Apparatus for winding bolts of cloth or the like

Apparatus for converting a running web into a series of discrete bolts, comprising a source of running web;

• a support indexible about a fixed axis between first and second positions at 180.degree. with reference to one another;
• first and second winding devices and first and second deflecting devices mounted on and indexible with said support so that said first winding device assumes an operative position in the first position of said support and receives from said source successive increments of the running web which is maintained in a predetermined path by the first deflecting device while said second winding device and the second deflecting device assume positions of readiness and the second winding device assumes an operative position in the second position of said support and receives from said source successive increments of the running web which is maintained in said predetermined path by said second deflecting device while said first winding device and said first deflecting device assume positions of readiness, said path extending through that winding device which is held in said position of readiness;
• and means for severing the web intermediate said winding devices upon completed conversion of a length of web into a bolt on the winding device which is held in the operative position, said winding devices being rotatable about axes which are parallel to said fixed axis and each thereof comprising a pair of coaxial rotary bolt holders disposed at the opposite sides of said path and having tongs movable axially with portions of the corresponding bolt holders between retracted positions of disengagement from and extended positions of engagement with the adjacent marginal portions of the web in said path, each of said bolt holders further comprising detent means arranged to maintain the respective tongs in a predetermined angular position in the retracted position of the tongs.