US2132426A - Method and apparatus for straightening sheet material - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 1l., 1938. F. K. MussNEsr METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING SHEET MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept, 4, 1935 F. K. MUSSNEST METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STRAIGHTENING SHEET MATERIAL Oct. 11, `1938.

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l Q Q INVENTOR Patented Oot. 11, 1938 y UNITED 4STATI-:sl

METHOD AND APPARATUSl lFoa STRAIGHT- ENmG SHEET MATERIAL f Friedrioh K. Mussnost, Woodside, N. Y., ossignor to Hedweg Miussnest, Woodside, N. Y.

Application september 4, 1935, serial No. `39,091

19 Claims.

The great majority of roller levelers heretofore.

in use have employed the` principle of inclining the upper set of straightening rolls relative to the lower set of straightening rolls, or vice versa,

in order to produce deep corrugations at the entry-side of the sheet and waves or corrugations of gradually diminishing magnitude towards the exit side of the machine. Such adjustments may have beeny made either by individual roll adjustments or by unit adjustment of one row of straightening rolls with respect tothe other.

These known designs however have la number of shortcomings. It is for instance necessary to readjust the inclination of the rollswhen the straightening direction is reversed.` Furthermore, the work sheet is subjected to the deepest corrugations or waves at the entry side of the machine so that it is diiicult to start a sheet in the machine. To facilitate. the feeding of the work material, pinch rolls and the llkehave been used before.' Due to the fact that the deepest waves are produced at the entry side of the machines, thetraction of the rolls is not sulcient to carry the sheet into thelrolls Without slipping.

so Such slipping of the sheet between the rolls is accompanied by transverse marks on the sheet.

The`se marks are called entry marksl in the steel trade.k To' eliminate these entry marks,

that portion of the sheet whichshows the same u has to be sheared on'.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide means for the adjustment' of the straightening roll inclination so as to eliminate readJustment of the straighteningv rolls when the operating direction of the machine is reversed.

Another object is to provide means for facilitating the feeding ofthe work sheet into the entry rolls of the machine, whereby entry marks may be eliminated for work material of diering u hardness. p

These and other objects which will be pointed out inthe specications and especially in the claims .to follow, I attain by means of my invention disclosed in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a sheet straightening machine. Y

Fig. 2 is asectional front view of the machine on line 2 2 Fig. i.

Fig. 3 isa top View of the machine.l

u Fig. 4 illustrates a. sectional front view of a supporting arrangement of a tilting roller block on line 4-4 Fig. 1.

` Fig. 5 is a sectionai side view of a tilting roller block and supporting arrangement on line 5-5 Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 depicts an adjusting device forthe height 5 `adjustment block on line 6 -6 Fig. 1.

Fig. 'l shows a sectional side view of the wing adjustment mechanism on line .1-1 Fig; 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional front view of a coupling on lo line 8-8 Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 illustrates a sectional top View of parts of a tilting block or wing on line 9-9 Fig. 1.

Figs. 10 and 11 show diagrammatically roller arrangement with dlierent displacements of the 15 tilting wings.

Fig. 12 illustrates diagrammatically a modled roller arrangement with the supporting rolls positioned on top of the straightening rolls;

In Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive, one embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example in connection with roller levelers having supporting .or backing rolls which are arrangedvin staggered relation to the straightening rolls. In order to A preserve a unit height adjustment for all the upper rolls and at the same time provide means for the independent angular adjustment of the straightening rolls on the entry as well as on the exit or delivery side of the machine, the upper row of straightening rolls is divided into three .o sections.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l., 2 and 3, the machine comprises two frame elements or housings I5 which are suitably connected to each end of the base I6. Each housing I5 includes two parallel uprights I1 and one cap frame i8 secured toV said uprights. Two cross beams I! are provided to strength and stiften the housings I5.

For adjusting all upper straightening rolls as a 40 unit, each of the two adjustable blocks 2li, one of which is located in each housing I5, is provided with two suspension screws 2i, Fig. 6. Screws 2| engage threaded sleeves 22 which are rotatably' guided in* cap frames I8. At the top 45 of each sleeve is a worm-wheel 23 rotatable by a worm 24. The lower ends of screws 2i are mounted on` pivots I4 in blocks 20. Blocks 20 are guided on uprights I1 by gibs I3.

By raising or lowering the screws 2i, the com- 50 plete upper roll unit may be raised or lowered which is essential in order to regulate the distance between the upper and lower straightening rolls according to the thickness of the work material.

placed along each straightening roll tFig. 2).

right tilting frames 55 and 59 respectively, have different tasks. Whenfeeding a work sheet from left to right in Fig. 10, the right wing 59 must smooth out or atten the deep corrugations produced by the middle section of the machine (rolls 35, 44, 43, 42, 4i). 'I'he elimination of these deep corrugations or waves is accomplished by tilting the rolls 58, 51, 56 of the right wing 59 in such a manner that the apex of the tilting angle is directed towards the middle section of the machine. 'I'he tilting of the right wing 5!!v is shown to have as fulcrum the longitudinal axis of straightening ,roll 58. Thus the latter will not be raised by the tilting movement, but will maintain the same relative position to the lower straightening rolls.' Rolls 51 and 56, however,

Cross beam 34 which is shown to be fast to will be raised differing amounts relative to their adjustable blocks 20 forms part of the middle cooperating lower straightening rolls. The dissection of the upper roll unit and sustains tance between rolls 51 and 56 and their lower Straightening 1011S 35 at their ends in bearings rolls 50, 49, 48 will be increased, thereby gradulameS 94- AbOVel Straightening rolls 35 and ally decreasing the depth or magnitude of the staggered thereto are located supporting rolls waves to which the work sheet is subjected by |03, 38 and 39. In order to increase their stiffthe preceding rolls 35 as well as roll 58. In order neSS, these Supporting IOllS are comparatively to produce a flat sheet, the distance between the short and three such short backing rolls are exit roll trio 56, 49, 48 is selected as a general rule about equal to the thickness of material to be straightened. 'However, this amount of adjustment depends to a great extent on the hardness and onthe condition of the work material so that it is essential for eflicient operation to Two worms A24 are secured to each shaft 25 and 26. The latter are mounted in suitable bearings 21. Both shafts carry respective helical gears 28 and 29 which in turn engage respective helical gears 30 and 3| on shaft 32 which is located at right angles to shafts 25, 25, and rotatably sustained in bearings 62.

The left'hand side of the machine, Fig. 2, has been chosen as the operating side and all controls for the various adjustments are concentrated thereon. The end of shaft 32 is provided on the operating side of the machine with a suitable handwheel 33. A rotation thereof will actuate the gearing described.- whereby the whole upper roll unit may be raised or lowered as required.

The ends of these backing rolls are held in bearings 40 suitably fastened to cross beam 34.

Below the upper straightening rolls 35 of the middle section vare located their cooperating lower straightening rolls 4I, 42, 43, 44 rotatably be able to adjust the roll opening of the exit or mounted in base I6, together'with the remaining delivery roll trio (56, 49, 48) to suit-the condilower straightening rolls 45, 46, 41, 48, 49, and tion and physical characteristics of the work ma- 50. All these lower straightening rolls are shown terial, without, however, 'being forced to disturb to maintain their horizontal position at all the height adjustment of the .rolls in the middle times and they are prevented from sagging under` section of 'the machine. load by means of the lower supporting rolls 5| Generally speaking it may be/said that the which are in'staggered relation to their straight-v depth or magnitude of the waves is gradually deening or working rolls, similarly as described in creased from a maximum asbetween the roll conjunction with the upper straightening rolls 35 trio 58, 4I, 58 to zero between exit roll trio 56, and their backing rolls ID3, 38, 39. 49, 48.

Referring to Figs. 7, 10 and 11 of the drawings, 'I he left wing 55, Fig. 10, when feeding a sheet the nine upper straightening rolls may be classifrom left to right, is tilted' upwards around the ed to belong to three distinctly different secstraightening roll 54. The object of this tilting tions of the machine. Each of -these sections movement, which may be the exact duplicate of has to p roduce certain desired effects during the that of wing 59 with the apex of the tilting angle straightening process. also towards the middle section of the machine,

The threev centrally located upper straightenis to graduallyincrease the depth of the waves ing rolls 35, together with their cooperating lowin the entering sheet from .zero to maximum. er rolls already described, represent the middle Fig. 10 depicts the distance between the entry section. Zl'his sectidn has the primary task of roll trio 52, 45, 45 as being about a egual to the 'GhOOllghY kneading the work material to elimithickness of material. Consequently, these nrst nate internal strains, kinks, bends and so forth, rolls will not subject the work sheet to waves, in the work material. When providing 'the but as all the straightening rolls are individually Straightening rolls with deecting mechanisms driven these entering rolls will grip the sheet and Such as ,shown and described for example in my exert traction thereon. The next rollitrio 4t, 52, Patent No. 2,009,508 of July 30th, 1935, it is' fur- 53, however, will produce waves in the sheet. The ther possible to perform a positive stretching depths or magnitudeof lthesewaves however are action along the short areas of a distorted work smaller than those of the following waves prosheet. The kneading of the material or workduced by roll trios 53, 45, 41; .41., 58, 54; 54, 41, 44; ing of the same is accomplished by subjecting and so forth. Each roll trio subjects the work the -work sheet to a series of deep transverse material to one wave or one wave-shaped roll Waves or corrugatiOnS aS may be seen in Figs. 10 pass and may comprise one upper and two lower and 12. 'I'he kne'ading effect of a number ofrolls, or one lower and 'two upper rolls, respecdeep wavesfas shown in the illustrations 10 and tively. It-will be noted that due to the close- 12 Works the material t0 much higher degree' center, staggered arrangement of the upper and ,than the Sami? number 0f graduallydecreasing lower rows of straightening rolls in rollerlevelers, waves., A better straightening result will thereeach roll, with the exception of the first and the fore be obtained with the same number of last roll 45 and 48, rpectively, forms part of Straightening IOllS- more than one rolltrio and participates therefore vThe thlie upper Straightening'llls 52. 53., 54 .in more than one roll pass. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 belong t0 the left Wing 55. The three workingA s how that the work material is bent in reversed rolls 56, 51 and 58 form part of the right wing or directions between successive roll trios. The eftilting frame v59., g fect of the gradual increase in wave depth on the Depending on the feeding direction, left and entry side of the machine is to facilitate feeding "aisance of the stock, eliminating such'means as pinch rolls and the like used and required heretofore.

. Furthermore, the traction developed on the sheet by the first entry roll trio will help to bend the work sheet around the lsecond roll trio (48, 52, 53).

However, as the traction obtained by these twov roll trios is considerably greater than required to produce the formation of the comparatively small corrugation'in the second roll trio (46, 53,- 52),

there is an accumulation of surplus of traction available to carry the work sheetl through the subsequent rolls without slipping. The objectionable entry marks on the work sheet are thereby eliminated with a resulting saving due to the.

A2 and 3, and connected` to a transmission device (not shown) by coupling spindlesl. Due to the close center distances of the straightening'rolls and the greater center distances of the driving spindles on the transmission devicefon account of the gearing required for driving each spindle individually, the operating angles of the driving spindles and consequently those of the universal couplings for the straightening rolls in the right and left wings 55 and 59 respectively, are greater than those in the middle section of the machine (Fig. 3). However, contrary to conventional designs, in the arrangement shown the loads to be carried by the spindles of greater operating angle are smaller than those carried by the spindles which possess a smaller driving angle.

With respect to the angles of inclination which the left and right wings and their straightening rolls form with the lower straightening rolls, it

- will be understood, that these angles may be identical as shown in Figs. 10 and l2. This is especially desirablevwhenv the machine is to be frequently reversed. When working for ak longer period of time in the same direction, the entry wing may form a'smallei` or larger angle of in- This depends gagement by means of respective bifurcated levers 13, 14, Fig. 8. These levers are fastto respective clutch rods 15, 16, each of which has at its operating end a respective hand lever 11, 18, Fig. 3. The clutch rods are supported in suitable bearings 19, near the operating end of the machine,

while the opposite clutch rod ends are rotatablymounted in the gear bracket 80, fastened to the top surface of cross beam 3,4.

Gear bracket 80 also supports shaft '61 with its worms and clutches in bearings |04 and carries in its base thelrotatable shaft 8| vwhich actuates primarily on the hardness of the material. While I it may be possible to diminish the angle of inclination of the entry wing-compared to that of the exit Wing when comparatively soft material is attened whichl requires less force to bend the same around the entry roll trios or if entry marks are not objectionable, it may be necessary to increase the anglev of inclination of the' entry wing when handling harder material. If the straightening*4 of hard material represents the majority of'work, the number of straightening rolls in both wings may also be increased to interpose more steps for the gradual increase of wave depth from zero tomaximum. 1

To oscillate wings and 59 around the longitudinal axes of respective straighteningrolls 54, 58, respective gear segments 83, 64 may be mounted on top of these wings (Fig. 1). Worms 85; 66

are in engagement with these gear segments. The helix angle of both gear segments and Worms vis of a degree so asto make the same self-locking. Worms 65,166 are free on shaft 61 and may be .engaged and disengaged by respective jaw clutches 68, 69. The slidable clutch 'members 10, 1| of said jaw clutches are guided in keyways 12 and are each moved into and out of clutch en- .movement of these wings.

the wing adjustment. A helical gear 82 is fast to the bracket end of this shaft 8|. A similar gear 83, which is shown to be located in the middle of shaft 61 is in engagement with gear 82.

" Shaftl is maintained in bearings 84 and is provided at the .operating side ofthe machine with a suitable handwheel 85 for the rotation of said shaft and gears. i

Levers` 11, 18, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, are shown in horizontal positions, holding the jaw clutches in a disengaged position. By raising one or both of these hand levers 11218, one or both jaw clutches may be engaged and when turning handwheel 85, one or bothwings may be inclined as desired. The arrangement of separate jaw clutches for each wing makes it possible to tilt both wings to the same.angle of inclination or to different angles as required by the particular characteristics of the work sheet to be flattened.

Both wings 55 and 59 arein sliding engagement with adjusting blocks 20 in the manner .illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Each wing is suspended at each.

of its ends on two rods 86,-Fig. 4. Nuts 81, resting on the top surface of adjusting blocks 20 per-:1

mit adjustmentr of rods 86 in vertical directions. The rods 86 sustain a roller 88 which is rotatable on trunnions 89 in bearings 90. Rollers 88 rest on cylindrical surfaces 9| which iorm part ofthe Wings. The fulcrums of thesliding surfaces 9| coincide with the longitudinal axes of straightening rolls 54 and 58 respectively. The sliding surfaces 92 on each wing arealso cylindrical and the fulcrums thereof are alsothe centers of respective- rolls 54 and 58. l

The sliding surfaces 92 at the ends of each wing, Fig. 9, bear against surfaces of identical contours on the height `adjustment blocks 20. Suitable gibs or plates 93, fastened to these blocks prevent the wings from dislocation.

In order to maintain the three sections of the upper straightening rolls against lateral -movement, the bearing frames 94, carrying the straightening rolls 35 of the middle section, and bearing frames .95 in which the straightening rolls of the other sections are rotatably mounted, engage each other on cylindrical sliding surfaces 96. The fulcrums of these sliding surfaces co-` incide with the respective straightening roll 'axes 54, 58.' f

As the backingrolls 91, 98 and 99; and |00, |0'| and. |02 respectively, are mounted in wings 55 and 59 respectively, they will follow the tilting Consequently, when tilting the wings, backing rolls 99 and |00, respectively, will be moved towards stationary back- Aao ing rolls -|03l and 39,'respectively, of the middle f section. However, due to the common-fulcrums of sliding surfaces `92, ,9| and 96 the center distances between straightening rolls 54,58 and their backing rolls 99, |00, respectively, will always remain the same', as backing rolls 99, |00 will move` in an arc around the centers of their respective straightening rolls 54, 58. Thereby, the straightening. rolls 5I and 58 will always be eifectively supported, regardless of Whether all the upper rolls are in neutral locations or whether one or both wings have been tilted.

Plates or stop members |05 located at the outer bottom portion of blocks 20 positively locate each wing in its horizontal position. This horizontal or neutral position of the wings is shown for example in Fig. 1. It will be seen that in this neutral position the straightening rolls carried in the wings are in the same horizontalplane as the straightening rolls 35 of the middle section and do not form an angle of inclination with the lower straightening rolls. Y

Plates |05 are of help in locating all upper straightening rolls in one common plane which may be desirable after the left or right Wings have been adjusted individually to different angles of inclination. 'I'he stop surfaces |06 on the inner, upper portion of Wings and 59 and beam 34 of the middle section may also be used for the same purpose.V A rotation of handwheel 85 with both jaw clutches engaged, will tilt or oscillate both wings and raise the outside ends of wings 55 and 59 from their neutral locations shown in Fig. 1 to the angular positions depicted in Figs. 10 and 12. The tilting of both entry and exit wings may be referred to as double tilting.

Diagrammatc view Il shows the right wing 59 in neutral location, while the left wing is tilted. This illustrates the possibility of operating the machine either with both entry and exit wings tilted as depicted in Figs. 10 and 12, or only with one wing tilted. It will be realized that the oper` ating direction'in Fig. 11 must be from right to' left and may not be reversed without readjustment of ther'ight wing for iiattening out the waves in the sheet.

Fig. 12 illustrates a similar arrangement to that corresponding straightening rolls. In other words, thev supporting rolls are located on top of the straightening rolls and are not staggered as shown in the other views. It will be noted that the ldouble tiltingmay be similarly applied in this case. Furthermore, roller levelers without any backing or supporting means for the straighten- Iing rolls may be similarly arranged with double 'obtain the objects of the present invention. A

It will be understood that while in the embodiment of my invention as disclosed, each of the three sections of the upper straightening rolls comprises three rolls, any desired number of such rolls may @be used for each section. 'Furthermore, the double tilting may be similarly applied to the lower straightening rolls, or to both, upper and lower straightening rolls. The displaceable straightening rolls on the entry side and on the exit or delivery side may be located in diierent planesin their neutral position relative `to each 'other and/or the middle section and not in the same horizontal plane as the remaining straightening rolls therebetween.

While I have shown and described. by way of example, mechanisms for obtaining the stated ob- `jects, it will be obvious to those skilled in the I art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specically set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz" 1. In mechanisms of the character described, rows of cooperating straightening rolls between which a. work sheet is to pass, the distances between the longitudinal axes of the rolls of each of said rows being substantially alike, elements to sustain straightening rolls of said rows on the entry and on the delivery end of the machine, means to carry the remaining straightening rolls of said rows, further means to regulate said ele` ments sustaining said straightening rolls on the entry and on the delivery end of the machine relative to said means carrying said remaining -straightenig rolls so as to lgradually increase the magnitude Yof each of a series of Waves to which the material issubjected on the entry side and to gradually decrease the magnitude of each of a n series of wavestowards the delivery end.

2. In mechanisms of the character described,

rows of cooperating straightening rolls between which a work sheet is to pass, separate means for carrying straightening rolls located at each end of said rows, auxiliary means to sustain the remaining centrally located straightening rolls, means to maintain said auxiliary means in neutral location, and common means to displace said separate means including their respective straightening rolls in such a way that the dis- A tances between the cooperating straightening rolls at each end increase from said centrally located straightening rolls towards each end. of Fig. 10 with the exception that the supporting l rolls lill-are in the same vertical plane as the I3. In a roller leveler, rows of straightening rolls and supporting rolls, including groups of straightening rolls and their respective supporting rolls at each end of one of said rows, means to tilt each of said groups around a respective fulcrum, said fulcrum being one of the straightening rolls of the respective group.

4. Ina roller leveler, rows of straightening rolls and supporting rolls located in staggered relation thereto including a group of straightening rolls and related supporting rolls at each end of one of said rows, means to tilt each of said groups around a` fulcrum formed by the longitudinal axis of one straightening roll belonging to one group, whereby supporting rolls sustaining' the fulcrum rolls travel in an. arc around said fulcrum rolls. v

5. In a roller leveler, one middle section and two wings, straightening rolls and supporting 'rolls carried by said middle section and said wings Yand forming one row of straightening rolls, curvilinear sliding surfaces on each of said wings, the

fulcrums of said sliding surfaces of each wing to coincide with `the longitudinal axis of the respective straightening roll of each of` said wings which is adjacent to the straightening rollsV of said middle section.

6. In a roller leveler, a unit of straightening rolls formingarow, means to adjust said unit inv height, said unit to include one middle section and two wing sections to sustain said row -of rolls in groups, curvilinear sliding surfaces on each of aid-wings, said sliding surfaces of each wing to coincide with the longitudinall axis of the respective straightening roll of each of said wings which surfaces on the wings and said suspension surfaces being identical.

7. In a roller leveler, rows of cooperatingV ama-42o is adjacent to the straightening rolls of said middle section, curvilinear suspension surfaces for each of said wings, the iulcrums of said sliding Y straightening rolls between which a work sheet is to pass, one left wing element for sustaining the straightening rolls located at' the left end of one of said rows; one right wing element` for carrying the straightening rolls located at the right end of said row, one central frame element to sustain the centrally located straightening rolls of said row,- common means for tilting said left wing element and said right wing element so that the angles of inclination which the straightening rolls in both said left and said right wing elements form with said centrally locatedV straightening rolls, are substantially identical.

8. In a roller leveler, rows of cooperating straightening rolls, sustaining means for one of said rows of straightening rolls, means to adjust said sustaining means including said row ot section.

straightening rolls in height asa unit, one middle section and two wing sections for carryingsaid 'row of straightening rolls in groups, means to maintain' the respective lateral locations of said middle section and said two Wing sections, means to Atilteach of said wing sections upwards relativeto said'middle section around a respective fulcrum, said fulcrum of each of said wing sections to coincide with'the longitudinal axis of the ref spective straightening roll in each of said wing sections which is adjacent to thestraightening rolls of said middle section.

9. In mechanisms of the character described, ai' unit comprising straightening rolls forming a row.

said unit including one middle section and two wing sections to sustain said row of rolls in groups, means for inclining each of said wing sections with respect to said middle'section in such a manner that the lapices of their angles of inclination are 10. In mechanisms of the character described,

. a unit comprising straightening rolls forming a row, said unit including two wing'sections to sustain said row of rolls in groups, common means for raising or lowering said two wing sections including their associated straightening rolls, and

further` means for tilting each of said wing sections in such a manner thatthe apex of-the tilting angle of one of said wings is directed toward `the apex of the tilting angle of the other wing.

11. In mechanisms of the character described, rows of cooperating and substantially equi-distant straightening rolls between which a work sheet is subjected to a series of wave-shaped roll passes, separate means for carrying the straight-v ening rolls located at each end of oneof said rows, auxiliary means to sustain the centrally llocated straightening rolls of lsaid row, tilting means including curvilinear guiding elements for each of said separatecarrying means.

12. In mechanisms of the character described, rows of straightening rolls, supporting rolls arranged in ,staggered order thereto, means .for

carrying the straightening rolls and their respective suppqrting rolls located at each end of one of said rows, auxiliary means to sustain the centrally located straightening and supporting rolls of said row, further means to tilt each of said carrying means including their'straightening rolls and `associated supporting rolls with respect to said centrally located rolls, the fulcrum of the directed toward said middle tilting movement of each of said carrying means I being the longitudinal axis of one of said straightening rolls of said row.

13. In mechanisms of the character described, rows of straightening rolls between which a work sheet is to pass, series of supporting rolls for said straightening rolls, said supporting rolls being located betweensuccessive straightening rolls and revolubly engaging the same, means for inclining the straightening rolls and their associated supporting rolls located at each end of one of said rows with. respect to the remaining straightening rolls, and further means to maintain the center distances of said supporting rolls and their associated inclinable straightening rolls when said rolls are being inclined.- g `5vllt. In mechanisms of the character described,v a unit comprising straightening rolls forming a row, means to adjust said unit in height, said unit including two wing sectionsto sustain said row of rolls in groups, means to tilt each of said wing sections, the fulcrum of the tilting movement of oneof said wing sections to coincide with the longitudinal axis of one of said straightening -rolls, and "the fulcrum of the tilting movement of the other wing section to coincide with the longitudinal axis of anotherof said straightening rolls.

15. In mechanisms of the character described,

rows of cooperating straightening rolls betweeny rolls located at each end of one of said rows,

auxiliary meansto sustain the remaining centrally located straightening rolls of said row, and individually operable means'to displace said separate means including their respective straightening rolls in such a way that the distances between the cooperating straightening rolls at each end increase from said centrally located straightening rolls towards each end. i

16. In mechanisms of the character described, rows of cooperating straightening rolls between which a work sheet is to pass, separate means for carrying the straighteningrolls located at eachv end of one of said rows, auxiliary means to sustain the centrally located straightening rolls of said row, means to tilt each of said carrying means independently from the other, and common nfeans' group of working rolls in such a manner that the bending action gradually increases from zero to a maximum, thereafter continuing the bending action at maximum during the intermediate straightening step between another group of rolls, and iinally flattening out the work material between a third group of rolls, the `iiexing action of which gradually decreases to zero, the while backing up said working rolls intermediate their,

ends toavoid detrimental deflection of said rolls and consequent injurious action on the work ma terial.

18. The method of treating sheet or strip material which comprises passing it through a series of roll trios to subject the material to wave- 'shaped roll passes, directing a lesser bending action upon the material in the first roll trio than in the succeedingintermediate roll trios in such to a maximum, thereby accumulating a surplus of traction on the work material, thereafter using said accumulated traction to carry the work material without slipping through another group of working rolls representing the intermediate straightening step and maintaining the bending action at maximum during this intermediate straightening stage, nally flattening out the work material between a third group of rolls, the exing action of which gradually zero.

FRIEDRICH K. MUSSNEST.

decreases to l0

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