US2064169A

US2064169A - Method of and apparatus for producing radio tube grids

Info

Publication number: US2064169A
Application number: US57444A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kershaw Henry
Original assignee: SOVEREING MACHINERY Co
Current assignee: SOVEREING MACHINERY Co
Priority date: 1936-01-03
Filing date: 1936-01-03
Publication date: 1936-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1953-12-15

Description

H. KERSHAW METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Dec. 15, 1936.

Filed Jan. 3, 1936 11 $heets-$heet 1 Dec. 15, 1936. H, KERSHAW' 2,064,169

WWW,

Dec. 15, 1936. 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS H. KYERSHAW Filed Ja n. s, 1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 1 H6122? Kai-5m H. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Dec. 15, 1936.

11 Sheets-$heet 5 Filed Jan. 3, 1936 w a & mm m 5% mm Dec. 15, 1936. V H. KERSHAW' 2,064,169.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS 4 4 Zi/ Henry Krafiawr 5 1 222 1 n A\ Z I 66m Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW 2,054,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE'GRIDS Filed Jan. 3, 1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ema/who'd Dec. 15, 1936. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 WMMM Strum/ Dec. 15, 1936. H. K ERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan.' 3, 1936 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Henry lfenshzw Q Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RA DIO TUBE GRIDS Filed. Jan. 3, 1936 ll Sheets-Sheet 10 Zrskaou Gum/M Dec. 15, 1936. H. KERSHAW 2,064,169

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Filed Jan. 3, 1936 11 S heets-Sheet 11 4&- F21). 49

i 2' I 12 32. as f Patented ee. 15 i935 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RADIO TUBE GRIDS Henry Kershaw, Newark, N. J., assignor to Sovereign Machinery Company, Newark, N. 1..

corporation of New Jersey Application January 3,

'600laims.

My invention relates to a method of and ma; chine for producing radio tube grids.

An important object of the invention is to provide a method of the above mentioned character which will accurately space the grid wires upon the side rods.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of. the above mentioned character which will produce an initial stretching action upon the grid wires to take up slack, just prior to attaching the same to the side rods, and which will subsequently stretch or expand the grid to space the same, prior to the completion of the grid and its severance from the remaining grid 5 or grids.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character, which may be employed in the practice oi the method shown in Letters Patent 2,004,246,

20 granted to me under date of June 11, 1935, and

of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is an end elevation, parts in section,

Figure 3a is a perspective view of the welding jaws and associated clamping jaws,

Figure 3b is a horizontal section taken on line 3b3b of Figure 3a,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the main cam shaft and associated elements driven thereby,

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the means to form the spaced grooves upon the side rods, and associated elements,

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the means to form the spaced grooves upon the side rods,

Figure '7 is a transverse section taken on line 1-1 of Figure 5, y

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation of the notching teeth of the groove form-- ing means,

Figure 8a is an enlarged side elevation of one side rod,

Figure 9 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Figure 5, with the groove forming means retracted,

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the groove formissasenai No. 51,444

ing means, showing the same in the projected position and engaging the side rods,

Figure 11 is a vertical section through a modifled form of side rod gripping and welding'means,

the same being a view similar to Figure 9,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the comb devices and associated elements,

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view 'of one 01' the comb devices,

Figure 14 is a transverse section taken on line [4-H of Figure 12, Figure 15 is a longitudinal section taken lB-IS of Figure 14,

Figure 16 is a perspective view 0! the mandrel and associated elements,

Figure 17 is a central vertical longitudinal section through the mandrel, parts in elevation, Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of .the mandrel,

Figure 19 is a transverse section taken l9-i9 of Figure 17,

Figures a, a, b, b, b", c, c',-c", d, d, d",

on line on line a, e', e", f, f are diagrammatic views illustrating the several steps of the operation of the machine and in thepractice of the method,

Figure 20 is a plan view of a modified form of apparatus for producing the grids, the same being shown partly diagrammatic,

Figure 21 is a front elevation of the same,

P rts. in section, I

Figure 22 is a detailed section taken on line 22-22 of Figure 24,

Figure 23 is a transverse section taken on line 23-23 0! Figure 20,

Figure 24 is a perspective view of the expansible mandrel and associated elements,

Figure 25 is a fragmentary section through the notching jaws, showing the ejector plungers,

Figure 26 is a plan view of one of the notching jaws, showing the ejector plungers,

Figure 27 is a transverse section taken on line 21-21 of Figure 21,

Figure 28 is a plan view, partly diagrammatic, oi the expansible mandrel and associated elements, showing the side rod holding slide in the forward or projected position'upon the mandrel element, upon the beginning oi the feeding movement of the side rods, with the mandrel arranged at position A between the grid wires,

Figure 29 is a similar view with the side rods fed into the passage of the mandrel and the side rod holding slide in the retracted position,

Figure 30 is a similar view, showing the side rods cut and held within the passage of the mandrel d mandrel advanced to position 3,

2| and'bas 20 are further connected by webs 22, as shown.

Arranged upon one side of the plate 2| is an upstanding reel 23, Figure 3, carried by a vertical arm 24, in turn mounted upon a slide 2! arranged within a stationary guide 24, rigidly mounted upon the base 20. The slide has av longitudinal slot 21, Figure 2, for receiving a clamping screw 28, engaging within a screwthreaded opening 29 formed in the stationary guide 26. Clamping bolt 23 carries a winged head 30 permanently secured thereto. By turning the winged head 30, the slide 25 may be longitudinally adjusted throughout the length of the slot 21 and clamped at selected adjusted positions. The slide about a right angle to the original position.

25 carries a guidepin 3|, depending therefrom and rigidly secured thereto, and this pin is provided with a head 32, and is slidable within an elongated slot 33 formed in the extended bottom 34 of the guide 26. This extended bottom has a stop 35. It is thus seen that by removing the bolt 28 from within the screw-threaded opening 29, slide 25 may be moved longitudinally and outwardly to disengage the sides of the guide 26, while it remains upon the bottom extension 34, and is pivotally connected therewith by means of pin 3|, so that the slide may be turned upon the bottom extension 34 to assume a position at The function of this construction is to provide means whereby access may be had to elements carried by the reel 23, as will be explained. The reel 23 pivotally supports a suitable number of spools 36, carrying the grid wires.

Rigidly attached to the sides 23' of the reel 23 are spaced superposed horizontal arms 3I, Figure 3, the connection being effected by screws 38 or the like. The arms 38 in each pair are parallel and are preferably rigid. The numeral 40 designates pairs of leaves, hinged to the arms 38, at 4|, Figure 9, to be swung to opened and closed positions, with relation thereto. When in the closed position, these arms converge forwardly,

and engage stationary stops 42, rigidly secured to tracks 65, to be described The leaves 40 are permanently pivotally connected with the arms 38, and are normally retained in the inner position in contact with the stops 42 by the pulling action of the grid wires, but these leaves are free to swing outwardly to clear the tracks 65, when the arms 33 are withdrawn, to afford access to the combs.

The leaves 40 carry combs 44', which are identical. Each pair of leaves 40 are included in a yoke comprising a bar 45, provided centrally thereof with an opening 46 to receive a pivot stud 41 of the comb housing 48. This comb housing is provided at its ends and at its bottom with cars 49 having curved slots 50, concentric with the pivot stud 41, and receiving clamping bolts 5| engaging the bar 45. It is thus seen that the comb housingmay be turned or angularly adjusted upon the pivot stud 41 and locked in the selected adjusted position by manipulation of the clamping bolts 5|. The comb housing is provided with a longitudinal groove 53 for slidably receiving a. comb bar 54. The groove also forms outer stationary comb bars 53. The inner comb bar and outer stationary comb bars 35 are transversely milled to provide transverse slots 53, which are equi-distantly spaced and are the same width. These slots are wider than the diameter of the grid wire to be handled The grid wires 31 pass through the slots of the outer stationary comb bars and the inner adjustable comb bar, and the inner comb bar is longitudinally adjusted with respect to the outer comb bars, until the grid wires are brought into sliding engagement with corresponding walls of the slots in the, outer comb bars. The inner sliding comb bar is then locked in this adjusted position by means of screws 31, engaging within screw-threaded openings 58 in the comb housing, and having their heads 53 projecting laterally over the ends of the sliding comb bar, to engage therewith. In order that the grid wires may not move out of the transverse slots of the several comb bars, a sliding cover 60 is provided, the bevelled edges of which operate within under-cut grooves GI formed upon the inner faces of the outercomb bars, the sliding cover preferably having an upstanding extension 62 to facilitate its adjustment.

The sliding cover is removed when the grid wires is adjustable so that wires in sets of varying diameters, are held accurately equi-distantly spaced, and the distance between the wires so held, may be varied by angularly adjusting the comb housing. The grid wires 31 pass from the spools 36 to the combs, as stated, and engage guide rollers 63.

The plate 2| is provided with an opening 64, through which the arms 33 project, and also stationary tracks or guides 65, which are rigidly secured to flanges 65', Figures 5 and 12, bolted to the plate 2|, as shown at 56. The arms 38 preferably engage the outer edges of the stationary guides 65, and the arms 33 have screw-threaded openings formed in the same near their free ends for carrying locking bolts 61, adapted to engage within screw-threaded openings 63, formed in the guides or tracks 65, when the arms 33 have been shifted forwardly to the completely adjusted position, thus rigidly holding the forward end portions of the arms 33 against movement.

Means are provided to notch the side rods, for receiving the grid wires. This means comprises a sliding yoke-carriage 69, Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, operating within the tracks or guides 65. This yoke-carriage is provided near its rear end with a transverse pivot pin 10, operating within slots ll formed in the forked end I2 of a lever 13, to

be more fully described. The notching means arm by means of pin 15, as stated, but these parts do not cross. When the rear ends of the arms I8 are spread, the forward ends of the jaw heads 14 will be movedtogether. At their rear ends, the arms 16 have bevelled faces II, to be engaged by a pin or spreading element 13, extending across the yoke-carriage 68 and rigidly secured thereto. The jaw heads 14 are supported and guided durjoumalled within blocks 19, which in turn are slldably mounted within elongated openings 30,

formed in the sides of the yoke-carriage 69, with ing their longitudinal movement by the pin I5,

compressible coil springs 8|,arranged at the rear of the blocks 88, to oppose the forward longitudinal movement of the yoke-carriage 69 with respect to the blocks 88. The lower jaw head 14 is provided with a pin 82, rigidly secured thereto, and arranged to engage a stationary stop pin 83 rigidly attached to the guide ontrack 65. Jaws 84 are rigidly mounted upon the jaw heads 14, and preferably detachably connected therewith so that a different pair of jaws 84 may be employed, when desired, and each jaw has a set of preferably V-shaped teeth 85 extending longitudinally thereof. The apexes 86 of each set of teeth 85 are accurately equi-distantly spaced, and the apexes of one set of V-shaped teeth are arranged in alignment with the apexes 86 of the other set of V-shaped teeth, Figure 8, there being means to laterally adjust the jaws 84 upon the jaw-heads, in the form of screw 81 so that the sets of apexes 86 are brought into accurate alignment and maintained in such alignment. It might be stated at this point that the V-shaped teeth 85 form transverse V-shaped notches or grooves 85' in the opposite sides of each pair, of side rods 88, Figure 811. When the jaws 84 move inwardly to formthese notches or grooves and while engaging with the pair of side rods, they do not partake of longitudinal movement with relation to the side rods, whereby there is no tendency to laterally displacethe side rods. The V-shaped grooves 85, Figure 8a, are accurately equi-distantly spaced, and serve to hold the grid wires against lateral creeping when the welding jaws force them toward the side rods. These grooves also afiord two welding contact points between the side rods and the grid wires.

The numeral 89 designates an expansible mandrel, Figures 1, 4, and 6 to 20, shown as cylindrical for the purpose of illustration, although it may be of a different shape. drel includes oppositely arranged rear and forward sections 98 and 9 I, rigidly attached to

blocks

92 and 93, respectively. Arranged between the. sections 98 and 9| are upper and

lower sections

94 and 95, carried by bases 96 and 91, respectively, having outer straight edges, as shown. A split resilient ring 98 surrounds the inner ends of the mandrel sections, and a split resilient ring 98 engages within an annular groove 99 formed in the free end of the expansible mandrel. The function of these rings is to hold the mandrel sections together and to contract them after they are expanded and released. The block 92 is rigidly mounted upon a slide I88 by means of screws IM or the like, while the block 93 is slidably mounted upon the slide I 88 and is urged inwardly toward the block 92 by means of a compressible coil spring I82, engaging a pin I82, operating in an elongated slot I83 and rigidly secured to the block 93. A cap-plate I 83 is arranged above the

blocks

92 and 93 and is held in place by the screws IN. This cap-plate permits of the transverse sliding movement of the block 93 toward and from the block 92, but holds this block against any turning movement upon its longitudinal axis, and the slide I88 and the cap-plate I83 engage the straight edges of the bases 96 and 91, when the

mandrel sections

94 and 95 approach the end of their expanded positions, and retain these mandrel sections in the normal position with respect to turning movement upontheir longitudinal axes, if there has been any slight tendency for such displacement. The mandrel sections 98 and 9| are provided with shallow grooves or scores I84, which coact This expansible manwith the side rods, to properly center the side rods on the mandrel. Arranged near and spaced from the expansible mandrel 89 is a companion mandrel element I85, which is not expansible, and which is rigidly mounted upon the block 92. The side rods 88 are passed between the expansible mandrel 89 and the mandrel element I85, in a manner to be more fully described. The expansible mandrel is tubular and hasatapered bore I86 which is extended throughthe inner faces of the

blocks

92 and 93, for the reception of a tapered expanding element or wedge I81, provided at its rear end with an apertured ear I88, connected with a slide I89, by means of a screw H8 or the like.

The numeral III designates a pair of vertical oppositely arranged welding jaws, Figures 3a, 9, and 10, which are rigidly attached to and insulated from vertical slides II2, operating in stationary guides H3, and these guides are rigidly attached to the upstanding plate 2I. Each slide I I2 is provided at its outer end with a pair of pins H4, rigidly secured thereto, and slidably operating within openings II 5, formed in a head II6, rigidly secured to a lever II1. Compressible coil springs .I I8 surround the pins I I4 beneath the head H6, and the pins II4 carry stop caps H9 at their outer ends, with washers I28. Any suitable number of shims I2I may be arranged between the top of the slide H2 and the springs H8. The welding jaws III are connected with the opposite sides of a transformer-by a suitable circuit, and the circuit is closed for providing a current for the welding operation, for a short period, such as from one to two cycles. The welding jaws are sufliciently wide to extend across the pair of side rods 88 and properly force the grid wires into engagement therewith. The welding jaws are moved inwardly by the yielding action of the springs II 8, and when the grid wires and the adjacent portions. of the side rods fuse or become plastic, the springs II8 cause the welding jaws to "follow these parts, thereby effecting a satisfactory weld.

Means are provided, Figures 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, to

holding means comprises vertical slides I22, op-

erating within stationary guides I23. The guides I23 are bolted to the guides H3, and in order that the guides I 23 may be horizontally adjusted, I contemplate arranging shims I23 of different widths between the guides I23 and I I3. Since the guides I23 control the plane in which the slides I22 of the side rod holding devices operate, and since the rotary cutters must. operate within the recesses I29, I also provide means to horizontally adjust the slide I36, including a shim I35, the guide I35 being held in place by bolts I36. It is thus seen that the side rod holding means and the grid wire cutting means are adjustable into proper alignment and are adjustable from the welding position, which is a fixed position. This adjustment is necessary as the size of the grid maybe varied. The slides I22 are vertically movable, toward and from each other and are shifted vertically by heads I24 carried by levers I25. A bolt I26 has a swivelled connection with the head I24, and its inner end has screw-threaded engagement with the slide 122, as shown at I21, whereby the slide may be adjusted toward andfrom the head I24, and the slide is locked in the adjusted position by lookholding jaws I30.

but have screw-threaded engagement with the slide I22, and are adapted to hold the slide in the adjusted position. Each slide is provided with a main recess I29, and a pair of depending holding or gripping jaws I30, the inner ends of which are slightly spaced, and the jaws I30 are adapted to engage with the pair of adjacent side rods 88. The jaws I30 preferably converge downwardly. Each slide I22 has a supplemental holding jaw I3I arranged upon one side thereof, to move therewith. The connection is preferably adjustable so that the supplemental holding jaw may be adjusted both vertically and horizontally with relation to the slide I22.- To effect this, a dove tailed tongue I32 is provided, preferably integral with the slide I22, and this dove tailed tongue is vertically inclined, as shown in Figure 3a. The dove-tailed tongue operates within a dove-tailed groove I33, also horizontally inclined, and formed in an intermediate plate I33, which is rigidly and detachably secured to the supplemental jaw I3I by screw or screws I34, passing through a head I35a. The head I35a will vary in thickness depending upon the desired distance between the jaw I3I and the jaws I30, as may be required with a grid of a given width. When the distance is to be varied, the jaw I3I is removed and another jaw I3I placed upon the plate I33, and the head I35a of the desired thick ness being thereby obtained. The jaw I3I is vertically adjusted by means of screws I34, engaging the slide I22, with their heads engaging the plate I33. -The supplemental jaws I3I are arranged between the welding jaws III and the pairs of holding jaws I30, and engage the pair of adjacent side rods next to the pair of side rods, then arranged-at the point of cutting.

The cutting means, Figures 1, 2, and 4, comprises a stationary horizontal guide I35, rigidly supported from the plate 2I and this guide receives or holds a horizontal movable cutter carriage or slide I36. This carriage or slide is provided at its inner end with a pair of spaced arms I31, with a groove I30 between them, and the arms I31 are connected by a transverse adjusting screw I39, the purpose of which is to move the arms I31 slightly toward each other for effecting a slight adjustment between the cutting edges of the rotary cutters I40. These rotary cutters are mounted in the forked ends of arms I31 and are carried by pins I. The rotary cutters are adapted to be shifted into the main recesses I29 so that the rotary cutters are moved longitudinally of thegrid throughout substantially its entire length, and will cut the grid wires, between the adjacent side rods, in succession, both top and bottom. When this is done, the leading grid is completed and will drop from the presence of the These rotatable cutters not only cut thegrid wires but serve to bend them inwardly and roll them about the sides of the side rods.

In Figure 11, I have shown a modified form of clamping jaws and supplemental clamping jaws, and a modified form of cutting means. The numeral I46 designates supplemental clamping.

jaws, suitably attached to the slides I22, and corresponding to the jaws I3I. The slides I22 are provided with recesses I 41', receiving the heads I48 of pairs of clamping jaws I49, which are longitudinally adjustable with relation to the slides I22, such adjustment being opposed by yielding means I50, such as rubber. Cutting blades I5I' are arranged between the jaws I49,

and are rigidly clamped tothe slides I22, by screws I52 or the like. The jaws I49 normally project inwardly beyond the blades I5I' and beyond the ends of the supplemental jaws I46.

When the slides I22 move inwardly, jaws I49 first engage the adjacent pair of side rods 88,

I and the rubber I50 will yield upon the further inward movement of the slides I22, permitting blades I5I' to cut the grid wires between the side rods and jaws I46 to engage their adjacent side rods as soon as the 'grid wires have been cut.

The numeral I42 designates a main cam shaft, Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, journalled in bearings I43, and mounted upon the plate 2|. This cam shaft is .driven by any suitable means.

The lever 13 is pivoted at I45 to a stationary bracket I46, rigidly mounted upon the face plate 2 I, and this lever extends downwardly below the pivot I45 and carries a roller I41, operating within the'cam groove I48 of a cam I49, which is rigidly mounted upon cam shaft I42 for rotation thereto, and this crank is provided at its free end with a roller I56, operating within a cam groove I51 of a cam I50. It is thus seen that means are provided to shift the slide I longitudinally in opposite directions and during this movement the slide I09 is stationary with relation to the slide I00, and the mandrel 89, as a whole, is shifted longitudinally, to bring the same into or out of the grid. During the operation of the machine, after the mandrel is expanded to shape or stretch the grid, it is shifted outwardly to withdraw the same from the grid, and must then be shifted rearwardly at a right angle to its withdrawing movement, after which it is again shifted into thenext grid. In order that the mandrel may be shifted rearwardly at a right angle to its withdrawing movement, the slide I00 is mounted upon a lower slide I59, having a removable side I 60. The lower slide I59 also has an'upwardly flaring slot I6I, for the reception of the upper end of lever I52 and the segmental rack II. The lower slide I59 is in turn mounted upon a stationary track or guide I62, carried by a plate I63 bolted to the face plate 2I This track I62 has a recess I62 of sufficient length to permit of the proper movement of the lever I52, during its movement upon the rock shaft I53. A wear plate I64 is preferably provided between the slide I59 and the track or guide I62. The means to shift the lower slide I59, comprises a pair of pins I65, rigidly connected therewith, and slidable within openings I66, formed in the face plate 2I, and the pins I65 are rigidly connected upon the opposite or rear side of the face plate with a plate I61, carrying knuckles I60,-which are spaced, and carrying a pin I69, operating within the upper forked end of a lever I10. This lever is pivoted between its ends, as shown at I", with a yoke I12, which is-held stationary and is preferably vertically adjustable, to raise or lower the pivot I1I, operating within the slot I1I' in the lever I10. The function of vertically shifting the pivot "I is to adjust the stroke of the upper end of the lever I10. The yoke I12 is provided at i v r 9,884,160 itsend with a headed stud m, operating within slot I15 formed in a bracket I18, in turn rigidly mounted upon the face plate 2|. This bracket has apertured ears I11, having screw-threaded engagement with adjusting screws I18, engaging above and below the yoke I12. It is thus seen that by manipulation of these adjusting screws, the yoke may be vertically adjusted and locked at a selected elevation. The lever I18 is provided at its lower end with a roller I18, operating within a cam groove I88 of a cam wheel I8I rigidly mountedupon the cam shaft I42.

Means are provided to move the slide I88, including upstanding apertured ears I82, rigidly mounted upon the slide I88, and these ears I82 carry a transverse horizontal pin I83, upon which is pivoted a bell crank lever I84, including upwardly diverging arms I85 and I88, and a short depending arm I81. The arm I81 has a rounded end I88, operating within a recess I88, formed in the slide I88. The arm I85 carries at its free end a roller I88, and the arm I86 carries at its free end a roller I8I. It is thus seen that when the bell crank lever I84 is turned upon its pivot I83, the slide I88 will be moved longitudinally.

Arranged near and above the rollers I88 and I8I are horizontal rock shafts I82 and I83, respectively, joumalied in elongated bearings I84, which are rigidly mounted upon the. face plate 2I. These rock shafts are free to turn but cannot partake of longitudinal movement. At their forward ends, rock shafts I82 and I83 are provided respectively with cams I85 and I88, rigidly secured thereto, and these cams are arranged to engage rollers I88 and I8I, respectively. The rock shaft I82 is provided at its rear end with a crank I81, rigidly secured thereto, and this has pivotal connection at I88 with a link I88, extending downwardly and provided at its lower end with a roller 288, operating within the cam groove 28I of the cam wheel 282, in turn rigidly mounted upon the cam shaft I42 for rotation therewith. In a corresponding manner, the rock shaft I83 is provided at its rear end with a crank 283, rigidly secured thereto, and this crank is pivotally connected at 284 with a depending link 285, provided at its lower end with a roller 288, operating within the cam groove 281 of the cam wheel 288, in turn rigidly mounted upon the cam shaft I42, for rotation therewith. The cam wheel 282 serves to actuate the lever I84 to withdraw the expanding element I81, while the cam wheel 288 serves to operate the lever I 84 for moving the expanding element I81 forwardly for expanding the expansible mandrel. The expanding element I81 partakes of two inward or expanding movements, the first to slightly expand or stretch the grid wires of the grid, before welding, and to again further expand or stretch the grid wires of the welded grid, to size the grid. Therefore, the cam groove 281 has an initial raised and expanding face 288 and a second or completing expanding face 2I8, such faces engaging theroller 286.

The upper head iii of the upper welding jaw I I I is rigidly connected with the bar I I1, including a horizontal portion 2 and a vertical portion 2 I2, operating in a stationary guide 2I3, attached to the face plate 2 I. At its lower end, the vertical portion 2I2 of the slide bar is provided with a horizontal extension 2I4, carrying at its end a roller 2I5, operating in the cam groove 2I6 of a provided at its lower end with a horizontal extension 2I8,. carrying a roller 228 operating in the same cam groove 2I3. Particular attention is called to the fact that the rollers 2 I5 and 228 are diametrically oppositely arranged in thev cam groove 2 I6, and will be simultaneously acted upon by the raised portions-22I so that they are moved simultaneously to the opened position and are also simultaneously moved to the closed position.

The means for raising and lowering the heads I24 are now-to be described. Th upper head I24 is rigidly connected with a vertical slide bar 222, through the medium of a horizontal portion 223, and bar 222 operates within a stationary guide 224. At its lower end, bar 222 has a horizontal extension 225, carrying a roller 225 at its free end operating within a cam groove 221 of a cam wheel 228. The lower head I24 is rigidly connected with a vertical slide bar 228, operating within a stationary guide 238, and provided at its lower end with a horizontal extension 23I carrying the roller 232 at its free end, and this roller operates within the same cam groove 221. Particular attention is called to the fact that the rollers 228 and 232 are diametrically oppositely arranged and are therefore adapted to be simultaneously acted upon by the raised portions 233 of the cam groove, whereby the slides I22 are adapted to be simultaneously moved to the opened position and also simultaneously moved to the closed position.

' Means are provided to movethe slide I 38 carrying the rotary cutters. Such means comprises a trumiion or pin 234, rigidly secured to the slide I38, and engaging within the forked end of a vertically swinging lever 235, pivotally supported at 236, upon a stationary bracket 231. At its lower end, lever 235 has a roller 238, operating within a cam groove 238 of a cam wheel 248. The cam groove is circular throughout substantially three-fourths of its circumferenceandalso includes a shifting portion 2, extending throughout the remainder of its circumference. By this remainderof the revolution of the cam shaft 2.: The cam wheel 248 is rigidly mountedupon a transverse shaft 242, journalled at a stationary bearing 243 and this shaft carries a bevelled gear 244, rigidly secured thereto, and driven by a bevelled gear 245, rigidly mounted upon the cam shaft I42. The bevelled gears 244 and 245 are shown as of the same diameter, but the invention is not restricted to this ration as the same may be variedas found advantageous.

A hand wheel 248 is rigidly mounted uponthe transverse shaft 242 and may be manually operated to turn the machine over, or to adjust the same for the starting operation.

The side rods 88 are normally in the form of continuous rods which are fed intermittently for a length depending upon the desired length of the side rods of the grid. Any suitable feeding means may be employed and for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the feeding means as including rotary feeding rollers 241, driven by any suitable means. The side rods 88 are fed through a stationary tubular guide 248, having a bore to snugly slidably receive the side rods and retain them in parallel relation and substantially contacting. Upon each feeding movement of the side rods, such side rods are projected forwardly upon the stationary guide 248 and a length of the side rods is provided, as required for the grid. The projected portions of the side rods are unsupported except by the stationary guide 248.

and there may be some tendency for the free ends of the side rods to slightly spread or separate. Means are provided to move such free ends inwardly into substantial contacting relation, when the welding jaws start upon 'the closing movement, Figure 311, so that the side rods are in close or contacting relation before the welding :Iaws are completely closed. This means comprises a shifting element 248 rigidly attached to that end of the lower welding jaw III remote from the stationary guide 248. The shifting device '248 is laterally'spaced from the upper welding jaw and will not contact therewith when the welding jaws approach each other. The shifting device includes sides 250, having slightly inclined faces 25I, which converge slightly downwardly and serve to shift the side rods inwardly toward each other. After the welding operation has been com;- pleted, the side rods are cut by cutters 252, ac-

tuated by any suitable means.

The operation of the machine and the practice of the method in connection therewith is as follows:

Side rods 88 are arranged between. the upper and lower sets of grid wires 21, Figure a, which pass through the upper andlower combs, and the machine is turned over so that such side rods are welded to the grid wires. The machine is now manipulated so that the welded and out side rods 88 are arranged in advance of the expansible mandrel 89, Figures a", 9, 10, which is now in the inner starting position. When the machine is set into operation, the mandrel now moves forwardly from position A to position B, Figure b, thereby advancing the sets of grid wires and the attached side rods into the next step position, and the man: drel now moves laterally from between the grid wires, Figure b, and then rearwardly of the grid wires, Figure b", but is still arranged laterally outside of the grid wires. During this movement, the side rods 88 are again fed forwardly and are in alignment with the space between the expansible mandrel 89 and the auxiliary mandrel I 08, Figure c. The side rods are now supported at the guide 248 with their forward ends free. With the expansible mandrel still arranged laterally exteriorly of the grid wires, the notching operation occurs, Figure 0, which is effected by the upper end of the lever 13 moving forwardly for carrying the yoke-carriage 89 forwardly so that pin 82 engages stop pin 83, at which time jaws 84' will be arranged above and below the side rods. The longitudinal movement of the laws 84 stops when pin 82 engages stop pin 83, but the yoke-carriage 88 continues to move forward slightly so that pin 18 engages bevelled faces 11, spreading the rear ends of levers l8, and closing the laws 84 so that the teeth 85 produce the grooves or notches upon the opposite sides of the side rods. As soon as these notches are formed, the upper end of the lever 13 swings in an opposite direction, yokecarriage 89 moves rearwardly, the expanding force is removed from the levers 16, and jaws 84 open and then move rearwardly and assume the position at the rear of the combs, as shown in Figure 9. After this notching operation has been completed and the jaws 84 have moved rearwardly out of the way, Figure 0'', the expansible mandrel moves inwardly between the upper and lower sets of grid wires, and the side rods 88 are received in the space between the mandrel 89 and the auxiliary mandrel I05. The welding jaws accuse III, auxiliary clamping jaws HI, and clamping jaws I22, now move inwardly, Figure d, and the welding jaws force the grid wires toward the pair of side rods 88 so that such grid wires enter the grooves and are clamped to the side rods. Figure d shows the three sets of clamping devices in the closed position, welding jaws III holding the .pair of side rods 88, clamping jaws I22 holding the leading side rod, while there are no side rods between the auxiliary clamping. jaws I3I. In the beginning, the single side rod 88 was applied to the forward side of the expansible mandrel instead of at the rear of the expansible mandrel and between it and the mandrel element, and hence this single rod had already been advanced to the second or B position, and when the mandrel was advanced, as stated, the single rod was shifted to the third or 0 position, between jaws I22. After the first complete grid has been made, there will be no absence of side rods at position B, Figure d', as clearly shown in Figure d". When the parts are in the positions stated, Figures d and d", the mandrel 89 is now first slightly expanded,

to place the grid wires under suitable tension, and

this first expansion is eifected by the slide I09 moving toward the grid wires through the medium of the swinging movement of the lever I22,

when roller 201 engages the smaller hump 209.

The mandrel will be maintained in this first expanded position during the welding operation, which follows immediately after such initial expansion. As the lower welding jaw approaches the side rods, the shifting device 249 has its face 25I brought into engagement with the free ends of the side rods 88 and these side rods are accordingly shifted laterally toward each other and returned to the close or contacting position if there is any tendency for them to separate. When the welding jaws engage the grid wires, as stated, such grid wires are forced into the notches upon the side rods, and these notches accurately hold the grid wires against lateral displacement, so that there is no opportunity for the grid wires'to, creep laterally as the welding jaws force them into contact with the side rods. l'he welding is effected after the clamping of the grid wires and the initial expansion of the mandrel to place the grid wires under tension, and such welding is-effected rapidly, ordinarily from one to two cycles. As explained, the welding jaws are moved inwardly by a yielding force and they will follow through when the grid wires and side rods yield, due to the heat treatment. The welding current remains on for from one to two cycles, and after the welding operation, the welding jaws I I I, jaws iii and I22 move outwardly to the open position, Figure e, so that the mandrel may be moved forwardly in a' direction longitudinally of the sets of grid wires, whereby the pair ofside rods welded to the grid wires will be shifted forwardly to the next step or position B. During this forward movement of the mandrel, the mandrel is expanded the second time, Figure e, by the roller 208 engaging the larger cam projection 2 I0 whereby the grid is stretci ed and sized, and as soon as the roller 208 moves off of the high portion of the cam 2I0, the mandrel is collapsed, Figure e", so that it may be shifted laterally from between the sets of grid wires. The collapsing of the mandrel is effected while the roller 200, operating within the cam groove 20I, whereby cam I shifts arm I85 of the bell crank lever I84 in an opposite direction, moving slide I09 in an opposite direction, to retract expanding element I01, The next step in the operation is the withdrawing of the collapsed mandrel from between the grid, which is effected by the outward movement of the slide I00, as explained, and as the mandrel moves from within the grid, the slide I36 is shifted toward the sets of grid wires and the rotary cutters I40 move into-the recesses I29 and cut the upper and lower sets of grid wires, Figure f, the grid wires in each set being cut in succession. Duringthe cutting action, the jaws I22 are in the inner holding position and the cutters I40 move into and out of the recesses I29, before the jaws I22 begin to open. The expansible mandrel now moves rearward-1y to assume the starting position, Figures ,1 and f, to be again shifted inwardly between the sets of grid wires, and to receive the next pair of side rods within the passage between the expansible mandrel and the mandrel ele- 'ment. The cycle of operation is repeated at this point, the welding jaws descending and welding thegrid wires to the trailing pair of side rods, the expansible mandrel again moving forwardly a step to advance the grid wires, and the rotary cutters cutting oi the leading completed grid, Figure 1'. The action of the rotary cutters not only cuts the grid wires, but serves to bend the cut ends inwardly, and rolling the same downwardly, about the side rods. The slide I36 carrying the rotary cutters, moves inwardly and outwardly of the recesses 29 in a substantially, continuous manner, and this occurs at intervals, as explained. The holding jaws I22 and the auxiliary jaws I3I move together and these jaws move substantially simultaneously with the welding jaws III and in the same direction.

While it is preferred to operate the several units of the machine, such as the notch producing mechanism, the clamping and welding mechanism, and the cutting mechanism, by the cam operated means shown and described, yet the invention is not restricted to such form of operating means, as other means may be employed to I actuate these units in proper timed order.

In the modified form of machine, Figures 20 to 30, the expansible mandrel 89 remains identical as shown and described in connection with Figures 16, 17, and 18 and the companion mandrel element I05 is also provided, arranged in the same relation to the mandrel 89. The same means is employed to expand the mandrel 89, and the mandrel unit is mounted upon the same slide I00, which partakes of the same movements, but in a different timed order, as will be explained.

The companion mandrel element I05 is provided upon its fiat face 255 with a groove 256, extending longitudinally thereof. A sleeve or slide 251 is provided, having an opening 258 to slidably receive the companion mandrel element I05, and the sleeve 251 is provided upon the fiat face of the opening 258 with a key or rib 259, rigidly secured thereto, and this key is 'slidable within the groove 256. It is thus seen that the sleeve or slide 251 cannot turn upon the companion mandrel element I05 by'virtue of the key 259 and groove 256. The fit between the key and the groove is preferably extremely accurate, thus preventing any turning movement of the sleeve 251 upon the companion mandrel element I05. Rigidly connected with the sleeve or slide 251 is a horizontal arm 260, extending longitudinally of the companion mandrel element I05 and provided at its free end with a lateral extension 26I, to which is rigidly secured a pin 262, toengage a stationary stop 263. In order that the sleeve or slide 251 may not move so freely upon the companion mandrel element I05 as to be accidentally displaced'longitudinally thereon, I provide a leaf spring 264, attached to the arm 260 by a set screw 265 or the like, and-this leaf spring is arranged to frictionally engage the companion mandrel element I05. The sleeve 0 slide 251 is provided upon its free or outer en with a recess 266 which is elliptical in horizontal cross-section, and

has its longitudinal axis arranged horizontally. The recess has an outer flaring portion 261. increasing in size outwardly or forwardly. The pair of side rods 88, when fed forwardly, by means to be described, enter the flaring portion 261 and are guided thereby into the elliptical recess 266, so that the free ends of these side rods are held in the same horizontal plane, thereby overcoming any tendency for one rod to creep upon the top of the other, which mightflpossibly occur, if they are not so held. The recess 266 also keeps the free ends of these rods'from separating, and the side rods substantially contact throughout their length. The side rods, after'being passed between the sets of grid wires and into the passage of the mandrel unit and before welding, are held at one end of-the mandrelby a stationary guide 283' and at the opposite end of the mandrel by the slide 251, and the side rods therefore cannot be displaced. As a result of this construction the side rods may be spaced from the elements 89 and I05, when held in the passage of the mandrel unit. This will enable the welding jaws to effect the welding, without liability of contacting with elements 89 and I05.

The side rods 88 are fed in the form of continuous rods at the firstposition A. The side rod feeding means comprises a stationary guide 268, upon which is mounted a reciprocatory carriage 269, which is moved longitudinally in opposite directions for a distance corresponding to the selected length of the out side rods. The carriage 269 may be moved by any suitable means, operating in proper timed order, which may include a link 269' connected therewith. Preferably formed. integral with the carriage 269 is a head 210 included in a side rod gripping device. This head has an elliptical opening 21I, having its longitudinal axis horizontally arranged in a manner corresponding to the recess 266, and of a size to snugly slidably receive the pair of side-rods 88. Above the opening 2", the head 210 has a recess 212, tapering longitudinally and decreasingits arrow, Figure 2 1, it is obvious that the element 212 will positively grip the side rods so that they will travel'with the carriage, but when the carriage 269 is moved in an opposite direction, the

element 213 will release the side rods so that 2 they will remain stationary while the carriage ismoved away from the grid wires. The carriage 269 also has an extension or lug 214, having an opening 215 formed therein, to adjustably re-- ceive a shifting rod 216, to be clamped to the lug by a set screw 211. This shifting rod extends forwardly beyond the head 210 and will engage the upper portion of the spring 264, and shift the slide 251 rearwardly upon the companion mandrel element I05. The side rods would shift the slide 251 rearwardly, in the absence of the shifting rod 216, but the purpose of the shifting rod is to shift the slide 251 and thereby take the strain off of the side rods, which might possibly be bent or dis: torted, to some extent, if they were employed to the notching deuice embodying the pivoted jaw heads 14, Figures 9 and 10, which operate upon the side rods after they have been positioned between the grid wires, is not employed, and opposed vertical reciprocatory notching jaws 218 are used. These vertical notching jaws 218 are reciprocated toward and from each other by any suitable means, in a manner similar to the reciprocation of the welding jaws II I. The reciprocating notching jaws 218 are provided upon their inner ends with equi-distantly spaced teeth 219, to form the grooves or notches 85 in the side rods 88, Figure 8a. In the present modification, the notching of the side rods is done before they are fed into position between the sets of grid wires 31, and to effect this operation, the notching jaws 218 are disposed upon one side of the sets of grid wires, between the sets of grid wires and with the upper notching jaw 218. These plates serve as guide means for the side rods 88 as they are fed longitudinally with respect to the notching jaws. The notching jaws 218 are provided upon their ends and outwardly of the teeth 219 with spring-pressed ejectors 28I, Figures 25 and 26, urged outwardly by springs 282. The function of these ejectors is to free the guide rods from the teeth 219, should there be any tendency 40 for the side rods to stick to these teeth, after the completion of the notching process.

In this form of the invention, the means to cut the side rods after they have passed into position between the sets of grid wires 31, is illustrated as comprising a pair of reciprocatory blades 283, arranged between the notching jaws 218 and the sets of grid wires.

The same welding jaws I I, jaws I3I, and holding jaws I22, Figure 3a, and means to support the sets of grid wires in spaced relation, are employed, with the same means to cut the grids after completion.

In the practice of the method by the operation of the form of apparatus shown in Figures 20 to 31, a first pair of side rods are welded to the sets of grid wires 31 and cut, and the machine is manipulated so that the side rods are placed in advance of and upon the expansible 'mandrel 89, as explained in connection with the first form of the invention. The machine is now adjusted so that the expansible mandrel 89 is at the side rod feeding position A, and has been shifted between the sets of grid wires 31, Figure 28. This has been done before the side rods 88 are fed into the position between the sets of grid wires, and this operation differs in this respect from the first form of the machine. By the time that the expansible mandrel 89 has reached the position shown in Figure 28, the notching jaws 218 are moved toward the side rods,producing the notches 85', and then separated, thus freeing the side rods. While the notching jaws 218 were feed carriage 269 moved rearwardly to the end,

of its travel, and when the notching jaws 218 moved apart to release theside rods, carriage 269 moved forwardly to the end of its travel, thereby shifting the notched side rods forwardly into the passage between the expansible mandrel 89 and companion mandrel I05. Figure 28 shows the carriage 269 in the rear starting position, while Figure 29 shows the carriage 269 in the forward position. As soon as the side rods begin to move forwardly, their free ends enter the recess 266 and they are held against separation and also in the same horizontal plane. The side rods 88 project longitudinally beyond the shifting rod 216, for a short distance, so that the ends of the side rods 88 may enter the recess 266 before the shifting rod 216 starts to shift the slide 251, but the side rods 88 do not contact with the bottom wall of the recess 266. The rod 216 shifts the slide 251 forwardly upon the mandrel element I05, until it assumes the 'position shown in Figures 20 and 29, and in this position the pin 262 is spaced from the stop 263 a sufficient distance, so that the slide will first move with the mandrel element I85, to withdraw the ends of the side rods from within the recess 266,

and this movement of the' slide 251 is stopped when the pin 262 contacts with the stop 263. After the rods are shifted in place between the sets of grid wires and within the passage of the expansible mandrel 89, the forward ends of the side rods are being held within therecess 266, while the side rods are also being held by the stationary guide 283'. The welding jaws then move inwardly to engage the grid wires and force them into the notches 85 and weld the grid wires to the side rods. After this welding action, the welding jaws separate to release the side rods and the blades 283 are. actuated to cut the side' rods. The welding occurs in about two cycles, and the welding jaws may be still in engagement with the side rods, during the cutting action, if desired. After the cutting action and the movement of the welding jaws to the open position, the mandrel 89 is now shifted forwardly from position 'A, Figure 29, to position B, Figure 30, for effecting the step feeding of the grid wires. When the mandrelis shifted to this position, it is still between the sets of grid wires and the pin 262 is spaced from and has the stop 263 in its path of travel. When the mandrel 89 is shifted laterally with respect to the grid wires, Figure 31, the slide 251 first moving with the element I85 to release the side rods, and the pin 282 subsequently engaging the stop 263, holds the sleeve 251 against longitudinal movement while the companion mandrel element I05 is moved longitudinally outwardly, with the result that the sleeve 251 is again located at the forward end of the companion mandrel element I05. The mandrel 89 is again moved rearwardly to position A, travelling under stop 263, and will again be shifted at position A between the sets of grid wires, before the side rods are again fed into the position between the, sets of grid wires. It is thus seen that in the modified form of the invention, the mandrel is first shifted to a position between the sets of grid wires, position A, and the side rods are subsequently fed between the sets of grid wires, at position A, which is just the opposite of the operation occurring in connection with the first form of the invention. The mandrel will partake of the same movements, but these movements and the feeding 'for the side rods would be differently timed,'as is obvious. After each grid is formed upon the expansible mandrel, and stretched or expanded thereon, as described in connection with the first form of the invention, the rotary cutters I40 cut the grid wires between the adjacent side rods 88 and the leading grid is thus out from the next be taken as preferred examples 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 my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting in spaced relation sets of spaced grid wires arranging and supporting side rods transversely of and between the sets of grid wires, forming sets of spaced groovesupon the opposite sides of each side rod and so arranging such grooves that they are in general alignment with the spaced grid wires, and moving the sets of grid wires toward the opposite sides of each side rod and causing the grid wires to enter the grooves, and attaching the grid wires while within the grooves to the side rods.

2. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting in spaced relation sets of spaced grid wires, arranging and supporting side rods transversely of and between the sets of grid wires, forming sets of accurately spaced groovesupon the opposite sides of each side rod, moving the sets of grid wires toward the opposite sides of each side rod and causing the grid wires to enter the grooves, and weld-- ing the grid wires while within the grooves to the sides of the rods.

3. In the method of producing radio tube grids,

Y the steps of supporting side rods, forming accurately equi-distantly spaced grooves upon the opposite sides of each side rod, arranging sets of spaced grid wires upon opposite sides of the side rods and moving the grid wires into the grooves, and attaching the grid wires while within the grooves to the side rods.

5. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting a side rod having accurately equi-distantly spaced grooves upon one side thereof, arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one side of the side rod and moving the grid wires into the grooves, and attaching the grid wires while within the grooves to the side rod.

6. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting a pair of side rods having accurately spaced grooves upon the corresponding sides thereof and holding the side rods in close relation, arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one side of the side rods and moving the grid 'wires into the grooves, attaching the grid wires while within the grooves to the. .side rods, and then cutting the grid wires between the closely arranged side rods.

7. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supportingside rods, arranging sets of spaced grid wires upon the opposite sidesot each side rod and attaching the grid wires to each side rod, and then cutting in succession the grid wires in each set of grid wir'es.,

8. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting-side rods, attaching a set of spaced grid wires to the side rods, and then cutting in succession the grid wires in the set. 1

9 In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting side rods, arranging sets of spaced grid wires upon the opposite sides of the side rods, subjecting the sets of grid wires to a stretching action, attaching the sets of grid wires to the side rods, and again subjecting the sets of grid wires to a further stretching action to shape the grid.

10. In the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting sets of grid wires and imparting to said sets a step-by-step move ment in a longitudinal direction, passing a pair of side rods transversely of and between the sets of grid wires between each step movement, subjecting the grid'wires to a pulling action to place the same under tension, attaching the sets of grid wires to the opposite sides ofthe side rods for producing a partly formed grid, stretching the grid wires of the partly formed grid to im-- part to the same the desired size, and cutting the sets of grid wires between the side rods.

11. In. the method of producing radio tube grids, the steps of supporting side rods, arranging a set of spaced grid wires upon one side of the side rods and pressing the set of grid wires into engagement with the side rods while holding them against lateral displacement at the points of engagement with the side rods, and welding the grid wires to the. side rods.

12. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting spaced sets of spaced grid wires, means for supporting side rods between the spaced sets of grid wires, means for forming spaced grooves upon the side rods while supported between the sets of grid wires, means to move the sets of grid wires toward the side rods and into the grooves and to attach the grid wires to the side rods while'within the grooves.

13. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting spaced sets of spaced grid wires, means for supporting side rods between the spaced sets of grid wires, means for forming spaced grooves upon the opposite sides of the side rods while they are supported be tween the sets of grid wires, and welding jaws to engage the sets of grid wires and move the same into the grooves and to weld the grid wires to the side rods. v

14. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting a siderod, a device to form spaced grooves upon the opposite sides of the side rod including a pair of movable jaws to receive theside rod between them and having teeth to form the grooves, means for supporting sets of spaced grid wires upon opposite sides of the side rod, and means to move the grid wires into the grooves and weld the same to the side rod. I

15. In a machine for producing radio tube grids, means for supporting a side rod at a given