US319895A - Said hanhaet and teaut - Google Patents

Description

' (N0 ModeL) 5 Sheets-Sheet; 1. B. L-. FLETCHER, J. M. DUNKIN, L. HANI-IART 8: O. M. TRAUTMANN. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIGKET WIRE FENCE.

Patented June 9, 1885 7 z 1.

M4 Y A KOQQ 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(N0 ModeL) B. L. FLETCHER, J. 1V[. DU'NKIN, L. HANHART & 0'. M. TRAUTMANN. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIGKET WIRE FENCE. No. 319,895.

' Patented June 9, 1885.

a EE- i .rl v w a w 5 SheetsSheet 3.

(No Model.)

B. L. FLETCHER, M. DUNKIN, L. HANHART & O. M. TRAUTMANN. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIGKET WIRE FENCE. No. 319,895.

Patented June.9

4 I I: I n

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. B. L. FLETCHER, J. M. DUNKIN, L. HANHART & O. M. TRAUTMANN. MACHINE FOR MAKING PIOKET WIRE FENCE.

' --P-atentedJune 9.1885.

1L 1x755! i v lay 527177 5 N- FETERS, PhclwLilbognpMr, Walhingtun, D. C.

Nrrn STATES A Tnsir Fries.

BENJAMIN L. FLETCHER, JOHN M. DUNKIN, LOUIS HANHART, AND CHARLES M. TRAUTMANN, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO; SAID HANHART AND TRAUT- MANN ASSIGNORS TO SAID FLETCHER AND DUNKIN.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PICKET WIRE FENCE.

PECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 319,895, dated June 9,1885.

Application filed August 4, i884.

To aZZ whom it 11mg concern.-

Be it known that we, BENJAMIN L. FLETCH- ER, J OHN M. DUNKIN, LOUIS HANHART, and

CHARLES M. TRAUTMANN, all residents of the 5 city of Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Picket W'ire Fence, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention has for its object the manufacture of that class of fences which consists of vertical wooden slats or pickets placed at short distances apart and connected together by two or more horizontal wires or runners of wires, 15 each runner being parallel to the other runner or runners and composed of, usually, two

' strands of wire. These strands may each be composed of one or more wires, but preferably of a single wire. At each picket the strands of wire separate, and one strand passes around one side of a picket and the other strand passes around the other side of the picket, thereby inclosing the picket. Between adjacent pickets the strands are twisted together, thereby securing the picket in position in the strand.

The several features of our invention and the advantages arising from their use conjointly or otherwise will be apparent from the following description and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, Sheet 1, represents an elevation of what may be termed the front end of the machine that is to say, of that end of the machine into which the wires are fed. Fig; 2, Sleet 1, rep

resents an elevation of that side of the machine which is at the left hand in FFg-f 1. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, represents an elevation of that portion of the machine by which the wires 0 which are to be twisted together are brought closely together and so held while they are being twisted. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, represents an elevation of tlE'portion of that side .of the machine, which is at the right hand in Fig. 1.

5 Fig. 5, Sheet 3, represents an elevation of the preferred form of rail upon which the completed fence is wound, and showing, also, the supports of the reel, &c. Fig. 6, Sheet 3, is

(.\'0 model.)

a top view of the front portion of our machine. Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, Sheet 4, 53 represent detailed views of parts of the machine, illustrating certain features of our invention. Fig. 12, in particular, represents a central vertical section of the twisting-head and its chain-pulley. Fig. 13 represents an 55 elevation of the front end of the twisting-head. Fig. 14 represents an elevation of the rear end of the twisting-head, and of the seat in which it sets, and of the cap which covers it. Fig. 15, Sheet 3, represents a vertical central section of the twistinghead, and a vertical transverse section of the tipper and lower jaws of the press and of the picket or slat, the press being open and the jaws separated. Fig. 16 is a similar section of the parts shown in Fig. 6 15, the press being closed and the jaws forcing the wires against the slat. Fig. 17 is a similar section of the parts shown in Fig. 15, the jaws being closed and the wire having received one twist. Fig. 18, Sheet 4, represents a central vertical section of the twistinghead and its journal-bearings. Fig. 19, Sheet 4, is a vertical central longitudinal section of the machine from end to end, including the reel. Fig. 21, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of a por-'75 tion of the jaws and their teeth for grasping the picket, the preferred means for rendering the'teeth adjustable being shown. Fig. 20, Sheet 4, is a vertical erosssection of the de-- vice shown in Fig. 20, taken at the dotted line or 00 of the last-named figure. Fig. 22, Sheet 4, is a side elevation of a part of the jaws and of the mechanism for operating the latter. That one of the pair of uprights which prevents the adjacent ends of the jaws from moving laterally, and which is nearest to the spectator, is removed to show the link and its connecting mechanism for operating the jaws. Fig. 23 is a view showing the preferred mode of connecting the rod or latch K, which lifts 0 the pawl H to the treadle F, which latter operates the jaws F F; and Fig. 24, Sheet 4, shows a view of a twisting-head and the pulley it carries, said view being taken from the reel end of the machine, the View being on a smaller scale than that shown in Fig. 12.

For the sake of perspicuity, we will, in con nection with the description of each part of the machine, describe the function which said part performs.

The wires to be used in connection with the pickets in making the fence are preferably wound upon a spool, and only one wire is preferably wound upon each spool, two spools be ing preferably used for each twisting. As

these spools are an old and well-known device, further description of said spools is omitted, with the remark that the spools are preferably placed in two horizontal lines at right angles to the length of the machine, and are located on a frame in front of the front end of the machine.

That end of the machine which is at the right hand in Fig. 2 will be denominated the front end of the machine, and into this end of the machine the wires are fed,'and near this end of the machine the slats or pickets are successively placed between the wires, and the wires are twisted.

A indicates a wire or strand.

B indicates, in general, the twisting'head.

1) indicates the central or twisting portion of the twisting-head. The central portion, 12, is provided with a space, b, through which the two wires A A pass; or, instead of a sin gle space, I), two spaces, b, each communieating with its respective openings, 1) and b may be present. The portion b is provided at each end with an end or head. Through the front end, b", are the openings b If, prefer ably round in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 13, and through the rear end, b, are the openings If, preferably of a narrow slotted form, as shown in Figs. 12 and 16. The object of having these openings 1) long is, first, that the wire may have room to play up and down, and may adjust itself to a picket of any thickness; second, by having these openings thus long the twisting-head can be brought close to the press or jaws and to the picket between them, and the jaws can then be moved toward the picket and hold tightly the latter between them without breaking the wires, because the latter have room to move in the slots toward the sides of the pickets, and will occupy, approximately, the position shown in Fig. 16. Furthermore, as the twisting-heads can be brought close to the picket, the twisting of the runner can be made to commence close to the picket, and thus the picket be more tightly held in the embrace of the opposing wire strands A A of the runner than if the twist in the runner began at adistancefrom thepicket. As the twistingprogresses the opposite wires of the runner will approach each other, and will occupy in the slots approximately the position shown in Fig. 17. Preferably, one hole 0* in head 11 is opposite a hole, 6 in head I), and the other hole I) in head I) is opposite the other hole in head 1). Through a hole I) and its corresponding opposite opening 0 passes a wire or strand, A, which is to be on one side of a slat or picket, 0, and through the other hole I) and its corresponding opposite opening 1) passes a second wire or strand A which is to be on the other side of a slat or picket, C.

When the picket has been passed between the wires at a point in rear of the twistinghead and close to or near to the latter, the rotation of the head in a plane transversely to the length of the wires will twist the wires together at the front edge of the picket.

Each twisting-head is journaled in a suitable bearing, as E, having a seat, (I, and a cap, at, and the head is held between said seat and cap; and the preferred means for preventing the head moving longitudinally in the cap consists of annular grooves d (see Figs. 12 and 18) on the periphery of the twisting-head, (see Fig. 12,) and corresponding annular beads, d, (see Fig. 18,) on the inner surface of the cap d and seat d, each head fitting into its respective groove in the head. There are asmany twisting-heads as there are wire run ners to be formed in the fence, each head he I ing preferably journaled, as aforementioned, the distance between adjacent heads being the distance desired between adjacent runners.

The preferred means for the rotation of the twisting-heads are as follows: The central portion, I), of the head has rigidly attached there to a chain-pulley, D, having teeth 0 arranged at frequent intervals upon its periphery. (See Figs. 1, 6, and 12.) The chain-pulley is connected to the twisting-head in any suitable way, the preferred means being the spokes D (See Figs. 12 and 24.) The chain D passes over upon one pulley, D, and under on the next pulley, and, where there are more than two pulleys, then over the next pulley and under the next pulley, and so on until it has come into contact with each pulley, the teeth of the pulley engaging the links of the chain. The chain D is preferabl y an endless one, and its lower portion hangs directly below the ehain-pulley. At one side of the machine, and journaled thereto, is a drivingchain pulley, D having teeth 6 engaging chain D as the latter passes around the periphery of said pulley D Connected rigidly to the drivingchain pulley D is a gear-wheel, D, (see Figs. 1, 2, and 11,) meshing with a pinion, l), journaled at 2 in said frame, and rotatable by a crank, D (See Figs. 1, 2, and 11.)

The number of twists given to the wires or strands A A forming a runner will depend upon the numberof revolutions of the pulleys D, and the number of these revolutions is preferably regulated by the following means: From the rear side of the drivingpullcy D rearward] y projects a tooth, D (see Fig. 1],) and as the driving-pulley is revolved this tooth comes into contact with a half-pinion, D, and rotates this pinion one tooth. Thus every revolution of the driving-pulley D rotates this pinion D one tooth. When the pinion D will no longer rotate, it meets the tooth D and stops the latter in its movement, and consequently prevents the further rotation of driving-wheel D The rotation of the pinion D is controlled and regulated by two pins, D There are holes D" in the plate D against which the half-pinion D turns, and

these holes are in, preferably, the line of a circle.

Looking at Fig. 11, if the pin D be placed in the neXt to the lower right-hand hole, D,

as shown, and the other pin D be placed in the uppermost hole shown, pinion D can move the distance of two of its cogs, and the tooth D will be checked after two revolutions of the pulley D, and but two twists will be given to the united strands A A. Obviously, by varying the position of the pins D as relates to each other and the half-pinion D, by means of the holes D, the requisite number of twists can be imparted to the strands A A. It may be here remarked that the twisting is preferably alternately carried on in opposite directions. Thus the pulley D is rotated in one direction to twist the strands in front of one picket, and is then rotated in the opposite direction to twist the strands in front of the next picket. The object of thus rotating the twist ing-head alternately in opposite directions is to keep the wires as they come from the spool from becoming twisted, and to save providing a device for rotating the spools as the twist ing-heads are rotated. Thus by the adjust ment of the pins D in one or another hole D in the plate D, the number of twists to be imparted to the wire runner is determined.

The wires which form the runners are stretched'between the spools and a reel in rear of the twisting-heads and jaws. A preferred form of such reel (shown in the drawings) is designated by the letter U, and will be hereinafter described. The twisting-heads, before the twisting of the wires begins, and after every twist or series of twists has been completed, will be in such a position that one strand of wire A is directly over the other strand A, which strands together constitute a runner. While in this position the strands are quite widely separated, and each will lie at or near the outer edge of the slot through which it passes, as shown in Fig. 15. Aslat is now introduced between these separated strands of each runner, and at the same time between two jaws, F F, of the press now to be described. These jaws move vertically, and the preferable means for guiding them in their vertical movement are uprightsffff, a pair of said uprights being located at each side of the machine and at'the front end portion of the latter. (See Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.) These uprights are suitably secured to the frame, as by flange f bolted to the upper side of the adjacent frame-pieces S. One end of each jaw is between one pair of uprights, and the other end of each jaw is between the other pair of uprights. Each end portion of the upper jaw lies between and is pivoted to a pair of vertical links,f lying within the uprights shown in Figs. 1 and 4, (also shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.) The pivot f", connecting the upper end of said link to the upper jaw, is preferably extended out from each side of the link, and each projecting end of said pivot enters, respectively, a vertical slot, f, in its adjacent uprightf. This slot f thus allows the jaw F to have vertical movement, but pre vents anylongitudinal movement of said jaw, and the uprights f prevent any lateral movement of either jaw. The lower ends of a pair of these links are pivotally connected to one end of a lever or cam, f pivotally cen trally fulcrumed at f in an arm, f, of the uprightf. The upper or opposite end of the leverf ii'npinges against the bottom of jaw F. To the same end of lever f to which the link f is connected is also pivotally connected the upper end of a rod, f and the lower end of this rod is pivotally connected atf to the center of a lever or treadle, F preferably pivoted at one end, f", to one upright framepiece S, and pivoted at its free end with a foot- A convenient means for preventing longitudinal displacement ofjaw F consists in guards f secured to the outer side ofits pair of supportsff, crossing horizontally from one support to the other.

By depressing the lreadle, the rodsf are drawn down, thereby drawing down the outer ends of leaves 1'', and thereby drawing down jaw F, and at the same time raising the inner ends of leaves f thereby raising up the lower jaw, F. Thus the twojaws F and F are brought together with force, and the slat is forcibly and tightly held between thejaws.

Each jaw is preferably provided with opposing teeth F and these teeth on each jaw are preferably adjustable, so that they can be setat any distance along the jaw. These teeth are set so that the teeth of the upper jaw are directly above the upper wires or strands of the runners, one tooth for each runner, and so that the teeth of the lower jaw are directly below the lower wires of the runners, one tooth for each runner. Thus when the j aws are brought together the teeth will tightly press their respective wires close onto the adjacent picket.

The preferred mode whereby these teeth are adjustable is as follows: In one side, usu ally the front side, of each jaw is a longitudinal groove, at. (SeeFigs. 20, 21, and22.) Each tooth F has the flanges 2 2, and between these flanges passes that jaw which supports said tooth. A sct'screw, 3, screwed through one of the flanges of a tooth, enters the groove 4 of the jaw and impinges against the jaw in the bottom of the groove. To set the tooth at any desired point along the jaw, the setscrew is screwed back and the tooth slid along the jaw to the required point, the setscrew sliding in the groove. The set-screw is now advanced and the tooth is firmly fixed at the desired point.

Between the teeth are spaces F, (see Fig. 3,) and these spaces preferably receive guides F, bolted (or otherwise secured, preferably in an adjustable manner) to the rear side of the frame G, carrying the twisting-heads. These guides are shown partly in solid and partly in dotted lines in Fig. 6. These guides enter thelower portion of these recesses F, the upper surface of these guides being a trifle above each lower strandofeach wire runner. When a fresh picket is inserted between the upper and lower strands of each runner, these guides F enable the picket to be easily and quickly inserted without striking against the lower strands of the runners. The fresh picket to be ins rted between said upper and lower strands of each runner is thus inserted at a point between the twisting-heads and the press, and as the twisting-heads are brought up to the press the picket is carried between the jaws of the press into position for the jaws to be compressed upon it.

When the twisting of the strands at the front of the picket has been accomplished, the pressure of the foot on the treadle is removed, and the spring F* raises the treadle, thereby raising the rods f and links f and upper jaw, F, and also lowers the inner ends of leaves f thereby allowing the jaw F to drop. The jaws are then separated, and all pressure of said jaws on the rear picket and runners is removed.

We have discovered that the runner is twisted in the best manner when the twist begins close to the edge of the picket. To accom plish this we have arranged the twistingheads so that when they begin to twist the strands of their respective runners they shall be close to the front edge of the picket; but, as it would be impossible for them to remain in this position and make more than one twist, we provide means whereby the frame carrying the twisting-heads shall be movable, and shall allow the twisting-heads to gradually retire from the picket as they twist the strands of wire, and shall allow the twistingheads to duly return to their first position in readiness for twisting the runnerin front of a new picket. A preferred form of mechanism for enabling the twisting-heads to thus move is as follows: The journal'bearings of thetwisting-heads are supported on the upper cross piece or portion, G, of a frame having uprights G and lower cross-piece, G.

The latter is journaled at each end at G on the main frame or equivalent support. In this way the frame G G G G, with the twisting-heads, is capable of oscillation on the said journals.

After the picket has been grasped by the jaws F F, the twisting-heads are rotated and the strands of wire A A at the front of the picket are twisted, and as the twisting is continued the twisting-heads are, by the creation of the twisted portion and its intervention between the picket and the heads, forced away from the jaws. As soon as the twisting is completed and the picket is released from the jaws, a part of the completed portion of the fence is drawn rearwardly by a partial rota tion of the reel, the twisted portions of runner at the front ofsaid picket are withdrawn out of the way of the twisting-heads, and the latter are now free to return to their first position in close proximity to the jaws.

A convenient means of moving the said twisting-heads back to said first position is shown in the drawings, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) and consists as follows: Near one side of the machine, and near the front end thereof, is a rod or link, 9, pivoted at one end to the upper main frame-piece, S, and at the other,end-

pivoted to the end portion of a cross-rod, g". One end of a second rod or link, 9, is pivoted to the same end of cross-rodgf, and the other end of said link 9 is pivoted to the adjacent upright G of the movable frame can rying the twisting-heads. At the opposite sideot' the machine, Fig. 4, there are present asimilar link, q,pivoted at one end to the upper adjacent frame piece, S, and at the other end to the adjacent end of cross-rod g, and a link, 9, pivoted at one end to the lastnamed end of the cross-rod g and at the other end pivoted to the adjacent upright G of the movable frame carrying said twisting-heads. The middle portion of the rod g (see Fig. 1) is pivotally connected to the upper end of a dependingrod, g and the lower end of the latter is pivotally connected to a treadle rod or piece, 9. This treadle-piece is pivoted at one end at g to the main frame, preferably to the upright S, and at the other end is provided with a treadle portion, 9, extending out beyond the side of the main frame. A strap, 9, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) inclosing the free end of the treadle, prevents it from swinging 1aterally, and at the same time allows the treadle its necessary vertical movement. Pressure of the foot on the treadle g" operates to draw down the rod 9, and through the links g g at each end of the machine draw the frame G G G and its twisting-heads close up to the place where the picket lies first after being fed to the machine and where the jaws are located.

A spring, 9 (see Fig. 2,) is preferably present at each side of the machine, and one end of each spring sets in a recess in the main frame of the machine, and the other end bears against the oscillating frame G G G. As the twisting-heads are brought close to the jaws and the picket, the spring is forced back into said recess and out of the way. As the twisting of the runners begins, the spring assists the heads in beginning to move from the picket, and also enables the operator to more freely rotate the twisting-heads.

When a fresh picket is to beinserted, it becomes desirable for the operator to move the twisting-head still farther from the jaws than the mere twisting of the runners would throw IIO them, and a preferable means for this purpose consists (see more particularly Fig. 4) as follows: A rod, h, is pivoted at its lower end to'the free end oftreadle-piece g and at its upper end to one end of the lever h, the latter being pivoted at its other end to the upper side piece, S, of the main frame. A rod, h is pivoted at its upper end to the rod h, near the middle of the length of the latter, and the lower end of the said rod h is pivoted to a treadle-lever, h", pivotally fulcrumed at h, and having at its free end a foot piece or portion, h Pressure upon this foot portion h thrusts rod h" upward, lifts lever h and rod h and cross-rod thereby lifting rod crosspiece 9', and, through the agency of the links 9 9, moves the frame G G G, with the twistingheads.

\Vhen the twisting ofthe runners at the front side of a picket is completed and the jaws are opened, suitable means are to be employed to prevent the tension of the reel at the rear end of the machine and the weight of the completed portion of fence between the reel and the jaws from unduly drawing toward the reel the said intervening portion of fence, and with it the picket last inclosed in its runner, twisted at the front of it, (the said slat.) The preferred means for preventing such undue drawing of said fence consists of a cylinder, H, duly journaled at H in bearings H on the respective sides of the frame, and provided with annular rows of teeth H, the plane of these rows being, preferably, transverse to the longitudinal axis of the said cylinder. (See Fig. 6.) The rotation of this cylinder H is controlled immediately-by a pawl, H, (see Fig. 7,) pivoted at H toabearing or projection on the main frame piece S, and this projection is preferably the same one-viz, H"which forms the bearing for the cylinder H. The adjacent end of the cylinder H carries the cogs or teeth H arranged in a circle concentric with cylinder H. The means whereby the cylinder thus has control of the fence is because the teeth H engage with the rear edge of the adjacent picket, and the fence can therefore move backward only as fast as the cylinder or roller H revolves.

The distance which adjacent pickets are to be apart is regulated, preferably, by providing the plate H with a slot, H (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7,) and securing the plate H to the main frame by a bolt, H passing through said slot. This arrangement of slot and bolt in each bearing H at each end of the cylinder allows the cylinder H and its pawl H*and rod K to be adjusted nearer to or farther from the twisting-head, and thus regulates the distance between the pickets. If the cylinder is near to the twisting-heads, the adjacent slats of the fence will be twisted therein a small space apart, and if the cylinder is farther from the twisting-heads the adjacent slats will be twisted therein a greater space apart. Cylinder H thus performs another important function viz., of operating as a feed-adj uster of the ruu- 11ers in relation to the jaws and twisting-heads.

The preferred means for lifting the pawl 11* are more particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 7,

and consist as follows: A rod or latch, K, has

using an extra guide, the pawl H has in it a 7 5 longitudinal vertical slot, K (see Fig. 6,) in which slot the upper end portion of the latchrod is located, and through which slot said rod plays vertically, and by which slot said rod is guided to the latch and kept against the same. The latch is also situated in said slot. The rear end of the latch. K is prevented from falling too far by means of stud K*, fixed to and projecting from the latch. The latchrod K is preferably operated by being pivotally attached below the free end portion of treadle-lever Depression of said treadlelever F depresses latch-rod K and brings the projection K of said rod under the rear end of latch K When the latch-rod is allowed c to rise, said projection K engages with said free end of latch K and raises the pawl H, thereby disengaging itfrom the adjacent tooth, H", of the cylinder H, and allowing the latter to rotate. The projection K of rod K, asthe 5 latter rises and reaches a certain height, becomes disengaged from the latch K by Slipping by it, whereupon the pawl H falls and engages the succeeding tooth, H of the cylinder H. In case the pawl does not descend roo rapidly enough, a suitable spring may be employed, whose action shall assist the pawl in rapidly descending when disengaged from rod K. The advantages of operating the rod K by the same leverviz., F-which works the 10 jaws, is that immediately after the twisting of the runners on the rear side of a picket held between the jaws is finished, the lever F being allowed to rise, the jaws are opened, and

at the same time thepawl H being disengaged no from the cylinder H, the latter is allowed to revolve one tooth, and thus carry the picket last mentioned out from between the jaws, and place the machine in readiness for another picket to be fed thereto in rear of the twisting-heads and in proper position for the twisting-heads to begin the twisting of the wire strands at the front of the last-named picket as soon as the latter is placed in and held by the jaws. reeling or taking up the fencing after it is made may be employed. A preferred means for this purpose is as follows: In the rear of the machine is placed an apparatus for rolling the made fencing into bundles. the front uprights, S, of the frame a roller, U, is placed, whose axle rests in journals in the uprights S. On one end of the axle is a ratchet-wheel, XV. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 5.)

A pawl, 10, pivoted to the frame, meshes with 130 the teeth of wheel V, and serves to preventits moving in but one direction. This pawl is so made and located that the weight of its free end will tend to throw its tooth against the Any desired means for Between 1 2 5 ratchet-wheel and against the stop side of the adjacent tooththereof and retain it there; otherwise aspring, &c., will be needed to press the point of the pawl into such position. A lever, T, is fulcrumed on the axle of thewheel \V, but its movement is free on the said axle, and it does not effect at this point the movement of the axle. Pivoted to this lever T is a pawl, w, whoseweight (or a suitable spring) throws its tooth into gear with the ratchetwheel XV, so that when the lever T is moved forward the pawl w engages with the ratchet- Wheel W and turns it, and when the lever T is moved backward the pawl wslips over the teeth of the wheel, which is prevented from returning by the pawl 10. Fulcrumcd to the frame S is a hand-lever,T,which is connected to the lever T'by the connectingrod T, and in this way motion is imparted to the lever T.

The roller U itself is peculiar in its construction. The roller proper is made of two wedge-shaped pieces, a a, as shown in Fig. 5,

which, when placed together, form a rollerwhose cross section is preferably square, and whose longitudinal section is a parallelogram. The ends of this roller fit into corresponding recesses in the boxes or caps o 'v, Figs. 9 and 10. The cap 1) is rigidly connected to and continuous with the bearing-end 22 of the axle of the roller. The cap 12 rotates on the end of the screw V,which is itself not rotated, except by the hand-wheel or other similar means on its outer end. The screw V passes through a bearing in the upright portion of the frame, which hearing has in it a female thread fitting into the thread on the screw V, so that turning the handle oflhe screw will draw it in or out of the frame. ,The screw V terminates in a smooth round bearing, a, (see Fig. 9,)which fits into a depression, a, in the cap 1), permitting the cap 1] to turn freely on the screw V without turning the latter. A groove, o is cut in the smooth bearing o extending en tirely around its circumference, and in this way forming a collar on the end of the bearing. The set-screw 12" passes through the cap a into the groove t and moves freely in the groove 12 with the cap '0 as the latter revolves. The operation of this portion of the machine is as follows: By operating the handlever T the fencing as fast as formed is rolled onto the roller U. When asufficiently large bundle has been obtained,it is taken off of the roller U in the following manner: The screw V is turned by means of its handle, so that it will move out of the frame, and is thus caused to drawwith it the cap abecause of the screw 1; impinging against the collar on the end of the bearing c". When the caps 21 v are separated far enough,the roller U, with its bundle of feneing,falls to the ground. The roller being in two wedge-shaped pieces is easily withdrawn, one-half in one direction, the other half in the other. The bundleis now free,

and the roller U is put back in position in the frame.

A brief description of the entire operation of the machine will now sufiice. The twistingheads are away from the table on which the fresh picket to be inserted will be. Where the jaws are present, the upper surface of the lower jaw will form the said table. The jaws are open, and the fresh picket to be inserted is now passed between the upper and lower strands of wire of each twisting-head, the upper strand being sufficiently separated from the lower strand, as shown in Figs. 12 and 15, to allow of the ready insertion of the picket. The picket having now been in serted between the jaws,-by bringing the twisting heads up to the jaws the latter are brought together by pressure on treadle F". The twistingheads are now rotated the requisite number'of twists, thereby twisting together the upper and lower straiids of each runner at front edge of said picket, and bind ing the picket very tightly within the runner. As the twisting-heads perform this twisting, they gradually recede from the picket, giving room for the twisted runner between them and the picket, which runner becomes present as they manufacture it. The jaws are now separated, cylinder H allowed to turn one cog, H, by depression of treadle F, thereby carrying the made fence along forward, removing the picket last seen red in the fence from the jaws,

and leaving the place it occupied ready for another fresh picket to be inserted. The teeth H of cylinder H prevent the made fence from sliding too far back. The twistingheads are now brought forward and close up to the jaws by depressing lever F A fresh picket is now inserted, and the operation of twisting the strands of the runners and of removing the last-named picket from the jaws is repeated, and the twisting-heads again brought up to the jaws. By successive repetitions of these operations successive pickets are secured to the runners until the desired length 'of fence is manufactured. As the fence is being made and being moved forward by cylinder H, the made fence is wound upon the reel by rotating the latter by means of lever T.

In furnishing the spools with wire to be fed to the twisting-heads, the wire has first, of course, to be rolled on the spool. To have providedtsee Fig. 8) a novel adjustable device for winding the wire on the spools. On the side of the spool we provide a beveled cog-wheel, I, concentric with said wheel. We provide an adjustable frame, M, and in this is journaled a shaft, N, having at its upper end a crank, N, for rotating it. The lower end of the shaft N carries a beveled pinion, N. The bottom of the frame M has one or more studs, N". (Shown in dotted lines.) Reeesses to fit these studs, and female screw to fit a bolt through the center of the frame, are present in the frame near each spool. This winding device is applied to one and then to another of the spools, and so on, to turn the spools and wind the wire thereon. I

It maybe here remarked that the jaws are preferably so forcibly operated as to press the wire into the picket, and not only hold the latter tightly from slipping longitudinally, but also present a smoother job than if the wires were entirely at the surface of the picket.

While the various features of our invention are preferably employed together, one or more of said features may be employed without the remainder. In so far as applicable, one or more of said features may be used in connection with devices for fence-making other than these specifically herein described.

