US1248550A - Wire fabric. - Google Patents

Description

H. RICHARDSON.

WIRE FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED 050.15. 1913.

Patented Dec 4, 1917;

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- H. RICHARDSON.

WIRE FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED 05015, I913.

Patenwfll Dan. 4,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2n TFF.

WIRE FABRIC.

Application filed December 15, 1913.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that T, HENRY RICHARDSON, a subject of th King of Great Britain, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wire fabrics, and has reference more particularly to wire fabrics of the kind at present extensively used to form the bottoms of beds, couches and like articles of furniture.

One type of bed and couch fabric now largely employed is characterized structurally by the presence of parallel longitudinal strands composed of interhooked bent wire units orlinks connected transversely at inter vals by wire cross links. The interhooking of the links forming the longitudinal strands in this type of fabric creates a weakness at these points of connection, owing to the liability of the hooks to pull or straighten out under tension. This same weakness also inheres in fabrics wherein the end portions of the wire forming each link are connected merely by interengaging hooks on said ends or by a hook on one end engaging a loop on the other end, since in all such cases there is present in the link at or intermediate its ends one or more hooks having a free or unsecured bent portion 111 the direct line of longitudinal strain, the strength-of which to' resist tensional strains is far beloW the breaking point of the wire itself.

The general object of my present invention is to provide a new and improved link wire fabric structure of a type heretofore originated by me and which is especially characterized by the fact that it employs two-ply links each formed from, a single piece of wire in each longitudinal strand and may be made of a considerably lighter gage of wire than was theretofore known in fabrics of that character. This object I accomplish by a novel structure of link that entirely obviates the presence anywhere in afabric of the type described of unsecured ends of loops or hooks in a line of longitudinal strain. Furthermore, my improved fabric dispenses with the use of separate cross-links connecting adjacent longitudinal strands, and lends itself well to the em ployment of integral cross-arms which serve all the purposes of separate cross links and simplify and cheapen the construction.

In the accompanying drawings I have Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented et. a, item.

Serial No- 896,670.

illustrated my invention in several slightly varied forms; and referring thereto- Figur l is a f agme tary top p n View of a wire fabric for bed or couch bottoms embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a per spective view from the upper side of a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective View from the under side of a portion of one of the links or units of the fabric. Fig. 4: 1s a perspective view fron the upper side of a slightly varied form of link or unit embodying the invention. Fig, 5 is a iew simi-- lar to Fig. 1 of a lQther variation embodying the invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view from the upper side of a portion of the fab-. ric shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 is a perspective View from the under side of a portion of one of the links or units of the fabric of Figs. 5 and 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are fragmentary top plan views of one end portion of the link or unit, illustrating steps in the formation of the two-ply loop at that end.

The novel fabric of my invention, in all of the forms illustrated, includes a plurality of units or links each of which is composed of a single length of wire that is bent to provide a twoply body member the two limbs of which are united at both ends, one of the end portions of the wire being extended laterally of the body member to form a cross-arm adapted to be flexibly connected to a laterally adjacent link, and the other end portion of the wire being bent to cross and interlock with the said Cross-arm substantially at its junction point with the body member and being thence continued across and anchored to the said body member. The links of each longitudinal strand are flexibly connected end to end, preferably by a simple interlooping of the closed ends of their body members.

Referring first to the form of the inven-. tion illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, l0 designates a two-ply body or tension member of the link, and 11 one of the closed ends of the latter formed by a single Ll-bend or loop of the wire integrally joining the two limbs of the body member. 12 designates a two-ply loop forming the other closed end of the link. One manner in which this loop 12 may be simply and easily formed is illustrated in Figs, 8 and 9', from which it will be seen that the wire is first bent to form a single symmetrical loop or eye 12 atthe end, and in the plane, of the two limbs of the body member (Fig. 8). This loop or eye is then bodily thrown upwardly through substantially an angle of 180 so as to he directly across the body or tension member as comprising two limbs, one limb being integral from the outer end of the loop 12 to the outer end of the loop 11, and the other limb being in two sections, one relatively long section extending from the loop 12 to the interlock at the cross-arm 13 and the other relatively short section extending from the loop 11 to this interlock.

One of the end portions of the wire, which forms in this case an extension of the longer portion of one limb of the body member, is bent at substantially a right-angleto the latter, forming an integral crossarm 13. The other end portion of the wire, which constitutes an extension of the other or shorter portion of the same limb of the body member is likewise bent at substan tially a right angle to the latter and extended directly across the body member, as shown at 14:, and its extreme terminal portion 15 is securely anchored by being clenched to the body member (Fig. 3). It will be observed that the two end portions 13 and 14.- of the wire cross and interlock with each other at their substantially rectangular junctions with the body member and extend in opposite directions laterally of the latter; On the free end of the crossarm 13 is formed a loop 16 that interloops with the terminal loop 11 of a laterally adjacent link; and the free end of the wire forming the loop 16 is secured against pulling out under strain by being extended across and anchored to the cross-arm 13, substantially as shown at 17 The preferred manner in which the links or units are connected up in the fabric is clearly apparent from the drawing; the terminal loops 1-1 and 12 of endwise adjacent links being interlooped, and the terminal loop of each cross-arm being carried through the terminal loop 11 of a laterally adjacent link to flexibly connect laterally adjacent strands. In the ease of the longitudinal row of links forming one marginal strand (the upper as shown in Fig. 1) the integral crossarms 13 are, of course, unnecessary and are dispensed with; and in such cases the wire forming said arm is cut off a short distance from its junction with the body member, and the stub is then bent beneath the latter, as shown at 13.

The described fabric, by reason of the anchoring'of a free end of thewire of each link to the body member thereof and the avoidance anywhere in the link of unsecured ends of loops or hook in a line of longitudinal strain can be made in much lighter wire than has been heretofore employed in the manufacture of bed and couch fabrics, and yet possesses a much greater tensional strength than the heavier wire fabrics at present in use. The fabric possesses a high degree of flexibility both lengthwise and crosswise, so that it can be folded or packed for storage or shipment within a comparln tively small space.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a slightly varied form of the structure of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, which consists simply in twisting the terminal loop 11 through a half-turn, thereby producing a crossed-wire terminal loop 11, which engages the terminal loop 12 of an adjacent link in the same manner as the loop 11.

The fabric shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 coin tains the same structural principle in a slightly different form. Here 10 designates the two-ply body member of the link, and 11 and 12 the terminal loops forming the closed ends of such body member, similar to loops 11 and 12 of Fig. 1. 13 designates the end portion of the bent wire that forms the integral cross-arm, said cross-arm in this case constituting a rectangular extension of the shorter portion of one limb of the body member. The other end portion of the wire, which forms an extension of the longer portion of the same limb of the body member, is, in this construction, looped entirely around the cross-arm 13 from above the latter, forming an eye 18, and extends thence across the body member, as shown :11

14: being clenched to the latter as shown at 15 (Fig. 7). It is obviously immaterial which of the end portions of the wire is used to form the cross-arm.

A very important feature of my fabric consists of the anchoring of that end por tion of the wire forming the unit which is not used to provide the cross-arm. By anchoring the extremity of this end portion as described, I securely tie together the limbs of the body member against spreading under transverse strain, and by the same means provide the body member with a much greater capacity to sustain and resist longitudinal strain than is the case where any unit is employed having an unsecured. hook or loop which is subject to the last-mentioned strain.

I claim- 1. A wire link fabric, the longitudinal strands of which include a plurality of links connected end to end, each of said links consisting of a single piece of wire bent to provide a two-ply body member, one limb of which body member is formed by crossed and interlocked portions of the wire, the free tit ieaaenao i end portions of which wire are thence extended laterally in opposite directions, one of said free end portions crossing the other limb of the body member and clenching the two limbs together, and the other of said free end portions forming a cross-arm for connection with another link in a laterally adjacent strand. 7 i

2. A wire link fabric, the longitudinal strands of which include a plurality of links interlooped end to end, each of said links consisting of a single piece. of wire bent to provide closed terminal loops and an intermediate two-ply body member, one limb of which body member is formed by crossed and interlocked portions of the wire, the free end portions of which wire are thence extended laterally in opposite directions, one of said free end portions crossing the other limb of the body member and clenching the two limbs together, and the other of said free end portions forming a cross-arm for connection with another link in a laterally adjacent strand.

3. A wire link fabric including a plurality of links, each consisting of a single piece of wire bent to form a two-ply body-member, one limb of said bodymember being formed by crossed and interlocked portions of the wire, and one end portion of the wire being anchored to the body-member, said links being connected end to end to form longitudinal strands, and transverse connecting members between adjacent strands.

4. A wire link fabric, including a plurality of links, each consisting of a single piece of wire bent to form a two-ply body-member, one limb of said body-member being formed by crossed and interlocked portions of the wire, and both limbs of said body-member being tied together by a free end portion of the wire, said links being connected end to end to form longitudinal strands, and transverse connecting members between adjacent strands.

5. A wire link fabric including a plurality of links arranged in longitudinal and trans verse rows, each of said links consisting of a single length of wire bent to form a two ply body member with closed ends, said wire having one of its end portions constituting an angular extension of one part of one limb of said body member and forming a cross? arm, and having its other end portion constituting an angular extension of the other part of the same limb and extending across both limbs of the body member and anchored to the latter, said end portions of the wire crossing each other at their junctions with the body member and extending in opposite directions laterally of the latter; the links of the longitudinal rows being interlooped end to end, and the links of the transverse rows each having the terminal portion of its cross-arm flexibly connected to a laterally adjacent link of the same transverse row. a

6. A wire link fabric including a plurality of links arranged in longitudinal and transverse rows, each of said links consisting of a single length of wire bent to form a twoply body member having closed ends one of which is formed as a tJ-bend of the wire joining the two limbs of said body member and the other of which is formed as a twoply loop the members of which are integrally joined across and above said body member, said length of wire further having one of its end portions constituting an extension of one part of one limb of said body member bent at substantially a rightangle to the latter to form a cross-arm, and having its other end portion constituting an extension of the other part of the same limb bent at substantially a right-angle to the latter and extending across both limbs of the body member and anchored to the latter, said end portions of the wire crossing each other at their junctions with the body member and extending in opposite directions laterally of the latter; the links of the longitudinal rows being connected end to end, and the links of the transverse rows being connected through their cross-arms.

7. As an article of manufacture, a wire fabric link composed of a single length of wire bent to form a two-ply body member with closed ends, said wire having one of its end portions extending laterally of the body member to form a cross-arm, and having its other end portion crossing and interlocking with said first-named end portion at their respective junctions with said body member and at its free end anchored to said body member.

8. As an article of manufacture, a wire fabric link composed of a single length of wire bent to form a two-ply body member with closed ends, said wire having one of its end portions constituting an angular extension of one part of one limb of said body member and forming a cross-arm, and having its other end portion constituting an angular extension of the other part of the same limb and extending across both limbs of the body member and clenched to the latter, said end portions of the wire crossing each other at their junctions with the body member and extending in opposite directions laterally of the latter.

9. As an article of manufacture, a wire fabric link composed of a single length of wire bent to form a two-ply body member having closed ends one of which is formed as a U-bend of thewire joining the two limbs of said body member and the other of which is formed as a two-ply loop the mem bers of which are integrally joined across and above said body member, said length of wire further having one of its end portions constituting an extension of one part of one limb of said body memberbent at substantially a right-angle to the latter to form across-arm, and having its other end portion constituting an extension of the other part of the same limb bent at substantially a right-angle to the latter and extending across both limbs of the body member and clenched to the latter, said end portions of the Wire crossing each other at their junctions with the body member and extending in opposite directions laterally of the latter.

10. As an article of manufacture, a Wire fabric link composed of a single length of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member having at one end thereof a two-ply loop the members of which lie side by side in approximately parallel relation and in contact With each other beneath said body mem ber and are integrally joined across and above the latter;

11. As an article of manufacture, a Wire 1,2es,5so

fabric link composed of a single length of Wire bent to form a two-ply body member having at one end thereof a t\v0ply loop the A members of which lie side by side in approximately parallel relation and in contact with each other beneath said body member and are integrally joined across and above the latter, and at the other end thereof a U-bend joining the limbs of said body member and adapted for interlooping with the two-ply loop of another link.

12. As an article of manufacture, a wire fabric link having a body member and an integral cross-arm and formed from a single length of Wire, one end of said wire being secured to the body member and the other end forming a secured loop on the free end of the cross-arm.

HENRY RICHARDSON.

Witnesses SAMUEL N. POND, EDMUND Gr. INenRsoLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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