Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Making Chains.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Process of and Apparatus for Making Chains.
I JULIUS KINDER of 143 Williani Street in the City of Brooklyn, State of New
York, United States of America 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 improvements relate to a process and apparatus for making chains, in which
the links are solid, or, in other words, links formed without welding or soldering, and
without breaks.
By my improvements, I contemplate taking a rod of metal, preferably cylindrical,
and automatically feeding it forward beneath dies and cutters, by which the rod is
at first shaped, as desired, for the severence of the links, and the links are ultimately
severed one from another. During the passage of the rod to said dies, I also propose
subjecting the rod to an annealing process, by passing it through an annealing
furnace. The operation of feeding the rod of metal forward and through the dies
or cutters is intermittent. The chain is ultimately delivered from the machine
in a substantially perfected condition.
I also contemplate taking the rod of metal, preferably cylindrical, and first pressing
it on opposite sides, and also in directions at right angles to each other, to form
portions on the bar, of the approximate shape of chain links, afterward opening out,
by pressing aside, the metal between the ends of said link-shaped portions, and at
the sides of said ends, and further, shaping said link shaped portions into the form
of links; next severing said link-shaped portions from each other upon the inner sides
of said ends, the links being ultimately forced apart between their adjacent ends, after
they have been pressed toward each other, during the operation of severing.
I will describe in detail a process and apparatus embodying my improvements, and
then point out the novel features in claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying
my improvements. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, and partly broken
away, of the end portion of the apparatus to the right of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end
view of the same. Fig. 4 is a plan or top view of the same. Fig. 5 is an end view
to the left of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a plan or top view of certain die-operating
mechanism. Fig. 7 is an end view of the same. Fig. 8 is a. diagrammatic end view
of certain cutters and their operating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a side view of one of
the levers shown in Fig. 7 for operating the dies. Fig. 10 is an edge view of the
same. Fig. 11 is a view of the first set of dies employed. Fig. 12 is a view of
certain openers, which operate upon the link portions after the dies shown in Fig. 11
have operated thereon. Fig. 13 is a view of a set of openers, which operate upon
the link portions after the same have been operated upon by the openers shown in
Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a view of a set of cutters and a set of openers or spreaders,
the latter operating upon the links after the same have been severed from one
another. Fig. 15 is a face view, showing the various stages through which the rod
passes in its manipulation. Fig. 16 is a view taken at right angles to Fig. 15.
Fig. 17 is a longitudinal section, showing the chain in its various stages. Fig. 18
is a view taken on the line x x of Fig. 16. Fig. 19 is a view taken on the line y y
of Fig. 16. Fig. 20 is a plan or top view of guides for the cutters and separators
employed. Fig. 21 is a detail view of the cutters. Fig. 22 is a detail view of
certain cams for operating the cutters and separators.
I will first describe the means which I employ to feed the rod of metal to be
formed into a chain, into or out of an annealing furnace, preparatory to its being
formed into a chain.
Referring first to Fig. 1, A designates a main or driving shaft. This shaft has
mounted upon it, near one end, a gear wheel A', which gear wheel derives motion

page_text: from a gear wheel A³, mounted upon a shaft A³, which shaft is journalled in an
upright portion A* of the frame. The shaft A' is hollow for reasons to be hereinafter
described, and has secured upon its ends, as bere shown, nuts A5, A6, which are also
hollow, the former being arranged upon the inside of the portion A of the frame,
and the latter outside a pulley A' keyed upon the shaft, which pulley derives motion
from a belt A8 (see Fig. 5) in the usual manner. Also keyed on the shaft A³ is a
fly wheel A⁹.
Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, B designates a bevel gear
wheel rigidly keyed upon the shaft A. This gear wheel meshes with two other bevel
gear wheels B B2, arranged upon opposite sides of the main shaft A, and keyed
upon stub-shafts B32* B3 journalled in suitable bearings in a portion a of the main
frame X of the machine.
Rigidly keyed upon the shafts B2* B³, are wheels B B³. These wheels, as will be
more clearly seen by reference to Fig. 2, are provided with a single tooth each.
•
Upon short or stub shafts B6 B7, journalled in the main frame of the machine,
are mounted notched wheels B8 B, one of which, B8, is shown more clearly in Fig. 2.
The positions of the wheels B B are such, that at each revolution of the
wheels B₁ B³, the teeth a¹ thereon will engage a notch in the wheels B³ B³, and
cause a rotation of the latter a distance equivalent to the distance between two
of the notches on said wheels thus causing intermittent rotations of the shafts Bº B³,
upon which the wheels B8 B° are mounted.
Rigidly keyed upon the shafts B B7, are gear wheels B10 B1, one of which, B20,
is more clearly shown in Figure 2. These gear wheels mesh with gear wheels B12 B13
The gear wheel B12 is mounted upon a shaft b, extending widthwise of the machine,
and journalled in the side frames thereof. The gear wheel B¹³ is keyed upon a
shaft, which is tubular, and surrounds the shaft b, being free to rotate thereon.
Upon the shaft bare rigidly keyed spiders B14 B, and upon the shaft b' are
rigidly keyed spiders B10 B17. Two of these spiders, B14 B1, are shown more
clearly in Fig. 2. All of the spiders, as here shown, comprise tangential arms b³.
Of course, when intermittent motion is imparted to the notched wheels BB B°,
corresponding motion is imparted to the gear wheels B10 B1, which gear wheels, in
turn, transmit a like motion to the gear wheels B12 B13, and consequently to the
spiders B B B16 B17.
It will be observed, that as the gear wheels B¹, B2 are mounted upon opposite
sides of the shaft A, motion in reverse direction will be imparted to said gear
wheels by the gear wheel B. This would result, of course, in causing the
mechanisin just described upon opposite sides of the machine, to rotate in reverse
directions.
As, however, the spiders B11 B15 are mounted upon the shaft b, they will rotate
in unison, and in the same direction, while the spiders B16 B17, being mounted upon
the hollow shaft 61, will also rotate in unison, and not in the same direction, but in
a direction contrary to the direction of rotation of the spiders B B¹³.
The object of the mechanism which has just been described, is to impart an inter-
mittent to and fro movement to a carriage C, which carriage is shewn more clearly
in Fig. 3, and is adapted to be slid to and fro upon V-shaped guides c, fitting V-way
grooves c' in the side edges of the carriage. The V-shaped guides c are formed upon
the main frame of the machine, and extend lengthwise thereof. Upon the carriage (,
are downwardly extending lugs 3. Upon opposite sides of these lugs are mounted
rollers cc. The rollers are thus mounted upon studs extending from the lugs ca.
The spiders B¹ etc., during their rotation, contact with the rollers c* c³, and effect a
to and fro movement of the carriage C.
The arms 62 on the spiders B¹ B, contact with the rollers c, to move the said
carriage rearwardly, or away from an annealing furnace D. The arm 6 on the
spiders B6 B7, contact with the rollers e to move said carriage forwardly, or toward
the furnace.
The wheels B* B* are so arranged upon their respective shafts, that the teeth a¹
thereon are at opposite radii upon said wheels, so that the tooth upon only one of

page_text: the wheels is in engagement with its corresponding notched wheel B B at a time,
and so that rotary motion will be imparted to the wheels B8 B° at equal distances of
time apart.
Each of the spiders I have shown as provided with three arms, and the arms upon
the spiders B B15 are so spaced relatively to the arms upon the spiders B16 B17,
that while the former are in contact with the rollers c, and moving the frame rear-
wardly, the latter will be out of contact with the rollers c, and vice versa; or, in
other words, one of said pairs of spiders, owing to the alternating operation of the
wheels B8 B, is stationary, while the other is rotated.
The to and fro motion of the carriage C effects a movement of the metal rod, to
be made into a chain, first, into and out of the the annealing furnace D. During this
operation there is also a forward feed of the rod of metal, which is independent of
said movement, into and out of the furnace. As these two operations co-operate to
an extent, I will describe them together, reference being bad more particularly
to Fig. 2.
Upon the carriage C are two jaws C₁ C², the former of which is fixed, and the
latter movable. The fixed jaw is formed upon an upright, extending from the
carriage C, and, as here shown, is provided with a V-shaped notch c. The movable
jaw slides vertically in suitable guide-ways in the upright referred to, and is
provided with a V-shaped notch c', which is complementary to the notch c³.
Between
these jaws, the metal rod is gripped, both to be fed forwardly and backwardly through
the annealing furnace. Vertical movement is imparted to the jaw C by means of a
cam c, mounted upon a shaft c journalled in the carriage C. Said cam contacts
with a roller c journalled in the movable jaw (2. The shape of this cam is such,
that during each rotation, it will cause the movable jaw C² to be elevated, to grip the
metal rod.
