Communication cable

Claim 1

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors at a predetermined rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise, while said cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, the variation in the rotary speed of said member being sufficient to impart to said cable unit a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 2

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors at a predetermined rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise, while said cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, the variation in the rotary speed of said member being sufficient to impart to said cable unit a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 3

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors at a predetermined rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise, while said cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, the variation in the rotary speed of said member being sufficient to impart to said cable unit a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 4

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors at a predetermined rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise, while said cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, the variation in the rotary speed of said member being sufficient to impart to said cable unit a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 7

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit in sequential layers of increasing diameter on a reel rotating substantially coaxially with said member at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said member, whereby said cable unit is passed through said rotary member at a speed varying stepwise as the cable unit is wound on said reel in said sequential layers and the twisting pitch of said cable unit is varied correspondingly.

Claim 8

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies stepwise from one end of the unit to the other, which method comprises: a. continuously supplying a plurality of elongated strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. passing said cable unit longitudinally through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis extending substantially in the direction of elongation of said unit; d. winding said cable unit in sequential layers of increasing diameter on a reel rotating substantially coaxially with said member at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said member, whereby said cable unit is passed through said rotary member at a speed varying stepwise as the cable unit is wound on said reel in said sequential layers and the twisting pitch of said cable unit is varied correspondingly.

Claim 11

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies from one end of said unit to the other end, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of strands of laid conductors from a reel while said reel is being rotated at a constant speed, said strands being initially wound on said reel in a plurality of radially superposed layers; b. passing said strands through an apertured member mounted for rotation substantially coaxial with said reel; c. withdrawing said strands from said member at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member while rotating said reel at a speed different from said constant speed and varying stepwise as said strands are being unwound from said reel, whereby the withdrawn cable unit has a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 12

A method of manufacturing a twisted communication cable unit whose twisting pitch varies from one end of said unit to the other end, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of strands of laid conductors from a reel while said reel is being rotated at a constant speed, said strands being initially wound on said reel in a plurality of radially superposed layers; b. passing said strands through an apertured member mounted for rotation substantially coaxial with said reel; c. withdrawing said strands from said member at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member while rotating said reel at a speed different from said constant speed and varying stepwise as said strands are being unwound from said reel, whereby the withdrawn cable unit has a stepwise varying pitch.

Claim 19

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of said strand to the other end, which method comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of elongated component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said component conductors around each other for forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially longitudinal of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from said constant speed and varying stepwise while said strand is being wound on said reel in successive layers, and thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand.

Claim 20

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of said strand to the other end, which method comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of elongated component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said component conductors around each other for forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially longitudinal of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member at a constant speed proportional to said rate; and e. rotating said member at a speed different from said constant speed and varying stepwise while said strand is being wound on said reel in successive layers, and thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand.

Claim 23

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying stepwise from one end of said strand to the other end, which method comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of elongated component conductors; b. twisting said conductors around each other to form an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis longitudinal of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said strand is moved through said member at a rate which varies stepwise at the completion of each of said layers, thereby imparting to said strand a correspondingly varying twisting pitch.

Claim 24

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying stepwise from one end of said strand to the other end, which method comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of elongated component conductors; b. twisting said conductors around each other to form an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis longitudinal of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member and at a constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said strand is moved through said member at a rate which varies stepwise at the completion of each of said layers, thereby imparting to said strand a correspondingly varying twisting pitch.

Claim 27

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of the strand to the other, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of parallel component conductors from a reel while rotating said reel at a constant speed; b. passing said conductors through an apertured member mounted for rotation substantially coaxial with said reel; and c. withdrawing said conductors from said member at a constant rate proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member; and d. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise while said conductors are being unwound from said reel for thereby twisting said conductors into a strand of varying pitch.

Claim 28

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of the strand to the other, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of parallel component conductors from a reel while rotating said reel at a constant speed; b. passing said conductors through an apertured member mounted for rotation substantially coaxial with said reel; and c. withdrawing said conductors from said member at a constant rate proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member; and d. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise while said conductors are being unwound from said reel for thereby twisting said conductors into a strand of varying pitch.

Claim 31

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of the strand to the other, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of parallel component conductors from a reel while rotating said reel at a constant speed, said conductors initially being wound on said reel in a plurality of superposed layers; b. passing said conductors through an apertured member while rotating said member substantially coaxially with said reel at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel; and c. withdrawing said conductors from said member in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member at a rate vaRying stepwise and thereby twisting said conductors into a strand.

Claim 32

A method of manufacturing a twisted strand for use in a communication cable, the twisting pitch of said strand varying from one end of the strand to the other, which method comprises: a. unwinding a plurality of parallel component conductors from a reel while rotating said reel at a constant speed, said conductors initially being wound on said reel in a plurality of superposed layers; b. passing said conductors through an apertured member while rotating said member substantially coaxially with said reel at a speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel; and c. withdrawing said conductors from said member in a path substantially coinciding with the axes of rotation of said reel and of said member at a rate vaRying stepwise and thereby twisting said conductors into a strand.

Claim 35

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors at a constant first rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate while rotating said member at a speed different from the speed of rotation of said reel and varying stepwise as the cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, whereby said cable unit is twisted at a pitch varying stepwise; e. unwinding said cable unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction and at a constant second speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwound cable unit through said member; and g. withdrawing said cable unit from said member at a second rate different from said first rate while rotating said member at a speed different from said second speed and varying stepwise as said cable unit is being unwound from said reel for thereby changing said varying pitch.

Claim 36

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors at a constant first rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate while rotating said member at a speed different from the speed of rotation of said reel and varying stepwise as the cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, whereby said cable unit is twisted at a pitch varying stepwise; e. unwinding said cable unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction and at a constant second speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwound cable unit through said member; and g. withdrawing said cable unit from said member at a second rate different from said first rate while rotating said member at a speed different from said second speed and varying stepwise as said cable unit is being unwound from said reel for thereby changing said varying pitch.

Claim 37

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through a apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate while rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as the cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, whereby said cable unit is twisted at varying pitch; e. unwinding said unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first constant speed; f. passing the unwound unit through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second constant speed; and g. withdrawing said cable unit from said member at a speed varying stepwise while the unit is being unwound from said reel and thereby changing the twisting pitch of said withdrawn unit.

Claim 38

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through a apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate while rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as the cable unit is being wound on said reel in successive layers, whereby said cable unit is twisted at varying pitch; e. unwinding said unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first constant speed; f. passing the unwound unit through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second constant speed; and g. withdrawing said cable unit from said member at a speed varying stepwise while the unit is being unwound from said reel and thereby changing the twisting pitch of said withdrawn unit.

Claim 39

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said cable unit through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel in successive layers while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a first constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said cable unit is passed through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each layer on said reel is completed, and the twisting pitch of said cable unit is varied in corresponding steps; e. unwinding said cable unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unWinding unit through said member; and g. withdrawing said unit from said member at a constant speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel while rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said unit is being unwound from the reel for thereby changing the pitch of said unit.

Claim 40

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said cable unit through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel in successive layers while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a first constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said cable unit is passed through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each layer on said reel is completed, and the twisting pitch of said cable unit is varied in corresponding steps; e. unwinding said cable unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unWinding unit through said member; and g. withdrawing said unit from said member at a constant speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said reel while rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said unit is being unwound from the reel for thereby changing the pitch of said unit.

Claim 41

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member in a first direction at a constant first speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said member, whereby said unit is moved through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each of said layers is completed, and whereby the twisting pitch of said unit is varied in corresponding steps; e. unwinding said unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a constant second speed different from said first speed; f. passing said unit through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second constant speed and thereby increasing said pitch of the unit.

Claim 42

A method of manufacturing a communication cable unit which comprises: a. supplying a plurality of strands of laid conductors; b. twisting said strands around each other and thereby forming an elongated cable unit; c. longitudinally passing said unit through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said unit; d. winding said unit on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member in a first direction at a constant first speed proportional to the speed of rotation of said member, whereby said unit is moved through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each of said layers is completed, and whereby the twisting pitch of said unit is varied in corresponding steps; e. unwinding said unit from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a constant second speed different from said first speed; f. passing said unit through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second constant speed and thereby increasing said pitch of the unit.

Claim 43

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said conductors around each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. passing said strand through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate; e. rotating said member at a speed different from the speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being wound on said reel in radially successive layers, thereby imparting to the strand a twist of stepwise varying pitch; f. unwinding said strand from said reel, while rotating the reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; g. passing the unwinding strand through said member; and h. withdrawing said strand from said member at a constant rate proportional to the second speed of rotation of said reel, while rotating said member at a speed different from said second speed and varying stepwise, thereby increasing the pitch of the withdrawn strand.

Claim 44

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said conductors around each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. passing said strand through an apertured member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to said rate; e. rotating said member at a speed different from the speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being wound on said reel in radially successive layers, thereby imparting to the strand a twist of stepwise varying pitch; f. unwinding said strand from said reel, while rotating the reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; g. passing the unwinding strand through said member; and h. withdrawing said strand from said member at a constant rate proportional to the second speed of rotation of said reel, while rotating said member at a speed different from said second speed and varying stepwise, thereby increasing the pitch of the withdrawn strand.

Claim 45

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said conductors around each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through a member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member in a first direction at a constant first speed proportional to said rate; e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being wound on said reel in radially successive layers, thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand in corresponding steps; f. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; g. passing said strand through said member while rotating said member at a constant Speed proportional to said second speed; and h. withdrawing said strand from said member at a speed varying stepwise as the strand is being unwound from said reel.

Claim 46

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors at a constant rate; b. twisting said conductors around each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through a member mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel while rotating said reel substantially coaxially with said member in a first direction at a constant first speed proportional to said rate; e. rotating said member at a speed different from the rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being wound on said reel in radially successive layers, thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand in corresponding steps; f. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; g. passing said strand through said member while rotating said member at a constant Speed proportional to said second speed; and h. withdrawing said strand from said member at a speed varying stepwise as the strand is being unwound from said reel.

Claim 47

A method of producing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors; b. twisting said conductors about each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand in radially successive layers on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a first constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said strand is moved through said member at a speed varying stepwise when each of said layers is completed, and the twisting pitch of said strand is varied stepwise; e. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwinding strand through said member; and g. withdrawing said strand from said member at a constant rate proportional to said second speed while said member is being rotated at a speed different from rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being unwound from said reel for thereby increasing the pitch of said strand.

Claim 48

A method of producing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors; b. twisting said conductors about each other and thereby forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand in radially successive layers on a reel while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a first constant speed proportional to the rotary speed of said member, whereby said strand is moved through said member at a speed varying stepwise when each of said layers is completed, and the twisting pitch of said strand is varied stepwise; e. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwinding strand through said member; and g. withdrawing said strand from said member at a constant rate proportional to said second speed while said member is being rotated at a speed different from rotary speed of said reel and varying stepwise as said strand is being unwound from said reel for thereby increasing the pitch of said strand.

Claim 49

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors; b. twisting said conductors about each other for forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to the speed of said member and thereby moving said strand through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each of said layers is completed and for thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand; e. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwinding strand through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second speed; and g. withdrawing said strand from said member at a speed varying stepwise as the strand is being unwound from said reel and thereby increasing said pitch thereof.

Claim 50

A method of manufacturing a strand for use in a communication cable which comprises: a. separately supplying a plurality of component conductors; b. twisting said conductors about each other for forming an elongated strand; c. longitudinally passing said strand through an apertured member while rotating said member at a constant speed about an axis substantially coinciding with the elongation of said strand; d. winding said strand on a reel in radially successive layers while rotating said reel in a first direction substantially coaxially with said member at a constant first speed proportional to the speed of said member and thereby moving said strand through said member at a speed varying stepwise as each of said layers is completed and for thereby varying the twisting pitch of said strand; e. unwinding said strand from said reel while rotating said reel in a second direction opposite to said first direction at a second constant speed different from said first speed; f. passing the unwinding strand through said member while rotating said member at a constant speed proportional to said second speed; and g. withdrawing said strand from said member at a speed varying stepwise as the strand is being unwound from said reel and thereby increasing said pitch thereof.