Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a band-shaped recording medium in an electrographic printing or copying device, includes a drive cylinder, a pressure cylinder mounted displaceably relative to the drive cylinder, and a pressure spring effecting a contact pressure of the pressure cylinder on the drive cylinder, wherein the recording medium is transported between the drive cylinder and the pressure cylinder by friction, and the drive cylinder adjoins the recording medium with a contact surface, and wherein the force effect of pressure spring is divided into a first, radial force component acting perpendicularly to the contact surface and a second force component received by a guide face guiding the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: A tabber apparatus includes a frame, a removable shaft for guiding a media through the tabber apparatus and a retaining member. The frame includes at least one opening formed therein. The removable shaft includes an end received in the opening of the frame. The retaining member includes a body portion and first and second arm portions. The first arm portion is rotatably attached to the frame. The second arm portion is rotatable about the first arm portion and is biased to allow contact of the body portion against the shaft to retain the shaft in the opening.

Abstract: This cable conveying unit serves for the precise feeding of a given length of a cable into a cable processing station between at least two conveying rollers or bands driven in counterrotation and capable of being placed against the outside of such a cable.For this purpose the two conveying rollers or bands disposed on either side of the cable passing through and each associated with a drive unit are driven, mechanically separated from one another in terms of drive, by a respective speed-controlled electric motor.

Abstract: A dispenser for strand materials, such as solder, is provided. Also provided is a method for dispensing strand materials using the dispenser. The dispenser is hand-held, and includes a gear, which ratchetably rotates to selectively advance the strand material through the dispenser. The gear also creates indentations on the strand material, providing gauged lengths of strand material. The dispenser can be adapted to be refillable with standard size spools of solder, or can be adapted to feed solder from an external spool.

Abstract: A document feed array comprising a pinch-roll mounted to rotate about its center to engage documents, being mounted on a cantilever-arm pivoted at a point distal from the roll-center and including an elastomeric sleeve which, alone, couples the arm to its pivot point (in operation), the sleeve comprising high-damping, durable elastomeric material adapted to accommodate thickness anomalies in the documents, yet to maximize driving contact therewith.

Abstract: A transport roller assembly for moving film along a film transport path between a pair of rigid plates in an imaging system. The rollers are preassembled in the bearing block assemblies and the assemblies are installed in the system by sliding them into receiving slots in the plates. The roller surface and the bearing block assembly are constructed from static dissipating materials to remove static from the surface of the film as it is transported.

Abstract: A driver for rolled strip includes a first roll which is mounted so as to be essentially stationary and a second roll which is adjustable relative to the first roll. The second roll is supported in a swivel frame which is adjustable by a pressure medium cylinder. The swivel frame is composed of two oppositely located links which are connected in the area of their common swivelling axis by a base which is supported on both sides thereof in the driver frame. The links can be adjusted by pressure medium cylinders which can be actuated separately and the base connecting the links is constructed as a torsion spring.

Abstract: Press rollers for being pressed respectively against wires are provided on an upper side of the wires while length-measuring rollers for respectively contacting the wires are provided on a lower side of the wires. A number of revolutions of each length-measuring roller is detected by an encoder, and an amount of actual feed of each wire is detected in accordance with its revolution number, and a pulse signal, representing its detection value, is sent to a comparison processing portion of a controller. In this comparison processing portion, the amount of actual feed of each wire, detected by the encoder, is compared with a predetermined feed amount of a feed roller beforehand given as an instruction to the processing portion, and if there is any difference between the two, an instruction is given to a servo amplifier, and the servo amplifier sends an instruction to a servo motor for driving the feed roller so as to rotate the servo motor in a normal or a reverse direction in accordance with this difference.

Abstract: An electric motor driven roll feed system for intermittently advancing stock into the work station of a punch press. The roll feed system is designed so that its main rotating elements have greatly reduced rotational inertia. A low inertia overall roll arrangement is characterized by two relatively small diameter cooperating feed rolls that are respectively radially supported by a plurality of light back up rollers that peripherally engage these small feed rolls at locations spaced along the operative lengths of such feed rolls. The spaced rollers thus allow the applied operational stock gripping, feeding and braking forces to be distributed over several support locations along the operative axial length of each feed roll.

Abstract: An electrical wire length measuring apparatus is capable of minimizing any error of the wire feed amount of respective wire per each measurement cycle and can realize more accurate length measurement of the wires. The measuring apparatus includes a plurality of wire length measuring roller assemblies that are arranged in parallel arrangement to each other, but extend perpendicular to the wire feed direction. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies feed a single wire independent of each other. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies are driven by a corresponding toothed belt which in turn is driven by an associated motor. The arrangement of the motors permits the wire measuring roller assemblies to be positioned nearer the outlet end of the apparatus to minimize feeding error.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a press feed apparatus for use in feeding stock material to a high speed automatic press. The feed roller is driven by a servo motor integral with the shaft of the roller, the feed roller release mechanism is infinitely adjustable, and a feedback system is used to accurately determine the position of various shafts. The apparatus is controlled electronically, by a microprocessor or the like, which permits the press feed to be electronically geared to the press and accurately operate at high speeds.

Abstract: A pinch roller driving device including a vertical moving member which has a holder for moving a pinch roller upward and downward, and an arm formed integrally with the holder for attaching the pinch roller. The pinch roller driving device is composed of the vertical moving member having such an improved structure including: a rotating member for moving the vertical moving member upward and downward, and a horizontal moving member for moving the vertical moving member toward a capstan shaft. According to this invention, it is possible to precisely maintain the squareness that has an effect on the stable transfer of the video tape, and to avoid the tape damage and noise occurrence during video recording and reproducing.

Abstract: A paper delivery device in which paper is delivered, being put between pinch rollers and a delivery roller. Such paper delivery device is comprised of a lever that is operated to pivot to at least a first position, a second position and a third position; a locking device locking a pinch roller unit, which supports the pinch rollers, at a predetermined locked position; a pressing force changing device for changing the pressing force of the pinch rollers applied to the delivery roller to the high level or low level, by pivoting the switching means between the first position and the second position; and an unlocking device for unlocking the pinch roller unit locked by the locking device when the lever is operated to pivot from the second position to the third position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for feeding consumable welding electrode wire from a supply reel to a welding gun and comprises pairs of drive roll and drive gear assemblies associated with a wire guide plate assembly for feeding the wire along a linear path through the apparatus. The drive rolls are removably mounted on corresponding support shaft structures by a split snap ring component. The guide plate assembly comprises a guide plate having a guide slot milled therein and a cover plate overlying the slot to provide a wire guide passageway through the apparatus which is constantly linear and aligned with the wire drive rolls.

Abstract: A manual welding wire feed apparatus having a holder (2) shaped to fit the hand as would a pencil. A finger wheel (16) with two O-rings (18) operates by the tip of the index finger. The finger wheel rolls against an idler wheel (4) biased together by an outer elastic band (32).

Abstract: Two rollers (1 & 2) rotate in opposite directions. One roller is stationary and the other travels toward and away from it along a bed. One roller (1) has a journal (5) at one end and the other roller a journal (6) at the same end. A transmission (7) is mounted over the first journal and another transmission (8) over the second journal. Two pairs of torque supports are fastened to the transmission housings. The torque supports (9 & 12) fastened to the housing of the transmission associated with the first roller are connected by a tierod (17) at two points (13 & 15). The torque supports (10 & 11) fastened to the housing of the transmission associated with the second roller are connected by a tierod (18) at two other points (14 & 16). All the points of articulation are on one side of a midplane (19) extending through the longitudinal axes of the rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding one or more fiber threads, e.g., of glass, at an adjustable feeding rate. At least two synchronously driven feed rollers forming at least one nip for the fiber thread and consisting of a first motor driven roller and a second co-rotating roller. The motor driven roller and/or the co-rotating roller are/is provided with one or more, each in its respective peripheral slot in the cylindrical mantle surface of the roller housed O-ring of an elastic incompressible material, e.g., rubber. The O-ring bears on the peripheral surface of the adjacent roller to transmit the rotary motion by means of friction.

Abstract: A roll type stock feed apparatus having a lower feed roll rotatably supported on a frame and cross-shaft rotatably mounted on the frame parallel to the lower feed roll, and a motor for driving the lower feed roll and the cross-shaft in timed relation. First and second upper roll carriers are mounted for independent vertical pivotal movement on the cross-shaft, and first and second upper feed rolls are rotatably mounted on the upper roll carriers for movement therewith and are drivingly connected to the cross-shaft for rotation by the cross-shaft in timed relation with the lower feed roll. The first and second feed rolls are independently driven from the cross-shaft by first and second upper roll gears respectively non-rotatably connected to the first and second upper feed rolls and first and second upper roll drive gears non-rotatably mounted on the cross-shaft and respectively meshing with the first and second upper roll gears.

Abstract: One end of both pinch roller shafts of a pair of pinch rollers is arranged at the first bearing member, and at the second bearing member the other end is arranged. The first and second bearing members are supported rotatably around a supporting shaft provided in a holder. Hence, the capstan roller can remain tightly in contact with the pinch roller, and the film can be prevented from sliding on the capstan, so that the film can be transported accurately.

Abstract: Web feed apparatus, for example in web printing and folding apparatus, has a pair of opposing rollers, one (28) on a fixed axis and one (22) laterally movable to define an adjustable nip gap between their peripheries. The gap is automatically set and adjusted by a setting screw (4) driven by a servo motor (60) with rotation of the screw monitors by a potentiometer sensor (64). A stop collar (52) on the screw limits axial displacement thereof to determine the set nip gap and a spring (50) urges the rollers towards each other but permits displacement under overload conditions. A rectilinear sensor (54) senses said conditions by monitoring relative displacement of the stop collar and a programmable control system processes signals from the sensors and operates the servo motor accordingly.

Abstract: A press feed apparatus for use in feeding stock material to a high speed automatic press. The feed roller is driven by a servo motor integral with the shaft of the roller, the feed roller release mechanism is infinitely adjustable, and a feedback system is used to accurately determine the position of various shafts. The apparatus is controlled electronically, by a microprocessor or the like, which permits the press feed to be electronically geared to the press and accurately operate at high speeds.

Abstract: Improved transport apparatus for auxiliary scanning, which is to be used with an image recording system in which exposing light sources issuing optical beams to be deflected in the main scanning direction are used to scan and expose a web of light-sensitive material has an exposure drum that transports the web of light-sensitive material in a auxiliary scanning direction which is substantially perpendicular to the main scanning direction as it is held in a predetermined exposing position, as well as a first and a second nip roller that are spaced apart in the auxiliary scanning direction, with the exposing position lying in between, and which urge the web of light-sensitive material against the exposure drum, the first nip roller being located upstream the auxiliary scanning direction and provided with a uniform predetermined nip pressure at both end portions, and the second nip roller being located downstream the auxiliary scanning direction and provided at opposite end portions with nip pressures within a p

Abstract: A device for inserting or threading and drawing a leader spring in conduits for electric wiring systems includes a housing closable by a lid and accommodating at least one driven roller for cooperation with a counterpressure roller accommodated in the lid. The driven roller and the counterpressure roller cooperate with each other in such a manner that the leader spring is retained and guided therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously self aligning a first surface with a second roller has an adjustable support member for the first surface which produces movements of the first roller that corresponds to movements of the second roller. The adjustable support member supporting the first roller uses a plurality of bearings, preferably thrust bearings, arranged on the frame supporting the first roller which alignable controls the movements of the first roller in contact with the second roller.

Abstract: The axial length of a center roller (subroller) (30) is made shorter than the axial length of a main roller (28), and the center roller (30) is placed so that an axis of the center roller (30) is parallel to an axis of the main roller (28) in a base position and so that a nipping pressure is generated in the center position in the axial direction of the main roller (28). A film (sheet) (20) is thereby subjected to a tension in the center portion thereof due to the pulling force of the center roller (30), and the feeding amounts of the film (20) at the left and right portions therefore vary relative to each other. The film (20) thus displaces in the axial direction of the main roller (28) around the center roller (30).

Abstract: An improved tuck roll apparatus includes a drive roll, backup roll and tuck roll driven by clutch for tensioning and driving a pouch web without slippage on said rolls and for feeding the web to a filler wheel of a pouch filling machine. The tuck roll apparatus drives and tensions the web directly from the vertical sealer and upstream web supply of a pouch forming, filling and sealing machine without requiring any other web drive between the sealer and the filler wheel. All drive slippage is accommodated in the clutch driving the rolls, and not by slippage between the web and the rolls.

Abstract: At least two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2') interact for the gripping of a cable (1) to be transported. The axes of rotation (3, 3') of the transporting and take-off rollers are each rotatably arranged on a cantilever arm (7, 7') capable of swivelling together about a second turning axis (6) arranged on a turning platform (10) and running perpendicular to the former axis and parallel to a common straight line (5) connecting the said two rollers (2, 2'). At least one of the two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2') is arranged laterally adjustable in relation to its distance (a) from the second transporting and take-off roller (7). Further, first drive devices (25) connected so that they can swivel together with the turning platform (10), are provided for driving the two transporting and take-off rollers (2, 2').