Rotary motion is imparted to the shaft co by means of a bevel gear wheel c¹¹,
mounted on said shaft, and meshing with a bevel gear wheel c¹, mounted upon an
upright shaft c¹³, which shaft c¹³ bears another bevel gear wheel e14, deriving motion
from a bevel gear wheel c¹³ upon the main shaft A. The shaft c¹³ is journalled in the
carriage C, and moves with the same in its to and fro motion. The bevel gear
wheel is also mounted in the carriage C, as shewn more clearly in Fig. 2, but has
a feathered connection with the main shaft A, so that it may rotate freely with said
shaft, while at the same time it may slide thereon.
Upon the carriage C is mounted a second carriage C³, which bas a to and fro
motion imparted to it, independent of the motion of the carriage C. This motion
is effected by means of a cam C, mounted upon the shaft c¹³, near the upper end
of the latter. This cam rotates against bearing surfaces d d upon the upper part
of the carriage. As it rotates, it contacts alternately with said surfaces, so as to
move the carriage C³ alternately backward and forward, or toward and from the
jaws C¹ C².
The carriage C³ is provided with two jaws C³ C, corresponding to the jaws C¹ C³.
The jaw C is elevated by a cam da upon the shaft co, which cam bears upon a
roller d³, journalled in the movable jaw C. The upward movement of the jaws (³ ³
is, however, alternating, that is to say, when the jaws Care gripping the metal
rod, the jaws (5 C have released the rod, and vice versa. This is accomplished by
the arrangement of the cams c d upon the shaft co relatively to each other. The
jaws C,, partake of the independent to and fro movement of the carriage C³, and
the cam d has a sliding feathered connection with the shaft co, to admit of this.
The rotation of the shaft 3 is so timed, and the cam C is so placed upon said shaft,
that when the carriage C has moved to its most forward position, and the jaws C¹ C³
have a grip upon the metal rod, to move it into the annealing furnace, the
carriage will be moved rearwardly to its independent rearmost position, the
jaws CC being open.
When the carriage C reaches its rearmost position, and has drawn the metal rod
backwardly the jaws C1 C2 are opened. The jaws (* C grip the metal rod, and
carry it forward independent of the carriage C. The jaws C₁C'then grip the rod,

page_text: and impart to it a still further forward movement. Thus it will be seen, that each
to and fro movement of the carriage C imparts a longitudinal movement to the
metal rod through the annealing furnace D, and, at the same time, the metal rod
is additionally advanced. The length of such additional advance of the rod is
dependent upon the length of the links of the chain being made, the extent of
such advance being a distance corresponding to the distance between the centre
of one link and the centre of the next link in the corresponding plane.
In order to regulate the length of rod which shall thus be fed forward, I vary
the length of throw imparted to the carriage C3 by the cam C. This I do by
providing the carriage C³ with an adjustable section d, upon which section the
bearing surface d' is formed. This section may be advanced or withdrawn by means
of an adjusting screw d³ engaging a tapped hole in the carriage (³, and which, when
rotated, will cause the desired movement to be imparted to the movable section d',
to bring it nearer to or farther from the cam C. It is quite clear that as the
distance between said cam and the bearing surface d¹ is increased or decreased, the
length of throw imparted to the carriage will be lengthened or shortened.
The annealing furnace D may be of any suitable or desired kind, and the metal
rol is passed to and fro, or into and out of the same, in the manner described:
After leaving the annealing furnace, the metal rod is subjected to the action
of a series of dies, openers, and cutters, whereby the same is transformed into
a chain.
In Fig. 7 I have shown more clearly the die holders. and the first set of openers
which I employ, together with means for operating them, and in Figures 11, 12,
and 13, I have shown in detail such dies and openers. The metal rod, after leaving
the annealing furnace D, and while in a heated condition, is first subjected to the
action of male and female dies E, E', which dies are mounted in die holders E².
