Improvements in and connected with Chain.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 13th Apr., 18.95
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Chain.
1, DANIEL TAYLOR, of 27 Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has mainly reference to the manufacture of chains; and it has
chiefly for its objects, amongst others, to provide an improved chain, wherein there
is combined the greatest strength with the, least amount of metal; and also to
render the life of chains greater; i.e. to so make the links that their resistance to
rapid wearing is great.
According to this invention, the links of a chain or cable are made having a
greater sectional area at the ends than at the sides, whereby resistance to cracking
and breaking when under heavy tension is increased, and a greater strength exists
in the links after the chain has become worn by use. The side bars of links are
also curved on their sides, and correspond with the form of the surface or barrels
or sheaves over which they may work, so as to avoid straining, and to provide a
better bearing and action when passing over wheels or pullies.
In one form of link having the characteristics above referred to, the greater
sectional area is provided by the addition or provision of extra metal at the upper
and under ends or corners of the outside of the link ends.
In a modified construction of link, such links are of ribbed or flanged sections.
For example, in one case, the required sectional area is made up by extending
metal, in the form of a rib, flange, or extension, at the ends, or ends and sides of
the links, or by making the links of H or other ribbed or flanged sections, by
which the liability of collapsing of the links is diminished.
In the case of chain which is used in connection with "cup" gearing, according
to this invention, it contains or is composed of links of special form, those which
are acted upon by the cup wheel, being carried out at the ends acted upon, in a
line transversely to the length of the link, and rounded or curved upon the ends on
which the cup wheel acts in the other direction. By this means such a surface is
presented to the part of the cup wheel, that an even and firm action, and small and
even wear, takes place. To further assist in attaining the desired end, cup wheels
to work the chains are provided with rollers at the parts where they act upon the
chain, and which rollers do act upon the chain, and at the extended bearing ends
or parts of the links above referred to. As a modification of this feature,
projections may be provided on the side of special links, with which the cup wheel
is adapted to engage and to act upon.
In the case of chain for use in cranes, or for other uses where the movement of
the links in relation to each other take place in one direction only, the inner surface
of the alternate links at the ends where they bear upon each other, is practically
straight in the transverse direction of the link, and round in the other, while the
other links are made of flattened form in one direction to correspond_with_same,
by which a greater bearing or rubbing surface for the links is afforded, and
consequently the rate of wear of the link is diminished.
In cases where the movement of the links in relation to each other takes place
in different ways or directions, the surfaces on which the links bear and rub upon
each other, are of rounded formation, the curvature of internal part of the section

page_text: of the link, and that of the bend of the link, being substantially the same, whereby
the greatest amount of bearing surface is afforded, and great resistance to wear,
and increase of life to chains afforded.
A special link to serve as a coupling link, under this invention, is made in the
shape generally of the cupping links above referred to, with the part between
the corners removable, a hole being provided through the said corner parts-
which become bosses-and the intervening part, through which a detachable bolt
passes; while the intervening part in some cases is further secured in the body
of the link by a dovetail or dovetails and corresponding groove or grooves in
which the dovetails slide and fit.
As a modified form of the coupling link, a gap is formed in one of the sides
of the link, in which a cod-piece or block fits, both the cod-piece or block and
the side being provided with a hole lengthwise thereof, through which a securing
bolt is passed.
In the manufacture of chain cables under this invention, the links are by
preference made out of two or more coils or turns of metal rod or bar, which,
in the manufacture, are taken through the complete links to which the new link
is to be applied, and when heated to proper welding heat, are subjected to the
action of a press wherein the coils or turns are welded together. In links so made,
the fibre of such links is unbroken; and also in the process of manufacture of
these links they become homogeneous and can be produced in any of the forms
desired. In the pressing machinery, dies of different forms are used to give to
the links the different formations referred to, the end portions, and sides of the
links, being operated upon by different and suitable forms of dies.
-
In some cases in making links in this manner, the bar or rod used is made of
such section that the surfaces which have to be welded together, will lie closely
together, or on each other, evenly, so as to render the operation of welding
simpler, and the structure and nature of the link made, better.
It is to be stated that the improvements in or connected with chains or links, the
nature of which are herein described, may be used, one or more of them, in
combination in chains or links, or separately and individually.
In some cases shaped links are cast or run into moulds of required form, the
material used being a metal or alloy of a nature suitable to the intended purposes.
Dated this 9th day of June 1894.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
Improvements in and connected with Chain.
I, DANIEL TAYLOR, of 27 Water Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
mauner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention has mainly reference to the manufacture of chains of large size,
and it has chiefly for its objects, amongst others, to provide an improved chain,
wherein there is combined the greatest strength with the least amount of metal ;
and also to render the life of chains greater; i.e. to so make the links that their
resistance to rapid wearing is great.
According to this invention, the links of a chain or cable are made having a
greater sectional area at the ends than at the sides, whereby resistance to cracking
and breaking when under heavy tension is increased, and a greater strength exists
in the links after the chain has become worn by use. The side bars of links are

page_text: also curved on their sides, and correspond with the form of the surface or barrels
or sheaves over which they may work, so as to avoid straining, and to provide a
better bearing and action when passing over wheels or pullies.
In one form of link having the characteristics above referred to, the greater
sectional area is provided by the addition or provision of extra metal at the upper
and under ends or corners of the outside of the link ends.
In a modified construction of link, such links are of ribbed or flanged sections.
For example, in one case, the required sectional area is made up by extending
metal, in the form of a rib, flange, or extension, at the ends, or ends and sides of
the links, or by making the links of ribbed or flanged sections, by which the
liability of collapsing of the links is diminished.
In the case of chain which is used in connection with "cup" gearing, according
to this invention, it contains or is composed of links of special form, those which
are acted upon by the cup wheel, being carried out at the ends acted upon, in a
line transversely to the length of the link, and rounded or curved upon the ends, or
not, as desired, on which the cup wheel acts in the other direction. By this means
such a surface is presented to the part of the cup wheel, that an even and firm
action, and small and even wear, takes place. To further assist in attaining the
desired end, cup wheels to work the chains are provided with rollers at the parts
where they act upon the chain, and which rollers do act upon the chain, and at the
As a modification
extended bearing ends or parts of the links above referred to.
of this feature, projections may be provided on the side of special links, with
which the cup wheel is adapted to engage and to act upon.
In the case of chain for use in cranes, or for other uses where the movement of
the links in relation to each other takes place in one direction only, the inner
surface of the alternate links at the ends where they bear upon each other, is
practically straight in the transverse direction of the link, and round in the other,
while the other links are made of flattened form in one direction to correspond
with same, by which a greater bearing or rubbing surface for the links is afforded,
and consequently the rate of wear of the links is diminished.
In cases where the movement of the links in relation to each other takes place in
different ways or directions, the surfaces on which the links bear and rub upon
each other, are of rounded formation, the curvature of internal part of the section
of the link, and that of the bend of the link, being substantially the same, whereby
the greatest amount of bearing surface is afforded, and great resistance to wear,
and increase of life to chains afforded.
A special link to serve as a coupling link, under this invention, is made in the
shape generally of the cupping links above referred to, with the part between the
corners removable, a hole being provided through the said corner parts-which
become bosses and the intervening part, through which a detachable bolt passes;
while the intervening part in some cases is further secured in the body of the link.
by a dovetail or dovetails and corresponding groove or grooves in which the
dovetails slide and fit.
As a modification of the coupling link, a gap is formed in one of the sides of the
link, in which a cod-piece or block fits, both the cod-piece or block and the side
being provided with a hole lengthwise thereof, through which a securing bolt is
passed.
In the manufacture of chain cables under this invention, the links are by
preference made out of two or more coils or turns of metal rod or bar, which, in
the manufacture (which may be made by hand or suitable machinery) are taken
through the complete links to which the new link is to be applied, and when heated
to proper welding heat, are subjected to the action of a press, or hammer acting :
upon dies, wherein the coils or turns are welded together. In links so made, the
fibre of such links is unbroken, and also in the process of manufacture of these
links they become homogeneous and can be produced in any of the forms desired. :
In the pressing machinery, dies of different forms are used to give the links the:
different formations referred to, the end portions, and sides of the links, being.

page_text: operated upon by different and suitable forms of dies; or, each end and half the
side may be made by one die.
In some cases in making links in this manner, the bar or rod used is made of
such section that the surfaces which have to be welded together, will lie closely
together, or on each other, evenly, so as to render the operation of welding
simpler, and the structure and nature of the link made, better.
It is to be stated that the improvements in or connected with chains or links, the
nature of which are herein described, may be used, one or more of them, in
combination in chains or links, or separately and individually.
.
In some cases shaped links are cast or run into moulds of required form, the
material used being a metal or alloy of a nature suitable to the intended purposes;
and these, in some cases, as when using cast steel, may be hammered or pressed in
dies afterwards.
Drawings illustrating the above construction of links and chains are herǝto
annexed.
In Figure 1, in which is shewn two links-one in section-of a chain, there is
illustrated a construction wherein the links have a greater sectional area at the
ends than at the sides (the side sectional area being indicated by the dotted circle
shewn on the link in section), and the end section, as will be seen, is one where the
inner surface is semicircular, and of a curve practically of the same radius as that
on which the curve of the inside edges of the ends of the link are formed in the
plane at right angles to that of the section.
With regard to the modification shewn in Figure 1^, extra metal is provided in
the form of a central external rib, a, so making the section of the link a ribbed one.
This rib may be provided at the ends and sides; or, at the ends only.
Figure 2 shews in sectional elevation, and Figure 3 in plan, the features
according to this invention connected with driven chains or cables, the driving
means for which are "cup-wheels." The links in this case are rectangular in the
plan view, the sides and ends of the links being parallel. By this construction
rectangular corner portions 6 are provided, and these portions constitute the
provisions or parts of the links by which the chain is acted upon by the driving
parts of the "cup-wheel" d. In the example given, these driving parts of the
cup-wheel are the rollers e mounted on said wheel. In other respects than these,
the links are the same as those set forth with reference to Figure 1. The "cup-
wheel" consists of a grooved rim, having a central groove e, in which the links
passing edgewise over it fit and work freely, while on either side of this is a ledge e,
on which the sides of the other links which pass over it on the flat, i.e. their sides,
are borne, the ends of which links lie between the driving rollers c.
As is seen in
the drawings, the sides of the links are curved, whereby they more or less are
borne without so much straining as takes place in cases where ordinary straight
sided links are employed.
In the drawings shewn, the ends of the links which are acted upon by the
rollers c are curved in the direction transversely to the width; I prefer this form,
but at the same time they may be straight in this direction if desired.
In the modification shewn in Figure 4, a link of the same form as that shewn in
Figures 2 and 3 is shewn, but it has trunnions fon either side, these trunnions
being provided to serve as a means of driving the chain, and will, in use with a
cup-wheel or the like, be arranged to be acted upon by suitable parts therein.
The links shewn in Figures 5 and 6,-of which Figure 6 is a view seen in a
direction 90 degrees from the direction at which Figure 5 is seen,-are for use in
cranes, or for other uses, where the movement of the links in relation to each other
takes place in one direction only. The alternate links x, y, in this case are of.
different formation, namely, one link, x, of a pair is of rectangular form on the
inside, the inside end h being round, and corresponding practically in form with
the next link's inner surface at the ends; whilst in the direction at right angles,
that is in the vertical plane to the plane of plan of the link, the inner end of this.
link, y, is rectilinear." In this case the link having the square or rectilinear"

page_text: internal formation, namely the link, is the link which is driven by the cup
gearing, and is preferably formed with triangular corners as in Figures 2 and 3.
In this example, also, it will be seen that the links have less sectional area at their
centre than at their ends, as in other cases described.
In Figure 7 there is given a view of links where the movement in relation to
each other takes place in different ways or directions; this form of link is
practically similar to the link shewn in Figures 2 and 3, the curvature of the
internal part of the section of the link at the end, and that of the bend of the link,
being substantially the same, affording thereby the greatest amount of bearing
surface and great resistance to wear, and also an increase of life of the chain. Or,
in this case, one of the links, namely, the link y, may be of the same form
externally as the link y in Figure 6.
Figure 8 shews a special coupling link under this invention. Its general
formation is preferably of the form of the externally rectangular link hereinbefore
described. In this case, an intervening part k between the ends k' is provided,
and is held in position partly by the dovetail parts k², fitting in corresponding
recesses in the ends k', and partly by a bolt 1 passing through the ends k¹ and the
part k, this bolt being held in position by a nut, or by threading holes in the ends
and intervening part, and screwing it into and through them.
A modification of this special link, is shewn in Figure 9 and consists in providing
an intervening piece or "cod-piece "k in the side of the link, instead of the end as
in Figure 8, the bolt in this case passing through the side and intervening part
from end to end of the link, as shewn by the dotted lines.
Figure 10 is a cross section shewing a form of bar which may be used with
advantage in making chain links; and Figure 11 is a cross section of a link made
up of four turns of bar of this section, the rectangular portion of which, as will be
seen, coinciding with each other, while the outer curved portions made together
the outer form. These sections lying closely together, prior to welding, render
the operation of welding simpler, and the structure and nature of the link made,
better.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Chain links, having the sectional area of the ends greater than that of the
sides, and the surfaces which come in contact with each other, at the ends of
the links, of practically the same or corresponding curvature; substantially as
herein set forth, for the purposes specified.
2. In a chain adapted to be driven and used in connection with cup gearing,
the construction as herein set forth, of link having a rectangular outer formation,
the corners of which are adapted to be operated by and work in connection with
rollers or projections in or on the cup wheel on either side; substantially as
herein described and shewn.
3. The berein described improvement in the manufacture of chain or cable,
namely, the manufacture of the links thereof of two or more coils or turns of
bar or rod, which are laid one upon or in contact with another, and then heated
and welded; substantially in the manner herein set forth.
4. The special formations and constructions of chain links set forth with
reference to and shewn in the different figures or groups of figures of the accom-
panying drawings.
D
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.