Abstract: A hand held blower/vacuum device includes an impeller mounted in a scroll housing and a handle by which the device may be suspended and which is rotatably mounted to turn between vacuum and blower positions. In both of the blower and vacuum positions a longitudinal axis of the grip generally lies in an upright plane that passes through a center of gravity of the device, and the grip is disposed above the center of gravity, such that the device hangs below the grip in different balanced orientations in the blower and vacuum positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering hose, particularly coupled fire hose, comprises a lifting frame assembly, a lifting arm attached to the lifting frame assembly, a plurality of guide rollers, a motor mounted on the lifting frame assembly, an electric switch, a powered rotational drive roller, a plurality of lower rollers, and a detachable support assembly. A biasing means biases the lifting frame assembly to a plurality of guide roller mounts to allow lifting and lowering of the lifting frame assembly to and from at first and second position to allow passage of hose fitted with hose couplings. When using the relatively simple apparatus, a single operator can efficiently collect infinite quantities of hose fitted with hose couplings.

Abstract: True zero-clearance cutting on a commercial scale is provided via a cutting area including a sacrifice material that is relatively softer than the cutter. One example is a cutting system which is capable of cutting a material such as, for example, tape or paper, into a fiber or powder. The cutting system includes a cutting blade, typically a rotary cutter, and a sacrificial plate or round bar contacting the cutting blade. The contacting portion has a zero clearance during the cutting operation. A metering mechanism is also provided which is capable of metering the material at a predetermined rate to the cutting blade. A mechanism is also provided for incrementally moving the sacrificial blade towards the cutting blade to ensure that the zero clearance is maintained between the cutting blade and the sacrificial plate, even when the sacrificial plate begins to wear down due to usage.

Abstract: A tubing guide for directing coiled tubing through an injector apparatus and into a well. The tubing guide comprises a frame, which is also referred to as a tubing carrier, extending from a base. The shape of the tubing guide changes depending upon the natural radius of curvature of the tubing. The tubing carrier will conform to provide a path for the coiled tubing that more nearly approximates the residual radius of curvature of the coiled tubing. The carrier has a plurality of segments pivotably connected to one another. The segments can pivot and thus the carrier itself can move from a fully retracted position to a fully rotated position. In the fully rotated position, the carrier can approximate a radius larger than that in the fully closed position. The segments are allowed to pivot or rotate as the tubing is passing therethrough so that the shape of the carrier is continually adjusting so as to provide a more natural path for the coiled tubing.

Abstract: Roll that includes a roll axle, a roll jacket, and a bearing ring positioned to rotatably support the roll jacket, and calender that includes the roll. The bearing ring is non-rotatable but is radially movable relative to the roll axle. A locking device is positionably adjustable to selectively block and unblock a radial lift movement, and the locking device includes a rotatable part having a longitudinal opening. The rotatable part is rotatable into a first rotational position in which the longitudinal opening is oriented substantially parallel to a direction of the radial lift movement, and is rotatable into a second rotational position in which the radial lift movement is blocked. The calender further includes a neighboring roll arranged to form a nip with the roll, and at least one further roll. The neighboring roll and the further rolls are mounted for displacement in the pressing direction, and a device arranged to selectively block and unblock the displacement of the neighboring roll.

Abstract: A wire feeding apparatus for providing filler wire to a welding gun or torch that includes a motor, a driver roll, an idler roll and a bias controller. The bias controller is configured to bias the wire contacting portion of the idler roll towards the wire contacting portion of the driver roller. The bias controller is preferably moveable between at least a first preset condition and a second preset condition. In the first preset condition, the bias controller produces a first engagement force on the portion of the filler wire that is located between the wire contacting portions of the idler roll and the driver roll. In the second preset condition, the bias controller produces a second engagement force on the portion of the filler wire that is located between the wire contacting portions of the idler roll and the driver roll. Preferably, the first engagement force is greater than the second engagement force.

Abstract: A tape loading apparatus comprises a base, a roller post about which a tape is wrapped for tape loading, and a carrying member for carrying the roller post. The roller post includes a rotation shaft and a roller rotating about the rotation shaft, and a shaft engagement member is provided on the base for holding the roller post at a predetermined position, the shaft engagement member directly contacting and pressing one or both ends of the rotation shaft.

Abstract: A fish tape has a galvanized wire core wrapped by a twin-ribbon stainless steel sheath. The fish tape is flexible enough to be convenient to handle and store in a coil while still being stiff enough to fish through a conduit. A driver may be used to push or pull the fish tape. The driver has a housing with drive and pressure rollers therein for engaging the fish tape. The drive and pressure rollers each have curved and flat grooves for engaging a fish tape. The drive roller is driven by first and second right angle gears from a drive shaft which is connectable to the chuck of a hand drill. The drive shaft is arranged to be parallel to the fish tape. The driver housing has a slot for receiving the fish tape by moving the tape perpendicular to the length of the tape. A retainer is movable to open and close the housing slot.

Abstract: An electrode wire feeder, including a housing defining a sealed compartment for containing a suitable lubricant, respective pairs of feed rolls rotatably mounted exteriorly of said housing, on rotatable shafts, one of the shafts of each pair of feed rolls being mounted in eccentric mounting member rotatably mounted in one wall of the housing for moving one of the feed rolls of each pair between operative and inoperative positions, pinion gears mounted on the inner ends of the feed roll shafts inside the lubricant compartment with the pinion gears of the movable shafts moving into and out of meshing relation with the other pinion gears, a motor driven gear in the compartment and meshing with the pinion gears for driving the feed rolls, and manually operable levers for rotating the eccentric mounting members to move the feed rolls between operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A bearing unit for throwing a movable nip pulley on and off a stationary mounted nip pulley has an actuating device for throwing the movable nip pulley laterally onto a material web, and adjustable stops for adjusting an actuating travel of the movable nip pulley. The bearing unit includes a bearing plate whereon one of the adjustable stops is accommodated, and a bearing foot having an anchorage. The bearing plate is movable around the anchorage of the bearing foot so as to be adjusted coaxially with respect to the anchorage. The bearing plate also includes a prestressing element accommodated on the bearing plate, a bearing housing subjectible to a loading by the prestressing element, and a damping element actable upon the prestressing element. A folder including the bearing unit is disclosed.

Abstract: An upright binding machine including a machine stand on which a strap feeding wheel device is mounted to facilitate the binding of an article. The machine stand is further provided with a strap withdrawing structure including a transmission member for actuating a connection rod to cause a first slide block and a second slide block to displace such that the first slide block causes a main strap feeding wheel to separate from a secondary strap feeding wheel. The second slide block is linked with the first slide block so as to enable a frame body to actuate a strap guiding frame and the secondary strap feeding wheel to move upwards to enable the binding strap to move away from the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: A fish tape has a galvanized wire core wrapped by a twin-ribbon stainless steel sheath. The fish tape is flexible enough to be convenient to handle and store in a coil while still being stiff enough to fish through a conduit. A driver may be used to push or pull the fish tape. The driver has a housing with drive and pressure rollers therein for engaging the fish tape. The drive and pressure rollers each have curved and flat grooves for engaging a fish tape. The drive roller is driven by first and second right angle gears from a drive shaft which is connectable to the chuck of a hand drill. The drive shaft is arranged to be parallel to the fish tape. The driver housing has a slot for receiving the fish tape by moving the tape perpendicular to the length of the tape. A retainer is movable to open and close the housing slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for lacing an extruded tube of a non derivatized cellulose through an S-wrap to collapse the tube to a flat width. The lacing to form the S-wrap is accomplished without slowing the extrusion speed. At the start of the extrusion operation, the extrusion path leads between a pair of horizontally lacing members. After the leading edge of the extruded tube has passed downwardly through the space between the lacing members, the members are rotated as a unit to bring them into contact with opposite sides of the extruded tube. This collapses the and creates the S-wrap.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for handling and texturing yarn are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a yarn supply positioned to supply a plurality of strands of yarn, a false twister positioned downstream from the yarn supply for imparting a false twist to the plurality of strands of yarn, a yarn undulation former positioned downstream from the false twister for forming undulations in each of the plurality of strands of yarn, and a conveyor positioned to receive the plurality of yarn strands having undulations formed therein and for conveying the undulated strands of yarn downstream.

Abstract: A guide method and apparatus is provided for use in an imaging system in which media is moved through the system in a first direction. The guide apparatus includes a roller unit for contacting a surface of the media and maintains contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction, and a retraction unit for separating the roller unit from the media. In an embodiment, the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves radially toward and away from an internal drum so that the leading portion of media may be held against the internal drum. In other embodiments the guide apparatus includes a carriage that moves along the inner surface of an internal drum together with the leading portion of media. The method guides media in an imaging system in which media having a curled leading edge is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum.

Abstract: A well pump puller having a well casing collar including a coupling adapted to be tightly secured to a well casing and a frame support of legs upstanding from the coupling. A frame which is removably mounted on the support includes first and second u-shaped members pivotally mounted on one of the frame support legs. Wheels with well pipe engaging surfaces are rotatably mounted on each u-shaped member. Locking apparatus are provided for securing the u-shaped members together with the pipe engaging surfaces of the wheels on the u-shaped members above the coupling of the well case collar. A motor transmits power to the wheels on the first u-shaped member, to move well pipe relative to the casing. A crank on the second u-shaped member moves the wheel towards and away from the wheels on the first unshaped member. The frame may be mounted on a stand instead of a well casing collar.

Abstract: A preheater and method of preheating a thermoplastic sheet prior to entry of the sheet into a differential pressure forming machine which forms an article in the sheet. The preheater includes mechanism for initially threading a sheet in a generally horizontal plane, mechanism for concurrently displacing upstream and downstream portions of the sheet in vertically opposite directions relative to the horizontal plane to dispose a portion of the sheet in an upstanding plane. A heater is provided for heating the upstanding portion of the sheet in the upstanding plane. After the sheet has been repositioned with a portion in the upstanding plane, the heater is laterally moved from an inoperative position to a sheet heating position receiving the portion of the sheet at the sheet heating station. Mechanism is provided for selectively moving the sheet downstream after the sheet has been vertically displaced.

Abstract: Lateral elastic deformation of Drive wheels (12) is used to grip and to push or pull elongated members by powered rotation of Drive wheels (12). This arrangement allows two wheels on a single shaft to be used in place of more cumbersome arrangements of multiple shafts and their support and drive systems as is used when the elongated members are contacted by the peripheries of the tires. The device Is also modular allowing the prime mover and initial gear reductions (Portable Power Drive (13)), the Drive wheel Assembly (20), and the attachment to the primary support to be installed as units.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus is provided for use in a web threading apparatus of a rotary press for threading a web along a web threading path by drawing a leading end of the web using a web threading member movably provided on an outside portion of the web threading path and along the web threading path. The paper feeding apparatus includes a pair of an upstream roller and a downstream roller extending substantially parallel to a width direction of the web in the web threading path, and a driving mechanism for driving the upstream and downstream rollers in a feeding direction of the web and for ensuring that a peripheral speed of the downstream roller is at least equal to a moving speed of the web threading member. The upstream and downstream rollers are offset on an upstream side and a downstream side in a direction of the web threading path so that the web is not nipped by both the upstream roller and the downstream roller.

Abstract: A module for a web-processing machine includes a sub-frame to which are mounted an operating roll (such as a die roll), and means urging the operating roll in one direction. The sub-frame can assume a position in which the operating roll is juxtaposed against and parallel with a driven anvil roll, and a further position in which the sub-frame is released, allowing the operating roll to move away from the anvil roll, so that the operating roll can be quickly and easily removed for replacement or maintenance. Preferably, the sub-frame is hingedly connected to the machine for rotation between the above positions.

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: A leader transport apparatus in a automatic film processing apparatus includes a fixed base having transporting rollers, a movable base having transporting rollers and a driving unit for driving the transporting rollers. The fixed base and the movable base are so disposed that the transporting rollers of the fixed base can each confront the transporting rollers of the movable base, and the driving unit is adapted to drive the transporting rollers of at least one of the fixed base and the movable base so that a leader and an undeveloped film can be transported with sandwiched between the transporting rollers of the fixed base and the transporting rollers of the movable base, the movable base being supported at one end thereof by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed arbitrarily.

Abstract: A universal planetary feeder for feeding a wire which includes an elongate hollow body defining a wire feed axis and adapted for high speed rotation about the axis, and a pair of planetary rollers associated with the body so as to be rotatable together with the body about the feed axis and which are mounted about the feed axis in mutually skewed respective orientations. The planetary rollers define circumferential peripheral feed surfaces spaced from each other about the feed axis and are configured for simultaneous engagements with a wire along preselected lines of contact. Each of the feed surfaces is intersected at right angles by a plane which is offset from the feed axis by an offset angle.

Abstract: An end cutter includes a pair of rollers (64,73) operatively arranged to frictionally engage cloth passing through the nip thereof. One of the rollers is mounted for unidirectional rotation such that the cloth may be pulled forwardly from a roll, but cannot retract when such pulling force is released. The logic includes a pressure comparator and pneumatically-operated safety dump valve (92,94) for sensing whether the cutter (31) has encountered a motion-impeding obstruction on its forward cutting stroke, and automatically releases the force urging the cutter to move forwardly in such event. The cutter is mounted on a rodless cylinder (48).

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: In a wire electrode feeding device in a wire cut electric discharge machine, a roller unit having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a rotor which is rotated by fluid supplied thereinto, a guide pipe connected to the fluid outlet of the roller unit, and a wire electrode winding mechanism provided near the fluid outlet of the guide pipe are used to convey and remove the wire electrode which is conveyed through a lower electrode guide and an electric feeder. As the fluid is supplied into the roller unit through the fluid inlet, the rotor is rotated, so that the direction of movement of the wire electrode is changed, and the wire electrode is conveyed through the fluid outlet of the roller unit and the guide pipe to the wire electrode winding mechanism by the fluid, thus being discharged out of the machine.

Abstract: A solder dispensing apparatus having a pistol grip handle configuration housing a rechargeable power supply employed for energizing an electric motor which drives a set of pinch wheels for pulling a line of solder from an externally mounted solder spool through the dispensing apparatus and out a solder dispensing extension tip for improving the maneuverability and dispensibility of the line of solder to a designated solder joint through a maze of computer equipment printed circuit board obstructions while minimizing the probability of thermal damage to coaxial cable insulation by direct contact and permitting completion of a cleanly soldered joint on both sides of the printed circuit board within a critical time period for avoiding insulation damage caused by heat accummulation.

Abstract: A magazine body accommodating a photosensitive material is loaded into a processor of a photo-printing device. The magazine body incorporates a pair of rollers for seizing a mid-portion of the photosensitive material, the rollers being separated from each other when feeding the material to the processor. When loading the magazine into the processor, the material is completely stored inside the magazine body. After loading the magazine, input rollers mounted on a light shielding cover of the processor are rotated while being pressed. At this time, the pair of rollers approach each other to seize the photosensitive material. Subsequently, the rollers rotate to feed the material to the processor.

Abstract: Planetary wire-feeding device having a body with a hollow threaded shank. On the body there are two two-arm levers pivotally mounted thereon, the levers having long and short arms. The short arms of the levers are in contact with the outer faces of radially reciprocable pistons which carry wire-feeding rolls. The long arms of the two-arm levers are in contact by means of guiding rolls with a guiding cone which is mounted axially movable along the hollow threaded shank of the body. The internal side of the guiding cone is in contact with one end of a coil compression spring which embraces the hollow threaded shank. The other end of the spring is in contact with an adjustable abutment or calibrating its compressive force. The device of the invention allows a variable calibration of the pushing force as required, changing in the diameter, type of material, etc.

Abstract: There is disclosed web feeding apparatus and method for feeding a web from a web roll to a utilization device. The paying out of the web from the web roll into a U-shaped buffer loop is assisted by a pair of cooperating feed rolls which engage the web along the buffer loop. When the loop decreases to a certain extent, a sensing member causes the feed rolls to rotate to pay additional web material out of the web roll until the loop has increased to a certain extent. The web material extends from the buffer loop over the web roll and is guided to the utilization device, for example, a printer. The feed rolls can be caused to rotate when a manually engageable lever is moved in one direction. Alternatively the feed rolls can be separated and caused to rotate when the member is moved in the opposite direction. The apparatus also includes a reel assembly having a reel for handling web rolls having a variety of different widths.

Abstract: A cassette roll sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a roll sheet from a cassette after the roll sheet cassette is loaded in a copying machine employs a sheet guide. The sheet guide is near a sheet outlet having at least one opening. An assembly such as a roller rotatably journaled by a shaft, serves to assist the feeding of the roll sheet through the outlet and is urged against the sheet guide through the leading end of the roll sheet.A sheet feed roller is in the copying machine body and projects through the opening in the sheet guide to hold the sheet in cooperation with the roller, when the cassette is mounted in the copying machine body. The sheet is held at the leading end portion when the cassette is removed from the copying machine body.

Abstract: A label positioning mechanism for use with a label printing machine: The label positioning mechanism includes a feed wheel which is rotatably mounted in the body of the printing machine and is formed on its circumference with a label strip advancing surface. A label positioning member is pivotally connected to the machine body such that it is rotatable toward and away from the label advancing surface of the feed wheel. Springs normally urge the label positioning member toward the feed wheel. There is an arm mechanism that has one end fixed to an operating shaft. The arm has another end that is pivotally connected to the label positioning member. The operating shaft is rotatably mounted in the machine body. The operating force of the operating shaft may be transmitted to the label positioning member when the operating shaft is actuated.

Abstract: A roll sheet cassette loading apparatus having a cassette retaining member attached in a movable fashion in a copying machine body adapted to assume first and second positions selectively for removably supporting said cassette. The roll sheet in said cassette is maintained in a first condition providing the roll sheet in readiness for being advanced when the cassette retaining member assumes the first position. The roll sheet being released from the first condition to assume a second condition in which mounting and removal of said cassette in and out of the copying machine body occurs when the cassette retaining member assumes the second position.

Abstract: An electrode-wire feeding device in which the calibrated pushing force exerted on the electrode wire by a pair of rollers is automatically adjusted. This automatic adjustment is effected by a guide cone having an internally threaded bore which is connected to a drive motor. A housing having a hollow cylindrical externally threaded portion is adapted to be threadably engaged with the guide cone with which it is axially aligned. The housing has a pair of parallel bores the axes of which lie in a plane which is perpendicular to the feed direction of the electrode wire which is fed through the guide cone and the housing. A pair of pistons are movably mounted in the pair of bores and support a pair of rollers which are adapted to contact the electrode wire and impart a pushing and guiding force thereto. The pistons are connected to each other by a coil spring. A pair of double-armed levers are pivotally mounted on the housing.

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: 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: Apparatus for treating continuous fabric includes a frame on which is mounted an open bath for receiving a treating liquid through which fabric to be treated is passed. An elongate immersion member movably mounted on the frame immerses the fabric in the treating liquid during its passage through the bath, and a pair of squeeze rollers, being an upper and a lower squeeze roller, grip the fabric when it has passed through the bath. At least one roller, preferably the lower squeeze roller, is driven, and at least one roller, preferably the upper squeeze roller is movably mounted on the frame. A driven rewind mandrel is mounted on the frame and the treated fabric having passed through the squeeze rollers is wound thereon. Means are provided for moving the immersion means and the movable squeeze roller their operative and respective inoperative positions.

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: 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: An apparatus to effect longitudinal plow folding and subsequent heat sealing of previously computer printed continuous business forms stationary includes a folder and a plurality of elongated heating ribbons disposed parallel to the direction of web travel in spaced apart parallel relationship and being convexly curved for supporting the continuous web passing thereover. Hot melt adhesive applied during manufacture of the stationary is disposed between the plies of the folded-over web, to be locally heated through the web as it lays against, and advances directly over, the multiplicity of parallel heating ribbons. Upon exiting the heater bed, a sandwich platen is provided to maintain the plies in intimate contact, while removing heat from the web and adhesive to bond the plies at each of the multiplicity of spots so heated. The folded and sealed web may then be processed by conventional bursting into individual sealed documents, for mail processing or confidential distribution.

Abstract: An improved planetary-type wire-feeding mechanism including a pair of cooperating skewed rollers for advancing the wire is disclosed. The rollers are carried on a pair of radially reciprocable pistons mounted in a feed housing through which the wire is advanced, and a projecting rear portion of the housing has a threaded outer surface for receiving a force-adjusting nut. A conical guide element is slidably mounted on the outer surface of the rear housing portion, and is urged against the adjusting nut by means of a calibrated spring. A pair of symmetrically arranged two-arm levers extend longitudinally through a pair of slits in a flange integral with the housing intermediate its ends, with the rear end of the levers in contact with the conical guide member through a roller, and with the front ends of the levers maintained in abutting relation with the outer ends of the pistons by means of springs. The shaft of a drive motor is fixedly connected to the rear portion of the housing.

Abstract: Film transport apparatus for phototypesetters. The apparatus includes upper and lower guide plates supporting pinch and drive rollers, respectively, between which a strip of film is frictionally fed. A pair of hold-down rollers are provided to press the upper guide plate against the lower guide plate to maintain the pinch and drive rollers properly positioned against each other, and also to help keep the apparatus locked together during operation. The upper guide plate is designed to be laterally slidable relative to the lower guide and further is provided with a pair of notches cut into its sides. Accordingly, to load film into the apparatus, it is only necessary to slide the upper guide plate until the hold-down rollers become aligned with the notches at which position the upper guide plate can be lifted up and away from the lower guide plate to separate the pinch and drive rollers for film loading.

Abstract: A cassette tape recording apparatus of the type in which the pressure roller and the recording and reproducing head are mounted on a support movable between a retracted position and an operative position which provides a stable intermediate position into which the movable support automatically moves upon insertion of a cassette into the machine. Once the movable support is in the stable intermediate position, it may be selectively moved into and from the operative position and into the retracted position. A stop responsive to the insertion of a cassette restrains the movable support in the retracted position prior to the insertion of a cassette. When a cassette is inserted into the machine, the stop is released and a spring moves the movable support toward the operative position. A latching lever arrests and maintains the movable support in a stable intermediate position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic tape device which includes a first control member, a motor for moving the first control member between two operating positions, adjusting members movable by the first control member for moving the tape guide means between two operating positions in dependence upon the first control member, said two operating positions comprising a first operating position in which the tape can be stopped and rapidly wound forward or in reverse by the motors for driving the spool supporting means and in which the tape can be moved rectilinearly past the magnetic heads and capstan without contact therewith and a second operating position in which the tape can be moved rectilinearly past the magnetic heads and capstan without contact therewith and a second operating position in which the tape is guided by the guide means and lies against the magnetic heads for recording or reproducing and is engaged with the capstan, a second control member arranged to be moved by the motor which moves the fir

Abstract: A feeding mechanism for supplying elongated strips of material, such as photographic print paper and the like, in a tension-free state by use of a slack loop of said material, the size of which varies in response to the demands of a processing machine. Said loop actuates a switch for energizing and deenergizing a drive mechanism for supplying said loop from a supply roll so that the size of the slack loop directly controls the supply mechanism.

Abstract: A tufting machine having corrugated yarn tension rolls for pulling out the slack from the yarn. The tension rolls are mounted in pairs and supported at their ends in bearing brackets. The pair of brackets at each end of the roll pair are hinged together so that one may be pivoted relative to the other. A quick release clamping member preferably having an expandable diameter pin and a cam handle connect each pair of brackets together and act to rapidly disconnect them upon turning of the handle. An adjustable screw is provided to adjust the separation between the rolls.

Abstract: A video tape recorder includes a capstan, a stationary magnetic head, a pair of rubber pinch rollers disposed on opposite sides of the capstan, and a pair of head-facing guides whereby to travel an endless tape at a high speed. Each pinch roller and head facing guide are mounted on a supporting member which may be rocked by a wire with a coil spring against the force of a tension spring so that the pinch roller and head facing guide can press the tape against the capstan and magnetic head. Such a state may be maintained by abutting the support member on a stop.

Abstract: A system employing at least one separation roller continuously contacting the outside surface of a web and tracked to move in a fixed approximately elliptical path, for compensating for web motion during separation of the web from another surface to enable a bead of accumulated material built up at the line of contact between the web and the other surface to pass therebetween without changing the web velocity. During the separation period, the advancing velocity of at least one surface is reduced so that at least one surface is advanced at a slower rate than its rate prior to separation, or stopped. In a preferred embodiment, the system is employed in photoelectrophoretic imaging to bypass a bead of imaging suspension built up at the imaging nip during separation of two webs immediately after completion of imaging to thereby permit dissipation or passage of the liquid bead without changing the advancing web velocity by reason of the separation operation.

Abstract: A cast piece guide roll segment in continuous casting equipment having a curved cast piece guide path which is used in the structure for supporting the roll groups in the respective curved portions for guiding the cast piece leaving the mold along the curve between the vertical and horizontal paths. In view of the problems inherent in continuous casting equipment such as the need for frequent roll changes and emergency shut-downs, the roll segment disclosed includes roll units having at least a pair of rolls and bearings provided at opposite ends thereof and removable from a frame, on which frame are mounted pivotable caps for holding roll units.