US3777353A

US3777353A - Strip inserting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3777353A
Application number: US00254611A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Sharpe
Original assignee: Acme Highway Products Corp
Current assignee: Acme Highway Products Corp
Priority date: 1970-05-26
Filing date: 1972-05-18
Publication date: 1973-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-11

Abstract

A sealing strip inserting apparatus comprising a pair of jaw members extending in a side-by-side relation and connected together by parallel links to form a parallelogram arrangement. A driven swash plate having opposite faces bearing against portions of such links effects relative axial movement between said jaw members in a step-by-step walking fashion along the strip. The apparatus is provided with a tapered groove for guiding and progressively inserting the strip into a slot. In lieu of the swash plate, a cam and follower arrangement can be utilized to actuate the jaw members.

Description

O United States Patent [1 1 [111 Shappe Dec. 11, 1973 STRIP INSERTING APPARATUS 2,068,035 1/1937 Meyer 29/235 x [75] Inventor: James F. Sharpe, Buffalo, NY. P E O h n M S rimary xammert e impson [73] Assrgnee: Acme Highway lrodll Assistant Examiner-l-larold P. Smith, Jr.

Corpomuon, Buffalo Attorney-Conrad Christel et al. [22] Filed: May 18, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 254,611 ABSTRACT Related s A fi fi Data A sealing strip inserting apparatus comprising a pair of jaw members extending in a side-by-side relation and [63] g gz x fggg $3 May connected together by parallel links to form a parallelogram arrangement. A driven swash plate having op- 52 US. Cl. 29/235 404/87 faces bearing against Ponions such links [51] Int. Cl. E01c 23/09 fects relative axial movemem between Said jaw [58] Field of Search 29/235- 404/87 88 a walking fashim almg the Strip- The apparatus is provided with a tapered groove for [56] References Cited guiding and progressively inserting the strip into a slot.

In lieu of the swash plate, a cam and follower arrange- UNITED STATES PATENTS ment can be utilized to actuate the jaw members. 3,364,828 l/l968 Shope et al. 29/235 X 3,200,482 8/1965 Brown 29/235 15 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures a 5 Q0 7:? 3'? 742 76 1: I 5

\\4 I x "(T7 .45 22 1 h 42 2 75 1 STRIP INSERTING APPARATUS CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 40,570 filed May 26, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,105 on a Strip Inserting Apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a strip inserting apparatus and, more particularly, toan apparatus for inserting a continuous sealing strip of elastomeric material into an elongated slot formed between adjacent building or pavement blocks or slabs. Y

In various concrete and other masonry constructions, elongated seals of resilient elastic material are inserted into the slots or grooves formed between adjacent blocks or slabs of concrete or other building material to form expansion joints for accommodating expansion and contraction of such blocks due to temperature vari-ations. The two prime considerations in providing a satisfactory expansion joint are an adequate leakproof sealing strip to prelude the entry of waterand other deleterious foreign matter into the groove between adjacent blocks and to insert the strip uniformly to the desired depth so as to preclude the extrusion thereof from the slot above the surface of the adjacent blocks upon compression' of the seal.

While various machines have been developed to satisfactorily insert sealing strips in expansion joint slots in horizontal surfaces, such as highways and bridges, they are not intended to insert such strips in slots formed in vertical or ceiling surfaces, such as are commonly formed in architectural concourses and structural designs. Accordingly, there had been a need for apparatus that could efficiently insert sealing strips in expansionjoint slots provided in such surfaces to avoid the conventional practice of inserting, sealing strips by hand tools, such as putty knives and screwdrivers, whichtend to nick and damage the strip and whichdo not insure uniform strip insertion to the desired depth. The invention disclosed and claimed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 40,570, filed May 26, 1970, now U.S.

Pat. No. 3,667,105 satisfied this needby providing an apparatus for inserting sealing strips in slots formed in vertical and suspended surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a strip inserting apparatus having novel means for actuating the jaw members in a step-by-step manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide the fore-going actuating means with power transmission means driven by an electrical source of power.

In one respect thereof, the strip inserting apparatus cam andfollower arrangement driven by an electrical I source of power.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of certain illustrative embodiments thereof, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout the various views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a strip inserting apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken about on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof with the cover removed, showing the jaw actuating mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the strip inserting apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken about on line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken about on line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another form of strip insetting apparatus of this invention; 3

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the strip inserting apparatus of FIG. 7; I

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, partially in section and on an enlarged scale, of the strip inserting apparatus of FIG. 7; i

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken about on line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken about on line 1l11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken about on line l212 of FIG. 10; and I FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT I Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 one illustrative embodiment of a strip inserting apparatus, constructed in accordance with this invention and generally designated 20, comprising a pair of

elongated jaw members

22 and 24 extending in a side-by-side relationship and connected together for relative axial movement by means of cross bars or

links

26 and 28. While the strip inserting apparatus of this invention is especially adapted for inserting sealing strips in expansion grooves or slots formed in, vertical and suspended surfaces such as walls, ceilings and the like, it should be understood that such strip inserting apparatus is in no manner limited to such use and has general utility in any application where it is desired to insert a sealing strip in an expansion groove, including those formed in horizontal surfaces between adjacent pavement sections or blocks. Link 26 is pivotally mounted adjacent opposite ends thereof to jaw members 22- and 24 by means of screw fasteners 30 threaded into tapped openings 32 provided in

jawmembers

22 and 24. Similarly, link 28 is pivotally mounted adjacent its opposite ends to

jaw members

22 and 24 by screw fasteners 34 threaded into tapped openings 36 provided in

such jaw members

22 and 24.

Links

26 and 28, together with

jaw members

22 and 24, form a parallelogram linkage for permitting arcuate and axial movement of one jaw member between the screws and'their associatedlinks.

For purposes of this description, the forward end of apparatus 20 is taken to be the left end as seen in FIGS. 1-4. Also, the terms top, bottom, upwardly, downwardly and the like, as used herein, are applied only for convenience of description with reference to FIG. 2 and are not used in a limiting sense.

Jaw

members

22 and 24 are provided with adjoining inner side walls 40' and 42 (FIG. having recessed portions therein extending from the forward end of

jaw members

22 and 24 downwardly toward the bottom surfaces 44 and 46 thereof to form a tapered groove for accommodating asealing strip as will hereinafter become apparent. Such tapered groove is defined by inclined surfaces 48 and 50 '(FIG. 4) extending rearwardly and downwardly from the forward ends of

jaw members

22 and 24 to bottom surfaces 44 and 46.

Surfaces

48 and 50 intersect with

offset side walls

52 and 54 formed in

jaw members

22 and 24, respectively.

Offset side walls

52 and 54 constitute strip gripping surfaces and can be provided with a series of indentations 51 to more effectively grip the sides of the sealing strip to be inserted. As shown in FIG. 4, these indentations 51 have inwardly extending shoulders 53 and cammed surfaces 55 inclined rearwardly and inwardly for a purpose hereafter more fully explained. Any number of indentations 51 can be provided on each gripping surface, as desired.

Side walls

52 and 54 extend lengthwise of

inclined surfaces

48 and 50 and are slightly inclined rearwardly in a converging relation as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the

inclined surfaces

48 and 50 together with

offset side walls

52 and 54 define a composite tapered groove which decreases in width rearwardly along apparatus 20 and is inclined downwardly therealong to progressively compress the sealing strip and guide it outwardly in the compressed condition into the expansion slot wherein it expands to exert outward sealing pressure against the walls of the joint. Also, guide means (not shown) can be attached to the forward ends of

jaw members

22 and 24 along the bottom surfaces thereof to guide apparatus 20 along the slot to be worked. Such guide means are clearly illustrated in and identified as 78 and 80 (FIG. 1) in application, Ser. No. 40,570.

An insert wheel 56 is journalled for rotation on a shaft 58 mounted in an offset side wall portion of jaw member 22. The peripheryof wheel 56 extends-below bottom surfaces 44 and 46 of

jaw members

22 and 24 and is adapted to engage the depressed middle portion of a sealing strip S of the type shown in FIG. 9 of application, Ser. No. 40,570. Annular shoulders 60 are provided on opposite sides of wheel 56 to engage the diverging top wall portions of strip S and thereby prevent rolling or bulging of these portions to insure that the entire width of the strip is properly inserted to the desired depth. The radius of wheel 56 can vary in accordance with the desired depth of strip disposition.

In a construction similar to that disclosed in application, Ser. No. 40,570, suitable ports and passages can be provided in

jaw members

22 and 24 and connected to a source of lubricant-adhesive material for applying the latter to the side-portions of strips S just prior to the insertion thereof into the expansion joint slot to facili tate insertion of strip S and to cement the latter in place when the adhesive sets.

In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to actuate

jaw members

22 and 24 in a stepby-step manner axially along sealing strip S. Such means include a swash plate or disc 62 mounted on a drive shaft 64 for rotation therewith. Shaft 64 has reduced diameter end portions journalled for rotation in spaced bearing blocks 66 and 68 mounted on the central portions of

links

26 and 28 by

screw fasteners

70 and 72, respectively. Drive shaft 64 is provided with an axial extension 74 adapted to be connected to a flexible hollow shaft 76 by a coupling 78. Hollow shaft 76 encases a drive cable 80 operatively connected at one end thereof to drive shaft 64 and connected at its other end to a motor 81 connected to a suitable source of electric power 83, as shown schematically in FIG. 3. Thus, rotation imparted to drive cable 80 is transmitted to shaft 64 for rotating swash plate 62 therewith. While rotation of shaft 64 is effected by a drive cable 80 connected to motor 81 located somewhat remotely from apparatus 20, it should be understood that motor 81 can be mounted on apparatus 20 for directly driving shaft 64, if desired, within the purview of this invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, swash plate 62 is mounted on shaft 64 at'an angle relative to a plane disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of shaft 64. The opposite faces of swash plate 62 bear against opposed rounded protuberances 82 and 84 (FIG. 3) projecting from the inner sides of

links

26 and 28. The upper surfaces of

jaw members

22 and 24 are recessed as at 86 and 88 (FIG. 6) for accommodating the lower peripheral path of movement of swash plate 62.

A cover 90 is mounted about the actuating means of apparatus 20 and is releasably secured to the upper portions of

blocks

66 and 68 by means of screws 92. Cover 90 is provided with an opening 94 for receiving shaft extension 74 and coupling 78. While cover 90 serves as a protective guard for the actuating mechanism, it also serves as a hand grip for the operator in guiding apparatus 20 in the desired path. Also, cover 90 serves as the framework for apparatus 20.

In use, a sealing strip S of resilient elastomeric material, such as neoprene for example, is placed in position along an elongated slot formed in an expansion joint between adjacent building blocks. One end of strip S is anchored and the free end is threaded into the tapered groove defined-by

surfaces

48, 50, 52 and 54 of apparatus 20. Rotation is then imparted to shaft 64 to drive swash plate 62 by means of drive cable 80 which is connected at its remote end to a source of electrical power. During the first rotation of shaft 64, one face of disc 62 bears against protuberance 84 as shown in FIG. 3 and the rotating action of plate 62 urges link 28 in a counterclockwise direction to shift jaw member 24 forwardly in a slightly arcuate path relative to jaw member 22 along strip S until shaft 64 has completed 180 of its rotation. Although jaw member 22 moves rearwardly in an opposite direction from that of jaw member 24, the forward movement of the latter exceeds the rearward movement of the former to effect an overall forward advancement of the jaw members relative to strip S. Because of the parallelogram arrangement, link 26 moves in a arcuate path similarly to link 28 and remains parallel thereto. During the following 180 rotation of shaft 64, the opposite face of swash plate 62 bears against protuberance 82 and the rotating action of swash plate 62 forces link 26 in a reverse arcuate direction to move jaw member 24 rearwardly while effecting a greater forward movement of jaw member 22 relative to jaw member 24, again advancing apparatus 20 axially along strip S. The above described cycle is repeated during continued rotation of swash plate 62 to effect a step-by-step movement of

jaw members

22 and 24 in a walking fashion along strip S in a manner similar to that described in application, Ser. No. 40,570.

While

jaw members

22 and 24 move in opposite arcuate directions, the forward movement of one jaw member will exceed the rearward movement of the other jaw member to effect an overall forward advancement of the jaw members relative to strip S for the following reasons. Strip S is in a compressed condition between

gripping surfaces

52 and 54 and tends to bulge laterally outwardly against such surfaces during their respective arcuate movements to substantially fill the now wider space. With reference to FIG. 4, when jaw member 22 moves in an arcuate forward path, due to swash plate 62 bearing against protuberance 82 of link 26, cam surfaces 55 of indentations 51 enable these surfaces to slip relative to strip S allowing jaw member 22 to move forwardly. Simultaneously, jaw member 24 tends to move in an opposite rearward direction. I-Iowever,portions of strip S will bulge into the spaces defined by indentations 51 and be compressed by shoulders 53 upon rearward movement of jaw member 24 until a reaction force is sufficiently induced in such portions of. strip S to-stop further reverse movement of jaw member 24. Jaw member 22 continues to move forwardly relative to strip S and jaw 24, until it completes the end of its travel as shown in FIG. 4 while jaw member 24 remains substantially stationary relative to strip S. Upon further rotation of shaft 64, plate 62 bears against protuberance 84 of link 28 to move jaw member 24 forwardly by reason of slippage of cam surfaces 55 relative to strip S and jaw member 22 moves rearwardly until stopped by the reactive bearing pressure of compressed strip S on shoulders 53 of jaw members 22. Jaw member 24 continues to move forwardly relative to the now substantially stationary jaw 22 until it reaches the end of its stroke.

As strip inserting apparatus advances along strip S in the above-described manner, strip S is progressively'inserted in the expansion joint slotby means of downwardly

inclined surfaces

48 and 50 and finally inserted to the desired depth by wheel 56. Shoulders 60 bear against the top wall side portions of strip S to insure proper dispositionof strip S within the slot.

The rotating action of disc 62, because of its angular disposition on shaft 64, creates a positive force acting directly against protuberances 82 and 84 to actuate

links

26 and 28 in an efficient manner. If desired, two protuberances can be provided along the inner edge of each link. Also, protuberances 82 and 84 can be formed of a suitable wear resistant material, such as Teflon for example, or can be ball bearings suitably mounted on the inner edges of

links

26 and 28.

FIGS. 7 through 13 illustrate another form of

strip members

100 and 102 by bolts 116 extending through sleeves 118 and threaded into tapped openings in

jaw members

100 and 102. Bolts 116 are provided with heads 120 bearing against the outer surface of upper link 114. The terms vertical, lateral, top, bottom and the like are used only for convenience with reference to FIG. 9 and are not used in a limiting sense, it being understood that apparatus 20' is utilized on surfaces disposed in any plane.

In a similar construction, link assembly 106 comprises a body 122 having pivot studs 124 projecting from the opposite ends thereof and an extension 126 extending generally parallel to

jaw members

100 and 102 and toward extension 122. A pair of vertically spaced cross bars or links 128 are pivotally mounted about studs 124 and are pivotally connected adjacent their opposite ends to

jaw members

100 and 102 by bolts extending through sleeves 130 and threaded into tapped openings provided in

jaw members

100 and 102. These bolts are provided with heads 132 bearing against the outer surface of upper link 128.

Link assemblies

104 and 106 together with

jaw members

100 and 102 form a parallelogram linkage for permitting arcuate and axial movement of one jaw member relative to the other. The use of bodies 108 and 122 and a second pair of links 114 and 128 form a rugged reinforcement for

jaw members

100 and 102 to provide the latter with the requisite strength and rigidity to withstand the lateral reaction forces induced in the large, heavy duty sealing strip tending to force

jaw members

100 and 102 laterally apart.

Jaw members

100 and 102 are provided with spaced

side walls

136 and 138 having recessed portions therein defined by gripping surfaces or tapered, coverging side walls 140 and 142 (FIG. 8) and upper cam or inclined surfaces 144 and 146 defining a tapered groove which decreases in width rearwardly of apparatus 20 and is inclined downwardly for receiving a sealing strip S therein to progressively compress the same and urge it downwardly in the compressed state into the pavement groove wherein it expands to exert laterally outward sealing pressure against the walls of the groove. Two

, sets of

rollers

148 and 150, mounted on shafts 152 and inserting apparatus 20 of this invention especially 154 journalled for rotation in

side walls

136 and 138 and secured in place by plates 156 and 158 (FIG. 12), respectively, are provided for reducing the friction between inclined surfaces 144, 146 and strip S. The peripheral contact surface of these rollers project slightly below their respective inclined surfaces 144 and 146. Also, a pair of vertically extending

rollers

160 and 162 are journalled for rotation in jaw members and 102 adjacent the forward ends thereof to reduce friction at the inlet of the tapered groove between converging side walls and 142 in order to facilitate relative axial movement between such side walls and strip S.

A pair of laterally spaced insert wheels 164 and 166 are carried by shafts 168 and 170 suitably journalled in

jaw members

100 and 102, respectively, adjacent the lower rear ends thereof. Wheels 164 and 166 are disposed in arcuate cavities 172 and 174 formed in jaw members l00and 102. These insert wheels force the sealing strip S downwardly into the pavement groove and determine the depth to which strip S is inserted. The radii of insert wheels 164 and 166 can vary in accordance with the desired depth of strip disposition.

The means for actuating

jaw members

100 and 102 alternately in a step-by-step manner axially along strip S includes a cam drum 180 having a peripheral cam groove 182 therein for a purpose that will presently become apparent. Cam drum 180 is interposed between

link assemblies

104 and 106 and is formed integral with or otherwise fixedly secured to a rotatable shaft 184 having reduced diameter opposite

end portions

186 and 188 suitably journalled for rotation in bearings 190 and 192 provided in extensions 112 and 126 of bodies 108 and 122, respectively. Recesses 194 and 196 (FIG. 12) are provided in the upper surfaces of

jaw members

100 and 102

adjacent side walls

136 and 138 to accommodate the outer peripheral portion of cam 180.

As shown in FIG. 11 a socket 200 is provided in one end of shaft end portion 186 for receiving a shank 202 mounted on one end of a drive cable 204 encased within a flexible shaft 206 having a coupling member 208 at one end thereof threaded into body 108. The other end of drive cable 204 is adapted to be connected to a motor 209 connected to a suitable source of electrical power 211 as shown schematically in FIG. 7. As in the form of the invention first described, drive cable 204 can be eliminated and motor 209 can be mounted on apparatus 20' for directly driving shaft 184.

A stud 210 is threaded into the recessed upper surface of jaw member 100 and is provided with a cam follower in the form of a roller 212. Thus, rotation imparted to cam 180 effects axial reciprocating movement of jaw member 100 by means of the cam and follower arrangement described above.

A frame assembly, generally designated 214, connects bodies 108 and 122 together and comprises a top wall 216 (FIG. 9), a pair of side walls 218, and opposite end portions 220 and 222 (FIG. 10) extending inwardly in a direction normal to side walls 218. Each of these

end portions

220 and 222 are provided with outwardly directed

flanges

224 and 226, respectively, secured to opposite sides of bodies 108 and 122 by suitable fasteners 228.

A rectangularly shaped, box-like cover 230 serves as a protective guard for the actuating mechanism above

jaw members

100 and 102 and is provided with an opening 232 for the reception of coupling'208. An elongated handle 234 is mounted on the top of cover 230 by screw fasteners 236 which also secure cover 230 to the top wall 216 of frame assembly 214. The operator grips the opposite ends of handle 234 to manually guide apparatus 20' in the desired path along the expansion joint slot.

The operation of strip inserting apparatus 20' is as follows:

Once a portion of the sealing strip is threaded into the tapered groove of apparatus 20 defined by converging side walls 140 and 142 and upper inclined walls 144 and 146, drive cable 204 is connected to a source of electrical power to effect rotation of shaft 184 and cam drum 180. Follower roller 212 rides in groove 182 and is caused to reciprocate axially relative to apparatus 20 to reciprocate jaw member 100 forwardly and rearwardly. During the first 180 rotation of cam drum 180, roller 212 is caused to move axially forwardly, carrying with it jaw member 100 forwardly in a slightly arcuate path relative to jaw member 102 along the sealing strip S. As jaw member 100 moves forwardly, jaw member 102 is caused to move rearwardly by means of the

link assemblies

104 and 106 which move in slight arcuate paths and remain substantially parallel at all times. Although jaw member 102 moves rearwardly in an opposite direction from that of jaw member 100, the forward movement of the latter exceeds the rearward movement of the former to effect an overall forward advancement of the jaw members relative to the sealing strip. During the following 180 rotation of cam drum 180, roller 212 is caused to move rearwardly, carrying with it jaw member rearwardly relative to jaw member 102 along sealing strip S and causing jaw member 102 to move forwardly by means of the link assembly connections to again advance apparatus 20' axially relative to strip S. The above described cycle is repeated during continued rotation of cam drum 180 to effect a step-by-step movement of

jaw members

100 and 102 in a walking fashion along strip S. While these

jaw members

100 and 102 move in opposite arcuate directions, the forward movement of one jaw member will exceed the rearward movement of the other jaw member to effect an overall forward advancement of

jaw members

100 and 102 and thereby apparatus 20' relative to the sealing strip. If desired, indentation similar to indentations 51 earlier described, can be provided in gripping surfaces and 142 to facilitate axial movement of apparatus 20' relative to strip S. Thus,

jaw members

100 and 102 are moved axially in a walking step-by-step manner along the sealing strip to urge the latter progressively into the pavement slot by means of inclined walls 144 and 146 and the

frictionless rollers

148 and 150. Rollers and 162 also facilitate axial movement between

jaw members

100, 102 and the sealing strip while insert wheels 164 and 166 force the strip to the proper depth within the expansion slot. Prior to the strip being introduced into the expansion slot, it is laterally compressed by converging side walls 140 and 142 to insure ease of insertion of the sealing strip into the slot.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention fully accomplishes its intended objects and provides a novel actuating means for a strip inserting apparatus especially for inserting sealing strips in expansion grooves or slots formed in vertical and suspended surfaces, such as walls, ceilings and the like. While the actuating means preferably is driven from a source of electrical power, it should be understood that any suitable power means, including fluids under pressure, can be used, if desired.

Preferred embodiments of this invention having been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that this has been done by way of illustration only.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for inserting a sealing strip into a groove comprising a pair of members, spaced link means connecting said members together in a side-by-side relation, said members having opposed surfaces for receiving a sealing strip therebetween, a rotatable shaft, actuating means carried by said shaft for moving said members relative to each other and to such strip to advance said members axially relative to said strip, and means operable upon such relative movement of said members to insert such strip into the groove.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a swash plate and said link means have portions engagable by opposite faces of said plate to move said link means whereby said members are caused to move relative to each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said swash plate is oriented in a plane inclined at an angle to a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of said shaft.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said link means comprises a cross bar pivotally connected adjacent the opposite ends thereof to fasteners extending upwardly from said members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said link means includes a bearing block mounted on the associated cross bar, said rotatable shaft being mounted between said spaced link means and journalled for rotation at the opposite ends thereof in said bearing blocks, respectively.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a drive cable operatively connected at one end thereof to said shaft, the other end of said cable connected to a motor driven by a source of electrical power.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opposed surfaces of said members are provided with indentations laterally engaging the strip.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said opposed surfaces are tapered in converging relation with each other to progressively compress the strip laterally as the apparatus advances along the strip.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strip inserting means include cam surfaces on said members longitudinally inclined downwardly for directing the strip into the groove.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a drum cam having a peripheral groove therein and a cam follower connected to one of said members and guided in said groove.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said link means comprises a body having pivotal cross bars mounted on opposite ends thereof, and fastening means pivotally securing said cross bars to each other and to said members.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 1 wherein said rotatable shaft is mounted between said spaced link means and journalled for rotation at the opposite ends thereof in bearings provided in said bodies, respectively.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said opposed surfaces of said members laterally engage the strip and are provided with anti-friction means adjacent the forward ends thereof engagable with said strip.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said strip inserting means include cam surfaces on said members longitudinally inclined downwardly for directing the strip into the slot, and each of said cam surfaces being provided with anti-friction means engagable with said strip.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said members are provided with means for compressing said strip laterally prior to insertion in the slot.

Claims

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said rotatable shaft is mounted between said spaced link means and journalled for rotation at the opposite ends thereof in bearings provided in said bodies, respectively.