Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/944,779 filed Feb. 26, 2014, which is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use in a conventional pocket coil machine which is capable of making a continuous string of pocketed springs having ventilation holes. The invention further relates to the method of manufacturing such strings of pocketed springs. 
         [0003]    Pocketed spring assemblies or cores are commonly used in bedding or seating products. Such pocketed spring cores are commonly made from strings of individually pocketed springs joined together. Multiple strings of springs of the same length may be welded or otherwise secured together. The height of the individual strings of pocketed springs may be identical or vary in a pocketed spring core or assembly. 
         [0004]    Existing pocket coil machines which produce continuous strings of individually pocketed springs use a non-woven web of fabric which has natural ventilation, but no additional openings for ventilation. Many different manufacturers of pocketed spring assemblies use the same fabric. Therefore, when viewing a bedding or seating product incorporating an assembly or array of such strings of pocketed springs, it may be difficult to identify the manufacturer or source of the pocketed spring assembly. 
         [0005]    In order to identify the source or manufacturer of a pocketed spring product, it would be useful to create a pattern of openings or ventilation holes in the form of letters or numbers in the fabric of one or more individual pockets. 
         [0006]    Further, it would be desirable to use a conventional fabric in a pocket coil machine and be able to create openings in the fabric for ventilation before the individual springs are encased in such fabric, as opposed to using a pre-ventilated fabric, for cost savings. 
         [0007]    Therefore, an apparatus capable of use with existing pocket coil machines which ventilates the material used for the pockets would be desirable. An apparatus which could pattern the ventilation holes in patterns to identify the product or the manufacturer of the strings of pocketed springs would be an additional benefit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to one aspect of this invention, an apparatus for creating ventilation openings in fabric used to create a continuous string of pocketed springs is provided. A portion of the ventilation apparatus may be removably secured to a pocket coil machine to treat or ventilate the fabric prior to the fabric entering the pocket coil machine. The pocket coil machine may be any known in the industry. The fabric may be any type of fabric. The present invention is not intended to limit or restrict in any manner the pocket coil machine with which any embodiment of ventilation apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be used. The present invention is further not intended to limit or restrict in any manner the type of fabric which may be used in any embodiment of ventilation apparatus shown or described herein. 
         [0009]    The ventilation apparatus comprises two principal portions: a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion or brush roller assembly may be removably secured or attached to the pocket coil machine. The movable portion or pin roller assembly is removably secured to the stationary portion in such a manner that the movable portion may pivot relative to the stationary portion of the ventilation apparatus between fully open, fully closed and intermediate positions. 
         [0010]    The brush roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus comprises a stationary frame having two sides. The stationary frame has an opening in a middle portion between the side portions. The brush roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus further comprises a rotatable brush roller shaft extending between the sides of the stationary frame. At least one brush roller is mounted on the brush roller shaft. Friction between the moving fabric and the brush roller(s) causes rotation of the brush roller(s) and brush roller shaft. The brush roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus may further comprise guide rollers extending between the stationary frame sides to guide the web of material into and out of the ventilation apparatus. 
         [0011]    The pin roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus comprises two opposed frame members joined together by at least one support member. Each of the frame members of the pin roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus is pivotally secured to a side of the brush roller assembly of the ventilation apparatus. A rotatable pin roller shaft extends between the movable frame members. At least one pin roller is mounted on the pin roller shaft. The pin roller shaft may be driven any number of ways, including a motorized drive assembly. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of this invention, a method of making a continuous string of pocketed springs is provided. The method comprises passing a web of material between two rollers, at least one of the rollers having protrusions to create a patterned web. The patterned web has multiple patterns of openings in the web. The next step in the process comprises introducing the patterned web into a pocket coil machine for creating a string of individually pocketed springs. 
         [0013]    Another method of making a continuous string of pocketed springs comprises passing a web of material between rollers to create a patterned web, at least one of the rollers having pins and at least one of the rollers being a brush roller. The patterned web has openings through the web. The last step comprises introducing the patterned web into an apparatus, such as a pocket coil machine, for creating a string of individually pocketed springs. 
         [0014]    One advantage of this invention is that it enables an existing pocket coiler to be quickly and easily retrofitted with a ventilation apparatus to improve the ventilation of the individually pocketed coil springs exiting the pocket coiler. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of this invention is that it enables a pattern to be quickly and/or inexpensively imprinted on individually pocketed coil springs to improve the ventilation of the individually pocketed coil springs or identify the product or source of a pocketed product to a customer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The objectives and features of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the ventilation apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention attached to a pocket coil machine and being utilized to ventilate the fabric used in the pocket coil machine; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partially disassembled view of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  is another partially disassembled view of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is taken along the line  5 - 5  of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  6 - 6  of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of one of the rollers of the ventilation apparatus placing letters through the fabric; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view illustrating the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 2  in an open position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of another embodiment of ventilation apparatus according to the invention attached to a pocket coil machine and being utilized to ventilate the fabric used in the pocket coil machine; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a partially disassembled view of the movable portion of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a partially disassembled view of a portion of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  is an assembled view of a portion of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 14  is a partially disassembled view of a portion of the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 15  is a side elevational view illustrating the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9  in a fully open position; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 16  is a side elevational view illustrating the ventilation apparatus of  FIG. 9  in a partially open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , a ventilation apparatus  10  used for ventilating a web of material  12 , according to one embodiment of this invention, is illustrated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the ventilation apparatus  10  is attached to a pocket coil machine  14 . The ventilation apparatus  10  may be attached to any pocket coil machine, including one sold by Spuhl AG and sold as Model P-450. However, the ventilation apparatus  10  may be used with any pocket coil machine and does not have to be directly attached to the pocket coil machine. This document does not intend to limit in any fashion the type of pocket coil machine with which the ventilation apparatus  10  may be used. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the web of material  12  is illustrated having two side edges  16  defining a width “W”. Although one width is shown, the web of material  12  may have any desired width and is not intended to be limited by the drawings. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the web of material  12  originates from a supply  18 , passes through the ventilating apparatus  10  and enters the pocket coil machine  14 . One supply illustrated in  FIG. 1  may be a roll of fabric  20  mounted on a rotatable axle  22 . However, any other supply may be used. 
         [0036]    As best shown in  FIG. 8 , the ventilating apparatus  10  has a stationary portion or brush roller assembly  24  and a movable portion or pin roller assembly  26  which is pivotal between a closed position shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and an open position shown in  FIG. 8 . The ventilating apparatus  10  and, more specifically, the brush roller assembly  24  may be removably attached to the pocket coil machine  14  in any desired manner. See  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, ventilating apparatus  10  may stand on its own a distance from a pocket coil machine. 
         [0037]    Although not illustrated, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that one or more pin rollers mounted on a pin roller shaft be part of the stationary portion of the ventilating apparatus and the brush roller(s) and shaft be part of the pivotal portion of the ventilating apparatus. Either the pin roller shaft or the brush roller shaft may be driven by a drive apparatus not limited to the one illustrated and described herein. For example, a servo motor may be used to rotate either the shaft on which one or more pin rollers are mounted and/or the shaft on which one or more brush rollers are mounted, regardless of whether the roller(s) are part of the stationary or movable portion of the ventilating apparatus. 
         [0038]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the stationary portion  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10  comprises an outer frame  28  having two side portions  30 , a top portion  32  and a rear portion  34 . Although the outer frame  28  is shown as being one piece of metal, it may comprise multiple pieces of metal or plastic or any other desirable material. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the top portion  32  of the outer frame  28  has a generally rectangular-shaped opening  36 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , each side portion  30  of the outer frame  28  has a generally circular-shaped opening  38  (only one being shown) allowing access inside the outer frame  28  for repairs, for example, to repair one of the adjusters  84 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , each side portion  30  of the outer frame  28  also has a rear tab  40  and a front tab  42 . A rotatable front guide roller  44  extends between and is secured to the front tabs  42  on opposed side portions  30  of the outer frame  28 . Similarly, a rotatable rear guide roller  46  extends between and is secured to the rear tabs  40  on opposed side portions  30  of the outer frame  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the web of material  12  passes over the rotatable front guide roller  44  and underneath the rotatable rear guide roller  46  as it passes through the ventilation apparatus  10  in the direction of arrow  48  shown in  FIG. 1 . In some instances, one or both of the guide rollers  44 ,  46  may be stationary, i.e., non-rotatable. 
         [0039]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the stationary portion  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10  further comprises an inner frame  50  having two side walls  52 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a front brace  54  extends between the side walls  52  and is secured thereto with fasteners  55  (only one being shown). Although the front brace  54  is illustrated as being cylindrical, it may be other desired shapes, such as a short wall. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a rear wall  56  extends between the side walls  52  and is secured thereto. 
         [0040]    Each side wall  52  of inner frame  50  of brush roller assembly  24  also has a front finger  60  with an opening  62  therethrough. As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a bracket  64  having an opening  66  is mounted to the front finger  60  of each side wall  52  of the inner frame  50  with four fasteners  61  for purposes of receiving and retaining a quick release pin  68  having a handle  70 . Each of the two pins  68  extends through the aligned openings  60 ,  66 , respectively, upon assembly of the movable portion  26  to the stationary portion  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10 . 
         [0041]    As best shown in  FIG. 3A , each side wall  52  of inner frame  50  of brush roller assembly  24  has an obround or oval-shaped indentation  58  (only one being shown) which extends only partially through the thickness of the side wall  52 . As best shown in  FIG. 3A , inside the indentation  58 , two obround or oval-shaped openings  65  each extend through the entire thickness of the side wall  52  of inner frame  50 . 
         [0042]    As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a bearing assembly  72  is mounted to a bearing plate  73  with two bearing bolts  74 . The bearing plate  73  is located inside the oval-shaped indentation  58  upon assembly by bearing bolts  74 . Each of the two bearing bolts  74  passes through one of the oval-shaped openings  65  inside the obround or oval-shaped indentation  58  and secures the bearing plate  73  located outside the side wall  52  (but inside indentation  58 ) to a flange of one of the bearing assemblies  72  located inside the side wall  52 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A brush roller shaft  76  extends between the two bearing assemblies  72  and is rotatably supported by such bearing assemblies  72 . A brush roller  78  is supported by the brush roller shaft  76 . The brush roller  78  may have nylon bristles. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , an upper portion of the brush roller  78  extends through the opening  36  in the top portion  32  of the outer frame  28  of the brush roller assembly  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10 . Although one brush roller is illustrated in the brush roller assembly  24 , more than one brush roller may be mounted on a brush roller shaft and extend partially through one or more openings in the outer frame of the brush roller assembly  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10 . 
         [0043]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 , an adjuster bracket  80  is secured to an outside surface of each bearing plate  73  with two fasteners  81 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 , a guide bracket  82  is mounted to the side wall  52  of the inner frame  50  of the brush roller assembly  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10  with fasteners  83 . The guide bracket  82  is located outside the side wall  52 . An adjuster  84  comprising a knob  86  and a threaded rod  88  extending upwardly from the knob  86  adjusts the vertical position or height of one side of the brush roller shaft  76  and brush roller  78  upon rotation of the adjuster  84 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 , the threaded rod  88  extends through the guide bracket  82  and terminates in the adjuster bracket  80 . Rotation of knob  86  and threaded rod  88  causes the adjuster bracket  80  to move vertically and therefore raise or lower the bearing plate  73 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , vertical movement of the bearing plate  73  causes vertical movement of the bearing bolts  74  inside the oval-shaped or obround openings  65  and vertically moves the bearing assembly  72  and, therefore, one side of the brush roller shaft  76 . In order to raise or lower the other side of the brush roller shaft  76 , the other knob  86  must be rotated the same direction. Rotation of one or the other knobs  86  raises or lowers one end of the brush roller  78  and thereby may be used to adjust or straighten the path of the web  12  moving through the ventilation apparatus  10 . 
         [0044]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the movable pin roller assembly  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  comprises two side walls  90  joined together with two stationary support members  92 . Although each of the support members  92  is shown as being generally cylindrical, it may be other shapes or sizes. Although two support members  92  are shown, any number of support members may be used. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , each of the support members  92  extends between the side walls  90  and is secured thereto with fasteners  94  (only one side being shown). 
         [0045]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , at the front of each side wall  90  of the movable pin roller assembly  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  is a hub  150  which has an opening  152  extending through the hub  150 . As best shown in  FIG. 3A , when assembled, each of the two hubs  150  is located between one of the brackets  64  and one of the fingers  60  of one of the side walls  52  of the inner frame  50  of the brush roller assembly  24 . Each of the two quick release pins  68  having a handle  70  extends through the aligned openings  60 ,  66  and  152  of the brush roller assembly  24  and movable pin roller assembly  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10 , respectively, upon assembly of the ventilation apparatus  10 . In an assembled position, the movable pin roller assembly  26  is pivotally secured to the brush roller assembly  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10  along axis “A” shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  4  and  5 , each of the side walls  90  of the movable pin roller assembly  26  has an obround or oval-shaped indentation  96  (only one being shown) which extends only partially through the thickness of the side wall  90 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  4  and  5 , inside the obround or oval-shaped indentation  96 , two obround or oval-shaped openings  98  each extend through the entire thickness of the side wall  90 . 
         [0047]    As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a bearing assembly  72  is mounted to an adjuster plate  100  with two bearing bolts  102 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the adjuster plate  100  is located inside the obround or oval-shaped indentation  96  upon assembly by bearing bolts  102 . Each of the two bearing bolts  102  passes through one of the oval-shaped openings  98  inside the oval-shaped indentation  96  and secures the adjuster plate  100  located outside the side wall  90  (but inside indentation  96 ) to a flange of one of the bearing assemblies  72  located inside the side wall  90  of movable pin roller assembly  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . A pin roller shaft  104  having a hollow interior  105  extends between the two bearing assemblies  72  and is rotatably supported by such bearing assemblies  72 . Two spaced pin rollers  106  are each supported by the pin roller shaft  104 . Although the drawings show two spaced pin rollers  106 , any number of pin rollers may be used, including a single pin roller. 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , each pin roller  106  comprises a roller hub  108  having cooling grooves  110  to keep heat absorption to a minimum. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , each pin roller  106  has a plurality of metal pins  112  for imparting openings through the fabric  12  upon rotation of the pin rollers  106 . The pins  112  mesh with the upper portion of the brush roller  78  extending through the opening  36  in the top portion  32  of the outer frame  28  of the brush roller assembly  24  of the ventilation apparatus  10 . The pins  112  may be in any desired pattern and are not intended to be limited by the drawings. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pins,  112 ,  112   a  extending outwardly from one or more of the pin rollers may have a predetermined pattern including, but not limited to, a format of letters and/or numbers or a combination thereof. After the pins  112   a  punch through the web of fabric  12 , one or more words and/or symbols  114  may be imparted through the web of fabric  12 . The words and/or symbols  114  may be used to identify the source or manufacturer of the pocketed spring product produced using the web of fabric. Alternatively, or additionally, the words and/or symbols  114  may be used to identify the resultant pocketed spring product. 
         [0050]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a pin roller adjuster  120  is located on each side of the movable pin roller assembly  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  (only one being shown). Each pin roller adjuster  120  functions to adjust or move one side of the pin roller shaft  104  by rotating a turning wheel  122 . As best shown in  FIG. 3A , each pin wheel adjuster  120  comprises an adjuster bracket  124  fixedly secured to an outside surface of adjuster plate  100  with two fasteners  116 , such that movement of the adjuster bracket  124  moves the adjuster plate  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 5 , two support brackets  118  supporting the ends of a threaded rod  128  are mounted to the side wall  90  with fasteners  126 . The support brackets  118  are fixed in a stationary position outside the side wall  90 . The pin roller adjuster  120  comprising turning wheel  122  and a threaded rod  128  adjusts the horizontal position of the pin roller shaft  104  and pin rollers  106  upon rotation of the turning wheel  122 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the threaded rod  128  extends through the adjuster bracket  124 . Rotation of turning wheel  122  and threaded rod  128  causes the adjuster bracket  124  to move horizontally and, therefore, move horizontally the adjuster plate  100  to which the bearing assembly  72  is attached. Horizontal movement of the adjuster plate  100  causes horizontal movement of the bearing bolts  102  inside the oval-shaped openings  98  and horizontally moves the bearing assembly  72  and, therefore, one side of the pin roller shaft  104 . In order to move the other side of the pin roller shaft  104 , the other turning wheel  122  must be rotated the same direction. Rotation of one or the other turning wheels  122  moves one end of the pin roller shaft  104 , and thereby may be used to straighten the path of the web  12  moving through the ventilation apparatus  10 . 
         [0051]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the movable portion  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  further comprises a fabric adjuster  132 . The fabric adjuster  132  moves the position of the web of fabric  12  moving through the ventilation apparatus  10  in order to adjust the pin depth as the pins extend through the fabric. Each fabric adjuster  132  comprises a lift cylinder  134  secured to one of the side walls  90  with four fasteners  136 . The fabric adjuster  132  further comprises a threaded rod  138  movable inside the lift cylinder  134  and terminating in a foot  140  which contacts the moving web of fabric  12 . See  FIGS. 3 and 4 . By rotating the threaded rod  138  manually with a turner  142 , an operator may adjust the height of one or both fabric adjusters  132 . Alternatively, lift adjusters  132  may automatically raise the movable portion  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  in the event of a stoppage of the fabric web  12 . 
         [0052]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the movable portion  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  further comprises radiant heaters  144  and a heat shield  146 . 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , one advantage of the present invention is that the movable portion  26  of the ventilation apparatus  10  may be pivoted to its open position in order to splice or secure a tail edge of one empty roll of fabric to a leading edge of another full roll of fabric. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 9-16  illustrate ventilation apparatus  10   a  used for ventilating a web of material  12 , according to another embodiment of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the ventilation apparatus  10   a  is attached to a pocket coil machine  14 . The ventilation apparatus  10   a  may be attached to any pocket coil machine, including one sold by Spuhl AG and sold as Model P-450. However, the ventilation apparatus  10   a  may be used with any pocket coil machine and does not have to be directly attached to the pocket coil machine. This document does not intend to limit in any fashion the type of pocket coil machine with which the ventilation apparatus  10   a  may be used. 
         [0055]    As best shown in  FIG. 13 , the ventilating apparatus  10   a  has a stationary portion or brush roller assembly  24   a  and a movable portion or pin roller assembly  26   a  which is pivotal between a fully closed position shown in  FIG. 9  and a fully open position shown in  FIG. 15 . The stationary portion  24   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  is similar to the stationary portion  24  of the ventilating apparatus  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1-8  and described herein, but not identical. Ventilating apparatus  10   a  may be removably attached to the pocket coil machine  14 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , or stand on its own a distance from a pocket coil machine. 
         [0056]    As best shown in  FIG. 14 , a safety assembly  162  is included in the stationary portion  24   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  on the right side when looking from the front as shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , safety assembly  162  comprises a lock plate  163  mounted outside one of the side walls  52  of inner frame  50  with four fasteners  165  (the right side wall  52  when looking from the front as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The stationary portion  24   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  also has a front finger  60  with an opening  62  therethrough in each side wall  52 . As best shown in  FIG. 14 , a bracket  64  having an opening  66  is mounted to the front finger  60  of each side wall  52  of the inner frame  50 . The safety assembly  162  further comprises a spring-loaded safety pin  164  having a knob  167 . The spring-loaded safety pin  164  passes through the lock plate  163  and contacts one of the side walls  90  (the right one) of the movable pin roller assembly  26   a.  See  FIG. 14 . When the pivotal pin roller assembly  26   a  is in its fully open position shown in  FIG. 15 , the safety pin  164  extends further outwardly because it is no longer stopped by the side wall  90  of the movable pin roller assembly  26   a.    
         [0057]    The safety assembly  162  prevents the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  from unintentionally fully closing and potentially injuring an operator. Instead, the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  stops in a partially closed or intermediate position shown in  FIG. 16 . An operator must pull out safety pin  164  to enable the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  to move to a fully closed position shown in  FIG. 9 . When an operator closes the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  from a fully open position shown in  FIG. 15  in the direction of arrow  170  (clockwise as shown in  FIG. 15 ), a portion of the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  contacts a safety pin  164  of the safety assembly  162 , thereby preventing full closure of the ventilating apparatus  10   a . With the safety pin  164  in its position shown in  FIG. 16  abutting a portion of the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a,  an operator may pull outwardly on a knob  167  of the movable pin  164 , thereby moving the pin  164  out of the way and allowing the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  to fully close. A user may move the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  by grasping a handle  172 , best shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0058]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 9-16 , the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilation apparatus  10   a  comprises some of the same components as movable portion  26  of ventilation apparatus  10  described herein, but further comprises additional components described below. For simplicity, like numbers represent like parts. 
         [0059]    As best shown in  FIG. 10 , the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilation apparatus  10   a  further comprises an outer heat shield  154  and an insulator box  156  inside the outer heat shield  154 . The purpose of the insulator box  156  is to keep heat radiating from the radiant heaters  144  from making the outer heat shield  154  too hot so as to be dangerous to the touch. With the insulator box  156 , an operator may touch the outer heat shield  154  without getting burned. In other words, the outer heat shield  154  and an insulator box  156  are for safety purposes. 
         [0060]    As best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilation apparatus  10   a  further comprises an air cooling assembly  158  secured with brackets  160  surrounding one of the stationary support members  92 . The air cooling assembly  158  functions to create an air barrier between the pin roller and the fabric. In the event of stoppage of the flow of the web  12 , the lifts  134  raise the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilation apparatus  10   a  and air flows out of a slot  166  in the air cooling assembly  158  in the direction of arrow  168 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0061]    As shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , a drive assembly  174  is included in the movable portion  26   a  of the ventilating apparatus  10   a  on the left side when looking from the front, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The drive assembly  174  includes a motor  176  which, via a gear box  178 , rotates a drive shaft  182 . The drive shaft  182  passes through an adaptor plate  184 , a motor mount  186  and into a drive sprocket  188 . The drive shaft  182  is secured in place so as to rotate the drive sprocket  188  via use of a key  190 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , upper and lower clamp pieces  192 ,  194 , respectively, may be secured to the motor mount  186  and to each other via fastener  195 , held in place on the stationary support members  92 . 
         [0062]    The drive assembly  174  of the pin roller assembly  26   a  further comprises a driven sprocket  196  having a central opening  198  therein through which pin roller shaft  104  passes, as shown in  FIG. 12 . As best shown in  FIG. 11 , a chain  200  wraps around the drive sprocket  188  and around the driven sprocket  196 . The drive assembly  174  of the pin roller assembly  26   a  further comprises an idler sprocket  202  mounted to an idler bracket  204  via a shoulder bolt  206 . As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the idler bracket  204  and attached idler sprocket  202  may be vertically adjusted inside an opening  205  in the motor mount  186  by rotation of a tension bolt  208 . A chain guard  210  protects the drive sprocket  188  and chain  200  from damage. 
         [0063]    In operation, activation of the motor  176  rotates the drive sprocket  188  which, via the chain  200 , rotates the driven sprocket  196 , which rotates the pin roller shaft  104  and pin rollers  106  mounted on the pin roller shaft  104 . 
         [0064]    One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the alternative embodiments of the apparatus shown herein are exemplary only of a wide variety of alternative configurations that are readily possible within the scope of this invention. 
         [0065]    From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of at least one preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which this invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: y