Improvements in or relating to Chain-making Machines.
Year: 1895

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Chain-making Machines.
A communication from LOUIS PARNALAND, of 42 Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle,
Paris, in the Republic of France, Mechanical Engineer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 a machine for making a bent wire chain.
The construction and working of this machine will be easily understood from a
careful study of the following description in reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Figure 1 is a general front elevation of the machine ;
Figure 2 is a plan of the same, with the device for receiving the chain
removed;
Figure 3 is a vertical cross section on the line X Y Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line X' Y¹ Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line X2 Y2 Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a vertical cross-section on the line X3 Y³ Figure 1
Figure 7 is a vertical cross section on the line X' Y* Figure 1 ;
Figures 8 and 9 show partial front elevations;
Figures 10, 11, and 12 are section and detail views ;
Figures 10 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating specially the various phases of
the formation of a bent wire chain-link.
The grouped organs or working parts of the machine are mounted on a frame 13
arranged to pivot on a fixed base-plate 14, the uprights 15 and 16 of which are
traversed by the driving-shaft 17, on which are keyed the driving pulley 18,
flywheel 19, series of cams 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 (Figures 1 and 2) operating
the various parts of the machine, and the screw 26 driving the pinion 27 which
actuates the device for winding the chain.
In the working position of the machine the support 13 is firmly connected to the
base-plate 14 by means of the uniting standard 28 and nut 29; the essential
feature of the oscillating arrangement applied to the support or horizontal bearer 13
is, when the machine is not in work to allow of the reversal of the said bearer 13
for the verification and regulation of the various organs.
The metal wire, from which the chain-links are to be made, is previously rolled
on the reel 31, arranged to revolve on a vertical spindle or rod 32, and is delivered
to the machine, where it is received and seized by pincers or tongs 33 and 34
(Figures 1, 5, 6, 8, and 9) respectively arranged upon their supports 33 and 34¹;
the former 33 is movable longitudinally being mounted on a rod or pivot 35 carried
by a slide 36 moving in a fixed plate 37 (Figures 1 and 5); this longitudinal
movement in one direction say from left to right of Figure 1 of the movable
pincer 33 is produced by an adjustable driver 38 mounted on a longitudinal rod 39
sliding in the fixed supports 40 and 41 and operated by a lever 42 pivoted at 43
and worked by the cam 20 (Figures 1, 2 and 5); the longitudinal movement of the
same pincer 33 in the opposite direction say from right to left of Figure 1, i.e., its
return movement, is simply produced by a rod 44, controlled by the spring 45 and
acting on the pivot 35 of the pincer 33 pushing the latter back again as soon as the

page_text: action of cam 20 on the rod 39 has ceased. The mounting and tension of the
spring 45 are facilitated by the arrangement of the rod 44 in a sleeve 16 mounted
with a screw, and thereby adjustable, in the fixed plate 47, mounted behind the
fixed plate 37 (Figures 1 and 5).
The fixed pincer, 34, is mounted on the rod or pivot 48 held in the plate 37,
which pincer is vertically adjustable in that plate by a screw 49 screwed therein
and having a callar 50 engaging in a groove 51 in the plate 34' which carries the
said pincer 34 and which screw by being screwed up or down in the said plate 37,
causes the ascent of the pincer 34 and their carrier-plate 34' (Figures 1, 5
and 6).
The two pincers 33 and 34 are respectively mounted in the same manner so as to
be capable of oscillating on the eccentric sleeves 52, 53, provided with externally
milled heads, and held on the rods 35 and 48 respectively by the counter-nuts or
jam-nuts 54 and 55; under these conditions, the wire 30 passes between the edge of
the pincers 33, 34 and the interior faces of their carriers 33' 34'; the eccentric
sleeves 52, 53 permit the adjustment of the said pincers according to the number or
gauge of the wire used, (Figures 1, 5, and 6).
