US2920839A

US2920839A - Coil handling mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2920839A
Application number: US593621A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert J Sarka
Original assignee: WEAN EQUIPMENT CORP
Current assignee: WEAN EQUIPMENT Corp
Priority date: 1956-06-25
Filing date: 1956-06-25
Publication date: 1960-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1977-01-12

Description

Jan. 12, 1960 A. J. SARKA 0011:. HANDLING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25, 1956 INVENTOR Albert J. Surka ;7 W 4 M 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. J. SARKA COIL HANDLING MECHANISM,

Jan. 12, 1960 Filed June 25, 1956 Jan. 12, 1960 A. J. SARKA 2,920,839

COIL HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 25, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I l llll1| INVENTOR Albert J. 0 ka Jan. 12, 1960 y A. J. SARKA I 2,920,839

COIL HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 25', 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent COIL HANDLING MECHANISM Albert J. Sarka, Maple Heights, Ohio, assignor to Wean Equipment Corporation, Euclid, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 25, 1956, Serial No, 593,621

13 Claims. ((31. 242--78.6)

This invention relates to coil handling mechanism, particularly mechanism adapted to hold coils of strip material while the material is being uncoiled. For example, the invention may be embodied in an uncoiler for holding coils of strip steel while they are being uncoiled.

While the invention may in some of its aspects be embodied in coil handling mechanism other than an uncoiler the invention will for purposes of explanation and illustration be described as embodied in an uncoiler for holding coils of strip material while the material is being drawn progressively from the coil, the coil turning to pay off the material.

In my copending application Serial No. 578,368, filed April 16, 1956, I have disclosed coil handling mechanism comprisingspaced apart generally upright coaxial generally circular members together with anti-friction supporting means for said members directly engaging said members and supporting them for" turning movement about their common axis and means carried by said members and projecting from the opposed faces thereof for entering the central opening of a coil from the respective axial ends of such opening for supporting the coil. The present invention is in part an extension of or improvement in the invention of my said copending application. v r a f I provide, in coil handling mechanism, a guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, a coil supporting member projecting from said face and means variably positioning the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member.

In a preferred form of coil handling mechanism I employ a generally upright generally circular member, anti-friction supporting means for said member directly engaging said member and supporting it for turning movement about its axis, means carried by said member and projecting generally horizontally from a face thereof for entering the central opening of a coil to at least partially support the coil and means variably positioning said means so as to project a desired distance from said face of said member.

I further provide, in coil handling mechanism a generally upright member, means for shifting the generally upright member generally horizontally, a coil supporting member projecting from the generally upright member and means variably positioning the coil supporting member relatively to the generally upright member so as to project a desired distance from the generally upright member.

Desirably when the generally upright generally circular member is provided with a socket as mentioned above the coil supporting means may at its periphery engage the peripheral wall of the socket whereby the weight of the coil imposed upon the coil supporting means is in turn largely supported by said member and may ultimately be supported by a saddle which may be provided for the purpose.

I also provide, in coil handling mechanism, a base, a hollow shaft guided for axial movement relatively to the base, means for moving the hollow shaft axially relatively to the base, a guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the guide member being connected with the hollow shaft and movable therewith relatively to the base and being rotatable about the axis of the hollow shaft, a coil supporting member adapted to project from said face of the guide member, a shaft coaxial with and partially within the hollow shaft and connected with the coil supporting member and means for moving the second mentioned shaft axially relatively to the hollow shaft to variably position the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member irrespective of the position of the guide member relatively to thebase.

I further provide coil handling mechanism comprising spaced apart generally upright coaxial generally circular members, anti-friction supporting means for said members directly engaging said members and supporting them for turning movement about their common axis and coil supports having generally conical coilsupporting surfaces carried by said members and projecting from the opposed faces thereof for entering the central opening of a coil from the respective axial ends of such opening for supporting the coil on such surfaces.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention inv which Figure l is a side elevational view, with portions in vertical longitudinal cross-section, of a strip uncoiler;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view, with portions in vertical transverse cross-section, of the strip uncoiler shown in Figure, 1;

Figure 3 is a planview of the uncoiler with a portion broken away to show the mechanism at the lower portion thereof;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail elevational view showing mechanism for moving a coil into place in the uncoiler, a coil. being disposed in such mechanism;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the mechanism. shown in Figure 5- but with the coil removed; and

Figure 7'is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line VII-VII- of Figure 5.

The uncoiler comprises a generally horizontal base 2 carrying upward projections 3 at. opposite sides thereof. Each upward projection 3 carries a stationary bearing 4 Whose axis is horizontal, the bearings 4-in the respective upward projections 3 being coaxial. Mounted for sliding movement in each of the bearings 4 is a hollow shaft 5. Rotatably mounted on the inner end of each of the hollow shafts 5 is a generally upright generally circular member 6 having therein a socket 7, the sockets 7 each being open at one side, the open sides of the sockets facing each other. Each of the members 6 is journaled on; a bearing 8 carried by the corresponding hollow shaft 5.

A shaft 9 is coaxial with each hollow shaft 5 and disposed therewithin but projecting therefrom at the inner end thereof. Each shaft 9 is mounted for sliding movement axially of the corresponding hollow shaft 5 upon a bearing 10 carried by the shaft 9 and a bearing 11 carried by the hollow shaft 5 and disposed therewithin. Rotatably mounted upon the extremity of each shaft 9 is a coil supporting member 12. Each coil supporting member 12 has a generally circular rim 1'3, and a bearing 14 is disposed about the rim 13 and bears against .3 is a worm wheel 16 having a threaded bore.

$3 the annular wall of the corresponding socket 7. Each coil supporting member 12 is rotatably mounted on the corresponding shaft 9 by bearings 15. Thus each mem her 6 may rotate relatively to the corresponding hollow shaft 5 and each coil supporting member 12 may rotate relatively to the corresponding shaft 9, the members 6 and 12 at each side of the uncoiler normally rotating together in operation of the uncoiler. To insure such rotation together keys a are built into the socket 7 and the member 12 has slots 15b guidingly receiving the keys.

Suitably journaled in each of the upward projections Each worm wheel 16 is turned by a worm 17 meshing therewith, each worm 17 being driven through a chain or other endless driving element 18 by a motor 19. Threaded through the bore of each worm wheel 16 is a screw 20 which at its inner end is connected at 21 with a flangelike projection 22 carried by and in effect integral with the corresponding hollow shaft 5. The screws 20 are non-rotatable. When each worm wheel 16 turns it causes the corresponding screw 20 to move axially and since that screw is connected with the corresponding hollow shaft 5 through the flange-like projection 22 thereof it correspondingly moves that hollow shaft 5 and consequently also moves the corresponding member 6 axially.

A bracket 23 is carried by each hollow shaft 5 at the outer end thereof and the outer end of the corresponding screw 20 may be connected with the bracket. Each bracket 23 carries a motor 24 which operates a worm gear drive 25 which turns a screw 26 threaded through a nut 27 at the outer end of the corresponding shaft 9. Each shaft 9 is bored out as shown at 28 to freely receive the corresponding screw 26 when that shaft 9 is in its outward position. Turning of each screw 26 by the corresponding worm gear drive 25 driven by the corresponding motor 24 causes axial movement of the corresponding shaft 9 and consequently also of the corresponding coil supporting member 12. By such mechanism each coil supporting member 12 may be drawn into the socket 7 of the corresponding member 6 or projected therefrom to a desired extent. The rim 13 and bearing 14 of each coil supporting member 12 are at all times in supported relationship to the annular wall of the socket 7 of the corresponding member 6. It will be seen that the adjustment of each coil supporting member 12 relatively to the corresponding member 6 is independent of the axial position of such member 6. Also because of the bearings 15 each coil supporting member 12 is free to turn with the corresponding member 6.

Each of the flange-like projections 22 carries a brake 29 comprising opposed members pivoted at 30 and having their free ends drawn together by spring means 31. Each brake acts against a brake drum 32 carried by the corresponding member 6 to counteract inertia and inhibit overrunning.

Rotatably mounted in bearings 33 carried by upstanding brackets 34 mounted on the base 2 are parallel supporting rollers 35 cooperatively forming an elongated antifriction saddle for the cooperating generally upright generally circular members 6. Both members 6 are supported upon the antifriction saddle by having their peripheral surfaces or rims 36 riding on the rollers 35. Thus when the members 6 are caused to turn by the uncoiling of a coil supported by the members 6 and the members 12 mounted therein the members 6 turn upon the anti-friction saddle made up of the rollers 35, the rollers turning due to the action of the members 6 thereon. The mass of the members 6 and 12 and a coil carried thereby is thus borne largely by the rollers 35 and hardly at all by the shafts 5 and 9. The primary function of the shafts 5 and 9 is to position the members 6 and mount them for rotation.

The coil supporting members 12 have conical outer faces 37 adapted to engage the edges of a coil within the central opening of the coil. The members 12 may be adjusted relatively to the members 6 so that the fiat outer faces 38 of the members 6 may guide the coil while it is being uncoiled through bearing lightly against the opposite faces thereof.

Each of the upward projections 3 carries a generally cup-shaped cap 39 to enclose the bracket 23, the motor 24 and the worm gear drive 25 at that side of the uncoiler in all positions thereof. Mounted on the outside of each cap 39 is a scale 40. Parallel to each scale 40 is a slot 41 through the corresponding cap 39. An index member 42 is carried by each hollow shaft 5 and projects through the corresponding slot 41 into juxtaposition to the corresponding scale 40 so that the position of the corresponding member 6 can be determined from the position of such index member 42 along the scale. This facilitates proper positioning of the members 6 to receive coils of various widths.

When a coil is supported and positioned by the members 6 and 12 the leading end of the coil may be passed through a roller leveler 43 driven by a motor 44 through an endless driving element 45. The roller leveler 43 both supplies the power for uncoiling and delivers the uncoiled strip forward and also removes coil set from the strip.

A coil maybe delivered to a position with its axis in vertical alignment with the axis of the uncoiler (the common axis of the hollow shafts 5 and the shafts 9) but somewhat therebelow and then may be raised into coaxial relationship with the uncoiler to adapt the members 6 and 12 to properly cooperate with the coil to position and support it for uncoiling. The members 6 may be initially positioned with their faces 38 separated by a distance approximating the width of the coil (with the coil supporting members 12 fully retracted within the sockets 7) so as to guide the coil in a plane perpendicular to its axis. Then when the coil is raised to a position substantially coaxial with the members 6 the coil supporting members 12 may be projected into the opening in the coil. Alternatively the members 12 may be maintained in outwardly projecting position and when the coil has been raised and is centered in the uncoiler ready to be supported and guided by the members 6 and 12 the members 6 may be moved inwardly to project the coil supporting members 12 into the central opening in the coil, the exact degree of projection of the members 12 then being adjusted so that the faces 38 of the members 6 are in guiding relationship to the faces of the coil.

The uncoiler is adapted for holding coils of different widths. Below the axis of the uncoiler is a pit 46, and mounted so as to project downwardly into the pit are three coil supporting and elevating mernbers each having a saddle (the saddles of the three coil supporting and elevating members being designated respectively 47, 48 and 49) and opposed downwardly projecting guide members 5i passing through stationary guides 51 to insure proper orientation of the saddles. Non-rotatively connected with each of the saddles is a downwardly projecting screw 52. Each screw 52 is in mesh with and passes through a worm wheel 53 with an internally threaded bore which is adapted to be turned by a worm. The worm for the saddle 47 is designated 47a, the worm for the saddle 48 is designated 48a and the worm for the saddle 49 is designated 49a.

Driving means are provided for selectively operating the central saddle 4% alone and the outer saddles 47 and 49 to the exclusion of the central saddle 45 A motor and speed reducer unit 54 drives a shaft 55. Through endless driving elements such as sprocket chains 56 shaft 55 drives clutch members 57 and 58. Each of the clutch members 57 and 58 turns freely on a shaft. The shaft passing through the clutch member 57 is designated 57a and the shaft passing through the clutch member 58 is designated 58a. Splined to the

respective shafts

57a and 58a are cooperating

clutch members

57b and 58b respectively. A lever 59 is mounted upon a vertical pivot 60 and is operatively connected with the respective clutch members 57b. and 58b. Anoperating lever 61 is pivoted at 62 to a bracket 63 and has at its outer extremity an operating handle 64. The inner extremity of the lever 61 is pivoted at 65 to a rod 66 which is pivoted at 67 to the lever 59. It will be seen that turning of the lever 61 about the pivot 62 may selectively engage the clutch members 57 and 5715 or the clutch members 58 and 5817 depending upon the direction in which'the lever 61 is turned. In Figure 3 the clutch members 57 and 5711 are shown in engagement and the clutch members 58 and 5812 are shown out of engagement. In. that position of the parts the motor 54 drives the shaft 57a but does not drive the shaft 58a. If the operating handle 64 is moved toward the left viewing Figure 3 the rod 66 is moved toward the right and because of its connection with the lever 59 at 67 it turns the lever 59 in the counterclockwise direction about the axis of the pivot 60 to disengage the

clutch members

57 and 57b and engage the clutch members 58 and 58b. When that has been done the shaft 58a is driven while the shaft 57a is not driven.

The shaft 57a is connected with the worm 48a to drive the same by a sprocket chain 68. The shaft 58a is connected with the worms 47a and 49a to drive the same by

sprocket chains

69 and 70 respectively. Thus when the shaft 57a is driven the saddle 48 alone is operated and when the shaft 58a is driven the

saddles

47 and 49 are operated but the saddle 48 is not. The motor 54 is a reversing motor so the

shafts

57a and 58a may be driven in both directions. Driving of the motor in one direction raises the saddle or saddles and driving of the motor in the opposite direction lowers the saddle or saddles. When a narrow coil is being handled it is introduced centrally upon the saddle 48 and by that saddle alone raised into coaxial position in the uncoiler. When a wide coil is being handled it is also introduced centrally of the uncoiler but is raised by the

saddles

47 and 49, the saddle 48 remaining in its lowered position.

Rotatably mounted in bearings 71 carried by the base 2 .is a roll designated generally by reference numeral 72 whose axis is parallel to the common axis of the hollow shafts 5 and the shafts 9 and to the axes of the rollers 35 and which is generally cylindrical but provided at spaced intervals with annular flanges 73. The flanges 73 are spaced apart to provide guideways 74 for elongated coil supporting members presently to be described. The roll 72'is driven by an electric motor '75 through a gear reducer 76, a driving pinion 77 and a driving gear 78 on the end of the roll shaft with which the driving pinion meshes.

It will be noted that there are four of the guideways 74 and that three of them are defined on both sides by flanges 73 alone while one of the guideways is defined on one side by such a flange with a ring gear 79 at its periphery. a

I provide a coil carrier comprising a body Sit) in which is mounted an axle 81 carrying wheels 82. The wheels 82 are adapted to ride upon rails 83 which extend generally longitudinally of the uncoiler or in other words generally transversely of the axis of the uncoiler which during an uncoiling operation coincides with the axis of the coil being uncoiled. One of the wheels 82 is flanged as shown at 84 to insure guiding of the carrier in its movement.

along the rails. The coil carrier also has a plurality of elongated coil supporting members 85. The elongated coil supporting members 35 are connected at one end to the body 80 of the carrier and project therefrom in cantilever fashion. There are four elongated coil supporting members 85 in the form of structure shown in the drawings, such members being of uniform width coinciding with the width of the guideways 74 and also having the same spacing as the guideways 74. The respective elongated coil supporting members 85 have their portions disposed relatively remote from the body 80 of the carrier supported upon the roll '72 between the flanges 73 so that in movement of the carrier along the rails 83 the elongated coil supporting members are supported and guided by the roll 72. Desirably the upper surface of the roll 72 intermediate the flanges 73 is at the same elevation above the uppersurfaces of the rails 83 as the upper surfaces of the rollers 35 so that when the coil carrier is projected toward the right viewing, for example, Figure l, the rollers 35 will assist the roll 72 in supporting the members 85. The member 35 which is disposed next the ring gear 79 has a rack 86 connected therewith at its outer surface and meshing with the ring gear 79.

The coil carrier is adapted to support a coil either upon the two inner elongated coil supporting members 85 if the coil is a relatively narrow one or upon all four of the elongated coil supporting members-85 if the coil is a wider one. Chocks 88 carried by the members 85 at the upper surfaces thereof are adapted to position a coil upon the coil carrier as shown in Figure 5. The spacing apart of the elongated coil supporting members 85 is such that when those members lie in their advanced position so that they are generally above the saddles 47. 4S and 49 they will not interfere with upward movement of the saddles to take and raise upwardly therefrom a coil disposed thereon. As is clearly shown in Figure 2 the saddle 48 operates between the two inner elongated coil supporting members 85, the saddle 47 operates between the outer such member and the next to outer such member at one side of the carrier and the saddle 49 operates between the outer such member and the next to outer such member at the opposite side of the coil carrier. If a relatively narrow coil is being handled it will be introduced upon the two inner elongated coil supporting members S5 and lifted from them by the saddle 48. If a relatively wide coil is being handled it will be introduced upon all four of the elongated coil supporting members 85 and lifted from them by the

saddles

47 and 49 operating in unison as above explained. The coil carrier may if desired be retracted after the coil introduced thereon has been lifted therefrom by one or more of the

saddles

47, 48 and 49 and while the coil is still supported by the saddie or saddles.

While one coil is being uncoiled another coil may be placed upon the coil carrier, the coil carrier at such time being in its retracted position as shown in Figure 5. The coil may be placed upon the coil carrier by an overhead crane or any other suitable coil handling mechanism. As soon as the uncoiling of the coil which is disposed in the uncoiler has been completed the succeeding coil may be introduced by advancement ofthe coil carrier until such coil is disposed above at least one of the

saddles

47, 48 and 49. Of course, the members 6 and 12 will be positioned out of the way of the incoming coil and also out of the way of the elongated coil supporting members 85. When the coil carrier has reached the inner end of its stroke the coil is raised therefrom and taken by the uncoiler in the manner above described.

The coil carrier has a shaft 89 upon which are mounted two hubs 90. Connected with each hub 90 is a retainer 91. The retainers are to prevent narrow coils from tipping over sidewise. The retainers and hubs may be turned about the axis of the shaft 89 between lowered operative position as shown in Figure 5 and raised inoperative position. When the retainers are in raised inoperative position they may be moved longitudinally of the shaft 89 for adjustment for coils of different widths. Also mounted on the coil carrier is a bar 92 having therein upwardly open slots 93 which receive the retainers 91 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to maintain them in desired adjusted operative positions. When a narrow coil is set down upon the coil carrier the retainers 91 may be adjusted into positions at the sides of the coil to approximately maintain its or1-- entation as it is introduced into the uncoiler by advance of the coil carrier and prevent it from tipping over. The coil carrier is moved back and forth by operation of the motor 75 in the respective directions, that motor being a reversing type motor. i

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein is claimed in my copending application Serial No. 593,619, filed of even date herewith now Patent No. 2,822,139.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In coil handling mechanism, a base, a guide member carried by the base for rotation relatively to the base having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, a coil supporting member mounted to rotate with the guide member projecting from said face, means connected directly with the base variably positioning the guide member along-the base and means variably positioning the coil supporting member generally parallel to the direction of variably positioning the guide member along the base so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member.

2. In coil handling mechanism, a base, a guide member carried by the base for rotation relatively to the base having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the guide member having therein a socket terminating at said face thereof, a coil supporting member mounted to rotate with the guide member and having a portion disposed in the socket and a portion projecting from said face of the guide member, means connected directly with the base variably positioning the guide member along the base and means variably positioning the coil supporting member so that the second mentioned portion thereof projects a desired distance from said face of the guide member.

3. In coil handling mechanism, a base, a generally upright generally circular member, anti-friction supporting means for said member carried by the base directly engaging said member and supporting it for turning movement about its axis, means carried by said member and projecting generally horizontally from a face thereof for entering the central opening of a coil to at least partially support the coil, said coil supporting means being mounted to rotate with the generally circular member, means connected directly with the base variably positioning the generally upright generally circular member along the base and means variably positioning said coil supporting means so as to project a desired distance from said face of said member.

4. In coil handling mechanism, a base, a generally upright member carried by the base for rotation relatively to the base, means connected with the base for shifting the generally upright member generally horizontally relatively to the base, a coil supporting member projecting from the generally upright member and mounted to rotate therewith and means variably positioning the coil supporting member generally horizontally relatively to the generally upright member so as to project a desired distance from the generally upright member.

5. In coil handling mechanism, a generally upright generally circular member, an anti-friction saddle underlying said member and elongated generally parallel to the axis of said member supporting said member for rotation about its axis when said member is variously positioned along the saddle, means for moving said member generally along its axis, coil supporting means projecting from said member generally axially thereof and means variably positioning the coil supporting means relatively to said member so as to project a desired distance from said member.

6. In coil handling mechanism, a generally upright generally circular member, an anti-friction saddle underlying said member and elongated generally parallel to the axis of said member supporting said member for rotation about its axis when said member is variously positioned along the saddle, a hollow shaft coaxial with said member upon which said member is rotatably mounted, means for moving said hollow shaft and hence said member generally axially of said member, coil supporting means projecting from said member generally axially thereof, a shaft coaxial with the hollow shaft and disposed therewithin but projecting therefrom upon which the coil supporting means is rotatably mounted and means for moving said second mentioned shaft and hence the coil supporting means generally axially of said member to variably position the coil supporting means relatively to said member so as to project a desired distance therefrom.

7. In coil handling mechanism, a generally upright generally circular member, an anti-friction saddle underlying said member and elongated generally parallel to the axis of said member supporting said member for rotation about its axis when said member is variously positioned along the saddle, said member having a socket generally coaxial with said member and open generally axially thereof, a hollow shaft coaxial with said member upon which said member is rotatably mounted, means for moving said hollow shaft and hence said member generally axially of said member, coil supporting means having a portion within said socket and a portion projecting therefrom, a shaft coaxial with the hollow shaft and disposed therewithin but projecting therefrom into said socket upon which the coil supporting means is rotatably mounted and means for moving said second mentioned shaft and hence the coil supporting means generally axially of said member to variably position the coil supporting means relatively to said member so that the second mentioned portion of the coil supporting means projects a desired distance from said member, the coil supporting means at its periphery engaging the peripheral wall of the socket whereby the weight of the coil imposed upon the coil supporting means is in turn largely supported by said member and ultimately by the saddle.

8. In coil handling mechanism, a base, a hollow shaft carried by the base for rotation relatively to the base and guided for axial movement relatively to the base, means connected with the base for moving the hollow shaft axially relatively to the base, a rotatable guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the guide member being connected with the hollow shaft and movable therewith relatively to the base and being rotatable about the axis of the hollow shaft, a coil supporting member mounted to rotate with the guide member and adapted to project from said face of the guide member, a shaft coaxial with and partially within the hollow shaft and connected with the coil supporting member and means for moving the second mentioned shaft axially relatively to the hollow shaft to variably position the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member irrespective of the position of the guide member relatively to the base.

9. In coil handling mechanism, a base, an elongated hollow element guided for generally longitudinal movement relatively to the base and maintained against rotation relatively to the base, means for moving the elongated hollow element generally longitudinally relatively to the base, a guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the

guide member being connected with the elongated hollow element and movable therewith relatively to the base and being rotatable about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the elongated hollow element, a coil supporting member adapted to project from said face of the guide member, an elongated operating element partially within the elongated hollow element and connected with the coil supporting member, the elongated operating element being maintained against rotation relatively to the elongated hollow element, the coil supporting member being rotatable about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the elongated operating element so that it may rotate with the guide member, and means for moving the elongated operating element relatively to the elongated hollow element to variably position the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member irrespective of the position of the guide member relatively to the base.

10. In coil handling mechanism, a base, an elongated hollow element guided for generally longitudinal movement relatively to the base, means for moving the elongated hollow element generally longitudinally relatively to the base, a generally circular guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the guide member being connected with the elongated hollow element and movable therewith relatively to the base and being rotatable about its axis, an anti-friction saddle underlying the guide member andelongated generally parallel to the axis thereof supporting the guide member for rotation when it is variously positioned along the saddle, a coil supporting member adapted to project from said face of the guide member, an elongated operating element partially within the elongated hollow element and connected with the coil supporting member, the coil supporting member being rotatable about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the I elongated operating element so that it may rotate with the guide member, and means for moving the elongated operating element relatively to the elongated hollow element to variably position the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member irrespective of the position of the guide member relatively to the base.

11. In coil handling mechanism, a base, an elongated hollow element guided for generally longitudinal movement relatively to the base, means for moving the elongated hollow element generally longitudinally relatively to the base, a generally circular guide member having a face having a coil guiding portion adapted to engage the edge of a coil, the guide member being connected with guide member, an elongated operating element partially within the elongated hollow element and connected with the coil supporting member, the coil supporting member being rotatable about an axis extending generally longitudinally of the elongated operating element so that it may rotate with the guide member, and means for moving the elongated operating element relatively to the elongated hollow element to variably position the coil supporting member so as to project a desired distance from said face of the guide member irrespective of the position of the guide member relatively to the base.

12. Coil handling mechanism comprising spaced apart generally upright coaxial generally circular members, anti-friction supporting means for said members-directly engaging said members and supporting them for turning movement about their common axis and coil supports having generally conical coil supporting surfaces carried by said members and projecting from the opposed faces thereof for entering the central opening of a coil from the respective axial ends of such opening for supporting the coil on such surfaces, the respective coil supports being mounted to rotate with the corresponding generally circular members.

13. Coil handling mechanism comprising spaced apart generally upright coaxial generally circular members, anti-friction supporting means for said members directly engaging said members and supporting them for turning movement about their common axis, means for relatively moving said members to alter at will the distance therebetween, coil supports having generally conical coil supporting surfaces carried by said members and projecting from the opposed faces thereof for entering the central opening of a coil from the respective axial ends of such opening for supporting the coil on such surfaces, the respective coil supports being mounted to rotate with the corresponding generally circular members, and means variably positioning the coil supports so as to project a desired distance from said faces of the spaced apart generally upright coaxial generally circular members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,372 Lehmann Dec. 7, 1937 2,201,937 Wood et al May 21, 1940 2,298,759 Fouse Oct. 13, 1942 2,545,852 Kurzweil et al. Mar. 20, 1951