Apparatus for the connection of strips

1. A device ( 100 ) for clamping, cutting, and joining strips to form an endless strip with a clamping arrangement ( 125 ), a cutting arrangement ( 155 ), and a joining arrangement ( 195 ), wherein the clamping, cutting, and joining arrangements ( 125 , 155 , 195 ) are kinematically coupled with one another.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the clamping arrangement ( 125 ) comprises an upper and a lower strip clamp ( 110 , 120 ), which can be moved toward or away from each other under the control of levers (H 1 , H 2 , L 1 , L 2 ) in order to clamp or release the strips ( 200 ).

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cutting arrangement ( 155 ) comprises upper and lower cutting blades ( 130 - l , 130 - r , 150 - l , 150 - r ), such that the lower cutting blades ( 130 - l , 130 - r ) can be moved in or out under the control of levers ( 131 ).

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the lower cutting blades ( 130 - l , 130 - r ) can be lowered.

5. A device in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the cutting arrangement ( 155 ) comprises upper and lower cutting blades ( 130 - l , 130 - r , 150 - l , 150 - r ), where the upper cutting blades ( 150 - l , 150 - r ) can be driven from above in the direction of the lower cutting blades ( 130 - l , 130 - r ) to make the cut.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein, after the cut has been made, the cut ends of the strips are moved toward each other by lateral displacement of the appropriate clamping arrangement ( 125 ).

7. A device in accordance with claim 6 , wherein, to support the ends of the strips, at least one welding table ( 170 ) can be moved to the unsupported ends of the strips.

8. A device in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the one or more welding tables ( 170 ) are constructed in two or more parts.

9. A device in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the welding table ( 170 ) is supported in a plurality of places, as viewed over the width of the strip or strips, on the lower cutting blades ( 130 ) by means of levers (L 3 ).

10. A device in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the lowering function of the lower cutting blades ( 130 ) can be used for clamping the strip.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the device ( 100 ) is constructed essentially symmetrically and has two clamping arrangements ( 125 ), two cutting arrangements ( 155 ), and at least one or two joining arrangements ( 195 ).

12. A device in accordance with claim 11 , wherein at least one of the clamping arrangements ( 125 ) has a device for height adjustment.

13. A device in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the device for height adjustment has an eccentric adjustment mechanism.

14. A method for operating a device ( 100 ) for clamping, cutting, and joining strips to form an endless strip with at least two clamping arrangements ( 125 ), a cutting arrangement ( 155 ) and a joining arrangement ( 195 ), in accordance with claim 1 , wherein in a first step, the clamping arrangements ( 125 ) of the device ( 100 ) are opened to allow the ends of two strips to be inserted.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein, in a next step, the ends of the strips are clamped by the clamping arrangements ( 125 ).

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein, in a next step, the ends of the strips are cut by at least one cutting arrangement ( 155 ).

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein, in a next step, the cut ends of the strips are repositioned.

18. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein, after the cutting operation, in a next step, the cut ends of the strips are supported by at least one welding table ( 170 ), which is constructed in several parts, e.g., two parts.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein, in a next step, a height adjustment of the two cut ends of the strips is carried out, so that thickness differences of the strips that are to be joined can be compensated.

20. A method in accordance with claim 16 , wherein, in a next step, the ends of the strips are joined.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 , wherein, in a next step, the clamping arrangement ( 125 ) releases the joined strip again.