A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and

curve In mathematics, a curve (also called a curved line in older texts) is an object similar to a line (geometry), line, but that does not have to be Linearity, straight. Intuitively, a curve may be thought of as the trace left by a moving point (ge ...

d in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of two or more links. Chains can be classified by their design, which can be dictated by their use: * Those designed for lifting, such as when used with a hoist; for pulling; or for securing, such as with a bicycle lock, have links that are torus shaped, which make the chain flexible in two dimensions (the fixed third dimension being a chain's length). Small chains serving as jewellery are a mostly decorative analogue of such types. * Those designed for transferring power in machines have links designed to mesh with the teeth of the sprockets of the machine, and are flexible in only one dimension. They are known as roller chains, though there are also non-roller chains such as block chains. Two distinct chains can be connected using a quick link, carabiner,

shackle A shackle (or shacklebolt), also known as a gyve, is a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism. The term also applies to handcuffs ...

, or clevis. Load can be transferred from a chain to another object by a chain stopper.

Uses for chain

Uses for chain include:

Decoration

* Belly chain, type of body jewelry worn around the waist * Jewelry chain, many necklaces and bracelets are made out of small chains of gold and silver * Chain of office, 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 wear wallets with chains connected to their belts, or pants decorated with chains * Omega chain, a pseudo-chain where the 'links' are mounted on a backing rather than being interlinked * Tie chain, used to hold in place a tie to the underlying shirt front

Power transfer

* Bicycle chain, transfers power from the pedals to the drive-wheel of a bicycle, thus propelling it. An application of roller chain. *

Chain drive Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles. It is also used in a wide variety of machines besides vehicles. ...

, the main feature that differentiated the safety bicycle * Chain gun, type of machine gun that is driven by an external power source, sometimes connected by a chain, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil * Chain pumps, type of water pump where a loop of chain inset discs is passed around then through a tube submerged in liquid * Chainsaw, portable mechanical, motorized saw using a cutting chain 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 2:1 speed reduction.

Security and restraint

* Ball and chain, a phrase that can refer to either the actual

restraint device Physical restraint refers to means of purposely limiting or obstructing the freedom of a person's bodily movement. Basic methods Usually, binding objects such as handcuffs, legcuffs, ropes, chains, straps or straitjackets are used for ...

that was used to slow down prisoners, or a derogatory description of a person's significant other * Belly chain (or waist chain), a physical restraint worn by prisoners, consisting of a chain around the prisoner's waist, to which the prisoner's hands are chained or cuffed Prisoner in belly chain

* Bicycle lock (or bicycle chain), lockable chain *

Chain boom A boom or a chain (also boom defence, harbour chain, river chain, chain boom, boom chain or variants) is an obstacle strung across a navigable stretch of water to control or block navigation. In modern times they usually have civil uses, such as ...

, large chains used to exclude warships from harbors and rivers *

Chain link fencing A chain-link fence (also referred to as wire netting, wire-mesh fence, chain-wire fence, cyclone fence, hurricane fence, or diamond-mesh fence) is a type of woven fence usually made from galvanized or linear low-density polyethylene-coated st ...

, fencing that utilizes vertical wires that are bent in a zigzag fashion and linked to each other * Chain mail, a type of armor consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. *

Door chain A door chain, security chain, or security door chain or chain door interviewer consists of a small chain attached to the door frame, which attaches to a track on the door for security purposes. It is a type of lock Lock(s) may refer to: Common ...

, a type of security chain on a door that makes it possible to open a door from the inside while still making it difficult for someone outside to force their way inside * Gang transport chain, a chain used to shackle two or more inmates together for transport or work outside the facility, forming a

chain gang A chain gang or road gang is a group of prisoners chained together to perform menial or physically challenging work as a form of punishment. Such punishment might include repairing buildings, building roads, or clearing land. The system was no ...

* Leg iron chains ( fetters), an alternative to handcuffs * Prisoner transport restraints, a combination which consists of a pair of handcuffs attached by a longer chain to a pair of leg irons * On chain-linked

handcuffs Handcuffs are Physical restraint, restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists in proximity to each other. They comprise two parts, linked together by a Link chain, chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each cuff has a rotating arm whi ...

, the cuffs are held together by a short chain

Traction, pulling and lifting

* Anchor cable, as used by ships and boats; in British nautical usage the component is a cable, the material is chain * Chain slings * Chain hoist , device used for lifting or lowering a load * Chain boat, a type of river craft that used a steel chain laid along the riverbed for its propulsion * Chain-linked lewis, a self-locking lifting device particularly for stone using a chain link as a pivot * Curb chain, used on curb bits when riding a horse *

High-tensile chain A high-tensile chain, also referred to as a transport chain, is a link chain with a high tensile strength used for drawing or securing loads. This type of chain usually consist of broad (thick/heavy) metal, oblong torus-shaped links for high str ...

(or transport chain), chain with a high tensile strength used for towing or securing loads * Jack chain, a toothed chain used to move logs * Lead shank (or stud chain), used on horses that are misbehaving * Pull switch, an electrical switch operated by a ball chain ** 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 height. Although most cisterns no longer work like that, the phrase "pull the chain" is still encountered to mean "flush the toilet". * Rigid chain actuator, a type of chain that only bends in one direction, allowing it to operate under compression * Snow chains, used to improve traction in snow

Weapons

* Chain gun, type of machine gun that is driven by an external power source, sometimes connected by a chain, to actuate the mechanism rather than using recoil * Chain shot, a type of ammunition for a cannon, used to inflict damage to the

rigging Rigging comprises the system of ropes, cables and chains, which support a sailing ship or sail boat's masts—''standing rigging'', including shrouds and stays—and which adjust the position of the vessel's sails and spars to which they are ...

of a sail vessel in

naval warfare Naval warfare is combat in and on the sea, the ocean, or any other battlespace involving a major body of water such as a large lake or wide river. Mankind has fought battles on the sea for more than 3,000 years. Even in the interior of large la ...

* Chain weapon, a medieval weapon made of one or more weights attached to a handle with a chain

Other uses

* Chains are a common component of the deflection assembly of

disc golf basket A basket is by far the most common type of target used in disc golf. It features a disc-catching basket under a deflection assembly generally made out of chain. Permanent baskets on courses are built on an anchored metal pole, but portable disc g ...

s. * Chains can be used as a percussion instrument for special effects, such as in Arnold Schönberg's '' Gurre-Lieder'' and Leoš Janáček's '' From the House 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 stitch, a sewing and embroidery technique

Types of chain

* Ball chain, type of chain consisting of small sheet metal balls connected via short lengths of wire * Calibrated chain, a type chain where the link lengths are within a given tolerance, so that it reliably engages with a

windlass The windlass is an apparatus for moving heavy weights. Typically, a windlass consists of a horizontal cylinder (barrel), which is rotated by the turn of a crank or belt. A winch is affixed to one or both ends, and a cable or rope is wound arou ...

. * Flat chain, form of chain used chiefly in agricultural machinery * Ladder chain, a light wire chain used with sprockets for low torque power transmission * Long link chain * O-ring chain, a specialized type of roller chain * Roller chain, the type of chain most commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on bicycles, motorcycles, and in industrial and agricultural machinery * Self-lubricating chain, type of chain that uses a bush to continually lubricate the chain * Silent chain, a type of chain in which the links engage the sprockets similarly to gear teeth * Stud link chain, a type of chain with metal between the sides of each link, keeping the attached links in place. This helps prevent bunching when the chain is run out from a storage bin, as for use in anchoring ships. * Short link chain, a chain where the gap between attached links is small relative to thickness.

Connections

Several methods are available to connect chain ends to each other or to other objects, and to apply a load to a chain away from the ends. These methods are usually specific to the type of chain, and must be of the correct size.

Invention

The metal link chain has been in use since at least 225 BC.As early as 225 BC, chain was used to draw a bucket of water up from a well. This very early bucket chain was composed of connected metal rings.

Symbolism

The prevalent modern symbolism is oppression, due to the use for a mechanical restriction of the liberty of a human or animal. Chains can also symbolize interconnectivity or

interdependence Systems theory is the interdisciplinary study of systems, i.e. cohesive groups of interrelated, interdependent components that can be natural or human-made. Every system has causal boundaries, is influenced by its context, defined by its struc ...

. Unicode, in versions 6.x, contains the , which may show chain link(s). It may also denote a

hyperlink In computing, a hyperlink, or simply a link, is a digital reference to data that the user can follow or be guided by clicking or tapping. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text wit ...

Gallery

File:Silent chain.jpg, Silent chain File:Rope chain.jpg, Rope chain File:Twisted link chain.jpg, Twisted link chain File:Wheat chain.jpg, Wheat chain File:Single-jack-chain.jpg, Single jack chain File:Double jack chain.jpg, Double jack chain File:Studlink chain link.jpg, Stud link chain File:Ladder link chain.jpg, Ladder link chain File:Foxtail chain.jpg, Foxtail chain File:Singapore chain.jpg, Singapore chain File:Rolo chain.jpg, Rolo chain File:BikeChain.png, Bike Chain

References

External links

National Association of Chain Manufacturers
NACM WELDED STEEL CHAIN SPECIFICATIONS
Chain Spec Basics
Grades and Links Explained * {{Authority control Mechanical power control Mechanical power transmission Jewellery Nautical terminology