Variable width strip conditioner

Claim 2

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path, second work rolls transversely aligned with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path, means to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls, third work rolls for deflecting the center portion of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls, first support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip alaong the one edge thereof in the predetermined path, second support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls and said first support rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof in the predetermined path, first mounting structure for said first work rolls and said first support rolls for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby, and second mounting structure for said second work rolls and said second support rolls to mount the same for movement toward and away from said first mounting structure for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby.

Claim 3

The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said first work rolls and said second work rolls deflect the associated edge portions of the strip out of the predetermined path in one direction and then in the other direction while the adjacent center portion of the strip is held in the predetermined path, said first and second work rolls working the adjacent edge portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof.

Claim 4

The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said means to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip is support rolls contacting the opposite surfaces of the strip at points disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls.

Claim 5

The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said third work rolls deflect the center portion of the strip out of the predetermined path in one direction and then in the other direction to work the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof.

Claim 6

The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting structures are mounted to move in unison toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the associated predetermined path.

Claim 7

The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting structures are manually movable toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path.

Claim 8

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widthS comprising means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path, second work rolls transversely aligned with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path, means to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls, third work rolls for deflecting the center portion of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls, first support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip along the one edge thereof in the predetermined path, second support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls and said first support rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof in the predetermined path, a first set of edge guides engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the one side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, a second set of edge guides engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the other side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, first mounting structure for said first work rolls and said first support rolls and said first set of edge guides for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby, and second mounting structure for said second work rolls and said second support rolls and said second set of edge guides to mount the same for movement toward and away from said first mounting structure for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby.

Claim 9

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widthS comprising means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path, second work rolls transversely aligned with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path, means to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls, third work rolls for deflecting the center portion of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls, first support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip along the one edge thereof in the predetermined path, second support rolls disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls and said first support rolls for holding the edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof in the predetermined path, a first set of edge guides engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the one side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, a second set of edge guides engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the other side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, first mounting structure for said first work rolls and said first support rolls and said first set of edge guides for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby, and second mounting structure for said second work rolls and said second support rolls and said second set of edge guides to mount the same for movement toward and away from said first mounting structure for positioning the same at selected distances away from the center line of the predetermined path to accommodate corresponding different widths of strips to be engaged thereby.

Claim 10

The apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said edge guides are guide rolls mounted to rotate about axes disposed substantially normal to the predetermined path.

Claim 11

The apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said first set of edge guides are fixed in a selected position with respect to the center line of the predetermined path of the strip, and said second set of edge guides are continually and resiliently urged against the associated other side edge of the strip and thus to urge the one side edge of the strip against the associated first set of edge guides.

Claim 12

The apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said first work rolls and said first support rolls and said first set of edge guides are fixedly positioned with respect to each other on said first mounting structure and move together toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path.

Claim 13

The apparatus set forth in claim 7, wherein said second work rolls and said second support rolls are fixedly mounted with respect to said second mounting structure and move together toward and away from said first mounting structure, and said second set of edge guides is movably mounted with respect to said second mounting structure as well as being movable therewith.

Claim 14

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying second means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, second mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement towarD and maay from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying third means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, first work rolls mounted on said first mounting structure for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, second work rolls mounted on said second mounting structure and in substantial transverse alignment with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said frame to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls, third work rolls mounted on said frame for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said first and second mounting structures and disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls to hold the edge portions of the strip in the predetermined path, and means for moving said first and second mounting structures on said frame toward and away from each other and the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus.

Claim 15

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying second means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, second mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement towarD and maay from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying third means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, first work rolls mounted on said first mounting structure for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, second work rolls mounted on said second mounting structure and in substantial transverse alignment with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said frame to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to said first and second work rolls, third work rolls mounted on said frame for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said first and second mounting structures and disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls to hold the edge portions of the strip in the predetermined path, and means for moving said first and second mounting structures on said frame toward and away from each other and the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus.

Claim 16

Apparatus set forth in claim 12, wherein the means for moving said first and second mounting structures on said frame is a shaft mounted on said frame and having two threaded portions engaging in threaded nuts respectively connected to said mounting structures, said portions being threaded in opposite senses whereby rotation of said shaft in one direction moves said mounting structures away from each other and rotation of said shaft in the other direction moves said mounting structures toward each other.

Claim 17

The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein two of said shafts are provided on the opposite ends of said frame and means is provided interconnecting said shafts to cause simultaneous operation thereof.

Claim 18

The apparatus set forth in claim 13, wherein a handle is provided on said shaft accessible to a user to permit ready rotation of said shaft for adjustment of the positions of said mounting structures.

Claim 19

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying second means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, second mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying third means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, first work rolls mounted to said first mounting structure for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, second work rolls mounted on said second mounting structure and in substantial transverse alignmetn with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said frame to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to saId first and second work rolls, third work rolls mounted on said frame for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means on said first and second mounting structures disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls to hold the edge portions of the strip in the predetermined path, a first set of edge guides mounted on said first mounting structure and engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the one side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, a second set of edge guides mounted on said second mounting structure and engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the other side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, and means for moving said first and second mounting structures on said frame toward and away from each other and the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus.

Claim 20

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, first mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying second means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, second mounting structure mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path and carrying third means supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along the predetermined path, first work rolls mounted to said first mounting structure for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, second work rolls mounted on said second mounting structure and in substantial transverse alignmetn with said first work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means mounted on said frame to hold the center longitudinal portion of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to and disposed transversely with respect to saId first and second work rolls, third work rolls mounted on said frame for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, means on said first and second mounting structures disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls to hold the edge portions of the strip in the predetermined path, a first set of edge guides mounted on said first mounting structure and engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the one side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, a second set of edge guides mounted on said second mounting structure and engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the other side edge of the strip in a predetermined direction through said supporting means and said work rolls and said support rolls, and means for moving said first and second mounting structures on said frame toward and away from each other and the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus.

Claim 21

The apparatus set forth in claim 16, wherein said first set of edge guides comprises a plurality of edge guide rolls mounted on said first mounting structure for rotation about axes fixed with respect thereto and disposed normal to the surface of the associated strip in the predetermined path thereof, and said second set of edge guides includes pneumatic motor means fixedly mounted on said second mounting structure and carrying edge guide rolls engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip for rotation about axes disposed normal to the surface of the associated strip in the predetermined path thereof, said pneumatic motor means continually urging the rolls in said second set of edge guides against the adjacent side edge of the strip.

Claim 22

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, a clamping bracket shiftably mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the predetermined path in a direction substantially normal thereto, first and second mounting structures respectively mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, third and fourth mounting structures respectively mounted on said first and second mounting structures for movement with respect thereto toward and away therefrom in a direction normal to the predetermined path and for movement therewith toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, a first set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said first and third mounting structures for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, a second set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said second and fourth mounting structures and in substantial transverse alignment with said first set of work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket to hold the center longitudinal portions of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to said first and second set of work rolls, a third set of work rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second sets of work rolls to work the center portIons of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said mounting structures to hold the edge portions of the strip disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls in the predetermined path, means for moving said mounting structures toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus, and means on said frame for continually urging said clamping bracket toward the predetermined path and against said third and fourth mounting structures to urge the rolls on said third and fourth mounting structures toward the cooperating rolls on said first and second mounting structures and to urge the rolls on said clamping bracket toward the rolls on said frame.

Claim 23

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, a clamping bracket shiftably mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the predetermined path in a direction substantially normal thereto, first and second mounting structures respectively mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, third and fourth mounting structures respectively mounted on said first and second mounting structures for movement with respect thereto toward and away therefrom in a direction normal to the predetermined path and for movement therewith toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, a first set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said first and third mounting structures for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, a second set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said second and fourth mounting structures and in substantial transverse alignment with said first set of work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket to hold the center longitudinal portions of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to said first and second set of work rolls, a third set of work rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second sets of work rolls to work the center portIons of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said mounting structures to hold the edge portions of the strip disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls in the predetermined path, means for moving said mounting structures toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus, and means on said frame for continually urging said clamping bracket toward the predetermined path and against said third and fourth mounting structures to urge the rolls on said third and fourth mounting structures toward the cooperating rolls on said first and second mounting structures and to urge the rolls on said clamping bracket toward the rolls on said frame.

Claim 24

The apparatus set forth in claim 18, wherein said third mounting structure is hingedly mounted on said first mounting structure and said fourth mounting structure is hingedly mounted on said second mounting structure.

Claim 25

The apparatus set forth in claim 18, wherein a first spring assembly is provided between said first and third mounting structures and a second spring assembly is provided between second and fourth mounting structures, said spring assemblies urging the associated mounting structures away from each other to an adjusted position.

Claim 26

The apparatus set forth in claim 18, wherein a spring assembly is provided between said frame and said clamping bracket resiliently urging said clamping bracket away from the predetermined path to an adjusted fixed position with respect thereto.

Claim 27

The appartus set forth in claim 18, wherein certain ones of said first and second sets of work rolls are mounted on said first mounting structure to deflect the associated edge portions of the strip out of the predetermined path in one direction, and the other ones of said first and second sets of work rolls are mounted on said third mounting structure to deflect the associated edge portions of the strip out of the predetermined path in the other direction.

Claim 28

The apparatus set forth in claim 18, wherein certain ones of the rolls in said third set of work rolls are mounted on said frame to deflect the associated center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path in one direction, and other ones of the rolls in said third set of work rolls are mounted on said clamping bracket to deflect the associated center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path in the other direction.

Claim 29

The apparatus set forth in claim 18, wherein said means for continually moving said clamping bracket is a pneumatic motor mounted on said frame and connected to said clamping bracket, said clamping bracket having clamping plates slidingly engaging said third and fourth mounting structures to urge the same toward the predetermined path.

Claim 30

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, a clamping bracket shiftably mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the predetermined path in a direction substantially normal thereto, first and second mounting structures respectively mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, third and fourth mounting structures respectively mounted on said first and second mounting structures for movement with respect thereto toward and away therefrom in a direction normal to the predetermined path and for movement therewith toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, a first set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said first and third mounting structures for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, a second set of work rOlls mounted on at lest one of said second and fourth mounting structures and in subsantial transverse alignment with said first set of work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket to hold the center longitudinal portions of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to said first and second set of work rolls, a third set of work rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second sets of work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said mounting structures to hold the edge portions of the strip disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls in the predetermined path, a first set of edge rolls mounted on said first mounting structure and transversely fixed with respect thereto and engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the same in a predetermined direction along the predetermined path, a second set of edge rolls shiftably mounted on said second mounting structure and engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the strip in the predetermined direction along the predetermined path, means mounted on said second mounting structure for continually urging said second set of edge rolls against the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip, means for moving said mounting structures toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus, and means on said frame for continually urging said clamping bracket toward the predetermined path and against said third and fourth mounting structures to urge the rolls on said third and fourth mounting structures toward the cooperating rolls on said first and second mounting structures and to urge the rolls on said clamping bracket toward the rolls on said frame.

Claim 31

Apparatus for conditioning elongated metal strips of different widths comprising a frame having first means thereon supporting the strip for longitudinal movement along a predetermined planar datum path, a clamping bracket shiftably mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from the predetermined path in a direction substantially normal thereto, first and second mounting structures respectively mounted on said frame for movement toward and away from each other and toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, third and fourth mounting structures respectively mounted on said first and second mounting structures for movement with respect thereto toward and away therefrom in a direction normal to the predetermined path and for movement therewith toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path, a first set of work rolls mounted on at least one of said first and third mounting structures for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along one edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, a second set of work rOlls mounted on at lest one of said second and fourth mounting structures and in subsantial transverse alignment with said first set of work rolls for deflecting the longitudinal edge portions of the strip along the other edge thereof out of the predetermined path to work the associated edge portions plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket to hold the center longitudinal portions of the strip in the predetermined path adjacent to said first and second set of work rolls, a third set of work rolls mounted on said frame and said clamping bracket for deflecting the center portions of the strip out of the predetermined path at a point disposed longitudinally from said first and second sets of work rolls to work the center portions of the strip plastically substantially throughout the thickness thereof, rolls mounted on said mounting structures to hold the edge portions of the strip disposed in transverse alignment with said third work rolls in the predetermined path, a first set of edge rolls mounted on said first mounting structure and transversely fixed with respect thereto and engaging the one longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the same in a predetermined direction along the predetermined path, a second set of edge rolls shiftably mounted on said second mounting structure and engaging the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip to guide the strip in the predetermined direction along the predetermined path, means mounted on said second mounting structure for continually urging said second set of edge rolls against the other longitudinally extending side edge of the strip, means for moving said mounting structures toward and away from the center line of the predetermined path so as to accommodate different widths of strips to be worked in said apparatus, and means on said frame for continually urging said clamping bracket toward the predetermined path and against said third and fourth mounting structures to urge the rolls on said third and fourth mounting structures toward the cooperating rolls on said first and second mounting structures and to urge the rolls on said clamping bracket toward the rolls on said frame.

Claim 32

The apparatus set forth in claim 25, wherein said means mounted on said second mounting structure for continually urging said second set of edge rolls being pneumatic motors fixedly mounted on said second mounting structure and operatively connected to said second set of edge rolls.