View source for Ball chain

{{Short description|Type of chain}}
{{Other uses|Ball and chain (disambiguation)}}
{{sources|date=April 2013}}
[[File:Stainless steel ball chain.jpg|thumb|Ball chain detail]]
[[Image:Gunfighter-6 Dog Tag.jpg|thumb|[[Dog tag (identifier)|Dogtag]]s on ball chain]]

'''Ball chain''' or '''bead chain''' is a type of [[chain]] consisting of small [[sheet metal]] balls connected via short lengths of wire.<ref name="pat1103760">{{US patent reference|number=1103760|issue-date=1914-07-14|inventor=Gilbert W. Goodridge|title=Chain Attachment}}</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 name="pat1103760" /> However, the chain has a relatively low strength.<ref>{{US patent reference|number=3458993|issue-date=1969-08-05|inventor=Oscar Greene|title=Ball Chain Connector Element}}</ref>  Ball chains are also sometimes known as '''snake link''' or '''toilet chain'''.

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 name="pat1103760" /> 

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<ref name="pat1103760" /> and ceiling fans, keychains, and as retaining chains for things such as [[counter pen]]s, and [[Dog tag (identifier)|dogtag]] chains.

Typical width is ''size 3'', or {{val|2.4|u=mm}}, steel ball chain. In the jewelry industry, [[Fineness|pure 925]] [[sterling silver]] may be in {{val|1|u=mm}}, {{val|1.2|u=mm}}, {{val|1.5|u=mm}}, {{val|1.8|u=mm}}, and {{val|2.2|u=mm}} ball chain.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat|Ball chains}}


[[Category:Chains]]