Apparatus for severing linear elements

Claim 2

Strand severing apparatus comprising: a strand severance backing surface; at least two side-by-side spaced apart members projecting in a direction outwardly of the strand severance backing surface forming spaces between them through which strand can extend; a blade mounted for movement transversely of the members with its cutting edge in strand severing relationship with the strand severance backing surface; and means for moving the blade to bring the cutting edge into severing engagement with strand against the backing surface for severance of strand extended through the space across the path of the member at the surface, the members being sufficiently close to the path of the blade to limit the lateral movement of strand in the zone of engagement with the member to promote strand severance.

Claim 3

Apparatus of claim 1 in which the opposing surfaces converge.

Claim 4

Strand severing apparatus comprising: strand retaining means comprising two spaced apart extensions through which a strand can extend; a strand severance backing surface disposed immediately adjacent the strand retaining means; a blade mounted for movement transversely of the extensions with its cutting edge in strand severing relationship with the strand severance backing surface; and means for reciprocating the blade to bring the cutting edge into severing engagement with strand against the backing surface for severance of strand extended through the spaces across the path of the blade, the extensions being sufficiently close to the path of the blade to limit lateral movement of strand and thereby promote strand severance.

Claim 5

Strand severing apparatus comprising: strand retaining means comprising two spaced apart extensions through which a strand can extend; a strand severance backing surface disposed immediately adjacent the strand retaining means; a blade mounted for movement transversely of the extensions with its cutting edge in strand severing relationship with the strand severance backing surface; and means for reciprocating the blade to bring the cutting edge into severing engagement with strand against the backing surface for severance of strand extended through the spaces across the path of the blade, the extensions being sufficiently close to the path of the blade to limit lateral movement of strand and thereby promote strand severance.

Claim 6

Apparatus of claim 3 in which the extensions project generally normally of the strand severance backing surface.

Claim 7

Apparatus of claim 4 in which the blade is circular.

Claim 8

Apparatus of claim 5 in which the circular blade is rotatable.

Claim 9

Strand severing apparatus comprising: side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining fingers defining a space therebetween through which strand can extend; a strand severance backing surface disposed immediately adjacent to and generally normal to fingers, the surface including a groove extending transversely of the fingers; a circular blade with a cutting edge movable along the groove with its cutting edge in strand severing communication with the walls of the groove; and means for reciprocating the blade back and forth along the groove to sever strand extended through the spaces between the fingers across the path of the blade at the surface, the fingers being sufficiently close to the groove to limit the lateral movement of strand in the region of the groove during reciprocation of the blade to promote strand severance.

Claim 10

Strand severing apparatus comprising: side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining fingers defining a space therebetween through which strand can extend; a strand severance backing surface disposed immediately adjacent to and generally normal to fingers, the surface including a groove extending transversely of the fingers; a circular blade with a cutting edge movable along the groove with its cutting edge in strand severing communication with the walls of the groove; and means for reciprocating the blade back and forth along the groove to sever strand extended through the spaces between the fingers across the path of the blade at the surface, the fingers being sufficiently close to the groove to limit the lateral movement of strand in the region of the groove during reciprocation of the blade to promote strand severance.

Claim 11

Apparatus of claim 7 in which the groove is linear.

Claim 12

Apparatus of claim 8 further including means resiliently urging the cutting edge of the blade against the base of The groove.

Claim 13

Apparatus of claim 4 in which the means for reciprocating the circular blade is fluid means.

Claim 14

Apparatus of claim 10 in which the fingers are larger in cross section at their base ends to form spaces tapering towards theri base regions to fix the linear position of strand.

Claim 15

Apparatus of claim 11 in which the fingers form V-shaped spaces at their base regions, the spaces being sufficiently narrow at their apex regions to stop linear movement of strand extending therethrough and thereby fix the linear position of strand for severance.

Claim 16

Strand handling apparatus comprising: rotary means for linearly feeding strand to a collection region; strand severing means including side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining fingers, a strand backing surface disposed immediately adjacent to and generally normal to the fingers, the surface having a groove disposed transversely of the fingers, a circular blade with a cutting edge mounted for movement along the groove into severing engagement with strand disposed across the groove, means for reciprocating the blade back and forth along the groove; and means for positioning the linearly fed strand through the space between the fingers, the fingers being sufficiently close to the groove to limit the lateral movement of strand in the region of the groove during reciprocation of the blade and thereby promote strand severance.

Claim 17

Strand handling apparatus comprising: rotary means for linearly feeding strand to a collection region; strand severing means including side-by-side spaced apart strand retaining fingers, a strand backing surface disposed immediately adjacent to and generally normal to the fingers, the surface having a groove disposed transversely of the fingers, a circular blade with a cutting edge mounted for movement along the groove into severing engagement with strand disposed across the groove, means for reciprocating the blade back and forth along the groove; and means for positioning the linearly fed strand through the space between the fingers, the fingers being sufficiently close to the groove to limit the lateral movement of strand in the region of the groove during reciprocation of the blade and thereby promote strand severance.