Improvements in Chains to be Employed for Driving Velocipedes and for other Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1889-Accepted, 20th July,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains to be Employed for Driving Velocipedes
and for other Purposes.
We, ARTHUR HAVELOCK CHAPMAN of 8 Plashet Road, East Ham, Engineer,
ALFRED JAMES WHITE of 9 Bendish Road, East Ham, Clerk, and BRETTELL
SHEPHERD of 7 Laurie Square, Romford, Warehouseman, all in the County of Essex,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
The object of our invention is to produce a chain of ornamental appearance and
great strength entirely without rivetting or welding and of such construction that a
defective link or section may be readily removed and replaced by a new one without
the necessity for the employment of skilled labour.
For this purpose we employ a number of hollow spheres, each formed with two
slots therein of a shape somewhat similar to that of a keyhole, that is to say, each
slot is composed of a circular opening, from which leads a longer opening of less
width.
In connection with these hollow spheres we employ a number of connecting links or
bars, each formed with an enlarged, and preferably spherical, head on each end
thereof of a size suitable to enter the large circular opening of the slot in the hollow
sphere, and with a shank of a size suitable to pass into the narrower slot or opening
therein.
Or we might form a slot, shaped as herein before described, and a circular hole in
each sphere, and flexibly secure one enlarged end of each connecting link or bar to a
sphere, by casting or otherwise forming the sphere around the shank thereof, or by
casting or otherwise securing the connecting link in position in the circular hole in
the sphere.
Or, in lieu of the arrangement of parts hereinbefore described, we may employ only
one slot in each hollow sphere, and form upon each of such spheres a stud provided
with an enlarged head to enter the slot in an adjacent sphere.
When employing a chain of the character herein before described in connection with
a chain wheel for driving purposes we prefer to form the periphery of the wheel with
recesses therein in lieu of projections or teeth thereon, such recesses corresponding in
form and position with the spheres of the chain, but we may employ any other
suitable form of wheel in connection therewith.
By these means we obtain that which is practically a cup and ball movement
between all the links of the chain, thus securing the greatest possible flexibility in
every direction and an absence of all twisting or torsional strain, in addition to which
the spheres give a very large and equal bearing surface, and when employed in
connection with a chain wheel they will constantly change their position and thus
ensure an equal wearing of their entire wearing surface.
Dated this 24th day of July 1888.
ARTHUR HAVELOCK CHAPMAN.
ALFRED JAMES WHITE.
BRETTELL SHEPHERD.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, Agents

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Chains to be Employed for Driving Velocipedes
and for other Purposes.
We, ARTHUR HAVELOCK CHAPMAN of 8 Plashet Road, East Ham, Engineer,
ALFRED JAMES WHITE of 9 Bendish Road,. East Ham, Clerk, and BRETTELL
SHEPHERD of 7 Laurie Square, Romford, Warehouseman, all in the County of Essex,
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 :-
The object of our invention is to produce a chain of ornamental appearance and
great strength entirely without rivetting or welding, and of such construction that a
defective link or section may be readily removed and replaced by a new one, without
the necessity for the employment of skilled labour.
For this purpose, we employ a number of hollow spheres, each formed with a slot
therein of a
shape somewhat similar to that of a keyhole, that is to say, each slot is
composed of a circular opening, from which leads another opening of less width,
terminating in a circular opening of smaller size than the first named circular
opening.
Upon each of such spheres, we form a stud having an enlarged, and preferably
spherical, head of a size suitable to enter the larger circular opening of the slot in an
adjacent hollow sphere, the stud or shank being of a size suitable to pass into the
narrower slot or opening therein, whilst the head of such stud or shank is large
enough to be prevented from passing through the smaller circular opening.
By these means we obtain that which is practically a cup and ball movement
between all the links of the chain, thus securing the greatest possible flexibility in
every direction, and an absence of all twisting or torsional strain, in addition to which
the spheres give a very large and equal bearing surface and, when employed in
connection with a chain wheel, they will constantly change their position and thus
ensure an equal wear of their entire wearing surface.
When employing a chain of the character herein before described in connection with
a chain wheel for driving purposes, we prefer to form the periphery of the wheel with
recesses therein in lieu of projections or teeth thereon, such recesses corresponding in
form and position with the spheres and connecting shanks of the chain, but we may
employ any other suitable form of wheel in connection therewith.
And in order that our invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, we will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1 and 2 are two side views, drawn at right angles to each other, of a short
length of chain constructed according to our invention. Figure 3 is a longitudinal
section of one of the links of the chain and part of an adjacent link connected
therewith, and Figure 4 is a 'view showing the method in which adjacent links are
connected and disconnected, and Figure 5 is a side elevation, and Figure 6 is an edge
view of the form of wheel we prefer to employ with our improved chain.
Each link of the chain consists of a hollow sphere a formed with a projecting stud
or shank 6 terminating in a head c, which is preferably in the form of part of a sphere,
or approaching thereto.
The hollow sphere a is formed with a circular hole a' and a communicating slot a³
terminating in a smaller circular hole a and, for the sake of increased lightness,
holes a are made in the hollow spheres a. The hole a¹ is of such a size as to enable
the head c carried by an adjoining link, to be passed therethrough into the interior of
the hollow sphere by placing the parts in the position shown at Figure 4.
The slot a³ is of such size as to permit the stud or shank b to pass along the same

page_text: but to retain the head c, and the hole a³ is of size to prevent the head passing there-
through, but will permit of the required motion of each link in relation to its adjoining
link.
The wheel, represented at figures 5 and 6, is of the form we prefer to use in
combination with our improved chain; the periphery of this wheel is formed with
recesses d, of form to receive the hollow spheres a, and with communicating recesses e
of form to receive the studs or shanks b; other suitable forms of wheels may however
be employed in connection with the chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
A chain consisting of links formed of hollow spheres carrying a projecting stud or
sbank terminating in an enlarged head, such hollow spheres being formed. with
openings to permit of the ready connection and disconnection of the links and of
their free motion in relation to each other, substantially as herein shown and
described.
ARTHUR H. CHAPMAN.
ALFRED J. WHITE.
BRETTELL SHEPHERD.
By Harris & Mills,
Southampton Buildings, Agents.
Dated this 17th day of April 1889.
ARTHUR H. CHAPMAN.
ALFRED J. WHITE.
BRETTELL SHEPHERD.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, Agents.