Abstract: A method for producing high-performance chain link plates with a link plate pitch T, comprises: clocked feeding of a sheet metal band with a feed length V per cycle, pre-punching at least two chain link plate blanks arranged in succession, re-cutting at least one chain link plate blank, wherein at least the still connected head areas of the chain link plate blanks arranged in succession are excepted from the re-cutting process separating the connected head areas of chain link plate blanks arranged in succession, wherein the feed length V is smaller than 2.1×T and the upper and/or lower side of the head areas connected to each other is/are provided at least partially with a concave run by a punching process substantially adjacent to the end face produced later. A method is also provided for producing a high-performance chain and to correspondingly produced high-performance link plates and high-performance chain.

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: A link is formed by forming a bubble between the longitudinal side edges of the link extending from the forward end of the link to a location spaced from the rearward end of the link so as to form laterally spaced upwardly extending side walls proximate the forward end of the piece spaced inboard from the respective longitudinal side edges of the link, forming the rearward end of the link into a curl to form a first bearing surface defining the rearward pivot axis, bending the longitudinal side edges of the piece upwardly to form an edge flange positioned proximate the forward end of the link outboard of each side wall, removing the bubble proximate the forward end of the link while leaving the side walls intact so as to form the clevis configuration at the forward end of the link, and forming aligned holes in each edge flange and its associated side wall to form a second bearing surface defining the forward pivot axis.

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: The present invention discloses an improved chain assembly and a method for making the same. In general, the method of making a chain assembly in accordance with the present invention, comprises forming a plurality of links having a preselected shape and placement of apertures therein. A plurality of wire blanks are formed having an outer diameter to permit insertion into the apertures of the links. Such link is retained in a fixed position and a wire blank is inserted into each aperture of the link. On one end of each wire blank, a head is formed having a diameter larger than the aperture into which the wire blank is inserted. A mating link is placed into engagement with each link containing wire blanks with the end of each blank inserted in one aperture of the mating link in a manner to form a chain assembly. On the other end of each wire blank, a head is formed to complete interlocking of the links and blanks in forming the chain assembly.

Abstract: Two chain segments of a snow-chain are connected through elongated elements, where both ends of an element each exhibit an open slot in which a link of a chain segment is introduced. Thereafter, the slots are pressed shut until the chain links are at least formlocked, or even forcelocked therein. The method enables one to make the connection elements out of the same material as the one used for the chain segments, and to temper them together with the latter. Futhermore, the method can easily be performed by robots.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a link-type belt formed of a plurality of plate members by punching out planar plate members from a sheet metal, wherein each plate member has lateral portions projecting outwardly from two opposite sides of the plate member; prebending the free end of each lateral portion; bending each lateral portion into an orientation substantially perpendicular to the respective plate member; rolling-in each lateral portion for forming hinge eyes on each plate member; aligning the plate members with one another; and inserting a hinge bolt into aligned hinge eyes of adjoining plate members.

Abstract: A blank, having a pair of parallel bushing forming strips that are intermediately connected by a web, is formed from stock. The blank is bent and curled in a progressive die to form a bushing link that includes a pair of cylindrical bushings integral with the web. Rollers can be slipped longitudinally over the bushing ends opposite from the web and an inside plate is welded to the bushing ends to form a roller link. Such roller links are alternately arranged with pin-links to form a roller chain. A bushing chain can be formed in essentially the same manner as the roller chain by omitting the rollers from the bushing links.

Abstract: A blank, having a pair of parallel bushing forming strips that are intermediately connected by a web, is formed from stock. The blank is bent and curled in a progressive die to form a bushing link that includes a pair of cylindrical bushings integral with the web. Rollers can be slipped longitudinally over the bushing ends opposite from the web and an inside plate is welded to the bushing ends to form a roller link. Such roller links are alternately arranged with pin-links to form a roller chain. A bushing chain can be formed in essentially the same manner as the roller chain by omitting the rollers from the bushing links.