The Bush Roller Chain

Hans Renold was 21 when he moved from Swizerland to Manchester to find his place in the world.  Six years later, in 1879, he bought a small chain company, and in 1880 invented the bush roller chain.  The figures below are the drawings from his British patent on the bush roller chain.

The difference between a roller chain and a bush roller chain is that the bush roller chain includes an extra tubular section which surrounds the bush, through which the pin extends.  The roller is free to rotate, and protects the bush from wear.  This extends the life of the chain.  An exploded view of a bush roller chain is shown below.

James Starley incorporated a Renold chain into his Rover bicycle of 1884, the prototypical diamond framed bicycle. 

Renold's invention revolutionized all kind of industries, especially the textile industry in England, which was huge.  Renold expanded his business, and in 1925 purchased his largest competitor.  Further acquisitions followed, and Renold became established as a supplier of excellent quality chains, gears, couplings, and freewheels to industry.   

Renold presently has about 3300 employees, and facilities in 22 countries around the world.  Their current offerings of chains are found at their site under: Renold Roller Chain.