US1898692A - Apparatus for producing woven wire cloth - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WOVEN WIRE CLOTH Filed July 11, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Zlwuentu FFZNKFgSCH/W/EGE Feb. 21, 1933. F. F. SCHMIEGE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WOVEN WIRE CLOTH v Filed July 11, 1931 .2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 21, 1933 rams 3r; scnmmen, or KA'LAMAZOO, MICHIGAN APPARATUSIOR PRODUCING WQVEN WIRE CLOTH Application and July 11, 1931. Serial 110.. 550,220.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for producing woven wire cloth, and more particularly to an attachment for a standard wire weaving loom which will permit the use of .a-shute or filler wire heavier in proportion to the size of the warp wire in the manufactureof the woven cloth.

In the use of alstandard wire weavingloom, it is, the customary practice to run the upper and'lower sheds of the warp wire through a slay which drives theshute .or filler wire into itsproper position with respect to the warp wire. Clothw-oven inaccordance with stand ard practice then passes over the breast beam to la take-upor cloth roll upon which it is collected. 7 a

It has been found diflicult to produce perfectly smooth cloth without a wavy surface, and in order to accomplish such result it is necessary :to crimp each shutewire to a certain extent and as the size of the shute wire is increased inproportion to the warp wire, it becomes-increasinglydifiicult to crimp the .shute wire sufiiciently to prevent the formation of awavy cloth. For example, when .007 inch warp wire is used in the production ofcloth on a standard loom it isdifficu lt to employ Va @0775 inch filler wire without the formation of a wavy cloth, although {the difference in the size of the warp and shute wires is very slight. e

The advantages of providing a cloth of very smooth surfacewhereintheshute wire is of greater diameter than-the warp wire, have been long' recognized, the use of such cloth beingparticularly advantageous in making the belts of paper machines and the like due topthe additional wearing surface provided on the wanp wire and the added rigidityof the cloth, as wellasto the-more efiicient drain- Q ing action provided. I v

Attempts have been made to overcome the diflicu'lties incident to the use of standard looms and ,togorovide wire clothof the char ,acter referredrto and while-more or less indifferent success has been attained, attachments ordinarily provided for this purpose have been-found to be subject toeXcessive wear, which wear in-turn roughensthe woven cloth. Such attempts have-embodied :the fuseof relatively rigid rods .or bars carried by and moviab'le with the slay to slightly elevate the cloth "adjacent the weaving point, since such elevation ofthe cloth permitsthe production of cloth which will be free from wavy surfaces. even when relatively largeshute'wire is employed. As stated,'however, practical'difiiculties have been encountered with such constructions such as the excesswearing of the elevating bar or rod, which wearing produces rough surfaces having a substantial abrading effect upon the cloth.

An important ob ect of the presentinv'ention is to provide a novel andQfully practicable attachment for a standard wire weaving 100111 which will permitlthe production of wire cloth having a particularly'smooth, even surface. p

A further object is to provide an attachment of the character referred to-which permits the production of a smooth wire cloth wherein the shute or filler wire is of substantially larger diameter than the warp wire.

A further object is to provide )an'attaehment of the character referred to which presents a relatively great area to the lower surface of the cloth, and WhichisresiIient' in its action, thus substantially eliminating wear upon the attachment together with the disadvantages incident -tliereto.

A further ob'ect is to provide. stationary mountin means for the attachment to eliminate thenecessity of securingthe attachment to the slay to move therewith,

Otherv objects and advantages of the invention will become apparenl; dnrirrgthe course of thefollowing description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment-of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 vis a side elevation of a' standard,

lcom showingthe attachment in operative p,o-' sition, V

s Figure 2 is an enlarged detailperspective view of one of the supporting devices for the attachment, l ure3 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the slay and associated elements, parts being shownin section, "and, H

Figure 4 is an enlarged 'fragmentary fsed tiona-l view through the lbreastbeam jandf-as-v as will be apparent.

sociated elements, showing the invention applied.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a standard wire weaving loom as a whole having a pair of side frame members 11 suitably connected together in the usual manner. The side members extend upwardly forming a support 12, above the bed of the loom, adapted to pivotally support a slay of the standard type indicated by the numeral 13.

Warp wires 14 are fed from a back beam 15 and pass over the usual guide bar 16. Suitable heddles 17 are arranged in the path of the warp wire beyond the guide bar 16,

and from the heddles, the wire passesthrough the lower portion of the slay in the usual manner. As is well known, the slay serves to drive the filler wire into proper position, as the warp wire passes therethrough to form the woven cloth. The slay carries the usual reed 16 held in position by a steel bar 17. After leaving the slay, the woven cloth passes over a breast beam 18 to a take-up roll 19.