\Vhat we claim as new and of our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The twisting-head provided with front openings, b and with rear openings, b the last-named openings being elongated and nar row, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The twistinghead provided with open ings b these openings being elongated and narrow, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The twisting-head provided with elongated narrow openings If, lying in the same axial plane of the head and closely approaching each other at the axial center of the head, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. The twistingheads, each provided with a chainpulley, chain D, engaging said pulleys, driving-chain pulley D", gear D pinion D the pulley D having tooth D half-pinion D, pins D and plate D provided with holes I), substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In combination with a device for holding the picket after being inserted between the wires of the runners, the twisting-heads journaled on a movable frame adapted to permit the twisting-heads to recede from the picket as the twisting of the runner progresses, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. The twisting-head mounted on frame G G G, journaled below,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In combination with the jaws F F, the twisting-heads mounted on frame G G G, journaled below, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

8. In combination with the jaws F F, the twisting-heads provided at rear with slotted openings bfland mounted on oscillating frame, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. The twisting-heads mounted on an oscillating frame journaled below, and links h h, crossrod 9'', rod 9", and treadle rod or piece 9*, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. The twisting-heads mounted on an oscillating frame journaled below, and links h h, crossrod g rod 9 and treadle rod or piece 9*, and spring 9 substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. Thejaws F F, and twisting-heads mount ed on an oscillating frame journaled below, and links h h, cross-rod 9", rod g and treadle rod or piece 9, and spring (1 substantially as and for the purposes specified.

12. The twistingheads mounted on an oscillating frame journaled below, and the links 9 g, crossrod rod 9", lever g", and rod h, lever h, rod 71 apd treadle h, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

13. The combination of the jaws F F, twisting-heads mounted on oscillating frame and provided with chain pulleys, chain, and dri\' ing-pulley, and gear-pinion and crank, sub stantially as and for the purposes specified.

14. The twisting-heads provided with elongated rear openings, b and the jaws F F, and mechanism for enabling the heads to separate from the jaws, substantially as and for the purposes specified. Y

15. The twistingheads mounted in an oscillating frame and provided with elongated rear openings, and thejaws F F, and means for closing and opening said jaws, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

16. The combination ofjaws F F, links f levers f rod f and treadle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

17. The jaws F F, guides f, pinsf in jaw F, links f, united thereto, levers f one end of each of said leversf pivoted to the lower end of its adjacentlink, f", and the other end bearing up against the jaw F, rods f respectively connecting said levers f and treadle F pivoted at f and spring f strained between the lever and the main frame, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

18. The combination of thejaws F F, having block F and twisting-heads mounted on movable frame provided with guides F sub stantially as and for the purposes specified.

19. The combination ofjaws F and F, having teeth F guides f, links f-, levers f rods f treadle F and spring, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

20. The cylinder H, provided with teeth H on its periphery, and having cogs H pawl H*, and pawl-disengaging device,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

21. The cylinder H, having teeth H, and

cogs H )awlH*, latch K and rod K, having projection K, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

22. The cylinder H, having teeth H and cogs H )aw1 H", provided with slot-receiving latch K pivoted at K and pin K, and latch-rod K, having projection K, and connected at bottom to treadle F substantially as and for the purposes specified.

23. The combination of the jaws F F, guides f, links f, levers f rods f, and treadle F", latch-rod K, pawl H, latch K", cylinder H, having cogs H", and teeth H, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

24. The reel composed of wedge shaped pieces, and having its ends, respectively, received into the recessed pieces or caps, which ICO IIO

are in turn supported by the journals of the reel, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

25. The reel U, composed of the two wedgeshaped pieces u a, and cap 12, having axis 12 and cap 1;, having screw V, having a bearing in said cap 11, substantially as and for the pur-' poses specified.

26. The reel U, composed of the two Wedgeshaped pieces u u, and cap '0, having axis 1), and cap 1), having screw V, having an end bearing, 1), fitting into recess '0 of said cap, and provided with screw b entering annular groove 12 on said end bearing, c substantially as and for the purposes specified.

27. The reel composed of wedgeshaped pieces u a, cap '0, having recess c screw V, having screw-bearing fitting into said recess and suitably secured therein, cap v, carrying axis 0 ratchet-wheel W, pawls w and w, lever '1, rod T and lever T, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

28. The spools, each provided with beveled BENJ. L. FLETCHER. JOHN M. DUNKIN. LOUIS HANHART. CHAS. M. TRAUTMANN.

Witness as to Benj. L. Fletcher and John M. Dunkin:

O. M. HILL. Y Witness as to Louis Hanhart and Chas. M. Trautmann:

H. L. BENHAM. itness as to all:

.lNo. W. STREHLI.

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