SPLICER FOR BELTS OF BALANCING WEIGHTS

Abstract

A splicer for belts of balancing weights comprises a support table with a support surface for bearing a belt of balancing weights, the support table having a first longitudinal side and opposing thereto a second longitudinal side and a first guide at the first longitudinal side of the support table, defining a longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal side and extending above the support surface. For defining the distance between adjacent balancing weights, a spacer is provided, protruding from the support surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A splicer for belts of balancing weights, the splicer comprising: a support table having a support surface configured to bear at least one belt of balancing weights, the support table having a first longitudinal side and opposing thereto a second longitudinal side, a first guide at the first longitudinal side of the support table, the first guide defining a longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal side and extending above the support surface.

2. The splicer according to claim 1, further comprising a spacer, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and which protrudes from the support surface.

3. The splicer according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide extending above the support surface of the support table, and parallel to the longitudinal axis.

4. The splicer according to claim 3, wherein the second guide is spring loaded.

5. The splicer according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the second guide and the first guide is adapted to a width of the at least one belt of balancing weights.

6. The splicer according to claim 2, wherein the spacer is next to a center of the support surface.

7. The splicer according to claim 2, wherein the spacer is attached to a removable inset into the support structure.

8. The splicer according to claim 2, wherein the spacer has a thickness corresponding to a distance between adjacent balancing weights of the belt of balancing weights.

9. The splicer according to claim 1, further comprising a first tensioning unit and a second tensioning unit attached to a component of the splicer.

10. The splicer according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first tensioning unit and the second tensioning unit is attached to the first guide or to the second guide or to the support table.

11. The splicer according to claim 9, wherein the first tensioning unit comprises a first clamping lever, a first tensioner and a first retaining plate.

12. The splicer according to claim 9, wherein the second tensioning unit comprises a second clamping lever, a second tensioner and a second retaining plate.

13. Automatic dispenser for balancing weights comprising: a transport section for transporting belts of balancing weights, a cutting section configured to cut pieces of the belt of balancing weights, and a splicer according to claim 1.

14. Method of splicing belts of balancing weights, the method comprising the steps of: providing a splicer according to claim 1, providing a first belt of balancing weights on the support surface, aligning the first belt of balancing weights with the first guide, providing a second belt of balancing weights on the support surface, aligning the second belt of balancing weights with the first guide, opposing to the first belt of balancing weights, connecting the first belt of balancing weights and the second belt of balancing weights with a piece of adhesive tape by attaching the piece of adhesive tape to the first belt of balancing weights and the second belt of balancing weights.

15. The method of splicing belts of balancing weights according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: abutting or aligning the first belt of balancing weights to a first side of the spacer, and abutting or aligning the second belt of balancing weights to a second side of the spacer.

16. The method of splicing belts of balancing weights according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: moving the second guide to hold the first and second belts of balancing weights between the first guide and the second guide before connecting the first belt of balancing weights and the second belt of balancing weights.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In the following, the invention will be described by way of example, without limitation of the general inventive concept, on examples of embodiment and with reference to the drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment with balancing weights.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows another side view of an embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment in top view.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows a top view of an embodiment with two belts of balancing weights.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a view of an embodiment from bottom side.

[0042] FIG. 8 discloses a structural diagram with a dispenser.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows another preferred embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment.

[0045] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a splicer 100. The splicer comprises a support table 200. The support table 200 has a support surface 230 as support for bearing at least one belt of balancing weights. The support surface 230 is designed to build a centering track together with a first guide 210 on the first longitudinal side 10 extending above the longitudinal side and a second guide 220 on the second longitudinal side 20. The first guide 210 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 211 and a second leg 212. The first guide 210 may be fixed with its first leg 211 to the support table 200 on the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 212 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and provides a first fixed stop for abutting or aligning the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 212 preferably is oriented towards the second longitudinal side 20. The second leg 212 of the first guide 210 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0047] The second guide 220 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 221 and a second leg 222. The second guide 220 may be fixed with its first leg 221 to the support table 200 on the second longitudinal side 20. A second leg 222 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and extending above the longitudinal side and provides a second fixed stop for the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 222 preferably is oriented towards the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 222 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0048] The second guide 220 may be attached movable and may be spring loaded, for example with a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 to the support table 200. The second guide is attached with a first guide bolt 270 and a second guide bolt 280. Between the heads of the first bolt 270 and the second guide bolt 280 and the outer surface of the second guide 220 a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 which push the second guide 220 towards the support table 200 may be located. The second guide 220 may have at least one incision 290, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 50. Such incisions may be used for removing a jammed belt of balancing weights with a tool for example a screwdriver.

[0049] Preferably the second guide 220 has a distance to the first guide 210 adapted to the width of at least one belt of balancing weights 510, 520.

[0050] The splicer 100 may further comprise a bracket or fastener 300 for attaching the splicer 100 to a dispenser. The fastener may have a first hole 310 and a second hole 230. The bracket or the fastener 300 may have a U-shape. The bracket or fastener 300 may be firmly bonded or screwed to support table 200 or be a part of the support table 200.

[0051] The splicer 100 may further comprise a first transverse side 30 and opposing thereto a second transverse side 40.

[0052] The splicer 100 further comprises a first tensioning unit 880 and second tensioning unit 890 which may be attached to the first guide 210 or to the support table 200. The first and the second tensioning unit 880, 890 may comprise a first and a second clamping lever 820, 830, a first and a second tensioner 840, 850 and a first and a second retaining plate 860, 870. The first and the second clamping lever 820, 830 may be used to generate tension force with the first and the second tensioner 840, 850 via a pivoting mechanism to the first and second belt of balancing weights 510, 520. If one of the clamping levers 820, 830 may be opened it may be swung open in the turn direction 810 and the first or the second belt of balancing weights 510, 520 will be unlocked. The first and second retaining plate 860, 870 may be used as a retainer for the liner 540 covering the adhesive tape 530 of the first and the second belt of balancing weights 510, 520. The adhesive tape 530 preferably remains on the belt of balancing weights 510, 520.

[0053] In FIG. 2, a further embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown with balancing weights. The splicer 100 is loaded with a first belt of balancing weights 510 and a second belt of balancing weights 520. The belts are pushed against the first guide 210 by the second guide 220, which may be springloaded by the first compression spring 410 and the second compression spring 420. The first belt 510 will be abutted on the spacer 261 from a first side and the second belt 520 from a second side so that the spacer 261 generates a defined distance between the first belt of balancing weights 510 and the second belt of balancing weights 520.

[0054] The first belt of balancing weights 510 and the second belt of balancing weights comprise a liner 540 and an adhesive tape 530. The holes 270 may be used for attaching the first guide 210 to the support table 200.

[0055] In FIG. 3, a side view of the first embodiment is shown. The picture discloses the first guide bolt 280 and the second guide bolt 280 the bracket or the fastener 300 with a first hole 310 and a second hole 320. The second guide 220 has two incisions 290. It may have any different number of incisions.

[0056] In FIG. 4, another side view of the splicer is shown. The spacer 261 protrudes over the support surface 230 of the support table 200. Furthermore, the inset 260 is disclosed.

[0057] In FIG. 5, a top view of the splicer 100 is shown.

[0058] In FIG. 6, a top view of the splicer 100 with a belt of balancing weights is shown. The belts of balancing weights are not aligned to the spacer 261. Alignment may be done by pushing the first belt of balancing weights 510 to the first side of the spacer 261 and the second belt of balancing weights 520 to second side of the spacer 261.

[0059] In FIG. 7 shows a view from below of the splicer 100 is shown.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a process diagram with a dispenser 700, a supply roll of balancing weights 600, a splicer 100, a first belt of balancing weights 510, a second belt of balancing weights 520 and a motion direction 800 for the belts of balancing weights.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the splicer 100 is disclosed. The splicer comprises a support table 200. The support table 200 has a support surface 230 as support for bearing at least one belt of balancing weights. The support surface 230 is designed to build a centering track together with a first guide 210 on the first longitudinal side 10 extending above the longitudinal side and a second guide 220 on the second longitudinal side 20. The first guide 210 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 211 and a second leg 212. The first guide 210 may be fixed with its first leg 211 to the support table 200 on the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 212 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and provides a first fixed stop for abutting or aligning the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 212 preferably is oriented towards the second longitudinal side 20. The second leg 212 of the first guide 210 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0062] The second guide 220 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 221 and a second leg 222. The second guide 220 may be fixed with its first leg 221 to the support table 200 on the second longitudinal side 20. A second leg 222 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and extending above the longitudinal side and provides a second fixed stop for the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 222 preferably is oriented towards the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 222 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0063] Furthermore, the support table comprises a spacer 261, which may be attached to an inset 260 in a perpendicular direction to the motion direction 800, which is along the longitudinal axis 50, of the belt of balancing weights. The spacer extending above the support surface into the space above the support surface. The inset 260 may be fixed in a breakthrough of the support surface 230, of the support table 200, with at least two screws 240/250. The spacer 261 may be formed as a bar, which is attached to the inset 260 and protrudes from the support surface 230 of the support table 200.

[0064] The second guide 220 may be attached movable and may be spring loaded, for example with a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 to the support table 200. The second guide is attached with a first guide bolt 270 and a second guide bolt 280. Between the heads of the first bolt 270 and the second guide bolt 280 and the outer surface of the second guide 220 a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 which push the second guide 220 towards the support table 200 may be located. The second guide 220 may have at least one incision 290, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 50. Such incisions may be used for removing a jammed belt of balancing weights with a tool for example a screwdriver.

[0065] Preferably the second guide 220 has a distance to the first guide 210 adapted to the width of at least one belt of balancing weights 510, 520.

[0066] The splicer 100 may further comprise a bracket or fastener 300 for attaching the splicer 100 to a dispenser. The fastener may have a first hole 310 and a second hole 230. The bracket or the fastener 300 may have a U-shape. The bracket or fastener 300 may be firmly bonded or screwed to support table 200 or be a part of the support table 200.

[0067] The splicer 100 may further comprise a first transverse side (30) and opposing thereto a second transverse side 40.

[0068] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the splicer 100. The splicer comprises a support table 200. The support table 200 has a support surface 230 as support for bearing at least one belt of balancing weights. The support surface 230 is designed to build a centering track together with a first guide 210 on the first longitudinal side 10 extending above the longitudinal side and a second guide 220 on the second longitudinal side 20. The first guide 210 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 211 and a second leg 212. The first guide 210 may be fixed with its first leg 211 to the support table 200 on the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 212 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and provides a first fixed stop for abutting or aligning the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 212 preferably is oriented towards the second longitudinal side 20. The second leg 212 of the first guide 210 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0069] The second guide 220 may have an angled profile forming a first leg 221 and a second leg 222. The second guide 220 may be fixed with its first leg 221 to the support table 200 on the second longitudinal side 20. A second leg 222 may be parallel to the support surface 230 and extending above the longitudinal side and provides a second fixed stop for the belt of balancing weights. The second leg 222 preferably is oriented towards the first longitudinal side 10. The second leg 222 may form a gap 330 to the support surface 230.

[0070] Furthermore, the support table comprises a spacer 261, which may be attached to an inset 260 in a perpendicular direction to the motion direction 800, which is along the longitudinal axis 50, of the belt of balancing weights. The spacer extending above the support surface into the space above the support surface. The inset 260 may be fixed in a breakthrough of the support surface 230, of the support table 200, with at least two screws 240, 250. The spacer 261 may be formed as a bar, which is attached to the inset 260 and protrudes from the support surface 230 of the support table 200.

[0071] The second guide 220 may be attached movable and may be spring loaded, for example with a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 to the support table 200. The second guide is attached with a first guide bolt 270 and a second guide bolt 280. Between the heads of the first bolt 270 and the second guide bolt 280 and the outer surface of the second guide 220 a first compression spring 410 and a second compression spring 420 which push the second guide 220 towards the support table 200 may be located. The second guide 220 may have at least one incision 290, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 50. Such incisions may be used for removing a jammed belt of balancing weights with a tool for example a screwdriver.

[0072] Preferably the second guide 220 has a distance to the first guide 210 adapted to the width of at least one belt of balancing weights 510, 520.

[0073] The splicer 100 may further comprise a bracket or fastener 300 for attaching the splicer 100 to a dispenser. The fastener may have a first hole 310 and a second hole 230. The bracket or the fastener 300 may have a U-shape. The bracket or fastener 300 may be firmly bonded or screwed to support table 200 or be a part of the support table 200. The splicer 100 may further comprise a first transverse side 30 and opposing thereto a second transverse side 40.

[0074] The splicer 100 further comprises a first tensioning unit 880 and second tensioning unit 890 which may be attached to the first guide 210 or to the support table 200. The first and the second tensioning unit 880, 890 may comprise a first and a second clamping lever 820, 830, a first and a second tensioner 840, 850 and a first and a second retaining plate 860, 870. The first and the second clamping lever 820, 830 may be used to generate tension force with the first and the second tensioner 840, 850 via a pivoting mechanism to the first and second belt of balancing weights 510, 520. If one of the clamping levers 820, 830 may be opened it may be swung open in the turn direction 810 and the first or the second belt of balancing weights 510, 520 will be unlocked. The first and second retaining plate 850, 860 may be used as a retainer for the liner 540 covering the adhesive tape 530 of the first and the second belt of balancing weights 510, 520. The adhesive tape 530 remains on the belt of balancing weights 510, 520.

[0075] It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that this invention is believed to provide a splicer for belts of balancing weights. Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0076] 10 First longitudinal side [0077] 20 Second longitudinal side [0078] 30 First transverse side [0079] 40 Second transverse side [0080] 50 longitudinal axis [0081] 100 Splicer [0082] 200 Support table [0083] 210 First guide [0084] 211 First leg [0085] 212 Second leg [0086] 220 Second guide [0087] 221 First leg [0088] 222 Second leg [0089] 230 Support surface [0090] 240 First hole [0091] 250 Second hole [0092] 260 Inset [0093] 261 Spacer [0094] 270 Holes [0095] 280 First guide bolt [0096] 280 Second guide bolt [0097] 290 Incisions [0098] 300 Bracket/Fastener [0099] 310 First hole [0100] 320 Second hole [0101] 330 Gap [0102] 410 First compression spring [0103] 420 Second compression spring [0104] 510 First belt of balancing weights [0105] 520 Second belt of balancing weights [0106] 530 Adhesive tape [0107] 540 Liner [0108] 600 Supply roll of balancing weights [0109] 700 Dispenser [0110] 800 Motion direction [0111] 810 Turn direction [0112] 820 First clamping lever [0113] 830 Second clamping lever [0114] 840 First tensioner [0115] 850 Second tensioner [0116] 860 First retaining plate [0117] 870 Second retaining plate [0118] 880 First tensioning unit [0119] 890 Second tensioning unit