IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING LINKS FOR CHAINS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CONNECTING LINKS FOR CHAINS." A communication from abroad by James
Mann, of Buffalo, in the County of Erie, State of New York, United States of
America.
Sealed the 13th April 1877, and dated the 17th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th January 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING LINKS FOR CHAINS."
communication from abroad by James Mann, of Buffalo; in the County of Erie,
State of New York, United States of America.
A
This Invention relates to an independent coupling link conforming in general
appearance to the usual oblong link chains, and is for the purpose of coupling or
uncoupling two loose ends of a chain, or one end to a ring, staple, or other attach-
ment, and the Invention consists in constructing the link in two equal halves,
attached and swinging open at the centre on a pivot or pin which is fastened to one
half, the other half swinging open, or both may be loose on the pin, the ends of the
link being flattened or bevelled off so that one part shuts over the other when
closed, presenting an unbroken and smooth surface. On the inside of each of the
flattened ends are short upright lugs or feathers which shut into corresponding
recesses or openings in cach opposite half. This is to prevent any spreading by an
undue strain on the chain; and when the chain is attached, locks and binds the
whole together. The parts are made of steel or iron to insure strength.
The connection with a chain is made as follows:-The two ends are opened by
the fingers, and the end link of a chain is first put over one of the flat ends and
then over the other. The link is then over both of the parts of one end. To unite
it to the other end of the chain, the opposite ends of the link are then opened and
the other end link first put over one end and then the other, as at the opposite end,
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page_text: "
and the link shut where it stays and cannot be opened by any jarring, wear, draft,
or shaking. It is only opened by the hand separating the two halves and swinging
them apart and taking the chain link from each end piece at a time; there is no
spring connected with it. It is strong and not liable to come apart or to be broken
in any way, and in fact is stronger than the usual chain link. It is operated
without punch, hammer, or rivet, and no amount of shaking or twisting will
unhook it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th June 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middle-
sex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING LINKS FOR CHAINS." A
communication from abroad by James Mann, of Buffalo, in the County of Erie,
State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to an independent coupling link conforming in general
appearance to the usual oblong link of chains, and is for the purpose of coupling or
uncoupling two loose ends of a chain, or one end to a ring, staple, or other attach-
ment, and the Invention consists in constructing the link in two equal halves,
attached and swinging open at the centre on a pivot or pin, the ends being bevelled
and lapping on each other, and each being provided with a feather or lug with a
corresponding recess to receive the lug when closed to prevent spreading, &c., all as
herein-after described.
In the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of the link closed; Figure 2, a plan of
one-half of the link; Figure 3, a side elevation showing its connections.
A, A, represent the two parts or halves of the coupling ring, both constructed
alike and with the ends flattened or bevelled off, as shown at a, a, Figures 2 and 3,
so that one part shuts over the other when closed, presenting an unbroken and
smooth surface, as in Figures 1 and 3. The two halves are held together by a
centre pin or pivot b which is fastened to one half, the other half swinging open, or
both may be loose on the pin. On the inside of each of the flattened ends a, a, are
short upright lugs or feathers c, c, which shut into corresponding recesses or open-
ings d, d, in each opposite half. This is to prevent any spreading by an undue
strain on the chain; and when the chain is attached, locks and binds the whole
together. The parts are made of steel or iron to insure strength:
The connection with a chain is made as follows:-The two ends are opened by
the fingers and the end link of a chain is first put over one of the flat ends a and
then over the other. The link is then over both of the parts of one end. To unite
it to the other end of the chain, the opposite ends of the link are then opened, and
the other end link first put over one end a, and then the other, as at the opposite
end, and the link shut where it stays and cannot be opened by any jarring, wear,
draft, or shaking. It is only opened by the hand separating the two halves and
swinging them apart and taking the chain link from each end piece a, a, at a time;
there is no spring connected with it. It is strong and not liable to come apart or to
be broken in any way, and in fact is stronger than the usual chain link. It is
operated without punch, hammer, or rivet, and no amount of shaking or twisting
will unhook it.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. A coupling link consisting of two equal and similar halves attached to and
swinging on a central pivot or pin, the ends being bevelled and lapping on each
other, substantially as herein shown and described.

page_text: 2nd. In combination with the two centrally pivoted halves A, A, the lugs c, c,
and corresponding recesses d, d, constructed and operating, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)