Spindle for capping machine

In a container capping apparatus of the type having a generally vertical tubular spindle rotatable about its axis and carrying a cap holding chuck assembly at its lower end, drive means for rotating said spindle to apply a screw cap to a container, a control rod vertically movable within said spindle for releasing a cap from said assembly, spring means normally urging said control rod in one direction within said spindle, cam controlled means for moving said rod in the opposite direction to release a cap from said assembly, said cam controlled means including a cam follower carried by a yoke vertically movable relative to said spindle, and adjustable means limiting movement of said control rod in said one direction relative to said cam follower, the improvement comprising:

• (a) an axle carried by said control rod and projecting through vertically elongated slots in opposite sides of said spindle;
• (b) means to transmit thrust from said yoke to said axle in a direction parallel to the axis of said spindle;
• and
• (c) an adjusting nut external relative to and coaxial with said spindle and carried by said yoke for movement therewith relative to said spindle, said nut limiting movement of said axle in an axial direction relative to said spindle, and the vertical position of said nut relative to said yoke being selectively adjustable, thereby to adjust the upper limit of movement of said control rod relative to said follower.