Machine for weaving continuous loop of strand

Abstract

A winding machine performs a method for creating a continuous loop of a cord. The plate has a first face, a second face opposite the first face, and an aperture therethrough. A ring gear is disposed on the first face and rotates about a central axis aligned with the bore. And the pulley is driven to unwind the wire rod from the wire shaft on the annular gear and enable the wire rod to pass through the central axis of the annular gear in the winding direction. The drive pulley guides the wire through the ring gear a plurality of times. During a first manufacturing step, the ring gear remains stationary to form a core of the continuous ring as the drive pulley unwinds the wire; while during a second manufacturing step, when the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear rotates to wrap the wire around the core to form an outer wrap around the core.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the manufacture of ropes, and more particularly to an apparatus for creating continuous loops of ropes from a single piece of wire. Background Technology

[0002] The processing of sodium iodide (NaI) crystals into radiation detection plates utilizes saturated cotton / polyester composite cords to deliver water to the cut surfaces of the crystals. The water melts the NaI along planar cuts formed within the crystals. Continuous loops of the cord are used to achieve this. Currently, these continuous loops are manufactured by splicing and bonding the opposite ends of the cord. Due to the inherent wear at the ends, the resulting splices may have undesirable discontinuities and weakening points. Therefore, a method is needed to manufacture continuous loops of cord that do not contain these discontinuities. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a continuous loop of cord is disclosed. The cord is unwound from a spool mounted on a ring gear to pass through the central axis of the ring gear in the winding direction. During a first manufacturing step, the cord is wound around the ring gear via a drive pulley to pass through the central axis multiple times in the winding direction, wherein the ring gear remains stationary during the first manufacturing step to form the core of the loop. During a second manufacturing step, as the cord is unwound from the spool, the ring gear rotates to wrap the cord around the core as the cord passes through the axis in the winding direction, thereby forming an outer wrap around the core.

[0004] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system for manufacturing continuous loops of cord is disclosed. The system includes: a ring gear rotatable about an axis; a spool disposed on the ring gear, the spool comprising cord; and a drive pulley for unwinding the cord from the spool and passing the cord through the ring gear along the winding direction through the central axis of the ring gear, wherein the drive pulley guides the cord through the ring gear multiple times. During a first manufacturing step, as the drive pulley unwinds the cord, the ring gear remains stationary to form a core of continuous loops; and during a second manufacturing step, as the drive pulley unwinds the cord, the ring gear rotates to wrap the cord around the core to form an outer wrap around the core.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a winding machine for creating continuous loops of rope is disclosed. The winding machine includes: a plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the plate having a through hole therethrough; a ring gear disposed on the first surface and rotatable about a central axis aligned with the hole; a spool disposed on the ring gear, the spool comprising wire; and a drive pulley for unwinding the wire from the spool and passing the wire along the winding direction through the central axis of the ring gear, wherein the drive pulley guides the wire through the ring gear multiple times. During a first manufacturing step, as the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear remains stationary to form a core of continuous loops; and during a second manufacturing step, as the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear rotates to wrap the wire around the core to form an outer wrap around the core. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 The continuous loops of the rope shown in the embodiment are illustrated;

[0007] Figure 2 Showing the creation Figure 1 The continuous loop winding system shown in the figure;

[0008] Figure 3 A portion of a winding machine is shown in an embodiment, the winding machine performing the methods disclosed herein;

[0009] Figure 4 A perspective view showing the first side of the plate of the machine; and

[0010] Figure 5 The second side of the plate is shown in perspective. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Now refer to Figure 1In this embodiment, a continuous loop 100 of cord is shown. The continuous loop 100 includes a core 102 and an outer wrap 104 surrounding the core 102. A wire 106 is stored on a spool 108. The wire 106 is unwound from the spool 108 at its free end 110 to form the continuous loop 100. The core 102 forms a loop, wherein the wire 106 is wound around the loop several times in the winding direction 112. In this embodiment, the wire 106 is wound around the loop three times (i.e., the loop is 3 strands). After forming the loop, a portion of the wire 106 unwound from the spool 108 is used to form the outer wrap 104 multiple times by wrapping around a portion of the core 102. Therefore, the outer wrap 104 is a spiral wrap, such as a bottle opener. Generally, the outer wrap 104 is wound at least once around the length of the loop. The free end 110 of the wire 106 is folded back along the core 102 (against the winding direction 112) so that the outer wrap 104 also surrounds the free end 110. Once the required number of turns of the outer wrap 104 has been completed, the wire 106 is cut, and the newly cut end of the wire 106 is woven back into the outer wrap 104 to complete the continuous loops 100 of the cord.

[0012] Figure 2 Showing the creation Figure 1 The diagram shows a winding system 200 consisting of a continuous loop 100. The winding system 200 includes a plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d and a ring gear 204. For ease of discussion, a coordinate system 205 is shown. For illustrative purposes, the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d are shown positioned in the xy plane, and the ring gear 204 is positioned in the xz plane. The ring gear 204 has a base circular member 206 surrounding a central region 208, which is empty. The ring gear 204 rotates about a central axis 209. The base circular member 206 includes a gap 210 extending along a radial line of the base circular member 206. The gap 210 allows the wire 106 to enter and exit the central region 208. The spool 108 is mounted on the base circular member 206. The plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d are arranged such that the wire 106 circulates along the central axis through the central region 208 of the ring gear 204 to form the continuous loop.

[0013] The wire 106 moves in the xy plane along the winding direction 112 around the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d. The ring gear 204 is rotatable in the xz plane. The free end 110 of the wire 106 passes through the central region 208 along the central axis 209 and winds around the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d. As the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d rotate, the wire 106 is pulled out from the spool 108. A clamping ring 212 may be used to facilitate the movement of the wire 106 around the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d. The clamping ring 212 includes a rotatable disc with an elastic or rubber outer periphery. The clamping ring 212 is positioned against a pulley (e.g., pulley 202b) such that the outer periphery of the rubber contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pulley, thereby providing friction to facilitate the movement of the wire 106 around the pulley 202b. The pulley 202b in contact with the clamping ring 212 can be referred to as the drive pulley because it actuates the movement of the wire 106.

[0014] The continuous loops of the cord are created in two manufacturing steps. In the first manufacturing step, the ring gear 204 remains stationary (i.e., does not rotate), and the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d are rotated until the free end 110 of the cord 106 has passed through the base circular piece 206 a selected number of times. Passing the cord through n times forms n core strands. In several embodiments, n = 3 (i.e., 3 core strands). In the second manufacturing step, as the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d continue to rotate, the ring gear 204 rotates, thereby allowing the cord 106 to form the outer wrap 104 as the n core strands 102 circulate around the plurality of pulleys 202a, 202b, 202c, 202d. Once the continuous loops of the cord are completed, the loops are removed from the system by being pulled through the gap 210 of the base circular member 206. Subsequently, the cord 106 can be cut at the spool 108, and the newly cut end 220 is tucked under the outer wrap 104.

[0015] Figure 3A portion of a winding machine 300 is shown in an embodiment, which performs the methods disclosed herein. The portion includes a plate 302 supporting the ring gear 204. The plate 302 includes a first surface 350 and a second surface (not shown) opposite the first surface 350. A hole 304 passes through the plate 302 to allow wire to pass through it. The ring gear 204 is arranged at the first surface 350 such that its central axis 209 is concentric with the hole 304. A slit 306 extends from an edge 308 of the plate 302 to the hole 304.

[0016] The ring gear 204 is supported at the first surface 350 by a roller bearing 310. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, three roller bearings 310 are attached to the first surface 350. Figure 3 In this configuration, one of the roller bearings 310 is shielded by the bobbin 108. The roller bearings 310 are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base circular member 206 at 120-degree intervals to support the ring gear 204.

[0017] A motor gear 312 is used to rotate the ring gear 204. The motor gear 312 includes gear teeth that mesh with gear teeth on the inner circumferential surface of the base circular member 206. Pins 314 are positioned equidistantly around the base circular member 206. Each pin 314 can be used to support the bobbin 108. Figure 3 In the diagram, only one pin 314 is shown as a support spool 108.

[0018] For illustrative purposes, the gap 210 in the base circular member 206 is shown aligned with the slit 306 in the plate 302. A hinge door 316 is attached to the base circular member 206 near the gap 210. The hinge door 316 includes a hinge 318 and a cantilever end 320 that rotates about the hinge 318. In a first position (closed position), the cantilever end 320 extends across the gap 210 and the slit 306, thereby preventing wire from passing through. In a second position (open position), the cantilever end 320 is opened and the gap 210 is unobstructed, thereby allowing wire 106 to pass through the gap 210. The cantilever end 320 is in the first position when the continuous ring is manufactured. Once the ring is created, the ring gear 204 is rotated to the position where the gap 210 is aligned with the slit 306, and the cantilever end 320 is placed in the second position so that the ring can be extracted from the winding machine.

[0019] Multiple guide pulleys 322 guide the wire 106 along the first surface 350 of the plate and through the hole 304. A cross arm 324 extends away from the first surface 350 and includes a cross arm pulley 326 that moves the wire 106 out of the plane of the plate 302 so as to guide the wire 106 perpendicular to the plate 302 through the hole 304.

[0020] Tension bar 328 is shown along a first surface 350 of plate 302. Tension bar 328 is attached to the first surface 350 at a first end 330 via a hinge 332. A second end 334 of tension bar 328 rotates about the hinge 332 via a groove 336 formed in plate 302. The second end 334 is along a second side of plate 302. Figure 5 A tension pulley 338 is supported to control the tension of the ring at the second side of the plate 302. The position of the tension pulley 338 determines the tension in the ring. A guide rod 340 can be supported at the column 342 to hold the tension pulley 338 in a selected position. The position of the guide rod 340 can be adjusted relative to the column 342 to adjust the tension in the ring.

[0021] A wire circulation motor 344 is positioned at the first surface 350 of the plate 302 and is used to circulate the wire to form the core of the loop, as described herein. Figure 5 The subject of discussion.

[0022] Figure 4 Perspective view 400 shows the first surface 350 of the plate 302 of the machine. Perspective view 400 includes a cross pulley 402, which is arranged such that its axis of rotation lies in the plane of the plate 302. The cross pulley 402 facilitates the movement of wire 106 from the second surface of the plate 302 to the first surface 350 of the plate 302 around the edge 308 of the plate 302. Three spools 108 are shown positioned on the ring gear 204. In an embodiment, wire from two or three spools 108 may be used to manufacture the core 102 and the outer sheath 104.

[0023] Figure 5 A perspective view 500 shows the second surface 502 of the plate 302. The second surface 502 includes a ring drive motor 504 that causes the motor gear 312 (on the first surface 350) to rotate, and thus causes the ring gear 204 to rotate. The ring drive motor 504 can be turned off during the creation of the core 102 and turned on to form the outer wrap 104. During this second manufacturing step, the wrap angle (helix angle) of the outer wrap 104 depends on the wire circulation motor 344 (… Figure 3The first speed and the second speed of the ring drive motor 504 are selected to achieve a selected wrapping angle. A drive pulley 506 on the second surface 502 contacts the clamping ring 212. The wire circulation motor 344 causes the drive pulley 506 to rotate. The contact between the drive pulley and the clamping ring 212 facilitates the circulation of the wire 106.

[0024] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments may exist. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.

[0025] This document directs the reader to all documents and references submitted concurrently with this specification. These documents and references are made publicly available and accessible together with this specification, and the contents of all such documents and references are incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Unless otherwise expressly stated, all features disclosed in this specification (including any appended claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features for achieving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose. Therefore, unless otherwise expressly stated, each disclosed feature is merely one example of a general series of equivalent or similar features.

[0027] Any element not expressly described in the claims as "means for performing a particular function" or "steps for performing a particular function" shall not be construed as a "means" or "steps" under the provisions of 35 U.S.C., Section 112(6). In particular, the use of "steps" in these claims is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C., Section 112(6).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a continuous loop of rope, comprising: Unwind the wire from the spool mounted on the ring gear so that the wire passes through the central axis of the ring gear in the winding direction; During the first manufacturing step, the wire is wound around the ring gear via a drive pulley so that the wire passes through the central axis multiple times in the winding direction, wherein the ring gear remains stationary during the first manufacturing step to form the core of the ring; as well as During the second manufacturing step, the ring gear is rotated as the wire is unwound from the spool to wrap the wire around the core as it passes through the axis in the winding direction, thereby forming an outer wrap around the core.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The ring gear is rotated via a ring drive motor, and the drive pulley is rotated via a wire circulation motor; The method further includes: selecting a first speed of the ring drive motor and a second speed of the wire circulation motor to obtain a selected wrapping angle for the outer wrapping around the core.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Adjust the position of the tension pulley to adjust the tension of the wire.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The spool includes a first spool having a first wire and a second spool having a second wire, and the method further includes: unwinding the first wire from the first spool and unwinding the second wire from the second spool to form a continuous loop of the rope.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The ring gear is mounted on the first surface of the plate, wherein the central axis of the ring gear is concentric with a hole in the plate.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: The continuous rings are removed from the ring gear through the gap in the base circular part of the ring gear and the slit in the plate.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: The gap is closed using a hinged door to create the continuous rings, and the gap is opened to remove the continuous rings.

8. A system for manufacturing continuous loops of rope, comprising: A ring gear that can rotate around an axis; A spool mounted on the ring gear, the spool comprising wire; as well as A drive pulley is provided for unwinding the wire from the spool and passing the wire through the central axis of the ring gear along the winding direction, wherein the drive pulley guides the wire through the ring gear multiple times; During the first manufacturing step, when the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear remains stationary to form the core of the continuous ring; and during the second manufacturing step, when the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear rotates to wrap the wire around the core to form an outer wrap around the core.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a ring drive motor for rotating the ring gear and a wire circulation motor for rotating the drive pulley, wherein, The first speed of the ring drive motor and the second speed of the wire circulation motor are selected to obtain a selected wrapping angle around the outer wrapping of the core.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a tension pulley for adjusting the tension of the wire.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein, The spool further includes a first spool and a second spool, and the wire further includes a first wire from the first spool and a second wire from the second spool.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein, The ring gear is mounted on the first surface of the plate, wherein the central axis of the ring gear is concentric with the hole in the plate.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, The ring gear includes a base circular member and a gap in the base circular member, and the plate includes a slit extending from the edge of the plate to the hole.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a hinged door, the hinged door being capable of being positioned in a first position to close the gap for manufacturing the continuous rings, and capable of being positioned in a second position to open the gap to remove the continuous rings.

15. A winding machine for creating continuous loops of rope, comprising: A plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and having a through hole therethrough; A ring gear is mounted on the first surface, the ring gear being rotatable about a central axis aligned with the hole; A spool mounted on the ring gear, the spool comprising wire; and A drive pulley is provided for unwinding the wire from the spool and passing the wire along the winding direction through the central axis of the ring gear, wherein the drive pulley guides the wire through the ring gear multiple times; During the first manufacturing step, when the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear remains stationary to form the core of the continuous ring; while during the second manufacturing step, when the drive pulley unwinds the wire, the ring gear rotates to wrap the wire around the core to form an outer wrap around the core.

16. The winding machine of claim 15, further comprising a ring drive motor for rotating the ring gear and a wire circulation motor for rotating the drive pulley, wherein, The first speed of the ring drive motor and the second speed of the wire circulation motor are selected to obtain a selected wrapping angle around the outer wrapping of the core.

17. The winding machine of claim 15, further comprising a tension pulley for adjusting the tension of the wire.

18. The winding machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The spool further includes a first spool and a second spool, and the wire further includes a first wire from the first spool and a second wire from the second spool.

19. The winding machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The ring gear includes a base circular member and a gap in the base circular member, and the plate includes a slit extending from the edge of the plate to the hole.

20. The winding machine of claim 19, further comprising a hinged door, the hinged door being configured in a first position to close the gap for manufacturing the continuous rings, and the hinged door being configured in a second position to open the gap to remove the continuous rings.

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