Abstract: An inverter apparatus for strips of sheet material which are affected by a magnetic field. The apparatus includes a pair of parallel drums which rotate in opposite directions immediately adjacent each other. Mounted within the drums in prescribed and fixed relationship are permanent magnets. A strip adheres to the first drum under the effects of the magnets within and rotates with that drum until it comes between the two drums. At that point the strip enters the field of the magnets in the second drum and departs the field of those in the first whereby it adheres to the second drum. The strip rotates with the second drum until it departs the field of the magnets therein, whereupon the strip drops off the drum in inverted relationship.

Abstract: A machine control system includes a CRT on which a five bit screen image code is displayed, indicative of the particular screen image being displayed. Five sensors are mounted such that each senses a respective one of the code regions of the screen image code and generates a respective sensor signal. A controller compares the sensor signals with the screen image code for a commanded one of the screen images and indicates any disparity therebetween. In this way, a positive check is provided that the display screen actually displays the intended one of the image screens, and that the screen is in fact functional. In addition, a plurality of pushbuttons are provided which operate in two separate modes. In the first mode the pushbuttons provide programming inputs to the controller and in the second mode the pushbuttons act to control the machine directly via an alternate device, bypassing the controller.

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: 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: 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 rotary drive unit for forming or punch presses and the like has an interposed relation between the drive shaft of the press and the face plate to which the reciprocating rack is pivotally secured. One end of a link member is pivotally connected to an eccentric crank pin carried by a drive ring fixed to the drive shaft and rotated thereby, and the other end of the link member is pivotally connected to a second eccentric crank pin carried by a circular disc member mounted for rotation in a housing provided by the press, the disc member having a center of rotation spaced a distance from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft. With the drive shaft rotating at uniform speed, the disc member functions as a driven member and rotates at a speed which is non-uniform. More specifically the face plate will rotate to impart a complete feeding stroke of 180.degree. to the rack for a minor portion of each revolution of the press drive shaft followed by a complete return stroke of the rack of 180.degree.

Abstract: As heretofore manufactured, straightening machines have incorporated chain and sprocket drives and the straightening rolls have been geared together so as to rotate in unison. At high speeds the problems of lubrication on the plain roll bearings and as regards the chains and sprockets become increasingly more difficult. By using flexible belts and more particularly timing belts for driving the rolls of the straightening machine, the belt drive system of the invention eliminates the gears and also the speed reducing units as previously employed. Countershafts are driven from the drive motor by one or more flexible belts and other flexible belts are employed for driving the pinch rolls and the lower straightening rolls from the said countershafts.