US3715903A

US3715903A - Strip stock uncoiler and straightening device

Info

Publication number: US3715903A
Application number: US00106126A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Bruns; M Ulewicz; J Huber; B Baringer
Original assignee: P A S ARTCO Inc
Current assignee: P A S ARTCO Inc
Priority date: 1971-01-13
Filing date: 1971-01-13
Publication date: 1973-02-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-13

Abstract

A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock having a strip stock uncoiler means and an adjustable strip stock peeler means positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for stripping the leading edge of a coil of strip stock away from the body of the coil when the strip stock uncoiler means is actuated. A strip stock threading means is positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of the strip stock coil from the peeler means and imparting to the strip stock a partial removal of the set that has been placed in the strip stock due to its winding into a coil. The threading means feeds the strip stock upwardly through an upper arcuate threading chute which then feeds the strip stock downwardly into a straightening means. A lower arcuate threading chute feeds the strip stock from the straightening means down and under the strip stock uncoiler means and thence to a strip stock processing machine without developing a set in the straightened strip stock.

Description

United States Patent 1 91 Huber et al.

[ STRIP STOCK UNCOILER AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE E. Baringer, Southfield; Eilert F. Bruns, Birmingham; Michael R. Ulewicz, Warren, all of Mich.

mj xggr aea P. S.-Artco, lnc., Detroit,'Mich.'

....72/l6l X Cramer et al 72/l83 X 8/1966 Wiig 5/1971 Primary Examiner-Milton S. Mehr Attorney-Donnelly, Mentag & Harrington [5 7] ABSTRACT A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock having a strip stock uncoiler means and an adjustable strip stock peeler means positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for stripping the leading edge of a coil of strip stock away from the body of the coil when the strip stock uncoiler means is actuated. A strip stock threading means is positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of the strip stock coil from the peeler means and imparting to the strip stock a partial removal of the set that has been placed in the strip stock due to its winding into a coil. The threading means feeds the strip stock upwardly through an upper arcuate threading chute which then feeds the strip stock downwardly into a straightening means. A lower arcuate threading chute feeds the strip stock from the straightening means down and under the strip stock uncoiler means and thence to a strip stock processing machine without developing a set in the straightened strip stock.

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TO RN Us STRIP STOCK UNCOILER AND STRAIGHTENING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to strip stock handling apparatuses and, more particularly, to a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock and feeding the strip stock to a strip stock processing machine, such as a stamping machine, a press, or the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art Strip stock handling apparatuses for uncoiling, straightening and feeding strip stock to a strip stock processing machineare well known in the art. One example of such prior art apparatuses is disclosed in the patent to Alvin F. Groll, US. Pat. No. 3,343,393 which discloses a strip stock handling apparatus that employs a conventional straightening mechanism positioned closely adjacent the coil from which the strip stock is drawn and oriented so that the straightened strip stock issues therefrom vertically. The strip stock is carried from the straightener over a series of supportsand through a turn of 180 and then suspended on its own tensionv as a free loop between the supports at the end of that turn and guide mechanisms for introducing the strip stock into a strip stock processing machine. A disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art strip stock uncoiling and straightening apparatus is that with the straightener positioned adjacent to the coil from which the strip stock is drawn, a radius sufficient to avoid developing a set in the straightened strip stock must be maintained as the straightened strip stock proceeds vertically upward and thence in an arcuate path across the coil and then downward and under the coil to a strip stock processing machine. A further disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art strip stock handling apparatus is that the peeler apparatus for peeling the leading edge of the coil away from the body of the coil is not adjustable relative to the most advantageous position'for stripping the leading edge away from the coil. Another disadvantage of the aforementioned prior art strip stock handling apparatus is that its loop storage capability is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a strip stock handling apparatus for uncoiling, straightening and feeding strip stock to a strip stock processing or utilizing machine.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved strip stock uncoiling, straightening and feeding machine which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art strip stock uncoiling, straightening and feeding apparatuses.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a strip stock uncoiling and straightening machine which is adapted to uncoil strip stock from an uncoiler means and feed it upwardly, and thence over the uncoiler means, and thence downwardly through a strip stock straightener means, and thence under the uncoiler means to a strip stock processing machine without having to be concerned about the radius of the strip stock as it passes upwardly from the uncoiler means and over and around to the straightener means.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a strip stock uncoiling and straightening provide a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock which is provided with a strip stock uncoiler means and an adjustable strip stock peeler means positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for stripping the leading edge of a coil of strip stock away from the body of the coil when the strip stock uncoiler means is actuated. A strip stock threading means is positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of a strip stock coil from the peeler means and imparting to the strip stock a partial removal of the set that has been placed in the strip stock due to its winding into a coil. The threading means feeds the strip stock upwardly through an arcuate threading'chute which thence feeds the strip stock downwardly into a straightening means. A lower arcuate threading chute feeds the strip stock from the straightening means down and under the strip stock uncoiler means and thence to the strip stock processing machine without developing a set in the straightened strip stock.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock which includes a power operated adjustable strip stock peeler means positioned adjacent the front of an uncoiler means for stripping the leading edge of the coil of strip stock away from the body of the coil when the strip stock uncoiler means is actuated, and a power driven strip stock threading means positioned adjacent the strip'stock uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of the strip stock coil from the strip stock peeler means and imparting to the strip stock a partial removal of the set that has been placed in the strip stock due to its winding into a coil.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock which includes an uncoiler means, and a strip stock peeler means and a strip stock threading means positioned adjacent the strip stock uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of the strip stock coil from said strip stock peeler means, and wherein the peeler means and the threadingmeans are both operatively mounted on an adjustable support frame for adjusting the peeler means and the threading means relative to the uncoiler means. The strip stock threading means comprises a power driven first roll and a second idler 'roll adjustably mounted on an eccentric pivot means for moving said second roll toward and away from said first roll.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock which includes an uncoiler means, a strip stock peeler means and a strip stock threading means for feeding uncoiled strip stock upwardly through an upper arcuate chute that guides the strip stock upwardly and over the uncoiler means and thence downwardly into a strip stock straightener means from whence the straightened strip stock is fed downwardly over a lower arcuate threading chute for feeding the straightened strip stock to a strip stock processing machine, and wherein a portion of said lower threading chute is adapted to be moved to an open inoperative position to permit a coil loading car to pass therethrough for loading a coil onto said uncoiler means. In one embodiment ment the portion of the lower threading chute that opens-is a pair of power operated swingably mounted gates. In one embodiment the lower arcuate threading chute is disposed in a pit below the uncoiler means to provide an optimum loop storage capability for the machine. A combination hold-down roll and follower means is positioned adjacent the uncoiler means for operative engagementwith a coil of strip stock as it is uncoiled.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS -'FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of a strip stock uncoiler and straightening machine made in accordance with the principles of the present'invention.

FIG. 2 is a right hand elevational view of the structure illustrated .in FIG. 1, taken along the line 22 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3.is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing some of the parts removed and some of the parts moved to another position.

FIG; 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along theline 44 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing some parts in section, and with some parts removed.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, enlarged, elevational view of the combination coil peeling and' threading means illustrated in FIG. 2. 7

FIG. 7 is a broken, fragmentary, partial section view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 6, taken substantially along the line 7-7 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side elevational view of the strip stock straightener illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is atop plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 9, taken along the line 10-10 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevational 'view of the strip stock uncoiling means and combinationcoil peeling and threading means illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, schematic, side elevational view of the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, and showing a portion of the structure in an enlarged condition and with parts removed.

FIGS. 13 and 13a illustrate the double cone or double mandrel type of arbor employed in the strip stock uncoiler means employed in the second embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary, enlarged, side elevational view of the strip stock straightener employed in the second embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary, elevational view of the swinging strip stock guide gate structure illustrated in FIG. 10, taken along the line I5-15 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. is, taken along the line 1616 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 generally designates a supporting surface, as a concrete floor, on which is operatively mounted a first illustrative embodiment of a machine for uncoiling, straightening, and feeding strip stock to a strip stock processing machine. In FIG. 1, the numeral 11 generally designates a conventional storage rack for storing a plurality of coils 12 of strip stock. The numeral 13 generally designates a support ing structure for operatively supporting a strip stock uncoiler means generally indicated by the numeral 15 and an upper arcuate threading chute which is generally indicated by the numeral 16.

The numeral 14 generally designates a coil loading car which is adapted to move a strip stock coil 12 from the storage rack 11 to a position for loading the coil 12 onto a conventional single end arbor generally indicated by the numeral 19. The numeral 20 generally designates a combination strip stock peeler means and threading means for feeding strip stock uncoiled from a coil 12 upwardly and through the upper arcuate threading chute l6 and into a conventional strip stock straightener, generally indicated by the numeral 17, which is disposed to the rear side of the uncoiler means 15. The straightened strip stock is then fed downwardly into a lower arcuate threading chute, generally indicated by the numeral 18, and thence to a strip stock processing machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower arcuate threading chute 18 extends downwardly and under the uncoiler means 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the numeral 21 generally designates a combination strip stock coil hold-down roll and follower means positioned adjacent the strip stock uncoiler means 15 for operative engagement with a coil 12 as it is uncoiled.

In FIG. 3 the numeral 12 designates the largest diameter coil which can be handled on the uncoiler means 15, and the numeral 12a indicates the smallest diameter coil. The numeral 12b shows the smallest diameter coil 12a moved into an operative position on the arbor 19. In FIG. I the numeral 14a shows the position of the loading car 14 when it is in a position to remove a coil 12 from the outer end of the storage rack I I.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the coil loading car 14 is rollably mounted on a pair or railroad tracks 22 which extend under the storage rack 11 and the uncoiler means 15 (FIG. 1). The coil loading car 14 is rollably mounted on the tracks 22 by a pair of front wheels 24 and a pair of rear wheels 26 which are operatively mounted on a front axle 23 and a rear axle 25, respectively.

The coil loading car 14 is driven along the tracks 22 by the following described drive means. As shown in FIG. 5 a pair of driven sprockets 27 are fixedly mounted by any suitable means on the rear shaft 25.

The sprockets 27 are driven by a pair of drive chains 30 which are mounted on a pair of drive sprockets 28. The drive sprockets 28 are fixedly mounted on the output shafts 29 of a gear reducer 31 which is operatively driven by a suitable electric motor 32, as for example a five-horsepower motor.

The numeral 14 in FIG. 1 designates the loading car in its normal storage position during the operation of the uncoilingand straightening machine of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the coil loading car 14 is provided with a suitable hydraulic lift means 33 which comprises a suitable hydraulic cylinder and means for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the cylinder. A suitable coil supporting cradle or bracket 34 is adjustably mounted on the cylinder rod of the hydraulic lift means 33. It will be understood that the hydraulic lift means 33 is utilized for centering coils 12 of various diameters on the arbor 19.

The numeral'35 in FIGS. 2 and 3 designates an inverted U shaped opening in the 'machines supporting structure into which the coil loading car 14 and a coil 12 may pass for loading the coil onto the uncoiler means 15.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the single end arbor 19 is expanded and retracted to satisfy varying coil inside diameters by a suitable driven sprocket and the drive chain 36 which is driven by a suitable electric motor 37. The motor 37 also drives a chain 38 which drives a sprocket 39 that is suitably geared to the arbor shaft to rotate the arbor for threading strip stock across the peeler point 71. It will be understood that the single end arbor 19 maybe any suitably conventional arbor of this type.

As viewed in FIG. 2, the coil 12 is rotated in a clockwise direction so as to feed the strip stock 40 upwardly and to the left of the coil 12.

The hold-down means 21 includes a hold-down roll 41 which is adapted to abut the coil 12 adjacent the point on the coil where the strip stock leaves the coil. The hold-down roll 41 is rotatably mounted in a suitable manner on one end of a pair of carrier arms 42. The other ends of the carrier arms 42 are fixed on the front ends of a second pair of carrier arms 43 which have their rear ends fixed to a pair of carrier pivot arms 44. The pivot arms 44 are pivotally mounted on suitable shafts 45 which are secured to suitable brackets on the machine support structure. The

aforedescribed carrier arms

42, 43 and 44 form a hold-down roll carrier frame which is adapted to be swung about the pivot shafts 45 to move the hold-down roll 41 into operating engagement against the coil 12 by a pair of suitable fluid cylinders 46. The fluid cylinders 46 have their head ends pivoted on pivot shafts 47 which are supported by brackets 48 that are carried on the machine supporting structure. The cylinder rods 49 have their outer ends pivotally secured to the hold-down roll carrier frame by pivot shafts 50. An electric motor is on the hold-down roll frame and drives chain 52 which is threaded around a suitable sprocket attached to the hold-down roll 41 for driving the roll 41.

The fluid cylinders 46 are controlled so as to constantly bias the hold-down roll 41 against the coil 12 and provide a constant guiding action as the coil 12 diminishes in size.

As shown in FIG. 2, the combination stock peeler means and threading means 20 includes a supporting frame generally indicated by the numeral 53. As shown in FIG. 7, the supporting frame 53 includes a pair of spaced-apart elongated plates which have at their upper ends a pivot shaft 54 which are each suitably journaled in a pivot support member, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The support frame 53 is pivoted about the axis of the shafts 54 by a pair of fluid cylinders 57.

The outer ends of the cylinder rods 58 of the cylinders 57 are pivotally mounted by a pair of pivot pins 55 to the support frame 53, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. The head ends of the cylinders 57 are pivotally mounted by a pair of shafts 58 on suitable brackets as 59 which are carried on the upper arcuate threading chute 13, as shown in FIG. 2.

The upper arcuate threading chute 13 includes an arcuate, channel-shaped chute 60 which is supported on the top of the uncoiler means supporting structure by a plurality of radially disposed support posts 61 through 65. The channel-shaped chute 60 operably supports a plurality of arcuately shaped-apart strip stock support rolls 66 for supporting and carrying the strip stock 40 as it passes through the threading chute 13. The channel-shaped chute is enclosed around its outer periphery by a suitable cover 68. As shown in FIG. 1, a strip stock guide means 69 is mounted at the discharge end of the threading chute 60. As shown in FIG. 2, a fixedly mounted entrance guide member 70 is disposed so as to guide the strip stock 40 into the channelshaped chute 60.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the stock peeler means includes a peeler point 71. As shown in FIG. 7, the peeler point 71 is supported on a pair of spaced apart carrier arms 72 which are pivotally mounted at their upper ends on a pair of shafts 73. The shafts 73 are suitably journaled on the side members of the support frame 53. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each of the peeler point carrier arms 72 is operatively connected to a fluid cylinder 74 for moving the peeler point 71 toward and away from'a coil 12 so as to engage the leading edge of a new coil 12 and guide it into the threading means. Each of the rod ends of the cylinders 74 is attached by means of a suitable pivot shaft as 76 to its respective carrier arm 72. The head ends of the cylinders 74 are pivotally mounted by suitable pivot shafts as on the support frame 53.

The strip stock threading means includes a power driven roll 77 which is rotatably mounted by suitable bearings 78 on the side arms of the support frame 53. The roll 77 is provided with an end shaft 79 on which is fixed a driven sprocket 80. As shown in FIG. 3, the sprocket 80 is driven by a suitable drive chain 81 that is in turn driven by a sprocket member operatively mounted on a suitable electric drive motor 82 that is carried on the machine support structure. The strip stock threading means further includes the idler roll 83 (FIG. 7) which is rotatably mounted by a pair of support bearings 84 that are each mounted on one end of a pair of eccentric arms 85. The eccentric arms 85 are pivotally mounted on a pair of eccentric shafts 86 which are carried in an eccentric position on the inner ends of the shafts 73. The cylinder rod ends of a pair of fluid adjustment cylinders 87 are pivotally connected by a pair of pivot shafts 88 to the other ends of the two

Claims

1. In a machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock, the combination comprising: a. a strip stock uncoiler means mounted on a supporting structure for rotatably mounting a coil of strip stock on a horizontal axis; b. an adjustable strip stock peeler means positioned adjacent the front of said strip stock uncoiler means for stripping the leading edge of the coil of strip stock away from the body of the coil when the strip stock uncoiler means is actuated; c. a strip stock threading means positioned adjacent the strip stock uncoiler means for receiving the leading edge of the strip stock coil from said strip stock peeler means and imparting to the strip stock a partial removal of the set that has been placed in the strip stock due to its winding into a coil, and thence feeding the coil upwardly; d. an upper arcuate threading chute positioned above said strip stock uncoiler means for receiving the uncoiled strip stock as it is fed upwardly from said strip stock threading means and for supporting and guiding the uncoiled strip stock upwardly and over the strip stock uncoiler means and thence downwardly behind the strip stock uncoiler means; e. a strip stock straightener means positioned to receive the strip stock from said threading chute; and, f. a lower arcuate threading chute extending from said strip stock straightener means and beneath said strip stock uncoiler means for supporting and feeding the straightened strip stock to a strip stock processing station and being of a radius of curvature sufficient to prevent the developing of a set in the straightened strip stock.

2. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 1, including: a. a strip stock coil hold-down roll and follower means positioned adjacent said strip stock uncoiler means for operative engagement with a coil of strip stock as it is uncoiled.

3. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said strip stock peeler means and strip stock threading means are carried on a common swingably mounted support frame.

4. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 3, wherein: a. said strip stock threading means comprises a power driven first roll operatively mounted on said support frame and an idler second roll adjustably mounted on an eccEntric pivot means carried on said support frame for moving said second roll toward and away from said first roll.

5. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 3, wherein: a. said strip stock peeler means comprises a peeler point swingably mounted on said support frame; and, b. means for moving said peeler point toward and away from a strip stock coil on said uncoiler means for stripping engagement with the leading edge of the coil.

6. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 2, wherein said strip stock coil hold-down and follow means includes: a. a power driven roll swingably mounted adjacent said uncoiler means; and, b. power means for normally biasing said hold-down roll into operative engagement with a strip stock coil on said uncoiler means.

7. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 6, wherein: a. said power means comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

8. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said supporting structure is positioned on a supporting surface; and, b. said lower arcuate threading chute extends between said strip stock uncoiler means and said supporting surface.

9. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 8, including: a. a power driven coil loading car rollably mounted to move a strip stock coil from a storage position adjacent the strip stock uncoiler means into a position for mounting on said strip stock uncoiler means.

10. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 9, wherein: a. said lower arcuate threading chute includes a movable portion disposed in a normal operative position beneath said uncoiler means and movable into an inoperative position when said coil loading car is moved to a position beneath said uncoiler means.

11. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 10, wherein: a. said lower threading chute movable portion is operatively carried by said coil loading car for movement between said operative and inoperative positions.

12. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 9, wherein: a. said strip stock uncoiler means includes a single end arbor for retaining a coil in operative position on said uncoiler means; and, b. said coil loading car is adapted to move a strip stock coil from a storage position to a position for loading the coil on said single end arbor.

13. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 2, wherein: a. said supporting structure is positioned on a supporting surface; b. a pit is formed in said supporting surface beneath said uncoiler means, and said pit extends beyond the front end of said supporting structure; and, c. said lower threading chute comprises a first portion extending downward from said straightening means and a second portion disposed in said pit.

14. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 13, including: a. a power driven coil loading car rollably mounted to move a strip stock coil from a storage position adjacent the strip stock uncoiler means into a position for mounting on said strip stock uncoiler means.

15. A machine for uncoiling and straightening strip stock as defined in claim 14, wherein: a. said lower threading chute first portion comprises a pair of swingably mounted gate members disposed in a normal closed operative position; and, b. a power means is operatively connected to each of said swingable gate members to move the same into an inoperative open position when said coil loading car is moved to a loading position at said uncoiler means.