Patent GB-1059329-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for assembling the reinforcement cords in the manufacture of diaphragms
Inventor: BEEBEE BRIAN HARRY
IPC: B29D22/02
Filed: 1962-11-22
Abstract: 1,059,329. Pneumatic springs. DUNLOP RUBBER CO. Ltd. Nov. 18, 1963 [Nov. 22, 1962]. No. 44113/62. Heading F2S. An apparatus for assembling reinforcement cords 3 in the manufacture of rolling lobe diaphragms comprises a guide means 25 for spacing the cords peripherally of a succession of axially aligned forming reels 16. Each forming reel has a circumferential covering of a flexible material on its end portions, the forming reels being guided from a magazine 19 through a laying zone and a cutting zone. Means is provided for intermittently advancing the reels through the two zones by a predetermined distance, the laying zone having a pressing means for pressing the cords into contact with the flexible material on the end portions of the reels and the cutting zone having cutting means for severing the cords between end portions of adjacent forming reels. In the construction shown the cords 3 are drawn from bobbins 2 of a creel frame 1 in two series to form sheets 6, 7. Each sheet is passed between the nip of a respective pair of rollers 8, 9 and 12, 13, the lower roller of each pair dipping into paths of rubber solution. The cords then pass to the guide means which comprises a ring 25 having a plurality of apertures with which the cords cooperate. The forming reels 16 are advanced step-by-step by a pneumatically operated plunger 20 from the reel magazine 19 along guide rails 18, both the magazine and the rails having a coating of P.T.F.E. Two rolls 28, 29 of sheets 36 of flexible material are located downstream from the guide ring, the sheets of flexible material being applied over the cords 3 at the ends of the forming reels. The ends of the forming reels are subsequently subjected to the pressure of serrated rollers 30, 31 of carriers 32, 33 which are mounted for circular movement about the forming reels. Two cutters 40, 41 are similarly mounted for circular movement about the forming reels, both the sets of carriers being driven from a common shaft 39 and the rollers 30, 31 and cutters 40. 41 being mounted for radial movement out of the path of the forming reels. The forming reels are then placed on a conveyer 48. In a modification (Fig. 4, not shown) the forming reels are passed from a magazine through a P.T.F.E. lined guide tube to the cord guide ring 25. The apparatus is provided with only one roll of sheets of flexible material, one serrated roller and one cutter, the roller and cutter being both mounted on arms pivotally connected to the rotatable carriages. In a further embodiment (Figs. 5, 6, not shown), the forming reels are passed vertically through the apparatus, the reels being supported during a working phase of the machine on pneumatically actuated retractable portions of a support plate at the base of reel guiding means. During movement of the reels through the apparatus, the lowermost reel is supported by a pneunlatieally operated plunger which works in synchronism with the feeding plunger. In the apparatus sheets of flexible material are not applied to the cords in the passage of the reels through the apparatus and the cords are compressed on to the forming reels by a pair of inflatable bags arranged about the forming reel path.