Stock advancing apparatus with dancer operated potentiometer speed control

Claim 2

A stock advancing apparatus comprising, a support, rotary stock advancing means on the support, an electric drive motor for driving the rotary stock advancing means, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the drive motor and an input circuit, said motor control means being operative to energize and drive the drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of an input voltage applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis through a range of control arm positions, a control voltage divider having a movable contact, means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for movement therewith to produce a control arm voltage at its movable contact correlative in amplitude with the angular position of the loop control arm, reference voltage means for producing a DC reference voltage, and means responsive to said control arm voltage and said reference voltage for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means correlative in amplitude with the amount by which the control arm voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and selectively adjustable means for changing the amplitude of the reference voltage to change the angular position of the control arm at which the motor is energized to drive the stock reel.

Claim 3

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reference voltage means includes a reference voltage divider having a selectively movable contact, and means for applying a DC voltage to said reference voltage divider.

Claim 4

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control arm is movable through a first range of positions at one side of the apparatus and through a second range of positions at the other side of the apparatus, said means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider including means for reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the control voltage divider.

Claim 5

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control arm is movable through a first range of positions at one side of the apparatus and through a second range of positions at the other side of the apparatus, said means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider including means for applying voltage of one polarity when the control arm is in the first range of positions and means for applying voltage of the opposite polarity when the control arm is in said second range of positions.

Claim 6

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control arm is movable through a first range of positions at one side of the apparatus and through a second range of positions at the other side of the apparatus, said means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider including control arm position sensing means operative when the control arm is in said first range of positions for applying voltage of one polarity to the control voltage divider and operative when the control arm is in said second range of positions for applying voltage of opposite polarity to the control voltage divider.

Claim 7

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for applying said control voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means includes an adjustable-gain amplifier having a selectively adjustable gain control to change the range of control arm movement required to produce a preselected change in the input voltage.

Claim 8

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reference voltage means includes a reference voltage divider having a selectively movable contact, means for applying a DC voltage to the reference voltage divider, means for reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the reference voltage divider, and means for reversing the polarity of the voltage applied to the control voltage divider.

Claim 9

A stock advancing apparatus comprising a support, rotary stock advancing means on the support, an electric drive motor for driving the stock advancing means, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the rotary stock advancing means operative to energize and drive the drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of an input voltage applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis through a first range of positions at one side of the apparatus and through a second range of positions at the other side of the apparatus, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider, and means including switch means operative to one condition to apply DC voltage of one polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the control contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said first range of positions, said switch means being operative to a second condition to apply DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage that increases as the control arm is raised in said second range of positions, means connected to the control voltage divider for applying an input voltage to the motor control, and cam means on said control arm for operating said switch means to said one condition when the control arm is in said first range of positions and for operating said switch means to said second condition when the control arm is in said second range of positions.

Claim 10

A stock advancing apparatus comprising a support, rotary stock advancing means on the support, an electric drive motor for driving the stock advancing means, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the rotary stock advancing means operative to energize and drive the drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of an input voltage applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis through a first range of positions at one side of the apparatus and through a second range of positions at the other side of the apparatus, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, means for applying a DC voltage to the control voltage divider, and means including switch means operative to one condition to apply DC voltage of one polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the control contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said first range of positions, said switch means being operative to a second condition to apply DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage that increases as the control arm is raised in said second range of positions, means connected to the control voltage divider for applying an input voltage to the motor control, and cam means on said control arm for operating said switch means to said one condition when the control arm is in said first range of positions and for operating said switch means to said second condition when the control arm is in said second range of positions.

Claim 11

A stock advancing apparatus comprising, a support, rotary stock advancing means on the reel support, an electric drive motor for driving the stock advancing means, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the drive motor and an input circuit, said motor control means being operative to energize and drive the drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of an input voltage applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis through a range of control arm positions, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, DC voltage supply means, power switch means controlling application of DC voltage to the control voltage divider, the power switch means being operable to a first condition for applying a DC voltage of one polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the movable contact that increases as the control arm moves upwardly in said range of control arm positions, the power switch means being operable to a second condition for applying DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the movable contact that increases as the control arm moves downwardly in said range of positions, reference voltage means for producing a reference voltage, said reference voltage means being operable to a first condition to produce a reference voltage correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm when the power switch means is in said one condition, said reference voltage means being operable to a second condition produce a reference voltage correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm when the power switch means is in said second condition, means responsive to said control arm voltage and to said reference voltage means for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means correlative in amplitude with the amount by which the control arm voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Claim 12

A stock advancing apparatus comprising, a support, rotary stock advancing means on the reel support, an electric drive motor for driving the stock advancing means, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the drive motor and an input circuit, said motor control means being operative to energize and drive the drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of an input voltage applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis through a range of control arm positions, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, DC voltage supply means, power switch means controlling application of DC voltage to the control voltage divider, the power switch means being operable to a first condition for applying a DC voltage of one polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the movable contact that increases as the control arm moves upwardly in said range of control arm positions, the power switch means being operable to a second condition for applying DC voltage of the opposite polarity to the control voltage divider to produce a control arm voltage at the movable contact that increases as the control arm moves downwardly in said range of positions, reference voltage means for producing a reference voltage, said reference voltage means being operable to a first condition to produce a reference voltage correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm when the power switch means is in said one condition, said reference voltage means being operable to a second condition produce a reference voltage correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm when the power switch means is in said second condition, means responsive to said control arm voltage and to said reference voltage means for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means correlative in amplitude with the amount by which the control arm voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Claim 13

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 9 including selectively adjustable means for changing the amplitude of the reference voltage to change the angular position of the control arm at which the motor is energized to drive the stock reel.

Claim 14

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means includes an adjustable gain amplifier having a selectively adjustable gain control to change the range of control arm movement required to produce a preselected change in the control voltage.

Claim 15

A stock advancing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means for producing a reference voltage includes a reference voltage having a movable contact, and switch means for reversibly applying voltage from the DC voltage supply means to said reference voltage divider.

Claim 16

A stock reel comprising, a reel support, stock reel means for mounting a coil of stock on the reel support for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, an electric reel drive motor for driving the stock reel, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the reel drive motor, the motor control means being operative to energize and drive the reel drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of a control signal applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis through a first range of positions at one side of the stock reel and through a second range of positions at the other side of the stock reel, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, a reference voltage divider having a movable contact, power switch means for controlling application of DC voltage to the control voltage divider and to the reference voltage divider, a first actuator means movable between a payout and a rewind position for operating said power switch means, a second actuator movable between a control arm right position and a control arm left position for operating said power switch means, said first and second actuator means being operative: (a) when the first actuator means is in its payout position and said second actuator means is in its control arm right position to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said first range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said first range of control arm positions; (b) when the first actuator means is in its rewind position and said second actuator means is in its control arm right position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage that increases as the control arm is lowered in said first range of positions and to apply a DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said first range of control arm positions; (c) when the first actuator means is in its payout position and the second actuator means is in its control arm left position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said second range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said second range of control arm positions; (d) when the first actuator means is in its rewind position and the second actuator means is in its control arm left position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is lowered in said second range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said second range of control arm positions; and means operatively connected to the movable contact of the control voltage divider and to the movable contact of the reference voltage divider for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means correlative in amplitude with the amount by which the control arm voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Claim 17

A stock reel comprising, a reel support, stock reel means for mounting a coil of stock on the reel support for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, an electric reel drive motor for driving the stock reel, motor control means having an output circuit connected to the reel drive motor, the motor control means being operative to energize and drive the reel drive motor at a speed correlative with the amplitude of a control signal applied to its input circuit, a stock loop control arm mounted for swinging movement about a generally horizontal axis through a first range of positions at one side of the stock reel and through a second range of positions at the other side of the stock reel, a control voltage divider having an angularly movable contact, means operatively connecting the movable contact of the control voltage divider to the control arm for angular movement therewith, a reference voltage divider having a movable contact, power switch means for controlling application of DC voltage to the control voltage divider and to the reference voltage divider, a first actuator means movable between a payout and a rewind position for operating said power switch means, a second actuator movable between a control arm right position and a control arm left position for operating said power switch means, said first and second actuator means being operative: (a) when the first actuator means is in its payout position and said second actuator means is in its control arm right position to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said first range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative in amplitude with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said first range of control arm positions; (b) when the first actuator means is in its rewind position and said second actuator means is in its control arm right position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage that increases as the control arm is lowered in said first range of positions and to apply a DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said first range of control arm positions; (c) when the first actuator means is in its payout position and the second actuator means is in its control arm left position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control arm voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is raised in said second range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said second range of control arm positions; (d) when the first actuator means is in its rewind position and the second actuator means is in its control arm left position, to apply DC voltage to the control voltage divider of a polarity to produce a control voltage at its movable contact that increases as the control arm is lowered in said second range of positions and to apply DC voltage to the reference voltage divider of a polarity to produce a reference voltage at its movable contact that is correlative with the control arm voltage at a selected angular position of the control arm in said second range of control arm positions; and means operatively connected to the movable contact of the control voltage divider and to the movable contact of the reference voltage divider for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means correlative in amplitude with the amount by which the control arm voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Claim 18

A stock reel according to claim 13 including selectively adjustable means for changing the amplitude of the reference voltage to change the angular position of the control arm at which the motor is energized to drive the stock reel.

Claim 19

A stock reel according to claim 14 wherein said means for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means includes an adjustable gain amplifier having a selectively adjustable gain control to change the range of control arm movement required to produce a preselected change in the control voltage.

Claim 20

A stock reel according to claim 13 wherein said means for applying an input voltage to the input circuit of the motor control means includes an adjustable gain amplifier having a selectively adjustable gain control to change the range of control arm movement required to produce a preselected change in the control voltage.

Claim 21

A stock reel according to claim 13 including selectively operable motor reversing switch for reversing the polarity of the output voltage applied from the output circuit of the motor control means to the reel drive motor.