Adjustable curvature axle assembly for expander rolls and the like

Claim 2

An adjustable-curvature axle assembly, comprising: an axially elongated axle member separated along an axially-extending plane from one end of said axle member along a substantial part of its length into at least two axle elements lying on opposite sides of said plane, said elements being joined together at a second end of said axle member; means supporting the opposite ends of said axle member for free rotation of said axle about a straight longitudinal axis thereof; a single adjusting device for selectively adjusting the curvature of said axle member and for adjusting the angular orientation of said axle member about said longitudinal axis thereof, said adjusting device comprising; an adjusting element having inclined-plane engagement with one of said axle elements, and bearing axially against a second of said axle elements, to apply axial tension and compression forces to said axle elements, respectively; means for selectively rotating said adjusting element; and a releasable clamping element fixed with respect to said supporting means and selectively operable for restraining said axle member against rotation relative to said supporting means about said straight longitudinal axis thereof; said supporting means locating said adjusting element axially with respect to said axle member and rotatably supporting said adjusting element; said adjusting element and said clamping element cooperating, upon rotation of the former and clamping of the latter, to displace said one axle element axially with respect to said second axle member element to adjustably bend said axle; said adjusting element and said clamping element further cooperating, upon rotation of the former and release of the latter, to rotate said axle member about said straight axis as the reaction between said forces produces sufficient friction between said adjusting element and said one axle element to restrain said axle elements against rotation relative to said adjusting element.

Claim 3

An axle assembly as recited in claim 1, said adjusting element and said one of said axle elements having mutually engaging inclined-plane surfaces forming said inclined-plane engagement.

Claim 4

An axle assembly as recited in claim 1, said adjusting element being threaded axially on said one of said axle elements to form said inclined-plane engagement.

Claim 5

An axle assembly as recited in claim 1, said adjusting element comprising a spheroidal element having said inclined-plane engagement with said one of said axle elements adjacent to said one end of said axle member, said supporting means including mounting bracket means conformably receiving said spheroidal element to accommodate relative canting motion thereof accompanying adjustment of the curvature of said axle member, said means for selectively rotating said adjusting element including said bracket means as a component thereof.

Claim 6

An axle assembly as recited in claim 4, said mounting bracKet means including adjusting wheel means rotatable about said straight longitudinal axis, together with means drivingly and pivotally connecting said wheel means with said spheroidal element for joint rotation and accommodation of said relative canting motion.

Claim 7

An axle assembly as recited in claim 5, said pivotal connection providing a pivotal axis extending transverse to said axle and parallel to said axially extending plane.

Claim 8

An axle assembly as recited in claim 1, said adjusting element and said clamping element being circumferentially spaced about said axle member adjacent to said one end thereof.

Claim 9

An axle assembly as recited in claim 7, said means for selectively rotating said adjusting element including a driven annular externally toothed gear wheel drivingly connected with said adjusting element for joint rotation therewith, a driving gear engaging an outer circumference of said gear wheel, and means drivingly connected with said driving gear for adjusting said axle assembly; said driven gear wheel, said driving gear, and said means drivingly connected therewith being circumferentially spaced about said adjusting element.

Claim 10

An axle assembly as recited in claim 8, said driving gear comprising a worm screw extending transversely of said axle member into engagement with said gear wheel.

Claim 11

An axle assembly as recited in claim 7, said clamping element comprising ring means having rotational driving connection with said axle member, stationary bracket means rotatably receiving said ring means, and gripping means constructed and arranged for releasably engaging said bracket means with said ring means to restrain said ring means against rotation therein.

Claim 12

An axle assembly as recited in claim 10, said stationary bracket means comprising a split clamp, said gripping means comprising a movable cam member bearing on said split clamp for adjusting the engagement thereof with said ring means.

Claim 13

An axle assembly as recited in claim 1, together with: a series of bearings mounted in axially spaced relation along said axle; and a series of annular spool members mounted on said bearings in an axially-spaced array.

Claim 14

An axle assembly as recited in claim 12, together with a flexible surface sleeve received circumferentially about said array of spool members for rotation in unison therewith.

Claim 15

An adjustable-curvature axle assembly, comprising: an axle member comprising at least two axially elongated axle elements lying on opposite sides of an axially extending plane, said elements being free of one another from one end of said axle member along a substantial part of its length, and being joined together at a second end of said axle member; means supporting the opposite ends of said axle member for free rotation of said axle about a straight longitudinal axis thereof; a single adjusting device for selectively adjusting the curvature of said axle member and for adjusting the angular orientation of said axle member about said longitudinal axis thereof, said adjusting device comprising; an adjusting element having axially threaded engagement with a free end of one of said axle elements, and bearing axially against a free end of a second of said axle elements, to apply axial tension and compression forces to said elements, respectively; means for selectively rotating said adjusting element; and a releasable clamping element fixed with respect to said supporting means and selectively operable for restraining said axle member against rotation relative to said supporting means about said straight longitudinal axis thereof; said supporting means locating said adjusting element axially with respect to said axle member and rotatably supporting said adjusting element; said adjusting element and said clamping element cooperating, upon rotation of the former and clamping of the latter, to thread said adjusting element along said one axle member element to adjustably bend said axle; said adjusting element and said clamping eLement further cooperating, upon rotation of the former and release of the latter, to rotate said axle member about said straight axis as the reaction between said forces produces sufficient friction between said adjusting element and said one axle element to restrain said axle elements against rotation relative to said adjusting element.

Claim 16

An adjustable-curvature axle assembly, comprising: an axle member comprising at least two axially elongated axle elements lying on opposite sides of an axially extending plane, said elements being free of one another from one end of said axle member along a substantial part of its length, and being joined together at a second end of said axle member; means supporting the opposite ends of said axle member for free rotation of said axle about a straight longitudinal axis thereof; a single adjusting device for selectively adjusting the curvature of said axle member and for adjusting the angular orientation of said axle member about said longitudinal axis thereof, said adjusting device comprising; an adjusting element having axially threaded engagement with a free end of one of said axle elements, and bearing axially against a free end of a second of said axle elements, to apply axial tension and compression forces to said elements, respectively; means for selectively rotating said adjusting element; and a releasable clamping element fixed with respect to said supporting means and selectively operable for restraining said axle member against rotation relative to said supporting means about said straight longitudinal axis thereof; said supporting means locating said adjusting element axially with respect to said axle member and rotatably supporting said adjusting element; said adjusting element and said clamping element cooperating, upon rotation of the former and clamping of the latter, to thread said adjusting element along said one axle member element to adjustably bend said axle; said adjusting element and said clamping eLement further cooperating, upon rotation of the former and release of the latter, to rotate said axle member about said straight axis as the reaction between said forces produces sufficient friction between said adjusting element and said one axle element to restrain said axle elements against rotation relative to said adjusting element.