Abstract: A metallic reel construction wherein spokes (C) are welded at spaced locations directly to end plates (B) and to rims (A). The end plates receive the staves (D) that are directly and rigidly affixed thereto in spaced relation to provide a relatively small hub providing rigidity and yet being capable of receiving a large amount of flexible material. Threaded members (E) rigidly connect the rigid rim and hub end plate assemblies adjacent to the ends of the staves for speedy assembly permitting shipment while disassembled.

Abstract: A pipe lifting apparatus and method utilizes gripper arms (A) having upwardly diverging links (B) pivotally connected to an upwardly extending operator member (C) for receiving a lifting attachment and for moving a stirrup (D) from side to side to lock and unlock stops (E) for fixing the gripper arms and in unlocked position for a next pipe lifting operation. Auxiliary gripping members (F) are provided in opposed relation on each of the gripper arms for adjusting the effective gripping action afforded by the gripping arms to accommodate multiple size pipes.

Abstract: A spread winder has a stationary support roll (A) in alignment with a moveable support roll (B) which is carried by a moveable frame (D) and which has a drive (E) operated to cause predetermined spreading as the size of the roll increases with suitable core guides (H) controlling the alignment of the core at all times during its horizontal transverse responsive to relative horizontal movement of the rolls during the build. An encoder (I) impresses a home position control on the drive (E) and a home position limit switch (J) provide proper support roll spacing at start up.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cushioning the impact when placing a web roll on a belt let-off has pneumatic cylinders (A) operating bell crank arms (B) for raising a roll carried on one end (C) while lowering a roll (D) carried on an opposite end of the bell crank for tightening the belt (F) ejecting an empty core roll preparatory to receiving a web roll (W) which is supported by the arms (B) while being lowered and cushioned by the air cylinders until it is received and supported for rotation in a cradle formed by the belt (F) for unwinding.

Abstract: The speeds of support rolls (A) and (B) of a surface winder are controlled during winding by sensing means including a movable roll (C) for detecting variations in web tension. The motors (F) and (G) are controlled responsive to the sensing means by motor control circuitry (H) and, through respective drives (D) and (E), independently drive the rolls (A) and (B).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for winding a web roll on a surface winder for automatically starting up an end of a web for winding utilizes an elongated cradle (A) into which a web end severed by a cutting apparatus (B) after a full web roll is doffed falls into a flexible cradle a free end of which is raised responsive to lifting apparatus (D) causing a severed end of an incoming web to be started on a new roll core which has been positioned by a dispenser (C) over the severed end of the web, and wherein further raising of the cradle places the new roll core with the severed end upon the surface winder.

Abstract: A loom cloth takeup having pivotally mounted arms A exerting a force upon a friction roll (F) has first and second control devices (E) and (H) respectively for controlling tension on the cloth ahead of the friction roll (F) and for controlling a motor (G) driving the friction roll (F) to afford full roll tension control during the build of the cloth roll. A regenerative DC motor drive (H) is provided to avoid slippage between the friction roll and the cloth during winding, and a center wind motor control utilizing a capacitor (I) in series with the motor imparts a negative slope to the speed load characteristic.

Abstract: A tractor hitch engageable and disengageable by an operator without leaving a tractor seat includes an upwardly and inwardly tapering cam (A) carried by a tractor at three-point hitch locations for engagement between inwardly extending marginal guides (C) integral with a complementary substantially wedge shaped cam follower (B) carried by an implement. The method includes positioning the cam below the cam follower and then lifting the cam by raising hydraulic lift arms (D) carried by the tractor exerting a guiding action between the cam and the cam follower bringing them into interlocking relation for thereafter automatically engaging a latch (E) dislodgement of the cam from the cam follower as during transport of the implement may be avoided.

Abstract: A method of temporarily accumulating a web (W) when delivered from a producing machine includes the step of lengthening a vertical path of the web passing over an upper guide (A) downwardly over an oscillator roll (B) on a web takeup driven by a motor (C) controlled by movement of a compensator roll (D) in response to variations in web tension as for avoiding a necessity of stopping the producing machine when doffing a web roll from the takeup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for guiding a web utilizes a curved outer convex cloth guiding surface constructed of extruded aluminum with a specially hardened, brittle, wear resistant surface (A) on arcuate sections such as extrusions provided respectively at the top and bottom of the viewing area for guiding cloth and for forming a housing for the light box wherein an inner housing surface (B) is provided opposite the cloth guiding surface (A) on each extrusion. Depending receiving members (C) are provided at each respective end of the arcuate extrusions for serving as a receptacle for guiding and positioning a plexiglass viewing member and back sheet metal wall for forming a light box. A force applying member (D) is provided for controlling sag or bow in an extrusion. Apparatus and method is illustrated including diverging grooves for spreading the web as it passes over the upper section, and circuitry is provided conserving energy by limiting the time the circuitry is energized.

Abstract: A web tension control apparatus and method utilizes a control for a drive motor (A) including an oscillating roll (B) for moving a cam (C) in relation to a proximity sensor (E) for controlling the tension in the moving web being transported for takeup. The power output of the proximity sensor is transmitted for controlling the output of a motor by control circuit (D) for maintaining the tension in the moving web within desirable limits.

Abstract: An apparatus is illustrated for unwinding a web, such as cloth or paper, which utilizes a driven belt having a width in excess of the width of the web forming a cradle for a cloth roll and the like with elements for adjusting the path of travel of the belt including at least one elongated oscillatable roll over which the belt passes and which is oscillated responsive to elements for sensing the position of the belt. The method contemplates doffing the core of the cloth roll by utilizing a vertically movable roll for tightening the belt while at the same time lowering one of a pair of spaced rolls supporting the cradle so that the core roll rolls off the belt and the belt is positioned for receiving a full cloth roll thereon prior to lowering of and cushioning by the movable roll to form the cradle in the belt. A pair of downwardly and inwardly tapering guide elements are provided spaced opposite respective ends of a tubular core for maintaining proper position of the web roll carried thereby.

Abstract: A unitary light box for inspecting cloth manufactured on a loom (10) is provided with first and second viewing areas (B) and (C), respectively, wherein cloth (F) having a vertical run is guided over an intermediate curved surface (D) for inspection providing several angles of sight to the operator from the same vantage point so as to locate defects not ordinarily visible during conventional head on observation.

Abstract: A drive for a movable center wind takeup for web material has an upright support frame (A) which carries a motor driven power takeoff (B) which is drivingly engageable with the movable takeup. An articulated arm (C) is carried by the upright support and is extensible to achieve alignment between the power takeoff (B) for driving the takeup and a vertically adjustable device (D) including a lever arm for effecting vertical adjustment between the power takeoff (B) and the takeup.

Abstract: A drive for a movable center wind takeup for web material has an upright support frame (A) which carries a motor driven power takeoff (B) which is drivingly engageable with the movable takeup. An articulated arm (C) is carried by the upright support and is extensible to achieve alignment between the power takeoff (B) for driving the takeup and a vertically adjustable device (D) including a lever arm for effecting vertical adjustment between the power takeoff (B) and the takeup.

Abstract: A roll (A) for surface winding and dewinding a web utilizes a raised surface (B) which is divided by recesses into a plurality of raised areas carried by spaced protuberances (C) fixed to the metallic roll defining base portions (D) therebetween so that the roll may be driven so as to avoid wrinkles and with varying packing ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting and guiding a web utilizes a curved outer convex cloth guiding surface (A) on arcuate sections such as extrusions provided respectively at the top and bottom of the viewing area for guiding cloth and for forming a housing for the light box wherein an inner housing surface (B) is provided opposite the cloth guiding surface (A) on each extrusion. Depending receiving members (C) are provided at each respective end of the arcuate extrusions for serving as a receptacle for guiding and positioning a plexiglass viewing member and back sheet metal wall for forming a light box. A force applying member (D) is provided for controlling sag or bow in an extrusion. Apparatus and method is illustrated including diverging grooves for spreading the web as it passes over the upper section, and circuitry is provided conserving energy by limiting the time the circuitry is energized.

Abstract: A web roll (A) is positioned on a winding apparatus which includes a belt (B). An electric drive motor (C) drives the belt (B) roll (A) during winding and unwinding of the web. An ultrasonic signaling device (D) directs a signal downwardly towards the web roll and receives a return signal indicative of the size of the web roll for controlling the operation of the electric drive motor which rotates the web roll in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the length of cloth moving in open width from a loom to a cloth winder is illustrated wherein a wheel C is positioned in tangential relation upon cloth moving over a direction roll reflecting the length of the cloth in response to rotations of the wheel.

Abstract: A coalescer filter is illustrated for removing material from a gas wherein a collection of liquid coalesced by passing a gaseous stream upwardly within a coalescing material packed in an upright cylindrical housing is facilitated by creating a pressure drop in a tube .[.by venturi action.]. .Iadd.in an inlet air stream .Iaddend.and communicating the pressure drop to a canister. The use of a float valve is also illustrated for controlling the discharge of liquid collected in a sealed drainage canister receiving coalesced liquid from a lower portion of an upright column or housing containing coalescing material through which a gaseous stream is passed upwardly.