US3105649A

US3105649A - Coil-starting device

Info

Publication number: US3105649A
Application number: US150550A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raymond W Neupert
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1961-11-06
Filing date: 1961-11-06
Publication date: 1963-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-01

Description

Oct. 1, 1963 Filed Nov. 6, 1961 To Drive lg R. w. NEUPERT COIL-STARTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR RAY 59. NE PERT Attorney United States Patent 3,105,649 COIL-STARTWG DEVICE Raymond W. Neupert, East Gary, Ind, assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 159,550 8 Claims. (Cl. 242--78.8)

This invention relates to an improved device for starting a coil of metal strip into a processing line.

A conventional line for processing metal strip (for example a continuous annealing line) includes an uncoiling mandrel and a set of pinch rolls at the entry end of the line. A coil of metal strip is placed on this mandrel and the leading end of the strip threaded through the pinch rolls and thence through other equipment in the line. At least one of the pinch rolls is power driven to unwind the strip from the mandrel and feed it. Various mechanical devices are known for starting the leading end through the pinch rolls, but none of these devices with which I am familiar have been entirely satisfactory, and starting is usually a manual operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved coil-starting device which threads the leading end of a strip through pinch rolls at the entry end of a processing line without damaging the strip, yet overcomes the need for manually handling the strip.

A further object is to provide an improved coil-starting device which includes a magnetic conveyor driven by one of the pinch rolls for carrying the leading end of a strip into the bite of the rolls.

A further object is to provide a coil-starting device of the foregoing construction in which the magnetic conveyor automatically adjusts its position for coils of different size, or the conveyor can be supported where it is out of the way when not needed.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view with parts broken away of the entry portion of a strip processing line equipped with my improved coil starting device;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device with parts broken away; and

FIGURE 3 is a cross section on line IIIIII of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 1 shows the entry portion of a conventional strip processing line which includes an uncoiling mandrel 10, upper and lower pinch rolls 12 and 13, and opposed housings 14 for these rolls. The upper pinch roll 12 has a drive mechanism indicated schematically at 15, and it can be raised and lowered by suitable mechanism not shown. A coil C of strip metal is placed on the mandrel and its leading end threaded between the pinch rolls and thence into the other equipment in the line. My device for starting the strip through the pinch rolls comprises essentially a supporting bracket 16 fixed to roll housings 14, a magnetic conveyor 17 pivotally supported to swing on the axis of the upper pinch roll 12 and driven thereby, and fluid pressure cylinders 18 and cooperating pistons and piston rods 19 which connect bracket 16 and conveyor 17 for positioning the latter.

In more detail, bracket 16 includes a fabricated metal framework bolted to the top of housings 14 and overhanging the entry side of the housings a substantial distance and the exit side a shorter distance. I connect tie rods 20 between the overhang at the exit side and the base on which housings 14 rest to reinforce the structure. Two spaced pairs of trunnion bearings 21 are mounted on the bracket framework on the entry side of the housings, and cylinders 18 are pivoted in these bearings on a common horizontal axis. A shaft 22 is journaled in the bracket framework adjacent its extremity on the entry side of the housing and carries hooks 23 keyed to its opposite ends outside the framework and 1 an operating lever 24 keyed to its intermediate portion. A shorter second shaft 25 is journaled in the bracket framework adjacent one of the housings 14 and carries a handle 26 keyed to the end outside the framework and an operating lever 27 keyed to its other end aligned with lever 24. A link 28 is pivoted at its ends to the two operating levers. Hooks 23 can engage lugs 29 fixed to the sides of conveyor 17 to latch the conveyor in a raised position where it is out of the way when not in use. I operate handle 26 to move the books into engagement or disengagement with the lugs. A latch 30 is fixed to the side of the adjacent housing 14 to retain the handle in its dilferent positions.

Conveyor 17 includes a box-like frame formed of opposed side rails 35 and a series of transverse rails 36 connecting the side rails. Opposed bearing brackets 37 are fixed to the inner ends of the side rails adjacent the pinch rolls 12 and 13 and are journaled to the shaft of the upper pinch roll 12. Extensions 38 are mounted on the other ends of the side rails for sliding adjustment with respect thereto. The mounting means illustrated includes a series of studs 33 extending from the side rails and received in slots 40 in the extensions, lugs 41 fixed to the side rails, and screws 42 threadedly engaged with the lugs and bearing against the ends of the extensions. An idler roll 43 is journaled in the extensions, and an endless flexible belt 44 extends around the upper pinch roll 12 and roll 43 to be driven by the upper pinch roll. Preferably rolls 12 and 43 are crowned to assure that the belt tracks properly. Extensions 38 have integral downwardly inclined brackets 45 in which I mount opposed bearings 46. A transverse idler shaft 47 is journaled in these bearings and carries one or more rubber-tired wheels 48. The side rails 35 also carry lugs 29, hereinbefore mentioned, and pins 49 to which the piston rods 19 are pivoted.

The conveyor frame houses a series of magnets 50. I have illustrated permanent magnets arranged in four rows of nineteen magnets each, which rows extend lengthwise of the conveyor, but obviously the type and arrangement of magnets is a matter of choice subject to wide variation. I have shown the magnets of each row mounted on pole plates, each of which includes continuous strips 51 of magnetic material and a sectional intermediate strip 52 of non-magnetic material (for example stainless steel) separating the first named strips and tackwelded thereto. I attach the pole plates to the transverse rails 36 of the conveyor frame with angle irons 53 bolted to the rails and strips 51 (FIGURE 3). I attach the magnets to the pole plates with clips 54 which engage shoulders on the magnets and are bolted to strips 52. The underside of the conveyor frame beneath the magnets carries an apron plate 55, and the top carries cover plates 56.

In operation, the upper pinch roll 12 normally occupies a raised position in which belt 44 is spaced above the lower pinch roll 13, while hooks 23 engage lugs 29 to latch conveyor 17 in a raised position. When I wish to start a coil C into the processing line, I place the coil on mandrel 10 in the usual way and free its leading end. I move handle 26 to disengage hooks 23 from lugs 29 and I operate cylinders 18 to lower the conveyor until the rubber-tired Wheels 48' abut the coil, thus automatically positioning the conveyor regardless of variations in the coil size. The cylinders of course are equipped with conventional connections and controls for admitting and discharging a motivating fluid, but I have omitted these ,Which feed it into the other equipment in the line.

items from my showing in the interest of simplicity. I also lower the upper pinch roll 12 to a position in which belt 44 engages the lower pinch roll 13 land I commence to drive the upper pinch roll and belt. When wheels 48 abut the coil, belt 44 clears the coil but is sufiiciently close that the magnets can attract the leading end of the strip into engagement therewith. Thus the conveyor carries the leading end of the strip into the bite of the pinch rolls After the strip has moved into the line, other mechanism not shown propels the strip through the equipment, whereupon I return the conveyor and upper pinch roll to their original positions.

From the fore-going description it is seen that my invention afiords a simple, easily operated device for starting a coil of strip metal into a processing line and overcoming the need for manually handling the strip. The device carries the strip only by magnetic attraction through a flexible belt, and the wheels at the end of the conveyor prevent direct engagement between the :belt and the body of the coil. Thus there is no likelihood of damage, either to the coil or the device itself.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a line for processing metal strip, which line includes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a magnetic conveyor, and means pivotally mounting said conveyor to swing on the axis of said upper pinch roll, said conveyor being adapted to engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls.

2. In a line for processing metal strip, which line includes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch :roll are jornaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a magnetic conveyor, means pivotally mounting said conveyor to swing on the axis of said upper pinch roll, said conveyor being drivin-gly connected to said upper pinch roll and adapted when lowered to engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls, and means carried by said housings for supporting said conveyor in a raised position where it is out of the way when not in use.

