Improvements in Wire Stretchers or the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wire Stretchers or the like.
I, HARRY ZIMMERMAN, of 180, North Market Street, Frederick, Frederick
County, Maryland, Manufacturer, 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 wire stretchers and the like and has for its object to
improve and simplify the construction of this class of devices, and to this end my
invention consists of a stretcher embodying the various features of construction
and arrangement of parts having the mode of operation substantially as herein-
after more particularly set forth.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1, is a front view of the preferred embodi-
ment of my invention showing it applied to a wire. Fig. 2, is a perspective view
of the body portion, showing modifications in detail. Fig. 3, is a similar view
of the winding key. Fig. 4 is a top view and Figs. 5 and 6, are sectional views
showing modifications.
While my device is intended more particularly as a wire stretcher, it can be
used for other purposes, and while I will now describe in detail the embodiment
shown in the drawings, it is evident that the invention can be embodied in other
forms according to the requirements of any particular case, without departing
from its spirit.
A, represents the body portion which is shown as having a central portion with
an opening A¹, and projecting arms A2, A3. These arms may be variously shaped
but are preferably curved slightly towards the face of the body portion, as shown
in Fig. 4. The projecting arms are provided with means for attachment to the
wire or other material and in Fig. 1, I have shown two forms of hooks a, being
curved nearly the half of a circle, while the hook a¹, extends more nearly at
right angles to the general trend of the arm A³, and its end is pointed so that
the hook a, can be placed over the wire and the hook a¹, in this
form permits the more ready attachment of the device to a com-
paratively taut wire. In Fig. 2, one of the arms is provided with an open-
ing a through which may be strung the wire, and the other arm is provided with
a differently shaped hook a. These hooks illustrate some of the modifications
which may be made to adapt the device to different purposes, but all having the
same general construction.
The winding key B, comprises a disc B₁ having extending from its central
portion lugs 12, 132, with a passage B³, between them. The shape of these lugs
may vary, but it is preferable to have their outer surfaces 62, curve on a circle
concentric with the outer surface of the disc, while their inner faces 63, are pre-
ferably ogee shaped, having a sinuous passage between them for the reception of

page_text: the wire primarily, and further for the reception of a proper tool, which can be
readily applied for the purpose of operating the key. The thickened sides of the
lugs are rounded or curved inward as at b', so as not to give a too abrupt angle
to the wire extending between the lugs. The lugs as they approach the disc on
their thickened sides are tapered or extend outward as at b, so that the successive
coils of wire or other material wound thereon will tend to force the preceding
coils upward and outward on the lugs.-
The face of the disc is recessed at B4, corresponding with the passage B³, and
the edge of the disc adjacent one side of the recess is bevelled or tapered as at 65,
so that the wire placed in the passage and recess in the beginning will ride up
the bevelled portions as the key is turned. The thickness of the disc B', is such
that when the winding key is in position and under stress of the wire, the latter
will be bent slightly from its vertical plane, as indicated in Fig. 4, and tends to
draw and hold the key and body portion together. The rear portion of the wind-
ing key is provided with an extension B5, which passes through the opening A',
in the body and tends to maintain the key generally in position. This extension
may be hollow as shown in Fig. 5, or of other shape and may serve to receive a
tool for winding the key.
Some suitable means for holding the winding key in position on the body
must be provided and I have shown in Fig. 2, a number of ratchet teeth C, and
these may extend to a greater or less extent around the ring shaped opening and
I have also shown on the key a number of ratchet teeth C¹, preferably extending
entirely around the bearing face of the dise B', and it will be noticed that the
teeth, are greater in number than the teeth C, as I find by this construction
not only can be obtained a more delicate adjustment of the disc, but the teeth
will engage the teeth on the body portion more firmly.
These ratchet teeth may be cast or otherwise formed on the parts. Instead of
ratchet teeth there may be a series of openings D, in the body portion and one or
more openings D₁, in the key through which a pin may be passed to hold the
parts in position. In Fig. 5, I have shown ratchet teeth E, projecting above the
face of the body portion engaging similar teeth E', on the periphery of the disc B¹,
of the winding key. These various modifications show that different styles of
securing devices may be used, the object being to have some means of securing
the winding key in its adjusted position with relation to the body portion of the
stretcher.
In Fig. 6, I have shown a different arrangement in that the opening A', in
rounded
the body portion is relatively small and the extension B5, of the key
and fits the opening more closely, and the disc B¹, has a bevelled or inclined face,
and the lugs B2 are slightly differently shaped. In this case the ratchet teeth
on both the body portion and the winding key are shown as being of the same
number.
The operation of the device will be readily understood and it will be seen that
one of the hooks of one of the arms is first applied to the wire, the wire is then
passed through the passage 133, and recess B4, and the other hook applied to the
wire. The winding key is then turned by some suitable instrument and the wire
is wound upon the lugs B, as best indicated at Figs. 1 and 4, and the ratchet
teeth or other securing device hold the parts in their proper position, it being
remembered that the strain of the wire tends to hold the parts of the stretcher
together, and the tighter the wire is drawn the stronger is this tendency. When
it is desired to remove the stretcher, pressure can be applied to the key to dis-
engage the securing device, and the parts being released the stretcher can be
removed.
It will be seen that the construction of the parts is simple and that they can be
easily made from cast metal or otherwise, and it embodies only two pieces which
are readily put together and are securely held in position by the wire or other
material to which they are attached. The peculiar shape of the lugs is such
that there is no tendency to break or disrupt the wire by producing sharp bends

page_text: therein, and when in position the parts are securely held in position by the teeth
or other devices, and the stress upon the wire aids in maintaining them in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st. A wire stretcher or the like comprising two parts, the body portion having
arms and a winding key adapted to be applied to the body portion, and securing
devices to hold them in position.
2nd. A wire stretcher or the like, consisting of a body portion having arms,
and a winding key, means for securing the parts together and lugs shaped sub-
stantially as described for the purposes set forth.
3rd. A wire stretcher or the like, comprising a body portion having arms bent
towards its face, and a winding key having lugs and means for holding the two
parts in position, the parts being so shaped that the tension the wire tends to
hold the parts in engagement.
4th. In a wire stretcher or the like, the body portion having the characteristics
herein before described for the purposes set forth.
5th. In a wire stretcher or the like, a winding key having the characteristics
herein before described for the purposes set forth.
Dated the 19th day of December 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.