Improvements in Devices for Regulating the Internal Dimensions of Chain Links.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd, Mar., 1899-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1899
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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Regulating the Internal Dimensions of
Chain Links.
I, DANIEL CARROLL, Manufacturer, of 79, West Lane Avenue, Columbus, Ohio,
in the United States of America, 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:-
My invention relates to an improvement in devices for regulating the internal
dimensions. of chain links and the objects of my invention are to provide an
improved and effective device for imparting uniform dimensions to the links of
a chain; to so construct and arrange said device as to insure accuracy and speed
in its operation and to produce other improvements the details of construction
of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.
These objects I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which
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Fig 1 is a side elevation of my improved link regulating device showing a
portion of a chain in position for operating thereon. Fig. 2 is a front elevation
of the same. Fig: 3 is a sectional view, on line xx of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail
view in perspective of the press slide arm foot or presser plate. Fig. 5 is a detail
view in perspective of the upper portion of a link regulating punch and Fig. 6 is
a similar view showing a slightly modified form of punch head.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Irepresents the base block of an ordinary press. Clamped, as indicated at 2, to
the front face of the base 1 is a vertical link regulating punch 3, the latter
preferably being in the form of a vertical bar, the upper end portion of which is
provided with rounded sides or edges which, as shown, converge toward the upper
end of the punch. This rounded and converging upper end portion of the punch
bar is provided on its outer face with a central vertical groove or concavity 4. As
indicated in the drawing, the upper end portion of the punch 3 is adapted to
project through a correspondingly shaped opening 5 in the outer end of a stripper
plate 6, said transverse opening 5 communicating centrally, with the inner end of a
recess 7 which leads out through the front end of said stripper plate. The rear
end of the stripper plate 6, is as indicated at 8, hinged or fulcrumed between.
upwardly, projecting oppositely located rear lugs 9 of the base block 1.
The lower end of the punch bar 3 is adjustably supported upon the outer end
of a vertical adjusting screw 10, which has a threaded engagement with a pro-
jecting lip 11 on the lower portion of the base block.
12.représents an ordinary press slide arm which is arranged vertically over the
forward end portion of the stripper plate: and punch head and to which recipro-
cating vertical motion is adapted to be converted in the usual or any well known
manner. This press slide arm I provide with a presser foot or shoe 13 which is in
the form of an 'angular plate shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing,
the vertical wing of said plate being secured to the front side or face of the slide.
arm 12,while the lower and horizontal wing of said platè embraces or bears
against the underside of said slide arm. The horizontal portion of the presser

page_text: plate or foot has formed therein a substantially Ṭ-shaped mortise 14, the stem of
which has a short vertical continuation in the vertical portion of the presser plate.
As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing,
the upper and round edged end portion of the punch 3 is adapted to project
through the transverse portion of the mortise 14 of the presser plate 13 when the
slide arm is in its lower position. The extreme upper end portion of the punch,
is also adapted as shown at 15 in dotted lines in Fig. 1, to project within a
shallow socket in the lower side of the press arm.
Extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the press arm are bars 16, to
which is fulcrumed at 17 the upper end portion of a downwardly extending
elevating arm 18, the latter passing loosely through a mortise 19 in the stripper
plate 6 and being provided on the underside of said stripper plate with a transverse
pin 20.
The manner of utilizing my invention is substantially as follows:-As the
forming or welding of each link of a chain is completed, said link 21 is placed
over the upper end of the punch head in the manner shown more clearly in Figs. 1
and 3 of the drawing. The next adjoining link 22 of the chain being turned to
the vertical position shown in the drawing, or at right angles with the link 21
from which it depends, is suspended in the recess or mouth 7 of the opening 5,
the upper end of said adjoining link 22 projecting within the stem of the
mortise 14 of the presser foot or plate 13 and the inner end of said link pro-
jecting within the groove 4 of the punch. A downward pressure of the arm 12
now being exerted, it is obvious that the horizontal link 21 will
be driven downward against the upper side or surface of the plate 6 and
consequently to a lower point on the tapering head of the punch 3.. This forcing
of the link down about the punch head serving to impart to said link the desired
internal measurement. It is obvious that the measurement or dimensions thus
imparted to the link will be governed by the size and form of the punch head
and that for the purpose of regulating the internal dimensions of links of different
sizes and intended lengths, punches of various sizes and forms may be employed.
The above operation being accomplished and the press slide arm 12 being
returned to its elevated position, it is obvious that the presser foot will be lifted
off the link 21 and that the upward movement of the press slide arm and its
bars 16 and arm 18, will result in an engagement of the pin 20 with the
underside of the stripper plate and in a consequent raising of the stripper
plate. This elevation of the hinged stripper plate must result, as will readily
be seen, in stripping or forcing the link off the head of the punch and out of
engagement therewith. It is obvious that in links of different sizes, presser feet
or plates 13 may be attached to the slide arm of the press having mortises 14
of different or desirable dimensions.
It is obvious that a device substantially as herein shown and described may be
employed in connection with the ordinary form of foot, hand or power press and
that by its use a great saving of labor and time will be effected in the regulation
of the internal dimensions of chain links. My device is particularly adapted for
use on that class of chains which are used to transmit power and which owing to
the fact that their links fit into wheel pockets or engage with sprockets of uniform
size, must correspond in their internal measurements.
It is obvious that by the use of my device, the operation of regulating the
lengths or dimensions of chain links may be conducted in a rapid and effective
manner and that the construction of my link regulating device is simple and may
be produced at a reasonable cost of manufacture.
Although the herein described method of utilizing my device consists in forcing
a link down over the head of the punch, it is obvious that without altering the
principle of my invention, this operation might be reversed and the punch forced
into the link.
In Fig. 6 of the drawing, I have shown a slightly modified form of punch head,
said modification consisting, as shown, in producing a substantially bifurcated

page_text: upper end portion of the punch. This punch head, it is evident, may be formed
in the manner indicated in said Fig. 6 or in Fig. 5 of the drawing.
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:
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1. In a device for regulating the dimensions of chain links, a punch having a
slightly tapering head adapted to enter and fill the ends of a chain link, said
punch head having a channel in one of its faces to permit the free movement
therein of one arm of an adjoining link, substantially as specified.
2. In a device for imparting uniform dimensions to chain links, the combination
with a suitably supported vertically adjustable punch 3 having a slightly tapering
head portion adapted to be received by a chain link, of a plate 6 having a trans-
verse opening to receive the head of said punch and an outlet or recess 7 to said
transverse opening and means for forcing a link on said punch head, substantially
as specified.
3. In a device for imparting uniform dimensions to chain links, the combina-
tion with a suitably operated press, its base block and slide arm, a punch 3 adjust-
ably supported in connection with said base block and projecting therefrom, a
fulcrumed stripping plate having an opening 5 therethrough for the reception of
the punch head and a recess 7 leading therefrom, of a detachable presser foot on
said press slide arm, said presser foot having a substantially T-shaped mortise
therein and connections between said slide arm and stripper plate whereby the
elevation of the former results in the elevation of the latter substantially as
specified.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and 25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents..