US2221468A - Apparatus for handling strip metals - Google Patents

Description

.Nov.`12, 1940. c. A. BoLmNGr-:R ET AL 2.221,468

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIP METALS Filed Aug. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l [We/enfers.'

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Nov. 12, 1940. c. A. BoLLlNGx-:R ET AL 2.221.468

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRIP METALS Fi'led Apg. '7, 1959 2 sheets-sheet? Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claude A. Bollinger and Frederick K. Schefe, Gary, Ind.

Application August 7, 1939, Serial No. 288,902

4 Claims. (Cl. Ztl- 33) This invention relates to the manufacture of strip metal, and more particularly to the handling thereof when in very substantial lengths.

In the manufacture of strip metals, such as 5 strip steel, in very substantial lengths it is necessary to keep the same on coils and to direct the strip into various types of processing apparatus, one example of which is an electro-tinning line. In such a type of processing, the strip is fed continuously through the processing medium and it is undesirable to interrupt the feed thereof between the trailing end of one coil and the leading end` of the succeeding coil. It has, therefore, been proposed, and is now commonly practiced, to weld or stitch the trailing end of one coil to the leading or advance end of the next succeeding coil.

' So far as we are aware, the most commonly used equipment consists of a plurality of uncoilers, a single type of shear, and single type pinch rolls. With such arrangements, considerable time is lost during the shearing operation which is necessary to square -the adjacent ends of the coils and also while positioning said ends for welding or stitching. In order that such a loss of time will not be excessive, looping pits are provided for storing sufficient lengths of strip so that the joining operation may be carried on continuously. This advantage has been imprac- 33 tical because the joining operation and steps incident thereto require-too much time to enable the utilization of a looping pit of suiiicient depth.

It is among. the objects of` the present invention to feed succeeding strips of metal in joined u relationship in a minimum of time.

Another object is the provisioxiof a method and apparatus of the class described wherein the only loss of time will be that which is required to advance the trailing end of the strip from the shear to the Welder and during the immediately subsequent welding operation.

The invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully dcribed and as particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative of but several of a number of ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed- 5u In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus of the invention, lsome of the instrumentalities thereof being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a view on the line II-II of Figure 1;

and

Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 but disclosing a modification.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 designates a concrete foundation within which there is a looping pit 3. In accordance with prior art practices, (and referring particularly to Figure 1) on the left-hand side of the looping pit 3 there is disposed the usual conveying or processing instrumentalities (none of which is shown). 10

Disposed on the foundation 2 at a point remote from the looping pit 3 there is mounted van uncoiler `I upon which there is carried a coil 5 of strip metal which is to be further processed. Intermediate the looping pit 3 and the uncoiler 15 4 there is disposed a second uncoiler Ii which occupies a position substantially lower than the uncoiler 4. This uncoiler 6 carries a coil 'l of strip metal which may be identical with the coil 5 referred to hereinbefore. Immediately ad- 20 jacent the looping pit 3 and mounted on the foundation 2 there is disposed a pair of suitably driven pinch rolls Il) which are adapted to feed the strip metal of either the coil 5 or the coil 'I either directly into the conveying or processing 25 instrumentalitiesl (not shown) or into the looping pit 3.

As previously pointed out, it is desired to direct the strip of either the coil 5 or the coil 'I through the conveying 'or processing instrumentalities 30 and to attach the second or succeeding coil (as the case may be) to the trailing end thereof with but a minimum loss of time.

According to the teachings of the present invention, there is disposed between the uncoiler E 35 andthelooping pit 3, (and most adjacent the latter) a pair of suitably driven pinch rolls I2 providing a horizontal pass. This pair of pinch rolls I2 is adapted to receive the strip metal of the coil 5 and feed the same forwardly to the 4e pinch rolls I0, which are closely adjacent the looping pit 3. In order that the strip metal of the coil 5 may be fed forwardly to the pinch rolls III, the upper of the pair of pinch rolls I2 is movable upwardly away from the lower roll 45 thereof in order to permit the entry of the strip.

Disposed immediately below the pinch rolls I2 and occupying a common vertical plane, there is disposed a corresponding set of suitably driven pinch rolls I3 which are constructed and ar- 5o ranged to handle the strip metal of the coil l' on the uncoiler 6 in the same manner that the pinch rolls I2 are constructed and arranged to handle the strip 5 from the uncoiler 4. Accordingly, the lower of the pair of pinch'roils I3 is ai and `remove scrap from the operation of. the shear 2 adapted for movement downwardly away from the upper roll thereof.

'Ihe pinch rolls I2 and I3 are independently driven in any suitable manner as, for example,

and connected prime move assemblies, designated at I4 and I5, respectively, in Figure 2.

Between the pinch rolls I6 and the pinch rolls I2 and I3,\ respectively, there is disposed a stationary shear block I6, the upper and lower edges of which arein alignmentwith the lin of pass formed between the pinch rolls I2-I2 and I3-I3, respectively. The edge of the shear block I6 which is most adjacent the pinch rolls I2 is provided with an upper shear blade I1, while the most remote lower edge of theshear block posed immediately. above the stationary shear block I6. and between it and the pinch rolls I2, there is a suitably operated movable shear block 2I having on its edge most adjacent the stationary shear block I6 a shear blade 22 which lco operates with the upper shear blade I1 carried by the shear block I6. A movable shear block 25 is disposed beneath the shear block I6 on the side most remote from the pinch rolls I3 and is provided with an upper shear blade 26 for cooperation with the lowershear blade I8 carried by the shear block I6. vFrom the foregoing, it

will be seen that stripmetal from the coil 5 passing between the pinch rolls I2 may be sheared by the shear blades 22 and I1, while strip metal from the coil 1 passing between the pinch rolls I3 may be sheared by the shear knives 26 and I6.

Disposed immediately adjacent the stationary shear block I6 on its side which is remote from the pinch rolls I2 and I3, there'is mounted a trackway 30 which supports a scrap buggy BI', the latter being adapted to move at right angles .with respect to the path of travel of the strip metal from either of the coils E or 1. It will be noted that the scrap buggy 3l is disposed beneath the line of pass of the pinch rolls I2 but above' the line of pass of the pinch rolls I3, whereby the scrap buggy 3l is adapted to receive shear scrap resulting from the operation of the shear blades 22 and I1.

Immediately below the trackway 36 and the line of pass of'the pinch rolls, I3, there'jis `disposed a trackway 32 upon which theriefl'is mounted a scrap buggy 33. 'I'his scrap bugy is adapted to move in a direction which is parallel to the scrap buggy'il, and being below, the; line of pass of the pinch-rolls I3, is adapted to receive .blades 26 and I8.

Referringmore particularly to the left-hand" portion of Figure lof the-drawings, it will be notedthat immediatdy above and be1ow theline ci pass of the pinch rolls I0 there is disposed a rol1,`as at l39 and 44,v respectively.

The strip metal from the coil 5, after it emerges f from' between the pinch rolls I2 and the shear 'y blades 22 and I1, is fed downwardly by a roll 31 whichis disposed below but tangentially of the line of pass of the pinch rolls I2. From the roll 31 thestrip metal of the coil 5 is fed under the roll' fand into the pass formed by the pinch rolls Ill'. y i y i The strip material oi` the coil 1, after passing through the pinch `rolls I3 and shear blades 26 and` IB, passes under the roll 4I which isdisposed above buttangentially: of the line of pass of the-v pinch rolls I3. Fromfunde'r the roll 4I thestrlp metalfof --the coil 1 isl directed over the roll `44 through the adlacently disposed pinion stand I6 is provided with a lower shear blade |28. Disformed by the -roll 39 and the upper or lower of the pinch rolls I0 there is disposedal welding machine anvil, generally designated at 46. The welding instrumentalities 45 may consist of a conventional single seam welder, conventional double seam Welder, or any other suitable welding or fastening device.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, we have shown a modified form of the 'invention as comprising a pair of upper and lower rotary drum shears Ell-5I and 52-53, respectively, in lieu of the upper and lower guillotine shears provided by the instrumentalities I6-2I and I6-25. This modied type of shear (i. e. the rotary drum type) will be more desirable where it is necessary to cut up, for salvaging purposes or otherwise, a considerable length of heavy-end or scrap material.

Duerto the construction and arrangement, as described hereinabove, a continuous operation may be carried on through the processing equipmentv as suiiicient stock of strip metal may be stored in the looping pit 3 to provide for the small time delay while ,welding or otherwise fastening the adjacent edges of the coils. If desired, the" apparatus of the invention may be used without employing a looping pit; but in such event it will be necessary to stop-for a short ingether. Also, the welding' instrumentalities 45 and 46 may be entirely eliminated and the strips merely fed in succession rather than as secured together.

It is one of the features of the present invention that if at any time during the processing of strip, etc. whereby the processing equipment is protected from such damage as marked rolls or dnlled shear blades.

In operation:

`Let it be assumed that the coil 1 on vthe uncoller 6 is being processed on the linek and is being pulled between the pinch rolls I0 from the uncoiler; through the pinch rolls I3 which have been opened up by suitable air cylinders, or other wise; through the shear blades 26 and I6 which are separated; under the deilector roll 4I and over the deflector roll 44. When a coil 5 is placedon the uncoiler 4, the leading end of the strip thereof may be fed up either mechanically or manually to the pinch rolls I2, which are then brought together by suitable air cylinders, or otherwise, to further advance it. As the leading end of the strip is"moved forwardly, it may be sheared to obtain a square end, remove scrap,

or to shear up end portions of the .coil which it is not desired to process further on the line. 'I'his 'sheared material is collected from the scrap buggy II, which is retracted and `emptied in any suitable manner (not shown). 'I'he squared end Y `of the good, or unremoved, portion of the strip may, then be fed over the upper deflect'or rolll 31;

under the lower deilector roll l! and between the welding instrumentalities 45 and 4I. This end of the strip may be allowed to rest on the rterval while securing the edges of the strips towelding mechanism until the trailing and of the strip metal of the coil 1 is reached, and sheared square. The trailing end of the strip metal of the coil 'l may then be advanced to the Welding instrumentalities and 46 by the pinch rolls I0; the pinch rolls I3 and sheer blades 26 and 28 being still retracted. After the trailing end of the strip metal of the coil T is Welded to the advance end of the strip metal of the coil 5, the pinch rolls I0 are operated to advance the strip forwardly into the looping pit 3 or, if desired, direct into any prccessing or conveying instru-.- mentality. In either event there will be but a small delay during the welding or fastening operation.

While we have shown and described several specic embodiments of the present invention, it will be seen that We do not Wish to be limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be made without departing from the scopeof the invention, as dened by the following claims.

We claim:

l. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising an uncoiling device, ay pair of separable pinch rolls for receiving and advancing a strip, a second uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls disposed above said first-named pinch rolls and adapted to receive and advance a strip advanced from said second uncoiling device, shearing means for each set of said pinch rolls, and a retractable scrap buggy for each of said shearing means.

2. Apparatus for handling strip metal com-A prising an uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls for receiving and advancing a strip, a second uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls disposed above said first-named pinch rolls and adapted to receive and advance a strip advanced from said second uncoiling device, shearing means for each set of said pinch rolls,

means for deiecting strip material from the line of pass of each of said pinch rolls into a common path of travel, pinch rolls adapted to receive and advance the strip material from either of said deector means, and a looping pit adjacent said last-named pinch rolls.

3. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising an uncoiling device, a pair of separable vpinch rolls for receiving and advancing a strip,

a second uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls disposed above said rst-named pinch rolls and adapted to receive and advance a strip advanced from said second uncoiling device, shearing means for each set of said pinch rolls, means for deflecting strip material from a line of pass of said pinch rolls into a common path of travel, pinch rolls adapted to receive and advance the strip material from either of said deector means, and strip-fastening means between said defiector means and said last-named pinch rolls.

4. Apparatus for handling strip metal comprising an uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls for receiving and advancing a strip, a second uncoiling device, a pair of separable pinch rolls disposed above said first-named pinch rolls and adapted to receive and advance a strip advanced from said second uncoiling device, shearing means for each set of said pinch rolls, means for deflecting strip material from a line of pass of said pinch rolls into a common path of travel, pinch rolls adapted to receive and advance the strip material from either of said deflector means, a looping pit adjacent said last-named pinch rolls, and strip-fastening means between said delector means and said last-named pinch rolls.

CLAUDE A. BOLLHVGER. FREDERICK K. SCHEFE.

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