Year: 1896

page_text: I, DAVID CROWTHER of Pickford Street, Milnsbridge near Huddersfield, York-
shire, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to driving or gearing chains for transmitting
notion from one wheel to another.
In the present construction of driving or gearing chains, especially those em-
ployed for driving bicycles and like machines or motors, no special provision is
made for supplying or conducting lubricant to the bearings wherein are journalled
the cross pins which secure the inner or central and outer links of the chain
together, and the parts of the chain being close fitting it is therefore necessary
and usual, to ensure the lubricant reaching the hearings, to remove the chain and
submerge it in lubricant. Such method, however, is not certain and the quantity
of oil which may be worked into or find its way to the bearings is so small that
it serves only for a very short period.
My invention consists in providing means whereby lubricant may be easily and
quickly supplied to each hearing and cross pin of the chain, and a charge of lubri-
cant stored in chambers or cups in communication with each bearing.
For the purposes aforesaid, in chains which are not intended to be enclosed in
gear cases or dust proof covers, I form or cut notches or recesses on the edges of,
and in convenient positions at, the ends either of one or both sets of side links,
but preferably on one set ouly.
For chains which are to be enclosed in gear cases or dust proof covers I prefer-
ably form or cut grooves or channels on the inner faces of the side links, or on
the sides or through the upper portions of the central blocks or links, or on both
outer and central links, the channels or grooves extending from one edge of the
links to a chamber or space formed in the centre blocks or links longitudinally
of each bearing, and open thereto either full length or only for a portion of its
length.
These chambers are arranged on the sides of the bearings opposite to those
against which the cross pins are drawn by the pull of the chain, and they are
provided to receive charges of lubricant which will keep the bearings and cross
pins lubricated for a considerable length of time.
In the case of chains having the outer links notched or recessed as set forth, the
plain or unnotched portions of each end of the link cover the open ends of the oil
chambers in the central links or blocks when the chain is at work and prevent tho
entrance of dust or grit to, and the escape of oil from, said chambers; but by
placing the outer links at a certain angle, the notches are brought opposite the
ends of the oil chambers and fully expose them, whereby thoy can be easily and
quickly charged with lubricant.
In the case of chains having channeled or grooved liuks, the oil is fed down
said channels to the oil chambers from the upper side of the chain, over which
an oiled tape, a brush, or an oil can or like means can be passed to supply the oil.
If the central blocks or links and the outer links are both channeled, I form the said
channels or grooves in such positious that, when the chain is at work, they are apart
from each other and therefore reduce the opening into the oil chambers to a smaller
area than when only the outer links, or the central blocks, are channeled, which

page_text: renders it more difficult for dust to reach the bearings or for oil to escape from the
chambers. The two channels are made to coincide with cach other to form one
opening by placing the links at an angle. If desired, channels alone may be em-
ployed to contain and feed lubricant to the bearings.
The above method and means of lubricating the cross pins and bearings of
driving or gearing chains enables me to use lubricants of the consistency, say, of
vaseline or the like which are more advantageous than the thin liquid lubricants
now used.
Dated this 26th day of August 1896
I, DAVID CROWTHER, of Pickford Street, Milusbridge, near Huddersfield, York-
shire, 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 has reference to driving or gearing chains for transmitting
motion from one wheel to another.
In the present construction of driving or gearing chains, especially those em-
ployed for driving bicycles and like machines or motors, no special provision is
Taade for supplying or conducting lubricant to the bearings wheroin are journalled
the cross pins which secure the inner or central and outer links of the chain
together, and the parts of the chain being close fitting it is therefore necessary
and usual, to ensure the lubricant reaching the bearings, to remove the chain and
submerge it in lubricant. Such method, however, is not certain and the quantity
of oil which may be worked into or find its way to the bearings, is so small that
it serves only for a very short period.
My invention consists in providing means whereby lubricant may be easily and
quickly supplied to each bearing and cross pin of the chain, and a charge of lubri-
cant stored in chambers or cups in communication with each bearing.
For the purposes aforesaid, in chains which are not intended to be enclosed in
gear cases or dust proof covers, I form or cut notches or recesses on the edges of,
and in convenient positions at, the ends either of ono or both sets of side links,
but, preferably, on one set only.
For chains which are to be enclosed in gear cases or dust proof covers I prefer-
ably form or cut grooves or channels on the inner faces of the side links, or on
the sides or through the upper portions of the central blocks or links, or on both
outer and central links, the channels or grooves extending from one edge of the
links to a chamber or space formed in the centre blocks or links longitudinally
of each bearing, and open thereto either full length or only for a portion of its
length.
These chambers are arranged on the sides of the bearings opposite to those
against which the cross pins are drawn by the pull of the chain, and they are
provided to receive charges of lubricant which will keep the bearings and cross
pins lubricated for a considerable length of time.
In the case of chains having the outer links notched or recessed as set forth, the
plain or un-notched portions of each end of the link cover the open ends of the oil
chambers in the central links or blocks when the chain is at work and prevent the
entrance of dust or grit to, and the escape of oil from, said chambers; but by
placing the outer links at a certain angle, the notches are brought opposite the

page_text: ends of the oil chambers and fully expose them, whereby they can be easily and
quickly charged with lubricant.
In the case of chains having channeled or grooved links, the oil is fed down
said channels to the oil chambers from the upper side of the chain, over which
an oiled tape, a brush, or an oil can or like means can be passed to supply the oil.
If the central blooks or links and the outer links are both channeled, I form the said
channels or grooves in such positions that, when the chain is at work, they are apart
from each other and therefore reduce the opening into the oil chambers to a smaller
area than when only the outer links, or the central blocks, are channeled, which
renders it more difficult for dust to reach the bearings or for oil to escape from the
chambers. The two channels are made to coincide with each other to form one
opening by placing the links at an angle. If desired, channels alone may be em-
ployed to contain and feed lubricant to the bearings.
The above method and means of lubricating the cross pins and bearings of
driving or gearing chains enables me to use lubricants of the consistency, Bay, of
vaseline or the like which are more advantageous than the thin liquid lubricants
now used.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood reference is hereafter
had to the annexed sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification, in
which:-
Fig. 1 is elevation and Fig. 2 plan view, partly in section, of my improved pin,
reservoir, lubricant containing chain.
Figs. 3 to 12 shew various modifications of the method of feeding or conducting
lubricant to the reservoirs or oil chambers.
Fig. 13 shews the application of my improvements to roller chains.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, letters a, b, represent the side links, c the
central blocks and d the cross pins securing said links and blocks together and
forming the centres about which they are moveable, the whole comprising an
ordinary gear or driving chain for cycles, motors or other machines. e, e, repre-
sent chambers or reservoirs formed in the blocks c, preferably longitudinally of
each bearing in which the cross pins are journalled, and open thereto either full
length, or only for a portion of their length. These chambers or reservoirs are
arranged on the sides of the bearings opposite to those against which the cross
pins & are drawn by the pull of the chain whereby the blocks c are in no wise
weakened where the strain is borne, nor are the portions of the bearing surfaces
on which the cross pins mostly act, reduced. Instead of the chambers or reser-
voirs being formed in the blocks c, they can be formed in the cross pins & in about
the same positions..
Each chamber or reservoir e, e, is adapted to receive a charge of lubricant which
will serve to lubricate the bearings and cross pins for a considerable length of
time, the lubrication being effected self-actingly and efficiently, after charging
until the reservoirs are emptied, when fresh charges can be introduced with very
little trouble or loss of time.
In the case of roller chains in which rollers c take the place of blocks, as illus-
trated in Fig. 13, I may form one, two, or more chambers or reservoirs e in each
roller, three being the number preferred, as the bearing surface for each cross
pin is thus more equally divided; or one reservoir or chamber may be formed in
the sido of the oross pin d.
For the purpose of charging or supplying charges of lubricant to cach chamber
or reservoir e, various methods may be adopted, as illustrated in the soveral
examples given on the drawings, those being preferred. which will prevent the
entrance of dust and grit to the bearings although, in the case of some chains, this
provision need not be considered.
In Figs. 1 and 2, one method is shewn consisting in the formation of notches
or recesses f, f, in the opposing ends of the side links a, the position or angle of
said notches with respect to the chambers or reservoirs e, e, being such that, when
the chain is normal, or at work, they will be wide or clear of channels e¹, e¹, cut or

page_text: formed in the near sides of the blocks e and communicating with the chambers or
reservoirs e, e, whereby the latter are completely closed up and dust or grit excluded
therefrom. To charge said reservoirs or chambers with lubricant, the central
blocks are drawn down a little, or the side links placed at an angle, to bring the
notches ff, opposite the channels e', el, as illustrated in the centre of Fig. 1 and in
section at Fig. 2, in which position, lubricant can be fed direct into the reservoirs
to fully charge same. When the chain is drawn straight again, the reservoirs are
closed by the side links a.
In Figs. 3 and 4, holes f, f, are drilled or formed in the side links a at an angle
to or wide of the reservoirs e, e, somewhat as shewn, so that, when the chain is in
motion, or its position normal, the reservoirs are closed to retain the lubricant and
exclude dust or grit. In order to expose the reservoirs e, e, to receive charges of
lubricaut the chain is removed froui the chain wheels and the links folded up
against each other somewhat as shewn in Fig. 4, this being rendered con
paratively easy by placing the flat sides of alternate blocks e against a straight
edge which brings each opening or hole, exactly opposite the reservoirs or
chambers e, e, whereby lubricant can then easily be introduced to fill each reser-
voir.
In the two methods above set forth it is quite as difficult for dust or grit to
reach the bearings as it is in ordinary chains at present in use and, as in the latter
uase the chains have to be removed from the machine and submerged in oil for a
time to allow the lubricant to reach the bearings there is no more trouble incurred,
if as much, in supplying a quantity of lubricant to ench bearing according to my
invention and when the chambers are charged, there is sufficient lubricant to each
bearing to last for a considerable length of time without further attention or
trouble.
In Figs. 5 to 12, inclusive, the methods shewn are more liable to admit dust to
the bearings than the former described method, but they may be adopted in pre-
ference thereto, if desired, and they may also be the methods adopted where gear
cases or covers are used or where dirt on grit is excluded.
In Figs. 5 and 6, of which the former is an elevation, and the latter a plan, of a
Beotion of chain half circular channels f, f', are cut in the side links a and blocks c
respectively, each communicating with the reservoirs e, e. These channels are
arranged at different angles so that when the chain is normal they are separate or
apart from each other, as shewn, and afford very little space for the entry of dust
or grit; but when the links are placed at a certain angle to the blocks e, as shewn
in corresponding elevation and plan views Figs. 7 and 8, the said channels are
made to coincide with each other and form one opening / extending from the top
of the chains to the oil or lubricant containing chambers or reservoirs, e.
At Figs. 9 and 10, elevation and plan view respectively, there is only one
channel, this being formed in the side links, preferably by stamping or like
means so as not to weaken said links. In this case the lubricant can be supplied
to each reservoir without touching the chain, the same applying also to the methods
shewu at Figs. 11 and 12 which are elevations of the block e, the channels in the
last two cases being formed in the sides of the said blocks, the lubricant being fed
from the side of the chain in Fig 11, and from the top of the chain in Fig. 12.
In roller chains I may channel chamfer or form grooves around the outer edge
of the bearings in which the cruss pins are journalled, as indicated at g in Fig. 13,
said channels or grooves forming a communication between each reservoir or
chamber e, e, the lubricant being fed to one of said reservoirs, or to any part of the
chaunel or groove g, by any of the methods previously described, or their equiva-
lents, and from thence passing to and charging each reservoir formed in the roller.
If desired, channels, holes, notches or grooves, as hereinbefore described, may alone
te employed to convey or feed lubricant to the bearings.
By employing lubricant containing reservoirs or chambers in conjunction with
each bearing or cross pin of a gear or driving chain, I um enabled to use lubricants
of the consistency-say of vaseline, or the like, which, for charging, are melted or
liquefied so as to run easily into said reservoirs and will then solidify or regain

page_text: their consistency, such lubricants being much more advantageous than the thin
liquid lubricants now used. The self lubrication of the cross pins or bearings in
the manner herein set forth avoids all friction so long as the reservoirs are not
allowed to become exhausted of lubricant and, therefore, no power is uselessly
wasted in overcoming friction between the cross pins and bearings, all that which
is expended going to the propelling or driving of the machine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
Firstly. In gear or driving chains of the block or roller type the application and
employment, in conjunction with the bearings and cross pins of the chain, of
chambers or reservoirs or their equivalents, each adapted to receive and contain a
charge of lubricant for the self lubrication of said bearings and cross pins substan-
tially as herein set forth.
Secondly. In gear or driving chains, the combination with lubricant containing
reservoirs or chambers such as e, e, of channels, notches holes openings or grooves,
or equivalents of same, cut drilled or formed in the side links, or central blocks, or
both, for conducting lubricant to said reservoirs or channels, arranged and acting
in the manner and for the purposes substantially as .herein shewn and described.
Thirdly. The improvements in gear or driving chains, for lubricating the bear-
ings and cross pins of same, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 27th day of May 1897.