Preforming apparatus for wires in stranding machines

Claim 2

A preforming apparatus for preforming the wires in a stranding machine, the apparatus comprising: a. a base plate mountable on said stranding machine to be rotatable about the machine axis; b. carrier means mounted on said base plate; c. first and second rollers arranged on each carrier means to be rotatable about axes substantially perpendicular to and spaced from the machine axis, the axis of rotation of at least one of said rollers on each carrier means being adjustable in position relative to the other roller, said carrier means together with said preforming rollers defining individual preforming devices; d. adjusting drive means mounted on said carrier means for effecting adjustment of said adjustable rollers; and e. drive means mounted on said base plate and operable to simultaneously operate all said adjusting drive means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier means of each preforming device comprises a mounting plate arranged in a plane intersecting the machine axis.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier means of each preforming device comprises a mounting plate, and the rollers of each roller pair are arranged in a respective plane containing the machine axis.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a. the rollers of each preforming device are mounted on a rotatable member provided with teeth; b. the adjusting drive of each device comprises a worm meshing with the teeth of said rotatable member; c. a pinion co-axial with the worm; and d. the drive means comprises a gear rim in driving engagement with all of the pinions of the adjusting drives.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein two preforming rollers are mounted on each carrier means, and wherein the axis of rotation of only one roller of each roller pair is adjustable, said adjustable roller being mounted on a pivotable member, which is pivotable about the axis of rotation of the respective other roller and which is provided with arcuate teeth; the adjusting drive of each preforming device comprising a worm meshing with the teeth of the pivotable member of that device and a pinion co-axial with the worm, and the drive means comprising a gear rim in driving engagement with all of the pinions of the adjusting drives.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein two preforming rollers are mounted on each carrier means, and wherein the axis of rotation of only one roller of each roller pair of each preforming device is adjustable, said one roller of each roller pair being mounted on slide means slidably engaged in a slot in the mounting plate of the respective carrier means, the other roller of each roller pair being journalled in the mounting plate to be rotatable about an axis having a stationary location in the mounting plate, the adjusting drive of each preforming device comprising a spindle, which is threadedly engaged in the slide means of said one roller of that device and which extends transversely to the axis of rotation of that roller, and a pinion co-axial with the spindle, and the drive means comprising a gear rim in driving engagement with all of the pinions of the adjusting drives.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein two preforming rollers are mounted on each carrier means, and wherein the rollers of the roller pair of each preforming device are respectively mounted on two slide means respectively slidably engaged in two slots in the mounting plate of the carrier means of that device; the adjusting drive of each preforming device comprising two spindles, which are each threadedly engaged in a respective on of the slide means of the roller of that device and which each extend transversely to the axis of rotation of the roller mounted on such slide means, and two pinions respectively co-axial with the spindles, the drive means comprising two gear rims in respective driving engagement with the two pinions of each adjusting drive.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot extends parallel to the machine axis.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot extends at an angle relative to the machine axis and the pinion and gear rim are each constructed as bevel gears.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the slots extends parallel to the machine axis.

Claim 12

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the slots extends at an angle relative to the machine axis, and the pinions and gear rim are each constructed as bevel gears.

Claim 13

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two slots in the mounting plate of the carrier means of each preforming device respectively extend parallel to the machine axis and at an angle to the machine axis.

Claim 14

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein two preforming rollers are mounted on each carrier means, and wherein the rollers of the roller pair of each preforming device are mounted on a rotatable member provided with teeth; the adjusting drive of each preforming device comprising a rack, which meshes with the teeth of the rotatable member of that device and which is provided with a pin extending in a direction away from the rotatable member; the drive means comprising an annular member, which is rotatably mounted on the base plate and which is provided with a plurality of cam surfaces each in driving engagement with a respective one of the pins of the adjusting drives.