Improvements in Net Making Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1897-Accepted, 2nd Apr., 1898
[Communicated from abroad by the Firm of C. NURNBERGER & Co., of 518, Wells
Street, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in Net Making Machines.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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:
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My invention relates to net making machines, and has for its object to produce
netting from threads, twine or cords, in a rapid and effective manner, with either
the double or single knots. My invention consists essentially and principally of
a cylinder with rows of pegs upon its periphery, to receive the knots, a row of
prongs or fingers through which warp threads are conveyed from spools or balls
and connected with said pegs, a row of spools carrying weft threads that also con-
nect with these pegs, and two rows of hooks to carry the threads from the shuttles
around the prongs or fingers, and from the latter around the shuttles, and then
draw it into knots on said pegs at one side of the cylinder, while the row of pre-
viously formed knots are disengaged from the pegs on the opposite side by means
provided for that purpose. It also consists in details of construction, arrangement
and combination which I shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.
Referring to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2
is a plan or top view. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical section on the line -x
of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the other end. Figure 5 is a plan. Figs. 6
to 18 inclusive are views showing the successive positions in the formation of the
knots. Fig. 19 is a portion of the net product. Fig. 20 shows a double knot
formed on a peg. Fig. 21 is a single knot.
The frame consists of two main side pieces A and A', which are connected by
suitable crossbars designed by A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, and A7 (Fig. 3.). Three
axles B and B1, B2 are journalled in bearings on the side pieces A & A¹ (Figs. 1
and 3).
Upon the axle B is secured a main gear B³ which meshes on each side with two
smaller gears 134 & 15, which are secured upon the axles B¹ and B² respectively
(Fig. 1).
These gears are relatively proportioned so that the axles B and B will have
imparted to them two revolutions to one of the axle B.
A small pinion B6 meshes with the main gear B³, and said pinion is mounted
to turn upon the fixed spindle B7, secured to the side piece A Figs. 12 and 4.
The pinion B6 is provided with a long hub B8 on which the driving pulley Bº
is mounted (Fig. 2) so that the revolution of said pulley will impart motion to
the three axles B B¹ B2, and said axles carry all the cams which actuate the
several mechanisms.
In the upper portion of the frame is the peg cylinder C (Figs. 2 and 3). This
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page_text: T
is secured upon an axle C¹ which is mounted to turn in bearings secured to the
frame pieces A and A¹ and said cylinder is provided with a number of longi-
tudinal grooves, say for example six, and in each of said grooves is a bar C², and
to each bar is secured as many pegs C³ as the number of knots the machine is
designed to make simultaneously, and in addition thereto there is one extra peg
for holding the selvedge threads in position (Fig. 3).
:
Under each longitudinal bar C2 is a packing C against which the bar C2 is
tightened, whereby the diameter of the cylinder may be increased or diminished,
to change the size of the meshes of the net. (Fig. 3.).
It is upon these pegs that the knots are made, and in order to place each of the
six rows of pegs (3 in position successively to receive the knots, there is on the
outer side of one of the frame sides a disk C which is mounted upon the shaft or
axle C (Figs. 1 and 4).
The disk is provided with six 6 disk pins C and with these is adapted to
successively engage a long pawl C7, the lower end of which is pivoted to the
upright arm of an elbow lever Cs which carries in its lower or horizontal arm, a
friction roller C, said roller impinging on the periphery of a cam C (Fig. 1.).
The elbow lever C8 is pivotally mounted and adapted to oscillate upon a pin C
secured to the frame side A. A coil spring C12 (Fig. 2) surrounding the pin C"
is fastened at one end to the elbow lever C8 and at the other end to a collar C¹³.
which is fastened by a set screw C4 threaded in the collar against the pin (Fig. 4.)
The tendency of the spring is to hold the friction roller C against the cam C¹¹º,
and said cam moves the elbow lever C8 intermittently, whereby the pawl C7 will
push successively one of the six pins C, which move the cylinder C over each row
pegs C³ to receive the knots in succession. In order to prevent the cylinder C
from turning cither way while the knots are drawn on the pegs, a pawl C¹³ (Fig. 1)
is mounted on a pin secured to the frame side A, and said pawl engages with the
pin C and prevents the cylinder C from moving backwards while another
pawl C is similarly arranged to prevent the cylinder from moving forwards.
The last named pawl C16 is connected by a link C (Fig. 1) to the long pawl C
whereby said pawl C16 is intermittently and successively thrown out of engage-
ment with the pin C6, which pass by at a time when there is no pull of the threads
which would cause the cylinder to move forward.
of
The warp threads T are carried by a row of spools D and said threads connect
with pegs C3. Each spool is mounted and adapted to turn on a fixed pin D'
secured in a stall D2 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5).
A pin D³ is secured to the bottom of each stail and passes through a hole in the
frame part A7, and a set screw D is threaded in that frame part, one against
each of said pins D³, whereby the stalls are properly secured to the frame (Fig. 3.)
A finger 15 is held yieldingly by a spring 16 against the thread in each spool
to secure the proper tension on the threads (Fig. 3).
T are the weft threads (Fig. 3). These are carried by a row of shuttles E
provided with spools E¹, and said threads also connect with the pegs C³. Each
spool E is mounted to turn on its pin E3 which is fixed in the shuttle, and the
tension on the threads is likewise secured by fingers E³ and coil springs E*
(Fig. 3).
A thread guiding spindle F is mounted to turn in the upper end of two arms F¹,
the lower ends of said arms being secured to a cross axle F2 that is journalled
below in the frame parts A and A¹ (Figs. 2, 3 and 5).
.
Each of the arms F1 carries a friction roller F3 which impinges upon the peri-
phery of a cam F4, one at each side of the machine.
The warp threads T are passed around the guiding spindle F and their tension
holds the friction roller F³ against the cam F while the latter by their eccentricity
will push the rollers back and forth at proper intervals..
Gare the prongs or fingers (Fig. 3). There is a horizontal row, of these secured
on the bar G¹, said bar having a turned part at each end, which is mounted in
bearings on the upper ends of two levers G³ the lower ends of which are secured
4

page_text: on an axle G³ which is journalled in bearings secured to the frame at each side
of the machine. (Fig. 3).
To this axle G³ is secured an elbow lever G which carries in its extremities two
friction rollers G5 and G6 engaging cams G7, G³ respectively, which said cams
are secured upon the axle B2.
By these connections the prongs or fingers G have imparted to them an oscilla-
ting movement at right angles to the line of the axle B², in conformity with the
eccentricity of the cams G and GB.
On one end of the bar G¹ is fixed a collar G³ (Figs. 2 and 5) which projects in
a groove G10 on the top of a T shaped piece G (Figs. 2 and 3) which is pivoted
to the upper end of a lever G12 (Fig. 5) extending down inside the frame and
pivoted at its lower end thereto, and said T shaped piece G" is also pivotally
connected by means of an arm (Fig. 2) with the upper end of an arm Gi³
(Fig. 1 and 4) extending down outside the frame piece and pivotally connected
and carrying at its lower end the friction roller G14 which travels in the groove
of a cam G₁ secured on the axle B (Fig. 2).
By these connections the prongs or fingers G have also a movement at right
angles to that previously described as being imparted by the cams G7 and G³,
that is to say from side to side of the machine in conformity with the curve of
the groove in the cam G15.
The bar G is also connected by a rod G16 to an elbow lever G17 (Fig. 3) which
is mounted loosely on the axle G³, said elbow lever carrying two friction
rollers G18 and G1, which impinge on the peripheries of two cams G20 and G21
(Figs. 3 and 5) respectively, secured to the axle B2 whereby by these connections
the prongs or fingers G have also a vertical movement in conformity with the
eccentricity of the cams G, G21, in addition to the oscillating movement imparted
by the cams G7 and G and the sidewise movement imparted by the cam G¹5 as
previously described.
The shuttles E are mounted in a row of stalls H with projecting lips H
(Figs. 2, 3 and 4) and said row of stalls is fastened on a carrier H2, the ends of
which are mounted and adapted to slide vertically on two tracks H³ secured to the
inner surface of the frame sides (Fig. 3). Each stall forms practically a square
box, open on top so that the shuttle may be dropped therein, or lifted vertically
therefrom, when desired.
The lips project sufficiently over each shuttle to prevent the latter from
being drawn out of the stalls by any pull which takes place in forming the knots,
and leave sufficient room for the threads to pass around the shuttles.
I, represents a row of hooks, the function of which is to draw loops of the weft
threads from the shuttles, and pass them around the prongs or fingers G, then
draw loops from the prongs or fingers and pass them around the shuttles, then
release or cast these off and draw other loops from the shuttles by which to draw
the first loops into a row of knots, all as I shall hereinafter more fully describe.
These hooks I are secured in a row to a yoke I' fixed on an axle Ï2 mounted
and adapted to oscillate in boxes 13 (Fig. 1, 4 and 3) depending from a carrier I'
which is mounted and adapted to slide on top of the frame sides A and A¹.
The carrier I is connected by a rod 15 to the upper end of a swinging arm I6
which is pivoted to the cross frame part A3 and carries at its lower end two fric-
tion rollers I and 18 (Fig. 3) which impinge on the peripheries of two cams 1º
and I respectively secured on the axle 13¹ and by these connections the hooks I
have a horizontal movement in conformity with the eccentricity of the cams I⁹
and 110.
Centrally pivoted to the axle 12 is the lower end of an arm I the upper end of
which is fastened to a bar I12 which is mounted in and adapted to slide sidewise
under the carrier 14 (Fig. 3.)
One end of this bar 112 projects outwardly through one end of the carrier I¹4
and I¹ which are carried by the upper ends of vertical shafts 214 and 215 respect-

page_text: ively, which said shafts are mounted in bearings on the side of the frame side A¹.
(Figs. 2 and 4).
An arm 116 is secured to the vertical shaft 14 and is connected by a rod I to
an arm 118 secured to the vertical shaft 215 whereby both ends of the grooved
bar I will move alike. On the lower end of the shaft I15 is a crank I¹ which
carries a friction roller I20, said roller travelling in the groove of a cam 121
(Fig. 4.)
By these connections the hooks will have, in addition to the movement pre-
viously described, a horizontal movement at right angles thereto, in conformity
with the eccentricity or curve of the groove in the cam I".
The yoke I' has a pin 12 secured to each extremity, and said pins pass through
sliding buttons 123 (Fig. 3) which are mounted and adapted to slide in the hori-
zontal slots of bars 124 secured one at each side of the machine, and said bars are
each secured by studs 125 to other and vertical bars I which are mounted and
adapted to slide vertically against the frame to which they are held by guides I27
(Fig. 3).
Two levers 128 are mounted on pivots 129 secured to the frame and extending
under the shuttle carrier H³. The free ends of these levers 128 rest on pins 13
(Fig. 3) secured one to each of the vertical bars 126 and a pin I³¹ is fastened one to
each end of the carrier H2, which pins project over and rest on the levers I28 by
which means the vertical bars are held downward by the weight of the shuttles
and their carrier, as well as by their own weight.
To each of the bars I26 is secured an arm I which carries a friction roller 133
which impinges on the periphery of a cam I one at each side of the machine
(Figs. 3 and 4).
By these connections the hooks I have also a vertical movement in conformity
with the eccentricities of the cams I34 and in addition thereto, the shuttles are
lifted upward when the hooks I are lowered or the shuttles are lowered when the
hooks are lifted.
Opposing the hooks I is another row of hooks J, the function of which is to
assist, as I shall hereinafter describe, the hooks I in keeping the loops in order,
while the knots are formed and tied.
The hooks J are fastened in a row to a bar J¹ provided with upwardly extend-
ing studs which pass and slide through slots in a carrier J* and are fastened to
a top bar Js (Fig. 3) said top bar extending at one end from the carrier and is
bent downwardly, and is fitted and adapted to slide in a grooved bar J5 (Fig. 2)
which is pivoted at its ends to cranks J6 and J7 carried by vertical shafts 6 and
journalled in bearings secured to the frame side A¹.
Arms J8 and J10 are secured to the shafts and are connected by a rod Jo so that
both ends of the grooved bar J5 will move alike.
An arm J is secured to the shaft 7 (Fig. 4) and carries a friction roller J13
which travels in the groove of a cam J¹³
By these connections the hooks J have a horizontally lateral or sidewise move-
ment in conformity with the curves of the grooves in cam J13.
The carrier J is mounted and adapted to slide on top of the frame sides, and
it is connected by two rods J14 (Fig. 3) to the upper ends of two arms J15, the
lower ends of which are secured on an axle J16, that is mounted in bearings
secured to the cross frame part A7.
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An elbow lever J17 is secured upon the axle J16 and said elbow lever carries
two friction rollers J18 and J19 which impinge upon the periphery of the cams J20
and J2 respectively secured on the axle B2 (Fig. 3).
By these connections the hooks J will have also a forward and back movement,
which movement is at right angles to that imparted by the grooved cam J¹³, said
forward and back movement being in conformity with the eccentricities of the
cams J20 and J21.
K is a reel for receiving the net (Figs: 1 and 2). It is fastened on its axle K
which is journalled at each end of the frame parts A and A¹.

page_text: A ratchet wheel K² is secured fixedly upon the axle K¹ and an arm K³ carrying
a pawl K which engages the ratchet wheel is mounted loosely on the axle K₁
(Fig. 1).
A hollow stem K5 is pivoted to said arm K³, while a rod K7 is passed inside of
the hollow stem and is pivoted to the arm F¹.
A coil spring K6 surrounding the hollow stem is contracted against a fixed
collar at one end, by a loose collar K8 against the other which is held by a pin K⁹
passed through an elongated slot in the stem and secured in the rod K inside
thereof.
Thus the arm F¹ when moved towards the arm K³ will cause the reel K to turn
and wind the net thereon until its tension overcomes that of spring K when that
will yield, while the lever F¹ completes its stroke. A pawl K10 engages with the
ratchet wheel and is pivoted to the frame part A to prevent the reel from turn..
ing backwards. L is a T shaped pusher, one end of which is pivoted to the
lever I while its other end is adapted to push the net from off the pegs G³ and
tighten the knots at the same time.
Having now explained the construction of the several parts of the machine and
their movements, I will now describe the operation by reference to the drawings,
showing the successive positions of the prongs or fingers and the hooks which
form the threads into knots over the pegs.
When the several parts are in positions shown in Figs. 3 and 6 and the parts
are set in motion, then the hooks J will move to the right past the shuttle E, and
between the fold or bight of each weft thread, and it extends from the shuttles
around the hooks I and back again to the pegs C³, which position is shown in
Fig. 7. New the hooks J move sidewise, so that each will catch one side of the
bight of the weft threads from a shuttle, and when said hooks return the hooks I
will follow, and the threads carried between them are entered in loops on each
of the prongs or fingers G, which at this time are reaching over the cylinder C
and meeting the hooks, as seen in Fig, 8. The hooks continue to carry the loops
farther onto the prongs or fingers G as seen in Figure 9, and while the hooks I
have thus been moved towards the cylinder C, the pusher L has been moved
against the net under the cylinder, whereby the knots previously tied are forced
off from the pegs on the lower side of the cylinder, and tightened at the same
time. The hooks I will then pass under a prong or finger each, and at the same
time moving sidewise, said hooks will rise on the opposite side of said prongs or
fingers and carrying the loops of the weft threads and moving over again to the
first side, will enter said loops a second time on the prongs as seen in Fig. 10 and
the loops are again carried to the prongs by the hooks I and J as seen in Fig. 11.
The hooks I, now leave the loops by moving upward and over the threads in
the prongs, then lowering again to catch the threads from the prongs as seen in
Fig. 12, and as said hooks carry a loop from each of the prongs the thread
guiding spindle F follows, to give the warp threads for these loops, and the cylin-
der C turns at the same time so that its pegs C³ will enter one in each of the loops
drawn by the hooks I as seen in Fig. 13, the hooks I continue to draw on these
warp thread loops and enter, one over the point of each shuttle, as seen by the
dotted lines in Fig. 14. Then the hooks I pull these loops down through between
the shuttles and past the heels or lever sides of said shuttles, as seen in full lines
in Fig. 14. Now the hooks move upward to leave or cast off these loops and
catch others from the weft threads of the shuttles for another row of knots, while
the spindle I draws the now cast off loops which the hooks I left from under the
shuttles, and in position as seen in Fig. 15. Now the prongs G move out of the
loops which were wound twice around each from thread from the shuttles, and
the spindle F draws the threads from the prongs against the pegs G³ while the
hooks draw the threads in position as seen in Fig. 16. At the same time the
spindle F moving backward, causes the reel K to turn and wind on to itself. the
slack of the net that was previously disengaged by the pusher L, moving the
knots from the pegs of the cylinder C. The hooks I continue to pull on the weft

page_text: threads from the shuttles, and the hooks J yield in the same direction, at the
same time that the prongs G are pushing the knots close against the pegs of the
cylinder as seen in Fig. 17. Now the prongs move back again while the hooks I
are still pulling on the weft threads to close them on the pegs and on the hooks J
as seen in Fig. 18. Finally the hooks J pull out of the knots which are further
closed by the hooks I pulling on the threads from the shuttles and the spindle E
pulling those from the prongs G, and one row of knots is thus completed, with
the parts and threads again in the same position, as at the beginning of the
operation, except that each hook I is now on the opposite side of the threads i
holds as seen in Figs 15, 16, 17 and 18, and therefore in a repetition of the opera
tion for the next knot all the side movements of the hooks I and J and 'the
prongs G will be reversed and so on alternately so that the threads may lead from
knot to knot in zigzag order as required, and as shown in Fig. 19. This alter-
nate reversal of the side movements is accomplished by each half of the
cams B15 B and J13 having the curve of its groove reversed to each other and
which cams are all three secured on the axle B, which, as before stated, has but
one revolution to two of the axles B1 and B2 which latter carry all the rest of the
cams.
In Fig. 20 is shown the double knot formed by the movements heretofore
described, while in Fig. 21 is shown a single knot such as will be formed when
the loops carried by the shuttles are passed but once around the prongs G instead
of twice, as heretofore described.
I have herein shown only sufficient thread carrying devices to make six knots
simultaneously, but these devices may be multiplied so as to make any number of
knots, simultaneously, without increasing any of the devices, except the width
of the frame to make room for such. The threads which are carried through
the prongs may be taken from balls instead of spools, and the pegs on which the
knots are tied may be secured on other devices within the cylinder; an also
the mechanisms to cause the movements of the various hooks and prongs, to form the
threads into knots, may be construed differently from that shown and described,
without departing from the essential features of my invention hereinafter claimed.
It is obvious that the machine may be arranged to carry the threads vertically or
on an incline instead of as here shown horizontally.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is:-
1st. In a machine for making nets, the combination of a row of pegs about
which the knots are formed, a row of spools for supplying the warp threads, a
row of shuttles for supplying the weft threads, a row of prongs or fingers for
receiving and guiding the warp threads two independent rows of hooks adapted
to draw a loop of the weft thread from each shuttle and wind it around a prong
or finger, and a loop from each prong or finger around a shuttle, and a means for
drawing these loops into knots upon the pegs.
2nd. In a machine for making nets, the combination of a row of pegs about
which the knots are formed, a row of spools for supplying the warp threads a row
of shuttles for supplying the weft threads, a row of prongs or fingers, receiving
and adapted to guide the warp threads, two rows of independently operating hooks
adapted to draw a loop of the weft thread from each shuttle and wind it around
a prong or finger one of said rows of hooks being further adapted to carry a loop
from each prong around a shuttle and cast off said loop and means for drawing
these loops into knots upon pegs.
3rd. In a machine for making nets, and in combination with the pegs for
ceiving the knots, the spools and the shuttles for supplying the warp threads
and weft threads respectively the independently acting rows of hooks adapted to
loop and knot the threads about the pegs and the prongs or fingers for guiding

page_text: the weft threads, the swinging spindle about which the warp threads pass' whereby
the loops are drawn into knots on the pegs.
-
'
4th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of successive rows of pegs
adapted to receive successively the knots to be tied upon them, spools and shuttles
carrying the warp and weft threads, respectively, the prongs or fingers for guiding
the warp threads, said prongs or fingers having a side movement, and means for
reversing said movement for every alternate row of knots tied on the pegs whereby
the threads are led from right to left of said knots alternately, and means for
uniting the threads into rows of knots on said pegs.
5th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of successive rows of pegs
adapted to receive successively the knots to be tied upon them, spools and shuttles
carrying the warp and weft threads respectively, and the prongs or fingers guid-
ing the warp threads, said prongs or fingers having a side movement and, a means
for reversing said movement, for every alternate row of knots tied on pegs whereby
the threads are led from right to left of said knots alternately, and means for
uniting the threads into rows of knots on said pegs, consisting of independently
operating. hooks having side movements and means for reversing said movements
to alternate rows of knots.
6th. In a machine for making acts, the combination of a plurality of rows of
pegs upon which the knots are formed, spools and shuttles for supplying the warp
and weft threads respectively, prongs or fingers carrying the warp threads to said
pegs and two rows of hooks adapted to catch the threads and intermingle their
movements with that of the prongs or fingers in such a manner as to draw the
threads from said shuttles and prongs or fingers and tie it into knots on said pegs,
said hooks having their side movements reversed for every alternate row of knots
tied whereby the threads will alternately lead from right to left of each knot upon
successive pegs.
7th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of a plurality of pegs upon
which the knots are formed and from which they are successively discharged
spools and shuttles for supplying the warp and weft threads, prongs or fingers
for carrying the warp threads two rows of hooks adapted to loop and knot the
threads about the pegs and means for drawing the loops into knots upon said
pegs, and a pusher for disengaging previously formed knots from one row of pegs
while another row is receiving the freshly formed knots.
8th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of a row of pegs, a row of
prongs or fingers for carrying the warp threads a row of shuttles for supplying
the weft threads, and two rows of independently operative hooks, said row of hooks
having direct vertical and side reciprocating movements whereby they are adapted
to catch the threads from the shuttles and tie them in knots on the pegs.
9th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of a row of pegs upon
which the knots are to be formed, a row of shuttles to supply the weft threads, a
row of prongs or fingers to carry and guide the warp threads, a row of hooks to
draw the weft threads from the shuttles and pass them over the prongs and over
the shuttles again, and means by which the shuttles are caused to meet the hooks
when the threads are passed over them, and to tie the threads into knots upon
rows of pegs.
10th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of an intermittently rota-
ting cylinder provided with successive rows of pegs upon which the knots are
adapted to be formed, a row of prongs or fingers for carrying the warp threads to the
pegs, a row of shuttles for supplying the weft threads to said pegs and the two
rows of independently operating hooks for forming the threads into knots upon
said pegs.
11th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of an intermittently
rotating cylinder provided with successive rows of pegs upon which the knots
are adapted to be formed, a row of prongs or fingers for carrying the warp threads
to the pegs, a row of shuttles for supplying the weft threads to said pegs, the two

page_text: rows of independently operating hooks for forming the threads into knots upon
said pegs, and a means under said cylinder for forcing the previously formed
knots from said pegs.
12th. In a machine for making nets, the combination of an intermittently
rotating cylinder provided with successive rows of pegs upon which the knots are
adapted to be formed, and a row of prongs or fingers for carrying the warp threads to
the pegs, a row of shuttles for supplying the weft threads to said pegs, and two
rows of independently operating hooks for forming the threads into knots upon
said edges a means under said cylinder for forcing the previously formed row of
knots from said pegs and a reel for receiving and winding up the completed net
as it comes from the pegged cylinder.
This 25th dove of May 1897
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.