FR2591579A1 - DEVICE FOR LOADING AND DRIVING BAND. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for loading and driving a tape in a tape processing machine such as a machine for making signs. The system comprises two drive sprockets 14, 16 which are each provided with at least one timing pin 34, 36 which has a different appearance from that of the drive pins 30, 32; furthermore, strip 12 has wedge holes 54, 56 which have a different shape than the drive holes 44, 48, which allows an operator to easily visually determine that strip 12 has been loaded correctly on the machine . (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

The present invention generally relates to a system of

  loading and tape drive comprising a tape and a tape processing machine,

  tracer, recorder or production device

  signs. The strip is driven in its longitudinal direction through the machine with two pinions cooperating with holes in two longitudinal longitudinal sides of the strip. The invention relates more particularly to the band used with the machine and

  the pair of sprockets provided in the machine, the strip comprising

  both a set of holes, and the sprockets with a

  set of pins, which indicate cooperatively the orienta-

  correct loading of the band on the gears.

  Sprockets involved in machines of the type concerned by the invention are typically mounted so as to rotate about a common drive shaft and have on their peripheries pins or tooth-shaped elements which engage in rows. Holes

  in two lateral parts of a band being trained

  ment. To be assured of error-free operation, it is important that the web is properly loaded on the machine so that the pinions of the pinions engage in the correct holes in the web. This means that two corresponding pins of the two gears placed in a common plane passing through the drive shaft of the pinions engage in two corresponding holes formed in the band and placed on a common line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal side edges of the band. When the tape is very wide, it is difficult to visually determine which pinions of gears mutually correspond to each other and which holes on opposite sides of the tape mutually correspond to each other and as a result tape loading errors can occur. The resulting errors in the cutting or drawing of a drawing may be small depending on the degree of error in the alignment, so that the error may remain undetected for a considerable period of time, with

  significant loss of band material and work.

  The patent application filed in the United States

  under serial number 529 960 by Logan and correspondingly

  South African Patent No. 84/1909 issued 9-26-84 discloses a tape loading and driving system which includes means for identifying the correct orientation.

  loading a band onto a pair of drive gears

  is lying. As described in these documents with reference to an embodiment of this invention, each of the pinions has a series of radially outwardly extending drive pins uniformly spaced on the periphery of the pinion as well as an additional timing pin which is located between two of the training pimples. The wedge pins of the two gears are placed in a common plane passing through the axis of the gables. An associated band has a longitudinal row of drive holes uniformly spaced in each lateral marginal portion, the spacing of the driving holes corresponding to the spacing

  driving pins. In addition to the training holes

  the strip comprises a longitudinal row of wedge holes in each lateral marginal part, the

  wedge arranged in a lateral marginal part being

  aligned with the timing holes in the other lateral marginal part. Also, the spacing of the clamping holes in each row corresponds to the sprocket dimension and the location of the stub pins so that the strand can be properly loaded on the sprockets by placing a pair of stall holes.

  aligned laterally on the sprocket timing pins.

  In the patent 529,960 described above, the

  The timing pins and the drive pins of both gears have the same shape and the timing pin provided on each pinion is a little spaced from the nearest drive pin. Also, in this embodiment, the wedge holes provided in each lateral marginal portion have the same shape as the drive holes and each wedge hole is spaced from the nearest drive hole a distance corresponding to that existing between the picot of

  wedging and the closest training spike.

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  Such a tape loading and drive system has been found effective in minimizing tape loading errors of the type defined above; however, it is desirable to further improve the ease and safety with which the correct orientation of loading of

  pin can be determined visually.

  Accordingly, it is a general object of the invention to provide a belt loading and driving system comprising a band provided with a set of holes and pinions provided with a set of pins, said band and said pinions allowing easily to a machine driver to visually determine which holes in the tape

  it is necessary to place on the pins of the gables to load correct

the band.

  A more specific object of the invention is to create a band of the type defined above, having a set of holes producing little loss of the web material. The invention relates to a long strip for a web-processing machine and a pair of web-drive gears located inside the machine, said web and said gears being easily

  operator to visually determine how to charge correct-

  the band on the gables and making it theoretically impossible to

  machine to drive a tape incorrectly

  loaded without the error being obvious. According to one

  of the invention each of the gears comprises a series

  drive pins extending radially outwards.

  are placed in a common plane and uniformly spaced from each other over most of its periphery;

  pinions driving a pinion are aligned laterally

  with the drive pins on the other gear. Each pinion also comprises at least one wedging pin having a shape and appearance that are different from those of the pins

  drive, the one or more snubber pins

  from the remaining part of the periphery, the pinion pin or pins of a pinion are aligned laterally with the one or more

wedge pins of the other gear.

  Also, according to this feature of the invention, the strip has drive holes which are placed in each lateral marginal portion, said drive holes being mutually collinear and being grouped together by separate wedging zones. Each drive hole on one side of the web is laterally aligned with a drive hole on the other side of the web, and each stall area includes at least one stall hole which in turn receives a wedge pin of each pinion. If each sprocket has more than one stitching pin, then more than one stall hole is provided

  to receive the additional timing pin (s).

  The shape of the locating holes is different from the shape of the drive holes so that locating holes can be easily identified to be placed on corresponding locating pins to ensure proper loading.

Of the band.

  According to another particularity of the invention, each pinion comprises a series of driving pins extending radially outwards and uniformly spaced from each other entirely on its periphery and in a common plane, the pins driving of a pinion being aligned with the driving pins of the other pinion. Each pinion also comprises at least one and preferably two additional locking pins placed in positions closely adjacent to an associated driving pin forming respectively a group

two or three pimples.

  A strip for the aforementioned pair of gears comprises a longitudinal row of drive holes

  uniformly spaced in each lateral marginal part.

  Drive holes located in a marginal part

  sideways are aligned laterally with the pilot holes.

  situated in the other marginal marginal part and the space

  The driving holes correspond to the spacing of the driving jacks. The band also has locating holes which are spaced apart at each lateral marginal portion, said locating holes being longitudinally aligned with the drive holes in the same lateral marginal portion to maximize the usable portion. of the band and to be placed in receiving positions of the chocks. Each locking hole is adjacent to a associated driving hole so as to form with it a group of holes having a shape different from any of the driving holes to ensure correct loading of the band, said group of holes that can receive in driving relation the respective group of pins of each pinion.

  Other features and advantages of the

  will be highlighted later in the description of the

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sign production machine and a tape which embody the present invention, various parts thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. of the machine and the belt being indicated in a broken view for

  show additional peculiarities.

  Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing

  the relationship between the gears and the band during the load-

  tape on the machine of Figure 1.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the gears of the

figure 1.

  FIG. 4 is a reduced scale plan view of a

part of the band of Figure 1.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the strip taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a fragmentary fragmentary plan view

  enlarged band of Figure 4.

  Fig. 7 is a reduced scale plan view of a

  part of another band according to the invention.

  FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another band and a pair of gears which embody the invention and shows the relationship between the gears and

  the tape while loading the tape.

  FIG. 9 is a side view of one of the gears of the

figure 8.

  Figure 10 is a reduced scale plan view showing

  part of the band of Figure 8.

  Fig. 11 is a fragmentary fragmentary plan view

  enlarged band of Figure 8.

  Fig. 12 is a reduced scale plan view of a

  part of another band according to the invention.

  In FIG. 1, the invention is shown as being implemented in a belt loading and driving system 8, which comprises a sign producing machine 10 and an associated band 12. The machine 10 is of the type shown in FIG. and described in more detail in US Patent No. 4,467,525 issued August 28

  1984 to the Applicant and cited here for reference.

  The strip has holes (described in more detail later) in its lateral marginal parts and is displaced in its longitudinal direction, namely in the X-coordinate direction shown, by means of two drive gears 14, 16 which are supported to rotate in unison around a common drive shaft 18 and which have pins or teeth engaging in the holes. A roller or cylinder 17 placed between the two pinions 14 and 16, and similar to that of a typewriter, supports a transverse portion of the strip 12 aligned

with the pinions 14, 16.

  The machine 10 further comprises two belt retaining cleats, each associated with one of the pinions 14 and 16 supported by a transverse rod 20 and which normally hold the web engaged with the pinions. In FIG. 1, only a retaining tab 22 associated with the pinion 14 is shown and this tab associated with the support rod 20 is shown in its raised position so as to show more

clearly the associated gear.

  The machine 10 also comprises a head

  tool 24 suitably supported and driven in the Y-coordinate direction shown with respect to the web 12. In a normal siGnes operating mode, the tool head 24 is provided with a cutting member 26 of the type blade and the band 12 is constituted by

  an elongated element formed of a material for

  signs. The band 12 and the tool 26 are moved relative to each other simultaneously in the X and Y coordinate directions during operation of the machine so as to cut alphanumeric characters or

  other symbols in the matter of making legends.

  Subsequently, the cut characters or symbols are transferred to another medium so as to form a

final sign.

  The machine 10 may also operate in a tracing mode during which a pencil or other tracing instrument is placed in the head 24 in place of the cutting tool 26 and a sheet of paper or the like is introduced into the machine. A function of the tracing mode is to make it possible to draw a sign proposed first on paper to check the accuracy of the information introduced.

  in the machine before the more expensive material

sign is cut out.

  Because the machine 10 typically operates in both the plot and cut modes and many different sign patterns are drawn and cut in a day, and there is a wide variety of strip materials for realization. of signs

  in which the models can be cut, an opera-

  The operator must load a tape on the machine many times during each day. When the web is properly loaded, straight lines parallel to the web, that is, perpendicular to its side edges, are parallel to the pinion axis 18 when the web is driven in its longitudinal direction in the machine by rotation of the gears. Typically the strip 12 may have a width of 380 mm for example and the holes formed in each lateral marginal part of the strip may be closely spaced from each other, for example with a spacing of 12.7 mm or less, and if the tape is loaded on the pinions with an error of even a hole, it may occur

  errors when cutting or tracing.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the two pinions 14 and 16 of the belt loading and driving system 8 are both attached to a common drive shaft 28 so as to rotate about a common axis 18. The pinion 14

  comprises a series of driving pins 30, 30 extending

  radially outwardly, placed in a common plane perpendicular to the axis 18 and uniformly spaced from each other over a large part of the perimeter of the

  pinion 14, as indicated by an arc 31. In a similar manner

  At the spacing of the driving pins 30, 30 of the pinion 14, the pinion 16 comprises a series of driving pins 32, 32 extending radially outwards, placed in a common plane perpendicular to the axis. 18 and uniformly spaced from each other on a large part of the perimeter of the pinion 16, as indicated by an arc 33. In the embodiments shown, the number of pins 30, 30 provided on the pinion 14 and the number of pins 32, 32 provided on the pinion 16 are equal to twelve; however this number may vary from one device to another. In addition, the pinions 14 and 16 are relatively arranged so that each pin 30 is at least substantially aligned and corresponds with a pin 32 so that each corresponding pair of pins is placed in, or at

  less substantially in a common plane passing through the axis 18.

  For example in FIG. 2, such a common plane is indicated in ABCD and contains a pair of corresponding pins.

and 32 as indicated in a and b.

  30. In accordance with the invention, the pinion 14 has two larger locking pins 34, 34 and the pinion 16 comprises two wedge pins more gorand 36, 36. The wedge pins 34, 34 are placed on a part of the periphery of the pinion 14 which is defined by an arc 35, said part completing the much larger part defined by the arc 31 and being further placed in the same perpendicular plane

  to the pinion axis 18 that the driving pins 30, 30.

  In a similar way, the wedge pins 36, 36 are placed on a part of the periphery of the pinion 16 which is defined by an arc 37, said part completing the much larger part defined by the arc 33 and being furthermore placed in the same plane perpendicular to the pinion axis 18 as the driving nuts 32, 32. Each wedging pin 34 is aligned with and corresponds to a timing pin 36, so that each corresponding pair of timing pins is placed in a common plane passing through the axis 18, as i plane AEFD containing the stub pins, as

indicated in d and e.

  The two wedge pins 34, 34 project from driving pins 30, 30 because the pins of

  wedging of the pair are larger and closer

  the driving pins 30, 30, and in a similar manner the two timing pins 36, 36 protrude from the driving pins 32, 32 because the timing pins 36, 36 are larger and closer to each other than the drive pins 32, 32. Accordingly, the timing pins 34, 34 and 36,36 visually identify laterally aligned portions of the gears 14 and 16 to facilitate loading. correct

Of the band.

  Strip 12, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, comprises an elongate member of a sheet-shaped material provided with parallel side edges 40 and 42.

  assemblies or row segments 43, 43 of the pilot holes

  44, 44 are placed in a lateral marginal portion of the strip 12 which is adjacent to the lateral edge 40. All the holes of all the row segments 43, 43 are placed on a first line 46 which is slightly spaced inwards 40 and the holes in each row segment are uniformly spaced from each other by an interval corresponding to the spacing interval between the oicots 30, 30 of the pinion 14. Similarly, sets or row segments 45, 45 of drive holes 48, 48 are located in a marginal portion adjacent to north 42. All holes of all row segments 45, 45

  are placed on a line 50 slightly spaced towards the

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  edge 42 and the holes in each row segment are uniformly spaced from each other by an interval corresponding to the spacing interval between them.

  pimples of training 32, 32 and equal to the space interval-

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, each drive hole 44 is laterally aligned with and corresponds to a drive hole 48; for example the drive holes designated by _ and h are located on a common line 71 oriented perpendicularly to the lateral edges of the strip and perpendicular to the straight lines 46

  and 50 containing the rows of holes.

  The band 12 also has larger wedge holes54, 54 located on the straight line 46 within the wedging zones 47, 47, said wedging zones and said wedging holes separating the row segments 43, 43 one the other. Similarly, the strip 12 has larger wedge holes 56, 56 located on the straight line 50 inside the wedging zones 49, 49, said wedging zones and said wedging holes separating the row segments 45, 45 from each other. All the holes in the band 12 are represented as having a circular shape

  but that does not always have to be the case. As indicated

  2, 4 and 6, the wedging holes 54, 54

  provided in each calibration zone 47 are more

  that the two holes are two

  44, 44 within each row segment 43. For example the distance between the center of the drive hole 44 adjacent to one side of the stall area 47 and the center of the drive hole 44 adjacent to the other side of the wedging zone 47 is twice the distance between the centers of any two adjacent drive holes 44, 44 within a row segment. Furthermore, in this example, the wedge holes 54, 54 located in each wedging zone frame a

  point of the band which is equidistant from two holes of

  surrounding adjacent areas 44, 44; the distance between each of these drive holes 44 and the equidistant point is equal to the distance between two adjacent drive holes within each row segment 33. In a similar manner the setting holes 56, 56 frame a equidistant point between the two adjacent adjacent drive holes 48, 48; the distance between each of said driving holes 48 and the equidistant point is equal to the distance between two driving holes

  adjacent within each row segment 45.

  Each wedge hole 54 is aligned laterally with and corresponds to a wedge hole 56; for example the wedging holes designated i and i in Figure 4 are

  situated on a straight line 58 extending perpendicular-

  at the lateral edges 40, 42 of the strip and at the lines 46 and 50. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the setting holes 54, 54 located in a wedging zone 47 and the corresponding locking holes 56 , 56, because of their large size and their narrow spacing,

  identify aligned areas of the marginal

  of the belt to be placed on the wedges 34, 34 and 36, 36 to ensure correct loading of the belt

12 on the gables 14 and 16.

  For the loading of the belt 12, the gears are rotated so as to move the locating pins 34, 34 and 36, 36 up to a belt loading position and the web is then lowered to the gears with engagement. locating holes 54, 54 and 56, 56 on the locating pins 34, 34 and 36, 36 and with at least partial engagement of the driving holes 44, 44 and 48, 48, which surround the locating holes, on the corresponding driving pins 30, 30 and 32, 32. The engagement of the driving holes on the driving bones may be only partial because of the curvature of the gears 14 and 16. Consequently, it is ensured that 'a movement

  correct from the tape from this point.

  Holes 44, 44 and 54, 54 are longitudinally aligned

  dinalement one with the other as close as possible to the side edge 40 to maximize the usable area of the band 12, while avoiding tearing when subjected to the forces of engagement pins. For the same reasons and the same constraints, the holes 48, 48 and 56, 56 are longitudinally aligned with each other as close as possible to the lateral edge 42. Also the longitudinal alignment of the holes 44, 44 with the holes 54, 54, and that

  holes 48, 48 with holes 56, 56, allow the use of

  relatively simple gears 14 and 16. If the holes provided in a lateral marginal part of the strip were not all aligned longitudinally with each other, then a second pinion or a lateral extension of the respective pinion 14 or 16 could be necessary for mounting pins capable of reaching all the holes and of

engage in these.

  In the embodiment shown, pairs of wedge holes 54, 54 and pairs of wedge holes 56, 56 are uniformly spaced from each other along the length of the web by a distance S equal to (N + l) d, od denotes the spacing between two drive holes 44, 44 located within a row segment, and the spacing between two adjacent drive holes 48, 48 in a row segment, and o N denotes the number of driving pins 30, 30 on the pinion 14 and the number of driving pins 32> 32 on the pinion 16. In the case shown, the number of pins 30, 30 is equal to twelve, as the number of pins 32, 32, and therefore S is equal to 13d. Whenever the pinions 14 and 16 make a revolution, the setting pins 34, 34 engage in two locking holes 54, 54 and the setting pins 36, 36 engage in two corresponding locking holes 56, 56, and the twelve drive pins, engage in the twelve drive holes 44, 44 provided in a row segment 43 while the twelve drive pins 32, 32 engage in the twelve holes 48, 48 provided in a row segment

45.

  As indicated above, the band 12 may be in various different forms and in FIG. 5 the band 12 is shown as consisting of a length of material for making signs

  having an upper layer 60 and an anti-

  adhesive 64. The upper layer consists of a thermoplastic material such as vinyl having a thickness of about 0.075 to 0.125 mm, which is suitable for a substrate

  or adhesive coating 62. This upper layer is suppor-

  on the non-stick layer 64 and is maintained from

  separable way by the adhesive coating 62. The anti-adhesive layer

  adhesive may be formed of the quality corresponding to the English name "ninety-pound" which is coated and

  impregnated with silicone to acquire its anti-adhesive property

  ve. If a type of band used with the machine exhibits large variations in width due to variations in temperature and humidity or manufacturing tolerances, then the pinion 14 and the shaft 28 can be replaced by a splined shaft. and by a pinion slidably mounted thereon for absorbing

said variations.

  FIG. 7 shows another strip 97 embodying the invention, said strip being adapted to be mounted on the pinions 14 and 16 despite the fact that the pinions are fixed on the shaft and that the width of the strip

  97 may differ from that of band 12 because of variations in

  temperature and humidity conditions or manufacturing tolerances. Labande 97 is identical to the strip 12 except that the strip 97 comprises two row segments 91, 91 provided with drive holes 90, 90 elongated laterally in place of the row segments 45, 45 provided with circular drive holes 48. 48, as well as laterally elongate mounting holes 92, 92 in place of the circular wedge holes 56, 56, the lateral elongation of the drive and wedge holes compensating for the width variation of the web upon receipt of the spikes. drive

  and setting the pinion 16 despite said variations.

  The keyholes 92, 92 are located in wedging zones 95, 95 between the row segments, and the drive holes 90, 90 and the keyholes 92, 92

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  are arranged along a straight line 93-parallel to the side edges of the strip 97. Each driving hole 90 is

  aligned laterally with and corresponds to a trpu of training

  44, as indicated by a line 101 which is perpendicular

  at the side edges of the strip and to the right 93 and which passes through the drive hole 44 as indicated

  in k and by the driving hole 90 as indicated in 1.

  Each keyhole 92 is aligned laterally with and corresponds to one of the keyholes 54, as indicated by a straight line 99 which is perpendicular to the side edges of the band 97 and which passes through the keyhole 54 as indicated in m and by the timing hole 92 as indicated in n. The wedge holes 92, 92 are sufficiently wide in the longitudinal direction to engage the wedge pins 36, 36, and the drive holes 90, 90 are sufficiently wide in the longitudinal direction to engage the pins. 32, 32 but not on the cleat pins 92, 92. Also the wedge holes 92, 92 are slightly longer in the transverse direction than the drive holes 90, 90 because the pins

  The wedges are wider than the driving pins.

  Also because the timing holes 92, 92 of each

  wedging zone are longer, wider and narrower

  spaced apart from each other than the drive holes 90, 90, the locating holes are highlighted and, since the locating holes 92, 92 provided within each stall zone 93 are laterally aligned with the corresponding locating holes 54, 54, the locating holes 92, 92 and 54, 54 cooperate with the locating pins 34, 34 and 36, 36 to define the correct loading orientation of the

Band 97.

  Figures 8 to 10 represent another embodiment

  According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, and more specifically, FIG. 8 shows two pinions 114 and 116 which are fixed on the common drive shaft 128 so as to rotate about a common axis 118. The pinion 114 comprises a series of driving pins 130, 130 extending radially outwardly and placed in a common plane perpendicular to the axis 18, being uniformly spaced from each other over the entire periphery of the pinion. Pinion 116 has a similar series of drive pins 132, 132 extending radially outward and placed in a common plane perpendicular to axis 118 and, in a manner identical to the spacing of pins 130, 130 on the pinion 114, the driving pins 132, 132 are uniformly spaced from each other over the entire periphery of the pinion 116. The number of pins 130, 130 and 132, 132 may vary from one application to another but, in the case shown, the pinion 114 has thirteen pins 30, 30 and the pinion 116 similarly comprises thirteen pins 32, 32. In addition, the pinions 114 and 116 are arranged relative to each other so that each pin of drive 130 of the pinion 114 is aligned with and corresponds to a driving pin 132 of the pinion 16, each pair of corresponding driving pairs being placed in a common plane passing through the axis 18. For example in FIG. such a common plan LMNO contains corresponding drive pins 130 and 132 indicated in a and b respectively, while another common plane LPQO contains a pair of corresponding drive pins 130 and 132 indicated in e and f. The pinion 114 has two additional timing pins 134, 134 which closely surround the drive pin 130 indicated at e and the pinion 116 has two additional timing pins 136, 136 which closely surround the drive pin 132 indicated in FIG. Each wedging pin 134 is aligned with and corresponds to a timing pin 136, as illustrated by an LSTD plane containing the axis 118 and intersecting two pins of

