US3877653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Handling reels in high-speed takeup
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1974-02-06
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A dual position takeup apparatus with spaced parallel axes of rotation includes facilities for automatically loading empty reels and unloading reels full of strand material. The full reels are removed from the takeup positions and prepared for movement from the apparatus in a manner such that essentially all the strand material is wound on the reels with no loose ends extending therefrom. A conveyor associated with each of the takeup positions advances incrementally empty reels along a path of travel parallel to the axis of rotation of, and into proximate alignment with, the associated one of two takeup positions. A load-unload arm is moved into engagement with a leading one of the empty reels on the conveyor and then turned pivotally to move the leading one of the reels up a ramp into the associated one of the takeup positions. While strand material is distributed upon the reel in the one takeup position, the load-unload arm associated with the other takeup position is operated to permit the full reel therein to move down the associated ramp, desirably without any substantial rolling, until the full reel is received on the conveyor associated with the other takeup position. Then the full reel is turned rotatably in the direction of takeup to wind any loose ends of strand material extending therefrom. The conveyor is operated to move the full reel toward an unload position and the leading one of the empty reels into proximate transverse alignment with the other takeup position. The arm is controlled to engage the empty reel and move the empty reel up the associated ramp to the associated other one of the takeup positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Zdzislaw Stanislaw Foltyn
- 👤 Daniel George Stetka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:06
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65H; B65H67/00; B65H67/04; B65H67/044; B65H67/052
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of handling reels in a dual position takeup apparatus, which includes the steps of: moving empty reels along a path of travel to position successive leading ones of the reels in proximate alignment with one of the takeup positions; moving each successive leading one of the empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels to position the reel so that the axis of rotation of the reel is colinear with the axis of rotation of the one takeup position; supporting each successive leading one of the empty reels for rotation in the one takeup position; rotating the reel in the one takeup position; while advancing and guiding elongated material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the elongated material in successive layers on the reel; discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position when the reel is full of elongated material; and removing each of the full reels from the one takeup position to an associated path of travel for full reels; and regulating turning of the full reel to insure that each of the full reels to be advanced subsequently along the path of travel thereof has substantially all the elongated material wound thereon and substantially without loose tails of elongated material extending therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of handling reels in a dual position takeup apparatus, which includes the steps of: moving empty reels along a path of travel to position successive leading ones of the reels in proximate alignment with one of the takeup positions; moving each successive leading one of the empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels to position the reel so that the axis of rotation of the reel is colinear with the axis of rotation of the one takeup position; supporting each successive leading one of the empty reels for rotation in the one takeup position; rotating the reel in the one takeup position; while advancing and guiding elongated material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the elongated material in successive layers on the reel; discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position when the reel is full of elongated material; and removing each of the full reels from the one takeup position to an associated path of travel for full reels; and regulating turning of the full reel to insure that each of the full reels to be advanced subsequently along the path of travel thereof has substantially all the elongated material wound thereon and substantially without loose tails of elongated material extending therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the axes of rotation of the takeup positions are colinear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the axes of rotation of the takeup position are parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the reels are aligned transversely of, and the successive leading ones of the reels are moved into alignment with, the takeup positions such that the each successive leading one of the reels is offset a predetermined distance from the associated takeup position, the distance being measured parallel to the axes of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the path of travel of the empty reels and the path of travel of the full reels are colinear.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein each of the takeup positions has a path of travel associated therewith.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclically on an empty reel in one takeup position and then on an empty reel in another takeup position, the axes of rotation of the reels in the takeup positions being parallel, which includes the steps of: moving a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel associated with each of the takeup positions and parallel to tHe axes of rotation to position successive leading ones of the empty reels in a transfer position along the path of travel in proximate alignment with the associated takeup position such that each successive one of the reels is offset a predetermined distance from the associated takeup position as measured parallel to the axes of rotation; transferring each successive leading one of the empty reels from the associated path of travel transversely of the path of travel into axial alignment with the associated one of the takeup positions; moving the empty reel axially along the associated axis of rotation into the takeup position; supporting rotatably each successive leading one of the empty reels in the associated one of the takeup positions; rotating the reel in the one takeup position; while advancing and guiding successive sections of a strand material reciprocally transversely across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the strand material in successive layers of convolutions of the reel in the one takeup position; rotating the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; while transferring the distribution of the strand material from the reel in the one takeup position to the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position when the reel is full of strand material; moving the full reel axially of the takeup position; removing the full reel transversely of the path of travel from the one takeup position to the transfer position in the associated path of travel; and regulating turning of each successive one of the full reels to provide a package of strand material with essentially all strand material being wound in convolutions thereon and substantially without loose tails of strand material extending therefrom.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclically on an empty reel in one takeup position and then on an empty reel in another takeup position, the axes of rotation of the reels in the takeup positions being parallel, which includes the steps of: moving a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel associated with each of the takeup positions and parallel to tHe axes of rotation to position successive leading ones of the empty reels in a transfer position along the path of travel in proximate alignment with the associated takeup position such that each successive one of the reels is offset a predetermined distance from the associated takeup position as measured parallel to the axes of rotation; transferring each successive leading one of the empty reels from the associated path of travel transversely of the path of travel into axial alignment with the associated one of the takeup positions; moving the empty reel axially along the associated axis of rotation into the takeup position; supporting rotatably each successive leading one of the empty reels in the associated one of the takeup positions; rotating the reel in the one takeup position; while advancing and guiding successive sections of a strand material reciprocally transversely across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the strand material in successive layers of convolutions of the reel in the one takeup position; rotating the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; while transferring the distribution of the strand material from the reel in the one takeup position to the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position when the reel is full of strand material; moving the full reel axially of the takeup position; removing the full reel transversely of the path of travel from the one takeup position to the transfer position in the associated path of travel; and regulating turning of each successive one of the full reels to provide a package of strand material with essentially all strand material being wound in convolutions thereon and substantially without loose tails of strand material extending therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
141 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the regulating turning of each of the full reels includes: moving the full reels from the one takeup position to the transfer position in the associated path of travel with a minimal turning of the reel; and then turning the full reel of strand material in the path of travel to wind up any loose ends of strand material extending therefrom; and further including the steps of: moving the full reel out of the transfer position associated with the one takeup position while moving the next successive leading one of the empty reels into the transfer position; and transferring the next successive leading one of the reels into the one takeup position while the successive layers of convolutions of strand material are being distributed on the reel in the other one of the takeup positions.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for handling reels in a dual position takeup for elongated material, which includes: means for moving a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel to position successive leading ones of the reels in alignment with one of the takeup positions; means for moving each successive leading one of the empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels into the one takeup position; means for supporting rotatably each successive leading one of the empty reels in the one takeup position; means for advancing and guiding an elongated material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the elongated material in successive layers on the reel; means for rotating the reel in the one takeup position during the distribution of the elongated material thereon and for discontinuing the rotation when the reel is full; means for moving each of the full reels from the one takeup position to an associated path of travel for full reels; and means for regulating turning of the full reels to insure that each of the full reels to be advanced subsequently along the path of travel has substantially all the elongated material wound thereon and substantially without loose tails of elongated mateRial extending therefrom.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for handling reels in a dual position takeup for elongated material, which includes: means for moving a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel to position successive leading ones of the reels in alignment with one of the takeup positions; means for moving each successive leading one of the empty reels from the path of travel of the empty reels into the one takeup position; means for supporting rotatably each successive leading one of the empty reels in the one takeup position; means for advancing and guiding an elongated material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the elongated material in successive layers on the reel; means for rotating the reel in the one takeup position during the distribution of the elongated material thereon and for discontinuing the rotation when the reel is full; means for moving each of the full reels from the one takeup position to an associated path of travel for full reels; and means for regulating turning of the full reels to insure that each of the full reels to be advanced subsequently along the path of travel has substantially all the elongated material wound thereon and substantially without loose tails of elongated mateRial extending therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the axes of rotation of reels in the takeup positions are parallel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the axes of rotation of the reels in the takeup positions are colinear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of the takeup positions has a path of travel associated therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reels are aligned transversely and the successive leading ones of the empty reels are moved into transverse alignment with the takeup positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the path of travel of the empty reels and the path of travel of the full reels are colinear.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
339 words
An apparatus for taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclically on a reel in one takeup position and then on a reel in another takeup position, which includes: means for supporting rotatably a reel in each of the takeup positions; means for rotating the reel in the one takeup position; means for advancing and guiding successive sections of a strand material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the strand material in successive layers of convolutions on the reel in the one takeup position; means for rotating the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; means for transferring the distribution of the strand material from the reel in the one takeup position to the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; means for discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position; means for intermittently advancing a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel associated with each of the takeup positions to move successive leading ones of the empty reels into a transfer position associated with the takeup position and responsive to a full reel in the transfer position for moving the full reel along the path of travel and out of the transfer position and moving the next successive one of the empty reels thereinto; and means responsive to each successive leading one of the empty reels being moved into the transfer position for transferring each successive leading one of the empty reels from the transfer position transversely of the path of travel into the associated one of the takeup positions while the distribution of strand material on the other reel is proceeding and for removing the reel full of the strand material from the one takeup position transversely of the path of travel into the transfer position in the path of travel associated with the one takeup position while regulating turning of the full reel to provide a full reel with essentially all strand material being wound thereon.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
339 words
An apparatus for taking up successive sections of a strand material cyclically on a reel in one takeup position and then on a reel in another takeup position, which includes: means for supporting rotatably a reel in each of the takeup positions; means for rotating the reel in the one takeup position; means for advancing and guiding successive sections of a strand material transversely reciprocally across a winding surface of the reel in the one takeup position to distribute the strand material in successive layers of convolutions on the reel in the one takeup position; means for rotating the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; means for transferring the distribution of the strand material from the reel in the one takeup position to the reel in the other one of the takeup positions; means for discontinuing the rotation of the reel in the one takeup position; means for intermittently advancing a plurality of empty reels along a path of travel associated with each of the takeup positions to move successive leading ones of the empty reels into a transfer position associated with the takeup position and responsive to a full reel in the transfer position for moving the full reel along the path of travel and out of the transfer position and moving the next successive one of the empty reels thereinto; and means responsive to each successive leading one of the empty reels being moved into the transfer position for transferring each successive leading one of the empty reels from the transfer position transversely of the path of travel into the associated one of the takeup positions while the distribution of strand material on the other reel is proceeding and for removing the reel full of the strand material from the one takeup position transversely of the path of travel into the transfer position in the path of travel associated with the one takeup position while regulating turning of the full reel to provide a full reel with essentially all strand material being wound thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transfer position associated with each of the takeup positions is offset laterally therefrom a predetermined distance as measured along the axis of rotation of the takeup position and the transferring means moves each successive empty reel into alignment with the axis of rotation of the associated takeup position and further includes: means rendered effective upon alignment of an empty one of the reels with the associated takeup position for displacing the reel laterally along the axis of rotation into the takeup position; and means responsive to the discontinuance of rotation of a full one of the reels for ejecting the full reel from the associated takeup position laterally along the axis of rotation to permit the transferring means to move the reel to the transfer position in the associated path of travel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for transferring the full reel while regulating turning of the full reel includes: means for moving the full reel from the takeup position to the associated path of travel with a minimal turning of the reel; and means for turning the full reel of strand material in the path of travel in the direction of takeup to wind up any loose ends of strand material Extending therefrom.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein: the means for moving the reel with minimal amount of turning includes: an arcuately shaped ramp extending from each of the takeup positions to an associated one of the advancing means; an arcuately shaped pivotally mounted arm having a width greater than the flange-to-flange distance of each of the reels; means mounting the arm for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent the associated one of the reel takeup positions and a second position spanning across the associated advancing means; and the means for turning the full reel includes: a pair of spaced rollers for receiving a reel therebetween and having axes of rotation parallel to the axes of rotation of the takeup positions, the path of travel of the reels being intermediate the rollers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
254 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the pivotally shaped arm is formed with an upstanding flange along one edge thereof; the arm being effective to slide the reel along the ramp until the axis of the reel is colinear with the axis of rotation of the takeup position; each of the means for supporting a reel for rotation includes a pair of spaced axially aligned cones, each of the cones adapted to be received in a hub opening of one of the reels to engage the walls of the hub opening; the displacing and ejecting means of the transferring means also including: means rendered effective by the transfer of an empty one of the reels from the transfer position by the arm into the alignment thereof with the axes of rotation for engaging one of the cones with the reel hub and then pushing the reel laterally of the arm off the unflanged side thereoff until the other heel opening of the reel is moved over the other one of the cones and the reel is supported on the cones; and means responsive to the completion of the taking up of the strand material on the reel in the one takeup position for retracting the one cone and for simultaneously pushing the reel along the axis of rotation until the reel is aligned with the arm whereupon the one cone is moved further to disengage the one cone from the reel and the other cone retracted and the reel is supported on the arm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |