US2805538A - Methods of and apparatus for making electrical conductors - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 10, 1957 H. L. WESSEL 2,305,538

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed May 8, 1956 A 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. H. L. WESSEL A TTORNEV Sept. 10, 1957 H. L. WESSEL 2,805,538

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed May 8, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. h. L. ms'ssa A T TORNEV rates 2,3fi553fi Patented Sept. 10, 1&5?

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assasss METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FGR ELECTRAL CONDUCTGRS Application May 8, 1956, Serial No. 583,470

16 Claims. (63. 5'711) This invention relates to methods of and apparatus for making electrical conductors, and more particularly to methods of and apparatus for making electrical conductors of the type wherein strands of a filamentary material are wound around a core of indefinite length.

In the manufacture of electrical conductors for use in the communications field, it is common to wind a plurality of flat, conductive strands known as tinsel ribbons around an advancing core of textile material, such as cotton. The resulting conductor formed thereby is known as a tinsel conductor and is used commonly for telephone cords where flexibility and long conductor life are desired. In the past, tinsel conductors have been formed by first wrapping a pair of tinsel ribbons helically around an advancing cotton core and winding the resultant ribbon-encircled core onto a reel. A second pair of tinsel ribbons is then wrapped helically over the first pair and the resultant tinsel conductor is wound onto a second takeup reel.

Since the speeds at which the tinsel ribbons'must be wrapped around the cotton core to obtain maximum production result in the tinsel ribbons being wound very tightly therearound, it is desirable to loosen the ribbons to increase the flexibility and life of the tinsel conductor. It has been common to perform a third operation to loosen the conductors by untwisting the tinsel ribbons slightly, after which the tinsel conductors are covered by a suitable plastic or fibrous material. It can be seen then, that in the past three distinct operations have been found necessary to form a finished tinsel conductor. It would be obviously very desirable if such conductors could be formed in one continuous operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for making elect 'cal conductors.

It is another object of the invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for making electrical conductors of the type wherein strands of a filamentary material are wound around a core of indefinite length.

Still another object of the invention is to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for winding a plurality of tinsel ribbons around a cotton core and loosening the tinsel ribbons to increase the flexibility of the tinsel conductor formed thereby.

A method of making electrical conductors of the type wherein a strand of a filamentary material is wound around a core of indefinite length, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include the steps of simultaneously advancing such a core longitudinally, rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, directing a strand of filamentary material around the rotating core so that the longitudinal advancement and rotation of the core cause the strand to be Wrapped helically around the core, winding the strand-encircled core onto a spool and loosening the strands around the core while winding the strand-encircled core onto the spool.

Apparatus for making electrical conductors of the type wherein a strand of filamentary material is wound around a core of indefinite length, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include means for advancing such a core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, means for directing such a strand of material to the core so that the rotation and longitudinal advancement of the core cause the strand to be wrapped helically therearound, takeup means for Winding the strand-encircled core upon a spool and means for loosening the strand around the core as the strand-encircled core is being wound upon the takeup spool.

More specifically, apparatus embodying the invention may include a base to which a supply spool of cotton strand is mounted rotatably. A plurality of driven gears are provided with a pair of the gears causing rotation of the supply spool and the cotton strand leading therefrom. Another of the driven gears rotates a capstan at a speed greater than that of the supply spool to cause longitudinal advancement of the cotton strand, and still another of the driven gears rotates a takeup reel at a speed which is less than the speed of rotation of the supply spool and the cotton strand. A plurality of tinsel ribbons are applied to the rotating cotton strand and the longitudinal movement of the strand causes the ribbons to be applied helically therearound. Because of the difference in speed of rotation between the tinsel ribbon-wrapped cotton strand and the takeup reel, the tinsel ribbons are loosened and wound upon the takeup reel. A distributing apparatus is provided for distributing the completed tinsel conductors over the entire length of the takeup reel.

