Abstract: A guiding and braking unit for a material web which passes through a processing machine, such as a machine for the manufacture of packing containers. The unit comprises a roller adapted to a guide cylinder for the web. This roller is manufactured from a material with a high coefficient of friction. The roller is adapted so that it can be swivelled via an arm in a direction transverse to that of the material web to thus follow the material web when it is moved sideways, or axially in relation to the guide cylinder. Each sideways movement, however, because of the suspension of the roller, brings about a lifting of the roller which is continuously counteracted by the pressing of the roller against the cylinder. As a result, the roller is returned automatically to a central position and through friction, carries the material web with it to a central position in relation to the guide cylinder.

Abstract: A sheet pressing mechanism in a pen type recording device including a rotatable platen and a pen adapted to move in the axial direction of the platen while contacting the platen, in which pressure rollers are brought into contact with outer peripheral surfaces of end portions of the platen, the pressure rollers being rotatably mounted on a support shaft extending in parallel with the axis of the platen, and in which the said outer peripheral surfaces of the end portions of the platen are formed of a soft material capable of being depressed by the contact pressure of the pressure rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for the control of a well fishing line and operable at a location substantially above the wellhead to enable accommodation of cable mounted well tools, line weights, and the like. The apparatus incorporates a cable engaging drive wheel with a reversible hydraulic motor in direct-drive relation with the drive wheel. A pressure roller is in opposed association with the drive wheel and, through a hydraulic cylinder unit, is manipulable to vary the pressure engagement of the cable with the drive wheel for enhanced control of both the introduction and withdrawal of the cable. Both the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic cylinder unit are operable from a remote control station, normally at ground level, for a continuous monitoring of the apparatus notwithstanding its elevated location relative to the wellhead.

Abstract: A convertible platen for use in a graphics plotter to allow its selective use as either a cut paper plotter or a roll paper plotter. The platen is formed from a specially designed aluminum extrusion and a pair is mounted with one on either side of the drum of a drum plotter between the drum and the supply/takeup rollers. The platens can be raised and held adjacent the drum and spanning the vacuum columns in the plotter to create a table having curved outer edges to support cut paper. They can be released and dropped into the vacuum columns whereby they lie against the outer surfaces and form the upper inner wall with curved upper edges over which paper smoothly is guided between the vacuum columns and the supply/takeup rollers.

Abstract: A tape deck, which incorporates a non-contacting take-up reel rotation sensing means and associated sensing circuit for enabling the capstan and take-up reel drive mechanism. A magnetic field sensor is positioned across an air gap from a take-up reel mounted magnet to sense the pulsating magnetic field and control operation of the sensing circuit. A magnetic field interrupting means is caused to assume a non-interrupting position when the take-up reel is rotated in its proper direction and to assume a magnetic field interrupting position between the magnetic and the magnetic field sensor when the take-up reel and magnet are caused to be rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A cable feeding and brake device for use in controllably lowering hanging cable with the aid of gravity through passage means between floors of a high-rise building wherein the device includes a housing supported by legs, the housing carrying a plurality of rollers defining a guideway for the cable between rollers disposed on opposite sides of the cable passing through the guideway, a manually rotatable hand wheel positively turns a pair of the rollers through a chain drive and a manual adjustment urges a roller on the opposite side of the cable between the spaced driven rollers to deflect the cable thereby providing a holding resistance against downward pulling of the cable through the housing guideway. The device is also provided with a manually operated brake which positively clamps and holds the cable in a desired fixed position.

Abstract: Cabinet useable for dispensing any tear-off length of a variety of rolled sheet material ranging from paper towels or toilet tissue to bandages or wrapping material. Following each selected withdrawal/severance from outlet mouth, sheet advance mechanism comprising gear driven contact roller is manually activated by reciprocation of thrust-inserted row of rack teeth so as to effect advance of fresh leading edge of sheet between it and supporting free roller. Latter includes fixed tangential fingers to insure non-clinging of sheet to free roller.

Abstract: Planetary wire-feeding device having a housing containing rollers which freely rotate about axles arranged at an angle to each other and crossing the electrode wire being fed by the mechanism. In one embodiment disclosed herein the housing is of spherical form and is made of two identical hemispherical parts interconnected by means of connecting means which are placed in tension. Two opposite coaxial holes the geometrical axis of which lies at the contact plane between the two hemispherical parts of the housing are formed in the hemispheres. The unit for thrusting the opposed rollers toward each other and into engagement with the wire is formed as a support seat formed in each hemispherical part of the housing, the seats being parallel to the contact plane between such hemispherical parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding at a high speed a tape having a series of the same patterns and check marks printed thereon. The tape is to be divided into sections each bearing one printed pattern. The feeding apparatus comprises a pair of first and second cylindrical drums rotatable in tangential contact so as to pull the tape out of its roll by frictionally driving the tape therebetween. The first drum is mounted for free rotation on a first drive shaft and has a circumference slightly longer than the predetermined design length of one section cut from the tape. The second drum is mounted for free rotation on a second drive shaft and has a circumference slightly shorter than the predetermined length of one section. An electromagnetic clutch is provided between the first drum and the first drive shaft while a unidirectional clutch is provided between the second drum and the second drive shaft.

Abstract: A bi-directional film transport device includes an upper and lower plate member having a separation gap between a first and second pair of drive rollers, the bytes of which are positioned adjacent the gap. A single drive motor is rigidly rotationally coupled to drive the first and second pair of drive rollers and the plate members function to eliminate the tendency of the film to buckle, which in turn maintains the film in the proper plane of focus. As a result of this simple arrangement, complex clutch mechanisms which are otherwise employed to maintain tension during bi-directional operation have been eliminated. Side walls coupled between the plates parallel to the path of film travel prevent skewing of the film driven by the short low inertia high speed drive rollers.

Abstract: To prevent external acceleration or deceleration forces from affecting the linear speed of a tape of a tape transport mechanism, counter-rotating masses are formed by the counter or pressure roller (13) engaging the tape and pressing the tape against the capstan (4'), the respective moments of inertia about the respective axes of rotation, and the respective radii being selected in accordance with the relationship ##EQU1## wherein j.sub.1 is the moment of inertia of the drive system about the axis of rotation of the drive capstan (4');r.sub.1 is the radius of the drive capstan (4');j.sub.2 is the moment of inertia of the counter or pressure roller (13) about its axis of rotation (14); andr.sub.2 is the radius of the counter or pressure roller (13).

Abstract: A device for laminating a piece of adhesive coated laminating tape onto a section of lettered tape comprising a housing having a first roller rotatably mounted between the side walls of the housing, a second roller rotatably mounted between the side walls of the housing, a supply of adhesive coated tape rotatably mounted within the housing and rearwardly of the first and second rollers, a guide for guiding a section of the lettered tape toward the laminating station and a cut-off edge for severing the adhesive coated tape.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding pieces of lumber along a path with the center lines of the pieces extending along a preselected datum plane in the direction of the path. A plurality of spaced apart, upper and lower transverse members are mounted for rotation about horizontal axes at opposite sides of the datum plane with the lower side of each upper transverse member and the upper side of each lower transverse member traveling in the direction of the path of movement of the lumber to provide oppositely disposed transverse members at opposite sides of the datum plane. Outwardly projecting lumber engaging members carried by the oppositely disposed transverse members are yieldably urged toward the adjacent sides of the pieces of lumber therebetween with substantially equal force to maintain the center line of the pieces of lumber along the preselected datum plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for the insertion, guiding, and transportation of recording material of different widths out of a storage cassette in a phototypesetting machine. In a transport roller pair, the drive roller forms a stationary air slot with the opposing roller greater than the thickest material for facilitating the insertion of the material. The roller pair is arranged at an angular position deviating from the transport direction of the material so that the material is guided with one side against a guide stop.

Abstract: To provide for positive guidance of magnetic tape, particularly for video tape recording (VTR) apparatus, in which the tape can move in either direction of rotation, tape is guided tangentially over a capstan (14) and pressed thereagainst by a pressure roller (15) which is so positioned that a line connecting the axes of the capstan (14) and the pressure roller is perpendicular to the tangential engagement of the tape (2) with the capstan (14); the pressure roller (15) is supported in this position by a support or counter roller (18) located adjacent the pressure roller in at least part-surface contact therewith, preferably at the edge zones where magnetic tape does not contact the pressure roller, and in a line parallel to the tangential engagement of the tape, resilient spring force means (114, 114'; 118, 118') being provided to press the pressure roller against the capstan and against the counter or support roller, tangential engagement of the tape permitting operation of the transport arrangement in eithe

Abstract: An ink ribbon cartridge for a printer drives an endless loop of ribbon by passing the ribbon between a feed roller having teeth of one pitch and a pinch roller having teeth of another pitch.

Abstract: A planet guide roller welding wire feeding arrangement having at least two planet guide rollers rotatably mounted on a bearing part with the axes of rotation thereof defining an angle with the welding wire axis and are arranged radially outwardly from the welding wire axis. The bearing part encircles the welding wire and is supported for rotation with respect to the welding wire. The bearing part consists of a cylindrical sleeve having a slotted wall structure so that at least two parts thereof are movable toward and away from each other. The guide rollers are rotatably mounted on these two movable parts so that the guide rollers can be adjustably moved toward and away from each other. Structure is provided for facilitating the adjusting of the guide rollers toward and away from each other, which structure is responsive to a relative axial movement between a gripping member encircling the bearing part and selectively fixedly secured thereto.

Abstract: A cassette tape player (11) has an integral combined tape guide and stripper (32) which is mounted adjacent to a capstan shaft (26) and has an end portion (52) that extends beyond a free upstanding end (38) of the capstan shaft and effectively forms a guide plane for insuring that when a cassette housing (12) containing a tape (15) is inserted into the tape player, the tape will be positioned between the capstan shaft and a pressure roller (29) which is selectively, linearly movable toward and away from the capstan shaft. The tape guide and stripper is fixed to the tape player frame (19) and includes stripper portion (54, 55) which partially surround the section (39) of the capstan shaft that will contact an inserted tape, but still permit selective engagement with the movable pressure roller such that the tape will be pressed between the capstan and pressure roller while the stripper portions prevent the tape from being wrapped around the capstan shaft.

Abstract: A fuser roll apparatus in a toner fixing station associated with an electrophotographic or xerographic device for fixing a toner image onto a copy sheet by the application of heat and pressure. The fusing apparatus includes a heated fuser roll and a pair of smaller, spaced backup rolls, each of the backup rolls having a peripheral surface covering of a different elastic modulus from the other. The backup rolls are arranged so as to cooperate with the heated fuser roll to define two fusing nips through which a copy sheet sequentially passes. The downstream roll has the harder peripheral surface covering. As the copy sheet passes through the two nip areas in succession, the downstream backup roll tends to pull against the upstream backup roll. Thus, the copy sheet is tensioned as it passes over the portion of the surface of the heated fuser roll between the two backup rolls.

Abstract: A pinch roller of a portable video tape recorder is urged against a capstan shaft by a rotatable arm rotated by an eccentric cam. The arm is provided with a pin spring biased against side surface of the eccentric cam. After a portion of side surface of the eccentric cam most remote from an axis of rotation of the cam has passed by the pin, the rotation of the eccentric cap is stopped thereby to prevent the pinch roller from disengaging the capstan shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning apparatus for continuous, abrasive belts of essentially any dimension, which apparatus has a base having elongated belt supporting mandrel means mounted thereon, and belt drive roll means rotatably mounted on the base and having its rotational axis substantially parallel to the axis of the mandrel means, and wherein a first portion of the periphery of the mandrel means is movable substantially parallelly into close juxtaposition to the periphery of the drive roll means upon angular movement of the mandrel means relative to the drive roll means in order to provide for easy loading and unloading of the belts while providing positive belt driving force.

Abstract: A strip 20 has a drive margin 36 and a latent image of a pattern in a light sensitive coating 73 of a pattern portion 22 thereon. To avoid disturbing the pattern, the strip 20 is gripped by the drive margin 36 using a set 43 of pinch-drive rollers which drive the strip without disturbing the latent image. The strip 20 is driven through pattern development, cleaning and etching solution spray chambers 64, 66 and 108, respectively. One or more adjustable shields 78 are used to vary the time interval during which the strip 20 is sprayed by these solutions. By adjusting one or more shields 78 to suit changes in solution condition the time intervals for proper developing, cleaning and etching are coordinated for a speed at which the strip 20 is driven.

Abstract: A pressing roller is used in a sheet-advancing arrangement to press the advancing sheet material against a driven roller to control the friction between the driven roller and the sheet material and thereby reduce, if not entirely eliminate, any slippage between the driven roller and the sheet material. Two levers pivotally mount the pressing roller on a housing which, in turn, is detachably mounted on a support, the housing being extremely flat and bounding a chamber which has an open end. A diaphragm deflectably spans and sealingly closes the open end of the chamber and urges the pressing roller and thus the sheet material against the driven roller with a force proportionate to the pressure prevailing in the chamber of the housing. Each of two springs is connected to one of the levers and to the housing and moves the pressing roller away from the driven roller when the pressure in the chamber drops below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus includes a driving member which may be selectively positioned to advance a web from a reel or to rewind the web onto the reel. When positioned in the web advancing position, the driving member advances the web between the driving member and a pressure roller or other suitable pressure member to unwind the web from the reel. When moved to the web rewinding position, the driving member is coupled to and drives the reel to wind the web onto the reel. A flexible coupling provided between the driving member and a unidirectional drive motor permits the driving member to be selectively positioned by selector means to advance, rewind, and neutral positions. Through appropriate controls, the driving member may be deactivated when in the neutral position.

Abstract: A mechanism for displacing a pipe snake comprises a roller set of at least two opposite rollers adapted to roll against the pipe snake and being reversible such that they selectively advance or retract the pipe snake. Also provided is an eccentric drive which periodically imparts to the pipe snake longitudinal hammering movements in a direction opposite that in which the snake is being displaced to facilitate travel of the snake.

Abstract: A planetary device for feeding electrode wiring in welding operations is provided with a housing through which the wire is fed, the central portion of the housing being shaped as a flange with a hub, and the front side thereof being provided with seats housing pistons bearing radially adjustable wire-feeding rollers. The piston heads are in constant contact with the shorter arms of bow-type double-armed levers hingedly affixed to the flange portion of the hub and located perpendicularly to the axis of the electrode wire fed through the housing. The longer arms of the levers contact the surfaces of a cam supported in the hub of the housing for rotation with respect thereto. A torque spring in the form of an Archimedes spiral, disposed between the flange of the housing and the cam, and having its respective inner and outer ends affixed to such members, constantly urges the cam with respect to the housing in such direction as to urge the rollers inwardly into engagement with the electrode wire.

Abstract: Each of a pair of belts for conveying a photographing film therebetween comprises an insulating layer and at least one electrically conductive layer whose surface resistivity is less than 10.sup.9 ohms.

Abstract: The flexible hose of an industrial scale vacuum cleaning apparatus is wound upon and unwound from a drum by a reversible motor which drives four rollers tangentially engaging the hose at a point between the drum and the vacuum intake. The rollers preferably comprise small pneumatic tires inflated to a low pressure and the motor control means are located on the operator's handle connected to the vacuum intake head.

Abstract: Tubular wire comprising a calcium-containing solidified core in a thin steel sheath is fed between successive sets of resiliently-engaging pinch and feed rollers having aligned V-shaped indented peripheries. A wide range of wire diameters from about 3 to 8 mm are accommodated between a feed roller having an indented relatively sharp obtuse angle of about 120.degree. and a pinch roller having an indented relatively shallow obtuse angle of about 150.degree.. The peripheral walls of the feed rollers have staggered serrations for gripping the wire and a grooved channel between them for removing debris. The pinch rollers of a pair of successive sets are positioned slightly outboard of the feed rollers to keep the wire straight. Simultaneous feeding of two or more wires is provided through a plurality of sets having a common axis of rotation for the feed rollers.

Abstract: A rotary drive device for effecting, for example, displacement of a printing roller towards or away from a pressure roller in a printing press, is formed by a direct current or alternating current high speed motor coupled mechanically to a permanent magnet low speed motor. Fast movement is effected with the permanent magnet motor being pulled by the high speed motor, while slow movement with rapid braking is effected, at high torque, with the permanent magnet motor excited and pulling the other motor, to bring the printing roller gently into contact with the pressure roller.

Abstract: An arrangement for the processing of a moving material web, in particular for the creasing or punching of an extruded material web made of plastics. In the manufacture of such material webs a number of operational steps take place directly in conjunction with the manufacture of the web itself, and the fact that for reasons of quality as well as of manufacturing technique the extrusion process cannot be interrupted makes it necessary to attend to any changes in the crease pattern etc. during operation. The arrangement in accordance with the invention makes this possible, in that the material web can be brought into contact optionally with different pairs of processing rollers with the help of a pair of counter-rollers supported in a swivelling cradle, any pair of unused rollers being freely exchangeable against a pair of rollers with a different creasing pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving and storing an elongated flexible element such as an electrical cord, garden hose, air hose, vacuum hose, rope, or the like. The elongated flexible element has a first end for attachment to a service and a second end for attachment to an article to be coupled through the elongated member to the service. The apparatus includes first and second wheels, a framework for supporting the wheels in a use orientation, with peripheral surfaces of the wheels in closely spaced-apart relation. The supporting framework supports the wheels for rotation about their respective axes, the axes extending generally parallel to one another. The space between the wheel peripheries is sufficiently small when the wheels are in the use orientation that the wheel peripheries bear frictionally upon the surfaces of the flexible element to move the flexible element therebetween as the wheels are turned. One of the wheels is turned to retrieve the flexible element.

Abstract: Each corrugating roll on a single facer machine is separately driven at substantially the same speed without the corrugating rolls being geared directly together and without transmitting driving torque through mating flutes on the rolls whereby the rolls may corrugate a web passing therebetween with minimal tension of the web.

Abstract: A system for mounting a motor driving a motor capstan includes a single flexible metal sheet which includes four bends along four spaced parallel flexure lines. The four flexure lines divide the sheet into five sections, including first and second end sections, first and second leg sections adjacent to the first and second end sections, respectively, and a motor support section disposed between the first and second leg sections. The first and second end sections are attached to a rigid support surface. The first and second leg sections have flanges to provide structural strength. The first and second leg sections are oriented at downward angles from the rigidly mounted surface. The motor support section is approximately parallel to the rigid mounting surface and includes an opening therein for accommodating the motor.

Abstract: Method of producing a group of wires, W.sub.1, W.sub.2, W.sub.3 . . . W.sub.n, which have predetermined lengths L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 . . . L.sub.n respectively comprises the steps of guiding the wires from substantially endless sources of wire and locating the leading ends of the wires on a feed roll in parallel side-by-side relationship with each wire disposed between the feed roll and a separate associated pressure roll. The pressure rolls are normally spaced from the feed roll so that they are in a non-feeding position but they can be selectively moved towards the feed roll into a feeding position. The feed roll is started during each of a plurality of wire feeding cycles and during each cycle, at least one of the wires is fed by selectively moving the associated feed roll to its feeding position.

Abstract: A pressure roller is generally disposed between the yarn discharge portion of a spinning unit and a yarn oscillating device of a winding unit in a spinning unit. The pressure roller is in contact with a drive roller to form a nip therebetween and is formed with a notch provided in one end edge of the pressure roller to transport the yarn into the nip. The notch intersects the end face of the pressure roller at boundary lines extending from the end edge thereof inwardly.

Abstract: In a magnetic tape drive arrangement having a tension-controlled loop, with the tension in the part of the magnetic tape upstream from the loop being maintained constant as far as possible by suitable means in a conventional manner, compensation of variations of the tension of the magnetic tape in the loop as the result of variations in the coefficients of friction of the magnetic heads due to changes in temperature and humidity, is provided by an element which frictionally engages the magnetic tape upstream from the closed loop, coefficient of friction and angle of contact of the element being selected in accordance with a specific relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus for the planetary feeding of electrode wire having means for adjusting the pushing force exerted on the electrode wire by electromagnetic means. Opposed canted rolls are mounted for rotation about their axes upon a first housing part which is rotatable about the axis of an elongated electrode wire which passes between and is fed by the canted rolls. A second housing part, which is disposed coaxially of the first housing part, bears means such as a cam or a cone which interacts with roll adjusting means mounted on the first housing part so as to adjust the force with which the canted rolls engage the electrode wire in accordance with relative motion between the two housing parts. The second housing part is driven for rotation about its axis.

Abstract: A planetary wire feeder for feeding wire workpieces such as welding wire for a MIG or TIG welding operation comprises two sets of rollers connected to rotate in unison about the axis of the wire and radially spaced from each other in a housing. Roller holders have an axially tapered outer surface and are axially movable within the housing. Stationary gibs mounted within the housing with complementary tapered surfaces adjust the spacing between the roller holders at different axial positions of the roller holders within the housing. A nipple is provided on one roller holder tapered outer surface to equalize the pressure of each set of rollers on the wire.

Abstract: An automatic stop or change-over mechanism for tape recorder or other article moving apparatus. After the article has stopped at the sensing location the drive means can be switched off or changed over automatically by movement of a zero member which is part of a differential mechanism having a unidirectional slip coupling. The slip coupling only transmits a force to the zero member after the article has stopped.

Abstract: A planetary wheel advance for a meltable welding cable includes planetary wheels clampable against the cable by a pressure arrangement with their axes being at an angle to the cable axis, with the wheels attached to one end of a two armed wheel holder lever hinged to a motor operated rotating support and movable by the pressure arrangement, and the pressure arrangement having a spring which reacts against the support and which exerts a definite force on the other lever arm to effect the clamping pressure.

Abstract: A body is provided defining an elongated handgrip and an elongated support projecting angularly outwardly of one end portion of the handgrip. A motor is carried by the body and a pair of generally parallel peripherally engaged side-by-side rollers are journaled from the end of the support remote from the handgrip for rotation about axes extending transversely of the support and disposed on opposite sides of a plane extending longitudinally of the support. The end of the handgrip remote from the support rotatably mounts a spool of ribbon therefrom and the handgrip includes guide structure for guiding a ribbon being unwound from the spool along the handgrip and, at the end of the handgrip remote from the spool, toward the rollers.

Abstract: A tape cartridge is formed with a rotatable tape transport roller having a cylindrical exterior surface and a central bore into which protrudes a node from each inner sidewall of the cartridge to serve as trunnion axes for supporting the roller therein. In a preferred embodiment, the trunnion axes have an inward slant away from the central bore of the roller so that axial movement of the roller will produce a canting thereof to compensate for misalignment between the cartridge and components of a record/reproduce player in which the cartridge may be inserted.

Abstract: A planetary electrode-wire feeding device in which the calibrated pushing force exerted on the electrode wire by a pair of feed rollers is automatically adjusted. This automatic adjustment is effected by a cam which is drivingly connected to a drive motor. A housing is operatively drivingly connected to the cam for rotation via a pair of double-armed levers. The housing has a pair of radial bores in which a pair of pistons are respectively reciprocally mounted. Upon a predetermined rotation of the cam, one arm of the double-armed levers is pivoted outwardly and the other inwardly, thereby the pistons are pushed inwardly by the double-armed levers and, due to a wedging action between the levers and the housing, the latter begins to rotate and the electrode wire is pushed forwardly by feed rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding strip stock into a machine, such as a press, in which opposed feed rolls are closed on the strip stock for frictionally engaging the strip stock and one thereof is accelerated from a stopped position and is then decelerated back to a stopped position for a feed cycle with a control system provided for determining the precise point during a feed cycle to initiate deceleration of the feed roll. At the end of a feed cycle, the feed rolls are again separated.

Abstract: Solenoid has a coil which when energized moves a plunger inwardly through an opening in the housing against an external biasing spring which moves the plunger outwardly when the coil is deenergized. The front end wall of the housing has a plurality of bores disposed radially to the axis of movement of the plunger, each having a ferrous guide sleeve with an open end adjacent the plunger and a loose magnetic steel ball which is freely movable therein toward the plunger when the coil is energized. The plunger has an external groove within which the balls are seated when the plunger is in a fully retracted position. This enables the balls to extend from the open inner ends of the guide sleeves into latching positions holding the solenoid against outward movement. A much smaller electric power input is required in the coil to hold the balls in latched position, and therefore hold the plunger in retracted position, than is required to move the plunger to that position in the first place.

Abstract: A drive feed roller assembly for advancing a consumable filler wire to a nozzle, or the like, in a welding apparatus. The drive roller assembly includes a plurality of individual roller segments or wafers mounted axially on a rotatable drive shaft generally concentric with the axis of rotation thereof for rotation therewith. Each roller segment has a generally concentric peripheral groove for engaging and advancing the consumable filler wire to the nozzle. Each roller segment is removable from the drive shaft for selectively interchanging the roller segments in different side-by-side arrangements axially on the drive shaft to permit placement of any one of the roller segments in position for engaging the filler wire. A clamp is provided for holding the roller segments axially on the drive shaft in any side-by-side arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the rapid engagement and disengagement of a passive roll with a drive roll. The apparatus comprises a locking lever mechanism which positions a self-aligning roll-holding yoke assembly in a manner such as to form a precise nip line between the passive roll and drive roll.

Abstract: High speed wire feeding means comprises a wire feed roll and a pressure roll, the wire feed roll being driven by a printed circuit motor under the influence of control means which maintains a high and constant level of acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the feeding cycle. One embodiment has a single driven feed roll and a plurality of side-by-side pressure rolls for feeding a plurality of wires. This apparatus is capable of producing a bundle of wires having varying lengths in a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: An improved insert for a roller entry guide box for use with steel mills and in particular steel rod mills is disclosed wherein a replaceable machined guide insert is provided to guide stock into the working mill rolls, insuring accurate centering of the same, whereby the insert can be readily changed when it becomes worn so as to insure continued accuracy and precision with a minimum of cost. The insert is a cylindrical member which is insertable into the guide box cavity adjacent the discharge end thereof and cooperates with a static guide member to form a continuous channel for reception of the stock. The insert has a funnel-shaped interior bore which serves to guide the stock onto the desired center line so that it passes along a center line between the guide rolls, which then feed the stock into the working rolls. Unique adjustment means are also provided to control the spacing of the guide rolls relatively of the center line.