Abstract: According to the proposed method, wire is wound on each step of a stepped former to produce a coil of a preset length. After a completion of each new coil, the wire is successively transferred from one step to another. As the winding of the wire on one step of the former is in progress, the coil produced on another step is moved along the former by a pitch greater than the length of this coil so as to transfer the coiled wire to the vacated step. The method presupposes the use of a stepped coil former comprising concentrically arranged mandrels, a coupling means with movable elements which are arranged in rows and can alternately be drawn out in the transverse direction, and a coil transfer mechanism equipped with movable pushers. The method is carried out with the aid of an apparatus comprising said stepped former, a winding head with a wire guide rotatable around the stepped former, and a receiving mandrel to receive coils removed from the stepped former.

Abstract: A hook for engaging a wire, holding it outside of the winding zone and releasing the same prior to completing the winding of the next coil, is movably mounted on a drive shaft, is connected thereto through a spring and has a stop near the shaft. The shaft is mounted in a housing movable with respect to the wire guide of the machine for winding the coils and is provided with a projection rigidly secured thereon for interaction with the stop of the hook. The mobility of the housing can be provided by mounting it in hinges on the machine bed or on a telescopic shaft, in which case the housing is controlled by a cam mechanism under action of which it moves the hook to the winding zone and removes it therefrom. During the operation the hook permanently rotates on the shaft at a predetermined speed and is periodically introduced into the winding zone for forming the taps.