METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PLACING AND CENTERING THERMOPLASTIC SHEATH AROUND OBJECTS USING A VERTICAL MOUNT FLOATING ASSEMBLY

摘要

An apparatus for fitting and centering a sheath such as a thermoplastic sleeve about an object comprises a vertically floating mandrel about which the sheath is fed downwardly toward the object which is to be sheathed. The mandrel is provided with a hollow passage in its lower portion to receive a normally vertically movable member, the vertically movable member carrying at its normally lower end a mold member adapted to engage the head of the object which is to be sheathed, so as to guide and center the transfer of the sheath to the object. The mandrel is provided with a recess opening inwardly from its exterior periphery and into communication with the hollow passage providing a first element lying in the recess and connected to the vertically movable member, so that movement imparted to the first element and causes movement of the vertically movable member, a second element, a drive means located exteriorly of the mandrel for driving the second element. The drive means is operable to move the second element from a location exterior of the mandrel into engagement with the first element, and for subsequently moving the second element while in engagement with the first element to cause lowering of the vertically movable member and the mold member carried by the vertically movable member from an initial elevated position, thereby causing the mold member to engage the head of the object which is to be sheathed.