IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BARBED WIRE FOR FENCES AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1883

page_text: '
LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents Southampton Buildings, London for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BARBED WIRE FOR FENCES AND
IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR" communicated to him from abroad
by Purches Miles, of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America,
Gentleman
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BARBED
WIRE FOR FENCES AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR
"
[a communication to him from abroad by Purches Miles, of Brooklyn, New
York, United States of America, Gentleman]
This invention relates to that class of wire for fencing commonly designated as
barbed wire, and its object is to provide great stiffness, rigidity and permanence
to the barbs themselves and to their connection with the wire, and also to provide
for great stability combined with an ornamental and finished appearance in fences
composed of such wire and furthermore to enable barbed wire and wire fences of
superior quality, strength and durability to be made at a comparatively moderate
price.
The said invention moreover comprises certain novel combinations of parts
whereby each and all of several successive steps or mechanical processes essential
in the manufacture of the said wire may be rapidly, effectually, and cheaply
performed.
In the production of barbed wire according to one part of the said invention the
wire is formed with a loop for each of the barbs to be formed upon the said wire,
the said loop being substantially at right angles to the length of the wire. This
done the loop is twisted upon itself whereupon the outer end of the loop is flattened
by hammering, swaging, drawing or equivalent means thereby bringing the said
;

page_text: portion of the loop to a tapering or wedge-like form terminating in an edge more
or less sharp. The flattened outer end of the loop is then cut to bring the said
end to one or more points, for example by two cuts at an angle to each other, or
when preferred, by a central semicircular cut, which intersecting the edge of the
said portion of the loop, forms two points. The loop may have a space between
its two sides or the two lateral portions of the loop may be brought in close juxta-
position. By bringing the two parallel portions of the loop in close proximity so
as to leave no considerable space between them, and then flattening and sharpening
the outer end thereof without the herein before described twisting, a fairly
serviceable barb may be formed, but in such case the wire will be somewhat
weakened against longitudinal strain, whereas by twisting the loop as hereinbefore
explained the end of the lateral portion. that is to say, the part adjacent to the
point is relieved of strain by the interlocking of the parts, so that should a fracture
occur adjacent to the point the wire will not part and the barb will retain its
pointed or acute character and still remain capable of operation. In order that
the wire carrying the barb may be itself strengthened and in a measure relieved
of the strain, another wire is twisted therewith under such circumstances, as may
require a wire of great or exceptional strength. The snug twisting of the second
wire with the first wire ensures such frictional contact of the two that the strain
upon the first wire is in a great measure taken up by the second wire; the latter
thereby relieving the twisted portions of the first wire to a corresponding extent.
According to a modification of this part of the said invention the wire is first
formed into a loop, as hereinbefore explained, the said loop is then twisted around
its own axis in the manner hereinbefore explained. The loop thus completed is
comparatively elongated. This loop I upset endwise by pressure suitably applied,
in other words. I press the coils upon each other, and so to speak, into each other
bringing their surfaces into the most intimate gripping contact and bringing the
intertwining portions into such relations that they can with difficulty be separated
owing to the grip which the one has upon the other, and which is due to the
combined intertwining and compression of the parts. This upsetting action
furthermore forces the barb itself inward with reference to the wire so that the
latter extends in opposite directions from the base of the barb substantially at
right angles thereto except as concerns the lateral curvatures which form, so to
speak, part of the innermost coil of the twist. This compression of the twisted
loop moreover hardens and stiffens the metal of the loop so that in the event of
strain the wire will yield, and the coils may thus give way somewhat to prevent
their fracture. The loop being twisted and compressed as aforesaid is then brought
to a point preferably by 'drawing or swaging, as for example by the action of a
hammer or of suitable dies; or when desired, the loop may be first flattened as
herein before described and the superfluous metal be removed by cutting to form a
point. In like manner when desired the loop when formed as first herein described
may be brought to shape by forging, hammering, drawing, or swaging, instead of
by cutting. It is to be observed that the lateral curvatures of the wire contiguous
to the base of the bar provide curves capable of yielding more or less as the actual
length of the wire may increase or diminish from changes in temperature thereby
preventing undue strain upon the lateral portions of the barbs and avoiding
liability of fracture of the wire by the shortening of the same in cold weather,
When desired the barb, instead of being inade in one piece, may be formed by
dividing the loop and shaping each half of the loop into a spike serving the purpose
of a barb
-
According to another modification of this part of the said invention the second
wire is so proportioned with reference to the first wire as to constitute what I
term a tension wire, the said tension wire being of materially larger diameter than
the first wire and designed to take upon itself by far the greater portion of the
tensile strain or stress exerted upon the wires of the fence when in actual use.
The proportions in the diameters of the two wires may be greater or less as desired
but in general the tension wire is preferably of number ten iron wire while the

page_text: barbed wire should be of number fourteen iron wire, care being taken that the
latter especially should be annealed by any of the usual methods. In general the
wire provided with barbs as herein set forth should be suitably annealed and of
any appropriate soft ductile or flexible quality.
