US3271985A - Apparatus and method for straightening extruded bar stock - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING EXTRUDE D B A R S T O CK INVENTORS. fl/exw Mach/W64 i j iayJ 27 6747/? P 1966 A. N. SOKOLOFF ETAL 3,271,985

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING EXTRUDED BAR STOCK Filed Jan. 14, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 m 04%; aa

R STOCK p 13, 1966 A. N. SOKOLOFF ETAL APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING EXTRUDED BA m m Q MN R Q m? Em N a r .W F W344 a w 0 Z United States Patent M APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STRAIGHT- ENING EXTRUDED BAR STOCK Alexis N. Sokoloif and Floyd E. Clark, Port Huron,

Mich., assignors to Mueller Brass C0,, Port Huron, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Jan. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 337,637

11 Claims. (Cl. 72256) This invention relates to extruded metal bar stock, and more particularly to means for straightening certain types of bar stock, such as alloy stock, which are hot extruded with cross sections of rectangular outline and which cannot be straightened after cooling because of brittleness in the cold form.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved method and apparatus for straightening bar stock while hot which greatly reduces the time required between the extruding of the bar and the actual straightening thereof, thus resulting in a more uniform stock temperature when the initial straightening force is applied.

It is another object to provide an improved bar stock straightening method and apparatus of this character which increases the accuracy with which the stock can be straightened, thus permitting relatively long lengths of stock to be held to close straightness tolerances.

It is a further object to provide an improved straight ening method and apparatus of this nature which is much faster than previously known straightening systems for extruded stock, even for long stock lengths.

It is another object to provide an improved apparatus and method of this character which is flexible in nature, can be used to straighten bars of different lengths, and can be varied to permit different cooling periods while compression is maintained on the stock so that the cooled stock will retain its straightness after removal from the apparatus.

It is also an object to provide an improved method and apparatus of this nature which can simultaneously handle a number of bars delivered from a single extruding station in a minimum of space, thus permitting increased productivity of the extruding station.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a straightening installation using the principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the first and fourth stations of the installation showing the cross or lateral conveyors;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view of the first station showing the vertical straightening members and the carriage construction;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of one of the cross conveyors;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of one of the power-driven longitudinal conveyors; and

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the conveyor of FIG- URE 5.

Briefly, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a channel-shaped carriage adapted to receive hot extruded bar stock from the extruding table, the carriage initially resting at a first station aligned with the extruder. Vertically movable clamps or straightening members of elongated shape are pressed down by fluid motors onto the stock within the carriage to straighten 3,271,985 Patented Sept. 13, 1966 it in a vertical direction by engaging the entire length of stock and pressing it against the flat floor of the carriage. Elongated screw-operated horizontally movable straightening members mounted within the carriage are then actuated to straighten the stock in a horizontal direction, likewise engaging it along its entire length and pressing it against the opposite flat side wall of the carriage. The

7 vertical clamps are then lifted, and the carriage is transported longitudinally by power-driven rollers at the first station to a second station aligned with the first station and having idling rollers.

Tiltable laterally extending roller conveyors then lift the carriage from the second station and transport it to a third station which also has power-driven rollers for transporting the carriage longitudinally back toward a fourth station located opposite the first station and having idling rollers. A second set of laterally extending tiltable conveyors then transport the carriage back to the first station. During transport to the second, third, fourth and first stations, the horizontal clamps will maintain compression on the stock. After returning to the first station, the horizontal clamps will be released and the cooled and straightened stock removed from the carriage, permitting it to be reloaded from the extruding table. When continuously operating, three carriages may be simultaneously used, the carriages being distributed among the four stations. Intermediate stations may be added as required, thus increasing the number of carriages which may be simultaneously used.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to FIGURE 1, 11 represents schematically an extrusion station which may be used to hot extrude certain bar stock alloys which cannot be straightened after cooling because of the brittle properties of the cooled stock. The stock, which may have any of various cross sections of rectangular outline, leaves station 11 in a rightward direction and is delivered to an extruder deli-very table 12.

The apparatus of this invention is generally indicated at 13 and includes a first conveyor generally indicated at 14 and a second conveyor generally indicated at 15, conveyors 14 and 15 being aligned with extruder table 12, a third conveyor generally indicated at 16 alongside and laterally spaced from conveyor 15, and a fourth conveyor generally indicated at 17 aligned with conveyor 16 and laterally spaced from conveyor 14.

The construction of conveyor 14 is perhaps best seen in FIGURES 2, 3, 5 and 6. The conveyor comprises a plurality of spaced base members 18, seen in FIGURE 5, upon which rest a pair of parallel longitudinally extending lower beams 19 with a pair of roller-supporting upper beams 21 resting on beams 19 but not attached thereto. A plurality of longitudinally spaced pedestals 22 are provided, as seen in FIGURE 5, and carriage supporting cross beams 23 rest on pedestals 22, beams 23 being slightly shorter than the distance between beams 21. The height of the flat upper surfaces of beams 23 is such that they will be slightly above the level of the rollers carried by beams 21 when the latter rest on beams 19.

Beams 21 are secured together by cross members 24 and rotatably support a plurality of longitudinally spaced rollers 25, the tops of rollers 25 being slightly above the level of the upper surfaces of beams 21. A motor 26 is mounted at one end of beams 21, and drives rollers 25 through a plurality of chains and sprockets 27 which connect the roller shafts in succession on the outside of one beam 21, as seen in FIGURE 6.

Means are provided for selectively lifting beams 21 and their rollers from their lower FIGURE 5 position to an upper position (indicated partially by the dot-dash line in FIGURE 5) in which the level of the tops of rollers will be above the level of the tops of beams 23, thereby permitting a carriage (described below) to be longitudinally driven by the rollers. This means includes a fluid-operated reciprocating motor 28 which is secured at one end to a base member 18 and at the other end to a longitudinally extending bar 29 between beams 19, as seen in FIGURE 5. A plurality of longitudinally spaced bell cranks 31 are pivoted at 32 to beams 19 and have one arm connected to bar 29. The other arms of these bell cranks have rollers 33 engageable with the flat undersides of cross members 24. The arrangement is such that rightward movement of bar 29 from its FIGURE 5 position will cause counterclockwise movement of bell cranks 31, thus lifting beams 21 and their rollers. Guide members 34 may be secured to the upper portions of beams 19 for preventing unwanted lateral shifting of beams 21 during this movement.

A pair of vertically movable clamping or straightening members 35 and 36 are also mounted at station 14, as seen in FIGURE 2. These members comprise rigid bars of rectangular cross-sectional shape with fiat undersides, the bars being in aligned relation and secured to the lower ends of piston rods 37 of a plurality of fluid-actuated reciprocating motors 38, as seen in FIGURE 3, the connection being a pivotal one as indicated in this figure to permit adjusting movement of members 35 during the straightening process. The other ends of fluid motors 38 are secured to the undersides of longitudinally extending beams 39 which are disposed above the conveyor shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. Beams 39 are suspended from a pair of cross tracks 41 and 42 supported above the opposite ends of conveyor 14 by uprights 43, as seen in FIGURE 2, wheels 44 being rotatably carried by the opposite ends of beams 39 and resting on both sides of tracks 41 and 42. This will permit simultaneous lateral adjustment of clamping members 35 and 36 by means of a pair of fluid-actuated reciprocating motors 45 connected between a beam 39 and uprights 43, as seen in FIGURE 3.

The provision of two separate aligned vertically movable straightening members 35 and 36 will permit the clamping of relatively short lengths of stock, using only one of the two members. For this purpose, four motors 38 are used to support and actuate member 35 and four additional motors are used for member 36, as seen in FIGURE 2.

A carriage 46 of generally channel-shaped construction is provided, the carriage having a floor or web portion 47, a first side wall 48 and a second side wall 49. The underside of carriage 46 is adapted to ride longitudinally on rollers 25, and is also adapted to ride laterally on transverse conveyor rollers which are described below. A pair of horizontal straightening members 51 and 52 is disposed in carriage 46, these members comprising rigid bars of rectangular cross-sectional shape having flat surfaces facing wall 48. A plurality of screw actuators 53 are provided for sliding members 51 and 52 either to the left or to the right, as seen in FIGURE 3. Four such actuators are shown for straightening member 51 and four for straightening member 52, as seen in FIGURE 2. Straightening members 51 and 52 are coextensive with straightening members 35 and 36 respectively, so that shorter lengths of stock may be straightened by using only one pair of straightening members.

The means for rotating the screw actuators 53 for each member 51 or 52 comprises a rod 54 which is mounted on carriage 46 outside wall 49, and is rotatable by a hand wheel 55, as seen in FIGURE 3, the two hand Wheels being at opposite ends of carriage 46. Rods 54 are connected to worm and worm gear mechanisms (not shown) within housings 56 which are secured to the outside wall 49 and surround actuating screws 53. The arrangement is such that rotation of either hand wheel 55 I in one direction will result in rightward movement of straightener 51 or 52, while rotation in the other direction will result in leftward or retracting movement of the corresponding straightener, the straighteners remaining parallel with side wall 48. The mechanical advantage of the actuating mechanism is such that manual rotation of either hand wheel 55 by an operator will create sufficient force to straighten a hot extruded bar 57 which is held down by vertical straightener 35 or 36 by pressing the bar against side wall 48, as seen in FIGURE 3. The length of actuators 53 will of course be sufficient to afford the desired travel of straighteners 51 and 52. Guard bars 58 are secured outwardly of and in spaced relation with actuators 53, as seen in FIGURE 3, to protect the screw actuators from impact during handling, these guard bars 58 being secured to carriage 46 by members 59. Sleeves 61 may also be provided for protecting the outside portions of the actuator screws.

Conveyors 15 and 17 are alike, and conveyor 17 is shown in detail in FIGURE 2. The conveyor comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced uprights 62 which extend laterally, and on which are mounted a pair of spaced parallel frame members 63 and 64. Longitudinally spaced rollers 65 are rotatably mounted between frame members 63 and 64. These rollers are not powerdriven but are idling rollers so that when carriage 46 is discharged from conveyor 14, it will roll to a stop on conveyor 15, and when discharged from conveyor 16, it will roll to a stop on conveyor 17.

Conveyor 16 is constructed in a manner similar to conveyor 14 and in particular has power-driven rollers. However, the vertical straightening members are absent from the vicinity of conveyor 16, as are the supports 23 in their bases 22 which serve to counteract the force exerted by members 35 and 36 when the carriage is at conveyor 14. The means for raising and lowering the rollers (motor 28 and its associated mechanism) is also absent from conveyor 16.

Means are provided for transferring carriages laterally from conveyor 15 to conveyor 16 and from conveyor 17 to conveyor 14. These means comprise a plurality of tiltable roller conveyors generally indicated at 66 extending between conveyors 15 and 16, and tiltable roller conveyors generally indicated at 67 between conveyors 17 and 14. Downwardly extending clearance recesses 68 indicated in FIGURES 4 and 5 are provided in the inwardly facing frame members of conveyors 14 through 17, and these recesses accommodate lateral conveyors 66 and 67. The construction of the lateral conveyors is perhaps best seen in FIGURES 2 and 4. Each lateral conveyor has a pair of spaced parallel frame members 69 and 71 between which extend a plurality of spaced rollers 72, the tops of these rollers being above the level of the frame members. One end of the frame members is secured by a horizontally extending pivot 73 to frame members 19 of conveyors 16 (in the case of lateral conveyors 66) or to frame members 19 of conveyor 14 (in the case of lateral conveyors 67). In each case, pivot 73 is located adjacent the outer edge of the conveyor, and slightly below the tops of the rollers, as seen in FIGURE 4. The other end of each lateral conveyor 66 or 67 is adapted to be raised or low ered by a fluid-operated reciprocating motor 74, the cylinder of this motor being pivotally secured at 75 to a base 76, while the upwardly extending piston 77 is pivotally connected at 78 to a cross member 79 extending between the frame members 69 and 71. In the lower position of a motor 74, its conveyor 66 or 67 is inclined slightly downwardly toward the motor, as seen in FIGURE 4, and the rollers 72 at both ends of the conveyor are lower than the rollers on the adjacent longitudinal conveyors. When motor 74 is extended, however, conveyor 66 or 67 will be swung upwardly, (counterclockwise in FIGURE 4) and will lift up a carriage 46 resting on a longitudinal conveyor 15 or 17. For this purpose, the length of lateral conveyors 66 and 67 is such that they extend almost to the outer edges of conveyors and 17 respectively. All lateral conveyors 66m 67 will be simultaneously actuated so that the entire carriage 46 will be lifted, and since it then rests solely on the lateral conveyors, it will roll laterally downhill toward conveyor 16 or 14. Appropriate stop means (not shown) may be provided for stopping the carriage when it reaches conveyor 16 or 14, or the tilting of the lateral conveyors 66 and 67 may be controlled so that the carriage slows down and stops when in its proper position.

In operation, an empty carriage 46 will be placed on conveyor 14, vertical straightening members 35 and 36 being retracted upwardly, and with rollers and frame members 21 in their lowered positions, as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 5, so that carriage 46 rests on cross beams 23. It should be observed that the size of recesses 68 should be sufiicient to permit raising and lowering of rollers 25 without interference by lateral conveyors 66 and 67. One or more lengths of stock from extruder table 12 will be placed in carriage 46, and vertical straightening members and 36 will be lowered by motors 38, pressing down on stock 57 and straightening it in a vertical direction by forcing it onto floor 47. It should be noted that either one or both of straightening members 35 and 36 may be used, depending upon the number and length of the stock bars. In any case, the straightening members will simultaneously engage the stock along its entire length, and due to their rigidity will straighten the stock in an even manner. While the stock is so held, horizontal straightening members 51 and 52 will be moved to the right in FIGURE 3 by rotation of hand wheels 55 which in turn will rotate screw actuating members 53. This will cause stock 57 to be straightened in a horizontal direction by pressing it against side wall 48 of carriage 46. It should be noted that in the cases of both vertical and horizontal clamping members, pressure'will be evenly exerted along the entire length of the stock.

While the horizontal straightening members 51 and 52 maintain compression on the stock, vertical straightening members 3 5 and 36 will be lifted by motors 3 8. Motor 28 will then be operated to lift frame members 21 and rollers 25, along with carriage 46, off cross beams 26. The carriage may then be moved endwise in a straight line by operation of motor 26 which will rotate rollers 25. This will cause carriage 46- to arrive on conveyor 15. After a time delay of predetermined length, the carriage will be transported from conveyor 15 to conveyor 16 by upward tilting of lateral conveyors 66, as seen in FIG- URE 4. Upon arrival at conveyor 16, carriage 46 will remain for a predetermined time interval and will then be transported to conveyor 17 by operation of the powerdriven rollers 2-5 of conveyors 16. Upon arrival at conveyor 17, the carriage will again rest for a predetermined time and will then be transported back to conveyor 14 by tilting of lateral conveyors 6-7. All during this time, horizontal straightening me lbers 51 and 52 will be exerting horizontal straightening pressure on stock 57, and will also hold the stock in its vertically straightened position because of the fact that the stock is frictio-nally gripped between members 51 and 5 2 and wall 48. Upon return to conveyor 14, the horizontal clamping members will be released by hand wheels 55, and the stock will be removed, completing the cycle. By the time the stock is removed, it will have cooled sufficiently to retain its straightness.

It will be observed that three carriages 46 could be simultaneously used in the system shown in FIGURE 1, there being at all times a carriage at three of the four conveyors 14 through 17. The carriages would then be transported in succession around the circuit of the four conveyors. The timing of the successive transports and delays could of course be so chosen as to achieve the desired cool-ing of the stock, and to permit unloading and reloading of each carriage 46 as it reaches conveyor 14. Moreover, by placing two intermediate longitudinal con- 5. veyors in the system, one between conveyors 1 4 and 15 and one between conveyors 16 and 1 7, five carriages could be simultaneously used. In like manner, additional intermediate conveyors could increase the number of simultaneously usable carriages.

It will thus \be observed that a novel and improved straightening apparatus and method have been provided which enable hot extruded bar stock to be straightened to close tolerances while still hot, in a simple and efficient manner requiring a minimum of time and space, while facilitating maximum productivity of the extruder.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodi ment of the invention disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to' modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a method for straightening bar stock, the steps of supporting the bar stock along its entire length against pressure directed in two perpendicular direction-s, exerting pressure simultaneously along the entire length of said stock in one of said directions, exerting pressure along the entire length of said stock in the other direction while the first-mentioned pressure is still being applied, removing the first-mentioned pressure while still applying the second-mentioned pressure, transporting said stock while still maintaining said second-mentioned pressure to a series of stations and then back to said first station, and removing said second-mentioned pressure when said stock reaches said first station.

2. In a method for straightening extruded bar stock having a cross section of rectangular outline, the steps of supporting two perpendicular surface of said bar stock continuously along their entire length, pressing a third surface of said bar stock at a first station continuously along its entire length toward one of said first two surfaces, pressing a fourth surface of said bar stock at said first station continuously along its entire length toward the other .of said first two surfaces while maintaining said first-mentioned pressure, releasing sa'id first-mentioned pressure, transporting said bar stock from said first station while maintaining said second-mentioned pressure, permitting said bar stock to cool, while maintaining said second-mentioned pressure, sufiiciently to retain its straightened shape after pressure release, and releasing said second-mentioned pressure.

3. In a method for straightening extruded bar stock having a cross section of rectangular outline, the steps of supporting two perpendicular surfaces of said bar stock continuously along their entire length, pressing a third surface of said bar stock at a first station continuously along its entire length toward one of said first two surfaces, pressing a fourth surface of said bar stock at said first station continuously along its entire length toward the other of said first two surfaces while maintaining said-first mentioned pressure, releasing said first-mentioned pressure, permitting said bar stock to cool, while maintaining said second-mentioned pressure, sufiiciently to retain its straightened shape after pressure release, and releasing said second-mentioned pressure.

4. In a straightening apparatus for extruded bar stock of predetermined length, an elongated carriage having a floor and a side wall and adapted to support a hot extruded bar of stock, a vertical straightening member mounted above said carriage and having a flat surface facing said carriage and extending the entire length of said bar stock, means for actuating said straightening member between an upper retracted position away from said stock in a lower straightening position forcing said stock against said carriage floor, a horizontal straightening member slidably disposed above said carriage floor and at least as long as said predetermined bar stock length, and means for actuating said horizontal straightening member between a retracted position away from 7 said bar stock and a straightening position engaging said bar stock along its entire length and forcing it against said carriage side wall.

5. The combination according to claim 4, said vertical and horizontal straightening members each comprising a rigid bar of rectangular cross-sectional shape, said means for actuating said vertical straightening member comprising a plurality of reciprocable fluidactuated motors suspended above said carriage, said means for actuating said horizontal straightening member comprising a plurality of screw actuators mounted on the side of said carriage opposite said side Wall, and means for simultaneously operating said screw actuators.

6. In a straightener for hot extruded bar stock of rectangular cross-sectional outline and predetermined length, an elongated carriage having a channel-shaped cross-section with a fiat floor and a flat side wall on one side thereof, a framework suspended above said carriage, a horizontally extending vertical straightening member having a fiat surface facing the floor of said carriage, mot-or means for moving said straightening member between upper retracted and lower straightening positions, a horizontally extending horizontal straightening member having a flat surface facing the side wall of said carriage and disposed above the floor thereof, and means on said carriage for moving said horizontal straightening member between a retracted position withdrawn from said side wall and a straightening position forcing a bar of stock against said side well, said last-mentioned means maintaining said horizontal straightening member parallel to said side wall during said movement.

7. In a straightener for hot extruded bar stock of rectangular cross-sectional outline and predetermined length, an elongated carriage having a channel-shaped cross section with a flat floor and a fiat side wall on one side thereof, a framework suspended above said carriage, a horizontally extending vertical straightening member having a flat surface facing the floor of said carriage, motor means for moving said straightening member between upper retracted and lower straightening positions, a horizontally extending horizontal straightening member having a Hat surface facing the side wall of said carriage and disposed above the floor thereof, means on said carriage for moving said horizontal straightening member between a retracted position withdrawn from said side wall and a straightening position forcing a bar of stock against said side wall, said last-mentioned means maintaining said horizontal straightening member parallel to said side wall during said movement, a roller conveyor supporting said carriage, means for rotatably driving at least some of the rollers on said conveyor and thereby moving the carriage horizontally, and a second roller conveyor for receiving the carriage after being moved from said first roller conveyor.

8. In a straightening apparatus for extruded bar stock of predetermined length having a cross-sectional shape of rectangular outline, parallel first, second, third and fourth roller conveyors arranged in a rectangular pattern, an elongated carriage having a flat floor and a flat side surface for supporting perpendicular surfaces of said bar stock, a flat elongated vertically movable straightening member suspended above said first conveyor and movable between a retracted upper position and a lower position forcing said bar stock against said carriage floor, a second flat elongated straightening member mounted on said carriage and movable between a retracted position and a straightening position forcing said bar stock against said carriage side wall, both of said straightening members being simultaneously engageable with said bar stock along its entire length, and means for transporting said carriage successively from said first to said second conveyor, from said second to said third conveyor, from said third to said fourth conveyor, and from said fourth to said first conveyor.

In a straightening apparatus for extruded bar stock of predetermined length having a cross-sectional shape of rectangular outline, parallel first, second, third and fourth roller conveyors arranged in a rectangular pattern, an elongated carriage having a flat floor and a flat side surface for supporting perpendicular surfaces of said bar stock, a fiat elongated vertically movable straightening member suspended above said first conveyor and movable between a retracted upper position and a lower position forcing said bar stock against said carriage floor, a second flat elongated straightening member mounted on said carriage and movable between a retracted position and a straightening position forcing said bar stock against said carriage side wall, both of said straightening members being simultaneously engageable with said bar stock along its entire length, and means for transporting said carriage successively from said first to said second conveyor, from said second to said third conveyor, from said third to said fourth conveyor, and from said fourth to said first conveyor, said first and second conveyors and said third and fourth conveyors being longitudinally aligned, said means for transporting the carriage from said first to said second and from said third to said fourth conveyors comprising power means for rotating the rollers of said first and third conveyors.

10. In a straightening apparatus for extruded bar stock of predetermined length having a cross-sectional shape of rectangular outline, parallel first, second, third and fourth roller conveyors arranged in a rectangular pattern, an elongated carriage having a flat floor and a flat side surface for supporting perpendicular surfaces of said bar stock, a flat elongated vertically movable straightening member suspended above said first conveyor and movable between a retracted upper position and a lower position forcing said bar stock against said carriage floor, a second flat elongated straightening member mounted on said carriage and movable between a retracted position and a straightening position forcing said bar stock against said carriage side wall, both of said straightening members being simultaneously engageable with said bar stock along its entire length, and means for transporting said carriage successively from said first to said second conveyor, from said second to said third conveyor, from said third to saidfourth conveyor, and from said fourth to said first conveyor, said second and third and said fourth and first conveyors being in spaced parallel relation alongside each other, the means for transporting said carriage from said second to said third and from said fourth to said first conveyors comprising laterally extending roller conveyors tiltable on axes parallel to said first-mentioned conveyors and having a lower position beneath the level of said first-mentioned conveyor and a raised position lifting said carriage from said second or fourth conveyor so that it will roll down to said third or first conveyor.

11. In a straightening apparatus for extruded bar stock of predetermined length having a cross-sectional shape of rectangular outline, parallel first, second, third and fourth roller conveyors arranged in a rectangular pattern, an elongated carriage having a flat floor and a flat side surface for supporting perpendicular surfaces of said bar stock, a flat elongated vertically movable straightening member suspended above said first conveyor and movable between a retracted upper position and a lower position forcing said bar stock against said carriage floor, means for moving said vertical-1y movable straightening member comprising a plurality of fluid-actuated reciprocating motors extending downwardly from a framework above said first conveyor, a second fiat elongated straightening member mounted on said carriage and movable between a retracted position and a straightening position forcing said bar stock against said carriage side wall, means for 9 10 moving said second straightening member comprising a References Cited by the Examiner plurality of screw actuators on said carriage and means UNITED STATES PATENTS for simultaneously operatmg them, both of said stralghtening members being simultaneously engageable with said $708,511 5/1955 Wllson et 72 257 bar stock along its entire length, and means for trans- 5 3,051,216 8/1962 Tomka et 72 374 porting said carriage successively from said first to said 3,157,268 11/1964 Anderson 72 257 second conveyor, from said second to said third conveyor, from said third to said fourth conveyor, and from said CHARLES LANHAM Pnmary Emmmer' fourth to said first conveyor. R. D. GREFE, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A METHOD FOR STRAIGHTENING BAR STOCK, THE STEPS OF SUPPORTING THE BAR STOCK ALONG ITS ENTIRE LENGTH AGAINST PRESSURE DIRECTED IN TWO PREPENDICULAR DIRECTIONS, EXERTING PRESSURE SIMULTANEOUSLY ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAID STOCK IN ONE OF SAID DIRECTIONS, EXERTING PRESSURE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF SAID STOCK IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WHILE THE FIRST-MENTIONED PRESSURE IS STILL BEING APPLIED, REMOVING THE FIRST-MENTIONED PRESSURE WHILE STILL APPLYING THE SECOND-MENTIONED PRESSURE, TRANSPORTING SAID STOCK WHILE STILL MAINTAINING SAID SECOND-MENTIONED PRESSURE TO A SERIES OF STATIONS AND THEN BACK TO SAID FIRST STATION, AND REMOVING SAID SECOND-MENTIONED PRESSURE WHEN SAID STOCK REACHES SAID FIRST STATION.

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