US2010940A - Galvanizing apparatus and process - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 13, 1935.

A. BRADLEY GALVANIZING APPARATUS AND PROCESS Filed July .'50, 1931 50Min Patented Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE western Barb corporation of Illinois Wire Company, Sterling, Ill., a

Application 4July 30, 1931, Serial No. 553,957

12 Claims.

This invention has todo with the art of galvanizing or coating various objects, and concerns more particularly an apparatus and process by which hinge joint wire` fence is galvanized and treated so that such 'joints retain their hinge effect after solidication of the zinc or other coating material.

In the past it has been common to make galvanized wire fence by first galvanizing the individual wires and then forming the fabric, with the result that the rust resisting property of the zinc coating on the wire is considerably reduced by the time the fabric is produced. This is due to the bending, twisting and the like of the wire which is necessary in the production of the fabric. Thus, for example, the common commercial galvanized wire prior to fabrication into fencing and the like, when subjected to the usual commercial test by immersion for one minute in a copper sulphate solution, willshow no `evidence of penetration of the zinc coating by the solution until between two and one-half and three tests, whereas after the galvanized wire has been fabricated to form fencing or the like, the wire will not stand more than one to one and one-half such tests, The requirements of railroads and the government are somewhat more rigid than those of commercial establishments and specify that the untwisted or unknotted portions of the wire of the fencing must be capable of withstanding four tests, but make no requirements as to the portions of the wire which'are twisted or bent as in the case of hinge joint fence. It has been found in actualpractice that where the ordinary wire is capable of withstanding four tests, the knots or hinge joints are lgood for only one to one and one-half tests. It is accordingly obvious that, inasmuch as a chain is as strong as its weakest link, and the hinge joints or knots are very poorly coated with zinc, it will not be long after the beginning of the use of fencing made in accordance with the past practice to become rusty at and adjacent the hinge joints, knots and the like. It is accordingly one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a galvanizing apparatus by which wire fabric and the like may be coated or plated after the fabric is made together with an improved method of producing the fabric. It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus embodying means for preventing the formation of globules and the like of the zinc on various parts of the wire fabric.

` A further object of the invention resides in the provision of instrumentalities associated with a galvanizing apparatus or the like for preventing (Cl. 91-l2.2)

freezing of the zinc at hinge joints in the wire fabric.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an improved method by`which hinge joint fence is galvanized after the fence itself is 5 fabricated, without interfering with the hinge action of the various portions of the fence.

In carrying out the invention, fabricated fence from a reel or the like, emerging from a kettle of molten zinc or other coating material, passes through charcoal or other like material in grained form by which excess zinc or the like is wiped from the major portion of the fence, the latter being subsequently tapped, jarred or otherwise suitably agitated in such a manner as to throw off the excess zinc or spelter at the joints andat the same time cause the parts of each hinge joint to pivot about the line wires, thereby preventing freezing of the hinge joints. The instrumentalities for tapping or similarly treating the fabric as it emerges from the zinc kettle are such as to agitate and flex the joints from a point beyond the wiping material and at which the zinc on the fabric is in a molten condition to a point along the fabric at which the zinc coating is substantially solidified. With this construction, the danger of any freezing of joints occurring after the fabric has been jarred is removed.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the instrumentalities by which the fabric is both agitated and flexed are themselves flexible so that in the flexing of the fabric, the stay wires will not be unduly stretched.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and accompanying drawing.

This invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

Figure l is a longitudinal fragmentary sectional diagrammatic view of one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a. right end view of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a hinge joint of hinge joint fence.

Figure 4 shows hinge joint fence deflected by the device of my invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein the same parts are indicated throughout by the same reference characters, there is indicated at I a kettle for containing zinc or vother coating material in a liquid condition at the desired temperature, thekettle having an inlet opening (not shown) for receiving the metal to be coated, and an outlet opening at 2 -through whichthe'fabric 3 emerges. A boxlike or other container 4 contains grained charcoal or the like 5 above and on opposite sides of the opening 2 and serving to wipe a major portion of the excess zinc clinging to the emerging coated material 3.

A framework 6 comprising standards 1 is pro- Fvfded with suitable bearings in which the ends of the shafts on which the pulling or `drawing rolls 8 land 9 and the sprockets I0`andf |I are carried.

A second framework I2 comprises standards |3 disposed on one side and |4 on the other side of the path of movement of the fabric 3 as it` passes onto the finishing reels the various standards being connected by the cross bars I5 and I6. Each standard I3 carries one end of a crank shaft I1 in suitable bearings, the other ends of the shafts I1 being carried in suitable bearings in the standards I4. Sprockets I8 are carried adjacent the ends of the shafts I1, and are connected by chains I9 so that the shafts I1 will rotate in unison. A chain connects the sprockets I9 and carried on the standards 1, and suitable chains are employed for connecting the sprockets with the adjacent sprockets I8. A suitable source of motive power is connected to any one of the shafts, as, for example, that on which the roll 9 and sprockets are carried. It will thus be evident that the shafts will move together. It will be understood, of course, that gearing or any other suitable means could be substituted for 'the chain drive herein disclosed.'

Each shaft I1 adjacent its ends carries an eccentric 20 which is receivedin a follower ring 2|. Each ring 2| is connected by a rod or the like 22 to an end of a horizontal rod or bar 23, and it will be clear that for each revolution of each shaft I1, the bars 23 will be' given a vertical throw and return equal to the throw of the eccentrics 20.

The bars 23 extend transversely of the path of movement of the fabric 3, and are provided with aligned openings in which trunnion pins 24 are carried.

A longitudinally extending beam member 25 is pivotally mounted on each set of aligned trunnions 24 and depends therefrom as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each member 25 is provided at its lower edge with a substantially V-shaped groove 26 and with spaced transversely extending substantially V-shaped grooves 21, the distance between adjacent transverse grooves 21 being substantially equal to the distance between adjacent stay wires 29. Spring elements 40 embrace the sides of each member 25 and also the lends thereof and are secured to the transverse members 23 and serve to resiliently hold the member 25 vertical but permit the member 25 to swing in both directions.

The structure embodying the transverse supporting members 23 and the grooved members 25 is duplicated below the same, the corresponding transverse members 3| having trunnions 32 by which the members 33 are pivotally carried, spring elements 34 resiliently holding the members 33 in vertical position. The transverse members 3| are slidably secured to the standards I3 and I4 asshown at 3|a. The longitudinal members 25 are spaced apart a distance equal to twice the distance between line wires of the fabric, as are also the longitudinal stationary members 33. The members 33, however, are arranged in alternating relation to the members 25, and the several mem- -bers are disposed so that the line wires are aligned with the longitudinal grooves in the members 25 and 33 as shown in Figure 2. The line wires are indicated at 35 and are continuous for the full length of the fabric, whereas the stay wires 29 are individual elements which are brought together and coiled about the line wires 35 to form hinge joints generally indicated at 36.

The distance between adjacent grooves 21 is substantially equal to the distance between successive joints of the fabric, and the circumference of the drawing or pulling roll 9 is equal to this distance, in accordance with the illustrated form of the invention. Moreover, the various sprockets are formed with the same number of teeth and the same diameter so that for every revolution of the drawing roll 9, there will be one revolution of each shaft I6 and eccentric 20.

With the parts thus arranged, it will be evident that the joints 3.6 will be disposed in juxtaposed relation to the several transverse grooves 21 of the members 25 and 33, and upon every down stroke of the members 25, the various joints 36 will be lodged in the transverse grooves 21 of aiternate members 25 and 33 as shown. As will be clear from the drawing, the normal clearance between the members 25 and 33 and the fabric 3 is sufficient to permit the free movement of the fabric 3 when the members 25 are in their uppermost positions as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When the members 25 are in their lowermost positions, as shown in Figure 4, it will be noted that the bottoms of the grooves in the members 25 are disposed substantially below the bottoms of the corresponding grooves of the members 33, so that the stay Wires 29 will have a hinge action about the several line wires as indicated. 0f course, while the members 25 are moving downwardly, the fabric 3 is moving forwardly as indicated by the arrow in Figure 1, and in order to avoid impedance of the progress of the fabric 3, during both the down and up strokes of the members 25, the bars 23 are fioatingly suspended at 2|a and the bars 3| are slidably supported at 3|a. As the fabric 3 moves forward during the time that the bottoms of the members 25 are below the tops of the members 33, the fabric engages the forward walls of grooves 21 of the various ` members 25 and 33 and moves them forward until the members 25 have risen sumciently to permit clear passage of the fabric.

It will be noted that by reason of the pivotal mounting of the various members 25 and 33, assuming for the sake of illustration only that the member 25a is in the center of the transverse bar 23, those bars 25 and 33 to the left of the bar 25a will be tilted slightly to the right and toward said bar 25a,'and those to the right of said bar will be tilted somewhat to the left, when the bar 23 is in its lowermost position as shown at 23a in dotted lines. The tilting of the various members 25 and 33 is caused by the fact that the stay wires 29 when deflected as shown in Figure 4 cause the line wires 35 and joints 36 to be drawn closer together. The coils at the joints 36 will perhaps be slightly stretched and the resulting tension will serve to return the stay I wires to their normal positions.

The members 25 and 33 are made so long that a major portion, if not all, of the fabric passing between the sets of members 25 and 33 at any given time carries the coating of zinc or the like in a molten state, and additionally of such length that the portion of the fabric 3 emerging at the forward ends of the members 25 and 33 is substantially dry. It will thus be apparent that the jarring of this portion of the fabric is practically continuous' so that the corresponding substantially continuous flexing of the stay wires 23 combined with the impacts by which the e`xcess spelter is removed, will prevent freezing of the hinge joints so that the latter will retain their eillciency as such when in use.

With the above described construction, it will be clear that no adjustment of the members25 and 33 either vertically or lengthwise of the fabric 3 is necessary. `These `members are, however, preferably made'removable so that in the event that hinge joint fence of different dimensions is to be galvanized, correspondingly formed impact members'may be secured in proper positions with respect to the standards I3 and il as well as with respectto the fabric. Moreover. if desired, instead of making the circumference of the drawing roll 9 the same as the distance between the transverse grooves 21, the roll 9 may be differently dimensioned in order to obtain the desired synchronism between the vertical reciprocation of the bars or members 25 and the forward movement of the fabric 3.

'I'he globules of spelter or zinc which collect in the spaces between the coilsof each hinge joint 33 as well as between the coils andthe line wires 35 about which they are wrapped, are considerably thicker than the remainder of the zinc coating, so that the jarring or agitation of the fence or fabric 3 will not appreciably disturb the zinc coating except where it has collected in globules and the like, and the excess zinc in the globules will -be thrown oif by the action of the members 25 and 33. After being agitated, the 'fabric 3 proceeds into an area or bln and then passes along suitable idler rolls to the finishing reel. When the reel reaches a given size, the fabric 3 is cut oil adjacent the reel and while preparation is being made to place a new reel in position and secure the free end of the fabric 3 thereto, the galvanizing process is not interrupted, but continues, the fabric collecting during this time in the area or bin mentioned. As soon as the new reel is in position, the shaft to which it is secured is rotated by a suitable motor or the like, once the fabric is attached thereto. Suitable means associated with the drawing roller 3 will cause the latter to continuously rotate so that the gaivanizing process may not be interrupted. n

I have found in practice that the unbent wire of the hinge joint fence produced in accordance with the present invention will withstand as many ls eight immersions or tests in copper sulphate, each of one minute duration, before any sign of corrosion appears, and that the wire forming the joints or knots will withstand five or six such tests, while corresponding portions of the wire of hinge joint fence made of pre-galva nized wire will stand relatively few tests and enjoy comparatively little life in use.

In order to insure the proper positioning of the transverse grooves 21 of the members 25, and 33 upon the down stroke of the members 25, stops 31 and 33 are secured preferably to the framework as shown, and springs 3! and 40 cooperating respectively with the transverse `bars 23 and 3i, or the members 25 and 33 carried thereby, constantly urge said bars toward these stops. Thus, as soon as the bottoms of the reciprocating members 25, in their upward movement. clear the forwardly moving yfabric 3, and as soon as, during this movement of the fabric, the latter clears the members 33the members 2l and 33 will be drawn toward the stops mentioned by said springs, and in these positions the several members will be ready for proper engagement with the fabric upon the next down stroke of the members 25.

It will be noted that if desired the lower bars 3l could be stationary and the upper bars 23 could be limited to vertical reciprocation, in which event the transverse grooves 21 could be made sumciently wide to allow the forwardly moving fabric to ride up the forward walls of said grooves as the members 25-are moving upward, -without any impedance of the forward movement of the fabric.

Because ofthe V shape of the various longitudinal and transverse grooves in the bars 25 and 33, these grooves are substantially self cleaning with respect to any of the molten zinc which might tend to adhere to the walls of the grooves upon contact therewith.

If desired, the beating or agitating mechanism herein described and illustrated could be dispensed with and in its stead an attendant could be employed to strike by hand the joints of the fabric at suitable intervals. However, by the use of the mechanism mentioned, or other suitable instrumentalities, more reliable results are obtainable.

Abutments 4l and 32, carried respectively by the rear bars 23 and 3|, cooperate with the springs 39 and lll. Guides 43 straddle the bars 3i and thus constrain the latter to horizontal movement. l

If desired, the spring 33 and abutment 4l could be dispensed with and the force of gravity depended upon to return the bars 23 to the stop 31.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction may be varied through a Lwide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hleeon otherwise than necessitated by the prior a I claim as my invention:

.1. In an apparatus including a kettle containing molten coating material and means for draw` ping wire or like hinge fabric to be coated from said kettle, instrumentalities for agitating the from the kettle and having longitudinal grooves to receive the line strands and transverse grooves to receive at predetermined intervals the stay strands of the fabric, a second set of movably mounted grooved bars positioned adjacent the line strands alternating with those first mentioned, resilient means resisting movement of the bars, means for drawing the fabric from the kettle and progressing the fabric forwardly between said sets of bars, mechanism shifting one set toward the other until said sets substantially cverlap each other, and means for synchronizing said drawing means with said mechanism so that the hinge joints of the fabric will be located in said transverse grooves of the several bars when said sets are overlapped and so that the fabric will progress a distance equal to the distance between successive stay wires during the time it takes the -sets to again become overlapped, the pivotal mountings of the various bars permitting the grooves in the latter to receive the joints of the fabric while the latter is deflected.

. .2. In an apparatus for producing ,galvanized-- yhinge joint fabric after the' lattefis fabricated,-

means for drawing the fabric thru a molten bath of zinc and mechanism actuated in synchronism with the advancing movement of the fabric and including impact elements disposed and adapted for defiecting each joint of the fabric repeatedly from a point at `which the excess zinc in the joints is liquid to a point at which the zinc at the joints is substantially solidied, whereby freezing of the joints is prevented.

3. In an apparatus for producing galvanized hinge joint fabric after the latter is fabricated, mechanism for defiecting veach joint of the fabric repeatedly from a point at which the excess zinc in the joints is liquid to a point at which the zinc at 'the joints is substantially solidified, whereby freezing of the joints is prevented, said mechanism including a reciprocating member having spaced grooves to successively receive a joint of the fabric, and means timed with the progression of the fabric so that the joint will be disposed in a different -groove each time said member reaches one of its limits of reciprocation.

4. In an apparatus for producing galvanized hinge joint fabric after the latter is fabricated, means for drawing the fabric thru a, molten bath of zinc and mechanism actuated in synchronism with the advancing movement of the fabric and including impact elements disposed and adapted for defiecting each joint of the fabric repeatedly from a point at which the excess zinc in the joints is liquid to a point at which the zinc at the joints is substantially solidified, whereby freezing of the joints is prevented, said mechanism including eccentric means for reciprocating said elements.

5. The process of producing galvanized hinge joint fabric, which comprises the steps of coating the fabricwith molten zinc, and subsequently flexing the stay wires of each joint repeatedly by impacting the same until said joint is substantially dry, whereby excess zinc at the joint will be removed and freezing of the `joints will be obviated.

6. The process of producing galvanized hinge joint fabric, which comprises the steps 'of coating the fabric with molten zinc, and simultaneously progressing said fabric and repeatedly pivoting each hinge joint of the fabric from a time when the excess zinc 4at said joints is liquid to a time at which said zinc at the joints is substantially dry.

7. The process of producing galvanized hinge joint fabric, which comprises applying a coat of molten zinc to the fabric and subsequently, from a time when the zinc at the joints is wet to a time when the zinc at the joints is substantially dry, striking each joint and causing the stay wires of each joint to pivot, whereby excess zinc .at the joints is thrown olf and freezing of the joints is prevented.

8. In an apparatus including a kettle containing molten coating material and means for drawing wire or like hinge fabric to be coated from said kettle, instrumentalities for agitating the fabric while the material on the same is in an unsolidied condition, saidk instrumentalities including a set of movable bars extending adjacent alternate line strands of the fabric emerging from the kettle and having longitudinal grooves to receive the line strands and transverse grooves to receive at predetermined intervals the strands of the fabric, a, second set of movably mounted grooved bars positioned adjacent the line strands "alternating with those first `mentioned, resilient means. resisting movement of the bars,l means for drawing the fabric from the kettle and progressing the fabric forwardly between said sets of bars, mechanism shifting one set toward the other until said sets substantially overlap each other, and means for synchronizing said drawing means with said mechanism so that the hinge joints of the fabric will be located in said transverse grooves of the several bars when said sets are overlapped and so that the fabric will progress a distance equal to the distance between successlve stay wires during the time it-takes the sets to again become overlapped.

9. In an apparatus for producing galvanized hinge joint fabric after the latter is fabricated, mechanism for defiecting each joint of the fabric repeatedly from a' point at which the excess zinc in the joints is liquid to a point at which the zinc at the joints is substantially solidified, whereby freezing of the joints is prevented, said mechanism including a reciprocating member having spaced grooves to successively receive a joint of the fabric, and means timed with the progression of the fabric so that the joint will be disposed in a different groove each time said member reaches one of its limits of reciprocation, and means forward and rearward of said mechanism for supporting the fabric.

10. In an apparatus for producing a galvanized hinge joint fabric after the latter is fabricated, mechanism for deflecting each joint of the fabric repea edly from a point at which the excess zinc in the joints is liquid to a point at which the zinc at thejoints is substantially solidifled,whereby freezing of the joints is prevented, said mechanism including means for movably supporting the fabric as it emerges from a galvanizing kettle, devices for defiecting alternate line wires of the fabric, at least cne of saiddevices being reciprocable in directions transverse to the fabric and both of said devices being loosely mounted for limited movement with the fabric, and means for returning said devices to predetermined positions upon the completion of the last named movement.

11. ,In an apparatus including a kettle containing molten coating material and means for drawing wire or like hinge fabric to be coated from said kettle, instrumentalities for agitating the fabric while the coating material on the same is in an unsolidied condition, said instrumentalities comprising members extending adjacent alternate line strands of the fabric emerging from the kettle and having longitudinal grooves to receive the line strands and transverse grooves to receive at predetermined intervals the stay strands of the fabric, a second device comprising movably mounted grooved members positioned adjacent the line strands alternating with those first mentioned, means for drawing the fabric from the kettle and progressing the fabric forwardly between said sets of members, mechanism for shifting one set toward the other until said sets substantially overlap each other, and means for synchronizing said drawing means with said mechanism so that the hinge joints of the fabric will be located in said transverse grooves of the several members when said sets are overlapped, and so that the fabric will progress a distance equal to the distance between successive stay wires during the time it takes the sets to again become overlapped, one of said devices being mounted by suspension so that it will be carried by the moving fabric when the stay wires are disposed in the transverse grooves, whereby impedance of movement of the fabric will be obviated.

12. In an apparatus for agitating galvanized hinge joint fabric, a pair of devices disposed on opposite sides of the fabric. means constraining one of said devices for limited movement in the direction of movement of the fabric, resilient means for returning said one device to a predetermined position, said devices having pockets arranged in accordance with the joints of the fabric, the pockets of each device being disposed adjacent alternating line wires of the fabric so that upon relative movement 0f said devices, one set of alternate line wires will be displaced from the ceive said joints.

plane'containing the other set of alternate line wires, means for reciprocating the other of said devices for deilecting alternate line wires of said fabric, said means pivotally carrying the other device whereby the joints engaged in said pockets will shift said devices as the fabric progresses,

whereby the progress of the fabric will not be interfered with by said devices, and mechanism for synchronizing the reciprocating means with the means for drawing the fabric so that upon reciprocation of the other device, the pockets will vre- ALBERT BRADLEY.

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