US3847429A

US3847429A - Balance bar for handling wrapper rolls of a strip coiling machine

Info

Publication number: US3847429A
Application number: US00357815A
Authority: US
Inventors: N Pim
Original assignee: Gulf and Western Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: BLISS-SALEM Inc A CORP OF
Priority date: 1973-05-07
Filing date: 1973-05-07
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12
Also published as: CA992583A; JPS5653923Y2; GB1446150A; JPS54146730U; DE2420529C3; JPS5015764A; DE2420529B2; DE2420529A1

Abstract

A balance bar device is provided which facilitates the removal, replacement, and transporting of wrapper roll assemblies of a strip coiling machine by means of an overhead crane. The balance bar is releasably interconnectable with a wrapper roll assembly at one of the opposite ends thereof. The balance bar is supported by an overhead crane and provides for the wrapper roll assembly to be transported to and from the coiling machine and supported with respect thereto during removal and replacement operations in a manner which guarantees a desired orientation of the wrapper roll head with respect to the coiling machine. The balance bar, when carried alone by an overhead crane, is supported in a manner which provides a desired orientation with respect to the wrapper roll assembly so as to facilitate its engagement with and subsequent disengagement from the assembly.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Pim [ Nov. 12, 1974 l l BALANCE BAR FOR HANDLING WRAPPER ROLLS OF A STRIP COILING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Norman L. Pim, Salem, Ohio [73] Assignee: Gulf & Western Manufacturing Company, Southfield, Mich.

1221 Filed: May 7,1973

21 Appl. N0; 357,815

[52] US. Cl 294/67 AA, 294/67 R, 294/81 R [51] Int. Cl. B66c 1/22 [58] Field of Search 294/67 R, 81 R, 67 AA, 294/67 A, 78 A, 86 L5; 212/48, 49

[56] 7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 808,7l9 l/l906 Bray 294/67 2.246.142 6/1941 Moore 3,549,190 12 1970 Caldwell 3,675,96l- 7/1972 Wheeler 294/67 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 231.770 7/1969 U.S.S.R 294/81 R Primary E.\anzinerEvon C, Blunk Assistant ExaminerJe ffrey V. Nase 5 7 ABSTRACT A balance bar device is provided which facilitates the removal, replacement, and transporting of wrapper roll assemblies of a strip coiling machine by means of an overhead crane. The balance bar is releasablyinterconnectable with a wrapper roll assembly at one of the opposite ends thereof. The balance bar is sup ported by an overhead crane and provides for the wrapper roll assembly to be transported to and from the coiling machine and supported with respect thereto during removal and replacement operations in a manner which guarantees a desired orientation of the wrapper roll head with respect to the coiling machine. The balance bar, when carried alone by an overhead crane, is supported in a mannerwhich provides a desired orientation with respect to the wrapper roll assembly so as to facilitate its engagement with and subsequent disengagement from the assembly.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures SHEET 10F 2 PATENTED NOV 12 1914 BALANCE BAR FOR HANDLING WRAPPER ROLLS OF A STRIP COILING MACHINE DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to the art of material handling and, more particularly, to a balance-bar device for use in conjunction with the supporting and/or transporting of a load.

The balance bar device of the present invention finds particular utility in conjunction with the removal and replacement of a wrapper roll assembly of a sheet metal coiling machine. accordingly the invention will'be discussed and described in detail in conjunction with wrapper roll assembly manipulation. It will be appreciated, however, that the balance bar device can be employed in conjunction with the support and/or transporting of loads other than wrapper roll assemblies.

Sheet metal coiling machines include a rotatable mandrel upon which sheet metal is to be coiled, and wrapper roll assemblies cooperable with the mandrel to form the initial wraps of the metal sheet to be coiled on the mandrel. The wrapper roll assembly is removably interconnected with the coiling machine frame structure to facilitate removal of the assembly for repair or replacement of components thereof, or to provide access to other portions of the coiling mechanism such as the mandrel and frame components for repair and/or replacement operations. The wrapper roll assembly is quite large and heavy and, accordingly, requires utilization of an overhead crane or the like to achieve removal and replacement thereof relative to the coilingmachine frame.

It will be appreciated that the size and weight of the assembly makes handling and maneuvering thereof relative to the coiling machine frame quite difficult. In particular, extreme care must be taken in removing the wrapper roll assembly from the frame to support the assembly in a manner whereby release of the assembly from the frame is not accompanied by undesirable impact or engagement between the assembly'and frame which could damage the latter or the mounting surfaces thereon. Likewise, extreme care must be exercised in positioning the wrapper roll assembly for replacement on the frame to prevent such impact or engagement therebetween. The care required includes manipulation of the support means being employed in a manner which accurately aligns the mating surfaces of the wrapper roll assembly and frame prior to and during the mounting and interconnecting operation.

Several method and devices have been employed heretofore to achieve wrapper roll removal and replacement. One method previously employed involves the provision and utilization of an overhead crane and makeshift rigging for supporting and maneuvering the wrapper rolls or the wrapper roll assembly relative to the coiling machine frame. Afurther handling method employed heretofore involves bolting or pinning a frame structure to the wrapper roll assembly. The frame structure is supported and maneuvered relative to the coiling machine by utilizing a coil car component which is employed in conjunction with the coiling machine to achieve removaland transportation of coiled sheet metal from the mandrel of the machine. Alternatively, the frame structure is supported and maneuvered by utilizing an overhead crane either alone or in conjunction with thecoil car.

Previous wrapper roll removal and replacement efforts, including those specifically mentioned above, are time consuming and often cause considerable production delay. Moreover, the devices and methods employed are not conductive to providing the precise alignment necessary to achieve installation and removal expeditiously. Further, the previous handling methods and apparatus employed are often hazardous with respect to maintenance personnel performing the removal and replacement operations.

In accordance with the present invention, a device is provided by which removal, replacement and transportation of a wrapper roll assembly relative to a coiling machine frame can be achieved more efficiently, safely and conveniently than heretofore possible. More particularly, a balance bar device is provided in accordance with the present invention which enables a wrapper roll assembly to be supported during such operations in a manner which enables a particular and desired orientation of the assembly with respect to the coiling machine to be achieved, thus to obtain desired alignment between the wrapper roll assembly and coiling machine during removal and insertion operation.

The balance bar device of the present invention is adapted to be supported and maneuvered into position relative to the wrapper roll'assembly by means of an overhead crane or the like. Moreover, the balance bar is adapted to be readily coupled and uncoupled with respect to the wrapper-roll assembly and is structured so as to be supported in suspension in aparticular orientation relative to thewrapper roll assembly. This advantageously facilitates coupling and uncoupling of the assembly and balance bar device. Further, the balance bar device is structured such that the wrapper roll assembly and balance bar device are together supported in suspension by the overhead crane in a particular orientation relative to the coiling machine and, more particularly, so as to be accurately aligned with respect thereto during insertion and removal operations.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the balance bar device has a center of lift by which it alone or together with a wrapper roll assembly is supported by an overhead crane or the like.

The balance bar device further includes weights oriented with respect to the center of lift so that the center of gravity of the load' defined by the balance bar alone or together with the wrapping roll assembly is well below the center of lift. This provides for a pendulum affect when the load is carried by the crane, whereby stability of the load is achieved. Such stability advanta-' geouslyminimizes tilting of the load about a horizontal axis during insertion, removal or transportation of the wrapper roll assembly relative to the coiling machine, or during transportation of the balance bar device alone relative to'the wrapper roll assembly.

The stability thus achieved enhances alignment of the balance bar device relative to the wrapper roll assembly during coupling and uncoupling operations, and alignment of the mating faces of the wrapper roll assembly and coiling machine during insertion and removal of the wrapper roll assembly. Accordingly, transportation of the balance bar device, coupling and uncoupling operationsthereof with the wrapper roll assembly, removal, transportation and insertion of the wrapper roll assembly relative to the coiling machine are all achieved safely and in a minimum of time.

Therefore, production losses are decreased, injury or damage to component parts of the coiling machine and/or wrapper roll assembly is avoided, and maintenance personnel are exposed to less hazardous working conditions.

It is an outstanding object of the present invention to provide a device which can be utilized in conjunction with an overhead crane or the like to achieve convenient, safe and expeditious handling of a load to be supported and/or transported by the crane.

A further object is the provision of a balance bar device adapted to be coupled and uncoupled with respect to a load and which is adapted to be supported in suspension by an overhead crane or the like in a manner whereby a particular orientation of the balance bar device relative to the load is achieved to facilitate coupling and uncoupling operations.

Yet another object is the provision of a balance bar device of the foregoing character which, together with a load coupled thereto, is adapted to be supported in suspension by an overhead crane or the like for the attached load to have a desired orientation relative to a reference axis or plane.

Still another object is the provision of a balance bar device of the foregoing character having a center of support and a center of gravity and wherein the center of gravity is well below the center of support to provide for the load defined by the balance bar alone or together with a load coupled thereto to be stabilized against unintended tilting about a horizontal axis when the balance bar is supported in suspension.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a balance bar device adapted to be coupled and uncoupled with respect to a wrapper roll assembly of a sheet metal coiling machine to balance the weight of the assembly and provide a desired orientation thereof relative to the coiling machine during insertion and removal of the assembly relative to the machine.

Still another object is the provision of a balance bar device of the foregoing character which has a low center of gravity relative to a center of support for the device, whereby the wrapper roll assembly is stabilized against tilting about a horizontal axis to enhance maintenance of a desired alignment relationship between the wrapper roll assembly and coiling machine during insertion and removal operations.

The foregoing objects, and others will in part be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the description of the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet metal coiling machine; FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a balance bar member for removing and replacing the wrapper roll assembly of the coiling and, and

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partially in section, of the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly as viewed along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the invention, a sheet metal coiling machine is illustrated in FIG. 1 which is of the character generally referred to as a down-coiler. The coiling machine is comprised, basically, of a main frame unit 10, a mandrel 12, a pair of wrapper roll assemblies l4, and carriages 16 slidable relative to the main frame and supporting a corresponding one of the wrapper roll assemblies for movement toward and away from the mandrel.

Main frame is of fabricated steel construction having

opposite sides

18 and 20 and opposite ends 22 and 24. Sides l8 and 20 are spaced apart to receive the operating components of the coiling machine therebetween, and openings, not designated numerically, are provided in the sidewalls to facilitate driving the mandrel and wrapper rolls from one side of the frame and removing the wrapper roll assemblies from the other side thereof, as set forth more fully hereinafter.

Each wrapper'roll assembly 14 is comprised of a supporting head-30, a pair of wrapper rolls 32 and a fixed guide element 34 between the corresponding pair of wrapper rolls 32. The wrapper rolls, are rotatably supported by the head for rotation about axes generally parallel to-the axis of mandrel l2, and each roll is driven by a corresponding shaft and a corresponding drive motor unit, not illustrated, located outwardly of side 18 of main frame 10.Further, 10. Further, wrapper roll assembly 14 is interengaged with the corresponding carriage 16 so as to be removable by sliding movement horizontally of the carriage, parallel to the mandrel axis, and in the direction outwardly from side 20. In accordance with the present invention, a unique balance bar device is provided to facilitate insertion and removal of wrapper roll assemblies 14. A preferred embodiment of the balance bar device is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing. In this respect, the balance bar device includes a circular rod or arm 246 having a counterweight 248 mounted on one end thereof and an attaching head 250 mounted on the other end thereof. For this purpose, counterweight 248 and attaching head 250 may be provided adjacent their upper ends with apertures adapted to receive arm 246. The arm is rigidly interconnected with attaching head 250 such as by welding, and counterweight 248 is secured to the rod against rotation relative thereto and, preferably, for removal from the arm to facilitate the use of various weights with the balance bar device. The manner in which the counterweight and arm are interconnected for this purpose does not form part of the present invention and many suitable arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that counterweight 248 does not have to be mounted on the end of arm 246 and can be positioned inwardly of the corresponding end of the arm.

Attaching head 250 is adapted to be releasably interconnected with a wrapping roll assembly 14 to facilitate removal, transportation and insertion of the wrapper roll assembly relative to a carriage 16. Many suitable interconnecting arrangements can be employed and, in the embodiment illustrated, the interconnection is achieved by providing the attaching head 250 with an opening 252 therethrough adapted to receive a cooperatively contoured stud 260 provided on the end of each wrapper roll assembly disposed adjacent side 20 of the main frame. Stud 260 may be mounted on the corresponding arm 58 of the wrapper roll assembly such as by welding and, preferably, the axis of stud 260 passes through the vertical and horizontal center of gravity of the wrapper roll assembly so that the assembly is balanced with respect to the stud axis.

Opening 252 in attaching head 250 is provided with arcuate top and bottom portions and flat side portions,

and the sides of stud 260 are provided with flats so that the contours of the stud and opening 252 mate with one another. Preferably, the sides of opening 252 are defined by wear plates or pads 262 suitably mounted within the opening for engagement with the flat sides of the stud. The flat sides of the studs and openings prevent relative rotation between attaching head 250 and the wrapper roll assembly when the balance bar device is interconnected therewith. To prevent unintentional axial displacement of the attaching head from stud 260, the stud may be provided with an opening 264 therethrough adapted to receive a stop pin 266.

Balance bar arm 246 is provided along its length with a plurality of axially spaced apart annular recesses or grooves 268. Pairs of the grooves are adapted to receive a pair of cable loops 270 interconnected with a cable 272 suspended from an overhead support such as a crane, not illustrated. Cable loops 270 and cable 272 are adapted to support the balance bar alone, or the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly, and annular grooves 268 define the locations on arm 246 which provide balanced suspension of the balance bar or balance bar and wrapper roll assembly. In'this respect, grooves 268 prevent slipage of cable loop 270 relative to arm 246, and the grooves are spaced apart a distance which provides for pairs of the recesses to be employed with the cable loops to achieve the desired balance against tilting about an axis perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 20. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that one pair of the recesses 268 will be employed to support the balance bar alone and another pair will be employed to support the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly. Additional recesses are provided on arm 246 to lend selectivity to the particular pair employed to achieve the de-.

sired balanced suspension.

Support of the balance bar alone in balanced suspension against tilting about an axis perpendicular to the plane of FIG. advantageously provides for the balance bar device to be readily manipulated into position for connection with stud 260 and with the balance bar in a horizontal disposition to facilitate interengagement between the stud and opening 252 in attaching head 250. Further, attaching head 250 and counterweight 248 are preferably symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane through the axis of arm 246 and the axis of opening 252, whereby the flat sides of openings 252 are vertically disposed when the balance bar is supported in suspension. This relationship further facilitates introduction of the stud into opening 252.

Counterweight 248 preferably depends a considerable distance below the axis of arm 246 so that the center of gravity of the counterweight is well below the center of lift defined by the support arm axis. It will be noted too that attaching head 250 depends vertically below arm 246, whereby the center of gravity of the wrapper roll assembly is well below the axis of arm 246. The low center of gravity of counterweight 248 advantageously provides stabilization against tilting of the balance bar about the axis of arm 246. The stability thus achieved is advantageous during engagement of the balance bar with the wrapper roll assembly and, additionally, is of considerable advantage with regard to supporting the wrapper roll assembly during removal and replacement thereof relative to carriage 16.

The weight of counterweight 248 corresponds substantially to the weight of wrapper roll assembly 14. When the balance bar has been attached to stud 260 of the wrapper roll assembly, cable loops 270 are shifted to a pair of recesses 268 which provide for the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly to be balanced when supported in suspension. By use of the overhead crane or like support, the wrapper roll assembly is then withdrawn horizontally from the carriage in the direction from the solid line position to the broken line position of the various components illustrated in FIG. 20. During such movement, the low centers of gravity of counterweight 248 and wrapper roll assembly 14 provide a pendulum effect which minimizes pivotal movement of the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly about the axis of arm 246. Accordingly, removal of the wrapper roll assembly relative to the carriage is advantageously achieved with a minimum of interengagement between the two components. Once completely removed from the carriage, the wrapper roll assembly can be transported to a maintenance area or the like, and transportation of the assembly in a balanced condition is assured.

The balance bar device further porvides for a wrap- ,per roll assembly to be accurately positioned .for insertion thereof into the carriage with tapered upper and lower edges of the head member aligned with the cooperatively tapered upper and lower edges of the carriage pads. Once positioned for insertion, the wrapper roll assembly is displaced to achieve sliding thereof into assembled relationship relative to the carriage. Since the balance bar is disposed outside the machine frame, the balance bar device can be employed to achieve full insertion of the wrapper roll assembly relative to the carriage. Following such insertion, the lock bolt is employed as described hereinabove to achieve locking en-' gagement between the carriage and wrapper roll assembly, cable loops 270 are relocated at the balance point for the balance bar alone, pin 266 is withdrawn from stud 260 and the balance bar is removed and transported away from the machine. The driven ends of the wrapper rolls are then coupled to the corresponding drive shafts and the coiling machine is again ready for operation.

While a particular stud and opening arrangement has been described for interconnecting the balance bar and wrapper roll assembly, it will be appreciated that many arrangements for interconnecting these components could be provided. For example, the attaching head of the balance bar device could be provided with a projection and the wrapper roll assembly with a correspondingly contoured recess or aperture for the projection. Moreover, the projection and recess could readily have other contours than that illustrated herein to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

As many possible embodiments of the present invention may be made, and as many possible changes may be made in the embodiments herein illustrated and described, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A balance bar for use in removing and inserting a wrapper roll assembly along a horizontal linear path with respect to a wrapper roll supporting frame of a sheet metal coiling machine, which wrapper roll assembly includes a horizontal projection extending in the direction of said linear path comprising: an arm having opposite ends and an axis extending therebetween,

plate means fixed on one end of said arm and extending in a direction laterally of said arm axis, said plate means having an aperture therein for receiving said projection, said aperture having an axis spaced from and parallel to said arm axis, said aperture and projection having mating cross-sectional contours other than circular, weight means secured on said arm and spaced from said one end in the direction toward the other end of said arm for counterbalancing the weight of said wrapper roll assembly when said arm is supported in suspension between said one end and said weight means, said weight means extending in said lateral direction and having a center of gravity spaced from said arm axis in said lateral direction, said arm being circular in cross section, and a plurality of peripheral grooves axially spaced apart along said arm, a first pair of said grooves denoting locations for balanced horizontal suspension of said arm, plate means and weight means, and a second pair of said grooves denoting locations for balanced horizontal suspension of said arm plate means,

weight means and wrapper roll assembly.

Claims

1. A balance bar for use in removing and inserting a wrapper roll assembly along a horizontal linear path with respect to a wrapper roll supporting frame of a sheet metal coiling machine, which wrapper roll assembly includes a horizontal projection extending in the direction of said linear path comprising: an arm having opposite ends and an axis extending therebetween, plate means fixed on one end of said arm and extending in a direction laterally of said arm axis, said plate means having an aperture therein for receiving said projection, said aperture having an axis spaced from and parallel to said arm axis, said aperture and projection having mating cross-sectional contours other than circular, weight means secured on said arm and spaced from said one end in the direction toward the other end of said arm for counterbalancing the weight of said wrapper roll assembly when said arm is supported in suspension between said one end and said weight means, said weight means extending in said lateral direction and having a center of gravity spaced from said arm axis in said lateral direction, said arm being circular in cross section, and a plurality of peripheral grooves axially spaced apart along said arm, a first pair of said grooves denoting locations for balanced horizontal suspension of said arm, plate means and weight means, and a second pair of said grooves denoting locations for balanced horizontal suspension of said arm plate means, weight means and wrapper roll assembly.