Guide apparatus for an elongated workpiece

A guide apparatus for an elongated member, comprising:

• first and second plate members, each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage for receiving the elongated member, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis, at least three guide fingers, each guide finger being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes radial inner ends of said guide fingers to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis;
• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for rotating said second plate member about said longitudinal axis to swing said inner ends of said guide fingers to a radially inner position for guiding the elongated member;
• bearing means for mounting said second plate member rotatably on said first plate member, said bearing means comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced pins carried by one of said first and second plate members in respective fixed locations relative thereto, said pins extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, and
• hollow sleeves mounted freely rotatably on respective pins, said sleeves rotatably supporting said second plate member and being removably from the respective pins in directions parallel to said axis without being obstructed by said first and second plate members.

A guide apparatus for an elongated rotary member, comprising:

• first and second plate members each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage through which the elongated rotary member may pass, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis, at least three guide fingers, each guide finger being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes radial inner ends of said guide fingers to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis;
• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for rotating said second plate member about said longitudinal axis to swing said inner ends of said guide fingers to said radially inner position for guiding the elongated rotary member;
• and
• a stationary hollow support cylinder extending through said passage such that the elongated rotary member passes through said support cylinder, said support cylinder including slots through which said guide fingers travel.

A guide apparatus for an elongated member, comprising:

• first and second plate members, each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage for receiving the elongated member, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis,
• bearing means for supporting said second plate member for rotation about said longitudinal axis, and for preventing relative radial movement between said first and second plate members, said bearing means comprising a plurality of rotatable elements spaced circumferentially around said longitudinal axis, said rotatable elements comprising sleeves rotatably mounted on respective pins extending parallel to said longitudinal axis, each said pin carrying two of said sleeves at opposite ends thereof, said sleeves being replaceably mounted on said pins, movable guiding means comprising at least three guide fingers, each being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for
• swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes a radial inner end of said guide finger to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis, and
• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for applying thereto a rotary force which produces rotation of said second plate member relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis for swinging said guide fingers such that inner ends thereof are moved from a radially outer retracted position to a radially inner guiding position,
• said inner ends of said guide fingers, when in said guiding position, being arranged to support the elongated member, while opposing radial movement of the elongated member.

A guide apparatus for an elongated member, comprising:

• first and second plate members, each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage for receiving the elongated member, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis,
• bearing means for supporting said second plate member for rotation about said longitudinal axis, and for preventing relative radial movement between said first and second plate members,
• movable guiding means comprising at least three guide fingers, each being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes a radial inner end of said guide finger to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis, and
• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for applying thereto a rotary force which produces rotation of said second plate member relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis for swinging said guide fingers such that said inner ends thereof are moved from a radially outer retracted position to a radially inner guiding position,
• said inner ends of said guide fingers, when in said guiding position, being arranged to support the elongated member, while opposing radial movement of the elongated member, and
• a pick-up finger operably connected to said second plate member and mounted for movement from a lower position to an upper position, for raising the elongated member into a guide region defined between said inner ends of said guide fingers when said inner ends of said guide fingers are moved to their guiding positions, said pick-up finger being joined to one of said guide fingers for movement therewith.

A guide apparatus for an elongated member, comprising first and second plate members each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage through which the elongated member may pass, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis, at least three guide fingers, each guide finger being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes radial inner ends of said guide fingers to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis;

• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for rotating said second plate member about said longitudinal axis to swing said inner ends of said guide fingers to a radially inner position for guiding the elongated member;
• and a pick-up finger operably connected to said second plate member and mounted for movement from a lower position to an upper position for raising the elongated member into a guide region defined between said inner ends of said guide fingers when said guide fingers are moved to their radially inner position, said first plate member comprising two first plates, and said second plate member comprising two second plates, said first plates being longitudinally spaced apart and said second plates being longitudinally spaced apart, wherein said guide fingers are disposed longitudinally between said first plates and are disposed longitudinally between said second guide fingers, said pick-up finger being positioned such that one of said first plates and one of said second plates are positioned longitudinally between said pick-up finger and said guide fingers.

A guide apparatus for an elongated member, comprising first and second plate members each including a through-hole, said through-holes defining a longitudinal axis and a passage through which the elongated member may pass, said second plate member being rotatable relative to said first plate member about said longitudinal axis, at least three guide fingers, each guide finger being operatively connected to both of said first and second plate members for swinging movement such that rotation of said second plate member causes radial inner ends of said guide fingers to move toward and away from said longitudinal axis;

• power actuating means connected to said second plate member for rotating said second plate member about said longitudinal axis to swing said inner ends of said guide fingers to a radially inner position for guiding the elongated member;
• and a pick-up finger operably connected to said second plate member and mounted for movement from a lower position to an upper position for raising the elongated member into a guide region defined between said inner ends of said guide fingers when said guide fingers are moved to their radially inner position, wherein said first plate member carries a plurality of freely rotatable sleeves spaced circumferentially about said longitudinal axis within said through-hole of said second plate member such that said second plate member rotates upon said bearing sleeves.