Improvements in and relating to Wire-netting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 14th July, 1897-Accepted, 11th Sept., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Wire-netting Machines.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from the Firm of Felten & Guilleaume, of
Mülheim-on-the-Rhine, in the German Empire, Cable Manufacturers,) to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to wire-netting machines-particularly machines of the type
referred to in the Specification to Letters Patent of the United Kingdom granted to
Wilhelm Gerhardi, 26th April, 1895, No. 8329-and consists in an improved mode of
forming and mounting the bobbins of wire or "spools," and to improved means for
effecting the twisting operations at both the upper and lower extremities of the said
spools.
According to the mode of construction described in the aforesaid previous
Specification, in order to enable the machine spools to be charged with as much wire
as possible, they were made long and upright, the tubular spool-holder being provided
with an opening at one side to admit the spool. Under such circumstances, the
insertion of the spool is rendered somewhat difficult, and the wire leaves the spools
under unfavorable conditions. The manufacture of cone-shaped spool-holders is
moreover troublesome.
These objections are overcome by arranging the spools with their axes horizontal,
and bending up the spool-holder, in its lower part, to form a bi-part bow-supports
for the spool being provided-and forming its upper part into a narrow cylindrical
tube, through which the wire leaving the spool is led to the twisting spindle; the
latter being, as in the previous construction, a part of the upper portion of the spool-
holder. The bow finishes in a pivot, by which the spool-holder is kept in a wheel.
With a view to using spools as large as possible, the bows of the one row are
practically placed higher than the bows of the other row in zig-zag fashion.
The improvement in the lower netting or twisting mechanism has for its object to
impart to the motion of both rows of changing levers greater uniformity by conveying
the movement of the one row directly, but in the reverse sense, to the other row.
This is accomplished by uniting one even-numbered lever and the following odd-
numbered lever into a double lever, and arranging these double levers to turn about
a pivot, each in the prolongation of the axial lines of the odd-numbered spool-wheels,
with such changing arrangement of the levers or braces with respect to the turning
point, that the one brace points to the right, the other to the left. The wire
conductor lies in each brace at a distance from the turning point equal to the length
of the axis of the spool-wheels. If now the double levers be pushed on in such a
manner that the left directed braces shift from left in the front to right on the
reverse side, then the right directed braces shift from left on the reverse side to right
in the front. On reversal, the reverse movements ensue. The left directed braces
serve in this case for shifting the odd-numbered wires, the right directed braces for
shifting the even-numbered wires. The last or outside levers of the series may be
single levers directed to the right and to the left respectively. The wire conductors

page_text: thus turn in ares of circles the radii of which are equal to the distance of the axis
from the turning point, this distance being the same for all spool-wheels. The
centres of these circular arcs lie in the prolongation of the axis of that wheel which
lies between those two wheels to be furnished by the wire conductors, which wheel is
thus furnished by the left directed brace of the next adjacent right change-lever and
by the right directed brace of the next adjacent left change-lever. The slit in the
common plate of the previous machine then assumes the form of a row of curvilinear
angles all showing with their apices pointing in the same direction. The crossing of
the lever braces is arranged by correspondingly curving the latter. To impart
motion, all the change-levers are pivoted to a common plate, which is geared in the
same manner as the common piate of the previous machine.
The improvement in the upper netting or twisting mechanism serves to change
the wires between the twisting spindle heads. For shifting the change wire, an
arrow-shaped double lever is employed, whose point, lying between neighbouring
spindle heads, swings incessantly; so that, when the twists are made, the point lies
in the middle between the spindle-heads. When the point has to conduct the wire
changing from left to right, it lies on the extreme left hand, and when it has to
conduct the wire changing from right to left, it lies on the extreme right hand. The
arrow-pointed levers are arranged in two rows, with the row of the spindle-heads
between them, in such inanner that the one row contains the odd-numbered levers,
and the other row the even numbered levers. Both rows are actuated by the
common plates; being moved to and fro by an upright shaft and curved wheels.
Dated this 7th day of October 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Wire-netting Machines.
