Tension Control Or Brake Patents (Class 242/410)
  • Publication number: 20090084884
    Abstract: A wheelchair fixing apparatus (2) according to the present invention includes belts (21) having connecting members (23) which can be attached to and detached from fixing hardware pieces (3) installed on a floor and winding devices (22) for winding up and accommodating the belts (21) and the winding devices (22) are disposed on the wheelchair (1). Therefore, the fixing hardware pieces (3) to which the belts (21) are connected through the connecting members (23) suffice as the floor-side equipment. Moreover, with this apparatus, a user of the wheelchair can perform the fixing operation by himself/herself. Even when a caretaker performs the operation, the burden on the caretaker in performing the operation can be reduced. Furthermore, the apparatus need not be carried by the caretaker, nor need it be ready in advance in a place where the wheelchair (1) is to be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: ANCRA JAPAN LTD., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Taizo Nakamura, Masaru Uchiyama, Atsushi Konno, Daisuke Sato, Koyu Abe
  • Publication number: 20090065622
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus includes a hoop winding device and a helical winding device. The hoop winding device includes a disc-shaped wrapping table, a drive mechanism that rotatably drives the wrapping table, four bobbins supported along a peripheral edge of the wrapping table, and a guide member that moves and guides a fiber bundle fed from the bobbin to a mandrel arranged in an insertion hole of the wrapping table. The bobbin is axially supported in a freely rotatable manner with a chuck of a holder fixed to the wrapping table. A ratchet mechanism, which prevents over-rotation in a fiber bundle feeding direction of the bobbin, is arranged between the holder and the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi UOZUMI, Hiroki TAKASHIMA, Motohiro TANIGAWA
  • Publication number: 20090066199
    Abstract: The invention relates to a strip of towel material for use in a towel dispenser, which strip has a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction and has been wound onto a roller, or has been folded along folding lines extending in the transverse direction and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, such that a stack has been obtained, wherein the strip is provided with at least one electronically readable marking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: VENDOR B.V.
    Inventors: Theodor Robbert Marie de Jong, Oscar Toetenel
  • Publication number: 20090050729
    Abstract: A stretch film dispenser includes a base, a reel and two brake devices. The reel is connected to the base for rotation. The brake devices are connected to two flexible members on an outer annular wall of the base to be pressed for braking the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Harrison HUANG
  • Publication number: 20090038219
    Abstract: A tree balling system automates the current tree balling method and greatly reduces strenuous physical labor. A novel wire basket having projections with hooks is provided for securing the earth ball of a plant for transplantation. Wrapping and tensioning a tensile member around these hooks encloses the projections around the earth ball. A balling station is also disclosed which has a stand for supporting and rotating the wire basket and plant. The balling station includes a tensile member guide and a tensioning component. The balling station is preferably located on a transportable vehicle and is equipped with unloading features for discharging the wrapped earth ball. A powered tensioning device tightens the wire basket around the earth ball. A hook forming device is also disclosed wherein the hook forming device can modify conventional wire baskets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Harry J. Bitel
  • Publication number: 20090032633
    Abstract: A roll paper is received in a receiving area so as to have a horizontal rolling axis. In the vicinity of a lowest part of the receiving area, an inclined surface faces the receiving area. At a position being lower than the inclined surface, a rotation making member is placed to face the receiving area. In such arrangement, the inclined surface makes the roll paper be slid towards the lowest part of the receiving area when the inclined surface receives the roll paper that is out of the receiving area. In response to movement of the roll paper towards the lowest part of the receiving area, the rotation making member rotates the roll paper around the horizontal rolling axis towards a winding direction of the roll paper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20090026302
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transfer tool comprising a refill which has a supply reel and a winding reel around which a transfer tape is wound and which hold the transfer tool, and a support plate which rotatably supports the supply reel and the winding reel, a stopping member is provided between the supply reel and the support plate such that the stopping member can be inserted and pulled out, and rotation of the supply reel or the winding reel is suppressed when the stopping member is disposed at a predetermined inserting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: KOKUYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Kinugasa, Hideto Shima
  • Publication number: 20080315027
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for winding coreless and soft-core rolls (11), of film materials (10). The film (10) is made to advance, at differentiate speeds (S1, S2), between a first and a second drawing unit (12, 21) making the film (10) to perform a floating loop (19). The film (10) is fed in a controlled way, making it adhere to a grooved embossing drum (22) by an air jet (29) to emboss cross corrugations in the film (10) while it is being wound up; the corrugations of the film (10) traps air and prevents the implosion of the roll (11). A programmable electronic unit (32), controls the drawing units (12, 21) in relation to control signals (E1, E2) related to the feeding and winding up speeds (S1, S2) of the film (10), and in relation to a control signal supplied by a sensing device (28) for detecting the position of the floating loop (19).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: NO. EL. S.R.L.
    Inventor: Roberto Pellengo Gatti
  • Publication number: 20080283547
    Abstract: A lottery ticket dispensing system includes a housing having a plurality of lottery ticket rolls carried therein. At least one wall of the housing defines a common dispensing face having a respective dispensing slot for each of the lottery ticket rolls. A leading end of each of the lottery ticket rolls is pulled and dispensed independently of the other lottery ticket rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Martineck, SR.
  • Publication number: 20080283653
    Abstract: A compact continuous over end take-off creel system with a tension control apparatus permits unwinding of high tack elastomeric threads from multiple thread packages. Thread tension is monitored and controlled through a variable speed motor of a driven take-off roll to maintain continuous operation of the creel system by avoiding breakage of elastomeric threads. Separate motors and thread tension sensors, optionally in combination with pretensioners, may be used for groups of threads or for individual threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: INVISTA North America SARL
    Inventors: Ronald D. Bing-Wo, Thomas W. Manning
  • Publication number: 20080277520
    Abstract: A tensioning device for a seatbelt system in motor vehicles with a driving arrangement that comprises a tube having at least one tube section bent with a radius of curvature, and a piston guided movably in said tube, whereby the piston is connected via a driving cable to the part of the seatbelt system which carries out the tensioning movement, and whereby the piston can be moved in a longitudinal movement through the tube by means of a pyrotechnic drive, and the driving cable is fixed to the piston by means of a holding part held by the piston. The piston (14) is configured in the form of an olive with a larger radius in the longitudinal direction of the tube (10) than the effective radius in the transverse direction of the tube (10) and is provided with a bore (15) for passing through the driving cable (20) that is held in a compression sleeve (16) fixed on the side of the piston (14) that-points in the direction of movement of the piston (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Durrer, Jens Ehlers, Maren Leyffer
  • Publication number: 20080251626
    Abstract: A roller for belt tensioning systems or wrap drives having a hollow hub and a cylindrical running ring. The hollow hub and the running ring are connected to one another by an annular web and wherein, on both sides of the annular web, the hollow hub and the running ring are supported relative to one another by circumferentially distributed radially arranged ribs. The number of ribs on both sides of the annular web can be a prime number. In addition, or in the alternative, the ribs on both sides of the annular web can be arranged so as to be non-centrically circumferentially offset. In addition, or in the alternative, the number of ribs on both sides of the annular web can deviate from one another. In addition, or in the alternative, the rib assembly can be provided with variable pitch angles around the circumference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Manfred Jung, Michael Schebitz, Matthias Zacker
  • Publication number: 20080223972
    Abstract: A method of drawing lines into a housing includes: rotating a dial in a first rotational direction of the dial such that a first spool located in an interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a first line thereabout; and rotating the same dial in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction such that a second spool located in the interior of the housing is mechanically rotated in a first rotational direction thereby winding a second line thereabout. The rotating of the same dial in the second, opposite rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the first line from the first spool, and the rotating of the same dial in the first rotational direction does not result in unwinding of the second line from the second spool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ENVENTYS, LLC
    Inventors: Ian D. KOVACEVICH, Kevin J. DAHLQUIST, Tom PHILPOTT, Daniel Lee BIZZELL
  • Publication number: 20080217461
    Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a modular core adjuster for a cable assembly that includes an adjuster body and a slider body arrangeable with the adjuster body to accommodate the cable in more than one configuration. In another aspect, there is disclosed a modular core adjuster for a cable assembly that includes a multi-piece adjuster body having a first body portion and a second separate body portion configured to be combined to define the adjuster body. A slider body is supported by the adjuster body for movement relative to the adjuster body wherein the slider body is arrangeable with the adjuster body to accommodate the cable in more than one configuration. In another aspect, there is disclosed a modular core adjuster for a cable assembly that includes a multi-piece adjuster body having a first body portion and a second separate body portion configured to be combined to define the adjuster body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory P. Ruhlander, Donald G. Gordy
  • Publication number: 20080213047
    Abstract: A system for liner tensioning according to embodiments of the present invention includes a tubular liner inside a pipeline from a front end of the pipeline to a back end of the pipeline, the tubular liner having a front end and a back end, the tubular liner coupled to the front end of the pipeline, the back end of the tubular liner extending from the back end of the pipeline, as well as a liner clamp coupled to the back end of the tubular liner, and a tensioning element coupled to the liner clamp and the pipeline, the tensioning element configured to apply a tensioning force between the liner clamp and the pipeline. The tensioning element may include one or more braces adjustable in length to accommodate pipes of varying diameters or different lengths of liner extending from the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Corwin J. Bryant, John A. Cain, James D. Keigley, Dan Cohen
  • Publication number: 20080210804
    Abstract: A method for feeding a yarn (F) under constant tension to a yarn processing point of a textile machine (T) distant from spool (2) or equivalent support from which the yarn (F) unwinds, the tension of said yarn (F) being controlled in proximity to the spool (2) such that this parameter is monitored and controlled immediately after the yarn (F) has been unwound from the spool (2), the yarn (F) fed to the textile machine (T) cooperating, before reaching said processing point on the machine (T), with a series of thread guide elements (8) which modify the tension of the regulated tension. A second tension control is effected in proximity to the textile machine (T), said control being used for further adjustment of the tension of the yarn (F) in proximity to the spool (2) to hence regulate the tension of the yarn (F) entering the machine (T) to a predetermined constant value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: B.T.S.R. International S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tiziano Barea
  • Publication number: 20080210918
    Abstract: A modular array for a security fence system includes a tension module with a plurality of tension devices, a tensioning compensation module with a plurality of tensioning compensation devices, and a plurality of conductors each extending between a tension device and a tensioning compensation device. The modular arrays may be stacked for increased fence height. A conductor support module individually supports each conductor. An angular deviation module accommodates right, obtuse or acute angles. The tension devices automatically set the tension in the conductors to a predetermined tension. The tensioning compensation devices automatically accommodate expansion or contraction of the conductors due to temperature changes. All of the components of the modular array may be shipped in a standard pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew Jonathan Gilmour, Robert Andrew Gilmour, Eric John Schmidt, Scott James Rote, Abner Satterthwaite-Phillips, Daniel Ryan Somen
  • Publication number: 20080203210
    Abstract: To simplify the structure of a webbing retractor, at a second locking mechanism 44 of the webbing retractor, when a gas generator is not operated, a cam engages with an outer peripheral groove of a lock ring, and a limit load by a torsion shaft is made to be a high load. On the other hand, when the gas generator is operated, the cam is moved apart from the outer peripheral groove of the lock ring, and the limit load by the torsion shaft is made to be a low load. Because only the cam is interposed between the lock ring and a piston which is driven by the gas generator, the number of parts of the second locking mechanism can be reduced, and the structure of the second locking mechanism can be made simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomonori NAGATA, Motoki SUGIYAMA, Yoshiaki MAEKUBO, Sayuri AOKI
  • Publication number: 20080197228
    Abstract: For friction compensation in a winding machine, with which a material is wound onto a winding drum, and the winding drum is driven by a winding drive which is triggered by a control/regulating device, and in the control/regulating device a driving torque of the winding drive is specified, in a friction compensation unit, as an input-side process parameter, a winding speed of the winding drum is taken into account, in order to compensate for the frictional moment, and at least one additional process parameter is taken into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Christoph Mueller, Hanh-Juergen Doeres, Stephan Schultze, Reiner Kluespies
  • Publication number: 20080185473
    Abstract: A winding procedure has been developed that results in substantially uniform material properties from the outside diameter to the core of a wound roll of elastomeric webs produced by vertical film lamination (VFL) or stretch bond lamination (SBL) or as registered film. The web material is wound onto the roll in accordance with a wound on tension (WOT) profile that varies with the diameter of the wound web in a manner that was calculated using WOT transposition that is based on a modified version of Hakiel's nonlinear model for wound roll stresses. A constant WOT winding profile is corrected to obtain a compensated WOT winding profile that can be employed to wind the material into a roll that exhibits properties (including MD stress in the web) that are substantially uniform thru-roll. This resulting controlled winding technique has immediate application for webs that are converted for child care products, adult care products, and infant care products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Neal Jay Michal, Balaja Kovil-Kandadai, Robert James Coxe
  • Publication number: 20080164365
    Abstract: To provide a winding mechanism and a trawling apparatus capable of eliminating an excessive tension or slack generated in a wire wound around a drum and keeping the tension or wire length of the wire constant. A winding mechanism with tension control function includes a reversibly rotatable liquid-pressure motor rotating a drum having a wire wound therearound, a liquid-pressure pump coupled directly with the liquid-pressure motor and supplying hydraulic oil, and an electric motor rotating to drive the liquid-pressure pump. The winding mechanism further includes a control unit controlling a torque of the electric motor based on a variation in load current of the electric motor and winding off or winding up the wire to keep the tension of the wire at a set value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicants: MITSUI ENGINEERING & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD., TSURUMI SEIKI CO., LTD., DAI-ICHI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Ueki, Hirohumi Doi, Shogo Miyajima, Kenzo Hasegawa, Hiroshi Satoh
  • Publication number: 20080156924
    Abstract: A device for independently tensioning lines includes: (a) a housing; (b) a control handle extending from the housing and configured for manual rotation by a hand of a person; (c) a first line extending from the housing; and (d) a second line extending from the housing. The control handle is manually rotatable by hand about an axis in a first rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the first line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction. The handle also is manually rotatable by hand about the axis in a second rotational direction, whereby at least a portion of the second line is drawn into the housing when the control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction. The rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: ENVENTYS, LLC
    Inventors: Ian D. KOVACEVICH, Kevin J. DAHLQUIST, Tom J. PHILPOTT, Daniel Lee BIZZELL
  • Publication number: 20080142309
    Abstract: A load equalizing rope termination serves to prevent a load imbalance between a pair of rope leads of a rope termination. The rope termination includes an end section such as an end loop and the pair of rope leads attached to a pair of rope ends. A rope termination fitting includes a base support member over which the end section is supported, and a pair of load equalizing support members disposed upstream of the base support member and over which the rope ends are supported. The engagement between the rope ends and the equalizing support members prevents a load imbalance of the rope leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: JLG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey George Campbell, Alexander McKechran Hardie McNeil
  • Publication number: 20080135666
    Abstract: Method and system in connection with a motor operated tension measuring roll (1) for compensating an error in tension measuring of a continuous material web, the method comprising defining the tension Tmeas of a material web (4) by a force sensor (3) provided at the tension measuring roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ABB OY
    Inventor: Vesa Kajander
  • Patent number: 7365463
    Abstract: A motor that delivers high force linear motion or high torque rotary motion to a moving element. The motor may include a driving brake, a driver, a holding brake and a flexible moving element. Operation of the motor may involve activating the holding brake, activating the driver to flex the moving element, activating the holding brake to maintain the position of a portion of the moving element, releasing the driving brake, and restoring the moving element to an unflexed position. The elements are arranged to provide linear motion, belt-driven rotary motion, or directly-coupled rotary motion using brakes and drivers arranged in linear or circular fashion. Drivers may be linear or rotary actuators or motors based on electrostatic, piezoelectric, magnetic, or electrostrictive properties. The brakes may be applied through electrostatic forces, magnetic forces, or mechanical gears engaged with a linear or rotary driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Tibion Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Horst, Richard R. Marcus
  • Patent number: 7353754
    Abstract: A marking unit having a writing device that marks a material web which can be wound up onto a core by a winding device to form a reel, the marking device having a signal generator that is operatively connected to the core of the winding device. Depending on the rotation of the core, the signal generator outputs a clock signal to the writing device for marking the material web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Muench, Egon Bild, Siegfried Daum, Joerg Maurer, Tobias Wanke, Werner Reichert, Wolfgang Klotzbuecher, Josef Wigand
  • Publication number: 20080035779
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic belt tensioner comprising a basic part that is connected to a tensioning part so as to be rotatable about a common axis of rotation, a helical spring that is joined to the basic part and the tensioning part, and a wrapping bush which is wrapped at least in some areas with a radial enveloping force by means of the helical spring. According to the invention, the material of the wrapping bush contains reinforced plastic in order to ensure that the belt tensioner provides good damping and good cushioning properties if possible during the entire service life thereof while being universally usable and having a simple design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Wolfgang Guhr, Michael Fischer
  • Publication number: 20080029746
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved design of wire tensioner for use in electric wire fences. As well as attaching a wire to a fence post, and tensioning the wire, the device also insulates the wire from the metal post. The device comprises an insulating means or body which has an engagement face for engaging with internal surface of a fence post and a spring for applying a tensioning force to the wire. Any changes in the length of the wire due to ambient temperature variation can be absorbed by the spring, thus minimising maintenance adjustments of the wire tension. The spring may also be used to press the engagement face against the surface of the fence post, and therefore hold the device in position. The present invention also provides for installing the (wire tensioner) devices inside a fence post (which is fitted with a cover) and which contains the high voltage (HV) and earth wire connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: ELECTRAFENCE LIMITED
    Inventors: Gordon Robin Bellamy Creed, James Robin Creed
  • Patent number: 7130571
    Abstract: A variable torque device for maintaining constant tension in a web of material as the web is unwound from a supply roll. The variable torque device includes a lead screw attached to the shaft of the supply roll via an appropriate gear ratio. A coil spring is located between a hub on the lead screw and a set of rings and friction pads. As the lead screw rotates, the hub translates, thus changing the displacement of the coil spring, which in turn changes the loading of the rings and friction pads. With a full supply roll the coil spring is compressed so as to create an amount of torque to create the desired web tension. As the supply roll unwinds, the rotation of the lead screw translates the hub to expand the coil spring, reducing the torque and maintaining the web tension constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard H. Berg, James D. Shifley, Douglas J. Pfaff, James W. Gunn
  • Patent number: 7077168
    Abstract: A thread brake arrangement for use in a textile processing machine includes two brake elements with the thread running there between. An actuator, preferably a piezoelectric actuator, variably actuates one of the brake elements relative to the other to exert an adjustable braking force onto the thread. The thread exerts a reaction force in the thread running direction onto the brake elements. At least one of the brake elements is movably supported to be movable along the thread running direction, and is mechanically coupled to a force transducer that measures the reaction force, which is proportional or equal to the thread tension force. A regulating arrangement receives the measured force signal, and controls the actuator to adjust the adjustable brake element, so as to vary the applied braking force and thus regulate the arising thread tension responsive to and dependent on the measured reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Lindauer DORNIER Gesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Herrlein, Manuel Renz
  • Patent number: 6944550
    Abstract: A method whereby the strands (13,13A) are fixed one after another between two cable anchors (A,B) integral with the structure. The method consists: in pulling on one of the ends of a strand (13A) from one (A) of the cable anchors, while the other end is fixed on the other cable anchor (B); continuously testing the tensioning condition of the strand (13A), the condition involving in particular the measured values of the strand tension and of a predetermined parameter. The invention is characterized in that the predetermined parameter is the variation of the distance separating the cable anchors (A,B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Michel Marchetti
  • Patent number: 6885798
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable assembly comprising an optical fiber slidably enclosed within a hollow tubing, both the fiber and the tubing having corresponding first and second ends. The cable is terminated with the first and second ends of the tubing and the fiber constrained with respect to each other such that fiber and the tubing are approximately the same length when the cable is at a first temperature. The tubing is made of a material which contracts more than the optical fiber when the cable is exposed to temperatures below the first temperature, such that the fiber is longer than the tubing and excess fiber length is formed. An intermediate portion of the tubing permits the excess fiber length to accumulate without bending in a radius smaller than a minimum bend radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20040251369
    Abstract: 1. Roll paper feed device (1) for a printing machine (2), comprising a cradle (3) provided with side cheeks (4), means (5, 7) at the bottom of the cradle for supporting a freely rotating paper roll (6) whenever the free end of the paper web (10) is subjected to a traction (9), braking means (13) for the rotating roll (6), which are joined to the cradle and have at least one elastic bearing member (14) against a side of the roll, which member comprises at least one elastically deformable arm (19) joined to the cradle and a protruding zone (16) situated at the free end of the arm and engaged through an opening (17) in the cheek and protruding relative to the inner face of the latter; the protruding zone is in the form of a protruding stub having a flat bearing surface (18) peripherally surrounded by an inclined surface (24, 25) suitable for sliding over the sides of the roll when this is introduced in the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Laurent Guy Beaucher
  • Publication number: 20040094651
    Abstract: A method whereby the strands (13,13A) are fixed one after another between two cable anchors (A,B) integral with the structure. The method consists: in pulling on one of the ends of a strand (13A) from one (A) of the cable anchors, while the other end is fixed on the other cable anchor (B); continuously testing the tensioning condition of the strand (13A), the condition involving in particular the measured values of the strand tension and of a predetermined parameter. The invention is characterized in that the predetermined parameter is the variation of the distance separating the cable anchors (A,B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Marchetti
  • Publication number: 20040061019
    Abstract: The invention is particularly directed to the problem of creep deformation in a coiled aluminum strip, which occurs during coiling and for a period thereafter. The problem arises because the profile of the strip across its width is not flat, and is in fact usually thicker in the middle than at the edges (positive crown). To compensate for this, the invention provides that the spool onto which the coil is wound is adapted to provide more support to the strip in the center than at the edges, by making the central portion of the spool of a greater diameter than the end portions of the spool. A strip having a positive crown which is wound onto such a spool was found to exhibit significantly reduced creep strain, leading to reduced creep deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew Hobbis, David Skingley Wright
  • Publication number: 20040026056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the merging and finishing of at least two paper webs (1, 2, 3, 4), controlled in the longitudinal register, which are distinctly different in quality and in finishing steps to be undertaken. The device comprises at least two web-specific processing regions (13A, 13B, 13C), a merging unit (21), a common processing region (22), controlled in the longitudinal register and means for the control of the longitudinal register (14), essentially comprising one longitudinal register sensor per paper web. Markings are placed on the paper web with periodic separations. Longitudinal register sensors (14) recognise said markings and transmit signals to the control unit, which determines possible variations and controls the means for regulation of the longitudinal register in such a way that variations in the longitudinal register are compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph Schweiger
  • Patent number: 6684498
    Abstract: A cable management system comprising a cable flex radius system having at least two opposing curved surfaces to control flex radius of a cable linking a stationary system to a dynamic system is disclosed. The cable management system also comprises a cable strain relief system comprising a cable clamp located on each of the at least two opposing curved surfaces. The system simultaneously provides position biasing of a driven rotating mechanism referenced to a fixed system as well as mechanism backlash control. The system insures consistent cable bend radius and slack management required to insure flex cable cycle life. In one embodiment, the cable management system is comprised of a torsion arm and a spool. In this embodiment, the torsion arm pivots during rotation of the spool. A spring connected to the torsion arm provides the requisite tension force to a cable that links the spool and the torsion arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Plasmon IDE, Inc.
    Inventors: Curt D. Propson, Scott R. Limback
  • Publication number: 20030205235
    Abstract: A curling device for a filter tip attachment comprises an element placed in contact with a strip of paper material advancing continuously along a given path, and serving to deform the strip in such a way that single tipping papers obtained by cutting the strip are invested with a curled profile; the curling device is associated with a mechanism such as will cause it to vibrate, describing rectilinear or looped trajectories at a predetermined frequency, so as to reduce friction between the curling element and the strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 6618538
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing and/or controlling the variations of excess fiber length along the length of reeled fiber optic buffer tubes during the manufacture of the buffer tubes. The present invention varies any number, or combination, of parameters during the manufacture of buffer tubes to achieve a substantially uniform excess fiber length along a reeled buffer tube. One embodiment of the inventive method uses monotonically decaying draw or take-up tension of the buffer tubes during winding, combined with a stiffness-compliant pad placed on the reel core to aid in providing a substantially uniform excess fiber length in the tube, while another embodiment uses a monotonically increasing angular speed of the reel in combination with the stiffness-compliant pad on the reel core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Nicholas V. Nechitailo, Dean J. Rattazzi, Matthew Soltis, Michael Rossi
  • Patent number: 6547708
    Abstract: A tension fluctuation absorbing device used in a cardboard sheet manufacturing apparatus and equipped with a tension fluctuation detection assembly and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension fluctuation detection assembly detects fluctuations in the tension generated in a material paper. The tension adjustment assembly is installed on the upstream side of the tension fluctuation detection assembly and adjusts the tension generated in the material paper by increasing or decreasing the feed-out speed of the material paper on the basis of fluctuations in tension detected by the tension fluctuation detection assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Isowa-Hooperswift
    Inventors: Masanori Kawamura, Masanori Kunimoto
  • Publication number: 20020117572
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing and/or controlling the variations of excess fiber length along the length of reeled fiber optic buffer tubes during the manufacture of the buffer tubes. The present invention varies any number, or combination, of parameters during the manufacture of buffer tubes to achieve a substantially uniform excess fiber length along a reeled buffer tube. One embodiment of the inventive method uses monotonically decaying draw or take-up tension of the buffer tubes during winding, combined with a stiffness-compliant pad placed on the reel core to aid in providing a substantially uniform excess fiber length in the tube, while another embodiment uses a monotonically increasing angular speed of the reel in combination with the stiffness-compliant pad on the reel core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: ALCATEL
    Inventors: Nicholas V. Nechitailo, Dean J. Rattazzi, Matthew Soltis, Michael Rossi
  • Publication number: 20010006029
    Abstract: A paper roll braking device for rotary presses, in which a web is paid off from a paper roll supported between frames, caused to travel, and printed in a printing unit, comprising rotors provided on supporting members for supporting the paper roll, braking sections provided at a plurality of locations along the rotors and having friction discs that can engage with, or disengage from, the rotors at their respective locations, engage/disengage changeover sections for controlling the engage/disengage operation of the friction discs with respect to the rotors, and a tension sensing mechanism for sensing changes in the running tension of the web; a contact pressure adjusting section for adjusting the contact pressure of the friction discs to the rotors via the engage/disengage changeover section in accordance with the changes in running tension detected by the tension sensing mechanism, an outside diameter detecting section for detecting the outside diameter of the paper roll, and an operation control section for
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventors: Yukio Ogawa, Nobuaki Hashimoto, Takanobu Sakakura, Atushi Satoh
  • Patent number: 6170776
    Abstract: A wrapping method comprises the prior stretching of a film. The prior Stretching of the film advantageously includes a step of paying out the film from a feed reel, a stretching step, and a step of winding the stretched film onto a mandrel or a take-up reel in readiness for subsequent use. The film of the present invention is previously stretched under a large amount of tension, is released, and is then wound under moderate tension, under which the film is allowed to relax. The present invention is applicable to preparing film for wrapping loads that are optionally palletized and suitable for being put into place either manually, or mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Thimon, S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Martin-Cocher, Georges Jaconelli
  • Patent number: 6102313
    Abstract: A roll of sheet material, such as plastic film wrap, having an inner layer wound at low tension and an outer layer wound under greater tension provides a coreless roll. Eliminating the need for a core reduces the cost of producing rolls of sheet material, and reduces the weight and outer dimensions of the roll with a consequent reduction in shipping and storage costs. An apparatus and method for producing such a roll, from a pre-wound master roll or as part of a production line for forming the sheet material, involves varying the longitudinal tension applied to sheet material as it is wound onto an expandable mandrel. After the roll has cured, the mandrel is collapsed and disengaged from the roll to provide a coreless roll. The mater roll can be prestretched prior to forming the coreless roll, if desired, and can be prestretched as a step in the formation of the coreless roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Saltech Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Salzsauler, Edward R. Salzsauler, Richard G. Salzsauler
  • Patent number: 6092466
    Abstract: A method for self-adjusting color and cut register control in rotary printing machines having individual or a plurality of webs is specified, according to which the amount of relative web stretching of the individual web sections is calculated from the operating points of the drives driving the web and the correcting variables for color and cut registers are derived from the production-dependent combination of all the stretching values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Dieter Koch, Heinz Flamm
  • Patent number: 5794881
    Abstract: A gel tensioning device maintains tension on a gel. The gel is wound between two rollers as the diameters of the rollers change by rolling and unrolling the gel, the amount of movement between the two rollers also changes. This difference in movement is absorbed by a spring that biases the rollers relative to one another. The present invention preferably applies force to one of the rollers, that one roller connects to a special spring assembly and through that special spring assembly to the other roller. The special spring assembly includes a special kind of spring, which has desirable characteristics but is susceptible to reverse winding. A roller clutch allows force to be applied to the spring in the winding direction only and not in the non-winding direction. This prevents damage to the spring from any reverse winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Light & Sound Design, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nigel Evans
  • Patent number: 5407143
    Abstract: In a turret type yarn winder, a contact pressure acting on a roller bail by a yarn package is detected and used for controlling the rotation of a turret disc in accordance with the development of yarn layers on a bobbin so that the contact pressure is maintained at a predetermined value. A roller bail (5) detects a pressure acting thereon from a yarn package by a contact pressure sensor (7). If the detected contact pressure is higher than a target value, the turret disc (1) is driven in the direction to reduce the contact pressure. A driving torque of a motor (11) for driving the turret disc (1) is controlled in the normal/reverse direction by a signal corresponding to a deviation between the detected contact pressure and the target value so that the detected contact pressure coincides with the target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Kamitsu Seisakusho Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Nakai, Tamotsu Kawamura