Chain – staple – and horseshoe making – Chains – Links
Patent
1992-07-16
1994-07-26
Jones, David
Chain, staple, and horseshoe making
Chains
Links
59 78, F16G 1504
Patent
active
053318021
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a chain, particularly but not exclusively, a security chain and a method of constructing a chain.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Security chains are known and typically consist of links formed of a hardened high strength steel. However, the links in the known chains are formed of closed links usually formed by welding together the ends of shaped loops. The existence of a weld results in a weak point in the link. The fact that the links are completed by welding limits the strength of each link to that of the weld, making the use of very high strength steels purposeless and impractical. Thus these links can be cut with bolt cutters or saws without great difficulty. Welds to a high specification to correspond to the full potential of a high grade steel involve more complex and expensive techniques. Such chains also have the disadvantage that they are made in long lengths in factories and, since they are sold at the retail stage per foot, must be cut to length for each customer. The alternative is for the manufacturer to make the chains only to order. Both of these possibilities lead to inconvenience and cost penalties.
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a chain construction which overcomes these disadvantages.
According to the present invention there is provided a chain comprising an assembly of a plurality of links each formed of an elongate member having an opening which is adapted to receive another link to enable the links to be looped together to form a chain, and a sleeve on each link which serves to close the opening, the chain being assembled by sliding a sleeve onto each link after the link is looped onto the preceding link of the chain, each sleeve being retained on its link by an adjacent link, engaged therewith, the chain being capable of being disassembled by successively removing an end link, and then sleeves and links sequentially.
Preferably, the sleeve extends over the length of the link so that only a short clearance is provided in the gap between the sleeve and the adjacent links to make it difficult for a jemmy or similar instrument to be inserted into the gap. Preferably, the links are formed of a forged steel and the sleeves may be formed of a high strength extruded steel or alloy. The sleeves may alternatively be formed of a composite sandwich construction, known per se for padlocks, which is difficult to saw through.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 shows a chain link,
FIG. 2 shows a chain link sleeve, and
FIG. 3 shows an assembled chain.
FIGS. 4a to 4e show alternative constructions of link,
FIGS. 5a and 5b show a holder for the chain of FIGS. 1 to 3, and
FIGS. 6 to 8 show an alternative embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The chain link shown in FIG. 1 comprises a generally C-shaped member 1 formed of an alloy steel by drop forging and having two longer sides 2, 3 joined at their ends by arcuate sections 4. One of the longer sides 3 has an opening 5 which is adapted to receive another link to enable the links to be looped together to form a chain.
A sleeve 6, shown in FIG. 2, generally oval in cross-section, is adapted to be a close sliding fit on each link 1. The sleeve is formed of a hardened steel or composite sandwich construction. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the sleeve 6 is at least substantially one half of the length of the link as measured from the interior of the longer sides 2, 3 (that is, from the inner portions of arcuate sections 4). This assures that the sleeve 6 will cover opening 5 when successive links are configured as shown in FIG. 3 and as described hereinafter.
To assemble a chain the links are looped together by passing one through the opening 5 of another link. A sleeve 6 is then slid onto the link 1. Another link is then looped into the link carrying the sleeve by
REFERENCES:
patent: 1114289 (1914-10-01), Rittenhouse
patent: 1280906 (1918-10-01), Vogt
patent: 4840044 (1989-06-01), Scholpp
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