Improvements in Wire Mats and Wire Fabrics.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wire Mats and Wire Fabrics.
I, JOSEPH NICHOLS, of the firm of J. Nichols and Sons of Cheapside Wire
Works, in the City of Birmingham Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention pertains to the production of metallic wire mats, formed from
Archimedian convolutions entwined one within another, so as to produce a meshed
surface, which, when in use, lies upon the ground, and forms a means of removing
dirt accumulations from boots and shoes.
Wire convolutions have heretofore been so entwined one within another, that the
pattern or patterns produced by the union of the said convolutions, has or have
dips or valleys, between the convexities or rises, assuming that the said meshed
surface is lying upon a horizontal plane.
Thus in one form of entwinment, the generatrix of one spiral passes within the
inside edge of an adjacent spiral, and so on, hence the entwinment of parallel and
side by side spirals, and the formation of a meshed surface, with dips or valleys,
running in parallel direction between the rises or convexities.
In another form of mesh heretofore made, the spirals are directed obliquely, and
cross each other. Still there remains the same defect, in respect of the dips or
valleys, and further the said mats which are woven with plain metal, or plain wires,
are slippery when in use, and oftentimes are, from this defect, rendered dangerous,
as persons wiping their boots, or walking over the same are liable to slip.
According to my invention, the said woven metallic surface or mesh, has no
valleys or dips, but has enclosed figures, formed with roughened edges, or boundary
lines.
These roughened edges prevent slipping and offer considerable resistance to the
passing of the boots over the surface of a mat or the like.
The said roughened edges, also form more efficient scrapers, for the removal of
dirt.
According to a further form of my invention, the wire fabric or mesh, resembles
in feel, a pile surface.
Thus in one form of my invention, I employ three series of spirals, viz.: two
oblique series crossing each other, and a horizontal series crossing the oblique
series; at the junctions of the spirals of one oblique series, with the spirals of the
other oblique series, hence the production of an enclosed pattern, with scraper
edges upon all sides of the figure.
In carrying out one form of my invention, in connection with a three-series
spiral mesh, I proceed as follows:-
I take a series of spirals, of like convolutions and pitch, or of the same generatrix,
and I place the same in an oblique direction, sloping or directed from right to left,
and with the said spirals lying close to each other.
I then take a second series of spirals, and dispose the same obliquely, and at the
same angle as the aforesaid first series, which are crossed by, and entwined into,
the second series, as hereinafter described.
Thus assuming the production is being performed upon a horizontal plane, and
that the left hand series of obliquely disposed spirals are arranged in proper order,
and side by side, and with the hollows or declivities following each other in a
horizontal plane, then on the passing of the generatrix of each spiral, first under
the rise of one of the left hand spirals, then over the dip or declivity of it, then
again under a lower convolution of the same spiral. Then as the generatrix travels
on from the first spiral under the rise of a convolution of the second one, then over

page_text: the declivity or dip, below the said rise of said second one, and then again under
a rise of the next and lower convolution, and so on until the entwining of the right
hand obliquely directed spirals have been completed.
When this stage of the production has been reached, by the entwinment of right
hand directed oblique spirals, with left hand directed oblique spirals, the horizontal
valleys or dips between the rises of the left hand series, are bridged by the rises of
the right hand series, but now by this said entwinment, valleys are produced in
the directions of the left hand spirals, which are subsequently bridged over, as
hereinafter described, by horizontal and closure spirals, which are made to entwine
with both of the oblique spirals as stated.
Looking upon the entwinments vertically, the rises of the left hand series, form
as it were, a series of horizontal bars, which appear to be united by twists of the
shape of the figure 8, formed by the rises or concavities of the right hand series,
crossing the dips or hollows of the left hand series.
A series of horizontal spirals are now taken, and the generatrix of each made to
pass through the lower loop of a figure 8 twist, upon the top side of a bar, then
through the upper loop of a figure 8 twist, upon the lower side of the said bar,
then through the lower loop of the 8 twist again above the bar, and so on above
and below the bar, until the entwinment has been completed, so that each of the
horizontal spirals first pass, under the rise of a diagonal right hand-spiral, then
over the valley of it, then over the valley of a left hand spiral, and at the same
time under a rise of a right hand oblique spiral, which is below the former
convolution.
The generatrix then passes under the valley of a right hand spiral, above the
former valley of the said spiral, and then over the rise of a left hand spiral, and so
on entwining itself between the loops of the 8 twists, above and below the
imaginary horizontal line formed by the rises of the left hand oblique spirals.
The mesh produced, is made up of enclosed figures, alike unto a hexagonal sided
figure, or a figure produced by placing triangles, one upon another in three
directions, and with the sides formed spirally.
Like enclosed figures, with scraper tops all round, may be produced by changing
the convolutions of the coils, so that four, five or other number of series of spirals
may be entwined in like manner as the three series as described.
The terminals or the ends of the wires of the spirals are preferably entwined, or
twisted one about another, so as to lock the mesh, and with the ends of one or two
lengths of each series, turned or twisted over a border, or a border rod, frame, or
their equivalents, and with a coil, or series of coils entwined or evolved around the
said border frame, which forms, as it were, a core to the border proper.
The convolutions of the border, which may be of any desired construction, figure,
or formation, may be arranged to come between the connections of the mesh, with
the border.
The whole of the mat is preferably flexible, and will lie flat upon any ground or
surface.
For closer weaving I intercoil two coils at a time, or two coils at a time, of one
series, with single coils at a time of the other series, or I intercoil the whole of
the series with double wires, thus forming side by side wires, in one, two or the
whole of the series, by this means a closer weaving of mesh is performed, whilst
the said mesh has a better appearance.
In carrying out a further form of my invention in connection with scraper mats,
I proceed as follows:-
I make the convolutions from square or other angular sectioned twisted wires or
from two or more plain wires, twisted into a compound wire, which is subsequently
evolved or shaped into a single coil convolution.
By twisting angular sectioned wires, a series of sharp and spirally directed
scraper edges are produced, which act as a drag to the passing of the soles of
boots over the mat, so that besides forming scraper edges, the said thrown up
elges prevent slipping.

page_text: In carrying out one form of my invention, I take a wire of a square section, I
twist the same in the direction of its axis, so as to make a generatrix of a helix,
revolve about the axis of the wire, hence a spirally twisted wire, which in
consequence of being angular in cross section, throws up a series of sharp scraper
edges.
This spirally twisted wire is then passed through an ordinary spiral shaping
machine, when the same is converted into a spiral; two, three, four or any number
of which when intercoiled, constitute a wire fabric, which may be employed for
mats or other purposes, or I take plain wire, triangular in cross section, and
spirally twist the same, and then spirally form the same into convolutions which
are intercoiled. The sharp edges fetched up of the angles of the wires, give
scraper or sharp edges to the presented boundary lines of the patterns of the fabric.
The sides of the three, four, or other square sectioned wire, may be channelled
or hollow formed, so as to give greater edge to the scraper surface.
As a still further form of my invention, I take two plain wires, either round,
angular or star sectioned, and I twist the same into a compound strand, which is
then fashioned into a spiral length, such spiral lengths are then intercoiled to any
number and pattern as desired.
By employing compound strands in the formation of the spirals, scraper or drag
edges are not only produced, but the wire fabric formed, has the feeling when trod
upon of a pile surface. The pile feel of the said fabric is brought about by the
compound wires constituting the coils, yielding when pressed.
Dated this 8th day of July 1899
JOSEPH NICHOLS,
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Wire Mats and Wire Fabrics.
I, JOSEPH NICHOLS, of the firm of J. Nichols & Sons, of Cheapside Wire
Works, in the City of Birmingham, 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:-
This invention pertains to the production of metallic wire mats, formed from
Archimedean convolutions entwined one within another, so as to produce a meshed
surface, and is an improvement upon, and addition to or an amplification of the
invention described in my former Patent No. 7931, dated April 27 1892, as herein-
after described.
The primary object of my invention is the production of a scraper mat, or a mat
with a surface which prevents slipping.
In carrying out my invention in connection with scraper non-slipping surface
mats I proceed as follows :-
I make the convolutions from square, angular, elliptical or other irregular
sectioned twisted wires, or from two or more plain wires, twisted into a compound
wire, which is subsequently evolved or shaped into a single coil or convolution.
By twisting angular or other irregular sectioned wires, as aforesaid, a series of
sharp and spirally directed scraper edges are produced, which act as a drag to the
passing of the soles of boots over the mat, so that besides forming scraper edges,
the said thrown-up edges prevent slipping.
In carrying out one form of my invention, I take a wire of a square section, I
then twist the same in the dirction of its axis, hence a spirally twisted wire, which,
in consequence of being angular in cross section, throws up a series of sharp scraper
edges.
"This spirally twisted wire is then passed through an ordinary spiral-shaping

page_text: machine, when the same is converted into a spiral, two, three, four or any number
of which, when intercoiled, constitute a wire fabric, which may be employed for
mats or other purposes, or I take plain wires, triangular in cross section, and
spirally twist the same, and then spirally form the same into convolutions which
are intercoiled. The sharp fetched-up edges of the angles of the wire give
scraper or sharp edges to the presented boundary lines of the pattern of the
fabric.
The sides of the square sectioned wire, may be channelled or hollow formed, so
as to give a keener edge to the scraper surfaces.
As a still further form of my invention, I take two or more plain wires, either
round, angular or star sectioned, and I twist the same, into a compound strand,
which is then fashioned into a spiral length, such spiral lengths being then inter-
coiled to any number and pattern as desired.
By employing compound strands in the formation of the spirals, scraper or drag
edges are not only produced, but the wire fabric formed has the feeling, when
trod upon, of a pile surface. The pile feel of the said fabric is brought about by
the compound wires constituting the coils, yielding or being resilient when
pressed.
The series of intercoiled wires may be compound, or in single or double order,
according to the closeness of the weaving of the wire mesh desired.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a diagrammatic view of a mat,
or a scraper mat constructed, arranged and provided according to one form of my
invention.
Figure 2 represents, upon an enlarged scale, a portion of the said mat, showing
the organization or structural character of the same, and how the convolutions
which are intercoiled in single order, are respectively made from twisted and
angular sectioned wire, so as to fetch up spirally disposed sharp edges, which
form sharp and scraper surfaces.
Figure 3 represents a transverse vertical section upon the dotted lines A B
Figure 2.
Figure shows a mat with the convolutions or coils intercoiled in single and
double order, that is, the horizontally directed spirals are in double order, and run
side by side, whilst the right and left hand obliquely directed spirals are in single
order only.
B
Figure 5 represents a portion of a mat with the convolutions directed in double
order in two directions, and in single order in one direction.
Figure 6 represents a portion of a mat constructed, arranged and intercoiled
according to a still further form of my invention.
Figure 7 shows a length of plain square sectioned wire.
Figure 8 shows the same twisted.
Figure 9 represents a triangular sectioned plain length of wire, before twisting,
and Figure 10 represents a triangular sectioned plain length of wire with the sides
of the same concaved.
Figure 11 shows a star-sectioned length of wire prior to the same being
twisted.
Figure 12 represents a flat wire, or a narrow strip of metal which is subsequently
twisted and then passed through a spiral forming tool or die, like unto the other
sectional forms.
Figure 13 represents a double convex-sectioned plain wire, which is subsequently
twisted, and then evolved into coils of the desired pitch and diameter.
Figure 14 represents a series of wires twisted into a strand, and forming a
compound wire, which, alike unto the other twisted lengths, is then evolved into
a coil.
In carrying out the production of the mat Figure 2, a series of twisted lengths
of wire of any of the sections as described and represented, are taken, and evolved
into coils or spirals, as represented in Figure 15.
Then a series of these spirals a, are taken, and arranged at equal distances apart

page_text: and side by side in an oblique direction, or running from left to right, and are here-
after called left-hand spirals. Now a series of similar spirals, hereinafter called
right hand spirals, and intercoiled in an opposite oblique direction with the left hand
spirals a, hence the formation of a meshed surface by such intercoiling. Then again,
another series of spirals e, of the same pitch and generatrix as the other spirals, are
taken, and intercoiled horizontally with the oblique and crossing spirals a and b,
hence a wire mat having an enclosed figure reticulated surface, with scraper
boundary edges, as set forth in Figures 2 and 3.
The outside edges of the body mesh are inturned or interlaced with a border
coil d.
The mat Figure 1 is provided with tie strands or coils, arranged obliquely and
transversely from end to end and side to side of the mat.
