Coil handling device

A coil handling system, and a method of operating the same, comprises an indexer assembly having a pair of rotatable spindles mounted thereon for supporting a coil of material upon which binding straps are to be placed at predetermined circumferential positions by a strap binding assembly when the rotatable spindles index the coil of material to the predetermined circumferential positions. Upon completion of the strap binding operation, an upender assembly is moved upwardly from a lowered position so as to remove the bound coil of material from the indexer assembly, the indexer assembly is moved to a location remote from the upender assembly so as to permit the upender assembly to be returned to its lowered position with the bound coil of material supported thereon, and the upender assembly is returned to its lowered position at which the upender assembly deposits the bound coil of material upon a conveyor assembly which conveys the bound coil of material to a remote location for further routing or processing prior to commercial distribution.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates generally to strap coil handling apparatus,
 and more particularly to automatic apparatus for handling strap coils
 wherein the apparatus includes spindles which support the strap coil
 during an indexing and strap binding operation by means of which binding
 straps are placed upon predetermined circumferential positions of the
 coil, and wherein further, the apparatus automatically removes the bound
 strap coil from the spindles upon completion of the strap binding
 operation and places the bound strap coil upon a conveyor mechanism which
 transports the bound strap coil to a remote location for further routing
 or processing prior to ultimate commercial distribution.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Machinery, apparatus, and equipment conventionally exist wherein, for
 example, multiple stands are provided such that plastic strapping or the
 like is automatically coiled upon a suitable core or mandrel, such as, for
 example, a hard cardboard reel. Upon completion of the strap coiling
 operation, each strap coil must necessarily be removed from the strap
 coiling machinery or equipment, and binding straps must then be placed
 around the strap coil at predetermined circumferential locations thereof
 so as to preserve the coiled integrity of the strap coil whereby the coil
 is effectively prevented from either circumferentially uncoiling or
 axially telescoping.
 The strap binding operation is performed by an operator who must therefore
 remove a completed strap coil from a particular one of the multiple strap
 coiling stands, carry the completed strap coil to the strap binding stand,
 and place the strap coil upon the strap binding stand. Using a manual,
 hand-held strap tensioning and binding tool, and after manually placing a
 cardboard edge protector around the strap coil at a particular
 circumferential location thereof, the operator then uses the manual,
 hand-held strap tensioning and binding tool to tension, weld, and cut the
 binding strap. Subsequently, the strap coil is rotated so as to
 effectively circumferentially index the strap coil to a new
 circumferential position at which another binding strap is to be applied
 to the strap coil. Upon completion of the strap binding operation, the
 operator manually removes the bound strap coil from the strap binding
 stand and places the bound strap coil upon a pallet which may then be
 subsequently transported, for example, by suitable fork-lift apparatus for
 further processing prior to commercial distribution.
 It is thus readily appreciated that the entire strap coiling and binding
 operation is quite labor-intensive, tedious, and fatiguing for the
 operator personnel. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for the
 development of automatic machinery, apparatus, or equipment which can
 automatically perform the various manual operations which were necessarily
 previously performed by strap coiling and strap binding operator
 personnel.
 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
 Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and
 improved strap coil apparatus, equipment, or machinery comprising a coil
 handling device which automatically applies binding straps to a strap coil
 and which automatically places the bound strap coil upon a discharge
 conveyor.
 Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved
 strap coil apparatus, equipment, or machinery comprising a coil handling
 device which overcomes the various drawbacks and disadvantages
 characteristic of conventional strap coil handling apparatus and
 techniques.
 An additional object of the present invention is to provide new and
 improved strap coil apparatus, equipment, or machinery comprising a coil
 handling device which is extremely easy to use by operator personnel
 wherein the laborintensive, tedious, and fatiguing characteristics of
 conventional strap coil binding operations is effectively eliminated or at
 least drastically reduced.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with the
 teachings and principles of the present invention through the provision of
 new and improved strap coil apparatus, equipment, or machinery comprising
 a coil handling device which includes a main framework upon which there is
 mounted an indexing mechanism which comprises a pair of rotatable spindles
 for supporting a strap coil. The spindles are mounted upon a framework
 which is pivotally mounted upon the main framework so as to be movable
 between an upwardly retracted inoperative position and a lowered extended
 operative position at which the spindles support the strap coil. A binding
 strap head assembly is movable between a retracted inoperative position
 and an extended operative position at which the binding strap head
 cooperates with the indexing mechanism so as to place binding straps at
 predetermined circumferential positions of the strap coil.
 When the strap binding operation is completed, the binding strap head is
 moved or returned to its retracted inoperative position whereupon an
 upender mechanism is pivoted upwardly so as to engage the bound strap coil
 and elevate the same so as to effectively remove the bound strap coil from
 the spindles of the indexing mechanism. The spindles of the indexing
 mechanism are then able to be moved to their upward inoperative position
 whereupon the upender mechanism, which now supports the bound strap coil,
 is pivoted downwardly so as place the bound strap coil upon a suitable
 conveyor mechanism which transports the bound strap coil to a remote
 location for further routing or processing prior to commercial
 distribution. Subsequently, the indexing mechanism spindles are pivotally
 lowered back to their operative position in preparation for receiving a
 new strap coil whereby another operative cycle of the apparatus can be
 performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
 Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-3 thereof,
 the new and improved coil handling apparatus, constructed in accordance
 with the principles and teachings of the present invention, is illustrated
 and generally indicated by the reference character 10, while the major
 individual components of the coil handling apparatus 10 are more
 specifically illustrated in detail in FIGS. 4-8. As an initial overview,
 which will of course be followed by a detailed description of the
 apparatus and the operation of the same, the apparatus of the present
 invention comprises a coil indexer assembly which initially supports a
 strap coil upon a pair of rotatable spindles. A strap binding head is then
 moved to an extended position at which the strap binding head and a
 binding strap chute assembly effectively surround a portion of the strap
 coil so as to place a tensioned binding strap upon the strap coil at a
 predetermined circumferential position of the strap coil.
 After repeated circumferential indexing movements of the coil indexer
 assembly so as to position other predetermined circumferential portions of
 the strap coil at the binding strap station defined by the strap binding
 head, whereby additional binding straps are placed upon the strap coil
 such that the strap coil is now completely bound, the strap binding head
 is moved to its original retracted position, and an upender assembly is
 moved upwardly to a raised position at which a support arm of the upender
 assembly is moved to a position at which the support arm engages the bound
 strap coil and lifts the bound strap coil so as to effectively remove the
 bound strap coil from the rotatable spindles of the indexer assembly. The
 indexer assembly is then moved upwardly to a retracted inoperative
 position, whereupon the upender assembly is lowered so as to be returned
 to its original position as a result of which the bound strap coil is
 deposited upon a conveyor assembly. The upender support arm is returned to
 its original position whereupon the conveyor assembly is then able to
 convey the bound strap coil to a remote location for further routing or
 processing prior to commercial distribution of the strap coil. The indexer
 assembly is then lowered to its original operative position so as to be
 readied for a new strap coil to be bound.
 With the foregoing description of the structural and operational overview
 now having been set forth, a detailed description of the coil handling
 apparatus 10, the major individual components thereof, and a detailed
 description of the operation of the same, will now be described with
 reference being made to the accompanying drawings. As seen in FIGS. 1-5,
 the coil indexer assembly, generally indicated by the reference character
 12, is mounted upon a main framework 14, and it is further seen that the
 coil indexer assembly 12 comprises a pair of laterally spaced vertically
 extending masts or box beam members 16,16 upon the lower ends of which are
 respectively mounted a pair of forwardly projecting rotatable spindles
 18,18. Near the upper ends of each one of the vertically extending masts
 or box beam members 16,16, there is respectively provided another pair of
 box beam members 20,20 which also project forwardly so as to be disposed
 substantially parallel to the rotatable spindles 18,18.
 A pair of brackets 22,22 are adapted to be fixedly mounted upon laterally
 spaced box beam members 24,24 of the framework 14 as best seen in FIGS.
 1-3, and as best seen in FIG. 2, and in accordance with a first embodiment
 of the invention, each one of the brackets 22,22 is respectively provided
 with a shaft or pintle 26,26 wherein the oppositely disposed distal end
 portions of the shafts or pintles 26,26 respectively extend or pass
 through the box beam members 20,20. In accordance with a second
 alternative embodiment of the invention, the shafts or pintles 26,26 may
 be provided upon the box beam members 20,20 so as to extend laterally
 outwardly therefrom in opposite directions and thereby respectively extend
 or pass through the brackets 22,22. In either case, the shafts or pintles
 26,26 together define a rotary axis 28 about which the entire coil indexer
 assembly 12 is pivotally movable between a first lowered, operative
 position as shown in FIG. 1, and a second, raised inoperative position
 which will be described hereinafter.
 A vertically disposed bracket plate 30 is affixed to the upper surface of
 each horizontally disposed box beam member 20 as well as to the upper end
 portion of each vertically disposed box beam member 16, and each bracket
 plate 30,30 is provided with an aperture 32 through which extends a bar or
 rod 34 to which one end of an actuating cylinder 36 is connected as best
 seen in FIG. 3, the other end of the cylinder 36 being affixed to the
 framework 14. In this manner, extension of the cylinder 36 from its
 position illustrated in FIG. 3 causes pivotal movement of the entire coil
 indexer assembly 12 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivotal
 axis 28 so as to move the coil indexer assembly 12 from its lowered
 operative position, shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, to its raised
 inoperative position as will be described hereinafter. Retraction of the
 cylinder 36 will of course pivotally move the coil indexer assembly 12 in
 the clockwise direction so as to return the coil indexer assembly 12 from
 its aforenoted raised, inoperative position back to its lowered, operative
 position so as to ready the coil indexer assembly 12 for a new coil
 handling operative cycle as will be described hereinafter in connection
 with FIGS. 9-16.
 In order to provide rotatable drive to the rotatable spindles 18,18 such
 that the rotatable spindles can perform indexing operations upon the strap
 coils as will become apparent hereinafter, a rotary drive member 38, as
 best seen in FIG. 5, having a splined connection 40 formed upon the
 external surface portion thereof, is fixedly mounted upon an upper housing
 portion 42 which, in turn, is fixedly connected to the vertically
 extending box beam members 16, 16 of the coil indexer assembly 12. The
 rotary drive member 38 projects or extends rearwardly from the housing 42
 so as to thereby be capable of being rotatably connected to a suitable
 motor drive mechanism, not shown.
 The forward end of the rotary drive member 38 is provided with a first
 sprocket member 44 which is disposed within the housing 42, while a second
 sprocket member 46 is disposed internally within the upper end portion of
 a first one of the vertically extending box beam members 16,16. A third
 sprocket member 48 is likewise disposed internally within the lower end
 portion of the first one of the vertically extending box beam members
 16,16 so as to be coaxially disposed with respect to, and mounted upon the
 rear end portion of, a first one of the rotatable spindles 18,18. Fourth
 and fifth laterally spaced sprocket members 50,52 are rotatably disposed
 within the lower central portion of the housing 42, and a sixth sprocket
 member 54 is disposed within the lower end portion of the second one of
 the vertically extending box beam members 16,16 so as to be coaxially
 disposed with respect to, and mounted upon the rear end portion of a
 second one of the rotary spindles 18,18. Lastly, a seventh sprocket member
 56 is disposed internally within the upper end portion of a second one of
 the vertically extending box beam members 16,16. A drive chain 58 is
 routed about the sprocket members 44-56 so as to transmit rotary drive
 from the rotary drive member 38 to the rotary spindles 18, 18.
 With reference now being made to FIGS. 2,3,6, and 7, the coil upender
 assembly is generally indicated by the reference character 60 and is seen
 to comprise an upender framework 62 which includes a pair of laterally
 spaced central frame members 64,66, and a pair of laterally spaced outer
 frame members 68,70. A pair of brackets 72,72, similar to brackets 22,22,
 are disposed laterally outwardly of the outer frame members 68,70 and are
 adapted to be fixedly attached to the apparatus framework 14. A plurality
 of bracket plates 74,76,78,80, comprising, in effect, extensions of the
 laterally spaced outer frame members 68,70 and the laterally spaced
 central frame members 64,66, are provided with suitable apertures so as to
 permit passage therethrough of a shaft or pintle 82 the opposite ends of
 which are disposed within the brackets 72,72. In this manner, the shaft or
 pintle 82 defines a rotary or pivot axis 84 about which the entire upender
 assembly 60 is rotated or pivoted with respect to the apparatus framework
 14 as well as the indexer assembly 12 as will be more fully appreciated
 hereinafter. In order to provide for such pivotal movement of the upender
 assembly 60 with respect to the apparatus framework 14 and the indexer
 assembly 12, an end plate 86 fixedly interconnects the central frame
 members 64,66 and the outer frame members 68,70 as a result of being
 integrally connected to the bracket plates 74,76,78,80, and a pair of
 clevis members 88,90 are fixedly attached to the end plate 86. The clevis
 members 88,90 have apertures 92,94 respectively defined therein to which
 first ends 96 of a pair of actuating cylinders 98, only one of which is
 shown, for example, in FIG. 3, is attached by means of suitable bolt
 fasteners. Opposite second ends 100 of the actuating cylinders 98 are
 attached to the framework 14 by means of suitable clevis members 101, and
 each one of the actuating cylinders 98 further comprises an
 extensible/contractible piston rod 102 which is illustrated in its
 extended position in FIG. 3.
 Consequently, it can be appreciated that when the piston rod 102 is
 contracted, the entire upender assembly 60 will rotate or pivot in the
 counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, around the pivot axis 84
 so as to move the upender assembly 60 from its lowered position
 illustrated in FIG. 3 to a raised position which is substantially
 90.degree. with respect to the illustrated lowered position. Conversely,
 when the piston rod 102 is extended, the upender assembly 60 is rotated or
 pivoted in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 so as to rotate or
 pivot the upender assembly 60 from its vertically disposed raised position
 to its horizontally disposed lowered position as illustrated in FIG. 3.
 With continued reference being made to FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, and as will
 become more apparent hereinafter, when the upender assembly 60 is rotated
 or pivoted to its vertically disposed raised position, the upender
 assembly 60 will serve to engage a strap coil 104, disposed upon the
 rotatable spindles 18,18 of the indexer assembly 12, as seen in FIG. 1,
 and to subsequently elevate the strap coil 104 so as to effectively remove
 the strap coil 104 from the rotatable spindles 18,18. In order to achieve
 such an operation, the upender assembly 60 further comprises a support arm
 106 which is pivotally mounted upon a bearing bracket and pintle assembly
 108 which defines a pivot axis 109 and which is fixedly secured to and
 between the central frame members 64, 66. An actuating end of the support
 arm 106 has a bracket member 110 attached to a distal end of a piston rod
 112 which is extensible and contractible with respect to its actuating
 cylinder 114, and the end of the actuating cylinder 114 which is disposed
 opposite the piston rod 112 is connected to a support bracket 116, secured
 between the central frame members 64,66, by means of a clevis member 118.
 Consequently, when the piston rod 112 of the actuating cylinder 114 is
 contracted, support arm 106 will be pivoted around pivot axis 109 such
 that the support arm 106 will be disposed at a position which is
 90.degree. from the position illustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, when the
 upender assembly 60 is simultaneously pivoted to its vertically disposed
 raised position, then support arm 106 will be disposed substantially
 horizontally so as to engage the strap coil 104, elevate the strap coil
 104 so as to effectively remove the strap coil 104 from the rotatable
 spindles 18,18, and support the strap coil 104 at the noted elevated
 position with respect to the rotatable spindles 18,18. When the piston rod
 112 is extended, the support arm 106 is returned to its illustrated
 position at which the support arm 106 is interposed between the central
 frame members 64,66 for a purposed to be more fully explained and
 appreciated hereinafter.
 With reference now being made to FIGS. 2 and 8, the discharge conveyor
 assembly is illustrated and is generally indicated by the reference
 character 120. More particularly, it is seen that the discharge conveyor
 assembly 120 comprises a first, relatively small belt conveyor 122 which
 is wrapped around a pair of drive rollers 124,126 which are driven by
 means of a suitable source of power, not shown, and a second, relatively
 large belt conveyor 128 which is likewise wrapped around a pair of drive
 rollers 130,132 which are similarly driven by means of a suitable source
 of power, also not shown.
 Interposed between the first small and second large belt conveyors 122 and
 128 is a set of roller conveyors 134,136,138,140 wherein the roller
 conveyors 134 and 136 are disposed in a side-by-side array, while roller
 conveyors 138 and 140 are disposed in a similar side-by-side array.
 However, it is noted that roller conveyors 136 and 138 are laterally
 spaced from each other, while roller conveyor 134 is laterally spaced from
 drive roller 126, and similarly for roller conveyor 140 with respect to
 drive roller 130. In this manner, as is apparent from FIG. 2, when the
 upender assembly 60 is disposed in its horizontally disposed lowered
 position, central frame members 64 and 66 of the upender assembly 60 will
 be interposed between the roller conveyors 136 and 138, outer frame member
 68 of the upender assembly 60 will be interposed between roller conveyor
 140 and belt conveyor drive roller 130, and outer frame member 70 of the
 upender assembly 60 will be interposed between roller conveyor 134 and
 belt conveyor drive roller 126, all in an interdigitated manner.
 With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 1-3 in connection with the
 detailed description of the structural components of the present invention
 coil handling apparatus, a strap binding head assembly is generally
 indicated by the reference character 142 and is seen to comprise a strap
 binding head 144 and a binding strap conveyor or routing chute which
 comprises a first stationary chute section 146 fixedly mounted upon the
 strap binding head 144, and a second movable chute section 148 which is
 movably mounted upon the strap binding head 144 so as to be movable
 between a first opened position as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, and a
 second closed position, not illustrated, at which a free end portion 150
 of movable chute section 148 is disposed adjacent to a free end portion
 152 of stationary chute section 146 such that stationary chute section
 146, movable chute section 148, and binding strap head 144 together define
 in effect a closed loop track mechanism through which a binding strap is
 disposed so as to encircle a portion of the strap coil 104 when binding
 straps are to be secured upon the strap coil 104 at predetermined
 circumferential positions thereof. It is of course to be appreciated that
 movable chute section 148 is movable between its opened and closed
 positions by suitable automatically controlled, motorized means, not
 shown, whereby the movable chute section 148 is operated at predetermined
 times during the operative strap binding cycle as will be described
 hereinafter. It is lastly appreciated that the entire strap binding head
 assembly 142 is dependently supported from a suitable carriage assembly
 which is generally indicated by the reference character 154 wherein the
 carriage assembly 154 is movable along an upper rail or track portion 156
 of the main framework 14 by means of a suitable motorized drive system,
 not described in detail as such detail of the carriage assembly 154 is
 deemed unnecessary to the disclosure and understanding of the present
 invention whereby such details are omitted herefrom.
 Having now described the pertinent structural details of the various
 structural components comprising the overall coil handling apparatus,
 equipment, or system 10 of the present invention, a brief description of
 the operation of such apparatus, equipment, or system 10 of the present
 invention, that is, a complete operative cycle of the apparatus,
 equipment, or system 10, will now be described with reference being made
 to FIGS. 9-16.
 Commencing with the apparatus or system illustrated in FIG. 9, it is to be
 appreciated that actuating cylinder 36 has been contracted such that the
 indexer assembly 12 has been moved to, or is disposed at, its pivotally
 lowered operative position at which the rotatable spindles 18, 18 are
 disposed horizontally and project outwardly from the page of the drawings
 so as to in fact be capable of supporting a strap coil thereon, and that a
 strap coil 104 has been deposited upon rotatable spindles 18,18 in
 preparation for a strap binding operation, the spindles 18,18 not being
 rotatably energized at this time. At this point in time, it is also noted
 that the strap binding head assembly 142, through means of its carriage
 assembly 154, is disposed at a remote or retracted position with respect
 to the strap coil 104 disposed upon the rotatable spindles 18,18 of the
 indexer assembly 12, and that the upender assembly 60 is disposed in its
 pivotally lowered position so as to be disposed in its interdigitated mode
 with respect to the discharge conveyor assembly 120. The strap coil 104 is
 therefore now ready to have binding straps placed thereon.
 Accordingly, as now seen and appreciated from FIG. 10, the carriage
 assembly 154 is energized, and accordingly, the strap binding head
 assembly 142 is moved from its remote or retracted position with respect
 to the strap coil 104 to a position adjacent to the strap coil 104
 whereupon, since the movable chute section 148 is initially disposed at
 its opened position with respect to the stationary chute section 146, the
 strap binding head assembly 142 can in effect encircle a particular
 portion of the strap coil 104. Upon closure of the movable chute section
 148 with respect to the stationary chute section 146, the strap binding
 head assembly 142 in fact completely encircles the illustrated portion of
 the strap coil 104 whereby a binding strap can be routed through the
 entire strap binding head assembly 142 and applied to the strap coil 104.
 More particularly, after the binding strap has been routed through the
 chute components or sections 146,148, the strap binding head 144 is
 appropriately energized whereby the binding strap is initially tensioned
 to a predetermined degree about strap coil 104, end portions of the
 tensioned binding strap are then welded together, and the binding strap is
 then severed thereby completing a first strap binding operation.
 At this point in time, since it is desired to place a plurality of binding
 straps upon the strap coil 104 at predetermined circumferential locations
 of the strap coil 104, such as, for example, at angular positions spaced
 90.degree. apart or 60.degree. apart whereby, respectively, four or six
 binding straps will be placed upon the strap coil 104, the strap binding
 head 144 is appropriately energized such that the tension within the strap
 binding head 144 with respect to the binding strap and the strap coil 104
 is reduced so as to permit the strap coil 104 to be rotated a
 predetermined angular amount such that additional binding straps can be
 applied to the strap coil 104 at predetermined circumferential positions
 thereof. Accordingly, the chain drive system 58 of the indexer assembly 12
 is energized whereby the spindles 18,18 are now rotated so as to in turn
 cause rotation of the strap coil 104, which is of course supported upon
 the spindles 18,18 by means of the inner peripheral surface of its core
 upon which the coiled strapping material is disposed, so as to in fact
 index the strap coil 104 to a new circumferential position with respect to
 the strap binding head 144. At each circumferential location at which it
 is desired to place a binding strap upon the strap coil 104, the chain
 drive system 58 of the indexer assembly 12 is therefore stopped, and the
 strap binding head 144 is again energized so as to develop the proper
 tension with the binding strap, after which the new end portions of the
 binding strap are welded together and the ends of the binding strap are
 severed so as to again complete a subsequent strap binding operation upon
 the strap coil 104.
 When the desired number of binding straps have been applied to the strap
 coil 104, such as, for example, when four binding straps 160 have been
 applied to particular circumferential locations of the strap coil 104
 angularly separated 90.degree. apart, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the
 movable chute section 148 of the strap binding head assembly 142 is moved
 from its closed position, with respect to the stationary chute section 146
 of the strap binding head assembly 142, to its opened position with
 respect to the stationary chute section 146 of the strap binding head
 assembly 142, whereby the carriage assembly 154 is then energized so as to
 move the strap binding head assembly 142 back to its retracted position
 remote from the strap coil 104. The bound strap coil 104 is now ready to
 be removed from the spindles 18,18 of the indexer assembly 12 so as to be
 routed or processed further for commercial distribution.
 Accordingly, with reference now being made to FIG. 12, the actuating
 cylinders 98 have been energized such that the upender assembly 60 has now
 been rotated or pivoted from its lowered, horizontally disposed
 interdigitated position with respect to the discharge conveyor assembly
 120 to its raised vertically disposed position at which the upender
 framework 64-70 is disposed behind the strap coil 104. At this point in
 time, the strap coil 104 is still supported upon the forwardly projecting
 or extending spindles 18,18 of the indexer assembly 12 as can be seen from
 FIG. 12 wherein the upper inner peripheral portion of the strap coil core
 is shown disposed upon the spindles 18,18. With additional reference now
 being made to FIG. 13, the actuating cylinder 114 has been energized
 whereby the support arm 106 has now been pivoted from its position shown
 in FIG. 3, with respect to the upender framework 62, to a position
 90.degree. with respect thereto. The free end of the support arm 106, that
 is, the end not connected to the actuating cylinder 114, is accordingly
 moved between the depending box beam members 16, 16 and as the support arm
 106 is pivoted to its full pivoted position 90.degree. from the position
 shown in FIG. 3, the support arm 106 engages the inner peripheral surface
 of the strap coil core and elevates the same so as to effectively remove
 the strap coil 104 from the spindles 18,18 as shown in FIG. 13. The
 spindles 18,18 therefore no longer support the strap coil 104.
 Accordingly, with the strap coil 104 effectively removed from the indexer
 assembly spindles 18,18, the indexer assembly 12 can now be removed from
 the vicinity of the strap coil 104 in preparation for discharge of the
 bound strap coil 104 from the apparatus 10. With reference therefore being
 made to FIG. 14, it is seen that as a result of the energization of
 actuating cylinder 36, the indexer assembly 12 has been pivotally moved
 from its lowered position, at which it was used to support a strap coil
 104, to a raised position at which it is entirely disengaged from the
 strap coil 104 and, more importantly, it clears the region within which
 the bound strap coil 104 is now disposed in a supported disposition upon
 the raised upender assembly 60. More particularly, as can be appreciated
 if reference is again made to FIGS. 12 and 13, when the upender assembly
 60 is moved to its raised position, the dependent box beam members 16,16
 of the indexer assembly 12, as well as the spindles 18,18 disposed upon
 the box beam members 16,16, are interposed between frame members 66 and
 70, and between 64 and 68, respectively, in an interdigitated manner.
 Accordingly, when the indexer assembly 12 is pivoted to its raised
 position, the box beam members 16,16, and the spindles 18,18 disposed
 thereon, are able to move between the noted frame members 64,68 and 66,70
 of the upender assembly 60 so as to attain their retracted positions as
 disclosed in FIG. 14.
 As a result of the aforenoted clearance or removal of the indexer assembly
 12 from the region within which the bound strap coil 104 is now supported
 upon the upender assembly 60, the latter is now able to be pivoted
 downwardly, while still supporting the bound strap coil 104 thereon, so as
 to return to its original horizontal state as shown in FIG. 15. At this
 position of the upender assembly 60, the frame members 64-70 will be
 disposed in the aforenoted interdigitated manner with respect to the
 conveyor assembly 120 whereupon the upper surface of the upender assembly
 framework 62, as viewed in FIG. 15, will be substantially coplanar with,
 or disposed just slightly beneath, the upper surface of the conveyor
 assembly 120 such that the bound strap coil 104 is able to be placed upon
 the upper surface of the conveyor assembly 120. The bound strap coil 104
 is therefore essentially ready to be conveyed by the conveyor assembly 120
 to a remote location for further routing or processing prior to commercial
 distribution.
 Prior to such conveyance of the bound strap coil 104 by the conveyor
 assembly 120, the actuating cylinder 114 of the upender assembly 60 is
 again energized so as to return the support arm 106 to its position shown
 in FIGS. 3 and 7 whereby the support arm 106 is no longer needed to
 support the strap coil 104 in view of the support of the strap coil 104
 upon the conveyor assembly 120. In addition, the return of the support arm
 106 to its position shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 renders the support arm 106
 substantially coplanar with the framework 62 of the upender assembly 60 so
 as not to interfere with the conveyed movement of the bound strap coil 104
 along the conveyor assembly 120. Still further, substantially
 simultaneously with the return of the support arm 106 to its lowered or
 retracted position, and the subsequent energization of the conveyor
 assembly 120 so as to discharge the bound strap coil 104, the actuating
 cylinder 36 of the indexer assembly 12 is again energized so as to
 pivotally return the indexer assembly 12 to its lowered position as
 illustrated in FIG. 16 whereby it can be appreciated that the entire strap
 coil handling operation has completed an entire operational cycle and the
 indexer assembly spindles 18,18 are again readied to receive a new strap
 coil to be bound. The strap coil is preferably supported and moved onto
 the spindles 18,18 of the indexer assembly 12 by means of a suitable,
 operator-controlled overhead crane implement which is not shown and does
 not constitute part of the present invention.
 Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles and teachings
 of the present invention, new and improved coil handling apparatus or
 equipment has been developed whereby all of the strap coil handling
 operations are automated. Accordingly, the strap binding operation is not
 nearly as labor-intensive as current strap coil binding operational
 systems, and the tedium and fatigue impressed upon the operator personnel
 have been essentially eliminated or at least drastically reduced.
 Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present invention are
 possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood
 that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be
 practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.