US1556528A

US1556528A - Apparatus amd

Info

Publication number: US1556528A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1925-10-06
Anticipated expiration: 1942-10-06

Description

5. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Oct. 6,

Filed March 1, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. x j raywaLoc/ra Oct. 6,

. S. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Filed March 1, 19 23 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Oct 6, 1925- .5565

' s. D. LOCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS Filed March 1, 1925 I V J 70 7o 69 62 6| 65 9 i g- 7 36 INVENTOR. Ay/rdm/a 0. Lame ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet Oct 6, 5. D. LUCKE APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR MAKING CHAINS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 1, 1935 IN VEN TOR. flrawmZZLM-e RT I SIIZ ATTORNEY- Patented Oct. 6, 1925.

entree stares insane ATENTOFFIIC'E SYLVANUS D. LOCKE; OCEVBRIDGEBOR'I,CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOGKE STEEL CHAIN -OMJEANY, 01?, BRIDGET-PORT, CONNECTICUT.

APPARATUS AND PItOC Application filed March To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that SYnvANUs D. Looms, a c1t1zen of the United States, and resident of Bridgeport,in the county of Fair-field and 5 State of Connecticut, has invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Apparatus and Processes for Making Chains, of which thefollowing is a specification.

.Thisinvention relates to improvements in methods of and machines for making chain links and assembling them, more particularly to .a method of and a machine for making chains having at intervals attachment or special links. The invention is an improvement upon the processes of and machines" for making chains, examples of which are shown and described in the. application for patent of Charles Parker, Serial No. 501,429, filed .se itember 17, 1921, and in Letters Patent of the United States, No.:-1,10,7,809 to S. D. Locke, patented August 18,1914; and No. 1,107,831 to H. Osswald, patented August 18, 19141.

One object of the invention is to provide special or. attachment links.

Another ob ect of the invention 15 to provide in a chain machine of the character de scribed, means for interspersing or assembling with the plain links made on the machine, special or attachment links.

Elevator or conveyor chains are generally made up of sections or lengths of plain links between which are provided special or attachment links carrying wings or proiec tions adapted to supporter propel buckets, slats, conveyor elements or the like. In chain machines, prior to the Parker machine, it was customary to make the plain links and the special or attachn'ient links on separate machines and to intersperse by hand the latter linksin the chain or be tween sections of plain links.

This invention provides an improved 59 stripinto nennected plain sprocket chain -links; accelerating or hastening, pref? is, the feed:

erably at predetermined interva a novel method of making chains having.

method of manufacturing chains particu- ESS EQRtMAKING CHAINS.

1, 1923. Serial N0. 622,092.

ing ofthe connected plain links so that said connected plain links arefed forwardly a plurality of steps while the strip of metal isfed forwardly one step; and (3) feeding to orinserting in between the last formed plain link and the forward portion of the strip of metal, a partially formed special linklhaving a wing attachment or proiection, whereby the transforming steps upon the stripof metal may be continuous to successively complete the link formation on the plain links and to simultaneously complete the link formation on the special link, incorporating the special link in the chain between two plain links.

he a special link is to be interspersed with plain links by practicing the method of i the applicationof Charles Parker, Serial No. 501,429.,filed Sept. 17, 1921, the feeding of the strip of metal is arrested while the connected plain links are fed a step forwardly to provide a space on the stationary die of the press to receive the special link. Consequently, for each special link inserted there is a cessation or break in the cont-inuity of the steps of the method. The method of this invention provides for the inter spersion of special or attachment links with plain links without breaking the continuity of the operationsnecessary to the transformation of a strip of metal into connected plain links.

()ther objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from the following description of the construction and operation of a machine embodying the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown one form of construction merely.

Fig. 1 is a front View, partly in section, of a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is sectional view on. line 2-9 in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, omitting the countershaft and disclosing in side elevation the mechanism for feeding the partly completed special or attachment links to the duplicate finishing portion of the dies by-which the plain links are made;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of said attachment link feed mechanism detached, as when seen from the rear of tlli machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a portion of said attachment link feed mechanism.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view, partly in side elevation of the strip feed mechanism of the machine;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged front view of the forming dies, extracting mechanism, and sizing mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partly sectional view of the dies for making the plain links and finishing the attachment links, showing them in section with a strip of metal between them, and also showing a portion of the sizing or stretcher mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an edge view of a strip of metal in process of formation into a chain, some formed and coupled plain links being shown, and disclosing a special or attachment link (shown more clearly in Fig. 8) in position to be incorporated in the chain;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the metal strip, special or attachment link, and plain links shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view of the movable die and the sizing or stretcher mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the stationary die and that portion of the feed mechanism for the special or attachment links associated therewith, a special or attachment link being disclosed in position to be fed to the duplicate finishing portion of the dies;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of a strip of metal showing scoring;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a portion of the link extracting mechanism;

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail views of fragments of the link extracting mechanism, showing how the feed of the connected links can'be accelerated or hastened at predetermined intervals;

Fig. 16 is a front view of the metal strip guide; and

Fig. 17 is a section on line 17-17 in Fig. 13.

In the drawings, 1 indicates an entirety, the main frame of the machine comprising uprights 2, 3 and a bed 4 arranged between the uprights.

5 is a vertically reciprocatable slide mounted to move up and down in guides 6, 7 on the main frame.

8 is a main drive shaft transversely mounted in bearings at the upper end of the frame. 9 is a countershaft transversely mountedupon the main frame and extending from one side to the other thereof. At one side of the main frame the countershaft earries a loose pulley 10, a fast pulley 11, and a fly wheel 12. At the other side of the frame the said countershaft has mounted loosely upon it a pinion 13 carrying one element 14 of a clutch, the other element 14: of which is splined to the cmintershaft 9. Any suitable mechanism may be employed for throwing the longitudinally movable element 1 1' of said clutch into and out of engagement with the element 14, so as to transmit power through the pinion 13. 15 is a gear wheel rigidly secured to said main shaft and in mesh with the pinion 13.

16 is an eccentric on the main shaft 8 con nected by eccentric straps 17, 17', and pitman 18 to the slide 5.

As the construction of the press in itself forms no part of the invention, any known type of press having a reciprocatable slide and a bed or bolster beneath it may be readily adapted to operate the chain link forming and assembling mechanism to be hereinafter described, and no further description of the press shown in the drawings is deemed necessary, as this particular press has been chosen simply for illustrative purposes and not in any limiting sense.

Any suitable mechanism may be attached to the press for feeding the stock or strip of metal from which the chain links are to be formed across the bed or bolster of the press. For the purpose of illustration I have, in the drawings, shown a feed mechanism of which 19 is a bracket secured to the standard 3 of the frame and having a horizontally disposed platform 20, the inner end of which extends into a. hole 3 through the standard 3.

21, 21, are side walls extending vertically upward, one at each side of the )lat form 20. 22 is a horizontally IOClPIOCHlJlO slide suitably mounted at either side in guideway in the said side walls 21. It rests upon a horizontally disposed friction plate 23 having downwardly extending

pins

24, 2 1:, each surrounded by a coil spring 25 hearing at its lower end against the platform 20 so as to provide a yielding support for the slide 22 which normally tends to press the slide against the upper walls of its guideways to insure the closing of the feed jaws, to be hereinafter described, before the slide commences to move forward.

26 is a gripping piece carried by the slide 22, having an upwardly turned jaw 26' adapted to engage the under surface of the stock or strip of metal to be fed across the bed or bolster.

27 is an oscillntable gripping dog having a jaw 27 adapted to engage the upper surface of the strip of metal to be fed, at a point directly above the gripping jaw 26'. This gripping jaw 27 is pivotally mounted between upwardly extending lugs or ears 22'. 22, on the slide 22. and carries an upwardly extending arm 28.

29 is a bell crank lever pivotally connected at 29 between the side walls 21 of the bracket 19.

30 is a rod pivotally connected at 30' to the upper end of the arm 28, and at 30 to the free end ofthearm 29 of the bell crank lever 29.

31 is an adjustable stop forglimiting the.

34, 34 and 35, are straightening rolls These rolls.

for'the strip of metal or stock. are horizontally disposed and suitably mounted between the side walls 21, 21 on the bracket 19. Astrip of metal, indicated by 36, is directed between the

rolls

34, 3d, and 35, 35 and between the gripping lips} 26?. and 27. .The dog 2? and arm 28 are shaped and proportioned to have aslight rocking motion relative to the slide 22, so

that in normal operation, as the connecting rod 30 is drawn to the right in Figs. 1 and 41-, the. gripping jaw 27 is rocked out of en gagement with the upper surface of the strip of metal .36. The arm 28 then engages the stop 31 and the slide 22 recedes with the connecting rod 30. Upon the reversal of travel of the rod 30, t rocks forward the upper end of the arm 28 and causes the gripping jaw 27 toengagethe upperjsurface of the strip 36, therebyv gripping the said.

strip firmlybetween thejaws

26 and 27, and the slide 22 and strip 36am together-fed forward.

Any suitable dies or forming elements may be employed for striking up and forming each, chain link from a strip of metal and coupling it to the next preceding link. In the drawingsl have shown the use of two rigid dies for this purpose which are capable of use in connection with the features of the present invention, one of said (lies being movable and the other stationary.

Of the die and forming mechanism herein, shown, 47 represents as an entirety the movable die it being suit-ably connected to the slide 5.

1-8 represents a bolster or die bed for the stationary die. It is detachably secured to the bed 4 in any suitable manner. l9 represents as an entirety a stationary die suitably secured in the die bed 48.

The dies 47 and 49, which cooperate with each other to form and assemble the links, are arranged in longitudinal alinementwith the line of feed of the strip 36 and are properly centered relative to said line of feed.

50, 51 are scoring knives or chisels arranged at. the right hand end of the movable 4t? andadapted to impart lines of score to the upper surface of the strip of metal, and 52, 53, are corresponding scoring knives or clnsels carried by the stationary the 49 i and arranged to impart lines of score 52' 53" respectively, to the under surface of the strlp of 1netal, (see 1.1), each of which lines is directlyjbeneath a line of score or 51 (see Fig. 8), imparted by one of. the upper scoring knives.

Of the dies t? and 49, 54 is a severing and crimping element on the upper die having a convex crimping surface. It is arranged to cooperate with a cutting and bending knife 55 on the lower the. The lower CllO is re ceased at 56 in front of the cutting knife 55 andbeneath the severing and crimping element 54. The metal of the stationary die 49 111 front of the recess 56 is'cut away along the inclined line 57 to perlnita section of the metal of each link blank to be bent down- ;wardly by the severing and crnnping element 54;beforo it has been severed at one end by the combined action of this element and, knife 55.

58 is a curved forming or crimping element on the movable die 47, about which the metal for forming the smaller end bar or pintle of each link is bent, or crimped. In front of this finger 58 is a recess 59, and in front of it is an irregular shaped curl bar forming punchelement 60 consisting of two substantial quarter circles 60, 60.

61 is a forming and bending projection on the stationary die, it being adapted to enter the recess 59 in the movable die. 51 is a shoulder on the projection 61 adapted to fold or. crimp the metal for the small end of the link against the curved end of the element 58 on the movable die.

62 is a scoring knife on the stationary die adapted to impart a transverse score to the strip of metal along the line of sex-'erance of two links which are to adjoin each other and in conjunction with the :l'orining' corners 61, (31, is adapted to force the metal of the link to ifOlhHV the quarter circles 60 60, on the former 60. This scoring knife (5%). is in vertical alineinent with the line of intersection of the said two quarter circles of the punch. elc-n'icnt 60. In advance of the said punch element 60 the movable die is recessed as indicated at 63 to allow clearance for the free upturning of the long lip of the metal blank for a link, which at this step of its format-ion projects upwardly from the metal strip. At 64- the stationary die is recessed to re ceive a cutting or severing knife 65 on the movable die, the edge 64- being a knife edge to work in conjunction with the knife 65 to sever the metal strip. Immediately in front of the cutting knife 65, the movable die is shaped as indicated at 66 to complete the rounding and fornration of the small end bar of each link in cooperation with the re- At 68 the movable die is recessed for the purpose of engaging the longer section or lip of metal turned up from the central portion of each link blank and bending, curling and conforming it to the cylindrical shape desired, at the same time causing it to encircle the small end bar or pintle of the link in front of it, thereby coupling or attaching these links together. The stationary die is recessed at 69 to cooperate with the recessed portion 68 of the movable die in the final shaping and forming of the large end bar of each. link.

70 is a projection or mandrel extending transversely across the recessed portion 69 of the stationary die. It serves to prevent the ends of the lips of metal forming the large end or sprocket bar of each link from engaging with each other, and to space them apart a predetermined distance.

The recess 68 and recess 69 with mandrel 70 comprise the finishing portion or station on the dies for the plain links. Just beyond said finishing portion or station is aduplicate finishing portion constituted by the similar recess 68' in the movable die and 69 in the stationary die, the latter recess having a mandrel 70 which is a duplicate of the mandrel 70.

71 is a strip gage for centering the meta] strip 36 relatively to the forming dies as it is fed forward, it preferably consisting of a bar of metal arranged transversely on the stationary die bed and suitably secured in position a little distance from the scoring chisels 52 and 53. In the top of this bar of metal is a V-shaped groove 71 with the axis of the V in the vertical central longitudinal plane of the dies. The walls of this V-shaped groove are preferably elevated somewhat above the horizontal plane of the stationary die and the width of the groove at its middle vertically is preferably of the width of the standard size strip to be used with the set of dies to which the gage is attached. The taper of this gage allows for variation in width of the strip of metal 36, so as to insure the proper centering of the strip despite its variation in width.

Mechanism of any suitable character, is employed for extracting and guiding the formed chain links out of the machine, and this chain link extracting mechanism includes mechanism indicated as an entirety at 37, capable of accelerating or hastening the feed of the connected links at preferably predetermined intervals. For illustration, I have shown a chain guide 76 comprising two

bars

76, 76*, rigidly secured at their inner ends to the die bed 48, and projecting into the opening 3 through the adjacent wall of the main frame of the machine. These bars are longitudinally grooved and recessed as indicated at 76 to constitute a guide way for the chain. The bars are recessed at 76 to receive a cover plate 76 which is pivotally connected at 7 6 between upwardly projecting ears 76 of the said guide bars. 76 is a thumb nut extending through a slot 76 in the cover plate 7 (i and detaehably fitted into the guide bar 76 for the purpose of holding down the cover plate.

77 is a sprocket wheel arranged between and projecting between the guide bars 7 6, 76. It is carried by a shaft 77' mounted in bearing blocks 77*, each detachably secured to one of the aforesaid guide bars. 77" is a pawl carrying arm loosely mounted on the shaft 77. 77 is a pawl pivotally connected to the arm 77*. 77 is a ratchet wheel rigidly secured to the shaft 77' and havin its teeth in the plane of the pawl 77. 71 is a lug or projection carried by the slide 5. It is pivotally connected at 77 to a rod 77", the lower end of which is pivotally connected at 7 7 h to the pawl arm 77'.

38 is a cam arm pivoted on the frame of the machine as at 39; 40 is a spring normally holding the cam arm in upright position; 44: is a screw securing the spring 40 to the machine frame; 41 is a pin carried by the

ratchet wheel

77 and 42 is a pin carried by the pawl 77.

78 is a spring having one end secured at 78' to the frame of the machine and its other end bearing against the teeth of the sprocket wheel 77 to form a frictional resistance to the rotation of the latter.

The upper end of the cam arm 38 is adapted to be engaged by the pin 42 on the pawl 77. when the cam arm is in upright position and the slide descends so that the pawl can successively pass back over but a single tooth of the ratchet wheel 77, whereby the chain link extracting mechanism will normally feed the connected links one step while the strip of metal is fed forwardly one step. The pin 41 on the ratchet wheel 77" is :ulapt ed to advance against the cam arm 38 to move it on its pivot away from the ratchet wheel in such manner that the pin 42 will clear the cam arm at the predetermined iuterval to pass back over two teeth of the ratchet wheel 77 when it is desired to feed the connected chain links a plurality of steps forwardly while the strip of metal is :uL vancing a single step. See Figs. 14, and 15. \Vhen the pin 41 passes the cam arm 38, the spring 40 returns this arm to its normal position.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for the purpose of correcting the size and pitch of the chain links. The size and pitch correcting mechanism is indicated as an entirety by 79. 79' is an arm extending forward from and preferably detachably secured to the movable die 47. This arm 7 9 has formed preferably integrally with it, a downwardly extending finger 79 which is pointed at its lower end as indicated at 79",

Hill

the rear surface 79 of the said pointed finger ivardly beneath the arm 79, as indicated at 79 and is adapted to enter thesproelcet opening in the linknext preceding the link entered by thefingei"79 79 is an adjustment screw fitted in thefinger 79 and adapted to extend on the rear side of the latter and bear against thearni 79. Its purpose is to adjust Fthe said finger about the axis of the pivot79 and toward or froni the finger 79. The adjustnientwheel 7 9 forthe screw 79 has a toothed or serrated periphery 79 79 is a lockpaivl extending through an opening in the forward projection 79 of the linger "79 and engaginghvith the periphery of the thumb Wheelto hold the Wheel at point ol": adj ustn ient. 79 is a springbearing at one end against the lock paWlTS and having its otherend'securetl at '79 tothe finger 799 I t a The distance betvteeh the front Wallet the downward" extension 79 or the finger79" and the rear Wall of thefingert'tl reinalns substantially constant when the inachine is in operationfldf a link is shorter in pitch than it should be, these sizing fingerswill bring-it up to proper pitch by stretching it. The mechanism for correctingthesizeand pitch of the chain'links can obviously be of a construction different from that illustrated, for exaniple; there could be aplural'rty offingers' il y The operation of theniachine as thus far described Will be readily understood. A strip (ifmttll 36 is directedthroughtheteed mechanism until*the'grippirig aWs 26, 27, of tlie te'ed n1ecl1anisn'i can engage With it. Po-Wer then applied through the countershaft?) to actuate the strip leedanechanisin and slide hi The stripis guided andcenteredby thegage so as to lie properly bet\veen"tliedies l? and49. When the slide 5 descends thescoring knives iinpartto the uppersurtacept the strip of met-a1, lines of score, and thescoring'chisels likeivise indpart lines of score to the under surface of said strip. lVhe'n the slide next ascends, the feedmechanism feeds forward the strip of meta-l one step and the first forming elements of the dies operate on the strip. The strip is fed forward step-'by-step at each eleva: tionof the slide, the dies acting on eachlink blankto iornia completed link. After the first completed link has beenitormed, the operator extracts it froni the dies andposi tions it to be coupled to the next sncceeding linle" The operator continues to extract and a time. As the slide descends after the last lorniedlihlr has becn extracted by the extracting mechanism, the pitch correcting inechanisin properly centers said link relativeto the final link forming elements of the dies. The pitch correcting or sizing fingers operate at eachdescent'of the slideto enter tWo coupled links in the cha'inguide to stretch said links up to gage, it required:

i As "already explained, When the pin 41, carried by theratchet Wheel 77 is holding thecani arm 38 away from the ratchet Wheel out of its verticalposition as it is shown in Fig 15 so that the pawl 77 passes" back over tWo teeth of the ratchet wheel .77 when the slide descends, and the slide 5 ascends,the feeding of the connected chain links is accelerated or hastened as indicated, While the strip of metal inove's ahead but a single step. The result is that the link last formed and severed from the inetalstrip is moved two steps forward and the strip of metal is moved one step forward, leaving a link space'on the dnplicatehnishing portion or the stationary die between the link sections WhlCll were advanced two steps and the inetal strip which Wasadvanced but a singlestep. a

The niechanisin yet to be described cooperates to feed partially completed specialbr attachhrentlinlr to said duplicate finishing portion of the stationarytlie at the limit of that ascent of the slide 5} occur'ing when saidlink spaceis produced in the manner just described, andin positionto he incorporated in tl'iestraiid' of chain.

Each partially completed special or at: tachinent link is fed to tlIeproper position at the duplicateasseinblingstation on the statiol'iai'y die, and the partially completed attachmentlinksare preferably of the same size and of approxiniate constructionof the 111eta1'se 1p'or link section then at the first assembling station, except that eachs aecial link additionally hasan attaching portion A, best shoivn in Figs. and 10 It vvill be noted that the grooves 76 in the bars th chain link extracting neclianislntFig. '17) are of sufficient depthto allow free pas sage of the attaching portionsA. v Of theleed mechanism for the partially completed specia-lfor attachhient links, 80 represents a pair of brackets niounted upon the rear faces'o'f thenpperportions of the uprights 2' and 3, respectively, andproyidinghearings for aprockshaft extending fron one side to the other of the main frainef v 82 is a horizontallydisposed arni fixed upon the rock shaft 81 and extending rearwardly therefrom, having at its outer end a hook portion 82 adapted to hold one end of a coil spring 83 the opposite end of which is held by a hook 84, supported in the bed 4.

An L-shaped member fixed upon the rock shaft 81 consists of a vertically disposed, downwardly extending arm 85 merging into a horizontally disposed, forwardly extending, preferably hook-shaped arm 85. 86 is a vertically disposed ratchet rotatably mounted upon the rear face of the upright 3 of the main frame, as indicated at 86, and 87 is a pawl pivoted upon the slide 5 to engage the teeth 86 of said ratchet. A spring 87 and a stop 87 on the slide 5 insure the proper working position of the pawl. The free end of the arm 85 is normally pressed against the rear face 86 of the ratchet 86 by the influence of the spring 83, acting through the arm 82 and shaft 81. 86 is a hole through said ratchet positioned to at intervals aline with the free end of the arm 86, to permit operation of the rock shaft 81 by the spring 83.

88 is a block fixed upon the slide 5 and havin a transversely disposed cam face 88 exten ing. downwardly and forwardly of said block.

89 is a vertically disposed lever fixed upon the rock shaft 81 and extending downwardly therefrom; 89 is a roller mounted upon the lever 89 intermediate its ends and adapted to engage the cam face 88. 90 is a horizontally disposed link the forward end of which is pivoted upon the lower end of the lever 89, as indicated at 90', and the rearward end of which'is pivoted, as indicated at 90, upon the upper end of a lever 91, itself pivoted intermediate itsends, as indicated at91, upon a bracket arm 92 extending from the bed 4. 'The lower end of the lever 91 is pivoted,as indicated at 91, to a horizontally disposed L-shaped attachment link feed member the arm 93 of which extends directly forward and beyond the front of the main frame and is slidably mounted in a bearing block 94 fixed to the left hand end of the stationary die holder 48 and arranged beneath the chain guide of the link extracting mechanism, and the arm 93 of which extends a short distance from leftto right in spaced relation to the front side of the stationary die holder.

95 is an. attachment link receiving member positioned so that the top surface of its inner end 95 is flush with the top surface of the stationary die 49, and so that said inner end is in alinement with the position on the stationary die towhich the special or attachment links are to be at intervals fed, This receiving member 95 has at its side edges suitably shaped upturned flanges 95 for the obvious purpose of guidingthe Special or attachment links. i

The attachment link receiving member 95 is also provided with a longitudinal slot 95 adapted to slidably receive a pin 96 projecting upwardly from the free end of the arm 93 and attached, indicated at 97, to a feed plate 98 arranged between the flanges 95 of the receiving member 95 and adapted to reciprocate upon said receiving members.

99 is a stop for the special or attachment links, positioned upon the finishing portion of the stationary die.

As hereinbefore suggested, the special or attachment links may be partia ly completed on a separate machine and afterwards successively placed upon the receiving member 95 in front of the feed plate 98, as very clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, in position to be automatically fed at predetermined intervals to the )roper location on the finishing portion of the die. The attachment links may be so placed upon the receiving member 95 in any preferred manner either by hand or by suitable mechanism of some particular construction forming no part of the present invention. It will be noted that the receiving member 95 is arranged to place the special or attachment links on the stationary die of Fig. 10 a little to the left of its final assembling position, for a reason to be made clear.

The manner in which the attaclnnent link feed mechanism operates will be obvious. Upon each upward movement of the slide 5 the pawl 87 engages a tooth 86* of the ratchet 86 to rotate said ratchet one step. The coil spring 83 at all times tends to rotate the rock shaft 81 to swing the vertically disposed lever 89 forwardly but forward swinging of said lever is normally prevented by the engagement of the hook arm 85 with the rear face 86 of the ratchet 86.

The ratchet 86 is made to have one less tooth than the ratchet wheel 77 of the chain link feed mechanism and the hole 86 in said ratchet 86 is positioned to be in alinement with the free end 85 of the arm 85 when the slide 5 is at the limit of that ascent occurring when the feeding of the connected links is accelerated or hastened to produce a link space on the duplicate finishing portion of the statitmary die. For each pin 41 utilized, spaced at uniform or varying distances about the ratchet wheel 77, there must be a corresponding hole 86 in the ratchet 86 as will be evident.

At the instant the slide is at the limit of that ascent just mentioned, the arm 85' enters the hole 86, the spring 83 operating to rotate the rock shaft to swing the lever 89 forwardly, and said lever 89, through the instrumentality of the link 90, rotates the lever 91 on its pivot to cause the arm 93 of the attachment link feed member to slide rearwardly in the bearing block 94,

lot)

and the arm- 93 of said attachment link feed member to actuate the feed plate to move the attachment link at that particular time in the link receiving member, to its proper position on the duplicate finishing portion of the stationary die. The roller 89 is located to engage the cana face 88 when the lever 89 swings forwardly as just described, and upon the succeeding descent of the slide, saiol cam face travels over said roller to swing the lever 89 backward to normal position, withdrawing the arm 85 from the hole 86. As soon as the slide again starts to ascend,the pawl 87 rotates the ratchet 86 a suflicient distance to remove the hole 86 from its position of alinement. with the free end of the hook arm 85, before the higher'portion of the block 88 has been sufficiently elevated to release the roller 89; The movement of the vertically disposed lever 89 to normalposition, ob-

viously-returns thefeed' plate to its nor- -mal position, that is, to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 10. a i

As the slide 5 descends when a special or attachment link is on the duplicate finishing portion of the stationary die, the surface 79 or the correctingfinger 79 engaging a connected link and forcing it slightly rearwardly, against the inserted specialorattachment link, causes saidlink to have its proper asseinblingposition on the duplicatev'finishing portion of the stationarydie. See Figs. 7 and 8, wherein the strip metal, connected chainlinks, and

special link are shown in their relation at the instant after the special link was placed onl'theduplicate finishing portion of the stationary die, and Fig. 6 wherein the stationary and movable die are shown att'he instant a special link is incorporated-in the strand of chain.

It is to be noted that the attachment linkfeed mechanism does not operate until at'- tor the ln'1lccxtracting mechanism has ad vanced the plaln hnks two steps and the strip of metal has been fed forwardly one finishing portion making no impression upon the plamlmks as they pass through the duplicatefinishing or assembling station.

Many alterations in the construction, and many apparently widely differing embodiments and applicationsof the invention will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art of making chain" making machines and elevator or attachment chains, without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

"be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

i 1. The method of making chains having special links which consists in transforming a'strip of metal into similar links, interspersing special links with said similar links and successively connecting all of said links simultaneously with the performance of operations of transforming said strip of metal into additional similar links. I

2. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in transforming a strip of metal into successive similar links, interspersing partially completed special links with said similar links and successively connecting all of said links simultaneously with the performance of operations of transforming the strip of metal into additional similar links.

3. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in forming a series of similar links from a strip ofmctal, connecting certain of said similar links together, interspersing special links with said similar links, and connecting said special links with adjacent links of the chain simultaneously with the performance of operations of transforming said' strip of metal pleted special link to a preceding similar link, completing the partially completed special link, and performing a plurality of thiferent similar link-formation steps on the partof the blank strip following the special link. I

5. The method of making chains having special links which consists in transforming a strip of metal into similar links, of interspersing special links with said similar links and successively connecting all of said links concurrently with the performance of trans forming operations upon the strip of metal.

6. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in the opera= tions of transforming a-strip of metal into a section of several connected similar links and of connecting a special link with said section concurrently with the performance of transforming operations upon the strip of metal.

7. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in transforming a strip ofmetal into connected similar links, interspersing special links-with said similar links and connecting said'special links in thestrand of chain and betweencertain of said similar links concurrently with the performance of transforming operations upon the strip of metal,

8. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in transforming a strip of metal into sections of several similar links each, interspersing partially completed special links with said similar links and incorporating said special links in the strand of chain and between said sections concurrently with the performance of transforming operations upon the strip of metal.

9. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in the operations of transforming a strip of metal into sections of several connected similar links each, of interspersing partially completed special links with said similar links before at least one of the similar links is completed and of successively connecting said special links in the strand of chain and between said sections concurrently with the performance of transforming operations upon the strip of metal.

10. The method of making conveyor chains, which consists in providing plain links by forming step-by-step operations upon a strip of metal, in providing conveyor links, and in connecting each conveyor link as provided with the next preceding plain link simultaneously with the performance of operations upon the strip of metal, whereby the conveyor chain can be composed of strands constituted by at least one plain link and one conveyor link.

11. The method of making conveyor chain, which consists in providing plain links by forming step-by-step operations upon a strip of metal, in providing conveyor links, and in connecting all of the links as provided concurrently with the performance of additional link forming operations upon the strip of metal.

12. The method of making conveyor chain progrcsively, which consists in providing plain links by performing step-by-step operations upon a strip of metal, in providing special links, and in then simultaneously connecting at least one plain link and one special link in a strand of chain.

13. The method of making chain, which consists in transforming a strip of metal into plain links, in interspersing special links with the plain links, and in connecting a plurality of links in the chain simultaneously with transforming operations upon the strip to' provide strands each consisting of at least one plain link and one special link.

14. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in successively transforming a strip of metal into connected similar'links, feeding forward said similar links and strip during the intervals between transforming operations upon said strip, accelerating the feeding movement of said similar links at predetermined intervals to produc a link space between said connected links and said strip, and incorporating a special link in said link space and connecting the same with the next preceding link of said connected links.

15. The method of making chains having special links which consists in successively transforming a strip of metal into connected similar links, feeding forward said similar links and strip during the intervals between transforming operations upon said strip, then accelerating the feeding movement of said similar links at predetermined intervals to produce a link space between the connected links and said strip, and incorporating a special link in said link space and connecting the special link between a pair of similar links.

16. The method of making chains having special links, which consists in transforming a strip of metal into similar links, feeding forward said strip and links during the intervals between transforming operations upon said strip, severing each link as completed from the strip of metal and connect ing it with the next preceding link, accelerating the feeding movement of said connected links at intervals to provide a link space between the connected links and strip of meta], positioning a special link in said link space, and connecting the special link in the chain between two similar links.

17. The herein described process of forming a' chain having special links which consists in feeding forward a strip of metal and progressively forming said strip 'step-by-step into connected links, feeding the connected links forward step-bystep, accelerating the feeding of said links to form a link space between certain of the links, feeding into said space a separate link corresponding in shape and size to the link section formed therein in said stepby-step formation, and then connecting said link in the chain.

