An Improved Method of and Machinery for the Manufacture of Weldless Chains.
Year: 1888

page_text: An Improved Method of and Machinery for the Manufacture of
Weldless Chains.
1, HIPPOLYTE RONGIER, of 18, Bath Row, Birmingham, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in the mode of, and machinery for, manufacturing weldless
chains having links of the ordinary, or any desired, form.
In carrying out my invention, I take a rod, drawn, rolled, or cast, of section,
and punch, by a series of operations, links each formed out of a pair of diametrically
opposite webs of the rod, the links being formed alternately out of the two pairs of
webs and in such manner that when completed they will be interlinked in the form
of a chain. The same tools by which the punching-out of the metal is effected,
may also act as dies to ornament, or shape, the links.
In carrying out my invention, I punch at equal intervals along the rod, pairs of
oblong mortices, one in each of two opposite webs of the rod and close up to the
faces of the other two webs, and in the last mentioned webs, I punch another series
of pairs of mortices alternating with, and equidistant from, those first punched. By
a second operation, I punch out pairs of cross slots in each of the two pairs of
opposite webs, those in the one pair being opposite the middle of the before described
mortices in the other pair, thus cutting the links to length externally, at the same
time that the first mentioned mortices are elongated by punching out more metal to
shape the interior of the links, thereby forming two series of links enchained together
but joined, those of the same series by their outer ends, and those of different series
by their adjacent inner ends, by intervening portions of the core of the rod. By
means of a tool composed of two opposite cutters, I sever the attachments between the
outer ends of the links, and then rupture the attachments between the inner ends
of the links by slightly twisting, in opposite directions, the two links thereby
connected. The links are then free and form a chain which is longer than the rod from
which it is made. The last operation consists in finally shaping the outer ends of

page_text: the links and dressing up the inner ends. This is effected by a tool comprising a
pair of punches of appropriate shape, according to the intended shape of the link,
whereby the surplus metal is removed from the outer and inner ends of the
links.
The apparatus employed consists of different sets of pairs of punches and dies
suited to perform the different-punching operations required. They may be operated
by different tool carriers in diffent machines, but they are preferably combined in
one machine, so that the work performed by the subsequent sets of punches shall be
accurately spaced by the action of the preceding pair of punches.
Dated this 29th day of May 1888
H. RONGIER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Machinery for the Manufacture of
Weldless Chains.
I, Hippolyte RoNGIER, of 18, Bath Row, Birmingham, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the samo is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My Invention consists in the mode of, and machinery for, manufacturing weldless
chains by punching out and otherwise forming the enchained links from the solid
bar, the links being of the ordinary open oval form.
In carrying out my invention, I take a rod drawn, rolled, or cast, of section
and punch, by a series of operations, links each formed out of a pair of diametrically
opposite webs of the rod, the links being punched alternately out of the two pairs
of webs and in such manner that when completed they will be enchained
together.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification wherein figure 1 is a view shewing the successive stages in the
manufacture of the chain from the solid rod to the finished link. Figures 2 and 3
are vertical sections on line 1-1 figure 4, shewing the punches in different positions.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan on line 2-2 figure 2; and figure 5 is a sectional elevation
on line 3-3, figure 4. Figure 6 is a horizontal section of a second similar tool
carrying punches for elongating the mortises and deepening the notches made by the
first tool. Figure 7 is an elevation of the parting tools. Figure 8 is a front view,
figure 9 a vertical section on line 4-4 figure 8, and figure 10 a horizontal section
on line 5-5 figure 9 of the punches for rounding the ends of the links. Figures 11
and 12 are face views of dies for giving the final shape to the links. The same
letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.
In carrying out my invention, 1 take a rod A of + section, as shewn in
perspective in figure 1 and in cross-section in figure 2, and punch at equal intervals
along the rod pairs of oblong mortises & bone in each of two opposite webs a a of the rod
and close up to the faces of the other two webs a' a', and in the last mentioned
webs a' a I punch another series of pairs of mortices alternating with and
equidistant from those b, the mortises being close up to the faces of the webs a.
ccc in each of the
At the same time I punch out pairs of cross-notches
two pairs of opposite webs a a a¹ a' those c in the pair of webs a being midway
between the mortises and therefore opposite the middle of the mortises b¹ in the
other pair a' and similarly for the notches c'. The first mentioned mortises bor b', as
the case may be, are elongated by punching out more metal to shape the interior
of the links, as shewn at 6, at the same time that the notches are deepened, as shewn
at ex, thereby forming two series of links B, C, enchained together but joined, those
of the same series B or C at their outer ends and those of the different series B, C,
at their adjacent inner ends, by intervening portions of the core of the rod.

page_text: The operations above referred to are successive but they may be, and by the
apparatus hereafter described they would be, performed concurrently on different
portions of the same pair of webs of the bar.
By means of a tool composed of two opposite cutters D D, I sever the attachments
between the outer ends of the links, as shewn at figure 7, and then rupture the
attachments joining the inner ends of the links by slightly twisting the two links in
opposite directions. The links are then free and form a chain which, when finished
as hereafter described, is longer than the rod from which it is made. Figure 1
shows the bar and the partially formed links as slightly tilted forwards and not in
the proper relative position to figure 7. It will be understood that the cutters D
and the webs upon which they are operating should be in the same plane.
The operation of severing the links of different series is illustrated at B¹ where
it will be seen that the link B¹ has been twisted out of the same plane with the
webs of the rod from which it was made. The ends of the links are then shaped or
dressed at the outside and inside. This is effected by a pair of punches of appropriate
shape, as represented in figures 89 and 10, according to the intended shape of the
link, whereby the surplus metal is removed from the outer and inner ends of the
links. This operation is performed by separately bringing the two ends of each link
under the action of the punches, the link being for that purpose held in the position
shewn at B in figure 1. The links are then practically complete, but they may be
finally rounded throughout by being pressed in pairs of dies of the form represented
in figures 11 and 12, the former acting on the sides, and the latter on the ends, of
the links.
The apparatus employed, consists of different sets of pairs of punches and
dies suited to perform the different punching operations required. They may be
operated by different tool carriers in different machines, but mortising and notching
tools are preferably combined in one machine, so that the work performed by the
one set of punches shall be accurately spaced by the action of the preceding pair
of punches. They are so combined in the tool for making the mortises and
the notches c, shewn in figures 2, 3, 4, 5, wherein E are a pair of bed-dies fitted to
slide towards and away from each other in the bed F of the tool, and G is the
head of the press carrying guiding and bed-die actuating rods H which slide through
apertures in the bed F and through slots in bed-dies E and have inclines which
at proper times act as cams on the dies E and cause them to approach or recede
for the purpose of holding or releasing the bar A to be punched. The latter is slid,
in the direction of the arrow figure 4, through an aperture of corresponding shape
in the bed and rests by its two horizontal webs in rebates or grooves e in the bed-
dies. The press head G carries a pair of punches i which pass through guide slots
in the upper part of the bed F and close to the vertical web a of the rod A and then
through the horizontal webs a' and through corresponding apertures in the bed-dies.
The press head also carries a pair of notching punches k to which apertures k
correspond in the bed-dies. These punches come down at the same time as the
punches and cut the pairs of notches e or e¹ in the edges of the webs, the last
imentioned pair of punches acting on the rod at the proper distance along from the
punches i, according to the length of the link to be formed. The press bed has also
guide blocks at the distance of a link's length from the punches k upon which the
notches c or c which have just been cut fit when the rod is shifted along after each
action of the punches for the purpose of repeating the punching operation at the
proper interval along the rod. The rod after being passed through this machine
is turned a quarter round and again passed through for the purpose of punching
and notching both the pairs of webs.
In order to ensure the proper spacing of the one set of mortises and notches with
regard to the other set, the part of the press bed is removable and is replaced
before the rod is passed through the second time by a similar part having a
projection f, as shown in figure 6, which enters the notches made at the previous
operation in the lowermost web and so ensures the desired accuracy. The rod is
then twice passed through a similar machine, of which the plan of the bed-dies only

page_text: is shown in figure 6, the only difference between this and the other being that the
punches lengthen the mortices as at *, and deepen the notches as at cx figure 1.
