in preventing the escape of C from the oval link by blocking its access to the
opening in the oval link.
Fig. 7. When the chain is bent into this position it will be seen that one of the
enlargements B (which in this case is to the extent of half a diameter of C) blocks
half the opening in the oval link, and prevents the escape of C. Should the positions
of the upper and lower square links be reversed, the same effect would be produced
by the other enlargement at B.
Fig. 8.-plan of the single link formed by combining the square and oval links
(Figs. 1 and 2) into one. About three-fifths of the oval link are attached to one end
of the square link, and the sides at A are extended one diameter of C beyond C.
The widening below C being nearly one diameter of C.
Fig. 9.-section of single link. D opening to admit C; E shoulder against
which A comes in contact, keeping C within the link.
Fig. 10. Single links joined up. To connect these links they are brought to
about right-angles to each other, which enables (; to be passed into the opening D.
When straightened out, A comes into contact with E, and C is kept in position at the
end of the link and prevented from escaping ;-
-When bent downwards B mects E
and the same result is produced.
Fig. 11 plan of square link. C end-piece; A extension beyond C.
Fig. 12. section of square link. C end-piece; A. extension beyond (; (enlarge-
ment B dispensed with, but can be retained if additional strength be required.)
Fig. 13. section of oval link, its inner dimensions (extended half a diameter of C
to afford shoulders to F) being three and a half diameters of C by one diameter; the
opening in the top being one diameter in width its width is the length of C with
which it is used.
Fig. 14. (marked also F.) section of centre-piece. Its dimensions are one and a
half diameters of C in width by one diameter in height up to the shoulders S S : its
length is equal to the width of the oval link into which it is inserted. If desired, the
width of the centre-piece may be increased, with a corresponding lengthening of
the oval link.
Fig. 15. section of the oval link, showing centre-piece F in position, filling the
space not occupied by the square links; the piece above the shoulders S S fits into
the opening in the top of the oval link and closes the aperture.
Fig. 16. links joined up, with centre-piece F in position, keeping CC at the
extremities of the oval link; F is prevented from escaping from the top of the oval
link by the shoulders S S, and from the sides by the lengthened ends A A of the
square links, which overlap it on both sides.
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. The pattern or design of the "square" link, having its sides lengthened beyond
the end-pieces and enlarged above (or below) them. The said lengthening and
enlarging being both used in the same link or one of them only, as in chains No. 1.
and No. 111.
2. The pattern or design of the oval link, with or without the centre-piece F, as
adapted by its relative proportions for use with the "square" link.
3. The pattern or design formed by combining the "
Figs. 1 and 2, into a single link.
Dated this 8th day of December 1887
square" and oval links,