Patent ID: 6264134
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B65H,G03B,G11B

Abstract:
Apparatus for centering objects, such objects each having an elongated core of various lengths, said core having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite said first end portion, and a central portion midway between said first and second end portions, said apparatus comprising:a frame having an inboard end and an outboard end opposite said inboard end;first and second object support means comprising, respectively, a first freely rotating quill having a bore opening to receive the first end portion of said object, and a second driven quill having a bore opening to receive said second end portion of said object, wherein a biased centering hub is arranged in the bore opening of said first and second quills, said first object support means being axially arranged on said inboard end of said frame for supporting said first end portion of said object, and said second object support means being arranged on the outboard end of said frame for supporting said second end portion of said object; wherein each of said first and second object support means has a first and second shoulder portion, respectively, arranged for restricting axial movement of a respective end portion of the object supported therein; and wherein said first and second object support means are arranged equidistant about a fixed centerline passing between said first and second object support means and perpendicular to a first axis, said fixed centerline being positioned a fixed distance from said frame, and,means associated with said first and second object support means for providing translational movement of said first and second object support means toward and away from one another, said first and second object support means being axially aligned with one another along said first axis passing through said first and second object support means;whereby translational movement of said first and second object support means towards each other causes said object to be alignably supported with said central portion of said object equidistant from said first and second shoulder portions of said first and second object support means, respectively thereby causing said central portion of said object to be coincident with said fixed centerline.