Patent GB-200125-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in apparatus for straining and securing wires around bales, boxes, and the like
IPC: B65B13/28
Filed: 1922-02-09
Abstract: 200,125. Mueller, W. G. Feb. 9, 1922. Wire strainers.-In apparatus for straining wire around bales &c., for twisting together the ends of the loop thus formed, and for cutting off the spare wire, the straining and twisting mechanisms respectively are put out of and into action automatically when the wire is sufficiently strained. At the end of the twisting operation the wire is automatically cut, the consequent release of the tension throwing the twisting mechanism out of action and bringing the straining mechanism into operation for the next bale. Sufficient time, however, elapses after the wire has been cut and before the tensioning begins again to allow the parts to twist the wire somewhat more than is necessary, in order to allow for the resiliency of the wire when withdrawn from the machine. The apparatus is intended for use-particularly with wire that has previously been cut into suitable lengths. Ons end of the wire is bent back upon itself and is held in a notched lever 78, Fig. 2, the wire then passing into a groove in a guide 74, Figs. 1, 2 and 8, under a spring-pressed pivoted cutter 72, Fig. 8, through a slot in a twisting pinion 70, Figs. 2 and 7, under a slotted.guide 75, Figs. 1, 2, and 9, around the bale 14 and then under the slotted guide 74, Fig. 8, through the pinion 70 again and through the slotted guide 75, Fig. 9, below a second spring-pressed pivoted cutter 73, and finally through two alternate serrations on a straining drum 64, Figs. 1 and 2, being held on the surface thereof by the friction at the serrations. The drum 64 is rotated by a worm and worm-wheel 55, 60, the former being slidably mounted on a shaft 51, so that when the tension on the wire reaches a certain limit, the worm is caused to slide against a spring 53. A flange 56 on a collar 54, with which the worm is integral, coacts with a lug 86 on a lever 85 to actuate a second lever 82, so that a lug 84 thereon causes a clutch collar 35 to slide to the left of a driven shaft 15, Figs. 1 and 2. The right-hand clutch member 25 is therefore disengaged and the drive disconnected from the shaft 51, the member 25 being mounted loosely on the shaft 15 but prevented from moving longitudinally thereon. The tensioning means are thus disabled. The clutch-collar 35, is, however, moved into engagement with a, clutch 49 on a shaft 48, Figs. 2 and 7, from which the pinion 70 is rotated, so that the twisting operation begins, continuing until after the cutters 73, 72 have been consecutively depressed by cams 69, 68 on the shaft 66. The consequent release of tension in the wire not passing around the drum allows the spring 79 to draw in the end of the lever 77 to which it is fixed and to cause a rod 96 pivoted to the lever, Figs. 1, 2 and 7, to pass through a slot 95 in the gear wheel 67 to release the lever 82 actuating the clutch collar 35 to throw the twisting means out of action and to put the tensioning means again into action, the lever 82 having been held by a cam-wedge, not shown. The twisting mechanism is thus maintained operative to twist further the ends of the wire that passes around the bale, after it has been cut, until after thn lever 82 has been released. The shaft 15 is preferably driven from a motor 12, but it may be driven by hand. Ball bearings 57, 58, 99 are provided at the end of the shaft 51 and at the base of the apparatus.