Cam-controlled core inserter for a surface winder

A cam-controlled core insertion device for a surface winder, said cam-controlled core insertion device comprising:

• a shaft having a plurality of cam housings disposed thereabout, each of said cam housings being disposed at a respective position along and about said shaft;
• each of said cam housings having a longitudinal axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of said shaft, said shaft being disposed coaxially about said longitudinal axis and being rotatable thereabout;
• a cam disposed within a first surface of each of said cam housings, each cam being cooperatively associated with a respective cam housing, each of said cams being disposed within said respective cam housing about said longitudinal axis;
• a fixed finger plate juxtaposed proximate to each of said cam housings and fixably attached to said shaft, each of said fixed finger plates being cooperatively associated with a respective cam housing, each of said fixed finger plates having a fixed finger fixably attached thereto, each of said fixed fingers having a fixed orientation relative to said longitudinal axis as said shaft rotates about said longitudinal axis, each of said fixed fingers having an end distal from said fixable attachment to said respective fixed finger plate;
• a cam follower cooperatively associated with each of said cams, each of said cam followers having a finger shaft attached thereto, said finger shaft being disposed through a respective fixed finger plate cooperatively associated thereto and having a movable finger attached thereto, wherein each of said cam followers orbit about said longitudinal axis while juxtaposed proximate to and in contacting engagement with said respective cam cooperatively associated thereto, each of said movable fingers having an adjustable orientation relative to said longitudinal axis as said cam follower cooperatively associated thereto orbits about said longitudinal axis, each of said movable fingers having an end distal from said respective cam follower;
• wherein said distal end of each of said movable fingers and said distal end of each of said fixed fingers cooperatively associated thereto are capable of forming a space therebetween for contacting engagement and containment of a core suitable for the convolute disposal of a web material thereabout;
• wherein each of said cams causes said respective movable finger to rotate toward said fixed finger cooperatively associated thereto when each of said respective cam followers are disposed at a first orbital position relative to said longitudinal axis to engage said core between each of said distal ends of said movable fingers and said distal ends of said fixed fingers cooperatively associated thereto;
• and,
• wherein each of said cams cause said respective movable finger to rotate away from said respective fixed finger cooperatively associated thereto to disengage from said core when each of said cam followers are disposed at a second orbital position relative to said longitudinal axis.