Abstract: Device to compensate the elongation of two or more wire rods or round bars on machines fed with two metallic wire rods or round bars of iron or alloys thereof of a type for building work, the machines being, for instance, bending/shaping machines, the device comprising a pair of opposed rolls (12), namely an upper roll (12a) and a lower roll (12b) respectively, the rolls (12) defining between them respective inner (17a) and outer (17b) passes (17), with which the wire rods passing through cooperate, at least one (12a) of those rolls (12) being able to move substantially parallel to itself on a plane containing the axes of the rolls (12), the rolls (12a-12b) having respective shafts (15a-15b) each of which is fitted to a relative support (13), namely to respective upper (13a) and lower (13b) supports, the other roll (12b) being able to move in a controlled rocking manner on the plane containing the axes of the rolls (12) and being adjusted by a bottom positioning screw and a return spring (22).

Abstract: A document feed array comprising a pinch-roll mounted to rotate about its center to engaged documents, being mounted on a cantilever-arm pivoted at a point distal from said roll-center and including an elastomeric sleeve which, alone, couples the arm to its pivot point (in operation), the sleeve comprising high-damping, durable elastomeric material adapted to accommodate thickness anomalies in said documents, yet to maximize driving contact therewith.

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism having a guide member provided on a pinch roller unit to prevent a cam follower provided on the pinch roller unit from coming off a cam groove, and capable of smoothly moving the pinch roller unit. A sliding face provided on the pinch roller unit moves sliding along the rim of a cam to impart rotating force to the pinch roller unit so that the pinch roller moves away from a capstan shaft, and therefore the pinch roller can be moved completely away from the capstan shaft.

Abstract: A document transport array, including pinch roll, which accommodates varied inter-document gaps, and varied-thickness documents, pinch roll including a moveable roll mounted on a yoke Which is spring-mounted by a spring flexure to allow this roll to be resiliently thrust away from the document path, this yoke means also including a resilient-pad absorber suspended therefrom and adapted to absorb energy and minimize motion developed normal to this path, thus enabling the moveable pinch roll to better maintain contact with a transported document.

Abstract: A carriage support system for a computer driven printer/plotter employs a slider rod and a slider bar mounted parallel to each other on a printer chassis wherein the bar supports the front side of a printer carriage and the rod supports the rear side of the carriage thus eliminating expensive centerless ground carriage support rods. The slider bar also has a plurality of dual edge paper pinch wheels supported thereon which are biased into engagement with the paper or other medium on which printing takes place by a plurality of springs integrally formed from a single member affixed to the slider bar.

Abstract: A fuser apparatus for heat fusing toner images to print substrate comprising an elongated fuser roll and an elongated pressure roll. The pressure roll is supported for pressure engagement with the fuser roll to form a nip therebetween adapted to receive substrates. An oil impregnated web material and an elongated pinch roll are provided. The pinch roll has an outer surface mounted against the web material to urge the web material into contact with the fuser roll to apply release material to the fuser roll. The outer surface includes a first portion having a diameter and a length, a second portion having a diameter and a length, and a third portion having a diameter and a length. The first portion diameter is greater than the second and third portion diameter. The first portion, second portion and third portion are spaced along the axis of the pinch roller. The second portion and third portion are located at opposite ends of the pinch roll.

Abstract: A tape transport apparatus configuration with a mounting portion, a single moving base, a motor, a pulley, and an urging mechanism. The mounting portion mounts a cartridge having an externally driven roller, and an information recording tape that runs in accordance with a rotational force of the roller. The moving base that has the motor is provided to the side of the roller, in the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion. The pulley is provided to the moving base and is rotationally driven in accordance with rotation of the motor. The urging mechanism acts on the moving base so that the pulley is brought into contact with the roller in the cartridge mounted to the mounting portion, and is pressed against the roller.

Abstract: A straight rod stock processor and method for use thereof which incorporates the employment of a rod stock loader to effect automatic shakeout of a piece of straight rod stock in pulling the same from a pre-load bundle of infeed stock and delivery to a set of secondary rod stock compression rollers interposed between the rod stock loader and a stirrup bender just forward of the stirrup bender head on the infeed side thereof so that essentially the entire length of an infed rod stock piece may be thereby positioned and controlled in delivery to the stirrup bender head for processing thus substantially reducing labor and waste and handling costs per ton which are otherwise normally associated with the processing of straight rod stock lengths through a stirrup bender.

Abstract: A pressure device for a pinch roller of a VCR, which includes a pinch lever connected to a function plate which is mounted on the lower portion of a main chassis to be enabled to make reciprocating movement, a pinch arm connected to pinch lever, whereby when the function plate moves the pinch lever to rotate and this rotation is directly transmitted to the pinch arm so that a pinch roller is pressed against a capstan shaft by a predetermined pressure. Therefore, the pressure device of the present invention is simple in structure, effectively improves the operation thereof and remarkably reduces size of the VCR having the pressure device.

Abstract: A tape driver for use in a tape recorder or similar devices which use a data cartridge provided with a drive roller. The tape driver including a motor unit laterally disposed relative to the data cartridge and an idler located between the motor unit and the drive roller on the data cartridge such that the motor unit rotates the drive roller through the idler. Alternatively, a pulley rotated by the laterally located motor unit is used to directly rotate the drive roller.

Abstract: Apparatus for longitudinally driving an elongate body (1) such as a rod or tube, comprises two opposed wheels (2) adapted to clamp the body (1) between them. The wheels (2) have an axis of rotation (3) lying substantially in a transverse plane of the elongate body (1). A drive (1) drives at least one of the wheels, wherein the wheels are adapted to transform the rotating movement of the wheels into a translating movement of the elongate body by means of friction. According to the invention the wheels (2) include a plurality of successive movably mounted intermediate pieces (12) circulating with the wheels and being supported by the wheels during the engagement with the body (1), the intermediate pieces (12) successively enabling the wheels (2) to engage the elongate body (1) a distance in longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A unitary housing contains a spring-biased return spool, with the spool including a predetermined length of intravenous feed conduit wound thereabout, with the feed conduit directed through a forward and rear wall of the housing and arranged to retract extraneous tubing within the housing. A modification of the invention includes guide roller structure mounted to the forward and rear walls of the housing to guide the tube and direct it therethrough, with the forward wall including a lock mechanism to position the tubing at a predetermined orientation when withdrawn relative to the housing.

Abstract: A printing medium feeding device for an image reproduction apparatus has a feed roller driveable in forward and reverse directions. A pinch roller is rotatably supported by a pivotable arm and rotatably supports a hook. The hook is effective when in an engaged position to hook onto a feed roller shaft so as to position the pinch roller and feed roller to sandwich therebetween a printing medium. The pinch roller is rotated by the rotation of the feed roller. An actuating plate carrying a one-way transmission is rotatable by the shaft of the pinch roller only when the feed roller is driven in the reverse direction. The actuating plate moves the hook to release the engagement with the feed roller shaft to release the pinching of the printing medium between the pinch roller and the feed roller at appropriate times, such as during printing.

Abstract: A gear mechanism provides for intermittent drive operation with precision stop location of angular position of one (driven) gear driven by another (drive) gear which is accomplished by increasing the precision of the distance maintained between the rotational centers of the gears so that a stabilized and precision amount of gear engagement is provided between both gears resulting in a precise amount of rotation imparted to the driven gear per revolution of the drive gear. The precisions of the distant between the gear rotational centers is accomplished by engagement of circumferential surfaces of corresponding cylindrical portions on each gear or provided on associated gears in the gear train of the gear mechanism.

Abstract: A strap feed assembly has a drive wheel driven by a reversible electric motor to feed and tension a strap around an item and wherein a back-up wheel assembly imposes a tension force on the strap by use of multiple floating wheels which are arranged to spring bias and float with respect to a strap and apply a tension force thereto across an extended strap area to reduce pressure on the strap so as to prevent it from being bent or deformed whereby a consistent strap feed is maintained.

Abstract: A machine for feeding and cutting sheet material includes a housing and a framework pivoted on the housing to permit loading of sheet material into the machine. A feed roll is journalled in the housing. A cooperating pressure roll is journalled on the framework. A spring is adjustably carried on the framework for adjusting the pressure of the pressure roll toward the feed roll. A knife blade on the framework, and fixed to the framework cooperates with a movable knife blade in the housing for cutting predetermined lengths of sheet material. A cam follower bearing is provided in the housing to help guide movement of the knife blade in the housing. A spring adjustment is provided in the linkage connecting the cylinder driving the movable knife blade and the movable knife blade for varying the force of the movable knife blade against the cam roller bearing.

Abstract: A wire prefeeder has a tower standing on a base. A horizontal upper shaft is mounted fixedly to the upper end of the tower and a plurality of pulleys are on the shaft. A carriage is adapted to in the tower and another horizontal lower shaft which has a plurality of pulleys and is mounted to the carriage in parallelism with the upper shaft. A wire infeed device is driven with an electric motor. Wire feeds to a dancer pulley after which it is looped around the upper and lower pulleys in succession and departs tangentially from a pulley on its way to a wire processing machine which draws the wire. The carriage rises when there is an instantaneous increase in wire tension and an electric signal is produced whose magnitude corresponds to the amount of carriage movement. The motor responds to the signal by changing the motor and wire infeed speed to pay out wire at a rate which keeps the tension in the drawn wire constant. A new type of clamp is provided for coupling a wire reel to a shaft.

Abstract: A device for feeding small diameter wire having a diameter less than 0.04 mm (16 mil) to a welding station includes a driving wheel for controllably applying a non-deforming driving force to the wire to move the free end of the wire towards the welding station; and a tension device such as a torque motor for constantly applying a reverse force to the wire in opposition to the driving force to keep the wire taut.

Abstract: A ticket dispensing mechanism is disclosed having a housing, a worm and drive, an idler roller, and a drive roller that engages the worm. Rotating the worm rotates the drive roller to advance a strip of tickets placed between the drive roller and the idler roller. A sensor detects ticket movement and a control circuit controls the worm drive motor to rotate the worm until the appropriate number of tickets have been dispensed. A slotted mounting for the drive roller accommodates tickets of different thickness, and locks the tickets against unauthorized withdrawal.

Abstract: In the apparatus for drawing down knitted fabrics, a fixed position roller, a pressure roller and a drive for the rollers are located below mountainously opposed needle heads. The contact pressure between the rollers is controlled by a pivot mechanism including a cam driven by a motor and a spring connected to the cam and also connected to a pivot arm supporting the pressure roller. Rotation of the cam controls the spring force exerted on the pivot arm by the spring and thus controls movement of the pivot arm to lessen or increase contact pressure between the rollers.

Abstract: The line printer is provided with a pinch roller for feeding a spring medium sheet by capstan drive. The pinch roller is pressed by an integrated pressing mechanism comprised of a spring holder, a pressing spring member disposed in the holder and a bearing piece connected to the spring member in contact with the pinch roller. A pressing lever is shiftable between a pressing position effective to apply pressing force to the integrated mechanism and a release position effective to release the integrated pressing mechanism. The released pressing mechanism or unit is moved away from the pinch roller to free the same to leave a significant gap between the pinch roller and a capstan roller, thereby facilitating removal of a jammed print medium sheet. Further, the integrated pressing mechanism facilitates maintenance performance of the line printer.

Abstract: A guide apparatus for guiding a strip of material along a predetermined strip travel path and for centering the strip relative to the central axis of the travel path includes a pair of lever arms and a pair of strip engaging members spaced from one another and mounted on each of the lever arms. The lever arms are each supported for pivotal movement about a respective pivot axis centrally located between the rollers and are positioned relative to the strip travel path with the pivot axis of each lever arm extending in a direction perpendicular to a strip guiding surface and intersecting the central axis of the strip travel path. In addition, the lever arms are biased toward a pivoted position in which the strip engaging members mounted on the lever arms are adapted to engage a strip traveling along the strip travel path and center the strip relative to the central axis of the travel path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wire pistol comprising a wire feed mechanism including a wire feed pulley rotated by a DC motor and a counterpulley for biasing the wire into engagement with the feed pulley. It is an object of the invention to provide a wire pistol of this type in which, in contrast to prior-art wire pistols, no transmission shift operation or no transmission replacement is required over the entire adjustment range of wire feed rates. This object is attained according to the invention by the provision that the DC motor is adapted to have successive operating voltage pulses of variable pulse width and/or variable pulse frequency applied thereto for thus controlling the wire feed rate. This provision ensures that a sufficiently high torque for the wire feed operation is also available at very low wire feed rates, i.e. at low rotational speeds of the motor.