US3810591A

US3810591A - Dispensing machine for coil stock

Info

Publication number: US3810591A
Application number: US00271420A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Haven
Original assignee: Stanley Works
Current assignee: Stanley Works
Priority date: 1972-07-13
Filing date: 1972-07-13
Publication date: 1974-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 1991-05-14

Abstract

A machine having a horizontally disposed turntable for payingout stock from an outer periphery of a coil supported on the turntable, an accumulator, a feed roll for pulling stock from the coil and feeding paid-off stock to the accumulator, a common drive for operating the turntable and the feed roll in unison, a control switch in the accumulator operable for activating and deactivating the common drive responsive to entangling of the stock upstream of the feed roll, and an antislack unit for controlling and tensioning lengths of stock paid-out from the coil.

Description

United States Patent [191 Haven May 14, 1974 [54] DISPENSING MACHINE FORCOIL STOCK 3,225,989 l2/l965 Stine 242/753 X [75] Inventor: Robert L. Haven, Enfield, Conn. Primary Examiner john w. Huckert [73] Assignee: The Stanley Works, New Britain, Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Conn. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-'Prutzman, Hayes, Kalb 8L 22 Filed: July 13, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 271,420 [57] ABSTRACT A machine having a horizontally disposed turntable 52 us. Cl. 242/78.6, 242/753 for Paying-0t Stock from Outer Periphery [51] Int. Cl. B2lc 47/16 supported on the turntablean accumulator a feed [58} Field of Search 242/7845, 753, 752, 76, roll for pulling stock from the coil and feeding paid-off 242/54 R stock to the accumulator, a-common drive for operating the turntable and the feed roll in unison, a control [56] References Cited switch in the accumulator operable for activating and deactivating the common drive responsive to entan- UNITED STATES PATENTS gling of the stock upstream of the feed roll, and an an- 3,56l,69l 2/]971 Nichols 242/753 X tislack unit f controlling and tensioning lengths of 3,392,93l 7/1968 Davis 242/78.6 stock p from the coil 3,162,394 l2/l964 Culpepper 242/78.6 2,874,916 2/1959 Wallin 242/78.6 X 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures it... lug

DISPENSING MACHINE FOR COIL STOCK FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to coil stock dispensing equipment and particularly concerns a machine for paying-out strapping and similar coil stock of a general type described in US. Pat. No. 3,392,931 issued July 16, 1968 to W. R. Davis et al. entitled Machine For Dispensing Coil Stock and assigned to the assignee of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional machines for dispensing coil stock are are frequently mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in an effort to minimize entanglement of the stock paid-off the coil during a dispensing operation. However, sheer physical size and weight of larger coils, which are more economical to purchase and use, may introduce significant handling problems which make it desirable to dispense such stock from a coil mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. That is, coils of stock such as steel strapping weighing about 1000 pounds with approximately miles of strapping contained in the coil present formidable handling problems, and such problems are significantly reduced if the coil is disposed in an eye-to-the-sky position on a horizontal turntable for rotation about a vertical axis. Nonetheless, the problem of tangling of such strapping, particularly when being paid-off from an outer periphery of the coil, has heretofore prevented effective use of simplified equipment for dispensing strapping from a horizontal turntable since upper outer wraps of the coil tend to fall down over a paid-out length of strapping and become entangled, particularly when the rotating coil is brought to a stop.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A primary object of this invention accordingly is to provide a new and improved machine for dispensing stock in a smooth trouble-free manner from an outer periphery of a coil mounted for rotation about a vertical axiswhile also virtually eliminating the heretofore troublesome problem of stock entanglement.

Another object of this invention is to provide such a machine which not only minimizes coil handling and stock entanglement but also is capable of suddenly and smoothly dispensing stock at a relatively high initial pay-off rate.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a machine particularly suited for use in dispensing stock from gigantic coils and for reducing the time normally required in coil handling and change-over during reloading.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved machine of the type described having a significantly simplified construction which features reliable performance over an extended service life with minimized maintenance requirements.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in more detail hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, this invention is embodied in a machine described more specifically below and having a frame for supporting a turntable upon which a coil of stock such as metal strapping, e.g., is loaded to be rotated in a coil unwinding direction from an outer periphery of the coil. To ensure strapping is available to be intermittently dispensed at a high speed at the beginning of a dispensing cycle responsive to asudden demand, an accumulator is supported in fixed relation to the frame downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging strapping. Feed roll means is provided for withdrawing strapping from the coil at a rate greater than the angular speed of the rotating coil and for feeding paid-off lengths of strapping into the accumulator. When strapping is suddenly withdrawn from the accumulator, a common drive simultaneously operates both the turntable and the feed roll means, and control switch means is provided for activating and deactivating the common drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of strapping in the accumulator while an antislack unit is provided for controlling and tensioning paid-out lengths of strapping between the turntable and the feed roll means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing a machine incorporating this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly broken away, of the machine of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a motor circuit for the machine of FIG. 1.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth an illustrative embodiment and is indicative of the way in which the principle of the invention is employed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A machine 10 incorporating a preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in the drawings having a generally circular turntable 12 supported for rotation on a frame 14 having suitable rollers such as at 16 providing bearing support for turntable l2. Turntable 12 rotates about a vertical axis defined by a drive shaft 18 secured to the turntable l2 and mounted for rotation therewith on the frame 14. For protective purposes, a wire mesh shroud 20 partially surrounds turntable 12.

To efficiently handle heavy coils of stock, say, of about 1,000 pounds, with minimum machine downtime and operator effort, turntable 12 is not only horizontally disposed for rotation about a vertical axis, but in addition, has a roller conveyor 22 mounted upon turntable 12 with a pair of skid positioning abutments 24, 24 in spaced opposed relation above turntable 12. Adjacent the turntable conveyor 22 is an infeed conveyor 26 fixed adjacent an entrance opening in shroud 20. A coil such as that illustrated at 28, may be mounted on its conventional shipping skid 30; the skid mounted coil then may be deposited on the infeed conveyor 26 and simply manually pushed, without any lifting whatsoever, into position onto turntable conveyor 22.

To secure coil 28 in operative position concentric to drive shaft 18, a suitable retaining device 32 is provided with a center post 33 extending through an opening, not shown, in the skid 30 and secured to the drive shaft 18 to fix clamping arms 34 in position on top of coil 28. Radially expandable resilient spring arms, not shown, are preferably carried on the center post 33 to engage an inner periphery of coil 28 to additionally retain it in operative position for a dispensing cycle.

So that machine is capable of smoothly dispensing strapping at a relatively high initial pay-out rate responsive to sudden intermittent demands, a vertically extending accumulator 36 having a frame of generally rectilinear configuration is disposed in the feed path of the strapping downstream of the turntable 12 to accumulate an extensive length of paid-out strapping, typically about 40 feet, for immediate withdrawal even when tlieturntable 12 is stationary. The accumulator 36 has wire mesh walls in spaced apart relation coacting with rectilinear frame members at 37 and 37A to define a contained volume having a shallow depth somewhat greater than the width of the strapping 38 being dispensed from coil 28. Accumulator 36 is in fixed relation to the frame 14 with a bottom portion of the accumulator 36 disposed in generally elevated relation to the turntable 12 such that inlet and outlet openings 40, 42 (FIG. 2) at opposite lower corners of the accumulator 36 are generally aligned with a feed path of strapping 38 to be paid-off an outer periphery of coil 28 between a pair of feed rolls 44, 46.

In the preferred embodiment, the feed rolls-44, 46 are supported for rotation on a frame subassembly 48 adjacent inlet opening 40. If desired, upper feed roll 44 may be spring loaded toward the lower feed roll 46 with suitable gearing, not shown, interconnecting the feed rolls 44, .46 to positively drive both rolls while permitting upper feed roll 44 to be retracted upon manually actuating a lever 50 for facile charging of accumulator 36 during reloading of the machine 10.

In charging accumulator 36, a paid-out length of strapping 38 is unwound from the outer periphery of coil 28 and fed between feed rolls44, 46, through the aligned inlet opening 40 and is trained over a post or other suitable device such as the illustrated pulley 52 located within an upper middle portion of accumulator 36. The strapping extends downwardly from pulley 52 through outlet 42 so that a free end of the strapping may be withdrawn from the accumulator 36 by conventional auxiliary power operated strapping handling equipment, e.g., at a strapping station, not shown.

Rotation of turntable 12 in a coil unwinding direction and simultaneous feeding of strapping 38 into accumulator 36 is achieved by virtue of a common drive 56 (FIG. 2) wherein an electric motor 58 has an output shaft 60 drivingly connected through a speed change unit 62 to a vertically disposed drive shaft 64. An upper end of drive shaft 64 carries a bevelled gear 66 meshing with a mating driven gear 68 carried on a support shaft 70 of lower feed roll 46 which is drivingly interconnected as noted above by suitable gearing, not shown,

to upper feed roll 44. A lower end of ,drive shaft 64 is shown having a sprocket 7 2. connected via a drivechain shaft 18 of turntable 12.

To activate dispenser 10, a motor circuit-,(FIG. 3) is preferably connected to a suitable source of power through a master on-ofi switch 78. Upon motor 58 being energized, strapping 38 is paid-off the rotating turntable 12 through feed rolls 44, 46 and into accumulator 36. Should no strapping be demanded by the strapping station, the paid-off lengths of strapping are collected in accumulator 36 until such time as a desired quantity of strapping is received in accumulator 36. A slack convolution of strapping within accumulator 36 just upstream of outlet 42 serves to automatically trip 74 to a driven sprocket 76 coaxially mounted to drive a lever or sensing arm 80 of a cycle control switch 82 to move it from a normally closed position (not shown) into an open position (as illustrated) to de-energize motor 58, stopping rotation of the feed rolls 44, 46 and turntable 12. The positioning of switch 82 relative to the accumulator 36 and its outlet opening 42 is conveniently adjusted depending upon the size and shape of the accumulator 36 andthe flexibility of the strapping material to selectively set the amount of strapping desired to be accumulated by virtue of the illustrated switch mounting member 83. The latter is supported for pivotal movement about a suitable pivot pin 85 releasably secured to a projecting portion 87 of accumulator 36 adjacent its arcuate cutout corner portion 89 which will be understood to be suitably apertured for receiving the lever 80 for movement.

Sudden withdrawal of strapping from accumulator 36 is immediately sensed by lever arm 80 of cycle control switch 82 which pivots downwardly (clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2) responsive to tensioning and withdrawal of strapping in accumulator 36 to close the cir cuit, energize motor 58 and automatically rotate turntable 12 as the feed system is simultaneously activated to again charge accumulator 36. Switch 82 remains closed as the strapping is being withdrawn from accumulator 36, typically at about 6 feed per second, and until such further time after termination of strapping withdrawal as is required to again recharge accumulator 36, whereupon the strapping again fans out into a relaxed condition to re-engage lever sensing arm 80 and reopen cycle control switch 82. While turntable l2 and feed rolls 44, 46 almost immediately cease rotating, any continued rotation of the turntable 12 due to the inertia of the heavy coil 28 of strapping after the motor is de-energized serves to provide an additional limited infeed to the accumulator 36 through the feed rolls 44, 46 which continue to operate due to the common driving connection between the sprockets 72, 76 via chain 74 until turntable 12 stops. The motor 58 in its deenergized condition is effectively coupled to the turntable and also serves to dampen its rotation, gently bringing it to a stop. The accumulator 36 is again fully resupplied with strapping, and the machine 10 is conditioned for a repeat dispensing cycle.

The amount of strapping to be accumulated may be readily controlled by the above described switch mounting, for member 83 may be rotatably adjusted to vary the length of extension of arm 80 into the accumulator 36 and thereby selectively vary the time of shutoff and the amount of strapping which is fed into accumulator 36 before switch 82 is tripped upon engagement of arm 80 by slack strapping.

To permit smooth trouble-free strapping dispensing and recharging of the accumulator 36, it has been found that strapping 38 being paid-oficoil 28 should be maintained in a continuously tensioned condition, particularly when strapping is being paid-off from the outer wraps of the coil in an effort to still further simplify the mechanical construction of the dispenser as distinguished from certain relatively complex mechanical arrangements associated with conventional dispensers for paying-off strapping from an inner periphery of the coiled stock. Accordingly, the drive to the feed rolls 44, 46 is suitably geared to feed strapping between the feed rolls 44, 46 at a rate slightly greater than the rate the outer wraps of strapping are being paid-off coil 28,

lation to the turntable l2 and feed path of strapping through the feed rolls. Spring 84 is shown suitably mounted in the specifically illustrated embodiment to a pair of upright braces 86, 86 formed of angle iron and which will be understood to be secured to the frame 14. Thus, as strapping is withdrawn during rotation of turntable 12, upper outer wraps fall of their own weight downwardly alongside coil 28 and are fed upwardly over spring 84 which deflects downwardly somewhat to apply additional tensioning to the paid-off lengths of strapping 38 being fed through feed rolls 44, 46.

By virtue of a machine incorporating the above described features, the longstanding problem of the outer wraps of coil 28 entangling paid-off lengths of strapping 38 has been found to be essentially eliminated, even upon bringing the machine to a stop.

Should a paid-off length of strapping become slack for any reason which may tend to re-introduce a possibility of undesired entangling of the outer coil wraps with paid-out strapping 38, a second control switch or safety microswitch 90 is provided in the motor circuit to be automatically operated from a normally closed position by lateral displacement of the strapping 38 from its feed path to feed rolls 44, 46 so as to automatically de-energize motor 58 and interrupt the dispensing cycle. In the specifically illustratd embodiment, switch 90 is positioned between the antislack unit 84 and feed rolls 44, 46, laterally of the normal strapping feed path, such that any strapping entanglement causes the strapping 38 to be moved under the continuing rotation of turntable 12 in a coil unwinding direction laterally of its normal feed path and into engagement with a sensing wand 92 of safety switch 90 to open the motor circuit. Upon correcting the problem and with the strapping 38 once again tensioned, switch 90 will be released to its normally closed position whereupon the motor circuit may again be energized to continue with the dispensing cycle.

By virtue of the above described construction, a machine is provided which effectively minimizes heretofore troublesome problems encountered in the handling of heavy coils of stock, and the related problems in the inertial effects of starting and stopping such large coils is effectively accommodated by the disclosed invention wherein gentle start-up and stopping of the turntable 12 is effected. Moreover, these advantages are provided in a machine characterized by efficient, reliable operation in a construction of significant mechanical simplicity.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

1 claim:

1. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selec tively activating and deactivating the drive responsive v to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, the switch control deactivating the drive subsequent to termination of stock withdrawal for recharging the accumulator with said predetermined length of stock to said maximum supply level, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the feed roll is power operated by the drive to rotate at a preselected speed greater than the maximum peripheral pay-off speed of the stock being withdrawn from its coil on the turntable for assisting the antislack unit in controlling and tensioning paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll.

3. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwind ing direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, and a second switch control for controlling the drive, the second switch control being located in laterally offset relation to the feed path upstream of the feed roll such that continued rotation of the turntable will move any entangled length of stock into engagement with said second switch control to operate the same and automatically shut off the drive.

4. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the antislack unit including a spring disposed in the stock feed path between the turntable and the feed roll in laterally extending relation across said feed path, the spring being in elevated relation to the turntable and the stock feed path over the feed roll, the spring being engageable with the stock upon its being trained over the spring for bearing against and tensioning stock being paid-off its coil on the turntable.

5. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to he suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, a first roller conveyor mounted upon the turntable, and a second roller infeed conveyor fixed adjacent the turntable, the first and second roller conveyors having upper surfaces substantially contained in a common plane.

6. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatlvely connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the drive including a common driving connection between the feed roll and the turntable, and a motor for operating said common driving connection, the switch control being disposed in the accumulator for energizing and deenergizing the motor as determined by tensioning and relaxing of stock in the accumulator.

7. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the drive including an electric motor operated by the switch control and having an output shaft drivingly connected to the feed roll, a first sprocket mounted on the output shaft, a second sprocket mounted on the turntable, and a drive chain in meshing engagement with said first and second sprockets for operating the turntable in unison with the feed roll upon energization of the motor by the switch control.

8. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stockto the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the accumulator extending generally upwardly from the stock feed path, the accumulator having a bottom portion with inlet and outlet openings therein, and the inlet opening being disposed in general alignment with the stock feed path in downstream relation to the feed roll for receiving and accumulating said predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn from the accumulator at high pay-out rate at the beginning of a dispensing cycle.

9. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feed ing the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, and a second feed roll rotatably supported on the frame in operative relation 10 later for varying the disposition of the switch control within the accumulator and thereby control the amount of strapping to be accumulated therein.

Claims

1. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, the switch control deactivating the drive subsequent to termination of stock withdrawal for recharging the accumulator with said predetermined length of stock to said maximum supply level, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll.

3. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively cOnnected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, and a second switch control for controlling the drive, the second switch control being located in laterally offset relation to the feed path upstream of the feed roll such that continued rotation of the turntable will move any entangled length of stock into engagement with said second switch control to operate the same and automatically shut off the drive.

5. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, a first roller conveyor mounted upon the turntable, and a second roller infeed conveyor fixed adjacent the turntable, the first and second roller conveyors having upper surfaces substantially contained in a common plane.

6. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stOck to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the drive including a common driving connection between the feed roll and the turntable, and a motor for operating said common driving connection, the switch control being disposed in the accumulator for energizing and de-energizing the motor as determined by tensioning and relaxing of stock in the accumulator.

8. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, and an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, the accumulator extending generally upwardly from the stock feed path, the accumulator having a bottom portion with inlet and outlet openings therein, and the inlet opening being disposed in general alignment with the stock feed path in downstream relation to the feed roll for receiving and accumulating said predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn from the accumulator at high pay-out rate at the beginning of a dispensing cycle.

9. A machine for paying-off stock along a feed path from an outer periphery of a coil of stock and comprising a frame, a coil supporting turntable mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis in a coil unwinding direction, an accumulator located in fixed relation to the frame in the feed path downstream of the turntable for storing and discharging a predetermined length of stock to be suddenly withdrawn, a feed roll rotatably supported on the frame for positively engaging stock for pulling it off an outer periphery of the coil and feeding the paid-off stock to the accumulator, a drive operatively connected to the feed roll and the turntable for operating the same in unison, a switch control for selectively activating and deactivating the drive responsive to minimum and maximum supply levels of stock in the accumulator, an antislack unit engageable with stock withdrawn from its coil supported on the turntable and serving to control and tension paid-off stock between the turntable and the feed roll, and a second feed roll rotatably supported on the frame in operative relation to said first feed roll and cooperating therewith in positively engaging and feeding stock from its coil on the turntable into the accumulator.

10. The machine of claim 6 further including a switch mounting member pivotally supported on the accumulator for varying the disposition of the switch control within the accumulator and thereby control the amount of strapping to be accumulated therein.