US2252085A - Apparatus for flattening and leveling sheet coil, and plate material - Google Patents

Description

1941- F. K. MAussNEsT 2,252,085

PLATE MATERIAL APPARATUS FOR FLATTENING AND LEVELING SHEET, COIL, AND

Filed-Oct. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l g- 1941- F. K. MAUSSNEST APPARATUS FOR FLATTENING AND LEVELING SHEET, COIL, AND PLATE MATERIAL Filed Oct. 6, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,zos 4a INVENTOR APPARATUS FOR FLATTEG iii LEVEL- Application ()ctober 6, 1938, Serial No. 233,558

(Ci. 153-=-54l 15 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for flattening and leveling sheet, coil, and plate material in machines of the roller leveler type.

The conventional types of roller levelers have their upper and lower straightening or working rolls sustained by suitable supporting or backingup rolls which are in contact with the straightening rolls and absorb the working load created by the work material passing in between the cooperating upper and lower straightening rolls, usually arranged'in staggered order.

It has been found that cylindrical supports such as rolls for the straightening rolls are subject to certain limitations and to defects in operation. The diameters of the backing-up or supporting rolls can not be made much larger than the straightening rolls when the supporting rolls are arranged to back their respective straightening rolls over substantially the entire width which is desirable because the smaller the straightening rolls can be made for a certain range of gauges, the better the straightening result will be.

The diameter of the supporting rolls is limited because these backing rolls are located successively between two straightening rolls and would touch each other if increased much above the' size of the straightening rolls. This limits the bearing size which in turn determines the life of these bearings and the maximum permissible operating speed.

A: further shortcoming of cylindrical supports for the straightening rolls is that friction with the straightening rolls is employed to rotate these backing-up rolls. This friction between straightening rolls and supporting rolls to rotate the latter, results in slip between the surfaces of both sets of rolls, so that the highly finished surface of the straightening rolls is marked. This in turn will cause marks on the sheet ma.- terial which is to be straightened.

The marking of the straightening roll surfaces partly is caused during the time the straightening rolls are rotating without work material in between them. When no working load is on the straightening rolls, the pressure between the straightening rolls and supporting rolls is small and consequently the friction is usually insufii- 'cient to cause the supporting rolls to rotate.

When work material is fed in the straightening rolls, the supporting rolls must be accelerated practically from zero speed to the speed of the straightening rolls. This requires a definite period of time, depending on the speed of rotation of the straightening rolls and on the pressure existing between straightening rolls and supporting rolls. During the time interval of acceleration, the supporting rolls must of necessity slip on the straightening rolls, causing further marking of the latter. The above described acceleration cycle of the supporting rolls takes place every time a new sheet enters the machine. The marking effect obviously increases with increase in speed and on the other hand, the danger of marking diminishes with decreased operating speeds.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide supports for the straightening rolls which are not cylindrical but planar to permit provision of any size bearing for absorbing the load regardless of straightening roll diameter.

It is a further object to drive these planar supporting surfaces in synchronism with the straightening rolls to prevent these rolls from being marked.

Another object of this invention is to provide means to synchronize the linear speed of the planar supporting surfaces with the circumferential speed of the straightening rolls.

These and other objects which will be pointed out in the specification and especially in the attached claims, I attain by means of my invention disclosed in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional front view of the new roller leveler along line l-l, Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view showing the machine lengthwise along line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the plan of part of the bottom section of the roller leveler on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of one of the movable planar supports and its mounting elements.

Fig. 5 depicts a series of carrying elements shown partially in section on line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional front view of a modifrl ciad bottom section of the leveler on line 6-6.

Fil ig. '7 is a side view of the bottom section of Fig. 8 is part of a top. view of the sectionshown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a cross-section of a number of upper and lower straightening rolls.

Fig. 10 illustrates a plan view of the variable drive for the supporting plates 01 the straightening rolls.

In referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the roller leveler shown comprises a lower base section I and an upper detachable section 2. The base 3 of section I is formed by two leg members 4 and I which may be joined by and be integral with a heavy cross beam 6. The upper surface of this beam is provided in a lengthwise direction with shoulders I, on which rest smoothly finished races or running surfaces 8. These races are prevented from shifting by taper pins 9 or other suitable means.

On each of the races 8 rests a series of carrier rolls l0, supported on their necks I i by ball bearings i2 in bearing supports l3, l4, Figs. 4 and 5. Two each of the bearing supports l3, l4, are

riveted to, or fastened by other suitable means to respective planar supports l5, I6, whereby the bearing support I3 is made to carry or house two ball bearings I2, while the bearing support [4 straddles suitable shoulders H of support l3 and is partly rotatable on these shoulders. While the designs shown are proposed with double row ball bearings, it will be understood that any other type bearings may be selected such as for example bronze bushings, oilless bearings, roller bearings, pin bearings, etc.

The interconnection of the plurality of bearing supports i3, i4, with their respective support plates l5, It, forms a chain-like or conveyor-like structure of supporting plates, which, as shown in Fig. 2, act as a belt or endless band i8, driven continuously over race 8. While resting on this race, these supporting plates form one continuously moving, endless planar surface.

The plate support l8 may be rotated in either direction by sets of sprocket wheels I9, 29, which engage support rolls in and are mounted on respective shafts 2|, 22, rotatably held in base 3. Sprocket shafts 2|, 22, are provided with oneway clutches at one of their ends. Fig. 1 shows for instance one-way clutch 23 at end of shaft 2 I.

The operation of these clutches will be explained and described later. I

The two leg members 4 and have fastened to their top surfaces respective straightening roll supports 21, 28, in which are rotatably held a series or a bank of lower straightening rolls 29. These rolls are substantially evenly spaced and their location in height is such that they will rest on the smooth surfaces of the conveyor-like supporting plates i5, Hi. In order to properly adjust the height of the straightening rolls relative to their supporting plates, shims 30 may be placed underneath the roll supports 21, 28.

The opposingly located edges or borders 3i of 'the supporting plates, resting against each other while traveling past the straightening rolls 29, may not be at right angles to their outer edges 32, but oblique to same, as well as to the longitudinal axes of the straightening rolls, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the adjacent edges of the supporting plates, when passing a straightening roll, will contact the latter on points only, but never along the entire line of the oblique edges, thus insuring an even and smooth action regardless of relative positions of straightening rolls and supporting plates.

The upper section 2 of the roller leveler is guided in suitable manner in a set of guide plates 25, Fig. 2, mounted on the straightening roll supports 21, 29, or forming an integral part with same. This upper section comprises upper straightening roll supports 31, 33, having a bank of upper straightening rolls 39. It will be'noted that the upper straightening rolls 39 are arranged in staggered order with respect to lower straightening rolls 29, thus subjecting he work material passing through to waves or corrugations.

The upper straightening roll supports are held connected to the upper frame structure 40, provided with a cross beam 4| for supporting the planar supports 42. These endless bands, which are identical to the lower supporting mechanisms l8, may differ, as far as number of separate supporting bands are concerned, from the lower planar supports. By way of example, the lower half of the machine is shown with three separate bands I8, each band having its own distinct set of comparatively narrow plates l5, IS. The upper half of the leveler is shown with a series of wider supporting plates 43. Each of the plates 43 is held by three sets of bearing supports 44 in a row to absorb the working pressure. More or fewer bearing supports or a multiplicity of narrow supporting plates may be arranged as desired or required. One wide supporting plate 43 is shown for the upper roll bank to demonstrate that the conveyor-like structure may be designed in any desired way, either with one supporting plate clear across the entire length of the straightening rolls, or the supporting structure may be subdivided into two or more separate supporting structures. The choice of the proper number of separate bands will depend on the prevailing conditions, thickness of material, speed, desired method of straightening roll deflection, and so forth.

The upper movable section 2 may be supported in known manner by threaded spindles l1 and hingedto the lower roll supports 27, 29. Worm wheels 48, in mesh with worms 49 may be provided on shafts 50 for adapting the roll opening to the thickness of material to be straightened. Helical springs 5| may be provided to counterbalance the weight of the upper frame structure to facilitate height adjustment and tilting of the entire upper structure by means of hand wheels 52 on shafts 50. Several designs for the height adjustment and tilting of the upper straightening roll bank with their supporting means are known in the trade and any one of these designs may be used in connection with the new planar, conveyor-like .supporting mechanism disclosed, because the design of the height adjustment and tilting ofthe upper roll bank does not form a part of the present invention.

Those parts of the upper section 2 which are identical to those of the lower section I have received like numerals with a prime mark attached to same to shorten the description and make its reading simple and more comprehensive.

To operate the roller leveler, the lower chainlike supports it and the upper conveyor-like supports 42 are each rotated by a power drive 58 shown in Fig. 10. This power drive 55 may comprise a reversible electric motor 59 connected to a conventional variable speed transmission 51, such as for instance an adjustable V-belt drive of known design. Any other suitable power drive such as variable speed hydraulic equipment, or individual motor drive for each spindle 90, 60', 6|, 6 I may be employed, or the drive for the planar supports may be combined with the drive for the upper and lower straightening rolls. In the arrangement shown, the driven pulley 59 of the transmission is connected by suitable means, such as gearing (not shown) to shafts 50, 60', 6|, 9!. Obviously, lower shafts 60, 6|, will rotate in opposilte direction to upper shafts 60', 3|, respecive y.

Shafts 60, 6|, 30', 6| are provided with suitable universal couplings. Fig. 10 shows the couplings 62' and 63' on upper shafts 2|, 22', respectively, which drive the respective one-way clutches 23, 24'. One-way clutch 24' will couple shaft 22' and drive-spindle 88 when the latter revolves in counterclockwise direction. Should spindle 88' be driven in clockwise direction, shaft 22' will not be driven positively. The opposite action takes place between spindle 6| and shaft M, respectively. Similar conditions prevail as far as lower shafts 88, 81, are concerned. If, for instance, the electric motor drives shaft 88 in clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 10, its one-way clutch will engage for operation and drive the supports l8 in clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2. Then shaft 6|, while rotating in the same direction as shaft 68, will bedisengaged from the sprocket shaft 2| due to the one-way action of the "one-way clutch 23 and consequently shaft 2| is free to idle.

If the direction of the electric motor is reversed, shafts 88, 6|, will then rotate in counterclockwise direction. Clutch 23, therefore, will be in positive engagement and will drive-the support l8 also in counterclockwise direction, while oneway clutch on shaft 88 remains disengaged. The type of drive shown is of the simplest design and is only intended to demonstrate how the series of planar supports may be driven to obtain always a pull on the conveyor-like belts in the operating direction, at the same time permitting variation of the speed of the supporting bands to synchronize the same exactly with the circumferential speed of the straightening rolls. As is known, the straightening rolls of roller levelers have to be dressed or reground from time to time and obviously some mechanism must be provided to vary the speed either of the supports or of the straightening rolls, in order to maintain a free rolling action of the straightening rolls on the supporting plates. It is realized, however, that this drive problem may be solved in a great many different ways, and if the operating speed of the leveler is slow and hence the period of acceleration short with consequent less danger of marking the straightening rolls, the conveyor-like supporting bands may even be moved by frictional contact with the straightening rolls instead of being separately driven.

The lower straightening rolls 29 and their cooperating upper straightening rolls 39 have at their respective driving ends universal couplings 85 and 85' which are connected to respective drive spindles 68 and 88'. Both sets of shafts are rotated at the same speed by a conventional power drive (not shown) which may consist of gear box, speed reducer, and prime mover such as motor.

Referring to Figs. 6 and '1, the mechanism shown comprises a modification of the lower base section of the roller leveler described. The purpose of this modified base section is to provide a simple and effective means of utilizing the planar supports for flexing the straightening rolls, whenever the mill shape of a sheet is to be corrected for rendering the sheet level.

The selection of the shape of the flexed working contour of the straightening rolls depends on the distorted condition of the sheet, coil, or plate to be straightened. Certain types of material require convex straightening roll contours, others concave contours ora combination of both. By way of example, Figs. 6 and '1 show apparatus for convex and concave straightening roll deflection, but obviously the design illustrated may easily be adapted to other deflection contours.

The lower section 18 comprises a base 1| having two leg portions 12, 13, integral with a crossbeam 14 which has two race supports 18, 18, sustaining each a planar supporting mechanism 18 which is similar to those previously described. Each planar supporting mechanism 18 has a series of interconnected links 19, provided with rotatable carrier rolls 88. Above these rolls and at right angles to same, each link carries a swivel pin 8| and a swivel plate 82 which serve the purpose to sustain the working load exerted on the planar support by the straightening rolls when a sheet is passing through them. Each swivel plate is limited in its lateral movement by stop members 84 integral with link 19. p

- Straightening rolls 83 are rotatable in bearing blocks 85 which may have curvilinear supporting surfaces 88 engaging and resting on like surfaces of vertically movable pillow-blocks 81. The latter are slidable in pairs of uprights 88, 89 forming a part with the respective leg members 12, 13. The pillow blocks are guided by suitable gibs or plates 98, fastened to these uprights, and may be raised or lowered by two pairs of adjusting screws 9!, held rotatable in base 11. These screws have each a worm-wheel 92 engaging in pairs the worms 93 which are fast to a regulating shaft 94, provided with a hand wheel and rotatable in suitable bearings 96 on base H.

In addition to the endwise located worms 93, shaft 94 carries a third worm 93' which engages a pair of worm wheels 92' of which each worm wheel is fast to an adjusting screw 9! held rotatable in the cross-beam 14. The thread or each screw9l engages a vertically displaceable supporting race 91, slidable in and guided by suitable brackets 98. On the supporting race rests a planar supporting structure 18 identical to supporting mechanism 18. The several series of planar supports are driven by sprockets 99, I88, fast to respective shafts I81, I02, tobe driven in the manner previously described.

The third worm 93' on shaft 94 has its thread cut in a direction different from those of the two end worms 93. so that during a rotation of this shaft by handwheel 95, the vertical movement of the pillow-blocks 81 will be in the opposite direction to the centrally located supporting race 91. Hence, if the pillow-blocks 81 are moved from their neutral location in Fig. 6 in a downward direction, the planar support 18' will be raised so that the straightening rolls 83 will be deflected into a convex contour. The degree of deflection will depend on the amount of adjustment given by rotating hand wheel 95 more or less.

If the pillow-blocks 81 are raised, the middle planar supporting mechanism 18' is lowered and the straightening rolls 83 will assume a concave formation, when work material passes through the leveler. The traveling swivel plates 82 are free to oscillate so that they will fully support the straightening rolls regardless of their shape or degree of deflection.

Therefore, the modification of the lower section of the supporting band type leveler discloses by way of example how the straightening rolls may be subjected to either convex or concave deflection contours, while being backed-up by moving planar supporting surfaces.

The upper roll bank for the modified lower section just described has not been shown and may consist inone single full width supporting band or sectional arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. The upper section would be adjustable in height and tiltable as previously described.

Fig. 9. showing a crow section of respective upper and lower straightening rolls ill. and Ill. depicts spacer bars I" which are located in the spacings between each successive straightening roll. These spacer bars may be partly conical in cross-section to seat themselves against the circular surfaces of the straightening rolls. The spacer bars may be made in such lengths as to cover substantially the entire length of the straightening rolls or the spacer bars may be subdivided as illustrated in Fig. 6, where three short spacers are provided for, each straightening roll. Each spacer is held against its respective straightening roll by suitable springsiill, Fig. 6, and the springs may be anchored in pairs on compensating levers liil, pivoted on angle bars ill. The springs located at the ends of the two outer bars are fastened to ,angle bars "2. Bars Ill and H2 are fastened to suitable brackets 3 on the frame of the machine.

The spacer bars ill serve two distinct purposes. One is to prevent the work material from being wrapped around a straightening roll. This may occur when high pressure is exerted on the work material and when the opening between the lower and upper bank of straightening rolls is made very narrow.

The other reason for employing spacer bars I is to prevent horizontal deflection or bowing of the straightening rolls in the direction the work material will travel. The spacer bars will maintain the straightening rollshorizontally straight and at each end of each roll bank, auxiliary rollers I are provided to give each roll bank additional support against horizontal defiection. The rollers I are freely rotatable in a rigid cross bar Ill, secured to the frame of the machine. Any number of individual rollers Ill may be arranged, depending on the width of the machine and on the straightening roll diameter employed.

Instead of using rollers for the horizontal support of the straightening rolls, properly shaped blocks may be used as shown in Fig. 2, so that the end rolls of each roll bank will slide directly on horizontal support bars 8.

The movable supporting band type leveler as disclosed, while having all the advantages of the conventional type roller levelers, does not,

' however, possess the defects of the latter. Marking of the straightening rolls and consequently of the work material may be eliminated by driving the planar supporting surfaces in synchronism with the straightening rolls. The surfaces of the supports touch each straightening roll on a line and in a manner, whereby a radius of each roll extending from this line is substantially normal to the area of said surfaces.

Instead of taking power away from the slim straightening rolls, as in the case of supporting rolls, the driven planar supports rather help in the rotation of the straightening rolls. This is of vital importance, because one of the chief limiting factors in selecting the smallest possible straightening roll diameter. for a given sheet thickness is the horse power transmitting capacity of the straightening roll necks. Hence, in the conveyor type leveler, the full power transmitted by the straightening roll necks may be utilized for useful work on the sheet.

It will be evident from the-aforegoing description that the conveyor type leveler solves also completely the problem of load carrying capacity of the supporting mechanism. While serious limitations existed previously as to rigidity of escapes 5 support as well as hearing size. the supporting mechanism of the new leveler may be arranged with bearings of any desirable size or type. because the size of the carrier rolls ll, Figs. 2 and 5, does not depend on the diameter of the straightening rolls. Consequently, the carrier rolls It may be as large in diameter as required which permits, it necessary, the application of bearings i2, Fig. 5, several times the diameter of the straightening rolls. The conveyor type leveler may be made with a minimum number of supporting, bands per straightening roll, while it was necessary heretofore to employa large number of short supporting roll banks to obtain suflicient load carrying capacity and rigidity which construction obviously is very expensive to build and maintain.

The designs shown are susceptible of change and variation without departing from the spirit of this invention which resides in the application of one or more conveyor-like planar supporting means along the straightening rolls of roller levelers in order to maintain the straightening rolls either in straight horizontal position or to deflect these straightening rolls into any desired working contour.

The scope of the present invention is therefore desired to be restricted only by the claims to follow.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, straightening rolls, supports arranged in several series, each series having said supports interconnected with each other, said supports having planar surfaces for contacting with and sustaining the load of each straightening roll, means for rotating said straightening rolls and for successively moving all series of supports past said straightening rolls, further means to raise or lower certain of said moving series of supports with respect to the other series.

2. In a machine of the character described, straightening rolls, planar supporting means for backing up said straightening rolls and consisting in supporting plates interconnected to form an endless, planar supporting band while said supporting plates are in contact with said straightening rolls, the adjacent edges of said supporting plates being at an angle to the axes of said straightening rolls to insure shockless operation, means for rotating said straightening rolls and for moving said planar supporting means past said straightening rolls, and further means for regulating the speed of said supporting means to cause said supporting means to travel at linear speeds substantially identical to the tangential speeds of said straightening rolls.

