Year: 1895

page_text: Figure 4 a section of a modified form; and
Figure 5 a partial side elevation of the improved device; and
Figure 6 is an isometric view of wire bent in form suitable for connecting the
proximate ends of a belting strip by means of a straight supplementary wire shown
in operative position, the belt being omitted.
Figure 7 is a plan of a modification; Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of
Figure 7; Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a section
of a modified detail.
In Figures 1 and 3 inclusive a portion of wire belt-lacing 2 is shown formed in
and by means of the improved device.
Numeral 1 indicates a bench or like solid support and 3 denotes bolts for securing
the device thereto.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the device comprises a front plate 4 and a back
plate 5, each provided with studs or pins, and with a main separating or spacing
block or plate 6 and subsidiary spacing plates 7. 8 indicates thumb nuts and bolts
for suitably holding the several parts together and 9 indicates washers.
The separating plates 7 are preferably provided with notches 7' to adapt them
to be placed over the bolts between plates 4 and 5.
The use of the spacing plates is to vary the operative distance between the
plates 4 and 5 to provide for the manufacture of lacing of various sizes. Any
desired number of these plates may be employed or the main block 6 may be made
of a sufficient size and the subsidiary plates dispensed with, substitute blocks 6
of suitable size being provided as may be suitable for each desired size of belt
lacing.
The rear plate 5 is provided with short studs or pins 5', arranged in pairs as
shown, the members of said pair being separated by a distance slightly exceeding
the diameter of the wire to be bent therein. The distance between the pairs will
in each case be made according to the desired distance apart of the loops of the
belt lacing.
The front plate 4 has a series of studs or posts 4', each having an arm 4" at
about its mid height and having a distance from the edge of the plate a little larger
than the diameter of the wire used in making the belt-lacing. Both the free end of

page_text: the stud or post and of its arm is by preference slightly enlarged to prevent the
wire slipping off from the same as will more clearly appear in the description of
the operation to be made hereinafter.
The posts 4 are preferably made shorter than the pins or studs 5' and of the
dimensions substantially as shown or such that the head of each post 4' extends
above and near to the upper surface of the wire under operation.
In operation an end of the wire is secured by a clamp 10, 11 or in any suitable
way, and the wire is then bent and inserted between two studs 5'. The part thus
manipulated remaining in place the wire is slipped under arm 4" and bent up and
about it where it remains until the operation is completed. The wire is next
inserted between the two opposite studs 5' and then bent about the second one and
then about the first stud of the next pair as indicated at 2 in Figure 2. This
manipulation is repeated until as many loops are formed as desired, whereupon the
wire is suitably cut from the main length, if necessary, and the lacing is removed
from the studs and its free ends suitably bent. The product is then complete and
its bends 2 are ready to receive the usual tie wire 12 when applied to belts.
In practice the plates 4 and 5 can be cut from sheet metal and the studs formed
thereon by stamping or punching but it is not essential that separable plates be
used nor that the studs be integral therewith.
The use of the particular pins or studs 4' and 5' is not essential. Suitable
notches or slots such as indicated at 13 in Figure 5 for holding the wire in
combination with a horizontal arm 4" or an equivalent means for forming a wire
loop will be sufficient. In Figure 5 is shown a portion of a plate or equivalent in
which pins are dispensed with.
In Figure numeral 6' indicates bars and 711 spacing strips all of which may be
made of wood if desired. Pins can be driven into these and arranged to operate
substantially as above described. It is obvious that the device exclusive of locking
and fastening mechanism could be cast in one piece.
In Figures 7 to 10 inclusive is shown another modification in which 14 denotes a
strip or plate of sheet metal suitably formed by stamping or otherwise to provide
wire holding recesses 13'. 16 denotes posts provided with horizontal arms 17
formed of sheet metal in like manner. The arms 17 serve the same purpose as
those denoted by 4" in other figures. More than one may be provided adjacent
each recess 13' to provide for making loops of various lengths and this mode of
securing the said result may be combined with, or substituted for, means of
adjusting the front and back plates hereinbefore described. 18 denotes nails or
screws for attaching the strips having the form described to a supporting block
or blocks.
The arms 17 may be formed in separate pieces, each piece to be situated opposite
a recess 13¹ as indicated in Figures 7 to 9 inclusive, or several arms corresponding
to several of said recesses may be formed of a continuous strip of sheet metal as
indicated in Figure 10.
The construction as shown in Figure 7 provides longer wire holding recesses 131
than produced by the studs or pins shown in Figure 1, though the latter might be
suitably shaped or extended to afford wire holding recesses of the same length.
The advantage of such long recesses is that they hold the two members of the loop
formed therein securely in a plane transverse to the length of the lacing and in
position substantially such as indicated at 211 in Figure 6 and thus prevent their
assuming or too nearly approaching a situation in the same plane lengthwise of
the lacing.
The means for attaching the device to a bench or table is not essential and it
may be held in a vise or in any usual or convenient manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is:
1st. In a device for forming belt fastenings and the like; a series of studs pins

page_text: or the like arranged and constructed to provide at suitable intervals wire holding
spaces in combination with stationary arms 411 situated each opposite a wire holding
space and in a plane transverse to the length of said space substantially as set
foith.
2nd. In a device for forming belt fastenings and the like; a series of studs pins
or the like arranged and constructed to provide at suitable intervals wire holding
spaces in combination with stationary arms 4" situated each opposite a wire holding
space and in a plane transverse to the length of said space, and means for varying
the distance between the arms and spaces substantially as set forth.
Dated this 3rd day of August. 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.