Improvements in the Manufacture of Wire-netting and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Wire-netting and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM FREDERICK DENNIS, of 101 Leadenhall Street, in the City of
London, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
" IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE-NETTING AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR to be as follows:-
-
"
My invention relates first to wire-netting machines in which the wires about to
be employed in the manufacture are carried on reels or bobbins mounted inde-
pendently from the mechanism engaged in twisting the several pairs of wires
together in the formation of the netting; and consists in arranging the pairs of
semi-cylindrical spindles, carrying the said reels, in parallel rows instead of in a
single row as described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings filed in
pursuance of my application for Letters Patent No 13,625, A.D. 1884. Where the
bobbin-spindles in the countertwisting apparatus are disposed circularly, as there
shewn, I arrange them in pairs in two or more concentric rows. Assuming that
two such rows are employed, there will be four rows of bobbins and four sets of
semi-cylindrical spindles with corresponding bearings for the latter. The outer-
most and the innermost sets of bearings may be respectively in the inner periphery
of a ring and in the outer periphery of a drum, both of these bodies being stationary ;
whilst the two intermediate sets of bearings may be respectively in the outer and
inner peripheries of an intervening annular body, the requisite intermittent
vibrative motions being imparted to the latter for the purpose of constituting the
various bobbins in pairs in proper order. By these means à considerably larger
number of bobbins may be disposed within a circle of a given size, the capabilities
of the machine being thereby increased. Or, for a given number of bobbins, the
size of the machine may be diminished and its cost of construction reduced.
My invention relates secondly to wire-netting machines designed to effect the
twisting and countertwisting of the wires as distinct operations, and applicable for
the manufacture of netting in which each two adjacent wires are alternately twisted
with each other and with their laterally contiguous wires, as described in my
aforesaid previous specification.
In such machines, instead of moving one of the series of bobbin-spindles laterally
so as to bring each of the bobbins carried thereby opposite one of the bobbins
belonging to the series mounted in the stationary bearings, I arrange the first

page_text: named series of bobbins in a suitable stationary frame and lead the wires therefrom
through semi-cylindrical spindles mounted in the disc or ring or other body to
which vibrative or to-and-fro lateral motions are imparted. These guide-spindles
are brought opposite to and pair with the bobbin-spindles mounted in the ring or
disc or other stationary body employed to carry them. The stationary frame
carrying the bobbins from which the wires are led to the laterally moveable guide-
spindles is placed at such a distance from these spindles that should the wires,
during their passage through the latter, become seized by and rotated with them,
the intervening length of wire is sufficient to partake readily of the torsion
corresponding with the number of twists imparted.
By these means, the weight put in motion both laterally and rotatively at each
operation of the machine is considerably reduced and the momentum resulting
from such movement greatly diminished, economy in driving power and in wear
being thereby effected.
My invention relates thirdly to means applicable for the manufacture of netting
in which the several wires forming the body of the netting travel gradually across
from the selvage on one side to that on the other side and then gradually return
in the opposite direction. Netting of this kind possesses the advantage of greater
regularity, both in appearance and strength, as compared with that of the kind
herein before referred to, and such as the machine described in my 'aforesaid previous
specification was designed to produce. The means I am about to describe are,
however, capable of adaptation to such a machine; as also to machines of the type
hitherto commonly used and in which "springs" are employed.
For the purpose of explaining this feature of my invention, I shall describe it
as adapted to a machine of the type described in my aforesaid previous specification;
that is to say, a machine in which the wires about to be employed in the manu-
facture are carried on reels or bobbins mounted independently from the twisting
mechanism but partaking of motions corresponding with those appertaining to the
spindles engaged in twisting the several pairs of wires together in the formation of
the netting.
Referring in the first place to the mechanism engaged in properly pairing the
several wires and in twisting such pairs together in the formation of the netting,
each of the wires intended to form the body of the netting-which I will call
"body-wires,"-
'-as also each selvage wire, passes longitudinally through a semi-
cylindrical spindle as described in my aforesaid previous specification. Instead,
however, of each twisting-spindle having formed upon it or rigidly secured to it a
half-pinion, the half-pinions are in the present instance independently mounted
upon semi-cylindrical bushes or half-tubes; two such half-tubes together forming a
sleeve surrounding each pair of twisting-spindles. The twisting spindles with
their sleeves are arranged in the contiguous faces of two parallel reciprocating bars
and partake of to-and-fro lateral motions, substantially as before described; whilst
the bi-part pinions gear with a toothed rack whereby they are rotated in opposite
directions at each successive operation of the machine. The rotary motion imparted
to each sleeve is communicated to the pair of twisting spindles embraced by it
through a clutch consisting of a driving stop formed on the half-sleeve and a
driven stop formed on the twisting spindle. All the half-tubes are provided with
stops for imparting rotary motion, and all the twisting spindles, except those
appertaining to the selvage-wires, are provided with stops for receiving rotary
motion.
In order to secure the requisite space for the arrangement of the clutch-stops in
their proper relative radial positions on the spindles and sleeves respectively,
I prefer to utilize both extremities of the same; placing a pair of stops for operating
in one direction at one extremity of a spindle and half-tube, and a pair for operating
in the reverse direction at the opposite extremity thereof.
The operation of this portion of the apparatus is as follows:- -Assuming the
several pairs of wires forming the body of the netting are required to present in
the finished product two complete twists, each of the bi-part pinions has imparted

page_text: to it two and a half revolutions, the same being communicated through the sleeves
and clutches to the twisting spindles. The selvage-wire spindles being, however,
unprovided with clutch-stops, the bi-part pinions and sleeves surrounding these
and their companion spindles make the first half revolution of their two and a
half revolutions ineffectively as regards the rotation of the said selvage-wire
spindles and their fellows. It will thus be understood that although a bi-part
pinion appertaining to a selvage-wire spindle and its fellow spindle, being constantly
engaged with the rack, makes two and a half revolutions, the said pair of spindles
makes only two revolutions. It results that the twisting spindles carrying the
selvage-wires constantly return to the same positions; whilst the relative positions
of the twisting spindles appertaining to the body-wires constantly vary in a manner,
which will be more fully explained hereafter in reference to the operation of the
counter twisting mechanism.
The torsional resistance offered by the wires whilst being twisted together tends
to keep the sleeve-stops up to their work on the spindle-stops, and thus to prevent
the selvage-wire spindles and their companion spindles overrunning their desired
number of revolutions and assuming positions which would interfere with their
being moved laterally. The several pairs of body-wire spindles, on the other hand,
are constantly in gear through their clutches, sleeves and pinions, with the rack;
the rotary motions of the former being thus controlled and arrested at the proper
moment,
The apparatus for countertwisting the wires may be arranged substantially in
the manner described in my aforesaid previous specification; subject, however,
to certain modifications similar in character to those effected in the twisting.
mechanism. The working of the bobbins also corresponds with that appertaining
to the twisting spindles.
Assuming the wire-charged reels to be carried by means of semi-cylindrical
spindles arranged in two series respectively mounted in the outer periphery of a
disc and in the inner periphery of a circumscribing ring, as described in my
aforesaid previous specification, instead of rotating the several pairs of bobbins two
three or other complete number of turns, I rotate the several pairs two and a half,
three and a half, or other odd half number of times, and according to the number
of revolutions imparted to the pairs of twisting spindles. Alternating with these
successive rotary motions of the bobbin-spindles, the disc carrying one of the
series of bobbins partakes of to-and-fro rotative movements, whereby the bobbins
constituting each pair become constantly interchanged.
Tracing now the course of a bobbin-spindle carried at starting in the circum-
scribing ring, after (say) two and a half revolutions the said spindle comes to rest
in the disc. The spindle is then moved laterally and paired with a different fellow
spindle, in company with which it is rotated two and a half revolutions in the
reverse direction and again arrives in the outer ring, but in the next adjacent
bearing to that originally occupied by it. The disc then returns to its original
position whereupon the spindle under observation again becomes paired with a
different companion spindle, and having been rotated there with again arrives in
the disc, but in the next adjacent bearing to that previously occupied by it in
that body. In the result, a moiety of the bobbins travel in one general direction
until they successively arrive opposite the selvage-wire bobbin occupying one
extremity of the series of bobbins engaged, whilst the remainder travel in the
reverse direction until they successively arrive opposite the selvage-wire bobbin at
the opposite extremity of the series.
The bobbins carrying the selvage-wires do not travel in the manner above
described, but are respectively retained at the two extremities of the series of
bobbins engaged. With this object, the spindles to which they are attached are
rotated half a turn less than those attached to the bobbins carrying the ordinary
wires for forming the body of the netting; that is to say, they make a complete
instead of an odd half number of revolutions, and therefore constantly return to
the same positions. To effect this result, each bobbin-spindle is mounted in a

page_text: semi-cylindrical bush or half-tube, in the same manner as already described with
reference to the twisting spindles; each half-tube carrying its half-pinion and
connecting with its enclosed bobbin-spindle through a clutch. The clutch-stops
for receiving motion are omitted from the selvage-wire spindles, the sleeves
enclosing these and their companion spindles making half a revolution idly before
commencing to operate the latter. Both extremities of the spindles and their
surrounding sleeves are preferably utilized for the reception of the stops con-
stituting the clutches, as previously described with reference to the twisting
spindles and their sleeves.
It will be perceived that the improvements hereinbefore described are severally
capable of adaptation to a wire-netting machine of the kind described in my
aforesaid specification No 13,625, A:D. 1884; whilst the improvements described
under the third head are also applicable to machines in which one series of wires
are carried on reels and the other series are coiled and formed into "springs." In
such an adaptation, the half-pinions are disconnected from the twisting spindles
and mounted on semi-cylindrical bushes, fitted to the said spindles; the connection
between these being effected by means of clutches, which ordinarily cause the
spindles to be rotated in unison with the sleeves, but permit the sleeves to slip
half a revolution, when in conjunction with the selvage-wire spindles. For the
production of netting having the body-wires travelling diagonally from selvage to
selvage and presenting an even number of twists, it would also be necessary to
adjust the motion of the rack operating the pinions' in such a manner as to impart
an odd half number of revolutions to the said pinions and the body-wire twisting
spindles.
%

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Wire-netting and in
Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM FREDERICK DENNIS, of 101 Leadenhall Street, in the City of
London, Mechanical 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 first to wire-netting machines designed to effect the
twisting and countertwisting of the wires as distinct operations, and applicable for
the manufacture of netting in which each two adjacent wires are alternately
twisted with each other and with their laterally contiguous wires, as described in
the Specification to Letters Patent granted to me A.D. 1884, 15th October,
No.13,625.
In such machines, instead of moving one of the series of bobbin-spindles laterally
so as to bring each of the bobbins carried thereby opposite one of the bobbins
belonging to the series mounted in the stationary bearings, I arrange the first
named series of bobbins in a suitable stationary frame and lead the wires therefrom
through semi-cylindrical spindles mounted in the disc or ring or other body to
which vibrative or to-and-fro lateral motions are imparted. These guide-spindles
are brought opposite to and pair with the bobbin-spindles mounted in the ring or
disc or other stationary body employed to carry them. The stationary frame
carrying the bobbins from which the wires are led to the laterally moveable guide-
spindles is placed at such a distance from these spindles that should the wires,
during their passage through the latter, become seized by and rotated with them,
the intervening length of wire is sufficient to partake readily of the torsion
corresponding with the number of twists imparted."
By these means, the weight put in motion both laterally and rotatively at each
operation of the machine is considerably reduced and the momentum resulting from
such movements greatly diminished, economy in driving power and in wear being
thereby effected.
My invention relates secondly to wire-netting machines in which the wires about
to be employed in the manufacture are carried on reels or bobbins mounted
independently from the mechanism engaged in twisting the several pairs of wires
together in the formation of the netting; and consists in arranging the pairs of
semi-cylindrical spindles, carrying the said reels or bobbins, in parallel rows instead
of in a single row as described in the Specification and illustrated in the drawings
to my aforesaid Letters Patent A.D. 1884, N° 13,625. Where the bobbin-spindles
in the countertwisting apparatus are disposed circularly as there shewn, I arrange
them in pairs in two or more concentric rows. Assuming that two such rows are
employed, there will be four rows of bobbins and four sets of semi-cylindrical
spindles with corresponding bearings for the latter. The outermost and innermost
sets of bearings may be respectively in the inner periphery of a ring and in the
outer periphery of a drum, both of these bodies being stationary; whilst the two
intermediate sets of bearings may be respectively in the outer and inner peripheries
1

page_text: of an intervening annular body, the requisite intermittent vibrative motions being
imparted to the latter for the purpose of constituting the various bobbins in pairs
in proper order.
By these means, a considerably larger number of bobbins may be
disposed within a circle of a given size, the capabilities of the machine being
thereby increased. Or, for a given number of bobbins, the size of the machine
may be diminished and its cost of construction reduced.
My invention relates thirdly to means applicable for the manufacture of netting
in which the several wires formning the body of the netting travel gradually across
from the selvage on one side to that on the other side and then gradually return in
the opposite direction. Netting of this kind possesses the advantage of greater
regularity, both in appearance and strength, as compared with that of the kind
herein before referred to, and such as the machine described in my aforesaid
previous Specification was designed to produce. The means I am about to describe
are, however, capable of adaptation to such a machine; as also to machines of the
type hitherto commonly used and in which "springs" are employed.
For the purpose of explaining this feature of my invention, I shall describe it as
adapted to a machine of the type described in my aforesaid previous specification;
that is to say, a machine in which the wires about to be employed in the manu-
facture are carried on reels or bobbins mounted independently from the twisting
mechanism, but partaking of motions corresponding with those appertaining to the
spindles engaged in twisting the several pairs of wires together in the formation of
the netting.
And in order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to
describe its several features with reference to the accompanying drawings. Similar
letters of reference are used to indicate corresponding parts so far as they occur in
each of the figures.
Instead of mounting the bobbins on two semi-cylindrical spindles carried
respectively in the outer periphery of a disc and the inner periphery of a circum-
scribing ring as described in my aforesaid previous specification, one of these series
of bobbin-spindles being moved laterally so as to bring each of the bobbins carried
thereby opposite one of the bobbins belonging to the other series, I sometimes
arrange the series of bobbins appertaining to the laterally moveable spindles in a
Buitable stationary frame and lead the wires therefrom through the semi-cylindrical
spindles mounted in the said disc or ring or other body to which vibrative or
to-and-fro lateral motions are imparted. Such. a modification is represented in
vertical section and back elevation in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, in which vis
the stationary frame carrying the bobbins d whence the wires are led through the
guide-spindles c mounted in the disc a. These guide-spindles are brought opposite
to and pair with the bobbin-spindles c¹ mounted in the ring e, the subsequent
operation of the apparatus being substantially as described in my aforesaid
previous Specification.
The stationary frame v carrying the bobbins from which the wires are led to the
laterally moveable guide-spindles c is placed at such a distance from these spindles
that should the wires, during their passage through the latter, become seized by
and rotated with them, the intervening length of wire is sufficient to partake readily
of the torsion corresponding with the number of twists imparted.
Instead of the bobbins d, reels such as d'-commonly known as "swifts "-may
be employed in the frame v; hanks of wire as usually received from the wire-
drawing-mill being supplied to same, and the necessity for rewinding avoided.
By these means, the weight put in motion both laterally and rotatively at each
operation of the machine is considerably reduced and the momentum resulting
from such movement greatly diminished, economy in driving power and in wear
being thereby effected.
According to another method of arranging the bobbins and mounting the semi-
cylindrical spindles whereby they are carried, I dispose the same in pairs in two or
more parallel rows. Such a modification is represented in Figures 3 and 4, whereof
the former is a vertical section and the latter a front elevation. In this illustration,

page_text: t
two rows of bobbins in pairs are shewn and these are arranged circularly; but it
will be perceived that the principle of construction embodying multiple rows is
applicable where the bobbins are disposed rectilineally instead of circularly. In
the present instance, the semi-cylindrical bobbin-spindles c' are mounted in the
internal and external periphery of two stationary and concentric rings e and e³
respectively; whilst the other series of bobbin-spindles c are mounted in the
external and internal peripheries of an intervening annular body a; intermittent
rotative motions being imparted to the latter for the purpose of constituting the
various bobbins in pairs in proper order.
By these means, a considerably larger number of bobbins may be disposed
within a circle of given size, the capabilities of the machine being thereby increased.
Or, for a given number of bobbins, the size of the machine may be diminished and
its cost of construction reduced.
It may be explained that a machine of the design represented in Figure 4 is
applicable for the manufacture of two pieces of netting simultaneously. Where
the whole bobbin capacity of the machine is required to be utilized in the
production of a single piece of netting, the inner circle of bi-part spindles with
their corresponding bearings and bobbins is completed, the pedestal a³ removed and
other provision for supporting the central portion e substituted. The annular
body a may be carried in the ring e or upon the disc e' on friction rollers.
My invention further relates to means applicable for the manufacture of netting
in which the several wires forming the body of the netting travel gradually across
from the selvage on one side to that on the other side and then gradually return in
the opposite direction. Netting of this kind possesses certain advantages in
respect of regularity and strength, any defective wire being twisted with a number
of other body wires instead of only with its two adjacent wires..
In describing the means I employ for carrying this feature of my invention into
effect, I will assume it to be applied to a machine in which the wires about to be
employed in the manufacture are carried on reels or bobbins mounted independently
from the mechanism engaged in twisting the several pairs of wires together in the
formation of the netting. Such a machine consists of two main parts, viz: the
twisting apparatus and the countertwisting apparatus, the motions imparted to
each of these sets of apparatus being of a corresponding character. It should
however be understood that the application of this feature of my invention is not
confined to wire-netting machines of this type, but may be applied to machines of
the kind more commonly in use at the present time and in which the wires about
to be employed in the manufacture are formed into coils-known as "springs "--
and enclosed in tubular envelopes in direct connection with the twisting mechanism.
In the accompanying drawings are represented the essential parts of a machine
designed to produce netting of the improved kind before referred to. In this
machine the twisting apparatus is arranged in a rectilinear form, and the counter-
twisting apparatus carrying the reels of wire is of a circular description; but it
should be understood that a curvilinear arrangement may, if preferred, be adopted
for the former, whilst the countertwisting apparatus may be arranged on the
rectilinear principle.
Figure 5 represents in longitudinal section the principal parts appertaining to
the twisting and countertwisting apparatus respectively, the former being towards
the right of the Figure and the latter towards the left. Figure 6 is a back
elevation of the countertwisting apparatus and Figure 7 a front. elevation of the
same. Figure 8 is a longitudinal section to an enlarged scale shewing the methed
of mounting the bobbins in the countertwisting apparatus. Figure 9 is a face view
of the same. Figures 10 and 11 are back and front elevations respectively of the
principal parts appertaining to the twisting mechanism. Figure 12 is a longitudinal
section to an enlarged scale showing the method of mounting the twisting spindles.
Figures 13 and 14 are face views of opposite extremities of the same apparatus.
Figures 15 and 16 are comparative diagrams for the purpose of explaining the
essential difference between wire-netting.. manufactured, in accordance with my

page_text: invention, and that resulting from the use of the mechanical process hitherto
commonly employed.
Referring in the first place to the mechanism engaged in pairing the several wires
and twisting the same together in the formation of the netting that is to say, the
twisting apparatus-each of the wires intended to form the body of the netting
or body-wires-as also each selvage-wire, passes longitudinally through a semi-
cylindrical spindle. Each of these twisting-spindles is mounted in a seini-cylindrical
bush or half tube, furnished externally with toothed gearing, two such half tubes
together forming a toothed sleeve surrounding each pair of twisting-spindles. The
arrangement of these parts will be understood on reference to the sectional view,
Figure 12, in which m m¹ are the twisting-spindles through which the wires pass
longitudinally and p p¹ are the half tubes furnished with toothed gears p² p³. The
half tubes p p are arranged in the contiguous faces of two parallel reciprocating
bars n n¹ and partake of to-and-fro lateral motions; whilst the bi-part toothed
sleeves gear with a toothed rack q whereby they are rotated in opposite directions
at each successive operation of the machine. The general arrangement of the
semi-cylindrical twisting-spindles surrounded by their bi-part toothed sleeves and
mounted in the contiguous faces of the reciprocating bars is represented in the buck
and front elevations Figures 10 and 11. The rotary motion imparted to each
bi-part sleeve p p is communicated to the pair of twisting-spindles m m¹ embraced
by it through clutches designed in such a manner as only to come into operation
upon arrival opposite one another. One mode in which such clutch mechanism may
be devised is represented to an enlarged scale in Figures 12 and 14, the former of
these being a longitudinal section and the latter a face view. m³ is a sliding piece
formed with laterally projecting horns the inwardly facing sides of which are
inclined as shewn. Each sliding piece is mounted between projecting portions of
the extremity of the twisting-spindle m or m¹ and is furnished with a projection m³
adapted for engaging in a notch p' in the sleeve p or p¹. When a pair of twisting-
spindles furnished with clutches or sliding pieces such as m² are laterally slid
opposite one another so as to arrive in the relative positions represented in
Figure 14, the sliding pieces m³ force each other outwards by the mutual action of
their inclined surfaces and cause the projection m³ to enter the notch p*, where-
upon the bi-part sleeve p p¹ becomes locked with the enclosed pair of twisting
spindles m m. In this condition, the bi-part sleeve ppl is capable of imparting
to the pair of twisting-spindles m m' the rotative motion which the former receives
through the toothed gears p³ ³ from the rack q; Upon the half sleeves and
spindles being moved laterally in opposite directions and thus ceasing to occupy
positions immediately facing one another, the spiral springs m* operate to force the
sliding pieces m² inwards and to withdraw the projections m³ of the sliding pieces
from the notches p' of the half sleeves; whereupon the twisting-spindles are
released from gear with their surrounding sleeve. All the spindles m m¹ are
furnished with the sliding pieces such as ma for the purpose of effecting the locking
of the bi-part sleeves to their enclosed twisting-spindles, excepting only the two
twisting-spindles through which the selvage-wires pass. From these the sliding
pieces mare omitted. The opposite extremities of the twisting-spindles are
furnished with half pinions mo, as indicated in the sectional view Figure 12 and in
the face view Figure 13.
In Figures 10 and 11 is shewn a pair of reciprocating bars n n¹ in which is
mounted a series of twisting spindles m m³ with their bi-part sleeves pp¹, the
latter provided with toothed gears p², p³. In Figure 11 the clutches are for the
most part hidden behind guard-plates, which, for explanatory purposes, are omitted
in Figure 14. In Figures 10 and 11 the spindles marked me are intended for
carrying the selvage-wires; and it will be observed that these spindles are
unprovided with the sliding pieces m³, as before stated. A further portion of
the apparatus consists of two toothed quadrants or sectors respectively arranged
to gear with the half pinions formed on or attached to the back extremities of
each selvage-wire-twisting-spindle and its (for the time being) companion spindle.

page_text: q q' are the sectors mounted in a downwardly extending portion of the bar n²
and suitably disposed for gearing with the half pinions of the selvage-wire-
spindles m*m*. The sectors q q', moving in unison, may be coupled together by
means of a link q²; and the requisite vibratory motions may be imparted to the
sectors through this link by connecting the latter with the sector 71 by means of a
rod r.
Mechanism for actuating the bars n n¹ and the rack q does not constitute
an essential portion of this Invention; wherefor the description does not extend
thereto. In working the sectors q' q¹ from the sector rl whereby the rack q is
operated, the rod r is connected to the sector r¹ as shewn in Figure 11 at such a
radial distance from the pivot of the latter as to impart a smaller peripheral motion
to the sectors q' q' than that appertaining to the sector r1; the object being to
rotate the pairs of twisting-spindles m* m*, at each operation of the machine half
a revolution less than the number performed by the bi-part sleeves p p¹, the latter
remaining constantly in gear with the rack q.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-Assuming the several pairs of wires
forming the body of the netting are required to present in the finished product two
complete twists, each toothed and bi-part sleeve p p' has imparted to it two and a
half revolutions, the same being communicated through the locking pieces m² and
notches p to the twisting-spindles m m. The selvage-wire-spindles m*. being
however unprovided with sliding pieces such as m² or other locking devices, the
bi-part sleeves surrounding the spindles and their companion spindles are free to
revolve without rotating the twisting-spindles enclosed by them. These two pairs
of spindles are independently operated by the sectors q¹ q¹ which gear with the
bi-part pinions m³ and impart two revolutions to the said spindles.
It will thus be understood that although a bi-part sleeve p p¹ surrounding a
selvage-wire-spindle and its fellow spindle, being constantly engaged with the
rack q, makes two and a half revolutions, the said pair of spindles makes only two
revolutions, which motion it derives from one of the sectors q'. It results that the
twisting-spindles carrying the selvage-wires constantly return to the same position;
whilst the relative positions of the twisting-spindles appertaining to the body-wires
constantly vary in a manner which will be readily understood from the following
description of the arrangement and operation of the counter-twisting mechanism.
This apparatus may be arranged on the circular system as shewn in Figures 6
and 7, or rectilineally. In either, it is subject to certain modifications similar in
character to those effected in the twisting mechanism. The working of the bobbins
also corresponds with that appertaining to the twisting-spindles.
Assuming the wire-charged reels to be carried by means of semi-cylindrical
spindles arranged in two series respectively mounted in the outer periphery of a
disc and in the inner periphery of a circumscribing ring, as illustrated by the
vertical section Figure 5 and by the back and front elevations Figures 6 and 7,
instead of rotating the several pairs of bobbins d d two, three or other complete
number of turns, I rotate the several pairs two and a half, three and a half, or other
odd half number of times, and according to the number of revolutions imparted to
the pairs of twisting-spindles. Alternating with these successive rotary motions of
the bobbin-spindles c c¹, the disc a carrying one of the series of bobbins & partakes
of to-and-fro rotative movements, whereby the bobbins constituting each pair
become constantly interchanged.
Tracing now the course of a bobbin-spindle assumed to be carried at starting in
the circumscribing ring e, after (say) two and a half revolutions, the said spindle
comes to rest in the disc a. The spindle is then moved laterally and paired with a
different fellow spindle, in company with which it is rotated two and a half
revolutions in the reverse direction and again arrives in the outer ring e, but in
the next adjacent bearing to that originally occupied by it. The disc a then
returns to its previous position, whereupon the spindle under observation again
becomes paired with a different companion spindle; and having been rotated
therewith, again arrives in the disc, but in the next adjacent bearing to that

page_text: previously occupied by it in that body. In the result, a moiety of the bobbins
travel in one general direction until they successively arrive opposite the selvage-
wire-bobbin occupying one extremity of the series of bobbins engaged; whilst the
remainder travel in the reverse direction until they successively arrive opposite the
selvage-wire-bobbin at the opposite extremity of the series.
The bobbins carrying the selvage-wires do not travel in the manner above
described, but are respectively retained at the two extremities of the series of
bobbins engaged. With this object, the spindles to which they are attached are
rotated half a turn less than those attached to the bobbins carrying the ordinary
wire for forming the body of the netting; that is to say, they perform a complete
instead of an odd half number of revolutions, and therefore constantly return to
the same positions. To effect this result, each bobbin-spindle c c¹ is mounted in a
semi-cylindrical bush or half tube f f¹ in the same manner as already described
with reference to the twisting-spindles; each half tube carrying a toothed gear f³ f³
and connected with its enclosed pair of bobbin-spindles c c¹ through a locking
device which may be substantially of the kind hereinbefore described with reference
to the twisting mechanism. This device is shewn to an enlarged scale in Figure 8,
which is a sectional view taken longitudinally of the bobbin-spindles; Figure 9
being a face view of the same. d d¹ are the bobbins mounted on semi-cylindrical
spindles c c enclosed within bi-part tubes or sleeves ff the exteriors of which
are furnished with toothed gears f¹ƒ³. Each bobbin-spindle (except c* c* carrying
the selvage-wite-bobbins) is furnished with a sliding piece c' formed with laterally
projecting wings, the inwardly facing sides of which are inclined. Each sliding
piece is suitably mounted in the extremity of the bobbin-spindle c or c¹ and is
furnished with a projection c³ adapted for engaging in the notch f* formed in the
half sleeve for f¹. Upon a pair of the bobbin-spindles arriving opposite one
another, the sliding pieces care forced outwards, their projections centering the
notches in the bi-part sleeves and locking the said sleeves to the spindles; the
latter thereupon becoming subjected to the rotary motion imparted to the sleeves
through their toothed gears f¹ƒ³. Upon the pair of bobbin-spindles ceasing to
occupy positions immediately facing one another, the spiral springs c come into
operation to force the sliding pieces c³ inwards and to release the bobbin-spindles
from their surrounding sleeves. The spindles c* c* appertaining to the bobbins
carrying the selvage-wires are unprovided with the sliding pieces c³ or other
locking devices, and consequently they and their (for the time being) companion
spindles are not liable to become locked with, or to be rotated by, their surrounding
bi-part sleeves. The bobbin-spindles are furnished at their opposite extremities
with half pinions c³, as indicated in Figures 5 and 6, the functions of which will
appear hereafter.
The bi-part sleeves ff' with their enclosed bobbin-spindles c c¹ are mounted, as
regards each series, in a moveable disc a and stationary circumscribing ring e.
The toothed bi-part sleeves ffl gear with the spur-wheel g, whereby they are
rotated the required number of turns; that is to say, the number of revolutions
imparted to the body-wire-twisting-spindles. At the opposite extremity of the
bobbin-spindles, the bi-part pinions appertaining to the selvage-wire-bobbin-
spindles and their (for the time being) companion spindles gear with the spur-
wheel g¹ through the intervention of idle wheels g². The diameter or peripheral
speed of the spur-wheel g' operating the selvage-wire-bobbin-spindles is so pro-
portioned to that of the spur-wheel g operating the sleeves connected with the
body-wire-bobbin-spindles as to cause the first named spindles to make at each
operation of the machine half a revolution less than the number performed by the
last named spindles. This difference corresponds with that prevailing between the
motions of the pairs of twisting-spindles appertaining to the body-wires and
selvage-wires respectively. Owing to the intervention of idle wheels g*, it should
be observed that the spur-wheels 9 and 'g' require to be rotated in opposite
directions. Suitable means for actuating the spur-wheels 9 g), as also for imparting

page_text: the requisite to-and-fro motions to the disc a, may be readily devised; but
inasmuch as these means do not constitute essential features of my present
invention, they are omitted from the description.
The peculiar character of the netting resulting from the system of manufacture
described will be readily understood from the diagram Figure 15, wherein ww, are
body-wires and w* w are the selvage-wires; two of the body-wires wl wl being
distinguished by strong lines indicating the course such wires follow in travelling
diagonally across the netting from selvage to selvage and then gradually returning
by similar steps. For the purpose of comparison, the course pursued by two body-
wires w w¹ in ordinary machine-made netting is indicated in Figures 16, each two
adjacent wires being in this instance alternately twisted with each other and with
their laterally contiguous wires.
It will be perceived that the means herein described with reference to Figures 5
to 14 for the manufacture of diagonally-wired netting are applicable to machines
in which one series of wires are carried on reels and the other series are coiled and
formed into "springs." In such an adaptation, the half pinions are disconnected
from the twisting-spindles and mounted on semi-cylindrical bushes, fitted to the
said spindles; the connection between these being effected by means of clutches
which ordinarily cause the spindles to be rotated in unison with the sleeves, but
permit the sleeves to revolve freely when in conjunction with the selvage-wire-
spindles, these spindles being operated by independent means and performing half.
a revolution less than the body-wire-spindles. For the production of netting
having the body-wires travelling diagonally from selvage to selvage and presenting
an even number of twists, it would also be necessary to adjust the motion of the
rack operating the toothed sleeves, so as to impart an odd half number of
revolutions to the body-wire-twisting-spindles.
According to the method of manufacturing wire-netting herein before particularly
described (as also by the system particularly described in the Specification to my
aforesaid Letters Patent A.D. 1884. N° 13,625), "hard" or "bright" wire may be
employed; that is to say, wire which has not undergone annealing subsequent to
being drawn. Such wire has a polished surface and takes up less spelter in the
galvanising bath. It also possesses greater rigidity as compared with "black" or
annealed wire; netting manufactured from the former presenting great natural
stiffness and capability of withstanding rough usage.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
First In a machine for making wire-netting from reel-carried wires, mounting
two series of semi-cylindrical spindles respectively in the contiguous and parallel
faces of two bodies of which one partakes of to-and-fro lateral or rotative motions,
the other being stationary; the series of spindles mounted in the stationary body
being furnished with bobbins, whilst the other series, mounted in the moveable
body, is traversed longitudinally by wires led from reels or swifts carried in a
supplementary fixed frame, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1
and 2.
Secondly-In a machine for making wire-netting from reel-carried wires,
arranging two or more series of bobbin-spindles in concentric or parallel rows,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.
Thirdly The improved method of manufacturing wire-netting by a continuous
process, substantially as herein described, and whereby selvaged netting is pro-
duced in which the wires forming the body thereof travel diagonally and twist
with one another a complete instead of an odd half number of times.
Fourthly: In a machine for making diagonally-wired netting, the use of semi-
cylindrical twisting-spindles or bobbin-spindles mounted in bi-part sleeves and
furnished with locking devices which engage the spindles with their sleeves except
when the latter are in conjunction with the selvage-wire-spindles, these being

page_text: independently operated and making half a revolution less or more than the body-
wire-spindles generally.
Fifthly: The improved manufacture of machine-made wire-netting illustrated
in Figure 15 and comprising body-wires and selvage-wires; the former travelling
diagonally across the netting from selvage to selvage and then gradually returning,
whilst the latter, which may be special in character, retain their positions at the
opposite margins of the fabric.