GB331093A - Improvements relating to machines for assembling driving chains - Google Patents

Abstract

331,093. Renold, Ltd., H., and Renshaw, A. June 24, 1929. Chains.-The links and studs of transmission - chains are assembled on a table 10 rotated step by step, the table having notches 14 to receive pairs of studs at station A on which are placed links at stations B, C and D. At station A, Fig. 4, two shoots 44 feed pairs of studs to a slide 46 reciprocating as described in Specification 326,604, [Class 60, Grinding or abrading &c.], which by spring and cam action pushes them to register above two notches 14 in the table into which they are pressed by pins 66 of punch 64. A bottom plate and a shroud 34 keeps the studs from falling out. At station B pairs of centre links 16 fed from magazine 68 are moved by slide 70 to register over the studs where they are guided by spring pressed pins 78 and pressed over the chain studs by punch 76. At station C made-up links 18 are constantly supplied from a hopper as described in Specification 295,439 and at station D outer links are added, the chain then being half completed. It is then turned upside down and put through a similar machine but with a sprocket wheel instead of a table 10 and with supply and assembly stations C and D only. To divide the chain up into required lengths the feed of the components at certain points is interrupted by a pattern chain as described in Specification 295,439, a cam plate on this chain raising a lever 120 to foul part 123 on the feed slide and so hold it out against the pull of the springs and prevent it from feeding studs during that stroke. The absence of studs is used to stop automatically the feed of the links at station B, as spring pressed feeler pins 126 on the punch can then descend further so that their large ends press the tip of lever 124 and tilt it to foul part 70 of slide and so hold slide 70 out during that stroke to prevent feed. A similar arrangement is provided at station D. Station C however keeps on supplying the combination link unless the slide is locked by the attendant. In starting a chain, the links so supplied are returned by hand to the hopper. Magazines 68 and that at station D are filled by hand from pairs of wires on which the links are strung. An attachment for stringing the links or the wires comprises a hopper, shoot and stacker actuated by a face cam described in Specification 295,439. A thinner chain is made by pushing an inner combination over the pairs of studs at station B, Figs. 3 and 10, the chain then being received by a sprocket B with teeth 22, and backed by a slope 24 which pushes up the studs further through the link so that they can receive an outer top link at C. A bottom link is pushed up through a gap in the backing at D, a top pressure block 30 receiving the thrust. The step by step motionin both cases is obtained from a cam-operated reciprocated rod with clutch which grips in one direction only. The assembly may also be carried out by a flexible conveyer system instead of rotary tables.