The hereinabove listed and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of apparatus embodying the invention for making electrical conductors and by means of which methods embodying the invention may be practiced, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken in a plane parallel to the plane of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, a motor 1% drives a plurality of gears 11 to 14, inclusive. The motor it), the gears 11 to 14, inclusive, and the remaining structure of the apparatus embodying the invention are mounted upon a base 16 and a vertical support 17. The gears 11, 12 and 13 are driven by gears 21, 22 and 23, respectively, which are keyed to a shaft 25. The shaft 25 is rotated by the motor 10 through a belt 26 extending between the shaft 25 and an output shaft 27 associated with the motor 10. The gear 14 is driven by a pair of gears 30 and 31, the former of which meshes with the gear 22 and both of which are mounted on a shaft 32, and an idler gear 35. The various gear rations involved are such that the motor 10 drives both of the gears 11 and 12 at a predetermined speed, the gear 13 at a speed greater than the predetermined speed and the gear 14 at a speed which is less than the predetermined speed.

The gear 11 is keyed to a shaft 36, which is journaled within a pair of bearings 37 and 38. The upper part of the shaft 36 is formed into an arbor 4%. Referring to Fig. 2, an outer race 41 of the bearing 37 is secured fixedly within a central bore 42 formed in a block 45. The block 4-5 is secured to a second block (not shown), welded to the vertical support 17, by a pair of bolts 46-46. An inner race 47 of the bearing 37 is secured fixedly to the shaft 36 and ballbearings 5l59 are dis- 3 posed between the inner race 47 and the outer race fll. The bearing 38 is constructed similarly as the bearing 37. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the gear 11 is retained fixedly between the bearings 37 and 33 by a spacersleeve 51 of suitable length.

A plate 52 is mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 36 and is secured fixedly to the shaft 36 for rotation therewith. A cylindrical guide member 55 havingapertures56 and 57 formed in opposite sides thereof is secured to the rotatable plate '52 by bolts 60--60. A supply package 61 of a textile material, such as cotton, a strand 62 of which forms a suitable core for tinsel conductors, is mounted With a friction fit upon the arbor "40. Such a fit can be provided conveniently by placing a felt :pad 63 between the arbor 40 and the package'61. The-friction fit provided by the felt pad 63 between the package 61 ahdthe arbor 40 must be tight enough thattheapackage 61 is rotated'by the arbor 40 but also loose'enough that the package will rotate with respect to the arbor when the strand 62 is pulled from the package. A 'pair of spring-loaded tension discs 6464 are also secured within-the guidemember 55 by 'suitable'means (not shown).

*An'inclined aperture 65 is. formed within the'plate '52. A bore 66 is formed centrally and longitudinally of the shaft36 and an inclined bore 67 is also formed in the shaft 36, the inclined bore 67 communicating'with'the inclined aperture 65 in the plate 52 and the central bore 66in the shaft 36. a

The driven gear 12 is keyed to a shaft 70,'which is journaled within a pair of bearings 71 and 72. The bearings 71 and 72 are secured to the vertical support'17 similarly as the bearing 37 described hereinabove. A flyer 75 having sheaves 76 and 77 securedrotatably thereto is secured fixedly to the shaft 70 for rotation therewith. The shaft 70 has a bore 80 formed centrally and longitudinally along a portion of the length thereof and a bore 81 which is-inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft 70 and which intersects thebore 80. Another bore 82 is formed centrally and longitudinally ofthe shaft 70, with the upper end 85 thereof being formed at 90 to the longitudinal portion of the bore 82 and communicating with the side of the shaft 70. A-pin 86 is secured within the shaft 70 and transversely thereof to guide a strand from the bore 85 to the bore 82. I

The gear 13, which rotates faster than the gears '11 and 12, is secured fixedly to a sleeve 37. The sleeve 87 is mounted upon the shaft 70 and rotates independently thereof. A capstan 90 is secured to the gear-13 for rotation therewith by a plurality of bolts, such as the bolt 91, shown in Fig. 2. The sheave 76 is so-arranged that it directs a strand from the inclined bore 81 to the capstan 90, and the'sheave 77 is so arranged that it directs the strand from the capstan'90 to the pin 86, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

:A plurality of spools 92-92 are disposed between-the lower end of the shaft 36 and the upper end of the shaft '70. The spools '9292 are mounted rotatably upona block 95 which is secured fixedly to the support 17 by bolts 9696. Each of the spools 92-92 contains a supply of a flat, metallic, conductive strand 97, referred 'to inthe art as tinsel ribbon. -When tinsel ribbons, such as the strands 9797 are wound helically upon acottou 'core, such as the core 62, the resultant product is termed a tinsel conductor. Such a tinsel conductor is shown at 100 in Figs. 1 and 2. The tinsel ribbons 97--97 are guided toward the cotton core 62 bya plurality of sheaves 101-401 which are mounted at various levels by posts 102-102 of diiferent lengths. The posts 102'102are -threaded at their lower-ends and secured within a ringthe core between the spring-loaded tension discs 64-64-.

30 by the motor 10 through the belt 26, the shaft 25 and the gear 22. The gears 30 and 31 are keyed to the shaft 32 which is journaled within an upper bearing 106 and a lower bearing 107. The upper bearing 106 is similar in construction to the bearing 37, while the lower bearing 107 may be of any suitable type that will provide rotatable support for the lower end of the shaft 32 in the base 16. The intermediate gear 35 and the driven gear 14 may also be mounted upon the base 16 by any suitable bearing means.

The driven gear 14 is secured fixedly to a cylindrical spindle 110 which rotates with the gear 14. A takeup spool 111 is mounted detachably upon the upper end of the spindle 110 by suitable locking means (not shown). Such locking means must secure the takeup spool 111 fixedly to the spindle 110 so that the takeup spool 111 rotates with the spindle and at the same speed as the gear 14 during a takeup operation. It can be seen then, that since the shaft 70 is secured to the gear 12 andisince the takeup spool 111 is 'operably engaged with the gear 14, the takeup spool 111 rotates at a slower speed than the'shaft 70 and, hence, at a slower speed than the rotational speed of the tinsel conductor 100 as it passes through the longitudinal bore 82 in the shaft 70.

A distributor to wind the tinsel conductor evenlyover the whole length of the .takeup spool 11'1'is provided, and

includes a distributor ring 112 which surrounds the takeup spool 111 and is slidable vertically on a pair of upright shafts 115-115. The upper ends of the shafts 115115 are secured fixedly within blocks 116-416,

bolted to the vertical support 17, and the lower ends 'rod 123 -is-secured a'djustably within the bracket 121 by -a-pair of-set screws 125-125 and a roller-type cam 40 follower 126 is mounted rotatably to the lower end of the rod'1-23.

The cam follower 126 engages the periphery of a heart-shaped cam 127 which is rotated by a motor 130 through a driving belt 131. The belt 131 extends between an output shaft 132 of the motor 130 and a The rod-123 is securedto the bracket 121 by the set screws 125125 so that the distributor 'ring 112 traverses the complete length of the takeup spoollll.

Operation When the tinsel conductor 100 is to be formed, the supply package 61 of cotton is placed upon the arbor 40. As stated hereinabove, a friction fit is provided between the package'61 and thearbor 4-0 by the felt pad 63 so that the package will not only be rotated by the arbor but also can rotate with respect to the arbor. arrangement, the package 61 will rotate faster than the -arbor 40 when the strand 62 is pulled from the arbor. The strand 62 of the. cotton forming the core of the With this tinsel conductor 100 is threaded through the aperture 56 in 'the'guide member 55 to the exterior thereof, around approximately one-half of 'the outside periphery of the guide member 55 and directed into the aperture 57. tortuous path provided for the core 62 places some tension on the core, but the core 62 can be placed in further The tension, the amount of which can be varied, by passing The-core '62 is then directed into the aperture 65 in j the plate 52 and into the bores 67 and 66 within the shaft "36'. From the bore66 in the shaft 36 the core 62 is directed'into the central bore 80 and the inclined bore 81 within the shaft 70. The'core is then directed over the sheave 76 and wrapped several times around the capstan 90. From the capstan 90, the core 62 is directed around the sheave 77 and the pin 86 and into the bore 82 of the shaft 70.

As described hereinabove, the gears 11 and 12 are rotated at an equal, predetermined speed. The shafts 36 and 70, therefore, are rotating at the same speed. Consequently, no twisting of the core 62 occurs between these shafts and only rotation of the core occurs. The gear 13 to which the capstan 90 is secured rotates at a speed that is greater than the predetermined speed of the gears 11 and 12. The faster rotation of the capstan 9% causes the core 62 to advance longitudinally of the shafts 36 and 70 and causes the core 62 to be pulled from the supply package 61. The loose engagement of the package 61 on the arbor 40 permits the package to rotate with respect to the arbor and pay out the core 62 therefrom. This longitudinal advancement of the core 62 will, of course, be at a constant speed which is determined by the relative speeds of rotation of the capstan 96 and the shaft 36.

Since the core 62 is not only being advanced longitudinally but also is rotating due to the rotation of the plate 52, the arbor 40 and the shafts 36 and 70, the tinsel ribbons 9797 are pulled from the spools 22 and are applied helically around the core 62 to form the tinsel conductor 100. It has been found that the speed of the gears 11 and 12 must be in the order of approximately 3000 to 4000 R. P. M. in order to obtain maximum production of the tinsel conductors, such as the conductor 1%. With speeds of this magnitude, the tinsel conductor 100 that is formed has the tinsel ribbons 9797 wrapped too tightly therearound. This tight wrapping of the tinsel ribbons 9797 around the core 62 is necessary, however, to form the tinsel conductor 100 properly and obtain maximum production of the tinsel conductors.

In order to increase the flexibility of the tinsel conductor 109, the tinsel ribbons 97-97 must be loosened around the core 62. For this purpose, the takeup spool 111 is rotated at a speed less than the predetermined speed of the gears 11 and 12. Since the shaft 70, from which the tinsel conductor 1% is passing to the takeup spool 111, is rotating at the speed of the gears 11 and 12, and since the takeup spool 111 is rotating at the slower speed of the gear 14, loosening of the tinsel conductor 1% will occur between the lower end of the shaft 70 and the upper end of the takeup spool 111. one practical embodiment of the invention, the gears and 12 were rotated at approximately 3000 R. P. l /l., and the gear 13 which rotates the capstan 90 was rotated at approximately 3015 R. P. M. To loosen the tinsel conductor 100 a sufiicient amount for the purposes of acquiring a suitably-flexible conductor the gear 14 and the takeup spool 111 were rotated at a speed of approximately 2700 R. P. M.

It can be seen that by using the apparatus embodying the invention, any given amount of loosening of the tinsel conductor 1% can be obtained by simply changing the various gear ratios involved with respect to the gear 14, driving the takeup spool 111, and the gears 11 and 12 which rotate the tinsel conductor 10%. If no loosening of the tinsel conductor 160 is desired, the gear 1 is driven at the same speed as the gears 11 and 12. However, in order to obtain maximum production the gears 11 and 12 must be driven at such hi h speeds the tins l ribbons 9797 are wound too tightly around the cotton core 62. Therefore, from a practical, manufacturing standpoint, loosening of the tinsel conductor 1:30 must be provided.

Since the talteup spool 111 is rotating, the tinsel conductor 1% is wound thereon with the traveler 117 being pulled around the inner periphery 12d of the distributor ring 112 by the conductor 1%. The capstan 95 is designed to feed the tinsel conductor 16% slightly slower than the takeup spool 111 can receive the conductor. Since the capstan is feeding less of the conductor 100 than the takeup spool 111 can receive, the traveler 117 must unwind the difference between the amount of the conductor fed to the takeup spool and the amount wound thereon in any given length of time. Consequently, the speed at which the traveler 117 is moving is slightly less than the speed of rotation of the takeup spool 111 and depends upon the linear speed of the tinsel conductor 100, the speed of rotation of the takeup spool 111 and the circumferen e of the conductor 100 on the takeup spool iii. This small difference in speed introduces further a slight loosening, which is negligible, in the tinsel conductor 10%}.

