IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, PUNCHING, BARBING, COILING, OR CUTTING INTO LENGTHS METALLIC WIRE, MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE TWO-HEADED RAIL SECTION, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY APPLICABLE THEREFOR, PARTS OF WHICH INVENTION ARE APPLICABLE FOR PUNCHING LONG SLOTS IN OTHER MATTERS THAN WIRE."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Westgarth, of Warrington, in the County of
Lancaster, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING,
PUNCHING, BARBING, COILING, OR CUTTING INTO LENGTHS METALLIC WIRE,
MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE TWO-HEADED RAIL SECTION, AND IN APPARATUS
OR MACHINERY APPLICABLE THEREFOR, PARTS OF WHICH INVENTION ARE
APPLICABLE FOR PUNCHING LONG SLOTS IN OTHER MATTERS THAN WIRE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Westgarth at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th October 1881.
JOHN WESTGARTH, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, PUNCHING, BARBING, COILING, OR CUTTING
INTO LENGTHS METALLIC WIRE, MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE TWO HEADED RAIL
SECTION, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY APPLICABLE THEREFOR, PARTS OF
WHICH INVENTION ARE APPLICABLE FOR PUNCHING LONG SLOTS IN OTHER
MATTERS THAN WIRE."
My Invention relates to the method of manufacturing barbed wire for fencing
and machinery to be employed therefor, namely, that class of barbed fencing wire
for which Letters Patent were granted to me No. 2395, dated 16th July 1880.
According to this my present Invention I use a combined machine which
performs the necessary operations to manufacture the barbed wire.
First. I roll the double headed or rail section of wire cold by passing a flat
sectioned wire between rollers upon which are cut grooves corresponding with the
double headed rail section required; or I pass round wire through plain rollers which
flatten it and then through the rollers with the rail section groove. The rollers are
held up to their work by suitable screwed bolts or other appliances, and may be
mounted on an independent frame, or on the frame which carries the hereafter
Price 1

page_text: described appliances, and the rollers may be set to run horizontally or vertically to
correspond with the following appliances :-
Second. On a suitable framework or table I mount a series of vertical rollers
which I term straightening rollers, their object being to straighten the wire as it is
fed through to the after appliances. A suitable number of rollers is six, pitched
three on each side intermediately with each other, one on either side being set up
laterally with a screw to bear upon the wire being treated. Underneath the table
or framework I mount a main or driving shaft, which operates the moving parts
of the apparatus. The shaft is provided with a fly wheel and receives motion by
toothed gear from a strap, pulley, and shaft, and is capable of being disconnected
by means of a suitable clutch.
Third. On the framework or table, and immediately following the straightening
rollers, I mount a horizontal punch, the function of which is to punch slots or holes
into the web of the wire, and which is worked by a cam and lever from the driving
shaft, the recovering motion being obtained by a spring. The punching tool consists
of a flat bar of tempered steel, pointed at each end and reversible, and fixed in a
holder which has lateral movement on the table at the same level as the midfeather
of the wire to be punched. The punch works up to a suitable corresponding die,
which is fixed on the table on the other side of the wire being treated. From the
punch the wire passes into,
Fourth. A barbing appliance, which consists of a device which receives, feeds
forward, and holds a flat strip of sheet metal, preferably steel, from which the barbs
are formed. In connection with the barb inserting appliance, and working con-
jointly therewith, is a small vertical punch or cutting tool, the function of which is
to cut the barb the right length and shape after it has entered the slot, punched by
the appliance under the third part. This cutting tool cuts the strip of steel with
a V cut, thus forming a swallow tail on the trailing end of the cut off barb and
a V point on the lending end of the next barb. Simultaneously with the V cutting
operation the punch splits the nib of the V point for the purpose hereafter described.
This barb cutting and inserting tool is worked by eccentrics or cams from the main
shaft. From the barb inserting tool the wire passes into,
Fifth. An appliance, which consists of a vertical press and matrix, the function of
which is to bend down one of the swallow tails and one of the split nibs of the barb,
the other swallow tail and split nib naturally bending up with the operation. To
accomplish this object it is necessary that the wire should have a slight upward
spring or incline from the barb inserting appliance under the fourth part. This is
effected by leading the wire up an inclined gutter, which keeps the inserted barbs
in position and is sufficiently high above the table to allow for clearance for the
bent down points. The barb bending press has vertical action and is operated by
a lever and rod worked by a cam or eccentric from the main shaft, the recovering
action being obtained by a spring. The edge of the pressing tool and the edge of
the matrix have a V groove to correctly bend the barb; the press also squeezes the
wire so that the slotted portion is firmly forced onto and holds the barb. From the
barbing appliance the wire is led to,
Sixth. A feeding appliance, the function of which is to intermittently grip and
feed the wire the distance required and fixed between the slots. This feeding
appliance consists of a gripper fixed onto a slide, which moves in a guide on the
table. The gripper is worked by a rod and lever operated by a connecting rod
from a rotating disc, which is mounted on a vertical shaft, and receives motion by
toothed bevel wheels from the main shaft. From this feeding appliance the wire is
fed to,
Seventh. A swift or coiling appliance upon which the wire is coiled and to which
motion is imparted by a ratchet wheel operated by a rod receiving reciprocating
motion from the feeding appliance under the sixth part.
In operation the appliance under the first part may be set on an independent
frame, or on the table in front of the second and successive appliances. The wire
is cold rolled and delivered vertically to the appliance under the second part,

page_text: which straightens the wire, and the wire is then delivered to the appliance under
the third part, which punches a slot of fixed size in the web of the wiro. The
appliances under the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh parts are positioned to correspond
with the distances it may be required to put or space the barbs in the wire. Thus
while the slot is being punched the wire is stationary and the preceeding slot has the
barb inserted into it; the next preceeding slot has the barb points bent and also the
appliance is coming into operation for the intermittent feed.
Although I have described the machine with the appliances located thereon, so as
to treat a vertical wire, it will be evident that the appliances can be so positioned
as to treat a horizontal passing wire. Further, by substituting a cutting tool for
the punch under the third part, and positioning the feeding appliance of the sixth
part between the straightening rollers of the second part and such cutting tool,
and dispensing with the barbing and coiling appliances, the machine is applicable
for straightening and cutting into lengths metallic wire or band metal. It will be
also evident that the appliance under the third part is applicable for punching long
slots in other matters than wire.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Westgarth in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th April
1882.
JOHN WESTGARTH, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROLLING, STRAIGHTENING, PUNCHING, BARBING, COILING, OR CUTTING
INTO LENGTHS METALLIC WIRE, MORE ESPECIALLY OF THE TWO HEADED RAIL
SECTION, AND IN APPARATUS OR MACHINERY APPLICABLE THEREFOR, PARTS OF
WHICH INVENTION ARE APPLICABLE FOR PUNCHING LONG SLOTS IN OTHER
MATTERS THAN WIRE."
My Invention relates to the method of manufacturing barbed wire for fencing
and machinery to be employed therefor, namely, that class of barbed fencing wire
for which Letters Patent were granted to me, No. 2935, dated 16 July 1880.
According to this my present Invention I use a combined machine which
performs the necessary operations to manufacture the barbed wire.
First. I roll the double headed or rail section of wire cold by passing a flat
sectioned wire between rollers upon which are cut grooves corresponding with the
double headed rail section required; or I pass round wire through plain rollers,
which flatten it, and then through the rollers with the rail section groove. The
rollers are held up to their work by suitable screwed bolts or other appliances,
and may be mounted on an independent frame, or on the frame which carries the
hereafter described appliances, and the rollers may be set to run horizontally or
vertically to correspond with the following appliances:―
Second. On a suitable framework or table I mount a series of vertical rollers,
which I term straightening rollers, their object being to straighten the wire as it
is fed through to the after appliances. A suitable number of rollers is six, pitched
three on each side intermediately with each other, one on either side being set up
laterally with a screw to bear upon the wire being treated. Underneath the table
or framework I mount a main or driving shaft which operates the moving parts
of the apparatus. The shaft is provided with a fly wheel, and receives motion by
toothed gear from a strap, pulley, and shaft, and is capable of being disconnected
by means of a suitable clutch.
Third. On the framework or table, and immediately following the straightening
rollers, I mount a horizontal punch, the function of which is to punch slots or
holes into the web of the wire, and which is worked by a cam and lever from the
driving shaft, the recovering motion being obtained by a spring. The punching
tool consists of a flat bar of tempered steel, pointed at each end and reversible, and
fixed in a holder which has lateral movement on the table at the same level as the
midfeather of the wire to be punched. The punch works in a die, through which
the wire passes. From the punch the wire passes into,
Fourth. A barbing appliance, which consists of a device which receives, feeds
forward, and holds a flat strip of metal in long lengths, preferably steel, from
which the barbs are formed. In connection with the barb inserting appliance, and
working conjointly therewith, is a small vertical punch or cutting tool, the function
of which is to cut the barb the right length and shape after it has entered the
slot, punched by the appliance under the third part. This cutting tool cuts the
strip of steel with a V cut, thus forming a swallow tail on the trailing end of the
cut off barb, and a V point on the leading end of the next barb. Simultaneously
with the cutting operation the punch splits the nib of the V point for the purpose
hereafter described. This barb cutting and inserting tool is worked by eccentrics
or cams from the main shaft. From the barb inserting tool the wire passes into,

page_text: Fifth. An appliance, which consists of a vertical press and matrix, the function
of which is to bend down one of the swallow tails and one of the split nibs of the
barb. The other swallow tail and split nib naturally bending up with the operation.
To accomplish this object it is necessary that the wire should have a slight upward
spring or incline from the barb inserting appliance under the fourth part. This
is effected by leading the wire up an inclined gutter, which keeps the inserted
barbs in position, and is sufficiently high above the table to allow for clearance for
the bent down points. The barb bending press has vertical action, and is operated
by a lever and rod worked by a cam or eccentric from the main shaft, the recovering
action being obtained by a spring. The edge of the pressing tool and the edge of
the matrix have a V groove to correctly bend the barb; the press also squeezes
the wire, so that the slotted portion is firmly forced onto and holds the barb.
From the barbing appliance the wire is led to,
Sixth. A feeding appliance, the function of which is to intermittently grip and
feed the wire the distance required and fixed between the slots. This feeding
appliance consists of a gripper fixed onto a slide, which moves in a guide on the
table. The gripper is worked by a rod and lever operated by a connecting rod
from a rotating disc, which is mounted on a vertical shaft and receives motion by
toothed bevel wheels from the main shaft. From this feeding appliance the wire
is fed to,
Seventh. A swift or coiling appliance upon which the wire is coiled, and to
which motion is imparted by a ratchet wheel operated by a rod, receiving recip-
rocating motion from the feeding appliance under the sixth part.
In order that my Invention may be clearly understood I have hereunto annexed
four Sheets of Drawings, which serve to illustrate my Invention, and to show how
the same may be put into practical operation. The Drawings are marked with
letters and figures of reference corresponding with those in the following
explanation, like letters and figures of referenco being used to denote the same or
corresponding parts throughout the various views.

page_text: Second. On the framework or table A. I mount a series of vertical rollers B, the
function of which rollers is to straighten the wire C as it is fed from the rollers
under the first part and to the appliances hereafter mentioned. I find six rollers B
to be suitable to perform the desired object. The rollers B are pitched three on
cach side, as shown at Figure 2, one on each side being set up laterally by the
screws 6 to bear upon the wire C. Underneath the table A 1 mount the main or
driving shaft E, which operation the moving parts of the apparatus. The shaft E
is provided with a fly wheel E¹ and receives motion by toothed gear El driven by
the pulley E' and capable of being disconnected by tho clutch gear E
Third. On the table A and immediately following the rollers B I mount a
horizontal punch F, for detail see Figure 3, the function of which is to punch
slots or holes through the wire C. The punch F is worked by the lever F" and
the cam F, which is driven by, the shaft E, the recovering motion of the punch
being obtained by the spring F. The punching tool consists of a flat bar f
pointed at each end and reversible, and fixed in the holder f', to which lateral
movement is given by the lever F, the punch working in the die g, through which
the wire is drawn, the punched out pieces dropping through the passage g'. In
action the end of the punch F never leaves the die and punches the wire through
its midfeather. From the punch F the wire passes to,
Fourth. The barbing appliance G, shown in detail at Figures 4, 5, and 6. This
consists of the feeding mechanism G', which holds and feeds forward the flat strip
of metal H, preferably steel, of which the barbs are formed. The strip H is fed
through the block H₁ and through the wire C, as shown at Figure 4, in which
position it is subjected to the action of the punch J, which cuts the strip with
a V cut, and of the right length, as shown at Figure 4, and forms the barb a with
a double swallow tail or other desired form. The feeding mechanism G'is worked
by the eccentric and rod G¹¹ and the punch J is worked by the gear J¹ and the
cam J. The rod I is used to hold the strip H during the backward travel of the
appliance G¹; the action of the rod I is controlled by the spring J in connection
with the punch gear J. From the barb inserting and cutting tool the wire C
passes to,
Fifth. The appliance K, shown in detail at Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.
This consists of the vertical press and matrix K, the function of which is to bend
down one of the swallow tails at either end of the barb a and to bend up the
other swallow tail. To accomplish this object it is necessary that the wire C
should have a slight upward spring from the barb inserting appliance G. This is
effected by leading the wire C up the inclined gutter, shown in side elevation at
Figure 8, in plan at Figure 9, and in end view at Figure 10. This inclined gutter
keeps the barbs in position, the wire C running in the groove d. The barb
bending press K has vertical motion and is operated by the gear K¹ worked by
the cam K, the recovering action being imparted by the spring K. The
pressing tool and the matrix k¹ are so constructed as to bend the barbs the
required way; for example, the pressing tool may be constructed as shown at
Figures 11 and 12, and the matrix may be constructed as shown at Figure 13.
From the barbing appliance the wire C is led to,
Sixth. The feeding appliance R. This feeding appliance consists of the
gripper R' fixed onto the slide R¹, which moves in a guido on the table A. The
appliance is worked by the connecting rod S, which moves the lever R and
receives motion from the rotating disc S', which is driven by the bevel gearing S"
from the shaft E. From this feeding applianco the wire C is fed to
Seventh. The swift or coiling appliance T, upon which the wire is wound and
to which motion is imparted by the ratchet wheel T operated by the rod T",
which receives reciprocating motion from the feeding appliance R, to which it is
attached.
In operation the applianco under the first part may be set on an independent
frame or on the table in front of the second and successive appliances. The wire

page_text: is cold rolled and delivered vertically to the appliance under the second part,
which straightens the wire, and the wire is then delivered to the appliance under
the third part, which punches a slot of fixed size in the web of the wire. The
appliances under the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh parts are positioned to
correspond with the distances it may be required to put or space the barbs in the
wire. Thus while the slot is being punched the wire is stationary and the
preceeding slot has the barb inserted into it; the next preceeding slot has the
barb points bent and also the appliance is coming into operation for the inter-
mittent feed.
Although I have described the machine with the appliances located thereon, so
as to treat a vertical wire and to have a continuous action, it will be evident that
the appliances can be so positioned as to treat a horizontal passing wire, or they
can be used separately and apart from the continuous train. Further, by
substituting a cutting tool for the punch under the third part and positioning the
feeding appliance of the sixth part between the straightening rollers of the second
part and such cutting tool and dispensing with the barbing and coiling appliances,
the machine is applicable for straightening and cutting into lengths metallic
wire or band metal. It will also be evident that the appliance under the third
part is applicable for punching long slots in other matters than wire.
Having now described my Invention, and shown how the same inay be put into
practical operation, what I claim as my Invention and secured to me by Letters
Patent as aforesaid is,-
First. In the manufacture of barbed wire, the mechanical method, substantially
herein described, which method consists of first cold rolling the wire into a
double headed section and then straightening it, and then punching the web, and
then forming and inserting the barbs, and then setting the barbs and feeding the
wire, and finally coiling the wire.
Second. In a continuous process of manufacturing barbed wire, the method,
substantially herein described, of rolling, straightening, punching, barbing, and
coiling the wire.
Third. In the manufacture of barbed wire, the combination of mechanical.
appliances, substantially herein described and shown in the Drawings hereto
annexed.
Fourth. In the manufacture of barbed wire, the means, substantially herein
described, by which the wire is rolled, straightened, punched, barbed, and
coiled.
Fifth. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the rollers B in combination with
one or more sot screws b for the purpose of straightening the wire as it goes in the
train of manufacturing appliances.
Sixth. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the punch F and its accessory parts
for the purpose of punching the web of the wire as it passes in the train of
manufacturing appliances.
Seventh. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the barbing appliance G and its
accessory parts for the purpose of barbing the wire as it passes in the train of
manufacturing appliances.
Eighth. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the appliance K and its accessory
parts for setting the barbs a of the wire as it passes in the train of manufacturing
appliances.
Ninth. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the feeding appliance R and its
accessory parts to intermittently move the wire past the various appliances forming
the train by which the wire is manufactured.

page_text: Tenth. An appliance to be used in combination with a series of appliances in
the manufacture of barbed wire, consisting of the coiling appliance T and its
accessory parts for coiling the wire as it passes from the train of manufacturing
appliances.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Westgarth, have hereunto set my hand 5
and seal, this Fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN WESTGARTH. (L.S.)