Sheet Metal or Solid Link Chains, and the Method of Manufacturing the same.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1893-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Sheet Metal or Solid Link Chains, and the Method of Manufacturing
the same.
I, ALFRED SHEDLOCK, a citizen of the United States, of 79 Orient Avenue,
in Jersey City, County of Hudson and State of New Jersey, U.S.A., Mechanical -
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a new style of sheet metal or solid link chains and to
the method of manufacturing the same.
The purpose of the improved method of manufacturing is to reduce to a minimum
the waste resulting from the cutting of the link blanks from the strip of sheet
metal. In the well-known chains of this class, the link blanks are narrowest at the
middle and broad at the end portions, in which the eyes are formed. They are
symmetrically shaped, that is to say, each side or edge inclines or curves from the
outer end toward the middle. Ordinarily when cutting such blanks from the
sheet of metal, there is a waste of the material that is cut away from each side of
the blank to give the required formation thereto. To obviate this waste, I cut the
blanks from a strip of metal in a peculiar and novel manner, as follows. In
cutting two parallel series of blanks from a strip of metal, I so cut the blanks that
cach straight edge of the strip forms a straight side or edge of all of the blanks in
one series. The opposite edge of each blank is inclined or curved inwardly from
both ends, but to a greater extent than required in the completed blank. The
adjoining ends of two blanks on one side of the metal strip lie opposite the middle
portion of a blank cut from the opposite side of the strip, and the curved or
inclined side edges of the ends of the two first mentioned blanks follow the lines of the
side edges of the end portions of the second mentioned blank. The material
occupying the space between the ends of two adjoining blanks is cut away, and
constitutes the only scrap or waste resulting from this method of cutting, except
such waste as is due to the cutting out of the eyes. The blanks thus cut are
distorted in shape, that is to say, they are straight upon one side edge, and the
opposite edge is inclined from each end toward the middle portion, but to a greater
extent than is necessary in the completed blank. The distorted blanks are now
compressed or bent edgewise to give them the usual symmetrical shape in which
both side edges incline or curve from the outer ends towards the middle. Such
link blanks may then be made up into chains in any ordinary way, the chain
produced being the ordinary sheet metal chain that is used for sash cords and
many other purposes. In my invention as thus far described, there is the ordinary
waste due to the cutting of the eyes. By a further step in my method, however, I
effect an additional saving of material and form the blanks for two sizes of chain at
the same time, and by so doing entirely avoid any waste on account of the eyes in
the larger blanks. To accomplish this, the blanks for the smaller chain are cut
out from the centre or interior portions of the large blanks, leaving therein an
opening corresponding to the contour of the small blanks. Both the large blanks
and the small blanks thus cut, may have the distorted shape already described, the
smaller blanks need only to be bent edgewise as already described to bring them
into symmetrical shape. The large blanks being open from eye to eye, are
preferably compressed edgewise to bring the side portions together, and are also
bent edgewise to give them the desired symmetrical shape. The small link blanks
would of course present an appearance exactly like links or link blanks of the
ordinary chain now on the market. The larger blanks, however, would show a cut
or division running from eye to eye. The result of this method of cutting is that

page_text: there is no waste whatever in the large links due to the cutting of the eyes since
the eyes are formed by the cut out spaces from which the ends of the interior
smaller blanks are taken. And as regards the smaller blanks, there is no waste
whatever except the scrap cut out to form the eyes. The order in which the
different operations may be performed is not a material or essential part of the
invention, and any suitable apparatus may be employed. Obviously, I would effect
a great saving of material if the large links were cut in the ordinary way, that is
to say, without being distorted as described, because in the small links there would
be no waste except that due to the cutting of the eyes, and in the large links,
there would be no waste on account of the eyes but only the ordinary side and
end waste.
The large links divided from eye to eye, may have the inner edges of the side
portions pressed together, and then the link blank would resemble the ordinary
sheet metal link blank, except that it would show the cut from eye to eye, or in
compressing the side portions of such a blank together, I may pass one side portion
under or over the other so that the faces thereof are together. Such a chain has
advantages over the ordinary sheet metal chain in that it is more flexible and the
eyes may be of less width. Or I may give the side portions of such a link blank a
quarter turn so as to bring their faces together in a plane at right angles to the
plane of the end portions in which are the eyes. When such a blank is folded into
link form, the eye and the loop would present the same appearance., Such a chain
is very flexible is novel in design, and ornamental in appearance. Of course either
of the two styles of chain last named could be inade from a link blank merely split
from eye to eye, and from which an interior blank had not been cut and of course such
blank might be cut from a strip of metal in the manner herein before described.
Where no interior link is cut from the split or divided link, the eyes could be cut
smaller than necessary, and the ends of the blank could be spread to give the eyes
the desired size. 1 may also instead of splitting the link blank from eye to eye,
bend the central portion longitudinally so as to bring the faces on each side of the
longitudinal line, face to face, and then when the blank is bent up into a link, the
edge of the loop that works in the eye of an adjoining link would be rounded and
solid.
Where I compress a divided link edgewise and force one side portion above or
under the other so as to bring them face to face, if the side that is longer, because
of the distorted shape of the blank, is brought upon the outside, in bending the link
to form the loop, it of course has to assume a larger curve than the other side
portion, and the blank is straightened and the link becomes symmetrical without
the necessity of previously bending the blank edgewise.
Dated this 25th day of January 1893.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Sheet Metal or Solid Link Chains, and the Method of Manufacturing
the same.
I, ALFRED SHEDLOCK, Mechanical Engineer, a citizen of the United States,
residing at 79 Orient Avenue, Jersey City, County of Hudson and State of New
Jersey, U.S.A., 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 new style of sheet metal or solid link chains and to the
method of manufacturing the same.
The purpose of the improved method of manufacturing is to reduce to a
minimum the waste resulting from the cutting of the link blanks from the strip of
sheet metal. In the well-known chains of this class, the link blanks are uarrowest

page_text: at the middle and broad at the end portions, in which the eyes are formed. They
are symmetrically shaped, that is to say, each side or edge inclines or curves from
the outer end toward the middle. Ordinarily when cutting such blanks from the
sheet of metal, there is a waste of the material that is cut away from each side
of the blank to give the required formation thereto. To obviate this waste, I
cut the blanks from a strip of metal in a peculiar and novel manner, as follows.
In cutting two parallel series of blanks from a strip of metal, I so cut the blanks
that each straight edge of the strip forms a straight side or edge of all of the blanks
in one series. The opposite edge of each blank is inclined or curved inwardly from
both ends, but to a greater extent than required in the completed blank. The
adjoining ends of two blanks on one side of the metal strip lie opposite the middle
portion of a blank cut from the opposite side of the strip, and the curved or
inclined side edges of the ends of the two first mentioned blanks follow the lines of
the side edges of the end portions of the second mentioned blank. The material
occupying the space between the ends of two adjoining blanks is cut away, and
constitutes the only scrap or waste resulting from this method of cutting, except
such waste as is due to the cutting out of the eyes. The blanks thus cut are
distorted in shape, that is to say, they are straight upon one side edge, and the
opposite edge inclined from each end toward the middle portion, but to a greater
extent than is necessary in the completed blank. The distorted blanks are now
compressed or bent edgewise to give them the usual symmetrical shape in which
both side edges incline or curve from the outer ends towards the middle. Such
link blanks may then be made up into chains in any ordinary way, the chain
produced being the ordinary sheet metal chain that is used for sash cords and
many other purposes. In my invention as thus far described, there is the ordinary
waste due to the cutting of the eyes. By a further step in my method, however, I
effect an additional saving of material and form the blanks for two sizes of chain
at the same time, and by so doing entirely avoid any waste on account of the eyes
in the larger blanks. To accomplish this, the blanks for the smaller chain are cut
out from the centre or interior portions of the large blanks, leaving therein an
opening corresponding to the contour of the small blanks. Both the large blanks
and the small blanks thus cut, may have the distorted shape already described,
the smaller blanks need only to be bent edgewise as already described to bring
them into symmetrical shape. The large blanks being open from eye to eye, are
preferably compressed edgewise to bring the side portions together and are also
bent edgewise to give them the desired symmetrical shape. The small link blanks
would of course present an appearance exactly like links or link blanks of the
ordinary chain now on the market. The larger blanks, however, would show a cut
or division running from eye to eye. The result of this method of cuttinglis that there'
is no waste whatever in the large links due to the cutting of the eyes since the eyes
are formed by the cut out spaces from which the ends of the interior smaller blauks
are taken. And as regards the smaller blanks, there is no waste whatever except
the scrap cut out to form the eyes. The order in which the different operations
may be performed is not a material or essential part of the invention, and any
suitable apparatus may be employed. Obviously, I would effect a great saving
of material if the large links were cut in the ordinary way, that is to say,
without being distorted as described, because in the small links there would
be no waste except that due to the cutting of the eyes, and in the large links,
there would be no waste on account of the eyes but only the ordinary side and
end waste.
The large links divided from eye to eye, may have the inner edges of the side
portions pressed together, and then the link blank would resemble the ordinary
sheet metal link blank, except that it would show the cut from eye to eye, or in
compressing the side portions of such blauk together, I may pass one side portion
under or over the other so that the faces thereof are together. Such a chain has
advantages over the ordinary sheet metal chain in that it is more flexible and the
eyes may be of less width. Or I may give the side portions of such a link blank

page_text: a quarter turn so as to bring their faces together in a plane at right angles to the
plane of the end portions in which are the eyes. When such-a blank is folded into
link form, the eye and the loop would present the same appearance. Such a chain
is very flexible, is novel in design, and ornamental in appearance. Of course either
of the two styles of chain last named could be made from a link blank merely split
from eye to eye, and from which an interior blank had not been cut and of course
such blank might be cut from a strip of metal in the manner hereinbefore described.
Where no interior link is cut from the split or divided link, the eyes could be cut
smaller than necessary, and the ends of the blank could be spread to give the eyes
the desired size. I may also instead of splitting the link blank from eye to eye,
bend the central portion longitudinally so as to bring the faces on each side of the
longitudinal line, face to face, and then when the blank is bent into a link, the
edge of the loop that works in the eye of an adjoining link would be rounded and
solid.
Where compress a divided link edgewise and force one side portion above or
under the other so as to bring them face to face, if the side that is longer, because
of the distorted shape of the blank, is brought upon the outside, in bending the link
to form the loop, it of course has to assume a larger curve than the other side
portion, and the blank is straightened and the link becomes symmetrical without
the necessity of previously bending the blank edgewise.
The object of my invention is to reduce the cost of manufacture of chains,
the links of which are cut solid from sheet metal, and to this end the invention
consists in an improved method or process of cutting the links or link blanks from
a sheet or strip of metal whereby a substantial saving of material results.
The invention further consists in an improved sheet metal chain-link and blank
and the chain made therefrom. The improved method of cutting the links from the
sheets and the chain made from said links are hereinafter particularly described and
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a plan view showing one way in which the links or blanks are cut
from a strip of sheet metal;
Figure 2 a detail view illustrating the two styles of chain link blanks that result
from the method of cutting shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows short lengths of two sizes of chain made from link-blanks such as
shown in Figure 2 ;
Figure 4 is a diagram in plan showing another way of cutting the link blanks;
Figure 5 a view of one of such blanks detached ;
Figure 6 a view showing such blank bent one step in the formation of the
link;
Figures 7 and 8 are views at right angles to each other of two such chain links
looped together into a chain;
Figure 9 is a view of a link blank cut in the manner shown in Figure 4 (or
otherwise) and straightened into symmetrical shape;
Figure 10 shows such a blank after having been bent in the formation of
a link;
Figures 11 and 12 are views at right angles to each other showing two such links
looped together into a chain;
Figure 13 is a view of a link blank, the central portion of which is solid, and that
has eyes in each end;
to
Figure 14 indicates a manner of bending such a blank longitudinally, from eye
eye, by swedging up its edges;
Figure 15 is a cross section through Figure 14 on the dotted line; and
Figure 16 is a longitudinal section through Figure 14.
In Figure 1, A indicates a strip of metal of sufficient width to cut two series of
blanks therefrom. The blanks are marked B B¹ and as cut from the strip are
distorted or irregularly shaped and are subsequently bent or reduced to the required
symmetrical form, as shown, for instance in Figure 2. Each straight edge b of the
strip of metal forms a straight side or edge of one of the distorted link blanks and

page_text: the opposite edge c of the blank is inclined or curved inwardly as shown, from
both ends, but to a greater extent than is required in the completed blank. The
adjoining ends 11 of two blanks on one side of the metal strip lie opposite the
middle portion 2 of a blank cut from the other side of the strip, and the curved or
inclined side edges of the ends of the two first mentioned blanks follow the lines of
the side edges of the end portions of the second mentioned blank. The material
occupying the space d between the ends of two adjoining blanks is cut away and
constitutes the only scrap or waste resulting from this method of cutting except the
waste due to the cutting of the usual eyes, but in the event that another feature of
my invention, presently described, is employed the loss due to the scrap or waste is
further reduced. The distorted blanks thus formed are compressed or bent
edgewise into the desired and usual symmetrical shape in which both side edges
incline or curve from the outer ends toward the middle. This operation may be
accomplished by means of any suitable apparatus. The waste due to the cutting
out of the eyes is incidental to my method of cutting blanks as thus far described,
as well as to the ordinary methods of cutting. The order of the steps performed
in cutting blanks according to my method is not a material or essential part of the
invention.
In addition to the above, however, I effect a further economy in material and
form the blanks for two sizes of chain at the same time, and by so doing entirely avoid
any waste on account of the eyes in the larger blanks. To accomplish this the
blanks for the smaller chain are cut out of the central or interior portions of the
large blanks leaving therein a correspondingly shaped opening, (Figure 1). This
part of my invention is shown in connection with the method of cutting the blanks
already described, though it is not necessarily dependent upon it. As illustrated
the small blanks G are distorted in shape conforming generally as they do to the
shape of the larger blanks, and the smaller blanks are therefore to be bent or
compressed edgewise into the symmetrical shape seen in Figure 2. In Figure 1,
at B the larger blank is shown with the smaller blank cut and removed therefrom,
and at B' the smaller blank is indicated as cut but still lying within the larger one.
The result of this method of cutting the blanks is that as regards the large links
there is no scrap or waste whatever, except the material that is cut from between
the ends of adjoining links, there being no waste whatever at the sides or on
account of the eyes; and as regards the smaller links there is no waste except that
due to the formation of the eyes. The order in which the different operations are
performed is not a material or essential part of the invention, though I prefer
to first cut in the strip A the apertures e which will ultimately form the eyes of the
smaller links. Any suitable apparatus may be employed.
With regard to the second part of my invention last described, the strip of metal
may of course be wider and permit the cutting of more than one interior blank from
each large blank. The larger blanks when their sides are compressed toward each
other and they are bent edgewise into the symmetrical shape shown in Figure 2 will
be of the same shape as that of standard sheet metal chain now on the market and
will not be distinguished therefrom except by the central line a where the two inner
edges of the middle portions of the blanks are brought together. The smaller links
are not distinguished from the links made in the ordinary manner.
In Figure 3 I have shown a short section Y of chain formed from the larger
blanks B, and also a section Z of chain formed from the smaller blanks G, the blanks
being doubled upon themselves to form the links as is well understood.
Where interior blanks are not cut from larger blanks the latter blanks may
be cut in the distorted shape indicated, but they will then only need to be bent
edgewise to bring them to the proper form.
Of course if desired and where rendered desirable by reason of any peculiarity of
a metal from which the links are cut a small margin of waste may be left between
the sides of the links B B¹.
In the interlocking plan of cutting the link blanks shown in Figure 4, H indicates
a strip of metal of sufficient width to have cut therefrom two series of blanks. The

page_text: blanks are marked I I, and as cut from the strip are distorted or irregularly shaped.
Each straight edge j of the metal strip forms the straight sides or edges of the series
of blanks cut from that side of the strip. The opposite edge k of each blank is
inclined from each end toward the central portion of the blank. The adjoining
ends 3 3, of two blanks in one series lie opposite the middle portion 4, of a blank
cut from the other side of the strip. Each blank has cut from it a portion of metal
to form the eye m, at each end and the metal of the blank between the eyes is
preferably split from eye to eye, no metal being cut from it. The blanks thus
formed may be bent edgewise into the symmetrical shape shown in Figure 9, for the
formation of the specific style of chain shown in Figures 11 and 12, or may be
left in their distorted shape for the formation of the specific style of chain shown
in Figures 7 and 8. The method previously described of cutting one or more
chain link blanks from the interior of another larger blank may be here adopted,
in which event, the larger blank, that is open or cut out from eye to eye may
be bent or compressed into the desired shape, and the smaller or interior blank,
which of course has eyes cut in its end, may be split from eye to eye and both
styles of blanks may be made up into chain according to this part of my
invention, as will hereinafter obviously appear.
The blank shown in Figure 5 is in the formation of a chain link compressed
edgewise the edge of one side passing over or under the edge of the opposite
side, the blank then appearing as in Figure 6. The blank is then doubled to
form the loop and in thus bending, the longer or irregularly shaped side of the
blank is outermost, and is therefore formed with a larger bend that requires
greater length of metal than the smaller, inner bend of the shorter side of the
blank. The blank or link is also bent edgewise either before, during or after.
the formation of the loop by such bending, to give the link the symmetrical
shape seen in Figure 8. The links are put together into chain, as shown in
Figures 7 and 8 in any usual or suitable manner, by hand or by automatic
machinery. The order of the operations performed in cutting the blanks, as in
Figure 4, or bending and folding them as in Figures 5 and 6 as well as in other
figures yet to be described, is not material, that they shall be performed in such
suitable ways and order as may be most convenient.
The change shown in Figures 7 and 8 is more compact than ordinary sheet metal
chain of equal strength since the bringing together or overlapping of the flat faces
of the side portions of the blank reduces the width of that part of the link
and consequently permits of the eyes and the ends of the blanks being made
smaller.
In making the chain shown in Figures 11 and 12, the faces of the central portions
of the blank are brought together or face to face, but in a manner different from
that in the chain shown in Figures 7 and 8. The side portions of the blank,
Figure 9, are, either during the operation of bending or looping the blank or
otherwise, given a quarter turn, as indicated at ¹, so as to bring their faces
together, and then, the blank having been bent to form the link, the loop y¹ presents
precisely the same appearance as the two ends of the blank, and when the links are
made up into chain it is quite impossible to distinguish the loop from the eye-end
of the link. Such a chain having solid links is a novelty, so far as I am aware,
presents an ornamental and attractive appearance, is strong and very flexible, being
far more flexible than ordinary sheet metal chain, and this is true also of the chain
shown in Figures 7 and 8.
In Figure 13, a link blank is shown that may be assumed to have been cut from
sheet metal in the ordinary manner. It may be split from eye to eye so as to
substantially resemble the blanks already described and such blanks may be made
into chain after being manipulated in the manner already described. I, may,
however, instead of splitting the blank from eye to eye crease or bend it longi-
tudinally and turn up the side portions of the blank, at right angles as shown at z',
Figures 15 and 16, so that they are opposite to each other, face to face. This, in
effect, gives the requisite turn to the side portions, so that when the blank is bent

page_text: to form the loop the faces of the side portions lie together. The use of such a blank
produces a chain of. slightly different style from those already described, in that the
longitudinal bendings give a rounded working surface to the loop that bears in and
upon the eye of the adjoining link.
However, the links are cut, the eyes may be made very small and then spread
to form the proper sized eyes and are preferably rounded at the ends nearest the
ends of the blanks, so that when they are spread the metal will not be liable to he
injured at such points. In fact, the blanks may each be made of a straight strip
of metal merely split from a point near each end through the middle portion, and
may then be spread or opened, by any suitable means, to the desired extent to
form the proper sized eye. This practice must be determined by the character of
the metal used and where it is necessary to cut out portions for the eyes and to
round the openings at one end as shown in the drawings, the eye openings may be
of a size determined by the capacity of the metal to stand the spreading of the
ends of the blank to open out the eyes.
In making the styles of chains shown and described herein, I should by preference
cut the blanks so as to give a substantially equal strength of metal at all points
and a uniform appearance to the chain.
When I refer in this Specification and claims to the faces of the central portion
of the blanks or links, I mean those faces that form the surface of the sheet
metal from which the blanks are cut, as distinguished from the edges formed by
the cut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :
1. The herein described method of cutting and forming sheet metal chain link
blanks having like ends with eyes therein, from a sheet or strip of metal, which
consists in cutting two lines or series of blanks from the strip, the outer edge of
each blank in each series being straight, or substantially so, and the inner or
adjacent edges of the blanks each inclined or curved from each end toward the
middle portion thereof, and the adjoining ends of blanks in one series lying
opposite the middle portion of a blank in the opposite series, and then bending the
distorted blanks thus produced edgewise into the desired symmetrical shape,
substantially as set forth.
2. The herein described method of cutting sheet metal chain link blanks having
like ends with eyes therein, of two sizes from a sheet or strip of metal, which
consists in cutting large blanks from the strip and smaller blanks from the interior
or central portions of the larger blanks, and then pressing the sides of the
larger blanks inwardly or toward each other to give the blanks the desired
symmetrical shape.
3. The herein described method of cutting and forming two sizes of sheet metal
chain link blanks, having like ends with eyes therein, from a sheet or strip of
metal, which consists in cutting large blanks from the strip and smaller blanks from
the interior or central portions of the larger blanks and then compressing the larger
blanks edgewise to bring the inner edges of their middle portions together,
substantially as set forth.
4. The herein described method of cutting and forming sheet metal chain link
blanks, having like ends, with eyes therein, from a sheet or strip of metal, which
consists in cutting two parallel lines or series of large blanks from the strip, the
outer edge of each blank in each series being straight or substantially so, and the
inner adjacent edges of said blanks being each inclined or curved from each end
toward the middle portion thereof, and the adjoining ends of blanks in one series
lying opposite the middle portion of a blank in the opposite series, and cutting
correspondingly shaped smaller blanks from the interior or central portions of the
larger blanks, substantially as set forth.
5. The herein described method of cutting and forming sheet metal chain link

page_text: blanks, having like ends with eyes therein, from a sheet or strip of metal, which
consists in cutting two parallel lines or series of large blanks from the strip, the
outer edge of each blank in cach series being straight or substantially so, and the
inner adjacent edges of said blanks being each inclined or curved from each end
toward the middle portion thereof, and the adjoining ends of blanks in one series
lying opposite the middle portion of a blank in the opposite series and cutting
correspondingly shaped smaller blanks from the interior or central portions of the
larger blanks, and then compressing and bending the larger links edgewise, and
bending the smaller links edgewise into the desired symmetrical shape, substantially
as set forth.
6. A sheet metal chain link blank having its central or interior portion cut out
from end to end, and its middle portion compressed edgewise to bring its inner
edges together or substantially so, the inner edges of the end portions being left
open or separated to form the eyes.
7. A sheet metal chain link having an opening extending from end to end, and
its middle portions brought together and folded to form the loop, the inner edges of
the end portions being left open or separated to form the eyes.
8. A sheet metal chain composed of interlocked solid links each having an
opening extending from end to end, and its middle portions brought together and
folded to form the loop, the inner edges of the end portions being left open or
separated to form the eyes.
9. A solid metal chain link divided from eye to eye, having the faces of its
central portions brought face to face and the link being bent to form the loop,
substantially as set forth.
10. A chain consisting of a series of interlocked links, each link divided from eye
to eye, having the faces of its central portions arranged face to face, and the links
being bent to form the loop, substantially as set forth.
11. A solid metal chain link divided from eye to eye, and having the two side
portions or sections thereof partially turned and their faces brought together, the
link being bent to form the loop, whereby a symmetrical link having a loop
presenting an appearance similar to the eye-end of the link is produced, substantially
as set forth.
12. A chain link cut solid from sheet metal, having an eye in each end and
divided longitudinally from eye to eye, the side portions or sections of the link
each having a quarter turn, their faces brought together, and the link folded to
form the loop, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. A solid sheet metal chain link having an eye at each end, and its central
portion on each side of a longitudinal line partially turned to bring the faces of
said portions face to face, the link being bent to form the loop, substantially as
set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1893.