Improvements in the Construction of Chains for Transmitting Power.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd May, 1895-Accepted, 6th July,
1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Chains for Transmitting
Power.
WILLIAM ANDREWS, 25 Hampton Road Birchfield near Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Machinist, FREDERICK WARWICK, The Dingle, Shirley in
the County of Warwick Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
The invention relates to an improved construction of that class of chain, which
consists of solid, or built up blocks connected by a pair of links by a rivet or stud.
The chain is known in the cycle trade as "block" chain. The ends of the blocks
are usually circular, and bear against the roots of the teeth formed on the chain
wheel.
We have found by practical experiment that the friction between the end of
such block and the root of the tooth, is sufficient to prevent said block of the
chain falling into the space provided (for it) in the chain wheel. By the continued
movement of the chain the other end of said block forms an undue angle with the
cheeks attached to it and so shortens the pitch, thus preventing the next block
from engaging with the next space in the chain wheel, causing much noise, wear
and tear, and often fracture of the chain.
The object of the invention is to so shape the block of the chain, and the tooth
of the chain wheel, upon which the chain is intended to work, that the relative
shapes of the same will tend to keep the block in it's proper position, and compel
it to fall into the space provided for it in the chain wheel, and causing the chain to
run in a smooth and regular manner without undue wear or friction.
One method of carrying my invention into effect, is to provide the blocks of the
chain with extended snugs, or lugs, of such a shape, that the said lugs abut against
a suitably shaped tooth, which will prevent the block becoming fixed against the
tooth as before described, and compels the said block to fall into the space provided
for it in the chain wheel, as intended.
The aforesaid snugs or lugs form an angular extension at the ends of the blocks,
so that the block will not present a rounded end as now ordinarily constructed.
The side of the angular lug which engages with the tooth of the chain wheel, may
be curved or flat, and the tooth of the chain wheel, is shaped to suit that of the
block. The action is as follows; When the block commences it's contact with the
chain wheel, a part of it's angular, or flat surface which is beyond the centre-line
of the block, first engages with the tooth of the chain wheel at or near it's
extremity, and continued movements of the parts forces the block into the space
provided for it in the chain wheel, as it is impossible from it's construction that the
block can become fixed, until it is in it's proper position.
.
Doind thin Wirst day of August 1894.
WILLIAM ANDREWS.
FREDERICK WARWICK.

page_text: improvements in the Construction of Chains for Transmitting
Power.
WILLIAM ANDREWS of 25 Hampton Road, Birchfield, near Birmingham in
the County of Warwick, Machinist, and FREDERICK WARWICK, The Dingle,
Shirley, in the County of Warwick, Gentleman, 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:-
The invention relates to an improved construction of that class of chain which
consists of solid or built up blocks, connected with a pair of links by a rivet or
stud. The chain is known in the cycle trade as "block" chain. The ends of the
blocks are usually circular, and bear against the roots of the teeth formed on the
chain wheel. We have found by practical experiment that the friction between
the end of such block and the root of the tooth is sufficient to prevent said block
of the chain falling into the space provided (for it) in the chain wheel. By the
continued movement of the chain the other end of said block forms an undue angle
with the links attached to it, and so shortens the pitch, thus preventing the next
block from engaging with the next space in the chain wheel, causing much noise,
wear and tear, and often fracture of the chain.
The object of the invention is to so shape the block of the chain and the tooth
of the chain wheel upon which the chain is intended to work, that the relative
shapes of the same will tend to keep the block in its proper position, and compel
it to fall into the space provided for it in the chain wheel and causing the chain to
run in a smooth and regular manner without undue wear or friction.
One method of carrying our invention into effect, is to provide the blocks of the
chain with extended snugs or lugs of such a shape that the said lugs abut against
a suitably shaped tooth, which will prevent the block becoming fixed against the
tooth as before described, and compels the said block to fall into the space provided
for it in the chain wheel, as intended.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of our improved block chain shewn in working position
on a gear wheel, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the ordinary block chain shewn in working position
on a gear wheel, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same.
At C, Fig. 3, is shewn the ordinary block chain as heretofore constructed; the
rounded end of which abuts against the side of the gear wheel tooth C, while the
opposite end of the same block rises away from the space between the teeth of
the gear as shewn at E.
The end of the next link is thus brought to bear on the apex of the next tooth
as shewn at D.
In Fig. 1 the lozenge shaped end of our improved block chain is shewn in
contact with the side of the tooth of the gear wheel, the link is consequently
maintained in a horizontal position so that the succeeding links having lozenge
shaped ends a, a, a, a, fall readily into position into the spaces between the teeth
of the gear wheel. The plan view Fig. 2 shows the blocks having enlarged ends of
lozenge shape connected together by side links in the usual way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is ;-
In chains for transmitting power, the construction and use of blocks, having

page_text: extended ends adapted to engage with the sides of a suitably shaped tooth of a
gear wheel, so that the blocks of the chain shall be compelled to fall readily into
the spaces between the teeth of the said gear, as herein described.
Dalhin Fims dow of War 1805
WM. ANDREWS.
FRED. WARWICK.