Winding apparatus with a support arm

Abstract

A winding apparatus includes first and second frame members. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the first and second frame members. One or more arms extend radially outward from the shaft, each of which have a coupling and a connector positioned thereon. The connectors secure the arms to the shaft for rotation therewith. One or more support arms extend radially outward from the shaft and are positioned between the arms. Each of the support arms have a support arm coupling and a support arm connector positioned thereon. A spindle is rotatably supported by the couplings. The spindle is rotatably mounted in the support arm coupling which cooperates with the support arm to mitigate deflection of the first spindle in response to forces applied thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A winding apparatus for winding a substrate on cores, the winding apparatus comprising:
 a base having a first frame member and a second frame member, the first frame member and the second frame member being spaced apart from one another;   a shaft extending in an axial direction between and rotatably mounted to the first frame member and the second frame member;   at least one first arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the at least one first arm having a first arm coupling and a first arm connector positioned on the at least one first arm, the first arm connector being secured to the shaft for rotation therewith;   at least one second arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the at least one second arm having second arm coupling and a second arm connector positioned on the at least one second arm, the second arm connector being secured to the shaft for rotation therewith;   at least one support arm extending radially outward from the shaft, the at least one support arm positioned in the axial direction between the at least one first arm and the at least one second arm, the at least one support arm having a support arm coupling and a support arm connector and positioned on the at least one support arm;   a first spindle extending between and being rotatably supported by the first arm coupling and the second arm coupling; and   wherein the first spindle is rotatably mounted in the support arm coupling, and the support arm coupling cooperates with the at least one support arm to mitigate deflection of the first spindle in response to forces applied thereto.   
     
     
         2 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a first support arm bearing is positioned on the shaft;   the support arm being rotatably secured to the shaft via the support arm bearing; and   wherein the at least one support arm is rotatable relative to the shaft and moveable in relation to the first spindle for installation and removal of cores from the first spindle.   
     
     
         3 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third frame member positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member;   a frame bearing positioned in the third frame member; and   the shaft being rotatably mounted in the frame bearing.   
     
     
         4 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support arm bearing positioned on the first spindle and wherein the support arm coupling releasably engages the second support arm bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The winding apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first spindle has a recess formed therein and the second support arm bearing being positioned in the recess. 
     
     
         6 . The winding apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the recess and second support arm bearing are configured to have at least one core slid thereover. 
     
     
         7 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of the cores spaced apart from one another and removably secured to the first spindle, the plurality of the cores being rotatable with the first spindle; and   at least two lay-on rolls rotatably mounted on a lay-on roll shaft, each of the at least two lay-on rolls being aligned with and rollingly engaging a film wrapped around at least one of the plurality of cores.   
     
     
         8 . The winding apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the film defines a pair of opposing edges, and wherein one of the at least two lay-on rolls rollingly engages the pair of opposing edges. 
     
     
         9 . The winding apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least one actuator in communication with the lay-on roll shaft; and   wherein the at least one actuator is configured to apply the radially inwardly directed forces to the film.   
     
     
         10 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second spindle extending between another of the at least one first arm and another of the at least one second arm; and   another of the at least one support arm extending radially outward from the shaft; and   wherein the second spindle is supported by the other of the at least one support arm to mitigate deflection of the second spindle in response to forces applied thereto.