Finger-type doctor blade holder

A finger-type holder for a blade used to doctor a moving surface, said holder comprising:

• (a) a plurality of pressure fingers laterally separated by spaces and mounted for pivotal movement about an axis located adjacent to said moving surface;
• (b) means arranged on and cooperating with said fingers for removably receiving and supporting said blade;
• and,
• (c) actuating means for pivoting said fingers to forcibly apply said blade against said moving surface, said actuating means including:
• (i) a flexible loading tube extending along one side of said axis, said tube being located between first reaction surfaces on said fingers and a second reaction surface which is fixed in relation to said fingers;
• (ii) a force transmitting member extending co-extensively with said loading tube to bridge the spaces between said pressure fingers, said force transmitting member being interposed between and in contact with said loading tube and the first reaction surfaces of said pressure fingers;
• and
• (iii) means for inflating said tube to push said force transmitting member against said first reaction surfaces.