US1392221A - Chain-tightener - Google Patents

Description

CHAIN TIGHTENER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1921.

PatentedSpt. 27,1921.

PATENT OFFICE.

PETER MILLER QITINT, 0F HAYS KANSAS.

CHAIN-TIGHTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 27, 192 1.

Application filed May 10, 1921. 7 Serial No. 4G8 ,&59.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER MILLER QUINT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hays in the county of Ellis and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in a Chain-Tightener, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to chain tighteners and more particularly to anti-skid chains, used on vehicle wheels.

The object of the invention is to provide a simpl and efficient device of this character which can be quickly operated and occupies little space when not in use adapting it to be carried in the ordinary tool box.

Another object is to provide such a tightener composed of a minimum, number of parts and which hasno loose elements capable of being broken or lost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

, In the accompanying drawings Figure. 1 represents a side elevation of a portion of a wheel equipped with an antiskid chain with the improved tightener shown applied.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the tightener. Fig. 3 is a transversesection taken on the line3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the chain engagingend of one of the clamping aws. J In the embodiment illustrated the tool constituting this invention comprises an obtuse angled bar 1 the outer portion 2 of which constitutes a handle for th tool while the: inner portion 3 forms one of the chain engaging jaws equipped at its terminal with a prong 4 adapted to be inserted in one of the links to be tightened said prong being here shown curved on its outer face for this purose. p The other jaw of the tool comprises a U-shaped member 5 having arearward longitudinally extending connecting bar at the free end of one arm and which is pivoted intermediate its ends to the member. 3 of the bar 2 preferably at a point near the angle thereof as is shown at 7 in Fig. 1. The

U -shape of the member 5 provides a large amount of leverage withv a comparatively.

short tool so that it will occupy a minimum amount of space in atool box.

The other arm of the member 5 is provided at lts free ends with a laterally extending prong 8 which is curved inwardly as is shown in Fig. 2, the prong 4 being oppositely curved so that when the two are engaged w th links of the chain to be tightened they Wlll be prevented from slipping out during the tightening operation.

A pin. 10 projects laterally from the inner arm of the member 5 adjacent its junction with the extension 6 on the same side on which the member 1 is pivoted and is designed to operate as a stop for engagement by the arm 3 of said member .1 as is shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 when the tool is in operation.

In the use of this tightener the prong 8 on the outer or frontend of the member is engaged with an open link at one end of the chain to be tightened while the prong 4 of the member 1 is engaged in the other end of the chain. The ends of the chain are then drawn toward each other by manipulating the tool through the handle 2 moving the member 1 until the upper edge thereof engages the stop on member 5 and when in that position the tool will remain holding the chain ends together until the links thereof can be hooked or fastened. The tool is released by pulling'the handle member 2 down out of engagement with the stop 10.

The arm 3 of member 1 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced bolt apertures 9 to adapt the jaws to be connected at varying points to adjust the tool for either light or heavy chains.

From the above description it will be obvious that this tool while very simple in construction and cheap to manufacture will be thoroughly effective for drawing the ends of the chain to be tightened together and holding them in such position until the ends thereof can be hooked, and has no pawls or other movable elements such as are likely to be broken or lost.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification, but it will be understood that any modifications within the scope of the claimed invention may be made in the construction Without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

\Vhat I claim is p k a 1. A chain tightener comprising an'obtuse angled bar and a U-shaped bar, the latter having a substantially right angled longitudinal extension at the end of one arm, said extension and the front portion of the obtuse angled bar being pivotally connected intermediate theirendrs, said arm and the free end of the other arm of the U-shaped bar having opposed hooks at their terminals, and a stop on one of said members for engagement With the'other to lock them at a predetermined point.

2. In a chain tightener an obtuse angled lever member having a laterally extending hook at its front end, a U-shaped member having a rearwardand longitudinally extending arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said-lever in rear of and spaced from its front end and provided at its free end with a laterally extending hook, and astop projecting laterally from said U-shaped member adjacent the rearwardly extending arm thereof to engage the lever and limit the closing'movement of said members.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature hereto.

v PETER MILLER QUINT.

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