18. The method of making from sheet steel, drive chain having special attachments which consists in mrtially forming from such steel, links carrying the desired attachment, transforming step-by-step a strip of said steel into connected chain links, feeding the connected chain links ahead step-by-step with the operations upon the strip of steel, and periodically accelerating the feeding ahead of the connected chain links and inserting one of said attachment links be tween and connecting it to a pair of plain links.

19. The method of making chain having special attachments, which consists in successively transforming a strip of metal into connected plain links, accelerating the feeding of the plain links at intervals to provide a link space between the strip of metal and the plain links, inserting a special link between said plain links and strip of metal. connecting said special link to said plain links and simultaneously linishing an addi tion'a'l ;plain link and connecting it -to said special link.

' 20. Themethod bl \l'iorming *chain sprogressi vcly, which consists in leeding"material to"andbetween a plurality oi bending and transforming elements, causing relative movement between portions oi the material being transformed to form a spacetherebetween, feeding to suclr'space other material for incorporation with and between said portimes, and in then sin'inltaneously connecting *atil'east *one-b i'said portions and said other nraterial "in a strand or chain.

"21. "In "awnacliine Ol the character":describedflthe combination with '1neims"lor transforming a "strip of 'metalf into similar "links, of means for intermittently interspewin special links with said similar "links and means for 'eonnectinglinks operating siinult ane'olisly "with the means for traiisforming the strip bf metal.

f 22. .[n- -amacl1ineof tlie character described, the combination With means "for "transforming a strip ofmet al, step-by-step into 'a"-seriesof similarli nksyof means for connecting special links With said" similar links While said transforming means 1, is

operating.

"In amachineof the characte described thecombination Wifll means for transforming a strip of metal step 'by step intoa seriesbi similar linksy'of means for connecting special links *betweeirsaicl 'simi- 'lar' links concurrently with the actual "per- "formance of "transforming"operations upon said strip of metal.

"Qt-In machine --of the character de- *scribed, the combination With "means for *transforming a strip of metal intoraseries of "connected similar links,-'of meansforin- -'terspersing partially complete'dsp'ecial links between tWo of said similarliiiks aiidfor sinmltaneously connecting 'said speeial link 'Witlr both of said similarlinks.

25. In a machine-ofthe cliaracter'described, the "combination With -means for- "transforming a strip of metalinto similar links, of means for iliterspersing special i links with said similarlinksand for simulta-neouslyconnecting a special link with a "plurality of similar links.

26.. In *a *machine of the character I described, the combination With means for transforming a strip "of metal into connected chain links, of means "for connecting special links-in the strand of *chainat pre- "determined "intervals and simultaneously "With .transform-ing op'erations upon said stripof metal.

27. In a machine oli the character described, the combination with -means'yfor "*transformil'ig astrip of metal intotsections 6f connect-ed similar" links, as meansfor inwterspersing 1 special links with: the similar .ili'nks and means"lor incorporating said "speciallinks in the strand of'chain between "said sections concurrently with the operation or said meansior transforming "the strip of metal.

28.In a machine of the character 'described,*the combination with ,a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of=metalinto a series of similar links, of means associated with said dies for connecting specialllinks With said similar :links "While said dies are actually transforming said strip.

29. In a machine of the character 'described, the vcoinbination with a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metal into a series of connected similar links, of means associated ,Wltll said stationary 'dielor connecting partially com- .pleted special links with said similar links -While said dies are transforming said strip.

Ina machine of the character. de scribed, the combination With means for transforming-astrip o l metal into connected similar chain'links, devices "for feeding said strip of metal and connected links forward and means for accelerating thedeefding of sai'd'connected links whereby link space isproduced"between said connected links and strip, of means; for ieeding :a special *link to said link space and in -=positio11 "to be incorporated in the str and s1? chain.

31. In a machine of thecharacterdescribed the --comhination "with means"for transforming a strip "of 'inetal into con "nectecl similar-chain links 'al idzmeansflfor feeding said strip and connected 5 links "for- WttTCl step-by step of devices for accelerati'ng the forward', feeding "of said connected links 'at predetermined j intervals While. s'aid strip andconnected links forwardaofdevices for accelerating the feeding movement of salid connectedlinks to produce a link space l-betwe'en said dies, andumeans "for feeding a partially completed special link-torsai'd space'a-nd in position t0-be incorporated "in the strand '01. chain.

In a machine of the character described, thecombination with a stationary fliean'd; a movable fitlieadapted ,to", ,trans- "form astrip ofmetal'into connected similar chain links, :and devices for giving said strip and connected cha-in ,links :step-bystep-inward movement of devices ffor'accelerating the forward feeding of said connected links, and 111eans"forfeeding a special link to said dies and in position to be incorporated with the connected links and links subsequently formed from said strip.

34. In a machine of the character described the combination of a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metal into connected similar chain links, and devices for giving said strip and connected links step-by-step forward move ment, of devices for accelerating the forward feeding movement of said connected links while said strip of metal feeds forwardly one step, and means for feeding a special link to said dies between two similar links and for simultaneously connecting said special link with both of said similar links.

35. In a machine of the described, the combination with means for transforming a strip of metal into similar chain links, devices for feeding said strip and similar links forward step-by-step, and means for severing each link as completed from the strip of metal and connecting it with the next preceding link, of devices for accelerating the forward feeding movement of said connected links while said strip of metal feeds forwardly one step whereby a link space is produced between said connected links and strip, and means for feeding a special link to said link space and in position to be incorporated in the strand of chain.

36. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for transforming a strip of metal into connected chain links, said means including devices for simultaneously feeding said strip and links forward step-by-step of mechanism for accelerating the feeding movement of said connected links while said strip of metal feeds forwardly one step.

' 37. In a machine of the character described, the combination with devices for feeding a strip of metal and connected chain links forward step-by-step, of mechanism for accelerating the feeding movement of said connected links, said connected link feeding device including a ratchet wheel, a

, pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, a

cam arm normally in the path of said pawl whereby the pawl can rotate the ratchet wheel only one step, and said accelerating mechanism including a pin carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to at intervals engage said cam arm to move it out of the path of said pawl whereby the pawl can rotate the ratchet wheel a plurality of steps.

38. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for transforming a strip of metal into connected similar chain links, devices for simultaneously feeding said strip and connected links forward step-by-step, and means for at intervals accelerating the feeding movecharacter ment of said connected links while said strip of metal is fed forward one step, of mechanism for feeding special links in position to be incorporated in the strand of chain, said special link feed mechanism in cluding a link receiving member associated with the strip transforming means, and devices for moving the special links from said receiving member and placing the same contiguous with a portion of the strip transforming means.

39. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metal into connected similar chain links, devices for simultaneously feeding said strip and connected links forward step-bystep, and means for at intervals acceleratin Y the feeding movement of said connecte links while said strip of metal is fed forward one step, whereby a link space is )l'()- duced upon the finishing portion of the dies, of mechanism for feeding special links in position to be incorporated in the strand of chain, said special link feed mechanism including a link receiving member associated with said dies, and devices for moving a special link from said receiving member to each link space as produced.

40. In a machine of the character described, the combination with means for progressively transforming material into connected chain links, means for feeding such material into position for transformation means for feeding said connected links, means for accelerating the feeding movement of the means for feeding said connected chain links to provide a space between said chain links and material, means for feeding into such formed space a partly formed chain link whereupon the said inserted link is incorporated in the chain by said transforming means.

41. In a machine of the character described, the combination of means for transforming into connected chain links material from one source of supply, means for feeding said material to said transforming means step-by-step and at predetcr mined intervals, means for feeding said connected links, means for accelerating the feeding of the means for feeding said connected chain links for one step, separate means for feeding partly formed links from another source of material supply to said transforming means, and means correlated to effect the feed of the last mentioned feed means when the feed of said connected links is accelerated, whereby the resulting chain is formed from material from said plurality of sources of supply.

42. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of sources of chain material supply, means for transforming the material into a chain,

means for step-by-step feeding of one of said materials to said transforming means, means for step-by-step feeding of the chain, means for periodically feeding the other material to said transforming means, and means for accelerating the step-by-step chain feeding means while said other material feeding means operates.

43. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of relatively movable dies, mechanism for actuating the same, sources of chain material supply, means controlled by said die actuating mechanism to separately feed the chain materials to and between said dies and for feeding the chain step-by-step out of the machine, and means for accelerating the speed of the chain when both feeding means operate.

4A. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a pair of relaforming into connected chain links material from one source of supply, means for feeding said material to said transforming means at predetermined intervals, means for feeding said connected links, means for accelerating the feed of a portion of such material being transformed and separate means for feeding material partly formed to said transforming means from another source of supply between the portions of the material in the transforming means so as to effect therein formation of chain from material from said plurality of sources of supply.

45. In a machine of the character de scribed, the combination of a source of chain material supply, a source of special chain link supply, means for transforming said material into chain and incorporating links from said special chain link supply therein, and means adapted to render the operation of said transforming and incorporating means concurrent and continuous.

46. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a source of chain material supply, a source of special chain link supply, means for transforming said material into chain and incorporating said links therein, means for separately feeding said material and said links to said transforming means, means to effect the feed of said material to said transforming means when the link feeding means operates, whereby chain is formed incorporating said special links, and means adapted to render the operation of said transforming and incorporating means concurrent and continuous.

47. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a stationary die and a movable die having means adapted to transform a strip of metal into a series of connected similar links, of separate means on said dies for connecting partially completed special links with said similar links.

48. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metal into similar links, including a finishing station for assembling said similar links and devices for feeding said strip and connected links forward during the transforming operation, of a duplicate finishing station on said dies, devices for at intervals providing a link space at said duplicate finishing station, and means for feeding a special link to said duplicate station in position to be incorporated in the strand of chain.

49. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a stationary die and a movable die adapted to transform a strip of metal into connected similar chain links, including a finishing station for said similar links on said dies, and devices for feeding said strip and connected links forward during the transforming operations, of devices for accelerating the feeding movement of said connected links to produce a link space upon said dies, a duplicate finishing station at said link space, and means for feeding a. partially completed special link to said duplicate finishing station.

50. In a machine of the character described, a plurality of bending and transforming elements adapted to-the purpose of forming chain progressively, means for feeding material to and between said elements, means for causing relative movement between portions of said material being transformed to form a space therebetween, means for feeding to such formed space other material for incorporation with and between said portions, and means for simultaneously connecting at least one of said portions and said other material in a strand of chain.

Signed at Bridgeport in the county of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut this 17th day of February A. 1)., 1923.

SYLVANUS D. LOCKE.