Abstract: A wire release mechanism for securing an end of a wire during a wire tying cycle. The wire release mechanism may include a wire release portion having an engaging surface and the wire release portion may be movable between an open and closed position.

Abstract: A wreath assembly apparatus for securing wreath materials to a wreath ring frame having a plurality of clips includes a base, a pair of jaws operably coupled to each other and the base, and a pair of gears, including a drive gear and an idler gear. The jaws and gears are operably connected such that rotation of lower ends of the jaws causes upper ends of the jaws to move toward each other to bend a clip. The lower ends of each jaw in the pair of jaws lie in a first plane, and the upper end of one of the jaws in the pair of jaws lies outside the first plane.

Abstract: A lattice structure is composed of intersecting longitudinal elements and transverse elements, e.g. wires, strands, ropes, rods and/or profiles, with intersection points allocated to the longitudinal elements and transverse elements. The longitudinal elements and transverse elements, extending in unifold and/or multifold fashion, are connected to one another at least in the intersection points, in particular via twisting, passing into one another and/or knotting with one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a knot, the apparatus having a first pathway for receiving a first element, and a second pathway for receiving a second element, the first pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the first element and the second pathway having a configuration which corresponds to the path to be followed by the second element, respectively, in order to form a knot; a shuttle for moving the second element; and a mechanism for moving the shuttle through the second pathway, whereby, when the first element is received in the first pathway and the second element is connected to the shuttle, movement of the shuttle through the second pathway causes the second element to be moved through the second pathway so as to form a knot around the first element.

Abstract: A knotter assembly for use in a wire-tieing system includes various elements. The knotter assembly includes a slidably removable twist module assembly, a removable segment gear assembly, and a removable torque tube assembly having two operating arms that carry operating components for actuating various elements of the knotter assembly.

Abstract: A wire strapping or tying device (46) is provided having a rotatable pinion-type knotter assembly (56) for twist-knotting of a pair of adjacent wire sections (50a, 50b), together with a shiftable knotter cover (266) movable between a home position for maintaining the sections (50a, 50b) within the assembly (56) and a remote knotter access position allowing ready access to the knotter assembly (56). The cover (266) is supported by arms (268, 270) which are pivotal about an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the cover (266). The cover (266) may be manually shifted to the remote knotter access position through an arc of at least 45°. Also, the knotter assembly (56) includes a primary body (128) supporting a rotatable, slotted knotter pinion (178). The body (128) is pivotally secured to frame plates (68, 70), allowing the body (128) to be pivoted to a convenient position for servicing of pinion (178).

Abstract: A wire strapping or tying device (46) is provided having a rotatable pinion-type knotter assembly (56) for twist-knotting of a pair of adjacent wire sections (50a, 50b), together with a shiftable knotter cover (266) movable between a home position for maintaining the sections (50a, 50b) within the assembly (56) and a remote knotter access position allowing ready access to the knotter assembly (56). The cover (266) is supported by arms (268, 270) which are pivotal about an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the cover (266). The cover (266) may be manually shifted to the remote knotter access position through an arc of at least 45°. Also, the knotter assembly (56) includes a primary body (128) supporting a rotatable, slotted knotter pinion (178). The body (128) is pivotally secured to frame plates (68, 70), allowing the body (128) to be pivoted to a convenient position for servicing of pinion (178).

Abstract: A wire strapping or tying device (46) is provided having a rotatable pinion-type knotter assembly (56) for twist-knotting of a pair of adjacent wire sections (50a, 50b), together with a shiftable knotter cover (266) movable between a home position for maintaining the sections (50a, 50b) within the assembly (56) and a remote knotter access position allowing ready access to the knotter assembly (56). The cover (266) is supported by arms (268, 270) which are pivotal about an axis spaced from and generally parallel with the cover (266). The cover (266) may be manually shifted to the remote knotter access position through an arc of at least 45°. Also, the knotter assembly (56) includes a primary body (128) supporting a rotatable, slotted knotter pinion (178). The body (128) is pivotally secured to frame plates (68, 70), allowing the body (128) to be pivoted to a convenient position for servicing of pinion (178).

Abstract: A twine knotter (10) for bale compactors comprises a knotting frame (11) with a knotting hook (9), supported rotatably on a knotting hook shaft (40), which forms a swivel pin in the knotting frame (11); with a hook part (41), projecting laterally from the knotting hook shaft (40), which hook part has a continuous through-opening (52) with an approximately rectangular cross section, this opening extending in the plane formed by the knotting hook shaft (40) and the hook part (41), the side boundaries of the opening being formed by cheeks (63, 64). A knotting tongue (44) is supported on the knotting hook (9) with freedom to pivot around a pivot pin (43), which is perpendicular to the plane formed by the knotting hook shaft (40) and the hook part (41) and which passes transversely through cooperating bores (65, 66, 67) in the cheeks (63, 64) and the knotting tongue (44).

Abstract: A flexible chain guide guides the slack side of a length of chain that extends between a drive sprocket and a driven sprocket. The chain guide has a flexible, resilient spring leaf with a fixed end and an unattached free end. The spring leaf bears against the slack side of the length of chain to damp vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively driving a pivotable knotter includes a rack, a pinion in driving communication with the rack, a knotter drive gear connected to the knotter and a linear actuator. The linear actuator is connected to the knotter and pivots the knotter about a pivot axis. Upon pivot, the knotter drive gear is engaged with the rack.

Abstract: The device for aligning springs (7) on transport from a spring winding machine to a spring interior assembly automatic machine comprises at least one rotary plate pair (17) which rotates about a rotary axle (B) and is drivably mounted about a rotary axle (A). From a take-over location (X) the springs (7) are individually taken over by a gripper hand (5) of a transport star (1) and, slightly pressed together, are inserted between two rotary plates (17). The springs (7) are aligned by the rotary plates (17) so that at the transfer location (Y) they have the desired rotary angle end position and may be inserted by at least one transfer finger (27) between the belt faces (13) of two transport belts (13).

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus provide for both the automatic lacing of a toroidal coil of a stator of a dynamo-electric machine, and the knotting of the end lacing terminal of the lacing cord, by using the same needle and the same thread-guide tube. The apparatus for lacing and knotting comprises an automatic control system that, accomplished the whole lacing operation on the coil, stops the rotation movement of the stator and drives the lacing needle according to a sequence of movements in order to form a plurality of linked rings closed one on the other for obtaining a closing chain on said end lacing terminal. A particular cutting system allows not generating scrap, i.e. undesired cord portions, accelerating the production process and increasing the system reliability.

Abstract: A knotted fence mesh forming machine includes a plurality of side-by-side knot boxes each for forming a knot at the intersection between a line wire and stay wire, each of the knot boxes including at least one former arranged to move towards the line wire-stay wire intersection at each operation of the knot box, the former being hydraulically driven and/or hydraulically damped. More than one former may be provided in each knot box. A transversely moveable rack bar may be driven by a hydraulic cylinder, the transverse movement resulting in orthogonal movement of a drive bar which moves respective former or supports. A final former in each knot box is preferably hydraulically damped.

Abstract: A coil spring knotting machine including a frame and a camshaft mounted on the frame about an axis fixed relative to the frame. The camshaft supports a support member having thereon a knot-tying member mounted for rotation about an axis movable with respect to the frame. The camshaft also supports a free-wheeling rotating member. The machine further includes a first drive member rotatably driving the camshaft without causing rotation of the rotating member, and a second drive member rotatably driving the rotating member without causing rotation of the camshaft. A linkage connects the rotating member to the knot-tying member to rotate the knot-tying member. Preferably, the linkage includes a flexible member and a movable tensioning member for adjusting the tension in the flexible member.

Abstract: A coil spring knotting machine including a frame and a camshaft mounted on the frame about an axis fixed relative to the frame. The camshaft supports a support member having thereon a knot-tying member mounted for rotation about an axis movable with respect to the frame. The camshaft also supports a free-wheeling rotating member. The machine further includes a first drive member rotatably driving the camshaft without causing rotation of the rotating member, and a second drive member rotatably driving the rotating member without causing rotation of the camshaft. A linkage connects the rotating member to the knot-tying member to rotate the knot-tying member. Preferably, the linkage includes a flexible member and a movable tensioning member for adjusting the tension in the flexible member.

Abstract: A bale wire tying apparatus is provided to be used in conjunction with a baling press for tying looped ends of lengths of bale wire together around a compressed bale. The bale wire tying apparatus is formed by an elongated generally U-shaped channel member. The channel member generally includes an open wire releasing slot and a knot release opening which may be closed off by a knot release door. A loop securing element and various inner sloped wire loop guide surfaces are provided for guiding the looped ends into tying engagement. Methods for tying pre-formed looped ends of lengths of bale wire using such a bale wire tying apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A tying device is provided for mounting on a down-packer type baling press in which cotton is boxed for baling at a loading side of a substantially horizontal rotating turntable, the tying device for tying a plurality of wires having pre-formed interlocking ends around a bale formed in the press. The device includes a base plate provided as the floor of the press chamber in which the bale is formed and a pair of wire bend assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the base plate. A wire closer assembly is mounted on the press ram above the bale and provides the top surface of the baling chamber. The wire bend assemblies pivot from a first fully retracted to a second partially extended load position and to a fully extended position so as to bend the pre-formed interlocking ends of the wires around the bale and to insert the interlocking ends into the wire closers where the interlocking ends are joined together to form a knot.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coil spring knotting machine comprising a frame, a support arm mounted on the frame for movement between a knot-tying position and a retracted position, a camshaft rotatably mounted on the frame about an axis fixed relative to the frame, a rocker-arm moveably mounted on the frame and operably connected to the camshaft and to the support arm for displacing the support arm between the knot-tying and retracted positions in response to rotation of the camshaft, a first servo motor rotatably drivingly connected to the camshaft to selectively effect rotation thereof, a knot-tying member rotatably mounted on the support arm, a second shaft rotatably mounted on the frame about a second axis fixed relative to the frame, a coupling drivingly connected to the second shaft and to the knot-tying member for rotating the knot-tying member in response to rotation of the second shaft, notwithstanding movement of the support arm between the knot-tying and retracted positions, a second servo motor drivingl

Abstract: A device (1) for manufacturing a tire bead (2) consisting of an annular element (3) formed from a metal wire (4) wound in such a manner as to form a number of coils packed by a flexible packing member (6) wound about the annular element (3) and having its opposite ends (7) tied in a knot (8). An annular mandrel (9) on the device (1) defines a first annular duct (38) for forming the annular element (3), and a second duct (39) coiled about the first duct (38). The mandrel (9) is connected to a pneumatic knotting machine (10) having an input duct (62) and an output duct (63) defining the two halves of a flat knot (64) and communicating respectively with the inlet (46) and outlet (47) of the second duct (39).

Abstract: A stator coil lacing machine apparatus and method which enables the end windings of a stator to be bound together by lacing cord and which automatically ties a knot in the cord at the completion of the cycle to firmly secure the lacing cord in position. This method and apparatus reduces the direct labor necessary to produce the end windings and provides them in an automated and efficient manner. The lacing cord end securing knot is provided through a control system which actuates a lacing needle and cord supply tube which, with cord cutting hot wires and cord grasping jaws, interact to form a knot at the completion of the lacing cycle.

Abstract: A tying device is provided for mounting on a baling press for tying a plurality of wires having preformed interlocking ends around a bale formed in the press. The device includes a center plate mounted above the press chamber in which the bale is formed and a pair of wire bend assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides on the center plate. A wire closer assembly is mounted on the press ram below the bale and provides the floor of the baling chamber. The wire bend assemblies pivot from a fully raised to a fully lowered position to bend the preformed interlocking ends of the wires around the bale and to insert the interlocking ends into the wire closer assembly where the interlocking ends are joined together to form a knot.

Abstract: Wire connections as disclosed and the method and apparatus to secure the ends of an elongated member, such as bale wire and the like, employed to secure bales of material for transport and storage. The bale wire connections include a pair of loops forming interconnecting members, which are interlocked by automated techniques to form a strong coupling of the ends of the bale wires used in securing bulk material.

Abstract: A binding lace for a novel automatic binder developed by the present inventors is disclosed. The binding lace is continuously thrusted from only one side of the binding lace into a lace guide positioned around an object to be bound and then travels while sliding along the lace guide without buckling to form loops of several turns overlapping each other. During travelling, the binding lace is sent in the lace guide without standing still, due to the properties of an outer portion and a core portion of the binding lace, while the binding lace always expands elastically outwardly in radial direction of the lace guide due to the larger rigidity and tensile stress of the core portion to hold a looped configuration with the loops having substantially the same diameter as the lace guide. After travelling stops, the binding lace is capable of holding the same diameter of the loops and a tip portion of the binding lace is held in the neighborhood of the overlap of the loops.

Abstract: A bale-tie wire for use with press platens in a baling press for baling materials includes a body portion having looped members formed at each end of the bale-tie wire body portion with a portion of each of the looped members bent out of the plane in opposite directions of each of the respective looped ends. Each of the looped members includes rearwardly extending legs which engage the body portion of the bale-tie wire with one of the extending leg portions being substantially longer than the leg portion of the other end looped member to provide a bale-tie wire structure which substantially reduces the force necessary for the engagement of the looped end portions of the bale-tie wire.

Abstract: A wire-fastening mechanism has a wire shaping and guiding device and a pivoted hook-shaped needle which co-operate together to fasten a wire to a connector lug by forming a cross loop of wire through a triangular formation of apertures in the lug. The wire shaping and guiding device has two opposed members between which the lug is inserted. Wire guiding grooves are provided in the opposed members to define one and a half turns of a helical channel around which wire is pushed to thread the aperture lugs as the wire passes between wire guiding grooves of the opposed members. The hook-shaped needle receives the leading end of the wire after it has passed through the triangular formation of apertures. Pivoting of the needle draws the leading wire end beneath a run of the wire between two of the apertures thereby to form a cross loop of wire.

Abstract: A rotary knotting head for a wire tying machine containing an axial bore and radial slot to the bore for receiving the wire and a wire wrap surface spaced from the bore at the opposite side of the radial slot characterized in that wear resistant inserts are set into faces of the wrap surface and the side of the slot opposite the wrap surface which extend from the bottom of the radial slot radially towards the open end thereof and are of substantially the same area.