US2737386A - Automatic strip-guiding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 6, 1956 F. w. REHER AUTOMATIC STRIP-GUIDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 27, 1950 March 6, 1956 F. w. Rr-:HER

AUTOMATIC STRIP-GUIDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l y l I www fifa/Wega Filed Sept. 27, 1950 March 6, 1956 F. w. REI-IER AUTOMATIC STRIP-GUIDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed sept. 27, 195o March 6, 1956 F, w, -REHER 2,737,386

AUTOMATIC STRIP-GUIDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 27, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 27, 1950 DATUM LINE l l 4 l l l l w W s f y AJ/,W W w m w m w M. mw Y m a h M n 1 M Mlm ...w...... Uum- J 1l I /Ql 50| 1v IU @y DATUM LINE 1 United statesr Patent e o AUTOMATIC STRIP-GUIDINGr APPARATUS Fred W. Relier, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to Chase Brass & Copper Co.v Incorporated, Waterbury, Conn., acrporation Application September 27, 1950, serial No. 186,952

6 claims. (ci. r11-2.6)

The present invention relatesfin general to strip-guiding apparatus and more particularly to improvements in strip-shifting means for automatically shifting av continuously advancing strip of, material laterally selectively to one side or the other, so that the respective edges of the strip will be maintained substantially in alignment as the strip is rewound.

The strip material rewound by the guiding apparatus of this invention is relatively thin flexible sheet metal, but it willV be understood that the apparatus may be used with equal success for rewindingboth metallic and nonmetallic strip material, the latter being, for example, cellulose nitrate or acetate films, paper or fabric, the paper or fabric strip material being sometimes referred to in the art as a ilexible web.

An object of the invention is to providesuperior stripguiding apparatus for rewinding continuous lengths of strip like material.

Another object of the invention is to provide stripguiding apparatus with superior strip-shifting means of durable, dependable and economical construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide stripguiding apparatus with superior strip-shifting means which. is arranged to control the alignment ofthe Vrespective edges of the strip as it isrewound, by selectively shifting the strip laterally from a point which is between thesupply source of the strip and the rewinding roll.

A still further object of the invention is` to provide strip-guiding apparatus of the type described, wherein the strip-shifting means effects lateral displacement of the strip by selectively applying laterally directed forces to the respective sides of thecontinuously moving strip.

Av still further object of the invention is toprovide stripguiding apparatus of the type described, whereinstripshifting rolls'areV arranged to selectively engage opposite sides respectively of the continuously movingy strip, to displace the strip laterally to the right or left of its normal path of movement.

A still further object of the invention is to provide strip-guiding apparatus of the type described, wherein the strip-shifting means is automatically actuated by feeler-means responsive to curvature, in a horizontal plane, of the respective edges of the moving strip.

Other objects and advantages, will appear to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with` the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, in which .certain modes of carrying out the present invention. are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improvedy strip-shifting means and feeler-means of the strip-guiding apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, including the strip-rewinding roll; Fig. 3f is a rear elevation of the strip-shifting means partly broken away to show certain parts in section, onef the strip-shifting rolls being in its normal upper inoperative position;

2,737,386 Patented Mar; 6, 1956 ice Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of one of the strip-shiftingv roll units partlyiny section;

Fig. 5 isa front elevation partly in section of the feeler-means on the longitudinal axis thereof;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse section of the feelermeans on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverseV section of the' feelermeans on line 7--7 of Fig'. 5; l

Fig. 8 is a schematic plan viewY of the strip-guiding apparatus with the strip-shifting-` means in its normal inoperative position, and a substantially straight strip mov'- ing'in a straight line coincident with the datum line of the apparatus onto the rewinding roll;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8', but shows a strip Vslightly curved laterallyto the right of the datum line of the apparatus, the lateral curvature of the strip to the le'ft of the datum line being indicated by broken lines; and

Fig. l0 is a schematic illustration of the strip-guiding apparatus, showing the pneumatic circuit and the electric circuit used to cause the strip-shifting rolls tof respond automatically to the feeler-means.

The strip-guiding apparatus of this invention is used for guiding a strip of materiahand in particular a flex.- ible but relatively non-deformable material such as, for example, long strips of thin sheet metal asit is Wound up on va rewinding roll from a supply roll or other source. 'Ille apparatus hasbeenz found to operate'suc'cessfully on continuous lengths of strip metal substantially twentyfour inches wideV and varying,V in thicknessy over a. range of from about 0.004" to about 0.040". It will be ap"- preciated, however, that theA abovemention'ed width and thickness range are commensurate with a particular type of metal and are not limitations on the usefulness vof, the apparatus, whichy may' be used successfully with other materials such as described above.

