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 characterized by a plurality of circumferentially arranged guide assemblies which positively define a spiral strip path for strip material with adjacent turns thereof being maintained in radially spaced relation, and a common drive for uniformly moving the strip guide assemblies to radially expand and contract the spiral path for the strip material for increasing and decreasing the length of accumulated strip material. In one embodiment, the guide assemblies each include a radially movable guide roll basket which contains and guides multiple turns of the strip material along the spiral path with adjacent turns being maintained in radially spaced relation, and uniform radial movement of the guide roll baskets is obtained by a common drive and drag brake assembly or alternatively by a radially extending drive worm in mesh with a rack in the guide roll basket.

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helical path for the strip material so that a reserve capacity of strip material may be stored in the accumulator and withdrawn as needed to provide for continuous feed of the strip material to a continuous processing line and the like despite interruptions in the in-feed to the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.