The parts previously described are all elements of a standard wire weaving loom, and

any suitable means of the usual type may be employed for swinging the slay back and forth to drivethe shute wire into position, and for operating the other standard parts of the loom which form no part of the present invention. 7

The device forming, the subject matter of the present invention comprises a plurality of base plates 20 arranged at any suitable distance apart in a longitudinal recess 21 formed in the breast beam 18. In practice, the plates 20 are preferably arranged about eighteen inches apart, and are provided with opposite outstanding flanges 21 receiving bolts 22 by means of which the plate is securedin the position indicated. A supporting bracket 23 is arranged on the elevated central portion of each plate 20, and may be spaced therefrom by suitable shims 24. Each bracket includes outstanding flanges 25 bolted to the base plate as at 26. Each bracket further includes a central vertical flange 27 having a preferably integral top28 extending transversely of the flange and longitudinally with respect to the breast beam. Each foot 28 is provided with a bolt receiving opening 29 for a purpose to be described.

. A relatively heavy longitudinal plate 30 is bolted to the foot 28 of each bracket 23 by a bolt or screw 31 mounted in the opening 29 of each foot 28. Above the plate 30 is arranged a second plate 32 boltedto the first plate as at 33 and extending throughout the length thereof. The plate 32 is fairly heavy, and is held rigidly in position by the plate 30 The elevation of the plate 32 to the position shown in Figure 4 provides sufficient clearance for the shuttle race (not shown). The broken line 34 indicates the normal plane of travel of the cloth, and it will be apparent that the body of the plate 32 is inclined with respect thereto. The top of the plate 32 adjacent its free end, however, is provided with a tapered face parallel to the plane 34 of the cloth.

A resilient contact member 35 is arranged over the plate 32 and contacts with the tapered face thereof. The contact member is preferably made of spring steel of about .014 gage and extends throughout the length of theplate 32 and projects beyond the free edge thereof, as shown in Figure 4, to support and elevate the wire cloth up to the last shute wire driven into position. Leaf springs or spring steel arms 36 are brazed or otherwise secured beneath the outer edge portion of the member 35 and correspond in position to the plates 20. Each of the leaf springs 36 is notched at one edge as at 37 and is'adapted to interlock with a supporting'spring member 38 similarly notched for this purpose as at 39. The notches in one setof coacting spring members 36 and 38 are preferably reversed to prevent longitudinal movement of the contact member 35. v

An angle bracket 40 is secured to one of theflanges 21 by the bolt 22 thereof and includes an upstanding armto which the lower end of'the corresponding spring member 38 is riveted, as at 42. 4 An adjusting screw 43, provided with a lock nut 44, extends through the upper'end of each bracket arm 41 and 'bears against the corresponding spring member 38 to'adjust the tension thereof.

The operation of the device is as follows As previously stated, it is advantageous to elevate the cloth atthe point of weaving, but

in previous attempts to accomplish the desired result, it has been possible to only slightly elevate the cloth due to the cutting action of the wires against the elevating means, and the consequent abrasive action of the damaged elevating means' against the wires. Wlth the present device, it has been found that the free edge of the elevating member 35 can be brought up to the last shute wire, and can be elevated to a greater extent due-to its novel construction.

' In this connection it will be noted that the resiliency of the member 35, and particularly the overhanging edge thereof, and the use of the resilient supporting members 38, materially reduces the cutting or abrasive action against the'member 35, and this result is greatly enhanced by the fact that the mounting of the device permits an elevating member of substantial area to be employed. In

actual practice, therefore, it has been found that the wearing action against the member 35 is negligible.

The slay 13 and the .reed 16' operate in the usual manner to drive the shute wire into position, and this action causes the woven cloth to move suddenly forwardly and to momentarily slightly slacken the cloth. The cloth adjacent the last shute wire is maintained elevated by the resilient member 35, and thus the latter is subjected to appreciable pressure by the fabric. The movement of the slay, transmitted by the fabric, accordingly causes the entire assembly comprising the members 35, seen-d 38' to move forwardly with the cloth, and then to return to normal position during the mo mentary slackening thereof,'the return movement of the assembly being due to the resiliency of the members '38'and causing the edge of the member adjacent the reed to extend over one additional shutewire. The reed directly strikes the member 35 only when the take-up is not-properly adjusted and the release is greater than the amount of cloth .woven, but

no harm will be done under such conditions because of the freedom 'ofmovement of the member 35 and associated elements. The extension of the member 35 to the point of weaving also isv made possible by the resilient mounting, the entire'assembly referred to be ing free to move in the manner stated. Moreover, the resiliency of the device also permits the abrasive action of the wires against the member '35 to be reduced to a negligible point and prevents any irregularity in the cloth from striking the member 35, and breaking it as would occur if thisinem-ber were stationary. 7

Only a slight tensioning-of the device is required, and this tension readily may be adjusted by proper operation of the set screws 43. The adjustment of the set screws 43 obviously determines the limit of movementof the member 35 toward the reed. The lock nuts 44 obviously prevent any change in the adjustment of'the resilient members of the device; The proper height of the elements "ma be secured by use of the proper shims 24.

he use of flexible'material in the member "35 permits the upper face of the latter tocontact throughout its width with the under side of the cloth to further reduceab'rasion due to the large bearing surface provided. Moreover, the use of thin material in the member 35 allows the cloth to be woven near the bottom of thereed, which is its strongest point. In viewof the foregoing itwill be apparent that he present device provides novel means I for permitting the useof a standard wire Weaving loom in the production of wire cloth which is perfectly flat and smooth. The de vice also permits the cloth to be, made with materially heavier shute wires than has been accomplished with any prior constructions.

7 Such a cloth, as previously stated, has materialadvanta-ges when used in connection with paper making machines.

, It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shownv and described is to be taken asja'prefe'rred example of the same and'that various changes in the shape, size and "arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of them-- vention or the scope of the subj'oined "claims. I claim: I

1. In a wire weaving loom having aslay adapted to drive each filler wire into-wovenv relation withwar p wires, a relatively stationary"-member having its upper face ar-' ranged slightly above the'normal plane of,

ada 'qted to drive each filler wire into Woven i'e'lationwith the warp wires, a resilient relatively s'tationa r member having its upper face I arranged s ightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point Where the slay'moves to operative position to drive each filler wire into woven're lation with the warp wires, said resilient} member being adapted to flex downwardly at at leastlone edge portion.

3. In a wire weavin' loom havingaslay adapted to drive each I lle'r wire into woven relation with the warp wires, a resilient relatively stationary member having its upper face arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative 1500 position to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires, and means for adjusting the resilient member toward'the slay.

4. In a wire weaving loom having a slay relation with the warp wires, an elongated stationary plate arranged parallel tothe'slay, aresihentmember supported on said plate with its upper face arranged slightlyiabove to drive each fillerwire'into woven'relation with the warp wires.

5. In a wire Weaving loom having "a slay adapted to drive each filler Wire into woven relation with the warp wires, an elongated stationary plate arranged parallel to the slay,

a resilient member supportedon said plate WlthltS upper face-arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth, one

edge ofjsaid resilient member extending be yond said plate-and engageable beneath the cloth to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operativeposit'i'on to drive'each fillerwire into woven relation with the warp wires, andmeans for varying the distance'of the projectingporti'on of said readapted to drive each filler wire into woven silient member from the slay when the latter is in operative position. A

6. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 5 provided with a support for said plate, said tension varying means comprising a connection between said support and said resilient member, and an adjusting screwoperating against said connection.

and engageable beneath the cloth to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative posltion to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires. 7 e

8. Apparatus constructed in, accordance with claim 7 providedwith a resillent connection between sa1d resllient member and each of said supports and exerting an inwardly moving tendency upon said resilient member. V v

9. Apparatus constructed in accordance .with claim 7 provided with a bracket carried by each support, a resilient connection between said resilient member and each of said brackets and transmitting an inwardly moving tendency to said resilient member, and an adjusting screw threaded in each bracket and contacting with the corresponding resilient connection to vary the distance 7 of said resilient member from the slay when the latter is in operative position.

10. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plate supports said resilient member intermediate its longitudinal edges to permit both of the latter to flex downwardly.

i 11. Ina wire Weaving loom having a slay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires, and a breast beam over which the woven cloth is adapted to pass, a relatively stationary member carried by the breast beam and having its upper .face arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative position to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires.

7 12. In a wire weaving loom having a slay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven I relation with the warp wires, and a breast beam over. which the woven cloth is adapted to pass, a transversely resilient elongated relatively stationary I member carried by the breast beam parallel to the slayand having its upper face arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth'and' engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative position to driveeach filler wire. into woven relation with the warp wires.

I 13. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 12 provided witha rigid plate contacting with and supporting said resilient member intermediate its'longit'udinal edges whereby said member is adapted to flex 'downwardly at both'of said edges. 7

14:. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 12 provided; with a rigid plate contacting with and supporting said resilient;

member.intermediate its longitudinal edges whereby both of such edges are adapted to flex downwardly, and resilient means tending to urge said resilient member inwardly.

15. The combination with a wire weaving loom having a slay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires, of a relatively stationary member having its upper face arranged slightly, above the normal plane of the woven cloth and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where theslay moves to operative position to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires.

, 16. The combiuation with a wire weaving loom having a slay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires,o f a resilient elongated relatively stationary member parallel to the slay and having its upper face arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven cloth and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative position to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 provided with a stationary member engage able with and adapted to support said resilient member intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof to permit such edges to flex downwardly. I

18. The combination set forth in claim 16 provided with a stationary member engageable with and adapted to support said resilient member intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof to permit such edges toifiex downwardly, and resilient means tending to urge said resilient member inwardly. f

19. The combination witha wire weaving loom having arslay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires, and abreast beam over whiclrthe woven cloth is adapted to pass, of a relatively stationary member carried. by the breast beam andhaving its upper face arranged slightl above the normal plane of the woven clot and engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative position to drive eachfiller wire into woven relation with thewarp wires.

20. The combination with a wire weaving loom having a slay adapted to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp wires, and a breast beam over which the woven cloth is adapted to pass, of an elongated relatively stationary resilient member carried by the breast beam parallel to the slay and having its upper face arranged slightly above the normal plane of the woven clothand engageable therewith to elevate it adjacent the weaving point where the slay moves to operative position to drive each filler wire into woven relation with the warp Wires, and an elongated stationary member carried by breast beam and contacting with the lower face of said resilient member intermediate the longitudinal edges thereof to permit such edges to flex downwardly.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRANK F. SCHMIEGE.

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