I, GEORGE GATTON MELHUISH HARDINGHAM, of 191, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Civil Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention (a communication to me from the Firm of Felten & Guilleaume, of
Mülheim-on-the-Rhine, in the German Empire, Cable Manufacturers,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to wire-netting machines-particularly machines of the type
referred to in the Specification to Letters Patent of the United Kingdom granted to
Wilhelm Gerhardi, on the 26th April, 1895, No. 8329-and consists in an improved
mode of forming and mounting the bobbins of wire or "spools," and to improved
means for effecting the twisting operations at both the upper and lower extremities of
the said spools.
According to the mode of construction described in the aforesaid previous
Specification, in order to enable the machine to be charged with as much wire as
possible, the spools were made long and upright, the tubular spool-holder being
provided with an opening at one side to admit the spool. Under such circumstances
the insertion of the spool is rendered somewhat difficult, and the wire leaves the
spools under unfavourable conditions. The manufacture of cone-shaped spool-holders
is, moreover, troublesome.
By the present improvements these objections are overcome. In the accompanying
drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section of so much of the wire-netting machine as is
necessary to illustrate the present invention; Fig. 2 being an end elevation. Fig. 3
is an enlarged view of the improvement in the lower netting mechanism showing the

page_text: arrangement of the double-armed changing levers. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section
taken through the mechanism for actuating the changing levers. Figs. 5 and 5 are
plans illustrating the improvement pertaining to the upper netting device.
According to this invention, the spools A are arcangad in their holders with their
axis horizontal, and the spool-holders are formed towards their lower extremities with
bows or loops a supports being provided for carrying the spool-the upper portions
of the spool-holders being formed as narrow cylindrical tubes a', through which the
wire leaving the spiol A is led to the twisting spindle; the latter being, as in the
previous construction, a part of the upper portion of the spool-holder. The bow or
loop a finishes in a pivot a by which the spool-holder is kept in the wheel a. With
a view to using spools as large as possible, the bows of the one row are practically
placed higher than the bows or loops of the other row (see Fig. 1) in zig-zag fashion.
The improvement in the lower netting or twisting mechanism has for its object to
impart to the motion of both rows of changing levers greater uniformity by conveying
the movement of the one row directly, but in the reverse sense, to the other row.
This is accomplished by uniting one even-numbered lever and the following odd-
numbered lever into a double lever B, B, elc., and arranging each of these double
levers to turn about a pivot b, in the prolongation of the axial line of the odd-
numbered spool-wheels, with such changing effect in respect of the turning point of
such levers or braces, that the one brace 60 points to the right, and the other 6x to the
left. The wire conductor lies in each brace at a distance from the turning point equal
to the length of the axis of the spool-wheels. If now the double levers be pushed on
in such a manner that the left directed braces b shift from left, in the front, to right
on the reverse side, then the right directed braces 6° shift from left, on the
reverse side, to right in the front. Or reversal, the reverse movements ensue.
The left directed braces serve in this case for shifting the odd-numbered wires x,
while the right directed braces serve for shifting the even-numbered wires y. Thus,
for instance, the double lever, B turning about the, axis b (Fig. 3) shifts with its
left brace 6x from the position 1 to the position 2 and vice versa, and with its
right brace from 4 to 5 and,vice versa. The double lever B shifta with its left
brace from the position 3 to the position 4 and, with its right brace from 6 to 7, and
so on. The last or outside levers of the series may be single levers B* (Fig. 3) having
the brace b** directed to the right and to the left respectively. The wire conductors
thus turn in arcs of circles the radii of which are equal to the distance of the axis from
the turning point, this distance being the same for all spool-wheels. The centres of
these circular arcs lie in the prolongation of the axis of that wheel which lies between
those two wheels to be furnished by the wire conductors, which wheel is thus furnished
by the left directed brace of the next adjacent right change-lever and by the right
directed brace of the next adjacent left change-lever. The slit (e) in the common
plate (E) of the previous machine thus assumes the form of a row of curvilinear
angles all having their apices pointing in the same direction as shown by the dotted
lines in Fig. 3. The crossing of the lever braces is arranged by correspondingly
curving the latier. To impart motion, all the change-levers are pivoted to a common
plate C, which is geared in the same manner as the common plate (C) of the previous
machine; a toothed-whee! D having a cam groove d on its inner face in which works
a pin d on the frame d, the latter operating the bell-crank lever d³ and, by nean
of the rod d, the bell-crank lever ds and the plate C.
