MACHINE FOR TIEING KNOTS

• US 3,563,583 A
• Filed: 04/17/1969
• Issued: 02/16/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Giannini, George R., Joe P. Gentry
• Original Assignee: Giannini, George R., Joe P. Gentry
• Inventors: Gentry, Joe P., Giannini, George R.
• Application Number:
  US04/817,000
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• US Class Current: 289/2
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 17/085 Espalier machines; Tying machines
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/31 Textiles threads or artificial strands of filaments
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 69/046 by a fluid

Abstract

A machine for tying knots on a wire withdraws twine from a source and blows a length of the twine to lie between two grippers located to hold the twine length near the ends thereof. The length is cut from the source and is engaged by a hook on the projected end of a flexible rod reciprocated within a convolute comprised of a longitudinally slit tube shaped like a clove hitch and encompassing the wire at a station thereon. The flexible rod withdraws through the convolute, the hook holding one end of the twine length, pulling that twine end from the adjacent gripper and pulling the twine length through the convolute and around the wire. The other gripper holds the twine length for final tensioning and tightens the knot so formed. The machine advances along the wire to the next station leaving the knot on the wire.

Claims

1. A machine for tying knots on a wire comprising a convolute tube arranged to have an open center portion and to encompass a wire, a flexible rod movable to and fro within said tube, and at one end to project from said tube, first and second twine gripping devices spaced a predetermined distance apart, means for extending a length of twine in position to be gripped by said devices, means on said end of said rod for engaging said length of twine, means for pulling said rod and said engaging means with said length of twine engaged therewith away from said first gripping device and through said convolute tube, and means for actuating said second gripping device to tension said twine between said second gripping device and said engaging means.

2. A device as in claim 1 in which said convolute tube includes a portion movable to pass said wire from the exterior of said convolute tube to said center portion thereof.

3. A device as in claim 1 in which said convolute tube has an open longitudinal slot to pass twine.

4. A device as in claim 1 in which said twine-extending means includes a venturi and means for discharging air downstream through said venturi alongside twine passing through said venturi.

5. A device as in claim 1 in which said twine-extending means includes driven rollers for gripping and advancing twine in the vicinity of said engaging means.

6. A device as in claim 1 in which said first twine gripping device includes means for severing said twine.

7. A device as in claim 1 in which said second twine-gripping device includes means for alternately gripping and releasing said twine.

8. A device as in claim 4 in which said twine-extending means advances a predetermined length of twine from a source through said venturi.

9. A device as in claim 1 including means for moving said flexible rod and said twine-extending means in timed relationship.

10. A device as in claim 7 in which said second twine-gripping device includes means for engaging said twine and pulling said twine in a direction to tighten a knot in said twine.