Abstract: Fabric handling apparatus is provided to continuously unwind a fabric sheet being supplied from a supply roll at variable travel speeds for subsequent processing operations. The fabric sheet being unwound is accumulated in storage means enabling the fabric travel speed to be automatically and continuously decreased as fabric is being accumulated while also being automatically and continuously increased as the fabric sheet is being withdrawn from storage.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and the housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A ball type universal joint construction where a ball member is rotatably received in a housing and a bearing structure interposed therebetween in a manner which limits the relative rotational degrees of freedom. The ball member has a spherical surface portion which includes axially extending bearing receiving slots and the housing has a cavity spherical surface portion which includes bearing receiving recesses in registry with the receiving slots. Ball type bearings disposed partially within the recesses and partially within the slots limit movement between the ball member and housing to articulated movement relative to each other. The housing also includes an access opening at one end face having an enlargement through which the ball member can be passed when rotated 90 degrees to its nominal, functioning position. This allows the ball member to be inserted into the housing through the enlargement while at the same time accommodating passage of the bearings into the housing recesses.

Abstract: A bending strain relief assembly which includes a plurality of helical band members cooperatively interdigitated to define a sleeve having a cylindrical passage therethrough for receiving a cable or hose. Each band member includes a plurality of individual helical elements encapsulated together in synthetic plastic material. Each band member also has an external grip groove on one end portion thereof for receiving a clamping flange on a clamping head. Cooperation between the clamping flange and grip grooves prevents radial separation of the band members at the one end portion thereof and prevents relative longitudinal movement between the band members and the clamping head. A holding device is positioned around the band members adjacent the other end portions for preventing radial separation thereof.

Abstract: A bending strain relief device in the form of an elongated tubular member having a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of rigid sleeve members positioned one after another along the axis. The sleeve members are connected together only by elastomeric material which deforms and flows elastically during relative angular movement between adjacent sleeve members for imparting curvature to the tubular member. Adjacent sleeve members have cooperating surfaces which interfere with each other to effectively limit the maximum degree of relative angular movement and thereby limit the degree of curvature which can be imparted to the tubular member.

Abstract: A contraction termination device and method for electrical conductor cable or the like encased in a sheathed braided material. The device employs an elongated sleeve having opposed lead and terminal ends with an internal passageway communicating therebetween. The sleeve tapers outwardly from the lead end along a tapered area which merges into a roughened area which then merges into an intermediate area. These three areas are all coated for creating a friction surface along the sleeve. The internal cable conductors or strands are passed through the sleeve passageway from the lead end and the braided sheath is passed over the sleeve lead end to the intermediate area. Thereafter, the sheath is affixed to the sleeve at the intermediate area by tie wraps and the ends of the conductors or strands may be conveniently interconnected to attendant equipment at the sleeve terminal end.