US2343858A - Method and apparatus for coating - Google Patents

Description

March 14, A1944. Q w, ABBQTT 2,343,85811 METHOD AN-D APPARATUS FOR coATInq y Filed ou. 12. 1940 Sheets-Sheet 1 s' n W m R Y, B ,L/A NW n Es O v... T Nw. T la A `l m w Mbv, m V v4 N March '1.4, 1.944. ABBOTT 2,343,858 y METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COATING Filed Oct. 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 /l INVENTOR 0MM fs nf- A550.

ATTORNEY Sheets-Sheet 3 c. w. ABBOTT METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon comme Filed Oct. 124; 1940 INVEN-ron WAH/.fs W A550777 Ww ATTORNEY March 14', '1944.

Patented Mar.` 14, 1944 UNITED STATES. PATEiJT OFFICE METN'-ING 'Application october 12, 1940, serial No. 360,914

(ci. 11i- 111) 21, Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a. coating material to e. moving element, such .s an insulated electrical conductor. g

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple, practical, and eilicient method and apparatus for applying a coating material to an elongated clement of which the insulating jacket of an electrical conductor may be considered an illustration. Another object is to provide a method and apparatus of the above-mentioned character that will be well adapted to mee the hard conditions of high speed and quantity production. Another object is to provide a method for applying the coating material to an elongated element that can be carried on eciently and inexpensively under the conditions of or in asociation with existing methods of mannufacture of the elongated elementl itself and with convenience and facility and with little if any interference with or interruption of such existing methods of manufacture. Another object is to provide an apparatus for applying a coating material that will be of dependable and adequate continuity of action to permit itto be safely associated with existing apparatus or methods of manufacture of such elements-without jeopardizing the production performance of the latter.

Another object is to provide a coating applicator capable of long service. Another object is to paratus for applying a coating material to an l elongated element that will function dependably under conditions of substantial speed of movement of the element and substantial length of run thereof. Another objectis in general to provide anl improved method and apparatus for applying a. coating material and other objectswill be in part obvious. or in part pointed o ut hereprovide a simple and dependableI control of ap.

plication of coating material to an element o f the above-mentioned character. Anotherirobjectis to provide a .method and apparatus for dependablycontrolling the application of a coating mai .teriai to a moving elongated element, to suit the application to varying conditions of speed of movement of the element, length of run of the latter, and like conditions or requirements met with -in practice. Another object is to provide anapplicator apparatus of the above-mentioned.

character thatwill be capable in a simple, inexpensive and efficient way of overcoming' the difculties and disadvantages that ow from wear of certain parts'.

Another object is to provide a, multiple-applicator structure with simple, dependable and easilyv operated or controlled means for making effective upon the element to be coated an additional applicator or applicators. Another object is to pror vide, in a method and apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element,

I simple, practical and eiii'cient means for replacing a worn applicator device.

Another obiect is to provide a. methodva'ndaption of which will be indicated in the followingl claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the mechanical features of my invention, I l

Figure 1v is a planor top View of a coatingapplicator apparatus, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal central sectional view, as seen along the line 2- 2 of Figure 1, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is an end elevation as seen from the left in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end elevation, as seen from the right of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an elevation Ias seen along the` line 5-5ofFigure2;

. -fliigure 6 isa longitudinal central sectional view, certain parts being shown in elevation, like that of Figure 2, showing another yform of apparatus; and

Figure 7 is an end elevation as seen from the right in Figure 6.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the draw- As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features o! my invention, it might at this point be noted that, where it is desired to apply -coating material to an elongated element, .conditions oi manufacture of the latter frequently reand that, while applicator devices or methods as heretofore proposed succeed in applyingv a coating, they are dependable only throughout,

relatively short lengths or short portions of a production run and hence cause interruption in production and other disadvantages. For example, ya rubber or like applicator element, initially suited to apply a coating of the desired-material at the desired thickness, is subjected to-wear,

causing change in rate or thickness of coating application; where thejelement is produced at a high rate of lineal footage per time interval, as, for example, in the manufacture `of rubber jacketed electricallconductor, such as so-called lamp co'rd, 'as by the process of continuous vulcanization of the rubber as and after it leaves the extrusionA head, such wear, if theE application is made as the vulcanized rubber element moves along, may be in point of time rapidl even though considerable footage ofthe element has passed therethrough. Where the application is of, a

heat-responsive coating material, that is, one that is set by-heat, and the application proceeds after emergence of the element from' the continuous vulcanizing step or apparatus so .as to utilize j the heat content of the element, the effect of the resultant operating temperatures upon the appli- Thus, speeds on the order` of several hundred feet perminute and-temperature conditions of several hundred degrees'F. may contribute to wear or other detrimental change in thev applicator device with such results that, though a sub I stantial length of element is suitably coated, by

the time wear or change has taken place 'that length of element may be only a portion of the total length or run which .the method or apparatus of manufacture of thef element is intended or should produce without material'interruption. Thus, in manufacture of lamp cord a single unbroken, uninterrupted run may be made at a rate of 250 to 300 feet per minute and usually totals 60,000 or '10,000 feet. In general, the higher the speed of movement of the element, the greater. and more rapid is the wearon the applicator device. One of the dominant aims of this invention is to provide a method and -apparatus that 'will dependably, effect coating" of A'an element under conditions of manufacture of the latter, such' as those mentioned abqveand, withoutk detrimentally aii'ecting the eillciency or econmy of such. methods or `apparatus of manufacture, `and"in:gerierjal" to avoid in a"simple, inexpensive and practical r way such disadvantages of prior devices as those y mentionedrabove.

