Abstract: First feeding means serve to deliver a first strip at a controlled velocity. Second feeding means serve to receive said first strip from said feeding means and to intermittently pull said first and second strips in contact with each other. Looping means serve to engage said first strip between said first and second feeding means and to urge said strip to form a loop. Sensing means serve to indicate the length of said loop. Control means serve to control the velocity at which said first strip is delivered by said first feeding means in response to said sensing means in inverse relation to the length of said loop.

Abstract: A plurality of horizontal lower rolls are rotatably mounted in a machine frame. A plurality of nuts are carried by the machine frame and axially retained and rotatable on respective vertical axes, which are horizontally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of said lower rolls and in a direction which is transverse to said longitudinal direction. A plurality of screws are in threaded engagement with respective ones of said nuts. A plurality of upwardly and downwardly convex spherical bearings are carried by respective ones of said screws above said nuts. An upper yoke assembly comprises an upper yoke member, a plurality of upper rolls rotatably mounted in said upper yoke member and disposed above said upper rolls and defining nips therewith, and a plurality of concave spherical bearings, which are rigid with said upper yoke member and each of which has upwardly and downwardly concave bearing faces respectively disposed below and above one of said convex bearings and engagable therewith.

Abstract: A reel body is formed with a stop. At least three shell portions are mounted on and expansible relative to the reel body and comprise at least one first shell portion and at least one second shell portion. Expanding and clamping means are operable to expand the shell portions relative to said reel body. The expanding and clamping means comprise a first radially movable clamping bar, which is in engagement with the first shell portion and defines a clamping gap therewith and is also in engagement with the second shell portion at one side of the latter, and a second radially movable clamping bar, which is formed with a bearing surface in slidable engagement with the second shell portion on the side thereof opposite to the first clamping bar. The first clamping bar being radially outwardly movable to expand said first shell portion into engagement with the stop and adapted to clamp a strip end portion in the clamping gap when the first shell portion is in engagement with the stop.

Abstract: A stationary set of upper rolls are carried by a stationary frame. A yoke is mounted in said frame for adjustment in height. A set of lower rolls are mounted in said yoke adjacent to said upper rolls and adjustable in height relative thereto in unison with said yoke. Adjusting shaft means are rotatably mounted in said frame. Connecting rod means are eccentrically mounted on said adjusting shaft means and pivoted to said yoke and arranged to adjust said yoke in height in response to a rotation of said adjusting shaft means.

Abstract: The flying shear is designed as a crank rocker shear for crosscutting metal strips continuously fed thereto, with the crank effecting entrainment of strip cutting knives in the direction of strip movement and return of the knives in the opposite direction, and with the crank radius being adjustable in accordance with different cutting lengths of the strip. A cylindrical drum is rotatably mounted in the shear frame, and the crank axle is mounted within the drum to extend parallel to the axis thereof and for adjustment radially of the drum. Cooperating wedge surfaces are provided on the inner surface of the drum and on the crank axle, and the wedges on the crank axle are adjustable by a threaded spindle, having right hand and left hand threads, threaded through the wedges and rotatable, to adjust the crank radius, by a hydraulic motor.