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 machine is shown for feeding a length of wire to a forming station, cutting and forming the length into a U-shaped element around an arbor, moving the U-shaped element to a presentation position in a channel of a face plate with the free ends of the element extending out of the face plate, then forming the free ends into a closed loop by means of a forming head engaging the ends and bending them into the loop and finally ejecting the element from the face plate.

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: 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 method for producing ornamental link chains (Venetian chains). In accordance with the invention the cutting to length is followed by a conveying step transversely to a feed direction, both conveying steps are carried out transversely to a direction of action during the cutting to length, preliminary and finish bending (closing), the section of flat wire is held down for the preliminary bending and for the closing, the particular closed individual link is pushed into the extraction section to adjust the first transverse web in the assembly plane, and the striking is superimposed on the extraction of the chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ornamental link chains (Venetian chains). In accordance with the invention the cutting to length is followed by a conveying step transversely to a feed direction, both conveying steps are carried out transversely to a direction of action during the cutting to length, preliminary and finish bending (closing), the section of flat wire is held down for the preliminary bending and for the closing, the particular closed individual link is pushed into the extraction section to adjust the first transverse web in the assembly plane, and the striking is superimposed on the extraction of the chain.

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: 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: 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: Method of and apparatus for electrically butt-welding high-strength chains. Previously bent and interengaged chain links are passed through a chain welding machine, each chain link in succession being alternately rotated about its axis and erected to a vertical position for engagement by upsetting members and welding electrodes.