The two pincers 33 and 34 constituted respectively as shown in the drawings, by
an oscillating lever with its active upper end or edge slanting from left to right,
work in such manner that 33, while moving longitudinally from left to right will
have no action on the wire during that movement, while the said wire is held fast
by the pincer 34; on the other hand, when the pincer 33 returns from right to left,
it will engage the wire and draw it along, pushing it so as to pass between the
pincer 34 and the carrier 34¹ thereof, this pincer oscillating so as to permit of the
said passage.
In a vertical groove or slideway formed in the plate 47 and bearing against a
vertical plate 56, to which plate 47 is also fixed, is arranged a carriage 57, whereof
the vertical displacement is effected by a lever 58 one end of which is connected to
the carriage by the connecting-rod 59 adjustable in a vertical direction, the other
end of the lever being connected to a frame 60 working in combination with the
cam 22, carried by the driving shaft 17 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). The carriage 57
carries below and in front of it a plate 61 provided with a horizontal groove 62 in
which is fixed a block 63 provided with a nick 64 in line with the arriving wire 30
held by the pincer 34; when the wire is advanced by the pincer 33 it enters the
nick 6+ and abuts against a stop 65 carried horizontally by a slide-piece 66 also
lodged and working in the groove 62, the slide-piece being worked by a lever 67
pivoted to a fixed plate 68 carried by the upper part of the carriage 57 (Fig. 1).
The lever 67 operated by the shaft 39 has its oscillation to the right effected by
the action of the cam 20 itself while that to the left is effected in the manner
hereinafter described and is limited by a serew-stop 70 carried by the carriage 57
(Figures and 5).
The lever 42 being geared with the cam 20 has a constant amplitude of
movement independent of the number or gauge of wire treated by the machine ;
but it is necessary to be able to regulate in accordance with the variation of these
numbers or gauges the throw of the lever 67 which is effected in part by the said
cam 20, lever 42 and rod 39. Accordingly the lever 67 is not positively connected
to the shaft 39 but is placed in operative connection therewith by means of a
fork 69 adjustable on the shaft 39 and arranged to embrace (with a certain amount
of play) an anti-friction roller 69', mounted on the end of the lever 67. Moreover
the lever 42 is not positively connected to the shaft 39 but is so arranged that in
moving to the right in Figs. 1 and 2 strikes by means of a bead 72 carried at its
end against a collar 75 fixed on the shaft 39 whilst in moving to the left it acts
upon a head 73 on the shaft through a spring 71 which tends always to cause the
collar 73 to approach the head 72. The striker or stop 38 like the fork 69 is
adjustable on the shaft 39.
The block 63 working against the pincer-carrier 34 acts like shears in conjunction
with the mounting of the carriage 57 on which it is fixed, and whereof the end or

page_text: limit of travel is rigorously regulated by the back abutments or set-screws 74
and 75 which alternately stop the rise and fall of a screw pin in the rear of the said
carriage 57; there exists also the possibility of exactly regulating the positions of
the limits of travel of the said carriage owing to the adjustable connection of the
head of the lever 58 with the screwed connecting rod 59 jointed to the head of the
carriage 57 (Figs. 1 and 7).
Above the pincers 33, 34, in a slide-way formed between the lower plate 37 and
another and upper plate 371, fixed like the plate 37 to the back plate 47, there
works a slide-piece 77 carrying on its front face a screwed pin 78 provided with a
mortise in which is firmly secured by a washer 79 and nut 80 screwed on the front
or free end of the screwed pin 78, a preferably steel block 81, the forward end
thereof forms a matrix and, for this purpose, is cut to the desired form
(Figures 1, 4, 8 and 9).
The right-hand end of the matrix or block 81 abuts against a regulating screw 82
adjustable in a screw-threaded portion of the head of a pin 83 carried in the
slide 77. This slide 77 is jointed at its right hand end to the head of a lever 84
oscillated on the pin 85 by the cam 25; the said lever thus producing the to and
fro displacement of the slide 77 and consequently of the matrix 81 (Figs. 1
and 2).
Upon the plate 68 in front of the carriage 57 is mounted, like the matrix 81,
another matrix 86, forming a duplicate thereof, and maintained in the mortise 88 of
its screwed pin 87, by the washer and fixing nut 89 and 90; the pin 87 being fixed
in the slide 91 working in a slide-way between plates 68 and 61, said slide being
operated by means of the lever 92 which is jointed to the left-hand end of 91 and
pivoted at 93; the oscillation of the lever 92 is effected by the cam 21 (Figures 1
and 2).
In order that the vertical displacement of the carriage 57 before referred to
shall not be impeded the joint-fork or cheeks 94 of the slide 91 is enlarged so that
the joint head of the lever 92 offers no obstacle to the movement of the carriage
(Fig. 1).
The longitudinal position of the matrix 86 is regulated in the same manner as
that of the matrix 81, by means of a screw 95 working in the screw-thread cut in
the head of the pin 96, affixed to the slide 91 (Figures 1 and 4).
At the lower end of the carriage 57 (on the right hand side as viewed in Fig. 5)
is arranged, to slide vertically in the plate 61 of the said carriage a needle 97
whereof the purpose will hereinafter be explained; this needle is carried, underneath,
in a sleeve 98, provided with a regulating screw pivoted in the end of a lever 100
mounted on the extremity of a longitudinal shaft 101 traversing the lower part of
the carriage 57, and carrying at its other end a bent lever arm 102 prolonged
backwards and upon the extremity of which, at a given moment, is brought to bear
a roller 103 (Fig. 1) carried by the cam 21 (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
The needle 97 (referred to above) traverses vertically the plate 61 also traverses
the shearing block 63 which is the prolongation thereof; and terminates at a
sufficient length above the shearing block 63 to come into the plane of action of the
above described organs.
In the centre of the plate 56 is screwed a socket 104 traversed by a hollow
shaft 105 in which fits a solid shaft 106 this double sbaft having its extremity in
the rear carried through the flange of the table 13, and supported in the sleeve or
socket bearing 107. This end of the double shaft (105-106) carries also behind
the socket 107 a collar 108 (Figure 3) fitted with a binding screw 109 which
effects when requisite the joining together of the solid shaft 106 and the hollow
shaft 105 as if the whole were solid, or vice versa separates them, as previously
united.
At the front end of this double shaft (105-106) and inside the socket 104 and
hollow shaft 105, is fixed (and united by a scarf joint to the solid shaft 106) a
punch 110 whereof the front extremity 111 is in the form of a round rod of a
diameter equal to that of the inside of the ring, (or chain link) to be formed, and

page_text: having in its upper part a gutter or channel 112 intended to receive a portion of the
last chain-link made, and which offers itself in the direction of the said gutter as
shown clearly in Figures 11 and 12.
Above the gutter 112 is fixed, upon the punch 110, a piece 113 whereof the
front end is placed above the said gutter, and is formed like a fork 114, and
between the two arms of which is held vertically the last preceding chain ring or
link fitting at its lower part into the gutter 112, this exact coincidence of the parts
being ensured by the pressure, upon the said link of a spring 115, carried by the
plate 371 (Figures 1, 3, 8, 9, 11 and 12).
The hollow shaft 105 and the parts carried by it are reciprocated perpendicularly
to the reciprocations of the matrices 81 and 86, by the cam 23 which engages
with a roller 116 mounted upon the projecting heel 117 formed in one piece with
the hollow shaft 105 (Figure 3). Mounted vertically in the machine, and in the
same plane as the axis of the hollow shaft 105 is arranged (above the matrices 81, 86)
a vertical socket or sleeve 118 divided in the line of its length into two parts fitted
to each other, and having an internal central, vertical channel 118' in the form of
a cross, which is traversed by the chain-links which in a cross-section of the chain
assume the form of a cross, the chain being drawn upwards, after the formation of
each separate link, by the two toothed wheels 119 and 120 which engages the links
between them and which are carried, opposite to each other in the widened
part 1182 of the socket or sleeve 118.
The rotation of these wheels 119 and 120 and in consequence thereof, the
successive ascent of each link of the chain as formed, is produced by the
intermittent rotation of the socket or sleeve 118 which causes said wheels to rotate
on their own axes by reason of their engagement with the interior surface of the
sleeve or socket 122 formed with a screw-thread 121, surrounding the enlarged
part 118 of 118 and fixed by a cellar 123 to the machine-frame.
The sleeve or socket 122 is prolonged above the fixing collar 123 and carries,
loosely mounted thereon, a sleeve 124, upon an arm 125 of which is jointed a
lever 126 while to the opposite arm 127 of the sleeve is jointed a pawl or catch 128,
acting upon a ratchet wheel 129 mounted securely upon the top of the sleeve or
socket 118 above the sleeve 124 (Figures 1, 2 and 3).
The ratchet wheel 129 is formed with a milled head 130 permitting the working
by hand of the said ratchet wheel and therefore of the sleeve or socket 118 in case
of accident in the formation of the rings or links of the chain; a jam-nut 131
retains the above-named working parts in position.
The lever 126 which operates the click or pawl 128, is itself operated by another
lever 132 (Figures 1 and 2) to which it is united by a swivel or equivalent joint,
and which is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft 133 traversing the fixed
frame and fitted at its lower end with a lever or arm 134 carrying a roller worked
by the cam 24 (Figures 1 and 2).
As each link is formed, the chain is automatically wound on drum 135 mounted
and rotating between the branches or arms of a fork 136 carried by an arm 137
which is secured at its lower end to the base-plate 14 (Figures 1 and 3).
To neutralize the twist which would otherwise be put on the chain by the
rotation of the sleeve 118 the drum is rotated at the same speed as the sleeve about
a coincident axis viz. that of a shaft 145 now to be described.
This rotation of the drum 135 is brought about by means of the before-mentioned
screw 26 and pinion 27 on the vertical shaft of which latter is keved a chain
wheel 138 which drives, by means of the chain 139 the corresponding pinion 140
secured on the lower part of the vertical shaft 141, on the upper end whereof is
keyed another pinion 142 driving by means of the chain 143 the pinion 144,
(Figures 1 and 3). Below, the vertical shaft 145 of the pinion 144, which is
supported and turned in the head of the fixed arm 137, carries the bent and forked
arm 136, to which, therefore, it imparts its rotation, the axis of the said vertical
axle being exactly coincident with an imaginary prolongation of the axis of the
before described sleeve 118 (Figures 1 and 3).

page_text: The rotation on its own axis of the drum or reel 135 is obtained by means of the
adherence of a belt 146 upon a grooved horizontal pulley 150 formed in one piece
with or secured to the head of the arm 137; this belt, passing over the two guide-
pulleys 148, 149 passes round that (147) of the drum or reel 135, which, under the
action of the movement of rotation of the said reel 135 around the axis of
shaft 145, causes the rotation of the reel around the horizontal axis of shaft 151
(Figures 1 and 3).
The construction of the before described machine being thus described, its
working and effect are as follows:
The wire 30 is drawn in as far as the button or pusher 65 (whereof the position
has been properly regulated according to the length of wire required to form the
link,) traverses longitudinally the shear block 63 and is held by the block and
between the pincers 33 and 34 and their respective carriers 33 and 34'; at this
moment, by the action of cam 22 and by the intermediation of lever 58, the
carriage 57 begins to ascend, carrying with it the shear block 63 which effects the
cutting off of the wire at the point of contact of the shear block 63 with the pincer-
carrier 34. At the same time, the forward movement of the punch 111 commences
by means of the cam 23, pushing the hollow shaft 105; the approach to the centre
(ie, the longitudinal displacement say from right to left of Figure 1) of the
matrix 81 is simultaneously effected by means of the cam 25, lever 84 and slide 77.
Then, by the action of lever 67, operated by rod 39, actuated by lever 42 and
cam 20, the pusher 65 progressing from left to right, pushes before it the wire-
length cut-off from the wire and previously lodged in the block 63.
In consequence of these various functions, the organs mentioned above have
been brought into the relative positions shown in Figure 9, and the wire, pushed
as described, has been compelled to pass beneath the rod 111 and between it and
the matrix 81, and is thus turned about three-quarters round the rod 111, having
passed through and become engaged with the last ring, as shown in detail in the
Diagram 104
As soon as this partial circumvolution is complete, the needle 97, under the
action of the cam 21 and levers 100 102, has been raised until its upper end comes
in contact with the remaining straight portion of the wire-length, and elevates it
into the position shown in Figure 114 with its end entirely released from the cutter
block 63, in such manner as to be presented in suitable position to the matrix 86
which will immediately thereafter complete the rounding of the link.
The action of the needle 97 being finished, its descent being begun and the
descent of the carriage 57, completed, the approach of the matrix 86 to the centre,
.., its displacement from left to right of Figure 1 takes place through the cam 21
aided by the lever 92 and slide 91.
After these various movements, the organs of the machine assume the position
shown in Figure 1, the rounding of the link having been completed by the
matrix 86, in the form shown in Figure 124, or in any other shape, as determined
by the forms of the matrices 81, 86 and rod 111.
The link thus formed is parallel with the front of the machine; at this moment,
however, the rod 111 is drawn back, and the matrices 81, 86 are withdrawn
laterally, so as to liberate the newly formed chain-link, and the various organs
take up the position shown in Figure 8 in consequence of their reversed
movements.
The chain then turns round a quarter of a revolution or 90° while ascending
simultaneously by a distance equal to that between the successive links; both
these operations being effected at the same time, by the action of cam 24 upon
levers 134 and 126 by means of the shaft 133 and lever arm 132, said lever 126
operating the pawl 128 and producing thereby a quarter-revolution of the ratchet-
wheel 129 and sleeve or socket 118 connected therewith; and that partial rotation
effecting, as described herein before, by means of the internal stationary screw
thread 121, the opposite partial rotation of the two wheels 119 and 120, which
elevate the chain to the height corresponding to its pitch. The automatic winding

page_text: of the chain upon the drum or reel 135 is effected by the mechanism previously
described, in due proportion to the formation of the links in succession.
For the succeeding operation, i.e., the formation of a new link, it is to be noted
that the pincer 33, at the moment when the carriage 57 begins its ascent is
displaced from left to right, by the action of the striker 38 fixed on the movable
rod 39 the said striker being itself thus displaced by the action of lever 42 operated
by cam 20; during this movement, and owing to the said pincer being mounted on
the shaft 35 and the form of the bevel of its active end, the said pincer 33 has
been enabled to slide back along the wire 30 until it reaches the end of its return
stroke and that, without fear of the wire 30 being drawn back, inasmuch as such
return is prevented by the grip of the other pincer 34, also due to the mounting of
the latter on its shaft or spindle 48 and to the form of the bevel of its acting edge
in the same direction as that of its fellow pincer 33. Under these conditions the
advance of the wire 30, by the predetermined necessary length, into the shears 63
is obtained simply by the length and duration of the return movement i.e., this
horizontal displacement (from right to left of Figure 1) of the pincer 33 by the
spring 45, which displacement will be completed at the same time that the
shears 63 will have re-assumed their position in front of the pincer-carrier 34. In
this movement the pincer 33 will hold the wire fast and carry it forward, while the
opposite pincer 34 allows the wire-end to pass between it and its carrier until it is
stopped by butting against the pusher 65 in the shear block 63, the pusher having
also been returned to its former position after having done its work of thrusting
out the last previously employed piece of wire in the manner aforesaid.
The working of the machine will then recommence, exactly as above described,
the last ring or link formed, having meanwhile been duly raised and turned round
to an angle of 90° i.e., transversely to instead of coincidentally with the longi-
tudinal axis of the machine, and being therefore in the same position as its
predecessor was previously to its own formation i.e., in the gutter or channel 112
of the rod 111 and between the forked arms 114 just prior to the advance of 111 to
receive the ring next to be formed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a chain-making machine the arrangement of movable oscillating or
reciprocating pincers (33, 34) in combination with the pincer-carriers (331 34¹) the
pincer (33) moving longitudinally of the wire and producing the wire-feed while
the fixed pincer (34) grips and maintains the advanced wire while the pincer (33)
returns to its original situation for the next following wire-feed the displacement
of the pincer (33) for this purpose being produced by the action of a driver (38)
carried on the rod (39) operated by a cam (20) while its operative or effective
movement is obtained by the action of a rod pushed forward by a spring 45
abutting against an adjustable sleeve 46 substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
2. In a chain-making machine the combination with the pincer-arrangement (33
and 34) of a shearing block such as 63 provided with an interior nick or
groove (64) in which is lodged the forward end of the fed wire and which is
mounted on a vertically movable carriage (57) operated by a cam (22) through
a lever (58) connecting-rod (59) and bow or frame (60) and a driver (65) working
in the groove (64) of the said shearing block (63) which is carried by a horizontal
sliding-piece (66) held by and working in the carriage (57) and operated by a
lever (67) on which acts a forked driver 69 which is also carried by the movable
rod (39) operated by the cam (20) substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
3. In a chain-making machine the arrangement of matrices such as 81 86
mounted on their respective slides (77 91) and between which is formed the chain-
link, the matrix (81) moving only in a longitudinal direction under the action of a

page_text: lever (84) operated by a cam (25) and jointed to the slide-piece (77) while the
matrix (86) is moved in the first place in a vertical direction being first carried
upwards and then downwards by the carriage (57) (in whose movements it
partakes) so as to come into position exactly facing the other matrix (81) and in
the second place in the longitudinal direction similarly but in the contrary way to
the other matrix 81 towards said matrix (81) as its slide (91) is operated by a
lever (92) jointed thereto and acted upon by a cam (21) substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In a chain-making machine the combination with the matrices (81 86) of a
rod such as 111 round which is formed the chain-link and provided with a
gutter (112) to receive the lower part of the last-formed ring or link, and above
which is fixed upon the same punch (110) that carries it a fork (114) between the
branches of which the said last-made link is held the maintenance whereof at the
back of the fork (114) in its exact position being ensured by the pressure of a
spring (115) these pieces viz. the rod (111) and fork (114) being displaced at
right angles to the movements of the matrices from back to front and vice versa
and carried for this purpose by the punch (110) connected with a solid shaft (106)
fitting into the interior of a hollow shaft (105) whereof the displacement from
back to front and vice versa is operated by a cam (23) acting upon a roller (116)
carried by the arm (117) formed in one piece with the hollow shaft (105)
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In a chain-making machine the combination with matrices such as 81 86
rod such as 111 having a gutter (112) and fork (114) of a needle such as 97
carried by a sleeve (98) adjustable by means of a screw (99) the needle being
moved vertically by the action of a bent lever (102) operated by the cam (21) so
as to be presented at the desired moment i.e., after the bending round the rod (111)
of the portion of the wire (30) which has been cut off by the shear block (63)
between the matrix (81) and the said rod (111) in such manner as to act upon the
straight portion of the severed wire-length and raise the same in order to allow
of the completion of the bending operation between the two matrices (81 and 86)
when the latter (86) is moved towards the former (81) substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. In a chain-making machine the arrangement above the matrices (81 86) of a
vertical sleeve (118) in two parts and vertical central channel (118) in the form
of a cross serving as a passage for the chain as made the said chain being held and
drawn up vertically on the completion of each individual link by means of two
toothed wheels (119 120) arranged so as to be able to rotate together between the
two parts forming the sleeve (118) the necessary intermittent rotation of the said
wheels being produced by a screw thread (121) cut in the internal surface of the
enlarged part (122) of the sleeve and wherein the sleeve (118) is rotated by the
action of a ratchet-wheel (129) firmly mounted thereupon and operated by a
pawl (128) commanded by the lever-arrangement (126 132 133 and 134) the last
named (134) being actuated by the cam (24) substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete chain-
making machine substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicaut.