Apparatus for measuring lengths of linear material

Claim 2

Apparatus for measuring the length of longitudinally moving linear magnetic material which comprises a frame, a plurality of spaced pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless loop of tape of predetermined linear dimension trained for travel around said pulleys, a portion of the path of travel of said tape extending substantially in a single plane, means for supporting said linear magnetic material along a portion of its path of movement adjacent one side of said single plane portion substantially parallel therewith, spaced sprockets journaled in said frame, an endless chain trained around said sprockets, one flight of said endless chain extending substantially parallel with said single plane portion on the side thereof opposite said linear material, a plurality of magnets strung along said chain, said magnets on said chain being substantially horseshoe type magnets, said magnets being aligned along said chain in close proximity to each other with the poles of each magnet disposed adjacent the like pole of the magnets adjacent thereto, said magnets being directed toward said single plane portion when carried along one flight of said chain to hold together said tape traveling along said single plane portion and the linear material moving adjacent said single plane portion whereby said tape is advanced around said pulleys as said linear material moves longitudinally adjacent said single plane portion, the extent of movement of said tape around said pulleys thereby indicating the total length of linear material moved past a fixed point.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including means for indicating the extent of travel of said loop of tape around said pulleys.

Claim 4

Apparatus as defined by claim 2 in which said indicating means comprises a photo-electric-assembly actuated digital counter comprising a photo-electric energy source disposed on one side of said tape and a photo-electric energy receiving cell disposed on the opposite side of said tape aligned with said energy source, said tape having a hole therethrough whereby a circuit is completed in said photo-electric assembly and said counter is actuated each time the hole in the tape passes between the energy source and the photo-electric receiving cell thereby indicating said tape and linear material have advanced a distance substantially equal to the linear dimension of said endless loop of tape.

Claim 5

Apparatus as defined by claim 2 including means for removing said magnets from magnetic contact with said tape.

Claim 6

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said tape is of such composition as to expand and contract at the same rate as said linear material expands and contracts when subjected to similar temperature variations.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including tensioning means mounted on said frame in engagement with said tape for maintaining the latter under predetermined tension.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 including a lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said frame, one of said pulleys carried by one end of said lever, an adjustable counterweight connected with the opposite end of said lever whereby the position of said pulley is adjustable to vary the tension of tape traveling therearound.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined by claim 7 in which said adjustable counterweight is a spring scale.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said support means comprises a flat surface having upright sides for constraining lateral movement of said linear material.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a plurality of pairs of spaced, aligned wheels, said pairs of wheels being rotatably mounted and adjustably disposed in oppositely canted disposition adjacent the path of travel of said linear material, said wheels being adapted to engage and support said linear material.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in which said tape is marked with graduated indicia.

Claim 13

Apparatus for measuring the length of longitudinally moving linear magnetic material which comprises a frame, a plurality of spaced pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless loop of tape of predetermined linear dimension trained for travel around said pulleys, a portion of the path of travel of said tape extending substantially in a single plane, means for supporting said linear magnetic material along a portion of its path of movement adjacent one side of said single plane portion substantially parallel therewith, spaced sprockets journaled in said frame, an endless chain trained around said sprockets, one flight of said endless chain extending substantially parallel with said single plane portion on the side thereof opposite said linear material, a plurality of magnets strung along said chain, each of said sprockets being mounted in the lower portion of a clevis element, each of said clevises being pivotally mounted on a support bar pivotally carried by a link, said link being pivotally mounted on said frame, said clevises being rigidly connected together for common pivotal movement about said support bars, means connected with one of said support bars for moving said bars to move said magnets toward and away from engagement with said tape, means for selectively restricting the pivotal movement of said links, said magnets being directed toward said single plane portion when carried along said one flight of said chain to hold together said tape traveling along said single plane portion and the linear material moving adjacent said single plane portion whereby said tape is advanced around said pulleys as said linear material moves longitudinally adjacent said single plane portion, the extent of movement of said tape around said pulleys thereby indicating the total length of linear material moved past a fixed point.

Claim 14

Apparatus for measuring the length of longitudinally moving linear magnetic material which comprises a frame, a plurality of spaced pulleys rotatably mounted on said frame, an endless loop of tape of predetermined linear dimension trained for travel around said pulleys, a portion of the path of travel of said tape extending substantially in a single plane, means for supporting said linear magnetic material along a portion of its path of movement adjacent one side of said single plane portion substantially parallel therewith, spaced sprockets journaled in said frame, an endless chain trained around said sprockets, one flight of said endless chain extending substantially parallel with said single plane portion on the side thereof opposite said linear material, a plurality of magnets strung along said chain, each of said sprockets being mounted in the lower portion of a clevis element, each of said clevises being pivotally mounted on a support bar pivotally carried by a link, said link being pivotally mounted on said frame, said clevises being rigidly connected together for common pivotal movement about said support bars, means connected with one of said support bars for moving said bars to move said magnets toward and away from engagement with said tape, means for selectively restricting the pivotal movement of said links, said magnets being directed toward said single plane portion when carried along said one flight of said chain to hold together said tape traveling along said single plane portion and the linear material moving adjacent said single plane portion whereby said tape is advanced around said pulleys as said linear material moves longitudinally adjacent said single plane portion, the extent of movement of said tape around said pulleys thereby indicating the total length of linear material moved past a fixed point.

Claim 15

Apparatus as defined by claim 12 in which said support moving means comprises a pressure fluid cylinder having a retractable piston rod projecting therefrom, the free end of said piston rod being pivotally connected with said one of said support bars.