Fory purposes of. illustration but notiby Way of limitation, the element selected lt'oillustrate the methodandapparatus'pf myinventionandindifj cated bythe reference 'characterv I0 isa rubber ,jacketed conductor of the so-called lam-p .cord

typefhaving illustratively two conductors I I, I2 (Figure 4) jacketed and insulated by the rubber element I0, being usually of an elongated crosssectionA approximating an oval," and, for purposes o f lfurther illustration, let it be assumedthat the conductor I0, moving into the applicatorjjconstructionsh'own in Figures- I'and 2ina direction from the left tothe right, has just'leftlthe cntnuousjvulcanizing apparatus' usually associated directlywith the'extrusion head by'which;th

compound, 4'such as rubber, is je'xtruded onto'th'ef two conductors. -'.lh'e Ycontinuous'Vulcania.er 'may be of any suitableconstruction and vusually com# prises a long pipe-like chamber having therein a suitable heating medium, such as steam,- anti-be-` ingof sufficient length so that, With-respeetto the character of the'compound .and the temperaturev maintained by the heating medium, the extruded cbmpoundvemerges from` the chamber substantially vulcanized, now being the element I 0. Its rate'of movement is on the order of the speeds mentioned A above and its temperature may be several hundred degrees F. Suitable means, such as a suitably driven capstan, preferably coacting with suitable'guiding means, such as rollers (not shown in the drawings), are employed to'maintain the desired speed of movement and to main-v' tain lthe element at a suitable tautness along a lineor axis of movementappropriately alined with respect to the continuous vulcanizer. It is intermediateof the latter and of the capstan that I prefer to apply the coating, particularly `Where, as ,is preferred, the coating' material is of the above-mentioned heatresponsive type.

: Accordingly, I secure lor mount by any suit- 'able means a suitable support or bracket I3 transversely of the path of travel of the elenient I0 and intermediate of the continuous vulcanizer and the capstan. Bracket I3 may be in the form of an upsltanding plate-like member and where it intersects the path of travel of element III itis provided with a suitable hole I4 for the passage therethrough of the element I0.

Preferably at the entry side of the bracket I3 I provide suitable guiding means for the moving vibration or whipping.

Such guiding means may take any suitable element I0 to aid in steadying the` latter against forni, preferably and illustratively comprising two guideV rollersf or sheayes I5, I6 suitably groovedy to complement each other relative to the cross-section of the element' I3 `as appears better from Figures 3 and v1.

Preferably guide rollers I5, I6 are relatively shiftable to facilitate bringing them into or out of operative relation to the element I0 and preferably both are shiftable and normally urged Y yieldablyone toward the other. 4o

,'Ihus, for example, the guide rollers'may be supported in a mounting plate I1 secured in any toward the element I0 which it isto aidin guid`` ing, and conveniently a-spring"30 V(Figure 3l having its'ends engaging the studs 22, 23 is 'under suitable way as by rivets I8 to the bracket I3 and` relative 'to which the' rollers -are shiftable.

Thus, `ymounting plate I1 maybe provided with #two yL-shaped grooves 20, 2I through which' project studs 22, 23, "respectively, the latter being secured'to or forming part of cylindrical cuplike supports` V24, 25," respectively; into which are pressed" they ut'r "races of -siitalileantifriction bearings 26, 2'Iwhose inner' races have secured to Vthem stud-like extensions oi the' rollers` I5- 1 and-` I6, whereby the-"latter'lare supported -for rotation relative tovtheir cup- like supports 24, 25. "Suitablemeans: such' ais'fdisk-like elei'nents 28,

`-29;-fa`re`i'"secured to th `studs`22,*23f, respectively,

tocoact'with thecup-like supports ofthe latter" in holding them against movement out of the L`r shaped slotswhile allowing suicient clearance topermitsliding oi the linountings andtheirre'- spective guide rollersalng their respective guide slots in'themounting plate I1." Suitable means v are'provided to urge each roller inv a direction suiiicientl tension to achievethis eifect, when lthe studs" 22, 23 are in the Mined-portions of the L-shaped `slo`ts`-2Il,-"2I, as" shown -vin AFigure I. With such an arrangement as this, also, either 'or bothof the guide `rollers may belmoved away from the path of'the'elenient I0 and to an outof-the-way position, as byshifting'its stud along that portion ofI the-slot that is'transverse to the path of travel of element I0'and into the vother portion that-'is substantiallyparallel "to the element I8, spring 38 yielding for that purpose. And when both studs are so moved into the ends ofthe parallel portions of the slots, the spring 38 aids in holding them and-their associated guide rollers in the resultant position where the rollers are displaced one from the other. To facilitate such manual control of the guide rollers, suitable handles 3l, 32 may be employed. For example, they may comprise upward extensions of the stud shafts of the respective guide rollers ment, against twisting, particularly where, as in the illustrative embodiment, the applicator device has active portions cross-sectioned substanmounting of plunger` 38 is alined with the aperture 35. Accordingly, should the aperture 35 become clogged plunger 38 may be moved downtially to' match the illustrative oval cross-section of the element I8. To the right of the guide means `I5-Ili I provide suitable means for sup plying to the moving element I8 a suitable quantity of` the coating material which may be of any suitable character or composition, preferably at this stage being in liquid form. Where the coating material is to be responsive to the heat content of the element i8 and/or the conductor within the latter,l various coating *materials or compounds may be employed and.` for purposes of illustration, let it be assumed that the material is a lacquer, such as a lacquer made up off'f"nitrocellulose and a suitable plasticiser, with Suitable solvents. In the latter case, a suitable means may comprise a chamber 34 generally cylindrical and preferably tapered at its lower end into nozzle-like shape where it-is provided With an aperture 35, the member 34 being mounted, preferably in the manner hereinafter described, at the upper portion of the supporting bracket I3, being thereby positioned so that its discharge aperture (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) is above the element I8 and in line with -its axis or center line. p

The upper end of the chamber structure 34 is provided with a pipe-like extension 31 to which a suitable pipe or tube may be attached or connected and by which the coating 'material in liquid form is supplied to the chamber 34, preferably under suitable pressure.

The size of the discharge aperture 35 and the pressure of the supply of coating material arey -.suitably related to each other and to such factors as the composition of theseoatingnmaterialathe speed of movement of the element I8, the external area of the latter, and the like,so that the rate of supply of coating material to the moving element I 8 is sufficient to discharge upon the upper surface of element I8l the desired amount of covering materialv to provide the desired thickness of coating when appropriately spread thereover.

Preferably, also, the discharge chamber 34 is provided with suitable means for clearing the aperture 35 and preferably also for closing it as desired. A convenient and preferred means comprises a plunger 38 suitably mounted for up and down movement with the chamber 34, as. for example. by providing the cap-like closure 48 ofthe chamber 34 with a suitable aperture through which the plunger 38 passes movably. suitable means (not shown) being provided to maintain the sliding connection or joint sealed.

if desired.

At its lower end' plunger 38 carries or is shaped to provide a needle point 4I which by the wardly to move needle point 4l through the aperture 35 and thus clear it. To close o the aperture 35 lplunger 38 may be moved downwardly and held with needle point 4I within and closing off the aperture 35. Also, if desired, and by suitably proportioning the size and shape of the aperture 35 and needle point 4I, a control of the rate of discharge of coating material, as by a throttling action, vmay be had by varying `the relationship between the needle point and the walls of the aperture. Also, asis indicated in Figure l, a suitable chuck may be provided for removably mounting the needle point 4I to the lower end of the plunger 38.

I preferably provide suitable means-for facilitating the control of needle point 4I. Thus, its upper external end may be provided with a handle 42V for manipulating it and illustratively an upper shank portion of the plunger 38 may be threaded, as at 38, and thus placed in threaded connection with a threaded hole in the cap mem- `ber 4|, so that turning of thev plunger-38 by handle 42 eiects raising or lowering movement; a Aspring 43 preferably surrounding the upper end of plunger 38 and interposed between the handle 42 and the cap closure 48 may serve to hold the plunger normally against rotation.

With coating material supplied to the element I8, the material is distributed or spread about the external surface of the element I8 by the coaction with the moving element I8 of an applicator element or elements of which one applicator element, indicated at 41 in Figure 2, is shown in such coacting relationship, taking the form, illustratively -and preferably, of a nipplelike member of suitable yieldable material and having an aperture through which the -elem'ent I8 moves, the aperture having preferably a configuration substantially matching the shape of the element I8 and being in any suitable way dimensioned or conformed to act as a sort of wipe to spread the coating material carried by the element I8 about its external surface land in a layer of the desired thickness.

The applicator element, 'such as element 41, may be made of any suitable material and preferably is made of a rubber or like substance. It Y thus preferably has a suitable' degree ofpliancy and resiliency, particularly in the region of its .laperturelor mouth-like port-ion which, in relation to the speed of movement of element I8 and the rate of supply of coating material to the moving element I8, determines the thickness of the layer of coating material with 'which the element I8 leaves the device and continues to move toward theright. Though the coating material may function somewhat as a lubricant or protecting element to shield the wiping portions of the apicator against the friction and wear resulting from the relative movement, the material emf. ployed is preferably also tough in order thus' better to `stand up against such friction and -wear as actually take place. i

vThe discharge device 34, set to discharge coating materialonte' the moving element I8 ,at an, ,appropriate rate, as above indicated, has. among its various advantages. the avoidance of apf vice 34.`supplies coating material to it at a steady rate, the applied coating material is steadily and speedily moved into coaction with the active applicator element 41 so that as the process continues the applicator -element v41 operates upon coating material of consistently substantially constant viscosity or consistency, thus contributing toward achieving uniformity of spreading action. Were the element III to be drawn through a chamber or vessel that contains the coating material, the heat content inthe element I would tend to progressively raise the temperatureV of the quantity of coating material through which it is drawn: and thus would have the effect of progressively driving of! volatile or like constituents and ment and construction are like that shown ln ceased, and an illustrative; and preferred arrange- Flgure 2 where, it will be noted, a number of applicator elements or devices, illustratively thirteen, al slfggested in Figure 2, are mounted and arranged with their apertures or lip portions coaxial and arranged in eil'ect in series.

In carrying out the Just stated arrangement, I may provide each applicator device 41 with a cylindrical wall portion 41 stepped or flanged as at 41, the parts being so proportioned that the hence would change the consistency of the coatcoating material, the material of the applicator element, like member 41, 'is preferably also resistant to heat ellects. Thus, heat-resistant rubbers may be employed, such as a material known under the trade name Thiocall Also, various synthetics may be` employed, such as a material known by the trade name Neoprene In the illustrative embodiment,applicator element 41 may comprise an end wall 41e generally circular in shape having at its center an aperture suitably shaped with respect to the shape of the cross-section of element III andpreferably is conformed as at 41h, about this aperture, to provide a continuous lip which may yieldably and preferably Vresiliently lay itself against and about the moving element I 0, somewhat as indicated in Figurel2, withv sumcient pressure and suillcient surface of contactl to insure the desired wiping and spreading yor distributing action. A v suitable de-- grae" of yieldability or exibilityrmay here be achieved by the inherent qualities of the material employed r by varying the thickness of the material,

as by tapering'it in cross-section,y or the like. l. 1 Such er'v other suitable' means may be employed to give the applicator device 41 the characteristics `desired foreachievin'g the intended thickness of coating andv for achieving as great durability or e life as is possible. Nevertheless, and as 'earlier above indicated, and particularly at high speedsof movement of the element to be coated, .the life of the active'-parts Aof .the applicator device may be long or 'substantialwhen/measured in footage of element coated but is comparatively-short when measured inrelationfto the `total or 'over-al1 Vfoot- I age of a single production run in` the making of element I0 itself. f-The end'of the effective life of the applicator device is indicated by change in the coating applied, usually by non-uniformity of thickness-pr by moreor less non-uniformity of distribution or of application of the .coating material :to the' element. -Whenfthis occurs orat 'element Ill, preferably in substitution of the one whose effective lifehas come 'or'is about to come to an end or whoseeffective-or deslredaction'has measured in relation to elapsed time or ywhen cylinder flange 41 -of `one applicator element takes over the side Wall portion 41 of the next or adjacent applicator elementand preferably these overlapping portions of successive applicator ele. ments are secured together preferably in a manner to facilitate relative ease of detaching one from the other. Thus, the applicator elements larranged in the series may at these contacting or overlapping portions be cemented together by a cement which, while adequately secure to maintain vthe assembly of the elevents, gives way under appropriate manual or like manipulation to eifect separation of the two cemented parts.v Or, where the applicators are made of rubbenthey may'be vulcanized together at their junction or overlap or cemented. i

All of'the'devices 41 are preferably of identical configuration so as to facilitate manufacture in quantities and `to give-wide range of selection of the number to be made up in any one composite unit, excepting that the endmost applicator element, the one at the left in Figure 2, may be constructed to provide also a mounting means for itself and the rest of the elements secured to it. Thus, the cylindrical wall'portion 41 of this innermost elementmay have a sleeve-like extension 41f, reinforced, if desired, by anend portion or `flange 412 of greater thickness, so that it may be expanded or stretched over and onto a support 50 which preferably takes theform of a metallic sleeve "carried by or secured to a carrier plate 5I suitably` supported or carried by the bracket` I3, preferably in the illustrative manner later described, so as to hold the sleeve 50 Vand hence the supporting portions 411-41 of the assemblycoaxially With thev moving `element III.l

Extending toward the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 2, `fro m the bracket I3 and preferably from the 'hole' I4 therein, is a member 52, preferably tubular, and preferably supported from the bracket I3 in a positionto be coaxial, with the line or path of movement of the ele-' ment IILHInternally' the' tubular member 52 is large enough to leave substantial clearance between its inside walls andthe outside4 surface of the moving element` I0 and the coating material carried by the latter and conveniently it is of uniform wall thickness and preferably presents a shape o f cross-section geometrically similar,

, or substantially so, to the -external cross-section of thev element III and hence also to the shape of the mouth or aperture of each of the applicator y elements 41. .In length, the tubular element 52 is s uillcient .tov-extend through the mouths or lipped operating portions of all of the applicator elements excepting theendmost onethat is, the onefat the-extreme right, as seen in Figure 2. And hence,-.when the -multiple-applicator unit is assembled'to its support 50, as by sleeving it onto vand over the tubular member 52, the latter expands the apertures or mouths of all ofthe applicator elements excepting the above-mentioned endmost one, the material of the elements being, as above pointed out, resilient or elastic. Each of the applicator elements is thus held out of operative relation to the moving element I and is in eilect` screened olf by the tubular member 52 and each thus finds some mechanical support from the member52, the latter functioning in the illustrative embodiment by a cantilever ac- Y tion due to its fastening at one end, as later described, to the bracket i3. The endmost applicator, however, is'unrestricted by the tube member 52 and hence its aperture or mouth portion is exposed into operative relation to the moving element i0 and the latter, upon commencing the operation, is threaded through that exposed endmost applicator element which, by the mechanical actions above-mentioned, is supported coaxially with the moving element lil.

The tubular member 52 may be constructed of any suitable material but where the moving element i0 has substantial tendency to vibrate or whip I prefer that the applicator element that happens to be operative upon thev moving element Ill at the right-hand end of the tubular take place. Thus, I may build the tubular member 52 up by winding wire of suitable characteristics, such as piano wire, preferably of small diameter, into a helix to form a core and interweave or interrelate therewith threads of cotl ton or like material, preferably utilizing a suitable saturant and finish for the latter, such as a phenolic resin, which is flexible and preferably,

also impervious to ingredients of the coating material and lalso capable of standing the imposed ambient temperature (where the element i0 is run through in heated` condition), thus giving it characteristics which' the applicator elements themselves preferably also have as above pointed out. With such a construction, dependable expansion of the mouths of the inactive applicator elements may be had and also satisfactory mechanical support for the latter, while the tube member 52 has suicient bendability or yieldability to permit its right-handend and hence the active applicator element or elements to follow or respond to transverse displacement of the moving element lli itself.

' When the time interval of the life of the exposed and active applicator element or elements has elapsed or when by any other means of determination or for any other reason it is desired to bring in to action a new applicator device, the multiple applicator assembly, including the mounting plate i, is shifted toward the right, as viewed in Figure 2i, by a distance equal to the equal spacing between the serially arranged applicator devices, thus, in effect, withdrawing the supporting and expander tube member 52 from the next succeeding applicatorelement or device which contracts onto and about the .still moving element l0 and takes over the action of controlling and determining the thickness and distribution of the coating material onto the element i0. This step is repeated preferably at periodic intervals until the over-all footage of the single continuous runof production of the element I9 is completed, whence tl'ie entire apparatus, including the extrusion and vulcanizing means are halted for preparation for the next run. Thus, I am enabled to insure avoidance of interruption of the continuity of production of each run, the multiple applicator assembly comprising enough applicator elements, including a suitable factor of safety, to insure that the entire run can be achieved without interruption. Depending upon the footage of a single run and the speed of movement of the element ID and related factors, the number of'- applicator devices successively made effective will, of course,

vary.

Preferably, I provide suitable means for achieving the desired step-by-step progression of applicator devices into operative relation to the moving element. For example, I may support the supporting plate 5i movably with respect to the bracket i3 and preferably in amanner to insure that such step-by-step progressive movement is effected, and illustratively I may utilize a suitable number, illustratively two, supporting bars 53, 54, preferably arranged in parallelism to each other and secured to the bracket I3, being of a length commensurate with the length of the tubular member 52; such longitudinally extending supports I may provide with slots or notches 55 having the same`spacing as the spacing between the successive applicator elements ofthe multiple unit.

The slots 55 are preferably of a width to receive relatively snugly the thickness of the mounting plate which is preferably apertured at its upper and lower ends, as at 51 and 58, to receive therethrough the supporting bars 53 and 54, respectively. The c'oacting parts'are preferably so` proportioned or shaped, as by giving the slots 55 a sumcient depth so that the remaining metal can be rounded off into substantially cylindrical form of a diameter about equal to the narrower dimension of the elongated slots 5l, 58 in the mounting plate 5|, thus permittingy the supporting bars to be given a rotary movement when the mounting plate 5l is engaged in or alined with companion slots 55 of the two supporting bars 53, 58.

For this purpose, also, I prefer to support the supporting bars 53, 54 from the supporting bracket i3 preferably in a way to facilitate rota- Vtional movement of the bars about the respecextending through suitablebearing holes in the bracket J3, suitable means being provided for holding the bars against longitudinal displace- Y ment relative tothe bracket i3 and preferably also suitable means for yieldinglyy holding the bars in whatever position may be given them by rotary movement. A convenient and illustrative means for these purposes may comprise spring washers 69 interposed between the lefthand face of the supporting bracket structure and, for example, nuts 6l threaded onto the extreme ends ofthe bar extension 59, any suitable means, such as a collar G2,- fixed to the inner portions of the bar extension 59 being provided to bear against the opposite face of the supporting bracket structure, thus to coact with the spring washersil and nuts 6I in holding the supporting bars 53, 54- parallel to each other and with their respective slots 5I transversely alined.

Supporting bars 53,454 are'equidistantly spaced from the axis of the tubular element 52 and the elongated slots and 58 (Figure 4) in the mounting plate 5i are so positioned, being also equidistantly spaced from the axis of the mounting collar' 50, that the respective cylindrical Yportions at the bases of anytwo transversely alined ' slots 55, 55 bottom respectively in the upper and lower ends of the slots 51 and 58. Accordingly', whenthe bars 5 3 and 54 are rotated to a position to' face their respective slots- 55. toward each other, bar 53 is in alinement with thelslot 51 Vand assasss to lock the mounting plate bar 54 is inalinementwith the slot 5l. whence mounting plate 5i, with a multiple nipple or applicator lassembly attached to its collar 5l, may' be slipped onto the free ends of the bars 5I, '54

and moved to a position substantially in alinementwith that pairof transversely paired. or alined slots 55, 55 which is nearest the bracket 53. all of the applicator elements being expanded onto and over the tubularmember 52 excepting the one at the extreme right-hand end of the multiple assembly; thence the two bars 53, 54

the other parts.

As soon as it becomes necessary to bring another applicator element into action, and this may be determined in various ways, as ini'iicated4 above, the two bars 53, 54 are given a rotary movement in retrograde direction, thus bringing them into alinement with the respective elongated slots 51 and 5B in the mounting plate 5I,

, whence the assemblage with the mounting plate 5I may be moved as a unit toward the right, be ing guided bythe spaced supporting bars 53, 54, by a distance equal to the spacing between successive slots 55, thus bringing the mounting plate 5i into alinement with the next succeeding slctsm the supportingbars n and u, then shifted and let down into the next succeeding pair of transversely alined slots for such mode of need not be resorted to, though one or both may be given a slight rotary movement thus in effect 5i against unintentional displacement.

0r, I may eiIect, by suitable'power means, an advancing movement of the multiple applicator unit either by manual control or automatic con- Y trol, as is illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and '7 where the mounting plate 5| is provided with threaded bushings or nuts 1I and 12 in threaded connection with two parallel threaded slmporting'bars 15, 1I, respectively, supported insuitabie bearing constructions generally indicated at 15 and 15, respectively. for permitting rotation of the two bars 1I, It while hold- -ing them in parallel relationship and against novement axially; with such an arrangement I provide means for synchronously driving the bars v 13, I4 and according to the direction of rotation. the nuts 1I, 12 suitably nxed in the carrier plate 5| move'l'engthwise toward the right or toward the left, as viewed in Figure 8, and carry withand the applicator |5`and 50 ilxed to a driving shaft Il that extends pair of slots 55, .55, such movement being ,eilected to slide all of the expanded applicator elements along the tubular member 52 by a corresponding distance, bringing one of them out of engagement with the right-hand endo: tubular member 52 and thus permitting it to snap onto or contract about 'the moving element I5 and undertake immediately the task of evenly spreading and applying the coating material to element Iii. The

` partsI may again be locked in this new positiom.

ation. For example, I may leave both supporting bars 53 and 54 in such positions that, in crosssection or as viewed in Figure 4; they are in lgeneral alinement with the elongated slots in the mounting plate 5| and with their respective slots 55 exposed upwardly. In such case, to eiiect a shift oi' the mounting plate 5I with its multiple applicator unit. mounting plate 5I need be simply raised to disengage it from two companion vertically along the faceof the plate-like sup porting bracket il to' which are mounted suitably spaced bearings I2, 53 for rotatably supporting the shaft li and for holding it against axial displacement.

Suitable driving means for the shaft 8i are provided and they may take the form of an electric motor-84 (shown on smaller scale in Figure 7) preferably secured to the bracket i3 and provided with a driving connection with shaft 8i,

` preferably by way of areversible gear drive diagrammatically indicated in Figure 'I pt I5 and provided with a suitable control means, such asV 'a handle 86, the shifting of which into either 0f two positions eects control of the direction of drive of the shaft 8| and hence of the direction of movement of theappiicatoi'4 means.

Motor 54 may be supplied with energy from I applicator element into action upon the continuously moving elementl i0, handle of the reverse gear 55 being, of course, initially set to move the multiple applicator unitin the proper direction for that purpose, and being setto reverse the direction of movement when it is desired to,

Or I may, at the beginningv of operations, close the switch 58 topermit the motor 84 to run continuouslv and in such' case I providev suitable means for insuring that the movement oi the multiple applicator unit in aV direction toward the right, as viewed in Figures 2 land 6. takes place, atv 'a suiiicientiy slow rate so that a new applicator unii-l is snapped oi of the tubular element 52 or brought into action upon the moving element Ill at suitable time intervals according to the eiective life of the applicator element; for example, and depending upon 'various factors vabove indicated, the effective life of an active applicator element may be thirty minutes and in such case the rate of drive to effect relative -movement between the multiple applicator unit and the tubular element 52 is such that it requires about thirty minutes to eiect such movement throughout a distance equal to the equal spacing between successive applicator elements. Thus, with thirteen applicator elements, as shown in Figure 2, they are brought into action upon the moving element I successively at the rate of one every thirty minutes and fourteen applicator units would thus suice for a 6 1/i-hour continuous run.

The achievement of the desired rate atwhich the applicator units are brought into action is preferably and more conveniently eiected by correspondingly controlling the speed of drive of the driving motor 84 itself, having, of course, due regard for the. ratio of drive of the gearing between the motor and the bars 13, 1B, and illustpatively I may provide a suitable speed control illustratively in the form of a rheostat 89 having preferably an off position. Thus, by setting rheostat 89, the desired speed of drive may be Aachieved and switch 88 may be used vfor starting and stopping or the rheostat 89 with an ofi position may itself be used also for starting and stopping, and conveniently the speed control device, such as the rheostat 89, is suitably calibrated. For starting a new run, carrier plate 5I is restored to its initial or starting position by shifting the reverse gear control 86 and to effect more rapid movement during this restoring operation, the motor-speed control, such as rheostat 89,v is set for maximum motor speed which may be and preferably is sufllciently high to eiect restoration in a comparatively short interval of time.

