SPRING FINGER ASSEMBLY FOR ENGAGING A SPOOL

摘要

A spring finger assembly (16) for a mechanism for transporting or tensioning thin membrane material that includes a shaft (14) and a roller (12) disposed about the shaft. The spring finger assembly (16) is mounted to the roller (12) for engaging a spool of thin membrane material. The spring finger assembly (16) comprises a plurality of interlocking spring fingers (30), each of which includes a leading portion (34) that extends free. The spring fingers (30) together define a generally cylindrical channel (32) for receiving the roller (12). Each spring finger (30) includes three hooks (40) and defines three apertures (42). The hooks (40) of each spring finger (30) are received by the apertures (42) of one of the other spring fingers (30) interlocking the one of the other spring fingers. The leading portion (34) of each spring finger (30) includes a leading edge (36) that is deflected for engaging the spool and includes two beveled ends (48) for facilitating the placement and removal of the spool. The roller (12) desirably is configured to impose a torque resistance between the spool and shaft (14).