IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BALE-TIES AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1885

page_text: sommar Furposes.
I, HERBERT CHURCHILL CAPEL, of 34 Arminger Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY FOR MAKING BALE-TIES AND FOR SIMILAR
PURPOSES "to be as follows:-
My invention relates to machinery chiefly designed for making bale-ties but also
applicable for stretching and straightening wire and cutting it into pieces of equal
length for other purposes.
When my improved machine is used for bale-ties it is so constructed that it will
take the wire directly from a coil, stretch and straighten it, bend and twist the
end to form a loop or eye, and then cut off the required length of wire.
My improved machine has a fixed or stationary block through which the wire
from the reel is passed. This block is provided with a clamping device for holding
the wire, and with a cutting device for dividing the wire into lengths. The said
machine, moreover, has two sliding blocks provided with means for imparting
reciprocating motion to them and arranged to move simultaneously in opposite
directions. These blocks, I will for convenience of description, hereinafter term
the first and second sliding blocks. The first sliding block is provided with
pivotted jaws or other suitable devices which will hold the wire when the block
is moved away from the stationary block, but will release the said wire when the
block is moved in the reverse direction. The second sliding block is provided with
a clamping device which grips the wire immediately the said block begins to move
forward.
The first sliding block is designed to grip the end of the wire which projects
beyond the forward edge of the stationary block, and draw the said wire from the
coil, and then insert the end of the wire in the clamping device of the second
sliding block, which continues to draw the wire from the coil until the required
length of wire has passed through the stationary block. By this time the first
sliding block has moved backward to near the rear end of its stroke; the said block
then acts upon the clamping device of the stationary block and causes it to tightly
grip the wire. The continued forward movement of the second sliding block,
therefore, stretches and straightens the wire. When the first sliding block reaches

page_text: the rear end of its stroke, it acts upon the cutting device and causes the same to
cut the wire a short distance in front of the first sliding block.
When a loop or eye is to be formed at one end of each piece or length of
wire, I provide the second sliding block with means whereby the wire will be
bent around a pin or stud and the end of the said wire inserted in the clamping
device of this block. This bending takes place just before the said block
commences its forward movement; therefore the clamping device will grip both
parts of the wire. I also provide means whereby, during the forward movement
of the second sliding block, while the wire is thus held, the said pin or stud will
be rotated in a plane at right angles to its axis to twist the two parts of the wire
together and thus form the loop or eye.
It will thus be seen that my machine will automatically cut the wire into pieces
of the desired length, and form the loops or eyes thereon; and, as soon as one coil
of wire is finished, a fresh coil can be substituted therefor.
I sometimes arrange two or more sets of the above described mechanism in a
single machine, so that two or more wires of the same or different sizes can be
operated upon simultaneously.
The frame of the machine is preferably formed of two pipes or hollow rods fixed
in two or more brackets or supports. These pipes or rods form guides for the
aforesaid sliding blocks.
For actuating the mechanism I, in some cases, employ the means hereinafter
described, that is to say:-I provide at one end of the said frame a disc-crank,
which is supported in suitable bearings and is arranged to be driven by a steam-
engine or other motor through the medium of frictional gearing. For example a
roller is fixed upon a shaft, on which are also fixed a fly wheel and a driving
pulley. This roller is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the disc-
crank by the following means, viz:-The said shaft is carried excentrically within
a hollow shaft supported in suitable bearings. This hollow shaft is provided with
a weighted arm which tends to keep the said shafts in such a position that the
roller is pressed against the periphery of the said crank:
The said disc-crank is coupled by means of a connecting rod to the second
sliding block. This block is coupled by another connecting rod to one arm of a
lever pivotted to the frame of the machine or to a bracket or arm fixed on the said
hollow shaft. The other arm of this lever is coupled by means of a connecting rod
to another lever pivotted at its upper end to the frame of the machine or to any
other suitable support and connected at its lower end with the first sliding block.
The last named lever is made with a slot through which is passed the pin or bolt
which couples the connecting rod to the said lever. This pin or bolt can be
adjusted to, and secured in, any desired position in the said slot to regulate the
travel of the first sliding block. The said slot is made in the form of an arc of a
circle, the centre of which, when the lever and sliding block are at the forward end
of their stroke, is the centre of the pin which couples the connecting rod to the
first named lever. In this manner I provide for increasing or diminishing the
stroke or travel of the first sliding block, and at the same time ensure its moving
into sufficiently close proximity to the second sliding block to insert the requisite
length of wire therein. The first named lever is so connected with the said hollow
shaft that should the wire from the coil stick from any cause, the said lever will
turn the hollow shaft and throw the driving shaft out of gear with the
disc-crank.
The first sliding block preferably has a stroke about twice as great as that of
the second sliding block. The parts are so arranged that before the crank reaches
its forward "dead centre" the wire will be held by the clamp in the stationary
block, and the continued movement of the said crank will, therefore, stretch and
straighten the wire.
The devices for bending and twisting the end of each length of wire, are
preferably constructed as follows, that is to say:-The pin around which the wire
is to be bent is inserted in the end of a bar which is fitted to slide longitudinally

page_text: to and fro in the second sliding block and is acted upon by a spring. This spring
will yield when the end of the wire is shortened by twisting. The said pin
projects at right angles from the sliding bar and is free to rotate therein. A pinion
is fixed on the said pin and is provided with a cam or projection concentric with
the said pin. These parts are so arranged relatively to the second sliding block
that, when the wire is inserted therein it will pass between the pin and the said
cam or projection. The partial rotation of the said pin and pinion on or about
their axis will then bend the wire around the pin and back upon itself so that two
parts of the wire are inserted in the clamping device. For effecting the said
partial rotation of the pin and pinion, and turning the same in a plane at right
angles to their axis, I provide a rod having a groove or channel which is parallel
with the axis of the rod for a short distance at each end, but the middle portion
of which extends spirally around the said rod. This rod is fitted to slide within
the aforesaid sliding bar and is provided with rack teeth which engage with the
aforesaid pinion. A cam is provided upon the disc-crank to act upon the said
sliding rod, when the second sliding block is at, or near, the rear end of its stroke,
and push the said rod backward thereby partially rotating the said pinion and the
pin on which it is fixed. A pin or stud is fixed in the frame of the machine and
projects into the groove or channel in the said sliding rod, so that, when the second
sliding block is moved forward, the said rod will be rotated to effect the twisting
of the wire.
In some cases I provide for withdrawing the pin from the loop or eye when
completed, so that the finished lengths of wire will fall out of the machine or to
the bottom of the frame thereof, whence they can be easily removed from time to
time.
The clamping of the wire in the second sliding block can be advantageously
provided for as follows, viz:-The connecting rod which couples the crank to the
said block, instead of being connected directly to the said block, is coupled to a bar
fitted to slide in suitable guides or bearings in the said block and provided at its
free end with a wedge-shaped enlargement. This rod is arranged in combination
with two segments one of which is pivotted to the sliding block on one side of the
said rod, and the other of which is pivotted to a sliding piece forming the movable
jaw of the clamp. When the crank has passed its rear "dead centre" and com-
mences to move forward, it must act upon the said rod so as to cause the clamps
to grip the wire before it can move the sliding block forward.
In some cases I dispense with the part which I have herein termed the first
sliding block and with the means for imparting motion thereto; and I sometimes
provide rollers or other suitable means for drawing the wire from the coil and
inserting it in the second or remaining sliding block.
It is obvious that loops or eyes of different shape can be made in this machine,
the construction of the machine being modified accordingly.
If desired I provide for forming loops or eyes at both ends of the lengths of wire.
The aforesaid cutting device, instead of being arranged upon the stationary
block, may, if desired, be attached to the frame of the machine or to any other
suitable support.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Machinery for Making Bale-ties and for
similar Purposes.
I, HERBERT CHURCHILL CAPEL, of 34 Arminger Road, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :—
My invention relates to machinery chiefly designed for making bale-ties, but
also applicable for stretching and straightening wire and cutting or dividing the
same into lengths or pieces for other purposes.
The operations necessary in making wire bale-ties have heretofore been
performed either by hand or by two or more machines, therefore much handling
of the wire has been necessary in the production of such bale-ties, and their
manufacture has been comparatively costly. The main object of my invention is
to provide a machine wherein all these operations will be automatically and con-
tinuously performed, that is to say, a machine which will take the wire directly
from a coil, stretch or straighten the said wire, and cut or divide the same into
lengths or pieces, and form the loops or eyes on one or both ends of such lengths
or pieces.
My said invention, moreover, comprises various improvements hereinafter
described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan, and
Figure 2 a side elevation of a machine constructed according to my said
invention for the manufacture of bale-ties.
Figure 3 is an underside view of a girder hereinafter described.
Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating clamping devices and cutting mechanism
hereinafter described. This and the following figures are drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line x, x, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line x, xl, Figures 1, 2 and 4.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section on the line ³, a, Figure 4.
Figure 8 is a transverse section on the line ³, x, Figures 1, 2 and 4.
Figure 9 is a plan, and
Figure 10 a side elevation of a portion of the said machine, some of the parts
being removed.
Figure 11 is a transverse section on the line x, x³, Figures 1, 2 and 9.
Figure 12 is a transverse section on the line,, Figures 1, 2 and 9.
Figure 13 is a horizontal section on the line 5, 28, Figure 11.
Figure 14 is a transverse section on the line 7, 7, Figures 1, 2 and 10.
Figure 15 is a side elevation showing mechanism for forming the loops or eyes
as hereinafter described.

page_text: mechanism parvy Mal
line, Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a transverse section on the line, x, Figure 15.
Figure 18 is a transverse section on the line 10, 10, Figure 15.
Figure 19 is a section on the line ll, ll, Figure 15.
Figure 20 is a rear elevation of part of the said mechanism.
Figure 21 is a projection of a cam hereinafter described.
Figures 22, 23 and 24 show different products of my improved machine.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is a bed-plate, B is a girder supported, at one end, by the said bed-plate, and,
at the other end, by a standard A. C is the driving shaft, which is carried in
bearings C¹ secured to the bed-plate A, and is provided with a pulley C* whereby
it may be connected, by means of a belt, with any suitable motor. C is a pinion
fixed on the shaft C and gearing with a toothed wheel D¹ fixed on the shaft D,
which is carried in bearings D³ also secured to the bed-plate A. An arm or
crank D³ is fitted in a groove or channel in the wheel D¹ and is secured to the
said wheel by bolts D passing through slots D' in the said arm or crank, so that
the latter is capable of adjustment to vary the distance between the crank-pin De
and the shaft D according to the desired length of the bale-ties.
E is a block or frame, which is fitted to slide to and fro' upon the girder B, and
is coupled, by means of a connecting rod E¹, with the arm or crank Ds. F is a
stationary block or frame, which is fitted upon the girder B and is provided with
a set-screw F1, whereby it may be secured in any desired position upon the said
girder. G, G are reels or drums containing the wire from which the bale-ties are
to be made. These reels or drums are fitted to rotate upon a shaft G¹ carried by
brackets G at the rear of the machine. H, H are devices hereinafter described for
taking up the slack of the wire.
The machine shewn in the drawings is constructed with duplicate_sets of
mechanism, so that it will operate simultaneously upon two wires J. The
stationary block F is provided with clamping devices I for holding the wires J
while they are being stretched or straightened, and with other clamping devices K
for preventing backward movement of the said wires.
L is a bracket, which is fitted to slide to and fro upon the bottom web of the
girder B, and to which reciprocating motion is imparted as hereinafter set forth.
A rod or shaft M is secured in this bracket by means of a set-screw L', and is
fitted to slide to and fro in a bearing in the block or frame F.
The clamping devices I, K are more clearly shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 6. Each
clamping device I has a lever I¹ pivotted at I to the block or frame F. A rod I³ is
fixed in a plate I''and is passed through a hole in the flange F and through a hole
in the short arm of the lever 1. This rod is provided with a shoulder or pro-
jection I, so that, when the said rod is drawn downward, as hereinafter described,
it will move the lever I¹ away from the flange F. A spring I is placed upon the
rod I³ and bears, at one end, against the flange F and, at the other end, against the
short arm of the lever I', so that it tends to press the lever I against the flange F
and thus grip the wire between the said lever and flange, and prevent the forward
movement of the said wire. Each clamping device K has a lever K¹ pivotted at Kª
to the block or frame F. A rod K' is fixed in the plate I' and is passed through
a hole in the flange F' and through a hole in the short arm of the said lever.
collar K is fitted upon the rod K' beneath the short arm of the lever K³, and is
secured by means of a pin K* fixed in the said collar and passing through a
slot in the said rod, as shewn. A spring K³ is placed upon the rod K³ and tends to
push the collar K* upward and keep the said pin at the top of the slot as shewn
in Figure 4. It will be seen that the plate I is common to all the rods I* K*.
A rod l' is fixed in this plate and has an inclined surface at its upper end. The
rod or shaft M is made with a slot M¹ at the inner end of which there is an
inclined surface M. In the forward movement of the shaft M as bereinafter
described, the rod 17 enters the said slot and thus permits the upward movement
.
A

page_text: of the plate I* and rods I', K³ by the springs I°, K³. In this upward movement
of the said plate and rods, the levers I are turned on their pivots by the springs I
and are thereby caused to grip the wires. At the same time, the springs K³ push
the collars K' upward against the levers K¹ and then turn the said levers on their
pivots so that they grip the wires. These gripping or clamping devices might be
made without the springs; but, by constructing them in the manner above set
forth, I provide for ensuring the proper gripping of both wires notwithstanding
differences in their thickness or wear of the parts of the said devices, a yielding
pressure being applied to the said levers, to cause them to grip the wires.
In the rearward movement of the rod or shaft M, its inclined surface M³ acts
upon the rod I thereby depressing the plate I' and rods I, K³. In the downward
movement of the rods 1', the shoulders I act upon the levers I' and turn the same
on their pivots in the reverse direction to that in which they were moved by their
springs, thereby releasing the wires. In the downward movement of the rods K³,
the collars K are moved away from the levers K' which hold the wires until the
latter are drawn forward. A light spring K is provided for moving each lever K¹
away from the flange F and keeping it against a stop K' while the wires are
being drawn forward.
The cutting of the wire is effected by means of the mechanism hereinafter
described, that is to say -N is a rod or shaft, which is fitted to slide to and fro in
bearings N¹ secured to the girder B. This rod or shaft is provided, at its forward
end, with an antifriction roller N³, which works in a cam-groove D' formed in the
wheel D¹. The said rod or shaft is made in two parts, which are connected by flat
bars so as to form a slot N' in which the shaft C may rotate. The said rod may,
however, be made in one piece and bent or curved so that it will extend either
above or beneath the shaft C. A collar or sleeve N' is fitted upon the rod or
shaft N and is provided with a pin or stud N³, and with a set-screw N° whereby
it may be secured in any desired position on the said rod or shaft. A lever O is
fixed upon a vertical shaft 01 fitted to turn in the bracket L, and is made with
a slot O³, into which extends the pin or stud No as more clearly shewn in Figures 7
and 8.
A flat bar P is fitted to slide to and fro in the bracket L, and has holes P¹
formed therein. Knives or cutters P2 are fitted in dovetail grooves in the
bracket L, and have holes P* formed therein, around which are the cutting edges.
The wires Jare passed through the holes P1, P³.
The bar P is acted upon by a spring P, which bears, at one end, against the said
bar and, at the other end, against a bush or sleeve P screwed into the bracket L.
Under normal conditions, this spring holds the bar P in such a position that its
holes coincide with those in the cutters P2, and the lever O is pressed against a
stop L on the bracket L. The shaft O¹ is formed with a notch O' into which
extends the bar P, so that the said shaft will serve as a lever to operate the bar P
and thus force the wires against the cutters as hereinafter set forth.
The block or frame E is provided with clamping devices, which grip the wires
and hold the same while the said block or frame moves forward or away from the
stationary block F, and which release the said wires just before the said block or
frame commences to move in the reverse direction. These devices are more
clearly illustrated in Figures 9, 11 and 13. Q, Q1, Q are metal rods or bars,
which are fitted to slide longitudinally in a bearing E' forming part of the block
or frame E. This bearing is formed with slots ES and the rods Q, Q', Q are so
formed that they have spaces between them which coincide in position with the
Baid slots.
The bearing E' is, if necessary, provided with suitable guides for ensuring the
entrance of the wires into the slots E' and between the clamping rods.
The rod Q is provided with a head Q, and a spring R is placed upon the
said rod between the head Q and the bearing E. The rod Q is reduced in
diameter throughout the greater portion of its length, and a powerful spring R¹ is
placed thereon between the shoulder and a bush or sleeve Et screwed into the

page_text: bearing E³. The springs R, R¹ tend to keep the rods Q, Q'in position to receive
the wires, and to return the said rods to this position after they are operated to
clamp the wires as hereinafter set forth. Two nuts Q are screwed upon the rod Q
to permit the adjustment of the said rod to regulate its position relatively to the
rod Q. A vertical shaft S is fitted to turn in the block or frame E, and is formed
with a notch S (Figure 13) so that it will serve as a lever to act upon a shoulder Q*
on the rod Q, and thus operate the said rods as hereinafter described. A lever or
arm S' is fixed on the shaft S and is coupled, by means of a connecting rod S³
(Figure 1), to a forked rod T fitted to slide to and fro in bearings T¹ formed on,
or secured to, the block or frame E. The forked end of this rod is coupled to the
connecting rod E¹. The rod T is free to slide a short distance to and fro
independently of the block or frame E, and buffers or cushions T' are provided to
prevent concussion. By constructing and arranging the parts in this manner,
I provide for the clamping of the wires in the block or frame E before the latter
commences its forward movement and for the release of the said wires before the
said block or frame commences its backward or return movement. The connecting
rod S is made adjustable with respect to its length to regulate the position of the
rod Q relatively to the rod Q¹.
.
The shoulder of the rod Q' is pressed against the shoulder S* of the shaft S
by the springs R, R. In clamping the wires, the shaft S moves the rods Q, Q¹, Q³
in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 11, thereby compressing the
springs R, R¹ and forcing the said rods together with a yielding pressure, so that
they grip the wires between them as shewn. To ensure the return of the central
rod to its proper position, when released by the shaft S, I provide a bolt U
having an inclined surface at one end, and acted upon by a spring U₁, whereby its
inclined surface is pressed against a corresponding inclined surface Q7 on the rod Q¹.
By constructing these clamping devices as above described, I obtain the advantage
that, when one of the wires is finished before the other wire, the latter will still be
properly clamped by the said devices. Moreover, the action of the said devices is
unaffected by differences in the thickness of the wires, and the said devices will
always exert equal pressure upon the two wires.
The sliding block or frame E is provided with the means hereinafter described
whereby the wires will be bent or folded and twisted to form the loop or eye, that
is to say-a, a are shafts, which are fitted to rotate and are free to slide to and
fro in bearings in the brackets a¹ attached to the block or frame E. A lever b is
pivotted at 6 to each of the blocks a³ which are secured to the said shafts a. Each
of the said levers has fixed therein a pin or stud 6, around which the wire is to be
bent as hereinafter described. Another lever c is pivotted at c¹ to each lever b and
is forked or slotted so that it is free to move in either direction upon the said
lever b. The levers c are for pushing the bale-ties, when completed, off the pins or
studs 62. The short arm c' of each lever c is acted upon by a spring placed in a
recess or cavity a* in the block a³ fixed on the shaft a. This spring tends to hold
the lever c in the position shewn in Figure 10 relatively to the lever b. The said
spring is, moreover, so situated relatively to the pivot b¹ of the lever b that it
tends to hold the said lever in such a position that the wire from the reel will pass
on one side of the pin or stud b'.
d is a toothed segment, which is pivotted at d to a bracket attached to the
block or frame E.. This toothed segment gears with a pinion el fixed on the
shaft e, on which is formed or fixed a crank e'. A rod or bar d³ is coupled to the
toothed segment d and extends rearward beyond the end of the block or frame E.
After the said block or frame has moved backward, the said rod. or bar will be
moved forward by the bracket L and thus caused to move the segment d in the
direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 10, and thereby actuate the pinions e¹,
while the levers b, c are in the position shewn in Figure 12. By these means, the
crank-pins will be moved around the pins or studs 6 and will bend or fold the
wire back upon itself, so that the end of each wire will enter the corresponding
slot Es in the bearing E'.

page_text: This bending or folding of the wires takes place just before the operation of the
clamping devices carried by the block or frame E; therefore the said clamping
devices will grip both parts of the wires.
I provide the means hereinafter described, whereby, during the forward move-
ment of the sliding block or frame E, while the wires are held by the said clamping
devices, the pins or studs b* will be rotated in a plane at right angles to their axes,
to twist the two parts of each of the said wires together and thus form the loops
or eyes. For this purpose, I provide upon the underside of the girder B a series of
inclined teeth B¹, which gear with a toothed wheel V fitted to rotate upon a pin
or stud Vfixed in the bracket al. This toothed wheel gears with pinions W
fixed on the shafts a. Therefore, in the forward movement of the said block or
frame, the said shafts will be rotated. To allow for the shortening of the wires in
the twisting operation, the shafts a are provided with springs Y, which, under
normal conditions, keep the shoulders a* of the blocks a³ in contact with the rear
bracket a¹, but which yield when the wire is shortened by twisting.
A rod or bar f is coupled to the segment d and to a lever fl pivotted at f' to
the block or frame E. A stop f³ is secured upon the rod N by means of a set-
screw f' so that it can be adjusted to, and secured in, any desired position on the
Baid rod.
In the backward movement of the block or frame E, the lever fl passes the
stop f³ without actuating the segment d. The said stop subsequently acts upon
the lever f¹ and actuates the said segment and the pinion e¹, while the levers bo
are in the position shewn in Figures 9. and 10, so that the crank-pins e strike the
levers c and force the completed bale-ties off the pins or studs 6. Springs d', d³
are provided, for effecting the return movements of the segment d; these springs
tend to hold the said segment in the position shewn in Figures 2 and 10.
Each device H is constructed as follows, that is to say:-Two discs H¹ are
fitted to rotate upon a shaft H' carried in bearings in the brackets H³. These
discs are formed with radial slots H, and pins or short rods H³ are fitted to slide
to and fro in the said slots. Each of these pins is acted upon by a spring H*, which
tends to push it to the outer ends of the slots in which it is fitted to slide. The
wire from the reel or drum G is wound one or more times around the series or
group of pins H³ before being conducted into the machine. When the block or
frame E commences its forward movement, the tension thereby put upon the wire
is such that the springs H are compressed and the pins H³ are moved towards the
shaft Hº. The wire is then gradually unwound from the reel G. As the speed of
the block or frame E diminishes towards the forward end of its movement, and
the reel G gains momentum, and while the said block or frame is moving back-
ward, the pins H³ are forced outward by their springs and take up the slack of
the wire.
The machine shewn in the drawings operates as follows, that is to say:-The
wires J are conducted from the reels or drums G around the devices H and then
over the flange F of the block or frame F and are passed through the holes in the
sliding bar P and cutters P'; the machine is then started. During the rearward
.movement of the sliding block or frame E, the rod N is moved backward by the
cam-groove D7, and the bracket L and shaft M are moved backward therewith,
thus leaving the ends of the wires free to enter the clamps carried by the said
block or frame E, and disengaging the levers I from the wires. In the latter part
of the rearward movement of the block or frame E, the wires enter the slots E³ in
the bearing E, each of the said wires passing on one side of the corresponding
pin or stud b. When the block or frame E has arrived at the rear end of its
movement, the rod d' is moved forward by the rod N through the medium of the
bracket L and thereby caused to actuate the segment d and pinions e¹ so as to
bend the wires around the pins or studs 6' and insert the ends of the said wires in
the slots E..
As soon as the crank D has passed its rear "dead centre," it moves forward the
rod T and thomber as
21
M

page_text: strikes the forward buffer or cushion T² and the block or frame E is drawn forward
by the crank Ds. In this forward movement, the rod d³, segment d and pins e³ are
moved back to their original position by the spring d. When the wires commence
to move forward, the levers K¹, which have been gripping the said wires to prevent
their backward movement, are thrown upward into the position shewn in Figures 2
and 4. In the forward movement of the block or frame E, the toothed wheel V is
rotated by the teeth B¹ on the underside of the girder B, and the shafts a are
thereby rotated to twist the two parts of each wire together, and thus form the
loops or eyes, the springs Y yielding as the wire is shortened by twisting.
Before the block or frame E reaches the termination of its forward movement,
the rod N, in its forward movement, acts upon the lever O and tends to compress
the spring P, but this spring is of such strength that it will resist compression,
while the bracket L and shaft M are free to move forward. Therefore the said
bracket and shaft will be moved forward by the rod N, before the cutting of the
wires is effected.
When the crank D³ has nearly reached its forward "dead centre," the shaft M
has been moved forward a sufficient distance to permit the rod 17 to enter the
slot M; therefore the levers P, K¹ are, at this time, moved forcibly by the
springs 16, K towards the flange F' and grip the wires, which, during the remainder
of the forward movement of the crank D³, are stretched and straightened. As
soon as the nut M³ on the shaft M comes into contact with the rear end of the
block or frame F, and the forward movement of the said shaft is arrested, the
spring P is compressed and the wires are pressed, by the bar P, against the knives
or cutters, and the bale-ties thus cut or severed from the main portions of the
said wires.
In the first part of the return or backward movement of the crank D³, the wires
are released from the clamps Q, Q1, Q' by means of the rod T, lever S and shaft S.
The lever f¹, in the forward movement of the block or frame E, passes in contact
with the stop f³. In the backward movement of the said block, the stop f³ strikes
the lever and thereby actuates the segment d and pinions e¹ so that the levers c
are moved downward by the crank-pins e and the completed bale-ties are thus
disengaged from the pins or studs 62 and fall from the machine. Moreover, in the
backward movement of the rod N, the rod I7 and plate I* are moved downward by
the inclined surface M' of the abaft M, the levers 11 are thus disengaged from the
wires, and the levers K' are released so that they will be thrown upward as soon
as the wires commence to move forward.
After the cutting operation, the bracket L is moved backward by the rod N to
permit the wires to enter the slots E³ during the latter portion of the backward
movement of the block or frame E.
When a loop or eye is to be formed at each end of the bale-tie, I employ the
mechanism illustrated in Figures 15 to 21 and hereinafter described, that is to
Bay A shaft g is carried in a bracket h secured to the block or frame F. This
shaft is extended forward and is geared with the driving shaft C or with the
shaft D. in any suitable manner so that it will turn once in each revolution of the
shaft D. A bracket h' is also secured upon the block or frame F, and two levers i, j
are pivotted thereto at i, j k is a frame which is coupled to the lever j and in
which is fitted a bush k¹. A plunger is coupled to the lever i and passed through
the bush k¹. Two rods m are fitted to slide vertically in the frame k and are acted
upon by springs m³ which tend to hold them in the position shown in Figure 19.
Levers n are pivotted to these rods and bear against shoulders k³ on the frame k
and also against the top of the plunger l. Levers o are pivotted at o¹ to the
frame k and pass through slots m³ in the rods m. The ends of these levers extend
beneath the plunger l. The frame k is formed with slots k³ to receive the wires.
The lever i is provided with an anti-friction roller which runs in a groove pl of
the cam p, which is fixed upon the shaft g. The lever j is formed with stops 1³,³
to limit its movement, Two levers q are also pivotted at o¹ to the frame k and

page_text: extend upward and intersect each other. A pin or stud is fixed in the plunger
and extends through a slot in the frame k so that, in the downward movement of
the said plunger, the said pin or stud will act upon the said levers q above their
point of intersection and will operate them as, and for the purpose, hereinafter
specified.
Two hollow shafts are carried in bearings in the brackets h, h¹. On these
shafts are fixed the bars r¹ having pins or studs b* fixed therein. Pinions 8 are
fitted to rotate upon the pins or studs 6* and are provided with studs or
projections 8¹, which, when the said pinions are rotated, bend the wires around the
said pins or studs b*. For rotating these pinions, I employ two shafts & fitted to
slide longitudinally in the hollow shafts r, and I secure to these shafts racks t¹
which gear with the said pinions. A bar or cross-head t' is attached to the ends of
these shafts t and another shaft u is secured in the said cross-head. A lever vis
pivotted at to the bracket h and a pin or stud is passed through the said
lever and through a slot h³ in the bracket h and is secured in the shaft u.
lever is, moreover, provided with an antifriction roller which runs in a
groove of the cam w fixed on the shaft g. By these means, when the shaft g is
rotated, to-and-fro motion is imparted to the shafts t and racks t¹.
The
A crank-pin w³ is fixed in the cam w and works in a slot w³ in a rack w', which
gears with a pinion y fixed on a shaft y¹ carried in a bearing in the bracket h.
A frame y' is pivotted upon the shaft y₁ and is provided with rollers y³ which bear
against the rack w and keep it in gear with the pinion y whilst permitting it to
oscillate to correspond with the movements of the crank pin w³. A toothed
wheel is also fixed upon the shaft y' and gears with a pinion 7 fixed on one of
the shafts r. These shafts are connected by gear-wheels 73, 74 so that they will
be rotated in opposite directions, motion being imparted thereto from the crank-
pin through the medium of the gearing above described.
The rotation of the cam p moves the levers ij upward and raises the frame k,
until the stop j comes in contact with the bracket h¹. The further upward
movement of the lever i draws down the bars m by means of the plunger and
levers n so that the wires, which are just being cut by the machine above described,
enter the slots k, the said wires having been sprung over the top of the frame k in
its upward movement. The frame k is then moved downward, the wires being
gripped by the force of the springs m², so that the wires are drawn down into
position between the pins b and s¹. The cam w then operates the racks t¹ and
rotates the pins &¹ and bends the wires around the pins 6* and inserts the ends of
the wires into the slots ³, the rods m being slightly depressed to receive them, by
the plunger acting upon the levers o. The shafts are then rotated by the gearing
above described to twist the wires, leaving the pins 6* pointing outwards when the
rotation ceases. The levers q are then moved outward at their upper ends by the
downward movement of the plunger l, which, at the same time, depresses the rods m
and releases the wires so that they are thrown out by the said levers q. The cam-
groove p¹ is suitably shaped to effect the required movements of the plunger / to
effect these operations. The rack w is formed with the slot w³ so that the shafts r
will remain at rest whilst the bending of the wire and the discharge thereof are
effected.
The machine above described can be readily adjusted to make bale-ties of various
lengths. It is, moreover, so constructed that, should any of the adjustments be
inaccurate, the wire will be broken and there will be no liability to injury of any
of the parts of the said machine.
Figure 23 shows a bale-tie made by my machine, with a loop or eye at one end
thereof. Figure 24 shows a bale-tie made by my machine with a loop or eye at
each end thereof.
According to a modification of my invention, I employ, in combination with a
stationary block or frame, two sliding blocks or frames provided with means for
imparting reciprocating motion to them and arranged to move simultaneously in

page_text: opposite directions. These blocks I will, for convenience of description, herein-
after term the first and second sliding blocks. The first sliding block is provided
with pivotted jaws or other suitable devices which will hold the wire, when this
block is moved away from the stationary block or frame, but will release the said
wire when the block is, moved in the reverse direction. The second sliding block
is provided with a clamping device which grips the wire immediately the said
second block begins to move forward or away from the stationary block or frame.
The first sliding block is designed to grip the end of the wire which projects
beyond the forward edge of the stationary block, and draw the said wire from
the coil, and then insert the end of the wire in the clamping device of the second
sliding block, which continues to draw the wire from the coil until the required
length of wire has passed through the stationary block. By this time, the first
sliding block has moved backward to near the rear end of its stroke; it then acts
upon the clamping device of the stationary block and causes it to tightly grip the
wire. The continued forward movement of the second sliding block, therefore,
stretches or straightens the wire. When the first sliding block reaches the rear end
of its stroke, it acts upon the cutting device and causes the same to cut the wire
a short distance in front of the first sliding block.
When a loop or eye is to be formed at one end of each piece or length of wire,
I, according to this modification of my invention, provide the second sliding block
with means whereby the wire will be bent around a pin or stud and the end of the
said wire will be inserted in the clamping device of this block. This bending
takes place just before the said block commences its forward movement; therefore
the clamping device will grip both parts of the wire. I also provide means
whereby, during the forward movement of the second sliding block, while the wire
is thus held, the said pin or stud will be rotated in a plane at right angles to its
axis to twist the two parts of the wire together and thus form the loop or eye.
For actuating the two sliding blocks I, in some cases, employ the means
hereinafter described, that is to say-I provide at one end of the said frame a
disc-crank, which is supported in suitable bearings and is arranged to be driven
by a suitable motor through the medium of frictional or other gearing. For
example a roller is fixed upon a shaft, on which are also fixed a fly-wheel and a
driving pulley. This roller is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the
disc-crank in the following manner, viz:-The said shaft is carried excentrically
within a hollow shaft supported in suitable bearings. This hollow shaft is provided
with a weighted arm which tends to keep the said shafts in such a position that
the roller is pressed against the periphery of the said crank.
The said disc-crank is coupled, by means of a connecting rod, to the second
sliding block. This block is coupled, by another connecting rod, to one arm of a
lever pivotted to the frame of the machine, or to a bracket or arm fixed on the said
hollow shaft. The other arm of this lever is coupled, by means of a connecting rod,
to another lever pivotted, at its upper end, to the frame of the machine, or to any
other suitable support, and connected, at its lower end, with the first sliding block.
The last named lever is made with a slot through which is passed the pin or bolt
which couples the connecting rod to the said lever. This pin or bolt can be
adjusted to, and secured in, any desired position in the said slot to regulate the
travel of the first sliding block. The said slot is made in the form of an arc of a
circle, the centre of which, when the lever and sliding block are at the forward end
of their stroke, is the centre of the pin which couples the connecting rod to the
first named lever. In this manner I provide for increasing or diminishing the
stroke or travel of the first sliding block, and, at the same time, ensuring its
moving into sufficiently close proximity to the second sliding block to insert the
requisite length of wire therein. The first named lever is so connected with the
said hollow shaft that, should the wire from the coil stick from any cause, the said
lever will turn the hollow shaft and throw the driving shaft out of gear with the
disc-crank.

page_text: The first sliding block preferably has a stroke about twice as great as that of the
second sliding block. The parts are so arranged that, before. the crank reaches its
forward "dead centre," the wire will be held by the clamp in the stationary block,
and the continued movement of the said crank will, therefore, stretch and straighten
the wire.
The devices for bending and twisting the end of each length of wire, are pre-
ferably constructed as follows, that is to say:-The pin around which the wire is to
be bent is inserted in the end of a bar which is fitted to slide longitudinally to and
fro in the second sliding block and is acted upon by a spring. This spring will yield
when the end of the wire is shortened by twisting. The said pin projects at right
angles from the sliding bar and is free to rotate therein. A pinion is fixed on the said
pin and is provided with a cam or projection concentric with the said pin. These
parts are so arranged relatively to the second sliding block that, when the wire is
inserted therein, it will pass between the pin and the said cam or projection. The
partial rotation of the said pin and pinion on or about their axis will then bend
the wire around the pin and back upon itself, so that the two parts of the wire are
inserted in the clamping device. For effecting the said partial rotation of the pin
and pinion, and turning the same in a plane at right angles to their axis, I provide
a rod having a groove or channel which is parallel with the axis of the rod for a
short distance at each end, but the middle portion of which extends spirally around
the said rod. This rod is fitted to slide within the aforesaid sliding bar and is pro-
vided with rack teeth which engage with the aforesaid pinion. A cam is provided
upon the disc-crank to act upon the said sliding rod, when the second sliding block
is at, or near, the rear end of its stroke, and push the said rod backward, thereby
partially rotating the said pinion and the pin on which it is fixed. A pin or stud
is fixed in the frame of the machine and projects into the groove or channel in the
said sliding rod, so that, when the second sliding block is moved forward, the said
rod will be rotated to effect the twisting of the wire.
In some cases, I provide for withdrawing the pin from the loop or eye when
completed, so that the finished lengths of wire will fall out of the machine or to
the bottom of the frame thereof, whence they can be easily removed from time
to time.
The clamping of the wire in the second sliding block can be advantageously
provided for as follows, viz:-The connecting rod which couples the crank to the
said block, instead of being connected directly to the said block, is coupled to a bar
fitted to slide in suitable guides or bearings in the said block and provided, at its
free end, with a wedge-shaped enlargement. This rod is arranged in combination
with two segments one of which is pivotted to to the sliding block on one side of the
said rod, and the other of which is pivotted to a sliding pieco forming the movable
jaw of the clamp. When the crank has passed its rear
dead centre" and com-
mences to move forward, it must act upon the said rod so as to cause the clamps
to grip the wire, before it can move the sliding block forward.
"
I sometimes provide rollers or other suitable means for drawing the wire from
the coil and inserting it in the sliding block.
It is obvious that loops or eyes of different shape can be made by my machine,
the construction of the said machine being suitably modified for this purpose.
The cutting device, instead of being arranged upon the stationary block, or upon
the bracket L, may, if desired, be attached to the frame of the machine or to any
other suitable support.
In some instances, I use, in place of the girder above described, two pipes or
hollow rods fixed in suitable brackets or supports. These pipes or rods form guides for
the aforesaid sliding block or blocks. Or I use two girders, in place of the girder
above described, and so arrange the sliding block or frame that it will be guided by
the said girders.
If desired, the devices for bending the wire are so constructed that they will
turn the said wire one or more times around the pin or stud provided for the

page_text: purpose, and thus impart greater strength to the loop or eye than when formed as
hereinbefore described.
It is obvious that the wire may be first stretched. or straightened and cut, and
the loops or eyes subsequently formed on the lengths or pieces of wire. The
formation of the loops or eyes can, in this case, be advantageously effected by
means of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 15 to 21.
It is, moreover, evident that the devices for bending and twisting the wire to
form the loops or eyes may be dispensed with and the machine used for stretching
or straightening the wire and cutting or dividing the same into lengths or pieces
(such as that shown in Figure 22) for various purposes.
It is not essential, in all cases, that the wire should be stretched. Any suitable
devices may be employed for straightening the wire before it is cut.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it understood
that I claim;—
First. A machine for making bale-ties, wherein the operations of stretching or
straightening the wire, cutting or dividing the same into lengths or pieces and
forming the loops or eyes thereon are automatically performed.
Second. A machine for stretching or straightening wire and cutting the same
into lengths or pieces, wherein the several operations are automatically performed.
Third. A machine for making bale-ties, wherein the wire is first bent and
twisted to form a loop or eye, then stretched or straightened and then cut or
divided, as above specified.
Fourth. The employment, in a machine for making bale-ties, of a sliding block
or frame which is provided with devices for bending, clamping and twisting the
wire and to which reciprocating motion is imparted, for the purposes above
specified.
Fifth. The combination of a fixed or stationary block or frame provided with
clamping devices, a sliding block or frame also provided with clamping devices,
means for imparting reciprocating motion to the said sliding block or frame, and
means for cutting or dividing the wire, for the purposes above specified.
Sixth. The modification of my invention wherein I employ two sliding blocks
or frames in combination with a stationary block or frame and devices for bending
twisting and cutting the wire, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination of parts, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12 and 14 of the drawings, whereby I provide for bending
and twisting the wire to form the loops or eyes, as above specified.
Eighth. The combination of parts, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1, 2, and 11 of the drawings, whereby I provide for clamping the wire
before the sliding block or frame cominences its forward movement, and for
releasing the said wire before the said block or frame commences its rearward
movement, as above specified.
Ninth. The improved clamping device comprising the rods or bars fitted to
slide in the bearing and the springs arranged in combination therewith, substan-
tially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Tenth. The improved cutting mechanism comprising the sliding perforated bar
and the stationary knives or cutters, substantially as, and for the purpose, set
forth.
Eleventh. The combination of the notched shaft and means for turning the
same, substantially as described, whereby I provide for operating the clamping
device or the cutting mechanism, as above specified.
Twelfth. The combination of parts comprising the levers I, K³, the rods I³, K³,
the plate I, the rod I' and the slotted shaft M, substantially as set forth, whereby
I provide for gripping or clamping the wire, as, and for the purposes, specified.

page_text: Thirteenth. The improved device, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, for taking up the slack of the wire, as above
specified.
Fourteenth. The combination of parts, substantially as described with reference
to Figures 15 to 21 of the drawings, whereby I provide for forming the loops or
eyes, as above specified.
Fifteenth. The improved machine consisting of the parts constructed and
combined substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes, specified.