3; In a machine of the character described. two banks of straightening rolls between which the work material passes, means for rotating said rolls, independent planar supporting means for each bank of rolls, backing means for retaining said independent planar supporting means in engagement with the corresponding banks of rolls, said backing means being stationary with respect to said rolls, means.for moving said supporting means longitudinally of each bank of ,rolls and transverse to the axes of the rolls at the work material passes, means for rotatingsaid rolls, independent planar supporting means for each bank of rolls. backing means for rethe rolls at surface speeds substantially the same "as the surface'speed of rotationof said rolls,

and at least one of said supporting means comprising independent planar units spaced longitudinally of the axes of said rolls and extending 7 throughout the length of the bank of rolls supported thereby. V

5. In a machine of the character described, two banks of straightening rolls between which the work material passes, means for rotating said rolls, independent planar supporting means for each bank of rolls, means for moving said supporting means longitudinally of each bank of rolls and transverse to the axes of the rolls at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of' said rolls, at least one of said supporting means comprising independent planar units spaced longitudinally or the axes of said rolls and extending throughout the length of the bank of rolls supported thereby, and each supporting means comprising a series of longitudinally spaced plates having a link chain connection one with the other to form of each unit supporting means an endless chain-like construction.

6. In a machine of the character described, two banks of straightening rolls between which the work material passes, means for rotating said rolls, independent planar supporting means for each bank of rolls, means for moving said supporting means longitudinally of each bank of rolls and transverse to the axes of the rolls at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of said rolls, at least one of said supporting means comprising independent planar uni-ts spaced longitudinally of the axes of said rolls and extending throughout the 1ength of the bank of rolls supported thereby, each supporting means comprising a series of longitudinally spaced plates having a link chain connection one with the other to form of each unit supporting means an endless chainlike construction, and each plate of at least one of said units having a swivel mounting on its supporting link.

7. In a machine of the class described employing a series of workpiece engaging rolls arranged in close proximity to each other, and in parallel relationship, means for rotating all of said rolls, a support and backing forsaid rolls, said backing comprising a stationary frame part of the machine, a planar unit movably disposed between the rolls and said frame part, said unit comprising a series of chain rollers, links interconnecting termina1 ends of said rollers to form of said links and rollers an endless chain construction, plates on opposed links of the chain, plates of adjacent links abutting to form a continuous planar support engaging all of said rolls, and means for driving said chain to move the plates when arranged in planar relationship at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of said rolls.

8. In a machine of the class described employing a series of workpiece engaging rolls arranged in close proximity to each other and in parallel relationship, means for rotating all of said rolls, a support and backing for said rolls, said backingcomprising a stationary frame part of the machine, .a planar unit movably disposed between the rolls and said frame part. said unit comprising a series of chain rollers links interconnecting terminal ends of said rollers to form of said links and rollers an endless chain construction, plates on opposed links of the chain, plates of adjacent links abutting to form a continuous planar support engaging all of said rolls, means for driving said chain to move the plates when arranged in planar relationship at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of said rolls, and means between said frame part and at least one of the chain rollers for raising andlowering the planar plates with respect to said rolls.

9. In a machine of the class described employing a series of workpiece engaging rolls arranged in close proximity to each other and in parallel relationship, means for rotating all of said rolls, a support and backing for said rolls, said backing comprising a stationary frame part of the machine, a planar unit movably disposed between the rolls and said frame part, said unit comprising a series of chain rollers, links interconnecting terminal ends of said rollers to form of said links and rollers an endless chain construction, plates on opposed links of the chain, plates of adjacent links abutting to form a continuous planar support engaging all of said rolls, means for driving said chain to move the plates when arranged in planar relationship at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of said rolls, and said chain rollers having anti-friction mountings in said links.

10. In a machine of the class described employing a series of workpiece engaging rolls arranged in close proximity to each other and in parallel relationship, means for rotating all of said rolls, a support and backing for said rolls, said backing comprising a stationary frame part of the machine, a planar unit movably disposed between the rolls and said frame part, said unit comprising a series of chain rollers, links interconnecting terminal ends of said rollers to form of said links and rollers an endless chain construction, plates on opposed links of the chain, plates of adjacent links abutting to form a continuous planar support engaging all of said rolls, means for driving said chain to move the plates when arranged in planar relationship at surface speeds substantially the same as the surface speed of rotation of said rolls, said chain rollers having anti-friction mountings in said links, and a plurality of said units being arranged longitudinally of the axes of said rolls.

11. In a sheet straightening machine of the character described employing upper and lower series, of straightening rolls between which the sheet to be straightened is adapted to pass, a support and backing for each series of rolls, said backing comprising a straight plate-like surface extending throughout the full length of the series of rolls, said support comprising a plurality of independent and longitudinally arranged plates with adjacent edges of the plates in abutting relationship to each other, means flexibly coupling said plates to form an endless unit, means for driving said unit to move across all of the rolls in a series transverse to the axes of the rolls, and means supporting the plates of said unit in planar relationship throughout the full working area of said rolls.

12.'In a sheet straightening machine of the character described employing upper and lower series of straightening rolls between which the sheet to be straightened is adapted to pass, a support and backing foreaeh series of rolls, said backing comprising a straight plate-like surface extending throughout the full length of the series of rolls, said support comprising a plurality of independent and longitudinally arranged plates with adjacent edges of the plates in abutting relationship to each other, means flexibly coupling said plates to form an endless unit, means for driving said unit to move across all of the rolls in a series transverse to the axes of the rolls, means supporting the plates of said unit in planar relationship throughout the full working area of said rolls, and means involving a variable speed drive for rotating said rolls to move the surfaces thereof in a direction common to the direction of movement of said movable planar support.

13. In a sheet straightening machine of the character described employing upper and lower series of straightening rolls between which the sheet to be straightened is adapted to pass, a support and backing for each series of rolls, said backing comprising a straight plate-like surface extending throughout the full length of the series of rolls, said support comprising a plurality of independent and longitudinally arranged plates with adjacent edges of the plates in abutting relationship to each other, means flexibly coupling said plates to form an endless unit, means for driving said unit to move across all of the rolls in a series transverse to the axes of the rolls, means supporting. the plates of said unit in planar relationship throughout the full work- "ing area of said rolls, and a plurality of said units being arranged longitudinally of the axes of said rolls.

14. In a sheet straightening machine of the character described employing upper and lower series of straightening rolls between which the sheet to be straightened is adapted to pass, a

' support and backing for each series of rolls, said backing comprising a straight plate-like surface extendingthroughout the full length of the series of rolls, said support comprising a plurality of independent and longitudinally arranged plates with adjacent edges of the plates in abutting relationship to each other, means flexibly coupling said plates to form an endless unit, means for driving said unit to move across all of the rolls in a series transverse to the axes of the rolls, means supporting the plates of said unit in planar relationship throughout the full working areaof said rolls, each plate of said unit extending throughout the major portion of the length of said rolls, and a plurality of link chains for supporting and operating said unit.

15. In a machine of the character described, straightening rolls between which a work sheet is passed, supporting means for said rolls, said means comprising an endless chain unit movable between a stationary part of the machine and said rolls in a direction at right angles to the axes of the rolls and also in the direction of rotation of the rolls, said chain comprising large rollers, links connecting terminal ends of adjacent rollers and plates joining opposed links, said chain being arranged to provide a planar supporting surface of a plurality of adjacent plates thereof throughout all of the straightening rolls employed, and said adjacent plates being arranged in abutting relationship to each other to form a substantially continuous planar surface.

FRIEDRICH K. MAUSSNEST.

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