Patent ID: 7100642

Claim:
Machine for the formation of metal mesh made of metal wires obtained by attaching together a plurality of longitudinal metal wires to a plurality of transverse metal wires, said machine comprising at least: a first feed assembly able to make said longitudinal wires advance step-wise, a second feed assembly able to arrange at least one transverse wire at a time in a first preparation position, a positioning apparatus able to arrange said transverse wire in a second attachment position, and a welding assembly able to attach said transverse wires to said longitudinal wires, said positioning apparatus comprising at least a loading assembly comprising a gripping and transfer device, able to locate said transverse wire in said second attachment position, and thrust means able to take said transverse wire from said first preparation position to a third intermediate pick-up position, near said second attachment position, wherein said transverse wire is picked up by said gripping and transfer device, said thrust means comprising at least a rotary element provided with blade means able to thrust the transverse wire from said first preparation position to said third intermediate pick-up position, wherein said loading assembly comprises a retaining device, wherein said retaining device comprises two jaws of which at least one is cyclically movable from a closed position, wherein said movable jaw defines with the other jaw an insertion seating, to an open position wherein said transverse wire is released to be taken to said third intermediate pick-up position, and wherein said movable jaw is hinged on the other jaw and has an abutment element cooperating with eccentric means made to rotate by a shaft, the rotation of said eccentric means causing the cyclic movement of said movable jaw from said closed position to said open position and vice versa.