Web-handling apparatus

Claim 2

In apparatus for managing a web supported for movement past an intelligence transfer station over a tortuous course defined by a pair of guide members, and wherein means for straightening the course between web supply and take-up members include a pair of arms arranged for moving said guide members, the improvement comprising: cam-operated means for moving the arms between a first condition in which said guide members are arranged for providing a tortuous course for the web and a second condition in which the course for the web is straightened.

Claim 3

A combination according to claim 1 characterized by a cam, and wherein said means comprises a cam follower having first and second portions associated with said cam and said arms, respectively.

Claim 4

A combination aCcording to claim 2 wherein said cam is movably mounted and has a cam track, and said follower comprises a member engaged in said track and a link associated with said arms for moving said guide members in response to movement of said cam.

Claim 5

A combination according to claim 3 characterized by a deck having a first surface over which said course extends and an opposed surface, said cam being arranged for rocking adjacent said first surface, said follower comprising a pin extending through said deck with one end portion engaged in said cam track and an opposite end portion connected to said link.

Claim 6

A combination according to claim 4 wherein said link comprises a straight member disposed adjacent said opposed surface and having one end section connected to said pin and an opposite end section for moving said member in response to movement of said lever.

Claim 7

A combination according to claim 5 wherein said cam track has opposed offset end portions for restraining movement of said follower, said straight member is mounted for movement between first and second aspects in which said follower moves in said cam track between said offset end portions, and characterized by spring means for releasably holding said arms in their first condition.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized by a cam connected to said cam operated means and arranged for movement between first and second aspects as said arms are moved between said first and second conditions.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by: means for moving said web and including a capstan and an opposable pinch roller; and means for rocking said pinch roller between a first position adjacent said capstan for moving the web in said course when tortuous and a second position removed from said capstan when said course is straightened.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said rocking means comprises a linkage having opposite end portions connected to said cam and said pinch roller.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 9 characterized by means for floatingly supporting said pinch roller from said linkage.

Claim 12

In apparatus for managing a web over a tortuous course defined by a pair of guide members disposed in opposed positions relative an intelligence transfer station and wherein means for straightening the course includes a pair of arms arranged for moving said guide members from a first condition in which the course is tortuous to a second condition in which the course is straightened, a combination comprising: means for yieldably holding said arms in said first condition; means for immobilizing said arms in said second condition; a boss arranged for shifting; and a pair of projections connected from said arms and arranged for angular movement responsively to shifting of said boss for moving said arms between said first and second conditions.

Claim 13

In apparatus for managing a web over a tortuous course defined by a pair of guide members disposed in opposed positions relative an intelligence transfer station and wherein means for straightening the course includes a pair of arms arranged for moving said guide members from a first condition in which the course is tortuous to a second condition in which the course is straightened, a combination comprising: means for yieldably holding said arms in said first condition; means for immobilizing said arms in said second condition; a boss arranged for shifting; and a pair of projections connected from said arms and arranged for angular movement responsively to shifting of said boss for moving said arms between said first and second conditions.

Claim 14

A combination according to claim 11 wherein said holding means comprises a pair of springs associated with said arms and arranged for angular movement in operative association with said boss.

Claim 15

A combination according to claim 12 wherein said springs are coiled and each has a first extension arranged for yieldable urging said boss toward said projections.

Claim 16

A combination according to claim 13 wherein each spring is associated with one of said projections and has a second extension opposed to said first, each first extension arranged for biasing said boss in one direction against a corresponding projection, and each second extension arranged for urging said projection to bias said boss in an opposite direction.

Claim 17

A combination according to claim 12 characterized by: a deck, said arms arranged for angular movement on one side of said deck; and a bracket disposed on the other side of said deck and secured for movement with each of said arms, one of said projections carried from each of said brackets in bearing association with said boss.

Claim 18

A combination according to claim 15 wherein each spring is coIled in association with one of said brackets and has a pair of extensions and characterized by a lug carried from each bracket, one of said extensions engaged with said lug for rotating said spring in one angular direction and urging movement of said shiftable means in one lineal direction, the other of said extensions engaging said boss for rotating said spring in an opposite angular direction and urging said shiftable means in an opposite lineal direction.

Claim 19

In web-managing apparatus having a first condition in which a tortuous web path is provided and a second condition in which the path is straightened, and wherein the path defining means comprises a pair of adjustable web guides mounted on one side of a deck on arms rockable between first and second positions for effecting said first and second conditions, a combination comprising: a link mounted for shifting on the other side of said deck between first and second positions corresponding to said first and second conditions, and having opposed end portions; a cam having a cam track with opposed restraining portions and mounted for rocking relative said deck between first and second angular aspects corresponding to said first and second conditions; a cam follower secured from one end portion of said link and engaged in said cam track; a boss secured from the other end portion of said link; and means secured from said arms and responsive to said boss for moving said guides for effecting said first and second conditions.

Claim 20

In web-managing apparatus having a first condition in which a tortuous web path is provided and a second condition in which the path is straightened, and wherein the path defining means comprises a pair of adjustable web guides mounted on one side of a deck on arms rockable between first and second positions for effecting said first and second conditions, a combination comprising: a link mounted for shifting on the other side of said deck between first and second positions corresponding to said first and second conditions, and having opposed end portions; a cam having a cam track with opposed restraining portions and mounted for rocking relative said deck between first and second angular aspects corresponding to said first and second conditions; a cam follower secured from one end portion of said link and engaged in said cam track; a boss secured from the other end portion of said link; and means secured from said arms and responsive to said boss for moving said guides for effecting said first and second conditions.

Claim 21

A combination according to claim 17 characterized by: a pair of pivots defining rocking axes associated with said arms; a pair of oppositely coiled springs disposed about said axes, each of said springs having first and second extensions, said first extensions biasing said arms in opposite angular directions to effect one of said conditions, said second extensions bearing against said boss and biasing said arms in opposite angular directions to effect the other of said conditions.

Claim 22

A combination according to claim 18 wherein said moving means comprises: first and second brackets secured from said arms, respectively, and disposed on opposite sides of said boss for angular movement about said axes; a projection from each bracket disposed in rockable bearing association with said boss, said brackets and springs arranged for enabling movement of said arms from said first position toward said second position independently of said boss, said second extensions arranged for resisting movement of said arms when in said second position for effecting said first condition.

Claim 23

A combination according to claim 19 wherein said track is proportioned such that the arms are releasably held from movement when said follower is engaged in said restraining portions, the first extensions projecting toward said boss from opposite direction such that, while said follower is restrained, the guides are rockable when the first condition prevails and the guides are immobilized if the second condition prevails.