Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
Figure 1 is a plan of the machine.
Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through one of the twister-wheels
and frame.
Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of the twister-wheel.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation thereof.
Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of the twister-block.
A is the frame, preferably a rectangular wooden frame of suitable size and
shape to support the fabric while it is being manufactured. Upon this frame are
secured the bearing C, in which are journaled the twister-wheels. These twister
wheels preferably consist of a cylinder D, preferably a pipe or tube, on the inner
end of which is secured a collar E by means of a set-screw F.
Upon the opposite end of the tube is secured the sprocket-wheel G by means of
the set-screw H, the sprocket-wheel and collar, being at opposite ends of the
At the forward end
bearing, preventing any longitudinal end motion of the tube.
of the tube is secured the twister-block I, preferably by means of the engagement
of the set screw in the aperture J in the side thereof. This twister-block is
provided at opposite sides with the tapering grooves K and with a tapering central
aperture L. The cuter end of the tube D extends beyond the sprocket-wheel and
has secured to it a frame M, having the spool or spindle N journaled in its outer
end, the shaft of which is provided with a crank O. This spindle is arranged
at one side of the tube D, preferably in the ends of the offsets P of the frame.
My machine is designed to construct a fabric of slats and wire in which there is
a straight wire upon one side of the fabric and a binding wire looped over the slats
and wound around the straight wire between the same.
In the drawings, Q represents a straight wire and R the flexible wire which is
wound about the spindle N and passes through one of the apertures or slots K,
while the wire Q passes through the central aperture L in the head or block.
S represents the slats.
Tis a sprocket chain connecting the sprocket wheels on the twisters and also
the drive-sprocket wheel T', which is provided with a crank handle U, by means
of which a rotary motion is imparted to the twisters.
The parts being thus constructed and the slats S being placed in front of the
machine against the guides or stops S¹, the wire Q being passed beneath the slat
and the wire R above it, the operator imparts motion to the twisters by means of
the crank U, which will cause the binding wire to coil about the central or
connecting wire to any desired extent, the number of twists in the wire determining
the spaces between the slats.
In order to make a perfectly tight coil, I secure a spring arm V in front of each
twister wheel, extending up across the same slightly to one side of the centre and

page_text: with the over hanging finger V1 arranged at a point just beyond the points at
which the binding wire comes through the twister head. The effect of this is that
as soon as the twister wheel begins to move a sharp angle is made in the wire,
which impinges against the front edge of this arm. The coil passes down beyond
the spring, which is thereby moved out a sufficient distance to allow this wire to
pass, the tension of the spring acting to force the coil firmly against the head. As
the next coil is formed it is forced against the first one, insuring a perfectly tight
coil, which makes more symmetrical work, beside saving the wire and making a
firmer connection. When the requisite number of twists are obtained, the slat is
withdrawn, another one is placed in position, and the operation repeated.
In order to force the slats tightly together, so as to leave no loose motion, I
employ a lever W, pivoted to the top of the frame and extending across the same
with suitable lugs or projections W₁, arranged to straddle the wire and pass down
beside the slats, so that the fabric already woven may be moved laterally and
crowded up against the new slat, which is inserted into the loop to be woven in.
By making the tapering apertures through the twister block I can more readily
thread it.
It will be observed that my twister-wheels turn continuously in the same
direction, and that the spools carrying the wire turn with the wheels, thereby
preventing any twisting of the wire.
While I have shown two twister wheels, arranged to. make two strands of
binding wires upon the slats, it is evident that one alone may be employed or more
than two.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a slat-and-wire-fabric-weaving machine, the combination of the frame, the
bearings thereon, and the twister wheels journaled in said bearings, such wheels
being composed of the outer tubes D, collars E at one end of the tubes, sprocket
wheels Gat the opposite ends of the tubes, and twister-heads I, secured in the
forward ends of the tubes, substantially as described.
2. In a slat-and-wire-fabric-weaving machine, the combination of the frame, the
bearings thereon, the twister wheels journaled therein and comprising the sleeves D,
the collars E at the forward end, the sprocket wheels G at the rear ends of the
bearings, the twister heads I, detachably secured at the forward end, the frames M,
secured to the rear end, having the offset portions P, and the wire spools N,
journaled in said offsets, substantially as described.
3. In a slat-and-wire-fabric-weaving machine, the combination, with the twister
head and frame, of the spring arm V, arranged in front of the twister head to press
the wire to the head, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 18th day of October 1892.
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.