US414844A - Wire-fence machine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-$heet l.

J. W. PAGE & G. M. LAMB. WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

No. 414,844. Patented Nov. 12, 1889.

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WIRE-P511011 MACHINE.

I No. 414,844. Patented Nov. 12, 1889.

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WIRE FENCE MACHINE. No. 414,844. Patented Nov.- 12, 1889.

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No. 414,844. Patented Nov. 12, 1889.,

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(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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No. 414,844; Patented Nov.12, 1889..

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No. 414,844. v Patented Nov; 12, 188-9.

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WIRE FBNGB MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 12, 1889.

mg Y NITED STATES PATENT JOHN \VALLACE PAGE AND CHARLES M. LAMB, OF ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

Q WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 414,844, dated November 12, 1889.

Application filed August 16,1889. Serial No. 321,013. (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN WALLAcE PAGE and CHARLES M. LAMB, citizens of the United States, residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in ire-Fence Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to a machine for manufacturing wire fence of the construction involving wires to extend horizontally when the fence is in use, and the number of which and their distances apart determine the height of the fence, and vertical or stay wires at desired distances apart,which are wound around, and thus fastened to the horizontal wires where they cross the latter; and our machine is especially adapted (though we do not wish to be understood as confining it to such operation) to theinanufacture of the kind of fence referred to, having the wires which extend horizontally with the fencing put up bent to resemble a stretched-out coil, in order more especially to adapt it for pasture-fencing, in which application the sinuous appearance afforded it renders it the more readily visible to the animals confined by the fencing, and its construction producing that appearance lends to it a springy quality, whereby it is uninjured by the effect upon it of the temperature to which it is exposed in use, or of the strain of animals running against'it.

The operation of our machine, taken as an entirety, is in the nature of a weaving operation, the wires referred to as constituting the horizontal fence-wires affording the warp in the weaving and those referred to as the vertical or stay wires affording the woof.

Following is a description setting forth the general plan of operation of the machine, and briefly explaining our invention in its broadest sense. The warp-wires are fed from spools in desired number and at required distances apart to the take-up mechanism, which receives the finished article and is actuated intermittingly to take up lengths thereof, and alternates with a woof-wire winding and stringing device which, as soon as a finished length of the fencing has been taken up, is actuated to travel transversely across the warp wires, stopping at each and windin; around it a woofwire, with which it is threaded. lVhere our invention is applied to the sinuous construction of the fencing for which the mechanism hereinafter described in detail is especially adapted, and which is the article in the manufacture of which we employ it, each of the warp-wires is first coiled throughout a desired short portion of its length and the woof-winding and stringing device then actuated to wind the woof-wire around each warp-wire, and in doing so. to string it across the warp-wires justin advance of the termination of each coil. hen the woof-wire has been thus applied, the coilers are relieved of the warp-wires, (producing slack in the latter, which may be taken up by an automacally-operating tension device,) when a feeding attachment is actuated, at the end of the operation of uucoiling, to pay from the supply-spools and feed toward the coilers a predetermined length of warp and allow a take-up, which co-operates with and is controlled by the feed, to wind upon itself a length of the finished article.

Our machine is illustrated in all its details in the accompanying drawings, in which' Figure 1 is a partly broken view, in side elevation, of the entire machine; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view of the same; Fig. 3, a partly sectional plan view; Fig. 4, abroken view showing the mechanism at the front of the machine for releasing the rack which actuates the coilers and the means operated by movement of the rack to actuate the feeddrum; Fig. 5, a broken detail view in section, taken on the line 5 of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows, and showing the stop'mechanism for the feed-dium and means for withdrawing the stop to permit rotation of the feed-drum; Fig. 6, a similar View taken on the line 6 of Fig. 7, viewed in the direction of the arrow, and showing the clutchaotuating means to produce and release the engagement of the feed-drum with the driving-gear; Fig. 7, a similar view taken on the line 7 of Fig. 6,viewed in the direction of the arrow, and showing in plan the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a broken perspective view showing the feed-druin-clutch mechanism; Fig. 3, a broken view in section, taken on the line 9 of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction of the arrow and illustrating a eoiler, with its pinion engaging with the rack; Fig. 10, a broken sectional view showing the 1011- gitudinally-reciprocating rack and partly by dotted lines its stop and releasing mechanism; Fig. 11, a broken view of the machine, showing details of construction and regarded from the side opposite that from which the view illustrated in Fig. 1 is taken; Fig. 12, a broken view showing details illustrated in side elevation at the front end of Fig. 11; Fig. 13, a broken section taken on the line 13 of Fig. 11, viewed in the direction of the arrow and showing toggle-lever mechanism for throwing in and out the clutch (on the side of the machine opposite that presented in Fig. 11) controlling the pinion-shaft from which are actuated the segmental pivotal racks for turning, when released, the take-up drum; Fig. 14, a broken section taken on the line 14 of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow and showing details for supporting and dismembering the take-up drum; Fig. 15, a broken perspective view showing a clampbutton detail for holding the warp wire against slipping on the feed-drum; Fig. 16, a sectional view showing the needle or woofwire winding and stringing device in side elevation; Fig. 17, a similar view of the same, showing the opposite side, taken on the line 17 of Fig. 20 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 18, a broken longitudinal section of the same, taken on the line 18 of Fig. 20 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 19, a section taken on the line 19 19 of Fig. 16 and viewed in the direction of the {tll'0\ s; Fig. 20, a section taken on the line 20 of Fig. 18, viewed in the direction of the arrow, and showing the shaft in elevation; Fig. 21, a broken view in longitudinal section showing details of the needle device. Figs. 2?, 23, 2t, and 25 are perspective views showing various details. Fig. 26 is a section taken at the line 26 26 of Fig. 3, viewed in the direction of the arrows, and showing the endless driving-belt for and the manner of its connection with the needle device; Fig. 27, a section taken on the line 27 of Fig. 17, enlarged and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 28, a similar view taken on the line 28 of Fig. 27 and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 29, a diagrammatic view showing the end of the rotary needle threaded with a coil of the woof-wire; Fig. 30, three views illustrating different stages of the formation of the tie by the winding of the woof-wire; Fig. 31, a broken view in rear elevation of the slotted track for the needle device and spring-gate, the spring-finger of the needle device for actuating the gate being indicated by dotted lines; Fig. 352, a similar view of the same, showing the gate-slots as coinciding with the slots in the track; Fig. 33, a section in perspective of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 31 and 32; Fig. 34., a perspective view of. a wire-tension detail; Fig. 35, a broken perspective view of a pivotal dog and other details; Fig. 3G, a view of a clutch detail, and Fig. 37 a broken view of the fencing manufactured by the machine.

A is the frame of the machine, which may be rectangular in form, as shown, and of any suitable construction adapting it to support the various parts.

B, Figs. 2, 3, 9, and 10, is a rack supported to permit it to be reciprocated longitudinally across the front end of the machine on pinions w, jonrnaled to extend at intervals across the rack, which is confined in a suitable guide built at the front of the machine to receive it, one of the pinions having a stem or on which to adjust a winch w.

Near the right-hand end of the front of the machine, (being the extreme right side in Fig. 3,) in the path of the reciprocating rack B, is a crank-finger c on an oscillatory rode, Figs. 3 and 11, supported on the frame to extend horizontally part way along the right hand side of the machine, (that is, along the top of Fig. 3,) and carrying near its rear end a crank-finger 12 Fig. 13, controlled by a spring 51:, and '0 is a bracket on the frame A. supporting the forward end of a rock-shaft 1;, which carries at that end a crank-finger if, having its free end bearing against the outer side of the. crank-finger v The rockshaft has a bearing for its opposite end on a post 00 of the frame A, beyond the rear side of which post it extends and carries in front of such post a crank-linger o extending at an acute angle with relation to the finger t and having pivotally connected with its free end a link v An arm a is pivotally supported at the upper part of the frame near the rear of the machine (left-hand side of Fig. 3) in a manner to permit it to be moved laterally on. its pivot, and extends obliquely forward and downward across the link '0 with the free end of which it is pivotally connected at an ear r the lower end of the arm a being yieldingly controlled against laterally-011 tward movement on its pivot by means of a spring u. The rock-shaft '11" carries at its rear end a crank-finger 1, connected by a linkred t with one end of a lover s, Fig. 11, fulcrumed near its center, to be moved in a vertical plane to the side of the frame A, the opposite end of the lever being linked to a crank-finger r on the outer end of a rockshaft 0', supported in and extending transversely of the machine through the rearmost right-hand post of the frame and carrying on its inner end an eccentric finger 0*.

From the foregoing description of the parts thus far explained it will be seen that when by turning the winch w the pinion 'w on its stem at moves the rack 13 against the crankl'inger 'u the latter is turned outward, thereby rocking the shaft 1: and crank-finger 1: outward, or toward the right, and the crank-finger Us on the rock-shaftc in the same direction, whereby the toggle-joint afforded by the crank-finger r and link o is straightened and forces the lower end of the arm it out ward against the resistance of the spring to, causing the crank-finger t to pull the inner end of the lever s downward, and thus effect turning of the rock-shaft r, to advance the finger r inward to the position illustrated by the dotted lines a Fig. 11, and also to effect other purposes, all as hereinafter set forth. It is to be noted that when the finger r is thus moved inward the racks D and D, hereinto after described, are down at the positions to which they have been permitted to fall in performing their function of actuating the take-up for the finished product.

O, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and l-l, is a drum constituting I 5 the take-up of the machine and comprising two heads q and g, each formed of a disk having cogs around its periphery and provided on its inner side with radially-disposed angular sockets (1 the heads being respectively supported on journals y and y, extending from their centers and having their bearings in the rearmost posts of the frame A and being connected between the said posts by bars g, the ends of which extend into the 2 5 sockets g on the opposite heads. The journal 'y for the head q is threaded,as shown in Fig. 14, where it passes through a stationary nut 1 coincident with its journal-bearing, and is provided with a handle g on its outer pro- 0 jecting end, at which to turn it and advance the head q toward or retract it from the head q to clamp the bars (1 between the heads or release them from the latter for a purpose hereinafter described, and the handle g should be normally held, as shown, to prevent turning of the take-up G at awrong time. On each shaft y and y between its journalbearing and the adjacent head is pivotally supported or hung and secured against lat- 0 eral movement a large segmental rack, that located near the righthand side of the machine (regarded from the front) being denoted byD and that near the opposite side by D, and the rack D carries on its spokes or 4.5 frame a curved bar 2, on which is provided a stud 2', extending into a posit-ion where it will strike the eccentric finger r in the movements of the segmental rack. On the inner side of each segmental rack D and D are provided dogs 2 Fig. 2, to engage with the cogs on the heads q and q and turn the latter, and through them the take-up 0, when the segmental racks are caused to fall forward, as hereinafter explained, and station- 5 5 ary dogs 2 are provided to prevent backward turning of the heads.

A counter-shaft E is suitably supported in the frame of the machine and carries coincident with the segmental racks D and D pinions D secured on the counter-shaft to rofate with it, and on the end of the shaft which projects beyond the left-hand side ofthe machine (or bottom of Fig. 3) is a cog-wheel F, having spokes, as shown in Fig. 1. Beyond the wheel F is secured to the end of its shaft a spring-clutch F of any suitable construction for its purpose, hereinafter described,

but preferably of the construction illustrated in Fig. 36, comprisingabody portion 19, firmly secured on the counter-shaft and provided with a spring-dogp, normally held inward by its spring, the spring-dog being caused by the inward movement of a pivotally-supported lever a (like the lever 10 on the opposite side of the machine) to press at the propertime against the spring-dog and force it from between the spokes of the wheel F, the normal tendency of the dog being to engage with the wheel, and thus cause the counter-shaft E to revolve with it. The levers u and a are connected across the top of the machine, as shown in Fig. 3, by links a and w, pivoted at their adjacent extremities to opposite ends of a lever a pivoted at its center to a bracket to, extending horizontally from the top of the frame A. It will thus be seen that when the rack B is actuated to throw the crank-finger, with the result already described, the outward movement'produced of the yieldingly-held end of the arm or lever it moves the lever 10 outward at the same time and effects release of the spring-dog of the clutch F, and that when the two levers u and a move inward (being controlled to do so by means hereinafter described) the spring-dog p is forced from between the spokes of the wheel F. 0

Below and somewhat forward of the shaft E is a rotary shaftE, journaled in the frame and carrying near one end, inside the lefthand side of the said frame, a pinion E Fig. 2, and outside the frame a cog-wheel E, Fig. 1, indirectly meshing with the similar cogwheel F through the medium of idle intermeshing gears 0 and 0, and between the wheel E and frame on the shaft E is a belt-pulley 0 connected by a crossed belt- 0 with a pulley 0 on the driving-shaft 0 G is the feed device, performing its function as hereinafter explained, and comprising a drum journaled at opposite ends in the frame of the machine to extend parallel with the drum 0, and carrying loosely on one of its journals (that at the left-hand side of the machine, as shown in Fig. a segmental rack G, supporting on its upper edge a dog 02, engaging with a ratchet n, rigidly secured to the said journal, and the segmental rack G is provided on its outer side with a short curved rack of. The head of the drum G, to which the rack G is adjacent, is provided at intervals around it near its periphery,the extent of which intervals is arranged according to the portion of its revolution the drum G is to be turned by the rack G, as hereinafter explained, with stops m, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, into .the path of which normally extends a vertical brake-arm m, hinged near its base to swing laterally, being yieldingly confined in its normal position by aspring m and a link m extends horizontally from the arm m, with which it is connected, as shown in Fig. 5, beyond the frame A, where it engages with the crank-finger Z on a rod Z, journaled in suitable bearings on the left-hand side of the frame and extending beyond the forward end of the li'ttliOi, there terminating in a crankfinger l extending against the lower portion of a pivotally-hung arm Z" Fig. 4, yieldingly held by a spring Z", and projecting at its lower end downward across the path of the horizontally-reciproeating rack 15. The arm l has secured to the inner side near its lower end a hook 7r, normally engaging a crank 7;, Figs. t and (3, on the outer end of a rod 75*, journaled in suitable hearings on the inner side of the frame A' and extending back nearly to the shaft E, where it has swiveled to its ext-remity a fork 7c, embracing the shaft E in a circular recess formed around the sliding spririg-controlled half of a commonclutch I, both halves of which are supported on the said shaft at the inner side of the loose pinion E to which one-half of the clutch is socured. The rotatory rod also carries a pinion k in the path of the short curved rack n on the segmental rack G',and also a notched cam 75, into which normally projects a lug 75' on a stationary bar 70.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that with the pulley 0 Fig. 1, continuously rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, and turning with it the shaft E, when the reciprocating rack 13 is moved in its guide in the direction toward the arm Z it strikes the latter, forcing it outward against the crank-linger Z thereby turning the rod Z in its bearings and the finger Z, which pulls the brake maway from the stop we on the feed-drum G, engaging it, and permits the drum to be partially rotated, which is effected bythe pulling ot' the hook 70 when the arm Z is forced outward, as described, and consequent turning of the crank 75', which turns the rod 7:? in amanner to cause it to produce engagement of the clutch I by the action of the cam 7o against the stationary part k and consequent turning of the pinion E the latter by its engagement with the segmental rack G raising it, and through the medium of the dog a, actin on the ratchet a, partly rotating the drum G. As the rack is raised in the manner described the pinion 7c is engaged by the short curved rack 02?, which turns the rod k completely around till the crank 7s again engages with the hook 7:, which will have been returned to its normal position by movement, toward the right-hand side of the machine, of the reciprocating rack B, (immediately after it has been moved in the opposite direction, as hereinafter explained) which releases the arm Z, thereby obviously causing the brake m to resume its normal position in the path of the stops on the drum G and separating the clutch I, which loosens the pinion E and permits the segmental rack G to fall by its own weight down to its normal position, ready to be again raised when engagement of the parts of the clutch I shall again be produced.

The inner journal'of each pinion to, which, like the rack .13, should incline, as shown, to-

ward the front end of the machine, is extended into a eoiler K, comprising a rod i, projecting in the oblique direction of its pinion and provided at its inner extremity with an eccentric finger t", and directly below the coilers is a tension device in the form of a drum L, having the journals at its opposite ends supported in vcrtically-elongated bearings i Fig. l.

The wires M, to ailiord the horizontal wires of the fencing, (represented in Fig. 37,) or warp wires, are wound upon spools M, supported in desired number and at desired intervals on rollers j, journaled in the rear of the frame A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or on any suitable support above the rear of the frame. From the spools M the wires M, for stringing the machine initially, are wound, first from above, around the feed-drum G, and extended thence along the left sides (looking toward the front of the machine) and close to the coiling-rods '6, around the tensiondrum L to the take'up drum (J, to the rear side of which they are secured by twisting their extremities into eyes and hooking them over hooks on a bar q". On their way from the tension-dru 111 L to the take-up C the warpwires pass underneath a roller 0, having a polygonal (octagonal) periphery, from along the margins of which extend series of pinst', the series projecting alternately obliquely in opposite directions, respectively, toward opposite ends of the polygonal roller, which is journaled at its opposite extremities in corresponding ends of arms the opposite ends of which are pivotally supported at the sides of the base of the frame A, and the roller 0 is yieldingl y held down against the wires by its own weight and that of its pivotal supports and by springs 0 On the feed-drum Gthe wires M are clamped to prevent them from slipping, and to clamp them we prefer to employ spring-clamps N, Fig. 15, suitably disposed around the drum. Each clamp N comprises a button h let into the periphery of the drum, and provided transversely, to extend lengthwise of the drum, with a sleeve 71., having a curved slot 72 across its upper side, through which proj cots a bent finger h on a spindle h", extending longitudinally through the sleeve, in.

which it is adapted to oscillate, and provided on one end with a cam lbs. The spindle is controlled by a spring h on its opposite end, giving it a normal tendency to turn backward, whereby the curved slot in the sleeve guides the linger 7&3 to slide the spindle toward the side of the button h, provided with a groove 71, through which the wire M is guided. This extends the cam end of the spindle across the groove to clamp the wire whenever the linger 7L3 passes from underneath a concave stationary plate 7L7, one of which is provided for each series of clamps around the drum G, and is supported above the latter, (see Fig. 2,) and the plate h serves, by turning the spindle forward through the mediu in of the fin ger 71 when the drum turns, to withdraw the spindle and release the wire from the cam thereon. From the feed-drum the wires M pass, each between a tensionfork 0, Fig. 34, secured in the path of the wire, the prongs of which diverge toward their extremities, so that wires of different thick- .ness, and even knots formed by joints in the (them the coilers K, which wind the wires M sinuously around them. When the wires have been thus sinuonsly bent and the winch 10 released, the rack B is prevented from being moved in the opposite direction under the strain of the coils around the rods iby a stop P, Figs. 3, 4, and 10, comprising a roller g, journaled to extend across the guideway of the rack B and recessed in one'side, so that when that side is presented downward the rack can pass underneath it, but which normally presents its rounded surface to the path of the rack, and from which it is turned from a lever g, fnlcrumedto the upperside of the front of the frame A, Fig. 4, being supported within easy reach of the operator, and having one end linked to a crank g on the roller g, and a handle g at the opposite end. The effect of moving therack B to the right in coiling the wires is also to actuate, through the toggle-lever mechanism 11 v 850., Figs. 11 and 13, the rods M3164, Fig. 3, to produce clutching of the wheel F, all as hereinbefore de scribed; but the purpose of the last-named operation will be best understood by explanation thereof in another or further connection. It is immediately after the wires M have been coiled, as shown in Fig. 3, that a cross or woof Wire Q is fastened by the winding and stringing device R, the details of which are illustrated in Figs. 16 to 29, inclusive, and the particular construction and operation of which will be hereinafter explained.

After a woof-wire Q has been adjusted (near the fingers t" of the coilers and ends of the coils) the length of finished fencing bounded by the woof-wire last applied has to be taken up. This is accomplished as follows: The handle 9 Fig. 4, is pulled down, thereby turning the roller 9 to permit the rack B to pass it, when the winch w is turned backward to free the coilers K from the coils, which slackens the wires M by reducing the extent of their sinuous curves, and consequently permits the tension-drum L, which is supported normally by the warp-wires, to drop in its elongated bearings '5 Fig. 1, and take up the slack. The movement back, or toward the left of the rack B, causes it to turn the rod Z, Fig.1, and in the manner described effect the release from the feed-drum of its brake on and the raising of the segmental rack G by producing clutching of the shaft- E, which causes the pinion E to engage the teeth of the said segmental rack and raise it, thus forcing the dog 02 against the ratchet n on the drum G and turning the latter around the extent of the arc of movement of the rack G, which is of predetermined length, and thus permits a given length to be paid off from the drum G with each operation. The take up drum, which is held against the tendency of the segmental racks D and D to turn it forward on itsaxis alone by the tension on the wires M, is freed by the paying off, and thereby permits the racks D and D to fall forward through the arc of a circle, carrying with them, through the medium of the dogs 2 the drum 0, which thus takes up what is paid off from the feed-drum G. When the lowest tooth of the segmental rack G has been raised to the pinion E the curved rack n will have turned the pinion k rod W, and cam 7& completely around, producing, in the manner described, disengagement of the clutch I and permitting the rack G to fall down by its own weight to its normal position. The next operation is to again actuate the coilers K, which also produces movement of the rack B against the crankfinger o and turning it outward, whereby it effects straightening of the toggle-joint, and

through the result and action of the arm a on the arm a engagement of the clutch F with the cog-wheel F,whereby the pinions D are turned in the direction of rotation (forward) of the wheel F, and since they are always engaged by the racks D and D raise the latter again. The same operation which produced straightening of the toggle-joint mechanism also, as will be remembered, threw the trip-fin 'err forward to the dotted position 00 Fig. 11, while the racks D and D were in the position to which they have fallen, so that whenin the rise of the rack D its stud z impinged against the trip-finger it produced through turning of the crank-finger r and 'raisin'gof the forward end of the lever s,

breaking of the toggle-joint, which thus permitted the spring a to act upon the arm u in a direction to effect drawing of the arm a against the spring-dog of the clutch F, and thus produce release from the wheel F of the clutch, and consequent standstill of the racks D and D on reaching their highest positions. hen the wires M have been again coiled, as stated, another woof-wire Q is fastened across the warp-wires, just in advance of the.

coilers, and the operations of uncoiling and actuating the feed and take-up are repeated. Of course as the take-up drum 0 increases in diameter owing to the accumulation upon it, the racks D and D must fall less and less ITO far with each extra layer taken up, and we deem it desirable to assist their fall by means of an adequately stiff spiral spring D, Fig. 2,'fastened at one extremity to the forward end of the frame A, and connected from its opposite extremity by a band D with the shaft E, whereby when the latter is rotated by the rise of the racks the spring is (listended by the winding of the bend.

The mechanism for winding and stringing the woof-wires across the wires M operates independently of the warp-wires coiling, tension, feed, and take-up mechanisms, in the sense that it is actuated when they are at rest and is capable of use for its purpose in attaching the woof-wires to warp-wires, however the latter may be sustained, as if tied at opposite ends to extend between stationary supports and without being coiled, or strung from the spools M over a drum, as the drum L, to a take-up C, and in the same way the said tension, feed, and take-up mechanisms could be employed to operate as or substantiallyin the manner described without the woof-wire winding and stringing device, since it were of course possible, however impracticable, to apply the woof-wires by other means, as by hand.

Before describing in detail the woof-wire winding and stringing mechanism it will assist in understanding it to state first in general terms its construction and manner of operation.

The device R is supported on a rotary shaft R, carrying a belt wheel 0 Fig. driven from a belt-wheel 0 on the drivingshaft 0 The said device is constructed on the principle of the human jaw, with the lower portion adapted to rise and fall on a pivot afforded by the shaft R, and it extends from the shaft It forward and obliquely downward nearly to the line of the extremities of the eoilers, clamping between its upper jaw and the lower, when raised at the right time by suitable cam mechanism, and endless belt R Fig. 5. 6, caused to travel automatically toward the left-hand side of the machine during the woof-wire winding and stringing op- .eration and to reverse and return the device R to its starting-point at the opposite side of the machine immediately upon completion of the adjustment of a woof-wire. At the forward end of the woof-wire wind in g and stringing device is a hollow needle S, Fig. 28, of approximately cylindrical shape and open along one side, having formed or provided around it near its center a pinion S, divided by a circumferential central groove S and so supported in its bearings as to permit to it a rotary and also a slight longitudinal reciprocating motion, and the forward end of the needle is threaded with the woof-wire just about long enough to reach across the warpwires when wound around each, and which we prefer to provide in the form of a coil S Fig. 29.

The operation of the needle when first set in motion is first to fall upon (by the falling of the lower jaw) and surround the first wire M at the right hand side of the machine, and then to rotate about and reciprocate longitudinally along that wire,thereby winding around it the woof-wire into the form of knot illustrated in Fig. 30. The lower jaw is then caused by the cam mechanism to rise and clamp the traveling endless belt Riwhich moves it toward the left to the adjacent warpwire and along the track, (shown in Figs. 3

to 33, inclusive,) slotted at intervals corre spending with the warp-wires, the device carrying with it-a slotted bar held at one end by a springavhieh retracts it when released, and the slots in which normally alternate with those in the track,whereby the lower jaw cannot fall into a slot in the track till one in the spring-bar coincides with it. The arrange ment is such that when the lower jaw has dropped the needle is actuated, and that when the needle has finished its work upon a wire M the jaw rises, clamping the traveling belt and causing the device to be moved to the next warp-wire. When the end of the series of warp-wires is reached, the device It strikes a lever which throws a clutch to eifcct reversal of the direction of motion of the belt R which then carries the device R back to its initial position.

Following is a description in detail of the woof-wire winding and stringing mechanism.

T is the lower jaw and T the upper jaw. lVe form the lower jawof two flat bars f, each having a collar provided at one end, at which it loosely surrounds the shaft R, and the bars converge toward their opposite ends, where they are rigidly connected on their upper sides by a plate f, fastened to the bars, and having a rectangular slot f Fig. 27, formed through it. To the under side of the bars f, below the slotted plate f and on opposite sides of its slot, are secured bearingsj' and f for the needle S, which carries the circumferen tially-grooved pinion S, hereinbefore referred to, (and which is slotted like the needle,) between its bearings. A rotary shaft f is journaled toward one end in the bearings f and f above the needle, and toward its opposite end in a hearing f on a plate f extending across the bars f, near the shaft R. The shaft f carries, coincident with the slot f in the plate f, a pinion S, Fig. 27, of peculiar construction, inasmuch as it involves, besides cogs like those, but one short of the number around the slotted pinion S on the slotted hollow needle S, a large laterally-conical tooth S, and the shaft f carries at its opposite or rear end a beveled pinion U in mesh with and at a right angle with a beveled gear-wheel U, the hub of which loosely surrounds the hub of an arm V, hereinafter described, and is confined against lateral play. The side of the wheel U opposite that 011 which its cogs are provided has formed or otherwise provided around its center a cam-groove U Fig. 16, of

especial shape, for the purpose of reciprocating the needle S to form the knot shown in Fig. 30, as hereinafter definitely explained, the reciprocation being produced in the rotation of the wheel (produced as hereinafter described) through the medium of a friction roller f Fig. 16, extending into the camgroove from the end of a rod f bent, as shown, to adapt to it other parts it has to pass in extending from the earn-groove along the bottom of a barf of the lower jaw T to a side of the needle S, where a yoke f extends laterally from it between the bearings f and f and embraces the circumferential groove S on the pinion S, the movements of the yoke being guided by a guide-barf Fig. 28, crossing its stem and supported at opposite ends in adjacent sides of the bearings f and f.

V (shown most clearly in Figs. 21 and 22) is an arm in the form of a flat bar, having a central opening and hub V at which it tits loosely over the shaft R, to which it is keyed and on which it is confined against independent lateral movement adjacent to the wheel U, between collars V and V and the arm V is provided near each of its extremities with a transverse pin 6, extending beyond the sides of the arm and provided on each end with a friction-roller c. On the hub of the wheel U, next to the arm V, is a lug 6 Fig. 18, to which, between it and the adjacent side of the wheel, is pivoted a double-headed spring-dog d, one head of which is normally held by the spring against a rigid stop 6 on the side of the wheel U, while the other head normally extends into the path of the rollers e on the adjacent side of the arm V. On the hub V at the opposite side of the arm V, and thus between it and the hub of the wheel U, is a lug e like the lug e on the hub. Beyond the luge on the I said hub, which is loose on the shaft R, is a cam V, Fig. 21, between the base of which and the lug e is pivoted a double-headed spring-dog d, like the dog d, with one head normally in the path of the friction-rollers e on the left-hand side (regarded from the front of the machine) of the arm V; and the cam has a lug 6 Figs. 17 and 21, on its outer edge near its base.

v The upper jaw T comprises two parallel side bars 0 c, secured at their rear ends to the collars V and V which surround the shaft R, and joined at their forward extremities by a cross -bar, whence depends a guidebracket 0, at which the forward end of the device R is supported on a guide-rail 0 extending across the front end of the machine, adjacent to the coilers K, being supported at opposite ends in the frame A. Behind the bracket 0 is a plate 0 pivotally supported at its lower end on the bars f of the lower jaw T, and extending thence obliquely upward between the side bars 0 of the upper jaw T, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. A lifting-bar \V is pivoted at one end between the side bars 0, and extends thence backward through a yoke V, fastened at opposite ends to the side bars f of the movable jaw T and extending transversely over the upper jaw, where it carries a forward-projecting belt-guard 0 The lifting-bar is notched, as shown at 0 Fig. 17, toward its free rear end where it extends upon the cam V, the notch engaging the lug a when the latter is brought coincident with it.

From the front side of the plate a near its upper end, projects a pin 0, Figs. 16 and 27, which we term the finder, and which serves a purpose hereinafter described, and below the finder-pin c is pivoted onthe face of the plate 0 a spring-catch 0 having a finger c projecting forward from its lower end, the pivot supporting the catch extending through a laterally-elongated opening 0 therein, Fig. 27 and the spring which controls it tending normally to pull it to bring the right-hand end of the slot 0 against the pivot-pin.

X, Fig. 25, is an approximately U-shaped bearing rigidly supported upon the side bars 0 of the upper jaw T, near their rear end thereof, with its open sides transversely of the bars 0, and having horizontal lateral extensions 1 and 2 on two of its diagonally-opposite upper corners. A bar I), Figs. 19 and 35, constituting a stop and controlled by a spring, as clearly shown in Fig. 19, is pivoted toward one end to aside of the bearing X, with its adjacent extremity passing under and beyond the extension 2 and formed into a hook, and its opposite extremity extending, as shown in Fig. 35, normally into the path of the spring-dog d, and a companion bar I), also controlled by a spring, as shown, is pivoted at one end to the opposite side of the same bearing and-extends normally into the path ofthe springdog d, being removed from such path at intervals in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter described, by a cam 17 (shown clearly in Fig. 2%) below it on .a rock-shaft 6 passing through an opening formed through a side of. the bearing X, and controlled by a spring 4 to cause the cam 19 normally to permit the stop I) to assume its lowest position toward its free end. A finger b extends transversely from the shaft 19 near the end provided with the spring 1 into the path of a stud b, Fig. 16, on the outer or cam side of the gear-wheel U; and b is a bent spring-brake pivoted at one end to a side bar 0 of the upper jaw T, and extending with its opposite end into the path of the stud b, being controlled by a suit-able spring b A bar a, bent as shown and formed into a hook at its upper end, is pivoted at its lower end to a bracket a on a cross-bar a bolted to the side bars fof the movable or lower jaw T near the pinion U, its hooked end (which is normally under .the control of a spring a engaging with the hooked end of the stop 1), which projects, as aforesaid, beyond the side of the bearing X, having the extension 2; and the hooked arm a is confined laterally toward its upper end in a slot of, Fig. 23, formed in the edge of a plate a, secured to the base of the bearing X, a slotted plate a being adjustahlysccured to the plate a by a set-screw a passed through its slot, the plate having a beveled edge a presented to the hooked pivotal bent bar a, whereby the latter, on adj usting the plate a, to wedge it more or less between the edge of the hooked bar a and rear side of the bearing X shall, for a purpose hereinafter described, be adjusted with its hooked end farther from or nearer to the hook b on the end of the stop 1). A clamp Y is provided between the upper and lower jaws of the device R, and comprises a concave block 5, secured to the side barsf of the lower jaw T, and a conca've block or strap 6, (see Fig. 26,) secured to coincide with the block 5 on the side bars 0 of the upper jaw.

The endless belt R Figs. 8 and 26, which serves to carry the device R, as hereinafter explained, back and forth'across the warpwires M, is supported at one end on a large pulley 7, journaled in suitable hearings on the right-hand side of the frame A above the plane of the guide-pulleys 0 and passes at its opposite end, as clearly shown in Fig. 26, around three small pulleys 8, 9, and 10, supported on a suitable stationary bracket 12 on the frame A. The pulley 9 has an elongated shaft 13, carrying at its extremity a miter-gear ll, extending bet-ween two similar gears 15 and 16, fastened, with their cog-faces opposing each other, to the shaft R, each miter-gcar 15 and 16 having on its inner face clutchteeth, and a clutch-collar 17 surrounds the shaft R between the gears 15 and 16, and is adapted to be thrown in and out of clutch with the teeth on either by ordinary means for the purpose in the form of a yoke on the end of a pivotally-supported arm 18. The arm 18, which is extended laterally by branch arms, as shown, is connected by a lengthwise shifting rod 19 with a pivotal arm 20 on the opposite or right-hand side of the machine, both pivotal arms extending with their free ends across the opposite sides or into the path of the device R, whereby, when the latter reaches the extremity of its play at the lefthand side of the machine, it will strike the parallel branch arm of the arm 18 and thereby throw the clutch-collar 17 into mesh with the teeth on the miter-gear 16. This will, owing to the continual revolution of the shaft R in the direction indicated by the arrow on its dri vi n g-pulley R which is suitably geared to the belt-pulley on the driving-shaft 0 Fig. 1, turn the shaft 13 and pulley 9 in a direction to cause the lower part of the endless belt R and which passes through the clamp Y, to travel toward the right-hand side of the machine, carrying with it the device R, which, when it reaches that side ofthe machine, strikes the arm 20, unelutching the described clutch mechanism and thereby bring itself, by producing stoppage of the traveling belt R to a standstillat the location of its initial operation. The guide-rail c is thickened transversely, Figs. 16, 17, and 33, by another rail 0 secured to extend along its rear side, the rail 0 being lower at its upper edge than that of the rail 0 affording an offset or recess above it, and serving to space from the guide-rail a track-rail Z in the form of a plate fastened to extend along the inner sideof the rail 0 and provided in its upper edge at desired intervals apart with recesses 21, coinciding so closely with the warp-wires M that when the tinder-pin c on the device R reaches one it may drop into it and cause the needle S (its longitudinal slot being then lowermost) to envelop the warp-wires, all as hereinafter described. Behind the rail Z is a rail Z, provided at intervals on its upper edge with recesses 22, (like the recesses 21 in the rail Z,) and secured to the rear side of the rail Z by pins 23 passing through longitudinal slots 24. Below each recess 22 is secured rigidly to the rail Z a lug 25, which extends into the path of the linger a projecting forward from the spring-clutch c on the front end of the device R. The slotted rail Z" is held yieldiugly at one end (the right-hand side of the machine regarded from the front thereof, represented at the right side of Fig. 3) bya spring 26, Fig. 31, connected at one end with the frame A and at its opposite end with an arm 27, rigidly fastened to the said rail Z, and serving, normally, to hold the slots 22 in the latter out of coincidence with the slots 21 in the rail Z.

To operate the device Rfrom its initial position at the right-hand side of the machine, and after the warp-wires have been strung in the manner already described, the needle S is first threaded. This is done by passing through its eye 28, Figs. 28 and 2!), one end of the woof-wire Q, which we prefer to provide in the form of a coil 8'', containing a length of the wire just about sufficient to extend across the warp-wires when wound about each. For convenience we provide anumber of eyes 28 for the needle in a bar 29, dovetailed longitudinally and adj ustably secured in the inner upper side of the needle, whereby as one eye wears out with use the bar 29 can be filed down and extended from the end of the needle to present another eye for use. When the free end of the coil S has been passed through the eye of the needle, all is ready for the winding and stringing of the woof-wire, which operation is started by manipulating a lever 30, Fig. 3, connected with the longitudinallyshifting rod 19 and readily accessible to the operator by suitable connections, as indicated, from the front of the machine, and which effect-s shifting of the rod 19 toward the right, whereby the clutch-collar 17 is caused to engage with the teeth on the beveled gear 15,

'thus producing rotation of the shaft 13 in a direction to carry the under part of the belt R toward the left-hand side of the machine. At the start the parts of the device R are so disposed that-the cam V has raised the lever \V, which, by striking against the top of the yoke WV, has raised the lower-jaw T, thereby causing the belt R to be held in the clamp Y. As the belt carriesthe device along the track 0 the finger c on the spring-catch c engages yieldingly with a lug 25 on the springtrack Z, but with 'suflicient positiveness to carry the spring-track with it againstthe resistance of the spring 26 and produce coincidence of the recesses 22 in the latter with the recesses 21 in the stationary track Z, transversely across and upon which and the track Z the finder-pin 0 projects. -When the coincidence of the recesses has been produced, the cam V will have been turned past the lever \V, thus freeing the lower jaw and allowing the finder-pin to drop into the first pair of the coincident recesses 21 and 22 it meets, thereby separating the clamp Y and allowing the belt R to proceed without carrying the device R. As the finderpin drops, the needle S, with its longitudinal slot lowermost, and which has been brought by the movement of the device R coincident with the first warp-wire M, drops by the release of the lower jaw T over the wire, when the needle-actuating mechanism,

until then stationary, comes into play. The

dropping of the lower jaw causes the hooked end of the pivotal arm a to engage with that of the spring-stop b and raise the latter on its pivot toward its end in the path of the spring-dog (I out of such path.- This action causes the pivotal double-endedspring of the dog d, owing to the normal tendency of such spring, to lower the end of the dog which was against the stop b below the latter, and consequently raise the other end into the path of a roller e on the arm V, which, as will be remembered, continually rotates with the shaft R, and the roller e engages with the end of the dog (1, thus swung into its path and, through the dog, turns the gear-wheel U forward. This, by the meshing of the wheel U with the pinion U, rotates the shaft f and pinion toward the right, (regarded from the front end of the machine,) and consequently the pinion S and needle S toward the left, around the first warp-wire M. When the needle first begins to turn on its axis around the said warp-wires M, (when the operator grasps with his pinchers the free end of the coil 5 on the opposite side of the eye from that through which it is threaded to hold it while the wire of the coil is being twisted,) the cam U on the gear-wheel U moves the rod f and with it, through the medium of the grooved pinion S, the needle S backward, carrying the woof-wire Q of the coil, and while it is being twisted along the warp'wire to produce the elongated twist around the latter represented in Fig. 30, and in the con tinued rotation of the cam-wheel the cam, after allowing the reciprocating movement of the needle to rest at the extremity of its backward play long enough to wind the rear end of the knot to be formed straight around the warp-wire, advances the rotating needle, therebycausing it to carry the strand of woof-wire back to the forward position and produce the elongated forward twist represented in Fig. 30", at the rear extremity of which forward movement of the needle the cam U allows it to remain sufficiently long to wind the woofwire once around the warp-wire and upon or over itself at or about the starting-point of the knot, producing the form of the latter represented in Fig. 30, which is desirable, owing to its extreme security.

I To produce the number of twists required to form the knot described, the pinion U should be rotated three times by each rotation of the wheel U, and has therefore onethird the number of teeth of the latter. The cam-wheel U, to produce the formation of the knot or tie, makes a complete revolution, at the end of which the stud b on its outer side, Fig. 16, comes against the finger b Fig. 24, and through the latter turns the cam b to lift the spring-stop b away from the doubleheaded spring-dog (1, whereby therear end of the latter is raised by the action of its spring into the path of a roller 6 on the adjacent side of the rotating arm V, which, through the dog (1, eifects raising of the loosely-supported eccentric V, the lug e on which is provided to engage with the notch in the lifting-bar W, to prevent accidental falling of the loose eccentric while traveling. Raising of the eccentric V lifts the lower jaw T, through raising the lifting-bar V, against the yoke and causes the blocks5 and 6 to clamp the belt R between them and to lift the finder-pin 0 out of the two coinciding recesses in the tracks, Z and Z, whereby the latter is freed and retracted by the spring 26 to disturb the coincidence of its recesses with those of its companion track. Of course the eccentric V passes the liftingbar W directly after lifting the jaw T; but the disturbanceof the coincidence of the recesses 21 and 22 affords a support on the rail Z for the finder-pin until the coincidence shall again be produced,which is accomplished in the manner already described by the clamping of the device R'upon the belt R The distance or distances between the parallel warp-wires, whatever it or they may be, is the same as between the recesses in the tracks Z and Z. \Vhen, therefore, the belt has carried the device R to the next adjacent warpwire and produced coincidence of the adjacent recesses 21 and 22, the tinder-pin 0 will drop into the latter, and, by causing the described action of the hooked arm a on the hooked spring-stop b, again set the needle mechanism in motion; and, as should here be stated, as soon as the stud 1) passes the finger I) the latter is thrown back by the action of its spring 4, thereby permitting the It is also to be noted in this connection that the stud Z), besides performing the function described, serves, together with the spring U, as a stop against backward rotation of the wheel U, and that the enlarged tooth S 011 the pinion S is adapted to mesh with the longitudinal slot in the needle.

The adjusting means shown in Fig. 23 for the hooked arm a. serves to adjust the latter to cause it to engage sooner or later with the hook I) on the spring-stop 1), according to requirement as to timing the production of the needles coincidence with a warp-wire with reference to the beginning of the rotary movement of the needle.

The foregoing operations of the device R in first winding the woof-wire from a coil S upon one wire M, and then stringing it to the next, are repeated until the last of the warpwires has had the woof-wire tied to it, when, on the raising of the lower jaw, the belt carries the device R against the lever system 18, nnclutching the clntch-collarfrom the clutchteeth on the gear 1d and throwing it into clutch with those on the gear 16, whereby the direction of travel of the belt is reversed and the device R returned to its starting-point, the finger on the spring-catch c then passing under the lugs 25 in its path on the springtrack Z, and the needle and lower-jaw actuating mechanisms obviously remaining inert during the return. \Vhen the device has reached its initial position, it is brought to rest by the stoppage of the belt R produced by the striking of the device against the lever system 30, Fig. 3, which throws the belt-actuating mechanism out of clutch. hen the device R has finished the stringing of a woofwire, and while it is returning to its position of initial operation, the operator turns the winch 20', thereby eifecting movement towai d the left'hand side of the machine of the rack B and release of the wires M from the coilers K, whereby the tension-drum L drops in its slotted bearings 2' and maintains the tension of the warp-wires, which obviously become somewhat distended at the coils when the latter are released from the coilers. The aforesaid movement of the rack B produces (after the release of the brake M, as already explained) the setting in motion, in the mannerhereinbefore described, of the feed-drum G, which is turned forward a part (as oneeighth) of its revolution, feeding that extent to the coilers from the spools M and paying off the same extent to the take-up drum C, which extent is wound upon the take-up by the falling forward of the segmental. racks D and D, and which are subsequently raised in the manner described while the operator is producing another coil in each warp-wire, and thereby also producing movement of the rack B toward the right-hand side of the machine to effect straightening of the toggle-lever mechanism on that side of the machine,

with the attendant results, all hereinbefore explained. \Vhenadesired length of the finished product of the machine has been taken up by the drum 0, which length may be determined, among other ways, by keeping track of the number of Woof-wire coils S used, the latter being applied at predetermined distances apart, the warp-wires are severed near the take-up (and formed at their several ends into loops, for subsequent attachment to the drum (J) and the severed end of the taken-up product secured to the roll. The take-up drum 0 is then removed from the frame A by turning its screw-journal 1 in the direction to withdraw it and the head q, when the bars forming the drum are drawn out of the end of the roll, to be again readjusted for the continued operation of the machine as soon as the drum they afford has been re placed and the several looped ends of the warp-wires hooked upon it.

The extremely complicated nature of the mechanism constituting our machine as illustrated and of the operations of the various parts has rendered necessary, we think, or, at least, advisable, the foregoing detailed description. We wish, however, to have it clearly understood that we do not consider our invention to lie in mere details of the construction, many of which may be, as we and others skilled in theart to which our machine relates might readily suggest, altered and simplified, and some even entirely omitted. The appended claims are, therefore, intended to be construed as broadly as the state of the art will permit for a machine involving, generally, any construction which, when broadly considered, is analogous to ours for its purposes, first, with relation to the warp-Wires alone, and this whether or not the latter are coiled; second, with relation to mechanism which will automatically wind and string the woof-wire across the warpwires, and, third, with relation to the co-opera-tion of the warp and woof wire weaving mechanisms.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a feed device G, to which the warp-wires are guided from the wire-supply and upon which they are passed to the take-up, the feed device being normally held against movement, clamps on the feed device for holding the warp-wires against slipping, and a take-up O, to which are secured the warp-wires leading from the device G, and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a feed device G, normally held against movement,

IIO

spools supported at their peripheries and wires M, leading from the device G and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, substantially as described.

3. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a feeddrum G, normally held against movement and provided with spring clamps N, each comprising a button It let into the drum and provided with the slotted sleeve h, a spindle h, carrying a finger extending through the slot, a cam h on one end of the spindle, and a spring 71 concave plates 72 spools M, supported to be revolved on bearings and carrying the warp-wires M, guided thence to the drum G, and held thereon by the clamps N, and a take-up G, to which are secured the wires M, leading from the drum G and turning with the movement of the feed-drum to wind upon it the finished fencing, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising sinuous wires crossed by other wires and secured together where they cross, the combination, wit-h a frame A, of a tension device L, loosely supported in its bearings, a feed device G, on which the warpwires M, guided on the tension device, are passed and which is normally held against movement, a take-up G, to which the warpwires leading from the device G are secured and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, and rotatory coilers K, supported near the front end of the machine,substantially as described.

5. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a feed device G, to which the warp-wires are guided from the wire-supply and upon which they are clamped and passed to the take-up, the feed device being normally held against move ment, and a take-up drum 0, to which the warp-wires leading from the device G are secured and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, and comprising heads (1 and q, having sockets g on their opposing surfaces, supporting the opposite ends of bars (1 and one of said heads having a threaded journal and bearing, whereby it may be adjusted with relation to the opposite head, substantially as described. I

'6. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross,

the combination, with a frame A, of a feed device G, to which the warp-wires are guided from the wire-supply and upon which they are clamped and passed to the take-up, and a rotatory take-up O, eccentrically weighted, having secured to it the warp-wires leading from the feed device, and actuated, with movement of the feed device, by the gravity of the eccentric weight to turn the takeup and wind upon it the finished fencing, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising sinuous wires crossed by other wires and secured together Where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a tension device L, loosely supported in its bearings, a feed device G, on which the warp-wires M, guided on the tension device, are passed and clamped and which is normally held against movement, a takeup O, to which are secured the warp-wires leading from the device G and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, rotatory coilers K, supported near the front end of the machine, a rack B, engaged and reciprocated by rotation of the coilers, and mechanism extending into the path of the rack and connected with the feed device and actuated by the rack to move the said feed device, substantially as de-. scribed.

S. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising sinuous wires crossed by other wires and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a tension device L, loosely supported in its bearings, a feed-drum G, on which the warp-wires M, guided on the tension device, are passed and clamped and which is normally held against movement, a segmental rack G,pivotally supported near and adapted to engage with the drum G, a rotary shaft E, carrying a pinion E and a belt-pulley E geared to a driving-shaft 0 a clutch I on the shaft E, a take-up O, to which are secured the warp-wires leading from the drum G' and turning with rotation of the feed-drum to wind upon it the finished fencing, rotatory coilers K, supported near the front end of the machine, a rack B, engaged and reciprocated by rotation of the coilers, and a clutch-actuating rod 70 extending from the clutch I into the path of the rack, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising sinuous wires crossed by other wires and secured together Where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a tension device L, loosely supported in its bearings, a feed-drum G, on which the warp-wires H, guided on the tension device, are passed and clamped, a segmental rack G, pivotally supported near and adapted to engage with the drum G and carrying a curved rack n stops m on the feed drum, a rotary shaft E, carrying a pinion E and a belt-pulley E geared to a driving-shaft 0 a clutch I on the shaft E, a spring-brake m, normally engaging with a stop at, and

controlled for its release through a rod Z, a take-up C, to which are secured the warpwires leading from the drum G and turning with rotation of the feed-drum to wind upon it the finished fencing, rotatory coilers K, supported near the front end of the machine, a rack B, engaged and reeiprocated by rotation of the coilers, and arotatoryclutch-actuating rod 73, having swiveled to one end a clutchfork and carrying a pinion k in the path of the rack a and extending into the path of the rack B, substantially as described.

10. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising sinuous wires crossed by other wires and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a tension device L, loosely supported in its bearings, a feed-drum G, on which the warp-wires M, guided on the tension device, are passed and clamped, a segmental rack G, pivotally supported near and adapted to engage with the drum G, stops on on the feed-drum, a rotary shaft E, carrying a pinion E and a belt-pulley E geared to a driving-shaft 0 a clutch I on the shaft E, a spring-brake m, normally engaging with a stop at and controlled for its release through a rod 1, a take-up C, to which are secured the warp-wires leading from the drum G, a segmental rack D, pivotally supported near and engaging with the take-up drum 0 and operating to turn the latter with rotation of the feed-drum to wind upon it the finished fencing, rotatory coilers K, supported near the front end of the machine, a rack B, engaged and reciprocated by rotation of the coilers, a rotatory clutch-actuatin g rod having swiveled to one end a clutch-fork and extending into the path of the rack B at one side of the machine, a rotatory shaft E, supported above the take-up and carrying a pinion D in the path of the rack D and loosely at one end a cog-wheel F, geared to a similar Wheel on the shaft E, and a clutch Fon the shaftE near the wheel F, and controlled in one direction by the rack B through mechanism extending into the path of the said rack at the opposite side of the machine and in the contrary direction from the-rack I), substantially as described.

11. In a machine for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, the combination, with a frame A, of a feed device G, to which the warp-wires are guided from the wire-supply and upon which they are passed to the take-up, tension-forks O, rigidly secured to the frame in the paths of the warpavires to the said feed device, which is normally held against movement, and a take-11p C, to which are secured the warp-wires leading from the device G and turning with the movement of the feed device to wind upon it the finished fencing, substantially as described.

12. In a device for use in the manufacture ported to rotate in its bearing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

13. In a device for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, for winding and stringing a woof-wire upon the warp-wires, a longitudinally-slotted needle S, having adjustably secured to it a bar 29, provided with eyes 28, through which to thread the needle with the woof-wire, the said needle being supported to rotate in its hearing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14'. In a device for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, for winding and stringing a woof-wire upon the warp-wires, a longitudinally-slotted needle S, adapted to hold the woof-wire and supported to be rotated on its own axis and be reciprocated longitudinally in its bearing, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

15. In a device for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together where they cross, for winding and stringing a woof-wire upon the warp-wires, the combination of a rotary shaft R, supported in suitable bearings and carrying a beveled cog-wheel U, having acani U on one side, a longitudinally-slotted needle S, supported to be rotated and reciprocated in its bearing, which is pivotally supported from the shaft R and provided with a pinion S, a pinion 8'', supported on one end of a rotary shaft f to mesh with the pinion S, a beveled pinion U at the opposite end of the shaft f, in mesh with the wheel U, and a reciprocating rod f, supported to engage at one end with themeedle and at its opposite end with the cam, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a device for use in the manufacture of wire fence comprising wires crossing each other and secured together Where they cross, for winding and stringing a woof-wire upon the warp-Wires, the combination of a rotary shaft R, supported in suitable bearings and carrying a beveled cog-wheel U, having a cam U on one side, a longitudinally-slotted needle S, supported to be rotated and reciprocated in its bearing, which is pivotallysupported from the shaft R and provided with a circuinferentiallygrooved pinion S, a pinion S having an enlarged cog S and supported 011 one end of arotary shaft f, to mesh with the pinion S, a beveled pinion U at the opposite end of the shaft f, in mesh with the wheel U, and a reciprocating rod f supported to engage at one end with the groove in the pinion S and at its opposite end with the cam, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

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