US3362321A - Strapping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

F. 1. LINDHOLM ET AL 3,362,321

Jan. 9, 1968 STRAPPING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 27, 1965 Jan. 9, 1968 F. J. LINDHOLM ET AL 3,362,321

STRAPPING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 STRAPPING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet ."5

Filed May 27, 1965 A vwl Jan. 9, 1968 F, 1 |NDHO| M ET AL 3,362,32

STRAPPING APPARATUS Filed May :2v/1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 W 4Q/w ////ww/ W L? ,L mll mw W wrm. um@ H F wk n@ M mm Il ..-lil Il wwll 1/ J x y M m l yam wmf o MS mmm wQ NQ m m\f\\ nmm m& m Y mm mm Q\\ \Q\ uM/7 mm QQ maw mm\a\ VJ o IV w/Mammkm.. l ml NFH -M ,H MQ l irl YILHN l/ WWK@ mm. irl. mwf/ Q/ m /wQ L|\\ \Nm wm vm mm Il N MNO@ uw mg Nm NQ lll QQ .m MQ QQ NQ %v\ m QQ Jan. 9, 1968 F. J. I INDHOLM ET AL 3,362,321

STRAPPING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1965 7 Shals-SheetI 5 Jan.9,1968 l F, LUNDHOLN. ETAL 3,362,321

STRAP? ING APPARATUS Filed May 27, 1965 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jan. 9, 1968 F. 1. I IND'HOLM ET AL 3,362,321

STRAPPING APPARATUS vFiled May 27, 1965 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 /29 @IEN/"153 2 United States Patent ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a mechanism comprising a pivotally mounted gimbal for disposing and sealing a strap around a roll close to the end thereof. The gimbal is adjusted to conform to the end of the roll and includes a strap track from which a strap is drawn and guided into position adjacent the end of the roll to positively locate the strap relative thereto.

This invention relates to strapping devices. Particularly it relates to a roll binding device. Specifically it relates to a device for binding roll ends with circumferential straps and the apparatus for guiding binding straps adjacent such ends.

Conventionally, to facilitate handling, storage and transport of machine fabricated webs, such as paper and the like, such webs are wound into rolls immediately following production. Each roll in turn is then end-bound; that is, a pair of circumferential binding straps are applied adjacent the end of each such roll. Paper rolls, for example, comprise cylindrical sections having flat end faces. To preclude waste resulting from end damage in handling or transport of paper rolls, it is desirable that the end straps employed in roll binding be disposed or mounted adjacent the end faces of such rolls. Accordingly, in production, an endeavor is made to mount or dispose the binding straps for each roll in planes which are parallel to each other and also to the end faces of each roll.

The concern regarding roll end binding generates from consideration of potential economic loss which could result from web damage arising from failure to apply binding straps adjacent end faces of rolls. The magnitude of the potential problem is readily appreciated when it is considered that normally commercial rolls of paper, for example, have diameters which range between two and seven feet. Therefore, end damage, even to a single roll, if of large diameter, can involve a material loss of considerable value.

To the end that binding straps are applied in planes parallel to and adjacent the end faces of rolls, squaring devices are conventionally provided at the entry ends of conveyors on which the rolls are translocated between web fabricating machines and strap applying mechanisms. Additionally, conventional require expensive equipment for maintaining rolls in square after initial adjustment until strapping or end binding has been completed.`

It is a principal object of the instant invention to provide an improved roll binding means.

It is vanother object of the instant invention to provide a roll end binding means which obviates devices for squaring and expensive equipment for holding in square rolls relative to binding equipment, by providing roll strapping apparatus adjustable relative to rolls.

It is an additional object of the instant invention to provide a mechanism for applying strapping to the ends of rolls which is self-alignable relative to rolls to be bound, whereby end strapping may be mounted adjacent and in planes parallel to roll end faces.

To the end that the objects of the instant invention are procedures for end binding lCC achieved, the present invention is characterized by a roll girding member which is rockable about a vertical axis and disposed in a plane transverse of the longitudinal axis of a roll to be bound. The roll girding member comprises a threadable, releasable Strap holder adapted to pass therethrough a roll to be bound. Means are provided for stopping a roll with an end disposed within the loop formed by the roll girding member. Sensing means are also provided for detecting the position of the end face of a roll to be bound and causing rocking of the roll girding member about the vertical axis into a plane parallel to or coincident with the end face of a roll to be bound, whereby a strap, when released from the strap holder,

will be applied adjacent an end of such roll in a plane parallel to a roll end face.

It is a further feature of the present invention that means are provided for holding a roll end face a selected distance beyond the center line or vertical axis of rotation of the roll girding member, whereby a binding strap from the strap holder can be disposed in a plane at a selected distance from or adjacent the end face of a roll to be bound.

It is a yet further feature of the present invention that the sensing means is carried with the roll girding member, whereby when the roll girding member is disposed in a plane parallel to or adjacent the end face of a roll to be bound, the sensing means will react in a manner to actuate means for locking the roll girding member and thereby disposing the strap holder in a plane parallel to the end face of such roll.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and appended claims, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the same reference character or numeral refers to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

On the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the instant invention mounted with respect to a roll of large diameter disposed on a conveyor for end binding.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. l, parts being shown dotted and in phantom for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of said embodiment and showing a pair of rolls to be bound.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through the conveyor seen in FIG. l in a plane transversely of the thereby dened path and illustrating in elevation one of the stop mechanisms comprising said embodiment, parts being dotted and parts broken away for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 5 is a top plan of the stop mechanisms taken Substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and looking in the direction of the arrows, parts being shown dotted for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 6 is a view of the stop mechanisms normal to the view of FIG. 4, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows, parts being shown dotted and parts in phantom for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view in front elevation of said embodiment, taken on the same plane as the elevation of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line S- of FIG.` 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 9-14, inclusive, `are top plan views schematically illustrating a plurality of steps in binding the opposite ends of a roll employing the instant embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged front elevation of a fragment of said embodiment and illustrating means for adjusting the position of the strap sealing tool, parts being broken away from the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 16 is a sectional View taken on the line 116-16 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, parts being broken away for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged front elevation of a fragment of said embodiment and illustrating the course of the strapping through and on opposite sides of the strap sealing tool.

FIG. 18 is a view taken on the curved plane designated by the line 18-18 of FIG. 17 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. l of the drawings, and also as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, there is seen an elongated conveyor generally designated as 20 and comprising a pair of spaced apart horizontal con- - veyor sections 21 and 22 which are defined by a pair of frames 23. The frames 23 are elongated, being supported on legs 24 and disposed in end to end relationship to dene an elongated path which is interrupted between sections 21 and 22 and longitudinally of which there are mounted a pair of endless belt conveyors 25, respectively.

The belt conveyors 25 are supported and driven longitudinally of respective conveyor sections 21 and 22 on a plurality of rollers 26, not all of which have been numbered. As illustrated in FIG. l, the rollers 26 are disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, said rollers 26 being spaced longitudinally of said sections 21 and 22 transversely of which they are journalled as illustrated at 27 in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As illustrated in FIGS. l and 6, each conveyor 25 may be driven by a drive roller 28 which is disposed in a casing 29 mounted on its respective frame, the drive being conventional and preferably reversible to permit reversible translocation of rolls 3i), 30A and 30B which may be of varying diameters, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 7, 9-15 and 17. In FIG. 2, a large diameter roll 36A is shown in solid lines in binding position. A small diameter roll 30 is shown in phantom to graphically set forth a range of roll diameters capable of being serviced by the invention. It is appreciated that the path in which the rolls 30, 30A and 30B will be conveyed is generally longitudinally of their axes, whereby for any given direction of roll movement one roll end face will lead, the other being rear.

The details of construction of the conveyor sections 21 and 22 and the means for driving the conveyors 25 are not critical to the instant invention. What may be provided, however, to automate actuation of the binding apparatus comprising the present invention are a pair of triggering elements or sensors (not shown) which it is preferable to mount on conveyor sections 21 and 22 in a manner such that one of such triggering elements will be disposed in the path of a roll regardless of its direction of movement longitudinally of such path.

As illustrated in FIGS. l, 2 and 3, the binding apparatus which comprises the present invention has a frame or stand which may be characterized by a pair of substantially similar bowed or arcuate vertically disposed frame members 31 having upper curved sections 32 and lower substantially vertical sections 33 which may be supported on a rectangular base 34 which is disposed below conveyor 2t). The upper extremities of the curved frame sections 32 are disposed adjacent each other and connected to a vertically passaged journalling member 35 from which said frame members 31 extend downwardly in a pair of elliptical paths disposed at angles to each other, whereby the lower ends of the frame members 31 are supported on the base 34 at a pair of corners 36 aligned longitudinally of the conveyor 20, as clearly seen in FIG. 1.

The base 34 is characterized by a side member 37 which is seen in FIG. l, and which is disposed laterally of and extends parallel to the conveyor 20. Base 34 is further defined by a pair of parallel base members 38 which extend transversely of conveyor 20 and are disposed normally to the base member 37 to which one end of each of said base members 38 is connected to form the corners 36. Base 34 is also characterized by a side member 43 which is parallel to side member 37, the opposite ends of said side member 43 being connected to the other ends of said base member 35, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. A medial tie 39 has its opposite end portions suitably secured to opposed medial portions of the base members 3S to which said tieA 39 extends transversely, being parallel to the side member 43 to provide a rectangular framework within which la pair of tubular supports or stand elements 56 are supported for a purpose and in a manner to be hereinafter described, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. It is also seen that conventional ieveling and tying means 60 may be provided for adjusting base 34 relative to the oor 61 on which the frame members 31 are supported.

A pair of angular'ly disposed braces 40 have their yupper ends secured to medial parts of the lower frame sections 33, respectively, and their lower end portions bearing against medial parts of said base members 38, respectively, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. Additionally, the frame members 31 may be tied together by a cross tie 41 disposed parallel to the base member 37, said tie 41 having its opposite end portions secured to medial parts of the frame sections 33 to rigidify the frame, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

The frame members 31 are disposed in a manner such that they will support a ring in the nature of a gimbals, which hereinafter will be referred to as a gimbals, generally designated by numeral 42, between and extending upwardly from the conveyor sections 21 and 22 in an adjustable vertical plane disposed normally to the conveyor 21D. To that end, as illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, the gimbals 42 has a collar 52 rigidly secured to the highest level of the peripheral surface of said gimbals in vertical alignment and spaced downwardly from the journalling member 35. The inner or lower end portion of a pivot pin 51 is rigidly secured to said collar 52 from which said pin is projected upwardly into the journalling member 35.

By referring to FIGS. l and 2, it is seen that the joura nalling member 35 is elevated from the conveyor 20 a distance substantially equivalent to the diameter of said gimbals. Additionally, it is noted that the base 34 is dis posed beneath the conveyor 20 between the conveyor sections 21 and 22, and, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 6, provides means for supporting a vertically passaged journal member or bearing box 44 in vertical alignment with and in a diametrically opposed position from the journalling member 3S, to the end that the gimbals may be rocked about a -vertical axis.

To that end, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 16, the gmJ bals 42 may comprise a curved channel 45 having a pair of flanges defining an outwardly directed opening into which there is projected a boss 46 engaged in locked relationship with or rigidly secured to the gimbals 42, by means bf a suitable fastener, such as a dowel 47, the boss 46 is locked to the upper end or anchoring flange 48 of a pivot member -49 which comprises an integral pivot pin 50 projected downwardly from flange 448 in opposed and diametrical or axial relationship and vertical alignment with the pin 51. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the pin 50 is journalled in a bearing or journal member 44, whereby there is provided by pins Si) and 51 a vertical axis of rotation for the gimbals 42.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the journal member `44 may be supported on a pedestal member generally designated 53 which comprises a support 54 the opposite end portions of which extend transversely of and are se cured, for example, by welding or the like as at 55 to a pair of parallel opposed tubular supports 56, heretofore delined. The tubular supports 56 extend normally to the base members 38 to which said tubular members 56 may be rigidly secured by welding, for example, to tie plates 58, which themselves are welded, as at 57, to the opposed base members 38.

By referring to FIG. 6, the desired relationship between the conveyor sections 21 and 22 may be clearly seen. In said FIG. 6, it is noticeable that the channel 45 comprising the gimbals 42 is disposed below the conveying surface of the conveyor belt 25 between the sections 21 and 22. As seen in FIG. 6, as well as in FIGS. l, 2, 7, and 15-17, comprising said gimbals 42 is aat ring section 59 which is subsctantially as thick as the width of the strapping 138 accommodated by said gimbals. The flat ring section projects centrally from trough 45 to which the peripheral portion of said ring section 59 is rigidly secured substantially midway between the opposite flanges of said channel 45. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lowermost portion of the ring section 59 is disposed substantially midway between the sections 21 and 22, and extends therefrom centrally in a vertical plane slightly below the conveying surfaces of the conveyor belts 25.

For proper end binding, it is requisite that the lead end face of each roll to be bound be stopped at a predetermined distance from the center line of the vertical axis of rotation heretofore defined. Thereby, when the gimbals 42 is rotated about said vertical axis into a plane which is parallel to the end face of a roll, an end binding strap, which is applied to such roll in the plane of the gimbals 42, will be disposed at a predetermined distance from the roll end face. In the embodiment of the invention herein described, provision is made for binding both ends of a roll. For that purpose, after the lead end of a roll has been bound it will pass through the gimbals 42. The course of the roll will thereafter be reversed, and that face which was initially the rear -will become the lead face for binding of the opposite roll end. Accordingly, for such binding, each roll to be 4bound must be stopped twice, with a face corresponding to the roll end to be bound disposed at a fixed distance from the vertical pivot. t

Therefor, a pair of stop mechanisms generally designated as 62 are provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Said stop mechanisms 62 are substantially identical to each other but reversed, being disposed on opposite sides of the gimbals 42 as each will be involved in tying an opposite roll end. While corresponding components in each of the stop mechanisms have been identiied by like numerals, to distinguish each from the other the letter A has been appended to the numerals identifying one of the stop mechanisms and the therewith associated components. In FIGS. l, 2 and 7, stop mechanism 62 is shown raised, engaging the lead end face of the roll 30A, whereby the same is stopped. In FIGS. 2 and 7, the dotted line position of the stop mechanism 62 is such that it will permit the roll 30A to pass. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the relationship between the pair of stop mechanisms 62 and 62A. That is to say, the device is constructed in a manner such that the stop mechanism 62 is adapted to rise in the path of a roll advancing to the left relative to FIGS. 1 and 3 from conveyor section 22 to conveyor section 21 for end binding of the lead end portion of such roll, whereas the stop mechanism 62A is adapted to rise in the path of a roll whose direction of travel is from the conveyor section 21 to the conveyor section 22. While only the stop mechanism 62 will be described in detail, corresponding parts of the stop mechanism 62A Will be labeled.

The stop mechanism 62, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, comprises a slide housing, casing or framework 63 the lower end of which is supported on a plurality of suitable base pad structures 64 which are connected to tubular supports 56 by means such as welding, as shown at 65. The frame 63 provides an augularly disposed track in which an abutment or roll stop 66 comprising a flat faced plate construction is slidably mounted for projection upwardly and withdrawal downwardly between a pair of extreme stations, an opposite extreme station for each of roll stops 66 and 66A being illustrated in FIG. 6. To the end that the roll stop 62, when Ithe roll engaging position, as illustrated to the left of FIG. 6, is always in predetermined relationship with the vertical axis of the gimbals 42, the track in which the abutment 66 slides should be precision formed.

,The abutment 66 has rigidly secured on the rear surface thereof an elongated carrier 67 which is shown in solid line in FIG. 4 and in dotted line in FIG. 6. The carrier 67 has a pair of outwardly extending ears 68, the relationship of which is clearly seen in FIG. 4, and between which there is pivotally connected by means of a pin 70 the driving end portion 69 of the rod or piston 71 of a pneumatic cylinder 72 by means of which abutment 66 is reciprocated. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of pins or lugs 73 are projected outwardly from the housing dening the cylinder 72, and are journalled in a pair of opposed stationary brackets 74 rigidly supported on the housing or framework 63 to accommodate reaction in the cylinder 72 to the reciprocation of the rod or piston 71.

To support the housing or framework 63, thereto a suitable rigidifying plate 75 can be secured by means of welding or the like to dispose the plate 75 on the outer surface of the frame or housing 63 transversely of the conveyor 20. Disposed below and extending normally of the plate 75 are a pair of opposed rigidifying ties 76 and 77 the opposite ends of which are connected to the housing or frame members 63 and 63A by means of welding or the like, as at 78, as seen in FIG. 4.

Slide housing or frame 63 carries or supports a pair of pedestals 79 which are disposed in alignment transversely of the sides of the conveyor 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4. A vertical adjustment member comprising a nut 80 is rigidly secured to the top of each pedestal 79. A vertically adjustable boss comprising a screw 81 is mounted in each nut 80, and provides for limiting the downward movement or reciprocation of roll stop or abutment 66. Such limitation occurs by reason of engagement of transversely extending allae, wings or flanges 83 of said roll stop or abutment with the heads 82 of the screws 81 which are disposed at the lower end of the path of reciprocation of said wings or anges 83.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, wings 83 define an upper angular surface 84 sloping inwardly from opposite sides thereof. Projected upwardly from the surface 84 are a pair of slotted or recessed end brackets or bearings 85 which are rigidly secured to or integral with the sides of the wings 83 and a slotted or recessed central bracket 86 the lower end portion of which is secured to or integral with the nadir of the sloping surface 84, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The inner pins 87 of a pair of conveyor rollers 88 are journalled in the recess or slot of the medial bracket 86, the outer pins 89 of each of said rollers 88 being journalled in a respective outer bracket 85, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. When the roll stop or abutment 66 is in the down position illustrated in FIG. 4 and to the right of FIG. 6, the conveyor rollers 88 are in substantial alignment with the conveyor belts 25, whereby passage of a roll between sections 21 and 22 is accommodated. It is appreciated that by means of the adjustment screw 81, slight variations in the down, retracted or roll-passing position of the rollers 88 can be achieved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the body or casing of a switch mechanism 90 is rigidly secured on one side of the slide housing 63. The switch mechanism 90 comprises a normally upwardly spring biased switch lever 91 which is shown in its normal position to the left of FIG. 6. The lever 91 is operated by a switch trip or boss 92 into the path of which said lever 91 extends. The switch trip or boss 92 is carried on the outer end portion of an arm 201 the inner end portion of which is rigidly secured to the reciprocative roll stop or abutment 66. Thereby, when the slidable roll stop or abutment 66 has been projected upwardly to the position illustrated to the left of FIG. 6, the switch lever 91 will assume its normal position. On the other hand, when the roll stop or abutment is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4 and to the right of FIG. 6, that is, the downward position, the switch trip 92 will depress the switch lever 91. The consequences of each of the positions of switch `lever 91 will become presently apparent.

As illustrated in FIGS. and 6, a plate or housing member 93 of a switch mechanism is rigidly mounted or carried in the upper end portion of the roll stop or abutment 66. Projected outwardly from the roll-engaging face of said plate or housing member 93 is a normally outwardly biased switch button 94 which is disposed below the path of a roll when the stop mechanism 62 is in roll passing position, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and to the right of FIG. 6,` and which is disposed in the path of a roll when the stop mechanism is up or in roll stopping position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7 and to the left of FIG. 6.

As a roll to be bound advances to the left with respect to FIG. 3, toward the gimbals 42, a switch (not shown) which may be disposed in the path of the roll along the conveyor is operated to actuate, by any conventional means well known in the art, the pneumatic member cornprising piston or rod 71 to project the stop mechanism 62 to the position shown to the left of FIG. 6. Upon such occurrence, the switch lever 90 will be released to close a circuit to rock or rotate the gimbals 42 on pivots 50 and 51 t0 an extreme position the disposition of and means for which will presently be described. Simultaneously, the switch button 94 will be elevated into the path of the advancing roll. When the roll strikes the roll stop or abutment 66, which will have been raised to a position of selected spacing relative to the aforedescribed axis of rotation of the gimbals 42, forward advance of the unbound roll is terminated by roll stop 66, and simultaneously switch 94 is depressed or pushed by the lead face of the stopped roll.

Upon depression of the switch 94, a circuit (not shown), the nature of which will be evident to those skilled in the art following the enusing description, is actuated to cause projection of a rod or piston 95 of a pneumatic member 202, as illustratrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. The inner end portion of said piston 95 carries a flat connector 96 which is rigidly secured to a flat elongated axially extending mounting boss 97. The inner face of boss 97 is secured to portion 204 of the outer surface 203 of a sensor frame 98 on one side of its axis of rotation. A shaft 100 is secured to surface 203 of the sensor frame 98, and provides an axis of rotation about which the sensor frame 98 is rockable to carry sensor frame portion 204 toward and away from said gimbals 42. To rockably mount sensor frame 98 yadjacent gimbals 42 and slightly removed from stop 66 or the vertical axis of said gimbals, a pair of spaced bearings or journalling members 99 are projected forwardly from the forward face of gimbals 42 to which the inner ends of said bearing members are secured, through a pair of apertures 205, respectively, in said sensor frame 98. Opposite end portions of the shaft 100 are journalled in said journalling members 99.

End portions 101 and 102 of a pair of sensor mounting arms 103 and 104 are rigidly secured to shaft 100 in spaced apart positions thereon, somewhat circumferentially of the gimbals 42, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. A pair of sensor pads 105 and 106, having slot-sensing faces disposed away from the viewer when said sensing pads are considered from FIGS. 2 and 7, are carried on the opposite end portions 107 and 108 of said sensing arms, respectively. By reason of the foregoing construction, the sensing pads 105 and 106 will rock about the axis provided by the pin or shaft 100 as said rod or piston is reciprocated. When the rod or piston 95 is projected to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the sensing pads and 106 are in sensing position and will function in a manner which will be forthwith described.

The housing of a s-witch mechanism 109 is mounted adjacent the pneumatic cylinder 202, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. Switch mechanism 109 comprises a normally outwardly spring biased switch plunger 110 which is disposed in the path of the rockable sensor frame 98. When the sensor frame is rocked to the position in which the sensor pads 105 and 106 are not in sensing position, the switch plunger 110 is depressed and the switch is in non-actuating position. However, when the frame 98 has been rocked to the sensing position, that is, the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, theplunger 110 is released to energize a circuit (not shown) to lock conveyor section 21 and preclude movement of a roll by said conveyor section 21 to the right with respect to FIG. 1, thereby safeguarding against damage to sensor pads 105 and 106 and associated structures which are then disposed for sensing relative to roll 30A carried on section 22. Furthermore, upon release of plunger 110, a switch mechanism 111 and comprising a switch arm 206 is operated by circuit means (not shown) to cause the gimbals 42 to be driven about its vertical axis from its extreme position, previously assumed, by means which will become presently apparent. When the gimbals 42 is thus driven pursuant to actuation of switch 111, it will rotate until one or both of the roll facing surfaces of the sensor pads 105 and 106 are iiat against the end of a roll which has then been stopped by a stop mechanism 62.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 18, an arcuate segment of the gimbals 42 comprises a window opening 112 defined by a rectangular frame generally designated by numeral 114` and disposed in a curved plane defined by the curvature of the gimbals. In the illustrated embodiment, frame 114 is disposed substantially symmetrically to the plane of said gimbals in the upper half of a lower gimbals guadrant. Frame 114 comprises upper and lower frame members 207 and 208, respectively, and integral frame sides 209 and 210.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 15, 17 and 18, a strapping or strap sealing tool 113, which may be of the character described in U.S. Patent No. 3,198,218, issued Aug. 3, 1965 is rockably disposed in said window opening 112. To that end, the housing of the strap sealing tool 113 is rigidly secured in a mounting bracket 115 which is connected to a rockable cradle or tool mount 116. Tool mount 116 in the instant embodiment is characterized by a pair of elongated parallel arms 211 and 212 integral with a transverse arm connection 213 to which the bracket 115 is rigidly secured. Opposite said connector 213, at their lower end portions 214 arms 211 and 212 are secured to a sleeve 215 which is journalled concentric with a pin 117 the opposite ends of which are mounted in frame members 209 and 210, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Actuation of cradle or tool mount 116 to rock it counterclockwise with respect to FIGS. 2, 7, 15 and 17, will carry the strap sealing tool 113 inwardly toward a roll, as illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 15. Rocking of said cradle or tool mount 116 in an opposite direction will carry the strap sealing tool back to the position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 15, 17 and 18.

For rocking the cradle -or tool mount 116, a pneumatic member comprising a housing or cylinder 118 and a piston or rod is employed, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 15 and 17. The cylinder 118 is mounted in a carrier bracket 216 which is rigidly secured to or carried by the outer end portion `of elongated arms 119. The arms 119 extend outwardly from gimbals 42 between frame members 31, the inner end portions of said arms 119 being rigidly connected to the gimbals window sides 209 and 210, as illustrated in FIGS. l, 15 and 17. The outer end of rod or piston 120 comprises a pivotal connector 121 which is secured by means including a pin 122 to the 9 cradle or toolY mount 116, whereby upon reciprocation of the rod 120 the cradle or tool mount 116 is rocked about pin 117.

Pneumatic means, as illustrated in FIG. l, including a cylinder 123 or the like and a rod or piston 124, are employed for rocking the gimbals 42 about its vertical axis defined by pivot pins 50 and 51 aforedeiined. In the instant embodiment, the cylinder 123 is rigidly secured to the inner surface -of a lower end portion 33 of one of the frame members 31 in a manner such that piston or rod 124 is reciprocative in a path normal to the arms 119 to one of which the outer end portion of the rod or piston 124- is connected, whereby upon extension and retraction or with-drawal of said rod -or piston 124 a corresponding rocking motion will be imparted to the arms 119 to cause corresponding motion of the gimbals 42 about its vertical axis.

When the switch 90 is actuated, that is, when the switch lever rises, in the manner previously described, it energizes a circuit (not shown) to actuate a valve controlling the flow in cylinder 123 to extend the piston 124 to thereby rock the gimbals 42 to its extreme position, which is as illustrated in FIG. 10. The extreme position may be controlled in various manners or by Various means which will be evident to those skilled in the art. In any event, the extreme position should be at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor 20, which angle is greater than the roll skew or yaw which the instant binding device is adapted to accommodate. That is to say, rotation to the extreme position of the gimbals 42 is in only one direction by reason of extension of the pist-on or rod 124, from which the gimbals will be rotated in an opposite direction into roll binding positions, regardless of the direction of skew or yaw angle. To clarify, attention is invited to FIG. 3, in which it is seen that the binding device is adapted to accommodate rolls 30A and 30B, the axes of which are skewed clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, from dispositions in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the conveyor 20. For binding each of the rolls 30A and 30B, the gimbals extreme position would be that illustrated in FIG. 10. Should the skew or yaw of roll 30B be greater than the angle of the gimbals 42 with respect to the longitudinal axis of conveyor 20, the gimbals would be unable to operate effectively because the sensor pads 105 and 106 would be unable to rise to operative position as said sensor pads would be blocked by the skewed roll. Furthermore, the gimbals, already being in its extreme position of rotation, could not enlarge its angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor by further counterclockwise rotation with respect to FIG. 3, and therefore could not assume a position in a plane parallel to the roll to be bound, the necessity of which will become presently apparent.

To preclude premature elevation or movement of the sensor pads 105 and 106 toward an operative position prior to the time that the gimbals has reached an extreme position and thereby eliminate the possibility of prematurelyrsensing a roll, a safety device is provided in a switch mechanism 125 comprising a switch arm 217 which, as seen in FIG. 2, is mounted on one of the frame members 31 in the path of one of arms 119. The switch mechanism 125 is normally open and controls the circuit of the switch mechanism 93 by which the rod or piston 95 is actuated to rock the sensing frame 98, as heretofore stated. However, until switch arm 217 is operated to close switch 125, the circuit of switch 93 will not energize. The switch 125 will close only when the girnbals 42 is in its extreme position. That is to say, when the girnbals 42 has assumed its extreme position, the switch arm 217 will be moved to switch closed position by one of gimbals arms 119, upon which occurrence the sensor frame 98 will rock toward its operative position. The foregoing construction insures that the gimbals 42 will not lock out of square with a roll being bound, the undesirability of which out of square locking will be presently apparent.

The device is constructed in a manner such that sensor frame shaft is uniformly spaced longitudinally of its axis from the gimbals 42, said sensor shaft being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the gimbals. F uthermore, the construction is such that when the sensor pads and 106 are in elevated or operative position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 of the drawings, their operative, inner or sensing faces are disposed in a plane which is parallel to the plane defined by the gimbals 42, and parallel though spaced slightly from or coincident with the plane of the forward face of ring section 59, forward being with reference to the direction of movement of a roll moving toward binding position. Inasm-uch as the ring section 59 comprises Ia strap chute which will hereinafter be more particularly described, and thereby defines the disposition of a strap which will bind the end of a roll, it is appreciated that when the at rollward faces of the sensing pads 105 and 106, or 106 alone, depending on the diameter of the roll to be bound, are flush on the lead face of a roll to be bound, the gimbals will be disposed in a plane parallel to the lead face of such roll, and the forward face of ring section 59 will be disposed in a plane spaced slightly from or coincident with the lead face of such roll. Thereby, when a strap is laid down about such roll in the plane of such ring section 59, the lead edge of such strap will be spaced slightly from or disposed against the plane of the forward face of such roll.

As the gimbals 42 rocks from its extreme position toward a plane which is parallel with the lead face of a roll to be bound, the sensor pads 105 and 106 are accordingly carried with the gimbals about the vertical axis thereof until the rollward or sensing faces of the sensor pads 105 and 106 are in flush engagement with the lead face of the roll being bound, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. The sensor pads 105 and 106 are mounted in a manner such that they are caused to vibrate by means which will be apparent to those skilled in the art about axes longitudinal of and provided by their respective support arms 103 and 104. The vibrating action may commence immediately the sensor frame 98 is rocked toward operative or erect position. Once the rollward or sensing faces of the sensor pads 105 and 106 are flush with the lead face of the roll being bound, the vibrations of such pads 105 and 106 will cease as a consequence of engagement of opposing flats with no space to accommodate vibrations. However, the construction of said sensor pads 105 and 106 and the mounting on their respective arms 103 and 104 are such that until the sensor pads are flush with a roll face they will continue to vibrate.

Upon cessation of the vibrations of such pads 105 and 106, a circuit (not shown) which is controlled by a pair of switches 126 and 127 is energized by suitable means whi-ch will be evident to those skilled on the art. To such end, switches 126 and 127 are mounted adjacent said sensor pads 105 and 106, respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. Upon energization of the circuit controlled by switches 126 and 127, the piston or rod 124 which controls gimbals 42 becomes locked from further movement to thereby immobilize the girnbals 42, until otherwise released, in a manner which will become presently apparent.

The nature of the construction is such that should the roll being bound be of small diameter, such as roll 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 15, locking of the gimbals occurs upon closing of the switch 127 alone, it being apparent from the drawings that the diameter of the roll 30 is such that it cannot engage the sensing or sensor pad 105. As illustrated in FIG. 7, means including a track 128 mounted on the sensor frame 98 may be provided to adjust the outermost sensor `pad 105 to the diameter of a roll being handled, it being preferable where possible to position the gimbals 42 through employment of both sensor pads 105 and 106, as a greater precision in the squaring will result when both of the sensor pads 105 and 106 are employed for larger diameter rolls.

When locked as aforesaid, the gimbals 42 is disposed in strap applying position. Thereupon, that is, upon energizing the circuit controlled by the switches 126 and 127, a series of events ensues, the object of which is the application of a `binding strap about the end of the roll to be bound.

To facilitate understanding of the events relating to binding, attention is now invited particularly to FIGS. 6, 16 and 17, in which it is seen that a lixed side plate 129 curves to conform with the ring section 59. The fixed k side plate 129 extends substantially the length of said ring section 59 along a vertical fiat 130 to which said fixed plate 129 is rigidly secured. Said fixed side plate 129 has an inwardly projecting section 131 extending beyond the inner end 132 of said ring section 59, as illustrated clearly in FIGS. 6 and 16. A movable gate 133 comprising a plate which extends the length of ring section 59 is rockably retained against the thereof opposite vertical flat or face 134 by any suitable means. The gate 133 has an inner flange 136 extending across said ring'section 59 toward the xed side plate 129. As clearly seen in FIG. 16, the flange 136 is spaced inwardly from the inner end 132 of the ring section 59 to thereby define a chute or track 137 in which there is disposed a binding strap 133 which is removable from the chute 137 upon rocking of gate 133 to part flange 136 from fixed side plate 129. The means by which the binding strap 133 is positioned within the chute 137 will presently be described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 17 and 18, opposite end portions 219 and 220 of the ring section 59 and the strap chute 137 defined thereby terminate adjacent the gimbals window frame 114 adjacent window frame members 207 and 208, respectively. The end portions 219 and 220 define, respectively, entry and delivery openings to the strap chute 137.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the strap sealing tool 113 provides a track 221 through which strapping shown in phantom is directed from a supply reel 145 which is seen in FIG. 1. The strapping 138 is directed from path 221 over the outside of an upwardly extending chute section 222 into a chute member 224 which is projected upwardly from a hood or framework 225. The hood or framework 225 is carried on the frame of strap sealing tool 113 and supports chute section 222, the lower end portion 233 of which is projected downwardly from hood 225 into strap receiving association with the upper end portion 239 of a strap chute generally designated 223. The upper or delivery end 139 of chute 224 is alignable wih the receiving end portion 219 of chute 137, whereby strapping 138 can be delivered from strap sealing tool 113 into the chute 137.

The chute 137 therethrough guides strapping 133 through the delivery end portion 22e` into the receiving end portion 143 of the chute or track 223 which was heretofore identied, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The track 223 comprises a plurality of track guiding sections 226, as illustrated in FlG. 17, which are carried on the cradle or tool mount 116 in end to end association to provide a curved guide for the lead end portion 227 of strapping 138.

The sections 226 of the chute 223, as well as the chute section 227 and chute member 224, comprise plates which may be spring Ibiased to form track sections in which the strapping is releasably retained. The plates defining said track section are adapted to separate against their spring action to open the track sections to release the strapping 133 when torque or pull is applied to the strapping directed inwardly of the gimbals.

The foregoing arrangement girds the end of the roll to be bound with a strap 138 which is disposed in the chute 137 which lies in a plane the lead face of which is coincident with or parallel to the end face of the roll being bound.

Upon energization of the circuit of switches 126 and 127, as aforesaid, a solenoid operated air valve (not shown) is actuated to provide air pressure to a cylinder housing 141 through a conduit 142, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 16. The cylinder housing 141 is mounted adjacent fixed side plate 129 just beyond the strap receiving opening in chute end portion 219. For mounting housing 141, it has an end nipple 228 which extends through xed plate 129 and is disposed in the countersink of a bore 229 which extends transversely through ring section 59. A cover 230 is disposed about the housing 141 and is connected thereto by means of a screw 231, said cover having a portion projected through the side plate 129 into abutment with face 136 to which said cover is rigidly secured.

Within the cylinder housing 141 there is disposed an air actuated piston 282 having a rod 232 projected outwardly from housing nipple 228 through bore 229 into engagement with the inner surface of gate 133. A compression spring 233 is mounted about rod 232, said spring 233 having one end bearing against piston 231 and an opposite end bearing against the end flange 234 of the nipple 228 which denes the end opening 235 through which rod 232 projects outwardly from housing 141.

When air under pressure enters housing 141, the rod 232 is projected against the tension force of spring 233 to open gate 133 at its strap receiving end by moving the flange 136 away from the plate extension 131 and thereby opening chute 137. A suitable guide mechanism 236 which includes a guide pin 237 is mounted adjacent plate 129, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and controls the path of gate 133 opening movement at the receiving end portion 219.

Simultaneously, upon energization of the circuit operated |by switches 126 and 127, the valve (not shown) controlling fluid pressure in cylinder 113 is actuated to cause extension of the rod to swing the cradle 0I tool mount 116 together with the thereon mounted strap sealing tool 113 inwardly, that is, counterclockwise around pivot pin 117 with respect to FIGS. 2 and 15 until further inward movement is blocked by engagement of tool 113 and a roll being bound. Such movement results in increasing disalignment of the delivery end 139 of chute 224 with the receiving end 219 of chute 137. Accordingly, as such movement is initiated, strapping 138 will be pulled inwardly of gimbals 42 through the open gate 133 at the entry or receiving end 219 of chute 137. The remainder of the gate 133, as well as sections 226 comprising chute 223, will successively open along their entire lengths to release the therein disposed strapping 138 by reason of the tightening, tensioning or shortening of the strapping 133 in a manner to become apparent from the description next ensuing.

A switch mechanism comprising a switch housing 143 and a switch lever 144 which is seen in dotted lines in FIG. 2 is mounted inwardly of frame members 31 adjacent the gimbals 42. The switch lever 144 is normally spring biased to circuit-energizing position. Switch lever 144 is disposed in the path of a switch trip (not seen) carried with the housing of the strap sealing tool 113, said switch trip holding the switch lever 144 in circuit deenergized position when said tool 113 is in the solid line position'illustrated in FIG. 2. However, as said tool 113 is swung counterclockwise with respect to FIG. 2, switch lever 144 is released to close a circuit (not shown) which controls, in a conventional manner, rewinding of a strapping supply reel 145 which is illustrated in FIG. 1, and commences strap tensioning by pulling strapping toward supply reel 145 through sealing tool 113 in a manner which will be further described in the narration next ensuing. Accordingly, the strapping 135, which was partially pulled from the chute 137 as the tool 113 began to swing inwardly of gimbals 42, will be shortened and drawn, by the rewinding and tensioning torque, first from 13 the chute 137 and then from chute 223 about the end of the roll then positioned within the gimbals 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a switch mechanism 146 which comprises a switch arm 147 is mounted on the strap sealing tool 113. In the instant embodiment of the invention, switch arm 147 controls a circuit (not shown) which operates a strap tensioning mechanism and causes a sequence of events in the tool 113 as a result of which strapping is tensioned, sealed and severed. Such sequence of events is referred to as the tensioning cycle, the events and relation of events of which may Ibe as taught in the aforesaid co-pending application. In a manner which will be evident to those in the art, the switch arm 147 is actuated to lock the tool 113 in the tensioning cycle upon initiation of the rewind of reel 145, as aforestated.

Attention is now invited particularly to FIG. 17 in Which it is seen that the lead end portion 227 of the strapping 138 is disposed adjacent a strap portion 240 which may be severed from the strapping supply source in the manner taught in the aforestated co-pending application. The overlapping strapping portions 227 and 249 will have a seal applied thereto from a seal magazine mechanism 241 prior to severing of the strap portion 240 and while the tool is locked in the tensioning cycle. It is appreciated that tensioning and sealing of the strapping 138 occur while the tool 113 is disposed against the roll being bound, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 15, to the end that the end binding strap will be taut and that the tensioning cycle in which the tool 113 is locked holds tool 113 against the roll being bound until after the strap portions 227 and 240 have been sealed and portion 240 has been severed.

While the strapping 138 is being removed from the chute 137, the gimbals is disposed in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the end face ofthe roll being bound, as a Iconsequence of which the chute 137 and the strapping therein are disposed about such roll in a plane normal to *the longitudinal axis thereof, the spacing of said plane from the lead end face of the roll being governed by the position of stop mechanism 62. However, to Iapply the strapping 138, it is necessary that the diameter of the loop in which such strapping is disposed be reduced to the external diameter of the roll. Such diametric reduction occurs during tensioning and rewinding of the strapping by means laforestated. However, to bind the roll uniformly it is required that the strap loop 'be held in the plane of the ring 59 las it shrinks from chute 137 to the exterior surface of the roll. In the absence of a facility to hold the strap loop in such plane, even u-nder the most desirable circumstances the strapping would have a tendency to wobble from the desired plane along its encircling length. To the end that the strapping 138 will be applied to the surface of the roll in the plane of the ring section 59, a plurality of guide arms generally designated 148 are provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8. The guide arms 148 are arranged in a plurality of pairs having their outer end portions connected on opposite flat faces of the gimbals 42 in circumferentially spaced relation-ship. For the latter purpose, each pair of arms 148 is pivotally connecte-d on the opposite end portions of a pivot member 149 about which there is mounted a spring (not shown) which normally biases the working end portions 150 of said arms 148 outwardly eccentrically in a direction away from the roll to be bound.

Each of the arms 148 has a portion 151 adjacent its pivot 149 which serves as a bearing against which the work end of a reciprocative rod extension 152 of a pneumatic piston engages, or to which said rod extension 152 is operably connected, whereupon projection of said rod extensions 152 the guide arms 148 are swung about their'pivots 149 inwardly of the gimbals 42. Each of the rod extensions/152 is reciprocative in a pneumatic cylinder 153 which lis anchored on a base or sta-nd 154 which is rigidly secured or carried by the gimbals 42 in operative alignment with a respective guide arm 148, as illustrated in FIGS. l, 2 and 7.. The lengths of the guide arms 148 vary in accordance with their stations relative to the gimbals 42, the longest `of said arms being the uppermost thereof, whereas the shortest of said arms are the lowermost thereof. Furthermore, the disposition of the bases 154 on which the pneumatic cylinders 153 are mounted, as well as the shapes of such bases 154, are varied in accordance with mechanical expedience, depending upon the location thereof. That is to say, although all of the arms 148 serve a similar purpose, namely, guiding the strapping 138, the designs of the arms 148 and the parts associated therewith vary for evident mechanical reason, 'based upon the station of said arms relative to rolls which will be bound, it being appreciated that such rolls will be disposed eccentrically of the gimbals 42.

A boss 155, having an inner end portion 156 secured to each arm 148 and having an outwardly opening slot 157 ldisposed in its outer end portion, is provided to guide the movement of each arm 148. For the latter purpose, a pin 158 the inner end portion of which is rigidly secu-red to the gimbals 42 has its outer end portion engaged in each slot 157.

Operation of guide arms to drive their work ends 150 inwardly of the gimbals is effected upon energizing a circuit (not seen) controlled by switches 126 land 127 to provide fluid pressure, by conventional means, to the cylinders 153. Thereby, the rod extensions 152 will be projected and arms 148 will be swung inwardly of gimbals 42 toward a roll, simultaneously with opening of gate 133 and projection of tool 113 inwardly of gimbals 42.

As clearly illustrated in FIGS. l and 8, the arms 148 are arranged in opposed pairs, with each pair being mounted on an opposite outer end portion of its pivot pin 149. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 in which one pair of opposed guide arms 148 are shown, each guide arm 148 of an associated pair is spaced a predetermined distance from its face of the gimbals 42 by means which will be subsequently described. Furthermore, the work end portion 150 of ea-ch of the arms 148 is defined by a gimbalward projecting spacer plate 159 disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of its associated arm 148 and thereto secured at its outer end portion. A boss 160, one end of which is secured to each arm 148, extends toward gimbals 42 and has an opposite end comprising a guide 161 which is disposed against the inner end of its spacer 159 in a vertical plane coincident with the plane defined by a respective of the faces 130 and 134 of the ring section 59. Thereby, each guide of an associated pair of arms defines one side of the path to be taken by the strapping as it is pulled from the chute 137 into roll surface engagement. Inasmuch as each of a connected together or associated pair of guides 161 is disposed in axial alignment with the other thereof, an associated pair of guides 161 have a span 162 therebetween, the width of which preferably is equal to the Width of ring section 59.

The span 162 between each associated pair of guides 161 is disposed in a common vertical plane with-the span 162 between each of the other pairs of guides 162. Such plane is the plane of ring section 59 and in which strapping 138 is guided as it is drawn from chute 137, as aforesaid.

To preclude axial wobble or turning of the arms 148 on pins 149, the bearing surfaces at the pivots should be precision formed with minimal tolerances of variations in the co-acting surfaces. To preclude axial shifting of the arms 148 longitudinally of pins 149, spacers 242 are mounted concentric with pins 149, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The inner end of each spacer butts against the gimbals 42, and the outer end of each such spacer bears against an associated arm 148 which is retained by its spacer against a washer 2,43 or `the like held by a nut 244 mounted on 'a respective end of pin 149.

As previously indicated, the work ends of guide arms 148 will be projected rollward simultaneously with the drawing of strap 138 from chute 137. The device is 15 reciprocated in a manner such that those work ends 150 which will engage a roll being bound will do so simultaneously with or just before the strapping engages such roll. Therefore, such strapping will be disposed in a circumlferential path on the surface of the roll being bound, such path lying in a vertical plane the opposite faces of which are defined by said guides 161.

From the foregoing, it is appreciated that the strapping 13S along its entire length must be parallel to the end face of a roll being bound. How close to the lead face of such roll the strapping will be applied will depend upon the position at which the stop mechanism 62 has abutted such lead face to stop the roll.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a switch mechanism cornprising a housing 163 is mounted with its switch arm 164 disposed in the strap chute 223, the switch arm 164 being normally spring biased to open circuit position. The disposition of the switch arm 164 is such that while strapping 138 is in the chute 223, said switch a-rm is held from its normal position by such strapping. On release of the strapping from the chute 223, as aforesaid, the swit-Ch arm 164 is released causing the circuits (not shown) controlled by switch arm 164 to be energized to re-set the strap feed timer (not shown) which controls in a conventional manner feeding of strapping into the chute from supply reel 145 following an interval during which the tool 113 is returned from strap sealing position to the position illustrated in solid lines in FIGS, 1, 2, l5, 17 and 18.

The device is reciprocated in a manner such that upon locking of the tensioning cycle, as aforesaid, the tool 113 will be swung inwardly of gimbals 42 and held against the roll being bound while strap tensioning, sealing and cutting occur, all of which may be considered as a sequence of events in the tensioning cycle which may proceed in the manner set forth in the aforestated copending application. Once the tensioning cycle is cornpleted, switch arm 147, which was previously in the tensioning cycle, will be shifted out of such position to open and thereby de-energize circuits (not shown) controlled by switches 126 and 127, all of which may be done in a manner which will be evident to those skilled in the art.

Thereupon, the -guide arms 148 will return to starting position resulting from withdrawal or retraction of the rod extensions 152 under the action of the springs normally biasing the work portions 150 eccentrically or ringward of the gimbals. Additionally, the cradle 116 is caused to swing clockwise from the roll bound to return the `strap sealing tool 113 to the solid line position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and l5, and the piston 231 controlling the gate 133 will retract to return to strap chtite closed position. Various circuitry to effectuate the foregoing will be evident to those skilled in the art.

The device is reciprocated in a manner such that when the strap sealing tool 113 returns to the solid line position illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 15, the lead end of strapping from the supply reel 145 will be fed toward and through the tool 113 and relaced through the chute 137 and into overlapped relationship with a sourceward portion of the strapping then in the tool 113. Particularly restated, under the torque of a strap feeding motor (not shown) which is actuated by the timer set by switch arm 164, the lead end portion of strapping will be forced from track 221 overthe top of chute 22S into chute section 224 through the delivery end 139 thereof, into the entry end 219, through chute 137 and out of its opposite end portion 220. From there, the lead end will be laced through a receiving end 140 of chute 223 into overlapping relationship with strap portion 240 in the tool 113. When the lead end 227 of the strapping engages switch arm 164, which is mounted in the chute 223 in the path of the strapping, the switch arm 164 is shifted to open the circuit to the strap feed -motor (not shown) which thereupon stops strap feeding, the strapping then being iu position within the chute disposed about the gimbals and prepared for another binding operation.

Upon return of the strap sealing tool 113 to the solid line position of FIGS. l, 2 and 15, the switch lever 144 is engaged to open the circuit controlled by said switch lever 144, and thereby, in a manner which will be evident to those in the art, the circuit controlling the projection of the sensing frame 98 into operative or detecting position is opened causing the retraction of the pneumatical-ly actuated piston and consequent lowering of the sensor pads and 106. Simultaneously, the circuit for holding the stop mechanism 62 is opened to permit said stop mechanism to drop, and the valve means controlling the piston 124 is released to free the gimbals 42 from the locked position heretofore described.

Various mechanisms will be evident to those skilled in the art for returning the gimbals 42 to centered position, that is, with its plane normal to the longitudinal axis of conveyor 20, following a strapping operation, and the details of construction of such centering mechanisms are not critical to the instant invention. To the end that centering of the gimbals 42 is achieved in the instant embodiment, however, there is provided a switch mechanism 166 which may be mounted on 4one of the frame members 31 and which is operated by abutment with a part carried by tool 113. Such part engages the lever 167 of said switch 166 when tool 113 is in off-center disposition. The structure of the circuit controlled by said switch 166 is such that the gimbals 42 will be moved in one of two directions about its vertical axis, depending upon the direction in which switch lever 167 has been thrown by the tool 113 when off-center. Appropriate pneumatic means which will be appa-rent will accordingly be actuated to cause the piston 124 to be projected from or withdrawn into the cylinder 123, thereby rocking the gimbals 42 to carry the tool 113 toward center position. Any suitable means, including a detent (not shown), for example, may be used to stop the movement of the gimbals once it has reached such centered position.

The device herein described is fully automatic, and, to the end that it will operate continuously, the strapping supply reel may be replaceably mounted on a stand 168 suitably supported in any convenient location, as illustrated in FIG. l. By `means of selectively disposed guide wheels or idlers 169 and 170, as illustrated in FIGS. l and 17, the strapping is led into the track 221 in tool 113 for feeding through the binding device in a loop as heretofore described. From the foregoing, it is evident that portions of the strapping 133 will be disposed in the hood 225 and chute section 224 upon sealing of overlapped strapping portions 227 and 240. The manner in which the strapping is released from the tool 113 to permit removal of said tool from the surface of the roll after the tensioning cycle, heretofore described, is cornleted may be in accordance with the teachings of a copending application of Neil A. Polit, Ser. No. 446,624, tiled Apr. 8, 1965.

Following the binding of an end of a roll, it may be required that such roll be backed away from the stop mechanism 62 to permit the roll stop 66 to slide downwardly, inasmuch as the pressure of theroll against the roll stop 66 may be of a magnitude which will hold the roll stop 66 from retracting notwithstanding its ability otherwise so to do. Accordingly, an operator, by reversing the direction of belt 25 on the conveyor section 22 to move a roll to the right with respect to FIG. 6, can back the roll slightly, permitting the roll stop 66 to d-rop and provide a yfree path through the gimbals 42 to the left with respect to FIG. 6.

The foregoing description has concerned itself essentially with the binding only of one end of a roll. To bind the other end, of roll 30A, for example, such roll will be passed from the position shown in FIG. 2, for example, completely through the gimbals by causing it to move 75 to the left with respect to FIG. 6, and thereafter its course reversed. At that time, the stop mechanism 62A, which is shown in FIGS. 4, and `6, will be effective in controlling the course of the roll, the then unbound end having become the lead end. Furthermore, a sensor frame 98A, illustrated in FIG. 14, and associated sensing parts substantially identical to sensor frame 9S and parts associated therewith are mounted on the surface of the gimbals 42 opposite to that surface thereof seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The then unbound end of the roll is bound in a manner heretofore described.

To better illustrate the manner in which both ends of a roll are bound, attention is invited to FIGS. 9-14 in which there is illustrated, in sequence, steps for binding both ends of a roll 30A. Considering lirst that face 171 of the roll 30A is a lead face with the roll advancing to the left with respect to FIGS. 9-14, inclusive, upon tripping of a switch (not seen) about conveyor section 22 in the path of said roll, the roll stop 66 will be caused to rise, as illustrated in FIG, 9. Simultaneously, the gimbals 42 will rotate to its extreme position, and, upon engagement of the lead face 171 with the switch button 94 carried in the roll stop 66, the sensor frame 98 and associated sensor structures will be swung upwardly into operative position, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Thereupon, the gimbals 42 will rotate until the sensor mechanism is flush with the surface of the lead face 171, whereupon the strap-applying steps will ensue as heretofore described, and a binding strap 138 will be applied on the roll end portion adjacent the lead face 171.

The conveyor section 22 may be then operated to back roll 30A away from the stop mechanism 62, that is, moved to the right with respect to FIG. 11 to the position of FIG. 12, whereupon the stop mechanism y62 and the sensor frame 98 will drop. Thereafter, the roll 30A will be moved across the conveyor 2t) through the gimbals 42 onto section 21 a distance adequate to clear the gimbals 42, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

The conveyor section 21 is then reversed to move the roll 30A to the right with respect to FIG. 13 for binding of the end portion adjacent roll end face 172. A switch (not seen) in the conveyor section 21 will cause elevation of the stop mechanism 62A and rotation of the gimbals 42 to its extreme position heretofore described and as seen in FIG. 14. Upon engagement of the roll face 172 with the switch button 94A, the sensor frame 98A, similar to frame 98 heretofore described on the opposite side of the gimbals, will rise for functioning in the manner of the sensor mechanism employed in connection with the binding of the end portion 171. That is to say, the gimbals 42 will be rotated into square with the end face 172 by means like those heretofore described but associated with the opposite side of the gimbals, and thereupon a sequence of events will be set into effect to the end that a strap 138A will be applied to the roll end portion adjacent face 172, as illustrated in FIG. 14.

It is appreciated that the strap-applying mechanism, including the chute 137 and structures associated therewith, the arms 148 and the strap sealing tool, is common to the stop mechanisms 62 and 62A and sensing mechanisms on both sides of the gimbals, and that it provides the means for applying strapping to both end portions adjacent faces 171 and 172 of the roll 30A. It is also appreciated that when strapping is Vapplied to both ends of a roll in the manner heretofore described, two stop mechanisms and two roll end surface sensing mechanisms are employed to control squaring of the gimbals.

As many substitutions or changes could be made in the above described construction, and as many apparently widely different embodiments of the invention within the scope of the claims could be constructed without departing from the scope and spirit thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as being illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a strapping tool and the like having means for holding the opposite portions of a strap disposed about an article to be bound in connectable relationship, means for tensioning a strap about an article to be bound, means for sealing together the opposite portions of a strap in article binding relationship, and means for permitting a sealed strap to be withdrawn from said strapping tool, a strap guiding mechanism comprising a curved releasable strap holder disposed in a vertical plane; means defining a vertical axis about which said strap holder is rockable; stop means for holding one end of an article to be bound in selected relationship relative to the vertical plane of said strap holder; means for rocking said strap holder about said vertical axis into predetermined attitude relative to an article being bound; means for pulling a strap from said strap holder upon assumption of a selected attitude by said strap holder relative to an article to be bound, and strap guide means disposed on opposite sides of said strap holder and defining a path in which strapping pulled from said strap holder is guided onto the surface of an article to be bound.

2. For use with a conveyor disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and having a roll binding station, said conveyor defining a path over which a roll is advanced in a direction generally axially of the roll to the roll binding station, a roll binding 4mechanism comprising a ringlike structure disposed in a substantially vertical plane around said path; pivot means providing an axis normal to the direction of the path and about which said ringlike structure is rockable; roll stop means for halting an advancing roll with an end portion disposed Within the ring-like structure; a sensor operably connected to said ring-like structure and having a at face disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said ring-like structure; means including a first switch adapted to be `actuated by a roll to be bound for pivoting said ring-like structure to carry said flat face toward engagement with the lead end face of a halted roll; means including a second switch actuated when said flat face i's disposed in a plane substantially coincident with the lead end face of .a roll to lbe bound to stop pivoting of said ring-like structure; strap carrying means for releasably holding a strap concentric with said ring-like structure; means `for stripping a strap from said strap carrying means onto the circumference of the lead end portion of a roll halted by said roll stop means; strap sealing means for connecting the opposite end portions of a strap stripped from said strap carrying means, and means for releasing said roll stop means.

3. A strap guide mechanism for disposing the loop of a binding strap about the end portion of a roll to be bound adjacent a roll end face, said strap guide mechanism vcomprising a frame structure and a ring-like releasable strap carrier mounted for rocking relative to said structure about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of a roll ot be bound, said strap carrier mounted in a vertical plane and adapted for disposition about and in spaced relationship with the lead end portion of a roll, means for rocking said strap carrier into a plane parallel with the plane of the :lead end face of a roll to be bound, and means Ifor stripping strapping from said strap carrier onto the circumference of the lead end portion of a roll to be bound.

4. A strap guide mechanism as defined in claim 3 further characterized by stop means for positively engaging the lead end face of a roll to be bound and disposed immediately adjacent the plane of said strap carrier, whereby strapping stripped from said strap carrier will be disposed on the lead end portion of such roll adjacent its lead end face.

S. A strap guide mechanism as defined in claim 4 further delined by means providing a vertical axis about which said strap carrier is rockable normal to the longitudinal axis of such roll, said stop means disposed adjacent said vertical axis.

6. A strap guide mechanism as defined in claim 3 including means defining a path in the plane of said strap carrier comprising a pair of spaced bosses pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said strap carrier and disposed in a pair of planes parallel to the plane of said `strap carrier, and means for projecting said bosses toward a roll to be bound as strapping is stripped `from said strap carrier.

7. The device deiined in claim 2 further characterized by means for rocking said ring-like structure to an extreme attitude to space said senor away from the lead end face of a roll prior to pivoting of said ring-like structure.

S. The device `deiined in claim 2 further characterized in that said sensor is pivotally connected to said ring-like structure about a horizontal axis, and having means for rocking said ring-like structure to an extreme attitude; means for rocking said sensor into detecting position, and means for looking the sensor in non-detecting position until said ring-like structure is rocked to an extreme attitude to provide for initial spacing of said sensor and the end face of a roll to be detected.

9. The device dened in claim 2 further characterized by means including a third switch disposed in the path of an advancing roll for actuating said roll stop means and pivoting said ring-like structure to an extreme attitude to space said sensor from the :lead end face of a roll to be bound.

10. The device deiined in claim 9 in which said sensor is rockably mounted on said ring-like structure, and having means for rocking said sensor into operative position only after said ring-like structure is disposed at an extreme attitude to space said sensor from the lead face of a roll to be bound.

11. For use with a strapping tool and the like having means for holding the opposite portions of a strap disposed about an article to be bound in connectable relationship, means for tensioning a strap about an article to be bound, means for sealing together the opposite portions of a strap in article binding relationship, and means for permitting a sealed strap to be withdrawn from said strapping tool, a strap guiding mechanism comprising means providing a releasable strap holder for disposition in a vertical plane in spaced girding association about an article to be bound; pivoted means for rocking said strap holder about a vertical axis; control means for limiting the rocking of said pivoted means to dispose said strap holder at a iixed attitude relative to an article to be bound; vertical guide means disposed on opposite sides of said strap holder dening a strap path from said strap holder, and means for pulling strapping from said strap holder through said strap path onto the surface of an article to be bound.

12. For use with a strapping tool and the like for binding a roll moving longitudinally of a horizontal path and having means for holding in connectable relationship the opposite portions of a strap circumferentially disposed about an end part of a roll to be bound, means for tensioning a strap about a roll to be bound, means for sealing together the opposite portions of a strap in roll binding relationship, and means for permitting a sealed strap to be withdrawn from said strapping tool, a strap guiding mechanism comprising curved releasable strap holder having a radius of curvature larger'than thatr oa roll to bebound and disposed in` a Vertical plane transversely of the path in which a roll is moving; means delining a vertical axis about which said strap holder is rockable; stop means for interrupting the progress of a roll moving in the path as it passes within the curve of said strap holder; means for rocking said strap holder into predetermined attitude relative to a roll the progress of which has been interrupted; means for pulling a strap from said strap holder upon assumption of a selected -attitude by said strap holder relative to a roll to be bound, and strap guide means disposed on opposite sides of said strap holder and defining a path in which strapping pulled from Z0 said strap holder is guided onto the surface of a roll to be bound.

13. For use with a conveyor disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and having a roll binding station, said conveyor defining a path over which a roll is advanced in a direction generally axially of the roll to the roll binding station, a roll binding mechanism comprising a ring-like structure disposed in a substantially vertical plane around said path; pivot means providing an axis normal to the direction of the path and about which said ring-like structure is rockable; a retractable roll stop projected into the path within the ring-like structure; a sensor operably connected to said ring-like structure and having a at face disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said ringlike structure; means including a rst switch adapted tok be actuated by a roll to be bound for pivoting said ringlike structure to carry said Hat tace toward engagement with the lead end face of a halted roll; means including a second switch actuated when said flat face is 'disposed in a plane substantially coincident with the lead end face of a roll to be bound to stop pivoting of said ring-like structure; strap carrying means for releasably holding a strap concentric with said ring-like structure; means for stripping a strap from said strap carrying means onto the circumference of the lead end portion of a roll disposed against said roll stop; strap sealing means for connecting the 'opposite end portions of a strap stripped from said strap carrying means, and means for retracting said roll stop after a roll has been bound.

14. In a strapping assembly having a strapping tool for connecting opposed portions of a strap to bind the end of a roll, said strapping assembly including strap track means having strap loop holding means through which strapping is fed from a source in a loop, means for adjusting the attitude lof the strapping assembly including a vertical pivot, a sensor secured to said strapping assembly and adapted for disposition in a path along which a roll moves linearly for end binding, means for positively stopping the end face of an advancing roll in spaced relationship with said sensor, means for rotating said strapping assembly to engage the sensor with a roll end face, sensor actuated switch means for stopping rotation of said strapping assembly when said sensor is engaged in predetermined association with the end face of a roll, whereby the strap track will be disposeda predetermined attitude relative to the end of a roll to be bound, means for stripping a strap loop from the strap loop holding means onto the periphery of the roll to be bound, and means for sealing together opposite end portions of the strap loop in roll end binding relationship.

1S. In a strapping assembly having a strapping tool for connecting opposed portions of a strap to bind the end of a roll, said strapping assembly including strap track means having strap loop holding means disposed in a substantially vertical plane through which strapping is fed from a source in a loop, means for adjusting the atti- 'tude of the strapping assembly including vertical pivot means, a sensor secured to said strapping assembly adapted for disposition in a path along which a roll moves linearly for end binding and disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the strap track means, means for positively stopping the end face of an advancing roll in spaced relationship with said sensor, means for rotating said strapping assembly to engage the sensor with a roll end face, sensor actuated switch means for stopping rotationy of said strapping assembly when said sensor is engaged with the end face of a roll in a plane parallel thereto, whereby the strap track will be disposed a predetermined attitude relative to the end of a roll to be bound, means for stripping a strap loop from the strap loop holding means onto the periphery of the roll to be bound, and means for sealing together opposite end portions of the strap loop in roll end binding relationship.

16. Apparatus for binding the end of a roll comprising a trarne, a gimbal assembly pivotally mounted relative to said frame about a vertical axis, means for pivoting said giinbal to dispose it parallel to the end face of a roll located within the gimbal, strap chute means secured to said gimbal, strapping means for directing `a strap through said chute about said roll end, and for securing the ends thereof relative thereto, whereby the roll end Will be strapped in a plane parallel to the end face of the roll.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 including means for positively stopping the roll `relative to said gimbal, and sensor me-ans secured to said gimbal and adapted to contact the roll end to effect stopping of said gimbal in a plane parallel to the end face of said roll.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 including means for extending said gimbal to van extreme position out of alignment with the end face of the roll end, and means for pivoting said girnbal into a plane parallel to said roll end whereby the strap can be disposed about said roll end and secured thereto in the proper position.

19. Apparatus :as set forth in claim 16 including separate strap guide means for guiding the strap Withdrawn from said chute into positive position about said roll close to the end thereof Iand means for operating said separate strap guide means for obtaining said proper positioning.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,795" 1/1958 Gustafson 100-4 3,019,577 2/1962 Slamar et al. 53-198 X 3,060,840 10/ 1962 Van `de Bilt 100-26 3,120,171 2/1964 Hall et al. 100-26 3,179,037 4/ 1965 Cranston et al 100-26 X 3,216,346 11/1965 Cruckshank et al. 10G-26 X 3,252,408 5/ 1966 Winkler 100-26 3,291,037 12/1966 Kunka et al. 100-4 BILLY I. WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

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