Importance

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Abstract

A loading chuck (25) suspended by a cable (C) for grasping a spool (S), including strand material (M) disposed thereon between the flanges (14, 15) thereof, in a container, transporting the spool to a position proximate a creel and orienting the spool for positioning on a creel spindle, includes a plurality of substantially parallel arms (50), shoes (60) carried by the arms, gripping elements (61; 80, 80') on the shoes for engaging the spool, a lifting link (20) adapted for attachment to the cable, a linkage (26) interposed between the lifting link and the arms and maintaining the arms substantially parallel through the extent of travel thereof to bring the gripping elements into and out of engagement with the spool, and a pivot (55) mounting the shoes relative to the arms for selectively rotationally orienting the spool. Another embodiment contemplates loading apparatus (110) mounting a plurality of chucks (125) including a support (120) attached to a lifting link, a plurality of blocks (130, 131) mounted on the support, each of the blocks carrying one of the chucks, a mechanism (135) selectively moving at least some of the blocks along the support for varying the distance between the chucks, and a chuck rotating mechanism (150, 151) for coordinated equiangular rotation of the chucks.

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First Claim