Abstract: An apparatus for drawing-off a web-shaped product from a weaving machine in a drawing-off direction includes: at least one clamp carrier having clamps for the web-shaped product; a carrier frame apparatus on which the clamp carrier is guided; a drive arrangement by which the clamp carrier is drivable back and forth in a motion range; and a support system for the web-shaped product. The support system is arranged in an area between the apparatus side facing toward the weaving machine and the clamp carrier, within the carrier frame apparatus, in such a manner so that a sagging of the web-shaped product in this area is avoided or limited by the support system.

Abstract: A belt moving unit includes an endless belt member and plural support rolls supporting the belt member movably and rotating, wherein the support rolls include one or more follower rolls rotating to follow the movement of the belt member and at least one of the follower rolls is used as an inertial roll to which inertia is applied, wherein the inertial roll includes a rotation shaft, a rotational inertial member rotating with the rotation shaft and applying inertia, and a roll body disposed along a peripheral surface of the rotation shaft and including plural roll-divided members, and wherein the plural roll-divided members include a fixed divided member fixed to the rotation shaft and rotating along with the rotation shaft to follow the movement of the belt member and a rotating divided member rotating independently of the rotation of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a fabric having first and second transport faces for gripping a fabric therebetween and to displace the fabric along its length, in which at least one of the transport faces has an irregular surface.

Abstract: A cord tensioning mechanism for a tire cord applicator head includes a closed loop timing belt extending between spaced apart pulleys and a tension adjustment pulley pressuring the cord laterally against the timing belt sufficiently to place the cord into a desired tension.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) for feeding a length of twisted pair cable (15), comprises a driven capstan (11) and a continuous belt (17) defining, respectively, first and second contact surfaces for the twisted pair cable (15). The continuous belt (17) is supported and arranged so that a portion thereof embraces an arc (16) of the substantially circular periphery of the capstan (11). Drive means are provided to effect rotation of the capstan (11), so as to feed a length of twisted pair cable (15) along the arcuate path (16) defined between the first and second contact surfaces where the arc (16) of the capstan (11) intersects the continuous belt (17). The arcuate path (16) is sufficiently narrow such that the capstan (11) and the continuous belt (17) embrace the length of twisted pair cable (15), and sufficiently long such that at least two nodes (19) of said length of twisted pair cable (15) are accommodated therein.

Abstract: A normal belt capstan assembly for arrays towed by vessels includes a drive wheel mounted on the vessel and adapted to deploy and discharge an array. The drive wheel has a continuous groove throughout an outer edge thereof with opposed rims on either side of the groove. The assembly further includes a normal belt mounted on a plurality of rollers and disposed along a portion of the periphery of the drive wheel, the belt having a continuous central groove formed in a surface facing the drive wheel. The combined drive wheel groove and central groove are adapted to receive the array and termination module, and a retaining groove on either side of the central groove are adapted for receiving the drive wheel rims. The normal belt provides a normal force to the array and termination module.

Abstract: A drive assembly (22) for a policy (26) comprises a first pulley (26) having a cable (20) passing around part of the pulley circumference. Three relatively small pulleys (30, 32, 34) are mounted on the assembly body (24) and a belt (36) extends around the pulleys. The belt (36) is driven and two of the small pulleys (30, 34) are located on a chord of the first pulley (26) such that tension in the belt (36) tends to bias the belt (36) to bear against the cable (20) as it passes around a portion of the circumference of the first pulley (26) located between the two small pulleys (30, 34). In a further embodiment, a convex support surface (70; 86) is formed by a belt (62) or rollers (92), rather than by the pulley (26). In another embodiment an assembly (150) may be used to drive a ground engaging wheel (164) of an aircraft or vehicle, rather than a pulley wheel (26).

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing web that is free of tractor pin feed holes comprises the driving of the web along a predetermined path within the utilization device. A web guide is provided in an upstream location from a utilization device element. The guide engages width-wise edges of the web and forms the web into a trough to stiffen the web. A drive roller and a follower roller impinge upon opposing sides of the web and rotate to drive the web through the guide. The drive roller is located adjacent to the guide according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element. The controller includes a drive controller that controls the speed of either the drive roller or the utilization device element to maintain the web and the utilization device element in appropriate synchronization.

Abstract: A continuous paper treating apparatus is provided which includes a tractor for feeding continuous paper and a paper treating unit for treating the paper. The tractor includes a driving belt provided with tractor pins, a tractor lid for covering the driving belt, a support base having a paper support surface for supporting the continuous paper. The tractor also includes a presser member supported by the tractor lid. The presser member is variable in position and posture relative to the tractor lid, and has a pressing surface for pressing the paper. In the tractor, use is made of springs for urging the presser member toward the paper supporting surface, so that the pressing surface presses the continuous paper onto the paper supporting surface.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing web that is free of tractor pin feed holes comprises the driving of the web along a predetermined path within the utilization device. A web guide is provided in an upstream location from a utilization device element. The guide engages width-wise edges of the web and forms the web into a trough to stiffen the web. A drive roller and a follower roller impinge upon opposing sides of the web and rotate to drive the web through the guide. The drive roller is located adjacent to the guide according to a preferred embodiment. A registration controller is utilized to synchronize the movement of the web with the operation of the utilization device element. The controller includes a drive controller that controls the speed of either the drive roller or the utilization device element to maintain the web and the utilization device element in appropriate synchronization.

Abstract: A cover-tape feeding apparatus for feeding a peeled portion of a cover tape of a carrier tape which includes an accommodating tape having, at a predetermined pocket pitch, pockets accommodating electric components, respectively, and the cover tape attached to the accommodating tape to close the pockets, and which is fed in a lengthwise direction thereof at a carrier-tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the pocket pitch by an integral number, the apparatus including a conveying belt which is endlessly wound on at least two pulleys and at least a portion of which supports the peeled portion of the cover tape; a reciprocative member which is reciprocated forward and backward in opposite directions substantially parallel to the portion of the conveying belt; and a pinching device including a pair of pinching members at least one of which is provided on the reciprocative member, the one pinching member cooperating, when the reciprocative member is moved forward, with the other pinching member t

Abstract: Via a textile guide system for flat textile goods, the textile goods are fed by a continuous conveyor to processing stations and the textile web is fed between conveyor elements of the continuous conveyor and a stationary support whereby means is provided to press the textile web against the stationary support and whereby each pressing member has a vertical guide means in which a housing-fixed holding pin engages and apart from the guide means at least one pressing spring means is provided whereby the noise formation is largely suppressed. The vertical guide means is close to the oncoming end of the pressing member approached by the conveyor and the pressing spring means is arranged close to the downstream end of the pressing means.

Abstract: A leader transport apparatus in a automatic film processing apparatus includes a fixed base having transporting rollers, a movable base having transporting rollers and a driving unit for driving the transporting rollers. The fixed base and the movable base are so disposed that the transporting rollers of the fixed base can each confront the transporting rollers of the movable base, and the driving unit is adapted to drive the transporting rollers of at least one of the fixed base and the movable base so that a leader and an undeveloped film can be transported with sandwiched between the transporting rollers of the fixed base and the transporting rollers of the movable base, the movable base being supported at one end thereof by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed arbitrarily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the wear of the belt mantle of an extended-nip roll including a resilient belt mantle arranged to revolve on support of bearings around a stationary central axle. The central axle has loading members connected with it, such as a loading shoe, which are pressed by the pressure of a loading medium, such as hydraulic fluid, towards a backup roll, whereby the belt mantle conforms to the shape of the backup roll in the area of the shoe. Actuators connected with the ends of the belt mantle are provided and act with a force upon the ends of the belt mantle of the extended-nip roll so that the direction of stretching of the belt mantle of the extended-nip roll is reversed alternatingly by controlling the actuators and/or locking devices which lock the ends of the belt mantle.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying continuous collapsed film includes a guidance arrangement receiving the continuous collapsed film, the guidance arrangement including at least one guide roller and at least one turning bar for guiding the film. The at least one guide roller changes the direction of the film 180 degrees, and the at least one turning bar changes the direction of the film 180 degrees. A conveyor belt travels the same speed as the film and the conveyor belt and the film loop over the one turning bar in superimposed relationship with the conveyor belt being between the at least one turning bar and the film such that the conveyor belt carries the film during the looping over the at least one turning bar.

Abstract: During the feeding of offset continuous collated business form webs to the slow rollers of a burster, it is important to insure that the top web properly passes through the slow roll section. By providing a number of puller wheels having aluminum cores and sawtooth rubber coverings atop conveyor belts passing over crowned pulleys which are oversped relative to the web speed, proper feed to the burster is provided. Form deflecting fingers extending from the puller wheels to the burster also help. In order to prevent the conveyor belts from running off the crowned pulleys an aligner is provided which has a number of vertical dowel pins with plastic sleeves covering and rotatable with respect to the dowel pins, disposed on each side of a conveyor belt associated with a crowned pulley and puller wheel. The aligner is provided immediately upstream of a rubber covered drive roll for the conveyor belts.

Abstract: For guiding webs of paper or cardboard, a guide cylinder extending across half of the web grips onto the surface of the web and achieves moving corrections on the webs by rotation or swinging. The long, linear support zone of the guide cylinder causes a high mechanical stress, whereby the guide cylinder exerts almost no corrective effect in its center zone. By dividing the guide cylinder into at least two spaced-apart, parallel guide rolls having their axes disposed perpendicular to the running direction of the material web, a suitable larger effective area is obtained for correction of the direction of movement.

Abstract: During the feeding of offset continuous collated business form webs to the slow rollers of a burster, it is important to insure that the top web properly passes through the slow roll section. By providing a number of puller wheels having aluminum cores and sawtooth rubber coverings atop conveyor belts passing over crowned pulleys which are oversped relative to the web speed, proper feed to the burster is provided. Form deflecting fingers extending from the puller wheels to the burster also help. In order to prevent the conveyor belts from running off the crowned pulleys an aligner is provided which has a number of vertical dowel pins with plastic sleeves covering and rotatable with respect to the dowel pins, disposed on each side of a conveyor belt associated with a crowned pulley and puller wheel. The aligner is provided immediately upstream of a rubber covered drive roll for the conveyor belts.

Abstract: A feeding device of a wide sewing material comprises a first belt conveyer unit provided on a supporting member vertically driven by a first elevating unit, a first base plate vertically driven by a second elevating unit provided on the supporting member, a horizontally driving unit for horizontally driving a second base plate and a second belt conveyer unit which is supported by the second base plate and is arranged on the side of the edge portion to be sewn of the wide sewing material in parallel therewith and which is driven to rotate by a rotary device. Since the feeding device can secure a large space from the edge portion by retracting the second belt conveyer units, next operation can be performed with ease. As a result, it is possible to perform the feeding and sewing of a wide sewing material, which is difficult to work at the edge portion thereof automatically, with accuracy and efficiency.

Abstract: A fabric conveyor system for a textile web includes a plurality of guiding rollers pressing against one side of the web, a toothed driven belt pressed against the opposite side the web, and a plurality of pressure pads supporting a toothed side of the driven belt turned away from the opposite side of the web and formed with respective flank portions each providing an unsupported run for a maximum of one tooth.

Abstract: A printing device has paper feed devices upstream and downstream of a printing station. The downstream paper feed devices uses pairs of pressure feed rolls which frictionally feed the paper when received. A tapered guide channel positioned in side by side relation with the pair of feed rolls comprises a stationary guide plate and pivotable guide plate with guide surfaces designed to collapse any curl in the leading edge of single or multilayer paper. A spring maintains the pivoted guide plate in operating position with a predetermined spring force which opposes deflection by the leading edge of the paper but allow deflection due to paper generated forces exceeding the predetermined spring force.

Abstract: In the case of a spinning machine for the spinning of yarns from slivers which are fed in cans, the slivers are guided from the cans to the spinning stations by guiding devices. The guiding devices comprise a drivable belt against which the sliver is pressed slightly by contact pressure elements. On one side, the belt is supported against a supporting device on the side facing away from the sliver.

Abstract: In the case of a spinning machine for the spinning of yarns from slivers which are fed in cans, the slivers are guided from the cans to the spinning stations by guiding devices. The guiding devices comprise a driven conveyor belt for at least two slivers which are to be conveyed side-by-side.

Abstract: Apparatus for longitudinally driving an elongate body (1) such as a rod or tube, comprises two opposed wheels (2) adapted to clamp the body (1) between them. The wheels (2) have an axis of rotation (3) lying substantially in a transverse plane of the elongate body (1). A drive (1) drives at least one of the wheels, wherein the wheels are adapted to transform the rotating movement of the wheels into a translating movement of the elongate body by means of friction. According to the invention the wheels (2) include a plurality of successive movably mounted intermediate pieces (12) circulating with the wheels and being supported by the wheels during the engagement with the body (1), the intermediate pieces (12) successively enabling the wheels (2) to engage the elongate body (1) a distance in longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A yarn feeding device provided with an annular flange which outward extends from a lower edge of a pressing area of a driving belt on a circumferential surface of the yarn feeding drum, so as to instantly restore abnormally displaced yarn or driving belt to its true position for continuously normally feeding the yarn.

Abstract: A thin, continuous, flexible drive belt for a belt-driven data cartridge. The belt has a rectangular rib which extends longitudinally along the center of the face of the belt that contacts a tape pack contained within the cartridge. The ribbed belt allows the tape pack to operate at greater transport speeds and acceleration rates by creating a pair of air channels extending the full length of the contact area between the belt and tape pack, resulting in effective removal of air at the belt/tape pack interface.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming fins along a web of metallic material utilizing first and second opposed endless chains, and with the first chain adapted to support the web of metallic material thereon, and comprising a plurality of spaced-apart anvil links. The upper chain includes a plurality of spaced-apart links operating in registry with the base chain and including work-engaging, fin-forming lugs which enter the gap between mutually adjacent anvil links. The apparatus further includes a chain-deflecting idler roll which deflects the base chain arcuately away from its normal plane so as to effectively reduce the spacing between adjacent anvil links and create a web back-breaking zone for achieving a firm and solid crimping of that portion of the web forced thereinto by the fin-forming lugs.

Abstract: Yarns are deposited on a conveyor belt in the form of random or ordered loops and are conducted through a yarn treating chamber. The treated yarn is drawn from the belt at a predetermined draw-off site. The position of the last yarn loop adjacent the draw-off site is scanned by a sensor, and the draw-off velocity is controlled as a function of deviations in the location of this last yarn loop. At the draw-off site a holding device is provided to press the looped yarn against the conveyor belt. During any interruptions of the drawing-off operation, the yarn will accumulate on the conveyor belt. The holding device and sensor are mounted to a slide which relocates the sensor and holding device downstream to a position in the vicinity of the last yarn loop so that the holding device will act on the yarn when the drawing-off operation is resumed. The holding device is then moved upstream along with the last yarn loop as the drawing-off operation proceeds.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device for feeding paper in a predetermined direction while a paper presser plate keeps the paper pressed to a sheet feeding mechanism. The sectional shape of the paper presser plate is modified according to the distribution of a bending moment applied to the paper presser plate so as to prevent creep.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the processing a magnetic-track ticket, especially an air transport ticket, of the type comprising: an insertion station (G1, G2), a magnetic reading/writing station (19), an issuing station (G3, G4) and a belt (C1) wound in a closed circuit around rollers, one of which is a driving roller, and designed to drive the ticket along an internal path extending from the insertion station to the issuing station.

Abstract: A lateral shift control apparatus for an endless belt includes a driver for applying to the endless belt a lateral shifting force in both lateral directons; a switching device for switching the direction of the lateral shifting force by the lateral shifting driver; and memory for storing the immediately previous lateral shifting direction by the driver.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus for the performance of the method for feeding cable into an automatic cable-processing machine allows to move normal cables (18) and cables of reduced wall thickness at high speeds. The cable (18) is driven by the driving surfaces (3.1, 8.1) of two belts, (3, 8), where the belts (3. 8) of two belt drives (b 1.2), roll off one another. The first belt drive (1) is stationary, while the second belt drive (2) is arranged to be parallel displaceable and disposed perpendicular to its driving surface (8.1). The second belt drive (2) can be pressed onto a laid-in cable (18) by at least one pneumatic piston-cylinder unit (24). In order to assure a clean passage of a cable (18) through the belt drives (1, 2), a cable clamping and tightening device (19) is arranged on the cable feed side (16), and a cable-clamping device (20) is arranged on the cable exit side (17). Thereby, the laid-in cable (18 ) is tightened and precisely aligned before the start of operations. The driving surface (8.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for pulling on a line, such as a wire cable. The apparatus has a driving pulley with a circumferential groove in which a loop of the load run of the line is held. A pressure application unit is provided to press the line into the line groove towards the end of the loop. This unit has a guide piece around which a chain runs, with a running surface shaped to run parallel to the line groove which it opposes. Means are provided to press the guide unit and chain bodily onto the edge of the driving pulley, so that pressure elements spread along the chain press on the line loop. The pressure elements roll on rollers along the guide unit running surface, which is at least as long as two pressure elements so as to provide an even force on the line.

Abstract: A web retention and advancement mechanism for a rotating drum utilizes a pair of spaced belts operating in grooves formed in the drum peripheral surface to retain the web to the drum for an arcuate portion of its rotation. Pulleys spaced from the grooves guide the belts in a path that extends about a portion of the drum and about the pulleys. The pulleys are spaced axially a distance greater than the inner edges of the grooves to cause the belts to travel a convergent path toward the drum to grip edges of the web in the grooves and hold the web to the drum while the belts are disposed in the drum grooves. A divergent path from the drum permits the belts to release the web.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing photographic material to be developed, including at least one container provided so as to receive a processing liquid, a conveyor arrangement located in the container for conveying the material to be developed through the processing liquid, the conveyor arrangement including two reversing rollers and at least one conveyor belt endlessly revolving around the two reversing rollers, and an arrangement for retaining the material to be developed at an outer surface of the at least one conveyor belt, at least one of the two reversing rollers being displaceable in a conveying direction of the at least one conveyor belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for advancing, belaying, or retracting a longitudinal element, such as a cable, by means of engagement with an endless belt driven by a reversible motor in a predetermined endless path geometrically formed to guide and constrain the belt in the path by means of camming action along and around a support element. The cable is free to enter the apparatus engaging the belt at either end of the support element, to be advanced, belayed, or retracted by the belt along this predetermined path.

Abstract: A two roll sheet material dispenser cabinet for paper towelling and the like has an automatic transfer system from one roll to the other when one roll is exhausted. The dispenser feeds sheet material sequentially and comprises a cabinet with first and second roll stations and a feed mechanism to feed sheet material from the rolls to a dispensing opening. The feed mechanism has a gripping roller, and a pressure plate pressed against the roller to provide a feed passage between the roller and plate, a feed mechanism rotates the gripping roller, the sheet material from one roll station is retained in the feed passage while sheet material from the other roll station is dispensed. When the sheet material from one roll station is exhausted, the feed mechanism automatically dispenses sheet material from the other station.

Abstract: A chain of plastic bags having zipper-locking profiles is compactly stacked in a rectangular carton in successive layers such that the bags of the chain lie flat in the carton and the zipper profile portions of successive bags in chain do not lie on top of one another by means of an automatic apparatus. The apparatus comprises an oscillating guideway for laterally depositing the bags of the chain in rows extending back and forth between opposed lateral sidewalls of the carton and a vertically movable lift table having a horizontally reciprocating platform on which the carton is disposed. The lift table operates to lower the carton beneath the guideway as the carton is being filled and to move the carton transversely of the guideway so that the zipper profiles of successive bag rows are disposed offset from one another.

Abstract: A tractor feed for paper webs with margin perforation for use in printers of data processing systems in which endless bands support feed pins engagable with said perforations to effect paper transport toward, around and away from a platen. Upper and lower runs of the endless band and feed pins supported thereby are selectively adjustably movable into and out of paper guide slots to facilitate introduction and loading of the paper web. The band is movable by movable upper and lower guide rails which are controlled by an adjusting mechanism and by springs acting to spread said guide rails apart.

Abstract: A tractor for a web feeding assembly has a chassis providing a pair of apertures extending therethrough and a belt extending thereabout. A drive pulley mounted in one of the chassis apertures is engaged with the driven surface of the belt and has an aperture therethrough receiving the drive shaft. Convexly arcuate belt support means cooperates with the drive pulley to define the web drive path for the belt therebetween, and a cover on the chassis overlies the belt and web drive path. An integrally formed belt tensioning means is movably supported on the chassis below the drive path for resiliently biasing the belt against the guide means. The belt tensioning means includes a support plate portion and at least one resiliently deflectable leg portion depending therefrom and slidably seated in a recess in the tractor chassis.

Abstract: A device for checking bent tubes by means of a probe, such as a pneumatically propelled eddy-current probe. The device comprises a sealing-tight enclosure adapted to communicate with the tube to be checked via a connecting tube. The introduction pressure of the probe is produced by a pneumatic circuit. The probe comprises a checking head and a cable having floaters and is wound on a coil driven by a torque motor. The introduction speed of the probe is controlled by passing it over a drive pulley, to which it is permanently applied by a strap tensioned by a spring, the pulley being mounted on the shaft of a constant-speed motor. Application to the checking of the tubes of heat exchangers, condensers and steam generators, more particularly of nuclear reacters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatments, particularly in a gaseous medium, of textile articles accumulated in folds and moving under the effect of their own weight along an inclined surface. According to the process of the invention, the displacement of the article is accompanied by a mobile surface in contact with the upper part of the folds formed by the article; this mobile surface is driven so that it moves at a speed approximately equal to that of the article when said article slides normally along the inclined surface. The mobile surface consits of an endless belt whose outer surface, in contact with the upper face of the folds formed by the article, is at a constant distance from the inclined wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for making bags from a folded web of thermoplastic material includes a rotating drum to which the web is continuously applied. As the drum rotates through a given arc length, the web is tucked outwardly from the periphery of the drum in progressively deeper folds wherein the depth of tuck determines the width of the bag. A cam, controlling the depth of tuck is movable in a rectilinear radial direction for adjusting the depth of tuck, thereby controlling the bag width.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for removing the flaps from a perforated web of paper by drawing the perforated web over an abrasively surfaced drum rotating in the same direction as the paper is traveling and at a peripheral speed about seven times greater than the speed of the web. The web is passed over the drum such that the flaps are at the leading or downstream edges of the perforations and lie between the paper and the drum. A spring-biased pressure yoke holds the perforated web against the drum surface with a predetermined amount of pressure to facilitate abrading the flaps from the web.

Abstract: Translation apparatus for a crystal fiber includes a resilient belt which receives a crystal fiber in pressure engagement. The fiber is supported against the belt by a support member having a grooved surface for receiving the fiber. A floating block is positioned within a loop of the belt and is offset in the loop when the support member and fiber are brought into engagement with the belt.

Abstract: A forward feed assembly for continuous forward feed of open tubular fabric to a subsequent processing station has an elongated guide mandrel over which the open tubular fabric passes, a first drive on one side of the guide mandrel operable to drivingly engage the fabric, and a second drive on an opposite side of the guide mandrel to drivingly engage the fabric at the same fabric-engaging speed as the first drive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying thin film plastic web materials to a wrapper machine as shown and described. This apparatus includes feed stripper which assures the separation of the web material from the apparatus. The feed stripper includes a clamp feed and either a belt roller for stripping or a stripper bar for stripping the film off. An anti-static bar is used to eliminate static electricity on the web material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for feeding and accumulating ribbon material is disclosed. The apparatus includes a specific feed mechanism for promoting zig-zag loop folding of the ribbon. The apparatus also includes a reversing means for reorienting a pile of folded zig-zag ribbon material such that ribbon material is inclined backwardly to allow the ribbon to be removed from the top of the pile. Additionally disclosed are an optical array of level sensors for controlling the paper level in a stacking area and a second array for controlling the volume of paper ribbon in a storage area.

Abstract: A tractor for a web feeding assembly having spaced support and drive shafts has a chassis providing a pair of apertures extending therethrough and a belt extending thereabout. A drive pulley mounted in one of the chassis apertures is engaged with the driven surface of the belt and has an aperture therethrough receiving the drive shaft, and a cantable insert within a pulley body defines at least a portion of the drive shaft receiving aperture. As a result, irregularities in the drive shaft, and variations in axial spacing of the shafts occurring during operation, may be accommodated by canting movement of the cantable insert within the pulley body. A convexly arcuate belt support surface cooperates with the drive pulley to define the web drive path for the belt therebetween. A resilient spring clamp is mounted adjacent the other aperture in the chassis and releasably clamps the tractor on the support shaft.

Abstract: A layup of sheet material clamped to a conveyor by a conveyor loading apparatus is pulled by and onto the conveyor from an adjacent supply table. The loading apparatus includes a clamping carriage assembly straddling the conveyor and supported for free rolling movement relative to the conveyor. Fluid motors mounted on the clamping carriage move a clamping bar from a released position into clamping engagement with the layup to clamp it between the conveyor surface and the clamping bar and couple the clamping carriage to the conveyor to move with the conveyor. A flexible hose wound on a pay-off reel mounted on the clamping carriage and spring biased toward wound position supplies pressure fluid to the fluid motors and biases the clamping carriage toward a retracted position near the supply table end of the conveyor when the clamping bar is in its released position.