Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Power.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Power.
I, THOMAS JAMES SLOAN, 21 Boulevard Poissonière, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to chains for use in the transmission of power, and has for
its object the production of a chain which is so constructed that it can be readily
twisted and will transmit power in oblique directions, for instance from one pulley
to another when said pulleys are not in the same plane.
The chief feature of my invention relates to the articulations or pivoted joints of.
the several links of the chain which are arranged in such a manner that while one
portion of the chain is capable of turning about a pivot in one plane, a neighbouring
portion of the chain is capable of turning about a pivot whose direction is
perpendicular to the direction of the pivot of the first portion thus the second
portion of the chain will be able to turn in a plane which is at right angles to the
plane in which the first portion turns. According to one method of carrying my
invention into practice I provide that successive links of the chain shall be placed
in planes perpendicular to each other instead of being in the same plane as is usual
in endless chains, and I further provide that each link shall be joined to the next
by a double joint. Thus one link may be joined to the next by a piece the pivots
in the opposite ends of which are at right angles to each other. In another
method of carrying out my invention I omit alternate links and join the
intermediate pieces direct. Thus the constitution of this form of chain will be, a
link, two intermediate pieces, a second link in the same plane as the first, two other
intermediate pieces, a third link and so on.
In a third method of carrying out my invention I provide that the pivot on
which a particular link of the chain can turn shall itself be pivoted in the end of
the next link, thus the even links of the chain will be at the side of the odd links
of the chain.
In a modification of my invention I furnish some or all of the links of the chain
with a projecting tooth or with teeth. I thus make a flexible rack which is very
useful in certain mechanisms.
I sometimes apply my invention for the production of hooked chains, in which
case, I make the intermediate pieces between the successive links, with open hooks
which may be temporarily joined by links, instead of making the said parts with
closed links.
.
Chains constructed according to my invention have numerous advantages, they
may be twisted in any direction in the same manner as a rope and may thus be
used instead of ropes for transmitting power where chains as hitherto constructed
could not be employed. They may also be very advantageously used in
velocipedes, lifting blocks, tackle, cranes, and in other apparatus for raising loads
or transmitting power where an oblique force must be exerted. The construction
of chains according to my invention presents no practical difficulties other than
.those usually met with in making ordinary chains for transmitting power.
Dated this 26th day of November 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains for Transmitting Power.
I, THOMAS JAMES SLOAN, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris, in the Republic
of France, Engineer, 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 chains for use in the transmission of power, which are
characterized by the fact that they are articulated or pivoted so as to turn in all
directions, as distinguished from the chains at present known under the name of
"Vaucanson" chain, "Gall" chain and the like.
The improved chain possesses many advantages, among which may be mentioned
the following-The said chain can be twisted after the manner of a cable and can
take any desired direction; it can be worked in two directions, that is to say; flat
and edge ways, either simultaneously or successively.
The said chain is particularly applicable to velocipedes, pulleys, cranes and other
lifting or transmitting apparatus; its strength considerable, by reason of the fact
that the individual links thereof are always in a line and that the said links are not
required to support an oblique strain, as is often the case in Gall chains; lastly its
construction does not offer any practical difficulty.
the same
In order that the particular construction of this improved transmitting chain
may be properly understood I have represented various forms or modifications of
in the accompanying drawing, the figures of which are hereinafter
Instead of all the links of the improved chain being situated in the same plane
as in the Gall chains the said links are placed alternately in perpendicular planes,
and each connected with the adjoining links by a double articulation.
referred to.
In Figures 1 and 2, which are respectively an elevation and a plan, all the
links A are separated from the links B by connecting pieces C; the said links A
being at right angles to the links B; the connecting pieces C unite the links A
and B by means of bolts or pins a and b which are at right angles to each other.
The links of this chain are formed, as in the ordinary Gall chains, of two elements
each constituted by one or more coupled plates.
Such a chain may therefore be twisted with the greatest facility, and may gear
with wheels, which are respectively perpendicular but not situated in the same
plane; the said chain can be turned round after becoming worn on one side,
provided that one of its sides wears more rapidly than the other; the said chain
moreover is free from wedging action at its points of articulation, owing to its
double joint, and it permits of changes of direction, which is not possible with
ordinary transmitting chains. In short the improved chain possesses numerous
advantages, of which those above pointed out give but a general idea, and which
practice and use can alone reveal.
On the principle above mentioned several modifications are represented in
Figures 3 and 4, 5 and 6, 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, and 13; but it is
understood that the scope of my invention is not limited thereby and that I may
-construct other modifications according to requirements and the uses to which this
.kind of chain is to be put.
In Figures 3 and 4.the links A are dispensed with, and the links B are united by
the connecting pieces C which, without fulfilling the function of the said links A,
have a double arrangement to produce the effects of the articulation in all
directions. The same thing occurs in Figures 5 and 6, with a slight modification
in the connecting pieces C formed of two parts jointed at a and to the links B by
the bolts b b.
In Figures 7 and 8 the two portions of the connecting pieces C are moreover
united by a simple or double links taking the place of the links A.

page_text: In Figures 9 and 10 the connecting pieces C are placed upon the links B and are
united at each of their extremities by a bolt or pin a to a sleeve d traversed by a
bolt or pin b. The bolts or pins a and b are, as shown, in a perpendicular position,
which enables the chain to articulate in every direction. The spaces left between
the links B serve as the links A which for particular requirements would have to
be open on one side.
In Figures 11 and 12 the construction of the chain is the same as in Figures 3
and 4 with this difference, that each link B is provided with a tooth D arranged so
as to form a rack capable of being articulated in all directions and permitting of
certain transmissions.
Figure 13 shows a chain with a hook, based upon the principle of the double
articulation. The part C which connects the links A and B is provided with two
hooks a and respectively perpendicular to each other. The links A and B are
arranged at right angles to each other.
It is understood that the improved chain may be made of any size and of any
suitable metal, and that the parts having a double joint may be of any
construction.
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 power transmitting chain characterized by links connected with each other
by means of a double articulation, the said chain being capable of twisting or
turning at will and of taking, in the transmission, any desired directions,
substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. A power transmitting chain characterized by links alternately perpendicular
and connected with each other by means of a double articulation, the said chain
being capable of twisting or turning in all directions and acting at the same time
edgeways and on the flat, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
3. A power transmitting chain characterized by links connected with each other
by means of a double articulation and combined each with a projecting tooth, the
said chain constituting a rack articulated in all directions and capable of taking, in
the transmissions, any desired direction, substantially as hereinbefore set forth."
Dated this 26th day of August 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.