The improvement in the upper netting or twisting mechanism, illustrated in
Figs. 5 and 5, is designed io effect the changing of the wires a from the twisting
spindle-heads S, S1, S2, etc. For shifting the change wire, an arrow-shaped double
lever E is employed, whereof the portion e enters between neighbouring spindle-heads
and has an intermittent vibratory motion. When the twists are being made, the
part e is at rest in a position midway between the spindle-heads; but when the wire
is being shifted the lever vibrates quickly in the one or the other direction, and
catches the wire. The lever then returns to the mid-position, taking with it the
wire; thereby effecting the change of the wire from the one spindle-head to the other,
The arrow-pointed levers E are arranged in two rows, with the row of the spin ile.

page_text: heads between them, in such a manner that the one row contains the odd-numbered
levers, and the other row the even-numbered levers. Both levers are actuated by
the common plates of the frame F being moved to and fro by an upright shaft f and
wheels furnished with cam grooves. The movements of the levers must be so
regulated with regard to the revolutions of the spindle-heads that they always arrive
in position at the required time to shift the wire.
The operation of the apparatus during a double change will be better understood
by reference to the enlarged view, Fig. 5. The change wire x¹, being in a spindle
head S1, first makes the necessary number of turns to form the required twist; during
which operation it is not affected by the change mechanism or arrow pointed lever E,
which lies quiescent between the spindle-heads. After this, while the final turn of
the wire is being effected by the spindle-head S', the portion e of the lever E moves
quickly towards the spindle of the head S remaining in this position until the wire x¹
which has to change from the spindle-head $1 to the spindle-head S passes the
circular point ex and arrives in the position y¹ (shown in dotted lines) where it comes
into contact with the curved conducting side of the portion e remote from the spindle
of the head S¹. The lever now catches the wire and immediately returns to the
mid-position, and in so doing conducts the wire a¹ to the spindle-head S whereby it
is caught; the lever E again assuming the position of rest, midway between the
spindie-heads S and S1, while the spindle-heads continue to rotate. For the change
of the wire from the spindle-head S to the spindle-head S¹ the movements are
reversed; i.e. while the spindle-head S is imparting the final turn to the wire and the
wire is in about the position x, the portion e of the lever E moves quickly
towards the spindle of the head S. The wire, which has meanwhile arrived in the
dotted position y is then caught by the opposite curved side of the portion e, which
immediately resumes its normal position, and in so doing returns the wire to the
spindle-head S'.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved mode of forming and mounting the spools of wire-netting
machines of the kiud herein referred to, same consisting in forming the spool-holders
towards their lower extremities with bows and loops wherein are arranged spools
having their axes approximately horizontal, and in forming the upper portions of the
spool-holders as cylinders through which the wires are led; the bows or loops being
arranged zig-zag and in rows one higher than another.
2. In a wire-netting machine of the kind herein referred to, the improved means
for effecting the twisting of the lower netting mechanism, substantially as herein
described; same comprising double levers, such as B, B¹, etc., pivoted in the
prolongation of the axis either of the odd-numbered or of the even-numbered
spool-wheels, and capable of shifting, by means of braces, the odd-numbered and
even-numbered change wires respectively according to whether the direction of the
braces is left-handed or right-handed.
3. In a wire-netting machine of the kind herein referred to, the improved means
for effecting the changing of the wires in the upper netting mechanism, substantially
as herein described; same comprising the employment of arrow-shaped levers, such
as E, which swing between the spindle-heads and serve, when they are in their
extreine left-hand or right-hand positions, to guide the wires shifted; they then
assume a middle position, resting there while the wires are twisted, and finally resume
their extreme right-hand or left-hand positions whereby the wires shifted are returned
to their original stations.