Old Fashioned Pull Chain Ceiling Lights

Series of connected links which are typically made of metal

A mutual metal curt-link concatenation

A chain is a series assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character like to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of ii or more than links. Chains can be classified by their blueprint, which can be dictated by their employ:

Those designed for lifting, such as when used with a hoist; for pulling; or for securing, such as with a cycle lock, accept links that are torus shaped, which make the chain flexible in ii dimensions (the fixed third dimension being a chain'due south length). Minor chains serving as jewellery are a mostly decorative analogue of such types.
Those designed for transferring power in machines take links designed to mesh with the teeth of the sprockets of the car, and are flexible in merely i dimension. They are known as roller chains, though there are also non-roller chains such every bit cake concatenation.

Ii distinct bondage can be connected using a quick link, carabiner, shackle, or clevis. Load can be transferred from a chain to some other object past a chain stopper.

Uses for chain [edit]

Uses for chain include:

Decoration [edit]

Jewelry chain, many necklaces and bracelets are made out of small chains of gold and silvery
Chain of part, collar or heavy gold chain worn as insignia of office or a mark of fealty in medieval Europe and the United Kingdom
Decorating clothing, some people wearable wallets with chains connected to their belts, or pants decorated with chains
Omega concatenation, a pseudo-chain where the 'links' are mounted on a backing rather than beingness interlinked

Power transfer [edit]

Wheel chain, transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling information technology. An application of roller concatenation.
Chain drive, the principal feature that differentiated the rubber bike^{[ clarification needed ]}
Concatenation gun, blazon of car gun that is driven by an external ability source, sometimes connected by a concatenation, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil
Chain pumps, type of water pump where an countless chain has positioned on it round discs^{[ clarification needed ]}
Chainsaw, portable mechanical, motorized saw using a cutting concatenation to saw wood
Timing chain, used to transfer rotational position from the crankshaft to the valve and ignition system on an internal combustion engine, typically with a 2:ane speed reduction.

Security and restraint [edit]

Brawl and chain, phrase that can refer to either the actual restraint device that was used to slow down prisoners, or a derogatory description of a person's significant other
Abdomen concatenation (or "waist chain"), a physical restraint worn by prisoners, consisting of a chain around the prisoner'southward waist, to which the prisoner'southward hands are chained or cuffed
Bicycle lock (or "Wheel Chain"), lockable chain
Chain blast, big chains used to exclude warships from harbors and rivers
Chain link fencing, fencing that utilizes vertical wires that are aptitude in a zig zag fashion and linked to each other
Chain mail, a blazon of armor consisting of small-scale metallic rings linked together in a pattern to course a mesh.
Door concatenation, a blazon of security chain on a door that makes it possible to open a door from the inside while notwithstanding making information technology difficult for someone outside to force their style within
Gang transport chain, a chain used to shackle ii or more inmates together for transport or work outside the facility, forming a chain gang
Leg iron chains (fetters), an alternative to handcuffs
Prisoner ship restraints, a combination which consists of a pair of handcuffs fastened past a longer chain to a pair of leg irons
Security concatenation, chain with square edges to prevent cut with bolt-cutters
on chain-linked handcuffs the cuffs are held together by a short chain

Traction, pulling and lifting [edit]

Brawl chain pull switch for a ceiling light

Anchor cablevision, as used by ships and boats, in British nautical usage the component is a cable, the material is chain
concatenation slings
concatenation hoist
Concatenation steam shipping
Chain-linked Lewis, lifting device made from ii curved steel legs
Adjourn chain, used on curb $.25 when riding a horse
High-tensile chain (or "Transport chain"), concatenation with a high tensile strength used for towing or securing loads
Jack chain, a toothed chain used to motion logs
Lead shank (or "Stud concatenation"), used on horses that are misbehaving
Pull switch, an electrical switch operated past a brawl chain
Rigid concatenation actuator, a type of chain that merely bends in one management, allowing information technology to operate under compression
Snow bondage, used to improve traction in snow
Lavatory chain, the chain attached to the cistern of an old-fashioned W.C. in which the flushing power is obtained by a gravity feed from above-head tiptop. Although nearly cisterns no longer work similar that, the phrase "pull the concatenation" is withal encountered to mean "flush the toilet".

Weapons [edit]

Chain gun, type of motorcar gun that is driven by an external power source, sometimes connected past a concatenation, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil
Chain-shot, a type of ammunition for a cannon, used to inflict damage to the rigging of a canvas vessel in naval warfare
Chain weapon, a medieval weapon made of one or more weights attached to a handle with a chain

Other uses [edit]

Chains are a common component of the deflection associates of disc golf game baskets.
Chains can exist used every bit a percussion instrument for special effects, such as in Schönberg's Gurre-Lieder and Janáček'southward From the Business firm of the Dead.
Keychain, a small chain that connects a small item to a keyring
Chain sinnet, a method of shortening a rope or other cable while in use or for storage
Chain run up, a sewing and embroidery technique

Types of chain [edit]

Apartment concatenation, grade of chain used importantly in farm machinery
Ladder chain, a light wire chain used with sprockets for low torque ability transmission
O-ring chain, a specialized type of roller chain
Roller concatenation, the type of chain most usually used for manual of mechanical ability on bicycles, motorcycles, and in industrial and agricultural machinery
Silent chain, a type of chain in which the links engage the sprockets similarly to gear teeth

This department needs expansion. You can aid past calculation to it. (Apr 2021)

Stud link chain is chain with metal between the sides of each link keeping the attached links in identify. This helps prevent bunching when the chain is run out from a storage bin, as for use in anchoring ships.
Short link concatenation is chain where the gap betwixt attached links is pocket-size relative to thickness.
Long link chain
Calibrated concatenation is concatenation where the link lengths are within a given tolerance, so that it reliably engages with a windlass.

Connections [edit]

Several methods are available to connect concatenation ends to each other or to other objects, and to employ a load to a chain away from the ends. These methods are usually specific to the blazon of concatenation, and must exist of the right size.

This section needs expansion. You can help by calculation to it. (April 2021)

Invention [edit]

The metal link chain has been in employ since at least 225 BC.^[1]

Symbolism [edit]

The prevalent modernistic symbolism is oppression,^{[ commendation needed ]} due to the employ for a mechanical restriction of the liberty of a human being or animal.

Bondage can also symbolize interconnectivity or interdependence. Unicode, in versions vi.x, contains the U+1F517 🔗 LINK SYMBOL, which may show chain link(southward). Information technology may also denote a hyperlink.

Gallery [edit]

Silent chain
Rope concatenation
Twisted link chain
Wheat chain
Single jack chain
Double jack chain
Stud link chain
Ladder link concatenation
Foxtail concatenation
Singapore chain
Rolo chain
Cycle Chain

See likewise [edit]

Belt (mechanical)
Buffers and chain coupler
Chain (unit)
Concatenation gang
Chain letter of the alphabet
Gunter's chain
Lariat concatenation

References [edit]

^ As early on as 225 BC, chain was used to draw a saucepan of water up from a well. This very early bucket chain was composed of connected metal rings.Tsubakimoto Chain Co., ed. (1997). The Complete Guide to Chain. Kogyo Chosaki Publishing Co., Ltd. p. 240. ISBN0-9658932-0-0. p. 211. Retrieved 17 May 2006.

External links [edit]

National Association of Concatenation Manufacturers, NACM WELDED STEEL CHAIN SPECIFICATIONS
Chain Spec Basics, Grades and Links Explained

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bondage.

Wait up chain in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

"Chain". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. v (11th ed.). 1911.