RECENTLY PATENTED IMPROVEMENTS. 347 



It consists of two circular or eliptical rings of metal, each so stamped or cut 

 from a sheet of iron as to leave an opening through which a trace-hook or similar 

 instrument may be passed; the pair being united at a suitable point of tbeir cir- 

 cumference, by means of a strong rivet or bolt. 



The said Jap-link is preferably constructed by first stamping or cutting the 

 thin, flat links directly from a sheet of metal and afterwards forming, at corres- 

 ponding points in their circumference, the apertures for the reception of the 

 rivets. 



When it is desired to use a Hnk in connection with a single-tree, a pair of 

 the links are inserted between clamping-lugs upon the outside of a revolving fer- 

 rule where they are securely held in place by means of a heavy bolt or rivet. 



The said revolving ferrule is attached to the end of the single-tree through 

 the medium of a flanged ferrule and a screw-bolt. Such an arrangement per- 

 mits the outside ferrule to revolve freely, hence the single-tree may be quickly 

 and easily reversed. 



The link and its connections may be constructed of malleable iron and it is 

 preferable to make the outside and inside ferrules in that manner, but the link 

 should be formed as before described. 



When the two thin links are united by a small rivet, they may be used in 

 connection with a common clevis, for coupling together the different parts of 

 vehicle pulling-gear, and for many other useful purposes, such as forming a com- 

 plete chain. The inventor is Mr. J. H. C. Wilkening, of Higginsville, Mo. 



Combined Belt-Guide and Reel. — The object of this invention is to pro- 

 vide a simple and efficient guiding device for the driving-belts of threshing- 

 machines and similar apparatus, in such a manner that very little wear will be 

 produced upon the edges of the belt, even when the same is being operated 

 against a heavy side wind. 



The device consists of a suitably sized hub that is journaled horizontally to 

 the frame work of a machine, preferably by means of a tri-armed hanger or 

 bracket, and carrying upon its outer extremities, or cast integral therewith, a pair 

 of vertical guiding-discs between which the belt is adapted to run and be guided 

 in its course toward the pulley of the machine. 



The invention consists further in providing the said belt-guiding device with 

 an aperture in each disc thereof for inserting a pin above the belt, so that when 

 the belt is not in use and the device is revolved, by means of a removable handle, 

 the belt may be wound thereon, as hereinafter more fully set forth. 



Heretofore the edges of a belt have been rapidly worn away by reason of im- 

 properly constructed guiding pulleys, for the reason that the surface presented to 

 the edge of the belt was quite angular and abrupt. 



In this apparatus the guiding-pulley or reel is preferably constructed of cast- 

 iron, in two similar sections or discs, the hub being cast integral therewith, and 

 fitted to a journal projecting from a tri-armed hanger or bracket which is bolted 

 to the machine framing. A removable handle is adapted to be inserted in an 



