GB985941A - Apparatus for forming helices of wire - Google Patents

Abstract

985,941. Coiling helices for spring mattress assemblies. ENGLANDER CO. Inc. Jan. 22, 1962 [Jan. 23, 1961], No. 2284/62. Headings B3E and B3W. Apparatus for forming helices intermittently comprises a helix forming die, a roller arranged to drive wire through the die for forming a helix, a power drive connected to the roller to rotate the roller continuously, means for supplying wire to the roller to be engaged thereby, means for effecting a releasable application of pressure between the roller and wire supplied from the supplying means, for gripping the wire and driving it through the die, and control means coacting with the pressure applying means to effect a quick release of effective wire gripping pressure of the roller on the wire, while rotation of the roller by the drive is continued. Two wires 54, 56 are forced through respective helix forming dies 40, 42 by two pairs of continuously rotated feed rollers 58, 60 and 62, 64. The two helices thus formed are supported in guide tubes 50, 52 and then driven, by means in a spring assembly unit 22, to interlace adjacent rows of coil springs 26. The support shaft 88 for the feed roll 58 is supported by a spherical bearing 100 and the roll 58 is pressed against the roll 60, by a rod and a double-acting pneumatic cylinder 104 which, through a spring and an arm, rocks a shaft 110 and thus a cam 112 thereon to urge a carriage 114 supporting rollers 116, 118 against the roller 58. Similar means apply pressure to the feed roller 62. When the formed helices 30, 32 reach switches 180, 182, valves 122, 132 are operated to move the rods, to release pressure on the rollers 58, 62, thus stopping the wire feed. Shearing.-A lever 150 on the shaft 110 is rocked, as the roller pressure is released to depress a shearing plunger 154, Fig. 11, to sever a length of helix 30 from its supply.