US4388061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guide assembly for cylindrical plastic tubes
Assignee: Macro Engineering Co Ltd
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Filing: 1981-07-17
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2001-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A guide assembly for blown plastic tubes to guide and support the tube after its extrusion from a die consists of a frame carrying a plurality of pairs of vertically-extending members distributed circumferentially around the tube. Each of the vertically-extending members carries a plurality of vertically-spaced parallel radially-inwardly-extending arms. Each arm of one vertical member of the pair cooperates with a respective arm of the other member of the pair, each cooperating pair of arms having a flexible wire support member extending between these ends, the wire engaging the tube and conforming to its circumference. As the tube diameter decreases the arms are moved simultaneously radially inward by opposite rotation of the respective vertical members, whereupon the wire conforms to the new reduced diameter, and vice-versa. The actual contact of the support member with the tube is by side-by-side cylindrical rollers (e.g. of nylon) threaded on the wire. An additional support means may be provided that engages the center of the guide wire and, in addition to preventing downward sagging, automatically presses it radially inward with an increasing force as the tube diameter is decreased.
Inventors
- 👤 Janos B. Bebok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:37
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/25; B29C48/88; B29C48/90; B29C48/907; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/10; B29C48/901; B29C48/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
245 words
A guide assembly for the guidance of a cylindrical tube of plastic material in its travel path from a forming die comprising: a longitudinal support frame adapted to extend along the portion of the travel path in which guidance is to be provided; a plurality of pairs of longitudinal members mounted by the frame circumferentially spaced around the said travel path for rotational movement about respective longitudinal axes parallel to one another and to the said travel path portion; means for moving the two longitudinal members of each pair simultaneously in opposite directions of rotation about their respective longitudinal axes; each longitudianl member carrying a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, parallel radially-extending arms, each arm of one longitudinal member being associated with a cooperating arm of the other longitudinal member of the said pair thereof; each two cooperating arms having connected thereto at respective connection positions a respective guide member that is transversely flexible along its length between said connection positions to permit change of curvature thereof, and adapted for guiding engagement with the external surface of a tube in the travel path and for change of its curvature to conform with the diameter thereof; said simultaneous opposite rotational movement of the two members of each pair causing corresponding inward or outward movement of the said arm connection positions respectively toward or away from the travel path to permit the guide member to change its curvature and thereby conform respectively to tubes of smaller or larger diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
245 words
A guide assembly for the guidance of a cylindrical tube of plastic material in its travel path from a forming die comprising: a longitudinal support frame adapted to extend along the portion of the travel path in which guidance is to be provided; a plurality of pairs of longitudinal members mounted by the frame circumferentially spaced around the said travel path for rotational movement about respective longitudinal axes parallel to one another and to the said travel path portion; means for moving the two longitudinal members of each pair simultaneously in opposite directions of rotation about their respective longitudinal axes; each longitudianl member carrying a plurality of longitudinally-spaced, parallel radially-extending arms, each arm of one longitudinal member being associated with a cooperating arm of the other longitudinal member of the said pair thereof; each two cooperating arms having connected thereto at respective connection positions a respective guide member that is transversely flexible along its length between said connection positions to permit change of curvature thereof, and adapted for guiding engagement with the external surface of a tube in the travel path and for change of its curvature to conform with the diameter thereof; said simultaneous opposite rotational movement of the two members of each pair causing corresponding inward or outward movement of the said arm connection positions respectively toward or away from the travel path to permit the guide member to change its curvature and thereby conform respectively to tubes of smaller or larger diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two immediately adjacent longitudinal members of two immediately adjacent pairs thereof are mounted for rotation in opposite directions of rotation by a common longitudinal support member mounted by the frame and on which the members are mounted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first of the two said immediately adjacent longitudinal members is fastened to a respective vertical support shaft mounted by the frame for rotation about a respective vertical axis and is rotatable with the shaft in a first direction of rotation, the second of the two longitudinal members is mounted on the said vertical support shaft for rotation relative thereto, and there are provided gear means connected to each of the two longitudinal members for producing rotation thereof in opposite directions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, and comprising four pairs of the said longitudinal members, the members being mounted by the frame at the four corners of a square frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein means connecting each arm and the respective flexible guide member permit pivoting movement about a longitudinal axis parallel to the respective longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each flexible guide member comprises a flexible wire having mounted thereon a plurality of freely rotating cylindrical members the surfaces of which engage the tube surface for support thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including support means mounted by a respective arm and engaging the center of the respective flexible guide member to support it against sagging under gravity downwards in the travel path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 1, and including support means mounted by a respective arm and engaging the respective flexible guide member to urge it radially inwards against the surface of a tube in the travel path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 8, and including means increasing the radially-inwardly urging force as the respective arm is moved radially inwards.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A guide assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the said means increasing the urging force comprises a second-order lever having one end connected to the flexible guide member and the other end connected by a tension spring to the guide assembly frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |