Ball chain: Difference between revisions
Added references, since someone thinks references are needed, to the original 1914 patent and a more recent patent that addresses other issues. Reference tag therefore removed. |
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[[Image:Gunfighter-6 Dog Tag.jpg|thumb|[[Dog tag (identifier)|Dogtag]]s on ball chain]]A '''ball chain''' is a type of [[chain]] consisting of small metal balls connected via short lengths of wire.<ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> |
[[Image:Gunfighter-6 Dog Tag.jpg|thumb|[[Dog tag (identifier)|Dogtag]]s on ball chain]]A '''ball chain''' is a type of [[chain]] consisting of small metal balls connected via short lengths of wire.<ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> |
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The balls are hollow and have two small antipodal holes. These holes accept a short length of wire [[Deformation (engineering)|deform]]ed on the end like a [[rivet]] so that the end is bound inside the ball. The wire is then connected to another ball using the same method. Many of the balls and wires are joined together to form a chain. Because of the connection method, the chain can [[swivel]] on itself unrestrictedly, which helps prevent kinking. <ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> However, the chain has a relatively low strength.<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT3458993&id=nBVgAAAAEBAJ<ref> |
The balls are hollow and have two small antipodal holes. These holes accept a short length of wire [[Deformation (engineering)|deform]]ed on the end like a [[rivet]] so that the end is bound inside the ball. The wire is then connected to another ball using the same method. Many of the balls and wires are joined together to form a chain. Because of the connection method, the chain can [[swivel]] on itself unrestrictedly, which helps prevent kinking. <ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> However, the chain has a relatively low strength.<ref>http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT3458993&id=nBVgAAAAEBAJ</ref> |
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The most common ball chain accessories are connectors. Each end of a connector is able to surround a ball at the end of a chain and snap over its wire connection, which holds it secure. These can be used to connect two lengths of chain, or to connect the ends of the same chain to form a loop. The connectors require no tools to apply or remove and are reusable.<ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> |
The most common ball chain accessories are connectors. Each end of a connector is able to surround a ball at the end of a chain and snap over its wire connection, which holds it secure. These can be used to connect two lengths of chain, or to connect the ends of the same chain to form a loop. The connectors require no tools to apply or remove and are reusable.<ref>US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.</ref> |
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Revision as of 15:41, 24 January 2013
A ball chain is a type of chain consisting of small metal balls connected via short lengths of wire.[1]
The balls are hollow and have two small antipodal holes. These holes accept a short length of wire deformed on the end like a rivet so that the end is bound inside the ball. The wire is then connected to another ball using the same method. Many of the balls and wires are joined together to form a chain. Because of the connection method, the chain can swivel on itself unrestrictedly, which helps prevent kinking. [2] However, the chain has a relatively low strength.[3]
The most common ball chain accessories are connectors. Each end of a connector is able to surround a ball at the end of a chain and snap over its wire connection, which holds it secure. These can be used to connect two lengths of chain, or to connect the ends of the same chain to form a loop. The connectors require no tools to apply or remove and are reusable.[4]
Other common accessories include other terminations similar to the connectors, but with a different connection on one end, such as a screw hole for semi-permanent affixing of a chain.
Common uses of ball chain are for pull cords on light fixtures[5] and ceiling fans, keychains, as retaining chains for things such as counter pens, and dogtag chains.
Ball Chain Manufacturing in Mount Vernon, New York, is the only manufacturer of ball chain in the United States[6]
Notes
- ^ US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.
- ^ US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.
- ^ http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT3458993&id=nBVgAAAAEBAJ
- ^ US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.
- ^ US Patent 1103760, available at http://www.google.com/patents?id=Rd9LAAAAEBAJ, p. 1.
- ^ BCM Corp