US2775152A - Apparatus for tapering the ends of spring leaves and the like - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 25, 1956 R KRAUSE F. APPARATUS FOR TAPERING THE ENDS OF SPRING LEAVES AND THE LIKE! Filed July 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR FRANK R. KRAUSE BY zwf ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1956 F R KRAUSE 2, 775,152

APPARATUS FOR 'I APERING THE ENDS OF SPRING LEAVES AND THE LIKE Filed July 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FR ANK R. KRAUSE ATTO EY Dec. 25, 1956 F. R. KRAUSE 2,775,152

APPARATUS FOR TAPERING THE ENDS OF SPRING LEAVES AND THE LIKE Filed July 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 HH HIHH HHIHIIHI INVENTOR FRANK R. KRAUSE Dec. 25, 1956 F. R. KRAUSE 2,775,152 APPARATUS FOR TAPERING THE ENDS OF SPRING LEAVES AND THE LIKE Flled July 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 In 2 I, v

FRANK R. KRAUSE United States Patent APPARATUS FOR TAPERING THE ENDS 0F SPRING LEAVES AND THE LIKE Frank R. Krause, New Castle, Pa., assignor to The McKay hgagliline Company, Youngstown, Ohio, a corporation 0 to Application July 6, 1955, Serial No. 520,197

Claims. (Cl. 80-40) The present invention relates to metal working machincry, and more particularly to a novel and improved apparatus for use in connection with the manufacture of multi-element leaf springs, for example, for tapering the end portions of the individual spring leaves.

In the manufacture of t automotive vehicles for example, it is common to employ so-called semi-elliptic suspension springs. Springs of this class comprise a plurality of arcuate spring leaves mounted in superimposed relation and of diminishing length from top to bottom. It is general practice in the manufacture of such springs to taper the end portions of the shorter leaves on the outer or exposed surface so that a more uniform distribution of stresses is obtained, and for other reasons. The present invention therefore has as its primary or ultimate object the provision of an improved apparatus which is capable of mass production operation and which is operative in an improved manner to taper the end portions of spring leaves as desired.

One of the more specific objects of the invention resides in the provision of a novel apparatus for tapering the ends of spring leaves, including means to provide a continuous feeding of the spring leaf blanks, which is characterized by a novel arrangement of metal Working heads or stations whereby both ends of a spring leaf may be simultaneously tapered in the desired manner. In this respect, the invention contemplates the provision of means to feed spring leaf blanks transversely toward and into the end point station and of means at such station to simultaneously act on the opposite ends of the blank to effect the pointing thereof.

As mentioned above, the conventional semi-elliptic spring assembly comprises a plurality of individual spring leaves of various lengths. Therefore it is necessary, in order to obtain a universal and versatile apparatus to provide for proper adjustment of the metal working heads and allied equipment; and it is one of the important specific objects of this invention to provide an improved apparatus which includes readily adjustable means for the accommodation of spring leaf blanks of all sizes, within predetermined limits. In addition, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel arrangement for quickly and easily adjusting the angle or degree of taper provided, it being generally desirable to alter the angle of taper in some proportion to the length of the spring leaf.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel apparatus for tapering the end portions of spring leaves and the like wherein is employed a plurality of reducing rolls which are arranged to, act upon a spring leaf blank to etfect a progressively increasing reduction in its thickness to obtain the desired taper characteristic. The invention, in this respect, embodies some of the basic teachings of my prior patents, of which U. S. Patents No. 2,161,064 and No. 2,701,976 may be considered representative; These prior patents illustrate the use of reducing rolls which are opposed by back-up cams and which. are adapted upon longitudinal movement of the cams to roll along the surface of the stock while being displaced in- 2,775,152 Patented Dec. 25, 1956 wardly thereof by the cams. In the present case cams of progressively increasing displacement are provided so that as the reducing rolls move longitudinally along the end portions of a spring leaf blank the rolls are moved to effect a progressively greater reduction, resulting in the desired taper.

One of the more specific objects of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus of the: general type described above which is arranged in a novel manner for effecting a progressively increasing reduction upon the end portion of a spring leaf blank, upon one side only of the blank. Thus, in the conventional semi-elliptic spring assembly it is desirable that each leaf have full contact with the next larger leaf, so that one side or surface of the blank must be flat. To this end, the invention provides a novel anvil arrangement whereby flat support is provided for one surface of the blank, with a single reducing roll being moved over the top of the anvil and progressively toward the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the general type described above which includes means capable of quick and easy adjustment for altering the angle of taper effected upon the spring blank ends.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a complete apparatus for tapering the end portions of spring leaf blanks, including conveyor means to provide a continuous supply of unprepared blanks, wherein is provided a novel arrangement for heating the end portions of the spring blanks prior to the reducing operation.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein is disclosed a certain preferred embodiment of the invention. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus constructed Figure 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus of Figure 3; and t Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a conveyor or feeding device forming part of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 represents the discharge end of a strip processing line, not specifically shown, which feeds strip steel material into a suitable shear device 11 which is adapted to shear a transverse section from a length of longitudinally moving strip, substantially in the form indicated at 12. At the exit side of the shear 11 is provided a longitudinally moving conveyor apparatus generally designated by the reference numeral 13 which carries a plurality of spring leaf blanks, in a continuous manner, through a pair of ovens or furnaces 14 and 15 arranged to embrace the end portions of the blanks 12. The furnaces 14 and 15 may be in the order of twelve feet in length, for example, and by j the time the blanks have completed the traverse through the furnaces the ends of the blanks are thoroughly heated and ready for working in the desired manner.

After the blanks 12 have been properly heated they are carried to aworking station generally designated by the numeral 16. The working station 16 is provided with a pair of opposed working or reducing heads 17 and 18. located adjacent the opposite ends of a blank positioned at the working station and arranged to engage the tips of the blank and progressively reduce the same to provide the desired taper.

Referring now to Figures 24, illustrating the reducing heads 17 and I? in more detail, the reference numeral 19 designates an elongated base which is disposed transversely to the principal axis of the strip line and conveyor l3, and which supports at its opposite ends a pair of slidable carriages 2t) and 2t. The carriages 2d and 21 are positioned on either side of the conveyor apparatus 13, and are arranged for sliding movement toward and away from the main axis or centerline of the conveyor.

To adjustably position the slidable carriages 2b and 23 there are provided, in the illustrated apparatus, elongated threaded shafts 22 which engage the base 19 and the carriages may be accurately adjusted and retained in a desired position. Preferably, separate adjusting means are provided for each of the carriages so that independent adjustments may be effected.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the carriages 2i? and 21 are comprised of a heavy base plate 2 3 and side walls formed of suitable I-beams, channels or the like. Mounted upon the base plate 23, intermediate the side walls, are spaced rails or tracks 24 and 25, which are disposed transversely of the axis of the conveyor 13. Supported upon the rails 24 and 25, by means of heavy wheels 26 are heavy C- shaped roll backing members 27 and 23 which open inwardly, toward the conveyor apparatus 13. The roll backing members 27 and 23 are steel castings or weldments and are provided with large flanges 29 adjacent the throat area so that the structures may resist vertical expansion forces exerted upon the upper and lower arms 30 and 31.

Supported upon the lower arm 31 of each C-shaped roll backing member is a flat horizontal cam plate 32 which is formed of hardened steel. Upon the upper arm 30 there is provided a downwardly facing contoured cam plate 33 which, in accordance with the objects of the invention, inclines downwardly somewhat toward the front or open face of the roll backing member.

Positioned approximately midway between the inwardly facing cam plates 32 and 33 are fiat platforms 34 and 35 which are integral or at least fixed parts of the slidable carriages and 21.

At the outer ends of the carriages 2t) and 21 are rigidly mounted high power hydraulic cylinders 36 and 37 which connect with the C-shaped roll backing members 27 and 28 in such manner as to provide for the movement of the latter toward and away from the conveyor apparatus, along their supporting rails 24 and 25.

In accordance with the teachings of my present invention, and in accordance with the basic teachings of my prior patents, there is mounted upon each of the C-shaped roll backing members 27 and 28 a roll supporting slide 38 or 39. Each slide is comprised of a yoke 40 which is connected at its outer end with a small hydraulic cylinder 41, and which is guided in its C-shaped roll backing mem bers 27 and 28 by means of supports 42.

At the forward ends of the yoke members 40 are provided upwardly extending bearing supports 43, upon which are pivotally mounted pairs of forwardly extending roll supporting arms 44 and 45. The arms 44 and 45 are arranged to extend respectively above and below the horizontal platforms 34 and 35; and each pair of arms mounts a working roll 46 or 47.

As shown in Figure 4, the rolls 46 and 47 are of larger diameter through the center portion than at the ends. The enlarged center portions of the rolls constitute the working surfaces, while the reduced outer end portions bear against the cam plates 32 and 33. And in this respect, it will be observed in Figure 4 that the cam plates are arranged in sets or assemblies, each of two cam members, so that back-up support is provided at both sides of roll members, while clearance is provided for the enlarged working portions.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, it will be observed that when the small hydraulic cylinder 41 is in extended relation, positioning the roll supporting slide 40 in its forwardmost position with respect to the sliding carriage member 28, the rolls 4s and 47 are positioned adjacent the forward edge of the platform 34. The lower roll 47, along its top portion, engages the lower surface of the platform 34, while the reduced outer portions of the roll are supported by the lower cam plate 32. The upper roll engages, at its reduced outer portions, the downwardly facing inclined surface of the upper cam plate 33. This latter reli is held in engagement with the upper cam plate, in spaced above relation to the plat-form 34, by means of springs 48 which act through levers to urge the upper roll supporting arms 44 in an upwardly direction.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention the platforms 34 and 35 are so positioned with respect to the conveyor apparatus 13 that the forwardly moving spring leaf blanks pass above the upper surface of the platforms, in such manner that the outer end or tip portions of the blanks are supported by the platforms.

In the illustrated apparatus-the rolls 46 and 47 are sufficiently large throughout their working portions to accommodate a pair of blanks. Thus, when two blanks are moved into position the conveyor is stopped. At this time the main hydraulic actuators 36 and 37 are energized to draw outwardly upon the roll backing members 27 and 28, while at the same time the small or auxiliary actuator 41 is retained in an extended position so that the reducing rolls 46 and 47 are held in their forwardrnost positions.

As the roll backing members 27 and 23 move outward ly, with the rolls 46 and 47 remaining stationary, the upper cam plates 33 will cause the upper rolls 46 to move downwardly into contact with the upper surfaces of the spring blanks. At this point there is sufficient frictional engagement between the upper rolls .6, spring blanks l2 and upper cams 33 to cause the rolls 46 to be rolled along the upper surface of the spring blanks by the movement of the cams 33.

Of course, as the cams 33 are drawn outwardly by the main actuators 36 and 37 the rolls 46 are forced downwardly in a progressive manner, causing an increasingly severe deformation of the spring blam: as the roll moves longitudinally therealong.

Substantial forces are exerted by and upon the upper reducing rolls 46 during a tapering operation, tending to lift the roll back- ing members 27 and 28 as well as to downwardly deflect the platforms 34 and 35. Thus, it is an important feature of the invention that the lower rolls 47 are drawn along with the upper rolls 46, in contact with the lower surfaces of platforms 3-4 and 35 and with the upper surfaces of cam plates 32, in such manner as to simultaneously resist the upward forces exerted upon the carriages and the downward forces exerted upon the platforms 34 and 35. This is a novel and highly advantageous arrangement since all of the large forces exerted by andupon the spring blank 12 are confined within the C-shaped frames of the roll backing members 27 and 28. These forces are isolated entirely from the slidable supports 20 and 21, and from other parts of the apparatus, so that apart from the roll backing members 27 and 28 the apparatus may be of a simple and economical construction.

Generally it is desirable to provide a longer taper in the case of longer spring leaf blanks than for short blanks. Thus, it is one of the features of this invention to provide means for regulating the rate at which the upper rolls 46 press down into and deform a spring blank, with respect to the linear movement of the rolls along the blank. To this end I mount the upper cam plates 33 upon a backing member 50 which is received in the upper arm of the C-shaped back-up member 27 or 28 (see Figure 3). The backing member 20 is provided with an arcuate bearing portion 51 at it-s'forward end which is received in a complementary socket 52 in the upper arm 30. At the inner end of the backing member 50, interposed between the latter and j the upper arm 30, is a transversely disposed wedge-shaped adjusting member 53 which can be manipulated by means of an adjusting screw 54 to raise or lower the inner end of the backing member 50, thereby changing the angle of the cam 33 so that the roll 46 will be moved downwardly at an increased or decreased rate as it moves longitudinally along the spring blank.

As will be observed in Figures 3 and 4, the upper cam plates 33 are retained in assembled relation with the C-shaped backing members 27 and 28 by means of a plurality of upwardly extending tie rods 55 and 56 which project through the upper wall portions of the backing members 27 and 28. By means of suitable coil springs 57 and 58 interposed between the upper ends of the tie rods and the upper wall portions of the backing members 27 and 28 the cam plates 33 are yieldably retained in this assembled position, while being readily adjustable in the manner above described so that the angle of taper may be adjusted as desired.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 5, it will be observed that the conveyor apparatus 13, which provides a continuous flow of blanks from the strip line through the pointing or reducing station, is comprised of an elongated endless chain 59 which is entrained about a pair of spaced sprockets 60 and 61 and supported along its upper horizontal reach by means of an elongated channel member 62. The chain 59 is formed of relatively large links, alternate ones of which mount brackets 63 for supporting and positioning transversely disposed spring leaf blanks as the same move along the conveyor traverse.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the brackets 63 are horizontally and transversely disposed supports which are of an inverted T-shaped cross section. The supports are arranged to receive spring leaf blanks in such manner that the same are supported in a fairly stable manner by the horizontal portions of the brackets, while the upwardly extending portions thereof engage the forward edges of the blanks to maintain the same in the desired transverse disposition. In the cutting and rough forming of the blanks, which is performed prior to the feeding thereof onto the conveyor apparatus, a small aperture is provided in the center of the blank. Thus, I further provide a small pin 64 which extends upwardly from each of the brackets so as to be received within the central aperture of the blank. In this manner the blanks are securely held upon the conveyor during their entire traverse through the heating furnaces and pointing stations.

Preferably the brackets 63 are so mounted as to be readily interchangeable. Thus, when pointing long spring leaves, which may be as much as six feet in length, it may be desirable to use a bracket which is about one foot long, while in pointing small leaves, which may be as short as eight inches, for example, a three to fourinch bracket is desirable.

In Figure 2, the apparatus is shown in position for pointing spring leaves of relatively large length; and for this operation the sliding carriages 20 and 21 are drawn into a retracted position by manipulation of the screws 22, and a relatively long conveyor bracket 63 is employed. In Figure 3, on the other hand, the apparatus is shown in position for pointing a spring leaf of minimum length. In this case the main carriages 20 and 21 are moved into their forwardmost positions, and a short conveyor bracket, not specifically shown is employed.

With respect to the last described arrangement, wherein the carriages 20 and 21 are moved to their forwardmost positions, it will be noted that the pointing operations are effected one end at a time since, as will be observed in Figure 3, one back-up member must be retracted to permit the other to be moved into pointing position. For larger sizes, of course, the back-up members 27 and 28 do not interfere with each other when in pointing position so that the operation can be simultaneously effected at each end.

It will be, understood, of course, that whenever the carriages 20 and 21 are adjusted inwardly or outwardly of the conveyor axis to accommodate a new blank size the furnaces 14 and 15 are also adjusted accordingly. And for this purpose I prefer to mount the furnaces 14 and 15 on skids 14' and 15, permitting bodily movement of the furnaces inwardly or outwardly of the conveyor axis.

Referring again to Figure 5, it will be observed that the forward sprocket wheel .59 is interconnected through a shaft 65 with a ratchet wheel 66. Adjacent the ratchet Wheel 66 is a small hydraulic cylinder 67 which connects with a ratchet linkage 6869. The member 69 of the linkage is provided with a pin 70 which engages the teeth in the ratchet wheel 66, being retained in engagement therewith by means of an extensible coil spring 71. Thus, upon a full forward stroke of the cylinder 67 the pin 70 engages the ratchet wheel and causes the same to rotate through a. predetermined angle. Upon a return stroke of the cylinder the pin 70 slips over the teeth of the ratchet wheel, into position for a subsequent forward stroke.

Preferably, the ratchet mechanism is so arranged that upon each forward stroke of the cylinder two new spring blanks are moved into position between the pointing stations 17 and 18. The main actuators 36 and 37 are then actuated to effect a pointing operation, following which the feed cylinder 67 is again actuated to convey the finished parts away and to move new blanks into position.

It should now be apparent that I have fulfilled the objects of the invention as initially set forth. I have provided a versatile and integrated apparatus which is operative in an improved manner to taper the end portions of spring leaf blanks and the like. The apparatus is of a highly simplified and economical design for the purpose intended, while being rugged and maintenance free.

One of the important features of the invention resides on the arrangement of the reducing rolls 46 and 47 in such manner that one of the rolls progressively deforms a spring blank resting upon a flat support or platform, while the other roll acts in opposition against the platform, as a back-up roll as distinguished from a working roll. In this manner the blank is reduced or tapered on one side only, while the large forces required for the operation are effectively confined within the shorted practicable circuit, namely wholly within the C-shaped back-up frames 27 and 28.

The apparatus is easily adjustable to accommodate all standard sizes of spring leaf blanks; and in this respect means are provided for varying the rate, per unit of linear movement, at which the working roll increasingly deforms the blank stock.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a novel arrangement for feeding spring leaf blanks from a strip feeding and processing line into the pointing or reducing stations. An improved conveyor apparatus is provided which is arranged to continuously carry the blanks, more or less in a step-by-step manner, along banks of furnaces or heaters which. first soften and prepare the ends of the blanks for pointing, and then into position between opposed pointing stations. And except in the case of extremely short blanks, the opposite ends of the blanks may be pointed simultaneously.