In the description which follows, the continuous length of strip, indicated generally at 15, is assumed to be drawn from a supply roll or other source (not shown), through the guiding apparatus, onto a power-drivenrewinding roll which is indicatedk at 16. The center line of the normal straightline path of movement of a substantially straight length of striprnaterial is hereinafter referred to as the datum line of the strip, and asl long' as the continuous strip 1S is substantially straight throughout its length, that is to say, has substantially straight edgesin the horizontal plane of the strip, and is. of substantially uniform thickness, it will be wound up on the rewinding roll 16 with the respective edges of the strip in substantial alignment.' However, whenever there' is a slight curvature in the horizontal plane of the strip, the latter tends to creep laterallyto the right or left of-its datum line andv hence producea rewoundfroll having uneven edges. The guidingapparatus of this vinvention is adapted to offset the tendency of a` curved strip to creep'laterally, so as to insure that the opposite edges of successive convolutions of the strip in the roll will be even, that is to say, in substantially vertical alignment.

The strip-guiding apparatus comprises, in theV main, strip-shifting means comprising two substantially identical units, hereinafter referred to as a strip-shifting roll units, and identified generally by the reference characters 17a and 17b respectively, the unit 17a being the right-hand unit and the unit 17b being the left-hand unit, as seen in Figs. 3, 8 and 9; and feeler-means indicated generally at 18,y the feeler-means being arranged to be actuated by lateral displacement of the respective edges of the strip relative to its datum line to selectively actuate t'le stripshifting means l7a and 17b for automatically guiding the strip back to a position substantially coaxial with lits datum line. The general arrangement of the strip-shifting means and feeler-means relative to the rewindingl roll V16 and the path of movement of the strip, is indicated especially well in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein it will be seen that the longitudinal axes of the strip-shifting means, feeler-means and rewinding roll 16 extend substantially transversely of the datum line of the strip and are arranged in. spaced substantially parallel relationship therealong, with their respective centers at the datum line.

Strip-shifting means substantially U-shaped frame turned on its side so as to be supported by its lower horizontal arm 19 on the upper surface of the base 21 of the apparatus. The U-shaped frame is adapted to be fastened on the top-plate of the base 21 for pivotal adjustment thereon in a horizontal plane, as and for the purpose hereinafter described, and to this end, the lower arm 19 of the frame is provided with a vertical aperture to accommodate pivotal fastening means which may be a bolt 22 engaged in a vertical aperture in the top-plate 2t) of the base and secured therein by a nut-and-washer assembly, as shown especially well in Fig. 3. The opposite upper arm 23 of the U-shaped frame is supported in vertically spaced substantially parallel relationship to the lower arm 19 of the frame by the substantially vertical connection post 24.

Mounted between the horizontal disposed upper and lower arms 23 and 19 respectively of the U-shaped frame is a set of strip-shifting rolls comprising an upper roll 25 and a lower roll 26, each roll comprising a substantially cylindrical steel bushing 27 mounted on and keyed to a roll-supporting shaft 28, and providing on its outer surface with a substantially cylindrical relatively thick solid tire 29 formed of a resilient material such as, for eX- ample, Neoprene rubber or a rubber-like material. Referring especially to Fig. 4, the shaft 28 of the lower roll 26 is rotatably supported at its opposite ends respectively in the sleeve bearings of bearing blocks 30-30 xedly secured substantially vertically on the upper face of the lower arm 19 of the frame. As seen in Fig. 4, the inner or right-hand end of the shaft 28 extends beyond its respective bearing block 30 and carries a collar 31 which is secured thereto by fastening means such as, for example, a radial screw, to hold the shaft against endwise movement to the left in its bearing blocks. An integral annular flange 32 is provided on the shaft 28 between its right-hand bearing block 30 and the adjacent face of the roll to assume the axial thrust of the roll in a direction inwardly or to the right along the shaft 28. The outer or left-hand end of the shaft 28 extends beyond the corresponding bearing block 30 and is provided with a thrust bearing, indicated generally at 33, the latter beingl mounted on the shaft between the outer face of the lefthand bearing block 30 and the adjacent face of a collar 34 pinned or otherwise secured to the reduced outer end of the shaft. It will be clear from the foregoing description and the disclosure in Fig. 4, that a lateral force acting on the roll 26 to thrust it axially to the right, as seen in Fig. 4, is transmitted to the integral ange 32 of the shaft and by the latter back to the collar 34, which serves to transmit the thrust to the thrust bearing 33, which bears against the left-hand bearing block 30. The aforesaid reduced outer end of the shaft 28 of the lower roll 26 is extended to project through a horizontal axially The upper roll 25 is supported on a shaft 28 which,

y in turn, is rotatably supported at its opposite ends respectively in sleeve bearings in corresponding arms 35-35 of an inverted substantially U-shaped yoke 36. Like the lower roll 26, an axial thrust on the upper roll 25 is transmitted by the shaft collar 34, and an annular flange 32 to an end thrust bearing 33 which is mounted on the outer end of the shaft against the outer face of the corresponding yoke arm 3S.

The yoke 36 is supported from the upper substantially horizontal arm 23 of the frame for vertical movement relative to the lower roll 26 by three piston rods 37-37 and 38, the latter being secured at their lower ends to the crossbar of the yoke 36 substantially in the vertical plane thereof. The upper ends of the three piston rods are adapted to extend up through the bushed frame arm 23 and into the bases of three air cylinders 39-39 and 40 respectively, which are mounted substantially vertically on the top of the frame arm 23. A piston is provided on the upper end of each piston rod, the combined effective areas of the two outer pistons 41-41 being less than the effective area of the center piston 42. The base of each outer cylinder 39 is provided with a radial tap to accommodate the end of a feed pipe for delivering air, under pressure, into each outer cylinder below its piston 41. The center cylinder 40 is provided with a tap in its top end wall to accommodate the end of a feed pipe for delivering air, under pressure, into the upper end of the cylinder above its piston 42. By this arrangement, air under pressure may be delivered to the lower ends of the outer cylinders 39-39, to force the respective pistons 41-41 upwardly and thereby raise the yoke 36 and its respective roller 25 upwardly with respect to the lower roller 26. By simultaneously introducing air under substantially the same pressure into the center cylinder 40, its piston 42 will, due to its greater effective area, force the yoke downwardly against the resistance to downward movement offered by the two outer cylinders, whereby the yoke 36 is moved downwardly into juxtaposition to the lower roll 26, as and for the purpose hereinafter described.

As shown especially well in Fig. l0 and hereinafter described, the two outer cylinders 39-39 are adapted to be supplied constantly with air under uniform pressure, while the center cylinder 40 is adapted to be supplied with air under substantially the same pressure but at predetermined intervals by means of a solenoid-operated two-way valve, indicated generally at 43, and mounted on the outer end of the upper arm 23 of the frame.

It will be appreciated that both the upper and lower rolls are supported to rotate freely, that is to say, neither roll is power driven. Moreover, free rotation of the lower roll 26 is restrained by means of suitable braking means so as to tension the continuous exible strip 15 as the latter is drawn thereover.

Referring especially to Figs. 2 and 3, the braking means of the lower roll 26 comprises a brake drum 44 keyed to the outer reduced end of the shaft 28 of the lower roll 26, the reduced end of which extends through a bushed aperture of the vertical post 24 of the frame. Arranged for frictional engagement with the brake drum 44 at substantially diametrically opposite sides thereof is a pair of brake shoes 45--45, each of which comprises a substantially L-shaped lever member having an arcuate recess on the inner edge of its long arm for engagement with the brake drum. The righthand brake shoe 45, as seen in Fig. 2, is pivoted at the upper end of its long arm to the post 24 of the frame, while its short arm projects outwardly to the right thereof. The opposite brake shoe 45 is pivoted to the post 24 in an inverted position with respect to the right-hand brake shoe. The outer end of the short arm of the right-hand brake shoe 45 is pivoted to the long arm of a substantially L-shaped brake-shoe-actuating lever member 46, the short arm of which projects inwardly beoffenses low the corresponding brakel shoe and is pivoted toy the post 24 of thcframe. They oppositely disposed L-sliaped lever' member is inverted with respect to the right-hand lever member, its short arm being pivoted to the post 24A above its corresponding brake shoe. Secured to the pivoted short arm of. the left-hand lever 46 is one end of a coil spring 47, the opposite end offwhi'ch is fas'- tened toI an adjustable screw 48 carriedon the upper end of the long arm of the right-hand lever member. A similar spring connection is made between the lower end of the long arm of'the left-hand lever member 46 and the pivoted short arm of the right-hand lever meniber.

In accordance with' this construction, the brake shoes 45v45r are continuously' held by the springs 47--4-7 in frictional engagement with the brake drum 44, thereby restraining free rotation of the bottom roller 26. By turning the adjusting screws 48--48 of the lever-member-s t6-46, frictional engagement of the brake shoes 45;-"45fwith the brake` drum 44 may be varied.-

As pointed out at the outset, the U-shaped frame of each strip-shifting roll unit 17a and 171) respectively ist supported on the top-plate 20' of the base 21 for pivotal adjustment in a horizontal plane. Thus, pursuant to the objects of the invention, the longitudinal axes of the respective sets of rolls may be turned outwardly at predetermined acute angles with respect to the datum line of the strip and in planes substantially parallel tothe horizontal plane thereof'. Consequently, whenever one set of rolls is brought into operative engagement with the corresponding side of the strip', this set of rolls will exert force components on the strip" acting in: the direction of its movement but outwardly at a predetermined acute anglev relative to its longitudinal path of movement. The effect of this force component is to drag the strip in the direction in which the force component acts and thus to shift the strip laterally ofv its path of movement'. By employing two sets of angularly disposed rolls arranged to be selectively brought into operative engagement with corresponding sides of the strip, in the manner hereinafter described, any tendency of. the strip' to creep to ther right or left of its datum line during rewinding, may be automatically overcome by actuating the proper set of roll's to set up force components counteracting the creep of the strip, thereby to drag the latter back to normalcy, whereby its respective edges will lie in substantially vertical planes on the re"- Windi-ng roll.

Where the flexible stripy comprisesl relatively thin sheet-metal stock, the optimum predetermined angle at which each pair of rolls is set is substantially 11/2, the .range of. angular settings of the respectivev sets of rolls being between substantially 1.1/2" and 5, depending upon the thinness of the strip, its flexibility, uniformity and the speed at which it is drawn through the rolls.

In order that each unit may be locked securely in any predetermined angular position with respect tothe datum line of the strip 15, the upper plate 20 of the base 21 is provided at its opposite ends with. arcuate slots 49 -49 respectively, as shown especially well in Fig. l, the arc of each slot being swung from centers coincident with the pivotal means ot' the respective units. Each arcuate slot 49 is adapted` to receive one or morelockbolts 50 carried by thelower armA 19 of the corresponding unita Having set the respective units 17a and 1.7b at a predetermined angle with respect: to the datum line of the strip, the corresponding lock-bolts 50/-50 may be tightened up in the respective arcuate slots 49Y-49` to xedly secure the units against pivotal displacement. A suitableY scale may be provided on` thev top-plate 2i) of the base 21 adjacent the outer ends of therespective units to indicate the angular adjustment thereof.

F eeler-means The aforesaidfeeler-niens, indicated generally at 18,

is supported on the topfptate 2'0 ofV the apparatus bjctweeu therewindug roll Io'and theY strip-shifting units 17'and 17h, as indicated especially 4well in Figs. I and: 2', and comprisesa fixed guideolock 51 substantially recitangular in cross' section provided at each end with longitudinal grooves 57E-52E respectively, vwhich are' coaxial with' the longitudinal axis of the block an'd'inter'sect the bottom facetherec'af.` Eachl longitudinal groove 52 is substantially Tshaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2, to provide spaced parallel shoulders on which to support the head of a hold-*down bolt 53, by which the guidebloch 5'1 is ixedly secured to the top-plate Z0 of the base 21". Preferably and as shown in Fig'. 5, spacing washers are held by theV hold-'down ybolts 53between the underside of the" guide-'block and the top-plate 20,` to support ther guide=block` iii-vertically spaced relationship thereon. B'y loosening the nuts of the respective holddown bolts 53m-53, theguide-block $1 may be adjusted laterally or the top-plate 20 for properly relating the block to the datumline of the strip 15.

Extendinglongitudinally of the upper face of the guide'- blockv` 51" is a substantially U-'shaped guide-groove 55 whichis substantially coaxiall with the longitudinal axis thereof, each end of the guide-groove 5'5' being closed by a crossbar 56 extending transversely thereof. The bottom of thev guide-groove 5Sz is' intersected by substantially ver# tical apertures 5757 which extend down through the guide-block SAI' adjacent opposite ends thereof respectively, eachrvertic'al aperture 57' being adapted toVv accommodate a' feeler=bar supporting roller 58 which is rotatably mounted in its respective aperttireS on an axis extending trans'- vers'ely of the guide-'groove 55:, the periphery of each ro1l er`8` being arranged to extend slightly above the bottom ofv the guide=groove 55, as shown especiallywe'll in Figs. F" and 6; Further, the"v vertical walls of the gidegroove S51-inwardly of' each respective supporting roller 58 are provided with two' pairs of opposit'ely disposed substanti'ally vertical pockets', each pocket having a guide-roller 60 supported therein for rotation on aj substantially vertical axis, the periphery of each guideeroller 60 being'adapted to project inwardly beyond the face of the corresponding verticalv wall ofthe guidegr'oove S5, in the manner shown especially well in Fig. 7. The guide-groove 55 is also intersec'ted by a vertical substantially U-s'haped aperturejl, which' is located intermediate the two longitudinally spaced pairs' of guidero'llers 60, and extends transversely ofv thev guide-block 51 to'intersect' the opposite sides thereof respectively. The U-shaped aperture 6i is adapted to accommodate a pair of micro-switches 62;-'62 which are supported therein4 below the bottom of the guidegrooveY 55 with theirrespective. switch-actuating fingers in opposed relationship. inthe present embodiment of the invention, eachinioro-switch 62 is secured to an arm '63, whiclirprojects intothe U-shaped aperture 61 adjacent one end thereof from a side-plate 64 which is secured to the outer wall ofthe guide-block 51 to close orfthe corre sponding side of'tlie U'shaped. aperture 61. A similar side-closure plate 65 is fastened on the opposite outer Wall of 'the guide-block. 5I to close the correspondingy side of the U-shaped aperture 61..,tl'1e sideplates 64 and 65 being shown especially well in Fig. 7.

A feeler-bar 66,- subst'antially rectangular in cross section,y is mounted in the guide-groove 55 of the guidev` block 5I, the bottom of the feeler-bar 66 resting onthc aforesaid rollers 58f-58`in .the bottom of the groove, and the opposite substantially vertical sides of the feeler-bar 68'y engaging the respective rollers 60)-60 in the corresponding sidewalls of the guide-groove 55. The feele'rbar6'6 is thus'supportedin the guide-groove SSfor substantially unrestrained longitudinal movement therein. Depending: from the underside of the feeler-baro sub'- s'tanti'ally intermediate its opposite ends' and into the vertical U-shapedaperture'l ofthe g'udeLblockb'ar 51, is artgidY tongue 61 which is interposed between theoppositelyjdsposed switch-actuating lingers of the microlsw'itches 62;-

62, the thickness of the tongue 67 being such that when the feeler-bar 66 is in its normal substantially central position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the guide-block, the right and left faces respectively of the tongue 67 will be spaced slightly from the switch-actuating lingers of the respective micro-switches 62-62. Consequently, each micro-switch 62 is adapted to be actuated by relatively small longitudinal displacement of the feeler-bar 66 either to the right or left of its normal central position, as seen in Fig. 5, as and for the purpose hereinafter described. In this connection, it will be noted that the aforesaid crossbars 56-56 at opposite ends respectively of the guideblock 51 serve to prevent the feeler-bar 66 from moving longitudinally out of the guide-groove 55.

