US1171947A - Interlocking chain-link. - Google Patents

Description

A. K. HARNLY. INTERLOCKING CHAIN LlNK.

APPLICATlON FILED AFR.19, I915.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

. THE COLUMBIA PLANouRAPl-l CO WASHINGTON. D. c.

out in thesubjoined claims.

ALBER'IYK. HARNLY, or READING, PENNSYLVANIA;

IIVITERLOGKING' GRAIN-Link.

Application'filed Apri1l9,1915.- seminal). 22,286.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking Chain Links, of whichthe followingis a specification.

My inventlon relates to interlocking links adapted to be strung together to form achain and my ob ect 1s to provide a hnk of, simple and cheap constructlon that may be quickly and easily strung upon an adjoins mg llnk and be securely retained thereon.

Thelnvention is fully describedm connection with the accom anin 'clrawin' 's and the novel features are specifically pointed Figure 1 shows several links embodying my invention strung together to form a chain. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section or one of the links. Fig. 3 indicates the positi'on of two links about to be interlocked and Fig. 4: is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 shows two links interlocked, the jaw end of one link being shown 1n section, and the dotted lines indicating onelink as passing the bridge portion of the other link. Fig. 6 indicates a modified construction.

The preferred embodiment of my, invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings indicates a link having a substantially T- shaped cross-section the head portion 2 of which forms the periphery of the link and the reduced portion 3 thereof extending inward to form a web. This web 8, adjacent one end as shown, is extended across the link to provide a reinforcing bridge 4 beyond which the link is cut away to form a gap 5.

The opening 6 in the web below the gap .5 is enlarged to a size suflicient to permit encircling the head portion 2 of a similar link, and the web is tapered away at 7 7 toward the gap 5 so as to form jaws 8 adapted to en- 7 gage the link with an adjoining link when strung upon the latter in the manner hereinafter' described. The gap 5 is of less width than the head portion 2 so as to permit engagementv of the links at any point in their periphery, and a chain may be made up by stringing together any number of links all of which are of similar construction.

It is important in chains made up of detachable links that each link maybe. quickly K. HARXLY, a

;c1t1zen of. the United States, residing at Readlng, 111 the county of Berks and State and simply engagedwith another, and that when thus :engagedthey will not unlock excepting as to the end links, and this] only when desired. My invention provides for this by permitting the interlocking or detachingot one link from another only when Specification of Letters Patent. Pate td 15 191 the links. arelin one position in relation to one another and then only when moved in acertain manner. This interlocking or de- -=tach1ng 1s.' ,.accompl1shed asj ollows; Two

links about to be interlockedlare"placed one upon the other as shown n F gs. "3 and 4, with a. aw of each link lyingin the gap 5 between the jaws of the other linlnan'd then by moving the one link'inthe direction of the arrow 10, Fig.,4:,,the jaws willpass' 7 through the gaps5 into the openings 6 be tween the tapered webs 7, 7. 1 When straightened out the links will assume the position indicated in Fig. 5, the two links being interlocked by the aws of one link engaging the jaws oftheother, as the gaps 5 are of,

less width tha-n the'thickness ofthe links.

The one link may then" be moved around the periphery of the otherlink to assume the position indicated in Fig. .1, the bridge 4: of each link passing through the gap 5 of the interlocked ring as indicated in dotted position Fig.5. Other links maybe added,

the chain growing from one end only, and when thus made up they cannot be separated eXcept by a reversal of the interlocking movements.

The bridge 4 adds greatly to the strength of the link, supporting the jaws's against the spreading tendency incident to any strain upon the chain, but when light loads only are to be sustained. this bridge may be omitted as indicated in Fig. 6, where two hooks are shown interlocked, but obviously 'might be two links of a chain. The end links of a chain may be made with any suitable connection, for securing it to an object such as a hanging lamp, and the link at the other end may be connected in any manner, as for instance a hook, or bolt passed through the opening 6. My improved link is of simple and cheap construction, permits in a novel manner for interlocking with other links, insures against accidental detachment, and provides in a rigid one piece struoturea detachable link of great strength.

The links may of course be variously shaped and ornamented as called for in latter being of less width than the head of the T, thereby'forining engaging aws for a 3. A chain made up of gapped links having; a reinforcing bridge rearward of the gapped portion, and the latter forming engaging jaws for a similar connectingpiece.

a. At chain made up of gapped links having a reinforcing bridge rearward of the gapped portion, and thelatter forming engaging jaws, said bridge being of less thickness than the gapped aws and the latter being adapted to pass over the bridge of a similar connectedpiece and engage'the latter at a point opposite its-jaws. I

5. A chain having gapped' links vof substantially T-fshaped cross-section the web portion of which extends inward, said web forming a reinforcing bridge rearward of the gap and being tapered away toward the latter to form engagingjaws for a similar connecting plece.

6. A chain having gapped links: of substantially T-shaped cross-section the web portion of which extends inward, said :web'

forming a reinforcing bridge rearward of the gap and being tapered away toward the latter to form engaging ]aws adapted to assover the bridge of a similar connecting piece and engage the latter at a point opposite its gap.

7. A chain 'rnade up of interlocking links, each link being gapped and of substantially "ll-shaped cross-section the-web portion of which err-ends inward, said web forniingfa reinforcing bridge rearward of the gap and being tapered away toward the latter to form engaging ,jaws adapted to enter the gap and pass over the bridge ofan adjoininglink and engage thelatter at a pointjop posite its gap; v I

8. YA plurality of interlooking links each having a gap and of substantially T -shaped cross-section the web portion of whichextends inward said web being tapered away toward the gap, and the latter being of less 'widththan the head of the T,' thereby form- 'ing engaging jaws, the jaws of the respective links being; interlockable by a deter, mined relative positioning and movement substantially as set forth.

A plurality of interlocking links each of rigid onepiece construction and having a gagped portion forming engaging jaws, the aws of the respective links-being 1nterlook-' able by a determined relative positioning and movement substantially asset forth;

In testimony whereof -I afiix my signature.

' ALBERT K. HARNLY;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, b'y' addressing the Commissioner: oflatents,

' Washington, D. 0.

Images