US1595418A - Method and apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 10 ",..-192e. 1,595,418

F. B. RILEY IBI'HOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRbDUCING A PATTERN 0F INTERLOCKING STRANDS Filed 050.21, 1922 v Sheet-Sheot 1 I I i I l l l i I l I I Aug. ,10 1926.

F. a. RILEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PATTERN 0F INTERLOCKING STRANDS 7 Sheets-shalt v2 Filed Dec. 21

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCIIG A PATTERN OF INTERLOCKiNG STRAND! Filed Dec. 21, 1922 7 Shuts-Shoot 3;

15 5 118 F. B. RILEY 4 I Aug. 10,1926 1,595,418 r I I. F. a. RILEY ETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0F INTERLOCKING STRANDS H Filed Dec. 21, 1922 '7 SheetS-Shiii 4 ,4 4 ,4 4/ 1 7 {7f Win22?" 1 T M Q M m5 Aug. 10,1926 U 1,595,413

F. B. RILEY 52321500 AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0P INTERLOCKIUG SW8 Filed Dec. 21 1922 '7 Sheets-.5110. 5 W' {77/ J/U/fix L x x //Z //,2\

ILA/LI A v v V Aug. 10,1926. 1,595,418

F. B. RILEY IETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN 0F IN'IHRLOCK-Il STRAIDS Filed Dec. .21, 1922 7 sheets-sheet s Aug. 10 1926. F. B. RILEY METHOD Aim APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN or m'rzanocxmo srnwvs 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 locking strand Patented Aug. 10,1926.

UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS B. RILEY, 0F NEWTON HIGHLANDS, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PATTERN OF INTERLOGKING STRANDS.

Application filed December 21, i922. Serial No. 608,826.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands and is particularly adapted for utilizing strands of substan tially non-flaccid material.

The art of weaving comprises generally the formation of a shed in a series of warp threads "extending lengthwise of the fabric and passing through the shed opening thus formed one or more weft threads at right angles to the warp threads. There are .numerous variations produced by such a method but essentially weaving denotes the employment of interlocked warp 'and weft strands at right angles to one another and all lWoven fabrics embody this general princi e.

The object of the present invention is to produce a new and ornamental fabric of interlocked strands, which, owing to its characteristics, permits a wide latitude in design and forms a useful basis for various types of open fabrics of metal, reed, cane and similar materials.

With this object in view, one feature of the invention consists in disposing two sets of diagonally arranged strands in adjacent planes, deflecting the two sets of strands in opposite directions to produce a continuous shed passage and inserting a transverse in the shed formed to interlock the diagonal strands. This method is accom lished by a series 0 diagonal guide slots w ich are moved transversely in timed relation to the advancing .movement of the diagonal strands in order to shift the guiding points for the strands in a manner to maintain a angular relation of the strands as the latter are worked into the pattern. The pressure exerted upon the strands by this transverse movement also serves to feed the strands together with the pattern in a lengthwise direction. y

A further feature of the invention contemplates the provision of diagonal strand guiding and feeding members adapted to engage the diagonal strands in such a manner that .the guiding points for the strands are progressed across the pattern as the strands are fed lengthwise and shed forming mechanism designed to engage the strands and deflect the strands in opposite directions sufficiently to form 'a continuous shed passage having substantially the cross secpassage thus f both a locking be accomplished t predetermined tion of the locking strand to permit the insertion of a locking strand.

A still further feature of the invention consists in the combination with diagonal strand uiding and feeding members of a series 0% independently operable shed form ing members designed to engage and deflect diagonal or longitudinal strands in oppositev directions to form ashed passage, the shed forming members'being operated progressively across the fabric. The action of the shed forming members may be complemented by the employment of bending members, WhlCh engage the diagonal strands after their release by the shed forming members and impart a curved or wavy contour to the cross locking strand. The employment of these bending members is more particularly useful in case the fabric is produced from relatively heavy strands of metal or similar material where the tension of the diagonal members is insuflicient to serting a cross locking strand with an end 7 I portion extending beyond the side of the fabric, and turning the extended portion of the cross strand into a diagonal position to form a diagonal. This method of forming strand and diagonal from the same strand member and in addition producing a. selva e upon the fabric may rough the provision of a member engaging the cross strand after its insertion in the fabric and designed to bend the extended portion of the strand into a diagonal position, where it is received and engaged by the diagonal strand guiding and feeding mechanism.

Still further features of the present invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of which will beobvious to those skilled in the art from the following description. I

In the accompanying drawings illustrat ing the preferred form of the invention Fig. 1. represents a front elevation with a certain portion broken away of a machine for producing the new fabric; Fig. 2 is an end elevation partly in section upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a detail illustrating an elevation of the mechanism for operating the feed rolls; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section in elevation upon the line 33 of Fig. 1-; Fig. i is a partially diagrammatic view illustrating the fabric produced by the apparatus of Fig. 1, together with the relation and plane of the diagonal strand guiding and feeding members and shed forming members; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the fabric produced by using only one of the diagonal strand guiding members, thereby feeding the fabric diagonally; Fig. 6 is a plan View of a fabric produced by intermittently operat ing the diagonal strand. guiding and feeding mechanism; Fig. 7 is a partially diagrammatic view illustrating the cams for progressively operating the shed forming the mechanism shown in Fig. 10; Fig. 12

is a sectional detail of the same mechanism illustrating the means for opening the guide boxes for permitting the cross strand to be bent into a diagonal position; and Fig. 13 is a detail illustrating one of the cam connections for operating the cutting and stopping members.

According to the present invention two series of diagonal strands extending in op posite directions are arranged in superimposed planes .and guided in the proper relation to one another and to the length of the fabric. A shed passage is formed between thesestrands in close proximity to the guiding members and in such a manner that a. cross locking strand may be. thrust therethrough. After the insertion of the cross locking strand and the removal of the shed forming mechanism to an inoperative position, the fabric as a whole is fed into position for the insertion of the next locking strand. Coupled with this advancing movement of the fabric is a lateral or transverse movement of the guiding members for the diagonal strands such that the diagonal strands are at all times maintained in the desired angular relation to. one another and to the length of the fabric. As the fabric is gradually advanced and the diagonal strand worked into the fabric, the uide point of the strand is traversed lateraily of the fabric. With this construction, strands of non-flaccid material such reed, cane,

the strands in a manner to create the passage. Furthermore the thrusting of the cross strand through the shed passage thus formed permits the formation of the shed passage through the provision of a series of recesses or openings in the shed forming members, which when moved into alignment with one another provide a continuous passage approximating the cross section of the cross or locking strands. Such a construction for forming the shed has the very great advantage that it permits the locking strand to be inserted with a relatively slight deflection of the longitudinal or diagonal strands and in addition permits the formation of the shed passage in close proximity to the guiding point of the diagonal. In addition to the two sets of diagonals and cross locking strands, it may be desirable to provide additional strands running longitudinally of the fabric, these strands being guided inproximity to the guiding points of the diagonal strands and serving to further reinforce the fabric. It will be evident that if so desired the shed forming'members may operate to deflect the longitudinal and diagonal strands in opposite directions to form a shed in this manner, rather than deflecting the diagonals in opposite directions, as in the formation of the three strand fabric.

The illustrated embodiment of the inven tion is shown in connection with a machine having end supports 25 surmounted by a cross member 27 and having a drive shaft 28 journaled in the lower portion of the end supports. Extending between the supports are two stationary cross heads indicated at 30 and 32 respectively, each of these cross heads having an angle bar 34 bolted thereto,

which is provided with a track 35 for the reception of upper and lower guide bars 37 and 38. These guide bars have formed-therein diagonal guiding slots 40 which extend inopposite directions, as indicated in Fig. 4 for example, and are of substantially the cross section of the diagonal strands received therein. These guide slots not only are of sulhcient length to preserve the angular relation of the strand but in addition maintain the several strands in parallel relation to one another. The guide bars receiving the diagonal strands are moved in opposite directions transversely of the fabric in timed relation to the advancing movement of the fabric in a manner which will be evident to those skilled in the art from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2. Upon referring to these figures, more particularly Fig. 1, it will be observed that the two guide bars which may consist of relatively thin steel bands having the desired degree of flexibility project from opposite ends of the guides 35. At one end of the machine these guide bars merely pass between cooperating guide rOlls indicated at 42 and 44 respectively. At the opposite end, however, each of the bands extends between a guide roll 45 and a cooperating feed roll 46 having spaced teeth 48 for engagement with corresponding recesses or depressions 50 formed inthe band. With this construction, the bands are advanced at a predetermined rate of speed which is properly timed with relation to the advancing movement of the fabric. to a shaft 52 which is intermittently advanced by a ratchet wheel 53 and cooperatingpawl 54. Each pawl is connected with a separate sliding rod 56 movable in the guide bracket 57, these sliding rods 56 being connected at their lower ends with pivoted levers 58 and 59, as shown in Fig. 1. The

.lcvers 58 and 59 are rocked intermittently by cams 60 and 61 mounted in adjacent positions upon a shaft 62. Each time that one of the teeth 63 upon the cams engages with the end of the pivoted lever the latter is rocked to operate the connected slide rod and advance one of the feed rolls connected pawl and ratchet wheel. The provision of separate cams for operating the two feed rolls permits the bands to be travto be presently ersed across the fabric at uniform amounts or to have varying degrees of travel imparted thereto. The cams are rotated at a uniform rate of speed from a driving pinion 65 connecting the end of the drive shaft and operating the cam shaft through a train of intermeshing gears indicated at 66, 67 and 68.

Operating in timed relation to the traversing movements of the guide bands are a series of shed forming members which engage and deflect the strands in close proximity to the guide bands. These shed forming members comprise a series of upper plungers 70 cooperating with a series of lower plungers 72, the upper plungers being slidingly received within a head 74 and the lower plungers in a similar head 75. Each of these heads is connected to a movable or false frame 76 which may be shifted transversely of the machine for a purpose described. The shed forming plungers areslidingly received within the heads and are normally retained in .an inoperative position by springs 76 surrounding each of the plungers and serving to maintain the plungers withdrawn, as indicated in Fig. 3. The plungers are moved toward one another at predetermined in tervals by actuating heads 80 and 81 respectively, each of which is provided with a Each of the feed rolls is connected through the operative position. sliding heads 105 is controlled by the sliding Theposition of the cam members 83 with respect to the sliding heads may be varied to cause a progressive deflecting movement of the shed forming plungers or to cause all of the shed forming plungers to deflect the strands simultaneously. The sliding heads are actuated intermittently by cams 85 and 86, which areconnected to opposite ends of the upper and lower heads 80 and Each of the cams is connected to the lower head through a three-armed lever pivoted at 91 and having one arm 92 connected with the cam, a second arm 93 connected with the head through alink 94 and a third arm 95 connected with a rod 97. The upper end of the rod 97 is connected to a bell crank lever 99 which is connected in turn with the upper head through a connecting link 100. With this construction the heads are traversed back and forth in a manner to cause a deflecting movement of the plungers at predetermined intervals and to hold the plungers in deflecting position during the insertion of the cross locking strand.

It may be desirable in weavin certain types of material, such as relative y heavy metal strands or wire, to provlde means for bending the cross locking strand, after its insertion and the retraction of the shed forming plungers. To this end bending plungers indicated at 102 may be interposed between the shed forming plun ers and operated upon the retraction of the latter through sliding heads 105, each carrying a series of cam plates 107 adapted to engage with and move the bending plungers into The operation of the heads 80 and 81, these heads being provide with shouldered lugs 110 which are engaged in the advanced position of the heads by spring hooks 112 mounted upon the heads 105. Due to the engagement of the spring hooks with the lugs 110, the heads 105 are drawn into operative position with the rearward movements of. the heads 80 and 81. This movement is sufficient to cause an engagement of the cam members with the bending plungers and move the latter into operative position. At the completion of the rearward movement of the heads 80 and 81,

the extended ends of the spring hooks engage with lugs 115 ,.formed upon the frame, permitting the heads 105 to be released and retracted under the action of springs 117. This rearward movement of the heads may be cushioned by. leaf springs 120, which engage withv the 'heads upon the rearward movement, as. indicated clearly in Fig. 3,