Formed in the upper face of the feeler-bar 66 and eX- tending longitudinally thereof throughout its length, is a groove 67 which is substantially inverted-T-shaped in cross section as shown especially well in Figs. 6 and 7, and adapted to accommodate adjusting-bolts 68-68 disposed at opposite ends respectively of the groove 67 for securing feeler-plates 69-69 on the top of the feeler-bar 66. As seen in Fig. 5, each feeler-plate 69 is substantially rectangular and has a relatively thick base-portion which projects at substantially right angles thereto and is provided with a vertical aperture to accommodate one of the aforesaid adjusting-bolts 68 for fastening the base-portion of the feeler-plate 69 securely to and in a predetermined adjusted position along the top of the feeler-bar 66. In this connection, the bottom of the base-portion of each feeler-plate is provided with a substantially U-shaped groove 70 extending substantially at right angles to the plane of its respective feeler-plate, the width of the groove corresponding substantially to the width of the feeler-bar 66. Thus, by sliding the grooved base-portion of each feeler-plate onto opposite ends respectively of the feelerbar 66, each feeler-plate 69 is supported in a vertical plane at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the feeler-bar. Adjustment of the respective feeler-plates 69-69 longitudinally of the feeler-bar 66 is provided so as to adapt the feeler-means for use with continuous flexible strips of Various widths.

It is believed to be clear that a displacement of either feeler-plate 69 longitudinally relative to the guide-block 51, i. e., laterally of the datum line of the strip 15, will automatically effect corresponding lateral displacement of the feeler-bar 66 thereby imparting similar movement to its rigid tongue 67 for actuating the switch-actuating nger of one of the micro-switches, as and for the purposes hereinafter described.

Automatic control-circuit The aforesaid strip-shifting means 17a- 17h and feelermeans 18 are automatically controlled by means of an electro-pneumatic circuit which couples the strip-shifting means to the feeler-means for guiding the iiexible strip constantly as it is being wound up on the rewinding roll 16.

Referring especially to Fig. l0, the electric circuit cornprises a power source indicated by the conductors 71 and 72, the conductor 71 being connected by a lead 73 to corresponding sides of a pair of solenoids 74-74 arranged in cooperative relationship with the aforesaid two-way valves 43-43 respectively of the strip-shifting means. Opposite sides of the respective solenoids 74-74 are connected by leads 76--76to corresponding sides of the respective micro-switches 62-62, the opposite sides of which are connected by a common lead 77 to the conductor 72 of the power source. The micro-switches 62--62 are normally open.

Assuming current to be flowing in the conductors 71-72, then whenever the left-hand micro-switch 62 is closed by engagement of the laterally displaced tongue 67 therewith coincident with the lateral displacement o f the left-hand feeler-plate 69, current will ow to the right-hand solenoid 74, as seen in Fig. l0, and energize the latter, thereby moving its respective two-way Y valve 43 from its normal closed position to its open position. Similarly, whenever the right-hand microswitch 62 is closed, the solenoid 74 of the left-hand twoway valve 43 will be energized to move the corresponding valve into its open position. When either microswitch is disengaged by the tongue 67 of the feeler-bar, it Will automatically open, whereupon its respective solenoid will be deenergized and a spring 75 of the corresponding two-way valve will close the latter.

The pneumatic circuit used in conjunction with the electric circuit of the feeler-means 18 for automatically controlling the operation of the strip-shifting means 17a-17b comprises a main air-supply pipe 78 which is supplied with air under substantially constant pressure which, in the present embodiment of the invention, is substantially pounds per square inch. Leading olf from the main supply pipe 78 are four feed pipes 79, each of which is connected to one of the outer cylinders 39 of the strip-shifting means adjacent the base thereof so as to feed air under pressure into the cylinders below the respective pistons 41. Thus, each pair of pistons 41-41 are subjected normally to a substantially constant pressure of 80 pounds per square inch, which serves to hold the pistons at the upper ends of their respective cylinders 3939, whereby the corresponding yoke 36 and the upper strip-shifting roll 25 carried thereby is held up in vertically spaced relationship to its respective lower roll 26, in the manner indicated by the right-hand set of rolls of Figs. 3 and l0.

Connecting the air-supply pipe 78 to each two-way valve 43--43 are feed pipes 80-80 respectively for delivering air under substantially 80 pounds of pressure to the respective two-way valves at points therein substantially opposite the normal positions of the respective valve members thereof, which serve thus to close off the feed pipes Btl-80. Leading from the two-way valves at points below the respective valve members thereof are feed pipes 8181, each of which is connected into the upper end wall of the center cylinder 40 of one of the strip-shifting roll units for delivering air thereto above its respective piston 42. Each twoway valve 43 is also provided with an exhaust port which is open when the valve member is in its normal closed position, for exhausting air from its respective cylinder 40 to the atmosphere, each exhaust port being closed 0E from the atmosphere by the valve member whenever the latter is in its open position, so that air under pressure in the valve will flow into feed pipe 81, as indicated by the left-hand two-way valve of Fig. 10.

Operation The operation of the strip-guiding apparatus is as follows. Let it be assumed that the electro-pneumatic control circuits are energized and that the feeler-plates 69-69 of the feeler-means are in a neutral position, that is to say, each is substantially equally spaced on opposite sides respectively of the datum line `of the continuous exible strip 15. The micro-switches 624-62 being disengaged will thus be open and the respective solenoids de-energized, whereby the two-way valves are held closed by the action of the springs 75-75 respectively. With the valves closed, the center cylinders 40--40 of the respective sets of rolls are cut olf from the airpressure supply pipe 78, in the manner hereinabove described, while air pressure is delivered by the feed pipes 79-79 to the two outer cylinders of the respective sets of rolls to hold the yokes 36-36 and their respective rolls 25-25 in their vertically elevated positions with respect to the lower rolls 26-26. It is further assumed that the continuous metal strip has been passed between the two sets of rolls and the feeler-plates and fastened at its free end to the rewind roll 16, and that the rewind roll 16 is rotating in a direction to pull the strip 15 from its supply source through the strip-shifting rolls and feeler-plates' beneath a hold-down roll 82 'avances and onto the rewind roll 16' As long as the continuous strip. is substantially straight throughout its length and its longitudinal axis is coincident with its vdatum line, as shown in Fig. 8, the feeIer-means and stripshifting rolls will remain inoperative and the strip will be wound up on the rewind roll 16, with the opposite edges of the rolled strip lying in substantially vertical planes respectively. However, whenever there is curvature inthe continuous length of strip I5` in the horizontal plane thereof so that its edges are, in effect, sinusoidal, then as the strip is drawn between the feel- .er-pl'tes 69-69 of. the feeler-means, the feeler-plates will be displaced to the right or to the left, as the case may be, to actuate the corresponding micro-swicthes .6i- 62 for operating the strip=shifting rolls.y

By way of example, assuming that the curvature in the length of strip is such that its edges fare displaced to' the'right of its datum line, in the manner indicated by the full lines in Fig, 9,-then the right-hand edge of the strip will engage the right-hand'f'eeler-plate of the feelerimeans and displace the latter laterally to the right, thereby moving the rigid tongue of the feeleri-bar into engagement'with. the right-hand micro-switch 62ste close the' latter, as indicated in Fig. l0. Thereupon, the left'- 'Iand'solenoid 74 of the strip-shifting rneans is energized to open the two-way valve 43' and permit air unfder pressure to be delivered by way ofV the interconnected feed pipes 80 and 81 to the center cylinder 40 ofthe" left-hand unit, whereby its piston 42.y is moved downwardly against the resistance oered by the two outer pistons l1-41, both of which pistons are urged upwardly constantly by air under pressure admittedV into the' bottoms of the respective cylinders 38-39, as here inabve' described. However, the area ofY the center piston 42' exceeds the eiective areas' of the pistons '41 41" and, consequently, air pressure acting. on the center' piston 42 forces all three pistons downwardly in their respective cylinders, thereby-moving the yoke 36 and the upper roll of the left-hand strip-shiftingunit downwardly vertically in juxtaposition to the. rollV 26. The corresponding side of the strip is thus grippediirmlybetwe'en the upper and lowernv rolls whicharey themselves concurrently rotated by frictional engagement with the strip being drawn therethrough.. Since the lower roll 26 is restrained by the brakingmeans-rom rotating. freely, the lower roll serves to exert aA slight drag onv the strip which tensions the length ofn strip between the shifting rolls andthe rewind-rol1`1l Moreover, as setl forth above, each strip-shifting. roll. unit is turned about its vertical axis 22 outwardly atapredetermined acute angle relative to the datum line othe strip whereby components of the force exerted by'. the rewindng roll 16 on the strip to pull the stripl through the upper and lower rolls of the left-hand unitare de- Veloped" by the rolls 25 andr 26 on the upper vand lower surfaces Yof the strip and substantially. at rightf angles. to the longitudinal axes of the rolls, the direction of{ these force components being outwardly at an. acute angle from the corresponding edge of the strip. The effect of these force components acting thus on the lefuhand sde of` the strip is to urgethe curved strip to shift laterally to the left so as to bring the curved edges of the strip, which were offset laterally to therightiofr the datuni line of the strip, back. to a normal position with respect to its datum line. Thus, as the strip' is-wound up on the rewinding. roll 16, opposite edges ofv the strip Willile in substantially Vertical planesrespectively Asthe edges of the strip are brought back.- int their vsubstantially normal positions with respect tothe-datum lineofthe strip, the feeler-plates are moved back substantially to their original positions, whereupon: the right- .hand micro-switch is disengaged and automatically opens. The left-hand solenoid is then deenergized, whereuponnthe 'spring 75 otY the left-hand two-way valve elosesitlrellat- Aplate 69 will displa'cethe latter andl close the kcori-espending;` micro-switch, whereupon the righthand solenoid will he energized toL close the corresponding two-way valve and cause thc'up'pcrl 'rollerof'tlic` right-hand `roll unit to be thrust downwardly into engagement withV the righthand side` of the stripto developV force components thereon-'tending'to drag th'cweb tothe-right,l and thereby move its edges back intov theirnormal positions'with respect tothe datumline` ofthe strip, inthe manner hereinabove described.

Thus, asa continuous 'strip` is drawn through. the strip- 'sh'fting rollsand feder-means; lateral displacement of the edges of4 the-'strip fromr their normal positions with respcctto thel datum-line of: the strip, automatically actuafcs the feelermeans and strip-shifting'rolls to shift the strip laterally so that as they strip: is being wound' up on thefrew'inding roll, opposite edges ot the strip will lic in substantially vertical planes respectively.

The invention is thus characterized by strip-shifting means responsive to'rele'rsrneans and independent of the rewindingioll for4 imposing laterally and outwardly act ing forces onv the respectiveesidesofthestrip intermediate the supply source-y ortl'iey strip and' the strip-rewinding roll .to shift thelstrip" laterally' of'its-n'ornial path or'inovement, the structure-,of the-sfrip-guiding'apparatus*being of durable and" dependable construction adapted" to' accommodate-strip material' of'various widths and thicknesses and operable automatically withA a minimumv of supervision;

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristicsof'the invention, umili-.licv present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered-in all respects asvillusirative and not restrictive, and all changes coming Within'tlrel meaning" and equivalency range ofV the appcndedjclaims are intended 'to he embracedtherein.

1`.` Ina stripsg'uidin'g apparatus, theco'nibination with a continuous lengtho'str'ip subiecfed to lateral deviations from a desired daturn'linc; and a driven roll adapted to windthc strip-1 continuously thereon: realer-means cornprisi-'ng a roeier-bar arranged to ino've freely substantially laterallyof the datumv linejofsaid strip, and a pair of feler-pl-ates mounted onsaid realer-bar adjacent oppositeends thereof'for'cngageincntwith the opposite edges respectively of saidV strip, said'feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrently with the lateral displacement of said feeler-platcs by lateral deviations of" the respective edges ofi saidstrp from saidfdaturnv line; a switch-actuating element'carried by said freeler-bar; micro-switches arranged on opposite` sides respectively of said switch-actuating clement and arranged' to be selectively actuated th'ercby'duc( to lateral displacement of' said f'celer-ba'r; strip-shifting means comprising two'sets'ofr'olls; framenleans arranged to support said setsof rolls' adjacent the respective sides of the continuously moving strip with the longitudinal axes' of the rolls at an acute angle to said datum line, each set of rolls being arranged to engage the upper' and lowery surfaces 'respectivelyV of tlie strip` to selectively impose' forcesV on thev corresponding sides of the strip to'sliift the laiterlaterally with respect to said datum line; and electriopneumatic"means responsive to theI operation of"v said felerplatcs" to selectively actuate said strip-shifting rolls, the rolls on one side of the strip engaging the same when the feeler-plate on the opposite side of the strip is engaged by the strip.

2. IIn a strip-guiding apparatus, the combination with a continuous length of strip subjected .to lateral deviations from a desired datum line, and a driven roll adapted to wind the strip continuously thereon: feeler-means comprising a feeler-bar arranged to move freely substantially laterally of the datum line of said strip, and a pair of feeler-plates mounted on said feeler-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof for engagement with the opposite edges respectively of said strip, said feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrently with the lateral' displacement of said feeler-plates by lateral deviations of the respective edges of said strip from said datum line; a switch-actuating element carried by said feeler-bar; micro-switches arranged on opposite sides respectively of said switchactuating element and arranged to be selectively actuated thereby due to lateral displacement of said feeler-bar;

strip-shifting means comprising two sets of rolls; framemeans arranged to support said sets of rolls adjacent the respective sides of the continuously moving strip with the longitudinal axes of the rolls at an acute angle to said datum line, each set of rolls comprising a bottom roll arranged to engage the under surface of the strip and a top roll movable substantially vertically with respect to said bottom roll and supported normally out of operative engagement with the upper surface of said strip, and pneumatic-means connected with the upper roll of each set of rolls and arranged to be actuated to selectively move the respective upper rolls down into engagement with the upper surface of said strip to impose forces on the corresponding sides of thev strip to shift the latter laterally with respect to said datum line; and electrically energized means cooperatively associated with said pneumatic-means and responsive to the actuation of said micro-switches to actuate said pneumatic-means for selectively moving the upper rolls of each set of rolls down into operative engagement with the upper surface of said strip, the rolls on one side of the strip engaging the same when the feeler-plate on the opposite side of the strip is engaged by the strip.

3. In a strip-guiding apparatus, the combination with a` continuous length of strip subjected to lateral deviations from a desired datum line, and a driven roll adapted to wind the strip continuously thereon: feeler-means comprising a feeler-bar arranged to move freely substantially 4laterally of the datum line of said strip, and a pair of feeler-plates mounted on said feeler-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof for engagement with the opposite edges respectively of said strip, said feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrently with the lateral displacement of said feeler-plates by lateral deviations of the respective edges of said strip from said datum line; a switch-actuating element carried by said feeler-bar; micro-switches arranged on opposite sides respectively of said switch-actuating element and -arranged to be selectively actuated thereby due to lateral displacement of said feeler-bar; strip-shifting means comprising two sets of rolls; framemeans arranged to support said sets of rolls adjacent the respective sides of the continuously moving strip with the longitudinal axes of the rolls at an acute angle to said datum line, each set of rolls comprising a bottom roll arranged to engage the under surface of the strip and a top roll disposed above the upper surface of said strip and movable substantially vertically with respect to the bottom roll, and pneumatic-means connected with the upper roll of each set of rolls, said pneumatic-means being arranged normally to hold said upper roll normally in its upper inoperative position with respect to its lower roll, said pneumatic-means being arranged to be actuated to move its upper roll down into operative engagement with the upper surface of said strip to impose forces on the correspondingsides of the strip to shift the latter laterally with respect to said datum line; and solenoids Vconnected with the respective pnuematic-means of said sets of rolls and responsive to the actuation of said microswitches to actuate said pneumatic-means for selectively operating the respective upper rolls of each set of rolls, the rolls on one side of the strip engaging the same when the feeler-plate on the opposite side of the strip is engaged bythe strip.

4. In a strip-guiding apparatus, the combination with a continuous length of strip subjected to lateral deviations from a desired datum line, and a driven roll adapted to wind the strip continuously thereon: feeler-means comprising a feeler-bar arranged to move freely substantially laterally of the datum line of said strip, and a pair of feeler-plates mounted on said feeler-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof for engagement with the opposite edges respectively of said strip, said feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrently with the lateral displacement of said feeler-plates by lateral deviations of the respective edges of said strip from said datum line; a switch-actuating element carried by said feeler-bar; micro-switches arranged on opposite sides respectively of said switchactuating element and arranged to be selectively actuated thereby due to lateral displacement of said feeler-bar; strip-shifting means comprising two sets of rolls; framemeans arranged to support said sets of rolls adjacent the respective sides of the continuously moving strip with the longitudinal axes of the rolls at an acute angle to said datum line, each set of rolls comprising a bottom roll arranged'to engage the under surface of the strip and a top roll disposed above the upper surface of said strip and movable substantially vertically with respect to the bottomroll, and pneumatic-means connected with the upper roll of each set of rolls, said pneumatic-means being arranged normally to hold said upper roll normally in its upper inoperative position with respect to its lower roll, said pneumatic-means being arranged to be actuated to move its upper roll down into operative engagement with the upper surface of said strip to impose forces on the corresponding sides of the strip to shift the latter laterally with respect -to said datum line; solenoids connected with the respective pneumatic-means of said sets of rolls and responsive to the actuation of said microswitches to actuate said pneumatic-means for selectively operating the respective upper rolls of each set of rolls;

d and brake-means on said lower rolls to restrain'the rotation thereof, the rolls on one side of the strip engaging the same when the feeler-plate on the opposite side of the strip is engaged by the strip.

5. In a strip-guiding apparatus, the combination with a continuous length of strip subjected to lateral deviations from a desired datum line during passage of said strip along said line, of feeler-means comprising a feelerbar arranged to move laterally of the datum line of said strip and having feeler-plates adjacent opposite ends thereof for engagement with the opposite edges of said strip, said feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrentlywith the lateral displacement of said feeler-plates by lateral deviations of said strip from said datum line, strip-shifting means including a pair of rolls disposed adjacent each edge of the strip, and means for selectively engaging said rolls in pairs with the strip in response to engagement of the oppositely disposed feeler-element by the strip.

6. In a strip-guiding apparatus, the combination with a continuous length of strip subjected to lateral deviations from a desired datum line during passage of said strip along said line, of feeler-means comprising a feeler-bar arranged to move laterally of the datum line of said strip and having feeler-plates adjacent opposite ends thereof `for engagement with the opposite edges of said strip, said feeler-bar being displaced laterally concurrently with the lateral displacement of said feeler-plates by lateral deviations of said strip from said datum line, strip-shifting meansA including a pair of rolls disposed adjacent each edge of said strip, each pair of rollsbeing arranged to 13 engage the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the strip to selectively impose forces on the corresponding sides of the strip to shift the latter laterally with respect to said datum line, and means responsive to the lateral displacement of said feeler-bar for selectively engaging said rolls in pairs with the strip when said feeler-bar is displaced laterally by engagement of the oppositely disposed feeler-plate by the strip.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 642,141 Lyon Jan. 30, 1900 14 Kay Aug. 29, Tackaberry July 3l, Hamilton July l, Tackaberry Sept. 6, Sperry Aug. 22, Ferm Nov. l1, Hetherington I an. 18, Hetheringt'on July 4, Kunzle Oct. 12, Haringx July l2,

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