Roll or roller – Spaced plural annulars along common shaft
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-08-28
Cuda Rosenbaum, I (Department: 3726)
Roll or roller
Spaced plural annulars along common shaft
C492S040000, C029S895213
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280371
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an elongated roller and methods of making and replacing such rollers. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elongated roller composed of a plurality of outer tubular roller segments in fixed alignment and interconnected by an internal bridging member. The roller may be assembled in its entirety and inserted into a device where the required length of the roller being inserted is longer than the available replacement space. This invention also relates, in particular, to a method of making an elongated, segmented roller and a method of replacing such roller in a device where the available replacement space is too short to accommodate the replacement roller so as to prevent the roller from being inserted in the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rollers are widely used in the manufacturing process throughout a range of industries, including, e.g., foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, consumer products, and machinery. As manufacturers strive to become more economical in their operation, they may position production lines closer in proximity to one another. This, however, can present a problem when a roller must be replaced in a device and the available work space for replacing the roller is less than the length of the roller being replaced so as to prevent the roller from being inserted into the device. Such a problem can be expensive to resolve and may cause manufacturers to lose valuable production time by shutting down adjacent lines in order to move equipment out of the way so that the roller can be replaced, or in the alternative, to construct plants having greater unused space between production lines so as to allow for replacement of the rollers.
Additionally, manufacturers are increasingly mindful of selecting rollers that offer good wearability and withstand the processing conditions to which such rollers are subjected.
Consequently, a need exists for a roller construction and method that provide a solution to the foregoing problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides an elongated roller that may be assembled to its full length and inserted into a machine as a replacement roller in situ. Thus, the invention is particularly suited for use at a site where the available replacement space is less than the minimum replacement space required to replace the old roller with a fully assembled or fully finished roller (e.g., a full-length replacement roller). As used herein, the term “available replacement space” refers to the work space that is available for positioning and inserting a roller in a device. Typically, the replacement space is the area bounded by the device that incorporates the replacement roller and by the nearest device or obstruction opposite the device into which the roller will be inserted.
In accordance with the present invention, the roller comprises at least two outer tubular roller segments in fixed alignment with opposed ends in abutting relation, interconnected by an internal bridging member. An outer cross-sectional dimension of the bridging member is slightly less than and substantially corresponds to the inner cross-sectional dimension of the outer tubular roller segment, which allows the bridging members to be readily secured in fixed relation within the roller segments. The internal bridging member can be of any desired cross-sectional shape such as a ring shape or a star shape, for example. Preferably, the outer cross-sectional shape of the bridging member corresponds to the inner cross-sectional shape of the outer tubular members bridged thereby. The internal bridging members are generally shorter in length than the individual outer tubular roller segments.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, although not required, the roller may be configured so that the inner cross-sectional shape of the tubular roller segments corresponds to the outer cross-sectional shape of the bridging member. The outer tubular roller segments and the bridging members can have a myriad of cross-sectional shapes including a square, a rectangle, an octagon, or a rhomboid, for example. Preferably, however, the outer perimeter of the bridging member and the inner perimeter of the outer tubular segments have a circular cross-section. The internal bridging member can be solid therethrough, which embodiment has the advantage of offering a more uniform distribution of forces in the fabricated roller. Preferably, the internal bridging member comprises a cylindrical sleeve.
In another aspect of the present invention, the roller comprises at least two outer tubular roller segments in fixed alignment at the longitudinal centerline of the outer tubular segment. A cylindrical sleeve, disposed within the tubular roller segments, bridges and interconnects the tubular roller segments. Both the outer tubular roller segment and the cylindrical sleeve have a circular cross-section. The outer tubular segments are hollow but may include a section that is solid across a cross-section of the segment.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing an elongated roller assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention, which method comprises the following steps. First, a first outer tubular roller segment is inserted onto an internal bridging connector such that a portion of the internal connector extends therefrom. Second, the first outer tubular segment is plug welded through its surface to the bridging connector to prevent movement of the internal connector with respect to the outer tubular segment. Third, a second outer tubular segment is inserted on the extended portion of the internal bridging connector until the ends of the first and second tubular segments abut in adjacent alignment. Fourth, the second outer tubular segment is plug welded to the internal connector to prevent the internal connector from moving within the first outer tubular segment. Fifth, the abutting ends of the first and second outer tubular segments are secured together by fillet welding. Steps one through five are repeated as needed with additional bridging connectors and outer tubular segments, to produce a roller having the desired length.
Preferably, prior to welding the tubular segments together, a stub journal is welded to the outer tubular segments that are to become the ends of the roller.
In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of replacing a roller in a device where the roller being replaced is longer than the available replacement space, which effectively prevents the replacement roller from being inserted into the device. Pursuant to this aspect of the invention, first, a first roller segment, which fits within the replacement space, is formed by inserting a first outer tubular roller onto a portion of an internal connector and securing the outer tubular roller to the internal connector. Next, within the replacement space, a second roller segment is formed by inserting a second outer tubular roller member onto the extending portion of the internal connector so it abuts in adjacent alignment against the first outer tubular roller member. The second outer tubular member is then secured to the internal connector to prevent the internal connector from moving within the outer tube. The first segment is then attached to the second segment by securing the adjacent ends of the outer tubular roller segments of the first and second segments. An internal connector is inserted within the last-installed segment, and the foregoing steps are repeated with additional connectors and outer tubular segments until the desired roller length is attained. Preferably, the outer tubular roller members are secured to the internal connector via plug welding, and the outer tubular roller members are attached together via fillet welding.
The present invention also includes a method of making a roller, wherein at least one outer tube is inserted onto an internal connector so that the ends of the outer tubes abut in adjacent
Cuda Rosenbaum I
Ryndak & Suri
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