US2122674A - Strip uncoiler cradle - Google Patents

Description

July 5, 1938.

A. J. WARDLE STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE FiledNov. 28. 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet '1 l-llll If INVENTOR. AMBROSE WARDLE f ATTORNEY.

July 5, 1938.

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" ATTORNEY."

July 5, 1938. v A. J. WARDLE 2,122,674

STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE File d Nov. 28. 1936 4'Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. AMBROSE I WARDLE ATTORNEY.

July 5, 1938. Q J WARDLE 2,122,674

STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE 7 Filed Nov. 28. 1936 4 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR; AMBROSE I WARD LE BY 5 A ATTOR EY.

Patented July s, less un -rep "STATES PATENT OFFICE-- STRIP UNCOILEI. CIADLI Ambrose J. Wardle, Youngstown. Ohio, alsignor I McKay town, hlo, a moi Ohio 00mm. loans:-

' 7 Application November as, use. Serial No. mass "Claim.

as it issues from the rolling mill or other processing' equipment to aid in handling and shipping the same. Before with a thin film of oil rosion, thus preservin the smooth surfaceat tained by modern manufacturing'methods. Fab:

their plants with apparatus jtc the as received in coil form and{i;son ie; plants have installations for the automati production of pressed steel. p I device for intermittently feeding to the press or stamping machinec -isl-lypositiqned between the uncoiler and the press orstamping machine. fro-insure a high rate of production the uncoiler must necessarily deliver an unfailing as supply of uniform strip. The rate of delivery being controlled in accordance with the demands of the feeding mechanism.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a strip uncoiler cradle on which the coil may be easily placed and held in position by gravity and in which novel guide means is employed which guide means is'operative to perform its function without danger of injury to the side edges of the strip being uncoiled. v Another object of the invention is to provide improved means to support and rotate the coil to aid in keeping the coil on the cradle and to insure sumcient rotation of the coil that it may deliver an adequate supply of strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means to control the delivery of strip fromthe coil in accordance with the demand of feeding or other mechanisms, the control means being contained entirely in the uncoiling machine whereby the uncoiling machine may be used in conjunction with feeding mechanisms'without modification thereof and without the need of any electrical or mechanical connection between the uncoiler and the feeding device except the metal strip itself. 1

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the following detailed description wherein selected embodiments of the invention are disclosed. I

coiled. the strip is coated prevent premature core ricators and other users 'offmetalistrip pmvide (c1. sis-ray In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a metal strip ungiler constructed in accordance with my inven- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the uncoiler taken along the line 2-4 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coil supporting roll; I

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the uncoiler; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along y the line H of Figure 1, showing the coil in position and diagrammatically illustrating the "controlling circuitr Figure 6 ha partial plan view of the coil sup- -porting cradles; and

' --.Figure"l is an elevation of a modified form of apparatus embodying my invention. I Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, the Y numeral ll designates the hollow supporting base for the,app'aratus which is preferably constructed by welding together suitably formed plates and sections. One end of the base is provided with a raised portion II to form a raised support for a'slidable guide carrier l2. Suitably secured to the base II at its other end is a pedestal I! to form a raised support for another guide carrier II. The raised portion ll of the base Ill and the pedestal II also form the end supports for a. cradle assembly adapted to receive and rotatably support a coil ll.

The cradle assembly is supported by a pair of spaced parallel shafts II having their ends journaled in the side walls of the base portion ii and the pedestal ll. As shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6, a cradle il consisting of a rigid rectangular frame is rotatably supported on each of the shafts it which pass through the centers of the end members ll of the cradles l1. If desired, suitable anti-friction bearings may be provided between the shafts I. and end members It to eliminate the tendency of the rotation of the shafts to rotate the cradles and to prevent the cradles from moving longitudinally along the shafts. Each of the cradles is provided with a pair of shafts l9 parallel to and equally spaced from the shaft I6 and having their ends rotatably supported in the end members l8. A roll 20 is securely keyed to each of the shafts IS in lateral alignment with each other to form spaced supports for the-coil ll.

A spur gear ii is keyed to the shaft it within the cradle frame ll adjacent to the end member l8 and meshes with gears 22 keyed to the roll four rolls III will be in constant engagement with k the outer surface of the coil l4 regardless of its diameter. I have found: this feature to be of distinct advantage as it materially reduces the danger of the coil being pulled off the uncoiling machine by the action of the pinch rolls 30, Figure 5, or other feeding mechanism with which the uncoiler may be used.

As shown more clearly in Figure 3,. the coil supporting rolls 2i! consist of a metallic hub 24 tired with a thick layer of rubber 25 intimately bonded with the metal of the hub. Preferably the rubber 25 is of a synthetic composition of the type resistant to the normal deleterious action of hydrocarbon compounds. This is a desirable feature since the oil coating of the strip would quickly deteriorate natural rubber. if used on the. rolls.

Theuse of rubber on the rolls enhances the friction between the coil and the rolls and this togetherwith the cradles arrangement whereby all four rolls are in constant engagement with the 0011 results in the coil being positively rotated upon rotation of the rolls. The final result is that an adequate supply of strip is uncoiled and the tendency of the feeding mechanism with which the uncoiler may be associated to pull the coil from the machineis obviated.

Motor 3| transmitting through the flexible coupling 34 and variable speed transmission 32, all housed within the base I0, is utilized to drive the shafts l6 and rolls 20. The speed of rotation of the elements is controlled by operation of the handwheel 33. I A transversely extending shaft 35 journaled within the pedestal I3 is coupled. with the output shaft of the variable speed transmission 32 by the chain 36 and drives both the shafts 16 through Worms fl and worm gears 38 housed within the pedestal.

Slidably mounted in a longitudinally extending bore 4| in the upper end of the pedestal II is the guide carrier l5 rotatably supporting at its .inner end a rotary guide generally indicated at 4| having a hub 42 mounted on the end of the carrier by the bearing assembly 43', a circular plane disk 44 and braces 45 welded to the hub and disk. The carrier I5 is longitudinally adjustable by a toothed rack 46 secured thereto and meshing with a spur gear 41 carried by a transverse shaft 48 provided at its outer end with a handwheel 49.

, Rotation of the handwheel results in longitudinal movement of the carrier l5 and operates to bring the rotary guide 4| in contact with the adjacent side edge of the coil. Bolts I0 and iii may be employed to lock .the guide in selected position.

Another rotary guide generally indicated at is employed to engage the other side edge of the coil and consists of a circular plane disk 6|, a backup plate 62, hub 63 and braces 64 welded to the hub and backup plate. Bolts or rivets 65 'movement of the periphery of the ,ccil.

tudinally therein by a screw Ill threadedly engaged with anaperture in lug 'll depending from the carrier. The adjusting screw 10 is restrained from longitudinal movement by the collars 12 secured to the screw. Bolts I! lock the guide carrier in selected position.

The rotary guides 4| and keep the strip in position during the uncoiling thereof and rotate with the coil. The guides are freely mounted and operate in such a manner that should a portion of an edge of the strip be forced into tight engagement with the face of the guide, the guide will be rotated and so will prevent the tearing or deformation of the edge of the strip. As explained above the rotary guides are longitudinally adjustable with respect to the coil supporting rolls 20 and with each other; this in order that the device may accommodate coils of diflerent widths and that the guides may fit closely against the side edges of the strip.

To control the rate of delivery of the strip from the coil I employ the switch I8 mounted adjacent the periphery of the coil and operated by the arm 'l'l to control the operation of the motor 3|. The switch I6 is mounted on the holder 15 which in turn is pivotally mounted on the outer side member of a cradle I'I. As the,cradle ll rotates inwardly upon reduction in diameter of the coil the switch 16 moves toward the center of the coil and thus tends to follow the inward The switch is operated by the arm I1. which. is provided at its outer end with a roller to engage the surface of the strip when the strip loops outwardly as at IS-as will occur when the uncoiler is dispensing the strip at a greater rate than is dethe gear case 9| supports the transverse drive shaft 35, one end of the cradle supporting shafts l6 and houses the worms 31 and the worm gears 38. Aside from these changes the device is identical with the structure of Figures 1 to 6.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A coil supporting and rotating assembly for a strip uncoiling device comprising a pair of spaced parallel supporting and driving shafts, means to rotatably support the ends of the shafts, a cradlerotatably supported on each of the shafts, a pair of spaced roll carrying shafts journaled in each of said cradles and being in parallel align ment withthe driving shafts, a coil supporting roll carried by each of said roll carryingshafts and power transmission means between the driving shafts .and' each of the roll carrying shafts whereby rotation of the driving shafts results in rotation of the roll. carrying shafts.

2. A coil supporting and rotating assembly for I a strip uncoiling device comprising a pair of spaced parallel supporting and driving. shafts,

means to rotatably support said shafts, a cradle rotatably supported on each of said shafts, a pair of spaced coil supporting rolls carried by each cradle and having their axes of-rotation parallel with said shafts, and driving means between the shaft andthe rolls whereby rotation of the shaft results in rotation of the rolls.

3. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a plurality, of arcuately disposed supporting and rotating rolls adapted to support and rotate a coil of metal strip, guide members for saidcoil comprising a pair of spaced parallel disks positioned above and oneither side of said rolls, said disks being mounted for free rotation on longitudinally aligned bearings extending parallel to the axes of rotation of the rolls, and means to rotate said rolls.

4. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a hollow base member having a raised portion at one end, a hollow pedestal secured to said base member at its other end, a pair of spaced parallel shafts having their ends journaled in the 'raised portion of the base and in the pedestal,

a transverse shaft in said pedestal for rotating said parallel shafts, a motor in said base for rotating said transverse shaft, a cradle rotatably supported on each of said parallel shafts, a pair of coil supporting and rotating rolls Journaled in each cradle for rotation on axes parallel with the parallel shafts, driving means between the parallel shafts and the rolls whereby the rolls may be caused to be rotated, a guide comprising a disk positioned normal to the axes of the parallel shafts and thereabove, means including said pedestal to support said disk for rotation in the plane including the disk, a second guide comprising a disk spaced from and parallel with the first named disk, and means including said raised portion of the base to support said second mentioned disk for rotation in its plane.

5. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a base member having a raised portion at one end, a hollow pedestal secured to said base member at its other end, a pair of spaced parallel shafts having their ends journaled in the raised portion of the base and in the pedestal, a transverse shaft in said pedestal for rotating said parallel shafts, means to rotate said transverse shaft, a cradle rotatably supported on each of said parallel shafts, a pair of coil supporting and rotating rolls journaled in each cradle for rotation on axes parallel with the parallel shafts, driving means between the parallel shafts and the rolls whereby the rolls may be caused to be rotated, a guide member comprising a disk positioned normal to the axes of the parallel shafts and thereabove but to one side of the rolls, and means including said raised portion to support said disk for rotation in the plane including the disk. v v

6. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a plurality of arcuately disposed coil supporting rolls, means to rotate said rolls, guide members for the coil comprising a pair of spaced parallel disks positioned above and on either side of said rolls, said disks being mounted for free rotation on longitudinally aligned bearings extending parallel to the axes of rotation of the rolls, and means to selectively position the guides along the longitudinal line of their axes of rotation.

7. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a plurality of arcuately disposed coil supporting rolls, means to rotate said rolls, a rotary guide member adapted to engage a side edge of the coil comprising a disk positioned above and to one side of said rolls, said disk being mounted for free rotation in a plane normal to the axes of retation of the rolls, and means to selectively position the guide along the longitudinal line of its axis of rotation.

'8. A metal strip uncoiling device comprising a plurality of arcuately disposed coil supporting rolls, means to rotate said rolls, a rotary guide member adapted to engage a side edge of the coil comprising .a disk positioned above and to one side of said rolls, said disk being mounted for free rotation in a plane normal to the axes of rotation of the rolls.

, 9. A strip uncoiling device comprising means to rotatably support the coil, a pair of spaced parallel rotary guide members adapted to engage opposite edges of the coil, each guide member comprising a disk positioned above and to one side of the coil supporting means, said disks being mounted for free rotation in planes parallel with the side edges of the coil.

10. A strip uncoiling device comprising a base, a pair of spaced parallel shafts mounted on said base in an inclined position, a cradle rotatably carried by each shaft, a pair of spaced coil supporting rolls iournaled in each cradle, driving means between the shafts and the rolls whereby rotation of the shafts results in rotation of the rolls, a rotary guide comprising a disk mounted in a plane normal to the axes of the shafts and above the lower endsthereof, said disk forming a support for the coil and adapted to rotate freely upon rotation of the coil.

11. A strip uncoiling device comprising a base, a plurality of arcuately disposed coil supporting rolls arranged'with their axes parallel with each other but inclined with respect to the horizontal, a rotary guide comprising a flat disk positioned at the lower end of said rolls and lying in a plane normal to the axes of rotation of the rolls, said disk forming a support for the coil and adapted to rotate freely upon rotation of the coil.

12. A strip uncoiling device comprising a base, a pair of spaced parallel shafts mounted on the base, a cradle rotatably mounted on each shaft comprising a frame having side members and end members, a pair of spaced coil supporting rolls iournaled in each cradle and having their axes of rotation parallel with the shafts, a switch supported on the outer side member of a cradle and having an operating arm positioned adjacent the periphery of the coil and adapted to be actuated by a loop from the coil, and means controlled by said switch to drive the coil supporting rolls.

13. A strip uncoiling device comprising a base, a pair of cradles pivotally supported on said base, a pair of spaced parallel coil supporting rolls Journaled in each cradle and having their axes of rotation parallel with the axes of rotation of the cradles, means to rotate said rolls, an arm pivotally mounted on one of said cradles positioned adjacent the periphery of the coil and adapted to be actuated by a loop from said coil,

and means actuated by said arm in control of said roll rotating means.

14. A coil supporting and rotating assembly for a strip uncoiling device comprising a base, a pair of cradles rotatably supported on said base on spaced parallel axes, a pair of coil supporting roll carrying shafts rotatabiy mounted on parallel axes on each of said cradles, said last mentioned axes being parallel with said first mentioned axes,

' a coil supporting and rotating roll keyed to each of said roll carrying shafts, and means to rotate said roll carrying shafts in all positions of said cradles.

.15. Structure according to claim 14 including ,a tire on each of said rolls, said tire being of a synthetic rubber composition to provide 'driving friction and to prevent marking of the material being uncoiled.

s and the side edge ot-the mniierisl as is being- 18. A metal strip uncoilin'g device comprising tion in a plane includin'gihe disk and parallel t0 means to rotatably support a coil c-i strip; a guide the side surface of the coil, and means to move member for said rotating coil comprising a. rotary said disk longitudinally with respect to said coil disk sdapfied tbengage the side edge of the coil supporting means.

AMBROSEJ. WARDLE; 5

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