US2854235A - Flexible self-centering roll - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30, 19158 WH. MuRscH 2,854,235

FLEXIBLE SELF-CENTERING ROLL Filed Aug. 12. 1954 2 sheets-sheet L IN VEN TOR.

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United States Patent O f' FLEXIBLE SELF-CENTERING ROLL William H. Mui-sch, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 12, 1954, Serial No. 449,292

1 Claim. (Cl. 271-2.6)

This invention relates to an automatic self-centering roll and more particularly to such a roll for centering and aligning strip or a belt under relatively low tensions and low speeds where it is desired to have a rubber surface in contact with the strip passing thereover. Other self-centering rolls such as shown in the patents to Lorig Nos. 2,593,157, 2,592,581 and 2,593,158, each dated April 15, 1952, are suitable for centering objects under various amounts of tension. The rolls shown therein are preferably used with a fairly high tension. Also, they are not provided with a soft uninterrupted strip contacting surface.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a self-centering roll which can center an object passing thereover under light tension.

This and other objects will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the roll shown in Figure 1, showing the position thereof with a strip passing thereover;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a slight modification thereof;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a further modification;

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure l in which the roll is provided with narrow strip supporting surface;

Figure 6 is a view of still another embodiment of my invention; and

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 incorporating additional self-centering features.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 2 indicates spaced bearings for supporting the self-centering roll 4 of my invention. The roll 4 consists of a shaft 6, a pair of spaced apart web portions 8 mounted on the shaft 6 and a hollow rotatable rim portion 10 extending between and supported by the web portions 8. The web portions 8 may either rotate with the shaft 6 or rotate on bearings supported on the shaft 6. The rim portion 10 is made of rubber or other material with similar flexibility characteristics and will henceforth be described as rubber-like material. The rubber-like rim portion 16 is preferably cemented to the web portions 8. However, where the web portions 8 are fastened to a rotating shaft the rim portion 10 can be held by compressing it between the web portions. The roll may also be constructed by stretching the rim 10 between the web portions 8 and holding it in place by cementing it to the web portions. The outer surface 12 of the rim portion 10 is preferably crowned. When 2,854,235 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 a strip S passes over the roll 4 under tension, the surface 12 in contact with the strip pulls down at with the strip surface. That part of the surface 12 not in contact with the strip becomes more crowned, thus expanding the surface. As the roll rotates each increment of this expanded surface moves in toward the transverse center of the roll and as the strip comes in contact therewith this movement continues until it reaches a maximum. This movement with the strip in contact therewith tends to move the strip to the center line of the roll. lf the roll is properly aligned the center line of the roll and strip will coincide. The web portions 8 have au outside diameter substantially greater than the inside diameter of the rim portion 10 and are provided with an inwardly extending flange 14 which has a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the rim portion 10 so that the rim portion can slip thereover as shown and will be conjined between the web portions 8.

The roll shown in Figure 3 is of essentially the same construction as that shown in Figure l and like parts are given the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. This construction is suitable for rolls of large diameter and/ or of great length in which the rim portion 1t) requires additional support. ln this embodiment a thin metallic supporting member or members 16 give additional support. lf a single member having a central peripheral groove 18 is used it will extend completely around the anges 14. If a plurality of members are used they will be spaced apart around the periphery of the flanges 14. The groove 18 is provided for more iiexibility but it will be understood that a straight member may be used. The member 16 is supported on the flanges 14 and in turn provides the supports for the rim portion 1t).

The embodiment shown in Figure 4 differs only slightly from that shown in Figure 3 and like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts. The rim portion 10 is provided with a central groove 20 around its inner periphery and is given additional support by means of a pair of tubular supporting members 22.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 a cylindrical strip supporting surface 24 of less width than the strip S is provided centrally of the rim portion 26. The roll is otherwise constructed in the same manner as the roll in Figure 1 and like reference characters are used to indicate like parts.

The roll of Figure 6 is identical to that of Figure 1 except that the rim portion 23 is provided with a central groove 30 around its outer periphery so as to make the roll more exible.

The roll of Figure 7 is identical to that of Figure l except that the rim portion 1@ is provided with a central radial slit 32 and slits 34 and 36 on each side thereof arranged in the same manner as in Lorig Patent No. 2,592,581. This arrangement makes the roll more ilexible and more powerful for centering since the slits will tend to open out on the side opposite strip contact and at the point where they make contact with the strip they will fold in toward the center line, thus urging the strip toward the center. In addition, this opening of the slits due to the bending of the roll body plus the action due to centrifugal force will make the roll self-cleaning.

While several embodiments of my invention have been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claim.

I claim: eter'of said rim portion, the diameter of said rim portion A roll for automatically centering an elongated object v being greater at the center than at the ends, said rim having a fiat base in contact with the roll comprising a portion having a central peripheral groove therein.

pair of spaced apart web portions, a hollow rotatable rim portion of rubber-like material extending between 5 Y Refel'ellCeS Cited inthe le 0f this patent and supported solely by said web portions, said rim being UNITED STATES PATENTS deectable toward the axis of said roll, the outside diameter of said web portions being substantially greater 1452824 Bosworth Apr' 24 1923 1,801,396 Thatcher Apr. 21, 1931 than the inside diameter of said run portion, and an iniw'adi extenda nene en 'each 5f-said web portions 10 2343363 Black et al Mar' 7 1944 Y g g Y 2,592,581 Lorig Apr. 15, 1952 having 'a aiamefer surnamnfiaiiyY equal to the ihsi'ae ldiam-

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