Importance

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Abstract

Wire is fed along a predetermined path by virtue of being pinched between an upper set of feed rolls and a lower set of feed rolls while the upper and lower rolls are rotated in opposite directions. The upper feed rolls are journaled cantilever fashion by an upper carrier which is fixed to the main frame of the apparatus. The lower feed rolls are similarly journaled by a lower carrier which is adapted to be moved upwardly toward the upper carrier to cause the lower feed rolls to pinch the wire against upper feed rolls after the wire has been threaded between the rolls. The lower carrier is moved upwardly by actuators which are offset laterally from the cantilevered rolls. To reduce cocking of the lower carrier and the lower feed rolls when the latter are forced upwardly into engagement with the wire by the offset actuators, the lower carrier is attached to a guide rod whose end portions are slidably supported by both the upper carrier and the main frame in order to spread the reaction force over a relatively long distance.

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First Claim