As mentioned hereinabove, the motor 130 is rotated at a slow speed to rotate the cam 127, move the distributor ring up and down and cause an even distribution of the loosened and flexible tinsel conductor 100 along the complete length of the takeup spool 111'. As the tinsel conductor 100 builds up on the takeup spool 111, the circumference of the takeup spool 111 with the conductor 1813 thereon increases and, hence, the speed at which the traveler 117 is being pulled around the inner periphery of the distributor 112 varies slightly. From a practical standpoint, the slight difierence in speed between the traveler 117 and the takeup spool 111, both with an empty and a full spool 111, is negligible and introduces a negligible amount of loosening in the conductor 100.

For example, with the particular speeds described hereinabove, including a speed of 2700 R. P. M. for the takeup spool 7.11, and with an empty spool 111 of 9" circumference and a full spool of 18" circumference, the speed of the traveler with the takeup spool 111 empty would be approximately 2687 R. P. M. and the speed of the traveler when the takeup spool 111 is full wound be approximately 2693 R. P. M. Therefore, an untwist per foot introduced into the tinsel conductor 100 would vary by approximately 6 twists for every 10 feet of conductor 100, the linear speed of the conductor being constant at 10 feet per minute. Consequently, the loosening introduced by variation in the speed of the traveler would only cause an untwisting of the conductor of 0.050 twist per inch, a n lgible factor.

it can be seen then, that with the apparatus embodying the invention, the three distinct operations that have been required previously to form a tinsel conductor, such as the conductor 160, are not necessary. With the apparatus embodying the invention, a tinsel conductor 100 can be properly formed at the usual high speeds to obtain the maximum production possible. Also, such apparatus causes a loosening of the tinsel ribbons 97--97 after the ribbons have been wound upon the core 62 so that the flexibility and the life of the tinsel conductor 100 is increased materially.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodimerit of the invention is merely illustrative of the principles thereof and that numerous modifications and embodiments of the invention may be devised within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of making electrical conductors of the type wherein a strand of a filamentary material is wound a core of indefinite length, which comprises the steps of simultaneously advancing such a core longitudinally, rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, directing a strand of filamentary material around the rotating core so that the longitudinal advancement and rotation of the core cause the strand to be wrapped helically around the core, winding the strand-encircled core onto a spool, and loosening the strand around the core while winding the strand-encircled core onto the spool.

2. A method of making electrical conductors, which comprises the steps of simultaneously advancing a core accuses of indefinite length along its longitudinal axis, rotating the core about its axis, directing a strand of filamentary material around the core so that the strand is wound helically therearound, winding the strand-encircled core onto a takeup spool, and rotating the takeup spool at a speed lower than the rotative speed of the core to loosen the strand wound therearound.

3. A method of winding a strand of a filamentary material around a core of indefinite length, which comprises the steps of simultaneously rotating such a core about its longitudinal axis, directing such a strand to the rotating core, advancing the core along .its longitudinal axis so that the strand is wound helically therearound, winding the strand-encircled coreonto a takeup spool, and rotating the takeupspool about the axis of the core at a lower speed than the rotative speed of the core to loosen the strand around the core.

4. A method of winding a plurality of strands of a filamentary'material around a core of indefinite length, whichcomprises the steps of simultaneously advancing such a core longitudinally, rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, directing a plurality of strands of filamentar'y material around the rotating core so that the longitudinaladvancement and rotation of the core cause the strands to'be wrapped i lically therearound, winding the strand-encircled core onto a spool, and loosening the strands aroundthe core While winding the strand-encircled core onto'the spool. i

5. A method of making electrical conductors, which comprises the steps ofsimultaneously advancing a core of indefinite length alongits' longitudinal axis, rotating the core about its axis, directing a plurality of strands of filamentary material around the core so. that the strands are wound helically therearound, winding the strand-encircled core ontoatakeup spool, and rotating the takeup spool ataspeed lower than therotative speed of the core to loosen the .strands'wound therearound.

6. A method of winding a plurality of strands of a filamentary material around a core of indefinite length, which comprises the steps of simultaneously rotating such a core about its longitudinal axis, directing such a plurality of strands to the rotating core, advancing the core along its longitudinal axis so that the strands are wound helically therearound, winding the strand-encircled core onto a takeup spool, and rotating the takeup spool about the axis of the core at a lower speed than the rotative speed of the core to loosen the strands around the core.

7. A method of making electrical conductors, which comprises the steps of simultaneously advancing a core of indefinite length alon its longitudinal axis, rotating the core about its lon itudinal axis at a predetermined speed, directing a pinty of strands of filamentary material toward the advancing and rotating core such that the rotation and longitudinal advancement of the core cause the strands to be wound helically therearound, winding the strand-encircled core onto a takeup reel having its, axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of the core, and rotating the talteup reel at a lower speed than the speedof rotation of the core to loosen the strands encircling the core.

8. Apparatus for making electrical conductors of the typewherein a strand of material is wound around a core of indefinite length, which comprises means for advancing such a core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, means the takeup spool,

9. Apparatus for making electrical conductors, which comprises .means for mounting rctatably' a supply of a core of indefinite length, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, means for advancing the core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for supplying a strand of filamentary material, means for directing the strand around the advancing and rotating core so that the stand is wound helically therearound, a takeup spool for receiving the strand-encircled core, and means for rotating the takeup spool'at a speed lower than the rotative speed of the core to loosen the strand wound there around.

10. Apparatus for making electrical conductors of the type wherein a plurality of strands of material are wound around a core of indefinite length, which comprises means for advancing such a core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, means for directing such strands of material to the core so that the rotation and longitudinal advancement of the core cause the strands to be wrapped helically therearound, takeup means for wind ing the strand-encircled core upon a spool, and means for loosening the strands around the core as the strandencircled core is being wound upon the take up spool.

11. Apparatus for making electrical conductors which comprises means form'ounting rotatably a supply of a core of indefinite length, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis, means for advancing the core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for supplying a plurality of strands of filamentary material, means for directing the'strands around the advancing and rotating core so that the strands are wound helically therearound, a takeupspool for receiving the strand-encircled core, and means for rotating the t'akeup spool at a speed lower than the rotative speed of the core to loosen the strands wound therearound. p a f 12. Apparatus for winding a plurality of strands of a filamentary material around'a coreof indefinite length, which comprises means for rotating such a core about its longitudinal axis, means for advancing the core along its longitudinal axis at a constant speed, means for directing such strands of filamentary material to the core so that the rotation and longitudinal advancement thereof cause the strands to be wrapped helically therearound, a takeup spool onto which the strand-encircled core is wound mounted rotatably along the axis of the strand, and means for rotating the takeup spool at a lower speed than that of the core to cause loosening of the strands around the core.

13. Apparatus for making electrical conductors, which comprises means for supplying a core of indefinite length, means for advancing the core longitudinally at a constant speed, means for rotating the core about its longitudinal axis at a predetermined speed, means for supplying a plurality of strands of filamentary material, means for directing the strands onto the advancing and rotating core such that they are wound helically therearound, a takeup spool mounted rotatably with its axis of rotation coincident with the longitudinal axis of the core, means for guiding the filament-encircled core to the takeup spool so that the core is wound thereon, and means for rotating the takeup spool about its axis at a lower speed than the speed of rotation of the core to loosen the strands encircling the core.

14. Apparatus for Winding a plurality of strands of filamentary material around a core of indefinite length, which comprises a rotatably-mounted arbor on which a supply of such a core is mounted loosely, a capstan around which the core is wrapped mounted for rotation about an axis coincident with the axis of the arbor, a takeup spool mounted rotatably about an axis coincident with axes of the arbor and the capstan, driving means for rotating the arbor and the core at a predeterined speed, the capstan at a speed greater than the predetermined speed and the takeup spool at a speed less than the predetermined speed, means for supporting a plurality of supplies of strands of filamentary material, and meansfor guiding the strands onto the core, the

difference in the speeds of rotation between the arbor and the capstan causing longitudinal advancement of the core at a constant speed, the rotation and longitudinal advancement of the core causing the strands to be wound helically around the core, and the dilierence in the speeds of rotation between the arbor and the takeup spool causing loosening of the strands around the core to increase the flexibility thereof.

15. Apparatus for winding a plurality of strands of a filamentary material around a core of indefinite length, which comprises a rotatably-mounted arbor on which a supply of such a core is mounted loosely, the arbor having a longitudinal bore formed therein through which the core is passed, a shaft mounted rotatably along the axis of rotation of the arbor and having a longitudinal bore formed therein through which the core is passed, means for rotating the arbor and the shaft at a predetermined speed, means for supporting a plurality of supplies of filamentary material between the arbor and the shaft, a rotatablymounted capstan having its axis of rotation coincident with the axes of the arbor and the shaft, means for rotating the capstan at a greater speed than the speed of the arbor and the shaft for causing longitudinal advancement of the core at a constant speed, guide means for directing the strands of filamentary material to the core, the rotation and longitudinal advancement of the core causing the strands to be Wrapped helically around the core, a rotatably-mounted takeup spool having its axis of rotation coincident with the axes of the arbor and of the shaft for receiving the strand-wrapped core, and means for rotating the takeup spool in the same direction and at a lower speed than the speed of the arbor and shaft to loosen the strands encircling the core.

16. Apparatus for wrapping a plurality of tinsel ribbons around a textile strand of indefinite length to form a tinsel conductor, which comprises a base, an arbor mounted rotatably upon the base and having a central bore formed longitudinally therethrough, the arbor being designed to secure a supply of the textile strand loosely thereon with the strand being passed through the longitudinal bore within the arbor, a first driven gear keyed to the arbor for rotation therewith, a shaft mounted rotatably to the base and coaxially with respect to the arbor, the shaft having a pair of bores formed longitudinally therethrough, a second driven gear keyed to the shaft for rotation therewith, means for supporting a plurality of supply spools of tinsel ribbons rotatably to the base between the arbor and the shaft, a plurality of guiding members secured rotatably adjacent to the supply spools of tinsel ribbons with each member directing one of the ribbons toward the textile strand so that the ribbons are wound helically around the textile strand, a capstan mounted coaxi-ally upon the shaft for independent rotation with respect thereto, a third driven gear keyed to the capstan for rotation therewith, a pair of sheaves secured rotatably to the shaft and so arranged that one of the sheaves directs the ribbon-wrapped strand from one of the bores on the shaft to the capstan and the second sheave directs the strand from the capstan to the second bore in the shaft, a spindle mounted rotatably to the base, a fourth driven gear secured to the spindle for rotation therewith, a takeup spool for receiving the ribbon-Wrapped strand secured detachably to the spindle for rotation therewith such that its axis of rotation is coincident with the axes of the arbor and the shaft, a distributor ring mounted for reciprocal movement upon the base and concentrically with respect to the takeup spool, cam means for reciprocating the distributor ring over the length of takeup spool, a traveler mounted slidably upon the distributor ring and designed to revolve about the axis of the takeup spool for directing the ribbonwr-apped strand therearound, a plurality of driving gears mounted rotatably to the base and cooperating with the driven gears, the driving and driven gears having gear ratios such that the first and second gears are driven at a predetermined speed, the third gear is driven at a greater speed than the predetermined speed and the fourth gear is driven at a speed less than the predetermined speed, and a motor for rotating the driving gears.

No references cited.

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