The die holders E2 are arranged at angles of 90°, and they thus operate vertically
both upon the upper and under side of the metal rod, and horizontally upon the sides
thereof. One of the sets of dies E or E' is arranged slightly to the rear of the other
of said sets, and when the dies have been caused to act upon the rod, they will have.
impressed the same, as shown at 1 in Figures 15 and 16, or, in other words, the
formation of the dies E. E is such, that they compress the rod in directions at right
angles to each other, and approximately form the shape of links upon the rod,
indenting the central portion between the sides of the links, as at 1*. After the rod
has been compressed in the manner described, it is subjected to the action of
openers E3 E, shown more clearly in figure 12 to which are screwed holders E.
The holders E are arranged at angles of 45°, and work between the holders E².
The action of the openers E3 E¹ is to cause openings, 2, to be made at the
indentations 1*, and at the same time to spread the side portions of the still
unformed links apart.
Each of the openers E³, E4 is provided with a bevelled rib e, terminating, at the
inner end, in a bevelled tooth e¹. When the said bevels are brought together through
the link, the teeth e¹ on the corresponding pairs of openers E3 E4, lap past each other,
the result being the formation of the openings 2, and, at the same time, the spreading
apart of the side portions of the link.
Not only do the openers E3 E' perform this operation, but they are also provided
with die surfaces e², which die surfaces operate to round off the end portions of
the links.
The next step consists in separating the side portions of the link from the end
portions of the next adjacent link or links, at the sides of said link or links. For
this purpose, I employ openers E, which work at angles of 90°, and are received
into correspondingly operating complementary parts E. The openers E³ comprise
projections e, which are tapered, and the general shape of which is shown more clearly
in cross section in Figure 13.
When the openers E' and their complementary parts E' are brought together, the
links are separated from the end portions of the next adjacent link or links, at the
sides of said link or links, in manner shown more clearly at 3, in Figures 15 and 16.

page_text: It is of course to be understood that the openers E³ operate upon one link, while the
openers E operate upon another link, and that one of the openers E and its comple-
mentary part E' also operate upon one, link, while the other of said openers and its
complementary part operate upon the other link. Therefore, the openers E3 or E*, as
the case may be, are arranged one behind the other, and the same is true of the
openers E and their complementary parts E7. The openers E and their comple-
mentary parts E' are provided with die portions e, which further operate to shape
and round off the end portions of the links. These operations having been performed,
the links are in condition to be cut apart, an operation which I will presently
describe.
'
The dies E E and the openers E and their complementary parts E', are, in the
present example of my improvement, to be all secured in the die holders E2, while
the openers E³ E are alone secured in the holders E³. While apparently the operations
just describe succeed each other in regular order, they, as a matter of fact, occur
simultaneously, that is to say, the dies E E', the openers E3 E, and the openers E6
and their complementary parts E7, all operate at one and the same time.
I prefer, however, that the dies E E' and the openers E6 with their complementary
parts E, should move inward into operative position, a little in arrear of the
openers E³ E; and I will now proceed to describe the means by which the dies and
openers are severally operated.
F designates a number of shafts, which shafts are mounted, near one of their ends,
in a portion A* of the frame, and near the other of their ends, in upright portions F¹
of the frame. These shafts are all rotary. Rotary motion is imparted to them by gear
wheels F2, keyed upon them outside the portion A of the frame, and all mesh with
the gear wheel A2 upon the shaft A³. The gear wheel A2 has long gear teeth to
admit of this. The arrangement of the gear wheels F2 is more clearly shown in
figure 5.
Upon the shafts F and the main shaft A, are mounted cams F3, F4, Fs. The cams Fa
are arranged upon opposite sides of the cams F3 F4, as shown more clearly in figure 6,
in which Figure, however, they are omitted from the central part, in order not to
obscure the parts beneath.
The cams F3 F are provided with cam surfaces f, and the cams F8 with cam
surfaces f¹. All of the cams F3, F4, 8, rotate in unison. The cams F* operate,
through their cam surfaces f, to force inwardly the die holders E2, while the cams F3
operate, through their cam surfaces f. to force inwardly the holders E. The cam
surfaces f, on all the cams F8, operate to effect a withdrawal of the holders E² E'.
These operations are effected as follows:-
Each of the holders E2 E has mounted upon it, near its outer end, a roller e³.
During the rotation of the cams F3, F4, the cam surfaces f. contact with the rollers eo,
and thus force the holders E² E' inwardly. The cam surfaces fupon the cams F³, are
of greater extent, circumferentially, than are the cam surfaces f. upon the cams F.
The result of this is, that the holders E and their openers are forced inwardly
somewhat in advance of the holders E2 and their dies and openers; consequently,
the openers E3 E have engaged the links before the dies E E' and the openers E E7
commence to operate upon the rod. When, however, the openers E³ E have engaged
the links, the dies and openers E E E E' move inwardly, and all the dies and
openers thus operate simultaneously.
The extent of the cam surfaces f. is such, that all the dies and openers simultaneously
cease to operate upon the rod and links. It is then necessary to withdraw the
holders E2E and their dies and openers.
I have shewn a means for doing this, consisting of a series of levers G, illustrated
more clearly in detail in Figures 9 and 10. The levers G are arranged side by side
in pairs. They are two-armed levers, the arms in this instance being of even length.
They are fulcrummed upon a number of rods G¹, secured in the portions F' of the
frame.
By reference more particularly to Figure 6, it will be seen that the rollers e are
mounted upon pins 9, which pins extend through and beyond lugs g₁ extending

page_text: outwardly from the holders E2 E³. These pins, one of which is shown more clearly in
Figures 9 and 10, extend beyond the lugs g¹, and through one of the arms g³ upon
each of the levers. The other arms g³ of the levers bear anti-friction rollers g'. It
will thus be seen that one of the arms, or g², of each of the levers is secured to the
holders E2 or E³, as the case may be ; consequently, when the cams F3 F* are moving
said holders inwardly, the levers will be rocked upon their fulcrum rod G¹, and the
arms g² will be moved inwardly, while the arms g3 will be moved outwardly. The
arrangement of the cams F8 is such, relatively to the cams F3 F4, that when the latter
have moved the holders E2 E' inwardly, and the dies and openers have performed
their work upon the rod of metal, said cams F8 will operate upon the rollers 9 on the
arms g of the levers, to move said holders, and consequently the dies and holders,
outwardly. Of course, at this time the cams F3 F4 have been rotated into such a
position that they cease to contact with the rollers e, and the holders E2 Es may
therefore move freely outwardly.
I employ two of the cams F8, one upon each side of each cam F3 F4, in order that
the holders E2 E' may be moved outwardly with uniformity. It is of course under-
stood that the cams F8, in their operation upon the rollers g, rock the levers G in a
different direction from that in which they are rocked by the cams F³ F¹.
The holders E² E' are guided in their to and fro movement in V-shaped guide-
ways go, shown more clearly in Figure 6. The ends of the holders E' E' are made
V-shaped in the cross section, in order to fit these guideways, said guideways are formed
in plates G2 G³, which plates are arranged vertically, and within the uprights F¹.
Normally, the plates G2 G3 will be secured to the uprights F¹ by bolts 9Ⓡ passing
through the uprights F¹, and into the plates G2 G³.
The operations which have been described have brought the rod of metal into the
condition shown at 3 in Figure 15 and 16, in which it has the appearance of a chain,
but in which the links are still united together.
.
The next step consists in severing the link portions from each other, so as to
make a chain. To accomplish this, I employ a series of cutters.
In Figure 8, I have shown one set of holders for one set of cutters, together with
a means for operating the same.
H, H' designate the cutter holders, of which there are four separate sets, as shown
more clearly in Figure 1, and in Fig. 20 I have shown, in plan, guideways in which said
cutter-holders move. As the holders of each set are, however, operated alike, I have
only illustrated one of the same. These holders are arranged at angles of 45°, and
each is provided, near its outer end, with a roller h. Cams 2, mounted upon certain
of the shafts F, and rotated thereby, operate, when they contact with said rollers, to
force the holders H H¹, and consequently the cutters which they carry, inwardly.
Upon other of the shafts F, and the shaft A, are mounted cams H³. Upon the
fulcrum rods G' are fulcrummed levers H. These levers are two-armed. Each of
these levers is provided with an arm ', which extends beneath a roller h. The
arms of adjacent levers extend towards each other, so that two of said arms extend
beneath each of said rollers. The other arms, or h², of the levers, each bears a
roller ³. The rollers ³ occupy such a position that they will be operated upon by
the cams H³ during the rotation of the latter.
The cams H H are so placed and formed relatively to each other, that when the
cams H2, which move the holders H H¹ inwardly, have ceased to operate upon said
holders, the cams H³ will then commence their operation, and will so rock the levers H*
as to cause the holders H H' to be moved outwardly by the arms h¹ on said levers.
As previously stated, there are four sets of holders H H¹, and consequently four
sets of cutters, which operate upon the chain to sever the links. These cutters are
shown more clearly in Fig. 21.
Referring to Fig. 15, I have shown, at s*, the point at which the first set of
cutters operate; at *, the point at which the second set of cutters 2* operate;
ats, the point at which the third set of cutters 3* operate; and at s**, the point at
which the fourth set of cutters *** operate.
It will be seen, by referring more particularly to Fig. 8, that as the holders H H¹

page_text: move at angles of 45°, the cutters mounted in said holders will move at similar angles,
and they will therefore cut inwardly at angles of 45° between the links, at the points
where they are united together. The four cutters of each set, t* etc., operate to make
their cuts in unison, but the four sets operate in succession, that is to say, the
cutters operate first to make their cut at *; the cutters 2* next operate to make
the cut at the cutters (3* then operate to cut at *; and lastly, the cutters **
operate to cut at *. Each of the cutters, however, after having made its cut,
remains in said cut until the last cuts, or those by the cutters t*, have been made.
The cutters then all move outwardly in unison. The first cuts, or those made by the
cutters * 2*, do not wholly sever the links, but they are wholly severed by the
cutters * * When the cutters have all been moved away from the chain,
the latter is moved forward a proper distance in manner heretofore described, and to
be hereinafter further described, so that the portions s* 2* will occupy the positions
formerly occupied by the portions * s*. The next operation of the cutters will
then cause a complete severing at what was formerly s* 2*, and new portions s* s**
will be operated upon.
I have shown the cutters t* 2* as somewhat shorter than the cutters 3* t*, in
order to provide for lesser depths of cuts being made by the first, than those made
by the last.
Although the sets of cutters t* etc., operate successively, the duration of time in
which they operate is the same as that in which the dies and openers E E¹ etc., are
operating, and the action of the cams H³ is so timed relatively to the cams F8, that
when the dies and openers E, E¹ etc. are withdrawn, the cutters t* etc. will be
withdrawn at the same time, so that the chain will be simultaneously released by all
the dies, openers, and cutters.
In Figure 22 I have shown, diagramatically, the construction of the cams by
which the cutters t* etc. are successively operated. The four cams, like », operate the
cutters * four cams like r¹ operate the cutters 2*; four cams like 2 operate the
cutters *; and four cams like 3, operate the cutters (**. It will be seen that
the cam surfaces on these cams decrease in extent from to r, so that the
operation of the cutters will be effected in the manner described. It will also be
observed that the cam surfaces so terminate that all the cutter holders will
be released simultaneously, so that they and the cutters may be drawn out
together.
The holders H, H¹ for the cutters are adapted to be slid to and fro in slideways i.
These slideways are, as shown, V-shaped in the cross section, and are formed in angle
plates I, which angle plates are bolted, near one of their ends, to the plates G³ and
near their other ends to plates I. The plates I are in shape similar to the
plates G2 G3, and are provided with portions in which are formed V-shaped
grooves, receiving the V-shaped gnides c upon the main frame.
The operation of cutting the links apart, just described, forces the links being
acted upon, closely together at their ends, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, and burrs
of greater or less extent are formed at the points where the cuts are made through
the action of the cutters.
It is of course desirable to force the links apart into a normal position, and to
press down, or round off, the said burrs. In order to accomplish this, I force
wedge-shaped separators J J', more clearly shown in Figure 14, inwardly between
the ends of the links. These separators act at angles of 90°, or, in other
words, at the points v, shown upon the chain at Figures 15 & 16. As the separators
are wedge shaped, when they are forced inwardly between the ends of two adjacent
links, they not only operate to force said links apart, but they also operate to flatten
down any burrs which may exist between the links at the points where the cuts are
made. The links are, by these separators, subjected to their last operation in the
machine, and the chain is finished.
I prefer that these separators should operate alternately, and they operate at the
same time that the cuts are being made between the links by the cutters.
By an alternate movement of the separators, I mean that one of the separators

page_text: shall enter the links previous to the other, but they are withdrawn simultaneously.
In figure 22, I have shown the cams of proper conformation to effect this.
