The Manufacture of an Improved Chain-cable.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1889-Accepted, 12th Oct., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
The Manufacture of an Improved Chain-cable.
1, JEAN FRANÇOIS LOUIS ALEXANDRE LARROQUE, of 31 Boulevard Henri IV
Paris, in the republic of France, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of a novel kind of chain-cable having flat
movable links forming hinges around a metal bolt, adapted for use in mine shafts and
generally in all apparatuses for raising weights as well as for transmitting movement.
The improved chain-cable is formed of series of iron or steel wires of equal length
twisted into helical form and having the appearance of spiral springs. These helices
are passed similarly to a cork-screw into each of the spirals of the preceding helix in
such a manner that a chain is obtained to which any dimensions can be given. The
spirals thus enmeshed or interlaced are separated at the parts where they cross each
other by hollow iron or steel bolts having rounded heads and nuts around which pass
the ends of the spirals.
In order to enable the invention to be fully understood I will proceed to describe
the same by reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a chain-cable constructed according to my
invention, and
Figure 2 is a section on the line A B of Figure 1.
a, a, a are the spirals, b, b, b the bolts.
By referring to figure 2 it will be seen that the ends of the spirals a, a, a pass round
the bolts b, b, b in the same direction, so that if the end of the first helix or spiral passes
directly around the bolt, that of the second helix passes under the last spiral of the
helix preceding it in order to interweave itself with it in its winding around the bolt
and so on alternately through the length of the edge.
The diameter of the bolts should be calculated by the height of the links formed by
the spirals so that the heads and nuts of the bolts may almost touch each other; this
is important for the chain-cable then becomes what may be termed wire cloth, the
various elements of which should work without shifting from the position in which
they have been placed. Sufficient play is thus obtained to enable the chain to roll on
itself with great facility but not sufficient to allow the spirals to raise themselves, or in
other words the chain cannot open. By this construction it will be seen that the
fracture of the chain by a sharp shock of the links one against the other when the
chain is suddenly pulled is not likely to occur.
The bolts are so arranged as to obtain successively on the two edges of the
chain cable, at one side a head and a nut and at the other side a nut and a head and
so on.
The manufacture of the improved chain-cable can be effected by mechanical means
by simple torsion. The helices constituting it are produced by a machine which
comprises a bronze helix through the centre of which passes an iron shaft which is
flattened throughout the length of the helix but its end is formed cylindrical and works
within a head which is made integral with the said helix. An annular groove is
formed in the end of the shaft and this groove receives the ends of two screws
which are screwed therein from the outside of the head of the helix. These
screws serve to keep the shaft in position during its rotation. An iron strap
embraces the head of the helix and is fixed thereto by means of a screw having
a square head.
The strap is provided with two holes whereby it can be fixed to a bench or the
like through the medium of bolts or other means,

page_text: In order to form a wire helix it is only necessary to introduce the wire into the
space between the bronze helix and the flat shaft; the shaft is then rotated by
means of a handle and the wire will be drawn along and formed into a flat helix
of any length.
As the wire issues from the machine in a flat spiral form it is cut into equal
lengths so that a series of helices are obtained having the same number of spirals.
These spirals are afterwards intermeshed or interlaced as above described.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that the dimensions and strength
of the improved chain-cable can be varied according to the use to which it is to
be put.
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
The manufacture and use of the new kind of chain-cable formed of metal wires
wound spirally and interlaced within one another, iron or steel rods or tubes being
interposed between the points of intersection, the said tubes or rods being screw
threaded at each end and secured by nuts or bolts.
Dated the 7th day of June 1889
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.