Clamping Patents (Class 242/419.4)
  • Patent number: 11395566
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, R. Mitchel Edwards, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Tammy Lynn Miller, David Warren Murphy, Mark Edwin Peters, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Robert Paul Stuedemann, Kevin Michael Swanson, Karl Daniel Kissinger
  • Patent number: 10899574
    Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Fritz, Christopher J. Nelson, John A. McCabe, Daniel A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9809414
    Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Curt G. Joa, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff W Fritz, Chris Nelson, John A McCabe, Daniel A Peterson
  • Patent number: 9637344
    Abstract: During the process of making elastomeric laminates, elastic material is advanced and stretched in a machine direction and may be joined with one or more substrates advancing in the machine direction. During the assembly process, one-way snare apparatuses and methods may be configured to automatically isolate elastic materials that may break. The one-way snares may include a housing and a snare member movably connected with the housing, wherein the snare member is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. The one-way snares are adapted to permit advancement of continuous elastic strands in a first direction through the housing when the snare members are in the first position, and to prevent an end portion a broken elastic strand from retracting in a second direction through the housing when the snare member is in the second position, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20140224918
    Abstract: A chuck device of a fiber bundle includes a pair of hands adapted to be opened/closed. The pair of hands includes a plurality of guides adapted to regulate and bend the fiber bundle under a closing state, and to release the fiber bundle under an opening state. Under the closing state, the plurality of guides holds the fiber bundle by being close to each other with tension applied on the fiber bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Motohiro TANIGAWA, Tadashi UOZUMI, Daigoro NAKAMURA, Ken HATTA
  • Patent number: 8794392
    Abstract: In a rappelling device (10) for braking a load guided on a cable which can be fixed to the rappelling device (10), the cable (14) is friction-guided over a distance (22) and the cable (14) which runs through the rappelling device (10) is guided over a brakable shaft (24). The cable (14) is pressed onto the brakable shaft (24) by means of a pre-definable pressing force (29). The braking elements for the brakable shaft (24) can be kept small in weight and design because an additional braking of the cable (14) takes place over the friction-guided distance in the rappelling device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Spidescape Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ulrich Kowatsch
  • Patent number: 8567708
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable device for winding thread around a bobbin from a spool of thread. The device includes a height adjustable thread holder configured to receive the spool of thread, a thread guide bar pivotable between a stored position and an operative position, and an adjustable tension feed device for applying tension to the thread during winding. The device also includes a spindle slot configured to receive one of a plurality of rotatable spindles that are interchangeable within the spindle slot so that different corresponding spindles can be used with the device. Also, a speed control knob for adjusting a speed at which the spindle rotates and thus at which thread is wound around the bobbin from the spool of thread, a fill knob for adjusting the amount of thread to be wound on the bobbin, and an automatic shut off mechanism are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Rosemary Shimp, Kenneth Hatcher, David Sasur
  • Patent number: 8403251
    Abstract: A filament winding apparatus detects that a fiber bundle is likely to break and prevents generation of defective products. The filament winding apparatus applies a prescribed winding tension to the fiber bundle unwound from a fiber bundle feeding package and winds the tension-applied fiber bundle around a mandrel. A tension applying portion applies the winding tension to the fiber bundle at a position that is immediately before a side of the mandrel between the fiber bundle package and the mandrel. A tension sensor detects the tension of the fiber bundle between the fiber bundle feeding package and the tension applying portion. A determination means determines a tension abnormality of the fiber bundle by comparing pre-set reference information with the tension measured value measured by the tension sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd
    Inventors: Tadashi Uozumi, Motohiro Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 8302894
    Abstract: The invention is a restrainer for a spool (10) of thread to prevent the thread (13) from being freely drawn off of the spool (10). It comprises a resilient element (12) that extends around the circumference of the outer surface (14) of the spool (10) so that the thread (13) being drawn from the spool (10) must pass between the outer surface of the spool (10) at the inner surface of the resilient element (12) there by impeding the free removal of the thread (13). The invention prevents excessive thread being jerked from the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Merctech Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Ennio Mercuri, Gervasio Mercuri
  • Patent number: 8291798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film (2), in which the latter is produced by casting the film material onto a substrate material or by coating a substrate material, storing it with or without substrate material on a reel, pulling it off the reel and cutting it. It achieves the object of designing a method of this type in such a way that with this method small sheets can be produced as exactly as possible in predetermined sizes. To do this, the active-ingredient film (2) is pulled off automatically, is separated from a substrate material which, if present, and in tensioned form, is fed to a cutting station and is cut, in the feed direction, into long, narrow strips (7) of predeterminable width, and the long strips (7) are brought together in the feed direction and together are fed by a further feed device (10) to a transverse cutter (11), which cuts through the combined long strips (7) at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schäfer, Ronald Hackbarth, Detlev Neuland
  • Publication number: 20120211581
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for web tension setting in a processing machine for processing a material web, in particular a shaftless printing press. In order to set the web tension in a first web tension section with a length L which is delimited upstream by a first clamping point and downstream by a second clamping point, the first clamping point is loaded with a first manipulated variable which is produced using a first element with a first transfer function G1(s) (G3), and the second clamping point is loaded with a second manipulated variable which is produced using a second element with a second transfer function G2(s) (G4), wherein c1G1(s)=?c2G2(s). Thus, it is possible to keep the speed constant even during the regulation at a fixed or variable point x within the web tension section, wherein x=|c1/(c1+c2)|L lies behind the first clamping point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schnabel, Stephan Schultze, Mario Goeb
  • Publication number: 20120175453
    Abstract: A system for electronically controlling seat belt load levels during an event includes a first and second compression member, and a seat belt webbing disposed between the first and second compression members. The first and second compression members may cooperate in a manner such that they may apply a selectively variable compression force to the seat belt webbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David J. Gorman, Florian F. Dutke
  • Patent number: 8191813
    Abstract: A laying reel for coiling wire has a generally spiral laying tube generally centered on and rotatable about an axis and having offset from the axis a tangentially directed output end. The wire to be coiled extends through the tube and exits the output end thereof. A brake shoe at the output end is engageable with the wire extending therefrom. An actuator urges the brake shoe against the wire and thereby brakes the wire as it exits the output end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SMS Meer GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Haak
  • Publication number: 20120085853
    Abstract: In a multiple endless belt type band sheet coiling tension applying apparatus in which a coiling tension is applied to slit band sheets a by a frictional force generated by slippage between belt pressing surfaces 4a, 5a and internal belt surfaces 1a of endless belts 1, a friction plate 8 made of a thin metallic sheet having heat conductivity equal to or better than that of the belt pressing units 4a, 5a is detachably installed on a front surface of each of the belt pressing units 4a, 5a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: JAPAN DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.
    Inventor: Yoshito HASHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120048984
    Abstract: A method of setting web tensioning in a processing machine for processing a material web, in particular in a shaftless printing machine, wherein, for the purpose of setting the web tensioning in a first web-tensioning portion, which is bounded upstream by a first clamping location and downstream by a second clamping location, the first clamping location is given a control command, and at least one clamping location which is located upstream of the first clamping location, as seen over the course of the web tensioning, and at least one clamping location which is located downstream of the second clamping location, as seen over the course of the web tensioning, are precontrolled in dependence on the first control command, where the second clamping location is not adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Schnabel, Stephan Schultze, Mario Goeb
  • Patent number: 8123155
    Abstract: A fence wire stretching device is provided having a square shape made up of five leg portions, three of which form three of the sides of the square. The fourth side of the square has a proximal leg portion and a distal leg portion that are pivotally attached together. The distal leg portion swings outward at an angle from the proximal leg portion so that the wire clamp mechanism is in an open position, and may then be pivoted back to be coaxial with the proximal leg so that the wire clamp mechanism is in a closed position. A vehicle attachment means is located at a first corner of the square, and a wire clamp mechanism is located at second corner of the square opposite the vehicle attachment means. A wire spool holding rod extends centrally across the square between a third corner and a fourth corner of the device, and is openably attached to the square so that a spool of fence wire may be slipped over the wire spool holding rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Samuel J. Petty
  • Publication number: 20110193040
    Abstract: A tensioner for a fencing wire reel, which includes a tensioning member, and a housing for the tensioning member, wherein the housing and the tensioning member are configured such that when fencing wire passes through the housing in one direction, the tensioning member applies a first biasing force against the wire, and when fencing wire passes through the housing in the opposite direction, the tensioning member applies a second biasing force against the wire, the second biasing force being less than the first biasing force. A portable fence system for constructing a fence, which includes at least one fencing wire reel, and a reel housing for the at least one fencing wire reel, and includes the tensioner as described is also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GALLAGHER GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Clifford Reid
  • Patent number: 7954405
    Abstract: A dispensing unit includes an outer front wall, two outer side walls, a housing for holding a pile of a continuous length of accordion-like folded web of towels of tissue paper or nonwoven including bundles, the outer front wall having an access opening to the pile, a dispensing opening for the web of towels and a feeding mechanism including a member for controlling the dispensing of the web of towels, a drive unit and a braking arrangement for the web of towels. A unit of consumable articles includes the pile of bundles with connecting elements therebetween, which are inserted through the access opening into the housing in the dispensing unit and added to the bottom of the pile. The web of towels is dispensed from the upper part of the pile by a feeding mechanism, which positions the web of towels in a starting mode in the dispensing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Robert Kling
  • Patent number: 7946014
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus for attaching webbing to a furniture frame. The apparatus includes a frame, a mounting assembly, and a webbing attachment assembly. The mounting assembly includes a clamping mechanism and a rack. The clamping mechanism is coupled to a lower portion of the frame while the rack is coupled to an intermediate portion of the frame. The clamping mechanism and rack are adapted to receive at least one furniture frame and hold the furniture frame in place. The webbing attachment assembly is coupled to the frame and is adapted to position the webbing relative to the at least one furniture frame to enable the webbing to be attached to the furniture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Roger Tornero
  • Patent number: 7896279
    Abstract: A yarn braking device includes a braking body with the shape of a frustocone coat. The braking body is put over a rounded withdrawal end of a storage body and is pressed from the small diameter end by a resilient axial force against the withdrawal end. The axial force defines the braking effect between the braking body and the withdrawal end. Between a stationary holder and the braking body an axial force generator and a centering device acting in radial direction are provided. The axial force generator is formed by at least one pair of permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are axially aligned by the centering devices with an intermediate gap. The centering device neither is an axial sliding guiding system structurally and functionally separated from the pair of permanent magnets, or is formed free of contact directly by the pair of permanent magnets, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventors: Renato Comotto, Kurt Arne Gunnar Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 7806358
    Abstract: A yarn tension control device controls tension in a running yarn. The tension control device includes a housing having a yarn guiding inlet for receiving running yarn at an unwinding tension from a yarn supply source, and a yarn guiding outlet for guiding running yarn exiting the housing at a delivery tension. First and second opposing yarn engaging surfaces are disposed between the inlet and the outlet, and are adapted to frictionally engage opposite sides of the running yarn along a path of yarn travel through the housing. The first and second yarn engaging surfaces define a respective plurality of sequentially spaced friction rolls. A biasing assembly resiliently urges the first and second yarn engaging surfaces together. The opposing friction rolls cooperate to form a number of sequentially spaced nip points adapted to adjust yarn delivery tension in response to stress variations in running yarn entering the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: American Linc Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Lynn Hoover
  • Patent number: 7749417
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film (2), in which the latter is produced by casting the film material onto a substrate material or by coating a substrate material, storing it with or without substrate material on a reel, pulling it off the reel and cutting it. It achieves the object of designing a method of this type in such a way that with this method small sheets can be produced as exactly as possible in predetermined sizes. To do this, the active-ingredient film (2) is pulled off automatically, is separated from a substrate material which, if present, and in tensioned form, is fed to a cutting station and is cut, in the feed direction, into long, narrow strips (7) of predeterminable width, and the long strips (7) are brought together in the feed direction and together are fed by a further feed device (10) to a transverse cutter (11), which cuts through the combined long strips (7) at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schäfer, Ronald Hackbarth, Detlev Neuland
  • Patent number: 7716803
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a flexible pipe for conveyance of fluid, comprising: winding at least one metal element in a short pitch helix around an inner sealing sheath for withstanding radial forces in the inner sealing sheath; preshaping a metal strip to form at least one ply of tensile armor tendons; winding the ply of tensile armor tendons in a long pitch helix around the at least one metal element; and applying an external protective sealing sheath around the at least one ply of tensile armor tendons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Alain Coutarel, Francois Dupoiron, Philippe Francois Espinasse
  • Patent number: 7661621
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thread tensioner comprising tensioning elements that define a thread tensioning zone. In said tensioner, the first tensioning element rests on a stop and the second tensioning element can be pressed against the first tensioning element by means of an adjustable magnet contact force produced by a magnet armature and a repelling magnet actuator. The stop is located on the opposite side of the thread tensioning zone from the first tensioning element. The first tensioning element is stressed by a spring force in the direction of the second tensioning element against the stop. Said spring force is greater in the thread tensioning zone than the respectively adjusted maximum magnetic contact force. The mass of the first tensioning element is smaller than the mass of the magnet armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: IRO AB
    Inventor: Renato Comotto
  • Patent number: 7614581
    Abstract: A fencing handler has a foundation, a spool post connected with the foundation and tiltable between two sides of the foundation. A tilt arm hinges about an arm pivot and relative to the foundation, between folded and tilted positions. An actuator connects between a first tilt arm end and the foundation to rotate the tilt arm. A tilt plate releasably connects with the foundation and hinges with the tilt arm. A toggle pivots relative to the tilt plate to alternatively capture a tilt arm second end is between the toggle and the tilt plate and release the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Mark V. Beem, Alan L. Diemer
  • Patent number: 7360735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for winding a card clothing onto a roll with a roll drive unit and a braking device acting on the card clothing for generating a winding pretension in a region of the card clothing between roll and braking device. To be able to record the winding operation in an improved way, a force measuring device is provided which is configured to measure the force acting on a mounting point of the braking device, essentially in a direction longitudinal to a winding direction of the card clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hollingsworth GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Schneider, Axel Bauersachs
  • Patent number: 7325766
    Abstract: A housing has major and minor surfaces creating major and minor chambers. A motor secured within the minor chamber has a drive shaft extending upwardly through the minor surface. A power source is within the major chamber. Electrical components control the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Robert J. Schunck
  • Patent number: 7229044
    Abstract: An improved tension controller for a strand to achieve constant downstream tension regardless of tension variation in the upstream strand has a pair of tensioning plates (9, 10) between which the strand upstream (3), downstream (5) is compressed, generating frictional force for added tension. A selectable loading force is applied to the controller in the opposite direction to the movement of the strand. This loading force acts on a wedge between a movable tensioning plate and a fixed plate (9). The angle between the fixed plate (9) and the strand between the tensioning plates generates a compression force at a right angle toward the compressed strand for added tension. The incoming strand is deflected before it reaches its compressed stage between the tensioning plates. This strand deflection generates a force-component in the direction of the strand movement and reduces the loading force correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Texkimp Limited
    Inventor: Kurt W. Niederer
  • Patent number: 7044416
    Abstract: An apparatus for tensioning strips of metal as the metal strips are rewound comprises a board having a top surface defining a groove and a tray having opposed side portions and opposed end portions and disposed in the groove. Each of the side portions of the tray has an upturned flange. A hook pad having a plurality of upwardly extending hooks is disposed in the tray between the flanges. The hook pad and tray are removably fastened the to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Gonzalo Salvador
  • Patent number: 6964392
    Abstract: A tensioner for use in a coil slitting line includes segmented resistance surfaces with a plurality of actuators for urging the resistance surfaces against the slit strips to cause a different tension to be imparted to different strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Douglas S. Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6805271
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single hand, paper towel sheet dispenser comprising a base and a core holder operable to hold a roll of paper towel segments. A paper towel dispensing bale is pivotally connected to the base, the dispensing bale includes in inner brake bar and an outer tear bar such that a roll of paper towel sheets mounted upon the core holder can be generally trained in an under/over path for braking rotation of the roll during a one handed dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Holden Art Inc.
    Inventor: William Holden
  • Patent number: 6805315
    Abstract: A drag board for use in a coil processing line for tensioning or wiping a continuous line of strip material using a substrate to which is selectively secured a contact pad. The leading edge section of the substrate is constructed and arranged for receiving a locking bar which may be activated to apply or release a compressive, securing force on one edge section of the contact pad. Releasing the locking bar permits removal of or emplacement of a contact pad from or onto the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventor: Joel A. Lichtenstul
  • Publication number: 20040140387
    Abstract: A printing apparatus having a mechanism for transporting continuous paper includes: a frictionally transporting section for frictionally transporting the continuous paper; a paper braking section provided on an upstream side of the frictionally transporting section; a paper-position restricting section constituted by a pair of rollers arranged between the frictionally transporting section and the paper braking section obliquely at a predetermined angle &thgr; with respect to a paper transporting direction; a buffer device provided between the paper-position restricting section and the frictionally transporting section to absorb slack of the paper; and a printing section disposed on a downstream side of the frictionally transporting section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeo Ishida, Masato Matsuduki
  • Publication number: 20040079829
    Abstract: A drag board for use in a coil processing line for tensioning or wiping a continuous line of strip material using a substrate to which is selectively secured a contact pad. The leading edge section of the substrate is constructed and arranged for receiving a locking bar which may be activated to apply or release a compressive, securing force on one edge section of the contact pad. Releasing the locking bar permits removal of or emplacement of a contact pad from or onto the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Joel A. Lichtenstul
  • Patent number: 6702224
    Abstract: A magazine for a plurality of reels of tape provided with a device for selecting a reel of tape to be used, comprising a plurality of supports for the reels, which can slide on a guide so that the reels form a stack whose axis is parallel to the guide, elements for actuating simultaneously the plurality of supports along the guide in order to position the reel of tape to be used in a preset point of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Resta S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Resta
  • Patent number: 6702218
    Abstract: A modular yarn feeder having a basic carrier on which additional modules can be secured as needed by suitable coupling devices. This makes the yarn feeder more adaptable to different kinds of use and different situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Memminger-IRO GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Schmodde, Richard Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6691744
    Abstract: An actuator (A) for a component (2), comprising at least one defined stop position, in particular to a brake component actuator of a yarn brake (B), for a selective braking of a running yarn (Y) which actuator has a drive element (D) for linear or rotational adjustment of the component (2). Said actuator is provided with at least one stop device (C). The stop device (C) consists of an additional body (Z), supported in a displaceable manner on a motion damping device (F, G, H). The actuator (A) in the yarn brake is a reversible motor, suitably a magneto-electric motor (M) for rotational movement. An additional body (Z), supported in a displaceable manner on a motion damping device, is provided in each stop device, at which the yarn brake is to stop. During a linear adjustment of the component (2), the mass (m1) of the additional body (Z) matches the mass (m) of the displaced parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Iropa AG
    Inventor: Johansson Birger
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6669130
    Abstract: Method of and apparatus for feeding string involving entraining the string around two godet rolls and driving one or both rolls in the direction for feeding the string forward. The string entrained around the rolls is tensioned by retarding the string upstream from the rolls with a gas flow and by accelerating the string downstream from the rolls with a gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Rajala
  • Patent number: 6644583
    Abstract: A tensioning device for providing tension to a length of running cable or line (e.g., wire rope) as it is being wound onto a drum. The tensioning device has a tubular housing in two longitudinal halves, the tubular housing halves hingeably joined along one set of adjacent edges by a hinge means and closeable along the second set of adjacent edges by a clamp means. A removable inner sleeve for receiving and compressing stock in two longitudinal halves, each sleeve half closely received in and lines the interior surface of each tubular housing half. The inner sleeve contains an axial bore equally along its length between the two sleeve halves. The combination of the hinge and clamp means closes the housing halves, compressing the inner sleeves. Anchor rings are mounted on the housing for fixing the device against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: John W. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030173447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a workstation of a cheese-producing textile machine, having a pivotably seated creel for rotatably maintaining a cheese, a bobbin drive arranged on the creel, a support roller, which during the winding operation is driven by the cheese by frictional contact, a separate yarn traversing arrangement, as well as a device for raising the creel in case of a yarn break or a defined cleaning cut. In accordance with the present invention it is provided that following a yarn break or a defined cleaning cut, the cheese, which is maintained in the creel and rotated in the unwinding direction by the bobbin drive, and the support roller are sufficiently spaced apart long enough for a suction nozzle to pick up a top yarn required for a subsequent yarn splicing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Flamm, Wolf-Michael Ruh, Peter Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20030132335
    Abstract: A tensioning device for providing tension to a length of running cable or line (e.g., wire rope) as it is being wound onto a drum. The tensioning device has a tubular housing in two longitudinal halves, the tubular housing halves hingeably joined along one set of adjacent edges by a hinge means and closeable along the second set of adjacent edges by a clamp means. A removable inner sleeve for receiving and compressing stock in two longitudinal halves, each sleeve half closely received in and lines the interior surface of each tubular housing half. The inner sleeve contains an axial bore equally along its length between the two sleeve halves. The combination of the hinge and clamp means closes the housing halves, compressing the inner sleeves. Anchor rings are mounted on the housing for fixing the device against movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: John W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6578787
    Abstract: A method and bobbin holder for manufacturing a fishing fly includes a check member for elastically and frictionally engaging the line to provide tension in the line and prevent slackening or loosening of the line when the line is drawn from the bobbin or cut. The bobbin holder is formed from a v-shaped holder having a guide rod extending from the apex of the v-shape and the check member is located between the bobbin and the guide rod. The frictional engagement of the line is a slit formed in an elastic material forming the check member. The slit can be formed by a diametrical cut in a tubular member or be the interface between two layers of the material. A fastener supports the check member between the tube and the bobbin and may also provide a compression to the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Kimio Yonenoi
  • Patent number: 6572047
    Abstract: A ring-shaped, thin walled braking body with a circumferentially continuous and conical braking surface in a yarn brake for a yarn feeding device. The braking body is held by a first spring assembly in its outer region in a ring-shaped carrying structure. The braking body is formed as a closed circular ring with the conical braking surface positioned adjacent to the inner diameter. The braking surface is continued by a plurality of outwardly extending lamellas having an arc curvature. The lamellas define the first spring assembly. The outer ends of the spring lamellas are interconnected by a ring element which can be mounted to the carrying structure. In a yarn feeding device equipped with the yarn brake, the carrying structure is supported in an universal joint such that it can tilt relative to the support to all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Iropa AG
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Ghiardo
  • Publication number: 20020121569
    Abstract: A point of sale printer is provided with a large paper supply roll mounted externally from the printer. The printer includes a paper drive which rapidly accelerates and decelerates a paper web extending from the paper supply roll. A tensioning roll is moved in one direction to feed the web into the printer during the relatively slow acceleration of the paper supply roll and in an opposite direction to prevent a tangle of paper as the paper supply roll is decelerated after the printer stops moving the paper web. A cable assembly is provided to facilitate loading the large paper supply roll. A braking spring helps to decelerate the paper supply roll and further engages a flap formed in an outer end of the paper web to thread this end of the web into the printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation;
    Inventors: Richard Hunter Harris, Robert Andrew Myers, Timothy Doyle Peele
  • Patent number: 6439488
    Abstract: A textile machine for processing yarn including a yarn tensioning device comprising a generally C-shaped frame having a generally vertical leg carrying generally parallel and horizontal arms in spaced positions along one side thereof each having a yarn guide. A pair of tensioning disks are rotably carried by the leg intermediate of the eyes. The disks are continuously urged into mutual contact. A mounting block is carried by the textile machine. A pair of connectors carried by the mounting block and frame are adapted to removably secure the frame with the mounting block. Yarn drawn through the tensioning device is maintained under proper tension as it passes through the disk while the disks are carried to rotate by movement of the yarn into the textile machine, which rotation frees the disks of lint thus maintaining uniform tension on the yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Bobby Hunter
  • Publication number: 20020092945
    Abstract: A magazine for a plurality of reels of tape provided with a device for selecting a reel of tape to be used, comprising a plurality of supports for the reels, which can slide on a guide so that the reels form a stack whose axis is parallel to the guide, elements for actuating simultaneously the plurality of supports along the guide in order to position the reel of tape to be used in a preset point of the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: RESTA S.R. L.
    Inventor: Roberta Resta
  • Patent number: 6340129
    Abstract: A method for operating a work station (10) of a cheese-making textile machine. A work station computer (32) communicates with a tensile yarn force sensor (54) for monitoring the tensile yarn force of a yarn (22) traveling from a supply bobbin (12) to a takeup bobbin (14). A yarn tensioner (36) regulates the tensile yarn force of this yarn and a yarn cutting device (52) performs a controlled severing of the running yarn. According to the invention, the work station computer (32) predetermines the contact pressure (APD) of a yarn braking device (114, 116) of the yarn tensioner (36) acting on the yarn (22) in accordance with the tensile yarn force ascertained by the tensile yarn force sensor (54), compares the predetermined contact pressure (APDist) with a predetermined contact pressure value (APDmax), and interrupts the bobbin winding process if the limit value is attained or exceeded for a predetermined time period (t2−t1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: W. Schlafhorst AG & Co.
    Inventors: Rolf Haasen, Hans-Günter Wedershoven, Bernd-Rüdiger Theele
  • Patent number: 6328081
    Abstract: A method for controlling electrically actuated weft brakes for automatically adjusting mechanical tension of a weft thread in textile machines with mechanical insertion, comprising the steps of: generating and modulating an excitation current of an actuator of an electrically actuated brake. The above step is performed with a device which comprises a control chip which is sensitive both to variations of mechanical tension measured on the left thread and to an actual value (v) of a travel speed of the weft thread during insertion; the control loop is adapted to recondition a reference parameter of the braking action, determined by the control loop on the basis of a reference tension and a measured tension, with a multiplication factor which is represented by a decreasing function [f(v)] of the actual value (v) of the travel speed of the weft thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: L.G.L. Electronics S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Gotti, Pietro Zenoni
  • Patent number: 6283399
    Abstract: A yarn braking device, in particular a double plate brake for textile yarns running from bobbin creels, with two pairs of brake plates through which the yarn passes and whose top and bottom plates are to be pressed together adjustably in order to tension the yarn passing through, with a two-armed plate lever disposed beneath the pair of brake plates and able from that location to influence pressure loads each of the pairs of plates by means of a respective one of the lever arms, and with a pressure adjusting device acting on the plate lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Sucker-Muller-Hacoba GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hubert Kremer, Günter Alder, Karl-Heinz Kohlen