Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Wire Articles, such as Fencing Mats, Barbed Wire, and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1900
Improvements in Machines for the Manufacture of Wire Articles,
such as Fencing Mats, Barbed Wire, and the like.
I, JOHN CRANSTON PERRY, of Clinton, in the County of Worcester, State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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 has relation to machines for making wire goods, such as fences,
mats, lathing, barbed wire, etc., and has for its object to provide a machine of
the class specified, having provisions for automatically welding the crossed
wires at their points of intersection and thereby obviating the necessity of
coiling the wires at said points whereby a greater quantity of finished product
is turned out from a given amount of wire, than heretofore.
A further object of the invention is to provide the machine with automatic
mechanism by means of which its general efficiency is enhanced, its movements
are rendered even and accurate, and its product is turned out neatly finished and
in a high state of excellence.
To these ends, the invention consists of a wire fabric machine possessing certain
characteristics, or features of construction and arrangement of parts, as illustrated
upon the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification, and
pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon, forming a part of this specification, the same letters
designating the same parts or features, as the case may be, wherever they
occur.
Of the drawings:-
Figure 1 represents in side elevation a machine embodying my invention, the
equalizer for the stay-wire being omitted to prevent confusion.
Figure 2 represents a front elevation of the same, the equalizer for the strand
wires and the support for said equalizer being omitted.
Figure 3 represents a plan view of the machine.
Figure 4 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the machine.
Figure 5 represents a detail sectional view of the eccentric stud for adjusting
the guide roll.
Figures-6-and-7-represent-portions_of_the_means_for_feeding_the_fabric_and_
consequently the strand wires.
Figures 8 and 9. represent portions of the machine, and illustrate the wire-
cutting mechanism, and the mechanism for actuating the plunger rail.
Figure 10 represents in detail the mechanism for-rotating--the stay-wire holder,
and the lever which operates the plunger rail.
Figures 11 and 12 represent in detail means for imparting a step-by-step
movement to the fabric-feeding mechanism.
Figures 13 and 14 represent in detail means for imparting a similar movement
to the take-up. reel.

page_text: Figures 15 and 16 represent mechanism for feeding the stay-wire across the
strand-wires.
Figures 17 to 22, inclusive, represent the coiler, or the mechanism which I
employ for coiling the ends of the stay-wires around the selvage or outside strand-
wire.
Figure 23 represents a partial section through the machine and illustrates
the welding apparatus, including the transformers, the support therefor, the
electrodes, the circuit breaker, and the connection between the plungers and
plunger-operating rail.
Figure 24 represents in sectional view the devices for operating the plungers
from the plunger rail.
Figures 25 to 28, inclusive, show in detail the holder for the stay-wires..
Figures 29 to 32, inclusive, represent the electrodes in detail.
Figures 33 to 36, inclusive, represent the welding apparatus and the parts
adjacent thereto.
Figure 37 represents a section view of the plunger rail, and shows the method
of connecting the plunger-rod therewith.
Figure 38 represents a diagram of the electric circuit from the main switch
through the several automatic switches and primary coils back to the first-
mentioned switch.
The machine which is represented upon the drawings, and which I shall now
proceed to describe is merely one embodiment of my invention, and has been
selected for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing the latter, so that con-
sequently, it will be understood that I am not limited to any of the details of
construction thereof. And although the machine is illustrated and hereinafter
described as being arranged to manufacture wire "fence," yet it can be easily
adjusted to manufacture lathing, mats, barbed wire, etc., and hence, whenever I
use the term "wire fence," I wish to be understood as including any kind of
wire fabric, as well as wire provided with points or barbs.
The wires which run or extend longitudinally of the fabric, I term "strand"
wires, while the cross wires, such as the barbs on a barbed wire, the filling of
a woven fabric, or the stay-wires of a fence, I term "stay" wires, so that in
the description which follows, no limitation is intended by the use of the said
terms, especially as I may employ in lieu of wires, rods, or strips of metal.
Again, the machine, as illustrated, is adapted to manufacture a fabric in
which the strand and stay wires intersect each other at right angles, but it is
evident that the invention comprehends mechanism for laying them obliquely
to each other, if desired.
With this explanation, I shall now describe the said machine and its modes
of operation.
The side standards, indicated at a, are provided with extensions a, a, bolted
thereto, and they are cross-connected and braced by suitable tie-rods (not shown)
in addition to the angle bar a² (for the wire straighteners), the support a³
(for the welding mechanism) the cross bar at (for the coiling mechanism) and
the table (for the circuit regulating or controlling mechanism).
The initial power shaft is journaled in bearings resting upon the table a³,
and it is driven by a belt-wheel 63 in the usual way. The shaft extends but part
way across the machine, and is provided with a pinion 4 intermeshing with and
driving a gear wheel c¹ on a main shaft c journaled in bearings on the side
standards a 'a. Bevel gears cc transmit power from said shaft e to a shaft 7,
arranged longitudinally of the machine and journaled in bearings dd. By
these two shafts are driven, the operative parts of the machine including the
welding apparatus, the wire feeding mechanism, and the stay-wire coiling
apparatus, as I shall subsequently make.clear.
The strand wires A are fed from reels A¹ placed
pass under a guide roll A2 journaled in bearings
a comb A between the teeth of which they pass.
in front of the machine, and
A³, being guided thereto by
From the guide roll A² the

page_text: wires pass upward and over an equalizing roll e, then horizontally over a roll e²,
and then downward between the electrodes to the feeding wheels f, after which
they are passed over a roll e² and are wound upon a take-up reel e³.
The roll e is trunnioned in sockets in the ends of arms e which are secured
upon a shaft journaled in bearings e supported by forwardly extending
brackets e bolted to the standards and hung at their outer end from suspenders
let down from the ceiling, the outer ends of said brackets supporting a comb e
having teeth e¹0 for guiding the strand wires. The shaft is provided with
an inwardly projecting arm e, which, as shown, in Figure 4, is provided with
a roll ell bearing against a cam on the main shaft c, so that as the shaft c
rotates, the shaft is rocked and the roll e is raised and lowered. As will be
subsequently explained, the strand wires are fed intermittingly, and were the
equalizing mechanism not employed, they would receive jerks at intervals which
would tend to snarl them, whereas, by timing the equalizing mechanism properly,
the roll is raised while the wire in the machine is clamped between the electrodes,
and is lowered while the feeding wheels are being advanced, and consequently,
the wires are drawn from the reels evenly and without danger of kinking or
snarling.
The roll has trunnions on its ends which are journaled in bearings in
brackets e, and the strand wires are guided thereto by a comb e having teeth
or pins e, as best shown in the figure last referred to.
Between the feed-wheels f and the electrodes is the guiding roll g, which
is adjustable so as to relieve the fixed electrode from the excessive pressure of
the fence and consequent wear. The roll is journaled on the eccentric pins gl
which extend from the inner ends of studs which are rotarily adjustable in
the standards a, and are held after adjustment by the set screw g³, as best
shown in Figure 5.
The mechanism for feeding the strand wires through the machine and pulling
the completed fence from the electrodes after the welding operation, comprises
the wheels ff hereinbefore referred to, together with means for imparting an
intermittent rotary movement to them. The said wheels f f arc equal in number
to the strands of the fence, and they are splined upon a shaft f journaled in
bearings supported by the side standards. They are held upon the shaft f
by any suitable means, as by set screws f³, (see Fig. 2), and they are adjustable
thereon to vary the distance between the strand wires, their number being
increased or diminished in accordance with the number of strands in the fence.
Each wheel is provided with a plurality of grooved teeth ft, (see Figures 6
and 7) in which the strand wires rest. The distance between the stay-wires in
the fence is determined by the movement of the feeding wheels, and the teeth
of the said wheels are spaced so as to engage the said wires, and prevent slipping,
said stay-wires operating as sprockets on the strand wires.
Where it is desired to vary the distance between the stay wires, the feed wheels
may be replaced by others having teeth properly spaced to engage them, unless
the spaces between the stay-wires are equal to or are multiples of the spaces
between the teeth.
The shaft and the feed wheels are intermittently rotated by the following
devices. The gear_cl_on_the_shaft-c-is-provided-with-a-rib-f-having a radial
groove
or slot f in which is adjustably secured a crank-pin f7. Said crank
pin is connected by an adjustable coupling-rod fs with an arm floosely mounted
on the shaft and held against axial movement by a collar f12, and a ratchet
wheel, both rigidly mounted upon said shaft, so that as the gear wheel c¹
is rotated, an oscillating motion is imparted to the arm, as will be readily under-
stood. A pawl f10, see Figs. 1, 11 and 12, is mounted on said arm, and is
arranged to engage the ratchet wheel f3 when the arm is oscillated, said pawl
being drawn toward said ratchet wheel by a spring f" connected thereto and to
the end of a pin f, passed through the stud or pivot f15, which connects the
pawl the arm f, and the coupling-rod f together. The teeth of the ratchet

page_text: wheel are equal in number to the teeth on the feed wheels, and they are engaged
by a retaining pawl fe as best shown in Figure 1. The movement of the feed
wheels and the feed of the strand wires may be varied by adjusting the crank
pin f, in the radial slot f, so that the spaces between the stay-wires may be
varied at will.
After the strand wires leave the feed-wheels, they pass over the guide roll e²,
as I have previously stated, and by examining Figure 4, it will be seen that
the latter is in a plane above the feed wheels, so as to lengthen the line of contact
of the strand wires therewith. The said roll 2 is provided with trunnions e
journaled in bearings in the side standards a.
The reel for the completed fence, consists of two semi-cylindrical-
timbers,
mounted in sockets e, formed onl the ends of
stud shafts e 35 journaled in bearings in the rear extension a¹ of the side
standards. Said timbers are held in the sockets by wedges e, and when the
roll of fence is completed, the wedges are withdrawn, and the reel is then collap-
sible whereby the timbers may be withdrawn separately from the roll of fence:
On the shafte is a belt wheel around which a belt is passed from a belt
wheel 20 on the shaft f', said belt being tightened by an ordinary tightener
such as that shown in Figure 1. The wheel f20 is connected to the shaft fi
by a pawl and ratchet e so that the roll is capable of an independent forward
rotation to take up slack in the strand wires. The belt is adapted to slip so
that the reel is driven frictionally at a proper rate of speed. The tightener
consists of a pivoted arm h connected by a cord or wire with a shaft he adapted
to be rotated by a handle and to be held against reverse movement by a
ratchet hand pawl . On the arm his journaled a loose belt-wheel h6 in
engagement with the belt. By rotating the shaft 2 the belt-wheel may be
drawn tightly against the belt to increase its frictional engagement with the
belt-wheels and f. As the strand wires leave the roll e¹ to reach the
electrodes, they pass between a plurality of straightener rolls i journaled on
a bracket There are a plurality of these brackets which are mounted upon
the angle bar a², said bar being provided on its upper face with T-shaped
grooves to receive the head of the securing bolts, as shown in Figure 4, whereby
said brackets are adjustable transversely on the machine so as to accomodate
themselves to the strand wires.
Having thus explained the means for feeding the strand wires, I shall now
proceed to describe the mechanism for feeding the stay-wires transversely thereof,
and the mechanism for holding them during the process of welding. The
wire B, from which the stay-wires are cut, is drawn from a reel similar to that
shown in Figure 1, and passes around a grooved guide wheel j mounted upon
the end of an equalizing arm fulcrumed by an upright to a bracket j
extending out from the machine, as shown in plan in Figure 2. The upright j
forms a standard to support the bracket 3 and the arm j', and its lower end
is stepped in a block, the outer end of the arm being supported by
braces as shown in Figure 2, which bear against the said standard.
The thrust of the wire as it is drawn from the reel is taken by a spring
which is secured at one end to the arm j¹, and at its other end to a suitable
support, not shown. The wire B is fed into the machine intermittently, and
consequently, the equalizing arm j and spring are employed to draw the wire
from the reel evenly to prevent it from being snarled. When the wire is being
fed into the machine, the strain upon it swings the arm j' forward, and the
latter assumes its normal position when the feeding movement stops, so that
its effect is to draw the wire from the reel slowly. and without jerking it.
From the wheel j, the wire B passes in front of a grooved wheel ja journaled
on the stud or standard 2, and from thence it passes between the plurality of
straightening rolls kk, journaled on a plate k supported by the bracket j³.
The bracket is itself bolted to a bracket which extends out from one of the
standards a, and which supports the devices for feeding the stay wire. The

page_text: passes.
feeding wheels. are best shown in Figures 15 and 16, and they are indicated
by m and m respectively. They are provided with intermeshing gear teeth,
whereby their peripheries travel at the same rate of speed, and they are also
equipped with wire gripping rings 'm² m² between which the wire
The
wheel m' is journaled on a stud shaft m secured in a movable bearing pivoted
to and extending out from the bracket ", while the wheel m is keyed to a.
shaft m journaled in bearings on the same bracket. Un either side of the gear
teeth and the ring me, the wheel m is formed with ratchet teeth m³, and loosely
mounted on the shaft m* are sleeves m6 m which are formed with arms mi m
and pinions m8 m8. Each arm m² carries a pawl m³, as shown in Figure 15,
adapted to engage the teeth m³, and when the arms are oscillated in opposite
directions, they impart an intermittent motion to said feeding wheels. Inter-
meshing with the pinions ms are racks m¹0 sliding in guides afforded by the
bracket, and said racks are connected by rods with crank pins m
adjustably mounted in radial slots in crank arms m3 on a shaft m journaled
in the bearings in the bracket 11. A gear wheel m15 is secured to the shaft m¹4
as shown in Figure 16, and intermeshes with and is driven by a pinion m17
on the shaft herein before referred to, and shown in Figure 3. As the shaft m14
is rotated, the racks m10 are reciprocated vertically in opposite directions to
cause the pawls carried by the crank arms m to intermittingly engage the ratchet
teeth of the wheel m and rotate the same, the degree of movement of the said
wheel m being varied at will by adjusting the crank pins m₁ in the slots in
the crank arms.m. As the racks 10 reach the extremes of their movements.
they pause momentarily while the crank pins m2 pass the dead centers, and
during the period in which the stay-wire is quiescent, it is cut, and the holder
therefor, which I shall subsequently describe, is rotated to bring the severed
wire into position to be welded to the strand-wires. The shaft m for the
wheel m is journaled in arms m18, fulcrumed on the bracket jo, as shown in
dotted lines in Figure 15, said arm being provided with a lateral extension
to which is pivoted a handle m19, having a cam m20 bearing against a spring m²
connected to the bracket. By throwing the handle downward the cam m20
is engaged with the spring m and the wheel m² is forced tightly into engage-
ment with the wheel m, but by raising the lever or handle m¹, the tension upon
the wheel m¹ is relieved, and the wheels m m³ cease to grip the stay-wire between
them. By adjusting the crank pins before referred to, the feed wheels may be
rotated alternately at unequal distances, so as to feed long and short stay-
wires alternately, in case it be desired to construct a fence with them.
The stay-wire passes from the feed-wheels through a tubular guide n, (see
Figure 2,) into the holder shown in Figures 23 to 28, inclusive. Said holder
consists of a plurality of rolls o o splined upon a shaft o journaled in
bearings mounted upon the support for the electrodes, (being electrically
insulated from said support.) Said shaft o¹ is. provided with a ratchet wheel o³,
(see Figures 35 and 36) with which engages a pawl of mounted on an arm o
loosely mounted on the hub of said wheel and held against axial movement by
a washer disk 06 secured to the end of the shaft. The arm is connected by
a rod o' with a centrally fulcrumed lever 8 (from which it is electrically insulated)
supported by a bracket o", (see Figure 10) mounted upon the angle bar a². The
rear of the lever 08 has a roll 10 caused_by_a_spring--to-bear-against-a-cam
rigidly secured to the shaft c, (see Figures 3 and 10,) so that as the cam rotates,
the arm or lever 08 is reciprocated, and the shaft o is intermittently rotated.
Each roll consists of two semi-cylindrical portions rigidly connected by
screws 040 so that they can be removed from the-shaft without trouble, said
Folls being splined upon the shaft so as to be axially adjustable thereon. Each
roll is provided in its periphery with a plurality of grooves oll for the stay-wires,
said grooves having flaring mouths or entrances 012, as clearly shown in Figures 25
and 27.
As each stay-wire is fed by the feeding wheels through the tubular, guide,,

page_text: it enters the grooves in the rollers, which constitute the holder, and when a
predetermined length of the stay wire has been fed, it is cut off by means which
I shall now describe, and the holder is rotated one step to bring another line of
the grooves into alinement with the feeding guide or nozzle n.
In order to hold the stay-wire in the grooves in the holder, I provide the
device shown in Figures 25 and 26. r is a bracket adjustably secured to and
insulated from the electrode support a³ over each of the rolls, being connected to
said support by bolts having their heads sliding in grooves in the front face
thereof. The bracket is bent forwardly and downwardly and to its lower end
is secured a stationary guide bar 2 having a concave face to fit the periphery of
the roll. The guide bars or retainers are stationary, and hence, to hold the wires
in the grooves o" when the holder is advanced one step, I employ the auxiliary
guides or retainers which are pivoted at 4 in the brackets r and are pressed
against the holder by springs When each stay-wire reaches its welding
position, upon the rotation of the holder one step, it is held by the retaining
finger until the weld is completed, after which the strand wires are fed along,
carrying the stay-wire with them, and at this time, the retaining fingers yield
to permit the stay-wire to pass out of the grooves o" in the holder. The guides,
operate to retain the stay-wires in the holder when they are first fed in, the
supplemental retaining fingers holding said stay-wires when the holder is
rotated.
In order to limit the inward movement of the stay-wires, I may employ the
stops (shown in rigure 36,) secured to the support a³, and projecting into the
path of the stay-wire.
The cutting of the stay-wire automatically after a length thereof has been fed
into the hole, is accomplished by the mechanism shown in detail in Figures 8
and 9. The cutting blade t is mounted in an arm trigidly secured to a
shaft mounted in brackets 3 extending downwardly from the angle bar a²,
which is grooved on its front face to receive the bolts which fasten the brackets t
thereto. The said brackets are adjustable, so that they may be placed at any
point to escape the strand wires and the arm t¹ is adjustable on the shaft 12
so as to cut the wire at any predetermined point. On the end of the shaft t
is an arm t, which is held by a spring to against a cam 6 on the shaft d. Said
cam has an operating rise which engages a roll at the end of the arm t, and
quickly operates the knife t. There is a guide for the wire in close proximity
to the knife t which operates to hold the wire against the stress of the knife when
the latter is operated, and furnish, as it were, a stationary blade. The parts
are so timed that the knife is operated when the feeding wheels m m for the
stay-wire have stopped momentarily, as previously described.
From the mechanism which I have now described, it will be seen that the
strand wires and stay wires are automatically fed into the machine, and arranged
at an angle to each other, whereby they may be welded at their intersection,
and hence, to accomplish the welding, I employ the devices which I shall
proceed to describe.
The support a³ is a plate which extends across the machine and is arranged
vertically, as shown in Figures 4, 23, 33, 34 and 35, being suitably insulated
from the side standards a a. The said plate is grooved on its front face as
at uu to receive the brackets u¹ and v for the electrodes, with which they
are in circuit. The brackets support the stationary electrodes (shown in
Figures 31 and 32), which consist of grooved plates u² having shanks ³ to fit
in the brackets each shank being engaged by a set-screw u². The
brackets are grooved to receive the electrodes, whereby the latter are always
maintained in alinement, and are easily returned to normal position after being
removed. Each electrode u² is provided with teeth or guiding lugs us, and also
with a curved yoke or guide 6 whose ends are set in sockets in the electrodes, 5
said yokes 6 preventing the strand wires from being drawn away from the
stationary electrodes during the feeding. The movable electrodes v¹ are grooved

page_text: plates arranged at right angles to the electrodes ², and have guiding or positioning
lugs or teeth for the stay-wires, being also provided with shanks 3 extending
into the ends of plungers, and held therein by set screws . Said plungers
are grooved to receive said electrodes, and hold them in proper relation to
the stationary electrodes. The plungers move in guides in the brackets r,
and are connected to a plunger rail 6 by resilient connections, as I shall sub-
sequently explain. The guides in the ends of the brackets for the plungers
are each provided with an annular chamber into which a cooling. medium such
as water is introduced through nozzles, the same being drawn therefrom
through nozzles v³.
On the rear of the plate or support as are adjustably supported the primary
and secondary coils of the transformers. The primary coils are indicated at a
and the secondary coils at r, said secondary coils being relatively large in cross
section, and having two turns. One pole of each secondary coil is electrically
connected to the support a", while the other is connected to either the bracket u¹
or the bracket v. In order to space the coils properly, they are arranged in two
rows, as shown in Figure 23, one above the other, and consequently the brackets
are alternately insulated from the support a", the intermediate brackets being
electrically connected thereto. Each alternate bracket is also electrically con-
nected to the support a³, the remaining brackets being insulated therefrom, and the
brackets and are so arranged that in each pair only one bracket is electrically
connected to the support, while the other is insulated therefrom, and hence, one
pole of each secondary coil is connected to the support, while the other is con-
nected to the bracket or u', which is insulated, from the said support. There
are as many pairs of electrodes as there are joints to be welded in the fence,
that is, as many joints as are formed by each stay-wire, and the brackets
and the transformer coils are all so mounted upon the support a³ that they
can be adjusted transversely thereof to enable the manufacture of a
fence having any suitable number of strands, the parts being all separable, and
being easily attached to, or disconnected from the machine.
The electrodes are so formed that they grasp the wires at their points of
intersection and position them automatically. The movable electrodes are thrust
against the stay wires to bind them firmly against the strand wires, after which
the current is passed through the primary coils to generate a welding current in
the secondary coils.
The plunger rail before referred to, is reciprocated by two levers 10, (see
Figures 9 and 10) fulcrumed at on each of the side frames of the machine,
and having their upper ends provided with rollers 12, which bear against the
cams on the shaft c. The lower end of the lever 10 is connected by a rod 13,
with the plunger rail ¿, there being a spring 24 which normally holds the rail
at the outward extreme of its movement. The plunger rail is connected to each
plunger by means of a bolt having its end screwed in a head pivoted
in a block (see Figures 35 and 37) adjustably connected to the said rail by
bolts having their heads sliding in a groove in said rail, and each bolt 15 has
its head provided with an elongated slot 7 through which the pin 2:18 passes.
Each head 5 is insulated from its block 20. The head 16 extends between ears.
on the rear end of the plunger so that when the plunger rail is moved, there
is a certain amount of lost motion due to the pin and slot connection with
the plunger.
A nut is screwed on the bolt 13 and between it and the rear end of the
plunger is arranged a spiral spring 19 so that when the plunger rail is moved
rearward the movable electrode yieldingly engages the stay-wire to position it,.
and thrust it into contact with the strand wire. By providing the yielding
connection between the plunger rail and the plunger, I compensate for any.
inequalities in the wire, and insure a perfect electrical contact between the.
electrodes and the wires.
In order to insure that the welding current shall be of the proper duration an

page_text: as to prevent the burning of the wires I employ two sets of circuit controllers,
one adapted to be actuated by the plungers, and the other to be actuated by
the movable part of the machine. The primary circuit is indicated at C, and is
divided into two or more branches C¹ C₁, one group of the primary coils being
in one branch, and the other group being in the other branch, and said branches
being arranged in multiple arc in the main circuit. As there are four pairs
of electrodes, there are three primary coils in each branch circuit, as indicated
in Figure 38. In the main circuit, there is the ordinary hand-switch y, (see
Figure 4) and in each branch there is an automatic circuit-breaker or con-
troller yy, consisting of a lever fulcrumed on a table or support a³ in the rear
of the machine, and suitably insulated therefrom. There are two cams y on
the shaft c which engage rolls upon (and insulated from) the ends of said levers
and throw their outer ends into contact with the stationary contacts y³ to close
the circuit through the said branches, and I have so arranged the cams y that
the circuit is closed first through one branch, and then through the other with
slight intervals of rest, so as not to throw a heavy load on the dynamo at any
one time.
The parts are suitably insulated so that the branch circuits are not
closed until the cams y move the switches y¹ into contact with the contact y³.
Arranged in each branch circuit are other switches to break each of the branch
circuits C2, C2, into which the circuits C¹ C¹ are divided.
The supplemental or auxiliary controllers each comprise a stationary spring-
tensioned contact y³ of which there are as many as there are pairs of electrodes,
these stationary contacts being supported upon and insulated from an arm y
secured to each bracket v. The movable contacts y are mounted on and insulated
from a bell crank y8 fulcrumed at y on the arms or brackets y. Springs 10
draw the lower ends of the levers 78 against the bell crank y fulerumed on the
brackets v, the lower end of the said bell crank y extending down far enough
for this purpose, and resting against lugs on the plungers." As said plungers
move inward the lower end of the bell cranks & follow them until they engage
knife edges 12 on the said bell cranks y, the several contacts y being spring-
tensioned to permit this. When the movable electrodes are moved a pre-
determined distance, set screws 13 on the plungers engage the bell-cranks y
and disengage them from the bell cranks or switch levers 8 to break the circuit.
The circuit is not closed through each pair of electrodes until after the plunger
has just about completed its movement, so that the strand and stay-wires are
first positively engaged with each other, and forced together before the current
is passed through them. The electrodes operate as dies, for firmly clamping the
wires to hold them in close contact before the circuit is closed through them.
This is an important point in the operation of the machine, for if the electrodes
are in circuit before they clamp the wires, an arc is apt to form just as they
contact with the wires, and a proper weld is prevented. The duration of the
welding circuit is practically very short, for it is closed by one controller and
opened by the other. The closing of the two branch circuits C¹ C is effected by
the switch lever y which is operated by the cam . The circuit is closed
after the electrodes have clamped the wires and just before the plungers have
reached the extremes of their movements. Almost instantly after the circuits
have been closed they are broken by the auxiliary controllers, each branch
circuit C² being broken by the plunger which is in that circuit. By this arrange-
ment it is practically impossible for the machine to stop with the circuit closed
so as to burn the wires, as it might were the cams alone depended upon to operate
the switch levers.
After the stay-wires have been welded to the strand wires and the feed wheels
have turned the strand wires forward to permit of the placing of another stay
wire in position to be welded, the projecting end of the stay-wire which extends
beyond the selvage or the outer strand wire is coiled about said strand wire by
the mechanism shown in detail in Figs. 17 to 22, inclusive.
The coiling apparatus consists of a bracket z adjustably secured to the front

page_text: face of the cross-bar at Said bracket is formed with a tubular bearing
to receive a cylindrical coiler having formed on its upper edge a pinion
Said coiler is slotted as at to permit the passage of the selvage or outer strand
wire and the stay wires, the guide being formed with a slot to register
therewith. On the under side of the coiler is a pin which is adapted to
engage the end B of the stay wire and coil it about the strand wire A, as
shown in Fig. 21, there being an abutment or anvil 20 to resist the thrust thereof.
The coiler is operated by a rack engaging the pinion and reciprocated by
a rock-shaft having an arm connected to said rack by a rod 10. The rock-
shaft is arranged vertically in suitable bearings attached to the frame
of the machine, and on its upper end is an arm with a roller bearing
against a cam on the end of the shaft C. The cross-bar a is vertically
adjustable in the machine so as to adjust the collar vertically whenever desired,
while the bracket for said coiler is adjustable longitudinally of said bar at,
and the connecting rod is adjustably connected to the rack whereby the
coiling mechanism may be shifted transversely of the machine. The arm
likewise adjustable on the rock-shaft 8, being splined thereto for this purpose,
The operation of the machine is as follows:-
is
Assuming that the strand wires have been fed from the reels through the
various guides, past the electrodes, and finally secured upon the take-up roll,
and that the stay-wire has been fed from its reel into position ready for feeding,
power is applied to the bell-wheel 63 and the main circuit C is closed by means
of the hand-switch y. The stay wire is fed by its feeding wheels into the
rotatory holder, the strand wires being also fed forward one step at this time.
When the stay wire pauses momentarily in its feeding movement, the cutter is
actuated to cut off a length therefrom, and immediately thereafter, the holder is
rotated one step to bring the severed length of stay wire against the strand
wires. The movement of the holder brings another line of grooves into aline-
ment with the stay wire guide, so that the stay wire can be again fed slowly
into the holder while the next succeeding operations are taking place. Im-
mediately after the stay wire is placed against the strand wires, the plunger
rail is moved towards the support by the cams and the levers . The
plungers force the movable electrodes against the crossed wires and bind them
firmly together and firmly against the stationary electrodes, the pressure, how-
ever, being yielding. Then the branch circuits C C are each closed in succession
by the cams and the circuit closers and the current flowing through the
primary coils of the transformers causes the formation of a welding current
through the secondary coils, whereby the wires are welded together.
The springs between the plunger rail and the plungers force the plungers
forward as the wires soften, the movement of the plungers being sufficient to
operate the circuit breakers 8 and break the circuit in each one of the branch
circuits Cinto which the main branch circuits C₁ are divided. The plunger
rail is then returned to its normal position and as the plungers move back,
the switch-levers 18 are forced back, bringing the contact points into contact
with the stationary contact y. At this time, the cams y are rotated sufficiently
to permit the switch-levers y to be drawn away from the contacts y³ so as to
break the main branch circuits.C' at those points. As the plungers return to
their normal positions, the feeding wheels f for the strand wires are advanced
-to-feed-the-strand-wires-forward,-and-the-cycle-of-operations-is-completed.
The coiling apparatus is actuated while the strands are quiescent, being
operated as described by a rack reciprocated by power transmitting devices
from the shaft c.
During the intermittent feeding of both the strand and the stay wires, the
equalizing devices operate automatically to maintain a steady pull upon the
wires in the reels.
It will be observed from the foregoing description that the machine is adapted
for many and varied uses. It is so constructed that the parts are all capable

page_text: of adjustment with relation to each other, many of them being removable or
interchangeable, whereby I am enabled to manufacture upon the same machine,
wire fabric of a great many kinds. The distance between the strand wires may
be varied, while the number of strand wires may be increased or decreased for
the formation of a fence or fabric having any desired number of strands.
By employing the movable holder for the stay-wire, I am enabled to provide
for the slow in-feeding of said stay wire and thereby prevent the jerking of
the latter during the feeding operation. The feeding of the stay wire is practi-
cally continuous, it ceasing only momentarily while the wire is being cut and
the holder is being rotated to present a stay wire to the electrodes for the welding
operation.
While the strength of the current and the amount of mechanical pressure
exerted by the movable electrode may be varied, yet for the best results and to
make welds quickly, I find it preferable to have the movable electrode yieldingly
exert upon the parts to be welded at their point of contact, a mechanical pressure
of such an intensity that the electrode will move forward instantly upon the
softening of the metal to complete the weld; that is, this mechanical pressure is
nearly equal to the crushing strength of the material. If a mechanical pressure
of much less intensity were used, the movable electrode would not give its final
movement quick enough, nor until the metal had been softened more than would
be necessary for the purposes of the weld. The current should be of relatively
large volume to localize its heating action; that is, to soften the parts to be
welded at their point of contact before the heating action has time to extend
to more remote portions of said parts adjacent to the point of contact, and which
it is not necessary to soften for the purposes of the weld. The machine there-
fore simultaneously exerts upon the parts to be welded at their point of contact
a heavy yielding, mechanical pressure and a heavy current, producing a rapid
heating action, the movable electrode by which the mechanical pressure is
applied to the parts to be welded operating to automatically cut off the current
as the electrode gives its final forward movement upon the softening of the
metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A machine of the character specified comprising means for holding the
strand and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their
point of contact consisting of electrodes, an automatic circuit closer, and an
independent automatic circuit-breaker.
2. A machine of the character specified comprising means for holding the
strand and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their
point of contact, consisting of electrodes of which one is movable, and a device
controlled by said movable electrode for closing and opening the current through
the electrodes.
3. A machine of the character specified comprising means for holding the
strand and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their
point of contact, consisting of electrodes of which one is movable and an electrical
circuit having two switches in series, means for automatically operating said
switches in succession to close the circuit, and device controlled by the movable
electrode for automatically moving the first closed switch to break the circuit at
the completion of the weld.
4. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of welding
devices, each consisting of two electrodes of which one is movable, an automati-
cally movable plunger rail, and operative connections between the movable
electrodes and the plunger rail.
5. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of welding
devices, each consisting of two electrodes of which one is movable, an automati-

page_text: cally movable plunger rail, and operative yielding connections between the
movable electrodes and the plunger rail, whereby the electrodes can accomodate
themselves to the wires.
6. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of welding
devices, adjustable mechanism for feeding wires to said welding devices, and a
support on which said welding devices are mounted adjustably with relation to
each other.
7. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of electrical
welding devices, cach including electrodes and a transformer, a main circuit
in which said welding devices are arranged in multiple arc, and a circuit con-
troller for each welding device.
8. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of electrical
welding devices divided into groups, a main electrical circuit having a branch
for each group, and a circuit controller for each branch circuit.
9. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of automatic
electrical welding devices divided into groups, a main electrical circuit having
a branch for each group, a circuit controller for each branch circuit, and an
auxiliary circuit, controller for each welding device.
10. A machine of the character specified comprising a plurality of electrical
welding devices divided into groups, a main electrical circuit having a branch
for each group, a circuit controller for each branch circuit, and means for auto-
matically operating said controllers in succession.
11. A machine of the character specified comprising welding electrodes of
which one is movable towards and from the other, and a guide on the stationary
electrode for one of the wires.
12. In a machine of the character specified electrical welding means, including
electrodes, and a closed guide for the strand wire on one of the electrodes.
18. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires together, and a holder for the stay wire,
said holder consisting of a shaft and a plurality of rolls on said shaft, each roll
being formed in separable sections adjustably secured to said shaft.
14. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding a strand and a stay wire, an automatic cutter for severing the stay
wire, and means for securing said cutter at any adjustment to vary the length
of the stay wire.
15. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, means for feeding the stay wires from
a suitable source of supply, and means for equalizing the stress of the feeding
means on the wire.
16. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, means for feeding the stay wire from
a suitable source of supply, and a yielding equalizing roll for the stay wire.
17. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, a feeding wheel for said stay wire,
a pawl and ratchet for rotating said wheel, an arm carrying said pawl, and a
rack and pinion for oscillating said arm.
18. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, a feeding wheel for said stay wire,
double-cranks-and-operative-connections-between-said-cranks-and-said-wheel-
19. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, a pair of automatically driven pawls,
and a feeding wheel for said stay wire actuated by said pawls alternately.
20. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires, feed wheels for. said: stay wire, and a.
spring pressed handle for holding said wheels in frictional cugagement with the
stay wire.
21. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically

page_text: welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, means for
intermittingly feeding the strand wire, and means for equalizing the stress upon
the strand wire, whereby said wire is drawn evenly from its reel.
22. A machine of the character specified, comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, means for
intermittingly feeding the strand wire, and devices between the feeding means
and the supply reel for intermittingly unwinding the wire from its reel.
23. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, means for
intermittingly feeding the strand wire, and devices between the feeding means
and the supply reel for intermittingly unwinding the wire from its reel, when
the feeding means are quiescent, whereby the wire is drawn evenly from its
reel.
24. A machine of the character specified comprising means for welding the
strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, and one or more circum-
ferentially grooved toothed wheels for feeding said strand wire or wires, the
teeth of said wheels being arranged to engage the stay wires while the strand
wires lie in the grooves.
25. A machine of the character specified comprising means for welding the
strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, and a feeding wheel for
the strand wire, said wheel being constructed and arranged to engage the stay
wire which is welded on the strand wire.
26. A machine of the character specified, comprising electrodes for welding
the strand and the stay wires at their points of intersection, and means for guiding
the strand wires between said electrodes, said means comprising two or more roll
for said strand wires, one roll being adjustable transversely of its axis and of
the line of feed of said strand wire.
27. In a machine of the character specified, means for feeding the strand wires,
means for electrically welding stay wires to said strand wires, and mechanism
for coiling the projecting ends of the stay wires around the outer or selvage
strand wire.
28. In a machine of the character specified, means for feeding the strand
wires, means for electrically welding stay wires to said strand wires, mechanism
for coiling the projecting ends of the stay wires around the outer or selvage
strand wire, and an adjustable support for said coiling mechanism.
29. A machine of the character specified comprising holders for the strand
and the stay wires, and means for electrically welding said wires at their points
of contact, said welding means consisting of supports having slots or recesses
in their ends, and dies or electrodes fitting in the recesses in the said supports.
30. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires together, said means including a stationary
electrode, a movable electrode, and a rail for operating said movable electrode,
and means for regulating the electrical current including a switch operated by
the movement of said rail.
.
31. A machine of the character specified comprising means for electrically
welding the strand and the stay wires together, said means including a stationary
electrode, a movable electrode and means for operating the last-mentioned elec-
trode, and current controlling means including a switch, and mechanical con-
nections between the switch and the electrode-operating means, whereby the
circuit is broken when the movable electrode is moved in one direction, and is
closed when it is moved in the opposite direction.
82. A machine of the character specified, comprising a plurality of electrical
welding devices, each including electrodes and a transformer, a main electrical
circuit having a branch leading to each of said welding devices, a circuit closer
for each branch circuit, and means for automatically operating said closers in
succession.
33. In a machine of the character specified, means for applying pressure to the

page_text: parts to be welded comprising a positively actuated member, an electrode
vieldingly connected to said member, means for applying a current of electricity
to said parts comprising a circuit closer. means for operating the same to close
the circuit at the time of the weld, an independent circuit-breaker arranged to
be operated by the final forward movement of the electrode, whereby the parts
to be welded are softened at their point of contact and the electrode automatically
forced forward to complete the weld and operate the circuit-breaker to break
the circuit.
84. In a machine of the character specified, means for applying pressure to
the parts to be welded at their point of contact, comprising a positively actuated
member, an electrode yieldingly connected to said member, means for applying
a current of electricity to said parts at their point of contact, comprising a
circuit-closer, means for operating the same to close the circuit at the time
of the weld, an independent circuit-breaker arranged to be operated to break
the circuit by the final forward movement of the electrode, whereby when the
parts are not in a position for welding, the electrode is given its full movement
by said member, and the circuit is opened by the circuit-breaker before it is
closed by the circuit-closer.
35. In a machine of the character specified, means for simultaneously applying
to the parts to be welded at their point of contact a yielding mechanical pressure
nearly equal to the crushing strength of the material, and a current of electricity
of relatively large volume, said means including a yieldingly mounted electrode
and a circuit-breaker arranged to be operated thereby.
36. In a machine of the character specified, means for simultaneously applying
to the parts to be welded at their point of contact, a yielding mechanical
pressure nearly equal to the crushing strength of the material, and a current of
electricity of relatively large volume, said first-mentioned means being arranged
to automatically further force said parts together when the material softens and
automatically break the circuit.
Dated this 10th love of Contamhau 1900
JOHN CRANSTON PERRY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co..
5, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.