Abstract: An apparatus for feeding pairs of reels to a winding position in a winding apparatus for winding video tape on the reels and removing the loaded reels from the winding apparatus. A feeding conveyor feeds trays containing a pair of empty reels removably mounted in the trays to a transfer position and carries trays into which pairs of loaded reels have been placed away from the transfer position. A rotating arm carries holding members at the ends thereof for gripping a pair of reels in a tray at the transfer position and gripping another pair of reels on the winding apparatus at the winding position. Movement of the arm along the axis of rotation removes the reels from the tray and the reels from the winding position, and rotation of the arm switches the reels from the tray to the winding position and vice versa. Thereafter the arm is moved axially to load the empty reels onto the winding machine and the full reels onto the tray.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved core for holding web material. The core includes a cylinder having an axis of rotation and an axially extending slot for receiving the web material, a rectangular collar within the cylinder to form an annular channel and an annular channel floor between the cylinder and the column to maintain a substantially concentric relation there between. The core also includes first, second and third tapered rib members for positioning the web material within the annular channel and a channeled wall member mounted on the rectangular collar opposite a tapered rib member; a post is included within the annular channel in combination with a fourth tapered rib member adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously measuring the compressive strain and determining the compressive pressure on rolls of flexible material as they are being wound and for measuring the accumulated length of material wound on the roll. An accurate measurement is recorded of the length and caliper of each layer of the roll. From these measurements, the compressive strain and compressive pressure are determined and this information is used to control the winding process. The length measurements are also employed to correct the accumulated length measurement after the winding has been interrupted for removal of defective layers of material.

Abstract: This invention concerns a flanged half-bearing for motor applications. This half-bearing is of the type consisting of a semi-cylindrical shell, provided with half thrust washers suitable for the axial registering of the shaft, and reacting, therefore, to axial loads.The connection between semi-cylindrical shell and washers is obtained by hooking appended parts, substantially in convex prism form, present on each washer, between corresponding cavities arranged on the curved edges of the shell. Based on the angle position of the cavities, in relation to the axial plane of symmetry of the shell, and based on the shape of the cavities themselves and of the relative appendages, providing a slight interference in the coupling phase between shell and washer, and taking advantage of the flexibility of the shell, when mounted on the support, a coupling between shell and washer is obtained, which is stable before mounting in place and movable, circumferentially and axially, when mounted on the relative support.

Abstract: The compact ferrofluid seal and radial bearing assembly, particularly useful for the support and sealing of a shaft, such as a computer disk drive shaft, where space is at a premium, which assembly comprises a magnetically-permeable radial bearing apparatus having inner and outer race elements, moveable elements, and a cage element to retain the moveable elements, and a ferrofluid single-stage seal apparatus comprising a radially-polarized permanent magnet to retain a sealing amount of ferrofluid in a radial gap between the inner and outer race elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rewinding and severing a web delivered to a winding core and then transferring the leading end of the remaining web to an empty core while the winding core is being filled. The web to be rewound and severed is passed between a vacuum transfer roll and a knife roll prior to reaching the winding core with the vacuum transfer roll being spaced from the winding core while the web is delivered thereto until such winding core is almost filled. The vacuum transfer roll is moved toward engagement with the empty core and the knife roll is moved toward the vacuum transfer roll when the winding core is almost filled. The web is severed at a location spaced forwardly of the empty core as it passes between the vacuum transfer roll and the knife roll with the vacuum transfer roll being adjacent the empty core to force the leading end of the remaining web onto the empty core.

Abstract: A tape driving arrangement employs a plurality of tapes mounted on a drum in a manner enabling any selected tape to be positioned at a pick-up station. The free end of each tape is provided with lateral protrusions which enable the tape to be drawn through the reading zone of an input unit to a take-up reel by a mechanism that engages those lateral protrusions. That mechanism and the engaged lateral protrusions travel in paths on either side of the reading zone and thus avoid damaging the input unit. A rewind mechanism is provided to enable the tape to be rewound.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for upper and lower track members of a seat slide includes a flexible elongate member which is bowed by engagement with a longitudinal rib of the upper track member to engage roller end portions of the elongate member with flanges of the lower track member when the seat is unoccupied and engage bearing means between flanges of the track members to locate the components of the seat slide in rattle free relationship. When the seat is occupied, the upper track member is shifted downwardly to engage the roller end portions of the elongate member with the upper track member and provide rollers slidably supporting the upper track member on the lower track member.

Abstract: Adjacent cylindrical bearings disposed within a wall are prevented from rotating and moving axially by a sheet metal tablock which simultaneously engages a slot in the external surfaces of each bearing. A cap fits around each bearing, and a flange on each cap overlies the tablock. Tab ends of the tablock are folded over the flange and trap the tablock in position.