Method and apparatus for making an elongate spindle member of chain links for transfer of pressure and tensile loads

An elongate spindle member having rigidity and stability against pressure and tensile loads as well as bending and torsional loads is made by winding-up a plurality of mutually interlocking chain links, during axial advancement of the chain links, into a helical winding by a winding guide. The elongate spindle member, formed by the helical winding, extends between two objects, one of which is connected with the winding guide. The first turn of the helical winding is connected with a coupling member for connection with the other of the two objects. The helical winding is formed by drivingly connecting the chain links to a rotatable driving device in the winding guide and retaining each chain link in engagement with neighboring links in the same turn as well as adjacent chain links in neighboring turns.