Multiple roll bridle system

Claim 2

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls; a set of exit rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to a plurality of corresponding rolls in each said sets; and second drive means providing common power input to a plurality of rolls in each said sets; wherein said second drive means is adapted to provide, through a gear train including infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means, dual power takeoffs to corresponding dual planetary gear systems, and said first, plural, independent drive means are geared through said dual planetary gear systems.

Claim 3

Bridling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second drive means includes a single electric motor and said gear train includes an overload clutch.

Claim 4

Bridling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said planetary gear system comprises a pinion gear for transmitting said dual power takeoffs, planetary gears in the number of one less planetary gear than the number of rolls in each said sets of entry rolls and exit rolls, and a spur gear; said planetary gears including a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 5

Bridling apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said sets of rolls comprise four entry rolls and four exit rolls, each said set of rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls, and wherein the power input to each said planetary gear system is from electric motors corresponding to each of said low torque rolls and electric motors corresponding to one of the high torque rolls in each set of entry and exit rolls.

Claim 6

Bridling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first drive means includes reduction gears to said planetary gear systems providing a 20:1 reduction ratio, and wherein said planetary gear systems provide reduction ratios of 5:1 through each of the planetary gears and 6:1 through the spur gear.

Claim 7

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; a set of exit rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to each of said input and exit rolls through four power takeoffs from each of two planetary gear systems, one of said planetary gear systems being geared to said set of entry rolls and the second of said planetary gear systems being geared to said set of exit rolls; and second drive means adapted to provide dual power takeoffs to each of said planetary gear systems, through a gear train including an overload clutch, infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means; wherein said first drive means includes three motors for each said set of entry rolls and exit rolls, and reduction gearing from each said motors to said planetary gear systems; wherein said planetary gear systems each include a pinion gear for transmitting said dual power takeoffs, three planetary gears and a spur gear; and wherein said planetary gears include a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 8

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; a set of exit rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to each of said input and exit rolls through four power takeoffs from each of two planetary gear systems, one of said planetary gear systems being geared to said set of entry rolls and the second of said planetary gear systems being geared to said set of exit rolls; and second drive means adapted to provide dual power takeoffs to each of said planetary gear systems, through a gear train including an overload clutch, infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means; wherein said first drive means includes three motors for each said set of entry rolls and exit rolls, and reduction gearing from each said motors to said planetary gear systems; wherein said planetary gear systems each include a pinion gear for transmitting said dual power takeoffs, three planetary gears and a spur gear; and wherein said planetary gears include a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 9

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls; a set of exit rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to a plurality of corresponding rolls in each said sets; and second drive means providing common power input to a plurality of rolls in each said sets; wherein said second drive means is adapted to provide, through a gear train including infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means, dual power takeoffs to corresponding dual planetary gear systems, and one of said first, plural, independent drive means is geared through each of said dual planetary gearing systems.

Claim 10

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls; a set of exit rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to a plurality of corresponding rolls in each said sets; and second drive means providing common power input to a plurality of rolls in each said sets; wherein said second drive means is adapted to provide, through a gear train including infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means, dual power takeoffs to corresponding dual planetary gear systems, and one of said first, plural, independent drive means is geared through each of said dual planetary gearing systems.

Claim 11

Bridling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said planetary gearing systems each include a pinion gear, a planetary gear, a spur gear, and a pinion gear which engages said spur gear for transmitting power from said first drive means to said planetary gearing systems.

Claim 12

Bridling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said planetary gear includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 13

Bridling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said spur gear and planetary gears are adapted to provide power input to high torque rolls in each said sets of entry and exit rolls.

Claim 14

Bridling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the others of said first, plural independent drive means include reduction gears, and said first drive means actuate low torque rolls in each said sets of entry and exit rolls.

Claim 15

Bridling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said reduction gears each provide 21:5:1 reduction ratios.

Claim 16

Bridling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the planetary gear reduction ratio is 5:1 and the pinion gear reduction ratio is 6:1.

Claim 17

Bridling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said one of the first, plural, independent drive means includes a reduction gear providing a reduction ratio of 20:1.

Claim 18

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; a set of exit rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to each of said low torque rolls; second drive means adapted to provide dual power takeoffs to dual planetary gear systems, through a gear train including an overload clutch, infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means; wherein said planetary gear systems each include a pinion gear transmitting said dual power takeoffs, a planetary gear, and a spur gear; and wherein said planetary gear includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 19

In a bridling apparatus, the combination of: a set of entry rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; a set of exit rolls comprising two high torque rolls and two low torque rolls; first, plural, independent drive means providing power input to each of said low torque rolls; second drive means adapted to provide dual power takeoffs to dual planetary gear systems, through a gear train including an overload clutch, infinitely variable speed transmission means and differential transmission means; wherein said planetary gear systems each include a pinion gear transmitting said dual power takeoffs, a planetary gear, and a spur gear; and wherein said planetary gear includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, and a spider.

Claim 20

Bridling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said second drive means includes a single electric motor and said gear train includes an overload clutch.