Abstract: A silver filled gold jewelry wire item includes an inner precious metal core, such as silver, and an outer gold layer. The outer gold layer has a predetermined thickness of from about 0.0001 inch to about 0.002 inch, preferably no more than 0.001 inch thick, which is much thinner than durable hollow wires of at least 0.004 inch in thickness or greater. A forming process draws a gold sheet strip into an open channel shaped member into which a solid silver core is placed at ambient temperatures. The open channel shaped member is closed by further rollers at ambient temperatures and welding of a seam when closed about the solid core. The resultant solid tubular gold jewelry wire item resists damage from diamond cutting knives, and can be used to create jewelry rope chains, earrings and bangles.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for forming a single wire link which can be joined to a preformed jewelry article. The apparatus includes an electric motor-driven cam assembly that provides for sequential operation of the wire feeding and link forming devices. A single wire section is severed from a wire stock, bent into a U-shaped configuration and fed to a link forming station within a common working plane where the U-shaped wire element can be formed into a link and joined to a jewelry article. The link forming apparatus avoids the use of a magazine for storing a plurality of U-shaped wire element thus eliminating unused U-shaped wire elements in the magazine when switching wire stock. The apparatus is constructed in a manner which readily permits quick and easy changing of the feeding and forming dies when switching to different size wire stock. The apparatus further provides a simple adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the wire section severed from the wire stock.

Abstract: A commercially viable process for producing chain links suitable for use in making fine jewelry rope chains, said chain links having gaps for intertwining one link within another, comprising the steps of providing a sheet of precious metal of an appropriate thickness determined by the thickness of the link to be produced; piercing said sheet with a single punch from a mating punch and die set having the predetermined shape of the link to produce a finished link with a gap in the range of 0.2-0.7 mm which link is separated from said sheet; and recovering the link.

Abstract: An improved soldering machine for automatically soldering links of a chain is provided in which the links are disposed adjacent to one another and define link junctions where the improved soldering machine holds the chain in position to enable the link junctions to be soldered. A soldering device applies solder paste to the chain at the link junctions by feeding the solder paste through a hollow needle having a needle tip wherein the needle tip traverses a predetermined path and contacts the chain over a portion of that predetermined path. The improvement consists of a heater which traverses a cyclical path which is dependent upon the position of the needle tip and heats the solder applied to the chain over a portion of that cyclical path.

Abstract: Links suitable for use in assembling rope chains are produced by utilizing a progressive series of punch and die sets which pierce and blank such links from a sheet of metal. If the metal sheet is in a long strip, the strip can be incrementally advanced through multiple series of punch and die sets so that several links can be created simultaneously. Because the links are die cut or stamped, the shape of the link can be arbitrary and can be a straight sided polygon such as a square, hexagon or octagon, or may be curvilinear such as a circle.

Abstract: An automatic soldering machine for soldering a rope chain comprises a pair of gears, each with a peripheral surface defining a trench which engages one of the strands of the rope chain and which is rotatable to precisely feed and place successive link junctions of the chain relative to hollow solder applying needles. The needles are reciprocally movable and serve to apply a premeasured amount of solder paste at the link junctions of the rope chain. A heater, for example, an induction heater, heats the chain, causing the solder to flow and then set and thereby secure the chain links together.

Abstract: A machine for the formation of ornamental chains with cylindrical helix-shaped links, comprising: a first section (A) for handling each loose link up to the connection thereof with the corresponding link, of the chain being in the process of formation, which has been last connected, with a handled vertical shaft (12) carrying a horizontal guide support (15) for a slide (16) of a collet-holder unit horizontally sliding between an inoperative retracted position and two advanced positions for seizing a loose link from a link-forming machine and for positioning the loose link in connection position, respectively; with a collet (35) for the hold of the loose link, which is subjected to a helicoidal feeding motion along its longitudinal axis to carry out the connection with the corresponding last link of the chain in the process of formation; a second section (B) for blocking the last link but one of the chain in the process of formation, with a hollow vertical motorized axially sliding shaft (42) carrying a horizo

Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening the bolt of a fastener, inserting an end cap D-ring, or quality tag. The method and apparatus comprises using a first clamp configured to receive therein a fasteners, a second clamp being configured to engage a latch or bolt of the fasteners, a robot gripper and control means to effect the opening of the fastener, the insertion of an end of a chain into the fastener and the closing of the fastener. The movement of the latch or bolt knob is coordinated with the movement of the fastener such that the forces acting on the bolt knob are substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the bolt in the fastener.

Abstract: A rope chain made from precious metals, having tightly interfitting rings of a given cross-section diameter, each ring having a small gap slightly larger than its cross-section diameter to permit one ring to pass through the gap of a second ring, each of said rings having an inner diameter equal to just over X times greater than the ring cross-section diameter, where X is a number equal to or greater than 3, said rope chain being formed by a plurality of assemblies of said rings, in series, each assembly comprising X+1 rings, each ring of said assembly being angularly intertwined with an adjacent ring, each said assembly of rings comprising at least one ring oriented with its gap about 180.degree.

Abstract: A machine for the production of an ornamental chain known as "bow-type" chain, the chain consisting of a sequence of large links, twisted in a figure-of-eight shape and incorporating a smaller link, linked together by smaller links. The machine comprises a first and a second station for forming and linking the small links and the large links and a transportation gripper which, beside transferring the chain in formation from one station to the other one, takes part in the formation of the links in both stations. An auxiliary gripper is provided which is integral with the transportation gripper, for the positioning of the smaller link on the large link, while the latter is twisted to incorporate the small link. Two small links for every large link are produced in the respective stations and, during the production of the small links to be incorporated in the large links, the large link production station is temporarily stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ornamental chains of the type known as "peacock eye", formed by a sequence of pairs of links, of the twisted type, each pair including one small and one large link, which are concentric, the large link engaging the large and small links of the immediately preceding and subsequent pairs. The apparatus is substantially of the type capable of producing chains having alternating links, and comprises, in association with the unit for producing the large links, devices for advancing the chain already formed towards an elevated collection unit and for moving the end length of chain, freely suspended, to bring it successively into alignment with the spiral of wire from which the large link is made and with the unit for forming the said large link already concatenated. A mobile pincer undertakes the transportation of the small links towards the production unit of the large links and the allocation of the latter to the first loop of the spiral.

Abstract: An apparatus for rendering automatic the production of ornamental chains of the kind known as "partridge's eye", wherein two link elements shaped as a turn are linked to form a link of the chain so that the free ends of one are roughly at the center of the other. The link is compressed transversally and axially to cross the end portions of the two link elements, so that the free ends of one element come into contact with the internal contour of the other. The link formed in this way is twisted, at its ends, welded in correspondence with the overlap points of the two link elements, and then linked to a link element suitable to form the subsequent links.

Abstract: A robotic chain assembly which uses two clamps, a robot gripper and a computer with auxiliary stations. The assembly both measures and cuts the chain, secures fasteners to the ends of the chain and secures the fasteners one to the other.

Abstract: A device for feeding in parallel of ornamental chains to an operative unit of a machine suitable for realizing the bonding of the chains, including a mechanism for the transport of the chains towards the operative unit arranged for the engagement with side by side links of the chains and for obtaining the simultaneous and intermittent advancement without modifying the symmetry of their reciprocal position with respect to the advancement axis. The transport mechanism, comprising in particular needle-shaped members, are provided with a reciprocating translational motion in the forward direction and a reciprocating lifting and lowering motion in an orthogonal direction.

Abstract: The disclosure sets forth a different annular link as the building element; instead of using a split annular link of a 3:1 ratio of link inner diameter to major wire diameter, the link has substantially thinner annulus for forming the rope chain, an annulus that requires an over 5:1 ratio of inner annulus diameter to major wire diameter. The presently preferred ratio is between 5.2 and 5.7:1. It is possible to use even thinner annuluses, i.e. having greater ratios, e.g., 7.2-7.7:1 with even greater weight savings (approximately 35%), or other even greater odd-numbered ratios of inner annulus diameter to major wire diameter (e.g. 9.4-9.9:1). Thus, while there is no theoretical limit, there is probably a maximum practical upper limit to the ratio of inner annulus diameter to major wire diamater.

Abstract: A machine for the production of paired chains including a feeding assembly for the chains, a welding assembly of the chains and a take-up device for the produced chain. The feeding assembly for the chains includes a transport mechanism thereof suitable for the engagement within corresponding side by side links and for realizing the simultaneous and intermittent advancement without modifying the symmetry of their reciprocal position with respect to the advancement axis. The transport mechanism, constituted in particular of needle-shaped members, is provided with a translational reciprocating motion in the advancement direction and of a reciprocating lifting and lowering motion in an orthogonal direction. The welding assembly, constituted of two equal assemblies in series, provides for the simultaneous movement of means delivering the welding flame and the welding material. The take-up device operates synchronously with the feed of the chains in order to maintain constantly taut the chain during the welding.

Abstract: A machine for the production of decorative chains made up of links of different forms and/or dimensions connected according to any programmable sequence, comprising at least two independent formation stations (1, 1') in alternate operation according to a prefixed, alterable program on the basis of the features of the chain to be manufactured, and a take-up unit (14), for transferring the chain from one station to another according to said program. Drive means for said take-up unit (14) are provided in each station for actuating the opening and closure of pliers (27), carried by said unit (14) during chain take-up and delivery phases, for producing an axial movement of said unit (14) to and from said stations in coincidence with said phases and for producing an angular displacement of said unit (14) with respect to its axis during said phases. Finally, said drive means enable the station to release the last formed link to said take-up unit (14).

Abstract: A machine for making a chain in the form of a rope comprising a forming unit which is fed intermittently with wire by a feed device and is arranged to cut successive pieces of wire and form them into open rings on a movable conveyor pin, and a linking unit which is spaced from the forming unit and is arranged to receive the rings from the conveyor pin. The linking unit includes gripper means for taking the rings from the conveyor pin and introducing them to a final receiving and holding member in alternately overturned positions so that each of the rings embraces a plurality of preceding rings. The machine includes means for feeding the receiving and holding member with reinforcing wires for the chain. The machine also includes actuator means for controlling the supply of wire, the forming unit with the conveyor pin, and the gripper means of the linking unit in a predetermined operating sequence.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of chains of the "rope chain" type for the goldsmithery industry, in which each link is taken from a spiral of wire by means of one or more cuts tangential to the internal profile of the winding. The cuts can be simultaneous or consecutive. The cutting unit includes a pair of blades, the cutting plane of which is adjustable with respect to horizontal so that it can be perpendicular to the coil winding to be cut; it also oscillates between two cutting positions in order to obtain separation of the link with two consecutive cuts in correspondence to two intermittent, 180.degree. one-way rotations of the coil. For chain-linking, a calibrated passage with a decreasing section is provided, in which the take-up unit, after having united a link to those already joined, forces the chain to advance, producing closure of the links with partial overlapping of their contoured extremities.

Abstract: Apparatus for the simultaneous manufacture of several chains by means of not less than three and not more than five operating stations (5-8) equally distributed about a circular course and serving successively to add a link to the chains and to perform the operations required to finish the link. A set of movable conveyors (11-14) equalling in number the operating stations carried by an annular supporting member (22) rotatable about the vertical axis of the course successively presents depending ends (1a-4a) of the chains to the operating stations. A set of stationary conveyors (15-18) receives the chains discharged by the movable conveyors and conveys them to points from which they can be withdrawn to localities remote from the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a chain-making machine having the capability of making continuous chain wherein successive links follow a predetermined relative size and shape, with selective applicability to different input materials, including wire and/or flat ribbon, for the respective successive links. For each link-forming cycle, the production of one kind of link may call for one kind of motion in a manufactured-chain accumulating device, while production of another kind of link may call for a different kind of motion in the accumulating device, yet the machine includes provision for proper accommodation of these different motions, as each different link is formed, to the end that the resulting product will be free of entanglement.

Abstract: A device for inserting a link stud into a chain link to permit subsequent fastening of the link stud in the chain link in the region of the stud and/or by welding same. According to the invention, a pivotably mounted arm is arranged in operative connection to a stud fastening station, the arm carrying at its free end an operable holding means for holding said link stud and being pivotable back and forth between a collecting position adjacent a link stud feeding device and a delivery position adjacent the stud fastening station, and the holding means is resiliently mounted at the free end of the arm so as to enable guiding of the holding means into a well-defined position relative to a chain link situated in the stud fastening station.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a single machine comprising two different wire feed systems and two different link-forming counter-pliers systems, each unique to a preselected different link size and/or shape, and a shuttle-borne counter-pliers unit is caused to cooperate, in a preselected program pattern, with one or with the other of the pliers systems (and associated wire-feed system), whereby the cumulative chain assembly of differently sized and/or shaped links may be developed in accordance with the pattern of shuttle operation.

Abstract: A traversing device in a plant for manufacturing chains. A carriage for carrying the chain end under production is movable along a guide on at least one side of a rectilinear production line comprising different work stations. The guide is mounted on at least one traverse beam movable transversely relative to the rectilinear production line, so that the chain end can be moved aside from the rectilinear production line to at least one additional work station, e.g., for re-orientation of the last link element.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an automatic selectively programmable machine for making chains having links of different size in interlaced and connected assembly. By programming, the size and interlaced combination of different links can be selected to produce a wide variety of chain patterns.

Abstract: A chain making plant for the manufacture of two chains at a time by means of a series of operating stations arranged along a substantially straight course. Two conveyor units are provided, each of which successively presents a depending portion of one chain to the operating stations. Each of the conveyor units comprises a carriage running on a track extending along the course and a transverse chain conveyor supported by said carriage. A stationary supporting structure is provided outside of the middle portion of each of the tracks, said structure including a chain wheel arranged at such height and such a transverse distance with respect to the discharge end of the transverse chain conveyor as to allow a sagging portion of the chain supported at one end by the discharge end of the transverse chain conveyor and at the other end by said chain wheel to turn freely about said chain wheel.

Abstract: An automated system for producing chain wherein individual pins are fed one-at-a-time to a heating station. The pins are heated in stages at said station to a temperature suitable for bending of the pins. The pins are automatically moved from said station by transfer and conveyor means to a bender where the pins are clamped in place and then bent in stages into an open-ended link shape. A robot picks up the link-shaped pins and places the pins one-at-a-time on the supporting surface of a closer. The robot then interlinks a welded link with a pin on the closer, and the pin on th closer is then closed. The robot then moves the closed pin to the welder for welding of the ends.

Abstract: A chain making plant for the manufacture of two chains at a time by means of a series of operating stations arranged along a substantially straight course. Two conveyor units are provided, each of which successively presents a depending portion of one chain to the operating stations. Each of the conveyor units comprises a carriage running on a track extending along the course and a transverse chain conveyor supported by said carriage, said transverse chain conveyor being arranged to feed the chain outwards step by step and being capable of being shifted transversely as a unit with respect to the carriage.