3. In a line for processing metal strip, which line includes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a conveyor frame mounted !at one end to swing on the axis of said upper pinch roll, a roll journaled to said frame adjacent the other end thereof, an endless flexible belt extending around said upper pinch roll and said last named roll to be driven with said upper pinch roll, and magnets housed within said frame, said frame having a position in which said belt can engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls.

4. In a line for processing metal strip, which line in eludes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a conveyor frame pivoted at one end to said upper pinch roll to swing on the axis thereof, an idler roll journaled to said frame adjacent the other end thereof, an endless flexible belt extending around said upper pinch roll and said idler roll to be driven with said upper pinch roll, magnets housed within said frame, said frame having a lowered position in which said belt can engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls, saidframe also having a raised position in which it is out of the way when not in use, and motive means supported by said housings and connected to said frame for swinging said frame between its raised and lowered positions.

5. In a line for processing metal strip, which line includes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a conveyor frame pivoted at one end to said upper pinch roll to swing on the axis thereof, tan idler roll journaled to said frame adjacent the "other end thereof, an endless 7 flexible belt extending around said upper pinch roll and said idler roll to be driven with said upper pinch roll,

magnets housed within said frame, a wheel mounted on said frame at the end beyond said idler roll, said frame having a lowered position in which said wheel can abut a coil supported on said mandrel and said belt can en-- gage the strip to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls, said frame also having a raised position in which it is out of the way when not in use, and motive means supported by said housings and connected to said frame for swinging said frame between its raised and lowered positions.

6. In a line for processing metal strip, which line in-. cludes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a magnetic conveyor, means pivotally mounting said conveyor to swing on the axis of said upper pinch roll, said conveyor being drivingly connected to said upper pinch roll and having a lowered position in which it can engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch 7. In a line for processing metal strip, which line ineludes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding stri from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch rolis, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the} strip through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a conveyor frame mounted at one end to swing on the axis of said upper pinch roll, a roll journaled to said frame ad-v jacent the other end thereof, an endless flexible belt extending around said upper pinch roll and said last named roll to be driven with said upper pinch roll, magnets housed within said frame, said frame having a lowered position in which said belt can engage the strip in a coil supported on said mandrel to carry the leading end of the strip into the bite of said pinch rolls, said frame also having a raised position in which it is out of the way when not in use, a bracket fixed to the top of said housings, motive means connected to said bracket and frame for swinging said frame between its raised and lowered positions, and means for latching said frame to said. bracket when said frame is in its raised position.

8. In a line for processing metal strip, which line includes at its entry end an uncoiling mandrel, upper and lower pinch rolls for feeding strip from a coil supported on said mandrel, opposed housings in which said pinch rolls are journaled, and a drive mechanism operatively connected with said upper pinch roll, the combination therewith of a device for starting the leading end of the stri through said pinch rolls, said device comprising a conveyor frame pivoted at one end to said upper pinch roll to swing on the axis thereof, an idler roll journaled to said frame adjacent the other end thereof, an endless flexible helt extending around said upper pinch roll and said idler roll to be driven With said upper pinch roll, magnets housed within said frame, a wheel mounted on said frame at the end beyond said idler roll, said frame having a lowered position in which said wheel can abut a coil supported on said mandrel and said belt can engage the strip to carry the leading end of the stri into the bite of said pinch rolls, said frame also having a raised position in which it is out of the way when not in use, a bracket fixed to the top of said housings, fluid pressure cylinders and pistons connected to said bracket and frame for swinging said frame between its raised and lowered positons, and means for latching said frame to said bracket when said frame is in its raised position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,124,673 Stone Jan. 12, 1915 2,041,235 Darbaker May 19, 1936 2,852,252 Sperry Sept. 16, 1958 2,881,901 Zimmer Apr. 14, 1959