IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MAKING OR FORMING THE LINKS OF IRON OR STEEL CHAINS, CHAIN CABLES, SHACKLES, COUPLINGS, OR AND FOR MACHINERY TO BE USED THEREIN
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Homfray, of Witley Lodge, in the Parish of
Halesowen, in the County of Worcester, Iron Manufacturer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MAKING OR FORMING THE
LINKS OF IRON OR STEEL CHAINS, CHAIN CABLES, SHACKLES, COUPLINGS, OR
AND FOR MACHINERY TO BE USED THEREIN."
Sealed the 13th April 1865, and dated the 14th February 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Homfray at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
14th February 1865.
I, GEORGE HOMFRAY, of Witley Lodge, in the Parish of Halesowen, in the
County of Worcester, Iron Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MAKING OR FORMING THE
LINKS OF IRON OR STEEL CHAINS, CHAIN CABLES, SHACKLES, COUPLINGS, OR PARTS
OF THE SAME, AND FOR MACHINERY TO BE USED THEREIN," to be as follows:-
I receive the coil from my patent coiling machine, numbered 1261, and
dated 19th May 1864, upon a bar terminating in a mandrel, fitting the inside
of the coil, the mandrel fits upon the steeling or cutting part of a pair of
shears. This steeling is made in such a form as to insure the links being cut
off with uniformity in size and scarf, and when cut to fall off or be removed,
and the coil to be pushed forward for the next cut. Or I receive the coil upon

page_text: a trough or rest fitting the outside of the coil, in which the coil is pushed
forward to the steeling of the shears; I push the coil forward either by hand
or by self-acting machinery; I pass the links, when cut, through an oven or
furnace, where they are kept at a sufficient heat for closing, or I link them
together and close up the joint at the shears, or I allow them to cool, and
reheat them as the size of the chain may require; I then take the link, either
hot or cold, link it to the last link, reheat it and place it in a press containing
metal dies of the necessary shape for closing, welding, and finishing each link,
and studding the link when required.
My machinery consists of a pair of shears, having a steeling fitted into their
bed of the shape required to cut the scarf or joint at the proper angle, and
allow it when cut to fall off or be removed, and the coil pushed forward for
the next cut. The shears are connected with a mandrel.
My welding and finishing machinery consists of a press, worked either by
hand, steam, or hydraulic power. In the press I place metal dies of the
required shape for closing, welding, finishing, and putting in the stud of each
link of a chain or chain cable.
I claim the cutting of the coil in the way specified, and the mandrel, or
trough, or rest. The closing, welding, and finishing each link and putting in
the stud by pressure in metal dies, and the making of chains and chain cables
direct from the rolling mill by the manner aforesaid."
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
the said George Homfray in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th August 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
HOMFRAY, of Witley Lodge, in the Parish of Halesowen, in the County
of Worcester, Iron Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said George Homfray, Her special licence that I, the said
George Homfray, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said George Homfray, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully

page_text: might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF MAKING OR FORMING THE LINKS OF IRON OR
STEEL CHAINS, CHAIN CABLES, SHACKLES, COUPLINGS, OR PARTS OF THE SAME, AND
FOR MACHINERY TO BE USED THEREIN," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said George Homfray, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Homfray, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say:-
"I receive the coil from my patent coiling machine upon a bar terminating
in a mandrel fitting the inside of the coil; the mandril fits upon the steeling
or cutting part of a pair of shears. This steeling is made in such a form as
to insure the links being cut off with uniformity in size and scarf, and when
cut to fall off, or be removed, and the coil to be pushed forward for the next
cut. Or I receive the coil upon a trough or rest, fitting the outside of the coil
in which the coil is pushed forward to the steeling of the shears; I push the
coil forward either by hand or by self-acting machinery; I cut the scarf either
at the side or end of the link; I pass the links when cut through an oven or
furnace, where they are kept at a sufficient heat for closing, or I link them
together and close up the joint at the shears, or I allow them to cool and reheat
them as the size of the chain may require; I then take the link, either hot or
cold, link it to the last link, and place it in a press containing metal dies of
the necessary shape for closing, welding, and furnishing each link, and studding
the link when required.
My machinery consists of a pair of shears, having a steeling fitted into their
bed of the shape required to cut the scarf or joint at the proper angle, and
allow it when cut to fall off or be removed, and the coil pushed forward for the
next cut. The shears are connected with a mandrel.
My welding and finishing machinery consists of a press, worked either by
hand, steam, or hydraulic power. In the press I place metal dies of the
required shape for closing, welding, finishing, and putting in the stud of each
link of a chain or chain cable.

page_text: I claim the cutting of the coil in the way specified, and the mandrel. or
trough or rest; the closing, welding, and finishing each link, and putting in
the stud by pressure in the aforesaid metal dies; and the making of chains
and chain cables direct from the rolling mill by the manner aforesaid."
In witness whereof, I, the said George Homfray, have hereunto set
my hand and seal; this Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
GEORGE HOMFRAY. (L.S.)