US2996230A

US2996230A - Strip accumulator

Info

Publication number: US2996230A
Application number: US666418A
Authority: US
Inventors: Teplitz Alfred
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1957-06-18
Filing date: 1957-06-18
Publication date: 1961-08-15
Anticipated expiration: 1978-08-15
Also published as: DE1099940B; GB841178A; FR1202297A; DE1099940C2

Description

Aug. 15, 1961 A. TEPLITZ 2,996,230

STRIP AGGUMIHEAmOR' Eiled June 18, 1957; 4Sheexts-Sheet 1 //VVENTOR ALFRED TEPL/TZ Attorney Aug. 15, 1961 A. TEPLITZ STRIP ACCUMULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 18, 1957 INVENTOR ALFRED TEPL/TZ 2396,230 STRIP ACCUMULA'IOR Alfred Teplitz, Pittsburgh, Pa, assignorto United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 18, 1957, Ser. No. 666,418 '14 Claims. (1. 226-l04) This invention relates to a strip accumulator and more particularly to an accumulator for storing heavy steel strip on either or both ends of a strip processing line. In the continuous processing of steel strip the strip is delivered to the line in coiled form and when the strip in one coil is exhausted it is necessary to Weld or otherwise fasten the trailing end of the strip already in the processing line to the leading end of a new coil. This operation may require between one and two minutes so that it is necessary to store suflicient strip to supply strip to the processing equipment while the incoming strip travel is stopped for welding. In some instances the processed strip is recoiled for further processing or for shipment to a customer. When this is done it is necessary to shear the strip when a coil has been formed and then connect the sheared strip to a coiler. This, too, requires storage of the processed strip so that the strip can continue to move through the processing line while the strip is being sheared and delivered to the coiler. Several types of storage equipment are used at present. One of these is the looping pit into which strip is fed at high speeds with the strip falling into the pit in a random manner. When the strip is pulled out of the pit it is subject to gouging by the overlying mass of steel, thus damaging the strip. A second type of strip storage device is a mechanical accumulator in which the strip passes around two series of rolls which are movable toward and away from each other. For maximum storage the two series of rolls are spaced the maximum distance apart so that when feeding of strip into the accumulator stops the two series of rolls will approach each other. While such an accumulator will not damage thin or rela tively flexible strip it is not suitable for handling heavy gage or stilt material since the strip must be wrapped around the rolls on a relatively short radius. Another problem involved in this type of mechanical accumulator is the proper tracking of the strip moving rapidly over the rolls in the accumulator. Also, there is a practical limit to the amount of strip that can be stored in this type of accumulator.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a mechanical accumulator for strip which can handle the strip regardless of its gage or flexibility.

Another object is to provide such an accumulator which has large capacity and is economical in the use of floor space.

Still another object is to provide a strip accumulator wherein the strip does not pass rapidly over a plurality of rolls with attendant tracking problems.

These and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic plan view of the accumulator of my invention;

FEGURES 2 ar1d2 together show schematically a developed elevation of the conveyor tracks of my invention;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse elevation, partly in section, of the conveyor used in my invention;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on the line FIGURE 3 FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevation showing a of the accumulator;

FIGURE 6 is an elevation, partly in section, of the storage portion of my accumulator;

IV-IV of detail 2,996,230 Patented Aug. 15, 1961 FIGURE 7 is a view taken on the line VII-VII of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a schematic view showing the formation of loops of strip; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of the electrical controls used in the accumulator.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates a pair of pinch rolls which feed the strip S to the accumulator of my invention. The accumulator is provided with two

endless tracks

4 and 6 arranged with the track 6 directly above the track 4. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 the track 4 consists of a plurality of l-beam sections 8 arranged end to end with their webs vertical, a series of channels 10 arranged end to end and fastened to the upper flanges of the beams 8 with their flanges extending downwardly, and a similar series of channels 12 fastened to the bottom flange of the beams 8 with their flanges facing upwardly. The track 4 is. supported by means of vertical columns 14 arranged inside the track, horizontal beams 16 fastened to the columns 14 and extending outwardly to the beams 8 and reinforcing beams 18 extending longitudinally between the beams16. The upper track 6 is formed of a series of I-beams arranged end to end with their webs vertical. The track 6 is suspended from I-beams 20 which are supported from the beams 16 by means of vertical I-beams 22. It will be understood that the

beams

14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 may be fastened together in any suitable manner such as by welding or riveting. The

tracks

4 and 6 have semi-circular ends as shown. As best shown in FIG-

URES

2 and 2 the track 4 is arranged horizontally between points 4a and 412 at the entry end of theaecuinulator. The track 4 extends downwardly between points 4.5 and 40. From point 40 to point 4d at the exit' end of the accumulator the track 4 is, horizontal. The point 4d to point 4e the track 4 rises at asteeper grade than between

points

4b and 4c. The track 4*then slopes downwardly from point 4e to point 4a. Between points 6a and 6b the track 6 remainshorizontal and parallel to track 4. The track -6 then continues horizontally until it reaches point 6b after which it drops rapidly to point 6c. It then remains parallel to track 4 until 'it reaches point 6e. From point 62 the track continues upwardly to point 6 after which it extends in a horizontal path to point 6g. It then drops rapidly to point 6a. A plurality of strip carriers 24 are mounted independently of one another on the track 4. Each of these strip carriers 24 consists of a frame 26 having a depressible dog 28 mounted on the top thereof. The dog 28 is so constructed that it will always return to the position shown after being depressed by an outside force. The frame 26 carries two rollers 30 which ride on the top of channel 10, two rollers 32 which ride on the inside flange of channel 10, a roller 34 which rides on the bottom of channel 12 and a pair of rollers 36 which ride against the outer flange of channel 12. A cylindrical arm 38isattached to the frame 26 and extends outwardly therefrom in a horizontal direction. This arm 38 may be rotatable or non-rotatable. A conventional power chain '40 is supported by trolleys 42 each having a pair of rolls 44 mounted for movement on the lower flanges of track 6. The chain carries lugs 46 on the lower side thereof spaced at equal intervals. A power chain 48 is located adjacent the chain 4t) and is provided with a plurality of driving dogs 50 of correct contour to mesh with the conveyor chain 40. The chain 48 is driven from a motor 52. The power chain and drive therefor are conventional equipment such as manufactured by the Jervis B. Webb Company of Detroit, Michigan. The means for driving the carriers 24 from the chain 40 is also conventional.

Carrier release devices

54 and 56 are located below the track 4 a short distance on the entry side of points 4c 3 and 411 as shown in FIGURES 1, 5 and 9. The carrier release device 54 consists of a screw 58 mounted with its axis parallel to the track 4 and a gear motor 60 for driving the screw. The carrier release device 56 consists of similar parts identified by priming the reference numerals. A lug 62 is welded or otherwise fastened tothe bottom of each of the frames 26. The outer periphery of the screws 58 and 58' are arranged so they will contact the lugs 62. 1

The entry pinch rolls 2 are driven from a motor 64 through a gear reducer 66. A pit 68 is located beneath the arms 38 between the pinch rolls 2 and the point 40. The transverse centers of the arms 38 are on the longi- -tudinal center of the processing line between these points.

A bending roll 70 is mounted below the pinch rolls 2 on the exit side thereof above the pit 68. The roll 70 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 72 which is carried on the outer end of a rotatable arm 74 which in turn is mounted on a shaft 76 for rotation therewith. The shaft 76 is driven from a Selsyn motor 78 through a gear reducer 80. Power for driving motors 52 and 64 is provided by a DC. generator 82 having a field 82F connected to DC. power lines L1L2. The speed of the motors 52 and 64 may be varied by changing the setting of rheostat 84 connected in the field circuit. A switch 86 is provided for controlling flow of current to field 82F. This switch may be manually operated or tied in with the control of the speed of the strip processing line. This arrangement provides for changes in speed of the accumulator or chain 40 corresponding to changes in speed of the pinch rolls 2.

While this relationship is not essential it is desirable in that it produces loops of uniform length under all condi- "tions. A Selsyn generator 88 is connected to be driven by the motor 52 and is electrically connected to the Selsyn motor 78. The Selsyn generator and motor are connected to -A.C. power source L3-L4. Thus a predetermined speed relationship is established between the chain 48 and bend- -ing roll 70. A pair of pinch rolls 90 is located above the exit end of pit 68, the strip passing through these rolls to the processing equipment. The rolls 90 may be driven in any suitable manner. A slidable frame 92 is mounted beneath the pinch rolls 90 and carries two rolls 94 at its outer end. The axes of rolls 94 are parallel to the axis 1 of rolls 90 and are separated to receive strip S there- '-between. The frame 92 is provided with a slot 96 which engages an on-off type limit switch 98 which controls flow -of current from lines L3L4 to the motor 60 of carrier release device 54. A switch 100 is mounted on one of the beams 22 a short distance on the entry side of point 4a and a similar switch 102 is similarly mounted on the exit side of carrier release 56. Closing of switch 100 energizes a relay coil 104 to close its contact 104C, thus energizing motor 60' of carrier release device 56. The relay contact 104C is locked in closed position by means of latch 105 controlled by solenoid 1058. Motor 60' remains energized until the carrier 24 which has been released closes switch 102 to energize solenoid 105S and release latch 105. Two normally closed

switches

106 and 108 are arranged adjacent the track 4 just on the exit side of point 4b and are spaced apart approximately the i are mounted in the same manner adjacent the track 4 on the inlet side of 'point 40.

Switches

112 and 114 are arranged in parallel with each other in circuit With a light or other signal 116.

The operation of my device is as follows: Assume that thereis no carrier 24 between points 412 and 40, that there are carriers 24 between

points

40 and 4d, and between points 4e and 4b with a carrier'24 directly below roll 7 0 which is in highest position, that the strip S has been threaded through the pinch rolls 2, between bendfollowing steps are taking place. :28 on the carriers 24 between

points

4c and 4d to move .them along track 4. A lug 46 engages the switch v100 and closes it to complete a circuit to motor 60', thus ing roll 70 and the arm 38 of the carrier therebelow, between rolls 94 and between pinch rolls to the processing line, and that the generator 82 is rotating and its field energized, thus causing motors 52 and 64 to drive chain 48 and pinch rolls 2 and the bending roll 70 to move about the axis of shaft 76. This is the position of the parts shown in full lines in FIGURE 8. Movement of chain 48 causes chain 40 to move about track 6. Lugs 46 on chain 40 engage dogs 28 of the carriers 24 between

points

40 and 4d and between

points

4a and 4b. This moves the carriers along the track 4 at a speed such that the roll 70 will make one complete revolution about the vaxis of shaft 76 while the carriers 24 move one step, that is, the distance between adjacent lugs 46. As the roll 70 ,moves in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG- URE 8, that is, downwardly toward the approaching carrier, it moves the strip S downwardly with it for a short distance until the parts reach the broken line position shown after which the strip continues to be fed downwardly forming a loop L between the arms 38 of the first and second carriers in line approaching point 4b. The loop L increases in length until it reaches its full length as shown in FIGURE 6. When the roll 70 completes one revolutionit will be directly above the arm 38 of the second carrier 24 and will proceed to form a second loop between the arms 38 of the second and third carriers 24. While the relationship between the radius of .roll 70 and arm 38, the radius of rotation of roll 70 and .the distance between lugs 46 is not critical it will be seen that the sum of the radii of roll 70, arm 38 and radius ,of rotation of roll 70 must be sufficiently less than threefourths of the distance between lugs 46 to give clearance between the roll 70 and arm 38 when the roll 70 is in the plane of the axes of arms 38. As the first carrier in line moves forwardly along track 4 it reaches point 4b and its dog 28 becomes disengaged from the lug 46 so that it will drift down the track 4 to point 4c. At the same time that the first carrier is moving to point 4b the Lugs 46 engage dogs causing the screw 58' to rotate. This permits the carriers 24 on the slope of conveyor 4 between

points

42 and 4a to move downwardly until the lug 62 of the lowermost carrier passes beyond the end of screw 58'. As the carrier passes beyond the end of screw 58' it engages the switch '102 which opens the circuit to motor 60' to stop the same'and reset the motor circuit. The lug 46 which actuated switch will then be in position, to engage the dog 28 on the released carrier. The carriers between

points

4a and 4b will all have moved one step forwardly. The foregoing steps are repeated and if the feed from the pit 68 is slower than the feed into the pit more and more 1 loops L will be formed in the pit 68. When a carrier 24 carrying a loop L reaches the strip carrier release device 54 the lug 62 will engage the screw 58 which will restrain it and any additional carriers behind it from further movement. As the strip is withdrawn from a loop at point 40 through rolls 94 and 90 no movement of the carriers in the pit 68 occurs. However, when the strip in the loop is exhausted the strip S will pass from the next succeeding carrier and cause the frame 92 to slide to the left as seen in FIGURE 6 to its broken line position, thus closing switch 98 to start motor 60. This permits all the restrained carriers 24 to move forward until the strip S is again passing directly upwardly through rolls 94 at which time frame 92 will have resumed its original position and switch 98 will have opened to stop the motor 60.

'This procedure is repeated as long as strip is being withdrawn from the accumulator. When it is necessary to stop feed of the strip into the pit 68 to weld the trailing end of the strip to the next succeeding coil there will be few if any carriers 24 between

points

40 and 4d and the empty carriers will move .into this space as the strip is removed therefrom.

11m normal operation of the processing line the pit be'relatively filled with strip when the accumulator is on the entry side of the processing equipment and relatively empty when on the exit side as is usual practice.

When the strip input is exceeding the strip output and the accumulator becomes filled both

switches

106 and 108 will be opened by contact With the carriers 24. This will deenergize relay coil 110 to open its contact 110C and deenergize the field 82F. When the strip" in the accumulator approaches exhaustion there will be no carriers therein to actuate either of the normally

open switches

112 and 114. Thus there will be no circuit to light 116 and the operator will stop the processing line. The above described safety devices are described for use with an accumulator on the entry side of a processing line. Similar devices will be used when the accumulator is used on the delivery end of the line.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, 'a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track arranged around a generally vertical line, means mounting said, carriers independently of one another on said track, a strip storage section associated with said track beneath said arms be tween said entry and exit ends, means for feeding strip to the arm of a carrier at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for automatically forming a loop of strip between, adjacent carrier arms at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for moving said carriers along said track, each of said carriers being movable with respect to the other carriers, means for removing strip from the carrier arm at the exit end of said strip storage section, and means for preventing said arms from dropping downwardly throughout their travel.

2. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a strip storage section association with said track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft at a predetermined speed, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form, loops between adjacent carrier arms, means for moving said carriers along their track, each of said carriers being movable with respect to the other carriers, and means, for removing strip from the carrier arm at the exit end of said. strip storage section.

. 3.. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said, carriersincluding a generally horizontal arm for. supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, means on said chain spaced apart at equal distances to engage said carriers, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track. beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storagesection, a, shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bendingroll, meansfor supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in synchronism with the movement ofsaid chain, said tracks being so arranged on the entry side of said storage section that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end, of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chaintrack, so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, said tracks: then receding from said storage space and sloping upwardly so that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track then extending downwardly to a point adjacent the. entry end with the chain track so arranged that the engag-v ing means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms, and means for removing strip from the carrier arms at the exit end of said strip storage section.

4. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, means on said chain spaced apart at equal distancm to engage said carriers, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in synchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being so arranged on the entry side of said storage section that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track having a first slope extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, said tracks then receding from said storage space and sloping upwardly so that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track then having a return slope extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms, means for removing strip from the carrier arms at the exit end of said strip storage section, a carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the first slope of said carrier track, a second carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the return slope of said carrier track, means for operating said first carrier release device to release the lowest carrier in said strip storage section when the strip is removed from the arm of said lowest carrier, and means for operating said second carrier release device to release the lowest carrier on said return slope.

5. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a dog and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said carrier track, a power chain carried by said second track, lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal distances, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in. synchronism withthe movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry side of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to. a point adjacent the exit end thereof 7 with the cham track sufficiently spaced therefrom so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track then extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track sufliciently spaced therefrom so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, saidbending roll moving from a position .above said last named carrier arm downwardly toward the entry end of said storage space to a position below the last named carrier arm, the spacing of said lugs and speed of said chain being such that the chain will move the distance between lugs while the bending roll is making one revolution about the axis of said shaft, and means for feeding said strip downwardly between said rotating bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms.

6. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a dog and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said carrier track, a power chain carried by said second track, lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal distances, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bendingrrol-l about said shaft in synchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry saide of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track having a first slope extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track sufficiently spaced therefrom so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track then having a return slope extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track sufiiciently spaced therefrom so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, a carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the first slope of said carrier track, a second carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the return slope of said carrier track, means for operating said first carrier release device to release the lowest carrier in said strip storage section when the strip is removed from the arm of said lowest carrier, means for operating said second carrier release device to release the lowest carrier on said return slope, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, said benddownwardly between said rotating bending roll and the 'carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms.

7. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a dog, a lug and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers,

2. second endless track adjacent said carrier track, a pow- 8 er chain carried by said second track, lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal disances, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, 'means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in synchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry side of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track having a first slope extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track sufficeintly spaced there from so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track then having a return slope extending downwardly to a point adjacent the'entry end with the chain track sufficiently spaced therefrom so that the dogs cannot engage said chain lugs, a carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the first slope of said carrier track, a second carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the return slope of said carrier track, each of said carrier release devices including a screw arranged with its axis parallel to said carrier track and means for rotating said screw, the periphery of each screw being positioned to engage said carrier lugs, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, said bending roll moving from a position above said last named carrier arm downwardly toward the entry end of said storage space to a position below the last named carrier arm, the spacing of said lugs and speed of said chain being such that the chain will move the distance between lugs While the bending roll is making one revolution about the axis of said shaft, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said rotating bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms, means for rotating the screw of said first carrier release device to release the lowest carrier when the strip is removed from the arm of the lowest carrier in said storage section,

means for stopping rotation of the screw of said first 7 carrier release when the said lowest carrier is released, and means for rotating the screw of said second carrier release device to release the lowest carrier on said return slope. Y

8. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including an upwardly extending dog, a downwardly extending lug and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track located above said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, downwardly extending lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal distances, a strip storage section below said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft insynchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry side of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track spaced therefrom so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs,

gamma 9 said carrier track then extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track spaced there from so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, said bending roll moving from a position above said last named carrier arm downwardly toward the entry end of said storage space to a position below the last named carrier arm, the spacing of said lugs and speed of said chain being such that the chain will move the distance between lugs while the bending roll is making one revolution about the axis of said shaft, and means for feeding said strip downwardly between said'rotating bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath soas'to form loops between adjacent carrier arms.

9. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip carriers, eachof said carriers including an upwardly extending dog, a downwardly extending lug and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track located above said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, downwardly extending lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal distances, a strip storage section below said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in synchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry side of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track having a first slope extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track spaced therefrom so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track then having a returnslope extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track spaced therefrom so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, a carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the first slope of said carrier track, a second carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the return slope of said carrier track, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, said bending roll moving from a position above said last named carrier arm downwardly toward the entry end of said storage space to a position below the last named carrier arm, the spacing of said lugs and speed of said chain being such that the chain will move the distance between lugs while the bending roll is making one revolution about the axis of said shaft, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said rotating bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to formloops between adjacent carrier arms, means for operating said first carrier release device to release the lowest carrier in said strip storage section when the strip is removed from the arm of said lowest carrier and means for operating said second carrier release device to release the lowest carrier on said return slope.

10L An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a plurality of strip car riers, each of said carriers including an upwardly extending dog, a downwardly extending lug and a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track located above said first track, a power chainicarried by said second track, downwardly extending lugs on said chain spaced apart at equal distances, a strip storage sec tion below said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit end, a bending roll at the entry end of said strip storage section, a shaft parallel to and spaced from the axis of said bending roll, means for supporting the bending roll for revolving movement about said shaft, means for revolving said bending roll about said shaft in synchronism with the movement of said chain, said tracks being parallel on the entry side of said storage section with the dogs in position to engage the chainlugs, said carrier track having a first slope extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track spaced therefrom so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, said tracks then receding from said storage section in parallel relationship with each other and sloping upwardly with the dogs in position to engage the chain lugs, said carrier track then having a return slope extending downwardly to a point adjacent the entry end with the chain track spaced therefrom so that the dogs are below the chain lugs, a carrier release device located adjacent the lower end of the first slope of said carrier track, a second carrier release device located adjacent the lower end or" the return slope of said carrier track, each of said carrier release devices including a screw arranged with its axis parallel to said carrier track and means for rotating said screw, the periphery of each of said screws being positioned to engage said carrier lugs, said chain lugs being so positioned that a carrier arm Will be below said bending roll when the bending roll is approximately in its highest position, said bending roll moving from a position above said last named carrier arm downwardly toward the entry end of said storage space to a position below the last named carrier arm, the spacing of said lugs and speed of said chain being such that the chain will move the distance between lugs while the bending roll is making one revolution about the axis of said shaft, means for feeding said strip downwardly between said rotating bending roll and the carrier arm therebeneath so as to form loops between adjacent carrier arms, means for rotating the screw of said first carrier release device to release the lowest carrier when the strip is removed from the arm of the lowest carrier in said storage section, means for stopping rotation of the screw of said first carrier release when the said lowest carrier is released, and means for rotating the screw of said second carrier release device to release the lowest carrier on said return slope.

11. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end, a strip storage section between said entry and exit ends, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm extending over said strip storage section, means for feeding strip to the arm of a carrier at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for automatically forming a loop of strip between adjacent carrier arms at the entry end of said strip storage section, a track between said entry and exit ends, means mounting said carriers independently of one another on said track, said carriers with loops of strip therebetween being movable along said track in said strip storage section, means for removing strip from the carrier arm at the exit end of said strip storage section, means for returning said carriers from the exit end of said strip storage section to the entry end thereof, and means for preventing said arms from dropping downwardly throughout their travel.

12. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end at an elevation lower than the strip entry end, a strip storage section between said entry and exit ends, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm extending over said strip storage section, means for feeding strip to the arm of a carrier at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for forming a loop of strip between adjacent carrier arms at the entry end of said strip storage section, a track sloping downwardly from said entry end to said exit end, means mounting said carriers independently of one another on said track, said carriers with loops of strip therebetween being movable by gravity along said track in said strip storage section, means for removing strip from the carrier arm at the exit end of said strip storage section, means for returning said carriers from the exit end of said strip storage section to the entry end thereof, and means for preventing said arms from dropping downwardly throughout their travel, the longitudinal center of said strip remaining in essentially the same vertical plane in its movement through said loop forming means, strip storage section and strip removing means.

13. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end at an elevation lower than the strip entry end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, means on said chain spaced apart at equal distances to engage said carriers, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, said tracks being so arranged on the entry side of said storage section that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit endv thereof with the chain track so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, means for feeding strip to the arm of a carrier at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for forming a loop of strip between adjacent carrier arms at the entry end of said strip storage section, said carriers with the loops of strip thereon being movable by gravity down said carrier track in said storage section, said tracks receding from said storage space and sloping upwardly so that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, and means for removing strip from the carrier arms at the exit end of said strip storage section, the longitudinal center of said strip remaining in essentially the same vertical plane in its movement through said loop forming means, strip storage section and strip removing means.

14. An accumulator for handling strip comprising a strip entry end, a strip exit end at an elevation lower than the strip entry end, a plurality of strip carriers, each of said carriers including a generally horizontal arm for supporting said strip, an endless track for carrying said carriers, a second endless track adjacent said first track, a power chain carried by said second track, means on said chain spaced apart at equal distances to engage said carriers, a strip storage section associated with said carrier track beneath said arms between said entry and exit ends, said tracks being so arranged on the entry side of said storage section that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track extending downwardly from a point adjacent the entry end of said storage section to a point adjacent the exit end thereof with the chain track so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, means for feeding strip to the arm of a carrier at the entry end of said strip storage section, means for forming a loop of strip between adjacent carrier arms at the entry end of said strip storage section, said carriers with the loops of strip thereon being movable by gravity down said carrier track in said storage section, said tracks receding from said storage space and sloping upwardly so that the engaging means on said chain will engage said carriers, said carrier track then extending downwardly to a point adjacent the said entry end with the chain track so arranged that the engaging means on said chain will be out of engagement with said carriers, and means for removing strip from the carrier arms at the exit end of said strip storage section, the longitudinal center of said strip remaining in essentially the same vertical plane in its movement through said loop forming means, strip storage section and strip removing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,996,230 August 15 1961 Alfre'fi Teplitz corrected below.

Column 2 line 36, for "The'f read From column 5 line 44, for "association" read associated Signed and sealed this 19th day of December 1961,-

' (SEAL) Attest: ERNEST W. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC