Abstract: A cased coil spring producing apparatus comprises a coil spring producing mechanism for forming coil springs, a conveying mechanism including a conveyer for conveying the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism, a hardening-and-cooling mechanism for hardening the coil springs and cooling them, a sheet feeding mechanism for double folding a sheet and feeding it, a compression-and-insertion mechanism for compressing the coil springs and inserting them in the double folded sheet, a bonding mechanism for bonding the double folded sheet inserting therein the coil springs together, and a coil spring arraying mechanism for changing position of the coil springs inserted in the sheet. The conveyer of the conveying mechanism includes coil spring supporting members aligned in two or more rows rising upwardly therefrom. A sorting mechanism is provided for sortably distributing the coil springs fed from the coil spring producing mechanism to the coil spring supporting members.

Abstract: A pocket coil spring producing apparatus includes a coil spring forming mechanism for forming coil springs, a hardening mechanism for hardening coil springs fed from the coil spring forming mechanism, a conveyor mechanism for cooling and conveying the hardened coil springs, and a compress inserting mechanism for compressing and inserting the coil springs conveyed by the conveyor mechanism into a two-fold sheet form of a sheet material. A sheet supplying mechanism folds the sheet material in two and feeds the same. A joining mechanism joins the two-fold form of the sheet material to have a row of substantially rectangular pouches into which are supplied respective of the compressed coil springs. A spring alignment mechanism aligns each compressed coil spring in a respective pouch in a lengthwise direction to return to a free, released state. A control mechanism controls the foregoing mechanisms.

Abstract: A hand-held device has motor driven gears for propelling a longitudinally slit, corrugated tube along a guide track to a spreader which spreads the tube apart to enable the tube to encompass an elongated member, such as a cable, which passes through the spreader. A cutter on the device cuts the tube in a direction perpendicular to the tube axis when a sufficient length of the tube has been provided to jacket the elongated member. The cutting occurs only on the corrugation peaks (not valleys) of the tube.

Abstract: A tubing attachment apparatus is provided which automatically severs a preselected tubing segment from a continuously fed length of tubing, moves the tubing segment toward an operative position, slits the tubing to form an axial slit along its length, spreads the opposing edges of the axial slit and pushes the tubing segment to cause it to move over a wire portion of a component. The tubing segments are moved, along a first path defined by a guide rod, through the action of a carriage that is reciprocally movable relative to a support structure. A gripper and a pusher attached to the carriage move sequentially seared tubing segments along the first path and through the slitter and spreader to dispose the tubing segments over wires of components.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforcement body which is to be incorporated into a metal matrix in a fabrication technique based on a molten metal infiltration process for producing a metal matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The apparatus of the invention comprises means for supporting the chill members in longitudinally spaced relation to each other, means for forming uniformly distributed windings of the yarn on each of the chills, and means for forming similar windings of the yarn around, and extending between the chills in a way so as to connect them together.

Abstract: An improved one-piece metal jacket for insulated pipe elbows, bends and/or turns having a central metal spine spaced apart along which a plurality of opposed pairs of metal fingers extend sufficiently to overlap, longitudinally and traversely forming a weatherproof covering and fasteners to hold the fingers in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for assembling an insert assembly in a catalytic converter comprising a casing and an insert assembly therein. The insert assembly comprises a columnar catalyst having a seal mat wound around the outer periphery thereof and a mesh ring attached thereto. The seal mat is fitted in a groove provided in a receiving member for the placement of a catalyst and the catalyst is placed and positioned, with its axis substantially horizontal, on the receiving member. A guide member is positioned adjacent to the catalyst on the same axis as the catalyst and supported from the sides thereof, the guide member having an outer inclined surface enlarged towards the catalyst. The mesh ring is positioned on the same axis as the catalyst on the side of the guide member opposite to the side of the catalyst. The opposite end of the seal mat are engaged to wind the seal mat around the catalyst and the mesh ring is resiliently supported from the outside thereof.

Abstract: A marker sleeve processig machine (20) for printing a legend (5) on individual marker sleeves (6) from a series (1) of marker sleeves fed through the machine (20). Various functions of the machine (20), such as transport of the web (1), printing of a sleeve (6) and removal of a printed sleeve (6) from the web (1), are correlated and controlled by programmed circuits (201,203). Data to be printed on the marker sleeves (6) can be input digitally, such as with a communication terminal (208) which may be a personal computer. The machine (20) provides a fully integrated apparatus permitting facile processing of a series (1) of blank marker sleeves to printed marker sleeves (6) bearing a legend (5) appropriate for use as identification devices and a convenient interface is provided for the user to enter the legends (5) to be printed on the marker sleeves (6).

Abstract: In the manufacture of electrical cable and after a core wrap is applied to the cable core, the core wrap is moved downstream and is held in a closed position around the core by a retaining member which holds edges of the wrap in overlapped relationship. The core wrap is held closed to enable it to be covered in its closed condition by a jacket. The retaining member is movable and is shaped so that during movement into different positions of orientation, it will maintain its function of holding the core wrap closed.

Abstract: A bonded ASP cable includes a multiconductor core which is filled with a waterproofing material. The core is enclosed by a plastic layer (28) which is flooded with a waterproofing material. Wrapped longitudinally about the plastic layer is a corrugated inner shield (31) having a longitudinal seam (35) and having an outer surface covered with a waterproofing material. The inner shield is enclosed by a corrugated outer shield (36) which has an overlapped longitudinal seam (38) and which has an outer surface coated with a layer of an adhesive material. As the outer shield is being formed, a sealant material is introduced into engagement with the inner shield in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield. Then as the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield are overlapped and engaged with each other, the sealant material is caused to flow into cavities between the two shields adjacent to the seam of the outer shield to form a gasket (66).

Abstract: A machine (1) for the application of marker sleeves (17) from a web (10) in which strips (A-D) of the marker sleeves are fed to an indexing head (62) and then to an application station (90) at which an endmost sleeve is removed from a strip and opened to enable an operator to insert a wire (6) through an opened sleeve.

Abstract: Partially formed metal straps are fed to a pick up point where a carriage assembly grips a strap and transports it across the path of a previously severed and loaded measured length of C-shape cushion material. The movement is coordinated with that of a clamping bar for the cushion to provide for automatic assembly of the length of cushion over and about the strap. Continued movement of the carriage assembly transports the now cushion covered strap to a forming station where a rotatable arm and toggle finger bends the strap into a circular form about a mandrel. The toggle finger is withdrawn, the mandrel is retracted, and the grip on the strap is released to deposit a completed line support into a waiting receptacle.

Abstract: A bonded ASP cable includes a multiconductor core which is filled with a waterproofing material. The core is enclosed by a plastic layer (28) which is flooded with a waterproofing material. Wrapped longitudinally about the plastic layer is a corrugated inner shield (31) having a longitudinal seam (35) and having an outer surface covered with a waterproofing material. The inner shield is enclosed by a corrugated outer shield (36) which has an overlapped longitudinal seam (38) and which has an outer surface coated with a layer of an adhesive material. As the outer shield is being formed, a sealant material is introduced into engagement with the inner shield in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield. Then as the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield are overlapped and engaged with each other, the sealant material is caused to flow into cavities between the two shields adjacent to the seam of the outer shield to form a gasket (66).

Abstract: An optical fiber with a bare end portion is faced-off precisely at 90 degrees. With an unsecured ferrule loosely located on the fiber, the fiber is passed through oversize openings in a fiber holder and a crimping station. The bare fiber portion is located in the interstice of three rods having identical diameters and the assembly is releasably held by jaws in a holding station. The faced-off fiber end is positioned slightly inwardly from the end faces of the rods by a limit pin. The fiber holder is tightened onto the fiber to maintain it in straightened condition and the ferrule is then slid into place over the three rods and included fiber. The crimping station is moved along a track toward the holding station until crimping jaws are positioned about the ferrule, three rods and fiber. Crimping jaws deform the ferrule at several different places firmly securing it in place on the rods.

Abstract: A strip (56) of non-metallic material and one (59) of a metallic material are wrapped simultaneously about an advancing cable core (32) to enclose partially the core. Then longitudinal edge portions (71, 72) of the strip of non-metallic material are separated by a shoe (150) which permits movement of the edge portions in a direction circumferentially of the core. One longitudinal edge portion (72) of the non-metallic strip becomes confined in a guideway (118) of a tool (99) and longitudinal edge portions (73, 74) of the metallic strip (59) are guided along guideways (117, 118) of the tool as the strips are moved through a converging passageway (103). This controls the relative circumferential movement between the edge portions as the strips are moved through the passageway to form a core wrap (33) and a shield (34).

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for forming, in situ, an external guard member (12), preferably of a spring steel wire material, on a hose (14).Spring steel wire is highly desirable as a material for guard members. Heretofore it has been necessary to preform the spring steel wire on a coiling machine and install precut lengths of the coil onto partially assembled hoses.The present invention overcomes the above problems of construction and assembly by providing an apparatus (10) and method for forming the preferred spring steel wire guard member (12) in situ on a hose (14) having fittings preassembled on both ends. The apparatus (10) includes a forming head (20) having separable first and second portions (46,48). A plurality of radially spaced die members (60) are provided on the first and second portions (46,48) to fully form two complete coils of a guard member (12).

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of a substantially circular metallic shield (37) about a cable core (32) by wrapping a metallic tape (64) longitudinally about the core with longitudinal edge portions of the tape being overlapped by a forming key (100) to provide a closed seam (38). As the seam is formed, an underlying longitudinal edge portion (48) of the shield is supported while an overlying longitudinal edge portion (45) at the overlap is directed inwardly toward the cable core to preclude its protrusion into a jacket (39) which is subsequently extruded over the shielded cable core. A relatively thin strip (145) of metal attached to an inner surface of the forming key assures formation of the seam before juxtaposing the longitudinal edge portions and the core, and avoids penetration of a priorly formed inner shield by the longitudinal edge of the outer shield to prevent rotation of the inner shield and undesirable alignment of the shield seams.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for installing sleeves onto elongated substrates such as electrical wiring or cable, where the sleeves are slideably arranged on fingers extending from a carrier belt. The apparatus includes a base having a belt path for receiving the carrier belt and a finger guideway for receiving a finger of the carrier belt. Stripping means are slideably mounted on the base for forcing a sleeve from a finger onto a substrate. An indexing element is provided for moving the carrier belt to a position so that a finger having a sleeve arranged thereon is in the finger guideway each time after a sleeve is stripped from a finger. In use of the device, the sleeve can be stripped from a finger into the die in two stages, where an elongate substrate is inserted into the removed portion of the sleeve between the two stages. For installing non-cylindrical sleeves on cylindrical substrates, a die is mounted to the base at a position to receive the sleeve as it is stripped from a finger.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elements for an optical cable, such elements including a tube of an elastic material, e.g. a synthetic resin or an elastomer, which loosely encloses one or more optical fibers. Preferably, the fiber or fibers are longer than the enclosing tube and the tube is filled with a material which prevents the migration of water, etc. The tube in mechanically stabilized form and the optical fiber or fibers are advanced toward a traction zone where the tube is pulled. Prior to the traction zone, the tube is slit or cut longitudinally through one thickness of the wall, the cut edges are spread apart and the optical fiber or fibers are inserted into the tube through the gap between the cut edges. Optionally, filling material is also inserted into the tube through such gap or a downstream gap subsequently formed. The tube-optical fiber assembly follows a straight line downstream of traction zone to a collecting point.

Abstract: Disclosed are a relatively or completely maintenance-free tension member suitable for construction of structures, such as cable stayed bridges and a method and apparatus for producing such tension members.

Abstract: A machine for applying tubing over any desired area of an object, including a supply of flat, flexible tubing having sharp creases on either side of the tubing, apparatus for reducing slightly the creases to open partially the tubing, a knife for cutting the partially opened tubing to provide a predetermined length of cut tubing, a mechanism to hold externally at the reduced creases the tubing which is being cut and to shape the cut tubing into any desired shape corresponding to the shape of the object which is to receive the cut tubing, and apparatus for moving the cut and shaped tubing around the object. In one embodiment, the holding and shaping mechanism is moved together with the cut tubing over the object, the mechanism then releasing the cut tubing around the object and returning to an initial position to hold and shape additional cut tubing. In another embodiment, the mechanism is held away from the object, but the cut tubing is caused to slide out of the mechanism and over the object.

Abstract: A helical induction coil of large diameter which is to be served with a protective band is suspended from a driving roller having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation so that the coil axis is substantially horizontal. A serving device is supported on the respective convolution to be served and also on immediately adjacent convolutions at the lowermost region of the coil for advancement in the longitudinal direction of the convolutions. Spreading rollers spread the immediately adjacent convolutions from the respective convolution to permit the serving device to advance. The driving roller frictionally entrains the coil and thus rotates the same about the coil axis and the spreading device is advanced at the same speed as but in the opposite direction than the respective convolution so that the position of the serving device diametrally opposite to the driving roller relative to the coil is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and wrapping pipe insulation comprising a frame and a pair of arms mounted on the frame for swinging movement about a longitudinal axis. A row of longitudinally spaced vacuum pads is suspended and on each arm a pair of transversly spaced rows of longitudinally spaced vacuum pads are suspended on the arms inwardly of the first-mentioned rows on said arms. Vacuum can be selectively supplied to the rows of vacuum pads. Means are provided for swinging the arms toward and away from one another whereby when the arms are extended and the vacuum pads are brought into engagement with a generally flat piece of insulation, the insulation is engaged and may be lifted and transported by manipulating the frame to bring the insulation adjacent a length of pipe and the arms may thereafter be swung inwardly to wrap the insulation about the length of pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for the facile installation of non-cylindrical marker sleeves on wire-like members such as electrical wiring or cable. The apparatus is particularly directed to the handling of non-cylindrical marker sleeves which are tightly and slidably arranged on fingers of a carrier belt. A stripper mechanism employing a series of split tines is slidably positioned on a base capable of fixedly holding the carrier belt and fingers. The split tines are directed along either side of each finger to engage a first end of each non-cylindrical sleeve and to force the sleeve from its supporting finger. A die is fixed to the base to receive the sleeves as they are stripped from the carrier fingers. The die includes a plurality of formed channels which receive the non-cylindrical sleeves and force them into a substantially cylindrical configuration as they are stripped into respective channels.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying cover elements of heat shrinkable plastics material upon the externally screw threaded metal necks of dispensing containers such as toothpaste tubes comprises a floating mandrel rod assembly adapted to be disposed within the leading end of a continuous length of synthetic plastics tubing for cooperation with feeding and cutting arrangements for operating upon the tubing to separate therefrom successive cover elements of desired length and dispose each element on a container neck prior to a heat shrinking operation for permanently securing the elements upon the threaded necks.