Patent GB-1519732-A (GB)
Title: Inner tube splicing machines
IPC: B29B15/04
Filed: 1976-01-08
Abstract: 1519732 Seaming non-metallic sheet material; cutting apparatus MIDLAND DESIGNING & MFG CO Ltd 7 Jan 1977 [8 Jan 1976] 00630/76 Headings B5K and B4B An inner tube splicing machine comprises a pair of spaced-apart tube end supporting tables 2, 3 each having a tube-end clamping arm 7, 8 operatively associated therewith, the tables 2, 3 being relatively movable towards each other to effect splicing, and a tube-end cutting to effect splicing, and a tube-end cutting assembly 23, Fig. 5, comprising a knife-supporting carriage 33 mounted on a pair of spaced parallel guide shafts 24, and hydraulically powered means 28, (29), 30 for reciprocating the carriage 33 relative to the tables 2, 3 and the arms 7, 8. As shown, in Fig. 2, the table 3 is movable relative to the fixed table 2 by an hydraulic ram 6. The arms 7, 8, respectively, are slidably mounted by sleeves 9, 13 on columns 10, 14 on the tables 2, 3. The sleeves 9, 13 have flanges 11, 15 slidably engaging rods 12, 16 fixed to the tables 2, 3 to prevent turning of the arms 7, 8 which are vertically movable by hydraulic rams 17. A support cage 19 is provided to support the bulk of the tube to be spliced. The adjacent inner. edge faces of the tables 2, 3 and the arms 7, 8 are provided with rubber facing elements 22. The carriage 33, Fig. 5, slides, via bearings 33<SP>1</SP>, on the shafts 24 and has fixed thereto a wire cable 30 passing over pulleys 31 and secured to opposite ends of a piston (29), Fig. 1 (not shown), of an hydraulic cylinder 28, Fig. 5. A pair of cutting devices 35 are supported for angular turning movement on a block 34 and each comprises a cranked heated blade 38, Figs. 5 and 8, between holders 36, 37. Each device 35 is clamped to a bracket 39 clamped to a spindle 40 each having an actuator block 42, 43, Fig. 6, clamped thereto. Dome-headed contact elements 45, 46 and 48, 49 are provided on projections 44, 47 on the blocks 42, 43. A spring-loaded plunger 50 urges the elements 45, 49 into contact and the element 48 into contact with the actuating arm 53 of a solenoid 54. An adjustable screw 55 limits the angular turning movement of the blocks 42, 42 into the operative positions of the blades. The carriage 33 is guided in the splicing machine by rollers 56. Cam plates 57, 58 coact with switches 59, 60 to control the stroke of the piston (29). Mounted on the carriage 33 is a shoot 62 into which fall off-cuts from the tube ends. After a cutting operation, when the carriage 33 is retracted, a roller 66 on a tilting arm 65 engages a plate 67 to tilt to eject the off-cuts into a suitable bin. On forward movement of the carriage 33, springs 64 return the shoot 62 to its normal position. In operation, a length of uncured tube T is draped over the cage 19 and is clamped on the tables 2, 3 with its ends projecting therebeyond. The ram 28 is operated to move the carriage 33 to its operative position to cause the blades 38 to sever the tube ends. The solenoid 54 is de-actuated and the blades 38 move inwardly to the inoperative dash-dot line position of Fig. 8. The shoot 62 is tilted. The table 3 is moved towards the table 2 to effect buttwelding of the tube ends and, after a predetermined time period, the arms 7, 8 are raised to release the tube.