Tenter frame clip-opening wheel with resilient rim

Abstract

A device for opening tenter frame clips mounted on an endless chain carried by a sprocket wheel, including: A clip opening wheel rotatable on a common axis with the sprocket wheel, such clip opening wheel having an elastomeric peripheral rim; The clips having means including a clamping surface and a pivotable clamping arm for clamping a web of material therebetween, such clamping arm being connected to a clip opening arm for pivoting the clamping arm into its open position; and The clip opening arm being adapted to contact the elastomeric peripheral rim of the clip opening wheel as the clips are moved by the chain whereby to open the clips. The elastomeric rim is of a material, such as polyurethane rubber having a hardness of 95 Shore A, which reduces impact force as the opening arm is moved into contact with the rim, during the opening of the clip. The rim may be fixedly mounted on the periphery of the wheel. Alternatively, such rim may move freely with respect to such wheel or the wheel may be freely rotatable about such common axis, independently of the sprocket to help spread wear around the full circumference of the wheel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.