Abstract: Valves are located at opposite ends of a cylinder and are automatically moved toward closed positions at a controlled rate as a piston approaches the ends of the cylinder. Upon being moved toward its closed position, each valve restricts the flow of exhaust air from the respective end of the cylinder and causes the piston to decelerate so as to cushion the piston as it comes to a stop.

Abstract: A machine for taping coils wound upon bobbins which includes an indexable turret wheel mounting a plurality of peripherally spaced mandrels dimensioned for slidable reception of the bobbins of a succession of coils, the turret traversing a loading station, a tape wrapping station, a wiping station and an unloading station. A tape applicator member at the wrapping station supports the leading end of the tape, the applicator being shiftable from a reference position to a pressing position in which the leading end of the tape is pressed against the side of the coil. Drive spindles are clutched to the mandrels in the wrapping and wiping stations for wrapping and wiping the tape. Fluid actuators having rack and pinion connections serve to index the turret wheel, shift the tape applicator, and rotate the coil in the wrapping and wiping stations.