Improvements in Spring Couplings for Draw Chains and other like purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 1st May, 1900-Accepted, 30th June, 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Couplings for Draw Chains and other
like purposes.
I, JOSEPHI MILLS, 94, Scotland Street, City of Sheffield, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of spring couplings
for draw chains used in harness, and for other like purposes for the purpose of
avoiding the sudden strains to which chains, and ropes are liable from many
causes.
It is an improvement upon the drawspring described in the prior Patent
No. 14963 of 1894, the object being simplicity and cheapness of construction,
and greater freedom of action.
It consists of a coiled spring, two long links and two washers, the spring
being compressed between the washers by drawing the links apart.
It has been usual to secure the links to the washers by the use of nuts fitting
upon the screwed ends of the links, but in my construction I dispense with these
nuts altogether.
The links are staple shaped springing apart like the letter V, and are pro-
vided with hooked ends like the cerifs of that letter; these hooked parts have
small projections in line with the arms, over which a clasp can be passed when
the arms are brought together, to enable the closed link to be passed through
the coiled spring and the washer.
The clasp is then removed and the arms at once spring apart and engage with
the washer the hooks preventing its withdrawal.
The second link is then inserted in a similar manner, no further fastening
being required.
The washers are made with a cruciform opening to receive the arms of the
two links.
Improvements in Spring Couplings for Draw Chains and other
like purposes.
I, JOSEPH MILLS, 94, Scotland Street, City of Sheffield, Manufacturer, 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 improvements in the construction of spring couplings
used for draw-chains in harness and for other purposes in which it is desired
to avoid sudden strains in pulling, lifting and like operations.

page_text: The annexed drawings illustrate my invention which is an improvement
upon the drawspring described in my prior Specification No. 14963 of 1894,
the object attained being a less number of parts, reduction of prime cost, and
greater freedom of action.
Fig. 1, represents a completed spring coupling made according to my present
invention.
Fig. 2, one of the long links compressed and secured at the hooked ends, for
insertion.
Fig. 3, the same with the hooked ends released and sprung open, as when
inserted.
The end views of Figs. 2 and 3, show the form of the drawwashers and the
ends of the links. The spring coupling consists of a coiled spring S, two elastic
links L' and Le, two washers W and We, the spring being compressed between
the washers by the action of drawing the links apart.
In my former patent the links were secured to the washers by passing their
free ends through holes in the washers and screwing nuts upon their threaded
ends, but in use these nuts get lost, therefore in my present construction I have
dispensed with them altogether.
The coiled spring S, is made of good steel and its ends are flattened to permit
of the washers W and W2, bearing upon them all round the coil.
The washers are made with a cruciform opening R, the four recesses being
to receive the four arms of the two links L1 and L2.
The links which are of steel are doubled over in the centre so as to bring
their ends towards each other, and these ends are turned over in opposite direc-
tions so as to form hooks H, and upon each hook there is a small projection
or stud P, by means of which and a clasp C, shown in Fig. 2, the arms of the
link when forced together may be retained while being passed through the
washers and the spring.
When the clasp C, is withdrawn from the two projections P, the arms of the
link spring apart by their resilliency and hook upon the washer.
Each link is passed into position through the spring in opposite directions
in the same manner as described, and its hooks engage with a washer, and pre-
vent its withdrawal until again compressed and clasped.
The end view in Fig. 2, shows the hooks H, brought together and secured by
the clasp C, to enable them to pass through the opening in the washer, for
insertion or withdrawal.
The end view in Fig. 3, shows the hooks on the removal of the clasp C, sprung
apart as far as the opening in the washer will permit and engaging with the
washer.
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-An improved spring coupling, consisting of a coiled spring S, two open
end links L and L2, provided with hooks H, having studs or projections P,
and washers W and W³, constructed and arranged as herein before described
and shown.
2-In a spring coupling for harness and other similar uses, in which the
spring is compressed when in action, a link having elastic arms, each arm pro-
vided with a hook H, to engage with a washer placed at the end of the spring,
and each hook having means by which the arins may be held together while
passing through the spring as hereinbefore described and shown.
Dated the 28th day of April 1900.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Applicants Agent.