Apparatus for crimping belt loops

摘要

An apparatus for automatically crimping precut belt loops receives precut belt loops and directs them along a predetermined input path. A diverter member located in the input path separates the belt loops into two crimper/input paths. The belt loops in each crimper/input path are individually positioned for crimping by a gate assembly extending across each path below a crimper blade mounted for displacement. An aligning assembly between each gate and crimper blade properly aligns each belt loop relative to the crimper blade. A light/photosensor senses a positioned belt loop to activate the aligning assembly and the crimper blade, which extends to push the belt loop through an aperture. A pair of endless belts receives each crimper blade having a belt loop folded thereabout and compresses the folded belt loop to complete the crimping of the precut belt loop. Each gate assembly is mounted for selective movement out of the input path to clear the apparatus of positioned but unfolded belt loops.