  corresponding timing 134 and 136 as indicated

  in q and h. The timing pins 134, 134 and the associated driving pin 130 form a group of pins which is different from the other pins provided on the pinion 114 and, likewise, the timing pins 136, 136 and the driving pin. associated form a group of pins which differs from the other pins provided on the pinion 116. The two groups of wedges identify aligned parts of the pinions 114 and 116. The timing pins also serve to drive the band when said pins s' engage in planned timing holes

in the band.

  The band 112, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, comprises an elongated element of sheet-like material which is analogous to the material constituting the band.

  12 and which has parallel lateral edges 140 and 142.

  A row of drive holes 144, 144 is placed in a lateral marginal portion of the strip 112 adjacent the side edge 140 and on a straight line 146 which is slightly spaced inwardly of the edge 140, said holes being

  uniformly spaced from each other by a corresponding interval

  spanning at the spacing interval between the pins, 130 of the pinion 114. Similarly, a row of drive holes 148, 148 is placed in a side portion adjacent the edge 142 on a line 150 slightly spaced towards the inside the edge 142, said holes being uniformly spaced from each other by an interval equal to the spacing interval of the holes 144, 144. Each driving hole 144 is aligned laterally with and corresponds to a hole 148, as indicated by the straight lines 152 and 153 shown in FIG. 10, these straight lines being

  oriented perpendicular to the side edges 140 and 142.

  The band 112 also has locating holes 154, 154 on the same line 146 as the drive holes 144, 144, and the locating holes 156, 156 on the same line 150 as the driving holes.

  148, 148. The wedge holes 154, 154 are laterally aligned with each other.

  with corresponding locating holes 156, 156 as indicated by the lines 155 and 157 shown in Fig. 10 and oriented perpendicular to the side edges 140 and 142 of the web 112. All the holes in the web 112 are shown as having circular shape but this is not always obligatory. The wedge holes 154, 154 are distributed in pairs at intervals along the length of the band, each pair closely surrounding and adjacent an associated drive hole 144 forming a group of three holes. Residual portions of material 161, 161 (as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 11) remaining between the clamping holes and the associated driving hole are removed from the formed strips of paper, material for fabrication, and other web materials. because it has been found that such localized residual portions are too weak to contribute greatly to the establishment of the driving contact with the drive and stall pins and that they often come off the belt by fouling the machine. Also their removal facilitates the visual identification of

  groups of holes during tape loading operations.

  Thus a pair of wedge holes 154, 154 and a hole

  associated drive 144 form a group of internal holes

  connected which is distinguished from other holes by its shape and its large dimensions. In a similar way, the wedge holes 156, 156 are distributed in pairs and at intervals

  over the length of the band, each pair surrounding closely

  an associated training hole 148, sufficiently narrow

  In order for localized residual parts similar to the localized residual portions 161, 161 to be removed for the reasons indicated above. As a result, a pair of wedge holes 156, 156 and an associated drive hole 148 form a group of interconnected holes which is identical to that shown in FIG.

distinguishing from other holes.

  The holes 144, 144 and 154, 154 are aligned longitudinally with each other as closely as possible

  side edge 40 in order to maximize the area used

  Sand the strip while avoiding tearing under the effect of the engagement forces of the pins. In a way

  similar, the holes 148, 148 and 156, 156 are longitudinally aligned

  tudinally with each other as close as possible to the side edge 142. Also the longitudinal alignment of the holes 144, 144 and 154, 154 and that of the holes 148, 148 and 156, 156 allow to use relatively simple gears ; if any one of said holes were not aligned with the others, then a second pinion or side extension of the pinions 114 and 116 could be necessary to hold pins that would be able to reach all of them.

the holes.

  For a loading of the belt 112 on the gears 114 and 116, the gears are rotated so as to move the groups of pins 131 and 133 upwards into a tape loading position. Then the web 112 is fed onto the pinions until a corresponding pair of groups of holes, such as the groups 163 and 165 shown in FIG. 8, are placed above the pin groups of the corresponding pinion and the The strip is moved down to the pignor to engage the groups of holes on the pimple groups. Then we

  is assured of a correct movement of the band.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the pairs of wedge holes 154, 154 are spaced uniformly from each other along the length of the band at intervals

  S which are equal to Nd, where d denotes the spacing or inter-

  between adjacent drive holes 144, 144 and the spacing between adjacent drive holes

  148, 148 while N denotes the number of driving pins.

  130, 130 provided on the pinion 114 and the number of driving pins 132, 132 provided on the pinion 116. In the case shown, the number of pins 130, and 132, 132 is equal to thirteen and accordingly

  pairs of wedge holes 154, 154 are distributed periodically

  along the length of the web at intervals S = 13d and likewise pairs of wedge holes 156, 156 are distributed periodically over the length of the web at intervals S = 13d. In addition, each time the pinions 114 and 116 rotate, the timing pins 134, 134 enter a pair of locating holes 154, 154 and the locating pins 136, 136 enter a pair of corresponding locating holes. 156, 156. If the width of the web 112 may vary due to changes in temperature and humidity or manufacturing tolerances, then one of the gears 114 or 116 may be slidably mounted on the shaft 128 or on a cannele tree. Although each group 163 or 165 of holes has been described as including two locating holes and an adjacent driving hole, each group may alternatively be considered to have an enlarged, irregularly shaped wedging hole and placed in a wedging zone, said wedging zone and the associated timing hole

  separating two adjacent row segments of training holes

  ment. FIG. 12 shows another band 200 embodying the invention and similar to band 112, except that band 200 includes laterally elongated drive holes 202, 202 in place of circular drive holes 148, 148, as well as timing holes 210, 210 laterally elongated instead of

  circular wedge holes 156, 156.

  The purpose of the disposition of laterally elongated holes 210, 210 and 202, 202 in a lateral marginal portion of the strip is the same as that of forming laterally elongated holes in the strip 97, to allow the strip 200 of to fit correctly on the pins of the two pinions 114 and 116 despite the fact that the pinions 114 and 116 are fixed on the shaft 128 and that the width of the band 200 differs from that of the band 112 and varies slightly from a band to another for the

reason described above.

  The wedge holes 210, 210 and the drive holes 202, 202 are arranged along a straight line

  206 parallel to the sides of the strip 200 and internally spaced

  208. As indicated by lines 212, 21.4 and 216 which are perpendicular to the side of the

  band, the holes 202, 202 and 210, 210 are aligned laterally

  with and correspond respectively to holes 144,

144 and 154, 154.

  There are described above loading and tape drive systems which embody the present invention. However many modifications and variants

  can be achieved without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  tion. For example, the offset pins provided on any pinion and the driving pico-ts of FIG. 8 surrounded by the stub pins can be made in a different color in order to better visually identify corresponding aligned parts of the pinions. In addition, the driving and locking holes formed in the strips 12 and 112 may be made with a rectangular shape where appropriate. Also the localized residual portions 161, 161 of the strip 112 do not need to be removed if

this is desired.

  It is also possible to obtain a loading and tape drive system similar to those described above and in which the pins located on one pinion are angularly advanced relative to the corresponding pins of the other pinion, and in which the holes in the corresponding lateral marginal part of the strip are longitudinally advanced in a similar manner with respect to the holes in the other marginal part

lateral of the band.

Claims (19)

  A tape usable with a tape processing machine having two tape drive gears, each pinion being provided with driving pins and at least one timing pin, said tape comprising an elongated sheet-shaped member comprising parallel side edges and a plurality of drive holes and wedge holes in each side edge portion for cooperating with said driving pins and said timing pins of a respective pinion to drive said band; in its longitudinal direction, and said driving holes and said locating holes provided in each lateral marginal portion being longitudinally aligned with each other, and said driving holes in each lateral marginal portion being distributed in segments of rows, each row segment being separated from an adjacent row segment by a wedging zone comprising at least one of said timing holes, characterized in that at least one wedging pin (34, 36, 134, 136) of each pinion has a different appearance than that of said driving pins (30, 130) and in that said locking holes (54, 56, 92, 154, 156, 202) have a shape different from that of the drive holes, so that a correct loading of the strip (12; 112; 200) on   said gables can be easily determined visually.   The strip of claim 1, further characterized in that two, and only two, holes are provided.   in each calibration zone.   The belt of claim 2, further characterized in that said wedge holes are larger than said drive holes and that the   in each calibration zone are closer together.   from each other only two adjacent training holes   in each of said row segments (43,45).   The belt of claim 1, further characterized in that said wedge holes and said drive holes formed in a lateral marginal portion of   the band are laterally elongated. 25915.7.9   A tape loading and driving system comprising a pair of pinions, each pinion having driving pins and at least one timing pinion, said pinions being mounted to rotate about a common axis, and a pinion web comprising an elongate sheet-like member having parallel side edges and a plurality of driving holes and wedge holes in each side edge portion, said driving pegs and said chipping pegs of each pinion cooperating with said holes for driving the belt in its longitudinal direction, said driving holes and said locating holes, said driving holes and said locating holes respectively in each lateral marginal portion of said belt;   each marginal side part being substantially   longitudinally with each other and said driving holes in each marginal side portion being divided into row segments, each row segment being separated from an adjacent row segment by a   stall area containing at least one stall hole, -   characterized in that said wedge holes (54, 56, 92, 154, 156, 202) have a shape different from that of the drive holes (44, 48, 90, 144, 148, 208), so that a correct loading of the band on said gears can   be easily determined visually.   A tape loading and drive system according to claim 5, further characterized in that said stub pins are larger than said drive stubs and in which said stub holes   are larger than said drive holes.   The belt loading and drive system of claim 6, further characterized in that each of said gears has two and only two stub pins and that each of said stall zones provided within each portion. lateral margin of   the band comprises two wedging holes.   The tape loading and driving system of claim 5, further characterized in that the spacing between the center of an adjacent drive hole   one side of a wedging zone and the center of the training hole   adjacent to the other side of said wedging zone is approximately equal to twice the spacing between the center of two adjacent drive holes located in a row segment, and said centering holes framing the midpoint longitudinal of said wedging zone, and said wedge pins being spaced on said pinions in relation to said driving pins to correspond to the spacing of said wedging holes by   relative to said driving holes.   The tape loading and drive system of claim 7, further characterized in that said driving holes and said locating holes in a lateral marginal portion of the web are substantially laterally aligned with said holes.   drive and said timing holes provided respectively   in the other marginal side of the band.   The tape loading and drive system of claim 9, further characterized in that said stub pins are larger than said Training dicots.   The belt loading and drive system of claim 8, further characterized in that the locating holes and said drive holes are provided   in a lateral marginal part are laterally elongated.   A tape usable with a tape processing machine having two tape drive gears which are mounted to rotate about a common axis, each pinion having a plurality of driving pins which are uniformly spaced on the periphery of said pinion. and having at least one closely spaced wedge pin of   one of said driving pins, said strip comprising   an elongated sheet-shaped element with   side edges, a plurality of driving holes   spaced evenly in each marginal   and a plurality of locating holes in each marginal side portion, said driving holes and said locating holes in each side edge portion being substantially longitudinally aligned with each other, characterized in that each of said holes wedging is adjacent to one of said drive holes and thus forms a group of holes and in that said driving pins and said at least one timing pin provided on each pinion cooperate with said driving holes and said setting holes respective to cause the said   strip in its longitudinal direction.   The belt of claim 12, further characterized in that two of said wedge holes are located on opposite sides of said drive holes and in   adjacent positions to form a group of three holes.   Strip according to claim 13, characterized in that   in addition that each of said groups of holes is partially   Deprecated residual localized band   between the associated drive and stall holes.   Strip according to claim 13, further characterized in that said wedging holes and said driving holes formed in at least one marginal portion   Lateral band are laterally elongate.   Strip according to claim 12, characterized in that, at intervals fixed along the length of the strip in each lateral edge portion, two of said locking holes are placed on opposite sides of one of said driving holes and in adjacent positions to form groups of three holes at fixed intervals   in correspondence to the circumference of said drive gears tape.   17. A loading and tape drive system characterized in that it comprises: - a pair of pinions mounted to rotate about a common axis, each pinion having a plurality of drive blades spaced uniformly on the periphery said pinion and at least one barbell pin closely adjacent to one of said drive pins, and - a strip comprising an elongate sheet-shaped member having parallel side edges, a plurality of uniformly spaced drive holes in each portion lateral margin and a plurality of wedge holes in each lateral marginal portion, - said driving holes and said wedging holes in each marginal side portion being aligned substantially longitudinally with each other and each of said wedging holes being adjacent to one of said drive holes to form a group of holes, and - said drive pins and ledi at least one staking pin provided on said pinions cooperate with said driving holes and said respective setting holes of said strip to drive said strip in its longitudinal direction.   1i. A belt loading and driving system according to claim 19, characterized in that said driving holes and said locating holes in a lateral marginal portion of the web are substantially aligned with said driving holes and said timing holes respectively provided in the other   lateral marginal part of the band.   The belt loading and drive system of claim 1, further characterized in that each of said keyholes is part of a group of holes which are removed from a localized residual portion of   strip between the holes constituting said group.