Patent ID: 6435445
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
A self-compensating tension control device for regulating the payout of filamentary material from a spool, comprising:a fixed support; a spindle assembly pivotably mounted to said fixed support, said spindle assembly rotatably carrying the spool of filamentary material, wherein a pull-off force imparted by the filamentary material causes angular movement of said spindle assembly and rotation of the spool; and a braking assembly mounted to said fixed support and coupled to said spindle assembly, wherein the amount of braking force applied by said braking assembly corresponds to an angular position of said spindle assembly; and a band having one end fixed a first distance from said fixed support in a first direction and an opposite end biasingly fixed at a second distance from said fixed support in a second direction substantially opposite said first direction, said band engaging said spindle assembly and applying a braking force thereto when said spindle assembly is in an angular position directed toward a shorter of said first and second distances.