US3413834A - Strand working and spooling apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1968 J. .1. KOVALESKI 3,413,334

STRAND WORKING AND SPOQLING APPARATUS AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2, 1965 INVENTOR Joseyh J- Kovale ski Dec. 3, 1968 J. J. KOVALESKI 3,413,834

RAND WORKING AND SPOGLING APPARATUS AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1965 wr-d 'INVENTOR. dosevh J Kovcdeslm AGENT Dec. 3, 1968 J. J. KOVALESKI STRAND WORKING AND SPOOLINC- APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Joseph 1 Kovcfleskl HENT' STRAND WORKING AND SPOOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 2, 1965 m m m M T V m N l q Om N MW $2 m 3? \zzma w NW: 0d w 1 1 1 I NM k I i 0: ,1 W

o W Q w m ll 1 MU E i1i!l i 7 7 ////-V/// ///A AGENT Dec. 3, 1968 J. J. KOVALEISKI 3,413,834

STRAND WORKING AND SPOCLINC' APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed April 2, 1965 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Jo'seyh J. Kan/desk},

3,413,834 STRAND WORKING AND SPOOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD .loseph J. Kovaleski, Trumbull, ComL, assignor to The Advanced Wyrepak Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn.,

a corporation of Connecticut Filed Apr. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 445,079 19 Claims. (Cl. 72289) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A spooling machine having a powered spool traverse whose limits are adjustable. There is an adjustable, independent or master timing device which provides successive, adjustable time intervals, and a control mechanism activated by the timing device, which periodically automatically increases the separation or spacing of the limits of the traverse and simultaneously reduces the spool speed by predetermined increments. The time period between the increments can be varied by adjusting the timing device, and is a multiple of the traverse period whereby either many or else few traverses can occur between separation increments of the traverse limits and decrements of the spool speed.

This invention relates to the processing and spooling of wire and other strands.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus and method for working and spooling strands of material, as for example metal wire, by which there is effected a highly desirable simplicity, economy and also reliability, and by which there is also provided generally an improved and more effective operation beyond that heretofore obtainable with known methods and equipment.

When applied to the art of metal wire, the invention effects specific improvements as follows:

Heretofore, in spooling metal wire which emerges from a wire drawing machine, control of the build-up on the spool was effected by a dancer arrangement which included special and somewhat complicated controls to govern the speed of spooling. The spooling speed being a variable, was controlled by the wire tension in the cases where dancer type controls were utilized.

One specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved wire working and spooling apparatus and method by which a substantially constant wire speed, as in feet per minute, is effected while at the same time eliminating the drawbacks heretofore accompanying constant speed operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method as above set forth, wherein substantially constant tension in the wire is also maintained, as well as a substantially constant speed, during the full build-up of the wire on the spool.

A feature of the invention resides in the provision of a spooling apparatus and method as above characterized, wherein the ratio of the barrel to flange diameter of the spool may be as great as two to one while still attaining the desired objectives.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved wire spooling apparatus and method in accordance with the foregoing, wherein variations in the speed of the wire are held to small values, well within a figure of for instance. 1

Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved means for effecting an automatic spreading of the traverse travel-limit devices, in conjunction with the foregoing objectives and features.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an improved wire drawing and spooling apte States Patent 0 Patented Dec. 3, 1968 paratus and method characterized by substantially constant wire speed and wire tension, wherein the speed of the wire drawing machine is within limits made to be a subservient factor, such speed having relatively small variations as dictated by incremental build-up of the wire on the spooling equipment.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a combination Wire drawing and spooling machine as above set forth, wherein the inherent friction or drag of the wire-drawing die is utilized to effect the necessary deceleration required by the incremental speed control of the spooling equipment.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a constant speed and constant tension wire drawing and spooling combination as outlined, wherein a dancer which controls the speed of the Wire drawing machine will have a relatively stable function involving only small movements throughout the full build-up of the wire on the spool. In consequence, the effective range of movement of the dancer is relatively small, occupying but a minor zone of the entire range available.

