Abstract: A continuous-acting take-up, coiling, cut-off and spooling machine is adapted for use with continuously producing metal casting equipment that casts metal rod or strip stock at a constant rate, and which produces the cast rod or strip stock at a relatively constant velocity. The machine coils, cuts-off, temporarily accumulates and spools or packages determinate lengths of the rod or strip stock formed by the casting apparatus. Driven rollers receive the leading end of the rod or strip stock. The rod or strip stock is cut to predetermined, desired lengths while still in motion so as to not disturb the feed velocity. Free-wheeling rollers forcibly impart a slight curvature and simultaneous axial displacement to the rod or strip stock along its length, forming coils or convolutions of helical configuration, which are deposited by gravity, over a turnably driven reel carried on a tiltable turntable.

Abstract: A cap assembly for facilitating pay-off of wire past one end flange of a spool, comprising a wheel carried on a shaft mounted along the axis of the spool at one end, and a tension brush comprising a body having radially extending, resilient and flexible tines extending to the periphery of the wheel, and adapted to be brushed by a wire strand as it orbits or traverses the spool end flange and passes over the wheel. The wheel is rotatable on the shaft, and the moving strand imparts turning motion thereto during pay-off. The tension brush body is also rotatable on the shaft under the action of the orbiting strand. An adjustable braking device is associated with the brush body and shaft such that a small drag force can be imparted to the brush as it is rotating, tending to slow it down to a point where the tines are moving at a circumferential velocity somewhat less than that of the strand.

Abstract: A low-friction thin-hub plastic multi-part sheave for handling wire, has two joined disc-like members with conical rim portions which together form a V-groove for the wire. The members have apertured central hub portions provided with facing shoulders that engage cooperable, oppositely-facing shoulders on the outer race member of an anti-friction bearing assemblage, to hold the latter captive between the disc-like members. The central hub portions and anti-friction bearing assemblage have respective, oppositely-facing, parallel exposed side surfaces which are flush and disposed in spaced-apart parallel planes, making for a thin hub assemblage.

Abstract: A pulley or sheave that is lagged with rubber or rubber-like material, has two disc-like members which are disposed broadside to each other and secured together to form an annular groove for receiving and guiding a strand of material. At their centers, the members have bearing means to accommodate a spindle. In the annular groove for the strand of material the members have oppositely disposed wall portions characterized by re-entrant side walls. A wear strip of relatively soft, resilient material such as rubber having an elongated rib occupies the annular groove, the rib being accommodated in and frictionally seized by the reentrant side walls. The wear strip has abutted ends, and presents an annular exterior space for engagement with the strand of material that is being handled.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and handling spools of the type intended to carry wire, and for rotating such spools at relatively high speeds in order to fill them. The apparatus comprises a housing having an access opening and a swivel carrier on the housing, capable of supporting the spool on one of its ends and of shifting the spool from the exterior of the housing to the interior thereof. The carrier, once it arrives at the interior, can lower the spool to an operative position on a special drive mechanism that is capable of rotating it. In addition, a traverse mechanism is provided in the housing, for guiding and reciprocating a strand of wire as it is being wound onto the spool. By virture of the arrangement wherein the carrier can swing the spool between the exterior and interior of the housing, lifting and handling of the spool is greatly facilitated. This is particularly important where spools weighing hundreds of pounds are being employed.

Abstract: A wire de-reeling apparatus for transferring wire from one or more spools and with a minimum of excessive looseness or kinking, the apparatus comprising a support for mounting the spool with one spool end free, a rotatable take-off wheel located at the free spool end and being generally coaxial with the spool, and a rotatable tension brush also disposed at the spool end and having a plurality of radially disposed, flexible wire-restraining tines. The wheel is rotatable under the action of a strand of wire being payed off the spool. The brush is mounted on a central hub which is at or near the spool axis, and the tines extend radially a short distance past the circumferential edge of the wheel, to be brushed by the strand of wire as it is being de-reeled.

Abstract: A composite, heavy-duty spool with plastic end cones, consisting of a cylindrical spool body of thick, rigid, heavy cardboard having open ends, and a pair of plastic end cones identical to each other. When dismantled, the end cones can nest in each other so as to occupy little space. Each end cone comprises a truncated, conical body portion all parts of which are essentially of uniform thickness. Integral with the conical body portion of each cone is a strengthened peripheral rim of U-shaped cross section defining an annular groove which faces axially away from the body portion. At its small base part, each body portion has a transverse wall that is apertured to receive a draft bolt, and has a plurality of integral strengthening ribs each of which is disposed both on the conical exterior and on the transverse wall exterior.

Abstract: A low-cost, heavy-duty spool construction for holding substantial quantities of wire, comprising a generally cylindrical spool body having open ends, in combination with a pair of substantially identical, conical end flanges provided with annular grooves in their convex surfaces, in which grooves the end edges of the spool body are received. The apex portions of the end flanges have planar sections which are apertured, and a tie bar extends through the apertures to hold the end flanges tightly against the respective ends of the body. The arrangement is such that the end flanges can be assembled to the body with a minimum of time and effort, and with virtually no chance of an incorrect positioning of the relative parts of the device occurring.

Abstract: A wire pay-off cap assembly for use with wire-filled, flanged spools for controlling the unreeling of wire past the ends thereof, comprising a support member carried by the spool, a stationary circular tension brush mounted on the support member, and a freely rotatable wheel carried by a ball bearing assemblage on the member. The wheel is constituted as two separate pieces, one piece comprising a disk-like body mounted at its center on the bearing, and the other piece comprising an annular wheel flange having a concave cross-section providing a curved exterior surface for sliding contact with a strand of the wire being unreeled. Co-operable means are provided on the body and flange for releasably securing the two together such that the flange, when worn or damaged, can be readily replaced without removing the body from the support member.