US2503597A - Bending and straightening machine - Google Patents

Description

April 11, 1950 w. RODDER BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 10, 1946 INVENTOR. A W/LL/AM EODDEE A T TO/PNE Y5 April 11, 1950 w. RODDER 2,503,597

BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM RODDER ATTORNEYS April 11, 1950 w, RODDER 2,503,597

BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

F Z7 WILL/AM ROQDE/P A 7 TORNE Y S April 11, 1950 w, RODDER BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Shea. 5

Filed April 10, 1946 INVENTOR.

W/LL/AM RODDER A TTO/PNEYS April 11, 1950 w. RODDER 2,503,597

BENDING AND STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed April 10, 1946 I s Sheets-Sheet e v INVENTOR. W/LL/AM ROQDER A T TOR/VE 5 in the machine.

Patented Apr. 11, 1950 BENDIN G AND STRAIGHTENIN G MACHINE William Rodder, Youngstown, Ohio, assignor to v The Aetna-Standard Engineering Company,

Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 10, 1946, Serial No. 661,091

Claims. 1

This invention relates to a machine for shaping metal plates by the bending action of a lurality of cooperating rolls. In particular it relates to a machine in which the rolls may be used alternatively either to straighten or to bend a metal plate to a desired contour.

Bending machines and straightening machines that perform their function by passing a plate through cooperating rolls are individually known in the art. The former employ at least three rolls with their axes triangularly spaced apart, and so positioned that a plate will be bent to the desired radius of curvature when fed through the two roll bites formed by a common roll and the other two rolls. Straightening rolls on the other hand act first to bend a metal plate in one direction and then to impart a definite reverse curve to the plate to give it a final shape that is substantially planar. Machines for these uses are necessarily large and expensive, particularly when designed to handle relatively heavy plates; and they require considerable floor space in a fabricating shop. A single machine adapted for use both as a bending and straightening machine would permit a marked reduction in capital investment and in the amount of floor space needed for equipment with which to perform both operations.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a machine that may be used alternatively either to straighten or bend metal plates. A further object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the majority of the components are used during both plate bending and straightening and a minimum of change over is required to shift the machine from one to the other opera tion. Another object of the invention is to provide a machine in which three rolls are used for plate bendin and are supplemented by a fourth roll for plate straightening. A further object is to support the fourth or straightening roll shiftably for movement to predetermined positions with respect to the bending rolls. Still an additional object of the invention is to provide drive mechanism for positively driving all of the rolls Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification when considered with the attached drawings. The novel features of the invention are summarized in the claims.

. forms the subject matter of this invention; Fig- .ure 2 is an end elevation of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic section normal to the rolls showing them in position for plate bending; Figure 5 is a schematic section similar to Figure 4, but showing the rolls in position for plate straightening; Figure 6 is a section at the outboard end of the machine through Figure 1 as indicated by the lines 66 thereon; Figure 7 is a section, also at the outboard end of the machine, through Figure 6 as indicated by the lines I'l thereon; Figure 8 is a broken side elevation, partly in section, of the fourth roll and its supporting and elevating mechanism; Figure 9 is a fragmentary section as indicated by the lines 9-9 of Figure 1 showing a support for the inboard end of the top bending roll; Figure 10 is a detail showing the separable drive for the fourth roll; and Figures 11 and 12 are fragmentary details showing the outboard toproll bearing in its roll supporting and withdrawn positions respectively.

In general the machine of the present invention comprises four rolls, three of which are used for both bending and straightening operations. The fourth roll is used for plate straightening. The group of three rolls is so mounted that one roll is above and approximately midway horizontally between the other two rolls which are beneath it. The top roll forms a roll bite with each of the lower rolls. Due to the fact that the surface of the top roll may be adjusted vertically with respect to a line tangent to the top surface of both the lower rolls a curve of desired radius may be formed in a plate that is passed through the two roll bites.

When the machine is used as a plate straightening machine of the type having two cooperating pairs of rolls the fourth roll is so positioned that it provides a roll bite with the lower roll closest to it and the other lower roll forms a roll bite with the roll of the original group of three immediately above it. As a result a plate may be effectively straightened by a conventional double bending operation as it is passed between the two roll bites formed-by these four rolls. All of the rolls are individually driven although the fourth roll is so connected to its drive shaft that it may be disconnected and moved out of the way when it is inoperative.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings the machine there illustrated represents the preferred form of the present invention. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to this disclosure which is for purposes of illustration only. The invention is to be them.

provide longitudinal stringers 3B and 37 secured together by H-beam cross members 38 and end plates 39. The entire assembly is preferably welded together but if desired may be bolted or riveted in a manner known in the art. The bed section 3% that is bolted to the bed section 39a comprises a pair of longitudinal H-beam stringers as indicated at 40 and secured together by end plates 42 and 43. The bolts at 34 join the end plates 39 and 43 respectively. Two lift hooks 45 are provided on each side of eaoh of the bed por- ' tions 30a and 30b to permit the beds and the equipment mounted thereon to be lifted and moved.

The main drive mechanism is mounted on the bed 301) and includes a main electric drive motor and the necessary gearing leading to the four drive shafts that individually drive the four rolls. This main drive -motor is indicated at B (Figure 3) and through a couplingEZ drives a wormmounted in a housing 55. A worm wheel driven by 'the worm is mounted on a shaft'that extends at right angles to the motor shaft to drive a main drive pinion. Through suitable gearing this pinion drives at the required rate of speed the four shafts that are in turn each positively coupled to one of the four rolls of the machine. The drivemechanism is not described in further detail'because it may be of any type known in the art to drive four output shafts from a si gle driving shaft with the desired inputoutput speed'ratio.

Each of'the four rollsthatare mounted on the bed are adapted to be positively driven independently of the other. The relative positions of these rolls with respect to each other in the bending and straightening operations are shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively. These rolls are indicated in these figures as A, B, C and D.

The rolls A and B, as hereafter described, are journaled'in fixed bearings in end frames on the bed. The roll C'that'is common to each of rolls A and B and forms a roll bite with each is journaled in the end "frames but is so mounted that it may be bodily shifted with respect to The roll -D is likewise shiftably mounted with respect to rolls A and 13, and to this end is supported in links as hereafter described that are mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the roll B.

The rolls A and B are driven from drive shafts G0 and '6! (Figure 3) in the housing through semi-rigid couplings. The roll C is driven from a driven shaft 65 through a universal coupling 61 to permit it to be rotated while it is invarious selected positions with respect to the rolls A and B.

The roll D is bodily shiftable topermit its use in one position to supplement the rolls A, B and C to straighten a bent plate and in a second position to be-idle while the other-rolls only are used to bend a plate. This roll is driven by a universal drive coupling best shown in Figure that comprises two universal-joints l9 and I l, the one carried by the roll D and the other connected with an output shaft 12 extending from the housing 55. A coupling shaft 14 interconnects the two universal joints. Each universal joint receives a flattened-tongue of theshaft 14 in modified ball and socket connections in couplings T0 and H. In the latter coupling the tongue is held in place by a removable pin to permit the coupling to be broken at will, and the drive to the roll D disconnected. To break the coupling H the pin 80 is first removed and the shaft 14 is lifted out of engagement with the drive shaft and-supported in-the dottedline position of Figure 10 by a, block and tackle slideably sup- .ported by pulley wheels on a guide rail 86. The

guide rail 86 is swingably mounted on the housingi55 for movement in a plate generally parallel to the bed of the machine. By means of the swingably mountedtblock and tackle the free end of the shaft 1l'4.may be moved and continue to be supported during the time the roll D is being moved to,-and is in, the position shown in Figure 4.

' In this position the three rolls A, B and C are employed for plate bending and the plate that is being bent passes-through the rolls as indicated at- P. "This plate is fed into the roll bite formed by the rolls A and C until itcomes in contact with the surface of the roll '5 -movingin the directionindicated. The grip of rolls A and C on the plate and guiding'action-of the surface of the roll 13 feeds the plate into the bite between rolls 3 andC. As-the plate passes out of the last named roll bite it will have been bent to a curved shape generally conforming to the path it has followed through the rolls.

To bend aplateP'to a conical, as distinguished from a cylindrical, shape one end, preferably the inboard end, of the roll C may be moved upwardlyaway from the rolls A and B thereby to tilt the axis of" this roll with respect to the axes of rolls A and B. The construction b which this is accomplished together with the manner .in which a bent plate may be removed from the machine endwise of the rolls will be described hereafter in detail.

The rolls are shownschematically in Figure 5 .in position to straighten a plate. In this figure the roll C has been moved up and positioned some distance away from the rolls A and B in a manner hereafter described. The roll D in its turn has been rocked with its links about the roll ,3 to the position shown. :At this time the coupling-shown in Figure 11 for the roll D will be comiected by securing the shaft 14 to the drive shaft 12 by thecoupling H and the pin When the rolls are in -the position. of Figstraighteningrolls and a bentplate fed through them will be straightened.

The rolls are mounted incast end frames 90 and 9| formedas shownin Figures 1,6.and '7 and bolted to the .bedBDa. ;Each.of the end frames is provided with .a pair of bearings 94 and 95 including'liners .911 toreceivethe jom'nals of rolls A and B respectively. Each bearing is capped by a bearing cap 88 keyed :to the end frames at 99 and secured, in place-by bolts I00. While the rolls A and Bare so mounted that they are not bodily shiftable in the end frames the rolls C and D are each so mounted that they may be shifted bodily with respect to each other and to the other rolls in the machine.

The roll-C isprovided at each end with journals that are supported in vertically shiftable bearings so that one or both ends of the roll may be ad- -justed up or down with respectto the other rolls in the machine. The outboard'bearing is so arranged that the roll housing-mayberemoved from the roll to permit a bent plate to he slipped end wise from between the rolls A, B and C.

The outboard journal of the roll C is rotatably received in a bearing sleeve I02 (Figure 6) in which is mounted a bearing liner I03. The exterior of this sleeve is provided with four bosses each having flat longitudinally tapered surfaces I04 that, as shown in Figure '1, make engagement with complementary tapered surfaces in a bearing block I05 that is mounted for pivoted movement in the plane of the axis of the roll so that it may be swung into and out of engagement therewith. The sleeve and block I05 are held together by a hand wheel I01 threaded in the block and carrying a pin I I (Figure 7) adapted to engage within a bore provided for the purpose in the sleeve.

To restrain the roll against endwise movement a thrust bearing is provided by an annular shoulder at II formed by a flange on the outer end of the liner I03 and bearing against the end of the sleeve I02. A sliding bearing thrust ring is interposed between the shoulder H5 and a cap I I1 bolted to the end of the roll shaft.

The entire outboard bearing assembly just described for the roll C is supported in the bearing block I05 that in turn is pivotally mounted in the end frame 90 to permit it to be rocked counterclockwise (Figure 7) and removed from the roll when it is desired to remove a bent plate endwise from between the three bending rolls. The shank of the block I05, indicated at I (Figure 6), is restrained against movement transversely of the axis of the roll C by bearing surfaces I2I in the end frame although it is free to rock in the planev of the roll axis as hereafter described. At its lower end the bearing block I05 terminates in a yoke with spaced arms I22 and I23". These arms are separated by an opening in which is received the flattened head I24 of a large screw I25 supported for vertical sliding movement in a sleeve bearing I21 in the end frame 90. The screw head I24 and the arms I22 and I23 of the block I05 are pivotally connected by a pin I 30.

It will be seen that the outboard end of the top roll C may be shifted by raising or lowering the screw I25, the motion of which is transmitted through the pin I to the bearing block I05. To raise or lower the screw, threads indicated at I are provided on the shank and are engaged by a nut I38 that is freely rotatable in the housing 90 and restrained against movement along its axis by a thrust bearing I 40 at one end and a shoulder I42 in the casting at the other end. A worm wheel I45 is bolted to the nut I38 and is driven by a worm I41 (Figure 6) mounted on a shaft I that extends generally parallel to the rolls and from one end frame to the other. Since the nut is restrained against axial movement and the screw I25 against rotative movement, the latter will be moved up or down as the shaft I50 is rotated. Lubrication for the parts just described is provided by an oil line I52 communicating at its inner end with a passage leading to the nut I38 and its associated parts, and at the other end provided with a removable cap of suitable form for the admission of lubricant. A normally plugged drainage hole I65 is provided for oil removal.

To permit vertical adjustment of the inboard end of roll C the mechanism for supporting and shifting the bearing block I 05 up and down is duplicated in all its essential details in the inboard end frame 9| and hence is not further described or illustrated in the drawings. The shaft I50 carries a second worm similar to that indicated at I41 to elevate and lower this inboard bearing. In general the two ends of the roll C will be elevated or lowered together to vary uniformly the spacing between this roll and the pair of rolls A and B. Under such conditions the entire shaft I50 is driven by a motor I51 (Figure 1) on the bed 30a to rotate the two worms I41 at the same speed.

In positioning the roll C to bend plates to a conical shape it is necessary to tilt it so that its axis is no longer parallel to the axes of the rolls A and B. This is accomplished by raising or lowering one of the bearings for roll C, preferably the inboard end, while the other is held stationary. To accomplish this a clutch, indicated at I I (Figure 1), is provided to disconnect the drive from the motor I51 to the outboard bearing. This clutch may be of the ordinary sliding key type that is well known in the art and shiftable by a hand lever to disconnect the outboard bearing drive when in one position and connect it when in the other. In the former position rotation of the motor I51 will raise or lower only the inboard bearing for the roll C and will leave the outboard bearing unmoved. In the latter clutch position both the inboard and outboard bearings for the roll will be moved in unison.

The outboard bearing block I05 is rocked counterclockwise (Figure '1)- as indicated above and as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 to remove it from the end of the roll when a plate is to be removed endwise. This is accomplished by withdrawal of the pin IIO through rotation of the hand wheel I01 to permit the bearing block to be swung away from the sleeve I02 by breaking contact therewith at the tapered surfaces I04. It will be seen that the outboard journal of the roll is at all times enclosed by sleeve I02 and cap plate II5 irrespective of the position of the bearing block. Thus the bearing is sealed against the ingress of dirt and also from blows that might destroy or damage it.

The mechanism by which the outboard bearing is shifted from a position of engagement (Figure 11) with the roll to a disengaged position (Figure 12) in which it is approximately horizontal is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 7. The shifting is accomplished through a lever I65, carried by a shaft I61 mounted in the end frame for rocking movement about an axis parallel to the axis of the pin I30. This lever I65 is connected with the block I05 by a sliding roller connection such that it and the block may be rocked in the plane of Figure 7 about different centers in unison and at the same time remain connected together. To this end a roller I10 is provided on each side of the lever I55 to ride within a trackway I12 bolted to ears I13 and 'I14 that in turn are secured to the head and shank of the block I05. As the rollers I10 slide on the trackway they provide a shifting but positive pivotal connection between the lever I65 and the block I05. When the parts are in the position shown in Figure 12 the rollers I10 will be at the lower end of the track I12 and when the block I05 and the lever I65 have been rocked to substantially horizontal positions as shown in Figure 11 the relative position of the axes at I30 and I61 will cause the rollers to move in the trackways to a position adjacent the other end thereof.

To rock the lever I65 a worm gear (not shown) is mounted on the shaft I61 supporting the lever I65 and is engaged by a worm carried in a housing I15 and adapted to be rotated by a hand cnt diameters. .end is indicated at 2) and is mounted in bearanother wheel :KT'I. To reduce. theefiort. the operator is required toexert in turning the hand wheel a counter weight L80 (Figure. 2). on. a rocker arm. suitably connected to. the shaft tli'l is provided to balance the weightof the. block I05. The hand wheel is: turned in the appropriate direction to rock the outboard hearing as desired and the lever I65 acting through rollers I III effectsthe desired movement of therhlock. 05.,

When the. outboard hearing isremovted from the roll C the latter is supported at. its inboard end by mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 9, so that the. outboard end does not fall down. onto rolls A and B. .At its inner endrol-L C terminates in a sleeve I382 therewith and extending a substantial. distance from the inner .end frame. Two tension rods L83: .iEigure -99. are secured at one end to the bed. 311a. of the. machine. and connected at the other end by a cross frame member m; Asaddle I85, supported by a. screw I92 in the. cross frame member H4. isguided' by the tension rods so that. it may be moved up or do-wnto bear against the inner end of the sleeve m2: various. adjusted positions; of the :roll and prevent. it tronr rocking upwardly. This prerents the toproll from rocking downwardly (counterclockwise in Figure 1.) about the inner end frame 9'] when the, outboard bearing is removed and dropping onto the outboard end of the lower rolls.

