Transfer apparatus for gripping and holding a spinning cop

Transport apparatus for gripping and holding spinning cops (14') to transport the cops in automatic winding machines (10, 11) comprising

• gripper means (16) having a centering cone (32) to center a spinning cop form (14') and a plurality of circularly located gripper jaws (21) arranged to engage the outer surface of an end (14") of the cop form and to clamp the cop (14') therebetween;
• operating levers (23) linked to and supporting the gripper jaws (21);
• spring means (27) attached to the respective gripper jaws (21) and to the respective operating levers (23) and tending to hold the jaws in open position but permitting rocking of the jaws (21) to a cop engaging position;
• said gripper jaws defining an area forming an engagement zone (21') located on facing surfaces of the gripper jaws (21) and positioned relative to the attachment point of the spring means (27) on the jaws (21) to effect closing movement of the gripper jaws (21) to cop engaging position upon axial pressure directed against said engagement zone (21') by said end (14") of the cop (14').