842,709. Knot-tying devices. HANFWERKE FUSSEN-IMMENSTADT A. G. Aug. 10, 1956 [Jan. 14, 1956], No. 24568/56. Class 112 [Also in Group XVII] Apparatus for tying up a parcel by a string comprises means for guiding the string from a source for engagement between said source and the parcel by juxtaposed loop-forming members, means for engaging the leading end of the string when passed around the parcel and for guiding it to pass through the loops formed by the loopforming members to form a knot, means for tightening the knot, and means for severing the string near the knot. The apparatus is mounted on a mobile frame 37. String is passed through a pair of telescopic tubes 3<SP>1</SP>, 3<SP>11</SP> and is clamped therein by a plunger 12. The tubes are held extended, against the bias of a spring 15, by a pawl 17 which is pivoted to a member 59 fixed to tube 3<SP>11</SP> and enters a notch in tube 3<SP>1</SP>. A rack 30 on tube 3<SP>1</SP> is driven by a gear segment 31 to project the end of tube 3<SP>11</SP> through aligned apertures 60<SP>1</SP>, 60<SP>11</SP> in the respective upper ends of loop-forming members 5<SP>1</SP>, 5<SP>11</SP>. Near the end of the forward movement of the tubes the pawl 17 is disengaged from tube 3<SP>1</SP> by a cam, when tube 3<SP>11</SP> retracts to leave an end 1<SP>1</SP> of string projecting beyond member 5<SP>1</SP>. In addition, a projection on plunger 12 engages a member 18<SP>1</SP> for releasing the plunger to free the string. The loop-taking members comprise rotatable and axially slidable tubes 22<SP>1</SP>, 22<SP>11</SP> interconnected at their lower ends by gears 23<SP>1</SP>, 23<SP>11</SP>, gear 23<SP>11</SP> being engaged with an elongated gear 34 to enable the tubes to be rotatably driven while moving axially. The upper ends of the tubes are formed with fixed jaws 61<SP>1</SP> and movable jaws 61<SP>11</SP> pivoted thereto at 18. The upper ends of the jaws are formed with channels 21 disposed at right angles to the apertures 60<SP>1</SP>, 60<SP>11</SP> through the jaws, and the latter are biased apart by springs 19. Rods 24<SP>1</SP>, 24<SP>11</SP>, which are slidable in the tubes 22<SP>1</SP>,22<SP>11</SP>, are formed with wedge-shaped upper ends which co-act with the tails of the movable jaws to hold the jaws closed when said rods are raised. A parcel 2 is placed on a horizontal support 4, the string end 1<SP>1</SP> is drawn manually over the parcel and engaged in the hook-shaped end of a rod 6<SP>1</SP> carried by an arm 6 pivoted at 25, and the drive is started. The arrangement is such that arm 6 swings inwardly and rod 6<SP>1</SP> moves downwardly to wedge the end 1<SP>1</SP> between itself and a bracket 26<SP>1</SP>. Members 5<SP>1</SP>, 5<SP>11</SP> are simultaneously lowered and rotated through 270 degrees to form closed string loops 58<SP>1</SP>, 58<SP>11</SP> around the upper ends of the jaws and a loop 64 over a horizontal pin 7, and also to align the channels 21. A bar 8 having a hooked end is then projected through the channels 21 to seize end 1<SP>1</SP>, and is retracted to draw the string through the closed loops 58<SP>1</SP>, 58<SP>11</SP>, when arm 6 returns to its original position. Pin 7 is retracted to free loop 64 and the rods 24<SP>1</SP>, 24<SP>11</SP> are lowered for opening the jaws to free loops 58<SP>1</SP>, 58<SP>11</SP>. A flat bar 9 then moves towards the parcel, the string passing into the rounded inner end 10 of a notch 29 in the bar for urging the loops towards the parcel. Tube 3<SP>1</SP> moves outwardly, when member 59 engages a stop 16 to extend the tubes 3<SP>1</SP>, 3<SP>11</SP> for re-engaging pawl 17, and the. projection on plunger 12 engages a member 18<SP>11</SP> to operate the plunger for clamping the string. Further movement of the tubes then tensions the string to tighten the latter around the parcel and to complete the formation of a reef knot by co-operation of the loops 58<SP>1</SP>, 58<SP>11</SP>, 64 with the end 10. The string is finally severed adjacent the knot by a cutter 11. It is stated that means may be provided for positively displacing a heavy parcel towards the loop-forming members. when the latter are moved downwardly, to ensure the formation of a tight knot.