Other features of the invention involve the provision of an improved apparatus and method as above characterized, wherein a highly desirable uniformity in the product is obtained, with greatly reduced waste.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, similar characters of reference are used to designate like components throughout the several views, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a processing and spooling apparatus as provided by the invention, illustrating a wire drawing machine, a dancer speed control therefor and a wire spooling machine.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one type of spooling apparatus as provided by the invention.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a major portion of the spooling speed and traverse control mechanism provided by the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating another portion of the spooling speed control system.

Considering first FIG. 1, there is illustrated a wire drawing machine 10 including a drawing die 12. A strand of wire 14 is shown as passing through the die 12 and around a final block or capstan 16, after which it passes to a dancer assemblage 18 having sheaves 20 movable vertically in suitable supports (not shown). Connected with the sheaves 20 is a cable 22 passing over a pulley 24 and having a weight 26 by which the sheave assemblage 20 is continually urged in an upward direction. Any increase in the tension of the wire strand 14 results in the sheave assemblage 20 moving downward, the reverse being true when the strand 14 experiences a decrease in tension.

The pulley 24 is mechanically coupled to a variable resistor 28 which controls the drive motor 30 for the capstan 16. The above arrangement represents one conventional way for controlling the linear speed of the wire strand 14 in accordance with the tension existing in the strand, as it is sensed by the dancer assemblage 18.

From the dancer 18 the wire strand 14 enters the spooling machine 32 and passes over a traverse pulley 34 carried by a supporting arm 36. From the pulley 34, the wire is reeled onto a spool 38 driven from a variable speed electric motor 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the traverse pulley 34 and arm 36 are carried by a carriage 42 which travels along slide bars 44, 46 engaged by pulleys 48, 50 of the carriage.

Driving of the carriage 42 in reverse directions is eifected by a drive screw 52 threaded into a nut 54 on the carriage. The drive screw 52 is mounted on a shaft 56 carried by a bearing 58 and having at its outer end a spur gear 60 and an electric clutch 62. Engaged with the spur gear 60 is another spur gear 64 of like diameter, carried on a jack shaft 66 mounted in a bearing 68. The jack shaft 66 also has an electric clutch 70, and the clutches 62, 70 are connected to drive pulleys 72, 74 respectively which are driven by a common belt 76 passing over a powered pulley 78. A speed reducer 80 car ries the pulley 78 and is in turn powered through its input shaft 82 which is connected by a coupling 84 to the drive shaft 86 for the spool 38. On the drive shaft 86 a pulley 88 is mounted, being driven by a belt 90 from the motor 40. The spool 38 is carried by a spool spindle 92 mounted in bearings 94 and carrying the drive shaft 86 and pulley 88.

With the above organization, driving power which turns the spool 38 is also applied to the clutch pulleys 72, 74, and depending on which one of the two clutches 62, 70 is energized, the drive screw 52 will be driven or turned in one direction or the other, thereby effecting a movement of the traverse carriage 42 either to the left or to the right. By properly controlling the clutches 62, 70 the carriage 42 may be reciprocated from left to right, and the extent of movement of the carriage (and consequently of the traverse pulley 34) may be varied by effecting longer or shorter intervals of energization of the clutches.

In accordance with the present invention, the extent of movement of the traverse pulley 34 and carriage 42 is automatically controlled and increased as the spooling of the wire 14 proceeds, thereby to take care of the conical configuration of the end flanges of the spool 38. Also, at the same time the speed of turning of the spool 38 is antomatically decreased in order to effect a substantially constant linear speed of the strand 14, such traverse movement and speed adjustment being controlled by an independent or settable adjustable timing device which constitutes the master control for determining the linear speed, wire speed, and wire build-up on the spool 38.

Referring again to FIG. 1, by establishing a given linear speed for the wire 14 which is being reeled onto the spool 38, a control is had over the speed of the wire drawing machine, notably the final block or capstan 16 thereof. For, if the speed of the capstan 16 is too fast as compared with the speed of the spooling machine 32, the tension in the strand 14 will be lessened, and the result on the dancer arrangement 18 will be a counterclockwise turning of the pulley 24 and the adjustable resistor 28, to

the end that the speed of the motor 30 which drives the capstan 16 will be decreased. On the other hand, if the speed established by the independent timer associated with the spooling machine is too great, as compared with the speed of the wire drawing machine, a dancer response 18 will be such as to effect a clockwise turning of the pulley 24 and the adjustable resistor 28, to the end that the motor 30 will be speeded to bring up the speed of the wire drawing machine to the proper value. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, an indirect control of the speed of the wire drawing machine is had by means of the spooling machine and the associated control circuitry, through the medium of the tension in the wire 14 and operation of the dancer assemblage 18 which controls the wire drawing machine speed. The advantageous result is that the linear speed of the wire strand 14 is maintained quite constant, Within a variation of less than 5%, and also that the tension in the strand is maintained substantially constant, all with relatively simple equipment and in a simple manner.

The speed and traverse travel control efi'ected by the adjustable timer device is accomplished as follows: Considering first the traverse travel, adjustable trip members 98 (only one of which shows in FIG. 4) are mounted on the traverse carriage 42, such trip members being engageable with limit switches 100 and 102 respectively, which are adjustably carried by a slide 104 and have threaded nuts 106, 108 receiving screws 110, 112 respectively. The drive screws 110, 112 are coaxial and manually adjustable by a hand wheel 114.

Also, such screws are automatically adjusted or turned by increments, through the medium of a spur gear 116 meshing with a smaller spur gear 118 on the shaft 120 of an index motor 122 of slow speed characteristic and capable of starting and stopping instantly.

The gear 118 has a face plate 124 carrying actuator buttons 126 engageable seriatim with an index switch 128 so arranged as to efiect a halting of the index motor 122 after the latter has turned through a fraction of a revolution.

The actuation of the limit switches 100, 102 effects an automatic control of the electric clutches 70 whereby an automatic reversing movement of the carriage 42 takes place between the limits established by the particular position of the limit switches.

Further, an actuation of one of the limit switches, as for example the limit switch 100, will start an independent timer device which thereafter, independently of a succeeding reciprocation of the carriage 42, will after a predetermined interval of time energize the index motor 122. This will cause an incremental adjustment of the adjustable limits, 100, 102 by virtue of turning of the drive screw 110, 112 through part of a revolution.

Such turning, elfected by the index motor 122, will also result in actuation of the switch 128 by which the motor 122 is deenergized through inactivation of the timer device and a switch later described. Upon this deenergization and then a succeeding actuation of the limit switch 100, the timing cycle and adjustment of the limit switches is repeated. The timing cycle is long enough to enable a number of traversals to be effected before the motor 122 adjusts the limits 100, 102 to their next settings.

The control circuit by which this is accomplished is shown in FIG. 5. In this figure, the limit switches 100, 102 are shown as connected in series, the latter switch being normally closed whereas the switch 100 is normally open. Across the switch 100 are connected a set of relay contacts 130, which constitute holding contacts for a relay coil 132 which controls additional sets of relay contacts 134 and 136, connected respectively to the clutches 62, 70. Direct current is supplied to the clutches through the relay contacts 134, 136 in the manner shown in the circuit.

It will be noted that the contacts 136 are normally closed, and open when the relay coil 132 is energized. the reverse being true for the contacts 134. Thus, alternate energization of the clutches 62, 70 is efiected in response to energization and deenergization of the relay coil 132. If the limit switch 100 is closed, even momentarily, the energization of the relay coil 132 will be continued through the holding contacts 130, and will only be discontinued upon actuation of the limit switch 102 to open the circuit through the coil. Thus, an automatic traversal control occurs, by virtue of the above described circuit components.

The index motor 122 is of the reversible type having an exciting winding 138, as well as load windings 140. 142 which latter are connected to a common energizing lead 144 and also to separate energizing leads 146, 148 joined to the main feed line L1 and having respectively in their circuits mechanically coupled control switches 150, 152 by which either one line or the other (and one winding or the other 142) may be energized individually, but not simultaneously.

Thus, actuation of the switches 150, 152 may result in either forward or reverse rotation of the motor 122, providing a circuit is completed through the common lead 144 to the main line L2. The switch 150 is normally closed and the switch 152 normally open, except when these are manually shifted. Mechanically connected to the switches 150, 152 are switches 154 and 156, the latter being directly connected to the line L2 and the switch 154 being connectable to the line L2 through a time delay switching device including a switch 158 and a solenoid actuator 160 for the switch 158.

It will be understood that if the coupled switches 150, 152, 154, 156 are actuated from the positions shown to their opposite conditions the motor 122 will be immediately energized for reverse movement, whereas when these switches are in the shown positions forward movement of the motor can occur, but not until the time delay switch 158 is closed.

Closing of such time relay switch is effected by an independent settable counter device having components located within the dotted box outline 162. This is an adjustable counter or time delay switch mechanism which is produced commercially under the tradename Micro- Flex No. HZ40A6. The delay switching device includes a counting coil 164, which effects synchronous rotation of an armature (not shown). Associated with the armature is a clutch coil 166 operating a clutch (not shown) which drives a switch operator having a delayed action in closing a normally open switch 168. The switch 168 is connected to effect energization of the solenoid 160.

Energization of the counting coil 164 is effected immediately upon energization of the traverse relay 132, by virtue of a set of relay contacts 170 in the counting coil circuit. The relay contacts 170 are also connected with a normally closed switch 172 of the clutch coil whereby the latter is simultaneously energized with energization of the counting coil. Holding contacts 174 also connect with the clutch coil 166 to maintain energization of the latter after opening of the relay contacts 170 as a consequence of deenergization of the traverse relay 132.

For each period of energization of the relay coil 132, the counting coil 164 will be operative, and upon reverse travel of the traverse during which the relay 132 is deenergized, the counting coil will be deenergized and inoperative. Thus, the counting or timing procedure is effective only during movements of the traverse in one direction, as from left-to-right when viewing FIGS. 3 and 4.

Upon the desired overall elapse of time being effected by the delay device 162, the delay action operator for the switch 168 which is under the control of the clutch coil 166 will be effective in closing the switch 168, whereupon the time delay switch 158 will be closed, effecting a forward energization of the index motor 122. This will tend to separate the limit switches 100, 102 by a fixed small increment as determined by the spacing between the actuator buttons 126 engageable with the switch 128. The incremental adjustment of the traverse is thus halted by a button 126 opening the index switch 128 which action, as seen in FIG. 5, deenergizes the clutch coil 166 during the next right-to-left movement of the traverse. By suitable adjustment of the time delay device 162- the incremental adjustment of the traverse limits may be made to occur after each two complete traversals, or after three complete traversals, four complete traversals, etc. depending on the overall range of delay incorporated in the device.

Accordingly it is seen that a repeating incremental increase in the movement of the traverse is effected under the control of an independent timing device, and such incremental adjustment may be made to suit the size of the wire being reeled on the spool 38, whereby in conjunction with the angular end flanges of the spool, a satisfactory layering of the wire will occur.

Also, in accordance with the invention, simultaneously with the repeated incremental adjustment of the traverse limits there is effected an automatic decrease in the speed of the drive means which powers the spool 38 and spindle 92 therefor, such that as the wire builds up on the spool the rate of turning of the latter is correspondingly decreased. In consequence, a substantially constant linear speed of the wire strand 14 may be readily effected, the speed adjustment being also incremental but occurring with such frequency that a speed variation well within a 5% limit is readily effected. And, in accordance with the invention, the same time delay device and index motor which is used to adjust the traverse limits is also employed for effecting the speed decrease of the spool 38.

Referring to FIG. 4, a motor shaft is provided with a worm 173 which meshes with a worm gear carried by a shaft of an adjustable resistor 182 which is included in the circuit of the motor 40 driving the spool 38. Accordingiy, upon the indexing movements of the motor 122, the adjustable resistor 182 will also be adjusted, resulting in a generally gradual decrease in the motor speed and speed of the spool 38. Such decrease, in conjunction with the increase of travel of the traverse, makes possible a substantially smooth layering of the wire on the spool 38, and a linear wire speed which is "substantially con stant, as well as effecting a substantially constant tension in the wire between the spooling and wire drive machines.

The energizing and speed control circuit for the spool driving motor 40 is shown in FIG. 6. In this figure, a basic adjustable resistor 184 is connected in series with the adjustable resistor 182 to provide the necessary overall speed range and calibration of the spooling motor 40. The field coil 186 of the motor 40 has variable energization, as shown, this being effected by the adjustable resis tors 182, 184. The resistor 182 is automatically adjusted by the index motor 122, as already explained.

It will now be understood from the foregoing that I have provided a novel and improved combination strand processing and handling or spooling apparatus and method which in a unique manner effects a substantially constant linear speed of the strand or wire, and simultaneously maintains a substantially constant tension in the wire, all by means of a single independent timing device which not only controls the spooling apparatus but also indirectly controls the speed of the wire drawing machine or processing equipment located ahead of the spooling apparatus. The operation of the equipment as provided by the invention is reliable and foolproof, and enables a superior product to be produced with very little waste, and at a relatively high rate of production. The adjustment or setting of the apparatus provided by the invention may be easily and quickly effected, involving essentially a setting of the independent timing device to provide the desired incremental adjustment of the traverse and reduction in spooling speed of the spool driving means.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a spooling machine, in combination:

(a) reversible reciprocative means for guiding a strand of material back and forth, onto a spool,

(b) adjustable limit means operable to control the extent of movement of said reciprocative means,

(c) power means for operating said reciprocative means,

(d) an adjustable independent timing device providing a time base whereby a time period of determinate length can be run off,

(e) means for rendering said timing device operative in response to an operation of said limit means, and

(f) means controlled by said independent timing device, for effecting automatic adjustment of said limit means upon the expiration of said determined period of time.

2. A spooling machine as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) means are provided, responsive to the operation of said limit adjustment means, for automatically limiting the extent of said adjustment.

3. A spooling machine as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) the adjustable limit means comprises limit switches and reversing means controlled by said switches, for

7 effecting automatic reversal of said reciprocative means,

(b) said means controlled by the timing device effecting shifting of said limit switches to new positions.

4. A spooling machine as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the timing device comprises an electrical counter,

(b) said means for limiting the extent of adjustment of the limit means rendering temporarily inoperative the counter each time that the adjustment is limited.

5. In a spooling machine, in combination:

(a) means including a powered spindle, for spooling a strand of material,

(b) reversible reciprocative means for guiding said strand of material back and forth, onto said spooling means,

(c) an adjustable speed power drive for said spindle,

(d) an adjustable independent timing device, providing a time base whereby a time period of determinate length can be run olf,

(e) control means responsive to an operation of said reciprdcative means, for automatically rendering operative said independent timing device, and

(f) means controlled by said timing device, for effecting automatic speed adjustment of said power drive after the elapse of said time period starting from the beginning of operation of the timing device.

6. A spooling machine as in claim 5, wherein:

(a) operation-sustaining means are provided for said control means, said sustaining means acting independently of said reciprocative means after the latter has initially effected operation of the control means. i

7. A spooling machine as in claim 6, wherein:

(a) the means for effecting said automatic speed adjustment comprises an adjustable resistor and a motor for adjusting the same, and comprises means Ior temporarily rendering the timing device inoperative to further effect speed adjustment of the power drive after a specified amount of operation of said speed adjustment means.

8. In a spooling machine, in combination:

(a) means including a powdered spindle, for spooling a strand of material,

(b) reversible reciprocative means for guiding said strand of material back and forth, onto said spooling means,

(c) an adjustable speed power drive for said spindle,

(d) adjustable limit means operable to control the extent of movement of said reciprocative means,

(e) power means for operating said reciprocative means,

(f) an adjustable independent timing device, providing a time base whereby a time period of determinate length can be run ofl,

(g) control means responsive to an operation of said limit means, for automatically rendering operative said independent timing device,

(h) means controlled by said timing device, for effecting automatic speed adjustment of said power drive after the elapse of said time period starting from the beginning of operation of the timing device, and

(i) means controlled by said timing device, for effecting automatic adjustment of said limit means after said elapse of time.

9. A spooling machine as in claim 8, wherein:

(a) the adjustable limit means includes limit switches and a relay controlled thereby, and

(b) the means for rendering the timing device operative includes contacts controlled by said relay.

10. A spooling machine as in claim 9, wherein:

(a) the means for eifecting speed adjustment and for effecting adjustment of the limit means comprises an electric motor made operative by the timing device, and

(b) automatic means for deenergizing the electric motor after it has operated for an interval of time. 11. Apparatus for processing and handling wire com prising, in combination:

(a) means for performing at one station an operation on a strand of wire,

(b) adjustable-speed power means for pulling said strand from said station,

(c) means including a powdered spindle, for spooling said strand at another station,

(d) means responsive to the tension in the strand between said pulling and spooling means, for automatically controlling the speed of said power means,

(e) an adjustable speed power drive for said spindle.

(f) an adjustable independent timing device, providing a time base whereby a time period of determinate length can be run off, and

(g) control means controlled by said timing device. for effecting automatic speed adjustment of said power after the elapse of said time period starting from the beginning of operation of the timing device drive.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein:

(a) the operation-performing means includes a wiredrawing die,

(b) the means controlled by the timing device comprises a motor-operated adjustable resistor and means for causing the operation thereof to be incremental.

13. Apparatus for processing and handling wire comprising, in combination:

(a) means for performing at one station an operation on a strand of wire,

(b) adjustable-speed power means for pulling said strand from said station,

(c) means including a powered spindle, for spooling said strand at another station,

(d) reciprocative means for guiding said strand bacx and forth, onto said spooling means,

(e) means responsive to the tension in "the strand between said pulling and spooling means, for automatically controlling the speed of said power means.

(f) an adjustable speed power drive for said spindle.

(g) an adjustable independent timing device, providing a time base whereby a time period of determinate length can be run oiT,

(h) control means responsive to operation of said reciprocative means, for automatically rendering operative said independent timing device, and

(i) speed adjustment means controlled by said timing device, for effecting automatic speed adjustment of said power drive after the elapse of said time period starting from the beginning of operation of the timing device.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein:

(a) operation-sustaining means are provided for said control means, said sustaining means becoming operative after the control means has been initially rendered operative by the reciprocative means, and

(b) means for causing the operation of the speed adjustment means to be incremental, each different increment occurring in a different one of said time periods.

15. The method of increasing the extent of traverse movement in a spooling machine, which includes the steps of starting an independent timer when the traverse attains a predetermined position in its operating movement, and shifting a movement limit of the traverse after a fixed amount of operation of the timer.

16. The method of increasing the extent of traverse movement in a spooling machine, which includes the steps of starting an independent timer when the traverse attains a predetermined position in its operating movement,

and shifting a movement limit of the traverse after a fixed amount of operation of the timer corresponding to a number of complete cycles of the traverse.

17. The method of decreasing the speed of the spool during strand build-up in a spooling machine of the type having a spool traverse, which includes the steps of starting an independent timer when the traverse attains a predetermined position in its operating movement, and slowing the spool drive by an increment after a fixed interval of operation of the timer.

18. The method of increasing the extent of traverse movement and simultaneously decreasing the speed of the spool during strand build-up in a spooling machine, which includes the steps of starting an independent timer when the traverse attains a predetermined position in its operating movement, and shifting a movement limit of the traverse while simultaneously slowing the spool drive by fixed increments after a fixed interval of operation of the timer.

19. The method of processing and handling wire, which includes the steps of performing an operation on a strand of wire at one station, feeding the strand to a spooling means having a spool traverse at another station, pulling the strand from said one station at a speed commensurate with the tension in the strand at a point ahead of said spooling means, and decreasing the rotary speed of the spooling means by increments following each other in regularly timed sequence wherein the time periods between increments are of fixed length, each time period corresponding to a given fixed number of traversals of the spool traverse.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,844,699 2/1932 Stack 72-17 X 2,205,213 6/1940 Lessmann 72289 X 2,254,220 9/1941 Hubbard 2422S 3,042,326 7/ 1962 Lamb. 3,109,602 11/1963 Smith 242-158 3,169,714 2/1965 Schippers 242158 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

K. C. DECKER, Assistant Examiner.

Images