Improvements in Chain Gearing.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Chain Gearing.
I, JOSEPH HOLLIS, of 27 Bath Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, Jeweller, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to chain gearing and has for its object the construction of
chain wheels and of chains for use therewith whereby the loss of energy from the
friction and abrasion of the rubbing surfaces of the gearing are reduced to a
minimum and the effective life of the gearing materially prolonged.
My invention consists firstly in the construction of a chain wheel with rollers
arranged around and antifrictionally mounted on its periphery so as to engage a
chain for the purpose of transmitting movement from one wheel to another, the
rollers taking the place of teeth in the ordinary chain or sprocket wheel; and
secondly in a special construction of chain having the links antifrictionally mounted
on each other.
To carry my invention into effect, I arrange around the periphery of the chain
wheel two flanges or rims extending radially therefrom, which may be continuous
around the wheel or project at the parts where the rollers are to be supported.
In these flanges or rinis I support at the proper positions cones which in combination
with the roller which is placed about them form a ball race or races for balls so as
to antifrictionally mount the rollers upon their supports. Through these side
supporting cones I arrange a locking bolt or screw so that when each ball race is
adjusted so as to properly support the roller, the position of the parts is fixedly
maintained and locked. I do not confine myself to the number of ball races to
each roller. The chain I use with these wheels is formed with arched shape links
which are pivotted together, so that the projecting parts of the liuks, engage in the
space between the rollers.
The second part of my invention refers to a specific construction of ball bearing
chain. To carry this part of my invention into effect I arrange the alternate
members of the chain in a similar manner as now obtains in driving chains, viz.:
one link as a central element and two adjoining links engaging on each side of it.
In each hole of the central link I arrange a ball race or races and upon the side
links I arrange conical projections or other similar and equivalent formations which
are adapted to form in combination with the ball race or races on the central link
and suitable balls, an antifriction bearing of the one link on the others. The links-
are held together by bolts or screws passing therethrough in such a manner as to
hold and lock the parts of the ball bearing in definitely relative positions to one
another.......
The form of the links may be made according to the class of wheel with
which it is to engage id est, they may be straight or curved in form to suit
circumstances.
Dated this 6th day of August 1896.
FELL & JAMES,
1. Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Chain Gearing.
1, JOSEPH HOLLIS 27 Bath Street Ilkeston, Derbyshire Jeweller, 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:-
This invention relates to chain gearing and has for its object the construction of
chain wheels and of chains for use therewith, whereby the loss of energy from the
friction and abrasion of the rubbing surfaces of the gearing are reduced to a
minimum and the effective life of the gearing materially prolonged.
My invention consists firstly in the construction of a chain wheel with rollers
arranged around and antifrictionally mounted on its poriphery so as to engage a
chain for the purpose of transmitting movement from one wheel to another, the
rollers taking the place of teeth in the ordinary chain and sprocket wheel and
secondly in a special construction of chain having the links antifrictionally mounted
on each other.
To carry my invention into effect I arrange around the periphery of the chain
wheel two flanges or rims extending radially therefrom which may be continuous
around the wheel or project at the parts where the rollers are to be supported.
In these flanges or rims I support at the proper positions cones which in combination
with the roller, which is placed about them form a ball race or races for balls so as
to antifrictionally mount the rollers upon their supports. Through these side
supporting cones I arrange a locking bolt or screw so that when each ball race is
adjusted so as to properly support the roller the position of the parts is fixedly
maintained and locked. I do not confine myself to the number of ball races to
each roller. The chain I use with these wheels is formed with arched shape links
which are pivotted together so that the projecting parts of the links engage in the
space between the rollers.
The second part of my invention refers to a specific construction of ball bearing
chain. To carry this part of my invention into effect I arrange the alternate
members of the chain in a similar manner as now obtains in driving chains, viz.:
one link as a central element and two adjoining links engaging on each side of it.
In each hole of the central link I arrange a ball race or races and upon the side
links arrange conical projections or other similar and equivalent formations which
are adapted to form in combination with the ball race or races on the central link
and suitable balls, an antifriction bearing of the one link on the others. The links
are held together by bolts or screws passing therethrough in such a manner as to
hold and lock the parts of the ball bearing in definitely relative positions to one
another.
:
The form of the links may be made according to the class of wheel with
which it is to engage id est, they may be straight or curved in form, to suit
circumstances...
In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now refer to the
annexed drawings in which:-
Figure 1. is a sectional side elevation of a chain wheel constructed according to
my invention.
Figure 2. sectional plan through line -y (in Figure 1) to enlarged scale.
Figure 3. sectional plan view of chain constructed according to my invention.
Figure 4. plan view of same.
Figure 5. side elevation of a link shewing cone surfaces or ball races.
Figure 6. plan view of same.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the wheel g is provided with the rims or

page_text: flanges & in which the screwed cones i & engage. These cones are provided
with the ball races ; & j¹ upon which the balls k run. The hollow roller is
provided with the ball race m upon which the balls k also run. The cones are
focked in position, by means of the locking screw or bolt n, in the flanges or rims,
said locking screw or bolt being screwed and engaging in corresponding screw
threads in the cones i & ¹ and referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, a, a, are the side
links having the cones or surfaces b formed upon same and upon which the balls c
bear said balls c also bearing upon the curved race d formed upon the inside of the
aperture in the link e; f being a screw pin or stud which connects the two outside
links a together when in position.
By this arrangement of chain and chain wheels it will be seen that the friction
is greatly reduced upon the working parts and at the same time greater efficiency
obtained.
Although I have shewn a ball bearing chain in which the links are curved they
may be straight so as to suit circumstances in which they are used.
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. In chain gearing, the combined construction and arrangement of the various
parts substantially as described and illustrated herein.
2. In chain wheels, two rims or flanges between which rollers are mounted upon
balls running upon grooves or races formed upon screwed cones which are adjustably
carried in the rims or flanges aforesaid and secured in position by means of a screw
bolt or pin which passes through the cones aforesaid, and thus secures same in an
adjusted position.
3. In chains for chain wheels of the class herein described, a chain composed of
two outer links which may be curved or straight and having ball races or cones
formed thereon upon which balls run, said balls also running in the ball race formed
upon the inner link placed between the two outer links the whole being secured
together and adjusted by means of a screw pin or bolt which passes centrally
through the ball races of the inner and outer links, substantially as described and
illustrated for the purpose set forth.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant