Patent US3761038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3761038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tape-wrapping method and apparatus
Assignee: Garlock Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-30
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1991-03-30
Abstract
Abstract An improvement in a method and apparatus for wrapping polytetrafluoroethylene tape onto the screw threads of fluid conduits for fluid sealing purposes. The wrapping is accomplished during, and in response to, a single up-down cycle of a linear gear rack, and comprises feeding the tape onto the workpiece during the up-stroke of the gear rack, and rotating the workpiece to wrap it with tape during the down-stroke of the gear rack. This provides a significant reduction in the length of stroke required and also in cycle time, over the known device using the down-stroke to accomplish both the feeding and the wrapping.
Inventors
- 👤 D Stauffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/18; F16J15/20; F16J15/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1712
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
In a tape-wrapping apparatus for wrapping a workpiece with a length of tape by means of a linear gear rack during a single updown cycle of the gear rack, and including means responsive to movement of said gear rack for feeding tape into contact with said workpiece and means responsive to movement of said gear rack for rotating said workpiece to wrap said tape around said workpiece, the improvement wherein: a. said feeding means comprises means for feeding said tape during the up-stroke of said gear rack, and includes a tape feed block and a movable tape foot in contact with said block for holding a length of said tape therebetween, and means responsive to movement of said gear rack in said up-stroke for moving said tape foot relative to said feed block to feed said tape; and wherein b. said rotating means comprises means for rotating said workpiece during the down-stroke of said gear rack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
In a tape-wrapping apparatus for wrapping a workpiece with a length of tape by means of a linear gear rack during a single updown cycle of the gear rack, and including means responsive to movement of said gear rack for feeding tape into contact with said workpiece and means responsive to movement of said gear rack for rotating said workpiece to wrap said tape around said workpiece, the improvement wherein: a. said feeding means comprises means for feeding said tape during the up-stroke of said gear rack, and includes a tape feed block and a movable tape foot in contact with said block for holding a length of said tape therebetween, and means responsive to movement of said gear rack in said up-stroke for moving said tape foot relative to said feed block to feed said tape; and wherein b. said rotating means comprises means for rotating said workpiece during the down-stroke of said gear rack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said moving means includes a cam surface on said gear rack, a yoke including a cam follower at one end thereof and means connecting the other end of said yoke to said tape foot, pivot means on said yoke in between said two ends, and means for biasing said cam follower into contact with said cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said connecting means comprises said other end of said yoke including a slot, and a pin connected to said tape foot and riding freely in said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
the apparatus according to claim 3 including an elongated slide arm positioned approximately perpendicularly to the plane of movement of said tape foot and being rigidly connected adjacent one end thereof to said pin, and said slide arm being pivotally connected at the other end thereof for free swinging movement at said one end thereof, for supporting said tape foot shaft in a substantially horizontal plane troughout the movement of said tape foot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 including a guide assembly connected to said one end of said slide arm for movement with said tape foot, for releasing tension on said tape during feeding of said tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said guide assembly includes an idler roller for said tape and including a spring connected between said bobbin assembly and said tape foot for biasing said tape foot toward said tape feed block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said workpiece is a screw threaded member, said tape is polytetrafluoroethylene, and including a double acting pneumatic power cylinder for driving said gear rack.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for wrapping the threads of a workpiece with a predetermined length of tape during a single forward-return cycle of movement of a linear gear rack comprising: moving a linear gear rack in a forward stroke and feeding a free end of said tape toward and into contact with the workpiece during and in response to said forward stroke of said gear rack, and then moving said linear gear rack in a return stroke and rotating the workpiece, during and in response to said return stroke of said gear rack, a sufficient amount to completely wrap all of said predetermined length of tape onto said workpiece.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for wrapping the threads of a workpiece with a predetermined length of tape during a single forward-return cycle of movement of a linear gear rack comprising: moving a linear gear rack in a forward stroke and feeding a free end of said tape toward and into contact with the workpiece during and in response to said forward stroke of said gear rack, and then moving said linear gear rack in a return stroke and rotating the workpiece, during and in response to said return stroke of said gear rack, a sufficient amount to completely wrap all of said predetermined length of tape onto said workpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said feeding step comprises feeding tetrafluorethylene tape onto screw threads of a cylindrical workpiece.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said feeding step comprises contacting a portion of said tape between a stationary tape feed block and a movable tape foot and moving said tape foot in response to said forward stroke of said gear rack to move said free end of said tape into contact with said workpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said moving step comprises converting movement of said gear rack during said forward stroke to longitudinal movement of said tape foot across said tape feed block from a starting position to an end position and including returning said tape foot to said starting position during said back stroke of said gear rack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 8 including guiding a relatively long strip of tape that includes said predetermined length of tape, through a guide path, and reducing the length of said guide path simultaneously with said feeding step to reduce tension on said tape during said feeding step.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for wrapping the threads of a workpiece with a predetermined length of tape during a single forward-return cycle of movement of a linear gear rack comprising: a. a linear gear rack; b. means for moving said gear rack in a forward stroke and then in a return stroke; c. means for feeding a free end of said tape toward and into contact with the threads of a workpiece during and in response to movement of said gear rack in said forward stroke; and d. means for rotating a workpiece and for wrapping all of said predetermined length of tape onto the threads of a workpiece, during and in response to movement of said gear rack in said return stroke.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for wrapping the threads of a workpiece with a predetermined length of tape during a single forward-return cycle of movement of a linear gear rack comprising: a. a linear gear rack; b. means for moving said gear rack in a forward stroke and then in a return stroke; c. means for feeding a free end of said tape toward and into contact with the threads of a workpiece during and in response to movement of said gear rack in said forward stroke; and d. means for rotating a workpiece and for wrapping all of said predetermined length of tape onto the threads of a workpiece, during and in response to movement of said gear rack in said return stroke.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 including means on said apparatus adjacent said feeding means for removably holding a workpiece having threads to be wrapped with said tape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 including means for guiding tape through a guide path from a tape supply to said feeding means, said guiding means including means for reducing the length of said path simultaneously with feeding tape to said workpiece, to reduce tension on said tape during said feeding step.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |