US3192753A

US3192753A - Strip processor

Info

Publication number: US3192753A
Application number: US201159A
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas A Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-06-08
Filing date: 1962-06-08
Publication date: 1965-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 1982-07-06

Description

y 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER BY WJW ATTORNEY y 1955 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

INVENTOR.

DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY .D. A. TURNER STRIP PROCESSOR July 6, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 8, 1962 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY m QI y 6, 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.4

INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY y 1965 D. A. TURNER 3,192,753

STRIP PROCESSOR Filed June 8, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. DOUGLAS A. TURNER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,12,753 STRIP PRQESOR Douglas A. Turner, R0. Box 224, Salem, Ohio Filed .l'nne 8, 1962, Ser. No. 213L159 16 Claims. (ill. '72128) This invention relates to a processor for metal strip and more particularly to a processor for Working extremely thin gauge steel strip so as to improve the grain structure thereof and desirably condition the surface thereof.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved strip processor in which thin gauge metal strip is passed around oppositely disposed vertically offset rollers of very small diameter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a thin metal strip processor capable of leveling the surface of thin gauge metal strip passed therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a thin metal strip processor capable of preparing the strip for a subsequent tin plating operation.

It is known in the art that the uncoiling of metal strip generally results in the formation in the strip of transverse shadow marks which are actually minute fissures sometimes called coil breaks which tend to occur as the strip is uncoiled and led into a tangently extending path due to the tendency of the strip to retain its curved shape. In uncoiling ferrous metal strip of extremely thin gauge such as is now being made for continuous tin plate lines to produce container stock, the strip processors and roller levelers heretofore known in the art for working the strip to prevent the occurrence of coil breaks and the like become incapable of suitably Working the extremely thin gauge metal due to the inability of the rollers in the processors to sufficiently flex and work the strip stock. It is well known that strip stock must be worked as by flexing or bending it to near the limits of its elasticity and then subjecting it to roller levelers to produce the desired metallurgical changes in the strip stock and to suitably condition the surface thereof. The methods and apparatus heretofore proposed for the handling of strip stock have been satisfactory for the relatively thicker gauges of strip stock such as heretofore produced and generally used for tin plate stock. Such apparatus and methods have proven to be incapable of suitably processing the extremely thin gauge strip stock now being produced for tin plating to compete with non-ferrous metal container stock. 7

The present invention relates to apparatus capable of applying sufficient, but not excessive, longitudinal tension to the metal strip being processed and simultaneously working and/ or flexing the same over a plurality of working rolls of extremely small diameter so as to flex the metal and impart a desirable roller level or action thereto. The apparatus disclosed herein accomplishes the objectives of the invention by utilizing a plurality of closely spaced extremely small diameter working rolls so that passing the metal strip therebetween when rolls are arranged in a vertically ofiset superimposed relation to one another results in the desirable working and roller leveling of the stock despite its extremely thin gauge as its relative thickness and flexing around the small diameter rolls accomplishes the desired objects.

A further object of the invention is therefore the pro 3,l@2,?53 Patented July 6, i965 ice vision of a strip processor in which a plurality of vertically offset superimposed small diameter rolls are supported and driven in predetermined relationship to one another to form a desirable tortuous passageway therebetween for the strip stock being processed.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a strip processor incorporating a plurality of oppositely disposed staggered working rolls of very small diameter and incorporating means for positioning said rolls in a desired pattern and relation and means rotating the same while providing a moving backup means for the rolls.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a metal strip processor of the cold working type wherein continuous thin metal belts move in spaced parallel relation between the opposed surfaces of spaced parallel platens and serve as backup and tensioning means for a pluralityof vertically offset oppositely disposed longitudinally extending leveler rolls defining a pass line for metal strip therebetween.

It will occur to those skilled in the art that the strip processor as disclosed herein is particularly suitable for processing ferrous metal strip of very thin gauge and whereby the thin gauge ferrous strip is imparted a uniform metallurgical grain structure and a particularly desirable uniform level surface suitable for subsequent tin plating, so that the strip can then be subjected to die forming and/or roll forming.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being the intention to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure, which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front eleva-tional view of the thin gauge strip processor with parts broken away and parts in cross section. 7

FIGURE 2 is a side eleva-tional view showing the inlet end of the strip processor.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the strip processor with parts broken away.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail with parts broken away and parts in cross section and taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section on line 55 of FIG- URE 4.

By referring to the drawings and FIGURES 1, Z and 3 in particular, it will be seen that a strip processor for processing extremely thin gauge ferrous metal strip has been disclosed and which comprises a pair of spaced vertically positioned

end frames

10 and 11 of inverted U-shape having horizontally disposed

base members

12, 12 and 13, 13 respectively on their lowermost ends. The end frames 1% and 11 have vertically disposed

tubular journals

14 and 15 respectively on their uppermost portions and an interconnecting horizontally disposed rod 16 is positioned therebetween and secured thereto as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings. Threaded

rods

17 and 13 respectively are disposed in the journals l4 and 15 and

nuts

19, 19 and 20, 20 are engaged on the threaded

rods

17 and 18 respectively above and below the ends of the journals and adjustably position the

rods

17 and 18 relative to the end frames and 11. An aperture in the lower end of the rod 18 receives a pin 21 which in turn engages a clevis 22 having an aperture engaged over a projecting member 23 formed on the upper portion of a side plate 24 and arranged to support the same. The threaded rod 17 has its lower end engaged in a fitting 25 which is attached to the upper end of a secondary side plate 26 which is a substantial duplicate of the side plate 24, as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, and which is positioned in oppositely disposed spaced relation thereto. The

side plates

24 and 26 have horizontally aligned pulley receiving formations therein as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings and wherein annular retainers 27 and 28 secured to the

side plates

24 and 26 respectively form journals for the ends of a horizontally disposed elongated pulley 29. A secondary elongated pulley 30 is disposed on the same horizontal level and in spaced relation with respect to the pulley 29 and has its ends journalled in bearing blocks 31 which in turn are slidably mounted in recessed openings 32 in the

side plates

24 and 26 respectively as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The bearing blocks 31 include annular retainers 33 which like the annular retainers 27 and 28 heretofore referred to include seals in their constructions so that lubricant can be retained thereby. The bearing blocks 31 are urged outwardly of the recessed openings 32 by spring and rod assemblies located on the front and rear of the strip processor as best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. By referring thereto, it will be observed that an outwardly extending aperturedbracket 34 is provided on the side plate 24 and a sleeve 35 is positioned therethrough and adjustably secured thereto. A rod 36 is positioned through the sleeve 35 and arranged so that one end thereof engages the bearing block 31. An apertured disc 37 is secured to the rod 36 and a collar 38 is positioned on the rod 36 and in abutting relation to one end of the sleeve 35. A coil spring 39 is disposed between the apertured disc 37 and the collar 38 so that the rod 36 is urged toward the bearing block 31 thereby. A duplicate assembly is located on the rear side of the machine so that the ends of the pulley 30 in the building block 31 are uniformly 'tensioned and urged away from the pulley 29. An endless belt 40 of suitable material such as stainless steel is trained over the

pulleys

29 and 30 as bestseen in FIG- URES 4 and 5 of the drawings and is tensioned by the apparatus just described.

Each of the side plates 24. and 26 have an outwardly extending horizontally disposed flange 41 which is apertured so that bolts 42 may be positioned therethrough and an elongated pin block 43 is attached thereto and is suspended in the area below the flange 41. The pin block 43 has a plurality of transverse openings adjacent its lowermost edge in which a plurality of

pins

44, 44 are received and in alignment therewith a plurality V of threaded openings 45 are formed and adapted to receive

set screws

46, 46 and

nuts

47, 47. Thus, the

pins

44, 44 may be moved longitudinally by the set screws 46. The inner ends of the pins have projecting

points

48, 48 thereon which in turn are engaged in the recessed ends of

work rolls

49, 49 are specifically in the

end portions

50, 50 thereof which are of reduced diameter as best shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawings. Thework rolls 49, 49 are sections of small diameter hard steel round rods and they are positioned in engagement with the lower surface of the endless belt 40 as best seen in FIG- URE 5 of the drawings. In order that the endless belt 40 may be held in engagement with the plurality of Work rolls 49, 49, a hollow platen 51, which may be liquid cooled, is positioned between the

side plates

24 and 26 and secured thereto by

bolts

52, 52 and extends the full width of the processor in the area between the

side plates

24 and 26 and substantially fills the area between the

pulleys

29 and 30. The bottom of the hollow platen 51 is flat with the exception of its longitudinal lower edges which are tapered as at 53 (see FIGURE 5). It will thus be seen that the

side plates

24 and 26 support and retain the

pulleys

29 and 30 in tensioned relation to one another and that the

pulleys

29 and 30 in turn support and position the endless stainless steel belt 40 in desirable position with respect to the hollow platen 51 and with the upper surface of the lower portion of the belt 40 in engagement with the bottom of the platen 51, while the lower surface of the belt 40 is directly engaged on the plurality of

rolls

49, 49.

7 By referring again to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that

secondary bases

54 and 55 are positioned between the

base members

12, 12 and 13, 13 and may be connected thereto if so desired. A pair of horizontally spaced vertically positioned secondary side plates 56 and 57 are formed integrally with the

bases

54 and 55 respectively and are comparable otherwise with the

side plates

24 and 26 heretofore referred to and which are located thereabove. The secondary side plates 56 and 57 have retainers 58 on one of their ends and recessed openings 59 in their opposite ends with bearing blocks 60 disposed in the recessed openings 59, the retainers 58 and the bearing blocks 60 mount a pair of secondary

elongated pulleys

61 and 62 in horizontally spaced relation to one another and extending between the respective secondary side plates 56 and 57. Duplicate tensioning assemblies are provided for urging the

secondary pulleys

61 and 62 away from one another and comprise secondary brackets 63 secured to the secondary side plates 56 and 57 respectively. A sleeve 64 is positioned in each of the brackets 63 and a rod 65 is positioned through the sleeve 64 and extends to a point of engagement with the blocks 60. Secondary apertured discs 66 are secured to the rods 65 and a secondary collar 67 is positioned on the rod 65 and a secondary coil spring 68 is positioned therebetween around the rod 65. An endless belt 69 preferably formed of stainless steel is trained over the

secondary pulleys

61 and 62 as best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings and a secondary hollow platen 70 having a flat upper surface with tapered

edges

71, 71 is positioned between the sec-.

ondary side plates 56 and 57 and attached thereto by

bolts

72, 72. Each of the secondary side plates 56 and 57 have outturned horizontal flanges 73 respectively and secondary pin blocks 74 are attached thereto by bolts 74A. {the secondary pin blocks 74 have a plurality of openings in their uppermost surfaces and receive and locate a plurality of

secondary pins

75, 75 which are adjustably positioned with respect to longitudinal movement by

set screws

76, 76 positioned through threaded apertures 77 in portions of the pin blocks 74. Lock nuts 78 secure the set screws 76 as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The opposite ends of the

secondary pins

75, 75 have points 79, 79 which are engaged in recessed ends 80 of a plurality of

secondary work rollers

81, 81. The end portions 80 of the secondary work rollers 81 are of reduced diameter as best seen'in FIG- URE 4 of the drawings.

Rubber sleeves

82, 82 and 83, 83 are positioned on the

end portions

50, 50 and 80, 80 respectively of the work rolls 49, 49 and secondary Work rolls 81, 81 respectively as best illustrated in FIG- URE 4. The outer surfaces of the

rubber sleeves

82, 82 and 83, 83 engage the opposed surfaces of the

stainless steel belts

40 and 69 respectively. It will be seen that a pass line is created between the work rolls 49, 49 and 81, 81 intermediate the ends thereof, and that in FIGURE 4 of the drawings a broken line indicates the pass line.

In order that the upper assembly of work rolls 49, 49 and their supporting and moving structure may be held level and adjustable with respect to the plurality of secondary work rolls 81, 81 structure for such purpose is provided and comprises a pair of I-

beams

84 and 35 positioned transversely of the

frames

14 and 11 and secured thereto at their opposite ends. A structural member 86 is positioned above the elongated pulleys 29 and and the hollow platen 51 and adjustably supported at its sides by

elongated set screws

87 and 88 respectively threaded through orifices therein and engaged on the upper surfaces of the l-beams 84- and respectively. The member 86 has its front and back edges engaged on upper horizontal flanges formed on the inner opposed sides of the side plates 2 and 26 respectively as best seen in FIGURES l, '2 and 3 of the drawings. In such position the member 85 will be elevated when the adjustment screws 17 and 18 are moved upwardly and at which time the adjustment screws 37 and 88 are moved downwardly and will therefore operate to hold the

side plates

24 and 26 and their work rollers supporting assemblies in desired horiozntal relation as well as in desirable spaced relation to the secondary work rolls 81, 81.

By referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that the elongated pulley 29 which is journalled in the retainers 27 and 28 respectively is pro vided with an extending axial shaft 89 which is keyed to a gear wheel 90 while the elongated secondary pulley 61 which is journalled in the retainers 58 is provided with an elongated axial shaft 91 which is keyed in a secondary gear wheel 92 and that the gear wheels 0 and 92 are of appropriate diameters so that they are in mesh with one another. Means for driving the gear wheels 90 and 92 comprises a pinion 93 in mesh with the gear wheels 92 and which in turn is driven by a drive shaft 94 on a com bination motor and gear reducer unit 95. The rotary motion imparted the elongated pulleys 2i and 61 will therefore move the stainless steel belts 4t) and 69 respectively in the direction shown by the arrows in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. it will be observed that the adjacent parallel portions of the belts 4t and 69, immediately above and below the pass line of the processor as shown, are positioned directly against the platens 51 and '70 respectively and against the work rolls 49, 49, and 81, 81 respectively which are revolved thereby due to the frictional engagement of the rubber sleeves 82 and 83 on the ends thereof.

It will thus be seen that a strip processor has been disclosed that provides uniquely arranged groups of extremely small dimeter work rolls and wherein the rolls of each group are arranged in aligned horizontally spaced relation, with the work rolls in one group being vertically oifset from the rolls of the other group and defining a suitable pass line therebetween for the working and surface conditioning of very thin gauge metal strip passed therebetween. The small diameter of each of the work rolls is such that the very thin gauge metal strip is suitably flexed and its surface suitably leveled so that it may run through a continuous tin plating line and receive and retain a uniform tin plate.

It will also occur to those skilled in the art that the novel means of driving the plurality of small diameter work rolls insures their individual working relative to the thin gauge strip being processed and it will be obvious that subsequent or secondary groups of working rolls like those disclosed herein may be arranged in a strip processor and driven by the same endless stainless steel belts thereby enabling a secondary stage of working or leveling to be accomplished in the same processor with the same drive means.

It will thus be seen that a strip processor for cold working and imparting a desirable surface to thin gauge metal strip in accordance with the several objects of the invention has been disclosed and having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a strip processor for conditioning metal strip including a frame having an entry end and an exit end, two pairs of pin blocks supported in vertically and horizontally spaced relation on each side of said frame defining a pathway th rebetween for said strip extending from the entry end to the exit end of said frame, a series of pins mounted in aligned spaced relationship in each of said blocks, the pins in each pair of said pin blocks being vertically offset from one another, two series of work rolls positioned between the pins on one side of said frame and the pins on the other side of said frame and having their ends engaged by said pins and extending transversely above and below said pathway for said strip in vertically offset relation, and power driving means for said work rolls comprising two pairs of pulleys rotatably supported in said frame, each of said pairs of pulleys being on a common horizontal plane, said pairs of pulleys being spaced vertically relative to one another, and endless belts trained over said pulleys and means for tensioning said belts, platens supported in vertically spaced relation in said frame between the pulleys of each of said pairs of pulleys, a portion of one of said belts being positioned between one of said platens and one of said series of work rolls and a portion of the other one of said belts 7 being positioned between the other one of said platens and the other one of said series of work rolls.

2. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein the means for tensioning said belts comprise spring urged devices urging the pulleys of each of said pair of pulleys away from one another.

3. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said Work rolls are of very small diameter and positioned in each of said series in closely spaced horizontal relation to one another and wherein both series of rolls are closely positioned relative to one another to form a tortuous pathway therebetween.

i. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said platens are hollow to receive coolants and serve as back up means for said work rollers.

5. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein said frame includes separate vertically spaced pairs of side plates and wherein one of said pairs of pulleys is mounted in one of said separate pairs of side plates and the other of said pairs of pulleys is mounted in the other pair of said separate pair of side plates and wherein one of said pairs of side plates is adjustable vertically relative to the other.

6. The strip processor set forth in claim 1 and wherein the opposite end portions of each of said Work rolls are of smaller diameter than the intermediate portions of said work rolls and wherein resilient sleeves are positioned on said smaller diameter end portions for frictionally engaging said belts so as to insure rotation of said work rolls thereby.

'7. In a strip processor for conditioning thin metal strip including a frame having an entry end and an exit end, two pairs of pulleys rotatably supported in said frame, each pair of pulleys being vertically spaced with respect to the other, platens positioned between the pulleys of each of said pairs thereof, said platens having vertically spaced oppositely disposed horizontal integral surfaces, endless belts positioned one over each of said pair of pulleys, with horizontal portions of each of said belts positioned in abutting relation to said horizontal integral surfaces of said platens and movable relative thereta, two series of small diameter work rolls positioned between said abutting horizontal portions of said beltsiiiid extending transversely of said processor in vertically offset relation and defining a tortuous pathway therebetween for said metal strip and means for driving one of each of said pairs of pulleys to impart opposite directional movement to said belts so as to drive one series of work rolls in clockwise axial revolving motion and the other series of rolls in counter clockwise axial revolving motion, and means on said frame positioning said rolls relative thereto while permitting rotation thereof.

8. The strip processor set forth in claim 7 and wherein the means on the frame positioning the work rollers comprises four series of pins, holders for each of said series of pins and wherein said pins are arranged to be adjustable References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/35 Talbot 153-1 06 11/36 Nieman 15354 Maussnest 15 3106 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

NEDWIN BERGER, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A STRIP PROCESSOR FOR CONDITIONING METAL STRIP INCLUDING A FRAME HAVING AN ENTRY END AN EXIT END, TWO PAIRS OF PIN BLOCKS SUPPORTED IN VERTICALLY AND HORIZONTALLY SPACED RELATION ON EACH SIDE OF SAID FRAME DEFINING A PATHWAY THEREBETWEEN FOR SAID STRIP EXTENDING FROM THE ENTRY END TO THE EXIT END OF SAID FRAME, A SERIES OF PINS MOUNTED IN ALIGNED SPACED RELATIONSHIP IN EACH OF SAID BLOCKS, THE PINS IN EACH PAIR OF SAID PIN BLOCKS BEING VERTICALLY OFFSET FROM ONE ANOTHER, TWO SRIES OF WORK ROLLS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE PINS ON ONE SIDE OF SAID FRAME AND THE THE PINS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FRAME AND HAVING THEIR ENDS ENGAGED BY SAID PINS AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY ABOVE AND BELOW SAID PATHWAY FOR SAID STRIP IN VERTICALLY OFFSET RELATION, AND POWER DRIVING MEANS FOR SAID WORK ROLLS COMPRISING TWO PAIRS OF PULLEYS ROTABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID FRAME, ACH OF SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS BEING ONA COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE, SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS BEING SPACED VERTICALLY RELATIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND ENDLESS BELTS TRAINED OVER SAID PULLEYS AND MEANS FOR TENSIONING SAID BELTS, PLATENS SUPPORTED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION IN SAID FRAME BETWEEN THE THE PULLRYS OF EACH SAID PAIRS OF PULLEYS, A PORTION OF ONE OF SAID BELTS BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN ONE OF SAID PLATENS AND ONE OF SAID BELTS WORK ROLLS AND A PORTION OF THE OTHER ONE OF SAID NBE BEING POSITIONED BETWEEN THE OTHER ONE OF SAID PLATENS AND OTHER ONE SAID SERIES OF WORK ROLLS.