US1329782A - Wire fabric - Google Patents

Description

w. LIPPERT.

WIRE FABRIC.

APPLlCATlON FILED JULY 10, 1914.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

2 sHEETs SHEEI W. LIPPERT.

WIRE FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10. 1914..

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNIETTED STATES PATENT WILLIAM. LIPPERT, 0F KENOSI-IA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNGR TO It-EENRSZ" RIGl-IARDSQN, OF CHIGAGO, ILLINOIS.

NIB-E FABRIC.

Application filed July 10, 1914.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM Lrrrnn'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State oi Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVire Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in wire link fabrics of that type extensively used to form bed and couch bottoms, and pertains more particularlyto that type of fabric which is made in comparatively light wire, the requisite strength being secured through the avoidance of open or unsecured ends of the wire anywhere in the line or longitudinal strain. The general object of the invention is to provide an improved, simple and strong link i abric of the light wire type, and one which will readily lend itself to manufacture by comparatively simple and easily peii'orn'ied machine operations.

in wire fabrics which include a series of longitudinally disposed strands of links, said strands being flexibly connected together Y means of a series of laterally disposed rows of cross-connecting members having free or unsecured hooked ends, the wire used in the making of the said cross-connecting members, whether cross lin rs or cross arms, cannot be any lighter than is essential to positively prevent their free or unsecured hooked ends from straightening out under the strain. imposed upon them when the fabric is in use. A distinctive feature of my present invention resides in the employment oi a two-ply or twin wire cross arm, the two members of which cross arm are independent of each other and are offset from the plane or the body member and, when conn cted to a transversely adjacent link, divide the lateral strain between them and aiiord much greater strength than a cross arm formed by a single ply of wire.

For the purpose 0t end-to-end connection of the links, one end of each link has the two limbs of the body or tension member connected preferably by a simple U-bend of the wire, while the other end may have simply an offset from the horizontal plane of the body or tension member of the link, the remaining portion or portions of the wire extending laterally from said oii'set to form the cross arm, and the offset being engaged by the tl-bend or equivalent connec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Serial No. 850,103.

tion of an adjacent link; or, in lieu of a mere offset, the wire may be bent to form a complete terminal loop and the remaining portion or portions of the wire be extended laterally from said loop to form the cross arm. If desired, a portion 01" the wire may be extended laterally on the side of the link opposite the cross arm to form a lateral loop or eye for engagement with the free end of the cross arm of a lateral y acent link.

Another feature of the invention that, in its broad aspect, is independent of the particular form of cross connecting member employed-whether cross arm or cross link, and whether single or twoply, and is also independent of the specific form of body member or end loopapplies to that embodiment oi the invention herein shown, wherein, in lieu of a simple downwardly oflset portion of the wire for engaging the U-bend or equivalent portion an endwise adjacent link, the body member is provided at that end with a hook or loop member that may be formed as anextension of either or both limbs of the body member; and in such case the cross-connecting member is formed with a terminal portion that embraces both sides of said hook or loop member, so that the terminal hook or loop of the cross connecting member serves to hold the unsecured end of the hook or loop extension of the body member against pulling or straightening out under tensional strain.

In the accompanying drawings 1 have illustrated my invention in a variety of specifically diiierent terms, all oi which, however, embody the basic principle of the invention; and referring thereto-- Figures 1, 7, l0, 13, 16, 19 and 22 are gmentary top plan views of several slightly varying forms of my fabric;

i, and 3 are sectional details on the corresponding lines of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 5 are sectional details on the corresponding lines of Fig. L;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective detail, showing an alternative offset arrangement at the connected ends of two longitudinally adjacent links;

Fig. 11 is a sectional detail on the line 1111 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective detail of the structure of Fig. 10; r

Fig. 14; is a sectional detail on the line 1ll i of Fig. 13;

F 15 is a perspective detail of the structure of Fi 13;

Fig. 17 is a sectional detail on the line l7 17 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a perspective detail or the structure of Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a sectional 20-2O of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a perspective ture of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 23 is a sectional 2323 of Fig. 22. a

In all of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated, the bent wire link is so formed as to provide a two-ply body or tension member 5, the limbs of which are preferably united at one end by a simple U-bend 6. In the form. shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive the wires at the end opposite the U-bend .6 oithe body member 5 downwardly ofi'set relatively to the plane of the body member 5, as shown at 7, and the end portions of the wire are thence extended laterally in substantially parallel relation to form a two-ply cross arm 8, the free end of which terminates in a two-ply hook and the free end of this hook is formed with a rent-rant bend or reversely racing hook it? which prevents the terminal hook 9 from slipping out of place when the fabric is in use or is flexed or folded upon i self. Fabrics with cross arms when used on couches and other like articles having told ing sides ma have the hooked ends of their cross arms forced open and displaced, and the employment of the reentrant form of hook above described, by preventing this, has a particular advantage. W hen the fabric is assembled the U-bend 6 or one link the offset portions 7 at the base of the crossarm 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the twin terminal hooks 9 or the cross-arm are carried around the body member 5 of a laterally adjacent link.

The form shown in Figs. 11, 5 and 6 modifies the form of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, in that one of the limbs or" the body member instead of connecting with the cross arm by a simple downwardly oilset portion, is formed with an inwardly extending loop detail on the line detail of the strucetail on the line member 11, the inner end of which is thence extended laterally to form one member of the two-ply cross arm 12, and the terminal hook 13 of the cross arm lies between the two members of the laterally adjacent cross arm and embraces both the upper and lower sides of the terminal loop of the body member. This form of the invention embodies and illustrates the feature referred to in the preamble of this specification of restraining the unsecured side or end of a terminal loop or hook member, formed on the end of the link opposite the end having the U-bend 6 or equivalent connector, against opening out, by causing the terminal portion or the cross connecting member to embrace it.

In the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the body member 5 has the twin otl set 1st at one end, but from one of said otl'sets the wire forming the same is first extended on the side opposite the cross arm to form a lateral loop or eye 15, and is thence extended across the body member 5 to form one limb of the two-ply cross arm 16; and the terminal hook 17 of the cross arm is engaged with the lateral eye 15 of a laterally adjacent link. T he U-bend of the longitudinally adjacent link embraces the twin portions 1-} of the wire, the same as in Figs. 1 to 9 illustrates an alternative form which the lateral oli set is formed at the opposite end of the body member; that is, one limb of the cross arm 16 and the lateral eye 15 extend substantially in the horizontal plane or the body member .3, and the U-bend oi. the endwise adjacent link is given a downward oil-- set to engage saidparts, shown at 18. This modification can be embodied in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 10 to 12 next described, it being immaterial at which end of the link the oiiset is 'termed.

The structure of Figs. 10, 11 and ters that of Figs. 7 and 8 merely in that the wire forming the lateral eye 19 is bent outwardly of the end of the body member, instead of inwardly thereof, that the relative position of the two limbs of the cross arm 20 is reversed, and one of H limbs lies beyond the double offset 21 stead of inwardly thereof.

The several forms shown on sheet and comprising Figs. 13 to 23 inclusi e, all present, in lieu of an offset or shoulder ii. the wire at the j unction of the body member and cross arm, a complete terminal loop for engagement with the 13- end of an end'vise adjacent link. ln the form of Figs. 13, and 15, the two limbs of this terminal loop e2;- tend substantially parallel and are both oarried up and across the body member side-byside. merging into the two-ply cross arm 23., the two limbs of which preferably outwardly or toward their outer end and are formed with reentrant terminal hooks 2 .1 which embrace the body member of a laterally adjacent link and straddle the inner end oi the cross arm of said laterally adjacent link. The construction shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18 is a modification of that of Fins. 14- and 1-5 wherein the two limbs of the cross arm 25 are spaced at their inner ends and converge toward their outer ends. As a consequence of this, the two limbs of the terminal loop 26 are of d' ferent lengths, most clearl shown in Fist. 18. and the two-ilv The structure of Figs. 19, 20 and 21 embodies a modification of the structures of Figs. 13 to 18 inclusive, to provide a lateral loop or eye for engagement by the free end of the cross arm. In this case one member 28 of the two-ply terminal loop is carried up on one side of the body member and thence across the latter to merge into one limb of the cross arm 29, and the other member 30 of said loop is carried up on the other side of the body member thence across the latter in the opposite direction to form the lateral loop or eye 31, and thence back across the body member, merging into the other limb of the cross arm. The hooks 32 on the free ends of the cross arms engage with the lateral loops or eyes 31 of laterally adjacent links.

In the form of Figs. 22 and 23, the twoply terminal loop takes the form of a complete curl 33, the Wire being extended thence lengthwise of the body member 5 and beyond the end of the latter and being thence bent laterally to form the twoply cross arm 34:. The U-bend 6 of an endwise adjacent link is carried through the curl 33, and one limb of the body member thereof overlies both limbs of the cross arm 34. The terminal hook of the cross arm preferably embraces one limb of the body member and also one of the longitudinal extensions of the curl 33, as clearly shown in Fig. 22.

It will be observed as a feature common to all of the forms shown and described that the invention entirely eliminates the presence anywhere in the longitudinal strands, which are subjected to the greatest strain, of all free or unsecured ends of the wires forming the individual links. The construction, therefore, affords a high degree of tensile strength both in the longitudinal strands and in the cross-connections, enabling the latter to be made in much lighter wire than the present standard fabrics. The several forms are, furthermore, of comparatively simple construction, and do not require any highly organized or complicated machine for their manufacture.

Where the'fabric herein presented is employed for bed and couch bottoms, which is its principal intended use, it will be understood that in the case of the longitudinal row of links forming one marginal strand the cross arms are, of course, unnecessary and are dispensed with; the stub ends of the wire beyond the terminal offsets or loops of the body member being suitably secured to the latter in any convenient manner to secure the strength and permanency of the longitudinal connections of the links.

I claim:

1. A wire link fabric including a plu rality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of wire bent to form a twoply body member the two limbs of which are cross-connected at one end, a two-ply cross arm, and an integral joining portion at the other end of said body member uniting said cross arm and body member; said links being assembled end-to-end with the cross connection of one link connected with the joining portion of an endwise adjacent link and with the free end of the cross arm flexibly engaged with a link of an adjacent strand.

2. A wire link fabric including a plurality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of wire bent to form a two-ply body member having at one end a two-ply cross-arm offset at its junction with the body member relatively to the plane of the latter and at the other end a connecting portion uniting the two limbs of said body member and also engaging the offset at the base of the cross-arm of an endwise adjacent link to form longitudinal strands, said longitudinal strands being laterally connected together by means of the cross arms.

A wire link fabric including a plurality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of wire bent to form a twoply body member with a U-bend at one end and a two-ply cross-arm at the other end olfset at its junction with the body member relatively to the plane of the latter, said links being assembled end-to-end with the U-bend of one link engaged with the offset at the base of the cross arm of an endwise adjacent link, and with the free ends of the cross arms flexibly engaged with the links of an adjacent strand.

a. A wire link fabric including aplurality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of wire bent to form, a twoply body member comprising the intermediate portion of the wire and a two-ply cross-arm comprising the end portions of the wire, said body member at one end having a U-bend of the wire connecting the two limbs thereto, and said cross-arm at its inner end being ofiset at its junction with the body member relatively to the plane of the latter, said links being assembled end-to-, end with the 'U-bend of one link engaged with the offset at the base of the cross-arm of an endwise adjacent link and with the free ends of the cross-arms flexibly engaged with the links of an adjacent strand.

5. A wire link fabric, including a plurality of assembled links or units, each formed with a two-ply body member and a two-ply terminal loop, both limbs of said loop being extended crosswise of the body member from the same side of the latter, and forming a two-ply cross-arm to engage an adjacent link.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a Wire fabric link formed with. a two-ply body member and a two-ply terminal loop, both limbs of said loop being extended crosswise of the body member from the same side of the latter, and forming a two-ply cross-am to engage an adjacent link.

7 A Wirefa'bric including a plurality of links'orunits, each composed of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member consisting of an intermediate por- 'tion of the Wire and a tWo-ply'eross arm consistiiig of the two end portions of the Wire, one limb of said cross-arm leading off from one limb of the body member and the other limb of said cross-arm leading on from the other limb oi" the body member; said links being connected end-to-end to form longitudinal strands and having the outer ends of their cross-arms connected to the links of an a djacentstran'd.

8. A Wire fabric including a plurality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body ieinber and a two-ply cross-arm, said crossarm consisting of the free end portions oi the Wire and having-its two limbs independent of each other andunited to said body member by portions of the Wire that are inflected relatively to the plane of said body member; said links being connected end-to end to form longitudinal strands and having the free ends of their, cross-arms connected to the links of an adjacent strand.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a

'wire fabric link or unit consisting of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member consisting of an intermediate portion of the wire and a two-ply cross-arm consisting of the two end portions of the Wire, one limb of said cross arm leading off from one limb of the body member and the other limb of said cross-arm leading off from the other limb of the body member.

10. As a new article of manufacture, a. Wire fabric link or unit consisting of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member and a two-ply cross-arm, said cross arm consisting of the free end portions of the wire and having its two limbs independent of each other and united to the said body member by portions of the Wire that are inflected relatively to the plane of. said body member.

ll. A Wire fabric including a plurality 01" links or units, each composed of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member consisting of an intermediate portion of the Wire and a two-ply cross arm consisting" of the end portions of the Wire, the tw'o 'limbs of the said body member being united at one end of said body member and unconnected. at the opposite end of said body member; said links being connected end-toend to form longitudinal strands and having the outer ends of theircross arms connected to the links of an adjacent strand.

12. As a new article of manufacture, a Wire fabric link consisting of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member consisting of tin-intermediate portion o f the Wire and atWo ply cross-arm consisting of the end portions of the vWire, the two limbs of the saidbody membenbeing united at one end of said body member and unconnected with each other at the opp o sitc en d. 13. Awvii e fabric, including a plurality of links or units, each composed or a single piece of Wire bent toform a two-ply body member, the "tire limbs "of which are united at oneend, said member haying ayertical loop at its other end, and said linli be ing connected end-to-end to form longitudinal strands; and cross-connecting members flexibly connecting adjacent longitudinal strands, each of said cross-connecting .iembers being formed With a termii'ial member transversely embracing the upper and under sides of the vertical loop of the link with which it is connected.

1%. A Wire fabric including a plurality of links or units, each composed of a single piece of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member hai ing its limbs joined at one end and having aloop at its opposite end, said links being connected end-to-end to form longitudinal strands and having adjacent longitudinal strands flexibly connected by cross-connecting members, each of which latter is formedwith a terminal member embracing both sides 0]": theloop of a link to which it is connected. 7

15. A Wire link fabric including a plura1- ity of links or units, each composed of a single piece of Wire bent to form a body member, and a two-ply cross-arm, said cross arm consisting of the tw'o end portions of the Wire of the linkextendinglaterally ot the body inembei', and the tire limbs of said cross-arm being spaced apart attheir inner ends; said links being engaged with each other end-toend to form longitudinal strands of the fabric and having the outer ends of their cross-arms engaged With the laterally adjacent linksbetween the spaced limbs of the two-ply cross-arms of said lat erally adjacent links.

VVILLIA'M LIPPERT.

lVitnesses s. N. Pm, A. G. LATIME

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