US2913191A - Reel-winding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1959 A1 NELSON REEL-WlNDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nqv. 17, v1959 A. w. NELSON f REEL-WINDINGAPPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1956 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSON REEL-WINDING APPARATUS.

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. v9, 1956 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSON' '2,913,191

REELWINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. s. 1956 e sheetsf-sneet 4 Nov. 17', 1959 A. w. NELSON REEL-WINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 195ev 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 17, 1959 A. w. NELSON 2,913,191

REEL-WINDING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 INVENToR. Hide?? AfA/Z902? nitecl States Patent" C REEL-WIN DIN G APPARATUS Alden W. Nelson, Pawtucket, RJ., assignor to Standard Machinery Division of Franklin Research Corporation, Mystic, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application November 9, 1956, Serial No. 621,243

16 Claims. (Cl. 242-25) This invention relates generally to reel Winding apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for winding continuously fed exible stock on reels.

Reel winding apparatus of the type to which the present invention relates takes in continuously delivered stock and winds it in predetermined lengths on successive reels for its convenient storage and transport until put to its ultimate use. Reel winding apparatus to which the present invention relates more particularly is of the heavierduty type requiring journal supports at both ends of each reel being wound. Commonly, apparatus of this type have facilities for removably supporting two reels sideby-side for rotation in winding position, one reel being wound at a time until full, whereupon the other reel is wound While the full reel is removed from the apparatus and replaced by an empty reel to be wound next. Reels are thus alternately wound in the apparatus and replaced by empty reels until a continuous supply stock is fully wound on reels. The reels in the apparatus are separately power-driven, commonly under manual control, and the stock is directed into the respective reels in oryderly lays by traverse guides under automatic or semiautomatic control, the wound stock on each full reel being severed from the supply stock and the latter anchored to the next reel to be wound and also placed on the respective traverse guide therefor.

It is among the important objects of the present invention to provide winding apparatus of this type with twin reel stands or carriers on each of which reels may be exchanged, and connected with and disconnected from ya power drive, quickly and without any appreciable elort on the part of a single attendant. To this end, each reel stand is appropriately U-shaped, having spaced arms which straddle a reel and at their top ends removably support the opposite journal ends of a removable adapter shaft in the reel, while they are at the bottom pivotally mounted'for swinging movement into raised reel-winding :and lowered reel-exchange positions. To the same end also, the power drive associated with each reel stand includes, besides the usual coupling arm and pin near one end of the adapter shaft for the drive of a reel thereon, also a quickly engageable and disengageable coupling having companion driven and driving elements on one of the journal ends of the adapter shaft and the adjacent standv arm, respectively, for driving the adapter .shaft during a reel-winding operation and disconnecting it from the power drive so that it may remain in a full reel while the latter is removed from the stand, thereby -to facilitate not only the removal of a full reel from the ystand but also the removal of the adapter shaft from lthe full reel and its application to an empty reel to be wound as 'well as the placement of the latter on the stand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide winding apparatus of this type in which the aforemen- 'tioned coupling for the drive of the adapter shaft in each stand is of the slider type, the driving element thereof in the stand arm being slidable into and from cou- 2,913,191 Patented Nov. 17, 19,59

ice

` the adapter shaft, thereby permitting the advantageous prime mover, presently a motor-driven multistage changeuse of reel stands of the type shown and described in my copending application Serial No'. 552,023, led December 9, 1955, now U.S. Patent No. 2,879,011. A

l reel stand of this type is characterized by the provision in the top ends of the stand arms Vof partial bearings which are open outwardly away from the pivot axis of the stand for lateral passage thereinto and removal therefrom of the journal ends of an adapter shaft in a reel, so that the latter may be rolled on the floor into supporting relation with the partial bearings and raised directly from the floor as well as lowered thereonto on merely swinging the stand into its aforementioned reel winding and exchange positions, respectively, with the partial bearings even acting to cam the journal ends of the adapter shaft therefrom and thereby entirely release the reel from the stand on swinging the latter even lower after the reel is lowered onto the door.

It is another object of the present invention to pro- Vide in winding apparatus of this type for the power drive of a reel in each stand, hereinafter referred to as reel drive, a manual control which may be manipulated by the operator to start and interrupt the drive, and to provide in each reel drive a powerful brake which, on each manipulation of the associated control for an interruption of the drive, will be applied to the latter for immediately stoppingV the same and, hence, the full reel on the associated stand with its considerable inertia, thereby to permit severance of the supply stock from the wound stock on each full reel and the anchorage of the severed end of the :supply stock to each empty reel to be wound, immediately on manipulating the respective controls for interruption of their associated reel drives It is a further object vof the present invention to provide in winding apparatus ofthis type rotary operating spindles which are threadedly connected with and operate the aforementioned traverse guides, respectively, one at a time, and further to provide separate spindle drives the controls of which are so interrelated with the controls of the aforementioned reel drives, that on manipulation' of the control for starting and stopping eitherreel drive the associated spindle drive'is rendered operative and inoperative, respectively, with the associated traverse guide returning, however, to a starting position adjacent one end of a reel on the associated stand after each manipulation of the control for :interrupting the respective reel drive, thereby to achieve a correct start of the wire wind in the reel on either stand on manipulation of the control for starting the respective reel drive. In this connection, each spindle drive includes drive sections for imparting to the associated spindle rotation in opposite directions, respectively, and normally disengaged electromagnetic clutches which on engagement render the respective drive sections operative, these clutches being during the drivev of a reel on the associated stand alternately engaged on actuation` of a switch on the associated traverse guidey j by limit stops, respectively, at the opposite ends of the proper traverse range of the guide for a given width of the reel. These limit stops are, moreover, adjustable to coordinate the traverse range of the guides withv any particular widthof reels to be wound.

The reel and spindle drives have preferably a commonV speed gearing of which the several speed stages areal?- plied forvreel sizes, and more vparticularly reel diameters, within several different ranges, respectively, in order that the yapparatus may wind wire stock on successive reelsv of most any diameter, within limits, at an overall rate which is commensurate with an efficient stock delivery rate to the apparatus, be it directly from an extruder and/,or vulcanizer. Furthermore, each spindle drive includes a change-speed mechanism which is adjustable, even while the apparatusjisA performing a winding operation,'to drive the associated spindle at a speed which is infinitely variable, between limits, so that theA associated guide may lead wire stock in orderly side-by-side lays onto reels of most any diameter within the aforementioned ranges of reel sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in winding apparatus of this type for ready manual rotation `injeither direction of the operating spindle for each traverse guide, and for interruption unde'rnianual control of the "associated spindlel drive when operative, presently by disengagement of both of the'afoi'ementioned electrom'agneticV clutches'thereof, without interrupting the associated reel drive, howeventhereby topermit shifting of' either operativeitraverse guidele'ven during 'a reelwinding operation, in order' to bring Vthe wirestock led therefrom into alignment with the wire turns asthey are being wound 'in orderly sideby-side relation for the first time on an associated driven reel ofa new rdiameter after the aforementioned change-speed gearing and/or associated change-speed mechanism have rst been adjusted to achieve a traverse speed of the guide Vat which the stock led therefrom is being wound in such orderlysideby-side turns on the reel of the new size.V i A further object of the present invention is to have readily accessible provisions in Winding 'apparatus of this type, preferably at two different stations thereof at which an operator may well observe winding operations on reels on the two stands, respectively,`for manipulation of the adjacent spindle in opposite directions and for manual interruption and resumption of the drive therefor at either station, thereby to enable an operator to undertake single-handed the aforementioned shift of either traverse guide for alignment of the wire stock led therefrom with the orderly side-by-side wire turns being wound on an associated driven reel of a new diameter, as well as to cause resumption of the associated interrupted spindle drive immediately on achieving alignment of the stock from the guide with the wire turns being VWound side-byside on the reel. y j

' Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled -in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. y Y In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shownV for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of Winding apparatus embodying the present invention; i A i Figs. 2A and 2B together constitute a front elevation partly in section, of the Winding apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of thewinding apparatus as viewed in the direction of arrow V3 in Fig. 2B;

Fig. 4 is a cross section through the winding apparatus, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2 B;

Fig. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line iA-LlA of Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentarylongitudinal section through the winding apparatus, taken substantially ontvhe line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Y i i Fig. 6 is another fragmentary longitudinal section through the winding apparatus, substantially as taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4; i' l Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on the line` '7 7 of Fig. 2A; v

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section takenronthe line 8- 8Y of Fig. 2A; Y l Y Fig'. 9 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 97- 9 f Fis-8; i' i' Figi 9A is an enlarged fragmentaryY section, partly in elevation, of certain drive elementsof the: apparatus;

"i Fig. l0 is afragmentary View of the winding apparatus,

4 showing a certain operating device thereof in its performing condition;

Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic view showing a control arrangement for the operating device of the Winding apparatus shown in its performing condition in Fig. l0;

Fig. l2 is a `wiring diagram of certain prominent controls of the Winding apparatus; and

Fig. l3 is a wiring diagram of other prominent controls of theV winding apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates a dual-reel winding apparatus having a main rame 22 which carries the various operating devices of the apparatus. The main frame 22 comprises, in the present instance, opposite end brackets or castings 24 and 26, each being presently formed of suitably joined top and bottom sections 25a and ZSb, and a number of ties between the end castings 24 and 26. The ties are, in the present instance, rods o'r bars Y28a-ci and a rchannel bar 30 which rmly connect the end brackets Z4 and 26 at their top sections 25a, and angles 32, 34 and a channel bar 36 of which the former rmly connect the lower sections 25b of the end brackets 24 and 26 in the rear thereof at the top and bottom, respectively, while the channel bar 36 rirmly connects the same lowerV bracket sections at the front and bottom thereof. The `rnain frame 22 is further reenforced by upright angles 3S, and 4Q which connect the rear angles 32 and SLi/near the adjacent end brackets 24 and 26, respectively, and by additional horizontal angles 42, 44, 45, 46, 4S and 50 which connect the rear angle 34 with the front channel bar 36. at the bottom of the main frame.

The various operatingdevices ofthe apparatus are reel stands 52, reel spindle units 54 (Fig. 2A), standoperating devices 56, reel drives 58, stock" guides 60, guide-op erating means 52, stock anchor means 64, stock-severing means de, (an accumulator 68, a Vstock tension control 7,0 therefor, and drive controls.

Reel stands The present apparatus comprises two stands 52, each for removably supporting a rotary reel R for winding continuous stock s thereon. Reels on the standsv 52' are 'successively wound with stock, and each full reel lis replaced by an empty reel while the other, reel Vis being wound with stock.` Each stand 52 is also shiftable into reelwinding and reel-exchange positions in which a reel thereon is free to turn above the floor or another support and is lowered thereunto for replacement'by an empty reel, respectively. Since both standsy are identical Vin their construction and performance, except that they are of left and right hand design (Figs. lf, 2A and 2B), only one of these stands, namelygthe left-hand` stand 52A, will be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. l, 2A and 3^. Thus, the standSZA is gene-rally U-shaped, having opposite side arms F'Zwan'dr 74` and across-connection 76. which presently is in the form of a rock shaft. The side arms 72 and '7.4, which are preferably castings, have hub formations 7S and Sil by means of which they are keyed at 82 to the opposite ends of the rock shaft '76. The rock shaft 76 of the stand 52A is journalled in suitable bearings $4 and 36 in the channel barcf the main frame 22, so that the stand is swingable, about the axis of the rock shaft 76, into the upright/reel--winding position shown in Figs. l, 2A and 3', and into a forwardly inclined reel-exchange position such as that in which the other reel stand 52B is shownV in Fig. l. In 'order to rigidify the stand 52A and relieve the key connections $2 of the stand arms 72 and '74 with the rock shaft 76 of excessive shear forces, the stand arms 72 and 74` are provided at their bottoms with rear extensions S5 and 87 which are connected by a tie rod 89.' The arms 72 and 74 of the stand 52A are at their top ends generally forkshaped,` each providing a reel bearing 83 (see also Fig. 7) having a semicylindrical bearing surface or seat and op-` 5. posite pr'ongs 92 and 94 the opposing surfaces 92a and 94a of which are continuous with the bearing seat 90 and dene a lateral entry passage to the latter for a journal assembly 96 on a reel R. Preferably, the reel bearings SS in both stand arms 72 and 74 are identical.

As already mentioned, the other reel stand 52B is in all respects identical with the described reel stand 52A, except that the stands are of left and right hand design. Certain prominent parts of the reel stand 52B are identilied in the drawings by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the stand 52A, except that the suflix b is added thereto.

Reel spindle units As already mentioned, reels are supported in the stands 52 on journal assemblies 96 on the opposite ends of the reels. However, these journal assemblies 96 do not form parts of each reel, but rather form parts of reel spindle units 54 which are exchanged in successive reels for their support and drive in the stands.

Since the reel spindle units 54A and 54B in the reels in both stands 52A and 52B are identical, only one of these units, namely, the unit 54A which is presently applied to the reel R in the stand 52A, will be described in detail with particular reference to Fig. 2A. Thus, the spindle unit 54A comprises a spindle 100 having the opposite journal assemblies 96 and carrying a coupling arm 102. In the present instance, the spindle 100 consists of a hollow shaft 104 and solid stubs 106 which project from, and are firmly secured in, the opposite ends of the hollow shaft. The left-hand journal assembly 96 on the spindle 100 (Figs. 2A and 7), being the one adjacent the coupling arm 102, comprises a ball bearing 108 of which the inner race 110 is pressiitted on the adjacent stub end 106 of the spindle, while the outer race 112 is received in a roller 114 which is presently seated in the adjacent reel bearing 88 and has opposite side anges 116 that prevent axial removal of the roller from the reel bearing. The journal assembly 96 is thus nonremovably mounted on the spindle 100.

The opposite journal assembly 96" -is in all respects like the described journal assembly 96', except that the innerrace 110" of the ball bearing 108 of the journal assembly 96 is pressftted on a sleeve 118 which is axially removable from the adjacent stub end 106 of the spindle, wherefore the entire journal assembly 96", including the sleeve 118, is as a unit removable from and replaceable on the spindle 100. For convenience, the parts of the journal 96" are in Fig. 2A identified by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the journal 96', except that the sulx has been added thereto.

The coupling arm 102, which is keyed at 120 to the left stub 106 of the spindle 100 (Fig. 2A) just inside the non-removable journal assembly 96', carries at least one, and preferably two, coupling pins 122 which are adjustable on the arm in radial slots 124 therein (Figs. 1 and 3) in order to be alignable and registrable in coupling relation with holes h in the adjacent end disc d of the reel R' in the stand 52A (Fig. 2A). Thus, the coupling pins.

122 and arm 102 serve drivingly to connect the reel with the spindle.

The spindle unit 54a further includes a removable collar 126 which is releasably locked by a set screw 128 to the spindle 100 in position to hold theireel R', or for that matter any other reel of different width, in coupled relation with the pins 122 on the arm 102.

The spindle unit 54A is, like the spindle unit 54B presently in the adjacent stand 52B, adapted for exchange from a fully-wound reel into an empty reel to be wound. To this end, the spindle unit 54A is removed from the presently associated reel R when the latter is fully wound. However, removal of the spindle unit 54A from the full reel R' is possible only after the latter has been removed from the stand 52A. For the removal of sociated operating device to be described hereinafter and under the control of an operator, swung from its upright winding position downwardly into an inclined exchange position in which the reel may nearly rest on the iloor, for instance. On subsequent disengagement of the spindle unit 54A from the associated reel drive in a manner described hereinafter, the operator will cause the stand 52A to swing even lower, in the course of which the reel will come to rest on the oor and the surfaces 94a of the reel bearings 88 in the stand arms 72 and 74 (Figs. 3 and 7) will thereupon act to cam the journal assemblies 96 and96" from the latter and thus entirely release the reel from the stand. In this respect, the present reel stand 52A performs like the stand disclosed in my aforementioned Patent No. 2,879,011. Once the reel R is thus completely released from the stand 52A, the spindle unit 54A may quickly be removed from the reel on simply sliding the journal assembly 96 and the collar 126 from the spindle 100 after first loosening the set screw 128 in the collar, and then axially removing the spindle 100 with the attached journal assembly 96 and coupling arm 102 from the hub h of the reel, as will be readily understood. The spindle unit may thereupon be as quickly applied to a new reel by passing the spindle 100 through the hub thereof and bringing the coupling pins 122 into registry with holes in the adjacent end disc ofthe new reel, whereupon the collar 126 and the journal assembly 96 are applied to the spindle adjacent the other end disc of the reel. The new reel may then be rolled on the oor in order to pass the journal assemblies 96 and 96 thereon directly into the reel bearings 88 in the arms 72 and 74 of the lowered stand 52A, whereupon the latter may, under the operators control, be swung into winding position for 'a winding operation. It follows from the preceding that reels may quickly be exchanged in either lreel stand without any real physical elort by the operator.

Stand-operating devices The operating devices 56A and 56B for the respective reel stands 52A and 52B are identical, wherefore only one of these operating devices will be described in detail, namely, the device 56B due to its more detailed illustration in the drawings. Thus, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2B and 4, the stand-operating device 56B comprises a fluidpressure operated, and preferably air-pressure operated, cylinder 130 and piston 132 of which the rod 134 of the latter is pivotally connected at 136 with the reel stand 52B near its top. More particularly, the piston rod 134 carries a clevis 138 receiving the pivot pin 136 which extends with its ends into rearwardly extending spaced lugs 140 on one of the arms of the stand 52B, presently the arm 72b (see also Fig. 2B). The cylinder 130 is presently clamped, preferably near its center of gravity, to a collar 142 having opposite trunnions 144 and 146 journalled in suitable bearings 148 and 150' on the rear angle 40 and end casting 26, respectively, of the main frame 22. The cylinder 130, being presently of the double-acting type, is at its front and rear ends 152 and 154 provided with suitable air admission and discharge ducts which through hose connections are in communication with a manual control valve (neither shown). This valve, which may be entirely conventional and arranged within easy reach of an operator near the stand 52B, may be operable to admit compressed air into either cylinder end 152 or 154 and simultaneously vent the other cylinder end. Thus, on admitting compressed air into the cylinder end 152 and simultaneously venting the other cylinder end 154, the reel stand 52B is swung into its winding position (Fig. 4). Conversely, on admitting compressed air into the cylinder end 154 and simultaneously venting the other cylinder end 152, the stand 52B will be swung into reel-exchange position (Fig. 1).

Provisions are made solidly to back the reel stand in its winding position against the main frame 22 so that any vibrational tendencies of the former under a relatively heavy and more or less dynamically unbalanced reel load thereon will be transmitted to the main frame and effectively suppressed thereby. To this end, the arm 72b of the stand 52B is, in the winding position of the latter, solidly backed against the main frame 22 through intermediation of the cylinder 133 and piston 132 of which the latter is backed against the closed rear end 154 of the former when -the stand is in its winding position. To the same end also, the other arms 7412 of the stand 52B, and more particularly the rear extension 87h thereof, is in the Winding position of the stand solidly backed against a stop or abutment om the main frame 22. In the present instance, this stop is in the form of an adjustable set screw 15S in a block 160 at the rear of the channel bar 36 of the main frame (Fig. 4). Thus, uniform backing of both arms 72b and 74h of the stand 52B` in its winding position against the main frame 22 is readily achieved on proper adjustment of the set screw 158. More importantly, the set screw 15S may readily'be adjusted so that there will be inducedin the U-shaped stand 52B in its winding position a torsional stress which, while harmless, is nevertheless adequate effectively to suppress vibrational tendencies of the stand at their Very inception.

As already mentioned, the operating device 56A for the other reel stand 52A is in all respects like the described operating device 56B, and prominent parts of the device 56A are identified in Fig. 2A by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the device 56B, except that the suix a is added thereto. The cylinder 13Go of the operating device 56A for `the stand 52A is, through intermediation of the collar 142e, pivotally mounted on the rear angle 3S and end casting 24 of the main frame 22, and the piston in the cylinder 130e is connected with the arm 72 of the stand 52A. Also, the arm 72 of the stand 52A is, in the winding position of the latter, solidly backed against the main frame 22 through intermediation of the operating device 56A, while the other stand arm 74, and more particularly the rearward extension 87 thereof is then also solidly backed against the set screw 158a Vin the block 160a in the rear of the channel bar 36 of the main frame.

Reel drives The reel drives 58A and 58B for the stands 52A and 52B, respectively, are identical, wherefore only one of these reel drives, namely, the drive 58A, will be described in detail. Before proceeding with a detailed description of the reel drive 58A, however, reference is had to a drive aggregate which is common to both reel drives. Thus, there is provided, in back of the main frame 22, a common prime mover 179 (Figs. 2A and 3) which presently is a motor-powered dynamatic drive of the kind manufactured by the Dynamatic Division of the Eaton Manufacturing Company at Kenosha, Wisconsin, and comprises an electric motor and a driven slip-type electromagnetic clutch referred to in some detail hereinafter. This clutch has an output shaft 172 which is coupled at 173 to the input shaft 175 of a multistage change-speed gearing 177 (Fig. 2A). The output shaft 179 of the change-speed gearing 177 carries a sheave 174 which through a plurality of belts 176 is drivingly connected with a sheave 178 on a common or main drive shaft 180 (Figs. 2A, 2B, 3 and 5). The main drive shaft 180 is journalled at spaced intervals in suitable bearings 182, 184, 186, 188 'and 196 (Fig. 5) of which the end bearings 182 :and 19t) are Vmounted on angles 192 and 194 on the end castings 24 and 26, respectively, of `the main frame, and the intermediate bearings 184, 186 and V188 are mounted on the frame Yangles48, 45 and 44,

respectively.

The reel drive 58A branches'fror'n'themain drive shaft 180, and comprises a conventional `electromagnetic clutch 200 (Fig. 5) having a `driven member 202 and a driving member 204 of which the latter is a magnetic friction disc axially yieldingly carried on pins 266 on a sheave 208 which is keyed at 2.10 to the main drive shaft 18S. The driven clutch member 202, which carries a friction disc 212 i-n confronting relation with `the driving disc 204, is provided with the usual coil means, presently illustrated as a clutch coil 214 in the wiring diagram ofFig. l2, which, when energized, causes engagement of the clutch 200 by producing a magnetic field with ensuing attraction of the driving clutch disc 264 into driving engagement with the companion clutch disc 212. The driven clutch member 202 is bolted at 216 to a drive sleeve 218 which is freely turnable on the main drive shaft 180 and has keyed thereto at 220 a sheave 222 which through a plurality of belts 224 is drivingly connected with the larger-diameter section 225 of a step sheave 226 that is freely turnable on the outer end of the rock shaft 76 of the associated reel stand 52A (Fig. 2A). The belts 224 are led over a tightener roll 22S in a bracket 230 in the rear of the channel bar 36 of the main frame 22 (Fig. 3). The step sheave 226 is provided with a smaller-diameter section 232 (Fig. 2A) which through a plurality of belts 234 is drivingly connected with a sheave 236, keyed at 238 to a drive sleeve 240 which through intermediation of ball bearings 242 is journalled in the stand arm 72 at the top thereof in axial alignment with the reel spindle unit 54A presently in the stand. The belts 234 are led over a tightener roll 241 in a bracket 243 which at 245 is pivoted to lthe stand arm 72. The tension in the belts 234 is regulated by a set screw 247 in the stand arm 72 which bears against the bracket 243 (see also Fig. 3). Axially slidable in, and splined at 244 to, the drive sleeve 240 is a coupling pin 246 (Fig. 2A) having at its outer end a knob 248 for easy back and forth manipulation. The inner end of the pin 246 is formed with spaced lugs or prongs 250 (Figs. 8 and 9) which constitute the active parts of one member of a conventional slider coupling, the active part of the other member of this coupling being constituted by a transverse tongue formation 252 on the adjacent stub end 186 of the spindle 160 of the reel spindle unit 54A. Thus, when the coupling pin 246 is shifted inwardly into drive position (Fig. 2A), the prongs 250 thereof will be drivingly engaged with the tongue formation 252 on the associated reel spindle unit 54A (Figs. 8 and 9) and thus drive Athe latter and the reel R thereon. Conversely, on retracting the coupling pin 246, outwardly as viewed in Fig. 2A, the drive of the reel spindle unit 54A is interrupted, as will be readily understood. The prongs 250 carry a crosspin 251 which, in the drive position of the coupling pin 246, extends through a notch 253 in the tongue formation 252 on the stub end 106 of `the reel spindle (Figs. 8 and 9), and prevents any possible disengagement of the latter from the coupling pin when the tension in the wire being wound on the associated reel tends to lift Vthe latter ever so slightly. Obviously, the coupling pin 2.46 is retracted for the hereinbefore described removal of the reel R with ythe spindle unit 54A from the stand 52A. On subsequently placing a new reel on the stand 52A through intermediation of the spindle unit 54A, and swinging the stand into its winding posi-tion, the coupling pin 246 is again shifted to its drive position in orderV to establish its driving connection with the spindle unit and, hence, also with the new reel thereon. The coupling pin 246 is releasably locked in its drive posi-tion by a spring-urged ball 256 which then registers with a shallow depression 25S in the coupling pin (Fig. 2A). Preferably, the coupling pin 246 is axially removable from the drive sleeve 240 so as to permit substitution in the latter of a stub shaft on a wellknown collapsible mandrel, thus permitting winding of the latter in the present apparatus.

As'an added feature there'is provided a brake mechakriisrn260 in the reel'drive 58A'(Fig. 5') which will quickly stop the latter, as well 'as an 'associated driven reel with its considerable inertia, as soon as the electromagnetic clutch 200 is disengaged. This brake mechanism 260 comprises, in the present instance, a brake disc 262 on an electromagnetic brake member 264 which is suitably mounted on a plate 266 thatis, in turn, mounted by stay bolts 268 on the frameV angle 50. Adapted to cooperate with the brake disc 262 is a magnetic disc 270 which is axially yieldingly carried by pins 272 on the sleeve 218. Incorporated in the brake member are suitable coil means, presently illustrated as a brake coil 274 in the wiring diagram of Fig. l2, which, when energized, causes a powerful brake action on the disconnected part of the real drive 58A, by producing a magnetic field and ensuing attraction of the disc 270 on the driven clutch member 202 into rm engagement with the fixed brake disc 262. Preferably, the magnetic clutch 200 and the brake mechanism 260 are covered by a protective shield 276 which is suitably mounted on the plate 266. It follows from the preceding that the reel drive 58A is operative and inoperative when the electromagnetic clutch 200 is engaged and disengaged, respectively, and the drive controls to be described will explain that the brake member 264 and brake disc 262 thereon will go into action and bring the reel drive 58A and an associated driven reel to a quick stop almost immediately on disengagement of the clutch 200.

The other reel drive 58B for the strand 52B, which also branches from the main drive shaft 180, is, as already mentioned, exactly like the described reel drive 58A, and prominent parts of the drive 58B are identified in the drawings, wherever convenient, by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the drive 58A, except that the suix b is added thereto.

Stock guides vSince the stock guides 60A and 60B for reels on the stands 52A and 52B, respectively, are identical, save that they are of left and right hand design (Figs. l, 2A and 2B), only one of these guides, namely, the guide 60B, will be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. 2B and 4. Thus, the guide 60B comprises, in the present instance, a series of rollers 280, preferably of antifriction type, which are carried in arcuate disposition in a bracket 282 that is bolted at 284 to a guide block 286 having spaced bosses 288 through which extends the frame bar 28a for sliding movement thereon of the guide block axially of the reel R on the associated stand 52B. A rearward extension 290 of the guide block 286 intermediate the bosses 288 thereof is at 292 in threaded` engagement with an operating spindle 294B which, by power means to be described, may be driven in either direction for causing axial movement of the guide in either direction between the end discs d of the reel R on the associated stand 52B. The operating spindle 294B is with its opposite ends suitably journalled in the end casting 26 of the main frame 22 and in an upright bracket 296, respectively, preferably through intermediation of antifriction bearings 298 (Figs. 2B and 4A). The bracket 296 is mounted on an angle 298 which extends forwardly from the frame angle 32 (Figs. 2A and 4) and is braced by an inclined angle 300 which at the bottom is secured to the frame angle 45. In order to avoid subjection of the operating spindle 294B to harmful bending stresses when the guide is in operation and subjected to substan tial downward pulling forces from the stock s passing thereover, the rearward extension '290 of the guide block 286 carries a roller 302 which rides on the bottomside of the frame bar 28b (Fig. 4). The block extension 290 further carries a set screw 304 which normally has slight clearance from the frame bar 28b, but will engage the latter and prevent subjection of the operating spindle 294B to bending stresses if the guide should accidentally be bumped against from below, as will be readily understood.

It has already been mentioned that the other stock Guide-operating means The guide-operating means62 are separate drives 62A and 62B for the operating spindles 294A and 294B, re-

spectively, which are associated with the stock guides 60A and 60B, respectively. Since these spindle drives are alike in every respect, only one thereof, namely, thespindle drive 62A, will be described in detail with particular reference to Figs. 2A, 4 and 5, the other spindle drive 62B being largely omitted in Fig. 4 for better illustration of the drive 62A. The spindle drive- 62A, which branches also from the main drive shaft 180, includes the hereinbefore described sheave 208 (Fig. 5) which through a belt 308 is drivingly connected with a sheave 310 on a shaft 312 that is journalled in suitable bearings 314 and 316 on mounting plates 318 and 320 on the end casting 24 and angle 38 of the main frame. Carried by the shaft 312 is another sheave 322 which through a belt 324 is drivingly connected with a sheave 326 on a shaft 328 that is suitably journalled in a case 330 which is bolted or otherwise secured to the end casting 24 of the main frame 22 (Figs. 2A and 4). The belt 324 is passed over a tightener roll 332 on a bracket 334 which at 336 is adjustably mounted on the end casting 24.y The shaft 328 in the case 330, which is the input shaft therein, also carries a pulley element 338 of a variable-speed drive unit 340 which further includes another pulley element 342 on a shaft 344 and a connecting belt 346. The shaft 344 is also journalled in the case 330, and more particularly in the right sidewall 348 and in an adjacent intermediate bearinglug 350 thereof (Fig. 2A). The pulley elements 338 and 342, which are identical and of wellknown type, have inwardly tapered cheeks 352 and 354, respectively, which are axially adjustable toward and away from their axially immovable companion cheeks 356 and 358 which are also inwardly tapered. The cheeks 352 and 354 of the respective pulley elements 338 and 342 have extensions 360 and 362 which are iloatingly pivotallyconnected at 364 and 366, respectively, with a shifterY bar 368 on opposite sides of and at equal distances from itspivot mount 370 on a post 372 on thersidewall 348 of the case 330. The upper end of the shifter bar 4368 carries a oatingly swivelled nut 374 which receives the threaded end of an adjustment spindle 376 that is held against axial movement in a suitable bracket (not shown) on the frame end casting 24 and provided on the outside with a handle 378 for easy manipulation. Thus, on turning the spindle 376 at its handle 378 in a direction such that the shifter bar 368 will be swung clockwise, for instance, from its position in Fig. 2A, the cheeks 352 and 354 of the pulley elements 338 and 342 will be shiftedtoward and away from their companion cheeks 356 and 358, respectively, with the result that the eective diameters of the lower and upper pulley elements 338 and 342.will beincreased and correspondingly decreased, respectively, and the upper pulley element driven at correspondingly increased speed from the lower pulley element. The opposite is, of course, true'when the spindle 376 is at its handle 378 turned in the opposite direction.

.Carried by Ithe shaft 344, which also carries the pulley element 342, is a gear 380 which is in permanent mesh with an identical gear 382 on a shaft 384, journalled in the casev 330 in the right sidewall 348 and an adjacent intermediate bearing lug 386 thereof. The shafts 384 kand 344 also carrymembers 388 and 390 of conventional magnetic clutches 392 and 394, respectively, the companion members 396 and 398 o f which are carried by shafts 400 and 402', respectively, which are journalled in the left sidewall 404 and in adjacent intermediate bearing lugs 406 and 408 of the case 330. Further carried by the shafts 400 and 402 are identical sprockets 410 and 412, respectively, which are drivingly connected, by a single chain 414, with a sprocket 4M on the operating spindle 294A (see also Fig. 4). The chain 414 passes over a ytightener sprocket 418 (Fig. 4) on a bracket 420 which at 422 is adjustably mounted on the frame end casting 24.

Controls to be described are operative during a winding operation on the reel R' on the stand 52A to reverse the spindle drive 62A and the spindle 294A driven thereby whenever stock led by the guide 60A onto the reel in orderly side-by-side lays thereon reaches the opposite end discs d of the reel so that the stock-Winding operation may continue uninterruptedly and in orderly fashion until the reel is fully wound. ri'he controls referred to achieve this by alternately energizing the usual exciting coils of the normally disengaged magnetic clutches 392 andn 394. These coils of the clutches 392 and 394 are shown at 426 and 428, respectively, in the wiring diagram of Fig. l2.

Let it now be assumed that the guide 60A, in leading stock onto `the reel R on the stand 52A has just reached the right-hand limit of its back and forth travel at which the stock is adjacent the right end disc of the reel (Figs. 1 and 2A), the controls will then act to reverse the spindle drive 62A in order to cause reverse motion of the guide toward the left-hand end disc of the reel R', which requires counterclockwise rotation of the operating spindle 294A as viewed in Fig. 4. Under the circumstances, and since the input shaft 328 in the case 330 is driven counterclockwise (Fig. 4) from the main drive shaft 180 through intermediation of the belt drives 308 and 324, the required counterclockwise drive of the operating spindle 294A is achieved on action of the control means to cause engagement of the magnetic clutch 394 through energization of the associated coil 428 (Fig. l2). When the clutch 394 is thus engaged, while the other magnetic clutch 392 is disengaged, the normal counterclockwise drive of the input shaft 328 in the case 330 is imparted through the variable-speed drive unit 340, clutch 394 and chain drive 414 to the operating spindle 294A in the same counterclockwise direction, as required. Conversely, when the guide 60A, on its travel to the left in Figs. l and 2A, reaches its other limit at which the stock passing therefrom is adjacent the left end disc of the reel R (Fig. 2A), the controls will act to cause disengagement of the magnetic clutch 394 and engagement of the magnetic clutch 392, resulting in the drive of the operating spindle 294A in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4 and, hence, movement of the stock guide 60A to the right (Figs. l and 2A). Thus, the normal eounterclockwise drive of the input shaft 328 in the case 330 is now imparted to the operating spindle 294A in the opposite direction, this by virtue of the fact that the drive is now by way of the directionreversing gear 382 (Fig. 2A) and the then engaged magnetic clutch 392, the other magnetic clutch 394 being then disengaged, as described, wherefore the sprocket 412 acts then as a mere idler in the chain drive 414 to the operating spindle 294A. The controls to be described thus cause reversals of the operating spindle 294A until the reel is fully wound.

As already mentioned, the other spindle drive 62B for the operating spindle 294B is like the described spindle drive 62A, and prominent parts of the dn've 62B are identified in the drawings, wherever convenient or necessary, by the same reference numerals, except that the suffix b is added thereto.

There is also provided a manual drive for the operating spindle 294A. To this end, there is provided a short shaft 43,0 (Fig. 2A) which is turnable and axially slidable, coaxially of the operating spindle 294A, in a bearj l l?. ing bracket 432 on the frame end casting 24. The shaft 430, which is manually turnable, is at its inner end provided with a transverse key formation 434 which, on shifting the shaft inwardly against the action of a retract spring 436, is registrable with a transverse groove 438 in the adjacent end of the operating spindle 294A for turning the latter (see also Fig. 9A). The shaft 430 is normally retracted from driving relation with the operating spindle 294A by the spring 436, and carries a handwheel 440 for easy manipulation. Manual rotation of the operating spindle 294A in this fashion is at times required for a reason explained hereinafter. Of course, manual rotation of the operating spindle 294A is possible only when both magnetic clutches 392 and 394 of the spindle drive 62A are disengaged.

There is also provided a manual drive for the other `operating spindle 294B. This manual drive is in all respects like the described manual drive for the operating spindle 294A, and is in part shown in Fig. 2B, charac-A terized by the handwheel 440b.

Stock anchor means The stock anchor means 64 are presently in the form of gripped discs 444 and 446 on a plate formation 448 on a forward bracket 450 which is mounted on the upright bracket 296 (Figs. l, 2A and 3). The disc 446 may be fixedly mounted on the plate formation 448 so as to constitute a shoulder thereon, while the other disc 444 may be pivoted thereon as at 452 slightly eccentric with respect to its true center, so that wire stock between the peripheries of both discs 444 and 446 will automatically be gripped between the latter with a Wedge-like action as soon as the stock is, on insertion between the discs, released by an operator and subjected to an upward pull due to the tension of the stock in the over head accumulator to be described. In `the present instance, the disc 446 is also pivotally mounted at 454 slightly eccentric with respect to its true center, so that both discs perform wedge-like on stock therebetween. To assure an instantaneous and secure grip by the discs 444 and 446 on stock therebetween, they are preferably unbalanced so that their centers of gravity are horizontally spaced outwardly from their respective pivot supports 452 and 454, with the result that the discs normally gravitate into peripheral engagement with each other with some force. This is presently achieved by removing material from these discs, as by providing them with holes 456 within the distance between their respective pivot supports 452 and 454 (Fig. 2A). Thus, after a reel is fully wound and the respective reel drive brought to a stop, the operator will grasp the supply stock between the reel and accumulator and, after lifting it oif the associated guide 60, pass a length thereof between the anchor discs 444 and 446 which immediately on release of the stock by the operator will automatically `grip the stock therebetween. The operator may then cut the supply stock between the anchor discs and the full reel and anchor the severed end of the supply stock to Vthe next reel to be wound, without having to contend anchor discs are preferably arranged between the latter (Fig. 2A).

Stock severing means The stock severing means 66 comprise, in the present instance, cooperating shear blades 460 and 462 (Figs. 2A and 4) of which blade 460 is fixedly mounted on a bar 464 on an angle 466 which is mounted at 46,8 on one side of the upright bracket or stand 296. The other shear blade 462 is pivotally connected at 470 with the fixed blade 460 and carries a forwardly extending arm 472 which at 474 is pivotally connected with a clevislike end member 476 on tlle rod 478 of a piston 480 in a cylinder 482 (Figs. 4 and 11) of which the latter is pivotally connected at 484 with a rear extension 486 on the bar 464. The piston 480 is, in the present instance, double acting, and the cylinder- 482 is to this end provided at the front and rear with fluid admission and discharge ports 488 and 490 (Fig. l1). The cylinder 482, which is preferably operated by compressed air, is under suitable valve control, and features dual valves 492 and 494 which are bolted to the adjacent sides of a U-shaped bracket 496' on the upright stand or bracket 296. Both valves 492 and 494 have convenient handles 496 for their manipulation.

The valves 492 and 494 are so connected with the cylinder 482 that both require manipulation in order to achieve a stock-cutting action of the shear blades 460 and 462. Since the valves 492 and 494 may be identical, except as pointed out hereinafter, only the valve 492 will be described in detail with particular reference to Fig. 1l. Thus, the valve 492 has a high-pressure passage 498 and a vent passage 500, as well as a chamber 502 in which la plunger 504 is sildable. The plunger 504 is, by a spring506 normally urged into the position shown in which it intercepts communication through the high-pressure passage 498, but leaves the vent passage 500 open. Conversely, on depressing the handle 496 against the action of the spring 506, the plunger intercepts communication through the vent passage 500 and leaves the high-pressure passage 498 open. Both, the high-pressure and vent passages 498 and 500 are through a conduit 508 in communication with the port 488 in the front end of the cylinder 482. Furthermore, the high-pressure passage 498 is also in communication with a suitable supply of compressed air through a conduit 510.

The other valve 494, being like'the described valve 492, has its prominent parts identified in Fig. 1l by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the valve 492, save that the suflix a is added thereto. However, the spring 506:1 normally urges the plunger 504a into the position shown in which the same intercepts communication through the vent passage 500a and leaves the high-pressure passage 498a open.

With both valves 492 in the respective normal positions shown in Fig. ll, compressed air is through the valve 494 admitted into the rear end of the cylinder 482, while the front end of the latter is vented through the' other valve 492, with the result that the piston 480 assumes in the cylinder 482 the forward position shown (Fig. l1) in which the shear blades 460 and 462 are open (Fig. 4). On depressing the handle 496 of the valve 492, compressed air will be admitted into the frontend of the cylinder 482, but the piston 480 therein will not respond since the rear end of the cylinder is still in communication with the compressed air supply via the valve 494. The piston 480 in the cylinder 482 will only respond to depression of the handle 496 of the valve 492 and be propelled toward the rear end of the cylinder when the same is vented on depression of the handle 496 of the other valve 494 also, as will be readily understood. When this happens, i.e., when the piston 480 is propelled toward the rear end of the cylinder 480, the shear blades 460 and 462 will be closed for a stock cutting action (Fig. As soon as both depressed handles 496 of the valves 492 and 494 are released, the plungers 504 and 504a therein will be spring-urged into the positions shown in Fig. 1l, with the result that the piston 480 in the cylinder 482 will be returned to its forward position in which the shear blades 460 and 462 are open.

As shown in Fig. 2A, the valves 492 and 494 are arranged on opposite sides of the shear blades 460 and 462 and are, moreover, spaced apart a distance which is greater than the expanse of a human hand. Hence,

14 in order to achieve a stock-cutting action of the shear blades 460 and 462, an operator must use both hands for depressing the handles 496 of both valves 492 and 494, in which case both of the operators hands are safely out of reach of the shear blades when they perform a stock-cutting operation. Also, since simple depression of the valve handles 496 by the hands of the operator results in closure of the shear blades 460 and 462, the operator may readily hold in his hands a length of supply stock extended between the shear blades while vat the same time depressing the valve handles 496 for a stock cutting operation. The shear blades 460 and 462 are preferably covered by a safety hood 497 (Fig. 1) which is provided with an opening 499 for passage of a stock length between the shear blades.

Accumulator Referring to Figs. 1 and 2B, there is shown an accumulator 68 which comprises a xed roll unit520 and a dancer-roll unit 522. The fixed roll unit 520 is composed of a number of separate rolls 524 which are individually turnable on a spindle 526 that extends forwardly from a bracket 528 which is bolted at S30 to the frame end casting 26 at the outside thereof (see also Fig. 3).

The dancer-roll unit 522 is also composed of a number of separate ro-lls 532 which are individually turnable on a shaft 534 which extends forwardly from a rear pedestal 536 that is formed with an integral base 538 which, together with the pedestal 536, forms la carriage 540. The carriage 540 is rollable on top of the frame bars 28C and 28d substantially throughout the longitudinal expanse of the main frame 22. To this end, the base 538 of the carriage 540 is provided with spaced front rollers 542 and an intermediate rear roller 544 which ride raillike on the frame bars 28d and 28C, respectively (Figs. 2B and 4). In order to prevent derailing of the carriage 540 on the frame bars 28e and 28d, the base 538 thereof has adjacent the rollers 542 and 544 downward extensions 546 and 548, respectively, whichoarry rolls 558 and 552, respectively, that ride on the frame bars 28d and 28C, respectively, on the underside thereof.

Stock s from an extruder or vulcanizer, for instance, is led over the innermost roll 524a of the fixed roll unit 520 (Fig. 3) to the innermost roll of the dancer-roll unit 522 and thence back and forth over the progressive forward rolls of both units, with the stock emerging from the foremost roll of the fixed roll unit 520 in the fashion shown in Figs. l and 2B and being led over a guide roll 554 to either stock guide 60A or 60B. The guide roll 554 is turnable on a stub 556 on Ian upright bracket 558 on top of the upright stand or bracket 296 (Fig. 4). As indicated in Figs. l and 3, the rolls 524 of the fixed roll unit 520 are slightly inclined to the rolls 532 of thev Stock tensiony control The stock in the accumulator 63 is kept under substantially constant tension by fluid-pressure exertion on the dancer-roll unit 522 to the effect of urging the latter away from the fixed roll unit 520. To this end, there is provided a cylinder 56() (Figs. 2A, 2B, 4 and 6) which is suitably mounted on a bracket 562 on the frame channel bar 30. Received in the cylinder 560 is a piston (not shown) the rod 564 of which is at its outer end connected at 566 with a flexible cable 568 (Fig. 2A) that is anchored to a spirally-grooved drum 570 in winding relation therewith. The drum 570 is mounted on a shaft S72 which also carries another spirally-grooved drum 574 of larger diameter than the drum 570. The drum-carrying shaft 572 is journalled with its ends in suitable bearing brackets S76 and S78 on the frame end 15 cast-ing 24. Suitably anchored to and in winding relation with the larger-diameter drum 574 is a flexible cable 580 which extends to the carriage 540 of the'dancer-roll unit 522 and is slung about a portion thereof and anchored thereto by a clip 582 (Figs. 2A and 2B).

Fluid under pressure, and preferably compressed air, is under the control of a manually operable pressure-regulatable bleeder-type valve (not shown) admitted to the lett-hand end of the cylinder 560 (Fig. 2A) while the right-hand end of the cylinder is permanently vented. Hence, the piston in the cylinder 560 is constantly urged to the right as viewed in Fig. 2A, with the result that the smaller-diameter drum S70 is normally urged in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2A) through intermediation ot the piston rod 564 and cable 568. The counterclockwise urge of the drum 570 is through the shaft 57.?. transmitted to the larger-diameter drum 574, with the result that the dancer-roll unit 522 on its carriage 546 is, through intermediation of the cable 580, urged to the left as viewed in Fig. 2B, i.e., away from the fixed roll unit 520, and thus induces tension' in the stock in the accumulator. The beforementioned manually regulatable bleedertype valve functions to maintain the air pressure in the cylinder 569 at any preset value, the valve bleeding air from the cylinder when the accumulator pays out more stock than it receives per time unit and the dancer-roll unit 522 moves, in consequence, to the right as viewed in Fig. 2B, and admitting air at the preset pressure into the cylinder 560 when the accumulator stores up stock and the dancer-roll unit S22 moves, in consequence, to the left as viewed in Fig. 2B.

By virtue of the smaller and larger diameters of the cable drums 570 and 574, which are operatively connected with the piston in the cylinder 566V and with the carriage S40 of the dancer-roll unit, respectively, the latter may yield substantially throughout the longitudinal expanse of the main frame 22 of the apparatus, yet the cylinder 560 and the stroke of the piston therein need be f a length which is but a fraction oi the overall travel range of the dancer-roll unit. This is quite advantageous, since it permits ready mounting of the relatively short cylinder S60 and Operation of the piston therein with its rod 564 conveniently within the longitudinal expanse of the main frame 22.

Drive controls Among these controls are those for fthe described reel and spindle drives, as well as for the aforementioned motor-driven slip-type electromagnetic clutch at which the reel and spindle drives originate.

The controls of the reel drives SSA and 58B Vbeing alike in this instance, only one of these controls, namely, that of the reel drive 58A, will be described in detail with particular reference to the wiring diagram of Fig. l2. Thus, the controls of the reel drive 58A include the aforementioned clutch and brake coils 214 and 274 for the described magnetic clutch 200 and magnetic brake 260 (Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 12, the clutch coil 214 is connected, by a lead 590 and an interposed normally-open switch 592, across a DC. line 594 from a rectifier 596 which is supplied with A.C. current from a suitable supply line 598. The brake coil 274 is connected across the DC. line S94 by a lead 606 and nori mally-closed interposed switches 602 and 604 of which switch 6112 is `ganged with switch 592. Switches 592 and 602 are further ganged with a normally-open main control switch 666 asrindicated by dotted lines 641 and 643 so as to be open and closed, respectively, when the latter switch is in its illustrated normally-open position. The main switch 666 is connected across the A.C. line 59? via a lead 608, a lead 610 with an interposed relay 611, a normally-closed switch 612, a lead 614 and a lead 616 with interposed normally-closed stop switches 61S and 6213. Closure of the main switch 666 is achieved on energization of the relay 611. -To this end, there is keo provided a starting circuit for the relayl 611, including a lead. 624 with an interposed normallyfopen start switch 626, and the previously described leads 610, 614 and` 616 with the interposed switches 612, 618 and 620. Hence, on momentary closure of the start switch 626, the aforementioned starting circuit ot the relay 611 will momentarily be closed, with the result that the latter will close the main switch 606. The relay 611 will thereuponV remain energized since it is in series connection with the main switch 606 and, hence, will keep the latter closed until its circuit is opened on momentarily opening either one of the stop switches 618 or 620, and most likely the stop switch 618 since the same may be arranged on the left side of the winding apparatus near the reel drive 58A and within easy reach of an operator standing there in order best to observe and control a winding operation on a reel in the left'stand 52A, whereas the other stop switch 620 may be arranged on the right side of the apparatus for manipulation by the operator when standing therefor best observation and control ot a winding operation on a reel in the right stand 52B. It follows from the preceding that wln'le the main switch 606 is in its normally-open position, the electromagnetic clutch 200 in reel drive 58A (Fig. 5) is disengaged, while the brake mechanism 260 is operative and locks a reel on the stand 52A against rotation, this by virtue of the then open and closed conditions of the switches 592 and 602 for the clutch and brake coils 214 and 274, respectively (Fig. 12). However, on momentarily closing the start switch 626, the main switch 606 will be closed, and will remain closed, with the result that the switches 592 and 602 will be closed and opened, respectively, and the electromagnetic clutch 200 engaged and the brake mechanism 260 rendered inoperative, in consequence, so that the reel drive 58A lis then operative to drive the reel R on the stand 52A. At the end of a winding operation, the operator need merely momentarily open either of the stop switches 613 or 620, in this case the switch 618, in order to open the main switch 606 and, hence, cause disengagement of the clutch 200 in the reel drive and almost simultaneous application of the brake mechanism 260 for quick stoppage of the fully wound reel R with its considerable inertia. logging of the reel drive 58A in its inoperative condition is 'also possible. To this end, a lead 630, connected in 'series with the clutch coil 214, has interposed open contacts 632, which on manual opening of the jog switch 604 are bridged by the movable member of the latter for energization of the clutch coil 214 as long as the jog switch is kept open, and the brake coil 274 is deenergized in consequence. The controls of the other reel drive 58B are and pervform like those of the reel drive 58A and are to some extent in'terrelated." For convenience, prominent parts of the control-s of the reel drive 58B are in Fig. 12 identitied by thesarne reference numerals as their counterparts ,of the controls of the reel drive 52A, save that the suflix is added thereto.

It will be noted in Fig. l2 that the main switch 606 `is ganged with the switch 612', so that the latter is opened when, on closure of the start switch 626, the main switch 606 is closed and the reel drive 53A rendered operative, with the result that the other reel drive 58B will remain inoperative even if the start switch 626' should accidentally be closed while the reel drive 58A is operative, as will be readily understood. Conversely, the main switch 606 is ganged with the switch 612 so that the reel drive 58A willremain inoperative even if the start switch 626 should accidentally be closed while the reel drive 58B is operative. Hence, the reel drives 58A and 53B are operative only one at a time.

The `controls of the spindle drives 62A and 62B being alikein this instance, only one/of these controls, namely, thatof the spindle drive 62A will be described in detail. Thus, the controls of the spindle drive 62A include the described exciting coils 426 and 428 of they electromagnetic clutches 392 and 394, for right-hand and left-hand motion, respectively, of theassociated stock guide 60A (Fig. 2A). As shown in Fig. 12, the coil 428 of the clutch 394 is connected across the D.C. line 594 via a lead 636 with interposed switches 638 and 640 of which switch 638 is a normally-closed interrupter switch. The coil 426 ofthe clutch 392 is connected in series with the interrupter switch 638, and in parallel with switch 640 and coil 428 via a lead 642 With interposed `switches 644 and 646,-of whichswitch 644 is ganged with switch 640 soasto be open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, and vice versa. The other or control switch 646 is ganged with the main switch 606 as indicated by the dotted line 643, so as to be open and closed with the latter switch.

The ganged switches 640 and 644, appropriately named direction switches, are releasably latched in either of their positions by 'a spring-urged plunger 648 andan indented member650 which is movable with the ganged movable members ofthese switches relative to the plunger 648. Relays 652 and v654 areadapted, on energization, to act on the switches 644 and 640, respectively, to close them. Of course, since these switches are ganged, as explained, they may be closed only alternately. The relays 652 andi 654 are through a lead 656 connected with one side'of the A C. line 598, and are alternately connectible with the other side of the A.C. line by a reversinglf switch 658 and a lead 660, of which the former has'lcontacts'662 and 664 connected with the relays652"and 654, respectively, and a conductor blade 666 connected with the lead 660 and shiftable into engagement with either contact 662 or 664, but normally urged into jthe neutral dotted-line position between these contacts. The reversing switch 658 is carried on top of the block' 286 of the stock guide 60A (Fig. 2A) and its blade 666 is adaptedto be shifted into the full-line and dot-and-dash-line positions shown in Fig. 12 on movement of the stock guide to the left and right (Fig. 2A) into left and right end positions, respectively,in which the samerisjin winding relation with the reel R in the stand 52Aiat the left and right end discs thereof, respectively. It is when the stock guide 60A moves into its dened left and right end positions that the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 is momentarily shifted from itsv neutral position into the full-line and dot-and-dashline positions, respectively, in Fig. 12 on its engagement with limitstops 668 and 670, respectively, on a bar 672 (Fig. 2A) which extends between, and is with its ends suitably mounted on, the opposite frameend castings 24 and 26. Thus, the limitstops 668 and 670 determine the end positions of the stock guide 60A, and the former are adjustable? on the bar 672 by means of clamping screws 674 and 676, -respectivelypthereby to permit adjustment ofthe operating range of the stock guide 60A to a reel of any width in the stand 52A.

Since the control switch 646 is ganged with the main switch 606'and opens and closes with the latter, as explained, 'it follows that `the control switch 646 will be closed when 'the main switch 606 is, on momentary closing of the start switch 626, closed and remains closed for operation of the associated reel drive 58A until the stop switch 618 is momentarily opened, as explained. Hence, as`soon as the main switch 606 is closed in this fashion, and with the stock guide 60A in its defined left end position as a starting position in which the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 is held in its full-line position (Fig. 12) by the limit stop 668 (Fig. 2A) and the direction switch 644 has been closed by the then energized relay 652 and remains latched in its closed position, the spindle drive 62A becomes operative through energization of the clutch coil 426 and ensuing engagement of the electromagnetic clutch 392 (Fig. 2A) for resulting drive of the operating. spindle 294A in a direc- 18 t tion to n'love'the stock guide 60A from its ystarting position to the right as viewed in Fig. 2A, as explained. VAs soon as the stock guide 60A leaves its starting position, the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658y thereon will shift to its neutral dotted-line position (Fig. 12;) andthus cause deenergization of the relay 652, but the direction switch 644 will remain closed since it is then latched in this position, with the result that the clutch coil 426 will remain energized and the stock guide 60A will continue its travelto the right. In thus traveling to the right, the stock guide will reach its defined right end position in which the limit stop 670 (Fig. 2A) willl be'en-, gaged by the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 `and shift the same to its dot-and-dash-lineV position (Fig. 12) resulting in energization of relay 654 and ensuing closure of the other direction switch 640 with resulting opening of the ganged direction switch 644. Closure of the direc-' tion switch 640 causes energization of the coil 428 of the other electromagnetic clutch 394 (Fig. 2A) and ensuing drive of the operating spindle 294A for movement of the stock guide 60A to the left as viewed in Fig. 2A, as explained. Of course, the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 will return from its dot-and-dash-line position into its neutral dotted-line position immediately on movement of the stock guide 60A from its right end position to the left thereof (Fig. 2A), but the switch 640 will, despite the ensuing deenergization of the relay 654, remain closed due to its being then latched in closed position, with the result that the stock guide 60A will continue its travel to the left untilit reaches its left-end or starting position where, due to the ensuing shift of the blade 666 of the reversing switch 658 into the full-line position (Fig. 12) by the limit stop 668 (Fig. 2A), it will reverse its travel and move again to the right, as will be readily understood. The stock guide 60A thus travels continuously back and forth between its left and right end positions while the main rswitch 606 remains closed and the associated reel drive 58A is operative.

As previously explained, momentary opening of either stop switch618 or 620, in this c-ase stop switch 618, will result in opening of the main switch 606 and, hence, also of the control switch 646. While opening of the main switch 606 in this fashion will render the associated reel drive 58A immediately inoperative and cause the reel R' in the stand 52A to come to an almost immediate stop, -as previously explained, provisions to be presently described will, despite the opening of the control switch 646, activate the spindle drive 62A for motion of the stock guide 60A to its left-end or starting position in any event, unless the stock guide should happen to be in the latter position at the moment the control switch 646 is opened. To this end, there is provided a return circuit for the relay 654 which, besides the lead 656, includes a lead 680, a switch 682, a lead 684, a switch 686 and leads '688 and 690. The switch 682 is ganged with the other main switch 606' of the controls for the reel and spindle drives 58B and 62B, respectively, and is open and closed when the main switch 606 is closed and open, respectively. The switch 686 is ganged with the stop switch 618 and is open when the latter is in its normally-closed position. Since the main switch 606 remained open during the described operation of the controls of the reel and spindle drivesStlAA and 62A, switch 682 will be closed, as shown, when the main switch 606 is opened on momentary opening of the stop switch 618. Momentary opening of the stop switch 618 causes momentary closure of the lganged switch 686 and, hence, momentary closure of the described return circuit of .the relay 654 and momentary energization of the latter with a resulting shift ,of ,the

direction switch 640 into-latched closing positionandl energization of the clutch coil 428 for return movement of the stock guide 60A to its left-endorstarting position. Thus, the described return circuit of the relay 654`l will cause immediate reversal of the stock guide 60A it the same travels to the right as viewed in Fig. 2A at the time the main switch 606 is opened, and the stock guide will continue to travel to the left until it reaches its starting position when the blade 666 is by the limit stop 668 again shifted to its full-line position for energization of the other relay 652 and ensuing closure of the other direction switch 644 which will then remain latched in its closed position. However, the stock guide 60A will now fail to respond to the closing of the direction switch 644 and will, instead, remain in its starting position due to the earlier opening of the control switch 646. The stock guide `60A will thus remain in its starting position until the start switch 626 is again closed for a winding operation on a reel in the stand 52A, at which time the clutch coil 426 will be energized immediately on closure of the main switch `606, the direction switch 644 being then latched in its closed position, as shown, so that the stock guide will start its motion from starting position to the right thereof, as will be readily understood. Of course, if the stock guide 60A should at the time of opening of the main switch 606 in consequence of momentary opening of the stop switch 618, travel from its right end position to the left thereof toward its starting position, the then closed direction switch 646' is already latched in closed position when the described return circuit of the relay 654 is closed on momentary opening of the stop switch '618, so that the stock guide will continue its left-hand travel into starting position and then stop in the latter position, as will be readily understood.

Since the controls of the spindle drive 62B are like those of the spindle drive 62A, as mentioned before, prominent parts of the controls of the spindle drive 62B are in Fig. 12 identified by the same reference numerals as their counterparts of the controls of the spindle drive 62A, except that the suiiix is added thereto. The controls of the spindle drive 62B are, however, so arranged that the stock guide 60B is in itsy starting position at the right end of its travel range as shown in Fig. 2B. The stock guide 60B carries the reversing switch 658' and its blade 666' is shifted into the full-line and dotand-dash-line positions (Fig. l2) by adjustable limit stops 668 and 670', respectively, on the bar 672 in the right and left end positions, respectively, of the guide 60B. Furthermore, the switch 682' in the return circuit of the relay 654' is ganged with the main switch 606 as indicated by the dotted line 64S so as to be open and closed when the latter switch is closed and open, respectively. Also, the return circuit of the relay 654 may include, in llieu of the switch 636 and lead 688, a switch 692 and lead 690, of which switch `692 is ganged with the other stop switch 620 and open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, as shown in Fig. 12.

Mode of operation Assuming that the reel R has been placed in the stand 52A and the inserted spindle unit 54A drivingly connected with the coupling pin 246 of the reel drive 58A and the stand 52A thereupon shifted by the Voperating device 56A, under the operators control, into its winding position, the operator will then anchor the leading end of the supply stock s from the accumulator 68 to ythe reel R', conveniently by inserting a short length of the stock into a hole in the left end disc of the reel, and also lay the stock from the accumulator over the guide 60A which then is in its described left-end or starting position, rather than in its momentary right end wind ing position shown in Fig. 2A. With the leading end of the supply stock thus anchored to the reel R and also placed over the guide 60A, the operator may start a winding operation on the reel R on momentarily closing the start switch 626 (Fig. 12) which results in immediate operation of the reel drive SSA and spindle drive 62A beginning with motion of the stock guide 60A to the right (Fig. 2A) for winding the rst layer of stock in orderly side-by-side turns on the reel. As the stock guide 60A reaches its right end position (Figs. l and 2A) its motion is immediately reversed and it will travel to the left toward its starting position, only to be reversed again on reaching the latter position, as previously explained. The stock guide 60A will thus travel back and forth between its end positions and wind layer upon layer of stock on the driven reel. When the reel R' is fully wound, as for example by signal indication from a stock-measuring device (not shown), the operator will momentarily open the nearest stop switch 618, thereby immediately rendering the reel drive 58A inoperative and, through brake action in the latter, bringing the spinning reel R with its considerable inertia to an almost immediate stop, as explained, as well as rendering the spindie drive 62A inoperative, but not until the stock guide 60A has been returned to its left-end starting position, also as previously explained.

While the described winding operation on the reel R' takes place, the operator causes the other reel stand 52B to swing into the lowered exchange position shown in Fig. l, and thereupon removes a fully-Wound reel therefrom. After removing from the full reel the inserted spindle unit 54B, the latter is inserted in or assembled with an empty reel R on the Hoor, all as previously explained, whereupon the new reel with the assembled spindle unit 54B is placed in the stand 52B and the latter shifted to its winding position (Fig. 2B) in readiness for the next winding operation. The task of thus exchanging reels on the stand 52B requires comparatively little time, and in any event much less time than the winding operation performed on the reel R in the stand 52A, wherefore the operator is well capable of observing or inspecting most of the winding operation on the reel R (Fig. 1).

On bringing the winding operation on the reel R' to an end, by momentary opening of the stop switch 618 somewhere near the left end of the winding apparatus (Figs. l and 2) within easy reach of the observing operator, the latter will quickly remove the supply stock from the guide 60A which is then in its left-end starting position, draw some stock from the accumulator 68 and insert a length thereof between the discs 444 and 446 of the stock anchor means 64 which will automatically grip the stock as soon as the same is, on its release by the operator, subjected to a rear pull from the accumulator, as previously described. The operator thereupon severs the stock between the anchor means 64 and the fully-wound reel R', by grasping a length thereof near the latter with his hands and holding this stock length between the open shear blades 460 and 462 of the stocksevering means 66, and at the same time depressing the spaced valve handles 496 with his hands for closure of the shear blades and severance of the stock (Fig. l0), as previously explained. The severed end of the supply stock, after first being led over the stock guide 60B which is then in its right-end starting position (Fig. 2B), is anchored to the empty reel R in the stand 52B in its winding position, whereupon the stock is released from the anchor means 64. The reel R is now ready for a winding operation, and the operator starts the same by momentarily closing the start switch 626 somewhere near the right end of the apparatus where the operator will stand for best observation of the ensuing winding operation on the reel R". The winding operation on the reel R" is exactly like the described winding operation on the reel R', the stock guide 60B starting from its right end position (Fig. 2B), however, and moving back and forth between its end positions to wind successive layers of orderly side-by-side stock turns onto the reel R". When the reel R is fully wound, the operator will momentarily open the nearest stop switch 620, whereupon the reel drive 58B and the reel R" driven thereby will come to an almost immediate stop, and the associated spindle drive 62B will be interrupted as soon as the stoel:

y21 guide 60B has returned to its right-end starting position. While the winding operation on the reel R" in the stand 52B proceeds, the operator will quickly unload the full reel R from the stand 52A and place an empty reel thereon, all as previously described. Successive reels are thus wound with stock alternately in the stands 52A and 52B while fully-wound reels are replaced by empty reels in the stands between winding operations on reels therein, the accumulator storing the slack of the continuously delivered stock between reel-winding operations, and paying out this stock slack during winding operations.

In adapting the winding apparatus to reels of different diameters, it will be necessary to select the appropriate output speed stage of the change-speed gearing 177 (Fig. 2A), and also make proper adjustments of the variable-speed drive units 340 and 340b of the spindle drives 62A and 62B, respectively. The fine adjustments of these variable-speed drive units 340 and 340b are preferably undertaken while reels of the new diameters are wound for the first time. Until tine adjustment of either ofthese drive units 340 and 340b is achieved, the associated. guide 60A or 60B will fail to lead stock onto the associated driven reel in the required orderly side-byside lay formation. By the time either of these drive units 'is finely adjusted so that the traverse speed of the associated stock guide is such as to lead stock onto the associated driven reel in orderly side-by-side lays or turns, the stock guide is usually out of alignment with stock turns being wound on the reel. In order to bring either stock guide 60A or 60B into proper alignment with the orderly stock turns being wound on the associated driven reel, the operator need merely open the associated interrupter switch 638 or 638 (Fig. 12) in order to interrupt the respective spindle drive 62A or 62B at the respective electromagnetic clutches 392, 394 or 392b, 394b thereof, and manually drive the associated operating spindle 294A or 294B, by means of the proper handwheel 440 or 440b, in the proper direction until the stockl guide is aligned with the orderly side-by-side turns being wound on the associated driven reel. Once such alignment of the stock guide with the stock turns being wound on the reel is achieved, the operator need merely release the respective interrupter switch 638 or 638 which will then return to its normally-closed position and restore the respective spindle drive 62A or 62B, as willv be readily understood.

The aforementioned electromagnetic slip-type clutch, which is driven by the main motor, has the usual driving and driven members which are separated by a fixed air gap, and which are drivingly coupled by magnetic ux. To this end, one of the clutch members carries a coupling coil which, on applying excitation thereto, produces a magnetic field which couples the members. Direct current is used for excitation of this coupling coil, and the coil current establishes the strength of the magnetic field and, consequently, determines the amount of torque transmitted 4at any denite rate of slip between the clutch members.

An" electronic control is used for regulating the current through the coupling coil, including means whereby the speed of the output or driven clutch member with its output shaft 172 (Fig. 2A) remains at a set value despite variations of the load thereon. This electronic control, which is fully disclosed in a bulletin ECI of February 1956 by the aforementioned Dynamatic Division of the Eaton Manufacturing Company, includes an electronic tube which converts current from an A.C. power supply. The voltage on the grid of this tube at any given instant is the sum of so-called rider-wave and governor voltages, as well as of a reference voltage. Speed selection and speed maintenance of the clutch drive is a function of these voltages. In particular, the speed selection is a function of the reference voltage. The reference voltage portion of the electronic control circuit,

shown in Fig. 13, `is ythat part thereof which is'requiredV for` proper functioning of a speed-setting'potentiometer 700. The A.C. power supply originates at the winding 702 of a transformer 704, and this power supply is rectifled to D.C. by the tube 706. A condenser 708 acts as a reservoir, taking in current on the positive cycleand releasing it to the circuit during the oi cycle, with the result that a smooth continuous flow of directicurrent is supplied to the circuit.. The function of this circuit is to increase and decrease the output speed of the sliptype clutch when the movable arm 710 of ythe potenti-l ometer 700 is turned counterclockwise andy clockwise, respectively, as viewed in Fig. 13.

Heretofore, it has been customary in winding apparatus of this type to place the speed-setting potentiometer under the control of the dancer-roll unit of the accumula: tor throughout the stock-storing and stock pay-out motions of this unit, to the effect of gradually slowing down the output speed of the prime mover rof the apparatus from the moment the dancer-roll unit begins its stock pay-out motion until it finishes the latter, and gradually to increase its output speedfrom the moment the dancerroll units begins its stock-storing motion until it finishes the latter. With this prior arrangement, it does happen that the accumulator fails to take up all wire slack 0ccurring on occasional premature stoppage ofthe apparatus when it becomes necessary to transfer the supply stock to be Wound from a partially wound, or even almost empty, reel to the adjacent empty reel for any reason"v whatever, such as defective wire on the partially wound reel, for instance. In order to prevent this and, instead, compel each new reel to take up most of the stock slack, stored in the accumulator between successive reel-winding operations of the apparatus, as quickly as possible, provisions are made to permit each reel drive 58 to operate at maximum speed until most of the stored stock slack in the accumulator is taken up, or at any rate sufficient stock slack is taken up to permit the accumulator toistore the stock slack occurring if stock transfer from a partially wound reel to an adjacent empty reel is necessitated. To this end, the speed-setting potentiometer 700 is under the control of the dancer-roll unit 522 during a relatively short length only of the overall travel range of the latter.

The potentiometer 700 is, in the present instance, mounted in back of a bracket 712 on the frame channelbar 30 (Figs. 2A, 4 and 6). The arm 710 of the poten` tiometer 700 is carried by a shaft 714 which also carries a sprocket 716 over which is passed a chain 718 that is connected at one end with a bar 720 which is slidable in spaced brackets 722 and 724 on top-of the frame channelbar 30. The bar 720 is, by a weight 726 on the chain 718 (Figs. 2A and 4), normally urged into the end position shown in Fig. 6 in which an end collar 728 on the bar rests against the 'adjacent bracket 722. The chain 718 .is conveniently passed through a fixed tube 730 so as to have no appreciable freedom to swing and possibly interfere with the winding performance of the apparatus. The bar 720 carries a collar 732 which is adapted to be engaged by a rearwardly projecting rod 734 on the carriage 540 of the dancer-roll unit 522 during the latter part of its stock pay-out travel toward thexed roll unit 520, so that the bar 720 is during this latter partof the stock pay-out travel of the dancer-roll unit moved to the right from the position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 2B, with the result that the arm 710 of the potentiometer is turned from' its full-line high-speed position into its dotted-line low-speed position (Fig. 13). Hence, on 'winding each new reel, the output speed of the slip-type electromagnetic clutch and, hence, the speed of the operative reel drive 58, are at a maximum, and are not reduced, until the dancer-roll .unit 522 has passed through the greater part of its stock pay-out travel, and their speeds are gradually 'reduced only during travel of the dancerroll unit through the relatively small remainder of its overall travel range in stock pay-out direction, with the resultthat most ofthe stored stock slack in the accumulator is payed-out to each new reel being wound shortly after the winding operation is started. `Of course, as the dancerroll unit 522 moves away from the xed roll unit S in stock-storing direction, the bar 720 will, under the urgency of the weight 726, return to its normal end position (Fig. 6) and, hence, return the arm 710 of the potentiometer 700 to its full-line high-speed position (Fig. 13). Preferably, the collar 732 is adjustable on the bar 720 so that the potentiometer-operating range of the dancer-roll unit 522 may be adjusted within its overall travel range.

lf the operator should fail to stop an operative reel drive 58 in time, the driven reel may well draw stock from the accumulator until the rolls 532 of the dancer unit 522 could clash with the rolls 524 of the xed unit 520 with ensuing damage to either rolls. To prevent this, there is provided a yielding stop pin 740 in a bracket 742 on the frame end casting 26 (Figs. 2A and 6). The pin 740 is urged forwardly by a spring '744 and is about to be engaged by the carriage 540 of the dancer-roll unit 522 when the latter reaches the safe-stop position shown in Fig. 2B in which its rolls 532 are still safely away from those of the fixed roll unit 520. However, on slight further movement of the dancer-roll unit 522 beyond the safe-stop position in Fig. 2B to the right thereof, its carriage will engage and shift the stop pin 740 rearwardly against the action of the spring 744, with the result that a collar 746 on the stop pin will actuate a switch 743 to open the circuit of the main motor of the apparatus, for example.

The present winding apparatus has additional positive stop provisions for the dancer-roll unit 522 to prevent a possibly damaging clash between its rolls 532 and those of the fixed roll unit S20, if the dancer-roll unit should have sufficient inertia to move beyond the aforementioned safe-stop position (Fig. 2B), as where the operator fails to stop the apparatus in time in the course of a reelwinding operation and the speeds of the reel and spindle drives are grossly maladjusted above the magnitude required for a particular diameter of a reel being wound,

or when during a stop of the apparatus the described cylinder 560 for the tension control of the stock in the accumulator is rendered inoperative, as by venting its active side, and the dancer-roll unit 522 thereupon moved by the operator rapidly toward the xed roll unit 526 for facile recharging of the accumulator with a new supply of continuous stock after a previous supply has been fully wound on reels. To this end, the spindle 526, on which the rolls 524 of the xed unit 520 are turnable, carries at its forward end a stop arm 750 which in the safe-stop position of the dancer-roll unit 522 (Fig. 2B) extends into close proximity to a collar 752 on the forward end of the shaft S34 on which the dancer rolls S32 are turnable. Fixed to the spindle 526 at its rear end is another stop arm 754 (see also Fig. 3) which in the safe-stop position of the dancer-roll unit 522 extends into close proximity to the shaft-supporting top end of the pedestal 536 of the dancer-roll carriage 540 (Fig. 2B). In order to permit ready recharging of the rolls of the accumulator with stock from a new supply, the front stop arm 756 is pivoted on the front end of the spindle S26 so as to be swingable out of the way. In order to lock the stop arm 750 in its stop position (-Fig. 2B), the same is provided with another arm 756 which at its free end is clamped to a plate 758 on the frame bar 28d by a clamping screw which for convenient manipulation is provided with a handle 760 (see also Fig. 3). The arm 756 is provided with a lateral notch 762 through which the clamping screw extends when the stop arm 750 is in its stop position. In order releasably to lock the stop arm 756' even more firmly in its stop position, the same carries a threaded stud with a handle 764 of which the former may, on manipulation by the latter, be projected into or retracted from a Ahole in the spindle 526 when the other arm 756 is in the position shown in Fig. 2B in which the same is quickly positioned on being turned until its 24 notch 762 receives the clamping screw with the handle 760.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be ernbraced therein.

What is claimed is:

l. In apparatus for winding a reel having axial journals, the combination with a frame and a guide thereon operative to lead stock onto a reel, of a stand pivoted at the -bottom to said frame and formed at the top with partial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto and removal therefrom of the journals of a reel; means carried by said `frame for swinging said stand into reel- 'winding and reel-exchange positions in which said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatably supporting therein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with said guide and for exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling the latter on the flour, respectively; and a reel drive including a prime mover on said` frame, a driven element turnable about the pivot axis of said stand, and a driven coupling member on said stand permanently drivingly connected with said element and being disposed in axial alignment, and operable into and from interlocking driving relation, with one of the journals of a supported rcel on said stand.

2. In apparatus for `winding a reel having axial journals of which one is formed as an element of a slidertype coupling', the combination with a frame and a guide thereon operative to lead stock onto a reel, of a stand pivoted at the bottom to said frame and formed at the top with partial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto and removal therefrom of the journals of a reel; means carried by said frame for swinging said stand into reel-winding and reel-exchange positions in which said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatably supporting therein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with said guide and for exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling the latter on the door, respectively; and a reel drive including a prime mover on said frame, a driven member turnable about the pivot axis of said stand, and a driven element of a slider-type coupling axially slidable in said stand into and from driving engagement with the coupling element of a supported reel on the stand and permanently drivingly connected with said member.

3. In apparatus for winding a reel having axial journals of which one is formed as Ian element of a slidertype coupling, the combination with a frame and a guide thereon operative to lead stock onto a reel, of a stand pivoted at the bottom to said frame and formed at the top with partial bearings open for lateral passage thereinto and removal therefrom of the journals of -a reel; means carried by said frame for swinging said stand into reel-winding and reel-exchange positions in which said bearings are raised and lowered for rotatably supporting therein the journals of a reel in wind-on relation with said guide and for exchanging therein the journals of reels on rolling the latter on the oor, respectively; and a reel drive including a prime mover on said stand, a drivenmember turnable about the pivot axis of said stand, a driven sleeve journalled in said stand in axial alignment with the journals of a reel on said stand and permanently drivingly connected with said member', and another element of a slider-type coupling splined to said sleeve and axially movable therein into first and second positions in which the same is drivingly engaged Iwith and retracted from the coupling element, respectively, of a supported reel on the stand.

4. The combination in rcel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 3, in which said other coupling element has a peripheral indentation, and there is further provided 25 a spring-urged locking plunger in said sleeve registering with said indentation in said first position of said other coupling element and cammed from said indentation on moving said other coupling member from said first position.

5. In reel-winding apparat-us, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rot-ary reel, and a stock guide operative to lead stock in orderly lays on a supported reel when driven, of a power drive for a supported reel `on said stand, including an electromagnetic clutch having normally disengaged companion driving and driven members and first coil means adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of said members; a fixed brake element; second coil means adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of said driven clutch member with said brake element; and control means for said power drive and brake element, including first and second circuits for said first and second coil means, respectively, first and second ganged switches in said first and second circuits, respectively, in series with the respective coil means therein and normally in open and closed positions, respectively, a relay adapted, when energized, to shift said first and second switches into closed and open positions, respectively, a third circuit for said relay, and manual means for closing and opening said third circuit.

6. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rotary reel, a drive for a supported reel on said stand, a stock guide movable, between first and second positions in which it is in winding relation `with the opposite ends, respectively, of the axial wind-on range of a driven reel on said stand, for leading stock in orderly lays onto the reel, and guideoperating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, and first and second normally inoperative spindle drives adapted, when operative, to turn said spindle in opposite directions in which to move said guide into said first and second positions, respectively, of first electrical control means, including a start switch and a stop switch normally in one position and shiftable into another position, said control means being operative, on actuating said start switch, to render said first and second spindle drives alternately operative in said second and first positions, respectively, of said guide for movement of the latter between said positions, said control means being further operative, on shifting said stop -switch into ksaid other position, to render either spindle drive inoperative, and further electrical control means operative, on shifting said stop switch into said other position, to render said first spindle drive operative for the return of said guide into said first position.

7. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, in which said reel drive includes a normally disengaged clutch, and said first control means further includes an electrical device adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of said clutch, said electrical device being energized and deenergized on actuating said start switch and on shifting said stop switch into said other position, respectively.

8. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 6, which further provides a fixed brake element, said reel drive includes a clutch having normally disengaged driving and driven members, and said first control means further includes first and second electrical devices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement between said clutch members and between said driven member and brake element, respectively, said first electrical device being energized and deenergized on actuating said start switch and on shifting said stop switch into said other position, respectively, and-said second electrical device being energized and deenergized on shifting said stop switch into said other posi-tion and on actuating said start switch, respectively.

9. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reel on said stand, a stockguide reciprocable axially of, and adapted to lead stock in orderly lays onto, a driven reel on said Stand, and vguideoperating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, and first and second poweroperated spindle drives, including first and second normally disengaged clutches, respectively, for turning said spindle, on engagement of said first and second clutches, Ifor movement of said guide in first and second opposite directions, respectively, of control means comprising first and second electrical devices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of said first and second clutches, respectively, a first circuit, including a first switch, for energizing said first device on closure of said switch, a second circuit, including second and third switches in series, Ifor energizing said second device on closure of said second and third switches, said first and second switches being ganged so as to be in open and closed positions, respectively, and vice versa, and both being releasably latched in either position, first and second relays adapted, when energized, to close said first and second switches, respectively, means including a fourth normallyopen switch carried by said guide and shiftable into first and second positions for energizing said first and second relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by and shifting said fourth switch into said rst and second positions on movement of said guide in said second and first directions, respectively, into second and first positions, respectively, in which it is in winding relation with a driven reel on said stan-d at the opposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-on range, so that said guide reciprocates between 4said positions when said third switch is closed, a normally-open main switch ganged with said third switch so that the latter is open and closed with the former, a main circuit, including said main switch and a normally-closed stop switch, and being closed on closure of said main switch, a third relay connected in said main circuit in series with said main switch and adapted, when energized, to close the latter, a starting circuit for said third relay, including a normally-open start switch adapted, on closure, to close said starting circuit, and a third circuit, including said first relay and a fifth switch adapated, when closed, to close said third circuit, said fifth switch being ganged with said stop switch so as to be open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, whereby said guide is automatically returned to said first position on opening said stop switch.

10. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 9, in which said reel drive includes a third normally disengaged clutch adapted, when engaged, to render said reel drive operative, and control means therefor comprising a third electrical device adapted, when energized, to engage said third clutch, and a fourth circuit, including sad third device and a sixth switch adapted, when closed, to close said forth circuit, said sixth switch being ganged with said main switch so as to be open and closed with the latter, whereby said reel drive is rendered operative and inoperative on closing said start switch and opening said stop switch, respectively.

11. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set yforth in claim 9, in which said reel drive includes a third clutch having normally disengaged driving and driven members adapted, when engaged, to render said reel drive operative, and there are further provided a fixed brake element, and control means comprising third and fourth electrical devices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement between said clutch members and between said driven member and brake element, respectively, a fourth circuit, including said third device and a sixth switch adapted, when closed, to close said fourth circuit, said sixth switch being ganged with said main switch so as to be open and closed with the latter, whereby said reel drive is rendered operative and inoperative on closing said start switch and opening said stop switch, respectively, and a fifth circuit, including said fourth device andaseventh switch adapted, when closed,rto close.

said fifth circuit, said seventh switch being ganged with said sixth switch so as to be open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, whereby said driven clutch member and the rest of said reel drive is subjected to a brake action on opening said stop switch.

12. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reel on said stand, and a stock guide movable back and forth in winding relation with a driven reel on said stand, of guide-operating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, manual means for turning said spindle in either direction, a variable-speed spindle drive permitting manual turning of said spindle when inoperative and adapted, when operative, to turn said spindle in opposite directions for movement of said guide, back and forth between end positions in which it is in winding relation with a driven reel on said stand at the opposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-on range, at a speed at which to lead stock in orderly side-by-side lays onto the reel, and control means, including rst, second and third electrical switches of which said thi-rd switch is normally in one position and `shif-table into another position, said control means being operative, on actuating said first and second switches, to render said spindle drive operative and inoperative, respectively, to start and terminate a stock-laying operation of said guide and said control means being further operative, on shifting said third switch into said other position and on its return into said one position during a reelwinding operation, to render said spindle drive inoperative and operative, respectively, thereby to permit manual rotation of said spindle during an interruption in a reelwinding operation for guide alignment.

13. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 12, in which said control means is also operative, on actuating said first and second switches, to render said reel drive operative and inoperative, respectively.

14. ln reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reel on said stand, and a stock guide reciprocable axially of a driven reel on said stand, of guide-operating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, manual means for turning said spindle in either direction, and first and second variable-speed spindle drives, including first and second normally disengaged clutches, respectively, for turning said spindle, on engagement of said first and second clutches, for movement of said guide in first and second opposite directions, respectively, at a speed at which it leads stock in orderly side-by-side lays onto a driven reel on said stand; and control means comprising first and second electrical devices adapted, when energized, to cause engagement of said first and second clutches, respectively, a first circuit for said first device, including a first switch and a normallyclosed interrupter switch in series, and being closed on closure of said switches, a second circuit for said second device, including said interrupter switch and second and third switches in series, and being closed on closure of said interrupter, second and third switches, said first and second switches being ganged so as to be in open and closed positions, respectiveiy, and vice versa, and both being releasably latched in either position, first and second relays adapted, when energized, to close said first and second switches, respectively, means including a fourth normally-open switch carried by said guide and shiftable into first and second positions for energizing said first and second relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by and shifting said fourth switch into said first and second positions on movement of said guide in said second and rst directions, respectively, into second and first end positions, respectively, in which it is in winding relation with a driven reei on said stand at the opposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-on range, so that said guide reciprocates between said positionswhen said third switch is closed, and control provisions for opening and closing said third switch to start and terminate a stocklaying operation of said guide, respectively, said interrupter switch, when opened during a stock-laying operation of said guide, opening said first and 'second circuits to cause an interruption in said guide operation during which said spindle may manually be turned for guide alignment.

15. In reel-winding apparatus, the combination with a reel stand for removably supporting a rotary reel, a power drive for a supported reel on said stand, and a stock guide reciprocable axially of a driven reel on said stand, of guide-operating means comprising a rotary spindle in threaded engagement with said guide, manual means for turning said spindle in either direction, and first and second variable-speed spindle drives, including first and second normally disengaged clutches, respectively, for turning said spindle, on engagement of said tirst and second clutches, for movement of said guide in first and second opposite directions, respectively, at a speed at which it leads stock in orderly side-by-side lays onto a driven reel on said stand; and control means comprising first and second electrical devices adapted-,when

energized, tocause engagement of said first and second clutches, respectively, a first circuit for said first device, including a first switch and a normally-closed interrupter switch in series, and being closed on closure of said switches, a second circuit for lsaid second device, in cluding said interrupter switch and second and third switches in series, and being closed on closure of said interruptor, secondl and third switches, said first and second switches being ganged so as to be in open and closed positions, respectively, and vice versa, and both being releasably latched in either position, first and second relays adapted, when energized, to close said first and second switches, respectively, means including a fourth normally-open switch carried by said guide and shiftable into first and second positions for energizing said first and second relays, respectively, limit stops engaged by and shifting said fourth switch into said first and second positions on movement of said guide in said second and first directions, respectively, into second and first end positions, respectively, in which it is in winding relation with a driven reel on said stand at the opposite ends, respectively, of its axial wind-on range, so that said guide Areciprocates between said positions when said third switch is closed, a normally-open main Switch ganged .with said third switch so that the latter is open and closed -with the former, a main circuit, including said main switch and a normally-closed stop switch, and being closed on closure of said main switch, a third relay connected in said main circuit in series with said main switch and adapted, when energized, to close th'e latter, a starting'circuit for said third relay, including a normally-open start switch adapted, on closure, to close said starting circuit, and a third circuit, including said first relay and a fifth switch adapted, when closed, to close said third circuit, said fifth switch being ganged with'said stop switch so as to be open and closed when the latter is closed and open, respectively, whereby said guide is automatically returned to said first position on opening said stop switch, and said interrupter switch, when opened during a stock-laying operation of said guide, opening said rst and second circuits to cause an interruption in said guide operation during which said spindle may manually be turned for guide alignment.

16. The combination in reel-winding apparatus as set forth in claim 15, in which said ree drive includes a third normally disengaged clutch adapted, when engaged, to render said reel drive operative, and controi means therefor comprising a third electrical device adapted, whenenergized, to engage said third clutch, and a fourth circuit, including said third device and a sixth switch adapted, when closed, to close said fourth circuit, said

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