US3556369A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for maintaining constant tension in a moving strand
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1968-11-26
•
Granted: 1971-01-19
•
Expires: 1988-11-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus for maintaining a constant tension in a moving strand which comprises a rotatably mounted rigid support for two guides, the support being arranged between strandadvancing means having speed-regulator means and strand-takeup means with the support being disposed to provide an S-shaped strand path around the guides with tension in the strand producing a torque in a first direction; torquing means for applying a continuous rotational torque to the support in a direction opposite to the first direction; and position-sensing means for the support operably associated with the speedregulator means of the advancing means to maintain the support near an equilibrium position.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy G Ferguson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:02
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H59/00; B65H59/10; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/30; B65H2301/31; B65H2301/311; B65H2301/3112; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/30; B65H2701/31
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
An apparatus for maintaining a constant tension in an advancing strand comprising in combination: a. strand advancing means including speed regulator means: b. strand takeup means arranged to takeup and forward the strand advanced by the strand-advancing means; c. a rigid support rotatably mounted on a fixed pivot located between said strand-advancing means and said strand-takeup means, said support having two mounted strand-guide members spaced from the pivot of the rigid support and being disposed such that a line connecting the two guides is at a substantial angle to a line connecting said strand-advancing means and said strand takeup means to provide a S-shaped strand path around said guides with tension in the strand producing a rotational torque about said pivot in a first direction; d. torquing means for applying a continuous rotational torque about said pivot of a preselected magnitude in a direction opposite to said first direction, the magnitude being equal to the torque produced by the strand when passing about said guides with the strand at a desired preselected tension to provide an angular rotation of said rigid member about the pivot when a differential in strand tension from the preselected tension exists; and e. position sensing means for said support that is operably associated with the speed-regulator means of said strandadvancing means and adapted to increase the speed of said strand-advancing means if said support moves in said first direction to allow the support to return to a desired equilibrium position that corresponds to the preselected strand tension, said sensing means and speed regulator means of said strand-advancing means likewise being adapted to decrease the speed of said strand-advancing means if said support moves in direction opposite to said first direction to allow said support to return to the desired equilibrium position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
296 words
An apparatus for maintaining a constant tension in an advancing strand comprising in combination: a. strand advancing means including speed regulator means: b. strand takeup means arranged to takeup and forward the strand advanced by the strand-advancing means; c. a rigid support rotatably mounted on a fixed pivot located between said strand-advancing means and said strand-takeup means, said support having two mounted strand-guide members spaced from the pivot of the rigid support and being disposed such that a line connecting the two guides is at a substantial angle to a line connecting said strand-advancing means and said strand takeup means to provide a S-shaped strand path around said guides with tension in the strand producing a rotational torque about said pivot in a first direction; d. torquing means for applying a continuous rotational torque about said pivot of a preselected magnitude in a direction opposite to said first direction, the magnitude being equal to the torque produced by the strand when passing about said guides with the strand at a desired preselected tension to provide an angular rotation of said rigid member about the pivot when a differential in strand tension from the preselected tension exists; and e. position sensing means for said support that is operably associated with the speed-regulator means of said strandadvancing means and adapted to increase the speed of said strand-advancing means if said support moves in said first direction to allow the support to return to a desired equilibrium position that corresponds to the preselected strand tension, said sensing means and speed regulator means of said strand-advancing means likewise being adapted to decrease the speed of said strand-advancing means if said support moves in direction opposite to said first direction to allow said support to return to the desired equilibrium position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the strand-advancing means includes a direct current motor electrically coupled by a circuit to an associated power supply and the speed regulator means comprises a variable resistor operatively arranged in the circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the pivot for said rigid support is midway between said strand-advancing means and said strand-takeup means and each strand guide is mounted an equal distance from the pivot and arranged in a straight line with said pivot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said torquing means comprises a fluid-operated pushrod pressure cylinder having the exterior end of the rod pivotally attached to the rigid support at a point on a line passing through a pivot being at a 90* angle with respect to a line connecting each guide and the rod is located a perpendicular distance from the support pivot that is equal to the distance of each guide from said pivot, the opposite end of the cylinder being pivotally attached to a second fixed element with the point of the attachment being in line with said guides and at a distance from the pivot oF the rigid support that is equal to the distance of each guide from said strand-advancing means and said strand-takeup means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said guides are rollers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the exterior end of the rod is offset from the point of attachment to the rigid support by a distance equal to the guide roller radius.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein at equilibrium a line connecting the guides is at substantially a 90* angle with respect to a line connecting said strand-advancing means and said strand-takeup means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-18 | 1974-07-20 | 1975-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-18 | 1978-07-20 | 1979-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-18 | 1982-07-20 | 1983-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |