Abstract: A device is described for laying-out a convolute web of material, in particular a web of textile material, coming from a bale of cloth, said device comprising a frame structure which is adapted to be moved longitudinally along a stationary support structure and on which, via suspension means, the bale of cloth is supported such that it is caused to rotate about its winding shaft in response to the longitudinal movement of said frame structure. The drive means of the bale of cloth is constructed such that slippage between said drive means and said bale of cloth--which would prevent rotation of said bale of cloth--is avoided and that, with the aid of very simple structural means, a wide range of use of the device equipped with said drive means is achieved. For this purpose, the drive means comprises a tight rope, which, via guide rolls adapted to be displaced together with the frame structure, is guided over part of the surface of the bale of cloth in a position of frictional engagement.

Abstract: A device is described, which is provided with a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a winding shaft of a bale of cloth, said bearing assembly being adapted to be used for automatically taking hold of and again releasing the winding shaft in a simple manner. For this purpose, the bearing means is divided into two parts, said parts being arranged on either side of a slot in a member which is adapted to be displaced in the vertical direction, and the slot receiving the winding shaft therein. In the case of a preferred embodiment, the bearing assembly has two rolls on axles which are displaceably supported in elongated openings. The elongate openings extend on either side of the slot at an oblique angle upwards and outwards and are formed in two bent levers and rotaty plates, respectively, the respective bent levers and rotary plates being arranged diagonally to each other. Due to the movement of the bearing means relative to the winding shaft, the rolls are displaced such that in a first position, i.e.