US2837138A - Power driven machine for straightening and automatically feeding wide strip stock in any predetermined length - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1958 Pl DE LA MOTTE 2,837,138 POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Filed Nov. 26, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fail A INVZLZIJW5. A

PIERRE dz lq MOTTE I mm ' W LATTORNEY J1me 1958 P. DE LA MOTTE 2,837, POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Filed Nov. 26, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig-E 'TToRr EY P. DE LA MOTTE 2,837,138

June 3, 1958 POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH 7 Sheets-SheetB Filed NOV. 26, 1954 fig. 5

INVENTOR.

PIERRE de lo: MOTTE TORNEY June 3, 1958 P. DE LA MOTTE, 2,337,138 POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Filed Nov. 26, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

PIERRE de la MOTTE A+TORNEY June 3, 1958 P. ,DE LA MOTTE POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINEDLENGTH 26, 1954 Filed Nov.

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

PIERRE de la MOTTE 2,837,138 MATICALLY FEEDING '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 1953 P. DE LA MOTTE POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENING AND AUTO WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Filed Nov. 26, 1954 mm NVK .Nv Nv m @w 6 2 9 June 3, 1958 P. DE LA MOTTE 2,837,138 POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTEINING AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Filed NOV. 26, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 HIA J kmxbwm ESE \N %R INVENTOR. 90905 05 m /'/077'E Unite 1 2,837,138 POWER DRIVEN MACHINE FOR STRAIGHTENIN G AND AUTOMATICALLY FEEDING WIDE STRIP STOCK IN ANY PREDETERMINED LENGTH Pierre tie la Motte, Nutley, N. J., assignor to U. S. Tool Company, line, Ampere, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 26, 1954, Serial No. 471,175 2 Claims. (Cl. 153-106) .of these long rolls.

In handling the wide stock it is desirable, because of the bulk and weight involved, to start the feed gradually, accelerate and then decelerate.

In the accomplishment of such results the invention utilizing a crank motion operating the feed rolls through a swinging rack and pinion connection with the gradual starting and stopping action desired.

Otherfeatures of the invention relate to certain clutch and brake constructions automatically operated to accomplish required correlation of efiects.

The automatic feeding of unlimited lengths of stock is accomplished by the use of a counter timed from the main feed shaft and adapted when so set to throw out the clutch and apply the brakes after the machine has completed a predetermined desired number of strip feeding cycles.

Other novel features of the invention and objects attained are set forth and will appear in the course of the following specification.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification illustrate a present commercial embodiment of the invention. Structure, however, may be modified and changed as regards the immediate illustration, all within the true intent and broad scope of the claims.

In the drawings referred to, Figs. 1 and 2 are broken left and right-hand top plan views of the machine, the center indicated by the line A -A;

Fig. 3 is a view of the delivery end of the machine, the lower end in Figs. 1 and 2 partly broken away to show portions of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view of the left-hand side of the machine shown in Fig. 1, partly broken away to show drive mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a view of the opposite right-hand side of the machine, Fig. 2, with parts broken away and appearing in section;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged broken longitudinal sectional view on substantially the plane of line 6-6 of. Fig. 3;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating control of the clutch and brake by the counter.

In the machine illustrated the wide strip stock which may be forty inches or more in width, enters between supporting and edge guiding rolls 10, 11 at one end, Fig. 6, is gripped by a pair of takein pinch rolls 12, 13 and passes between an upper set of idler straightening rolls 14 and a lower set of driven straightening rolls 15 to the takeout pinch rolls 16, 17.

Power is applied by variable speed motor driven sprockets 18 controlled as to speed by handle 19 at the intake end of the machine, these twin sprockets being connected by chains 20, Fig. 4, with-sprockets 21 on a shaft 22 having a crank-arm 23 carrying crank-pin 24 on which is pivotally engaged the end of a rack bar 25 States Patent in mesh with pinion 26 on the shaft 27 of the lower pinch roll 17.

The rack 25 is slidingly guided in a bearing box 28 sleeved to rock on the pinch roll shaft 27.

The pinion 26 actuated by the rack has a one-way driving connection with the pinch roll shaft 27 by means of a one-way overrunning clutch indicated at 29, Fig. 3, and which may be a roll clutch of the type illustrated in the Koch Patent 2,569,108 of September 25, 1951, or a one-way drive clutch of any other suitable design.

This one-way drive clutch is faced to rotate the lower pinch roll 17 in the takeout direction on the down-stroke of the rack and to turn idly on the up-stroke of the rack.

This crank and rack and pinion drive combination serves to start the strip feeding rolls slowly, rapidly accelerate and then slow down to a stop, thereby to handle the more or less bulky, heavy, wide material without slippage or over-feeding and at a maximum permissible rate of feed.

At the side of the machine opposite the rack and pinion drive the takeout roll shaft 27 carries a sprocket 30, Fig. 5, connected by chain 31 with a sprocket 32 on the lower takein pinch roll shaft 33.

This same view shows the shaft 34 of the upper takein pinch roll 12 as having a gear 35 in mesh with gear 36 on the lower shaft 33 so that both upper and lower of the takein rolls are positively driven.

The lower straightening rolls 15 are shown in Fig. 5 as driven from gear 37 on the main driven shaft 27, said gear meshing with intermediate or idler gear -33 which engages gear 39 on the first straightener roll shaft 40. The other, lower straightener rolls are driven in turn by a successive train of gears made up of alternate idlers 38 and the gears 39 on the roll shafts 40. An extra idler 38 at the end of the train meshes with gear 36 on shaft 33 on the lower takein pinch roll 13, thus to complete a closed circuit driving the takein and takeout pinch rolls and the lower straightener rolls between the same, avoiding backlash and having other advantages.

The upper idler straightening rolls 14 in staggered relation to the lower driven rolls, are shown as adjustable toward and away from the latter by being mounted in bearing blocks 42 adjustable in guide slots 43 by means of screw shafts 44 having bevel gears 45 at their upper ends in mesh with companion bevel gears 46 on cross shafts 47 squared at one end, at 48, Fig. 1, for engagement by a hand crank or wrench. Thus by turning cross shafts 47, opposite ends of the upper straightener rolls may be simultaneously adjusted in respect to the lower rolls.

The upper takeout pinch roll 16 is shown as similarly mountedin vertically adjustable slidable bearings 49, shiftable by screw shafts 50 carrying bevel gears 51 in mesh with bevel gears 52 on a cross-shaft 53, Fig. l, which can be turned by a squared end 54.

The shaft 34 of the upper takein pinch roll 12 is shown journalled in bearings 55 slidable in vertically slotted guideways 56 and pressed downwardly by slide pins 57, Fig. 6, engaged by cross-heads 58 tensioned by springs 59 adjustably held by nuts 60 on the studs 61.

The takein pinch roll 12 can thus be adjustably tensioned in respect to the lower, driven pinch roll 13.

Additionally, the upper takein pinch roll 12 may be lifted to admit the leadin end of the stock or for other purposes, by cams 62 on a cross-shaft 63 engaging laterally projecting shoulders 64 on bearing blocks 55,

said lift cam shaft being operable by hand lever 65 shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

A feature of both upper and lower straightener rolls is that they are supported by backup rolls. 1

Fig. 6 shows the backup rolls 66 for the upper straightener rolls 14 as journaled in the same bearing it blocks 42, so that vertical adjustment of these straightener rolls will not distrurb the relation of the backup rolls associated therewith.

Thissame view shows; the backup rolls 67 for the lower driven'straightener rolls 15 as arranged in pairs, below,andinsupporting engagement with opposite sides of these straightener rolls.

Both sets of, these relatively. long. straightener rolls are thus backed up and supported at the center where because of their length, support is most needed.

Thisenables wide, heavy stock, for example forty inches wide and.063 to .073 inch thick, to be. expeditiously handled at a speed on the. order of twenty-nine and one,- half feet perminute. Also because of this construction, thi orkca be ac ompl shed. wi hout requiring the use of heavy, largediameter rolls in a massive, cumbersome mas he Overdrive and inertia effects are,,avoided and overcome by the provision of electric, brakes 68, 69,, Fig. 4,

actingon the shafts 33 and 27 of the lower takein and..

takeout pinch rolls, timed to come on when the rack completes its feed stroke, and by an adjustable friotion brake 74 Figs. 2 and S, operative on the shaft 71 of h s t a out i h 9 1.- 6-.

Speed of operationmay be governedby control handle 19 regulatingspeed of the motor driven sprockets 18, Fig. 4.

The feed stroke may be. regulated by adjusting the crank-pin 24 in the slot 72 in the crank-arm 23, Fig. 4.

A foot switch may; ordinarily be provided to keep the machine in operation,

If desired, however, the machine may be controlled to stop after each feed operation.

Additionally, the machine may be automatically controlled to complete a number of. feeding cycles and then to stop after having completed feed ofa long length of stock requiring an accumulation of several feed strokes.

Further, the machine may be operated in astep-bystep manner to inch stock into or out ofv the machine, as by. means of a push-button switch conveniently located where feedingoperations can be observed.

To effect these controls. a main clutch and brake may be provided on the crank-shaft, as shown in Fig. 3, where a loose clutch member is indicated at 73' driven by sprocket chains 29 and arranged to be coupled after the manner of'a .jaw, clutch, with a companion clutch element 74 fast to the crank-shaft and arranged to be engaged with the driving clutch element 73 by the compressed air clutch member 75;"these clutch parts possibly being of conventional design,

An electric brake for holding the driven parts of the clutch mechanism is indicated at .76, this being timed to come on when the clutch is disengaged and to release when the clutch is engaged.

Means for controlling automatic stopping of the machine are shown here in the form of a counter 77" operated by -a cam or cams 78 on the driven portion of the crank-shaft and which can beset to stop the machine after a single orafter a counted'number of feed cycles.

Details of this cycle counter are not illustrated since this mechanism may be of conventional design and be mounted for cyclic operationand be connected to acc mplish throwing out of the clutch and setting of the brake.

The inching control for stepping material into or out of the machine is indicated as by push-buttons 79, Figs. 1 and 4.

Accurate timing is assured by the mounting of the driveclutch 73 and electric brake '76 on the main drive shaft or crank-shaft 27 and by the provision of a cam on this same shaft for actuating the counter. In Fig. 3 timing of the counter is effected by cam78 which actuates microswitch 77 which impulses the counter and may be considered as representing the counter. The brake power supplyis indicated at 80.

After completing a cycle or an alloted number of cycles, as determined by the counter, and having thus straightened and automatically fed a predetermined length of stock, this straightenerandafeeder may trip the press or other machine which is. being fed, so that the latter will then operate as planned upon the stock advanced to it. This tripping of the machine being supplied with stock may be accomplished from the counter, suitable electrical or other connections being provided for the purpose. Also, the press or supplied machine may be connected to prevent the straightener and feeder from operating before it, the press, has completed its operation, this for example bymeans of a limit switch 81, Fig. 7 operated when the ram of the press returns to the top of its stroke.

The machine is designed to feed the straightened stock directly into the press, without the usual control loop, allowing for close connection or association of the related machines. Also, being a self-powered unit complete and independent in itself, the straightener and feeder may be used as required with different stock handling machines.

The associated parts are compactly arranged so that the machine for what it accomplishes, is of reasonable size and weight.

0 stock, comprising long straightener rolls in opposed, alternating relation and backup rolls in supporting engagement with said straightener rolls, a pair of takein pinch rolls at one end of the straightener rolls, a pair of takeout pinch rolls at the opposite end of said straightener rolls and gearing driving said pinch rolls and intermediate straightener rolls in unison, and including chain and sprocket gearing between takein and takeout pinch rolls and a closedtrain of gears connecting the interposed straightener rolls with each other and with the pinch rolls at opposite ends of the same.

2. Machine for straightening and feeding 'wide' strip stock, comprising a pair of takein pinch rolls, a pair of takeout pinch' rolls, straightener rolls between the'takein and takeout rolls, gearingconnecting all said rolls to effect rotation in unison, a pinion and one-way drive clutch for imparting rotationtosaid gearing, a rack having a rotating drive engagement with said pinion, a main drive shaft havinga 'crank'connccted with said rack, a prime mover for actuating said drive shaft, a clutch on said drive shaft for coupling and uncoupling the same in respect to the prime mover, a brake for holding the driven portion of the shaft andcontrol means actuated bysaid shaft for effecting application of the brake when the clutch is uncoupled, and release of the brake whenthe clutch is engaged, saidcontrol means including a counter for countingthe cycles completed by the machine-and arranged to control-operation'of said clutch andbrake, and a cam on the drive shaft for. actuating-said'counter and whereby straighteningand operations of the machine may be determined by said cam on the drive shafts References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Aug. 13, 1935

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