Abstract: A method of disposing a bar of rectangular cross-section includes firstly placing the bar on a first substantially cylindrical surface which is connected to a second cylindrical surface along a common generatrix. Two tangential planes along the generatrix form a dihedral angle, preferably 145.degree.. The first surface is then tilted to cause the bar to slide toward the common generatrix until it abuts against the apex of the dihedral angle. The tilt is increased until the bar either slides or tips onto the second surface. Thereafter, the bar, which rests on the second surface on one of its wider sides, is collected. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes at least two substantially cylindrical surfaces connected along a common generatrix. Two tangential planes along the generatrix form a dihedral angle, preferably 145.degree.. The cylindrical surfaces are formed on the edges of at least two rotatable members of cruciform shape.

Abstract: An accumulator for a flexible metal strip has a rotatable annular plate for supporting spiral wound turns of the strip and an outer and inner crown of rollers disposed at the outer and inner peripheries thereof. A deflecting device is disposed inside the inner crown of rollers to guide the inner turn of the strip out of the accumulator and over the spiral wound turns of the strip. The deflecting device has a series of rollers with fixed axes which are tilted with respect to the plate axis at varying angles which preferably increase directly with decreasing distance from the accumulator outlet. The intersections of the axes of the deflecting rollers with the plane are preferably on a circle having an axis displaced with respect to the plane axis and the projections of the deflecting roller axes on the plate plane preferably form a constant angle with the tangents of the circle at each of these intersections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a band pressing shoe. Such shoe includes a rigid body to which is attached a thin flexible and inextensible strip. When the rigid body is subjected to a pressing thrust, the strip assumes an arcuate shape and tautens. Between the strip and the band are interposed one or more fluid cushions supplied from a manifold through an elastic mattress made of a cellular material. The pressing shoe can be supplied in all cases where it is required to drive or restrain a band running over a cylinder (e.g. a roller, drum, pulley or the like), examples being conveyor belts, transmission belts, metal strips undergoing splitting, planing or coiling, and so forth.