Dewatering and support bar for papermaking mesh

Claim 1

In a papermaking machine wherein a dewatering mesh passes over and is supported on at least one dewatering bar extending transversely of the displacement direction of said mesh and having an elongated ceramic upper surface formed with a substantially planar top face meeting a front face at an acute angle at a front edge directed into said displacement direction, and wherein said bar is carried on and displaceable along a transversely extending support guide so that it can be drawn transversely out from underneath said mesh and can be reinserted transversely thereunder, the improvement wherein: said upper surface and said edge are rounded inwardly from said faces at one end of said bar, whereby said bar can be displaced transversely under said mesh with said one end in contact therewith during displacement of said mesh without cutting said mesh; and said bar and said guide being respectively formed with an interfitting T-section groove and ridge, said bar being provided with a rod parallel to said groove and having at least one lobe, said rod being pivotal between a position with said lobe bearing downwardly on said ridge and a position out of engagement with said ridge.