According to another modification of this part of my said invention two wires
are placed at any desired distance apart as, for example, from one to two inches,
more or less, and connected by oblique braces, arranged in zig-zag position with
reference to each other. These braces are formed of wire preferably of the same
character and diameter as the two wires, with sufficient firmness and snugness to
insure their retention in place. These braces arranged in zig-zag fashion and
connecting the two wires and supporting the one of the said wires in relation with
the other provide in combination with the said wires what may be termed a
trussed combined wire, capable of resisting great vertical strain in substantially
the same manner that great strength in proportion to the weight involved is
obtained by the principle of the truss embodied in bridges, trestle work, and
the like.
Ordinarily the series of oblique braces will be made of a single piece of wire
first bent to zig-zag form and then applied with its corners or angles twisted around
the two wires. In order to provide barbs upon the aforesaid combined wire, the
coils at the angles of the wire of which the braces are made and which attach the
said braces to the wires as just described, may be divided vertically, and the ends
thus formed be drawn out and turned laterally to form sharp barbs. Preferably.
however the said corners or angles will be drawn out and flattened without being
divided and will be cut or otherwise shaped laterally to form a point; the result
in either case being that the combined wire constructed as aforesaid is provided
with strong and suitably sharpened barbs.
When desired the wire may be duplicated, that is to say, the wire of which the
braces are formed may comprise two wires placed side by side with the corner or
angle portions of the wire forming the braces, coiled around the two wires in
substantially the same manner as the same are coiled around the one wire as above
described. In like manner more than one additional strand of wire may be used,
and the said strands, together with the original wire, may be twisted. Where
only one strand is used small semi-circular bends or crimps may be formed in the
wire in order to provide for the expansion and contraction of the wire by reason
of changes of temperature, and semi-circular crimps may, when preferred, be formed
in the brace.
:
The tension strand or wire is crimped or waved in order that it may accomodate
itself to changes in length induced by changes in temperature the fracture or
breaking of the said wire being thereby avoided..
i
In constructing the machinery or apparatus for the manufacture of the barbed
wire I provide two circular rotating heads the one provided with radial spurs or
projections and the other provided with cavities; in its circumference which in the
simultaneous rotation in opposite directions of the two heads are brought coincident
with the said spurs so that the latter pass into the said cavities One of the said
heads has its shaft placed in movable bearings and is pressed toward the other of
the said heads by a suitably applied spring or springs as hereinafter explained so
that the said heads rotating simultaneously. in opposite directions are enabled to
grip the wire between them and to feed the same inward. The wire being opened
by the spurs into the said cavities is laterally crimped, that is to say, curves
or loops are formed in it at distances apart corresponding to the distances between
the spurs. The wire is thus fed continuously into the machine and the loops are
formed thereon during its feeding. I provide a block, capable of vertical movement
in a suitable guide or socket as hereinafter explained, which block is automatically
operated to be moved upward in advance of the loops, as the latter approach it; so
that the flat surface of the block, nearest the loop, presents a firm shoulder or
anvil. I also provide a pawl, the free end of which forms a flat shoulder opposite
to that just described of the block. This pawl as hereinafter explained has a

page_text: vibratory or reciprocating motion. As the block rises upward in advance of the
next adjacent loop, the pawl is caused to approach the said block whereupon the
pawl acting against the loop compresses the same between the shoulder formed at
the outer end of the said pawl and the shoulder formed by the adjacent surface of
the block and flattens the said loop so that its two sides are brought together or
substantially parallel. After each loop is thus compressed the block is allowed to
descend in order that the compressed loop may pass forward with the next feeding
movement of the wire. As the compressed loop is thus fed forward it passes into
a deep and narrow groove formed transversely in the end of a chuck, placed upon
the end of a shaft which works in suitable bearings and is capable of axial rotatory
motion. This chuck being rotated as hereinafter explained and having the
compresed loop inserted into the narrow groove in its end as just explained twists
the said loop, this twist of the one loop being effected simultaneously with the
compression of the loop next adjacent or behind. The rotatory motion of the chuck
is stopped with its groove in the same plane as the wire so that the twisted loop
may pass readily out therefrom at the next feeding motion of the wire. The
feeding motion of the wire carries the twisted loops in succession upon an anvil,
above which, as hereinafter explained, is a hammer or die which descends upon the
loop and flattens the same. The succeeding feeding movement of the wire brings
the flattened loop with its edge projecting beyond the cutting edge of a fixed
cutting die through and in conjunction with which as hereinafter explained works
a reciprocating cutting die the descent of which shears off a lateral portion of the
flattened loop. The succeeding feeding movement of the wire carries the loop
across the recess of the fixed die, and with its opposite edge projecting over 'the
cutting edge, at the opposite side of the said die so that the descent of the cutting
die shears off the said opposite side of the loop thereby completing the binding of
the flattened loop.
It is to be understood that the operation of shearing the flattened loop on the
cutting edges, of flattening the twisted loop upon the anvil, of twisting the
compressed loop by the chuck, of pressing the loop between the block and pawl,
and the formation of a lateral loop between the rotating heads are all performed
simultaneously upon different parts of the wire. It is to be understood that the
rotatory motion of the head is intermittent there being a slight pause as each of
the spurs passes into the coincident cavities for the formation of a lateral loop, in
order that the several operations herein before described may be simultaneously
performed upon other loops along the length of the wire. The wire as it passes
from the machine with its completed apparatus may be carried upon any suitable
reel, as for example upon a reel rotating around its own axis in bearings which
themselves rotate around an axis at right angles to that of the reel so as to twist
the barbed wire with the plain or unbarbed wire in order to reinforce the barbed
wire with the additional wire.
The intermittent rotatory movement of the heads is obtained as follows, that is
to say; the driving shaft of the machine may be provided with suitable fast and
loose pulleys and balance wheels and has upon it a bevel pinion which gears into
a bevel pinion, upon the lower end of a shaft, which works in a suitable bearing
provided on the frame of the machine and which has at its upper end a crank
connected by a rod, with a swinging arm, the opposite end of which is pivotted
above one of the said heads. At the under side of the swinging arm, provided a
pawl pressed inward by a suitable spring against a ratchet wheel, fast upon the
upper end of the said head. The rotation of the driving shaft, therefore
transmitting motion through the said pinions, shaft, crank, connecting rod,
swinging arm, pawl, and ratchet wheel, gives a partial turn to the heads with each
revolution of the said shaft, thereby providing for the intermittent rotatory
movement of the said heads by the continuous rotation of the said shaft. In order
that the motion of the two heads with reference to each other may be definite
and certain they are geared together by suitable spur-gearing. It is to be
understood. that while this combination of parts for actuating the heads, is

page_text: preferred and constitutes a minor feature of the said invention yet so far as
concerns the principal features of the said invention other mechanical devices for
producing the requisite intermittent rotatory movement of the said heads for the
purpose of feeding the wire and looping the same may be used instead of that
herein described. The pawl is attached to the lower arm of an elbow lever, the
opposite arm of which is connected by a rod, with a lever. The free end of the
said lever, preferably provided with an antifriction roller, rests against a cam on
the driving shaft, so that each rotation of the said shaft, acting through the
mechanism just described operates the pawl to compress the loop against the
block, as hereinbefore explained. When desired equivalent mechanism may be
employed for giving this movement to the pawl. It is to be understood that in
the backward movement of the pawl after each operation of compressing the loop,
the pawl rises and slips over the loop, preparatory to compressing the same.
The
vertical movement of the block, is afforded by means of a cutting rod, the lower
end of which is pivotted to a lever, whose free end is preferably provided with an
anti-friction roller and rests in contact with a cam on the driving shaft, so that at
the proper intervals the said cam leaves the lever, and consequently the block, and
holds the same elevated during the period of time requisite to the operation of
compressing a loop against it; this being effected the cam, permits the block to.
descend, thereby permitting the inward feeding or movement of the wire, as herein-
before explained. In order that the chuck may have a rotatory movement to
twist the loop as hereinbefore explained, its shaft has upon its outer end a bevel
pinion. Upon another shaft is fixed a bevelled sector, which at a certain portion
of each revolution of the shaft, gears into the said pinion and rotates the same
until the said sector by the continued rotation of the shaft is brought away from
the said pinion; the parts being so proportioned that as the sector leaves the
pinion, it will leave the chuck in such position that its groove will be in the same:
plane as the path of the wire, as the latter is fed inward. The hammer or
compressing die, which acts in conjunction with, the anvil, is fixed upon the inner
end of a lever, the fulcrum of which is carried by the frame of the machine. The.
outer end of this lever, is connected by a link to the upper end of another lever,
the lower end of which is connected by a rod and strap with an eccentric on the
driving shaft. It will be observed that the link and the upper end of the lever
constitute a toggle joint so that each rotation of the driving shaft, actuating one
lever, operates in turn to actuate the other lever, and consequently bring, the die
down upon and away from the anvil to perform the flattening operation upon the
loops of the wire. It is to be observed that while I prefer the mechanism; herein
described for actuating the hammer or flattening die equivalent means may be:
employed therefor. It is to be observed that one of the levers has at its upper
part a fork shaped portion to receive the lower end of the link. The rearmost
end of one of the levers is connected by one end of the pivot with another lever to
actuate the hammer or flattening die. The link at its opposite side is connected
by the opposite end of the pivot with another lever, which corresponds with one of
the aforesaid levers but the forward end of which is connected with a vertically
moving cutting die, which has its lateral cutting edges corresponding in shape and
position with the cutting edges of the fixed die, so that the descent of the said
cutting die, causes its lateral cutting edges to act in conjunction with the other
cutting edges, to cut the opposite side of the adjacent flattened loops on the wire.
It is to be understood that when desired other mechanical means may be employed
for actuating the hammer or flattening die and the cutting die, but the devices
herein described for the purpose are preferred.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd November 1883.
»
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London 66 IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BARBED WIRE FOR FENCES, AND IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS THEREFOR.'
a communication to me from abroad by Purches Miles, of Brooklyn, New York,
United States of America, Gentleman.
This invention relates to that class of wire for fencing commonly designated as
barbed wire, and its object is to provide great stiffness, rigidity, and permanence
to the barbs themselves and to their connection with the wire and also to provide
for great stability, combined with an ornamental and finished appearance in fences
composed of such wire, and furthermore to enable barbed wire and wire fences of
superior quality, strength and durability to be made at a comparatively moderate
price.
The said invention moreover comprises certain novel combinations of parts
whereby each and all of several successive steps or mechanical processes essential
in the manufacture of the said wire may be rapidly effectually and cheaply
performed
In the accompanying drawings.
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are side views illustrating different stages in the manu-
facture of barbed wire according to this invention.
Figure 5 is a side view illustrating a modification.
Figures 6 and 7 are side views illustrating the successive steps in the production
of another form of barbed wire.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 are side views illustrating other modifications of the said
invention.
Figure 11 is a side view.
Figure 12 a vertical transverse sectional view, and
Figure 13 a plan illustrating another modification
and
Figure 14 is a side view and
Figure 15 a vertical transverse sectional view showing another modification
Figures 16 and 17 are similar views illustrating another modification.
Figure 18 is a plan view below the line x*x* Figure 19 of a machine for
manufacturing the improved barbed wire.
Figure 19 is a side elevation of the same..
Figure 20 is an elevation (partly in section) from the right hand end of
Figure 19.
Figure 21 is an elevation as seen from the opposite end of the said figure
Figure 22 is a plan view of said machine.
In the production of the barbed wire illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the
wire A is first formed with a loop, B, for each of the barbs to be formed upon the
said wire, the said loop being substantially at right angles to the length of
the wire as represented in Figure 1. This done the loop is twisted upon itself as
shown at a in Figure 2, and the outer end of the loop is flattened, by hammering,
swaging, drawing or equivalent means, to the form represented at 6 in Figure 3,
thereby bringing the said portion of the loop to a tapering or wedge-like form
terminating in an edge a', more or less, sharp. The flattened outer end of the loop
is then cut to bring the said end to one or more points, for example by two cuts
at an angle to each other as from b¹ to c¹, in Figure 4, or, when preferred, by a
central semi-circular cut which, intersecting the edge of the said portion of the

page_text: loop, forms two points, as represented at f¹ in Figure 9. The loop may have a
space g, between its two sides as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 or the two lateral
portions of the loop may be brought in close juxta-position as indicated in
Figure 10. By bringing the two parallel portions of the loop in close proximity.
so as to leave no considerable space between them, and then flattening and
sharpening the outer end thereof without the hereinbefore described twisting, a
fairly serviceable barb may be formed, but in such case the wire will be somewhat
weakened against longitudinal strain, whereas by twisting the loop as herein before
explained the end of the lateral portion, that is to say, the part adjacent to the
point is relieved of strain by the interlocking of the parts at a so that, should a
fracture occur adjacent to the point, as for example at the point indicated by the
line at a in Figure 4, the wire will not part and the barb will retain its pointed
or acute character and still remain capable of operation.
In order that the wire carrying the barb may be strengthened and the part a in
a measure relieved of the strain, a second wire C is twisted therewith as shown in
Figure 5, and when a wire of great or exceptional strength is required as shown
in Figure 10. The snug twisting of the wire C, with the wire A ensures such
frictional contact of the two wires, that the strain upon the wire A is in a great
measure taken up by the wire C the said wire A being thus relieved; the twisted
portions a of the latter being relieved to a corresponding extent.
According to a modification of this part of the said invention represented in
Figures 6 and 7 the wire is first formed into a loop B₁ as hereinbefore explained
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The said loop is then twisted around
its own axis in the manner herein before explained with reference more particularly
to Figure 2. The loop B' thus completed is elongated and upset endwise by
pressure suitably applied, in other words I press the coils upon each other, and so
to speak into each other, bringing their surfaces into the most intimate gripping
contact and bringing the intertwining portions into such relation that they can
only be separated with difficulty owing to the grip, which the one has upon the
other, due to the combined intertwining and compression of the parts. This
upsetting action furthermore forces the barb itself inward with reference to the
wire, so that the latter extends in opposite directions from the base of the barb
substantially at right angles thereto, except as concerns the lateral curvatures
which form so to speak part of the innermost coil of the twist. This compression
of the twisted loop moreover hardens and stiffens the metal of the loop, so that, in
the event of strain, the wire will yield at the point 61, and the coils may thus give
way somewhat to prevent their fracture.
The loop B' twisted and compressed as aforesaid is brought to a point, preferably
by drawing or swaging, as for example by the action of a hammer or of suitable
dies; or, when desired, the loop may be first flattened as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the superflous metal removed by
cutting to form a point. In like manner when desired the loop when formed as
represented in Figures 4 and 5 may be brought to shape by forging, hammering,
drawing or swaging, instead of by cutting. It is to be observed that the curves 61
are capable of yielding more or less as the actual length of the wire may increase
or diminish from changes in temperature, thereby preventing undue strain upon
the lateral portions of the barbs and avoiding liability of fracture of the wire by
the shortening of the same in cold weather. When desired, the barb, instead of
being made in one piece as represented in Figure 7, may be formed by dividing
the loop and shaping each half of the loop into a spike serving the purpose of a
barb, as represented at c" in Figure 8.
According to another modification represented in Figure 10, the wire C is so
proportioned with reference to the wire A as to constitute what I term a tension
wire, the said tension wire C, being of materially larger diameter than the wire A
and designed to take upon itself by far the greater portion of the tensile strain or
stress exerted upon the wires of the fence when in actual use. The proportions in
the diameters of the two wires may be greater or less as desired, but in general the

page_text: tension wire C, is preferably of number ten iron wire while the barbed wire A
should be of number fourteen iron wire, care being taken that the latter especially
should be annealed. In general the wire provided with barbs as herein set forth
should be suitably annealed and of any appropriate soft, ductile or flexible
quality.
According to another modification illustrated in Figures 11 to 17 inclusive,
DE indicate two wires placed at any desired distance apart, as, for example, from
one to two inches, more or less, and connected by oblique braces F, arranged in
zig-zag position with reference to each other and indicated in Figures 11, 14
and 16. These braces are formed of wire, preferably of the same character and
diameter as the wires D E, with sufficient firmness and snugness to ensure their
retention in place. These braces F arranged as described and connecting the two
wires DE, and supporting the one of the said wires in relation to the other,
provide, in combination with said wires, what may be termed a trussed combined
wire, capable of resisting great vertical strain in substantially the same manner
that great strength, in proportion to the weight involved, is obtained by the
principle of the truss embodied in bridges, trestle work and the like.
Ordinarily, the series of oblique braces F, are made of a single piece of wire first
bent to zig-zag form and then applied with its corners or angles twisted around
the wires D E as shown in Figures 11 and 16. In order to provide barbs upon the
aforesaid combined wire, the coils at the angles of the wire of which the braces F
are made and which attach the said braces to the wires D, E as just described, may
be divided vertically, and the ends thus formed be drawn out and turned laterally
to form sharp barbs, as shown at all in Figures 14 and 15. Preferably however
the said corners or angles are drawn out and flattened without being divided and
cut or otherwise shaped laterally to form a point; as shown at 61 c¹ in Figure 16;
the result in either case being that the combined wire is provided with strong and
suitably sharpened barbs.
In practice the construction shown in Figures 16 and 17 is somewhat to be
preferred inasmuch as it affords greater strength and permanence than when the
angular corners of the wire of which the oblique braces F, are made are divided as
just explained with reference to Figures 14 and 15.
When desired the wire may be duplicated, that is to say, the wire of which the
braces F, are formed may comprise two wires placed side by side with the corner
or angle portions of the wire forming the braces F, coiled around the two in
substantially the same manner as the wires are coiled around the one wire as above
described. In like manner more than one additional strand of wire may be used,
and the said strands, together with the original wire A, may be twisted. Where
only one strand is used small semi-circular bends or crimps may be formed in the
wire in order to provide for the expansion and contraction of the wire from changes
of temperature, and semi-circular crimps may, when preferred, be formed in the
brace F.
The tension strand or wire C, represented in Figure 10, is crimped or waved as
shown in the said figure in order that it may accommodate itself to changes in
length induced by changes in temperature, the fracture or breaking of the said
wire C, being thereby avoided.
In Figures 18 to 22 which illustrate the machinery or apparatus for the manu-
facture of the barbed wire, A* indicates the wire to be barbed and B*, C*, two
circular rotating heads the one provided with radial spurs or projections a* and the
other with cavities 6* in its circumference which in the simultaneous rotation in
opposite directions of the heads B*, C* are brought coincident with the spurs a* so
that the latter pass into the said cavities b*, as indicated in Figure 18. One of the
said heads has its shaft placed in movable bearings and is pressed toward the
other of the said heads by a suitably applied spring or springs as hereinafter
explained so that the said heads rotating simultaneously in opposite directions are
enabled to grip the wire A*, between them and to feed the same inward. The
wire being opened by the spurs a* into the cavities 6* is laterally crimped; that is

page_text: to say curves or loops are formed in it at distances apart corresponding to the
distances between the spurs a*. The wire A* is thus fed continuously into the
machine and the loops a¹* are formed thereon during its feeding. D* indicates a
block, capable of vertical movement in a suitable guide or socket as hereinafter.
explained which block is automatically operated to be moved upward in advance of
the loops a✶, as the latter approach it; so that the flat surface of the block D*.
nearest the loop presents a firm shoulder or anvil.
