US3413956A - Drive system for apparatus for applying code markings of different colors onto elongated articles - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1968 H. WOELLNER 7 3,413,955

DRIVE] SYSTEM FOR APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CODE MARKINGS OF DIFFERENT COLORS ONTO ELONGATED ARTICLES Filed Feb. 24, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F g 1 I72 7 51 Pum /Wu sum/n51 J U NE' S Dec. 3, 1968 H. 1.. WOELLNER 3,413,956

RATUS FOR APPLYING CODE MARKING-S DRIVE SYSTEM FOR APPA OF DIFFERENT COLORS ONTO ELONGATED ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 24, 1967 3,413,956 MARKINGS CODE ARTICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet I5 WOELLNER LYING GATED Dec. 3, 1968 H. L. FOR APPARA DRIVE SYSTEM TUS FOR APP OF DIFFERENT COLORS ONTO ELON Filed Feb. 24, 1967 United States Patent 3,413,956 DRIVE SYSTEM FOR APPARATUS FOR APPLY- ING CODE MARKINGS OF DIFFERENT COLORS ONTO ELONGATED ARTICLES Horst L. Woellner, Colden, N.Y., assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 618,362 16 Claims. (Cl. 118-314) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for applying code markings of different colors onto an insulated conductor includes two pairs of hollow perforated ink dispensing wheels spaced longitudinally along the wire travel path, with the wheels of each pair being longitudinally olfset and spaced on opposite sides of the wire, and a drive system for rotating the wheels in timed relation to each other and to the speed of wire travel, so that the wheels of one pair sequentially apply registered markings on opposite sides of the wire at regular intervals to form bands of one color, while the wheels of the other pair sequentially apply registered markings of another color on opposite sides of the wire at regular intervals to form bands of another color intermediate the bands of the one color. The drive system includes individual mechanisms for adjusting the relative angular positions of the wheels in each pair to bring the markings of each band into register, a mechanism for varying the relative angular positions of the pairs of wheels for adjusting the spacing between the differently colored bands, and a transmission interconnecting such mechanisms and including a series of cog belts, pulleys and shafts arranged so that one wheel pair is driven from a motor while the other pair is driven from such one pair, with the angular movement of a wheel in one pair being synchronized with that of the corresponding wheel in the other pair. The arrangement permits not only adjustment of the register of each hand without affecting the register of the other band or the spacing between bands, but also variation of the spacing between bands Without affecting the register of either band.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for applying code markings of dilferent colors onto elongated articles, such as insulated conductors, and more particularly to a new and improved drive system for such apparatus.

In the art of applying alternate code bands of different colors onto insulated wire it is known to employ apparatus including a first pair of hollow wheels mounted on opposite sides of a wire advancing longitudinally along a predetermined path, a second pair of hollow wheels mounted on opposite sides of the wire in longitudinally spaced relation to the first pair, and means for driving the wheels in timed relation to each other and to the speed of the wire. Each of the wheels is provided with a peripheral row of spaced radially directed apertures and colored fluid or ink is supplied to the wheels and forced outwardly through the apertures in the form of streams as the wheels rotate. Streams of ink from one wheel of the first pair engage the advancing wire and apply markings of a first color onto one side thereof at regular intervals, and the second wheel of the first pair, which is longitudinally offset from the first wheel, applies markings of the same color to the opposite side of the wire in registration with the first markings to form annular bands of the first color on the wire at regularly spaced intervals. Streams of ink of a second 3,413,956 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 color issuing from the similarly arranged second pair of wheels form annular bands of the second color intermediate the bands of the first color.

(2) Description of the prior art In prior art double color coding apparatus, as exemplified by T. C. Fitzgerald et al. Patent 2,989,943, it is known to incorporate in the drive system individual mechanisms for adjusting the register of each band, as well as a mechanism for adjusting or centering the spacing between bands. Various factors contribute to misalinement of the band markings and drift of the bands toward each other. Among these are instability in the high speed of travel of the wire, amplitude of vibration of the wire, and constant flexing of the belts in the high speed drive system.

Typically in such prior art drive system, the pairs of wheels are driven in parallel from a common shaft, with one wheel pair being driven directly from the shaft and the other wheel pair being driven from a sleeve telescoped over such shaft. The mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the differently colored bands: is associated with the common shaft and sleeve to cause angular movement of the sleeve relative to the shaft or to lock the shaft and sleeve together. Such shaft and sleeve are locked whenever an individual mechanism associated with each pair of wheels is actuated to adjust the register of each band. Hence, adjustment of one register necessarily affects the spacing between bands, and tends to affect the other register. Accordingly, whenever either band register is adjusted, it is necessary to adjust the spacing between bands, and oftentimes it is necessary to adjust the other band register. Otherwise, the bands will not only be out of register, but also will drift until superimposed, eventually causing rejection of the wire for its intended purpose. Such drift has been a constant problem with such prior art apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide for double color coding apparatus a new and improved drive system which is so constructed and designed as to substantially eliminate the aforesaid disadvantages of such prior art drive system. To this end, the inventive drive system includes a separate drive for each pair of wheels, with one drive being driven by the other through a third drive which synchronizes the rotation of one wheel of one pair with the corresponding wheel of the other pair, and thereby maintains the position of the markings of such corresponding wheel between the differently colored markings of the one wheel, in order to prevent drift of the dilferently colored bands.

An object of the invention is to provide such a new and improved drive system wherein the third drive includes means for varying the relative angular positions of the synchronized wheels and hence the relative positions of or spacing between the differently colored bands, while the separate drives maintain the relative angular positions of the wheels of each pair and hence the registration of the markings forming each differently colored band.

Another object is to provide such a new and improved drive system wherein each of the separate drives includes means for varying the relative angular positions of the wheels of each pair without affecting the relative angular positions of the wheels of the other pair and hence the registration of the markings forming each differently colored band without affecting the registration of the markings forming the other band. while the third drive maintains the relative angular positions of the synchronized wheels and hence the relative positions of or spacing between the differently colored lbands.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a double color coder apparatus and drive system forming a preferred embodiment of the invention, with certain underlying structural elements omitted for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a front side elevation of the apparatus and drive system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left end elevation thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a pair of hollow wheels arranged within a coder head for applying code markings on an insulated wire;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1 and illustrating one portion of a register adjusting mechanism for varying the relative angular positions of the wheels shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1 and illustrating another portion of the register adjusting mechanism of FIG. 5 and part of the associated drive;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a band adjusting mechanism for varying the relative angular positions of one hollow wheel of one pair and the corresponding hollow wheel of another pair, and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view illustrating means for advancing the insulated wire through the apparatus and the inventive drive system including the two pairs of hollow wheels, their individual drives and register adjusting mechanisms, and the synchronizing drive and band adjusting mechanism connected to the individual drives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 8, the double color coder apparatus for applying annular bands B and B of different colors to an elongated article in the form of an insulated conductor wire W generally comprises a first pair of hollow wheels 68, 70 disposed on opposite sides of the path of longitudinal movement of wire W and in longitudinally offset relation to each other for applying the colored bands B to wire W, and a second pair of hollow wheels 680, 700 disposed on opposite sides of wire W in longitudinally offset relation to each other and in longitudinally spaced relationship to wheels 68, 70 for applying annular bands B intermediate bands B The pairs of wheels are rotated about their axes in timed relation to each other and to the longitudinal advancing movement of wire W, and the colored marking fluids or inks therein issue from the peripheral rows of uniformly spaced radially directed small apertures 72 in the form of radially directed steams which are angularly spaced apart from one another and are intercepted by wire W to form bands B and B thereon at uniform intervals. As the wire advances from right to left in FIG. 8, wheel 70 applies a series of substantially semiannular markings thereon on one side of the wire, while wheel 68 applies a series of substantially semi-annular markings of the same color on the opposite side of the wire in registration with the first markings to form the annular bands B In like manner, the wheels 680 and 700 each apply substantially semi-annular markings of a second color to the wire to form bands B of the second color intermediate bands B In view of the high speed of travel of wire W and the high rotational speed of the ink dispensing wheels, it is necessary to maintain the proper relative angular positions of each pair of wheels so that the markings remain in register, and to maintain the bands B centered between bands B To this end, the inventive drive system includes separate drives for each pair of wheels, drive D for wheels 68, 70, and Drive D for wheels 680, 700, as well as a third, synchronizing drive D which is driven by drive D and in turn drives drive D so that the rotation of wheels 68 and 700 is synchronized. This drive arrangement maintains the desired centered position of bands B between bands B but if for any reason it is desired to vary the position of bands B relative to B drive D is provided with a mechanism for this purpose. Likewise, each of drives D and D is provided with a mechanism for adjusting the register of bands B and B respectively. As will be described in greater detail below, the drive systern is so designed so that adjustment of one band register does not effect the other or the spacing between bands, while adjustment of the band spacing does not effect either hand register. As a consequence, the desired register of each band and the spacing between can easily be maintained during operation of the apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the various structural components of the double color coder apparatus and their relationships with each other will now be described in greater detail. The apparatus is generally indicated at 10 and includes a lower horizontal rectangular frame 12 supported at one end by a pair of smahl I-bearns 14 and at its other end by a larger I-beam 16 extending vertically above the frame 12. A lower platform 18 is supported on frame 12 and at its one cantilever end supports another large vertical I-beam 20 opposite I-beam 16. The opposing flanges of I- beams 16, 20 are provided with suitable plates such as 22 (FIG. 3) for supporting an elongated upper platform 24 extending between these I-beams. In addition, the webs and opposed flanges of I- beams 16, 20 are provided with spaced lateral plates 26, 28 respectively for supporting two opposed, longitudinally spaced and alined coder head supporting platforms 30 arranged on the upper edges of these plates. A pair of horizontal plates 32 are attached across the lower edges of plates 26, 28 to provide opposing lower shelf portions arranged beneath upper shelf plates 34 attached to plates 28. These shelf forming plates 32, 34 support pairs of vertical rods 36 for a purpose to be described below.

An elongated bearing block 38 is supported on each of platforms 30, and at its inner end supports a coder head 40. Inasmuch as each coder head 40 is substantially identical to the other, a detailed description of one will suffice for both.

Referring to FIG. 4, the right hand coder head 40 includes a pair of dished casings 42, 44 removably secured together along their peripheral portions and divided by a central plate 46 into separate ink confining chambers 48, 50. Casing 42 is provided with a central exit opening 52 for wire W, while divider plate 46 is provided with a central entrance opening 54 for passage of the wire, as well as an opening 58 at its lower end (FIG. 2) permitting communication between chambers 48, and drainage of ink through outlet pipe 59 in casing 44.

Returning to FIG. 4, casing 44 is also provided with a removable central closure plate 60 which is removably secured to an upstanding leg 62 on bearing block 38, with each of closure plate 60 and leg 62 being provided with alined holes for passage of wire W. Closure plate 60 is also provided with hollow wheel housings 64, 66, housing 64 extending through chamber 50 and divider plate 46 into chamber 48 and housing 66 extending only into chamber 50. A hollow ink dispensing wheel 68 is arranged in and projects outwardly beyond the open end of housing 64 in chamber 48, while a hollow ink dispensing wheel 70 is likewise arranged in and projects outwardly beyond housing 66 in chamber 50. Each of wheels 68, 70 is provided with a row of equally spaced radial apertures 72 extending around its outer periphery for dispensing the radially directed streams which are intercepted by wire W to form bands B of the desired color.

Continuing with FIG. 4, wheel 68 is provided with a hollow shaft 74 having a reduced end 76, while wheel is likewise provided with a hollow shaft 78 having a reduced end 80. Each of shafts 74, 78 extend through bearings 82 in upstanding leg 62 of block 38 and bearings.84 in another upstanding leg 86 of the block, such leg 86 also being provided with a central opening 88 for passage of wire W. Because of the particular drive system employed, shaft 78 also extends through spacers 90 and 02 arranged between leg 62 and leg 86 of block 38, while shaft 74 extends between spacers 94, 96 and 98 arranged between these legs.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, each reduced shaft end 76, 80 is connected to a rotary union 100 supported by a flange plate 102 on a block 104 provided on block 38, and each union 100 is connected by a hose 106 to a dual manifold 108 supported by flange plate 110 attached to block 104. A marking fluid or ink inlet pipe 112 leads into manifold 108 so that the marking fluid of one color passes through hoses 106 and rotary unions 100 in separate paths through the hollow shafts 74, 78 to hollow wheels 68, 70 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel housings 64, 66 protect the rotating wheels 68, 70 and their shafts respectively against gumming by the ink while the divider plate 46 prevents interference between the sprays or streams issuing from each wheel. As the ink accumulates in chambers 48, 50, it is readily drained through return pipe 59, and then can be recirculated by any suitable means (not shown) to a pump (not shown) connected to inlet pipe 112.

Inasmuch as the left hand bearing block 38, color head 40 and associated ink supplying structure are substantially identical to that of the bearing block, coder head and ink supplying structure just described, except for a mere reversal of position, the same numerals are used for corresponding elements, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in order to differentiate between the two pairs of wheels, those of the second pair corresponding to wheels 68 and 70 of the first pair are designated by the numerals 680 and 700 respectively, as shown in FIG. 8, while their hollow shafts corresponding to shafts 74 and 78 are designated by the numerals 740 and 780 respectively, as are their reduced ends 760 and 800 respectively. In addition, because of the particular drive system employed, lar er spacer 92 is arranged on shaft 740 instead of shaft 780, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DRIVE SYSTEM The inventive drive system includes an AC. synchronous motor 114 which is supported on platform 18 and includes a drive shaft 116. As best shown in FIG. 8, motor 114 is connected in circuit with and driven at the desired speed by an alternator-generator AG which is driven at the desired frequency by an eddy current drive ED connected to a suitable source S. The eddy current drive ED also drives a wire advancing capstan C at an appropriate speed in timed relation to the rotation of motor drive shaft 116. The drive D for rotating the first pair of wheels 68, 70 in the same clockwise direction and at the same rate of speed includes a drive pulley 118 on motor drive shaft 116 and driven pulleys 120, 122 on Wheel shafts 74, 78 respectively. An endless belt 124 is trained over pulleys 118, and 122 for transmitting the desired motion. Although not shown, cog belts and pulleys are, employed throughout the various drives D D and D unless otherwise specified.

As also seen in FIG. 3, drive D is provided with an ordinary idler pulley 126 which is rotatably mounted on right-hand plate 28 or right-hand platform 30 for engagement with the exterior of belt 124, in order to maintain an adequate amount of contact between the belt and pulley 120 as the belt travels from drive pulley 118 on the motor drive shaft 116.

In the event the proper relative angular positions of wheels 68, 70 is not maintained, so that the markings forming bands B are not in register, drive D includes a mechanism for adjusting such register. As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, a lower idler pulley 128 is rotatably mounted on a slide 130 below pulleys 120, 122 and in substantially vertical a-linement with pulley 122. Slide 130 is reciprocable vertically on rods 36 and is normally biased transversely downwardly away from pulleys 120, 122 by springs 132 surrounding rods 36, in order to maintain belt tension. An upper idler pulley 134 is arranged above and between pulleys 120, 122 as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8. Idler pulley 134 is rotatably mounted on a slide 136 which is reciprocable vertically on ro-ds 138 having their lower ends secured in an enlarged central portion 62a of bearing block leg 62 and their upper ends secured in an overlying top shelf portion 62b on leg 62. An adjusting screw 140 is suitably fixed on slide 136 and threadedly engages an adjusting nut 142 rotatably mounted in shelf portion 62b. A stop screw 144 threadedly engaged in adjusting nut 142 limits the relative movement of nut 142 and screw 140 to fix the position of slide 136 and idler pulley 134. In the event that the markings forming bands B are out of register, it is but a simple matter to move idler pulley 134 transversely downwardly toward or upwardly away from pulleys 120, 122 by loosening stop screw 144 and adjusting nut 142, until the relative angular positions of wheels 68, 70 are varied sufficiently to bring the markings forming bands B back to register.

The second drive D for rotating wheels 680 and 700 in the same direction and at the same speed as wheels 68, 70 includes a pulley 146 on shaft 740, a pulley 148 on shaft 780 and an endless belt 150 trained over these pulleys, as best seen in FIG. 8. The mechanism for adjusting the relative angular positions of Wheels 680, 700 and hence the registration of the markings forming bands B is substantially identical to that just described for drive D Accordingly. the same numerals are employed for corresponding elements such as lower idler pulley 128 and slide 130 which are vertically alined with pulley 146, as shown in FIG. 3, as well as for upper idler pulley 134 and the various elements constituting the mechanism for adjusting the position of the idler pulley 134 relative to pulleys 146, 148, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Continuing with FIG. 8, the third or synchronizing drive D includes a drive pulley 152 on wheel shaft 74 and a driven pulley 154 on one end of a long synchronizing shaft 156, with pulleys 152, 154 being connected by an endless belt 158 trained thereover. As also shown in FIG. 1, shaft 156 is rotatably mounted in bearings 160 on platform 24 and is provided at its other end with a drive pulley 162 which is located adjacent to a driven pulley 164 on one end of a short synchronizing shaft 166, with pulleys 162, 164 being connected by an endless belt 168 trained thereover. Shaft 166 is rotatably mounted in bearings 170 on platform 24 and at its other end is provided with a drive pulley 172 which is connected to a driven pulley 174 on shaft 780 by an endless belt 176 trained thereover.

Thus, the rotation of wheel 68 and wheel 700 is synchronized so that whatever amount and direction of angular movement are imposed upon one of these two wheels, will likewise be imposed upon the other wheel. As a consequence, the spacing of bands B between bands B will be maintained.

However, in the event that it becomes necessary to adjust the position of bands B relative to bands B drive D is provided with a mechanism for this purpose, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. This mechanism is quite similar to the adjusting mechanisms of drive systems D and D and includes a lower idler pulley which is arranged centrally below pulleys 162, 164 in engagement with belt 168 which passes through a slot 178 in platform 124. Idler pulley 180 is rotatably mounted on a \bracket 182 which is provided with an enlarged upper end 184 supported by and vertically reciprocable in a housing 186 suitably removably secured to the underside of platform 24. Bracket 182 and idler pulley 180 are normally biased transversely downwardly away from pulleys 162, 164 by a spring 188 within housing 186. An upper idler pulley 190 is centered above and between pulleys 162, 164 in engagement with belt 168 opposite pulley 180, and is rotatably mounted on a slide 192 which is vertically reciprocable along rods 194 having their lower ends secured in a lower shelf 196 projecting outwardly from a vertical plate 198 (FIGS. 2 and 3) supported on platform 24. The upper ends of rods 194 are suitably secured in an upper shelf 200 projecting from plate 198. An adjusting screw 202 is suitably fixed on slide 192 and threadedly engages an adjusting nut rotatably secured in shelf 204, while a stop screw 206 threadedly engageable with nut 204 limits the relative movement of screw 202 and the nut.

Accordingly, in the event that bands B are not properly centered between bands B the spacing between the differently colored bands can readily be adjusted by loosening stop screw 206 and rotating nut 204 to raise or lower idler pulley 190 relative to pulleys 162, 164, and thereby vary the relative angular positions thereof. The adjustment of pulley 162 is transmitted through synchronizing shaft 156, pulley 154, belt 158, pulley 152 and shaft 74 to wheel 68, while the adjustment of pulley 164 is transmitted through synchronizing shaft 166, pulley 172, belt 176, pulley 174 and shaft 780 to corresponding Wheel 700.

OPERATION Continuing with FIG. 8, the operation of the double color coder apparatus is as follows. The eddy current drive ED drives capstan C to advance wire W rapidly through the apparatus in the direction shown. The alternator-generator AG is, in turn, driven by eddy current drive ED to cause motor 114, its drive shaft 116 and drive pulley 118 thereon to rotate in timed relation to the longitudinal movement of wire W at an appropriate speed, so that drive systems D D rotate wheels 68, 70 and 680, 700 in the desired direction and speed to properly apply bands B and B As the wire advances longitudinally, wheel 70 first applies markings at the desired longitudinally spaced intervals, while wheel 68 applies likewise spaced markings registering with the markings of wheel 70 to form 'bands B Then, wheel 680 applies regularly spaced markings between bands B and wheel 700 applies markings registered with the markings of wheel 680 to form bands B centered between bands B In the preferred embodiment shown, wheels 68 and 70 are mounted on parallel axes on opposite sides of wire W, as are wheels 680 and 700, with wheels 70 and 680 rotating about a common axis and wheels 68 and 700 also rotating about a common axis. Likewise. synchronizing shafts 156 and 166 preferably are arranged to rotate about laterally offset axis substantially parallel to the common axis of wheels 68 and 700 on the same side of the path of the wire.

If the register of the markings forming bands B needs adjustment, the adjusting mechanism of drive D is actuated to perform this function without any effect upon the spacing between bands B or B or on the register of bands B This is true because the amount and direction of angular motion of wheel 68 is transmitted to corresponding wheel 700 by synchronzing drive D to maintain the spacing between bands B and B and of course, drive D transmits the motion of wheel 700 to wheel 680 to maintain the desired relative angular positions thereof for maintaining register of bands B Likewise, if the register of bands B needs adjustment, the adjusting mechanism of drive D is actuated for this purpose with the same result, there being no effect upon the spacing between bands B and B or the register of the markings forming bands B On the other hand, if it is necessary to adjust the position of bands B relative to bands B then the adjusting mechanism of synchronizing drive D is actuated to change the relative angular positions of wheels 700 and 68. While this does change the spacing between band B and B drive D transmits whatever motion is impressed upon wheel 68 to wheel 70 in order to maintain the register of the markings forming bands B while drive D transmits the motion of wheel 700 to wheel 680 in order to maintain the register of bands B It will now be seen how the inventive drive system accomplishes its various objectives. While such drive system has been described and illustrated herein by reference to a single preferred embodiment, this is to be considered as illustrating rather than as limiting the inventive concept, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying code markings of different colors onto an elongated article advancing longitudinally along a predetermined path, and including a first hollow wheel rotatably mounted alongside of said path for applying first markings of one color at spaced points onto said article, a second hollow wheel rotatably mounted alongside of said path in longitudinally spaced relation to said first wheel for applying second markings of a different color onto said article between said first markings, each of said wheels having a peripheral row or orifices for directing angularly spaced streams of colored marking fluid therefrom, and means for supplying fluid of different colors respectively to said wheels, wherein the improvement comprises a drive system for simultaneously rotating said wheels in timed relation to each other and to the longitudinal movement of said article, said drive system including first drive means for rotating said first wheel, second drive means for rotating said second wheel, and third drive means driven by said first wheel and driving said second wheels for synchronizing the rotation of said first and second wheels, and thereby maintaining the position of said second markings between said first markings.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said wheels, and thereby adjusting the position of said second markings relative to said first markings.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first and second wheels are rotatably mounted along the same side of said path, and said third drive means drives said second wheel in the same direction and at the same speed as said first wheel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second wheels is provided with a shaft, and said third drive means includes a drive pulley on said first wheel shaft, a driven pulley on said second wheel shaft, rotatably mounted synchronizing shaft means having driven and drive pulleys, an endless belt connecting said drive pulley on said first wheel shaft and said driven pulley on said synchronizing shaft means, and an endless belt connecting said drive pulley on said synchronizing shaft means and said driven pulley on said second wheel shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said wheels and thereby adjusting the position of said second markings relative to said first markings, said synchronizing shaft means including first and second synchronizing shafts each having driven and drive pulleys at opposite ends and being arranged so that said driven pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is driven by said drive pulley on said first wheel shaft, said drive pulley on said second synchronizing shaft drives said driven pulley on said second wheel shaft, and said drive pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is adjacent said driven pulley on said second synchronizing shaft. said third drive means including an endless belt connecting said drive and driven pulleys on said first and second synchronizing shafts respectively, and said varying means including two idler pulleys rotatably and reciprocably mounted in engagement with said last mentioned belt on opposite sides of said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for transverse movement toward and away therefrom, resilient means normally biasing one of said idler pulleys transversely away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for maintaining belt tension, and adjustable means for moving the other of said idler pulley transversely toward and away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys to vary the relative angular positions thereof.

v6. The apparatustof claim wherein said. first and second wheel shafts are rotatably mounted on a common axis along the same side of said path, and said first and second synchronizing shafts are rotatably mounted on laterally offset axes substantially parallel to said common axis and along the same side of said path for driving said second wheel in the same direction and at the same speed as said first wheel.

7. Apparatus for applying code markings of different colors onto an elongated article advancing.longitudinally along a predetermined path, and including a first pair of hollow wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said path and in longitudinally offset relation to .each other for applying registered markings forming first bands of one color at spaced points along said article, a second pair of hollow wheels rotatably mounted on opposite sides of said path in longitudinally offset relation to each other and in longitudinally spaced relation to said first pair of wheels for applying registered markings forming second bands of a different color onto said article between said first bands, each of said wheels having a peripheral row of orifices for directing angularly spaced streams of colored marking fluid therefrom, and means for supplying fluid of different colors respectively to said pairs of wheels, wherein the improvement comprises a drive system for simultaneously rotating said first and second pairs of wheels in timed relation to each other and to the longitudinal movement of said article, said drive system including first drive means for rotating said first pair of wheels, second drive means for rotating said second pair of wheels, and third drive means driven by one wheel of said first pair and driving one wheel of said second pair for synchronizing the rotation of said one wheel of said first pair with the rotation of said one wheel of said second pair, and thereby maintaining the position of the markings of said one wheel of said second pair between the markings of said one wheel of said first pair.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said one wheels of said first and second pairs, and thereby adjusting the position of said markings of said one wheel of said second pair relative to said markings of said one wheel of said first pair, while said first and second drive means maintain the relative angular positions of said wheels of said first and second pairs respectively, and thereby maintain the registration of said markings forming said first and second bands respectively.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said first and second drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said wheels of each of said first and second pairs respectively without affecting the relative angular positions of said wheels of the other pair, and thereby adjusting the registration of said markings forming each of said first and second bands respectively without aifecting the registration of said markings forming the other band, while said third drive means causes the same amount of variation in the angular position of said one wheel of each of said first and second pairs as of said one wheel of the other pair, thereby maintaining the position of said markings of said one Wheel of said second pair between said markings of said one wheel of said first pair.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said one wheels of said first and second pairs, and thereby varying the position of said markings of said one wheel of said second pair relative to said markings of said one Wheel of said first pair, while said first and second drive means maintain the relative angular positions of said wheels of said first and second pairs respectively, and thereby maintain the registration of said markings forming said first and secondbands respectively.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said. one wheels of said first and second pairs are mounted along the same side of said path, and said third drive means drives said one wheel of said second pair in the same direction and at the same speed as said one wheel of said first pair, while said first and second drive means drive the other wheels of said first and second pairs in the same direction and at the same speed as said one wheels.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each of said wheels is provided withaa shaft, andsaid third drive means includes a drive pulley on said one wheel. shaft of said first pair, a driven pulley on said one wheel shaft of said second pair, rotatably mounted synchronizing shaft means having driven and drive pulleys, an endless belt connecting said drive pulley on said one wheel shaft of said first pair and said driven pulley on said synchronizing shaft means, and an endless belt connecting said drive pulley on said synchronizing shaft means and said driven pulley on said one wheel shaft of said second pair.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said one wheels of said first and second pairs, and thereby adjusting the position of said markings of said one wheel of said second pair relative to said markings of said one wheel of said first pair, while said first and second drivemeans maintain the relative angular positions of said wheels of said first and second pairs respectively, and thereby maintain the registration of said markings forming said first and second bands respectively, said synchronizing shaft means including first and second synchronizing shafts each having driven and drive pulleys at opposite ends and being arranged so that said driven pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is driven by said drive pulley on said one wheel shaft of said first pair, said drive pulley on said second synchronizing shaft drives said driven pulley on said one wheel shaft of said second pair and said drive pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is adjacent said driven pulley on said second synchronizing shaft, said third drive means including an endless belt connecting said drive and driven pulleys on said first and second synchronizing shafts respectively, and said varying means including two idler pulleys rotatably and reciprocably mounted in engagement with said last mentioned belt on opposite sides of said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for transverse movement toward and away therefrom, resilient means normally biasing one of said idler pulleys transversely away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for maintaining belt tension, and adjustable means for moving the other of said ldler pulleys transversely toward and away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys to vary the relative angular positions thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of said first and second drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said wheel of each of said first and second pairs respectively without affecting the relative angular positions of said wheels of the other pair, and thereby adjusting the registration of said markings forming each of said first and second bands respectively Without affecting the registration of said markings forming the other band, while said third drive means causes the same amount of variation in the angular position of said one wheel of each of said first and second pairs as of said one wheel of the other pair, and thereby maintains the position of said markings of said one wheel of said second pair between said markings of said one wheel of said first pair, each of said first and second drive means including a second pulley on each of said one Wheel shafts of said first and second pairs, a third pulley on each of the other wheel shafts of said first and second pairs, and an endless belt connecting said second and third pulleys, each of said varying means including two idler pulleys rotatably and reciprocably mounted in engagement with said last mentioned belt on opposite sides of said second and third pulleys for transverse movement toward and away therefrom, resilient means normally biasing one of said idler pulleys transversely away from said second and third pulleys for maintaining belt tension, and adjustable means for moving the other of said idler pulleys transversely toward and away from said second and third pulleys for varying the relative angular positions thereof.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said third drive means includes means for varying the relative angular positions of said one wheels of said first and second pairs, and thereby adjusting the position of said marking of said one wheel of said second pair relative to said markings of said one wheel of said first pair, while said first and second drive means maintain the relative angular positions of said Wheels of said first and second pairs respectively, and thereby maintain the registration of said markings forming said first and second bands respectively, said synchronizing shaft means including first and second synchronizing shafts each having driven and drive pulleys at opposite ends and being arranged so that said driven pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is driven by said drive pulley on said one wheel shaft of said first pair, said drive pulley on said second synchronizing shaft drives said driven pulley on said one wheel shaft of said second pair and said drive pulley on said first synchronizing shaft is adjacent said driven pulley on said second synchronizing shaft, said third drive means including an endless belt connecting said drive and driven pulleys on said first and second synchronizing shafts respectively, and said last mentioned varying means including two idler pulleys rotatably and recipr-ocably mounted in engagement with said last mentioned belt on opposite sides of said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for transverse movement toward and away therefrom, resilient means normally biasing one of said last mentioned idler pulleys transversely away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys for maintaining belt tension, and adjustable means for moving the other of said last mentioned idler pulleys transversely toward and away from said last mentioned drive and driven pulleys to vary the relative angular positions thereof.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said one wheel shafts of said first and second pairs are rotatably mounted on a common axis along one side of said path, said first and second synchronizing shafts are rotatably mounted on laterally offset axes substantially parallel to said common axis and along the same side of said path for driving said one wheels in the same direction and at the same speed, and said other wheel shafts of said first and second pairs are rotatably mounted on a common axis along the other side of said path and substantially parallel to said common axis of said one wheels, while said first and second drive means drive said other wheels in the same direction and at the same speed as said one wheels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,989,943 6/1961 Fitzgerald et al 118-314 WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

J. P. McINTOSH, Assistant Examiner.

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