US1868141A - Wire tying machine - Google Patents

Description

'.Iu1y19,193.2.A H. HARVEY l 1,868,141

WIRE vTYI'NG MACHINE 4 Filed June 25, 1930v 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. mi #www Q B Y r ATToRNExc Filed June 25, 1930 4 SheeLs-Sheet 2 A TTORNE July 19, 1932. H. HARVEY 1,868,141

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Jun@ 25, 1930 4 sheets-sheet 3l n 3f u INVENTOR. N HQI/M l.

BY f

l l l l ATTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932. H. HARVEY WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed June 25, 1930 LL Sheens-Shee 4 IN VEN TOR.

- `Ffatented July 19, 1932 HERBERT HARVEY, F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA i WIRE 'mme MAcHINE Application lerl June 25,

An object of this invention is to provide an automatic and continuously operable hand or power driven wire tying machine, including successiveiy operative tensioning,

I`y twisting, and cutting means, in which tho tensioning means is so positioned when a wire, as distinguished from a flat band, or what isfrequently termed flat wire, is looped around a box or the like and one end of the wire isipositively gripped against displacement, that the wire will be uniformly tensioned thruout the length of the loop rather than at local points in the loop.

It is a further object'to provide a wire l5 tying machine in which the tensioning means is positioned between the source of wire supply and the loop around the box or the like so that the tensioning means will grip that portion of the wire adjacent the source of supply during a tensioning operation, and cause the wire in the loop to be tensioned i without deforming, indenting, or distorting the wire as is done in other types of machine, thus permitting a return of the surplus ma- 2'5 terial to the source of supply for further use.

Another object is to provide, in combination with twisting and .cutting means, a

. yieldable gripping member adapted to fixedly hold one end of a loop of wire when the loop is extended around a box or the like preparatory to a tying operation, and a tensioning mechanism on the opposite side of thetwisting means from said grippin means and adapted to grip the portion of t e loop adjacent the source of supply, whereby when the tensioning means isr operated to a predetermined extent for tensioning the wire of the loop around the box, the' gripping means will be automatically operable when a predetermined tension of the loop has been reached for renderin the twisting and cuttino means successiv operative. ther objects inclu e the provision of a single operating shaft rotatable continuously in one direction for successively operating the tensioning, twisting and cutting means; the provision of multlple twisting means, whereby a plurality of sections of the wire may be twisted indifferent directions in .l forming a tie; and in general to provide a.

1930. Serial No. 463,693.

simple, compact, and effective light weight mechanism for the purpose descrlbed.

Other objects may .appearl as the description progresses.. f

In the accompanying drawings I have 5 shown a preferred form of my invention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled machine with the housing partially broken away yto clearly show the operating mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the machine in the plane of line 2 2. ofpFig. l.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are,`respectively, sectional elevations on lines 3 3, 4 4, 5 5 and G5 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the twisting means on line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are, respectivel ,sectional elevations on lines 8 8, 9 9 an 10-10 of To Fig-2, showing structural .details of the tensioning means. j

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectionof a Aclutch connected with the driving shaft for selective association with the tensioning and twisting Tl',

means, taken on line 11 1l of Fi 2.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation on 12-.12- of Fig. 2.

The machine, as shown in its preferred form in the drawings is Generally arranged .fr on a flat base 1, having a rib 2 extending partially around the upper side of the base, overwhich a suitable cover 3 is adapted to be sup.- ported for enclosing the machine. A single operating shaft 4 is supported on and above C the base l in a pair of main bearings 5 and 6, which are longitudinally spaced apart, and are formed on or suitably attached tothe base. lSaid shaft is arranged for continuous rotation in a single direction for each wirey line ltwisting operation, and is additionally journaled in a air of intermediate bearings 7 and 8 on said ase.

The shaft4 may be rovided with a suitable crank 9 adjacent the cai-'ings 6, whereby the 95 .machine lmay be vmanually operated, or a suitable Vower connection may be made with said sha '.by attaching the same to a flange 10 on said'bearing. 'The shaft'4 has an intermediate squared or splined portion 11 and a 100 (Y reduced inner end portion 12 which is held in the bearing 5.

A pair of driving gears l13 and 14 are arranged on opposite sides of the central bearing 7 for simultaneous rotation, and are loose on the shaft 4. The portion 12 of the drivin gated transverse bearing 19 in which the shaft 20 is journaled, and the inner end of said shaft carries` a beveled gear 21 which meshes with and is driven by the tensioning pinion 16.

`The outer end of shaft 20 carries a tensioning wheel 22, which is fixed to the shaft and is adapted to be rotated ,in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, when shaft 4 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 6.

-A counter shaft 23 is mounted in end bearings 24 and 25,' and an intermediate bearing 26, which are spaced apart longitudinally. on the base 1, and intermediate gears 27 and 28 are carried onsaid counter-shaft between the bearings 24 and 26 and 25 and 26 respectively. Gears 27 and 28 permanently mesh with gears 13 and 14 respectively, and also with twisting pinions 29 and 30 which are forwardly of and are slightly below the intermediate gears. The pinions 29 and 30 have outwardly extended hubs 29 and 30 on opposite sides thereof respectively, by means of which they are rotatably supported in stationary guides 31, 32 and 33, which are arranged as follows with respect to said pinions: The central guide 33 is alined with the central bearing 26 and rotatably supports the adjacent hubs 29 and 30 of the pinions 29 and30 respectively, while the bearing 31 supports the opposite hub 29 of pinion 29, and the bearin 32 similarly sup- 4portsthe other'hub 30 of pinion 30, as shown in Fig. 7.

The guides 31, 32 and 33 are provided with Y rearwardly inclined slots 34 of corresponding size and inclination, and the pinions 29 and 30 are provided with corresponding slots 35 which register with the slots 34, as shown in Fig. 6, and are adapted to receive and support thetwo overlapping end portions 37 and 38 of a wire W. The width of' the ` slots 34 and 35 corresponds to the gage ofthe wire so that the overlappedportions of the wire will prevented from twisting when the pinions 29 and 36 are rotated, as hereinafter described. y Y 1 The guides 31,432 and 33 have forward extensions 31", 32', and 33 forming the lower margins of the slots 34 therein which pro- ]'ect forwardly of the upper portions of' said guides and overlie an extension 39 of the ase 1 so as to facilitate the positioning of the wires in said slots.

At the right hand end of the machine, as seen in Fig. 2, outwardly of the bearing 25,

I provide a lever 40 which has a bifurcated A end portion 41 pivotally mounted on a pin or screw 4,2 and formed with a recess 43 intermediate the upper and lower sides 44 and 45. A self-adjusting grip 46 is'pivotally mounted on the` pin 42 within-the recess 43 and is provided with a forwardly extended rounded end 47 and a. .toothed heel 48, which are adapted to engage the hight38 of the tire lV when the wire is extended around a box, bale, crate, or the like, preparatory to tension'is placed on the bight 38, as hereinafter described.

It will be understood that the machine is placed on the top of a box or crate with the flat base 1 resting upon the box, and the wire is drawn reasonably tight around the box so that the bights 37 and 38 are in overlapping position, as shown in Fig. 1. The bights 37 and 38 are then moved rearwardly. together over' the portions 31', 32', and 33of guides 31, 32 and 33, respectively, and into the aiy Spaced .ear. ends of the slots 34 of said guides and the slots 35 of pinions 29 and 30.

The bight 37 is then positioned in a V groove 51 .of the tensioninglr Wheel 22 and is thread- 1615 ed under said wheel and between said wheel and a friction roller 52 which registers withthe groove 51.

The roller 52 a bolt 53 carried in a channeled lever 54, which in turn is hingedly supported at 55 on a lug 56 which is formed on or attached is pivotally supported -on i to the hearing 19, as showin in Fig. 8. The

spring serves to hold roller 52 in operative.

engagement with the hight 37 of the .wire W so that the wire will be fricti'onally held in the groove 51 of wheel 22.

On the opposite side of the fulcrum 55Ifrom I roller 52, the lever 54 has anelongated arm 59 which extends forwardly over and slightly g inwardly of the bearing 24, as shown in Fig. 1, for purposeshereinafter ,described The roller 52 may be manually disengaged from the tensioning Wheel 22 by means of a lever 60 which is pivoted at 61 on arm 54 and has a cam 61 with tworelatively right angular the tension of spring 57 will hold lroller 52y in operative engagement with the wheel'22.

The depression of lever 60, however, will move the face63`of the cam into engagement with the me `iber 64 and thus move roller 52 outwardly from engagement with wheel 22.

In order to prevent the retraction 'of the tensionin wheel 22 during a tensioning operation, `'provide a pair of detents 65 and 66 which are substantially similar and are plvotally mounted at 67 on the base 1 adjacent the beveled gear 21. Said detents have pawls 68 and 69 respectively which areI of slightl different length and operatively engage t e teeth of gear 2l so as to permit the clockwise rotation of said gear, as shown in t Fig. 1, but to prevent the counter clockwise rotation thereof.

' Said detents have heels,'as at 70, 70, urged by springs, as at 71, for operatively holding the pawls 68 and 69 in engagement with the v gear 21.

- yoke has s aced arms 75 and 7 5 at its'rearl Rearwardly of the machine I provide improved means for automaticall connecting the clutch 15 with the tensioning' lever 40.v

Said means includes a yoke 72, which is pivotally mounted at 73 on an upright support 74 formed on or attached to the base l. Said extremity etween which a lever 76 and one end of a spring 77 are connected with the yoke. The lever 7 6`is rigidly connected with thevportions 75 and 75 by means of a pin `,78, and the hinge. yin .73 as shown in Fin'. b 7i il and 81 with inwardly lextended trunnions` `82 and 82 which rotatably support rollers 83and 83 respectively, and said rollers are adapted to engage a peripheral annularY `groove 84 formed on the clutch 15 for the 10, whileV spring 1s connected therewi't by means ot a, in 79, as shown in'Fig. 2.

The yoke 72 as a pair of spaced arms 81 purpose of shifting said clutch on the shaft 4 for alternate engagement with the gears .Band 16. 1 The tensioning arm 40, as shown in Figs.

5,2 and 3, extends rearwardly from its axis 42, and has an end portion turned at a l right angle toward Vthe'yoke 72 or to the left,

asin Fig. 2. The end 40 carries a hinge pin 85 to which the ri ht hand end of a spring 77 is attached. A so a link 86 is pivotally mounted on thepin 85 and extends rearwardly therefrom and is provided with al slot 86 which slidably engages a pin 87 iixed in the right hand end 76 ofthe lever H76.. The end 76 is provided with a notch 76" for engaging one leg 88 of a latch y89, which is provided with another leg 89 engaged by arm 40, as hereinafter explained.

Latch 89 ispivotally mounted on a pin 90 1 and is tensioned by a spring 92 supported by the pin 90. One end of a spring 93 of on boss 91 formed on or attached to the base greater power than spring 77 is supported by* the pin 85 and the other end is supported 70,

machine, as seen in Fig. 2, during a tensioning operation, the shaft 4 is rotated by means of a crank 9 or otherwise, and the slack of wire W is taken up by means of the tensioning wheel 22. As the tension ofthe wire is increased the grip`.46 is moved in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, so that the portion 48 of said grip will .tightly grip and hold the wire against the pin in the forward end of lever 40.. When the tension in the wire W is suilicient to overcome the tension of spring 93, lever 40 will be, moved in 'a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, on

lever 40 will disengage the leg 88 from the notch 7 6" permitting the end 76 of the lever 7 6l to move toward the rear of the machine by reason of the pull exerted by spring 77 95 on pin 79.

The lever purpose of disengaging the clutch 15 from the 76 is moved as described for the i tensioning pinion 16. It will be noted that as shown in Fig. 2, when said clutch is cn- Vgaged with the pinion 16, lever 76, link 86,

and gripping lever 40 are so positioned that the clutch will remain engaged with the ten.- sioning pinion until the wire'is further tensioned. As the lever'40 moves in a clock- 105 wise direction, as seenin Fig. 2, against the combined tension of springs 93 and 77, the

' link 86 is'rotated on thepin 87 until the inner shoulder of lever 40 strikesv the portion 89 of the latch 89, thereby swinging said latchin a counter-clockwise directiomas seen in F1 2. glightly subsequent to the operation of the latch as described, the bottomy of the slot 86 in link 86 engages the pin 87 and moves the 115 long arm of lever 76 outwardly, thereby disengaging the clutch from the tensioning pinion 16 thru its connection with the clutch'- yoke. v At the moment when the clutch is disengaged from pinion 16, the desired tension in the wire to be twisted will have been attained,`and saidtension will be preserved thru the latch members 68 and 69 which engage the tensioning gear 21. When 'the latch is disengaged from lever 76, the lspring 77 125 is eiective for disengaging the clutch from pinion 16 and for engaging the same with. the driving pinion 13.

Following the above described operation,

' the lever 40 serves to hold the ,latch 89ydis- 130 i 4 rotated for a predetermined number of revolutions, depending upon the number of twists required in each of the twisted sections of the wire W. y

By reference to Fig. 7, it will be noted that the hubs 29 and 30 of the twisting pinions are provided with axial bores, as at 95, o't a diameter slightly larger than the twisted sect-ions 96 ofthe wire. While the pinions 29 and 30 are rotating, those portions of the bights 37 and 38 of wire Wjvhic'h are held in the slots 34 and 3.5 of the guides and pinions respectively, will not he. twisted, but will alternate with the twisted sections 96. It will he further noted that in order to prevent the twists 96 from pulling apart, the arrangement of the guides and twisting pinions is such that alternating twisted sections of the wire will be twisted in different directions. Thus, due to the strain on the wire W, any tendency to untwist one ot' the sections will be counteracted by a tendency to further twist another or other sections.

On the outer sidesI of gears 27 and 28, I provide cams 97 and 98 respectively, which are fixed to the shaft -23 or to said gears, as shown in Fig. 2. Said cams have correspondingly formed arms 97 and 98 respectively, which are rotatably arranged in the path of cutters 99 and 100 respectively, and also in the path of detents 101 and'1'02 respectively. Guides 31 and 32 are provided on their outer faces with cutter bars31 and 32 over which the beveled cutting edges 99 and 100 are adapted to be moved, for the purpose of cutting the surplus portions from the bights 37 and 38- of the wire W. Thus the cutting .edffes 99 and 100 are, respectively, positioned relative to the bights 37 and 38 of the wire, as shown in Figs..4 and 5, one being slightly forward of the other.

The cutter 99 and the detent 101 are coaxially mounted in adjacent positions so as to `freely turn on a pin 103 carried in the bearing member 24 on the base,while the cutter 100 and the detent 103 are similarly mounted on a pin 104',-carried in the bearing member 25. The cutter 99 and detent 101 are mounted between members 24 and 31, while cutter 100 and detent 102 are similarly 'mounted bemembers serve to prevent the upward thrust of the cams, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5. The de-n tents'lOl and 102 are urgedupwardly against the cam members 97 and 98 b means of springs 106 and 107 respectively, orpreventing the downward thrust of the cam members In order to prevent the restoration` of .i clutch 15 into engagement with the tensionf ing pinion 16 when thetension in wire W is Vrelieved and before the over-twisting opera-1 tion is completed, I provide a latch including a shoulder 108 on the rear end of lever 40, which normally engages a lug 109 on the rear arm of detent 102.

Subsequent to the cutting operation, and near the completion of the over-twisting operation, cam 98 engages the forward portion of detent 102 and elevates lug 109 above the shoulder 108 so that lever 40 may move t'o the left beneath the lug 109, as-shown in Fig. 9. The plate 108 may be set into base 1, as shown in Fig. 5, which is engaged by the portion `110 of detent 10.1 for limiting the clockwise movement of said detent. Similarly the portion 108 of| lever 40 limits the clockwise movement of detent 102.

The engagement of lugl109 with shoulder 108 prevents the retraction of lever 40 until the completion of the over-twisting operation. At the completion of the over-twisting operation the cam 25, engages the detent 102 and elevates the lug 109 from its position of engagement with the shoulder 108, thereby permitting the restoration of lever 40, latch 89, link 86, lever 76, and clutch 15 to normal engagement with pinion 16 as shown in Fig. 2, preparatory to a subsequent operation.

.During a twisting operation the cams 97 and' 98 rotate in a counter-clockwise direcnear thel completion of a twisting operation,

the cam member 97 will engage the end of the tensioning roller lever 59 so as to relieve the tension in the bights 3.7 andv38 and immediately following this .operation the cam rnembers97 and 98 will similarly engage the upper'ends of the cutters'99 and 100 respectivelyV so that said cutters will be swung downwardly, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5 for cut: ting the surplus material from the bights 37 and 38 of the wire, whereupon there will follow a slight over-twisting operation of pinions 29 and 30 suiiicient in extent to insure the movement of the cam members 97 and 9 8 beyond the recesses 105 and 105 respectively. Said cams are subsequently retracted and willl rest in said recesses until a succeeding operation is begun. )Immediately when the tension in the wire W is relieved, as hereinbefore described, the lever 40'will assume its normal position as described, and thru the engagement of the outer end of slot 86 with pin 87, will pull lever 76 back to its normal position of engagement with latch 89, vwhich has been restored 'to its normal position by the spring 92, all as seen in Fig. 2.

The restoration of lever 76 effects the restoration of clutch 72 to normal en agement with the tensioning pinion 16. bviously the movement of the clutch 15 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, thru the restoration of levers 49 and 76, the linl: 86 and the latch 89 prepares the machine for a succeeding tensioninU and tying operation.

l'he cam members 97 and 98 are of'suiiicient width to cverlie and engage the associated cutters and detents. The detents yield downwardly against the tension of the springs 106 and 107 respectively upon the initial movement of the cams in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, to permit the cams to clear the detente.

Briefly, the operation is as follows: The machine is placed upon the top of a box, bale, crate, or lthe like, and the wire W is played oli ofv a reel of wire and extended around the box with the bights 37 and 38 in overlapping relation at the top. The two bights are similarly moved rearwardly into the slots 34 of the guides, and the slots 35 of the twisting pinions. The bight 38 is drawn to the right until the end thereof abuts thea. wall 41 of recess 42 in the' lever 40, and is interposed between the serrated heel 48 of grip 46 and the post or pin 50. i

The bight 37 is threaded under and over wheel 22 in the groove 51 of said wheel and beneath roller 52. The wheel 22 thus tightly grips the bight 37 and upon the rotation of the crank 9 and shaft 4 (the clutch 1,5 being normally engaged with pinion 16) the wheel 51 is caused to rotate ina clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby drawing the wire tightly around the box. "The grip 46 positively holds 'the bight 38 and the radual tighteninglof wireW causes the grip 46 to move slightly in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, until the end of bight 38 is positively held against displacement in the recess of lever 40. A predetermined tension of the spring 93 obtained by the proper adjustment of the thumb nut 94 holds the lever in normal position, as seen in Fig. 2, and consequently the clutch 15into'engagement with pinion 16,- until a substantially greater tension in the wire W is attained, which is suihcientto uniformly tension the wire around the box. When the tension of spring 93 is overcome, however, by a predetermined tension inthe wire W, lever 76 is automatically operated to disengage the clutch 15 from the tensioning means and to engage the same operatively with the wire twisting means, .as hereinbefore described.

The sequence of operations is as follows: At the completion of the tensioning opera# tion the twisting operation is initiated and continued until a predetermined number of twists have been made in diiierent sections of the overlapping wire ends for positively tying the overlapping bight's of wire together. Near the end of the twisting operation the cam 97 is eiective for releasing the roller 52 from tensioning wheel 22 so as to relieve the tension in the wire W, and following this operation the cutters 99 and 100 are operated by cams 97 and 98 for cutting the surplus material from the wire bights. At the cutting points, howevert` ne cams 97 and 98 have not reached their normal positions of rest, and it is necessary tov further rotate the cams until they have moved beyond the positions shown in Figs. 4 and 5 respectively, relative to the cutters and detents. Thus a slight over-twisting of the overlapping wire sections is eii'ected so that the tie may be readily released from the machine.

It will be observed that the ratio of the twisting gears is such that only one complete revolut1on of gears 27 and 28 is necessary to e'ect a twisting operation, while the twisting pinions may rotate for two or more complete revolutins, as may be necessary, thus determining the number of turns in leach twist made.

When the-lever 40 is restored to normal position as described, the machine ma be retracted backwardly from the tie an removed from the box or the box removed from beneath the machine preparatory to another operation.

lt is to be noted that the only manual operations necessary to eect a complete cycle of operations is the rotation in a continuous direction of the single shaft 4 by means of the crank 9, and the positioning of the wire bights in the guide and pinion slots. Thus the rotation of shaft 4 by means of crank 9 or by means of a suitable power element connectedV therewith automatically eiiects the tensioning, twisting and cutting operations in sequence.

herein, it will be apparent that the portion of the Wire which is gripped by the tensioning drum 22 is frictionally held in the peripheral groove of said drum in such a manner that the wire will not be deformed, indented, crimped, or otherwise impaired during a tensioning operation. The tensioning means being interposed. between the source of supply and the loop used to bind a box or the like, permits the return of the surplus material which is unusedat the completion of each tying operation to the source of supply for further use.

Furthermore, the tensioning of the Wire being accomplished at a point adjacent the source of supply and the end of the wire remotest from the source of supplybemg fixedly held by means of the grip 46, the entlre loop extending around the box or the like 1sv uniformly tensioned at all points rather than at local oints, as in other typesl of devices.

It is to e observed also that the connections between the tensioning and twisting means are `automatic in operation, and said means becomes operative only when the tensioning means has been operated suiciently to produce the required tension in the loop around the boxor the like, thus insuring the tight binding of the box and the twisting. of the tie while under tension.

A particular feature of this machine resides in the fact that when a motor is employed for rotating the drive shaft 4 said drive shaft `may `rotate continuously prior to orsubsequent to a twisting operation, and while the wire is being threaded into the machine preparatory to a twisting operation, or While the completed tie is removed from the machine subsequent to such an operation,.the cam 60 is operated to disengage the roller 52 lfrom the tensioning drum 22 so that the wire may be threaded thru the machine4 and onto the tensionin 4 1s rotating. When t e wire is properly' drum while shaft threaded the member 60 is operated to engage roller 52 with drum 22 for tensioning the wire. The tensioning operation automatically follows the tensioning of the member 60. In other words, the member 60 serves as a clutch for rendering the machine operative and inoperative when a wire is operatively positioned in-the machine.

What I claim is: y p

1. In a wire tying machine, the .combination of a rotatable operating member, a wire twisting means, a wire tensioning means, -a

\ gripping k.devicefor gripping and holding an end of said wire during a tying operal tion, and connections between said gripping device and said operating member automati- .v cally operable when the wire is tensioned to a'predetermined extent, for rendering said tensioning means inoperative and said twistlng means o erative. i

2. In a wire tying machine, the combination with twisting and tensioning meansfof a. gripping lever cooperating with the tensloning means for holding the free end of a wire to be tensioned and twisted, an operating shaft, ears on said shaft connected lrespectively with the tensionin and twisting means, a clutch interposed etween said gears, connections between said clutch and said lever for effecting the engagement of the clutch with the tensioning means while the wire is being tensioned, means for preventing disengagement of .the clutch and tensioning means until the wire is tensionedl to a predetermined extent, and means automatically operable when the wire is tensioned to a predetermined extent for disen` -gaging the clutch from the tensioning means and engaging the same4 with the twisting means. v

A 3. In a wire tying machine, the combina-v nous, 1u

tion with wire tensioning and twisting means, of a continuously rotating 'drivin shaft, gearsloosely mounted on said sha and connected respectively with the' tension' ing and twisting means, a clutch rotatably connected with said shaft and interposed between said gears, a gripping'lever cooperating with said tensioning means for gripping and holding one end ofa wire to betensioned, a second lever operatively connected with said clutch, means for tensioning said gripping lever, means independentthereof for-tensioning. said second llever relative to the gripping lever, a link connegting said levers, one end of said link being pivotally 30 heldA on the gripping lever, the'other end of said link bein slidably-connected with the `second lever, t e tensioning means for said gri ping lever being effective for holding sai clutch normally 1n engagementl with the tensioning gear, a latch normally'engaging the disengagement of the clutch from the `the second lever and normally preventing tensioning' ear, said gripping lever being *i operative w en a w1re 1s tensioned to a pre-Y determined extent thru the operation of-said tensioning means for disengagin-g said latch l re-engaging. the same with thevtensioning means preparatory to a twisting operation.

4. In a wire tying machine, the combination with an operating member and twisting means connected therewith, of means for gripping the wire to be twisted, a tensioning device including a pair of relatively adjustable members for engagement with the wire to be tensioned, and means for controllingv lthe operation of the machine thru the operation of said relatively adjustable members.

5.` In a wire tying machine, the combina'- tion of a tensioning and twisting means, of a continuously o erable drivingshaft connected with sai tensioning andl twisting means, and means for instituting the operation of the machine thru the operative connection of the tensioning means with the f wire'to be tensioned and twisted.

6. In a wire twisting machine, the combi-A nation of a rotatable'operating shaft, tensioning and twisting means operatively connected therewith, a gripping device for griprping and holding the end of the strand of wire remotest from the source ofsupply when said wire is looped around a box or the like, connections between said gripping .tensioned to a predetermined extent.

7. In a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination of tensioning and twist-ing means', and means connected with the end of a strand of wire remotest from the source of supply for controlling the operation of the tensioning` and twisting means.

8. Iii a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination of a continuously rotatable shaft, a wire tensioning means, a wirev twist-ing means, a wire cutting means, a wire gripping means positioned on the opposite side of the twisting means from said tensioning means adapted to grip and hold the end of .the strand of wire when looped around a box or the like and operatively connected with. said shaft, and said gripping means being automatically operable when the wire is tensioned to a predetermined extent for rendering the tensioning means inoperative and for rendering the twisting and cutting means successively operative.

9. In a wire tensioning and twisting machine, the combination of a continuously rotatable shaft, a wire twisting meansl operatively connected therewith, a wire .tensioning means, a wire gripping means positioned on the opposite side of the twisting means from the tensioning means, connections by which said shaft by its continuous rotation actuates the tensioning and twisting means, means associated with the tensioning means for engaging the wire, and means operable at a predetermined point in the operation of the twisting means for releasing the wire from said tensioning means.

10. In a wire tying machine, the combination of a rotatable operating member, a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, a gripping device for gripping and holding an end of said wire during a tying operation, connecting means between said gripping device and said operating member, said gripping device being automatically operable when the wire is .tensioned to a predetermined extent to actuate said connecting means to render said tensioning means inoperative and said twisting means operative, means associated .with said tensioning means for gripping the wire thereto, and means operable at a predetermined point in the operation of the twisting means for releasing` the wire from the tensioning means.

11. In a wire tying machine, the combina-v tion of a rotatable operating member, a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, wire cutting means associated with said twisting means, a gripper device for gripping and holding an end of said wireA during a tying operation, connecting means between said gripping device and said operating member, l said gripping device being automatically` op; i. erable when the wire is tensioned to a pre; A`

determined extent to actuate said connecting means to render said tensioning means inoperative and said twisting and cutting means operative, means associated with said tensioning means for gripping the wire thereto, and means operable at a predetermined point in the operation of the twisting means for rev leasing the wire from thetensioning means.

12.l A wire tying machine including the combination of a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, a drive means operatively engageable with either of' said .tensioning or twisting means, and a control mechanisni operatively associated with said drive means and adapted to grip the free end of thev tie wire, and operable by thetie wire when the tension 'thereon has reached a predetermined value to shift said drive means out of` engagement with said tensioning means and into engagement with said twistl ingmeans.'

13. A wire tyingmachinelincluding the combination of a wire itensioning means, a wire, twisting means, a` drive means operatively engageable with either of said tensioning or' twisting means, a control mechanism operatively associated with said drive vmeans and adapted to grip the free end of the wire,

and operable by the tie wire when tension thereon has reacheda predetermined value to shift said drive means out of engagement with said tensioning meansv and into engagement with the wire twist-ing means, and means associated with the wire twisting means for actuating said control means to' return the drive means into operative engagement with said tensioningmeans and out of engagement with the wire twisting means.

14. A wire tying machine including the combination of a drive shaft, a wire tensiorn,

ing means having a tensioning wheel, a wire twisting mechanism, means operable for normally retaining the wire tensioning means in operative engagement with said shaft and also operable for disengaging said tensioning means from said shaft and for engaging the wire twisting mechanism therewith when the tie wire has been tensioned to a predetermined extent, a roller associated with said tension wheel for yieldingly forcing the tie wire into frictional engagement therewith, means for retaining said roller 'in a retracted inoperative position, manually operable means for releasing said retaining means for actuating said roller -into'engagement with the tie wire for yieldingly forcing said wire into frictional engagement with thetension wheel,y

ing means having a tensioningrwlieel, a wire the clutch actuating lever and the gripping twisting mechanism, means operable for normally retaining the wire tensioning means in operative engagement with said shaft and also operable for disengagin g said tensioning means from said shaft and for engagingthe wire tensioning mechanism therewith when the tic wire has been tensioned to a predetermined extent, a roller associated with said tensioning wheel for yieldiiigly forcing the tie wire into frictional engagement therewith, means for retaining said roller in a retracted inoperative position, manually operable e, means for releasing said retaining means for actuating said roller iii-to engagement with the tie wire for yieldingly forcing said wire into frictional engagement with'the tension wheel, means automatically opera-ble by the twisting mechanism for returning said roller to its inoperative position, and means associated with the tensioning means for retaining the tension in the wire during a portion ofthe twisting operation.

16. A wire tying machine including the combination of a wire tensioning means, a wire twisting means, a drive means operatively engageable with either of said tensioning or twisting means, a control means operatively associated with the drive means and normally retaining said means in operative engagement with the wire tensioning means and adapted to retain the freeend of the tie wire aiidoperable thereby when the tension thereon has reached a predetermined value to cause 'the drive means to be disengaged from said tensioning means and engaged by the wire twisting means, and a ratchet and pawl means adapted to permit rotation of the wire tension means in one direction to place aI tension upon the tie wire but locking said tensioning means against rotation in the opposite direction whereby the tension placed in the tie Wire will be retained when the drive means is disengaged from the wire tensioning means and during the wire twisting operation.

17 .'In a wire tyin machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wire twisting mechanism, a drive means, a clutch operatively associated with the drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associated with the clutch, a latch means for locking the clutch actuating lever in. position to retain the clutch in driving engagement with said tensioning means, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie wire and operable thereby' for actuating the latch means for releasing the clutch actuating lever, a link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating and said gripping levers and arranged to permit a,

limited amount of lost motion therebetween, a first spring means associated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resisting movement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, a second spring vmeans connected at its respective ends to ing lever, a gripping lever latch means for locking the gripping lever, and a grippinglever latch release means associated with thev twisting mechanism and operative at the comple- `\tion of the twisting operation for releasing t-anism, whereupon fthe'gripping lever latch means locks the gripping lever to positively retain the clutch in driving engagement with the wire twisting mechanism during the twisting operation, and upon completion thereof, the gripping lever latch means is actuated to release the gripper lever whereupon the firstspring means returns the parts with a snap to. their ynormal position.

v 18. In a wire tying machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wire twisting mechanism, a drive means, a clutch operatively associated with the drive means, aclutch actuating lever operatively associated with the clutch, a latch means for locking the clutch actuating lever in position to retain the' clutch in driving engagement with said tensioning means, a gripping lever adapted to engage.

the tie wire and operable thereby for actuating the latch means for releasing the clutch actuating lever, a lost motion link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating lever 'and said gripping levers, a rst spring means associated with the gripping lever :for yieldin'gly resisting movement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch actuating and the gripping levers, whereby when a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire the gripping lever will actuate against the resistance of the first and second spring means to actuate the latch means to release'the clutch actuating lever, whereupon dueto the lost motion of said link, the second spring means will act vto snap the clutch to disengage the tensioning means and intodriving engagement with the twisting mechanism. v

19. In a wire tying macliine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wire twisting mechanism, a driving means, a lclutch operatively associated wih the drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associated with the clutch, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie Wire, a lost motion link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating lever and said gripping lever, a lirst spring means associated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resisting movement thereof -until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch actuating and the gripping levers, whereby when -a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire thegripping lever will actuate against the resistance of the iirst and second spring'means and through the link to positively actuate the clutch actuating lever to disengage the clutch from the tensioning means` whereupon due to the lost motion oi said link the second spring means will act to snap said clutch into driving engagement with the wire twisting mechanism.

20. In a Wire tying machine, a tie wire tensioning means, a tie wire twisting mechanism, a driving means, a clutch operatively associated with the drive means, a clutch actuating lever operatively associated withthe clutch, a gripping lever adapted to engage the tie wire, a lost motion link pivotally connecting said clutch actuating lever and said gripping lever, a first spring means associated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resisting movement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch actuating andthe gripping levers, a means for locking the grippin lever, andmeans for releasing the said loc ing means whereby when a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire the gripping lever will actuate against the resistance of the first and second spring means and through the lost l motion link positively actuate the clutch actuating lever to disengage the clutch from the tensioning means, whereupon due to the lost motion of said link the second spring means will act to snap the clutch into driving engagement with the wire twisting mechanism, whereupon the means will actuate for locking the gripping lever to positively retain the clutch in driving engagement with the wire twisting mechanism durin the twisting operation, and upon comp etion thereof the release means will be actuated to release the gripping lever, whereupon the with said twisting `mechanism during the twisting operation and operable b the twisting mechanism upon the completion of said twisting operation for returning the clutch to its normal position.

22. A wire tying machine including vthe combination of a wire tensioning means, a wire twistin clutch slidal shaft and alternately engageable with said tensioning means and said twisting mechanism, a clutch shifting lever associated with the clutch, .a latch means for locking the clutch shifting lever in position to retain the clutch in driving engagement with said tensioning means, a gripping lever having at its outer end means for' gripping the tie wire, and said lever being operative to release said latch means when the tension placed in the tie wire has reached a predetermined value, a link pivotally mounted at one end to the inner end of said gripping lever while the other end of said link is slidably connected with said clutch shifting lever, a first spring means associated with the gripping lever for yieldingly resisting movement thereof until a predetermined tension has been placed in the tie wire, a second spring means connecting the clutch and the gripping levers, a gripping lever latch means for locking said gripper leverin the position said lever is moved when the tie wire has been tensioned to a predetermined value, and thereby locking the clutch in driving engagement with the twisting mechanism, and a gripping lever latch release means associated with the twisting mechanism and operated thereby at the completion of a twisting operation for disengaging the clutch from the twisting mechanism, and reengaging the same with the tensioning means.

' HERBERT HARVEY.

first spring means returns the parts with a snap to their normal position.

21. A wire tying machine including the combination of a tie wire tensioning means,

a tie wire twisting mechanism, a drive means,

a clutch operatively associated with the drive means, a clutch control mechanism operative for normally retaining the clutch in driving engagement with the tensionmeans, and operable by the tie wire when tensioned -to a predetermined value to actuate said clutch out of engagement with said tensioning means and into driving engagement with the twisting mechanism, and operative for retaining the clutch in driving engagement i mechanism, a drive shaft, a' y mounted upon the drive

Images