Steering guide
First Claim
1. A steering guide comprising:
- a curved inner track;
a curved outer track;
a support platform movably disposed between the curved inner track and the curved outer track; and
an actuator coupling coupled with the support platform.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A steering guide laterally positions material running over rollers rotating in a roller carriage. The steering guide imparts angular displacement to a support platform positioned between a grooved inner track and a grooved outer track. The roller carriage, which may vary substantially is size and shape, is coupled with the support platform. The steering guide eliminates the need for a separate rack that supports the weight of the roller carriage. The steering guide thereby reduces complexity, cost, and spare part inventories, while simplifying assembly, installation, and maintenance. The steering guide also precisely locates the roller carriage with respect to a virtual center, thereby enhancing accurate steering of the web. In addition, the steering platform may be formed from strong but light aluminum, thereby reducing inertial forces that act when the steering guide moves the support platform.
16 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A steering guide comprising:
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a curved inner track;
a curved outer track;
a support platform movably disposed between the curved inner track and the curved outer track; and
an actuator coupling coupled with the support platform. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A steering guide comprising:
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a guide base;
a curved inner track supported by the guide base;
a curved outer track supported by the guide base; and
a support platform movable disposed between the curved inner track and the curved outer track. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A material steering method comprising:
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providing a material guide frame;
providing a steering guide comprising;
a curved inner track;
a curved outer track;
a support platform movable coupled between the curved inner track and the curved outer track; and
an actuator coupling coupled with the support platform;
attaching the steering frame to the support platform;
running material over the material guide frame; and
displacing the support platform. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification