Abstract: A strip accumulator for supporting a continuous length of strip material includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced stationary idler rolls for supporting an inner bundle of convolutions of the strip material on edge and an outer rotatable table surrounding the stationary idler rolls for supporting an outer bundle of such strip convolutions on edge. The upper surfaces of the stationary idler rolls are at a height above the table support surface for ease of transfer of the convolutions of the inner bundle from the stationary idler rolls to the table as the convolutions of the inner bundle expand during filling of the accumulator with strip material.

Abstract: A strip accumulator for supporting a continuous length of strip material includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced stationary idler rolls for supporting an inner bundle of convolutions of the strip material on edge and an outer rotatable table surrounding the stationary idler rolls for supporting an outer bundle of such strip convolutions on edge. During overspeed filling of the accumulator, lifters are activated to facilitate transfer of the convolutions from the inner bundle to the outer bundle. Circumferentially spaced, radially extending skid bars may be provided on the upper surface of the rotatable table to reduce drag on the strip material during such transfer of the strip material from the stationary idler rolls to the rotatable table during overspeed filling of the accumulator. When the accumulator is filled to the desired capacity, the lifters are lowered out of the way so as not to interfere with the smooth transfer of the convolutions from the outer bundle to the inner bundle.

Abstract: Strip joining apparatus for joining the ends of two metal strips in overlapping relation includes a shear assembly mounted for indexing movement from a remote location to a first shear position for shearing an end of one of the strips and a second position for shearing an end of antoher strip which is located further from the remote location than the first shear position by a distance corresponding to the desired overlap between the sheared strip ends. Different gauging or stop surfaces are used for locating the shear assembly in the first and second shear positions. Also, the end of the strip that is sheared at the first shear position is moved out of the way during movement of the shear to the second shear position so as not to interfere with the shearing of the other stirp at the second shear position.

Abstract: Continuous strip accumulator includes a convolution transfer annulus providing for controlled expansion and contraction of the stored convolutions between inner and outer sections within the accumulator. During mill match operation of the accumulator, the convolution transfer annulus is retained against movement but still provides support for the strip material as it moves from the inner section to the outer section. A differential drive between the entry and exit pinch rolls provides for mechanical synchronous operation of the entry and exit pinch rolls during the mill match mode. During the welding mode, when it is desired to replenish the supply of strip material, movement of the incoming strip is stopped and the convolution transfer annulus is driven by the differential drive in a direction causing positive transfer of the convolutions from the outer section to the inner section in mechanical synchronism with the exit pinch rolls to provide a continuous uninterrupted supply of strip material to the mill.

Abstract: A feed-in mechanism for feeding strip material in helical fashion into an accumulator while preventing any bending or bowing of the incoming strip material by maintaining the strip material in the helix under tension. The feed-in mechanism includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, helically arranged strip guides which define a helical path for the incoming strip, and a traction feed and tensioning device respectively located at the entry and exit ends of the helical path. The traction feed pushes the strip material along the helical path while the tensioning device exerts a pulling force on the strip material to maintain the strip material in the helix under tension. The traction feed includes a stationary idler roller and a powered traction roller journaled in a pivoting frame.

Abstract: A strip accumulator and method characterized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged strip guide basket assemblies which positively define a spiral path for the strip material with adjacent turns thereof being maintained in spaced relation, and means for uniformly moving the strip guide basket assemblies radially to expand and contract the helical path for the strip material so that a reserve capacity of strip material may be stored in the accumulator and withdrawn as needed to provide for continuous feed of the strip material to a continuous processing line and the like despite interruptions in the in-feed to the accumulator as when the end of the coil is reached and a new coil is required to be welded thereon.

Abstract: A crop shearing and joining method and apparatus includes a manually operable crop shearing assembly for producing clean linear edges at the ends of respective strips, sheets or the like, and a joining assembly for welding or otherwise securing the ends of two different strips or sheets together. Also, a strip aligning and clamping assembly comprising two independently operable clamping devices utilizes one of the clamping devices to provide an alignment stop for aligning the end of one strip relative to the welding torch or the like in the joining assembly and then uses that aligned strip end to facilitate alignment of the strip end to be joined therewith. Moreover, the clamping devices provide substantially full backing support of the aligned strip ends during the joining operation.