Strand threading device

Claim 1

A device for threading strand material through an aperture in an apparatus, and removable from engagement with the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: an elOngated guide member having an opening formed longitudinally therethrough, which communicates with the surface thereof, and which is capable of receiving a section of the strand material; means oriented in at least one position relative to the guide member for covering laterally the opening in the guide member to confine a section of the strand material moved into the opening in the guide member and in one other position for uncovering laterally the opening in the guide member to permit passage of a section of the strand material therethrough; and means for supporting the guide member and the covering means to permit relative movement therebetween, the supporting means having a path communicating an external surface of the supporting means with the opening in the guide member when the guide member is uncovered to facilitate passage of a section of the strand material from the guide member out of engagement with the device; the supporting means being such that the guide member extends therefrom to permit the guide member to be inserted into the apparatus and into alignment with the aperture thereof while maintaining the guide member and covering means in an openingcovered position to facilitate the application of forces to the strand material to thread successive sections thereof through the apparatus and to permit subsequently the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus and along the strand material while maintaining the strand material threaded through the apparatus; the portion of the guide member inserted into the apparatus being formed to align the opening with the aperture in at least the opening-covered position; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus permitting relative motion to be caused between the guide member and the covering means to uncover the opening and permit the device to be moved laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the opening and the path of the supporting means while the strand material is maintained threaded through the apparatus.

Claim 2

A device for threading strand material through an aperture in an apparatus, and removable from engagement with the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: an elOngated guide member having an opening formed longitudinally therethrough, which communicates with the surface thereof, and which is capable of receiving a section of the strand material; means oriented in at least one position relative to the guide member for covering laterally the opening in the guide member to confine a section of the strand material moved into the opening in the guide member and in one other position for uncovering laterally the opening in the guide member to permit passage of a section of the strand material therethrough; and means for supporting the guide member and the covering means to permit relative movement therebetween, the supporting means having a path communicating an external surface of the supporting means with the opening in the guide member when the guide member is uncovered to facilitate passage of a section of the strand material from the guide member out of engagement with the device; the supporting means being such that the guide member extends therefrom to permit the guide member to be inserted into the apparatus and into alignment with the aperture thereof while maintaining the guide member and covering means in an openingcovered position to facilitate the application of forces to the strand material to thread successive sections thereof through the apparatus and to permit subsequently the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus and along the strand material while maintaining the strand material threaded through the apparatus; the portion of the guide member inserted into the apparatus being formed to align the opening with the aperture in at least the opening-covered position; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus permitting relative motion to be caused between the guide member and the covering means to uncover the opening and permit the device to be moved laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the opening and the path of the supporting means while the strand material is maintained threaded through the apparatus.

Claim 3

A device for threading strand material through an opening in an apparatus, and removable from engagement with the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a longitudinally-slotted open-ended guide member, the slot thereof capable of receiving a section of the strand material therein; slotted means for receiving the guide member to permit relative movement therebetween from at least one position with the slots misaligned to confine a section of the strand material which has been moved into the guide member to another position with the slots aligned to permit passage of the section of the strand material through the slots; and means for supporting the guide member and the receiving means to permit relative motion therebetween, the supporting means having an opening formed therein and communicating with the slot in the guide member when the receiving means is in the one position to provide a path for moving the device laterally of the section of the strand material while the strand material is strung through the apparatus; the supporting means being such that the guide member extends substantially therefrom to permit the guide member to be inserted into the apparatus and into engagement with the walls of the entrance to the opening thereof while maintaining the guide member and receiving means in a slot-closed position to facilitate the application of forces to the strand material to thread successive sections thereof through the apparatus and to permit subsequently the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus and along the strand material while maintaining the strand material threaded through the apparatus; the portions of the guide member and the receiving means inserted into the apparatus being formed to align the slot in the guide member, in at least the slot-closed position, with the opening of the apparatus to be threaded; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus permitting the relative motion to be caused between the guide member and the receiving means to uncover the slot and permit the device to be moved laterally of the strand material.

Claim 4

A device for threading strand material through an opening in an apparatus, and removable from engagement with the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a longitudinally-slotted open-ended guide member, the slot thereof capable of receiving a section of the strand material therein; slotted means for receiving the guide member to permit relative movement therebetween from at least one position with the slots misaligned to confine a section of the strand material which has been moved into the guide member to another position with the slots aligned to permit passage of the section of the strand material through the slots; and means for supporting the guide member and the receiving means to permit relative motion therebetween, the supporting means having an opening formed therein and communicating with the slot in the guide member when the receiving means is in the one position to provide a path for moving the device laterally of the section of the strand material while the strand material is strung through the apparatus; the supporting means being such that the guide member extends substantially therefrom to permit the guide member to be inserted into the apparatus and into engagement with the walls of the entrance to the opening thereof while maintaining the guide member and receiving means in a slot-closed position to facilitate the application of forces to the strand material to thread successive sections thereof through the apparatus and to permit subsequently the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus and along the strand material while maintaining the strand material threaded through the apparatus; the portions of the guide member and the receiving means inserted into the apparatus being formed to align the slot in the guide member, in at least the slot-closed position, with the opening of the apparatus to be threaded; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the apparatus permitting the relative motion to be caused between the guide member and the receiving means to uncover the slot and permit the device to be moved laterally of the strand material.

Claim 5

A device for threading strand material through an apparatus, the device being removable from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a first elongated open-ended hollow member having a cross-sectional area sufficient to receive the strand material and having a slot cut longitudinally therein; a second elongated open-ended hollow member adapted to receive the first hollow member with the outwardly facing surface of the first hollow member being in rotary sliding engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the second hollow member and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof and having an end adapted to be seated in engagement with the walls of an entrance portion of an orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the slots of the first and second members having a width sufficient to permit the strand material to be passed therethrough; the first elongated member mounted in the second elongated member capable of being rotated therein from a first position in which the slots are aligned to a second position in which the slots are misaligned to preclude moving of the device laterally and spaced from the portions of the strand material; and a knob attached to one end of the first member having an opening formed radially therethrough aligned with and communicating with the slot cut through the first hollow member for turning the first member relative to the second elongated member to misalign the slots and confine a section of the strand material, a leading portion of which is moved into the first elongated member; the opening formed radially through the knob being exposed when the slots are misaligned to permit a leading section of the strand material to be inserted through the opening and into the aligned slot of the first elongated hollow member; the alignment of the end of the second hollow member of the device with the orifice facilitating the threading of successive sections of the strand material therethrough whereafter the device may be moved axially longitudinally of the strand material and the first elongated member turned rotatably with respect to the second elongated member to align the longitudinal slots and permit moving the device laterally of the path of travel of the wire; whereby the device may be removed from the apparatus and the strand material prior to the operation of the apparatus.

Claim 6

A device for threading strand material through an apparatus, the device being removable from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a first elongated open-ended hollow member having a cross-sectional area sufficient to receive the strand material and having a slot cut longitudinally therein; a second elongated open-ended hollow member adapted to receive the first hollow member with the outwardly facing surface of the first hollow member being in rotary sliding engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the second hollow member and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof and having an end adapted to be seated in engagement with the walls of an entrance portion of an orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the slots of the first and second members having a width sufficient to permit the strand material to be passed therethrough; the first elongated member mounted in the second elongated member capable of being rotated therein from a first position in which the slots are aligned to a second position in which the slots are misaligned to preclude moving of the device laterally and spaced from the portions of the strand material; and a knob attached to one end of the first member having an opening formed radially therethrough aligned with and communicating with the slot cut through the first hollow member for turning the first member relative to the second elongated member to misalign the slots and confine a section of the strand material, a leading portion of which is moved into the first elongated member; the opening formed radially through the knob being exposed when the slots are misaligned to permit a leading section of the strand material to be inserted through the opening and into the aligned slot of the first elongated hollow member; the alignment of the end of the second hollow member of the device with the orifice facilitating the threading of successive sections of the strand material therethrough whereafter the device may be moved axially longitudinally of the strand material and the first elongated member turned rotatably with respect to the second elongated member to align the longitudinal slots and permit moving the device laterally of the path of travel of the wire; whereby the device may be removed from the apparatus and the strand material prior to the operation of the apparatus.

Claim 7

A device for threading strand material through an opening in an apparatus and capable of being disengaged from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a first supporting member having a bore formed therethrough and having a slot cut radially of the bore communicating the exterior of the member with the bore; an elongated housing extending from the first member and having a passage formed therethrough with a longitudinally extending slot aligned with the slot through the first member; a second supporting member having a slot formed therethrough and communicating the bore of the second member with the exterior surface of the second member; and a tubular member mounted rotatably within the housing and having one end thereof attached to the second supporting member within the slot thereof; the tubular member and the second member mounted for rotation independently of the first member between a strand-receiving stand-threading position and a strand-disengagement position; the slots of the first and second members being misaligned when the second member is in the strand-receiving position relative to the first member and the slots being aligned when the second member is in the strand-disengagement position relative to the first member; the housing having a flared entrance to the bore at oNe end thereof adjacent the second supporting member; the tubular member having a longitudinally extending slot aligned with the slot in the second member; the slots in the housing and in the tubular member having a width sufficient to permit passage therethrough of a section of the strand material; the slot of the tubular member being covered by the housing when the second member is in the strand-threading position to facilitate inserting a leading end of a section of the strand material angularly of the device into the flared opening and threading the strand material through the device and the apparatus; the slot of the tubular member being aligned with the housing slot when the second member is in the strand-disengagement position to facilitate causing the strand material to be moved laterally of the device subsequent of the threading of successive sections of the strand material through the apparatus to facilitate moving the device from confining relationship with the strand material.

Claim 8

A device for threading strand material through an opening in an apparatus and capable of being disengaged from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: a first supporting member having a bore formed therethrough and having a slot cut radially of the bore communicating the exterior of the member with the bore; an elongated housing extending from the first member and having a passage formed therethrough with a longitudinally extending slot aligned with the slot through the first member; a second supporting member having a slot formed therethrough and communicating the bore of the second member with the exterior surface of the second member; and a tubular member mounted rotatably within the housing and having one end thereof attached to the second supporting member within the slot thereof; the tubular member and the second member mounted for rotation independently of the first member between a strand-receiving stand-threading position and a strand-disengagement position; the slots of the first and second members being misaligned when the second member is in the strand-receiving position relative to the first member and the slots being aligned when the second member is in the strand-disengagement position relative to the first member; the housing having a flared entrance to the bore at oNe end thereof adjacent the second supporting member; the tubular member having a longitudinally extending slot aligned with the slot in the second member; the slots in the housing and in the tubular member having a width sufficient to permit passage therethrough of a section of the strand material; the slot of the tubular member being covered by the housing when the second member is in the strand-threading position to facilitate inserting a leading end of a section of the strand material angularly of the device into the flared opening and threading the strand material through the device and the apparatus; the slot of the tubular member being aligned with the housing slot when the second member is in the strand-disengagement position to facilitate causing the strand material to be moved laterally of the device subsequent of the threading of successive sections of the strand material through the apparatus to facilitate moving the device from confining relationship with the strand material.

Claim 9

A device for threading strand material through a core tube of an extruder, and capable of being disengaged from the extruder prior to the operation of the extruder, which includes: a tubular member adapted to receive a section of the strand material therein and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of the tubular member, the slot having a width sufficient to permit passing the strand material laterally therethrough; a knob attached to the outer surface of one end portion of the tubular member having an opening formed therethrough and aligned with the slot of the tubular member and communicating the slot of the tubular member with the surface of the knob; a housing for receiving and mounting rotatably the tubular member and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof, the slot being substantially of the same width as the slot in the tubular member, the housing further having one end thereof tapered to seat with the walls of the opening of the core tube of the extruder to align the bore of the tubular member with the core tube; a bifurcated handle having a bore cut therethrough and fitted over the other end of the housing to facilitate an operator holding of the device in engagement with the extruder with the operator spaced from the higher temperature portions of the extruder adjacent the path of travel of the strand material, the bifurcated portions of the handle capable of being urged toward one another to secure the housing therewithin; means for urging the bifurcated portions of the handle toward one another; and means formed on the knob and the housing for defining one position to which the tubular member and the knob are capable of being turned as a unit in which the slot of the tubular member is aligned with the slot of the housing and at least one other position wherein the slots are misaligned; the opening to the housing adjacent the knob being rounded to facilitate the insertion of a leading end of the strand material into and through the slot of the tubular member when the slots are misaligned; the assembly of the tubular member with the housing with the slots misaligned facilitating the movement of the device and the section of the strand material therein without relative movement therebetween into seating engagement with the core tube to permit threading of the strand material through the extruder and the withdrawal of the device out of engagement with the extruder and rearwardly along the strand material subsequent to the threading while the strand material is maintained threaded through the extruder; the alignment of the slots permitting the device subsequent to withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder to be moved laterally of the strand material prior to operation of the extruder.

Claim 10

A device for threading strand material through a core tube of an extruder, and capable of being disengaged from the extruder prior to the operation of the extruder, which includes: a tubular member adapted to receive a section of the strand material therein and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of the tubular member, the slot having a width sufficient to permit passing the strand material laterally therethrough; a knob attached to the outer surface of one end portion of the tubular member having an opening formed therethrough and aligned with the slot of the tubular member and communicating the slot of the tubular member with the surface of the knob; a housing for receiving and mounting rotatably the tubular member and having a slot cut longitudinally thereof, the slot being substantially of the same width as the slot in the tubular member, the housing further having one end thereof tapered to seat with the walls of the opening of the core tube of the extruder to align the bore of the tubular member with the core tube; a bifurcated handle having a bore cut therethrough and fitted over the other end of the housing to facilitate an operator holding of the device in engagement with the extruder with the operator spaced from the higher temperature portions of the extruder adjacent the path of travel of the strand material, the bifurcated portions of the handle capable of being urged toward one another to secure the housing therewithin; means for urging the bifurcated portions of the handle toward one another; and means formed on the knob and the housing for defining one position to which the tubular member and the knob are capable of being turned as a unit in which the slot of the tubular member is aligned with the slot of the housing and at least one other position wherein the slots are misaligned; the opening to the housing adjacent the knob being rounded to facilitate the insertion of a leading end of the strand material into and through the slot of the tubular member when the slots are misaligned; the assembly of the tubular member with the housing with the slots misaligned facilitating the movement of the device and the section of the strand material therein without relative movement therebetween into seating engagement with the core tube to permit threading of the strand material through the extruder and the withdrawal of the device out of engagement with the extruder and rearwardly along the strand material subsequent to the threading while the strand material is maintained threaded through the extruder; the alignment of the slots permitting the device subsequent to withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder to be moved laterally of the strand material prior to operation of the extruder.

Claim 15

A device for stringing up a strand material through an extruder, which includes: a first subassembly, which includes: an elongated housing having a bore formed therethrough and having a tapered end to seat with portions of the extruder through which the strand material is to be strung-up, the housing having the other end stepped with portions of the bore opening thereto being rounded, the housing having a slot out longitudinally thereof communicating with the bore and sufficient to permit passage of the strand material therethrough; a handle having a bifurcated portion with a bore formed through the bifurcated portion for receiving the elongated housing; and means for urging together the bifurcated portion of the handle to further secure the housing therewithin; and a second subassembly adapted to be mounted rotatably within the first subassembly, which includes: a tubular member having a slot formed longitudinally thereof and sufficient to permit passage of the strand material therethrough; and a knob attached to the tubular member and having an opening formed therethrough, further the knob being stepped at one end thereof adjacent the housing and adapted to mate with the stepped end of the housing; the centerline of the opening being aligned with the centerline of the housing when the tubular member is inserted into the housing; the rounded entrance portions of the bore through the housing facilitating the insertion angularly laterally of a leading end of the strand material into and through the slot in the tubular member; the second subassembly being rotatable with respect to the first subassembly between one position in which the slots are aligned and another position in which the slots are misaligned; the mating of the stepped end of the knob with the stepped end of the housing determining the other position and the abutting of the one end of the knob with the one end of the housing without mating of the stepped portions thereof determining the one position; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder axially along the strand material and the aligning of the slots facilitating the movement of the device laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the aligned slots and the device to be spaced from the strand material prior to the operation of the extruder while the strand material is maintained strung-up through the extruder.

Claim 16

A device for stringing up a strand material through an extruder, which includes: a first subassembly, which includes: an elongated housing having a bore formed therethrough and having a tapered end to seat with portions of the extruder through which the strand material is to be strung-up, the housing having the other end stepped with portions of the bore opening thereto being rounded, the housing having a slot out longitudinally thereof communicating with the bore and sufficient to permit passage of the strand material therethrough; a handle having a bifurcated portion with a bore formed through the bifurcated portion for receiving the elongated housing; and means for urging together the bifurcated portion of the handle to further secure the housing therewithin; and a second subassembly adapted to be mounted rotatably within the first subassembly, which includes: a tubular member having a slot formed longitudinally thereof and sufficient to permit passage of the strand material therethrough; and a knob attached to the tubular member and having an opening formed therethrough, further the knob being stepped at one end thereof adjacent the housing and adapted to mate with the stepped end of the housing; the centerline of the opening being aligned with the centerline of the housing when the tubular member is inserted into the housing; the rounded entrance portions of the bore through the housing facilitating the insertion angularly laterally of a leading end of the strand material into and through the slot in the tubular member; the second subassembly being rotatable with respect to the first subassembly between one position in which the slots are aligned and another position in which the slots are misaligned; the mating of the stepped end of the knob with the stepped end of the housing determining the other position and the abutting of the one end of the knob with the one end of the housing without mating of the stepped portions thereof determining the one position; the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder axially along the strand material and the aligning of the slots facilitating the movement of the device laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the aligned slots and the device to be spaced from the strand material prior to the operation of the extruder while the strand material is maintained strung-up through the extruder.

Claim 17

A device for threading strand material through an apparatus, the device being removable from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: an elongated guide member having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein and having a cross-sectional area sufficient to receive the strand material; a hollow open-ended housing adapted to receive the guide member with the outwardly fAcing surface of the guide member being in rotary sliding engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the housing and having a slot sufficient to permit a section of strand material to be passed therethrough formed longitudinally thereof and having one end adapted to be seated with portions of the walls of an entrance of an orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the guide member mounted in the housing capable of being rotated therein from a strand-disengagement position in which the slots are aligned to at least one strand-receiving strand-threading position in which the slots are misaligned to preclude moving of the device laterally and spaced from the portions of the strand material; and means connected to one end of the guide member and having an opening aligned with the slot in the guide member and communicating with an external surface thereof for turning the guide member relative to the housing between the strand-receiving strand-threading position to the strand-disengagement position; the end of the guide member adjacent the one end of the housing being tapered to cooperate with the one end of the housing when the guide member is in the strand-threading position to form a configuration adapted to seat in engagement with the walls of the entrance to the extruder orifice and to align the slot of the guide member with the orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the centerline of the slot of the guide member in the strand-threading position being offset from the longitudinal centerline of the housing; the alignment of the end of the housing of the device with the orifice facilitating the threading of successive sections of the strand material therethrough whereafter the device may be moved axially longitudinally of the strand material and the guide member turned rotatably with respect to the housing to align the longitudinal slots and the opening in the turning means and permit moving the device laterally of the path of travel of the strand material; whereby the device may be removed from the apparatus and the strand material piror to the operation of the apparatus.

Claim 18

A device for threading strand material through an apparatus, the device being removable from the apparatus prior to the operation of the apparatus, which includes: an elongated guide member having a longitudinally extending slot formed therein and having a cross-sectional area sufficient to receive the strand material; a hollow open-ended housing adapted to receive the guide member with the outwardly fAcing surface of the guide member being in rotary sliding engagement with the inwardly facing surface of the housing and having a slot sufficient to permit a section of strand material to be passed therethrough formed longitudinally thereof and having one end adapted to be seated with portions of the walls of an entrance of an orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the guide member mounted in the housing capable of being rotated therein from a strand-disengagement position in which the slots are aligned to at least one strand-receiving strand-threading position in which the slots are misaligned to preclude moving of the device laterally and spaced from the portions of the strand material; and means connected to one end of the guide member and having an opening aligned with the slot in the guide member and communicating with an external surface thereof for turning the guide member relative to the housing between the strand-receiving strand-threading position to the strand-disengagement position; the end of the guide member adjacent the one end of the housing being tapered to cooperate with the one end of the housing when the guide member is in the strand-threading position to form a configuration adapted to seat in engagement with the walls of the entrance to the extruder orifice and to align the slot of the guide member with the orifice of the apparatus to be threaded; the centerline of the slot of the guide member in the strand-threading position being offset from the longitudinal centerline of the housing; the alignment of the end of the housing of the device with the orifice facilitating the threading of successive sections of the strand material therethrough whereafter the device may be moved axially longitudinally of the strand material and the guide member turned rotatably with respect to the housing to align the longitudinal slots and the opening in the turning means and permit moving the device laterally of the path of travel of the strand material; whereby the device may be removed from the apparatus and the strand material piror to the operation of the apparatus.

