US 5,628,473 A · Methods of and apparatus for applying strands to a support

Abstract

An apparatus (28) facilitates application of one or more strands (24) onto a mandrel (20) which is mounted for rotation. The apparatus (28) includes a frame structure (30) which supports a confining device (46) and a receptacle (48) for receiving opposite ends of the mandrel (20) in a non-gripping manner. The frame structure (30) further supports a guide frame (80) which is positioned for movement along and parallel to the mounted mandrel (20) and which guides the strands (24) onto the rotating mandrel. A pair of strands (24) may be applied to opposite sides of the mandrel (20) to balance pulling forces which result in the mandrel due to tension on the strands. Ends (143) and (145) of a pin (142) extend laterally of the mandrel axis at one end of the mandrel (20) and are insertible into slots (126), (128), (134) and (136) formed in a coupler (116) of the confining device (46) to facilitate mounting of the mandrel with the confining device.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for applying a pair of strands to a support having a normally linear axis extending between opposite ends thereof and mountable in the apparatus, which comprises:

a first guide structure for guiding a first strand of the pair of strands onto the support from a first direction;
a second guide structure for guiding a second strand of the pair of strands onto the support from a second direction;
enclosure structure for confining the first strand and the second strand at precise respective locations relative to the axis of the support to preclude movement of each of the first and second strands in a direction parallel to the axis of the support independent of the movement thereof associated with applying the strands to the support;
a first tension developing facility located for coupling to the first strand to develop a pulling force through the first strand when coupled thereto which tends to pull the support laterally of its axis in a direction opposite the first direction;
a second tension developing facility located for coupling to the second strand to develop a pulling force through the second strand when coupled thereto which tends to pull the support laterally of its axis in a direction opposite the second direction;
and
a frame structure for supporting the first guide structure and the second guide structure at locations relative to each other which allow the pulling forces of each of the first and second tension developing facilities to effectively cancel each other so that the support is precluded from movement lateral of its axis.

4 more elements

A method of applying strands to a support having a normally linear axis, which comprises the steps of:

forming a tab on the support extending at an angle from the axis of the support;
forming a first slot in one end of the coupler of a size which can receive the tab;
forming a second slot in a portion of the coupler of a size which can receive the tab and wherein the second slot is in communication with the first slot and is formed at an angle with respect to the first slot;
positioning a portion of the support spaced from the tab into an opening in a receptacle in a non-gripping manner;
position the tab into the first slot;
moving the tab from the first slot into the second slot whereby the tab and the adjacent portion of the support are confined in the coupler in a non-gripping manner;
attaching the leading ends of a pair of strands to a portion of the support;
rotating the support;
moving the strands along and parallel to the support while the support is being rotated to facilitate application of the strands onto the support;
applying a first strand of the pair of strands onto the support in a first direction;
developing a tension in the first strand which develops a pull force through the first strand and to the support;
applying a second strand of the pair of strands onto the support from a second direction;
and
developing a tension in the second strand which develops a pull force through the second strand and to the support which effectively cancels the pull force of the first strand so that the support is precluded from movement lateral of its axis.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods of and apparatus for applying strands to a support

Life of this patent

Methods of and apparatus for applying strands to a support

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18