US3100519A

US3100519A - Wire straightening apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3100519A
Application number: US743799A
Authority: US
Inventors: Archibald P Johnston
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-06-23
Filing date: 1958-06-23
Publication date: 1963-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-13

Description

Aug. 13,1963 A. P. JOHNSTON 3, 00,5 9

' WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS:

' Filed June 25, ess

i v a i A A 1 INVENTOR. r ew/mza 9 vGvMs-mv ilnited rates Eatent 3,100,519 WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Archibald P. Johnston, 1845 E. 57th St., Los Angeles 5, Calif. Filed June 23, 1958, Ser. No. 743,799 3 Claims. (Cl. 153-94) The present invention relates to a novel and improved apparatus for straightening elongated objects such as wires, rods or tubes.

There have been heretofore proposed devices capable of straightening metallic wires or the like. These de vices generally include a series of rotary dies or rollers eccentrically arranged in a single plane within a cage or housing. The cage or housing is rotated about an axis of rotation which substantially coincides with the direction of feeding movement of a wire to be straightened through the cage. As the cage is rotated the wire is urged therethrough with the dies or rollers effecting straightening of the wire. In certain of these heretoforeproposed devices, the dies or rollers are tilted relative to the axis 'of rotation so as to provide automatic feeding of the wire through the cage. The primary disadvantage of these heretofore-proposed devices lies in their tendency to score the surface of the wire being straightened. Additionally, most of these devices cause the wire to be twisted during the straightening operation. Where the wire is considerably twisted as it is straightened, the likelihood exists that operating personnel may be injured should a discontinuity occur in the wire as it is being moved through the straightening device.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide wire straightening apparatus which eliminates the disadvantages provided by heretofore-proposed Wire straightening devices.

Another object is to provide wire straightening apparatus which affords automatic feeding of the wire to be straightened.

A further object is to provide wire straightening apparatus which will provide a wire of maximum straightness and minimum surface scoring.

Yet another object is to provide wire straightening apparatus that is simple of design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a long and useful service life.

A further object of the invention is to provide wire straightening apparatus which is more economical of construction, maintenance and operation than heretoforeproposed devices of this nature.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide wire straightening apparatus having a cage rotatable about its longitudinal axis, with a wire to be straightened extending through the cage in a direction substantially coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cage. The cage supports a minimum of three sets of longitudinally aligned and spaced wire-engaging members, each set being disposed in an individual plane extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the cage.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide wire straightening apparatus so constructed that the wire-engaging members may be disposed at a minimum longitudinal spacing. This arrangement permits the straightening operation to take place along a minimum length of the wire so as to provide maximum wire straightening efiiciency.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing wire straightening apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; x

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a wire engaging roller and its support means utilized in said apparatus; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view illustrating the path of a wire being straightened through said apparatus during a wire straightening operation.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURES 1 through 5 thereof, there is shown a wire straightening apparatus embodying the present invention. This apparatus broadly includes a cage C which is adapted to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, as by means of pulleys 29. The wire to be straightened W is urged through the cage C in a direction substantially coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cage. The cage C supports a plurality of wire-engaging means, such as rollers R. The radially inwardly disposed peripheries of the rollers R extend in radial direction relative to the cage C adjustably toward, to and beyond the latters axis of rotation so as to eifect deflection of the wire out of a line corresponding to the axis of rotation of the cage. The axis of rotation of each of the rollers R is offset from the axis of rotation of the cage C whereby the engagement between the rollers and the wire W will automatically provide the motion of lineal translation of the wire through the cage.

More particularly, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, the wire W moves from left to right through the cage C. The cage C includes an entrance disc 24 and an exit disc 25 from which integrally extend

hubs

26 and 27, respectively. The hubs are journaled on a suitable frame (not shown) in a conventional manner. The aforementioned pulleys 20 are affixed to the exit hub 25. A plurality (such as three) longitudinally extending,

identical support bars

28, 28a and 28b rigidly extend between the

discs

24 and 25. Each of the support arms 28, 23a and 2812 are attached to the radially outer portion of a plurality of radially extending, roller-carrying arms, generally designated 30. The radially inner portions of each of these roller-carrying arms 30 is formed with an internally threaded bore 32. Each of these bores 32 receives the externally threaded mounting shaft 34 of one of the rollers R, each roller R being rotatable relative to its mounting shaft 34. The axis of rotation of each of the rollers R lies in a plane which is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the cage C, but disposed at an angle alpha relative thereto. 'It has been determined that the angle alpha between the axis of rotation of each of the rollers R and the axis of rotation of the cage C should be approximately the same. In practice, an angle alpha of approximately 45 degrees has proven satisfactory.

The intermediate portion of each of the support arms 3d is formed with a radially extending slot d ll. This slot it) receives a mounting bolt assembly 42 that secures the support arm 30 to its respective support bar Zil, 23a or 2%. The mounting bolt assembly 42 may be loosened so as to permit movement of the arms 32 radially inwardly and out-wardly relative to its support bar. Each arm 36 may be locked in a desired position by means of a radially extending adjustment bolt 44 which is carried by a mounting block 46 formed on one side of the arm it}. As will be apparent by reference to FIGURE 3, the radially inner end of each adjustment bolt 44 abuts the radially inner surface 48 of its respective support arm. Preferably, the support bars 23, 28a and 28b are displaced degrees apart relative to the

discs

24 and 25. With this arrangecrnent, the rollers R are displaced 120 degrees circumferentially consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of the cage C. This spacing is essential to proper operation of the first form of wire straightening apparatus.

In the operation of the first form of wire straightening apparatus embodying the present invention, the wire to be straightened is threaded through the cage C in the manner indicated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5. As noted previously hereinbefore, the radially inwardly disposed peripheries of each of the rollers R extend in a radial direction relative to the cage C adjustably toward, to and beyond the latters axis of rotation so as to effect deflection of the wire W out of a line corresponding to the axis of rotation of the cage C. Accordingly, the periphery of the rollers R will exert a radially inwardly directed force upon the wire W. As the cage C is rotated, the Wire W will not only be straightened by this compressive pressure of the rollers upon the surface of the wire, but additionally since the axis of rotation of each of the rollers R lies in a plane which is disposed at an angle relative to the axisof rotation of the cage, the engagement of the rollers with the wire will automatically provide the motion of lineal translation of the wire through the cage, i.e. the wire W will be automatically fed through the cage C at a lineal speed which is proportional to the rate of rotation of the cage. The contact between the periphery of the rollers R and the surface of the wire W is a substantially true rolling motion following a generally helical path because of the aforementioned relative displacement of the rollers R 120 degrees circumferentially consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of the cage C. The surface of the wire is accordingly not subject to being crushed, twisted or scratched by its engagement with the roller peripheries. As a corollary, the rollers do not tend to impart rotation to the wire W, nor is any appreciable frictional heat generated between the rollers and the wire. Hence, the aforedescribed wire straightening apparatus will provide a wire of maximum straightness and minimum surface scoring.

It should be particularly observed that the radially inner end of each of the support arms 30 terminates radially outwardly of the wire-engaging surface of its respective roller R. This arrangement is important since it permits the longitudinal spacing of the rollers to be comparatively close. Thus, the length of the wire W being subjected to a straightening action may be kept to a minimum with respect to the diameter of such Wire. In this manner, the most eflicient wire straightening operation is made possible.

It should be observed that although the drawings show each of the rollers as extending radially inwardly relative to the cage beyond the axis of rotation of the latter, it may be desirable under certain circumstances to position certain of the rollers approximately even with this axis. In this situation such rollers would serve primarily to center or guide the wire being straightened relative to the deflecting rollers.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that wire straightening apparatus embodying the present invention is of simple, compact and economical construction. The amount of deflection imparted to the wire to be straightened may be accurately controlled. Additionally, the power requirements to rotate the cage may be kept to a minimum. 'Both forms of wire straightening apparatus provide a wire of maximum straightness with minimum surface scratching.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about its longitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through said cage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotation of said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting members in said cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for said wire-engaging and deflecting members each displaced circumferentially 120 degrees, each set including a plurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced elements secured to said cage; means connecting each of said carrying members with one of said wire-engaging and deflecting members whereby the latter are displaced circumferentially and longitudinally consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of said cage and define a spiral path about said axis, the radially inner extremities of said wire-engaging and deflecting members exerting compressive pressure upon said wire so as to deflect said wire out of a line corresponding to' the axis of rotation of said cage as such cage is rotated; and adjustment means interposed between each of said wire-engaging and deflecting members and said cage to adjust the distance between the wire-engaging surfaces of said members and the axis of rotation of said cage along a radially extending path relative to said cage.

2. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about its longitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through said cage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotation of said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting rollers in said cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for said rollers, each displaced circumferentially 120 de grees and each set including a plurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced elements secured to said cage; and means rotatably connecting each of said carrying members with one of said rollers whereby the latter are displaced circurnferentially and longitudinally consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of :said cage to define a spiral path about said axis, the radially inner peripheries of said rollers exerting compressive pressure upon said Wire so as to deflect said Wire out of a line corresponding to the axis of rotation of said cage with the axis of rotation of said rollers being offset from the axis of rotation of said cage whereby rotation of said cage will effect automatic feeding of said wire through said cage with said wire being concurrently straightened.

3. Wire straightening apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the axes of rotation of the rollers carried by each set of longitudinally aligned rollercarrying members lie in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said cage but disposed at a substantially common angle relative thereto.

4. Wire straightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said common angle approximates degrees when taken between the line extending through the angle of rotation of said rollers and a line extending from the entrance to the exit side of said cage and corresponding to the axis of rotation of said cage.

5. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about its longitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through said cage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotation :of said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting rollers in said cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for said rollers, each displaced circumferentially 12.0 degrees and each set including a plurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced elements secured to said cage; and means rotatably connecting each of said carrying members with one of said rollers whereby the latter are displaced circumferentially and longitudinally consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of said cage and define a spiral path about said axis, the radially inner peripheries of said rollers exerting compressive pressure upon said wire so as to deflect said wire out of a line corresponding to the axis of rotation of said cage, with the radially inner end of each roller-carrying member terminating radially outwardly of the radially inward 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the axes of rotation of the rollers carried by each set of longitudinally aligned roller-carrying members lie in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of said cage but disposed at a substantially common angle relative thereto.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said common angle approximates 45 degrees when taken between a line extending through the angle of rotation of said rollers and a line extending from the entrance to the exit side of said cage and corresponding to the axis of. rotation of said cage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Brightman July 28, 1891 Teetor July 6, 1897 Brightman Nov. 8, 1898 Burgher Feb. 9, 1915 Lehmann June 12, 1917 Ollard Dec. 20, 1921 Stiefel May 24, 1932 Heller Jan. 14, 1941

Claims

1. WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS, COMPRISING: A CAGE ROTATABLE ABOUT ITS LONGITUDINAL AXIS WITH A WIRE TO BE STRAIGHTENED EXTENDING THROUGH SAID CAGE IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF SAID CAGE; A PLURALITY OF WIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERS IN SAID CAGE; A MINIMUM OF THREE SETS OF CARRYING MEMBERS FOR SAID WIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERS EACH DISPLACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY 120 DEGREES, EACH SET INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED AND SPACED ELEMENTS SECURED TO SAID CAGE; MEANS CONNECTING EACH OF SAID CARRYING MEMBERS WITH ONE OF SAID WIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERS WHEREBY THE LATTER ARE DISPLACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY