US2254238A - Method of producing reverse twist barbwire - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 2, 1941. 'H. A. NELSON METHOD OF PRODUCING REVERSE TWI ST BARBWIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 16, 1939 v 'bwenfar: HEN/er 4 NELSON, KQMM Sept. 2, 1941. H. A. NELSON METHOD OF PRODUCING REVERSE TWIST BARBWIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 16 1939 ey NELSON I fi/ff 1%rncy Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y 2,254,238 a DIETHOD OF rngg l l c livg REVERSE TWIST Henry A. Nelson, De Kalb, m. Application June 1c, 1939, Serial no: 219,545 :4 Claims. (01. 140-58) This invention relates to a novel method of producing barbwire.

One object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing barbwire which will materially speed up the rate ofproduction and yet produce a product having improvedcharacteristics, as compared with barbwire heretofore available.

The above and further features of the invention will be fully apparent from the following disclosure and the appended claims, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing two elemental strands of the product before twisting, both strands being provided with barbs of two prongs.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 wherein only one of the" strands is provided with barbs of two prongs.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a length of finished barbwire made in accordance with my novel method of twisting together the strands shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the novel barbwire made according to my invention by twisting together the strands of Figure 2. s

Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, illustrate modifications.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, in accordance with my novel method I provide a plurality of elemental strands l0 and I! to which are secured barbs l0 and I2. These barbs are secured to the strands by any conventional form of twisting head in much the same'manner as barbs are secured in the manufacture of conventional types of barbwire. However, the spacing between the barbs Ill on the strand l0 and the barbs l2 on the strand I2 is substantially uniform, with the barbs on one strand staggered with respect to the barbs on the other strand. Preferably, although not necessarily, the barbs on one strand will be located about midway between those on the other strand.

After the respective barbs have been secured to the strands Ill and l2,in staggered relation, two predetermined lengths of the strands are subjected to twisting operations performed in a novel manner which constitutes an important characteristic 'ofthe methodand which results in the production The novelty in. mg predetermined of the improved product.

the method consists in twist- I portions or sections'ofthe strands in opposite directions so that the tendency of one predetermined portion of the twisted product is counteracted or negatived by the tendency of another predetermined portion of the twisted product to turn in the opposite direction.

This results in the formation of what might be' termeda balanced product; inasmuch as the tendency for certain portions of the barbwire to turn in one direction is balanced by the tendency of another portion to turn in a contrary direction, the two opposed tendencies thus balancing and resulting in the product which might be termed a balanced or dead lay product. This reverse twist of different predetermined lengths of wire will be apparent from examination of Figure 3, wherein the middle section of the completed barbwire, as indicated by the predetermined length A, is so twisted that the strands have a right-hand lay, while the sections marked B andl." are so twisted that the strands have a lefthand lay.

Such reverse twisting of adjacent predetermined sections of barbwire may be readily accomplished by arranging the strands close together in substantially parallel relation and then gripping the parallel strands at spaced intervals, such as indicated at M and It in Figure 3, and applying reverse rotary motions to the respective gripping element employed.

For example, if the element gripping at the point I I is rotated clockwise, as viewed from the right in Figure' 3, and the element gripping at I the point i6 is rotated counterclockwise, the predetermined section A will have imparted thereto the right-hand lay described, while the sections B and B will have left-hand lay imparted thereto, it being understood that the same procedure will be followed with many such predetermined lengths.

Such method of manufacture may be carried out by the utilization of any suitable mechanism capable of imparting the reverse twist to adjacent predetermined lengths of the product. While in Figure 3 I have illustrated one barb centrally ofeach predetermined section of the given twist or lay, it is apparent that more than one barb can be applied to each such predetermined length, or barbs could be omitted from certain predetermined lengths; also, the barbs could be located at the points I! and I 6 where the grippers exert the twisting action.

In general, it is considered preferable to employ a plurality of strands, each carrying barbs arranged in staggered relation and to exert the respective twisting actions between barbs in opp'osite directions simultaneously. By employing two separate strands, each with barbs arranged in staggered relation for a given length 01' lon- I gitudinal travelof the strands, the separate twisting heads which apply the barbs can be operated at the maximum high speel, and, because a separate twisting head is effective to apply barbs to each strand, it follows that a much faster rate of production can be maintained than would be the case it the'barbs were applied to only one of the strands, as indicated in Figure 2.

It is also contemplated that the method may be practiced by using three or more parallel strands, each with respective barbs arranged in suitable staggered relation. In carrying out the method with the use of one plain strand 20, which is devoid oi barbs, as shown in Figure 2, and another strand 2! which carries all the barbs 22, the parallel strands may b gripped at points 24, 2t and 28 illustrated in Figure 4, and then twisted in opposite directions at such points. This will result in the production of barbwire such as shown in Figure 4, wherein the lay or twist of the strands in section C or a predetermined length will have a righthand lay, and the lay or twist in the sections D and D will be left-hand.

In Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, an alternative embodiment of the invention isiIIustrated. Figure 5 shows two elemental strands of the product prior to twisting, both strands being provided with barbs of tour prongs. As illustrated in Figure 6, which is a viewsimilar to Figure 5, only one of the strands is provided with tour prongs. In Figure '7 is shown, in side elevation, a length or finished barbwire made in accordance with my novel method 01' twisting together strands shown in Figure 5. Figure 8 similarly illustrates the novel barbwire made in accordance with my invention by twisting together the strands of Figure 6. Thus it is apparent that the same method described in connection with Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, is applicable to produce barbwire with more than two prongs. for example, wire with fousri prongs, as illustrated by Figures 5 to 8, inclu ve.

ass-mas limited thereto, and the drawings and detail description are to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. a I claim:

1. In the manufacture of barbwire, the method which comprises providing a plurality of parallel strands, at least some of which carry barbs, and

, simultaneously twisting spaced portions thereof in opposite directions.

2. In the manufacture oi barbwlre, the method which comprises providing a plurality of strands, applying barbs thereto, positioning the strands in substantially parallel relation and simultaneously twisting the strands together in reverse directions at spaced intervals.

' 3.. In the manufacture of barbwire, the method which comprises providing a plurality of strands, applying .barbs to one strand at predetermined spaced intervals, applying barbs to another strand approximately midway between those applied to said first mentioned strand, juxtaposing the strands and then simultaneously twisting the portions of the strands intermediate adjacent barbs in reverse directions.

4. In the manufacture or barbwire, the method which comprises providing a plurality of strands, applying barbs to one strand at predetermined spaced intervals, applying barbs to another strand approximately midway between those applied to said first mentioned strand, and gripping the strands at points intermediate adjacent barbs and imparting a twisting motion in one direction to one gripped portion while applying a twisting motion in the reverse direction to the adjacent gripped portion.

HENRY A. NELSON.

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