US3729144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Design of rotary strip accumulator
Assignee: Wean United Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-05
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-08-05
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure relates to a device for accumulating a continuous coil of strip, such as, carbon steel. The device comprises a support upon which the strip material is accumulated by being coiled into two substantially concentric sets of convolutions-an outer set and an inner set-connected by a free reverse loop which orbits between the sets of convolutions. The sets of convolutions are distinguished not only by their relative concentric positions, but by their reversed winding which results in the existence of a numerical balance between the convolutions of the respective sets during periods of strip input and/or output from the device. Accordingly, the rate of change in the number of convolutions in each set is the same; their number increasing as the quantity of the accumulated strip increases and decreasing as the quantity decreases. To accommodate such changes without undesirable collapsing and slippage of the strip, the sets of convolutions are formed against two expansible roller cages which support and guide the strip. The rollers of the cages are provided with interrelated bearing chock assemblies to which are connected mechanical jacks for radially displacing the cages independently. At least some of the rollers of the outer cage are driven by a gear-motor unit directly supportable by the journals of the rollers. The diameters of the rollers of the outer cage are considerably larger than the diameters of the rollers of the inner cage and several of the former are considerably shorter in body length for strip guiding purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 T Bijasiewicz
- 👤 R Somerhalder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:21
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21C; B21C49/00; B65; B65H; B65H19/00; B65H19/10; B65H19/14; B65H2408/00; B65H2408/20; B65H2408/21; B65H2408/211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
422 words
In a strip accumulating device, an inner annular roller cage composed of a plurality of freely rotatable guide rollers, an outer annular roller cage surrounding said inner roller cage and lying in spaced relation thereto, said outer roller cage comprising a plurality of freely rotatable guide rollers, feed means positioNed to feed strip into contact with the inner surface of said outer roller cage, said outer roller cage being adapted to build up an outer set of convolutions and said inner roller cage being adapted to build up an inner set of convolutions; the inner and outer sets of convolutions lying in spaced relation to each other with the outermost convolution of the inner set connected to the innermost convolution of the outer set by a reverse loop of said strip which is freely movable in the space between said sets of convolutions, separate means mounting said guide rollers for radial movement during operation to vary the diameter of the roller cages defined thereby, strip delivery means mounted to withdraw strip from the inside of the inner set of convolutions around said inner roller cage, means for driving said feed means at an independent rate of speed from the rate of speed at which strip is withdrawn from said inner roller cage, whereby the number of convolutions in both the inner and outer sets of convolutions will be increased when the lineal rate of strip feed exceeds the lineal rate of strip withdrawal and decreased when the lineal rate of strip feed is less than the lineal rate of strip withdrawal, the improvement comprising an upright frame for supporting said rollers of said inner and outer cages, said means for mounting said guide rollers including bearing chock assemblies mounted on the opposite ends of said inner cage rollers and inside said frame, a radial slot formed in each bearing chock assembly radially outward of said rollers of said inner cage, radial slots formed in said frame equal in number to said first slots and arranged in planes containing said first slots in which one each of said first and second slots form a set, extended journals formed on said opposite ends of the rollers of the outer cage passing through one of the sets of said first and second slots, said means for mounting said guide rollers also including bearing chock assemblies arranged on the outside of said frame on the opposite ends of the outer cage rollers, and means connected to said bearing chock assemblies for radially moving said guide rollers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
422 words
In a strip accumulating device, an inner annular roller cage composed of a plurality of freely rotatable guide rollers, an outer annular roller cage surrounding said inner roller cage and lying in spaced relation thereto, said outer roller cage comprising a plurality of freely rotatable guide rollers, feed means positioNed to feed strip into contact with the inner surface of said outer roller cage, said outer roller cage being adapted to build up an outer set of convolutions and said inner roller cage being adapted to build up an inner set of convolutions; the inner and outer sets of convolutions lying in spaced relation to each other with the outermost convolution of the inner set connected to the innermost convolution of the outer set by a reverse loop of said strip which is freely movable in the space between said sets of convolutions, separate means mounting said guide rollers for radial movement during operation to vary the diameter of the roller cages defined thereby, strip delivery means mounted to withdraw strip from the inside of the inner set of convolutions around said inner roller cage, means for driving said feed means at an independent rate of speed from the rate of speed at which strip is withdrawn from said inner roller cage, whereby the number of convolutions in both the inner and outer sets of convolutions will be increased when the lineal rate of strip feed exceeds the lineal rate of strip withdrawal and decreased when the lineal rate of strip feed is less than the lineal rate of strip withdrawal, the improvement comprising an upright frame for supporting said rollers of said inner and outer cages, said means for mounting said guide rollers including bearing chock assemblies mounted on the opposite ends of said inner cage rollers and inside said frame, a radial slot formed in each bearing chock assembly radially outward of said rollers of said inner cage, radial slots formed in said frame equal in number to said first slots and arranged in planes containing said first slots in which one each of said first and second slots form a set, extended journals formed on said opposite ends of the rollers of the outer cage passing through one of the sets of said first and second slots, said means for mounting said guide rollers also including bearing chock assemblies arranged on the outside of said frame on the opposite ends of the outer cage rollers, and means connected to said bearing chock assemblies for radially moving said guide rollers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein said means for radially moving said guide rollers includes separate mechanical jacks connected to each bearing chock assembly, means for securing said jacks to said frame, and separate power means for driving the jacks of said inner and outer cage rollers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said extending journals on at least one side of said rollers of said outer cage have further extensions, and means for connecting to said further extensions a power means in which said power means is carried by said further extensions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 3, wherein said power means comprises a gear-motor unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein the major axes of said convolutions lie in a horizontal plane and wherein at least some of the bottom-most guide rollers of said outer cage assume a weight-supporting relationship with the outer set of convolutions, separate drive means for at least one of said bottom rollers of said outer cage, and means for supporting said drive means divorced from said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein at least an adjacent pair of rollers of said outer cage has strip contacting portions substantially shorter than the strip contacting portions of the rollers of said inner cage, a pair of opposed adjustable guides arranged between said adjacent pairs of said outer cage rollers adapted to engage the opposite edges of said strip, and means mounting said guides on said frame for movement towards and away from each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 6, wherein the length of the strip contactinG portions of said adjacent pair of outer cage rollers define the inner extent of movement of said pair of guides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein said rollers of said outer cage are substantially larger in diameter than the rollers of said inner cage, the diameters of the rollers of said outer cage being such that in their innermost radial positions they form a substantially continuous closed circle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 2, including adjustable means arranged between said associated bearing chock assemblies and said jacks of at least one end of each of said rollers of said inner and outer cages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a strip accumulating device according to claim 1, wherein said feed means includes a pinch roll unit and a feed box for guiding a strip from said pinch roll unit to said inner and outer cages, and means for connecting one end of said feed box to said outer cage for movement therewith, but relative to said pinch roll unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |