# US 7,784,723 B2 · Layered tape guide spool and alignment device and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,784,723 B2 - Document ID: US7784723B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/853,626 - Filed: 2007-09-11 - Published: 2009-03-12 - Granted: 2010-08-31 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-11 - Assignees: Deepflex Inc. - Inventors: Marbert G. Moore, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7784723B2 ## CPC - B65H 81/08: by feeding material obliquely to the axis of the core - B29C 53/8016: {Storing, feeding or applying winding materials, e.g. reels, thread guides, tensioners} - B65H 2701/37: Tapes - B65H 2701/38: Thread sheet, e.g. sheet of parallel yarns or wires - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A layered tape guide spool having a plurality of guide rods, each of which have a first and a second guide member. The gaps between adjacent guide rods and the gaps formed between the first and second guide members define a gap that urges the tape stacks together into a desirable rectangular shape. The resulting tape stacks are then wrapped onto a tubular core or onto existing layers on a tubular core. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A guide spool to position tape stacks on a tubular member comprising: a plurality of guide rods having a proximal and a distal end; the proximal end of said guide rods extending from a first rotatable flange member; a first tape stack retaining member positioned on each of said guide rods; and a second tape stack retaining member on each of said guide rods separated from each of said first tape stack retaining members thereby defining a gap between adjacent guide rods and between each said first tape stack retaining member and each said second tape stack retaining member through which the tape stacks pass, wherein said second tape stack retaining member comprises a pin member positioned substantially in line with each of said first tape stack retaining members. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of each of said guide rods extends from a second rotatable flange member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A guide spool according to claim 2 wherein a guide bushing is attached to said first rotatable flange member for positioning the tubular member within said guide spool. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A guide spool according to claim 2 wherein a guide bushing is attached to said second rotatable flange member for positioning the tubular member within said guide spool. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein the position of said proximal ends of said guide rods approximates a circular shape on said first rotatable flange member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein said first tape stack retaining member comprises a blade having an end facing substantially in the direction of said second tape stack retaining member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A guide spool according to claim 6 wherein said blades are connected to said guide rods with a collar member; said collar member comprising; a bore through which said guide rods extend; and a flat face on which said blades are mounted whereby said blades extend along the top surface of said guide rods. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods is connected to said first flange member with a rotatable pivot arm and the distal end of each of said guide rods is connected to said second flange member with a rotatable pivot arm whereby the distance of said guide rods can be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the rotational axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods includes a tab slidably engaged with a slot in said first rotatable flange member and the distal end of each of said guide rods includes a tab slidably engaged with a slot in a second rotatable flange member whereby the distance of said guide rods can be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the rotational axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A guide spool according to claim 9 wherein a spring is positioned on at least one side of each of said tabs and an adjustment bolt is positioned on the other at least one side of said tabs whereby said spring urges said tabs toward said adjustment bolt and whereby said guide rod can be adjustably secured into a desired position with said adjustment bolt. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A guide spool according to claim 1 wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods is connected to a segment member slidably engaged with said first rotatable flange member and the distal end of said guide rods is connected to a segment member slidably engaged with said second rotatable flange member whereby the spacing and number of said guide rods can be changed about said first and second rotatable flange members. ### Claim 12 A guide spool to position tape stacks on a tubular member comprising: a plurality of guide rods having a proximal and a distal end; the proximal end of said guide rods extending from a first rotatable flange member; a first tape stack retaining member positioned on each of said guide rods; and a second tape stack retaining member on each of said guide rods separated from each of said first tape stack retaining members thereby defining a gap between adjacent guide rods and between each said first tape stack retaining member and each said second tape stack retaining member through which the tape stacks pass, wherein said first tape stack retaining member comprises a blade having an end facing substantially in the direction of said second tape stack retaining member, and wherein said blades are connected to said guide rods with a collar member, said collar member comprising: a bore through which said guide rods extend; and a flat face on which said blades are mounted whereby said blades extend along the top surface of said guide rods. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The guide spool of claim 12, wherein the distal end of each of said guide rods extends from a second rotatable flange member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The guide spool of claim 13, wherein a guide bushing is attached to said first rotatable flange member for positioning the tubular member within said guide spool. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The guide spool of claim 13, wherein a guide bushing is attached to said second rotatable flange member for positioning the tubular member within said guide spool. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The guide spool of claim 12, wherein the position of said proximal ends of said guide rods approximates a circular shape on said first rotatable flange member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The guide spool of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods is connected to said first flange member with a rotatable pivot arm and the distal end of each of said guide rods is connected to said second flange member with a rotatable pivot arm whereby the distance of said guide rods can be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the rotational axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The guide spool of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods includes a tab slidably engaged with a slot in said first rotatable flange member and the distal end of each of said guide rods includes a tab slidably engaged with a slot in a second rotatable flange member whereby the distance of said guide rods can be moved inwardly and outwardly relative to the rotational axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The guide spool of claim 18, wherein a spring is positioned on at least one side of each of said tabs and an adjustment bolt is positioned on the other at least one side of said tabs whereby said spring urges said tabs toward said adjustment bolt and whereby said guide rod can be adjustably secured into a desired position with said adjustment bolt. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The guide spool of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of each of said guide rods is connected to a segment member slidably engaged with said first rotatable flange member and the distal end of said guide rods is connected to a segment member slidably engaged with said second rotatable flange member whereby the spacing and number of said guide rods can be changed about said first and second rotatable flange members.