Feeding apparatus for metal strips

A feeding apparatus operable when manufacturing a flattened tube fin where cutaway portions, into which flattened tubes used for heat exchanging are inserted, are formed from one side toward another side in a width direction thereof, to feed a metal strip after formation of the cutaway portions in a thin metal plate but before cutting into predetermined lengths, the feeding apparatus comprising:

• a reference plate on whose upper surface the metal strip is placed and in which a slit, which extends in a conveying direction of the metal strip, is formed from an upper surface to a lower surface thereof;
• moving bodies that are provided below the reference plate and are capable of being moved by driving means parallel to the reference plate and in the conveying direction of the metal strip;
• feed pins that are capable of advancing into the cutaway portions of the metal strip, are provided on the moving bodies so as to be capable of moving up and down with respect to the reference plate, and pull the metal strip in the conveying direction in keeping with movement of the moving bodies when the feed pins have advanced into the cutaway portions of the metal strip;
• and
• at least one guide portion that contacts a side surface on an opposite side of the metal strip to the openings of the cutaway portions and guides conveyance of the metal strip.