US3789594A

US3789594A - Wrapping apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3789594A
Application number: US00260157A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Rees
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: AMERICAN BRIDGE COMPANY A CORP OF; CEC INVESTMENT Corp; United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1972-06-06
Filing date: 1972-06-06
Publication date: 1974-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-05

Abstract

A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material about an elongated member on a suspension type bridge having a guide member mounted above said elongated member is disclosed. The wrapping apparatus has a torque stay frame depending from the guide member and movable on the guide member. A frame is secured to the torque stay frame and is movable on the elongated member. A flyer is rotatable with respect to the frame and the elongated member. A strip material feeding means is rotatably mounted on the flyer and has the free end of the strip material attached to the elongated member so that rotation of the flyer relative to the elongated member wraps the strip material about the elongated member. A longitudinal drive means has a drum rotatable on the frame and a rope member is connected to the drum and to the elongated member. Connecting means are between the longitudinal drive means and the flyer so that rotation of the flyer causes rotation of the drum with attendant winding of the rope member on the drum and resultant predetermined linear movement of the wrapping apparatus with respect to the elongated member for each revolution of the flyer with respect to the elongated member.

Description

lJnited States Patent [191 Rees [ WRAPPING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: David B. Rees, Ben Avon Borough,

[22] Filed: June 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 260,157

[52] U.S. Cl. 57/10, 242/722 [51] Int. Cl B6511 81/06 [58] Field of Search 57/3, 6, 9, 10, 11, 13-15;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,094,047 4/1914 Ames 57/10 1,157,500 10/1915 Brackerbohm 57/10 1,725,540 8/1929 Robinson 57/10 1,831,992 11/1931 Boynton 57/10 X 1,899,850 2/1933 Burton et a1... 242/722 2,271,528 2/1942 Pfohl et a1. 242/722 2,770,284 11/1956 Myrick 242/722 X 3,162,992 12/1964 Davis et a1. 57/10 3,259,370 7/1966 Neale, Sr. 57/10 X 3,392,933 7/1968 Sinch 57/10 X Primary Examiner.lohn Petrakes Attorney, Agent, or F irmRalph l-l. Dougherty [57] ABSTRACT A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material about an elongated member on a suspension type bridge having a guide member mounted above said elongated member is disclosed.

The wrapping apparatus has a torque stay frame depending from the guide member and movable on the guide member. A frame is secured to the torque stay frame and is movable on the elongated member.

A flyer is rotatable with respect to the frame and the elongated member. A strip material feeding means is rotatably mounted on the flyer and has the free end of the strip material attached to the elongated member so that rotation of the flyer relative to the elongated member wraps the strip material about the elongated member.

A longitudinal drive means has a drum rotatable on the frame and a rope member is connected to the drum and to the elongated member. Connecting means are between the longitudinal drive means and the flyer so that rotation of the flyer causes rotation of the drum with attendant winding of the rope member on the drum and resultant predetermined linear movement of the wrapping apparatus with respect to the elongated member for each revolution of the flyer with respect to the elongated member.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PAIENIEU FEB 5mm SHEU 1 BF 6 1 WRAPPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, elongated members, such as the main cables of a suspension type bridge have been wrapped with wire by wrapping apparatus of the type shown in the following prior art:

U.S. Pat. No. Inventor OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to priorart practices by the provision of an improved wrapping apparatus for wrapping strip material onan elongated member (such as a cable on a suspension type bridge), which wrapping apparatus: 1

l. is moved longitudinally with respect to the elongated member in response to the rotation of the flyer, which flyer carries the strip material at a predetermined linear rate of speed relative to the elongated member for each revolution of the flyer thereby wrapping the proper amount of strip material on the elongated member;

2. provides positionable mounting of the strip material feeding bobbin and protective strip collecting bobbin on the flyer with respect to the elongated member;

3. regulates the tension on the strip, material by means of a positionable brake;

4. positions the strip material feeding bobbin and protective strip collecting bobbin at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axisof the elongated member to provide a desired angle of incidence of the strip material with respect to the elongated member;

5. provides spacer means on the hub of the drum of the longitudinal drive means of the wrapping apparatus to vary the diameter of the drum of such longitudinal drive means thereby controlling the linear speed of the wrapping apparatus; and

6. wraps a double thickness of strip material about the elongated member.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material about an elongated member on a suspension type bridgehavinga guide member mounted above the elongatedmember.

The wrapping apparatus has a torque stay frame depending from the guide member and movable on the guide member. A frame is secured to the torque stay frame andis movable on the elongated member. A flyer is rotatable with respect to the frame and the elongated member. A strip material feeding means is rotatably mounted on the flyer and has the free end of the strip material attached to the elongated member so that rotation of the flyer relative to the elongated member wraps the strip material about the elongated member.

A longitudinal drive means has a drum rotatable on the frame and a rope member connected to the drum and to the elongated member. Connecting means are between the longitudinal drive means and the flyer so that rotation of the flyer causes rotation of the drum with attendant winding of the rope member on the drum and resultant predetermined linear movement of the wrapping apparatus with respect to the elongated member for each revolution of the flyer with respect to the elongated member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view showing an elon gated member, such as a cable, about which the strip material is to be wrapped, the mounting ring on the frame and its guide rollers engaging the cable, the flyer which is rotatable on the mounting ring of the frame of the wrapping apparatus, a girth gear on the flyer and three sets of bobbins, each including a strip material feeding bobbin and a protective strip collecting bobbin with the strip material extending from the protective strip collecting bobbin to the cable being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. I in the direction of the arrows and showing for the sake of clarity, only one set of the bobbins (i.e., a strip material feeding bobbin and protective strip collecting bobbin), the drum of the longitudinal drive means and its rope member secured to a rope clamp disposed about the cable adjacent a cable band and omitting, also for the sake of clarity, the connecting means including the intermediate mechanism between the drum and the girth gear on the flyer;

FIG. 3A is an end elevational view of the mounting ring of the frame showing the slit half construction of the mounting ring, the two sets of fixed guide rollers and the spring biased guide roller which engage the cable and move longitudinally on such cable;

FIG. 3B is an end elevational view of the flyer showing its split half construction, the spokes connecting the inner ring of the flyer and its outer ring and the mounting brackets for the three sets of strip material feeding bobbins and protective strip collecting bobbins;

FIG. 3C is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3C-3C of F IG. 3B taken in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the longitudinal drive means and the connection means between the longitudinal drive means and the flyer showing the girth gear of the flyer, the engaging pinion on the frame of the wrapping apparatus, the gear box and the connecting shafts for the drum;

FIG. 5A is a side elevational view (taken along the line 5ASA of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows) of one of the positionable mounting brackets for the shafts of each strip material feeding bobbin and the protective strip collecting bobbin;

FIG. 5B is a view similar to one taken along the line 5B-5B of FIG. 5A in the direction of the arrows and showing the shaft and mounting means for the protective strip collecting bobbin but omitting for clarity the protective strip collecting bobbin;

FIG. 5C is a view similar to one taken along the line SC-SC of FIG. 5A in the direction of the arrows and showing the bobbin mounting bracket, the shaft for the strip material feeding bobbin, the mounting means for the strip material feeding bobbin and the tensioning means associated with the strip material feeding bobbin for applying a predetermined tension to the strip material feeding bobbin and hence the strip material, but omitting for clarity the strip material feeding bobbin;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the hub of the drum of the longitudinal drive means and a spacer for increasing the diameter of such hub held on the hub by the rope; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the wrapping apparatus omitting the mounting ring and showing the flyer engaged with the frame of the wrapping apparatus by means of rollers and roller retainers and showing the flyer having ball bearing type rollers depending therefrom and engageable with the cable for both rotary and longitudinal movement with respect to the cable.

Although the principles of-this invention are broadly applicable to the wrapping of strip material about an elongated member, this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the wrapping of a plastic strip material about a main cable of a suspension type bridge, and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material 10 (having a neoprene strip 10a, FIG. 2, or the like, covered by a protective paper strip 10b, FIG. 2, or the like) about an elongated member, such as a main cable 12 (FIGS. 1,2) on a suspension type bridge (not shown) or the like, is indicated by the reference numeral 14. As shown in FIGS. land 2, the bridge (not shown) has guide members, such as the hand ropes 16 (FIG. 2) or the like, mounted above the cable 12.

WRAPPING APPARATUS 14 This wrapping apparatus 14 has a torque-stay frame 18 (FIG. 2) depending from the hand ropes l6, movable on the hand ropes 16 and employed for stabilizing the wrapping apparatus 14 as hereinafter explained.

TORQUE STAY FRAME 18 As shown particularly in FIG. 2, this torque stay frame 18 has a horizontally disposed angle 20 (FIG. 2) provided with clearance slots 22 (FIG. 2) adapted to receive the hand ropes l6 and to permit the torque stay frame 18 to move along such hand ropes 16 in stabilized motion in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 2. Adjacent each end of the horizontal angle 20, a vertical plate member, bracket or the like 24 (FIGS. 2,4) depends from the horizontal angle 20 and is secured at its lower portions as by welds, nuts or bolts or the like 25 (FIG. 2) to a frame 26 (FIGS. 2,4) of the wrapping apparatus 14.

FRAME 26 As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 4, the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14 is movable on the cable 12 by means of wheels 28 (FIG. 2) journalled in brackets 30 affixed adjustably to the frame 26 as by slots 32, nuts 34 and bolts 36. By loosening the nuts 34 and bolts 36, the brackets 30 and wheels 28 may be swung counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 2) to permit their passage over a cable band 56 (FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting ring 38 of the frame 26 (FIGS. 2,3A) projects from the left hand end portions of the frame 26, is connected to the frame by brackets 130' (FIGS. 3A,4) and is provided with a plurality of fixed rollers 40 and a movable spring biased roller 40a (FIGS. 1,2,3A). Each roller 40 depends by means of a bracket 42 (FIGS. 1,2,3A) from the inner surface of the mounting ring 38 and engages the cable 12 to' permit longitudinal movement of the frame 26 and the mounting ring 38 on the cable 12.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the movable roller 40a is mounted on portions 44 (FIGS. 1,3A) of spring retainers 46 (FIGS. 1,2,3A) having other cooperating telescoping portions 45. The spring retainers 46 contain springs 48 (FIG. 3A) for biasing such movable roller 40a into engagement with the cable 12.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the mounting ring 38 is of generally split construction and has a first half portion 50 (FIGS. 1,3A) and a second half portion 52 (FIGS. 1, 3A) the

half portions

50 and 52 being secured together by plates 54, welds 55 and bolts 36 and nuts 34 (FIGS. 1,3A). This split construction of the mounting ring 38 permits the facile disassembly of the wrapping apparatus 14 when the wrapping apparatus 14 engages a cable band 56 (FIG. 2) on the cable 12 to permit the removal of the wrapping apparatus 14 from about the cable 12 and its reassembly on the other side of the cable band 56. Also as shown in FIG. 2, the mounting ring 38 is provided with a roller track or ring 58, which ring 58 is adapted to receive a plurality of rollers 60 (FIGS. 2,3B,3C) for the rotatable mounting of a flyer 62 (FIGS. 1,2,3B and 3C) on such mounting ring 38.

FLYER 62 This flyer 62 (FIGS. l,2,3B,3C) is rotatable on the rollers 60 with respect to the mounting ring 38 of the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14 and also the cable 12. It will be understood that when such flyer 62 is rotated on the rollers 60 with respect to the mounting ring 38, the torque stay frame 18 maintains the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14 in a stabilized position. In order to mount the flyer 62 in rotatable engagement with the mounting ring 38, a roller mounting ring 64 (FIGS. l,2,3B,3C) containing the rollers 60 against the mounting ring 38, is disposed about the mounting ring 38. Such roller mounting ring 64 serves as a mounting means for three sets of bobbins, each set having a strip material feeding bobbin 92 and a protective strip collecting bobbin (FIGS. 1,2,4).

The further description of the flyer 62 will be interrupted'for the sake of clarity so that the associated A bobbin mounting bracket 66 (FIGS. 1,2,3B) for each set of

bobbins

92,80 is adjustably mounted on a bracket 65 (FIGS. 1,2,3B) projecting from a roller mounting ring 64 by means of slots 68 (FIGS. 2,5A,5B) in both the bracket 65 and the mounting flanges 74 (FIGS. 5A,5B) of the bobbin mounting bracket 66 and bolts and nuts or the like.

As shown particularly in FIG. 58, each bobbin mounting bracket 66 has a generally U-shaped body portion 70 and on its left hand end, as viewed in FIG. 5A, such body portion 70 (FIGS. SA-SC) has a pair of pillow blocks 72 (FIGS. 2,5A,5B) secured to the top of the bottom plate portion 71 (FIGS. 5A-5C) of the bracket 66, as by bolts 36 and nuts 34 (FIG. 5A) or the like. As shown in FIG. 5A, such bolts 36 and nuts 34 also secure the generally U-shaped mounting flanges 74 of the bracket 66 to the bottom of the bottom plate portion 71 of the body portion 70. Referring now to the right hand portion of FIG. 5A, a pair of brackets 76 (FIGS. 5A,5C) depend from the bottom plate portion 71 of the bobbin mounting bracket 66 and are secured thereto, as by welds 78 (FIGS. 5A,5C) or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the means utilized to mount a protective strip material collecting means, such as the protective strip material collecting bobbin 80 (FIGS. 1,2,4) comprises a shaft 82 (FIGS. 2,4,5A,5B) which extends through the pillow blocks 72, on the bobbin mounting bracket 66, and is secured therein by screws 73 (FIGS. 5A,5B) or the like. The bottom shaft 82 (FIGS. 2,4 carries on its mid portion, as viewed in FIG. SE, a fixed bobbin retainer 84 (FIGS. 2,5B), fixed to the shaft 82 as by a pin 85 (FIG. 5B) or the like and a removable bobbin retainer 86 (FIGS. 2,5B) secured to the left hand end of the shaft 82 (FIG. 5B) by means of a nut 88 (having a handle 89, FIGS. 2,5B). The nut is threaded onto a threaded end portion 90 (FIGS. 2,5B) of shaft 82 thereby securing each protective strip material collecting bobbin 80 between the fixed retainer 84 and the removable bobbin retainer 86.

The means utilized to mount a strip material feeding bobbin 92 (FIGS. 1,2,4) on a bobbin mounting bracket 66 has a shaft 94 (FIGS. 1,2,4,5C) having its threaded right hand end 94 (FIG. 5C) secured by means of nuts 96 (FIG. SC) in the mounting brackets 76 of the bobbin mounting bracket 66 and a fixed bobbin retainer 98 (FIG. 2,5C) secured in position by means of a pin 102 or the like. For the purpose of applying a predetermined tension to the strip material bobbin 92 and hence the strip material 10, a strip tension means 104 (FIGS. 2,4,5C) is provided.

STRIP TENSION MEANS 104 116 (FIGS. 2,4,5C) disposed about the shaft 94. A nut 118 (FIGS. 2,4,5C) has a'handle 119 and washer 120 (FIGS. 2,4,5C) on the threaded left hand end 122, as viewed in FIGS. 2,4,5C, of the shaft 94 and the spring 116 hold the disc brakes 106 in engagement with the associated strip material feeding bobbin 92 with the predetermined amount of tension on such strip material feeding bobbin 92 and hence on the strip material 10. It will be understood that the brass discs 106 keyed to the bobbin 92 are movable with respect to the fixed spring retainer 114 and the fixed bobbin retainer 98 (FIGS. 2,4,5C).

I-Iaving completed the description of the bobbin mounting means and the three sets of

bobbins

92 and 80, the description of the flyer 62 shown in FIGS. 1,2,3B,3C,4 will be completed.

F LYER 62 This flyer 62 (FIGS. 1,2,3B,3C,4) has an outer ring 124 (FIGS. 1,3B,3C,2,4) which outer ring 124 is connected by means of spokes 126 (FIGS. l,2,3B,3C,4) to the roller mounting bracket 64. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, the flyer 62 has a first half section 1270 and a second half section 127b, removably connected to the first half section 127a by means of the welds 55, plates 54 and bolts 36 (FIGS. 1,3B) and nuts 34 (FIG. 3B). As shown in FIG. 1, the flyer 62 is movable, for example, by means of manual operation in a counter clockwise direction (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1) on the rollers 60 with respect to the mounting ring 38 of the frame 26 and carries a girth gear 128 (FIGS. 1,2,3B,3C,4), which girth gear 128 forms a part of a connecting means 130 between a longitudinal drive means 132 and the flyer 62.

CONNECTING MEANS 130 As shown particularly in FIG. 4, the girth gear 128 on the flyer 62 engages a pinion 134 (FIGS. 1,4) on a shaft 136a (FIGS. 1,4) journalled in a bearing 138 (FIG. 4) mounted on the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14. This shaft 136a (FIGS. 1,4) is connected through a coupling 140 (FIG. 4) to a shaft 136b extending through a gear box 142 (FIG. 4) to the right hand end (as viewed in FIG. 4) of the gear box 142, where a suitable motor, such as an electrical motor, air motor or the like 143 (FIG. 4) may be attached to the shaft l36b for automatic operation of the wrapping apparatus 14 as desired.

A shaft 144a (FIG. 4) extends (at right angles to the shaft 13Gb) from the gear box 142 and is connected through a coupling 146 to a shaft 146b. The shaft 146b is journalled in a bearing 148 (FIGS. 2,4) mounted on the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14 and drives a drum 150 (FIGS. 2,4)journalled in such bearings 148 on the frame 26 of the wrapping apparatus 14. This drum 150 (FIGS. 2,4) forms a part of the longitudinal drive means 132.

LONGITUDINAL DRIVE MEANS 132 The longitudinal drive means 132 (FIGS. 2,4) has a rope member 152 (FIGS. 2,4) attached at 154 (FIG. 4) to the drum 150 and extending away from the drum 150 to a rope clamp 156 (FIG. 2). This rope clamp 156 is secured'about the cable 12 adjacent the cable band 56 and the free end of the rope 152 is secured'to the rope clamp 156 by means of a turnbuckle 158 (FIG. 2), eyes 160, and bolts 36 and nuts (not shown).

OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS 14 As shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the strip material comprises the neoprene or the like strip 10a (FIG. 2) covered by the protective paper or the like strip 10b (FIG. 2). The free end of each of the three neoprene strips 10a is attached to the elongated member at starting points 162 (FIG. 2) on the cable 12 so that rotation of the flyer 62 relative to the cable 12 wraps the neoprene strips 10a about the cable 12. Meanwhile, the protective paper strip 10b has been passed over the protective strip collecting bobbin 80 (FIG. 1) and the free end of the protective strip 10b has been secured in a securing means, such as a slot 164 (FIG. 1) or the like, in the hub of the protective strip collecting bobbin 80 so that such protective strip collecting bobbin 80 is rotatable by the movement of the plastic material 10a to drive the protective strip collecting bobbin 80 in a clockwise direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, thereby removing the protective strip 10b from the neoprene strip 10a before such neoprene strip 10a engages the cable 12 and thus storing the removed protective strip 101) on the protective strip collecting bobbin 80, as shown in FIG. 2.

It will be appreciated that as the flyer 62 is rotated either manually by the operator in the counter clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 or by the motor 143 (FIG. 4), the flyer 62 causes rotation of the drum 150 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 with attendant winding of the rope 152 on the drum 150 and the resultant predetermined linear movement of the frame 26 and the wrapping apparatus 14 in the direction of the large arrow in FIG. 2 with respect to the cable 12 for each revolution of the flyer 62 with respect to such cable 12.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively the drum 150 shown in FIG. 6 may be provided with a spacer 166 hinged at 167 and having its free ends 167a,167b disposable on the hub 1500 of the drum 150 in lapped engagement thereby increasing the diameter D1 (FIG. 6) of the drum 150 to D2 and thus increasing the linear velocity of the wrapping apparatus 14 for each revolution of the flyer 62. The rope 152 holds the spacer 166 on the hub 150a of the drum 150.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting ring 138 may be dispensed with and the rollers 40 and 40a replaced by caster type ball bearings 168 mounted on the flyer 62 These caster type ball bearings are engageable with the cable 12 and the flyer 62 is rotatable on the frame 26 by means of a plurality of rollers 170 projecting either from the frame 26 or the flyer 62 (as shown in FIG. 7) into a split construction roller track 172 mounted on the other member of the frame 26 or the flyer 62 in this case, the frame 26.

It will be understood from a consideration of FIG. 2 that the strip material feeding bobbin 92 and the protective strip collecting bobbin 80 are positionably mounted with respect to the roller ring mounting bracket 64 by means of the slots 68 and nuts 34 and bolts 36 so that the angle which the longitudinal centerline or

shafts

82 and 94 of each

bobbin

80 and 92 makes with the axis A-A (FIG. 2) of the cable 12 is set at about 12l5 so that the angle of incidence of the strip material 10a with respect to the cable 12 is in the same range about l2-l5 thereby insuring proper wrapping of the strip material 10a in a double thickness about the cable 12.

SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved wrapping apparatus 14 for wrapping a plastic strip material 10a about a cable 12 on a suspension type bridge (not shown). This improved wrapping apparatus 14 is moved longitudinally with respect to the cable 12 in response to the rotation of the flyer 62 (which flyer 62 carries the strip material 10) at a predetermined linear rate of speed relative to the cable 12 for each revolution of the flyer 62, thereby wrapping the proper amount of the plastic strip material 10a on the cable 12; provides positionable mounting of the strip material feeding bobbin 92 and the protective strip collecting bobbin on the flyer 62; regulates the tension on the strip material 10 by means of adjustable brakes or discs 106 associated with the tensioning means 104; positions the strip material feeding bobbin 92 and the protective strip collecting bobbin 80 at a predetermined angle with respect to the cable 12 to provide a desired angle of incidence between the strip material 10a and the cable 12; provides spacer means 166 (FIG. 6) on the hub a of the drum 150 to increase the diameter of the drum 150 thereby increasing the linear speed of the wrapping apparatus 14; and wraps a double thickness of strip material 10a about the cable 12.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material about an elongated member on a suspension type bridge, said bridge having a guide member mounted above said elongated member, said wrapping apparatus having:

a. a torque stay frame depending from said guide member and movable on said guide member;

b. a frame secured to said torque stay frame and movable on said elongated member;

c. a flyer rotatable with respect to said frame and said elongated member;

d. strip material feeding means rotatably mounted on said flyer and having the free end of said strip material attached to said elongated member so that relative rotation between said flyer and said elongated member wraps said strip material about said elongated member;

e. longitudinal drive means having a drum rotatable on said frame and a rope member connected to said drum and to said elongated member;

f. connecting means between said longitudinal drive means and said flyer so that rotation of said flyer causes rotation of said drum with attendant winding of said rope member on said drum and resultant predetermined linear movement of said wrapping apparatus with respect to said elongated member for each revolution of said flyer with respect to said elongated member.

2. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said frame has a plurality of rollers engageable with said elongated member.

3. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein one roller of said rollers has biasing means for adjustably positioning said one roller against said elongated member.

4. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said fly er has a first half section and a second half section removably connected to said first half section.

5. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said strip material has a protective strip on one side of said strip material, and said apparatus has:

a. protective strip collecting means rotatable on said flyer between said strip material feeding means and said elongated member; and

b. said protective strip collecting means being adapted to receive the free end of said protective strip and operable by said strip material to remove said protective strip from said strip material before said strip material engages said elongated member and to store said removed protective strip.

6. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said protective strip collecting means has a securing means for securing the free end of said protective strip collecting means.

7. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said frame has a mounting ring projecting from said frame and said flyer rotates on said mounting ring.

8. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 7 and having a plurality of rollers mounted on said mounting ring and engageable with said elongated member.

9. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 7 wherein said mounting ring has a first half ring section and a second half ring section removably connected to said first half ring section.

10. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 7 and having roller means between said flyer and said mounting ring.

11. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting means has:

a. a girth gear on said flyer; and

b. a pinion gear on said frame engageable with said girth gear and connected to said drum to rotate said drum when said girth gear is rotated by said flyer.

12. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 and having strip tension means connected to said strip material feeding means for applying a predetermined tension to said strip material feeding means and said strip material.

13. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said strip tensioning means has:

a. a friction brake engageable with said strip material feeding means; and

b. biasing means associated with with said fricion brake for applying a retarding force between said friction brake and said biasing means.

14. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 and having spacer means on said drum for increasing the diameter of said drum thereby varying the linear velocity of said wrapping apparatus for each revolution of said flyer.

15. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 and having positioning means on said frame for supporting said strip material feeding means and for varying the angular position of said strip material feeding means with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated member to provide a predetermined angle of incidence of said strip material with respect to said elongated

Claims

1. A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a strip material about an elongated member on a suspension type bridge, said bridge having a guide member mounted above said elongated member, said wrapping apparatus having: a. a torque stay frame depending from said guide member and movable on said guide member; b. a frame secured to said torque stay frame and movable on said elongated member; c. a flyer rotatable with respect to said frame and said elongated member; d. strip material feeding means rotatably mounted on said flyer and having the free end of said strip material attached to said elongated member so that relative rotation between said flyer and said elongated member wraps said strip material about said elongated member; e. longitudinal drive means having a drum rotatable on said frame and a rope member connected to said drum and to said elongated member; f. connecting means between said longitudinal drive means and said flyer so that rotation of said flyer causes rotation of said drum with attendant winding of said rope member on said drum and resultant predetermined linear movement of said wrapping aPparatus with respect to said elongated member for each revolution of said flyer with respect to said elongated member.

4. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said flyer has a first half section and a second half section removably connected to said first half section.

5. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said strip material has a protective strip on one side of said strip material, and said apparatus has: a. protective strip collecting means rotatable on said flyer between said strip material feeding means and said elongated member; and b. said protective strip collecting means being adapted to receive the free end of said protective strip and operable by said strip material to remove said protective strip from said strip material before said strip material engages said elongated member and to store said removed protective strip.

11. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting means has: a. a girth gear on said flyer; and b. a pinion gear on said frame engageable with said girth gear and connected to said drum to rotate said drum when said girth gear is rotated by said flyer.

13. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 12 wherein said strip tensioning means has: a. a friction brake engageable with said strip material feeding means; and b. biasing means associated with with said fricion brake for applying a retarding force between said friction brake and said biasing means.

15. The wrapping apparatus recited in claim 1 and having positioning means on said frame for supporting said strip material feeding means and for varying the angular position of said strip material feeding means with respect to the longitudinal axis of said elongated member to provide a predetermined angle of incidence of said strip material with respect to said elongated member.