Improvements in Driving Chain for Cycles and other similar purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Chief Examiner of the 8th day of June 1897.
Date of Application, 16th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Driving Chain for Cycles and other similar
purposes.
I, GERALD WILLIAM LAYBOURN, of 4 Woodland Street, Tunstall, Stafford-
shire, Potters' Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this my said invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in driving chain and has for its object
the combination with and adaptation to such chain, of antifriction balls or cylin-
ders, and consists as follows: The link of the chain consists broadly of a strong
metal box, preferably stamped and bent into shape from sheet steel, having along
its underside a central open slot. In this box are enclosed two steel balls, at the
end of the box is a block which serves to connect link to link, and also to keep the
balls in position. Side projecting ears, or overlapping pieces are formed upon
the boxes, so that pins or rivets may be passed therethrough and through the
blocks aforesaid for connecting the links together. These boxes may be made each
from one piece stamped and bent into shape, or they may be made from two parts
having a butt joint centrally along the top. I may also if necessary make a
transverse slot across top of said box for the better exit of any dust &c. should
any collect therein. If desired I may place short cylinders instead of the balls.
Thus the cogs upon the wheel enter the chain through the open slot and pass
between the two balls, and in the passage of the chain on to and off the wheel the
balls roll over the surface of the cogs, and thus the friction and wear and tear is
reduced. Preferably I so make the chain that the distance between the balls, and
the thickness and shape of the cog, are such as to prevent the underside of the
link box or block resting or rubbing upon the periphery of the wheel at the sides
of the cogs, or between the cogs.
Dated this 15th day of June 1896.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Driving Chain for Cycles and other similar
purposes.
I, GERALD WILLIAM LAYBOURN, of 4 Woodland Street, Tunstall, Stafford-
shire, Potters' Manager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in driving chain, and has for its object
the combination with and adaptation to such chain of antifriction balls or cylinders
and consists as follows: I employ such antifriction balls in the chain in conjunc-
tion with a cogged wheel to suit. The link of the chain consists broadly of a
strong metal box, preferably stamped and bent into shape from sheet steel, having
along its underside a central open slot. In this box are enclosed two steel balls, at
the end of the box is a block which serves to connect link to link, and also to keep
the balls in position. Side projecting ears, or overlapping pieces are formed upon
the boxes, so that pins or rivets may be passed there through and through the
blocks aforesaid for connecting the links together. These boxes may be made each
from one piece stamped and bent into shape, or they may be made from two parts
having a butt joint centrally along the top. I may also if necessary make a trans-
verse slot across top of said box for the better exit of any dust &c. should any
collect therein. If desired I may place short cylinders instead of the balls.
In order to more clearly explain this my invention, I have appended hereunto
an illustrative drawing upon which are figures and numbers of reference, similar
numbers referring throughout the several views to the same thing or part, and
in which:
Fig. 1, is a side view of a few links of this my improved chain.
Fig. 2, is a plan view, and Fig. 3, an inverted plan view of this my improved
chain.
Figs. 4, 5, 6 & 7, are respectively detailed side view, plan view, inverted plan
view, and section on line A-B, of the box link.
Fig. 8, shows a blank from which the link box may be made.
Fig. 9, shows one of the balls used.
Figs. 10 & 11 are respectively detailed side and end views of the joint block.
Figs. 12 & 13, are inverted plan views of modified shapes of the link box.
15, is the link box which is preferably made from a blank similar to that shown
in Fig. 8. This blank is bent and shaped into the box like form shown in
Figs. 4, 5, 6 & 7, the latter being as before intimated a sectional view on line A-B
Fig. 4. Joint pin holes 16 and 17 are made in the ears 18 and 19 to receive the
pin 20. 21, is a slot hole whereby any dust &c.-which may find its way into the
box-may readily escape.
22 are balls which are carried within the link boxes 15. 23 is a block having
a central hole 24, which agrees with the holes 16 and 17, and which is further of a
thickness so as to fit between the ears 19, 19, hence the joint pin 20, passes through
the ears 18 and 19, and the said block, and rivetted thus securing the whole
together. The opposite faces of the block is concaved at 25, approximately to the
contour of the balls. It will be seen that in the underside of the box there is
formed the longitudinal slot 26, through which the cogs of the chain wheel may
pass when engaged by the said chain. In some instances I may if desired modify
the shape of this slot as seen in Fig. 13, by making in addition thereto the cross
slot 27, or I may use the cross slot 27, only as seen in Fig. 12.
In order to keep the two balls in each link apart, so that the point of the chain
wheel cog may readily enter, I may make the indentation 28, (see Fig. 2) in the
side of the link which will prevent their closer contact.
Thus the cogs upon the chain wheel enter the chain through the open slot 26,
and pass between the two balls, and in the passage of the chain on to and off the
wheel, the balls roll over the surface of the cogs, and thus 'the friction and wear
and tear is reduced. Preferably I so make the chain that the distance between
the balls, and the thickness and shape of the cog, are such as 'to prevent the
underside of the link box or block resting or rubbing upon the periphery of the
wheel at the sides of the cogs, or between the cogs.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be under-
stood that I am aware that balls such as those shewn at 22 & blocks such as those
shewn at 23 have already been used in combination with cycle chains and there-
fore I do not claim such parts, & I am aware of Deans, Foster & Foster's
Patent No. 10369 of 1896, but I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a driving chain the employment of the box link constructed and shaped
substantially as set forth and illustrated, including the modifications.
2. In a driving chain the combination with the box link as described and shown
of the blocks 23, joint pins 24, and cylinders all substantially as described.
Dated this 27th day of November 1896.
CHARLES T. POWELL,
12 Cherry Street, Birmingham, Applicant's Agent.