Thus the tie strands e¹, e³, cross each other, and are directed from the corners of
the mat, and terminate in the border coils at the opposite sides of the mat, at some
distance from the corners, whilst the middle tie strands, pass transversely across
the middle of the mat, and terminate at the two opposite sides of the said middle
part, and further, the longitudinal tie strands g, cross the middles of the oblique
and lateral strands, and terminate at the middles of the end border coils.
By so tying in the corners, ends and sides by supplementary or additional
strands, sagging, buckling, curling or other distortions of the mat or mat surface,
corners, edges or parts are prevented.
The tie or stay strands may be made from spring or other wire, but preferably
of the former, so that the saine always tend to preserve straight lines, hence the
keeping of the mat flat.
In Figure 4, a are left-hand oblique spirals, and are right-hand oblique spirals
intercoiling with and crossing the former spirals. c, care double horizontal spirals,
crossing and intercoiling with the left and right hand oblique spirals, hence a mat
having a reticulated surface, and composed of four series of strands, two series
directed obliquely and crossing each other, and in single order, and two series
disposed or running side by side, and intercoiling with and crossing the oblique
series respectively in a horizontal direction.
e is a tie strand, which may be twisted or plain.
I wish it to be understood that untwisted or plain wire spirals may be employed
in lieu of the twisted wire spirals, so that the mat forms an ordinary metallic wire
mat, instead of a scraper one as described.
The border d, may be made up of a coiled or other boundary edging as may be
desired and if necessary, the boundary coils may be made from twisted instead of
plain wire.
Figure 5 represents still further form of my invention. In this construction of
mesh, five series of coils are employed; two series running side by side and
disposed obliquely and crossing each, and with a single series intercoiling with and
horizontally crossing the oblique-crossing double series of coils.
Thus, a, a', are left hand oblique coils, arranged in double order or running side
by side, and b, b' are right hand and obliquely directed and crossing coils, likewise
in double order and running side-by-side, and intercoiling with the first named side-
by-side coils, whilst c is a series of single coils, horizontally crossing and inter-
coiling with the said obliquely crossing compound coils. e¹ is a corner tie strand,
and d is a border, which may be of any organization or construction. The whole
of the wires composing the coils may be plain or twisted, or each wire may be of a
strand construction.
Figure 6 represents a still further form of my invention. In this construction or
organization of mesh, the whole of the serial coils employed are of a compound
order.
a, a' are left-hand serial compound coils, made of either plain or twisted wire,
and b, bare like right hand serial compound coils, intercoiling with the left hand
series and crossing them, whilst c, el are horizontally disposed compound serial coils,
intercoiling with the before named coils, and crossing them.

page_text: el is the corner tie strand, and d is the border.
The application of my invention to wire fabric generally differs in no essential
respect from its application to mats or scraper mats, as herein described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First-In wire mats or wire fabrics, making the coils, convolutions or spirals
composing the said articles, or employed in the formation of the said articles, of, or
from, twisted wire, or of or from wire of any angular or irregular cross section,
which, when twisted longitudinally upon its own axis evolves, throws up or forms
scraper, or spiral edges, or sharp edges, substantially as and for the purpose as
described and set forth.
Secondly-In wire mats or wire fabrics, making the coils, convolutions or
spirals composing the same of or from twisted strand wire, substantially as set
forth.
Thirdly-In wire mats or wire fabrics, making up the same from three series
of intercoiled spirals, crossing each other, and with one of the series made up of
double order or compound side-by-side coils, substantially as described, and set forth
in Figure 4.
Fourthly-In wire mats or wire fabrics, making up the same from three series
of intercoiled spirals, crossing each other, and with two of the series made up of
double order or compound side-by-side coils, substantially as described, and set forth
in Figure 5.
up
Fifthly In wire mats or wire fabrics, making up the same from three series of
intercoiled spirals, crossing each other, and with the whole of the series made of
double order or compound side-by-side coils, substantially as described and set forth
in Figure 6.
Sixthly In a wire mat, the combination with coiled spirals or intercoiled and
crossing spirals, as in the preceeding claims, of straight crossing and oblique
crossing stays, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 1.
Seventhly-The improvements in wire mats and fabrics as herein described and
set forth.
ཁuu ་
UL MATON
JOSEPH NICHOLS,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.