Improvements in Driving-chain and like Joints
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 24th Feb, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
"Improvements in Driving-chain and like Joints”
I, EVERETT FLEET MORSE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the Town
of Trumansburg, Tompkins County, in the State of New York, United States of
America, Mechanical 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 :-
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood, I have caused to
be apponded hereunto one sheet of drawings, marked with letters of reference
indicating like parts in the various figures, as follows:
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, on a vertical plane, through the middle
of a part (comprising two contiguous sections) of a driving chain embodying my
invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the same;
Figure 3 is a plan or top view; and
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view, illustrating my invention in its generic
form.
This invention has relation, broadly, to driving-chain and like joints; that
is to say joints in which the movably connected or articulated parts do not
slide or glide upon one another, or revolve through the arc of a full circle relatively
to one another; but oscillate through a limited angle, with a rolling motion of one
bearing-part upon the other at the point of contact; the object of my invention
being to reduce to a minimum, friction of the bearing-parts of the joint and the
wear incident to such friction, and also dispense with the objectionable use of
lubricants. With these objects in view, my invention consists in the hereinafter
described construction and combination of parts of a joint adapted for driving chains,
and more particularly for driving-chains of the type known as sprocket chains, as
well as for many other mechanical purposes where it becomes desirable to construct
a joint which shall combine the greatest possible strength, durability, and ease of
operation, with a minimum of frictional resistance, the construction of the joint
being such f-attain-this-by-so-constructing-the-joint that the bearing surfaces thereof
shall be subjected to rolling friction only, as contradistinguished from the friction
due to sliding, gliding, or revolving motion of one part upon another.
I have selected, for the present purpose, a sprocket-chain adapted for use as a
driving-chain for bicycles, as an apt illustration of the manner in which I carry out
my invention; although I desire it to be distinctly understood, at the outset, that
this is only one form out of many in which my improved anti-friction joint may

page_text: SE
"
be employed with decided advantage. These are usually so-called endless
chains, which are run over a pair of sprocket wheels mounted, respectively, on a
driving shaft and a driven shaft. As the successive links of the chain mount and
leave the toothed peripheries of the sprocket wheels, the tooth or "sprockets" of
which engage and release, successively, the equi-distant apertures formed by the
open links in the chain, they turn through a limited angle relatively to the links
on the wheels next to them. Due to the necessarily great pressure, and resultant
wear, to which the links of the chain are constantly subjected, they are often
elongated so as to shift the position of the open links relatively to the teeth or
sprockets on the wheels, which causes then to nesh" badly, besides considerably
increasing the frictional resistance of the chain in passing over the wheels;-difficul-
ties and drawbacks for which, in a measure, a remedy is sought in abundant lubri-
cation; but this is also objectionable, both on account of added expense and the
inconvenience and greasiness which is unavoidable. The chief or primne object of
my invention is, therefore, to so construct and combine the contiguous bearing-
surfaces of the links of which the chain is inade up (a hereinafter described and
claimed) that all of these objections shall be removed and overcomes. simply-by-the-
substitution-of-my "polling"-contact-for-the-sliding, "gliding," or "-revolving"
contacts-heretofore-used-in-so-called "anti-friction links.
'
Referring now, to the Figures 1, 2 and 3 on tho accompanying drawing, the
reference-letters A A denote the closed central links, and B B the alternate open
links of a sprocket chain of my improved construction. Those are arranged in the
usual manner, so as to provide equi-distant openings or apertures in the chain
adapted to receive the teeth of the sprocket wheels (not shown), alternating with
the central closed links A. The latter are provided with two parallel cylindrical
apertures (,, one near each end of the link; and each of the two parallel side
piecas B¹ B¹ of each open link B is provided with a crescent-shaped aperture b, into
which is inserted and firmly fastened a pin C; the two pins CC appertaining to
each link B connecting the parallel side pieces B₁ Rt of the link and facing each
other with their concave faces.
