Capstan draw apparatus for periodically gripping and drawing an elongated member

摘要

A capstan draw apparatus that includes a plurality of split clamps; a plurality of support carriages each having one of the split clamps positioned thereon; an endless chain drive mechanism for concurrently pulling each of the support carriages; and an elongated guide frame mechanism for successively closing and opening the split clamps about an elongated member. The apparatus further includes an endless lateral guide frame mechanism including first and second oppositely disposed, parallel endless lateral guide frames that are spatially positioned parallel to the endless chain drive mechanism and extend on opposite sides of the plurality of support carriages for continuously supporting each of the carriages in a positively guided manner for uniform movement thereof throughout their entire endless paths of rotation.