Abstract: A ribbon self-orienting device that is to be interposed between the source and the target of a traveling ribbon, either during winding of a ribbon into a traversed roll or during pay-off of a ribbon from a traversed roll. A pivoting frame is pivotally coupled to a frame support, at a pivot axis. First and second direction changing means coupled to the pivoting frame serve to change the direction of the traveling ribbon. A force transfer means transfers a transversely directed force, imparted by the traveling ribbon due to the ribbon traversing its traversed roll while under tension, to the pivoting frame causing the pivoting frame to move about the pivot axis. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An automatic tape crossover machine having two feeding mechanisms to supply running and new tapes, respectively. A powered cutter is provided through which the running tape is to pass and be cut in response to a cut signal, where the cutter is positioned downstream of the first tape feeding mechanism. The machine also includes a joining mechanism at which a portion of a new tape is to be joined to the running tape in response to a join signal. Control circuitry automatically determines whether a tape exhaustion condition has been reached and asserts the join and cut signals to join the running and new tapes and to cut the running tape, before the tape feeding mechanism is emptied of the running tape. The machine thus allows the automatic transition from the running tape to the new tape, i.e. without requiring the presence or manual assistance of a human operator when joining the two tapes.

Abstract: A single-twist wire stranding or bunching machine having a reciprocating flyer traversing the length of a take-up reel and rotating coaxially with respect thereto, such take-up reel being mounted within pivoting means to facilitate easy removal of the reel after it is fully wound with wire. The invented machine comprises electro-mechanical means for automatically controlling the uniformity of the lay length of the twisted wire by correcting for changes in the velocity of the wire being fed into the machine due to wire build-up on the reel or to reversals of the traversing flyer. Additional control means are also disclosed for automatically controlling the points at which the flyer, in its reciprocating motion, reverses direction, thereby minimizing wire accumulations or recesses at the end flanges of the reel.

Abstract: A single-twist wire stranding or bunching machine having a reciprocating flyer traversing the length of a take-up reel and rotating coaxially with respect thereto, such take-up reel being mounted within pivoting means to facilitate easy removal of the reel after it is fully wound with wire. The invented machine comprises electro-mechanical means for automatically controlling the uniformity of the lay length of the twisted wire by correcting for changes in the velocity of the wire being fed into the machine due to wire build-up on the reel or to reversals of the traversing flyer. Additional control means are also disclosed for automatically controlling the points at which the flyer, in its reciprocating motion, reverses direction, thereby minimizing wire accumulations or recesses at the end flanges of the reel.

Abstract: A positive, self-orienting traverse apparatus to be used in conjuction with a wire take-up machine for winding wire and the like onto a reel in uniform layers. The traverse apparatus includes a traverse pulley assembly disposed above the take-up reel which is driven along a path parallel to the reel axis of rotation by a reciprocating drive means. The traverse pulley assembly is provided with a traverse pulley which guides the wire onto the take-up reel, and which is mounted to pivot about a vertical axis. A non-traversing input pulley, which is also mounted to pivot about a vertical axis, is provided for guiding wire from a wire source to the traverse pulley. The input pulley is coupled to the traverse pulley by way of a telescoping orientation bar so that the two pulleys remain aligned with one another as the traverse pulley is reciprocated.