Abstract: The invention relates to a method of rolling tire rim blanks from flat metal strips obtained by unwinding strip material from a coil which is cut into strips of desired lengths which are then rolled into a circular shape by anvil rolls cooperating with bodily moveable bending rolls producing a controlled flat portion on the leading end of the strip prior to rolling and another controlled flat portion on the trailing end of the strip following the rolling.

Abstract: In the straightening machine of the invention, pivot plates are provided for mounting and pivotally supporting the upper movable rolls including the pinch rolls and the straightening rolls, whereby improved operation can be obtained. Expensive manufacturing costs can be reduced by employing pivot plates as disclosed by the present applicant. The task of maintenance is also reduced since fewer hours are needed for repairs whereas roll bearing capacity is materially increased. The pivot plates are pivotally supported by the side frames respectively having location adjacent the inside surface of the side frames and bearing units are mounted in the free ends of the pivot plates. It is possible to stagger the bearing units since the bearing units for the lower rolls are mounted for rotation in the side frames whereas the bearing units for the upper movable rolls are mounted in the pivot plates.

Abstract: The centering and holding device of the invention is a relatively simple but practical piece of equipment for attachment to a potter's wheelhead for centering and holding the pot such as a vase, bowl, plate or the like on the said wheelhead. The top plate of the device is provided with sliding arms for engaging and holding the pot and the body portion of each arm extends through the top plate to project below for co-action with spiral grooves formed in the surface of the bottom plate. When the plates are rotated relatively to each other the arms move radially and to a like extent.

Abstract: In the apparatus as herein disclosed, the strip material passes between a lower driven roll and an upper idler roll which is mounted on a vertically adjustable bracket member that maintains a square position at all times since it is trapped between the main support members of the housing. When the clamp screws are loosened the bracket will not cock or misalign. The upper idler roll is pivotally mounted on the bracket member for movement to and from the lower driven roll and pressure means in the form of an air bag is associated with the idler roll pivot arm, having a location outwardly beyond the idler roll.

Abstract: In punching, cutting and forming presses and the like, electronic detecting means and/or sensors are provided so as to trip the press and prevent an operation when a mal-function occurs such as a tear in the strip material or a mis-alignment or a mis-feeding of the strip. When the press is equipped with an elbow arrangement to permit adjustments for feed line height while maintaining feed cycle synchronization, then the arrangement must incorporate the automated locking device of the invention, the same automatically unlocking the swing plate simultaneously with the tripping of the press.

Abstract: The invention relates to plate handling apparatus of the type essentially comprising a plurality of vacuum suction cups for gripping a sheet of metal, plastic, glass or the like and wherein power cylinders respectively support and power the suction cups for bodily movement to and from a plate to be lifted and wherein additionally, the suction cups are attached to the end of their piston rod by a ball and socket connection with a member being provided to prevent rotation while permitting swivelling action.

Abstract: Certain steps in the present method of uncoiling and straightening strip material require that the pivotally mounted straightening machine have an inclined position as when operating on rather heavy and thick material. However when operating on thin strip material the pivotal straightening machine is horizontally positioned and substantially the same method steps are performed in passing the strip material to an accumulation pit. Also the coil is contained during operation to prevent uncontrolled expansion of the internal convolutions and stripping of the initial convolutions from the rotating coil and bending the same in a direction reverse to the curvature when on the coil is also contemplated by the method disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a train of gears housed within a gear box and designed for driving the lower straightening rolls of a feeding and straightening machine. The gears in the gear box are disposed in staggered relation in adjacent parallel planes and each drive gear is journalled by a drive shaft having a coupling connection to a straightening roll. The staggered arrangement of the drive gears is an important feature since the drive gears have pitch diameters greater than the center to center distance between adjacent straightening rolls. In addition to staggering the drive gears the invention provides idler gears which are interposed between adjacent drive gears, with one idler gear in one plane receiving the drive and the other idler gear in the adjacent parallel plane transmitting the drive.

Abstract: A gear and cam housing journals the shaft for intermittently driving the lower feed roll by means of conjugate cams, and by adjusting the vertical position of the housing, the feed line height is likewise adjusted. The invention provides a timing belt drive from the main drive shaft for the press to the drive shaft for the conjugate cams which will permit adjustments for feed line height while maintaining synchronized feed cycle and press timing relationship. Specifically, the apparatus includes a pair of sprockets and timing belts arranged to form an elbow, with one belt operatively connecting the press drive shaft with one timing sprocket at the elbow and wherein the other timing belt operatively connects the other timing sprocket with the drive shaft for the conjugate cams.

Abstract: In the uncoiling and straightening apparatus of the invention, the leading edge of the uncoiled strip material is caused to pass through a straightening machine which is supported for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis so that the machine may be moved to and from horizontal and inclined positions. The shaft providing the horizontal axis also supports a roller and the strip material is caused to contact the roller when the straightening machine is operating in an inclined position. Also to facilitate the uncoiling and bending operations on the material, a stripping apron and a back-breaker roller are incorporated in the apparatus, with the said stripping apron having pivotal movement on the said horizontal axis.

Abstract: In the strip feeding apparatus of the invention, the strip material passes between a lower driven roll and an upper idler roll which is mounted on a vertically slidable adjusting plate so as to move in a pivotal manner towards and from the lower driven roll. The idler roll is mounted on the adjusting plate by means of a pivotal bracket, whereby the idler roll and its bracket can be adjusted bodily in a vertical direction to and from the lower driven roll without disturbing the action of the pressure means forcing the idler roll towards the driven roll and without disturbing the action or timing of the actuating cam which periodically produces a lifting of the idler roll against the pressure of the pressure means.

Abstract: In the strip feeding mechanism of the invention, the main drive shaft drives meshing bevel gears on secondary shafts respectively, which extend in opposite directions with one secondary shaft being journalled by a main bearing cartridge unit. The said cartridge unit is characterized by a concentric surface and by an eccentric surface which is adjacent to the annular flanges of the unit. This novel feature of the cartridge unit enables the secondary shaft journalled thereby to be secured in the housing wall so as to eliminate all clearances in the bevel gearing and also to eliminate all clearances in the conjugate cam arrangements which are driven by this secondary shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns overvoltage arresters and its basic objective is to combine a carbon air gap device with a novel and improved surge voltage gas tube, the combination also including a fusible element and a coil spring. The coil spring becomes effective upon melting of the fusible element to connect the transmission line to ground so as to short out both the carbon air gap device and the gas tube thereby preventing overheating of the same. The carbon air gap device and the gas tube are so combined as to obtain the advantages of both, namely the long life advantages of the gas tube and the reliability of the carbon air gap device. The two devices are combined in such a manner whereby the carbon air gap device is a back-up for the surge voltage gas tube.

Abstract: The overvoltage arrester disclosed in the drawings employs a surge voltage gas tube in combination with a fusible element and also unique and novel means for effecting a metallic connection between the transmission line and ground in the event the fusible element is caused to melt. One element of the unique and novel means for effecting the metallic connection includes a coil spring having encircling relation with part of the gas tube. As a result of the metallic connection which includes the coil spring, the gas tube is shorted and overheating of the said tube is effectively prevented.