Apparatus for wrapping overlapping laps of strip material over a cylindrical object having an axial opening therein

Apparatus for wrapping strip material over the surfaces of a cylindrical object having a central axial opening extending therethrough, said apparatus comprising a generally O-shaped track including an extention extending through said central opening, and portions extending along the ends of the cylindrical object and along its outer cylindrical surface, said track being formed from two generally U-shaped halves hinged together at a point external to the cylindrical object and having free ends which can meet or separate within said central axial opening, a trolley moveable along said track, said trolley having a length in the direction of said track extension appreciably shorter than that of said track extension, a roll of strip wrapping material carried by said trolley, a drive motor for said trolley, and means for maintaining the tension in said strip material substantially constant as said trolley travels around said track and strip material is paid off said roll of strip material and the strip material is wrapped around the surface of said central opening, the ends of the cylindrical object and its outer cylindrical surface.