US1741271A - Chain - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 31, 1929. A. H. BARROWMAN CHAIN Filed Aug. 11, 1928 f "Inn/11"" .fl'fikh BY {7314414 m A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR H. BARROWMAN, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO J. M. FISHER COMPANY, OF ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND CHAIN Application filed August 11, 1928. Serial No. 298,967.

This invention relates to a chain of the type which may be used as a bracelet and the like; and has for its object to provide link units of simple and inexpensive construction which may be made of a minimum number of parts and be detachably secured together so that the length of the chain may be changed at will by removing a unit or adding a unit thereto.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a chain formed of a series of link units, each unit being'formed of sheet stock and so shaped that it may be detachably and hingedly connected to the next unit, with resilient means to prevent accidental detachment, which may be flexed under suitable pressure to permit detachment of the llnks one from the other. V

With these and other objects in view,the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a top view of the chain construction. 7

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates a blank cut from sheet stock from which the link unit is formed.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the resilient closure member for preventing detachment of the link when in normal position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional side view of several links assembled.

Fig. 6 is a sectional top View of the palr of links assembled.

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a pair of links assembled.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of flexing the closure member for the slot in the initial step of detaching the units one from another.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the projection on one of the links moved to a position between the closure member and the bottom wall as a further step in detaching the links one from another.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9 showing the links as twisted at right angles to each other with the projection between the closure member in position to readily detach one link from another.

In the use of chains of the type to be Worn about the wrist for personal adornment or the like, and for securing wrist watches upon the arm of the wearer, it is found of advantage to provide a construction by which each of the link units may be detached one from the other, which I have accomplished by cutting a link from sheet stock and folding it upon itself with a slot at the fold and projections on the ends of the blank which may be inserted thru the slot to engage the fold at either side of the slot to hingedly join the links together andI have secured a flexible closure member in the form of a leaf of resilient material to partially close this slot and prevent detachment of the links one from another, this closure member being flexed by pressure of a pin or some small pointed instrument to permit the projection to be moved between the closure and the wall of the link for detachment of one link from another; and the following is a detailed description of the present embodiment of this invention and illustrating the preferred means by which these advantageous results may be accomplished Y Nith reference to the drawings, 10 designates a blank cutout from sheet stock from which each of the links is formed by folding the blank upon itself, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, to form top walls 11 and bottom walls 12 in spaced relation to each other.

A slot 13 is cut out at the fold and extends along the botom wall as at 14, while the opposite end of the bod link has projections 15 and 16 extending rom its top and bottom walls which are each offset towards each other as at 17 and broughttogether in contracting relation as indicated in Fig. 5. These projections are formed in T-shape and inserted thru the slot 13with the trunnion portions 18 and 19 of the T engaging the fold at each side of the slot of the next body link to form a hinge connection therewith.

' In order that the links may not be inadvertently separated and to add to the ornamental appearance of the device as a whole, the slot 14 which extends along the bottom wall is closed by a member 20 which is of y do resilient sheet stock and is secured to the bottom wall by inwardly struck portions 21 extending thru suitable openings 22 and folded over the surface of the member 20, as illustrated in Fig. 5, by which one end of the member is firmly held in contact with the bottom wall while its opposite free end 23 is permitted to flex inwardly by pressure of a pin or sharp instrument 24, as illustrated in Fig. 8, to permit the projection on the end of the next body link to be moved beneath this closure, as illustrated in Fig. 9, with the links in substantially right angular position.

After this closure is flexed upwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 9, and the projection moved beneath it, the links are given a twisting movement one relative to the other into the position illustrated in Fig. 10, from which it will be clear that the links may be readily separated one from another for detaching purposes. It will be understood that a reverse operation will attach the links one to another for joining them in connected series.

Each of the top and bottom Walls is provided with ornamental flanges 25 scalloped as at 26, which extend toward each other to close the opening between the top and bottom walls and form side walls to give a box-like ap pearance to each of the link units of the chain.

Each of the units is made of the minimum number of parts to accomplish the results here set forth of detachably connecting the parts one to another and to provide a resilient closure which may be of tempered or of metal stiffer than the body of the links, which may be of ornamental metal or carry any desired embellishment such as engraving, enameling, piercing or the like.

The foregoing description is directed solely towards the construction illustrated, but I desire it to be understood that I reserve the privilege of resorting to all the mechanical changes to which the device is susceptible, the invention being defined and limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A chain comprising a series of connected links, each comprising a body with a functionally rigid projection on one end and a recess on the other end to receive the projection of the next link by suitable manual manipulation to deta'chably connect adjacent links together, and a flexible member secured to said body and positioned to partially close said recess to prevent detachment of the links, said member yielding under suitable manipulation to permit withdrawal of said projection from said recess.

2. A chain comprising a series of connected links, each comprising a body folded to form spaced walls with a slot at its folded end extending longitudinally of the body along one of said walls, a projection on the other end of the link of a shape and size to be passed thru the slot of the next link and engage the tion on each of said walls, both of the T- shaped projections contacting and insertable thru the slot of the next link to engage the told at each side of the slot for hinging action, and a resilient member secured to said bottom wall and partially closing said slot to prevent detachment of the projection therefrom but yielding upon pressure thru said slot to permit detachment of the projection by suitable manipulation.

4. A chain comprising a series of connected links, each comprising a body with a rigid T-shaped projection on one end and a recess at the other. end for removably receiving the T-shaped projection of the adjacent link to hingedly connect said adjacent links together, and means for releasably locking said T-shaped projections in said recesses.

5. A chain comprising a series of connected links, each comprising a body with a projection having an enlarged head at one end and a recess at the other end for receiving the enlarged head of the adjacent link to hingedly connect said adjacent links together, and means for releasably locking said enlarged heads in said recesses.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARTHUR H. BARROWMAN.

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