Advancing material of indeterminate length – By orbitally traveling material-engaging surface – Plural spaced apart rolls
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2002-10-01
Mansen, Michael R. (Department: 3653)
Advancing material of indeterminate length
By orbitally traveling material-engaging surface
Plural spaced apart rolls
C226S190000, C242S615210, C198S785000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457623
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to deflector rolls for conveying strip material and, more particularly, to quadrant roll conveyors with strip centering action for conveying strip material.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the relevant industry, “quadrant rolls” or “basket rolls” have been used to replace deflector rolls and, in particular, deflector rolls of large diameter. A quadrant roll or basket roll unit is normally an assembly of small diameter rolls mounted on two side frames, with the rolls positioned on the theoretical contour of a sector, or quadrant, of the deflector roll to be replaced.
FIG. 1
shows a typical deflector roll
2
and a typical quadrant or basket roll unit
4
intended to replace the deflector roll
2
.
It is known in the art to position rolls in horizontal roll conveyors in a “herringbone” or “chevron” configuration. A typical herringbone-type horizontal roll conveyor is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 1,863,520 to Camerota. The horizontal roll conveyor disclosed by the Camerota patent includes two sets of oppositely facing rolls, with each set of rolls inclined at an angle relative to a centerline of the horizontal (flat) roll conveyor. The Camerota patent further discloses that the herringbone-type configuration provides a centering action to objects carried by the horizontal roll conveyor. In the case of the Camerota patent, the objects to be transported are cylindrical-shaped objects such as metal pipe. The rolls in the horizontal roll conveyor disclosed by the Camerota patent are driven.
FIG. 2
of the present application illustrates the principle behind the self-centering action provided by a horizontal roll conveyor with herringbone-arranged rolls.
FIG. 2
is a plan view schematically showing a typical herringbone-type horizontal roll conveyor designated by reference numeral
10
. A plurality of cylindrical rolls
12
is positioned to the left and right side of centerline A—A of the horizontal roll conveyors
10
. Each of the rolls
12
is positioned at an angle &bgr; relative to the centerline A—A of the horizontal roll conveyors
10
. A strip
14
, such as a metal strip, is positioned on the rolls
12
. In
FIG. 2
, the strip
14
is shown centered to the centerline A—A of the horizontal roll conveyors
10
.
Generally, if the strip
14
is centered on the horizontal roll conveyors
10
, the weight of the left side of the strip
14
, designated by reference numeral
16
, is equal to the weight of the right side of the strip, designated by reference numeral
18
. Consequently, the weight of the strip
14
resting on the left and right side rolls
12
is the same. When the strip
14
is in running condition and centered, the rolls
12
generate on the strip
14
identical horizontal and opposite forces F
2
and H
2
. Forces F
2
and H
2
are proportional to the weight of the strip
14
resting on the rolls
12
and the frictional coefficient between the strip
14
and the rolls
12
, as is well known in the art. When the strip
14
is not centered with the centerline A—A of the horizontal roll conveyors
10
, the rolls
12
generate opposite but unequal forces F
2
, H
2
, which result in a concurrent centering action urging the strip
14
to a centered position on the horizontal roll conveyors
10
. V
1
in
FIG. 2
represents the direction of travel of the strip
14
. In
FIG. 2
, reference character F represents the force acting on the left side
16
of the strip
14
, with reference characters F
1
, F
2
representing the vector components of force F. Likewise, reference character H represents the force acting on the right side
18
of the strip
14
, with reference characters H
1
, H
2
representing the vector components of force H, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
Heretofore, the above-discussed “herringbone” or “chevron” principle has not been applied to quadrant roll conveyors, also known as “basket roll units”, where the weight of the strip
14
in
FIG. 2
(i.e., the pressure of the strip
14
on the rolls
12
) is replaced by strip tension, generating pressure on the rolls. In a quadrant roll with chevron rolls, as strip tension increases also pressure and centering forces increase. In a flat, horizontal roller conveyor as strip tension increases, pressure on the roll is less with less centering effect.
The present invention has as its object to provide a quadrant roll conveyor with strip centering action for conveying strip material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a quadrant roll conveyor for conveying strip material, such as metal, plastic or paper. The conveyor generally includes at least three substantially parallel support members on a frame for supporting a plurality of rolls around a quadrant roll of any desired wrapping angle, with the intermediate support members positioned on the center of the strip conveying system. The quadrant roll conveyor further includes a plurality of rolls, with each of the rolls journaled for rotation in the support members. The rolls are positioned on opposed sides of the conveyor centerline. The rolls are each positioned at an angle of less than 90° with the conveyor centerline to define a chevron pattern around the wrapping angle. The strip material is displaced in center position on the conveyor by the rolls or pushed to the center each time the strip is out of center.
The rolls are preferably rounded or crowned along the longitudinal centerline, but may also be tapered. The rolls may also have a first portion in the longitudinal direction that is cylindrical and a second portion in the longitudinal direction that is tapered.
Additionally, the rolls may be positioned on the opposed sides of the conveyor centerline such that each roll has an axis of rotation intersecting the axis of rotation of a corresponding roll located on the opposite side of the conveyor centerline. The axes of rotation of the oppositely facing rolls preferably intersect at a point in vertical plane passing through the conveyor centerline. Alternatively, the rolls could be mounted with staggered chevrons.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1863520 (1932-06-01), Camerota
patent: 2592581 (1952-04-01), Lorig
patent: 2593157 (1952-04-01), Lorig
patent: 2593158 (1952-04-01), Lorig
patent: 2682333 (1954-06-01), Orr
patent: 2692773 (1954-10-01), Lorig
patent: 2828852 (1958-04-01), Lorig
patent: 3763992 (1973-10-01), Klenk
patent: 4541557 (1985-09-01), Fell et al.
patent: 4643013 (1987-02-01), Blazevic
patent: 5472080 (1995-12-01), Fukuoka
patent: 3826638 (1989-12-01), None
patent: 1191028 (1959-10-01), None
patent: 4-228224 (1992-08-01), None
Kramer, Walter. “Transporteur a Rouleaux, Notamment Transporteur de Stockage Pour Laminoirs.” Brevent I'lnvention. Oct. 1959. Gr. 5, Cl. 6, No. 1.91.028.
Mansen Michael R.
Pham Minh-Chau
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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