Method and apparatus for snap-action, split-core roller clamp

An apparatus for clamping a split-core having a rotational axis about which a driven core half and a free core half rotate, comprising:

• (a) rotating means for rotating said driven core half about said rotational axis towards said free core half and for rotating said free core half about said rotational axis through driving contact of said driven core half with said free core half;
• (b) restricting means for restricting movement of said free core half about said rotational axis during rotation of said driven core half about said rotational axis toward said free core half;
• and,
• (c) snap-pivoting means for snapping said driven core half into engagement with said free core half so as to be in driving contact therewith, said rotating means thereafter rotating said free core half through said driving contact of said driven core half being rotated about said rotational axis by said rotating means.

A split-core roller comprising:

• (a) a first core half having a rotational shaft;
• (b) a second core half rotatably mounted on said rotational shaft, said second core half being pivotable about said rotational shaft with respect to said first core half;
• and,
• (c) said first core half and said second core half defining a slot therebetween, said rotational shaft being centered in said slot, such that the first and second core halves pivot between a first position and a second position relative to each other, the first position having the core halves engaged at a first end of the slot and open at a second end of the slot, the second position having the core halves open at the first end of the slot and engaged at the second end of the slot.