The saddle is adjusted upand down by means of the screw I92 with its head rotatably mounted in the saddle but restrained against axial movement therein. At its upper end the screw is threaded into a sleeve 1:93 secured in the cross frame I84; and also is slidingly keyed at I94 to a worm gear I95 that may rotate in its housing but is restrained against movement therein along the line of the screw axis. The worm gear is engaged by a worm mounted, on a shaft I98 terminating in a hand wheel 200. Rotation of the hand wheel causes rotation of the screw I92 and by reason of'the threaded connection between the screw and the cross framethe saddle will be shifted up or down along the tension rods I83.

The power shaft 65 drives the roll C through the coupling member 57 lying partially within the sleeve I82 and connected to the roll and the drive shaft 55 respectively by universal joints to permit the roll to be driven in. any adjusted p.0-

' sition it may occupy in the. end frames.

In addition to the three. rolls that have already been described, the fourth roll D is provided. This roll is pivotally mounted on a pair of links, one at each end of the roll B. The mechanism by which this roll is mounted and adjusted in position is: best shown. in Figures 6 and. 8 and will now be described in detail. Since this mechanism is the same at each end of the machine only that mechanism at the outboard end will be referred to. The roll B is provided at eachend: with a stepped journal comprising two portions of differ- The portion closest to the roll ings 95 in the end frame 90 as already described in connection with Figure 6.

The roll D is supported on the end frames by a pair of links 2!.2 that are themselves pivotally mounted coincident. with the axis of roll B on a journal 2M (Figure 8) of that roll. B somewhat reduced in diameter from the journal 2 I 0. Each link 2I.2 is roughly triangular in shape with bearings at each corner, one of which is asliding hearing comprising a liner 2.! 5 secured in the link, and having at its outer end a cap 2I'l bolted to the journal-Land forming with the liner-a thrust bearing to prevent axial movement of the link on the roll. The outer end of each link is provided with a bearing220 rotatably to receive the journal 222 of the roll D. The bearing includes a liner 223 secured to the link and forming a sliding bearing with the journal. At its outer end the journal is capped withplateZM that engages an annular shoulder of the liner to form a thrust bearing therewith and prevent relative axial motion betweenthe roll and the link.

To; position the roll D indesired operating relation to the other rolls of the assembly it and its supporting links are rocked about the axis of the. roll B. This rocking motion is applied by a screw 22 5 pivotally pinned to the link at 221 (Figure 6:). The head 22.8 of the screw is flattoned in the plane of Figure .6 to permit it to be inserted between parallel sides of the link H2 and thusbe restrain-ed against. relative sidewise motion with respect to it. The lower end of the screw 2:25- is. threaded at 229 and received within a correspondingly threaded nut 2 3.9 that is mounted for rotation only in a casting 232 carried by the end frame 90 and capped at the bottom by a plate 23A in such manner that the. two parts cooperate to prevent the nut 230 from shifting bodily within them. The casting 232 is provided with a pair of trunnions 235 (Figure 8) thatare pivotally mounted in extensions 240 and 2M of the frame 90 to permit the. nut. 230 to be rocked in the end frames to prevent binding between the cooperating threads as the bolt is inclined when the link is shifted.

To raise and lower the link 2I2 an external worm. gear is formed on the nut 23!} and is engaged by a worm carried on a shaft 245 that extends: parallel to the axes of the rolls. As this shaft is, rotated by a motor 250 (Figure, 1) the shaft 245: rotates the nut which acts; through the parts; described, to shift the roll D with respect to "the other rolls.

The link. mechanism. just described for supporting and moving the roll D asv previously indicated, duplicated at the inboard bearing end of the machine. Here the counter part of; the casting 232' is shown at 232a and the counter part of the bolt 225- is shown at 225a- The two links are. raised and. lowered in unison, thus at all times maintaining the axis of the roll D parallel with the axes of the rolls A and B.

The mechanisms for bodily shifting. rolls C and D with respect to the rolls A and B in the machine. is, as described above, power driven. It is. referable to provide for these mechanisms safety means to prevent the rolls from being shifted in the frames so far that they reach the end of their intended limit of travel with resultant damage to the machine because the motors I5?! or 252 do not stop.

To eliminate this possibility with motor I51 switches 2-55 are shown as they; are applied to the. adjustment for the roll C in. Figures 1 and 7.. These switches each include and. are actuated by apivoted arm 251 (Figure7) to cut-off the driving motor when either end, of the arm is rocked toward the; switch box 258.. Aroller 250 is mounted on the screw I25 and by virtue of cam surfaces 2H at: each end of; the arm 25! will rock that arm inwardly at. either end of a line of travel equivalent. to the distance between cam surfaces. By means of conventional wiring (not shown) the current supply to the. motor I51 is. cut off automatically whenever the intended. limit of travel. isreachedby the screw I25. This mecha- 9 nism is duplicated at each end frame as shown in Figure 1 to control the motion of each of the bearings for the roll C.

Although this mechanism has been shown and described in connection with the roll C identical mechanisms may be used to control the motion of the links 2|2 and hence the roll D. This may be accomplished by securing to the screw 225 a roller such as 260 and to a convenient part of the casting 232 a switch mechanism such as 255 and wiring the latter to control the current supply to the motor 250.

The machine just described may be set up readily either to bend or straighten metal plates of varied thickness by adjustment of the rolls C and D with respect to rolls A and B. In like manner the machine may be set up to impart a definite shape to a plate by controlling the radius to which it is bent or the amount it is straightened. In general the radius to which the plate is bent is determined by the position of the top roll C with respect to the rolls A and B and this roll position may be altered by adjustment of the Screws I25 in each of the end frames. The sheet may be formed to either a cylindrical or conical form depending upon whether Or not the roll C is set to be parallel to the rolls A and B.

After a plate has been bent as described above it frequently will have such a shape that there is insufficient spacing between the two opposed plate edges to permit removal except endwise of the rolls. In this case the bearing block 105 is rocked out of engagement with the roll C to the horizontal position shown in Figure 12 and the saddle I85 adjusted to prevent the outboard end of the roll C from dropping down. The plate may then be removed endwise of the rolls to the left as shown in Figure 1.

To position the rolls for straightening a plate the screws I25 and 225 are adjusted until the general position of the rolls as shown in Figure is attained, the exact position being determined by the degree of straightening necessary and the thickness of the plate.

Plates to be shaped in the machine are preferably passed through the rolls in such a direction that they travel from left to right in Figures 4 and 5 and first enter the bite between rolls A and C.

Various changes and modifications in my in vention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that my patent is not limited to the preferred forms described herein or in any manner other than by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a roll bending and straightening machine, a base with two spaced end frames thereon, a pair of rolls mounted for rotation in said end frames, a third roll rotatably carried by said end frames and bodily shiftable with respect to said end frames, a pair of links pivotally carried by said end frames on the axis of one of the rolls of said pair, a fourth roll rotatably carried in said links, means to shift said links and position said fourth roll with respect to said third roll, power mechanism to drive said fourth roll and a universal connection between said fourth roll and said power mechanism.

2. In a roll bending and straightening machine, a base with two spaced end frames thereon, a pair of rolls mounted for rotation in said end frames, a third roll rotatably carried by said end frames and bodily shiftable with respect to said end frames, a pair of links pivotally carried by it said end frames on the axis of one of the rolls of said pair, a fourth roll rotatably carried in said links, power driven screws engaging each of said links intermediate its pivot and the axis of said fourth roll to shift said links and position said fourth roll with respect to said third roll, power means to drive said screws simultaneously, power mechanism to drive said fourth roll and a universal drive connection between said fourth :roll and said power mechanism.

3. In a machine of the class described, a base including two spaced end frames, at least one roll rotatably supported by said end frames, two links, one carried by each end frame on an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of said rotatably supported roll, aligned roll bearings in said links, a second roll carried in said bearings to cooperate with said first roll, second links pivotally carried by said first links, means positively engaging said second links to shift the same, and roll drive mechanism to rotate said rolls.

4. In a machine of the class described, a'base including two spaced end frames, at least one :roll rotatably supported by said end frames, two

links, one carried by each end frame on an axis substantially coinciding with the axis of said rotatably supported roll, aligned roll bearings in said links, a second roll carried in said'bearings to cooperate with said first roll, second links 'pivotally carried by said first links intermediate said axes and said bearings and including a screw threaded portion, nut members pivotally carried by said base and engaging said threaded portions, power means to rotate said nuts and by shifting said threaded portion and thereby moving said links to position said second roll with respect to said one roll and roll drive mechanism to drive said second roll.

5. In a machine of the class described, a base including two spaced end frames, at least one said links, a second roll carried in said bearings to cooperate with said first roll, second links pivotally carried by said first links intermediate said axes and saidbearings and including a screw threaded portion, nut members pivotally carried by said base and engaging said threaded portions, power means to rotate said nuts and by shifting said threaded portion and, thereby moving said links to position said second roll with respect to said one roll, roll drive mechanism terminating in a shaft in substantial alignment with said second roll and journaled in fixed bearings supported by said base, and a drive connection between said mechanism and said second roll.

6. In a roll bending machine, a base with two spaced end frames thereon, a pair of bending rolls rotatably mounted in said end frames with their axes in a substantially horizontal plane, a third roll rotatably mounted in said end frames parallel to said pair of rolls, roll drive mechanism positively connected to said third roll adjacent one of said end frames, a pair of links pivotally carried by said end frames on the axis of one of the rolls of said pair, a fourth roll rotatably carried in said links, means to position said fourth roll in sheet shaping relation with said thirdroll, and a universal connection to drive said fourth roll positively from said roll 11 drive mechanism in predetermined'relation with said third roll.

7. In a roll bending machine, a base with two spaced end frames thereon, a pair of bending rolls rotatably mounted in said end frames with their axes in a substantially horizontal plane, a third roll rotatably mounted in said end frames parallel to said pair of rolls, a removable bearing pivotally mounted in the outboard end frame to support said third roll, a sleeve integral with said third roll, aligned therewith, and extending on the opposite side of said inboard frame from said outboard frame, a framework supported from said base and overlying the end of said sleeve, means carried by said framework and movable to a position to support said third roll on removal of said removable bearing and roll drive mechanism including a coupling partially housed in said sleeve positively connected to said third roll adjacent the inboard end frame.

8. In a roll bending and straightening machine, a base with two spaced end frames thereon, a pair of bending rolls rotatably mounted in said end frames with their axes in a substantially horizontal plane, a third roll rotatably' mounted in said end frames parallel to said pair of rolls, a removable bearing pivotally mounted in the outboard end frame to support said third roll, a sleeve integral with said third roll, aligned therewith, and extending on the opposite side of said inboard frame from said outboard frame, a framework supported from said base and overlying the end of said sleeve, means carried by said framework and movable to a position to support said third roll on removal of said removable hear-- ing, roll drive mechanism including a coupling partially housed in said sleeve positively connected to said third roll adjacent the inboard end frame, a pair of links pivotally carried by said end frames, a fourth rollrotatably carried in said links, means to position said fourth roll in sheet shaping relation with said third roll, and a universal connection to drive said fourth roll positively from said roll drive mechanismin predetermined relation with said. third roll.

9. In a sheet forming machine including a plurality of cooperating rolls mounted in spaced end frames, a construction for one of said end frames comprising an upright casting with a vertical slidewaytherein, a. roll bearingblockslidably guided in said slideway, mechanism including a pivoted connection to retain said bearing block in position in said frame or. permit the same to-be swung out of said slideway'to separate the bearing block and the roll, a lever pivoted at one end in the end frame on an axis parallel to the bearing block axis and at the other end connected to said bearing block and means to rock said lever about its pivot and thereby swing said bearing block into and out of said slideway.

10. In a sheet forming machine including a plurality of cooperating rolls mounted in spaced end frames, a construction for one of said end frames comprising an upright casting with a vertical slideway therein, a roll bearing block slidably guided in said slideway, a member adapted for movement parallel to said slideway in said one end frame, a pivotal connection between said bearing block and said member to permit said block to be swung about an axis out of 'said slideway to separate the bearing block and the roll, a lever pivoted at one end in the end frame on anaxis parallel to the bearing block axis and at the other end connected to said bearing block and means to rock said lever about its pivot and thereby swing said bearing block into and out of said slideway.

WILLIAM RODDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 173,689 Teal. Feb. 15, 1876 794,392 Boax July 11, 1905 1,742,056 Case .Dec. 31, 1929 1,890,342 Sutton et a1. Dec. 6, 1932 1,911,321 Long May 30, 1933 2,095,331 Huck: Oct. 12, 1937 2,325,523 Lermont et a1 July 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number. Country Date 5,868 Great Britain.- of 1904 745,457 France Feb. 14, 1933

Images