As previously stated, the chain is firmly held by the cutters remaining in engage-
ment therewith, until all the cutters have operated. The vertically extending
separator J, which operates upon the vertically extending links, tends to force all
of said links backwardly, that are being operated upon by the cutters, and thus
facilitates the operation of separating the links. A like function is performed by the
separator J, which operates upon the horizontally extending links; thus, the
separators perform the function of separating the already severed links properly from
each other, and also assist in the severing operation.
The separators J, J' have female portions J2, J³, which co-operate with them. The
female portions J2 J3 are of such conformity, that when brought into contact with
the links, they grip the links, and thus afford a firm support for the links, while
being acted upon by the separators, and both the separators J J₁ and the
portions J2 J3 being provided with die portions j, further operate to shape and round
off the end portions of the link.
These separators and their corresponding portions are shown more clearly in
figure 14, in which I have also shown one set of cutters, to more clearly illustrate the
relative direction of movement of the cutters and the separators. The separators are
operated like the cutters and the dies and openers, that is to say, their holders are
forced inwardly by cams mounted upon the shafts F, and are withdrawn by levers
mounted upon the rods G¹. I have not illustrated these levers and cams, except at
Fig. 1, for the reason that those shewn in Fig. 8 will in every way answer the
purpose. The cams which operate them are of such conformation that the separators
and the female parts J2 J3 will be withdrawn from operation upon the chain simul-
taneously with the cutters, the dies, and the openers.
The separators are guided in their to and fro movements in V-shaped guideways k,
formed in angle plates ², bolted to the outer side of the plate I¹.
The to and fro movement of the metal rod and the chain, both in process of
manufacture, and as completed, occurs at the time when the same are wholly free
from the action of the dies, openers, etc.
The movement imparted to the metal rod by the carriage C, carries the portion of
the rod being operated upon by the dies, openers, etc., back into the annealing furnace,
during its movement in one direction, and back into position to be operated upon by
the dies, openers, etc., during its movement in the other direction. Thus, the rod,
during its process of being transformed into a chain, is several times reheated before
the chain is finally completed.
The chain, after leaving the separators J J1, passes to a carriage L. The carriage L
is similar to the carriage C, and is provided with a carriage L¹, which corresponds to
the carriage C³. Connecting rods L2, shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, extend
between the carriages CL, and unite them together, so that when movement is
imparted to the carriage C, a corresponding movement, both in direction and extent,
is given to the carriage L.
The chain, after leaving the separators, is alternately gripped between jaws 1, the
former on the carriage L, and the latter on the carriage L', in manner similar to
that described as regards the jaws C¹, C², 05, 06, and the carriage L' is driven by
the cam 12 deriving motion from a gear wheel 13 on the main shaft A in manner
similar to that described for the carriage C³. Thus, the chain is always maintained
taut during its to and fro movements, and the rod and chain are carried forward
perfectly straight, the finished chain passing out of the machine through the central
hollow shaft A³.
It is to be observed that in the operation of this process and apparatus, no waste
of metal occurs in the transforming of the metal rod into chain, except as possibly
may be due to abrasion, for the reason that during no portion of the operation is any
part of the metal removed or cut away. From a given weight of rod, therefore, a
chain of practically the same weight will be formed, while at the same time, the links
are wholly devoid of welds or joints.

page_text: During the operation of the machine, it may be cooled by water in any desired or
well-known manner.
By loosening the screws 98, the connection between the plates G² G³ and the
portions F¹ of the frame may be severed, and as the plate l¹ is secured to the plate G³,
said plates G G3 and I', together with all the dies, openers, cutters, and separators,
may be removed from the machine at pleasure.
In order to accomplish this, of course all the various cams which operate the said
dies, openers, etc., must be moved into a position where they will not contact with
the same.
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. The process of making a solid link chain, consisting in taking a rod of metal,
and first indenting it, by pressure, on opposite sides, and also in directions at right
angles to each other, to form portions on the bar of the approximate shape of chain.
links, afterwards puncturing and opening out, by pressing aside, the metal between
the ends of said link shaped portions, and at the sides of said ends; further shaping,
by pressure, said link shaped portions into the form of links, and severing said link-
shaped portions from each other by incisions in the metal between them, substantially
as specified.
2. The process of making a solid link chain, consisting in taking a rod of metal,
and first indenting it, by pressure, upon opposite sides, and also in directions at right
angles to each other, to form portions on the bar of the approximate shape of chain
links, afterwards puncturing and opening out, by pressing aside, the metal between
the ends of said link shaped portions and at the sides of said ends, further shaping,
by pressure, said link shaped portions into the form of links, and severing said
link shaped portions from each other by incisions in the metal between them, the
links being ultimately forced into proper relative position by pressure applied
between their adjacent ends, after they have been pressed toward each other during
the operation of severing, substantially as specified.
3. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal along, of a series of intermittently operating lies for forming indentations
in the rod opposite each other, and also in directions at right angles to each other,
to form portions on the bar in the approximate shape of chain links, intermittently
operating openers acting on the metal between the ends of said link shaped portions,
and at the sides of said ends, to press said metal aside, and cutters for severing the
links from each other, substantially as specified.
4. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal along, of a series of intermittently operating dies for forming indentations in
the rod opposite each other, and also in directions at right angles to each other, to
form portions on the bar in the approximate shape of chain links, intermittently
operating openers acting on the metal between the ends of said link-shaped portions,
and at the sides of said ends, and cutters operating to form incisions between the
links, and force said links apart, to sever them from each other, substantially as
specified.
5. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal along, of a series of intermittently operating dies for forming indentations in
the rod opposite each other, and also in directions at right angles to each other, to.
form portions on the bar in the approximate form of chain links, intermittently
operating openers acting on the metal between the ends of said link shaped portions,
and at the sides of said ends, intermittently operating cutters operating to sever said
links from each other, and separators acting between the ends of said links, to force
them apart, and into their proper relative position, substantially as specified.
6. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal longitudinally, of a series of intermittently operating dies, openers, cutters, and
separators, adapted to press, open, and cut and separate the cut portions of said metal
B

page_text: rod from each other, and an annealing furnace through which said rod passes inter-
mediate of said moving apparatus and said dies, openers, cutters, and, separators,
substantially as specified.
7. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus, by which a rod of
metal is reciprocated and moved along, of an annealing furnace through which said
rod is reciprocated, and a number of dies, openers, cutters, and separators, acting
intermittently to form said rod into chain, substantially as specified.
8. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal longitudinally, comprising jaws for gripping said rod, of independently operating
jaws for gripping and feeding said rod, and intermittently operating dies, openers,
cutters, and separators, acting on said rod, to form it into a chain, substantially as
specified.
9. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod
of metal longitudinally, comprising jaws for gripping said rod, of independently
operating jaws for gripping and feeding said rod, and an adjusting device for
varying the degree of feed of said rod imparted by said feeding jaws, substantially as
specified.
10. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal longitudinally, of a series of intermittently operating dies and openers for forming
said rod into the shape of links, and a series of sets of cutters acting subsequently on
said links, to sever them from each other, said sets of cutters operating in succession,
substantially as specified.
11. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal longitudinally, of a series of intermittently operating dies and openers, for forming
the said rod into the shape of links, a series of sets of cutters acting subsequently on
said links, to sever them from each other, and separators acting on the severed links,
to force them into proper relative positions, substantially as specified.
12. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for moving a rod of
metal longitudinally, of a series of intermittently operating dies and openers for forming
said rod into the shape of links, a series of cutters acting subsequently on said links,
to sever them from each other, and separators acting on the severed links, to separate
them from each other, all said dies, openers, cutters, and separators, being withdrawa
from contact with the metal, substantially in unison, substantially as specified.
13. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for gripping a rod of
metal and moving it longitudinally, of a series of dies, openers, and cutters, operating
on said rod to form it into a chain, and other grippers for gripping the chain, said
last-named grippers co-operating with the grippers first named, and moving in unison
with the same, substantially as specified.
14. The combination with intermittently operating apparatus for gripping a rod of
metal and moving it longitudinally, of independent feeding grippers for said rod for
feeding it forward, a series of dies, openers, and cutters, operating on said rod, to
form it into a chain, other grippers for gripping the chain co-operating with the
grippers first named, and moving in unison therewith, and other feeding grippers for
the chain operating with the feeding grippers first named, and moving in unison
therewith, substantially as specified.
15. The combination with a series of dies openers, cutters, and separators of cams
operating to force the same inwardly, levers, and a number of other cams acting on
said levers, to move said dies, openers, cutters, and separators outwardly, substantially
as specified.
Dated this 6th day of September 1889
NEWTON & SON,
Agent for the Applicant.