IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS FOR CABLES AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Edwards, of Abenbury Forge, Wrexham,
in the County of Flint, Iron Master, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS FOR CABLES AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 18th August 1857, and dated the 20th February 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Edwards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
February 1857.
I, EDWARD EDWARDS, of Abenbury Forge, Wrexham, in the County of
Flint, Iron Master, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS FOR CABLES AND OTHER PURPOSES,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention consist, first, in making the links of which chain cables
and other iron chains are formed, so that the pile or fibre of the metal will
run longitudinally parallel round every link alike, and in the same direction,
so as to obtain a chain of an uniform strength througout; and to insure
which it is proposed to roll the bars or rods of iron to be used, to make the
links of the chain of such a form, or with such a mark or marks thereon, that
will indicate the top and bottom of the pile of the iron..
And, secondly, making chain studs of crescent or semi-oval-shaped pieces of
iron or steel, and which in cross section will represent an elliptical..semi-
circular or semi-oval form, or any portion thereof. It is proposed to place

page_text: two of these pieces in each link, so that they will be in contact with each
other at their ends or in their centre; and if prefered they can be welded
together at the points of contact. One of the objects in constructing link
studs, as described, is that they will give the chain somo amount of clasticity
or spring.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Oflice on the
20th August 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
EDWARDS, of Abenbury Forge, Wrexham, in the County of Flint,' Iron
Master, send greeting.
our
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of February, in tho year of Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, or
such others as I, tho said Edward Edwards, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHAINS FOR CABLES AND OTHER
PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward
Edwards, by an instrument in writing under, my hand and seal, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and to cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Edwards, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
'performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-
My Invention consists, first, in making the links of which chain cables and
other iron chains are formed, so that the "pile" or fibre of the metal will run
longitudinally parallel round every link alike, and in the same direction, so
as to obtain a chain of an uniform strength throughout; and to insure which
it is proposed to roll the bars or rods of iron to be used, to make the links of

page_text: the chain of such a form, or with such a mark or marks thereon, that will
indicate the top and bottom of the "pile" of the iron. .
And, secondly, making chain studs of crescent or semi-oval-shaped pieces
of iron or steel, and which I prefer to form so that when taken in cross
section they will represent an elliptical semi-circular or semi-oval form, or any
portion or combination thereof. I place two of these pieces in each. link, so
that they will be in contact with each other at their ends, or at their centre;
and if preferred they can be welded together at the points of contact. One
of the objects I have in view in constructing link studs, as described, is that
they will give the chain some amount of elasticity or spring.
That this my said Invention may be more readily seen and understood, I
have hereunto annexed Drawings in partial illustration of my improved
chain link and stud. Like letters marked thereon have reference to similar
parts.
•
Figure 1 is a top view or plan of one of the modifications of my improved
chain link and stud, the link, being formed from a roundish bar, being
slightly. flat on the top and bottom of the pile of the iron, and the stud being
formed from two curved-shaped pieces of metal, in contact with each other
at their ends, and which in cross section also present an arched or curved
form, but a flat, round, or other shaped bar may be used if preferred.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross section of the same, the light
longitudinal lines being drawn to shew the "pile," and direction of the fibre
of the iron.
Figure 3 is a plan or top view of a chain link formed from an oval-shaped
bar, and having the stud formed from two arched or curved-shaped pieces of
metal, which are in contact with each other at the centre of their length,
and which stud pieces present in cross section an arched or curved form.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the same.
A is a chain link formed from a roundish bar of iron, but having its sides
slightly flattened to indicate the top and bottom of the "pile" of the iron; A¹
is a chain link made from an oval bar of iron; B is a chain stud formed of
two curved pieces of iron or steel, welded together at their ends, which in cross
section shews curved sides; and B' is a chain stud formed of two pieces of
curved or arch-shaped metal, and which are in contact with each other at the
centre of their length.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, and how the same may be performed, what I claim as new and my
Invention is,-
First, making chain links from iron purposely so formed or marked, that

page_text: the workmen shall know which portion of the bar is the top, and which is tho
bottom of the "pile" of the metal, to enable him to form all the links of the
chain so that the "pile" or fibre of the iron will run longitudinally parallel
round every link alike, and in the same direction.
Secondly, making chain studs of pieces of iron or steel, of a crescent or oval 5
or semi-oval shape, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Edwards, have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal, this Nineteenth day of August, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
EDWARD (L.S.) EDWARDS.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
of 44, Castle Street, Liverpool.