Abstract: An expandable, self-adjusting core plug which will maintain a fit between core plug and an out-of-round web roll core. The present invention accomplishes this by providing a core plug with a number of individual, elongated beveled ribs and a corresponding beveled spindle, both of which cooperatively and axially adjust the thickness of the core plug to meet variations in the inner diameter of the core.

Abstract: A core plug includes a tube formed from a light-weight material, such as woven carbon fibers, inserted into and connected to a steel rib assembly. The rib assembly includes a series of ribs surrounding the tube, where each rib includes a beam parallel to the tube and columns connecting the beams to the tube. The tube can extend the complete length of the rib assembly or the rib assembly can extend beyond the end of the tube. A high molecular weight journal is inserted in the outer end of the tube.

Abstract: A pair of freely rotatable rolls bear against the opposite edges of a moving web. Each roll is mounted with its axis generally coaxial with that of the other roll, parallel to the adjacent rollers of the web transport systems and perpendicular to the direction of web movement. A support arm for each roll is pivotally connected to a fixed support, with the pivotal axis generally parallel to that of the roll, so that the weight of the roll pivots the arms towards the vertical and causes the roll to bear against the upper surface of the web. A constant bias force may be applied to the pivotal support arm to decrease (or in some circumstances to increase) the force with which gravity causes the roll to bear against the web.

Abstract: A core or a core shaft is formed from a plurality of identical, extruded pieces. Each piece has complementary grooves on opposite sides, so that the pieces interlock. Each piece extends the length of the core or core shaft. The pieces are held together by a series of pins and are connected to a core shaft journal or a core cap by a series of screws that fit into receptacles in the pieces. When used as a core shaft, each piece includes a channel for a bladder.

Abstract: A torque-transmitting chuck comprising an interior member having a longitudinal axis and exterior circumferentially-spaced, longitudinally-extending camming surfaces. A generally axially-extending, circular in cross-section roller engages each of the camming surfaces. Each roller is arranged to engage the interior of a hollow core and move radially outwardly relative to the interior member in response to movement of the roller circumferentially of the interior member. The chuck is characterized in that each of the rollers includes an axially-extending center rod and a thick surrounding layer of resilient material the outer circumferential surface of which contacts the camming surfaces and core. The layer has a hardness in the range of 30 to 90 durometer and a radial thickness of not less than about 1/8 inch.

Abstract: An expansible shaft in which a screw that is rotationally and axially movable relative to the housing is rotatably connected to the operating rod so that clockwise screw rotation moves the rod axially in one direction and counterclockwise screw rotation moves the rod axially in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An expansible shaft with an actuator having a bore through which the operating rod extends, and, adjacent one end of the actuator, a surface inclined relative to the rod which at least partially defines a recess extending radially outward of the bore. A retaining member is mounted in a recess in the outer surface of the rod in position for engaging the surface of the actuator recess so that, when the actuator is forced relative to the rod towards the retaining member, interaction between the retaining member and the surface of the actuator recess causes application of a radially inwardly directed force on the retaining member. A bearing surface at one axial end of the operating rod is defined by a portion of the exterior of a sphere and a drive screw engages and is arranged to apply force to the bearing surface.

Abstract: An expansible shaft in which an axially-movable cam forces a core engager radially outward into engagement with a surrounding core. A cam follower attached to the core engager slidingly engages a cam surface of the cam, a recessed slot is parallel to the cam surface, and one end of a cross-bore in the cam follower overlies and follows the slot as the cam follower slides along the cam surface. A second bore perpendicularly intersects the cross-bore. A first member is mounted in and forms a slip-fit with the cross-bore, a second member is mounted in the second bore, and the length of the first member is such that a portion of it projects into the slot when the second member is within the bore intersection, but the entire first member fits within the cross-bore when the second member is withdrawn from the bore intersection.

Abstract: An expansible shaft including a hollow axially-extending body and operatively coupled core engaging and retracting sections within the body. The core engaging section includes a core engager movable relative to the body in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of the body and biased towards a core engagement position in which it projects beyond the wall of the body; and the retracting section includes an actuator arranged to overcome the bias and move the core engager radially inwardly from its core engagement position.

Abstract: A core chuck comprising an interior member having a longitudinal axis and n exterior camming surfaces, n jaws each having an interior camming surface, and 2n rollers radially intermediate the jaws and the interior member. Each of the rollers engages a camming surface defined either by the interior member or by a jaw, each camming surface is convex relative to the axis, and a roller cage maintains the circumferential spacing of the rollers.

Abstract: A tool for insertion into a core including a pair of pivotally connected levers having forwardly-extending jaws for insertion into the core and rearwardly-extending actuating portions to which the opposite ends of a flexible-wall fluid actuator are fixed for applying force to the actuating arms and pivotally expanding the jaws.

Abstract: A stop assembly comprising a generally cylindrical body whose outer surface is adapted for engaging the interior cylindrical surface of a hollow core, a plurality of fingers secured to the body for pivotal movement about axes generally parallel to that of the core between first positions in which the fingers lie radially within the outer surface of the body and second positions in which the fingers project beyond the outer surface for engaging an end surface of the core, each of the fingers having a core engagement surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the body and adapted for engaging the core end surface and a generally oppositely-facing camming surface inclined relative to the core engagement surface, the fingers being biased outwardly and no fixed portion of the assembly lying radially outwardly of the outer surface so that the entire assembly may be inserted into and through a core having an interior cylindrical surface of diameter not substantially greater than that of

Abstract: A core chuck comprising radially movable exterior jaw members, means operative in response to a relative rotation between the jaw members and those means to apply a radially outward force to the jaw members, and biasing means for urging the jaw members toward a predetermined radial position. The biasing means comprise a band spring disposed in axially aligned recesses in surfaces of the jaw members, at least one of the recesses being provided with spring retainer means preventing removal of the spring from the recess in a radial direction.

Abstract: A chuck for internally gripping a hollow member comprising an interior member having a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of generally planar exterior surfaces each parallel to the axis; a plurality of rollers, each roller parallel to and in contact with one of those surfaces; a plurality of jaw members, each having an arcuate interior surface in contact with at least one of the rollers; and means for resiliently maintaining the jaw members in contact with the rollers.