The rectangular open links B B, each comprising two parallel side pieces B₁ B'
and parallel end pins C C, are of such width that the solid or closed alternate
links AA, will fit loosely between their sides; and the links B and A are connected
to one another to form a continuous chain by inserting the pins C through the
cylindrical end apertures a a in the closed links A. The convex side c of each of
the pins forms an arc of a circle of a slightly smaller radius than that of the
cylindrical aperture a into which it is inserted, so as to give it a very little (in fact,
scarcely perceptible) play within said aperture; just enough to permit of its freo
rolling motion within the aperture a.
To distinguish this pin C from another pin, which I shall prosently describe, I call
it the "seat pin"; and the principal feature of its construction is the concave seat
or bearing face opposite to its convex or rounded side c. This (as will be seen more
clearly by reference to the sectional view, Fig. 4) is not really a concave" surface,
but only so in part, inasmuch as its middle part forms a substantially flat or plano
surface, c¹; i.e., a plane perpendicular to the forces of the joint and parallel to and
near the axis of the aperture a. In order to provide the seat-pin C with adequate
transverse strength, the swelled side portions c", c" are added on opposite sides of
the plane bearing-face c¹, parallel to each other, so as to reinforce the pin at the
point of greatest strain and also, by extending the sides thereof, give proper shape
to the arc of its convex back c, so as to seat the pin properly in its cylindrica!
aperture a, and with due reference to its rolling motion therein.
With this peculiarly constructed seat-pin C co-operates the "rolling” pin D;
said two inserted pins C and D constituting the essential and broadly novel feature
of my invention. The principal feature of what I call (on account of its function
and mode of operation) the "rolling" pin, D, is the peculiar shape of the curved
bearing-face d whose center of curvature d is located off the middle of the plane
bearing-face C¹ upon which the curved face d' rolls. From this curved contact,

page_text: face d' the sides of pin D curve gradually outward in opposite directions, as shown
at thus providing a larger convex back or base d, to bear against the
adjacent concave side of the cylindrical aperture a within which the rolling-pin D
works. It is important that the spaces between the "rolling" and "seat" pins, D
and C. should be so adjusted, in amount, as to perinit of the desired angular motion
of the joint connecting two adjacent links A and B.
One of these rolling-pins D, of the construction described; is inserted (loosely or
otherwise) into each aperture a, in the position shown on the drawing i.e. with its
convex back d bearing against the contiguous inner side of its appropriate aperture a,
and the inwardly projecting curved surface d d d facing the plane seat c¹ of the
seat-pin, so that the extreme rounded point or bearing-face di will roll upon the
plane seat c¹ in working the joint, instead of merely sliding or revolving thereon.
It will be obvious that both the "seat" pin C and the "rolling" pin D, should be
made of steel and hardened, or of some other hard and durable substance; or the
seat-pin C, may be made of steel, and the smaller rolling-pin D, of agate or some
other hard stone adapted for the purpose. The links A and B, having to take the
tensional strain should be of steel hardened to some extent but not nearly sɔ hard as
the pins C and D.
This device, in its generic form, is applicable to a large range of joints of the class
described, the detailed construction and arrangement of which will depend, of
course, upon the specific purposes for which the joint is to be used. All that is
necessary is to change or modify the parts to adapt them to any particular
mechanism in which such a joint is used; such adaptation from the generic form
of the joint as illustrated on the drawing being merely a matter of mechanical skill.
In the proper construction of the joint, according to my invention, sidewise play or
movement of the seat-pin C within the cylindrical aperture a, as it rolls about the
stationary (or practically so) rolling pin D, is almost wholly obviated by locating
the center of the rounded rolling surface d, where the co-operating
parts of the joint aro juxtaposed as represented in Figure 4, a distance
somewhat greater than its radius of curvature above the axis of the
cylindrical aperture a, so that this axis, when the parts are in the relative
position shown, will be below the plane bearing-face c¹. When the center d¹ of
the rounded rolling surface d' is properly located in this respect, the axis of the
cylindrical aperture, will move in operating the joint) in a path substantially
perpendicular to the plane bearing-surface c¹ of the seat-pin; thus attaining the
desired end. It will be seen that the angular motion of any two adjoining links
relatively to each other is strictly oscillating; i.c., turning one way as the links
meet and engage a sprocket wheel, and the opposite way as they leave the wheel or
are disengaged therefrom.
The operation of my joint, in providing for this oscillatory movement in the
links of drive-chains, or any other mechanisin to which the joint may be applied,
is as follows: The seat-pin C inust of necessity turn with the parts of the
joint to which its ends are rigidly connected; that is, in the case of a sprocket-
chain with open links B, each link having its sides B₁ B' connected by the
seat-pins, each pin C will turn so as to follow the notion or movement of the
link to of which it is attached forms-a-part; and its appropriate rolling-pin D,
will turn with the other part of the joint, that is, in this case, with the inter-
mediate or alternating closed links A. Now, as the joint is worked, the
scat-pin C, and rolling-pin D, roll against each other, thereby obviously reducing
the entire friction of the joint to "rolling friction"; and, as the bearing-surfaces or
contacts are true, smooth, and perfectly elastic within the pressure to which the
joint is subjected, the working of the joint is effected with a very small amount of
friction and does not require lubrication.
If desired, the rolling-pin D, after being inserted, may be fastened in its proper
working position in the joint by any suitable means; for example, by a rivet, or
small
pin, inserted into the convex back of the pin and the contiguous side of the

page_text: aperture a, in the link. This, however, is not always necessary and is a matter of
choice.
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. In-a-driving-chain-or-like-joint,-the-combination-with-one-part-of-the-joint-of
a-sent-pin-of-substantially-the-deseribed-construction;-and-the-combination-with-the
adjacent--working part of the joint-of-a-rolling-pin-of-substantially-the-described
construction, whereby-the-entire-friction-of-the-joint is reduced-to "-rolling-friction-
between-the--bearing surfaces of said-sent-pin-and-said-rolling-pin-appertaining-to
and-forming-part-of-contiguons-working-parts-of-the-joint-+-substantially-as-and-for
the-purpose-shown-and-set-forth-
2. In-a--driving--chain--or-like-joint, the-combination--of-a-movable-sent-pin,
having-a-substantially-plane-bearing-faces-with-a-practicaliy-stationary--rolling-pin
having-a-convex-bearing-face
said-seat-pin-appertaining-to-or-forming-part-of-one
of-the-working-parts of the joint, and--said rolling-pin--appertaining-to-or-forming
part--of--the--contignons--working-part-of-the-joint-substantially--as--aad-for-the
purpose-shown-and-set-forth.
1.3. The combination with the parts connected by a driving-chain or like
joint, of a seat-pin securely attached to one of said connected parts and extending
through a cylindrical aperture in the other of said parts; said seat-pin having a
plane bearing-surface parallel to its length and facing the force of the joint; a
rolling-pin arranged within said cylindrical aperture on one side of said seat-pin,
said rolling-pin having a curved rolling surface pressing against the plane bearing
surface of the seat-pin, with sides extending froin said curved surface, provided
with a curved base or back opposite to said rolling bearing face, which fits and
bears against the walls of said cylindrical aperture; substantially as and for the
purpose shown and set forth.
2.4. In a driving chain composed of alternate closed and open links, a seat-pin
having its ends firmly fastened in the parallel sides of the open links and extending
through cylindrical apertures in the closed links; said seat-pin having a substan-
tially plane bearing surface perpendicular to the length of the open links; a
rolling-pin located within the cylindrical apertures in the closed links at one side
of the seat-pin and having a curved rolling surface pressing against the plane
bearing surface of the seat-pin and a suitable base opposite said curved surface
bearing against the walls of the aperture containing it; substantially as and for the
purpose shown and set forth.
3. In a driving chain composed of alternate closed and open links, said
closed links having cylindrical apertures at opposite ends, two bearing-pins
arranged within each of said cylindrical apertures side by side; one of said pins
connecting the parallel sides of the open links and said pins being provided, one
with a plane bearing surface and the other with a curved bearing surface arranged
to roll, one on the other; substantially as and for the purpose shown and set forth
Dated this 24th day of Octob
100Я
Dated this 24th day of Octob
HOND
AMBROSE MYALL
2 Lancaster Place, Strand, London, W.C.
Agent for the Applicant.
AMBROSE MYALL
2 Lancaster Place, Strand, London, W.C.
Agent for the Applicant.