Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
Let-off apparatus for confining wire which is being pulled continuously from individual successively connected stationary coils arranged alternatingly on side-to-side first and second let-off stands said let-off apparatus comprising an elongated funnel having at the larger end thereof a wire-admitting opening adapted to admit loose turns of wire pulled from the coils and at the smaller end thereof a wire-discharging opening, an elongated drum rotatably supported by said funnel outwardly of and proximate to said wire-discharging opening, funnel supporting structure supporting said funnel so as to permit movement of said funnel between a first position with said wire-admitting opening overlyiNg a coil on said first let-off stand and a second position with said wire-admitting opening overlying a coil on said second let-off stand, and funnel moving and holding means for moving said funnel alternatingly between said first and second positions and temporarily holding said funnel in said respective first and second positions as wire is being pulled from successive coils on said respective first and second let-off stands through said funnel and over said drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
Let-off apparatus for confining wire which is being pulled continuously from individual successively connected stationary coils arranged alternatingly on side-to-side first and second let-off stands said let-off apparatus comprising an elongated funnel having at the larger end thereof a wire-admitting opening adapted to admit loose turns of wire pulled from the coils and at the smaller end thereof a wire-discharging opening, an elongated drum rotatably supported by said funnel outwardly of and proximate to said wire-discharging opening, funnel supporting structure supporting said funnel so as to permit movement of said funnel between a first position with said wire-admitting opening overlyiNg a coil on said first let-off stand and a second position with said wire-admitting opening overlying a coil on said second let-off stand, and funnel moving and holding means for moving said funnel alternatingly between said first and second positions and temporarily holding said funnel in said respective first and second positions as wire is being pulled from successive coils on said respective first and second let-off stands through said funnel and over said drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 1, in which said funnel supporting structure pivotally supports said funnel adjacent said wire-discharging opening so as to permit pivotal movement of said funnel between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 2, in which said funnel moving and holding means comprises cylinder mechanism having a cylinder case pivotally supported by said funnel-supporting structure and having a retractable-extensible rod pivotally connected to said funnel, said mechanism being adapted to move said funnel to said first position during retraction of said rod and to move said funnel to said second position during extension of said rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The let-off mechanism of claim 3, in which said funnel moving and holding means further comprises first switch means for effecting extension of said rod as the trailing end of a coil on said first let-off stand is pulled from said first let-off stand and second switch means for effecting retraction of said rod as the trailing end of a coil on said second stand is pulled from said second let-off stand.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 2, in which said funnel supporting structure comprises a framework pivotally supporting said funnel, fixed stanchion means supporting said framework for translation of said framework along said stanchion means and corresponding movement of said funnel closer to and farther from said first and second let-off stands, and adjusting means for adjusting the translated position of said framework along said stanchion means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 5, in which said adjusting means comprises a jack fixedly supported with respect to said stanchion means an operatively connected to said framework.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 5, in which said funnel moving and holding means comprises cylinder mechanism having a cylinder case pivotally supported by said framework and having a retractable-extensible rod pivotally connected to said funnel, said mechanism being adapted to move said funnel to said first position during retraction of said rod and to move said funnel to said second position during extension of said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The let-off mechanism of claim 7, in which said funnel moving and holding means further comprises first switch means for effecting extension of said rod as the last turn of a coil on said first let-off stand is pulled from said first let-off stand and second switch means for effecting retraction of said rod as the last turn of a coil on said second let-off stand is pulled from said second let-off stand.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 1, further comprising snag control means for stopping the wire as a snag in the wire reaches said drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The let-off apparatus of claim 1, wherein said snag control is arranged to stop the wire upon a marked increase in the downward pull of the wire on said drum over the downward pull of the wire on said drum under normal operating conditions.