Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for shaping a substantially continuous strip of material having a substantially uniform cross section into a substantially continuous strip having a non-uniform cross section defined by at least one thick section and two thin sections on opposite sides of said thick section, comprising the steps of: passing said continuous strip having a substantially uniform cross section in the longitudinal direction through a first pair of reduction rolls, at least one of which has an annular slot intermediate the ends thereof, to provide a reducing force to reduce the thickness of only those portions of said strip engaging said roll on opposite sides of said slot, said passing step including the provision of sufficient reducing force on said engaging portions of said strip to cause the unengaged portion of said strip to form a buckled portion in said slot, and passing the strip coming through said first pair of rolls through a second pair of reduction rolls, each having a smooth cylindrical surface, to roll said buckled portion to a predetermined thickness, thicker than the remaining portions of said strip.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for shaping a substantially continuous strip of material having a substantially uniform cross section into a substantially continuous strip having a non-uniform cross section defined by at least one thick section and two thin sections on opposite sides of said thick section, comprising the steps of: passing said continuous strip having a substantially uniform cross section in the longitudinal direction through a first pair of reduction rolls, at least one of which has an annular slot intermediate the ends thereof, to provide a reducing force to reduce the thickness of only those portions of said strip engaging said roll on opposite sides of said slot, said passing step including the provision of sufficient reducing force on said engaging portions of said strip to cause the unengaged portion of said strip to form a buckled portion in said slot, and passing the strip coming through said first pair of rolls through a second pair of reduction rolls, each having a smooth cylindrical surface, to roll said buckled portion to a predetermined thickness, thicker than the remaining portions of said strip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising passing the strip exiting from said second pair of rolls through successive additional pairs of working rolls, with pairs having at least one roll with an annular slot being arranged alternately with pairs having smooth rolls, the respective slots of all rolls having said annular slots being progressively smaller in the processing direction of said shaping method.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising rolling said strip with a substantially uniform reduction rate in accordance with the thickness ratio in the direction of width of said strip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said rolling of said strip is carried out by means of at least one set of finishing rolls one of which has a variable diameter across the width thereof adapted to contact the strip across its entire width.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 further comprising heating and annealing said strip before passing said strip through said finishing rolls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of said finishing rolls are provided and further comprising heating and annealing said strip prior to each passage of said strip through a finishing roll set.