The two pairs of webs having been thus mortised and notched, the rod is brought
under the parting tools D, figure 7, the rod being turned a quarter round after each
operation of the said tools and being at same time fed forwards so as to act on ⚫
and sever the joined outer ends of the links of both series. The links of the series B
are then severed from the links of the series C by twisting the metal as before stated
with reference to the link B', figure 1, and are then cut to shape by the tool shown
in figures 8, 9 and 10. This tool comprises an outside punch m of concave, semi-
circular form from its cutting edge m¹ upwards, and an inside punch n of convex,
semi-circular form, these punches serving respectively for rounding the outside and inside
of the end of the link. These punches m and n are mounted in the same holder M
and come down together. They work through correspondingly shaped aper-
tures m* n* in the bed P which is formed with a mouth O at which the end of
the link is inserted in order to be operated on by the punches. The end of the link
to be operated on rests upon a bed-die p of semi-circular forin and the outside
punch m descends slightly below the bed p and is shaped as shown at n² in figure 10,
80 as to correspond approximately to the shape of, and act as a stop for, the
untrimmed end of the link when inserted in the mouth O. The aperture m* in the
lower part of the bed is approximately U shaped just around the top of the bed-
die p. Below that point are inclined surfaces as indicated by the dotted line q,
which tilt up the ends of the piece of waste metal cut off the end of the link and
cause it to drop edgewise down the remainder of the passage, as shown. The links
may then be pressed in dies, such as are shown in figures 11 and 12, so as to round the
section of the metal at all parts of the links, as shown at the right hand end of
figure 1, or otherwise impress or ornament them, after which the links may if
desired be twisted in the ordinary way of making a curb chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invon-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
section.
1. The method of making weldless open link chains from the solid bar of
by means of punching machinery, substantially as herein described, the links as formed
being enchained together, as specified.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a chain of weldless open oval links formed
out of a solid bar, the links being already enchained together at the time of their
formation, as specified.
H. RONGIER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53,. Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.

page_text: This Specification was, upon the 12th day of February, 1892, Amended under
Sections 18 to 21 of the Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks Act, 1883.
An Improved Method of and Machinery for the Manufacture of
Weldless Chains.
I, HIPPOLYTE RONGIER, of 18, Bath Row, Birmingham, Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in the mode of, and machinery for, manufacturing weldless
chains having links of the ordinary, or any desired, form.
In carrying out my invention, I take a rod, drawn, rolled, or cast, of section,
and punch, by a series of operations, links each formed out of a pair of diametrically
opposite webs of the rod, the links being formed alternately out of the two pairs of
webs and in such manner that when completed they will be interlinked in the form
of a chain. The same tools by which the punching-out of the metal is effected,
may also act as dies to ornament, or shape, the links.
In carrying out my invention, I punch at equal intervals along the rod, pairs of
oblong mortices, one in each of two opposite webs of the rod and close up to the
faces of the other two webs, and in the last mentioned webs, I punch another series
of pairs of mortices alternating with, and equidistant from, those first punched. By
a second operation, I punch out pairs of cross slots in each of the two pairs of
opposite webs, those in the one pair being opposite the middle of the before described
mortices in the other pair, thus cutting the links to length externally, at the same
time that the first mentioned mortices are elongated by punching out more metal to
shape the interior of the links, thereby forming two series of links enchained together
but joined, those of the same series by their outer ends, and those of different series
by their adjacent inner ends, by intervening portions of the core of the rod. By
means of a tool composed of two opposite cutters, I sever the attachments between the
outer ends of the links, and then rupture the attachments between the inner ends
of the links by slightly twisting, in opposite directions, the two links thereby
connected. The links are then free and form a chain which is longer than the rod from
which it is made. The last operation consists in finally shaping the outer ends of
D

page_text: the links and dressing up the inner ends. This is effected by a tool comprising a
pair of punches of appropriate shape, according to the intended shape of the link,
whereby the surplus metal is removed from the outer and inner ends of the
links.
The apparatus employed consists of different sets of pairs of punches and dies
suited to perform the different punching operations required. They may be operated
by different tool carriers in different machines, but they are preferably combined in
one machine, so that the work performed by the subsequent sets of punches shall be
.accurately spaced by the action of the preceding pair of punches.
11
1
30
H. RONGIER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
An Improved Method of and Machinery for the Manufacture of
Weldless Chains.
1, HIPPOLYTE RONGIER, of 18, Bath Row, Birmingham, 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:-
My Invention consists in the mode of, and machinery for, manufacturing weldless
chains by punching out and otherwise forming the enchained links from the solid
bar, the links being of the ordinary
In carrying out my invention, I take oval form.
a rod drawn, rolled, or cast, of
section
and punch, by a series of operations, links each formed out of a pair of diametrically
opposite webs of the rod, the links being punched alternately out of the two pairs
of webs and in such manner that when completed they will be enchained
together.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification wherein figure 1 is a view shewing the successive stages in the
manufacture of the chain from the solid rod to the finished link. Figures 2 and 3
are vertical sections on line 1-1 figure 4, shewing the punches in different positions.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan on line 2-2 figure 2; and figure is a sectional elevation
on line 3-3, figure 4. Figure 6 is a horizontal section of a second similar tool
carrying punches for elongating the mortises and deepening the notches made by the
first tool. Figure 7 is an elevation of the parting tools. Figure 8 is a front view,
figure 9 a vertical section on line 4-4 figure 8, and figure 10 a horizontal section
on line 5-5 figure 9 of the punches for rounding the ends of the links. Figures 11
and 12 are face views of dies for giving the final shape to the links. The same
letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.
In carrying out my invention, I take a rod A of section, as shewn in
perspective in figure 1 and in cross-section in figure 2, and punch at equal intervals
along the rod pairs of oblong mortises b b one in each of two opposite webs a a of the rod
and close up to the faces of the other two webs a¹ a¹, and in the last mentioned
webs at a punch another series of pairs of mortices 61 61 alternating with and
equidistant from those b, the mortises 6' being close up to the faces of the webs a.
At the same time I punch out pairs of cross-notches c c c¹ c' in each of the
two pairs of opposite webs a a a' a' those c in the pair of webs a being midway
between the mortises 6 and therefore opposite the middle of the mortises b¹ in the
other pair a' and similarly for the notches c¹. The first mentioned mortises b or b', as
the case may be, are elongated by punching out more metal to shape the interior
of the links, as shewn at b*, at the same time that the notches are deepened, as shewn
at cx, thereby forming two series of links B, C, enchained together but joined, those
of the same series B or C at their outer ends and those of the different series B, C,
at their adjacent inner ends, by intervening portions of the core of the rod.

page_text: The operations above referred to are successive but they may be, and by the
apparatus hereafter described they would be, performed concurrently on different
portions of the same pair of webs of the bar.
By means of a tool composed of two opposite cutters 1) D, I sever the attachments
between the outer ends of the links, as shewn at figure í, and then rupture the
attachments joining the inner ends of the links by slightly twisting the two links in
opposite directions. The links are then free and form a chain which, when finished
as bereafter described, longer than the rod from which it is made. Figure 1
shews the bar and the partially formed links as slightly tilted forwards and not in
the proper relative position to figure 7. It will be understood that the culters D
and the webs upon which they are operating should be in the same plane.
The operation of severing the links of different series is illustrated at B' where
it will be seen that the link B' has been twisted out of the same plane with the
webs of the rod from which it was made. The ends of the links are then shaped or
dressed at the outside and inside. This is effected by a pair of punches of appropriate
shape, as represented in figures 89 and 10, according to the intended shape of the
link, whereby the surplus metal is removed from the outer and inner ends of the
links. This operation is performed by separately bringing the two ends of each link
under the action of the punches, the link being for that purpose held in the position
shewn at B' in figure 1. The links are then practically complete, but they may be
finally rounded throughout by being pressed in pairs of dies of the form represented
in figures 11 and 12, the former acting on the sides, and the latter on the ends, of
the links.
↑
The apparatus employed, consists of different sets of pairs of punches and
dies suited to perform the different punching operations required. They may be
operated by different tool carriers in different machines, but mortising and notching
tools are preferably combined in one machine so that the work performed by the
one set of punches shall be accurately spaced by the action of the preceding pair
of punches. They are so combined in the tool for making the mortises 6 band
the notches c, shewn in figures 2, 3, 4, 5, wherein E are a pair of bed-dies fitted to
slide towards and away from each other in the bed. F of the tool, and G is the
head of the press carrying guiding and bed-die actuating rods H which slide through
apertures in the bed F and through slots in bed-dies E and have inclines h which
at proper times act as cams on the dies E and cause them to approach or recede
for the purpose of holding or releasing the bar A to be punched. The latter is slid,
in the direction of the arrow figure 4, through an aperture of corresponding shape
in the bed and rests by its two horizontal webs in rebates or grooves e in the bed-
dies. The press head G carries a pair of punches which pass through guide slots
in the upper part of the bed F and close to the vertical web a of the rod A and then
through the horizontal webs a' and through corresponding apertures il in the bed-dies.
The press head also carries a pair of notching punches to which apertures k¹
correspond in the bed-dies. These punches & come down at the same time as the
punches and cut the pairs of notches c or c¹ in the edges of the webs, the last
mentioned pair of punches acting on the rod at the proper distance along from the
punches i, according to the length of the link to be formed. The press bed has also
guide blocks at the distance of a link's length from the punches k upon which the
notches c or c¹ which have just been cut fit when the rod is shifted along after each
action of the punches for the purpose of repeating the punching operation at the
proper interval along the rod. The rod after being passed through this machine
is turned a quarter round and again passed through for the purpose of punching
and notching both the pairs of webs.
In order to ensure the proper spacing of the one set of mortises and notches with
regard to the other set, the part of the press bed is removable and is replaced
before the rod is passed through the second time by a similar part having a
projection, as shown in figure 6, which enters the notches made at the previous
operation in the lowermost web and so ensures the desired accuracy. The rod is
then twice passed through a similar machine, of which the plan of the bed-dies only

page_text: is shown in figure 6, the only difference between this and the other being that the
punches lengthen the mortices as at b*, and deepen the notches as at ex figure 1.
The two pairs of webs having been thus mortised and notched, the rod is brought
under the parting tools D, figure 7, the rod being turned a quarter round after each
operation of the said tools and being at same time fed forwards so as to act on
and sever the joined outer ends of the links of both series. The links of the series B
are then severed from the links of the series C by twisting the metal as before stated
with reference to the link B', figure 1, and are then cut to shape by the tool shown
in figures 8, 9 and 10. This tool comprises an outside punch m of concave, semi-
circular form from its cutting edge m upwards, and an inside punch of convex,
semi-circular form, these punches serving respectively for rounding the outside and inside
of the end of the link. These punches m and n are mounted in the same holder M
and come down together. They work through correspondingly shaped aper-
tures m* * in the bed P which is formed with a mouth O at which the end of
the link is inserted in order to be operated on by the punches. The end of the link
to be operated on rests upon a bed-die p of semi-circular form and the outside
punch m descends slightly below the bed p and is shaped as shown at n² in figure 10,
so as to correspond approximately to the shape of, and act as a stop for, the
untrimmed end of the link when inserted in the mouth O. The aperture m* in the
lower part of the bed is approximately U shaped just around the top of the bed-
die P.
Below that point are inclined surfaces as indicated by the dotted line 2,
which tilt up the ends of the piece of waste metal cut off the end of the link and
cause it to drop edgewise down the remainder of the passage, as shown. The links
may then be pressed in dies, such as are shown in figures 11 and 12, so as to round the
section of the metal at all parts of the links, as shown at the right hand end of
figure 1, or otherwise impress or ornament them, after which the links may if
desired be twisted in the ordinary way of making a curb chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claims is:
The method of making weldless open link chains from the solid bar of
section
by means of punching machinery, substantially as herein described, the links as formed
being enchained together, as specified.
2. As a new article of manufacture, a chain of weldless open oval links formed
out of a solid bur, the links being already enchained together at the time of their
formation, as specified.
H. RONGIER.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London,
Patent Agents.