Abstract: A method including at least one phase of near-immobilization or immobilization of the line, including the following steps: activation of the motor of at least one upper tensioner and/or of at least one lower tensioner by a control unit, in order to apply to the movement member of the upper tensioner and/or of the lower tensioner, a holding torque to hold the line against its weight; at least occasional control by the control unit of at least one motor of an upper tensioner and/or of a lower tensioner for causing a movement member of the upper tensioner and/or lower tensioner to move or for changing the holding torque applied to the movement member of the upper tensioner and/or of the lower tensioner.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product monitor a wrap force during a wrap cycle to dynamically control the dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser to meet a desired containment force to be applied to a load. A conversion may be performed between wrap force and containment force for the monitored wrap force or a containment force parameter to facilitate the performance of a comparison between the monitored wrap force and a containment force parameter associated with the desired containment force to be applied to the load. A wrap force parameter may also be dynamically adjusted, and in some instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored wrap force, and may be used to meet a load containment force requirement for a load. In other instances, the dynamic adjustment may be responsive to monitored packaging material breaks to reduce the occurrence of packaging material breaks.

Abstract: A pipe tensioner for laying or recovering a subsea pipeline comprising at least two opposing continuous tracks able to hold the subsea pipeline, each track having a plurality of pads mounted on the continuous track for contacting the subsea pipeline, characterised in that at least one pad is a load pad comprising one or more load sensors for measuring loading on the load pad during handling of the subsea pipeline.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

Abstract: A tape lamination head for applying composite tape onto a mold or mandrel amid the formation of a composite workpiece. The tape lamination head is but one component of a larger tape lamination machine and assembly. Among its components, the tape lamination head includes a tape supply reel, a backing paper take-up reel, and a tape tension control system. The tape tension control system has a first dancer roller assembly located downstream of the tape supply reel and has a second dancer roller assembly located upstream of the backing paper take-up reel. The first dancer roller assembly can include a first roller, a first guide, a first actuator, a first lock, and a first position sensor. The second dancer roller assembly can include a second roller, a second guide, a second actuator, a second lock, and a second position sensor.

Abstract: A vessel for laying a pipeline includes a plurality of workstations disposed along a pipelaying path that includes an upstream portion away from a first end of the vessel and a plurality of ramps in the region of the first end of the vessel. The plurality of ramps includes a first ramp which is disposed along the pipelaying path, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end, and a second ramp which is disposed along the pipelaying path downstream of the first ramp, whose inclination is adjustable and which has a first upstream end and a second downstream end. The downstream end of the first ramp is positioned inboard of the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel and the upstream end of the second ramp is positioned inboard of the first end of the vessel and above the bottom of the vessel.

Abstract: A wire travelling device including a wire-feed-roller circumferential-speed calculation unit and a wire-collection roller circumferential-speed calculation unit that calculate each circumferential speed of the wire feed roller and the wire collection roller, a circumferential-speed-difference holding unit that calculates a difference between the circumferential speed of the wire feed roller and the circumferential speed of the wire collection roller as a circumferential speed difference and holds therein the calculated circumferential speed difference, and a wire-feed-roller speed control unit and a wire-collection roller speed control unit that control the wire feed roller and the wire collection roller, in changing a traveling speed of the wire, by a wire-feed-roller speed instruction value and a wire-collection roller speed instruction value generated so that the circumferential speed difference before changing the traveling speed of the wire is maintained after the changing.

Abstract: A wire feeder for an electric arc welder comprising feed rolls driven by an electric motor for moving a welding wire toward a workpiece for an arc welding process. The motor is rotated at a speed determined by a WFS signal from a controller when energized by actuation of a start switch, a switch network has a first condition allowing the motor to operate at the speed determined by the WFS signal and a second override condition forcing the motor to rotate at a fixed lower speed, a toggle circuit with a first position to shift the switch network into the second condition upon actuation of the motor start switch and a second position to shift the switch network to the first condition upon receipt of a toggle signal, and a device to create the toggle signal when the load current to the motor exceeds a given value.

Abstract: A band is introduced into the pit entrance of a looping pit. This band is released from the looping pit at a pit exit. A segment of the band can thereby be buffered. The entrance-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit entrance is measured by an entrance-sided drag measuring device; the exit-sided drag that exists in the band at the pit exit is measured by an exit-sided drag measuring device. The values of the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags are passed to a control device. Depending on the entrance-sided and exit-sided drags, a control signal for at least one driven roller arranged between the pit entrance and exit is identified by the control device and is passed to the at least one driven roller. The band buffered in the looping pit is acted upon by the at least one driven roller according to the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for measuring and setting the web tension on a printing press (8) comprising several inking units (Dn), in which device measuring means (Mm,n) for measuring the web tension and setting means (Fn) for setting the web tension are provided, using which the web tension can be set actively in the case of unsteady web tension conditions. The invention is characterized in that at least one measuring means (Mm,n) and at least one setting means (Fn) are disposed in such a manner that the web tension can be measured and set between the print areas of two inking units. A control device is provided, which controls the at least one setting means based on the measured values of the at least one measuring means (Mm,n).

Abstract: A device for coiling and uncoiling elongated goods (K), such as wire, cable or the like, onto a drum (13) comprises a support (12) with driving means (25) for a spreader arm (10). The spreader arm (10) is rotatably mounted on the support (12) and supports a gripping arm (14) for coiling and uncoiling the elongated goods (K) onto the stationary drum (13). The gripping arm (14) is formed as a curved V-profile having a running track arranged for the elongated goods (K), which running track is oriented towards the drum (13). The said running track is defined by feeding rollers mounted within the gripping arm (14). The feeding rollers are spherical in shape and have a rolling resistance near zero to eliminate twisting of the elongated goods (K) during coiling and uncoiling.

Abstract: A device for controlling the tension in a web of a printing press includes an adjustably positionable dancer roll coupled to an air cylinder. The dancer roll engages the web at a position subsequent to the chill exit nip rolls and prior to a next nip roll pair, e.g., the slitter unit entrance nip rolls. The air cylinder applies a biasing force on the dancer roll to maintain contact between the dancer roll and the web. A control device is coupled between the dancer roll and the next nip roll pair. The control device monitors the position of the dancer roll and increases or decreases the speed of the next nip roll pair based on the direction and magnitude of the dancer roll movement. In this manner, the tension in the web is kept substantially constant between the chill exit nip rolls and the next nip roll pair.

Abstract: A smooth press comprises a smooth cylinder acting conjointly with a lower ribbed cylinder in order to apply a covering paper against a corrugating paper passing around the ribbed cylinder and includes a tractor arrangement downstream from the lower ribbed cylinder situated with respect to the smooth cylinder so as to form a contact angle of the covering paper against the ribbed cylinder. The tractor arrangement applies a tension force to the cardboard which creates a reactive radial pressure urging the cover paper against the corrugated paper at the contact surface of the ribbed cylinder.

Abstract: An improved laid-on labeler is designed for substantially increased operating speeds when compared to prior art systems. The labeler includes an articulating labeling arm with a label peel blade. The labeling arm is attached to a support structure at a pivot point immediately above and below which are a respective pair of deflecting idler rollers through which a continuous label web is fed. With the label web being supported at the pivot point of the labeling arm, torque on the labeling arm from starting and stopping the label web is minimized. The label web passes between a drive roller and respective nip rolls on both a pay-out and a take-up side which relieves differential tension on the label web as it passes over the peel blade, thus minimizing or eliminating tearing and breaking of the web as drive speeds increase. Control is via a PLC, which also controls a variety of optional features.

Abstract: An automatic strap severing and ejecting apparatus and method for a strapping machine is provided. The strap severing device of the present invention cooperates with the tensioning and feed wheels, allowing the tensioning and feed wheels to serve a dual function, one function during normal operation and a second function during automatic severing and ejecting of strap error from the strapping machine.

Abstract: A film processing apparatus includes a film inserting device operable to receive negative film strips cut into a predetermined length and transported from a film transporting device and then to insert the film strips one after another into each independent film-holding pocket of a film sheet holder. A planar member is disposed adjacent an inserting opening of the film sheet holder and displaceable by contacting the film being transported. In association with the planar member, a jamming detection sensor is provided for detecting a jammed condition of the film according to a displacement of the planar member.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting rolls of overlay and base tapes, and guiding the tapes to pressure rollers after the base tape passes through a computer printer to produce an endless web of protected labels. The pressure rollers may be rotated either manually or by an electric motor. Between the printer outlet and the pressure rollers, the base tape passes through a bail mechanism which is rotationally moveable by the relative tension and slack in the base tape to operate a microswitch in the motor circuit. Both the label-making apparatus and the printer rest upon a planar base member to which the apparatus is fixedly attached.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for a two speed strap take up usable in a strapping machine. The two speed strap take up apparatus generally comprises a high speed roller assembly driven by a high speed drive shaft, a low speed roller assembly driven by a low speed drive shaft, a shaft rotation reduction assembly interconnecting the high speed drive shaft and the low speed drive shaft, and a roller clutch assembly interconnecting the shaft rotation reduction assembly and the low speed drive shaft. An input clutch assembly may interconnect the high speed drive shaft and an input drive means. In operation, a strap is disposed between and frictionally engaged by a high speed roller of the high speed roller assembly and a low speed roller of the low speed roller assembly. The low speed roller is then driven in rotation by the high speed roller.

Abstract: A motion detection system detects both a soft, or near, jam and a complete, or hard, jam in movement of a paper web. A first sensor generates signals in response to the web driver, and a second sensor generates signals that are responsive to actual web movement. The signals from the second sensor are connected to a register to exhibit a signal state, and the signals from the first sensor are totalled in a counter between a cycle of changes in the state of the signal in the register. If there is a significant deviation in this total, an "error" signal is generated to advance a counter. If the number of "error"s are counted above a preset number, a shut down signal is generated.

Abstract: The invention provides a control system for an electric motor arranged to drive a rope drum of a mine winder or a hoist system which includes a conveyance supported by a rope and which forms an oscillating system. The control system includes load sensor which monitors the load in the rope and a rope length sensor which monitors the length of rope paid out from the rope drum. A motor control unit is responsive to signals from the sensors and calculates setpoints for speed, acceleration and jerk of the oscillating system. The control unit generates a control signal which is related to a natural oscillation mode of the oscillating system so as to prevent the excitation of oscillations in the system, and controls a motor drive in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: Described herein is a film extraction unit for use in a loading device for photographic processing apparatus. The unit comprises an unloading station (12) into which a film cassette (100) is positioned with the film leader extending therefrom to lie between rollers (26, 28). Roller (26) is a pinch roller which engages with drive roller (28) to transport the film out of its cassette. Drive roller (28) is driven by a motor via a clutch arrangement so that once all the film (102) has been extracted from the cassette (100), the clutch will slip allowing the motor to continue to rotate whilst the drive roller (28) becomes stationary, thereby preventing damage to the film (102).

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 rotary drain and sewer cleaning apparatus includes a flexible elongate cable insertable into a line. An end of the elongate cable is attached in a drum and a portion of the elongate cable is wound in the drum. A motor rotates the drum. A power supply and switch selectively provide current to the motor causing the motor to rotate. A circuit includes a sensor for measuring a motor drive torque as the drum rotates and generating a torque signal representing motor drive torque level. An indicator is controlled by the torque signal and indicates the torque level.

Abstract: The tension on a tape web is controlled with a lock mechanism in an apparatus wherein a first dancer device, a pair of engaging-disengaging rolls, a second dancer device, and a pair of nip rolls are located in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction along which the tape web moves. The speed at which the engaging-disengaging rolls rotate is adjusted on the basis of the vertical position of a dancer roll of the first dancer device, and the speed at which the nip rolls rotate is adjusted on the basis of the vertical position of a dancer roll of the second dancer device, whereby the tension on the tape web is adjusted.

Abstract: Known pneumatic pipe conveyor installations for fibres, particularly for textile fibre strands, comprise a conveyor pipe and a selectively operable feeder apparatus for feeding the fibres to the inlet opening of the conveyor pipe.For permitting the feeder apparatus to be automatically stopped in response to the formation of a fibre congestion adjacent the inlet opening of the conveyor pipe, there is provided a pressure-receiving surface (6) at least partially surrounding the inlet opening (5) of the conveyor pipe (2) and operatively connected to a switch (7) adapted to generate a stop signal for stopping operation of the feeder apparatus (3) in response to the pressure acting on the pressure-receiving surface (6) exceeding a predetermined value.The pneumatic pipe conveyor installation is useful for conveying fibre strands or slubbings in the textile industry.

Abstract: A servo motor control device as provided in which the torque indication signal is not effected by the speed of rotation of the motor. This is accomplished by providing a torque corrector for converting an output of a speed detector into a torque correction signal. A subtractor is used for outputting the difference between a current instruction signal and the torque correction signal. The output of the subtractor is used as the torque indication signal.

Abstract: A sensing system senses web movement and web tension of a photosensitive web moving through a processor. The system includes a sensing arm pivotally attached about a pivot to the processor and a transport roller rotatably attached to one end of the sensing arm. The photosensitive web engages the transport roller such that the roller rotates. The other end of the sensing arm, on an opposite side of the pivot point, is biased in a direction opposing the web tension of the photosensitive web. A tension detecting mechanism detects the movement of the sensing arm when the web tension overcomes the biasing force and transmits an alarm signal indicating that the web tension has increased beyond a predetermined value. A web break detecting mechanism is preferably included and detects the rotation of the transport roller and transmits a signal when the transport roller stops rotating indicating that a web break has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing the simultaneous laying of at least two pipes from a pipe-laying barge using at least two coaxially aligned pipe tensioners, wherein a first pipe tensioner tensions a first pipe and allows a second pipe to pass freely through the tensioner, while a second pipe tensioner tensions the second pipe and allows the first pipe to pass freely through it. The apparatus preferably uses modified conventional equipment so that the barge will be able to lay large pipe with the conventional "stovepipe" laying operation.

Abstract: A web loop control system has first and second roller stations and a web loop disposed therebetween. A dancer arm is biased into engagement with the web loop to maintain tension therein. An optical code disk is secured for rotation with the dancer arm and an optical sensing means cooperates with the code disk to generate dancer arm position information which is relayed to the motor control system to maintain a desired web loop length during both drive and stop modes. The invention as applied to a printer for serialized forms utilizes the dancer arm code disc/optical sensing means combination to insure that a between-forms perforation is present at the fuser roller nip when the system is at rest. The serialized form printing system also provides for controlled acceleration and deceleration between operating speed and a dead stop within 3/8 inch of form length. Acceleration and deceleration are closely controlled to prevent jarring or excessive acceleration of the web loop.

Abstract: A cable pulling/feeding apparatus comprises a fixed base, a cable pulling/feeding unit having a drive/brake unit for pulling or feeding a cable, a sensor supported on the fixed base so as to be movable in both directions in which the cable is pulled and fed for detecting a load imposed between the cable pulling/feeding unit and the fixed base and for generating an electric signal dependent on the load as detected, and structure for determining a load applied to the drive/brake unit in response to the electric signal when the cable is pulled or fed.

Abstract: There is provided a single facer consisting of an upper roll, a lower roll, a pasting device and a pressure member in parallel with the lower roll for manufacturing single-faced corrugated board. The single facer is characterized by the provision of a suction conveyor having belts for conveying single-faced corrugated board, the suction conveyor being disposed at the side of another sheet in the transport passage of the single-faced corrugated board in the proximity of the engaging point between the lower roll and pressure member, thereby preventing the strip-off or separation of a contact portion between the corrugated sheet and another sheet by means of the structure, which is extremely simple and compact in form.

Abstract: A feed device for strapping bands for use in strapping machines is disclosed. A pressure device and a feed roller push the strapping band into a band channel behind the feed roller. A disengaging lever is connected to the pressure device so that when a loop in the band is formed in the band channel, it moves the disengaging lever causing the pressure device to be withdrawn from the band and feed roller permitting the band to reverse direction causing the loop to disappear.

Abstract: A stop mechanism operative to stop a sprial lacing wire if the lacing wire encounters an obstacle as it is being wound in lacing fashion about juxtaposed end loops of coil springs in two adjacent coil spring rows, and after the lacing wire has completely laced together those two spring rows. A sensor functions to sense when the spiral lacing wire encounters an obstacle in its lacing path, the sensor incorporating a proximity switch that cooperates with a bowed guide element. The bowed guide element induces the lacing wire to pop out or bow away from the switch when the obstacle is encountered, activation of the switch causing the lacing wire to stop at once in its lacing path. A clamp device cooperates with a feeder switch to clamp the unlaced spiral lacing wire between its jaws when the feeder switch is activated by the lacing wire's lead end after the lacing wire has traversed the entire length of the adjacent rows.

Abstract: A spring feeding mechanism for use in conjunction with plumbing tools of the type used for cleaning and removing obstructions from drain pipes in which an elongated coiled spring wire, or plumber's snake, is advanced through the pipe and rotated. The feeding mechanism comprises hingeably interconnected jaw members adapted to carry rotatably mounted helically grooved feed rollers and includes a biasing means for yieldably urging the feed rollers into driving engagement with the snake. The feed rollers are readily removable from the jaws and are mounted at an angle with respect to the axis of the coil spring so that the grooves are substantially parallel with the coils of the spring. With this arrangement the rollers can be easily removed and replaced with rollers of different sizes. Due to the unique design of the biasing means the device can readily accommodate distortions and irregularities in the snake without damaging either the snake or the plumber's tool.

Abstract: A web handling device, such as a high-speed printing press, is provided with a jam prevention means comprising stripper fingers equipped with a shut down means which prevents damage to the press if a blockage occurs during the stripping operation.

Abstract: The drive shaft 30 of a printer 10 engages a tractor 16 which, in turn, moves a paper web 12 across a print mechanism 14. Located on the drive shaft 30 is a drive shaft advance cam 78 which is fixed to drive the shaft 30 and rotate therewith. Additionally, located upon the drive shaft 30 for limited rotational movement with respect to the drive shaft advance cam 78 is a paper advance cam 90. The shape of the drive shaft cam 78 is similar to the shape of the paper advance cam 90. The paper advance cam 90 carries an O-ring 102 defining a high frictional surface for engaging the paper web 12. The door 50 of the tractor 16 carries a paper pressure roller 104 having a circumferential groove 106 positioned for cooperation with the O-ring 102. During normal paper web 12 drive, the cams 78, 90 are out of registration and rotate in unison.

Abstract: An improved web infeed system feeds a web of material to printing plate roll having a tension sensor, a compact differential drive unit and a dancer roll mechanism. A main rotation input is imparted from a drive motor to the flexible spline while a portion of main rotation input is imparted via a clutch to the wave generator in the direction opposite to the rotation of the flexible spline, and the result of computing said two rotation inputs is obtained from the circular spline to produce an output, then the state of engagement between the clutch and output is changed by a controller which computes the signal of a tension sensor in a place advance circuit, thereby controlling the rotation speed of said output to maintain constant the tension of the web.

Abstract: A flexible sheet transport system comprising a primary mechanism for feeding the flexible sheet at a predetermined velocity in either a forward or a reverse direction, a tension roller assembly disposed in the path of the flexible sheet so as to be frictionally engaged thereby, an auxiliary drive mechanism for applying tension to the flexible sheet, a coupling assembly connected between the tension roller assembly and the auxiliary drive mechanism and driven thereby in a given sense tending to rotate the tension roller in a direction to move the flexible sheet in the reverse direction. Included in the coupling assembly is a slip coupling that slips in response to application of a given torque and a unidirectional coupling that prevents movement of the coupling assembly in a sense opposite to the given sense.

Abstract: In a hot strip rolling mill a velocity damping compensator circuit is added to the current regulating loop of the looper motor drive generating a torque on the looper arm mechanism between roll stands, thereby to prevent disturbances when applying the looper arm and looper roller against the strip being rolled.

Abstract: A broad textile web, on its way to a processing station such as a rotary-screen printer, passes around a set of closely juxtaposed but independently rotatable feed rollers that are individually driven via respective differential gear trains each having a first input connected to a common drive shaft and a second input connected to an ancillary stepping motor. Each feed roller engages a strip zone of the web which is scanned by an associated sensor upstream of the roller, the latter detecting the leading and trailing edges of recurrent transverse web sections--e.g. of pile fabric--mechanically, electrically or optically distinguishable from intervening sections. Unequal longitudinal tensions in the several strip zones actuate the sensor-controlled stepping motors for different time periods so as to cancel any relative deformation.

Abstract: An advancing mechanism for a recording web, such as paper, for an ink jet printer. The apparatus, including a platen having coaxially mounted discs on a shaft with the center disc of much higher coefficient of friction than the remaining discs, a tensioning roller, a pinch roller, and a recording web holding means, is self-aligning and self-threading, having low power requirements. Means for indicating the exhaustion of the recording web is also provided.

Abstract: For laying a pipeline in deep water by letting out the pipeline in predetermined sections from a pipe laying barge which is correspondingly advanced in a stepwise manner, the end of the pipeline being assembled is subjected to an adjustable holding force which is regulated downwardly from an upper to a lower limit value simultaneously with acceleration of the pipe laying barge in the laying direction, the regulating parameter being the displacement of the pipeline relative to the pipe laying barge.

Abstract: A combination jam-clearing and torque sensing traction wheel assembly and strap feed stopping mechanism is disclosed for use in a strapping machine which feeds strap in a chute about an article to form a loop and subsequently tensions the loop tightly about the article. The strap is fed into the chute by a rotating traction wheel which is driven through a torque sensing assembly comprising a driven plate, a spring-biased driver plate, and drive motor. Feeding of the strap is intermittently stopped and started as the driver plate is forced out of engagement with the driven plate when the torque increases beyond a predetermined amount in response to increased strap feed resistance resulting from an obstruction in the chute. In one embodiment, the strap feed stopping mechanism includes a permanent strap end abutment member located just past the strap overlap region in the strapping machine.

Abstract: A friction driving device for film developing machines which comprises a number of side-by-side film supporting roller members each consisting of a cylindrical body provided with equally spaced apart flanges defining therebetween a driving surface, and a driving roller member. The supporting rollers are so arranged as to contact the driving roller upon a drawing action exerted on the film. The driving roller member comprises a sequence of equally spaced apart cylindrical body portions of larger diameter with alternately equally spaced apart cylindrical body portions of smaller diameter having width approximately equal to the width of the driving surface of the supporting rollers and an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical body diameter of the driving surface of the supporting rollers.

Abstract: In a web feed apparatus wherein a section of the web is maintained at a higher tension while accurately metering the feed of the web at a relatively lower tension, and wherein means are provided to isolate the low tension metering function from the higher tension section by anterior snubbing rolls, the web tension is controlled by modifying the gain produced by the snubbing rolls and feeding back any increase in tension from the lower web tension level to the higher web tension level. Such a gain is modified by controlling the total angle of wrap of the web about the snubbing rolls, or by varying the coefficient of friction between the web and the snubbing rolls.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor provided with a tensioning mechanism which includes an idler in operative contact with the return run, the idler being supported by a movable carriage. Tension adjusting means are provided which may move the carriage and idler in either a first direction to increase the tension on the endless belt or in a second direction to reduce the tension for purposes of resplicing the belt. The tensioning mechanism further includes control means which senses the tension on the return run and which may initiate movement of the carriage in either direction. The means for sensing the tension includes a normally open limit switch which is adapted to close when the tension on the return run falls below a predetermined value.

Abstract: The motion-picture camera includes a prime mover, a film wind-up member, and a torque-equalizing clutch arrangement coupling the film wind-up member to the prime mover for transmitting torque to the latter. The clutch arrangement includes an automatic disengaging device which automatically disengages the clutch arrangement when the torque being transmitted by the clutch arrangement exceeds a preselected value. The automatic disengaging device includes a worm wheel connected to and driving the film wind-up member, a worm screw driving the worm wheel and driven by the disengageable part of the clutch arrangement. The worm screw is so mounted that as it drives the worm wheel it simultaneously tends to move in a direction causing the disengageable part of the clutch arrangement to become disengaged.

Abstract: In a printing machine, a device for introducing a continuous web of paper to the printing station, the device having apparatus to continually measure the coefficient of elasticity of the web and apparatus for developing a tension on the web as a function of the measured coefficient of elasticity. The web is fed against two tension measuring devices in conjunction with two traction rollers having slightly different radii from which the coefficient of elasticity can be calculated electronically.

Abstract: The apparatus is removably mounted on a copying machine, for feeding a web, such as an output medium of a computer, as it is paid out of a web supply tray. The apparatus comprises pin chains for driving the web, a roller for reversing the direction of movement of the web driven by the pin chains, a conveyor pivotally movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position, an operating device for operating the pin chains, a discharged web receiving tray disposed beneath the web supply tray, and a window for taking readings on the scale attached to the copying machine and indicating the sizes of copy sheets.

Abstract: A drive shaft of an automatic printer engages tractors which, in turn, pull a paper web across a print mechanism. Located on the drive shaft is a drive shaft position cam which is fixed to the shaft and rotates therewith. Additionally, located upon the drive shaft for limited rotational movement thereon is a second cam. The shape of the second cam is similar to the shape of the first cam and formed integral with the second cam is a frictional surface engaged by the paper. During normal paper drive, the cams are out of registration and rotate in unison. In response to a paper jam condition, the first cam driven by the paper locks and the cams are forced into registration actuating a switch, the plunger of which rides on both of the cams. The switch signal thus serves to interrupt the paper drive mechanism in response to a paper jam condition.