E* indicates a pawl, the free end of which forms a flat shoulder opposite to that
just described of the block D*. This pawl as hereinafter explained has a vibratory
or reciprocating motion As the block D* rises upward in advance of the next
adjacent loop a* the pawl E* is caused to approach the said block D*, whereupon;
the pawl E* acting against the loop a¹*, compresses the same between the shoulder
formed at the outer end of the said pawl and the shoulder formed by the adjacent
surface of the block D*; and flattens the said loop so that its two sides are brought
together or substantially parallel as shown at all* in Figure 18. After each loop
is thus compressed the block D* is allowed to descend in order that the compressed
loop may pass forward with the next feeding movement of the wire A*. As the
compressed loop is thus fed forward it passes into a deep and narrow groove formed
transversely in the end of a chuck F*, placed upon the end of a shaft G* which
works in suitable bearings and is capable of axial rotatory motion. This chuck
being rotated as hereinafter explained and having the compressed loop inserted
into the narrow groove in its end as just explained twists the said loop into the
form represented at all in Figure 18; this twist of the one loop being effected
simultaneously with the compression of the loop next adjacent or behind. The
rotatory motion of the chuck F* is stopped with its groove 61* in the same plane as
the wire A*, so that the twisted loop may pass readily out therefrom at the next
feeding motion of the wire A*. The feeding motion of the wire A* carries the
twisted loops in succession upon an anvil H*, above which, as hereinafter explained,
is a hammer or die which descends upon the loop and flattens the same to the form
indicated at 611 in Figure 18. The succeeding feeding movement of the wire A*
brings the flattened loop with its edge projecting beyond the cutting edge c* of a
fixed cutting die I*, through and in conjunction with which as hereinafter explained
works a reciprocating cutting die, the descent of which shears off a lateral portion
of the flattened loop as indicated at c¹*. The succeeding feeding movement of the
wire carries the loop across the recess of the fixed die I*, and with its opposite
edge projecting over the cutting edge d* at the opposite side of said die so that the
descent of the cutting die shears off said opposite side of the loop thereby
completing the binding of the flattened loop.
It is to be understood that the operation of shearing the flattened loop on the
cutting edges c* and d*, of flattening the twisted loop upon the anvil H*, of
twisting the compressed loop by the chuck F*, of pressing the loop a¹* between
the block D* and pawl E*, and the formation of a lateral loop between the
rotating heads B* and C*, are all performed simultaneously upon different parts of
the wire as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 18. It is also to be
understood that the rotatory motion of the heads B* and C*, is intermittent, there
being a slight pause as each of the spurs a* passes into the coincident cavities b*;
for the formation of a lateral loop a¹* in order that the several operations herein-
before described may be simultaneously performed upon other loops along the
length of the wire A*. The wire as it passes from the machine in its complete state
as indicated at e¹*, may be carried upon any suitable reel as for example upon a
reel Jrotating around its own axis in the bearings K*, which themselves rotate
around an axis at right angles to that of the reel so as to twist the barbed wire with
the plain or unbarbed wire as shown at cl*, in order to reinforce the barbed wire
with the additional wire e*.
.
The intermittent rotatory movement of the heads B*. C*, is obtained as follows;
L* indicates the driving shaft of the machine which may be provided with suitable
fast and loose pulleys A** B*, and balance wheels C*, and which has upon. it a

page_text: The
bevel pinion f* gearing into a bevel pinion g*, upon the lower end of a shaft D1*.
which works in a suitable bearing E* provided on the frame of the machine and
which has at its upper end a crank F*, connected by a rod G* with a swinging
arm H', the opposite end of which is pivotted above the said head B* as shown in
Figure 22. At the under side of the swinging arm H*, is provided a pawl i*
pressed inward by a suitable spring against the ratchet wheel * fast upon the
upper end of the head, B* as more fully shown in Figures 19 and 22.
rotation of the driving shaft L*, therefore transmitting motion through the
pinions f* and 9*, shaft D**, crank Fi* connecting. rod G₁*, swinging arm H¹*
pawl, and ratchet wheel k*, gives a partial turn to the heads B*. C*, with each
revolution of the said shaft L*, thereby providing for the intermittent rotary
movement of the said heads by the continuous rotation of the said shaft.
order that the motion of the two heads with reference to each other may be
definite and certain they are geared together by suitable spur gearing M*.
In
It is to be understood that while this combination of parts for actuating the
heads B*. C*, is preferred and constitutes a minor feature of the said invention yet,
so far as concerns the principal features of the said invention, other mechanical
devices for producing the requisite intermittent rotatory movement of the said heads
for the purpose of feeding the wire and looping the same may be used instead of
that herein described.
The pawl E*, is attached to the lower arm of an elbow lever, F1*, as shown in
dotted outline in Figure 19 the opposite arm of which is connected by a rod Gu*
with a lever H1*, more clearly indicated in Figure 20. The free end of the said
lever, preferably provided with an antifriction roller fi* rests against a cam 11* on
the shaft L*, so that each rotation of the said shaft acting through the mechanism
just described operates the pawl to compress the loop against the block D* as
hereinbefore explained, when desired or equivalent mechanism may be employed
for giving this movement to the pawl. It is to be understood that in the
backward movement of the pawl after each operation of compressing the loop, the
pawl rises and slips over the loop a¹* preparatory to compressing the same.
The vertical movement of the block D*, is afforded by means of a connecting
rod J✶ the lower end of which is pivotted to a lever K¹ whose free end is
preferably provided with an anti-friction roller g¹* and rests in contact with a
cam L on the shaft L* so that, at the proper intervals, the said cam leaves the
lever K¹* and consequently the block D*, and holds the same elevated during the
period of time requisite to the operation of compressing a loop against it; this
being effected the cam L¹* permits the block D*, to descend, thereby permitting
the inward feeding or movement of the wire, A* as hereinbefore explained. In
order that the chuck F may have a rotatory movement to twist the loop as herein-
before explained, its shaft G*, has upon its outer end a bevel pinion F* as shown
in Figures 18, 20 and 21. Upon another shaft D¹* is fixed a bevelled sector G*
which at a certain portion of each revolution of the shaft D₁* gears into the
pinion F** and rotates the same until the said sector G** by the continued rotation
of the shaft D¹* is brought away from the said pinion; the parts being so
proportioned that as the sector G** leaves the pinion, F** it will leave the
chuck F* in such position that its groove b¹* will be in the same plane as the
path of the wire, A, as the latter is fed inward. The hammer or compressing
die, which acts in conjunction with the anvil H* is shown at N*, in Figure 22
and is fixed upon the inner end of a lever P* the fulcrum **, of which is carried
by the frame of the machine. The outer end of this lever P* is connected by a
link *, to the upper end of a lever Q* the fulcrum of which is shown at * and the
lower end of which is connected by a rod R*, and strap R¹* with an eccentric S*
on the shaft L*. It will be observed that the link, 7* and the upper end of the
lever Q constitute a toggle joint so that each rotation of the shaft L* actuating
the lever Q* operates in turn to actuate the lever P* and consequently bring the
die down upon and away from the anvil to perform the flattening operation upon
the loops of the wire A*.. While I prefer the mechanism herein described for

page_text: actuating the hammer or flattening die N* equivalent means may be employed
therefor.
As represented in the drawings the lever Q* has its upper part 11 fork-shaped
to receive the lower end of the link *. The rearmost end of the lever P* is
connected by one end of the pivot s* with another lever P₁*, as more fully
illustrated in Figure 22. The link * at its opposite side is connected by the
opposite end of the pivot s* with the lever P¹* which corresponds to the lever P*
but the forward end of which is connected with the vertically moving cutting
die T✶ which has its lateral cutting edges corresponding in shape and position
with the cutting edges c* and d* of the fixed die I* so that the descent of the
said cutting die T* causes its lateral cutting edges to act in conjunction with the
cutting edges, c* and d* to cut the opposite sides of adjacent flattened loops on
the wire A✶ as hereinbefore explained.
When desired other mechanical means may be employed for actuating the cutting
die I* but the devices herein described for the purpose are preferred.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by my
foreign Correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First. A barb for wire fences composed of an undivided loop forming part of the
wire itself, and having its outer extremity flattened and brought to a point,
substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth..
Second. A barb wire for fences, the barbs of which wire are formed of twisted
loops flattened and brought to a point, all substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Third. The wire A constructed with looped barbs as described, in combination
with the strengthening wire or reinforce C, the two wires A and C being twisted
together, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Fourth. A barbed wire having drawn or wrought barbs formed in one therewith,
substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Fifth. In a barbed wire for wire fences, a barb formed of a twisted loop drawn
or wrought to a point, as distinguished from cutting, and formed in one with the
wire, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Sixth. The combination of a barbed wire A, with a tension strand or wire of
larger diameter, the barbed wire being wound around the tension wire, all
substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the crimped tension wire or strand C, with the
barbed wire A of smaller diameter coiled around the same, all substantially as, and
for the purpose, herein set forth.
Eighth. A barbed wire for fences, the barbs of which are formed from the
wire itself, twisted, compressed and pointed, substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Ninth. In a barbed wire for fences having a twisted, compressed and pointed
barb, the curves 6" intermediate between the base of the barb and the adjacent
lengths of the wire, whereby provision is made for the expansion and contraction
of the wire from changes of temperature, substantially as set forth.
:
Tenth. A fence wire consisting of two parallel strands connected by contiguous
oblique braces bent around the rail strands, as shown.
Eleventh. A fence wire consisting of two parallel strands, connected by con-
tiguous oblique braces formed of a continuous wire coiled or bent around the
strands at intervals, as shown.
Twelfth. A fence wire consisting of two parallel strands, connected by contiguous
oblique braces formed of a continuous wire coiled or bent at intervals around the
strands, as shown, and provided at each angle with a barb.
Thirteenth. In apparatus for manufacturing barbed wire, the combination of
mechanism for forming the wire into lateral loops at intervals along its length,
and mechanism. for compressing the said loops with their sides substantially
parallel, substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth

page_text: Fourteenth. In apparatus for forming barbs on a laterally looped wire, the
combination of mechanism for compressing the loops to bring their sides
substantially parallel, and mechanism for twisting the said loops each around its
own axis, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Fifteenth. In a machine for forming barbs on laterally looped wire, the combi-
nation of mechanism for twisting the loops each on its own axis, and mechanism
for flattening the twisted loops, all substantially as, and for the purpose herein set
forth.
Sixteenth. In a machine for forming barbs on laterally looped wire, the combi-
nation of mechanism for flattening the loops, and mechanism for binding the same,
all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
: Seventeenth. In apparatus for forming barbs upon laterally looped wire the
combination of mechanism for twisting the loops each on its own axis, and
mechanism for sharpening the loops, all substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Eighteenth. In a machine for forming barbs on laterally looped wire, the combi-
nation of mechanism for flattening the loops, and mechanism for sharpening the
flattened loop, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Nineteenth. The combination in a machine for forming barbs on laterally looped
wire, of mechanism for flattening the loops, and mechanism for cutting away
surplus metal from opposite sides of the said loops to form points thereon,
substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twentieth. In apparatus for manufacturing barbed wire, the combination of
mechanism for forming the wire into lateral loops at intervals along the length
thereof, mechanism for bringing the two sides of the loops towards each other,
mechanism for twisting the loops, mechanism for flattening the loops preparatory
to pointing the same, and mechanism for operating the said mechanisms in unison
and due relation with each other, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein
set forth.
Twentyfirst. The combination for the purpose of making barbed wire from wire
laterally looped, of mechanism for twisting the loops, mechanism for flattening the
loops preparatory to pointing the same, and mechanism for operating the said
mechanisms in unison and due relation with each other, to transform the laterally
looped wire into a wire having twisted and flattened lateral projections which
only require to be pointed to render the wire fit for use; all substantially as, and
for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twenty second. The combination for the purpose of forming wire with sharpened
barbs from wire having laterally twisted and flattened projections, of mechanism,
substantially as described, for cutting the lateral edges of the said projections;
mechanism for feeding the wire, and mechanism for actuating the cutting devices
in connection with the feeding device, all substantially as, and for the purpose,
herein set forth.
Twenty third. The combination, in a machine for manufacturing barbed wire
from laterally looped wire, of mechanisin for twisting the loops, mechanism for
sharpening the loops, and mechanism for operating the said mechanisms in unison
and due relation with each other, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein
set forth.
· Twenty fourth. The combination of the head B* having the radial spurs or
projections a*, the Head C* having the cavities b*, mechanical means for affording
an intermittent rotatory movement to the said heads for forming lateral loops in
the wire, and mechanical means for compressing the said loops with their sides
substantially parallel, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twenty fifth. The combination of the vertically movable block D*, the pawl E*,
the head B✶ having radial spurs or projections a, the head C* having cavities b*,
and mechanical means for actuating the said parts in unison and at suitable
intervals, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
: .
Twenty sixth. The combination of the chuck F* having the groove b¹* and

page_text: arranged to receive a rotatory motion, the vertically movable block D*, the
pawl E*, and mechanical means for actuating the said parts in unison and at
proper intervals, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twenty seventh. The combination of the chuck F* having the groove b**, the
vertically movable block D*, the pawl E*, the head B* having radial spurs or
projections a*, the head C* having cavities b*, and mechanical means for actuating
the said parts in unison and at proper invervals, all substantially as, and for the
purpose, herein set forth.
Twenty eighth. The combination of the anvil H*, the hammer or flattening
die N*, the chuck F* arranged to have a rotatory motion, and mechanical means
for actuating the said parts in unison and at proper intervals, all substantially as,
and for the purpose, herein set forth.
Twenty ninth. The combination of the anvil H*, the hammer or flattening
die N*, the chuck F* arranged to have a rotatory motion, the block D*, and
the pawl E*, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein setforth.
Thirtieth. The combination of the fixed cutting die 1*, the movable cutting
die T*, the anvil H*, the hammer or flattening die N*, and mechanical means for
actuating the said parts in unison and at proper intervals, all substantially as, and
for the purpose, herein set forth.
Thirty first. The combination of the fixed cutting die I*, the movable cutting
die T*, the anvil H*, the hammer or flattening die N*, the chuck F* arranged to
receive a rotatory motion, and mechanical means for actuating the said parts in
unison and at proper intervals, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set
forth
Thirty second. The combination of the fixed die I*, the movable die T*, the
anvil H*, the hammer or flattening die N*, the chuck F*, the movable block D*,
the pawl E*, the head B* having radial projections, a*, the head C* having
cavities b*, and mechanical means for actuating the said parts in unison and at
proper intervals, all substantially as, and for the purpose, herein set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
TIENDV TT TAIZT
HENDY
V. H.
AWATAVAT
TAIZT