It should be understood, however, that the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended to be representative only, as many changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for reducing a metal blank on one side only comprising a platform for supporting said blank,

,a roll supporting ,slide, a first roll carried by said, slide and adapted to engage said platform on the side thereof opposite saidblank, asecond roll carried by said slide onengagingthe outer portion of said second roll whereby upon movement ofsaid frame said rolls are rotated and moved longitudinally by frictional engagement with said frame,.said cam .plate causing said second roll to be forced toward said blank to cause a reduction of the ,same,,.said first roll acting upon said platform to oppose the forces exerted by said second roll.

,2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized ,by said back-up frame comprising a heavy C-shaped frame embracing said platform between its upper and lower arms.

3. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 further including adjustable means to cause said cam plate to be variably inclined .with respect to said back-up frame whereby to provide for a tapering reduction of said blank.

4. An,,apparatus for reducing a metal blank on one side only comprising a base, a carriage slidably supported on said base and adjustably movable thereon, a platform mounted on said carriage and adapted to support a metal blank, 21 roll supporting slide on said carriage, a first roll mounted on said slide and adapted to engage said platformon the side thereof opposite said blank, a second roll mountedon said slide and adapted to engage said blank, arigidback-up frame movably supported on said carriage, said back-up frame having cam means engaging said rolls and adapted upon longitudinal movement of said frame to cause said rolls to move longitudinally and to cause said second roll to be depressed into said blank, actuator means on said carriage engaging said back-up frame for moving the latter longitudinally, conveyor means disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of said carriage and frame and adapted to move blanks into adjacency with said rolls, said carriage means beingadjustableon said base toward and away from said conveyor means to accommodate blanks of various lengths.

5. Apparatus for reducingthe opposite end portions of a metal blank comprising a conveyor device adapted to support metal blanks at their center portion and to move the same transversely of their principal axes, reducing stations positioned on opposite sides of said conveyor device adjacent the discharge end thereof, said reducing stations each having a pair of rolls and a back-up frame therefor and being adapted to move longitudinally outwardly of said blanks to reduce the end portions thereof,

and heating means positioned in parallel relation with said conveyor device on both sides thereof and embracing the end portions of blanks moving on said conveyor device to heat the end portions of said blanks as the same progress toward said reducing stations, said heating means and reducing stations being adjustable toward and away from said conveyor device to accommodate blanks of various lengths.

Q U 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 further characterized by said conveyor device comprising an endless chain,

means supporting the upper reach of said chain, and

.means carried by certain of the links of said chain and extending transversely thereof for positioning and supporting metal blanks.

7. Apparatus for reducing the end portion of a metal blank comprising a roll supporting slide, first and second rolls mounted on said slide above and below the plane of said metal blank, a rigido-shaped back-up frame, said frame having cam means engaging the outer portions of said rolls and arranged upon longitudinal movement of said back-up frame with respect to said rolls to cause said rolls to converge, and conveyor means disposed transversely to said back-up frame for moving metal blanks laterally into embraced relation within the upper and lower arms of said C-shaped backing member.

8. In an apparatus for reducing the end portions of metal blanks and of the type having a pair of rolls positioned above and below the blank, a rigid back-up frame, and cam means carried by said back-up frame and engaging the outer portions of said rolls and adapted upon longitudinal movement to cause said rolls to move linearly as Well as in a converging direction; the improvement characterized by at least one of said cams being pivotally mounted on said back-up frame whereby the rate convergence of said rolls may be varied.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 further characterized by said back-up frame having an arcuate bearing socket, said one of said cam means having anarcuate bearing pad portion received in said socket, and adjustable means interconnecting said last mentioned cam means and said back-up frame for rotating said last mentioned cam means with respect to said back-up frame.

10. An apparatus for reducing a metal blank on one side only comprising a platform for supporting said blank, a roll supporting slide, a first roll carried by said slide and adapted to engage said platform on the side thereof opposite said blank, a second roll carried by said slide and adapted to engage said blank, rigid back-up means for said rolls engaging the outer portion thereof, and adapted upon longitudinal movement to cause said second roll to converge on said platform, a first actuator for moving said back-up means longitudinally, and a second actuator for moving said roll supporting slide longitudinally, the arrangement being such that said rolls may be initially moved into and retained in a forwardmost position, said rolls being movable rearwardly by frictional engagement with said back-up means upon rearward longitudinal movement of the latter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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