Tape winding mandrel and apparatus

Claim 1

Mandrel of generally cylindrical shape for the simultaneous winding of a plurality of rolls of strip material onto individual cores spaced axially along the mandrel whereby the tension in each roll is maintained substantially uniform, said mandrel comprising: a. an elongated tubular shaped body member being in crosssection in the shape of an incomplete circle formed by an arc, a compartment located inwardly hereof, and a support surface at each end of the arc along the length of the body member and integral therewith; b. a plurality of core engaging members located axially along and in operative engagement with said body member, each said core engaging member having a base surface of planar shape and an arcuate shaped core engaging surface, and having bearing surfaces interconnecting said base surface and said arcuate shaped core engaging surface, each said core engaging member being individually mounted for movement radially outwardly from and into retractable engagement with said body member, said core engaging members on said outward movement each engaging the inner peripheral surface of an associated core whereby each core is frictionally gripped by the core engaging member with some desired force; the bearing surfaces on each said core engaging member in its retracted location contacting the opposed support surface on the body member thereby completing the circular cross-section and cylindrical shape of the mandrel; c. an elongated planar shaped member located in the inwardly located compartment of said body member and connected to said body member, said elongated member being associated with each said core engaging member and providing a support for the base surfaces thereof; d. means associated with the said elongated member and with the base surface of the core engaging members providing a positive force for retraction of each said core engaging member and whereby each said core engaging member will retract and the base surface thereof will be supported on said elongated member; and e. means located within said mandrel body member and in said compartment associated with said first named means for exerting an outward force on each said core engaging member.