Reel changeover apparatus for high speed strand takeup machines

Abstract

Reel changeover apparatus is disclosed for a high speed strand takeup machine of the type having means for rotating a pair of reels side-by-side about mutually parallel and adjacent axes. The reel changeover apparatus comprises a distributor through which strand material may be fed onto the reels mounted for movement over the reel axes, a pair of snaggers, and means for rotating the snaggers in mutual spaced, coplanar orbits adjacent a flange rim of each reel. The changeover apparatus further comprises a strand deflector mounted for movement between the reels synchronously with movement of the distributor to guide the strand material into engagement with a snagger. The strand deflector itself includes a deflector arm, a hook mounted to the deflector arm, and drive means for moving the deflector arm and hook along a path extending between the reels and traversing the snagger orbits plane at a point below the reel axes in guiding the strand material into generally right angular engagement with a rotating snagger during reel changeover.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.