US1842120A - Apparatus for the production of metallic fabrics - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19, 1932.

F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 3, 1927 m (ma Wim @mk Jan. 19, 1932.

F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC- FABRICS Filed Oct. 5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 3. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Jan. 19, 1932. F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS Filed oct.

F. B. RILEY Jan. 19, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS Filed Oct. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 F. B. RILEY Jan. 19, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR TH PRODUCTI-ON OF' METALLIC FABRICS A Filed Oct. @Sheets-Sheet 5 ,gaa

Jan. 19, 1932. ,1 B, RILEY 1,842,120

APPARATUS1 FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS Filed 001,. 3. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 PatentedJan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF lfETALLIC FABRICS Application led ctober 3, 1927. Serial No. 223,630.

The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for the production of metallic reinforcement for concrete, plaster and-similar or equivalentv substances. The invention further contemplates an improved form of reinforcement particularly adapted for this purpose.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various forms of metallic reinforcement have been employed in connection with concrete used for roadways, building Walls and ceilings, and other purposes. Suchmetallic reinforcement is also employed in place of wooden lathing for supporting the plaster '5 in the Walls and ceilings of buildings. This reinforcement,- as commonly employed, consists either of the so-called expanded metal lathing made from a single sheet of man, terial or a series of reinforcing bars 01' y strands laid in the desired relationship within the forms, and secured manually prior to the pouring of the concrete or the application of the plaster. The employment of metallic reinforcement consisting of rectangular mesh fabric having two sets of strands extending longitudinally and transversely of the pattern, and welded, soldered or otherwise secured at their intersections, has also been suggested. All of these types of reinforcement have certain inherent objections primarily due to an inability to effectually reinforce the structure'against strains exerted in any direction. In recognition of this inherent in- L ability to effectually support the concrete structure, it is customary to manually build up an elaborate and intricate pattern of strands Where the strains encountered in actual use are at all unusual or excessive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved form of metallic reinforcement which is capable of successfully resisting strains encountered in structures of this type, and which may be rapidly and economically produced in volume.

With this and other objects in view, one feature of the invent-ion contemplates the provision of a metallic reinforcement, consist-ing essentially of two sets of spaced strands extending diagonally with respect to 5 the length of the pattern, and preferably K agonals extending in different directions, and

locked at their intersections hy welding. i If so desired the reinforcement may be further strengthened through the employment of either longitudinal orcross-strands, or both, depending 'on the service to which the rein- `55 forcement is to be put. In any event, the employment of the spaced, diagonal strands Iextending in opposite directions and permanently united at their intersections produces a reinforcement which resists deflection or distortion in any direction to a far greater degree than the usual rectangular mesh fabric. and with the addition of longitudinals such a reinforcement may be given marked Vstrength 'against breakage lengthwise of the 65 pattern while at the same time resisting distortion or deflection strains tending vto cause cracks and failure of the surrounding concrete mixture. y l According to thepresent invention I propose to form such a fabricicontinuously in a single operation, the two sets of diagonal strands heilig maintained in proper relationship and guided in opposite directionstransversely of the pattern during the vformation thereof. This is accomplished essentially through the provision of guide means having coacting, helical, guide grooves which initi'ally engage the tipend of each of two ditraverse these diagonals across the pattern as the forward movement of the pattern progressively works the diagonals thereinto.

1 Cooperating with the helical guide groovesy and in laddition thereto are welding electrodes 8 operating in timed relation to the feed of the strands, and serving to automatically Weld the strands at points of intersection during the continuous forward movement of the pattern.

Still further features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter'described and claimed, the pur- 95 pose of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form'of the invention.

Fig. l represents a front elevation of a ma- "3 chine adapted to form the new fabric or pattern;

Fig. 2 is a left-hand side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a 'longitudinal section in elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in section of the construction shown in Fig. 5, illustrating the lower welding electrodes and the members for engaging and advancing cross-strands to welding position;

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the welding electrodes and cross-strand carriers with parts cut away and shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for retaining the cross-strands in position with the carrier during its advance to welding position;

Fig. 7is a View illustrating diagrammatically the circuit for stopping the machine in the event that a cross-strand or diagonal fails of entry; I

Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, illustrate typical patterns which may be produced according to my invention; y

Fig. 13 is a detail .illustrating the manner in which the diagonal strands are guided and maintained by the helical guide grooves and Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the commutating switches for controlling the welding current through individual electrode wheels.

According to the method shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, two sets of diagonal, metallic strands are maintained in a predetermined angular and spaced relationship, and while so held are progressively worked into the pattern, each set of strands progressing across the pattern in opposite directions during is incorporation herein. The pattern formed by these diagonal strands has additionally embodied therein a set of spaced strands extending longitudinally of the pattern in alignment with thc intersections of the diagonals,and cross-strands extending transversely of the pattern 'in alignment with the intersections of the diagonals. The four sets of strands, namely the two sets of diagonals, the cross-strands, and the longitudinal strands, may vbe rigidly interconnected i by welded areas uniting either the cross-strands and longitudinal strands, the longitudinal strands and diagonals, or, if so desired, the

longitudinals, cross-strands and diagonals at a single lntersection. The result, as shown generally in Fig. 10, is to produce an exceeding-ly rigid reinforcing pattern, yet at the same time a pattern employing the minimum of materialto secure the desired strength.

As illustrated more particularlyin Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, this pattern may be eiiiciently and economically produced in a single and continuous operation. To this end the apparatus is provided generally with a frame, consisting of side members 2() connected at the upper portion by a transverse head 22 and by a bottom brace 24. Mounted between the side members in operative relationship are cooperating upper and lower guide rolls 25 and 26,

each of which is provided with a helical guide addition, the upper a series of annular groove 28 and 29. In roll 25 is provided with guide grooves 80, as indicated. Each of the helical guide grooves 28 and 29 receives and guides one set of diagonal strands, and the annular guide grooves receive and guide a set of longitudinal strands. In operation, one diagonal of each set is successively entered at one end of the helical guide groove in each roll, the two diagonals being positioned at opposite ends of the rolls. Thereafter, the rotation of the rolls causes the strands to be' progressively advanced in a lengthwise di- .completely thereacross in a 4diagonal direction from one side of the pattern to the other,

the side of the pattern corresponding to the point of entrance of the strand, representing the advanced or leading end of the strand and the opposite side of the pattern corresponding tov the' following or rearward end of the 95 strand, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as will be evident from Fig. 1, the

set of diagonal strands engaged in the helical groove in the lower roll will lie in the lowest plane ofthe three strands, the diagonalsengaged by the upper roll will lie in the next adjacent plane, and the longitudinal strands will lie in the uppermost plane. As

will be evident, the strands are substantially' 105 straight and are not interlaced or interlocked with one another throughf the formation of a shed or similar device. Cooperating with the mechanism for guiding the strands and positioned somewhat in advance thereof are welding electrodes, indicated generally at40 and 42. Each of these electrodes comprises a hub 44 of insulating material mounted upon upper and lower shafts 46 and 48. Each of the hubs 44 is providedwith a series of indi` 115 vidual electrode members 50 spaced at uni- 'form intervals about the periphery and adapted, during the continuousk rotation of the shafts, to .engage 'the pattern between them at regular intervals. Each electrode/ member comprises a shank portion 52 slidingly supported in a socket 54 and normally forced outwardly by a spring 56, a pin 58 limiting the outward movement, as indi-` cated. Each lower electrode illustrated, is provided with a transverse socket 60 for receiving a cross-strand, and the cooperating members are designed for engaging and grlpping the strands at .points of traversed across the 85 member, asT

intersection during the welding operation.

It will beevident that the contact of the welding electrodes is limited to strands immediatelyengaged thereby. For example, thevv lower' electrodes engage `onlywith cross` strands, and iffno cross-strand is present, with the lowermost diagonal. As indicated more particularly in Figs. 4 and 5, the supporting sockets for the electrode members rent to the sockets and thence to the sliding electrodes. As indicated in Fig. 1, each of the collector rings 64 is in continuous contact y with a brush 66.provided with an insulating cable 68 for conducting current thereto., The

electrode hubs are mounted opposite one another in spaced relation on upper and lower shafts 46 and 48, the individual electrodes beingdesigned to register in welding position as the shafts are revolved. The arrangement i's such that the continuous rotation of theA electrode shafts causes the electrodes to properly register with the pattern at intersections of the diagonal strands, and'locate the welded areas at these points.

The lower elect-rode shaft is provided with a plurality of cross-strand carriers which are designed to receive cross-strands and elevate them at predetermined intervals into the welding areas. To this end, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the shaft 48 is provided with a plurality of hubs 70 of insulatingI material, each of which carries a series of sliding members 7 2 having strand-receiving groovesf74 formed therein. rlhese carriers 72 are normally retained in the outward position, shown in Fig. 4, by springs '(6, the position being determined by a pin and slot connection 78. The carriers vmaybe posi;

tioned preferably adjacent one of the electrode hubs, being separated therefrom by a' sheet of insulating material indicated at 80.

y In this position, eachy of the carriers is aligned ,with an electrodeI member in such a manner that a cross-strand engaged by a`plurality of carriers is automatically aligned with one set of welding yelectrodes. Upon referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the cross-strands are automatically delivered to the carriers sequentially by a reciprocating bar 82 which is slidingly supported in a transverse supportL 84 having av slot 86 formedtherein; In operation, cross-strands ,are delivered lengthwise of the slot 86 by feed wheels 88 and 90 whichcooperate to feed the strand from yan endless length, as desired. The cross-strand thus positioned in the slotted head 84 is automatically severed at the rearward end by cooperating shears 92 and`94, the movable shear 94 being mounted on the end of a lever 96 which carries the feedwheel 90 at its outer end. Theiautomatic feed of the strand is accomplished by moving the feed wheel 90 into rotative engagement with the feed wheel 88. On movement of the feed wheel out of engagement, the shear 94y is depressed to sever the strand already inserted -This operation of the feed mechanism is simply accomplished through a. link 98 operated from a cam 100 to raise and lower the lever at predetermined intervals. The cross-strand after insertion is bodily delivered to the carrierv members by elevation of the bar 82. This is accomplished through sliding pins 102 positioned beneath opposite ends of the bar and engagedy by peripheral` cams 104 mounted upon shaft 106. It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 3 that relatively slight movement ofthe bar is sufficient to elevate and deposit the strand in the lowermost carrier 72.y A. cover 99 normally retainsthe cross-strand in the slot 86. opened in timed relation tothe elevation of they cross-strand by a cam 101 connected'to the cover through a bell-crank lever 103 piv- This cover is oted at 105. After delivery, the strand is* y lowermost portion of .the travel to strandv delivery position at the uppermost' portion of the travel. From an inspection of Fig. 4, it will be evident that the normal position of the', strand carriers is such that upon delivery of a cross-strand therto, the latter is automatically guided and aligned by the car` rier, due to the normal positioning of the carrier beyond the path of Arotation of welding electrodes. Upon continued rotation with the shaft-carrying electrodes and carriers, the strand upon contact with the pattern causes the carrlers to be forced inwardly until the strand is seated in the aligned electrodes, thus. causing welding contact to be established when the strand is in uppermost or welding position. Thereafter, continued rotationof the carriers causes the incorporated strand uto `be disengaged andy removed from t-he carriers. It will be furthermore noted, due to (the yielding movement of both the carriers and the welding electrodes that the latter are permitted to com-pensate for variations in. thickness of the pattern t cause the pattern atthe intersection ofthe strands to befprop-` erly gripped between welding electrodes for the pur ose of making welding contact therepattern is to be' coniined to Jthe employment vof diagonal strands or diagonals and longi-v tudinals, then these strands may be properly guided in the helical guidegrooves without the employment of cross-strands in the d'elivery mechanism. Positioned in advanceofA v the welding mechanism and operating in timed relation therewith are a series of feed members which comprise essentially endless chains 120, each having a series of spaced feeding teeth y122 which engage behind the points of intersection of the pattern and feed it in timed relation to the forming operation.

` y These chains are mounted at opposite ends `on supporting shafts 124 and 126, each of path. lCooperating with the feed membersis Yan overhead table or support 130, extending transversely between the side frames, as indicated, for the purpose of maintaining the position of the pattern. After engagement by the feed members, r,the pattern at the delivery end of the machine passes over a final support 132. i

f The welding members and guide rolls are conveniently driven by the main drive pulley 140, mounted on the shaft142, which is connected withv the electrode rolls through a gear train, indicated at 143 to 146, inclusive. The gear` 146 engages with a gear 148 mounted upon one end of the lower electrode .shaft v which in turn engages with the gear 14;

3 151 meshes with a mounted upon the upper electrode shaft. The lower drive gear 148 meshes with an 1ntermediate gear 150 which drives a gear 151 upon the lower guide roll shaft." The gear drives asecond gear 152 upon the upper ,uide roll shaft. The gear 146 `lsoymes'hes with and drives the sprocket 128 through a gear 15,5, as indicated. The cam shaft 106 for elevating a cross-strand is provided with a gear 160, which is operated from gear 144 throu han idler 162.

If so desired, the nished pattern may be cut into-longitudinal strips or trimmed at the edges b cooperating shears 170 and, 172, mounte upon sliding and fixed cross-heads 174 and 178, respectively. The upper cross'- head, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, is slidingly supported by connecting rods 180, which .are connected at their lower ends Ato levers 182 operated through cams 184. f

It will be understood that the movement of the shears is so timedwith relation to thefeed of thepattern that a complete cleavage, due tol av continuous longitudinal cut, is obtained. l

The llower electrode members are provided with collector yrings and spring-pressed brushes 190, each having an insulated cable 192 to form a complete circuit for the passage of welding'current when the electrodes are revolved into welding position. It will be understood that any suitable form of commutating device may be employed for auto` -electrode wheels.

matically controlling the passage of current to the welding electrodes when the latter are in operative position. For example, rotating commutators may be employed operating in timed relation to the rotation of the wel ing electrodes, each commutator controlling the cutting on and off of current to individual Such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 14. Furthermore, these commutators maybe designed'l to govern the period` of time during which welding current passes according to the .thickness of the material engaged by the welding electrodes. With this construction, if so desired, passage of Welding current through an intersectionV of three strands, i. e. two diagonale and a longitudinal strand, will be for a longer period than the passage of current through the intersection oftwo diagonals alone. As indicated diagrammatically, the rotary switches or commutators are shown at 185, each member having a series of uniformly disposed contact plates for the purpose of controlling the ow of welding current. If so desired, as indicated, the position of the contact plates on one member may be staggered with relation to the position of plates on another member. Such a device may be embodiedin the welding machine and form a part thereof, or may be operated as a separate control driven in synchronism with the goperation of the machine. A

Mechanism is 4provided for automatically stopping the machine in the event that either the longitudinal or cross-.strands fail. To this end, eachlongitudinal strand is engaged by a presser roll 220 supported upon the outer end of the pivot arm- 222, and having'a linger '224 which `permits the opening of a switch contact 225\if the roll is allowed to drop, owing to absence of a longitudinal supporting strand, all of this being shown iny Fig. 3.

As indicatedfin Fig. 1, a contact 230is mounte'd at the far end of the slot 86 through which 4the cross-strand passes, and is adapted to be engaged by the end of the cross-strand to close the switch upon proper insertion of this strand in the elevating carrier. With reference to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 7, lit will be evident that the contact members 225, for indicating the presence or absence` of longitudinal strands, are located in series in a controllingcircuit which also contains the contact'member 230 controlled by the cross-strand. The' circuit about thecontact 230 is normally shunted by a commutating device 232 which maintains the circuit closed aboutthe Contact, except during theperiod when the cross-strand is intende to be maintained in engagement with the ycontact 230. During this short period the y, circuit is normally maintained closed through the contact if the cross-strand engages therewith. Opening of the circuit through any one of the contacts releases a solenoid, indi'- ian cated generally'nat l234, to throw out a controlling switch to stop the machineas dcsired. It will be evidentthat with this the construction mechanism isl provided for automatically stopping the machine, due to the failure or absence of certain of the strands normally entering into the production of the fabric.

Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, disclose a variety of patterns which may be/ produced upon the above-described apparatus and with the l above-described method. For example, in

the pattern shown in Fig. 8, two sets of spaced,diagonal strands, indicated respectively at v200 and 204, ar'e coordinated with spaced, longitudinal strands 206 to form the completed pattern. As indicated, the three sets of strands are permanently united by welded areas 210 at the intersection of the diagonals and longitudinals, these welded areas being staggered to conform to thespacing of the intersections. In Fig. 9 is illustrated a somewhat similar fabric embodying 2.5.the addition ofross-strands 212, the four sets' 210 at the intersections of the four strands,

of strands being united by the welded areas and welded areas 214 at the intersections of the longitudinal and diagonal strands. It will be evident. that' the proper location of these Welded areas can be readily accomplished by a proper spacing of the electrode members, both with relation to the supporting hubs and an adjustment of the electrode hubs with relation to one another. In the fabric or pattern shownj in Fig. 10, four sets of strands are employed, these strands being united by a series of uniformly-disposed welding areas engaging successively with the intersection of each four strands and the intersection of the longitudinal and diagonal strands. This fabric or pattern may be produced .by lthe apparatus shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention. Figs.

' concrete or plaster reinforcement, it may be formed of steel rods or iron or steel 'wire of the desired ,gauges toQ impart. the necessary strength and vrigidity to the fabric. f. In yaddition, it will be evident that this type of fabric` may be employed equally well `for other purposes, such asy ornamental grilles for enclos' ing radiators, ventilator openings, and for similar purposes, in fact, any .usage 'to whlch ornamental grilles are ordinarily applled,

aild to this extent the fabric so produced is Isimilar or equivalent in its function to openwork fabrics of metal strandsin which the relationship of VV the strands is maintained by interweaving or interlocking as distinguished from the maintenance ofthe strands through welding or otherwise uniting at the points of intersection. According to the present mechanism, it will be furthermore evident that the individual strands of each set lie in the same plane throughout the length of the fabric, and do not extend in an undulating path to opposite sides of the fabric as is the case with interwoven or interlocked strands.

The present pattern may be conveniently referred to as a metallic fabric as the purpose and function served by this pattern is equivalent in many essentialrespects to the function of an open-work pattern of interlocked or interwoven metallic strands, such as com.- monly employed.

lVhat is claimed is: t

1. Apparatus for the production of metallic fabrics comprising means for maintaining a predetermined relationship between two series of strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, means for feeding two series of strands while maintaining the predetermined relationship, means for bonding the strands at points of intersection, and means for engaging and feeding the pattern after the strands have been permanently united by `welded areas.

2. Apparatus for the producing of open, metallic patterns comprising cooperating means provided with helical, guide grooves receiving and guiding a plurality of sets of diagonal strands, means for rotating the helical grooves in a manner to traverse the guide points of the strands transversely to the direction of feed las the strands are bodily advanced, and means for automatically bonding the strands at points of intersection to permanently Iunite them.'

3. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising cooperating guide rolls, each providedV with a helical, guide groove forV guiding and feeding two sets'of strands disposed diagonally with relation `to one another, cooperating welding electrodes positionedin advance of the guide rolls, means for operating the electrodes in timed relation to the advance of the strands to automatically unite the strands through Welded areas at their points .of intersection.

4. Apparatus for the production of open, metallicv patterns comprising a guide roll yprovided with intersecting guide groovesI formed therein, means for rotating the roll to bodily advance two series of strands, and meanjspositioned in proximity to the guide roll for automatically bonding the strands' at points of intersection in timed relation to the advance of the pattern.

5. Apparatus for producing open, metallic patterns comprising means: for guiding two sets of strands extending diagonally with relation to one another, cooperatlng welding electrodes positioned in operative relation to the guide means, and means for operating the electrodes to automatically grip the strands at their points of intersection with a welding contact during the advance of the pattern.

6. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising means for guiding two sets of spaced strands extending'diagonally with relation to one another, cooperating electrode wheels positioned in operative relation to the guide means, means for rotating'the wheels in timed relation to the advance of the strands to automatically grip and weld the strands at points of intersection during the. continuous advance there- 'of with the pattern.

7 Apparatus for theproduction of open,

` metallic patterns comprising means for guiding spaced, parallel strands lengthwise of the pattern, cooperating electrode wheels 'for producing successive welded areas upon thtl pattern, a series of rotaiy carriers for bodily delivering cross-strands to operative position between the welding wheels to ca-use the strands to be permanently areas at their points of intersection.

8. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising` means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise ofthe pat tern, cooperating rotary electrodes, means for rotating the electrodes continuously, rotarycross-strand carriers for delivering separate cross-strands of predetermined length to the path of the electrodes, and means for intermittently delivering cross-strands to continuously rotating carriers.

9. Apparatus for .the production of metallic fabrics comprising means for maintaining a predetermined relationship between two series of spaced strands extending diagonally wlth relationto one another, means for eedmg the two series of strands while maintaining the predetermined relationship and meansfor bonding the strands of difierent series at points of intersection.

10. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising cooperating guide rolls provided with helical guide grooves for guiding two sets of strands disposed diagonally with relation to one another, cooperating welding electrodes positioned in proximity to the guide rolls,

and means for operating the electrodes in timed relation to the advance of the strands by the guide rolls to automatically unite the strands through welded areas at their points of intersection.

11., Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising means for guldmg two sets of spaced strands extending diagonally with relation 4to one another, cooperating electrode carriers each having a series of electrodes, and means for operating the carriers in timed relation to the advance of the strands to cause successive electrodes united by welded strands extending Y strands.

to automatically grip and weld the strands at points of intersection during the continuous advance thereof with the pattern.

12. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, guiding a series of spaced strands lengthwise of the pattern, a rotary cross-strand earrier for delivering separate cross-strands in operative relation to the longitudinal strands, intermittently operating means for delivering cross-strands at predetermined intervals to the rotary carrier, and means for welding the strands at points of intersection after the cross-strands have been delivered to operative position.

13. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise of the pattern, a cross-strand carrier having a strand-receiving slot, means for delivering cross-strands intermittently into the slot, means for retaining the strands therein, means for operating the carrier to deliver strands received in the slot at redetermined intervals, and means for releasing the strands and ejecting them from the slots.

14, Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprising means for guiding and maintaining two'sets of spaced in diagonal relationship to one another, means for bonding the two sets `of strands together at points of intersection while maintained in diagonal relationship, and means for feeding the pattern produced by the uniting of the two sets of FRANCIS B. RILEY.

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