Importance

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Abstract

A transfer mechanism (20) for moving elastomeric ribbon between a first or lead-in mechanism, and a second or assembly mechanism of a ply fabrication apparatus (21) includes a shuttle means (35) for selectively engaging the ribbon, first movement means (36) for translating the shuttle (40) upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first and second mechanisms, and second movement means (38) for translation of the shuttle between the first and second mechanisms. The shuttle means includes a movable shuttle (40). The first movement means (36) includes a first support (41) rigidly attached to the apparatus (21), and a second support (45) for mounting the shuttle (40) and having an overall length less than the length of the shuttle. The first movement means also includes rack and gear means (60 and 56) carried by one of the supports (41, 45) and actuating means (46) which drives a gear (56) against a rack (60) thereby moving one of the supports (41, 45) toward and away from the other support (41, 45) in continuous parallel alignment. The shuttle of the transfer mechanism can be protracted from the first mechanism to the second mechanism without direct support over the second mechanism. An alternate first movement means (165) is provided which employs a pair of ball screws (166) for moving one support (41, 45) toward and away from the other support (41, 45). The ball screws (166) are rotated by a belt (185) which is, in turn, driven by a cylinder (186).

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First Claim