Or, where it is preferable to avoid a wide differential in speed of drive of the motor, or where a step-by-steprelative movement between multiple applicator unit and tubular element 22 is preferable, suitable means, such as an arrangement for energizing the motor circuit at suitable intervals, such as every thirty minutes, may be provided, and in Figure 7 such an arrangement is diagrammatically indicated at 90. It may be in eiect a time switch and may comprise a rotary circuit closer and interrupter having conductive elements 9i alternated with non-conductive elements 92 whichin coaction with a brush 93 hold the circuit of motor 84 open, when the brush contacts a non-conductive element 92 for the desired time interval, such as thirty minutes, and closes the motor circuit, during the time of contact between brush 93 and a conductive element 9|, for a suincient length of time to let the motor effect sufficient relative movement between the abovementioned parts to bring the next applicator element into action.

With such an arrangement rheostat 89 may be used to set the speed of the motor 84 to accommodate its action to the change in time interval ing position. In this latter instance, switch 94 is closed to cut out the device 90, reverse gea control 86 is properly set, and switch 88 held closed for a suilicient time interval to bring the `carrier plate 5l to its starting position. l p

Thus, I may assure continuity of desired coating application without having to interrupt a continuous run of production of element l0. During operation, worn applicator elements of a multiple applicator assembly may be removed from the latter during the operation of the apparatus, such removal taking place after the assemblage has been moved toward the right to bring a new applicator element into action. In such case the endmost :applicator element, being the one Whose action or operation has become defective or undesirable, may be cut, as by a sharp blade or scissors before or after detaching'its ange portion. 41 from the cylindrical portion 61 of the adjacent element, the connection between these two parts being, as above indicated, preferably a detachable one to facilitate such removal. Such a detachable connection may comprise, for example, a convex rib extending about the ange portion 41 (Figure 2) of each applicator element and a mating convex groove extending within and about the flange portion 51, these parts interltting and normally resisting yseparation `under normal strains or pulls effected in the general direction of the axis of the unit. In such case disconnection and :cutting Ias above-rr'ientioned are easily elected manually. Or, by way of further example, where parts 41 and 47 are cemented together, the cementing is suiiciently strong to stand up under the conditions of operation but yields under applied manual strain to effect such detachment. The line along which severance along a radius may be achieved may also be predetermined, if desired, as by a tear line (not shown), suitably formed along a radius of each of the elements for example during molding them where they are made of a material like rubber.

Preferably and more conveniently, however, I

may employ an arrangement like that shown in Figure/2 which may comprise a suitably supported plate`-like support preferably of a material like fiber or wood and apertured as at 95a 'so that moving element I0 passes therethrough...

loperation of the applicator mechanism, the Irods 95, 95 may be swungabout the axis of the hinge connections into a position substantially parallel to the plate support 95, thus holding the frame 96aV and the cutting blade 9S away from and out of operative relation to the aperture 95a and to the moving element IIJ.

When an applicator element is detached fromy a preceding one, it may thus be carried by the moving element l0 up against the plate support 95 which halts it, whence the frame 96positioned at the outer ends of the rod members 95b and 95, being preferably biased to such position by springs 95g and 95h, may be swung about the axis of the hinge connections into a position alongside of the moving element l0, the detached and halted applicator element thus .finding itself plicator element `backed up by the plate support 95,- continued pressure of the cutter blade 96 in a t direction toward the right cutsA the applicator element along a chord which is parallel to the vertical diameter of the applicator element and sumciently closeto it so that the line of severance is tangent to or intersects the wom aperture of the applicator element. Ihe latter is Vthus cut ananas into two partsV and thus `easily removed from the moving element I0.` Frame 96'f'with cutter 90 may then be. swung into an out-of-th'e-way position,- as above noted.

It might be noted that, where the cutting is done by hand, as by the blade or scissors abovementioned, or torn along a tear line, the line of cutting 'is preferably along a radius through passes, whence removal from the element I2 follows.

kTubular element 52 is preferably mounted for ease of 'replacement in any suitable manner. Thus, its left-hand end (Figure 2) may be pro- VV'tothe aperture through which the element I2 v vided with a sleeve-like member 04 preferably of Preferably, suitable means are provided to in- .sure so fixing the position of any selected discharge device. Such a means may comprise a disk |00 (Figure 1) interposed between the lefthand carrier disk 91 and the left-hand face, of

bracket I3 to which it is secured as by screws |0|, being apertured so as to pass the bolt 98 therethrough and also giving the back faceof carrier disk 91 a suitable expanse of fiat bearingsurface.

Where the carrier disk v91 has four discharge elements 34, it is provided with four equiangularly spaced holes |02 (Figure 3) with which coacts a pin |03 projecting from the face of the interposed disk plate |00, pin |03 being so positioned that when received, upon rotary movement of carrier disk 91,' in any one of the four holes |02, a corresponding one of the four supply or discharge devices 34 is accurately positioned in operative relation to the path of movement of the element |0.V A.

Interposed between the nut of the bolt 90 and the bracket 39 is a spring |04 (Figures 1 and 6) against 'the tension of which carrier disk 91 may be moved with the bolt 90 toward the left by a suiiicient amount to disconnect pin |03 and the hole |02 in which it was seated, whence a rotary movement of the desired extent to bring the selected device 34 into the desired position brings a corresponding hole |02 into juxtaposition to the fixed pin |03, whence seating of the pin in the selected hole is permitted by allowing spring |04 again to expand, the snug iit between the hole and the pin |03 definitely fixing the selected `dis eharge device lin its operating position. .If de- 'sired, and as shown in the drawings, there might be as many pins|03 as-there are holes |02 and element 52 may be withdrawn through the hole f |4 in the bracket I3 and by reverse operations replaced'by a new tubular member 52 whose crosssection may bent will be understood, dierent according to the cross-section of the element I0 kto be operated upon, the shape of the apertures in the applicator elements 41 being in such case also preferably shaped toy correspond.

To guard against failure of a discharge device 34 causing an interruption of the continuous run of production of the element I0 I preferably provide 'a suitable number of such devices for sup-.- plying coating material to the element I0, illustrati/vely four in numberr and suitable means for selectively placing them in operative relation to preferably' the .ends of the pins are rounded over.

or tapered `to facilitate quick settingk of the pin or pins into their respective holes.

Thus, should any one discharge device fail or operate defectively it may be quickly shifted out of operative relation to the moving element 'I0 and another or succeeding one iust as quickly brought'into operative relation to the moving element, suitable arrangements being made lfor supphring the latter discharge device with the coating materialgfrom the source of supply, as by flexible or disconnectable conduits or piping, For example, and as shown in Figure 3, each pipef like extension 31 of the various discharge structures 34 may be provided Awith any suitable the moving element I0. Thus, referring to Flgures 3 and 1, four such discharge chamberaz or devices 34 'are shown land preferably they are mounted in equiangularly spaced relation about the axis of a carrier disk 91 suitably mounted for' preferably step-by-step rotary movement at the upper end of the plate-like supporting bracket I3. Thus, a bolt 98 passing through suitable alined apertures in the carrier disk 91 and in the bracket I3 secures theformer to the latter 'and furnishes a suitable axis about which the carrier disk 91 maybe swung and where 'the axes of the discharge devices 34 are radial relative to the carrier disk 91, the axis provided by boit 98 is in a vertical line through the cente'r of the moving element and hence any one of the-several dischargedevces 34 may be operatively related to tbe moving element I0 by swinging carrier disk 91 to bring the discharge end of the selected device just above the path of movement of the element i9 and to bring its axis in line with the above-t| mentioned vertical' line.k

quickly releasable means. such as threads |00, to receive the clamping nut |00 rotatably carried by a movably mounted or exible conduit |01 that leads to the source of supply of coating material and that mayvthus be quickly disconnected from or connected to a pipe-like extension 31.

The various discharge structures 3 4 are prefer'ably removably mounted on the carrier disk 91 and are preferably also constructed to permit quick disassembly for replacement of parts or for cleaning, adjustment, or the like.I Thus, forexample, cach device -may cbmprise a relatively heavy main or base- .portion |09fwhich may be machined from a casting to provide the pipe-like extension 31,v and an upper threaded extension |09 (Figure 2) with which'the cap-like closure 40 is Ain detachable threaded connection. thereby permitting -quick removal of the-closure 4|) and the plunger 30 with its needle point, and to provide an internally threaded part IIO at its lower end (Figure 1) to removably receive a tube-like part I||, the lower end of which is tapered and aperture 35, so that removal oi the part III of the device 34 thus exposes the lower end of the plunger and the needle point.

The part |08 has also a T-shaped extension I I3 (Figures l, 2 and 5) the shank H3*i of which is receivable into a radial slot II4 in thecarrier disk 91, there being'as many slots II4 inthe lattery as there are to be discharge devices 34, illustratively four. The cross part of each T- shaped extension I I3 is transversely slotted, as at I I5 (Figures 1 and 5) to snugly receive a holding member which preferably takes the form of tion and as the art herein descrifbednight be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting a leaf spring I I6 one end of which is secured as by a pin II1 to the rear face of the carrier disk 91. there being one such holding device IIS for each slotl I I4. With the spring member IIB seated in the slot II5, the device 34 is held against vmovement outwardly from its slot II4. When it is desired, however, to remove a device 34, the spring member `I I6 is ilexed to lift it out of the slot IIS whence the device 34 may be withdrawn from its slot. As is better shown in Figure l, the ,abovementioned disk I00, which carries the pin or pins |03, is interposed between the carrier plate 91 Vand the 'bracket I3 and thus also provides appropriate clearance between these two parts to accommodate the cross portions of the T-shaped extensions II3 and the holding members IIB.

Thus, disassembly for purposes of cleaning, in-

spection, conditioning, replacement, or the like, and assembly of the discharge devices individually and with respect to the carrier disk may be quickly achieved.

Also, the apparatus is of wide adaptability and flexibility of control; for example, should it be desired to change the coating material as, for example, when a change in color of applied coating material is `desired, shifting of the carrier disk or head 91 may be quickly eiected to bring into operative relation to the moving element I0 another discharge device 34 connected to a source of supply of .the desired coating material or la coating material of the desired color; such a change may be made during a run or in preparation for a new run.

The eiective internal cross-section of the tubular element 52A (Figure 2) may also be proportioned to be adequate to pass therethrough a splice in *he element I0 and, depending upon the nature of the splice or like possible pro.

tuberance, the expansibility of the applicator device or devices then operating upon the element vIl) permits the latter to yield or stretch or pass the protuberance or, as is preferred or may be desired in practice, the operating applicator device or devices may be expanded by sleeving them onto the right-hand endof the member 52, as viewed in Figure 2, and thus remove them from the path of movement of the protu-berance, the applicator device or devices being restored to operative relation to the element as soon as the protuberance has passed the point of spreading operation.

Where the expander or tubular element 52 is made of a composite material, as above described, it is preferred to provide its free end with a reinforcing metal ferrule or sleeve 52whose external end portion and that of the member 52 are preferably tapered ofi', as indicated in Figure 2, thus to facilitate sleeving the expansible applicator elements onto the element 52, particularly in initially setting'up the apparatus whence the parts appear in the general relationship Sense.

I claim: 1. In a method for applying a coating element 4to a moving elongated element, the steps which comprise moving the elongated element longitudinally at suitable speed, supplying to its external surface the coating material, running the element with the coating material through a plurality of successively arranged applicator devices which have spreader portions for engagement with the moving element to spread the coating material over its surface, holding the spreader portions of the applicator devices out of engagement with the moving element and bringing the spreader portions of the applicator devices successively into operative relation to the moving element at suitable intervals according to the change in action of an operating spreader portion of a device caused by its continued action upon the moving element.

2. In a method for applying a coating element to a moving elongated element, the steps which comprise supplying to a heated moving elongated element a coating material settable in response to heating, running the element with the coating material thereon into operative relation to a plurality of applicator deviceshaving spreader portions for spreading the coating material relative to the surface of the elements, and bringing the l.spreader portions of said devices successively into action upon the moving element at suitable intervals.

3. In a method for applying a coating element to a moving elongated element, the steps which comprise supplying to a heated moving elongated .element a coating material settable in response to heating, running the element with the coating direction of its length through a plurality of successivelyarranged applicator devices each of which has an elastic apertured spreader portion which in operation is constrlcted about and against the surface of said moving elongated element to eiect spreading of the coating material, holding the elastic spreaden portions 0f certain of said applicator devices jin expanded or distended form to hold them o'ut of action upon the moving element and releasing a distended spreader portion to bring it into action upon the coating material and moving element.

5. In a n. .thod for applying a coating element to a moving elongated element, the steps which.

comprise running the elongated element with coating material supplied thereto through the alined apertures of a plurality of rubber spreader members of which all but that one or those needed form and hence out of action upon the element,

comprise running the elongated element through a tube-like expander having strung thereover and expanded thereby a plurality of contractible applicator elements which are by said expander held out of operative relation to the moving element, and effecting relative movement between said expander and said applicator element expanded therebyl as to disengage one from the other and permit the applicator element to contract and become operative upon the moving element. i

7. In a method for applying a coating element to a moving elongated element, the steps which comprise sleeving onto a tube-like expander all but the endmost one of a plurality of successively arranged contractible applicator elements, running the elongated element through said expander and through said endmost applicator element whereby the latter effects spreading of a coating material onto the surface of the moving elongated element and said expander holds expanded, and out of action upon said elongated member, the rest of said applicator elements, and effecting relative movement between said expander and applicator elements expanded thereby to bring the latter successively and at suitable intervals into action upon the moving elongated element.

8. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising a plurality of successively arranged applicator devices which have spreader portions adapted for engagement with the moving element to spread the coating material `over its surface,-

means for supplying to the moving element coating material to be spread over its surface, means for holding the spreader portions of said applicator devices out of engagement with the moving element, and means for releasing the spreader portions of said `applicator devices successively and at suitable intervals to bring spreader portions into operative relation to the moving element substantially in accordance with the changeI in action of an operating spreader portion caused by its continued action upon the moving element.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 in which the spreader portions comprise respectively elastic apertured members with their apertures alined along the line of movement f said elongated element and any one of which, when in operation upon the elongated element is constricted about and against the surface of the latter to eiect spreading of they coating material, and said holding means comprises means holding the elastic apertured members in expanded or distended form. 10. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising a plurality of rubber spreader members each .having an aperture proportioned to the cross-section and means for effecting release of distended spreader members as desired.

`11. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising a tube-like expander through which the elongated element moves and having strung there- Yover andy expanded thereby a plurality of vcontractible applicator elements which are by said expander held out of operative relation to the moving element, and means supporting said plurality of applicator elements and said tube-like expander for relative' movement therebetween in the general direction of the length of said expander, thereby to permit successive release of contractible applicator elements from an end of said expander to contract and become operative upon the moving element.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1l in which there is means mounting that end of said tube-like expander adjacent to which an applicator element is operative upon the moving element for movement in directions transverse to the line of movement of said elongated member. thereby to follow transverse sway or movement of said elongated member.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which said tube-like expander element is pliant which an applicator element is operative uponY said moving element, whereby said last-mentioned end with an operating applicator element' may partake of movement in directions transverse to the general line of movement of said elongated member in response to vibration or sidesway of the latter.

14. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising a tube-like expander through which the elongated element moves and having strung thereover and expanded thereby a plurality of contractible applicator elements which are by said expander held out of operative relation to the moving element.

15. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising a tube-like expander through which the elongated element moves and having strung thereover and expanded thereby a plurality of contractible applicator elements which are by said expander held out of operative relation to the moving element, means holding said applicator elements together and in spaced relation, and means mounting said expander and said holding means for relative movement in the direction of the length of said expander, whereby upon relative movement therebetween to effect disengagement between an applicator element and said expander, a disengaged applicator element contracts about and becomes operative upon the uting coating material, a plurality of discharge` ing means for effecting substantially continuous relative movement between said applicator elements and said expander at a rate commensurate with the rate at which it is desired to bring said applicator elements successively into operation upon the moving element.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 having motive means for effecting said relative movement, and means for controlling the direc-` ments together and in spaced relation comprises also means providing for detachment of individual applicator elements, whereby an applicator element may be removed out of operative relation to the moving element and said expander.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim in which said means for holding said applicator elements together and `in spaced relation comprises also means providing for detachment of individual applicator elements, there being means whereby an applicator element may be parted to permit its removal from said moving element. 22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which said means for holding said applicator elements together and in spaced relation vcomprises also means providing for detachment of individual applicatorelements, said applicator elements having a weakened portion forming a tear line along which each applicator element may be parted for removal from about said movingelement.

A 23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 yin which said means for holding said applicator elements together and in spaced relation comprises also means providing for detachment of individual applicator elements, and severing means operable to sever an applicator element` thereby .to permit cutting of the. applicator element for removal from about the moving element.

24. An apparatus for applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising spreader means operating upon said element at one point in its path of movement for distribdevices each having means forming part of a detachable connection with a means forming -a source of supply of coating material, and means 'movably mounting said plurality of discharge devices for selectively positioning them to discharge coating material onto said moving element in advance of said point.

25. An apparatus for. applying a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising spreader means operating upon -said element at one point in its path of movement for distributing coating material, a plurality of discharge devices each capable of.emitting coating material onto said moving element at a rate commensurate with the speed of movement of the latter and the surface area thereof to be cov-r ered by coating material, and means movably mounting said pluralityof discharge devices for selectively positioning them to discharge coating material onto said elongated element at a point in its path of movement in advance of said firstmentioned point. y 26. An apparatus for applying 'a coating material to a moving elongated element comprising spreader means operating upon said element at one point in its path of movement for distributing coating material, a plurality of means each capable oi applying coating material to said moving element in advance of said point, and means for selectively bringing said plurality of means and the moving elongated element into opera-tive relation to each other. f

27. An apparatus for applying a coating matetrial to a moving elongated element comprising a hollow member through which the elongated element freely passes, said hollow element being constructed and mounted for yieldable displacement in directions transversely of the line of movement of said elongated element, means for supplying to the moving element coating material to be spread over its surface, and an applicator device having spreader means in operative relation to the moving element to spread coating material over its surface and having means supporting it from said yieldable supporting element whereby said spreader means may 'partake of bodily movement in directions transverse oi the line of movement of said moving element to accommodate itself to corresponding transverse movements of the moving element.

CHARLES W. ABBOTT.

Images