The Steelastic Company, LLC

Ralph F Kiemer

Robert C Baugher

Thomas Ashworth, Jr

Wright Bronson, Jr

Robert Henry Bond

Walter William Immel, Sr

Gail William Hausch

Raymond R Smith, Jr

A transfer mechanism (20) for moving elastomeric ribbon between a first or lead-in mechanism, and a second or assembly mechanism of a ply fabrication apparatus (21) includes a shuttle means (35) for selectively engaging the ribbon, first movement means (36) for translating the shuttle (40) upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first and second mechanisms, and second movement means (38) for translation of the shuttle between the first and second mechanisms. The shuttle means includes a movable shuttle (40). The first movement means (36) includes a first support (41) rigidly attached to the apparatus (21), and a second support (45) for mounting the shuttle (40) and having an overall length less than the length of the shuttle. The first movement means also includes rack and gear means (60 and 56) carried by one of the supports (41, 45) and actuating means (46) which drives a gear (56) against a rack (60) thereby moving one of the supports (41, 45) toward and away from the other support (41, 45) in continuous parallel alignment. The shuttle of the transfer mechanism can be protracted from the first mechanism to the second mechanism without direct support over the second mechanism. An alternate first movement means (165) is provided which employs a pair of ball screws (166) for moving one support (41, 45) toward and away from the other support (41, 45). The ball screws (166) are rotated by a belt (185) which is, in turn, driven by a cylinder (186).

Apparatus for making elastomeric fabric

A centering device (10) to effect registration of a magnetic disk (11) with respect to the protective envelope (12) within which the disk (11) is encased. The centering device (10) has a receiving locus (28) upon which one face wall (16) of the envelope (12) may be supported. Locating means (30) extend upwardly of the receiving locus (28) to engage at least a portion of two discrete edges (23 and 24) on the envelope (12) and thereby fix the position of the envelope (12) with respect to the receiving locus (28) of the centering device (10). Hub means (35) extend upwardly of the receiving locus (28) at a predetermined location with respect to the locating means (30). The hub means (35) is designed to engage the drive aperture (13) of the disk (11) so as to effect registration of the disk (11) within its envelope (12). One or more recesses ( 45 and 46) and legs (48) are provided to facilitate grasping of the disk assembly (19) by the operator.

Method and apparatus for centering magnetic disks

A die (12) for extruding an elastomeric ribbon (14) reinforced with laterally spaced longitudinal filaments (13), said die having mating die blocks (17 and 18) enclosing mating die plates (15 and 16) embracing a filament guide insert (25), and said insert being undercut at (38) to form a flat surface (39) having exposed grooves (42) which are extensions of the filament guide passageways (26), whereby the exiting portions of the filaments (13) are partially encapsulated with elastomeric material while in said grooves (42).

Die for extruding reinforced fabric

A guillotine assembly (20) having opposed cutting blades (65,85), the orientation of which can be adjustably preselected to provide both vertical and horizontal relative inclination in order to provide initial and progressive interference between the blades (65,85) as they effect a progressive cut therebetween. At least one blade (65) is mounted to allow a progressive movement with respect to the mechanism on which it is supported in order to accommodate the preselected degree of progressive interference between the blades.

Guillotine assembly

The present invention relates to apparatus for edging reinforced elastomeric fabric and a preferred method for the operation thereof. One embodiment of apparatus includes a frame, a table for support of the elastomeric fabric, at least one extruder assembly adjacent the table for the application of a suitable elastomeric material directly onto an edge of the elastomeric fabric and means for moving the elastomeric fabric over the table. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame, means for support of the elastomeric fabric and at least one extruder assembly adjacent the means for support for the application of a suitable elastomeric material directly onto an edge of the elastomeric fabric. The preferred method includes the steps of passing the elastomeric fabric over the means for support, extruding the elastomeric material through the head and imparting a first edge therein compatible with an edge of the elastomeric fabric and joining the extruded material to an edge of the elastomeric fabric by forcing the material into substantially all of the exposed surfaces thereof.

Apparatus for applying an elastomeric edge to a sheet of elastomeric

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making sheets from reinforced elastomeric ribbon. The apparatus has a lead-in mechanism on which the ribbon is received for preliminary orientation. The apparatus also employs a transfer mechanism that incorporates a shuttle head which is supported by a primary carrier disposed over the assembly mechanism. The shuttle head is capable of being protracted from its normal position over the assembly mechanism to a position over the lead-in mechanism where it is also engaged by a stabilizing carrier which assures precise orientation of the shuttle head during its operative movements with respect to the lead-in mechanism. So stabilized the shuttle head: engages and grasps the ribbon presented by the lead-in mechanism; raises the ribbon off the lead-in mechanism; retracts to position the ribbon above the assembly mechanism; and, accurately deposits the ribbon on the assembly mechanism. A guillotine mechanism severs the incremental strip deposited on the assembly table from the ribbon. After the shuttle head disengages from the incremental strip the guillotine mechanism is moved out of contact with the incremental strip so that the incremental strip can be transferred laterally by an indexing mechanism to the degree required for receipt of a successive incremental strip without inadvertent interference between the strip, or strips, being indexed and the guillotine. To achieve indexing the assembly mechanism employs a continuous belt that is accurately indexed by a unique arrangement of interacting brake and transport clamps. For most purposes, successive strips will be deposited in continguous, lateral juxtaposition, and in order that the successive strips stick together a stitcher is provided to cycle a stitching roller along the abutting edges of successively deposited incremental strips.

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Akron, OH, United States of America

Ralph F Kiemer