Claim 20

A device for threading strand material through a core tube of an extruder, and capable of being disengaged from the extruder prior to the operation of the extruder, which includes: a rod having a groove of a cross-sectional area adequate to receive a section of the strand material therein cut longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of the rod and having one end tapered; a knob having a cavity formed therein with the rod secured within the cavity with one end of the rod abutting the wall of the bottom of the cavity, the portion of the knob from which the rod extends being stEpped with a generally semi-circular portion of the knob extending along the rod and in engagement therewith, the knob having a slot formed therethrough and aligned with the groove of the rod; and a housing having a passage formed therethrough for mounting the rod rotatably therewithin and having a slot sufficient to pass the strand material therethrough cut longitudinally radially thereof communicating the passage with the external surface of the housing; the housing having one end thereof tapered and the other end stepped to mate with the stepped end of the knob with one longitudinal segment of the housing as defined as that portion of the housing on one side of a plane through the slot extending beyond that longitudinal segment on the other side of the plane; a handle having a bore cut centrally therethrough for receiving the housing and having a slot communicating with the bore and the slot of the housing; means for securing the housing within the bore of the handle; the turning of the knob and the rod to engage the end face of the semi-circular portion of the knob with the end face of the one extending longitudinal segment of the housing in one rotational orientation defining at least one position in which the groove of the rod is aligned with the slot of the housing; the turning of the knob until the semi-circular portion is aligned with the other longitudinal segment of the housing defining another position wherein the groove and the slot are misaligned; the stepped portions being mated by aligning the semi-circular portion of the knob with the other longitudinal segment of the housing and then causing relative longitudinal movement therebetween to move the knob toward the housing; the mating of the stepped portions of the knob and the housing locking the rod against rotary movement; the turning of the rod to the other position to misalign the groove of the rod with the slot of the housing causing the tapered end of the rod to cooperate with the tapered end of the housing to form a device having a tapered end which seats with the walls of the core tube and to align the groove with the opening through the core tube; the misalignment of the groove in the rod with the slot in the housing covering the groove and facilitating the insertion of the leading end of a section of the strand material into the slot of the knob and then into the covered groove; the assembly of the rod with the housing with the groove of the rod and the slot of the housing misaligned facilitating the movement of the device and the section of the strand material therein without relative movement therebetween into mating engagement with the core tube to permit threading of the strand material through the extruder and the withdrawal of the device out of engagement with the extruder and rearwardly along the strand material subsequent to the threading while the strand material is maintained threaded through the extruder; the causing of relative longitudinal movement between the rod and the housing spacing the knob from the housing and subsequent relative rotary movement causing the end face of the depending semi-circular portion of the knob to engage the end face of the extending longitudinal segment of the housing and cause the slot to be aligned with the groove; the alignment of the slot of the housing with the groove permitting the device subsequent to withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder to be moved laterally of the strand material prior to operation of the extruder.

Claim 21

A device for threading strand material through a core tube of an extruder, and capable of being disengaged from the extruder prior to the operation of the extruder, which includes: a rod having a groove of a cross-sectional area adequate to receive a section of the strand material therein cut longitudinally thereof parallel to the axis of the rod and having one end tapered; a knob having a cavity formed therein with the rod secured within the cavity with one end of the rod abutting the wall of the bottom of the cavity, the portion of the knob from which the rod extends being stEpped with a generally semi-circular portion of the knob extending along the rod and in engagement therewith, the knob having a slot formed therethrough and aligned with the groove of the rod; and a housing having a passage formed therethrough for mounting the rod rotatably therewithin and having a slot sufficient to pass the strand material therethrough cut longitudinally radially thereof communicating the passage with the external surface of the housing; the housing having one end thereof tapered and the other end stepped to mate with the stepped end of the knob with one longitudinal segment of the housing as defined as that portion of the housing on one side of a plane through the slot extending beyond that longitudinal segment on the other side of the plane; a handle having a bore cut centrally therethrough for receiving the housing and having a slot communicating with the bore and the slot of the housing; means for securing the housing within the bore of the handle; the turning of the knob and the rod to engage the end face of the semi-circular portion of the knob with the end face of the one extending longitudinal segment of the housing in one rotational orientation defining at least one position in which the groove of the rod is aligned with the slot of the housing; the turning of the knob until the semi-circular portion is aligned with the other longitudinal segment of the housing defining another position wherein the groove and the slot are misaligned; the stepped portions being mated by aligning the semi-circular portion of the knob with the other longitudinal segment of the housing and then causing relative longitudinal movement therebetween to move the knob toward the housing; the mating of the stepped portions of the knob and the housing locking the rod against rotary movement; the turning of the rod to the other position to misalign the groove of the rod with the slot of the housing causing the tapered end of the rod to cooperate with the tapered end of the housing to form a device having a tapered end which seats with the walls of the core tube and to align the groove with the opening through the core tube; the misalignment of the groove in the rod with the slot in the housing covering the groove and facilitating the insertion of the leading end of a section of the strand material into the slot of the knob and then into the covered groove; the assembly of the rod with the housing with the groove of the rod and the slot of the housing misaligned facilitating the movement of the device and the section of the strand material therein without relative movement therebetween into mating engagement with the core tube to permit threading of the strand material through the extruder and the withdrawal of the device out of engagement with the extruder and rearwardly along the strand material subsequent to the threading while the strand material is maintained threaded through the extruder; the causing of relative longitudinal movement between the rod and the housing spacing the knob from the housing and subsequent relative rotary movement causing the end face of the depending semi-circular portion of the knob to engage the end face of the extending longitudinal segment of the housing and cause the slot to be aligned with the groove; the alignment of the slot of the housing with the groove permitting the device subsequent to withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder to be moved laterally of the strand material prior to operation of the extruder.

Claim 28

A device for threading a strand material through an extruder, which includes: a first subassembly, which includes: an elongated tubular housing having a slot cut longitudinally radially thereof; the slot being of such width to permit the passage of strand material therethrough; a handle having a bore formed therethrough anehaving a slot communicating with the bore; the housing being received in the bore of the handle with the slot of the handle aligned with the slot in the housing; and means for securing the housing within the bore; one end of the housing being stepped such that a depending portion of the housing has a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape; the entrance to the chamber within the housing at the stepped end of the housing being rounded; the other end of the housing being a truncated cone with the plane of cut-off being oblique to the axis of the housing and with the slot intersecting the plane of cut-off at a point spaced from the farthest extending end of the truncated cone of the housing; and a second subassembly adapted to be mated with the first subassembly, which includes: a rod having a groove formed longitudinally thereof; the rod capable of being inserted into the housing and mounted rotatably therein; the groove being of such width to permit receipt of a section of the strand material therein; portions of one end of the rod other than that through which the groove is formed being tapered; and a knob having a cavity formed therein and into which the other end of the rod is inserted; means for securing the rod within the cavity to prevent unintended relative longitudinal and rotational movement between the rod and the knob; the centerline of the cavity being aligned with the centerline of the housing; the knob having a slot cut therethrough and communicating the cavity with the external surface of the knob; the knob being stepped at the end thereof from which the rod extends, such that the depending portion of the knob is generally of a semi-circular cross-sectional shape; the second subassembly being rotatable with respect to the first subassembly between one position in which the housing slot and the rod groove are aligned and at least one other position in which the slot and the groove are misaligned; the alignment of the depending portion of the knob with the instep of the housing determining at least one of the other positions, the misalignment thereof conditioning the device for determining the one position; the causing of relative movement longitudinallY of the rod and housing when the depending portion of the knob is aligned with the instep of the housing to mate the stepped portions being effective to lock the subassemblies in the at least one other position to facilitate the insertion of a leading portion of the strand material into the slot of the knob and then into the groove in the rod; the causing of the relative longitudinal movement to mate the stepped portions causing the one end of the rod to be moved into the opening of the housing chamber to the plane of cut-off of the truncated cone at the one end of the housing to cooperate with the one end of the housing to form a cone having one base through the farthest extending end of the housing being normal to the housing axis, the other base being oblique thereto, with the shortest element of the cone being the side of a right circular cone formed by portions of the housing and the portion of the rod protruding through the plane of cut-off and adapted to mate with the walls of the extruder opening such that the groove of the rod which is displaced rotationally from the housing slot is aligned with the extruder opening; and the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder axially along the strand material subsequent to the threading of sections of the strand material through the extruder and the aligning of the housing slot and the rod groove facilitating the movement of the device laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the aligned slots of the housing, handle and knob and the device to be spaced from the strand material prior to the operation of the extruder.

Claim 29

A device for threading a strand material through an extruder, which includes: a first subassembly, which includes: an elongated tubular housing having a slot cut longitudinally radially thereof; the slot being of such width to permit the passage of strand material therethrough; a handle having a bore formed therethrough anehaving a slot communicating with the bore; the housing being received in the bore of the handle with the slot of the handle aligned with the slot in the housing; and means for securing the housing within the bore; one end of the housing being stepped such that a depending portion of the housing has a generally semi-circular cross-sectional shape; the entrance to the chamber within the housing at the stepped end of the housing being rounded; the other end of the housing being a truncated cone with the plane of cut-off being oblique to the axis of the housing and with the slot intersecting the plane of cut-off at a point spaced from the farthest extending end of the truncated cone of the housing; and a second subassembly adapted to be mated with the first subassembly, which includes: a rod having a groove formed longitudinally thereof; the rod capable of being inserted into the housing and mounted rotatably therein; the groove being of such width to permit receipt of a section of the strand material therein; portions of one end of the rod other than that through which the groove is formed being tapered; and a knob having a cavity formed therein and into which the other end of the rod is inserted; means for securing the rod within the cavity to prevent unintended relative longitudinal and rotational movement between the rod and the knob; the centerline of the cavity being aligned with the centerline of the housing; the knob having a slot cut therethrough and communicating the cavity with the external surface of the knob; the knob being stepped at the end thereof from which the rod extends, such that the depending portion of the knob is generally of a semi-circular cross-sectional shape; the second subassembly being rotatable with respect to the first subassembly between one position in which the housing slot and the rod groove are aligned and at least one other position in which the slot and the groove are misaligned; the alignment of the depending portion of the knob with the instep of the housing determining at least one of the other positions, the misalignment thereof conditioning the device for determining the one position; the causing of relative movement longitudinallY of the rod and housing when the depending portion of the knob is aligned with the instep of the housing to mate the stepped portions being effective to lock the subassemblies in the at least one other position to facilitate the insertion of a leading portion of the strand material into the slot of the knob and then into the groove in the rod; the causing of the relative longitudinal movement to mate the stepped portions causing the one end of the rod to be moved into the opening of the housing chamber to the plane of cut-off of the truncated cone at the one end of the housing to cooperate with the one end of the housing to form a cone having one base through the farthest extending end of the housing being normal to the housing axis, the other base being oblique thereto, with the shortest element of the cone being the side of a right circular cone formed by portions of the housing and the portion of the rod protruding through the plane of cut-off and adapted to mate with the walls of the extruder opening such that the groove of the rod which is displaced rotationally from the housing slot is aligned with the extruder opening; and the withdrawal of the device from engagement with the extruder axially along the strand material subsequent to the threading of sections of the strand material through the extruder and the aligning of the housing slot and the rod groove facilitating the movement of the device laterally of the strand material to cause the strand material to be passed through the aligned slots of the housing, handle and knob and the device to be spaced from the strand material prior to the operation of the extruder.