Patent ID: 6494401
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
An expandable and retractable arbor supported on a rotatable shaft for removably supplying a material reel of the type having a generally cylindrical core, said arbor comprising:(a) a generally cylindrical axially extending arbor tube having a bore defining at least two spaced-apart generally longitudinal slots, said arbor tube attachable to a retractable shaft; (b) blades positioned in said slots, each blade having an outer surface engageable with the said core and an inner surface, said inner surface defining axially spaced-apart first cam grooves having inclined ramp surfaces; (c) a cam reciprocable in said bore and being reciprocable between a first position and a second position, said cam defining axially spaced-apart second cam grooves having inclined ramp surfaces and being generally aligned with said first cam grooves; (d) first bearing means interposed in said first and second grooves; (e) second bearing means interposed between said arbor tube and said cam to support reciprocation of said cam relative to said arbor tube; and (f) pneumatic actuator means on said cam connectable to a source of air whereby said cam is reciprocable to a first position in which said first bearing means are positioned in said grooves to retract said blade and a second position in which said first bearing means are positioned in said grooves to radially extend said blades.