Improvements in and relating to Flexible Shafts.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 7th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Flexible Shafts.
I, GEORGE TOWNSEND, of Aston Cantlow Mills, Alcester, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method of constructing the links of that
type of flexible shaft consisting of a series of tubular links connected together by
joints of the "Hooke's" type.
Hitherto these tubular links have been made out of lengths of tube. According
to this invention they are made out of blanks stamped out of sheet steel or other
metal and then blocked rolled or pressed into tubular form, one or more interlock-
ing teeth being formed on the abutting edges of each piece to prevent the joint
from opening out under the twisting strain. The holes for the pivots of the cross
link of the "Hooke's" joint by which the tubular links are connected together
can be conveniently stamped or pressed out or drilled while the blanks are in the
flat.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
İmprovements in and relating to Flexible Shafts.
I, GEORGE TOWNSEND, of Aston Cantlow Mills, Alcester, in the County of
Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to an improved method of constructing the links of that
type of flexible shaft consisting of a series of tubular links connected together by
joints of the "Hooke's" type.
Hitherto these tubular links have been made out of lengths of tube. According
to this invention they are made out of blanks stamped out of sheet steel or other
metal and then blocked rolled or presed into tubular form, one or more interlock-
ing teeth being formed on the abutting edges of each piece to prevent the joint from
opening out under the twisting strain. The holes for the pivot of the cross link
of the "Hooks's" joint by which the tubular links are connected together can be
conveniently stamped or pressed out or drilled while the blanks are in the flat.

page_text: In the accompanying drawing which illustrates this invention :—
Figure 1 is a view in plan of one of the blanks.
Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of one of the blanks.
Figures 3 and 4 are views in side and end elevation respectively of one of the
tubular links complete.
Figures 5 and 6 are views in elevation and plan of one of the cross links, and
Figures 7 and 8 are views in end elevation and plan respectively of a length of
chain made up.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
Referring to the drawing A designates the tubular members rolled up from a
blank A as shown by Figure 1 the said blank having one or more teeth or pro-
jections a on one edge adapted to engage with one or more equivalent recessss a¹
on the other edge with which the projections a engage and so prevent the joint
from opening out under torsional strain. The teeth or projections a and the
recesses a¹ may be of any other suitable or convenient shape than that illustrated
in the drawing. The blanks A are so shaped that on being rolled or blocked into
tubular form each tubular piece has two oppositely arranged gaps a³ and pro-
jections a at each end, the two oppositely arranged projections a³ of one piece
fitting into the two oppositely arranged gaps in the adjacent piece as shown in
Figure 8.
The tubular links A are connected together by means of cross pieces B in the
usual manner.
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
claim is: :-
(1) A flexible shaft composed of tubular links connected by cross shaped pieces
or links the tubular links being blocked, rolled or pressed out of blanks of sheet
metal, as set forth.
(2) A flexible shaft composed of tubular links and star or cross shaped links,
the tubular links being blocked rolled or pressed out of blanks of sheet metal and
having interlocking serrations on the abutting edges of the joint as and for the
purpose set forth.
(3) The combination of parts herein described and illustrated by the accompany-
ing drawing forming my improved flexible shaft.
Dated this 6th day of March 1898.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, Assoc. M. Inst. C.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.