Coil handling apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for compacting and strapping coils comprising: a platen overlying a horizontally disposed support surface, said platen being movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position; transport means for moving a coil along a path on said support surface to a position underlying said platen; means for lowering said platen to axially compact the coil between said platen and said support surface; strapping machines operatively positioned on either side of the said path; track means cooperating with said strapping machines to apply retaining straps to the coil at at least two locations while the coil remains compacted between said platen and said support surface, said track means including first stationary track members located in said support surface adjacent said strapping machines, and second adjustable track members movable vertically independently of said platen from inoperative raised positions above the said path to lowered operative positions cooperating with said first track members and said strapping machines to guide retaining straps around the coil, whereupon following application of retaining straps to said compacted coil, the platen and second adjustable track members are raised to their respective inoperative positions to thereby free the compacted strapped coil for continued movement along said support surface.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support surface is provided with an elongated opening extending along said path, and wherein said transport means includes a mandrel member movable horizontally in a direction parallel to said path and vErtically through said opening between a lowered inoperative position beneath said support surface and a raised operative position extending axially through a coil on said support surface.

Claim 4

The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further characterized by said strapping machines being movably mounted on tracks extending laterally of the path travelled by said coils, whereby after retaining straps have been fed around the compacted coil along said track members, the said strapping machines may be moved inwardly towards the coil to permit tightening, crimping and cutting of the straps.

Claim 5

The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 further characterized by an opening extending across said platen in a direction transverse to the path of coil travel, the said opening being suitably positioned and dimensioned to expose the interior of a coil compacted between said platen and said support surface and to thereby accommodate vertical adjustment of said second track members.

Claim 6

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by means for elevating said strapping machines and said adjustable track members to raised inoperative positions above the path of coil travel, thereby permitting the raised components to be serviced while allowing continued compacting and manual strapping of coils therebelow.

Claim 7

Means for collecting, moving, compacting and strapping rod coils comprising: a horizontal support surface; a mandrel extending vertically through an elongated opening in said support surface; means for depositing rod rings about said mandrel to form a coil on said support surface; means for moving said mandrel, along said opening, with corresponding movement being imparted to said coil, to a second position for compacting and strapping; a downwardly movable platen cooperating with said support surface to compact the coil, the said mandrel being lowered to accommodate downward movement of the platen, said platen having an opening suitably dimensioned to expose the interior of the underlying coil; strapping machines at opposite sides of said coil aligned laterally with said platen opening, each said strapping machines including a two part strap track with a bottom part fixed and located in said support surface beneath said coil and the other part being movable from an upper position where it will not interfere with arrival at or departure of said coil at or from said second position to an operative down position extending through said platen opening to make with said bottom part a closed strap circuit about said coil; means for actuating said strapping machines to strap said coil at positions aligned with said platen opening; and means for raising said platen, withdrawing said mandrel downwardly beneath said support surface, raising the upper part of each strap track and moving said compacted strapped coil along said support surface away from said second position.

Claim 8

Means for collecting, moving, compacting and strapping rod coils comprising: a horizontal support surface; a mandrel extending vertically through an elongated opening in said support surface; means for depositing rod rings about said mandrel to form a coil on said support surface; means for moving said mandrel, along said opening, with corresponding movement being imparted to said coil, to a second position for compacting and strapping; a downwardly movable platen cooperating with said support surface to compact the coil, the said mandrel being lowered to accommodate downward movement of the platen, said platen having an opening suitably dimensioned to expose the interior of the underlying coil; strapping machines at opposite sides of said coil aligned laterally with said platen opening, each said strapping machines including a two part strap track with a bottom part fixed and located in said support surface beneath said coil and the other part being movable from an upper position where it will not interfere with arrival at or departure of said coil at or from said second position to an operative down position extending through said platen opening to make with said bottom part a closed strap circuit about said coil; means for actuating said strapping machines to strap said coil at positions aligned with said platen opening; and means for raising said platen, withdrawing said mandrel downwardly beneath said support surface, raising the upper part of each strap track and moving said compacted strapped coil along said support surface away from said second position.