these springs being held in position by pins 121. n producing certain patterns, it is essential that the shed forming mechanism be shifted laterally during each successive cycle in order to engage with and deflect the proper diagonal strands. The necessity for this lateral shifting of the shed forming mechanism will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 4. As indicated in this figure, the shed forming plungers and 72 engage with successive diagonal strands across the fabric to deflect these strands in opposite directions. After the formation of the shed and the insertion of a locking strand, the fabric is advanced for the formation of the next shed passage. movement, the shed forming mechanism as a whole is, shifted laterally to cause the engagement of the shed forming plungers with the proper strand. In order to accomplish a lateral shifting movement of the shed forming mechanism, the false frame 76 is slidingly supported upon trunnions 122 projecting from the end supports 25. As indicated in Fig. 1, a reciprocating movement is imparted to the false frame and shed forming mechanism carried thereby through a cam 125 connected with the false frame by a pivoted lever 127 at an extension 128. With this construction theshed forming and bending mechanism as a whole is shifted laterally during each advancing movement of the fabric. Although such a relative lateral shifting of the shed forming mechanism with respect to the fabric is essential when forming a fabric of the character shown in Fig. 4, a fabric such as shown in Fig. 6 for example is produced without any relative lateral movement of the shed forming mechanism, owing to the fact that in this type the shed forming plungers engage and deflect in opposite directions the longitudinal strands and two of diagonal strands at their intersecting points, the points of deflection being in longitudinal alignment with one another as the fabric is advanced through the machine. of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be observed that the diagonal strands are permanently received and guided in the slots 40 of the guide members and that the shed passage is formed in close proximity to the guiding points. The formation of the shed passage in this manner is highly desirable, as it permits the accurate location and retention of the strands in proper alignment with respect to the shed forming plungers and insures that the latter shall invariably engage with the proper strand in forming the shed passage. The location of the guiding means in close proximity to the shed forming mechanism is made possible in part by the fact that a shallow shed assage is formed with the last possible de ection of the diagonal strand. If it is desired to interlock a ftn rth During this advancingv under portion of the slide. The

From an inspection or longitudinal strand with the diagonal and cross strands, this may be accomplished as indicated either in F ig. 4 or Fig. 6, these longitudinal strands being guided in a plane prises one or more upstanding feeding fingers 135, which extend from a reciprocating bar 136. These feeding fingers are preferably located at intervals along the bar to engage with the fabric at different points. The bar 136 slides in guides 137 formed upon the end supports and is reciprocated in timed relation to the production of the fabric from a cam 140. The cam is connccted to the slide bar by abell crank 141' pivoted to the frame at 142 having one end engaging with the periphery of the cam and the opposite end connected at 143 to the feed fingers 135 are designed to engage in the interstices of the pattern and feed the latter during the movement to the left in Fig. 3. Upon movement of the feeding fingers in the opposite direction, the rounded ends 144 slide beneath the fabric without feeding, thus permitting the feeding fingers to be returned to initial position for engagement with the fabric at a new point.

For certain purposes and with certain types of material there is a distinct advantage in producing a selvage upon one or a both edges of the pattern and in the present invention this is accomplished in a novel and useful manner bybending back the cross locking strands and incorporating the extended ends of these cross strands in the fabric as diagonal strands. This method of operation will be evident from an inspection of vFig. 4, in which successive cross strands are alternately bent back at opposite sides of the fabric to form certain of the diagonal strands. The bonding of the cross strands in this manner is accomplished by an automatically operating bending mechanism shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and '8 of the drawings. This mechanism engages the extended end of the cross strand after the latter has been inserted in the shed passage and bends this extended end supported in a curve track 152, this mem her being provided with a grooved roll member in the curved track 152. In this mechanism actually incorporated position the strand 1s sprung 1nto one of the diagonal slots formed in the guide member and is thereafter retained in the slot during the traversing movement of the guide member and the strand across the fabric.

The bending member is operated by a curved lever 160 connected with the member through an adjustable link 162, as shown in Fig. .3,'the inner end of the link being connectedwith the bending member through a ball socket joint 164 to permit swiveling movements of the member with respect to the link, as indicated clearly in Fig. 8. The lever 160. is pivoted at 142 and the lower end 164 engages with a cam 166, which actuates the lever in a manner to movethe bending-member at predetermined intervals. It will be obvious that by a proper design of the cam and connecting the bending member may actuated to bend every successive cross strand or to bend alternate cross strands as desired.

Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive illustrate somewhat diagrammatically an arrangement for automatically accomplishing the insertion and bending of cross strands from an endless length of wire, cane or similar material. Although this mechanism is not shown as in the present machine, the manner in which it'could be incorporated will be evident from the draw ings and following description. As indicated, the cross strand is fed from a reel 170 between feeding and straightening rolls indicated at 172 and 173. From the feeding and bending rolls the strand passes through a closed passage 17 5 which is arranged in alignment with the shed forming members to cause the passage of the strand through the shed opening when the latter is formed. Upon 'the opposite side of the machine is located a similar closed passage 175 to receive the strand after it is passed through the shed opening. Each of these closed passages is formed in a member 180, the two members 180 being pivotally connected at 181 to cover plates 182. With this construction, the closed passages are provided p for the insertion and retention of the cross strand at opposite endsof the shed passage, these closed passages 175 being opened, however, to permit the removal of the path of the strand by .tion, as s strand therefrom by the bending members. As indicated clearly in Fig. 12, the member 182 is normally supported in the position shown by a connected rod 184 engaging at its lower end with a cam 185. The rotation of this cam causes the member 182 to be dropped into the position shown in dot and dash lines at predetermined intervals in order to permit the removal of the strand from the passage 175. As indicated, the mechanism shown in Fig. 10 is adapted to engage and bend successive cross strands alternately at opposite ends. For this purpose, an automatically operating stop indicated at 190 is caused to project into the a cam, 192. This stop finger is positioned at approximately the edge of the fabric and prevents the feeding of the strand beyond this point. Cooperating with the stop member is a cutter member 194 which sevrs the strand, leaving an extended end in the closed passage at the right of the machine. Thereafter the member 182 at the right of the machine is dropped to permit the cooperating bending member to engage this strand and bend it diagonally, as shown in Fig. 11, into position to be engaged by the guiding slots. During the insertion of the next successive locking strand the stop finger 190 and the cutter 194 are retained in an inoperative be position and the strand is moved across the entire length of the closed passages 17 5 until engagement with a fixed stop 195. Thereafter this strand is severed at the right hand edge of the fabric through a cutting member 196 operated by a stop cam. In the meantime the member 182 at the left of the machine is depressed to permit this strand to be fed into a diagonal posi hown in dotted lines in Fig. 11. As an bands 37 and 38 the construction shown in Fig. 9 may be employed for certain types of material, for example. metal strands. With this construction, the guiding of the diagonal strands is accomplished by cooperating rolls 200 and 201, which have spiral grooves 202 and 203 formed therein adapte to receive and maintain the strands in the proper position. It will be evident that if the diagonal strands are inserted in the grooves in the upper and lower rolls that these strands will not only and maintained in the proper angular pos1- tions'but will in addition be fed in a len wise direction as the rolls are rotate to traverse the strands along the length. It will be understood the cross section of the spiral grooves zipand the latter fit the grooves with relative accuracy. These rolls may be independently driven throu h separate drive gears indicated at 204 an 205 and shifted laterbe guided roximates the cross section of-the strands:

alternative to the endless guiding tending bers.

ally through cams 206 and 207 engaging with stationary pins 208 and 209 pro ecting from the frame. It will be obvious that this lateral shift of the guiding and feeding rolls is for the same purpose as the lateral shift of the shed forming mechanism described in the preferred embodiment of the machine.

The patterns shown in Figs. 4., 5 and 6 of the drawings illustrate certain designs which may be produced embodying the principles of the invention. The fabric shown in Fig. 4 comprises generally two sets of diagonal strands maintained in adjacent planes by the guiding members and deflected in opposite directions to form a shed opening for the locking strand. In addition this pattern illustrates one method of interlocking additional sets of longitudinal strands, these strands being deflected at their points of intersection with the diagonal strands to form a shed passage. This pattern also illustrates the formation of a partial selvage by the bending back of successive cross strands at oppoiste sides of the fabric. Fig. 5 illustrates a pattern which may be produced by traversing one of the guide members for the diagonal strands and retaining the cooperating guide member stationary, this mode of operation causing the fabric to be fed in an inclined direction in the manner illustrated. In this construction also a shed passage is produced by an opposite deflection of successive diagonals exin; the same direction to produce the shed passage. Fig, 6 illustrates a conventional type of fabric which may be produced according to the principles of the invention, employing two sets of diagonal strands with cooperating longitudinal strands, the longitudinal strands and the diagonal strands at the points of intersection of the diagonals being deflected in opposite directions to form the shed passage so that the cross looking strand passes at one side of both diag onals and at the opposite side of the cooperating longitudinal strand. This pattern also illustrates a Variation which may be introduced by intermittently varying the movement of one or both of the guide mem- Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the cross locking strand may be inserted manually in the continuous shed passage formed by the slots in the shed forming plungers when the latter are moved into alignment with one another. In addimfeedrollers 172 and 173 connections indicated at 226 to control the erly connecting the cam shaft with the ma chine as a whole.

It will be evident that the depth and character of the shed passage in the present machine is determined by the cross section of the slots formed in the working ends of the shed plungers, this passage being bounded upon three sides by the walls of the slot and upon the fourth side by the deflected strands between which the shed passage is produced. It will furthermore be evident that the formation of the shed passage by the deflection of the diagonal and longitudinal strands takes place progressively through the engagement of successive strands transverselyof the pattern by individual shed forming members. In addition the illustrated embodiment of the invention shows a progressive bending action on the part of the bend ing members starting at the central portion of the pattern and progressing outwardly to opposite sides, this bending action being of particular importance as it tends to draw the cross strandsinwardly from opposite sides as the overlying diagonal and longitudinal strands are brought back to initial position, this drawing action continuing until the bending operation has progressed to the outer edges of the pattern.

It may be pointed out that the produc tion of a pattern of interlocking strands by feeding the pattern diagonally with relation to the machine in the manner shown in Fig. 5 not only permits the formation of the pattern with a single movable guide and feed member but in addition results in the production of more fabric for each cycle of operations. This will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 5 illustrating the insertion of the locking strands at an inclination'to the direction of feed of the pattern. In addition to the pattern produced as shown in Fig. 5 by a-single moving guide member, it will be evident that by the employment of two guide members with an unequal movement of the members in opposite directions the designed fabric shown in Fig. 6 may be produced and in addition a relative sidewise movement of the fabric in order to Vary forming members may be secured.

the alignment of the shed with relation to the strands In other words, it will be I evident that a considerable variation in the character of the work may be introduced by suitable variation of the guide members and their movements.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the actual feeding of the pattern is accomplished primarily by the latcient to feed the pattern as eral thrust exerted at the guidingpoints of the diagonal strands. The component of this thrust lengthwise of the pattern is suflithe guiding points traverse across or transversel of the pattern. It will be'furthenmore un erstood that the terms lengthwise strands or strands extending lengthwise of the pattern are intended-to embrace all strands in the pattern other than the cross locking strands, independently of whether these strands extend longitudinally of the pattern or diagonally at dlflerent angles.

I claim L'An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising a' guide band, a series of inclined slots formed in the guide band and designed to receive and guide diagonal strands, cooperating shed forming members positioned ahead of and in 7 guide strands extendin relatively close proximity to the guide band, means for actuating the shed forming mem here to form successive shed passages, and means for feeding the guide band transof interlockmg strands comprising two series ,of .inclined slots extending in o tween the feeding movements of posite directions, means for feeding eac series of inclined slots in opposite directions transversely, a third series of stationary longitudinal slots, the three series of s ots bein positioned in different planes, and she forming mechanism located in close proximity to the guideslots and adapted to produce ashed passage by deflection of the strands. i 1

4. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking, strands comprising a relatively thin band having a series of inclined guide 'slotsfformed therein, means for in-- termittently feeding the band transversely of the machine, cooperating shed forming members, means for. actuating the shed forming members to produce shed passagesbethe band,"

iide a openin and means for feeding the pattern simultaneously with the transverse movements of the band. 1;

5. An apparatus for producing apattern of interlocking strands comprising a guide member having a series of inclined guide slots formed therein, means for operating the member to cause an intermittent transverse movement of the guiding points of the strands cooperating shed forming members, and means for actuating the shed forming members to form successive shed openings for the reception of a cross locking strand.

6. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising upper and lower stationary heads, a uide member having a serieslof dia onal s ots slidingly received in each head or movement transversely of the-machine, a series of shed forming members slidingly supported for vertical movement in proximity to the heads, means for actuating the shed forming membersto deflect th strands, and means for bodil shifting the shed forming members in ,a ateral direction between the formation of the shed opening.

7. An apparatus or producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising means for guidinga series of parallel strands, co-

operating shed forming members operating to deflect the strands, cooperating bending members operating to return the strands toward initial position after the formation of the shed, means for actuating the shed forming members, and means for actuating the bending members controlled by the actuating mechanism for the shed forming members.

8. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising two series of cooperating shed forming plungers, a sliding head operating the plungers to form a shed, a series of cooperating bending plungers, a second sliding head for operatlng the bending plungers, and means adapted tn connect the two heads to move the second head into an operative position upon the withdrawal of the first head from operative "position.

9. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising cooper- -atin shed forming members, coeperating ben ing members, means for operating the shed forming members to produce a shed and means controlled thereby for therea ter operating the bending members to return the strands toward initial position after the formation of the shed opening. a

'10. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising two movable guide bands each having guide slots formed therein, means for guiding the movement of the bands transversely of the machine, and separate and independent mechanism for intermittently moving each of the bands transversely of the machine at a predetermined rate of speed.

11. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising means for guiding a plurality of parallel strands, means for deflecting the strands to form a shed passage therebetween for the insertion of a cross locking strand, and means for engaging'with the extended end of a cross locking strand at one side of the pattern and bending the strand into operative position with relation to the guiding means.

12. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising means for guidinga plurality of parallel strands, means for deflecting the strands to form a shed passage therebetween for'the insertion of a cross locking strand, and a bending member movable in a curved path designed to cause engagement of the bending member with the extended end of a locking strand and movement of the extended portion of the strand into an inclined position with the guiding in operative relation means. I

13. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising a guide member having a series of diagonal guide slots formed therein, means for actuating the member, shed forming mechanism designed to form a shed passage adjacent the guide member, and a bending member movable in a pathto engage with the extended end of a locking strand and bend this end into operative relation with a diagonal guide slot at one sid of the path.

- 14. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising a guide member having a series of diagonal guide slots formed therein, means for actuating the member, shed forming mechanism designed to form a shed passage adjacent the guide member, a bending head, a roll journaled upon the head for engagement with the extended portion of the locking strand, and means for actuating the head to bend the extended end of a strand into position above one of the guide slots and permit the reception of a strand thereby and its incorporation in the pattern.

15. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising guide bands each having a series of diagonal slots formed therein, means for intermittently moving the bands transversely of the machine, cooperating shed forming members positioned for vertical movement adjacent the guide bands and in advanc thereof, means for operating the shed forming members between the transverse movements of the guide bands, feeding members adapted for engagement with the fabric in advance of th shed forming members, and means for intermittently actuating the feed members in timed relation to the movement of the guide bands and shed forming members.

16. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising a stationary head, a guide band having a series of guide slots slidingly supported by the head, means for intermittently moving the band, and a series of guide slotsformed in the head and-stationary with respect to the slots in the moving member. I

17. An apparatus for producinga pattern of interlocking strands comprising cooperating guide members, cooperatng shed forming members positioned adjacent thereto, means for intermittently operating the guide members and shed forming members in timed relation, a bending member designed to engage the end of a cross locking strand and move it into operative relation to the guide members.

18. An apparatus for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising means for guiding diagonal strands, mechanism for intermittently feeding a cross locking strand, means for automaticallymeasuring the length of strand thus inserted, and means for engaging with the extended end of the strand and bending it into an inclined position to engage with the guiding means.

19. An apparauts for producing a pattern of interlocking strands comprising means for feeding a cross strand, means for automatically limiting the insertion of the cross strand at one of two predetermined points, means for severing the cross strand thus inserted at different points, and means for successively bending the extended length of 21. A method of producing a pattern of 1 1 5 interlocked, non-flaccid strands which con sists in arranging a series of diagonal strands in parallel relation, forming a shed passage by the deflection of the strands, in-' serting a cross locking strand with an end extending from the side of the pattern, and bending the,v extended end of the locking strand backward into parallelism with the diagonal strand to form a diagonal strand as the length.

FRANCIS B. RILEY.

pattern is fed in the direction of its

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