Patent ID: 7374072
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: B21C,B21D,B65H

Abstract:
1. An assembly for ensuring a correct lateral positioning of an elongated material conveyed along a feeder system and prior to a forming operation, the elongated material including first and second lateral edges, said assembly comprising: at least first and second bodies located along the feeder system and in communication with at least one of the lateral edges associated with the elongated material, a rail adapted to extend laterally above the feeder system, said first and second bodies being adjustably secured to said rail, said rail exhibiting a specified shape and size and exhibiting, in cross section, a dovetail configuration, each of said first and second bodies including an uppermost slide assembly matingly and adjustably secured to locations along said dovetail rail corresponding to the first and second lateral edges of the elongated material; each of said bodies further comprising a fixed component including said uppermost slide assembly, a laterally displaceable component being mounted relative to said fixed component, said laterally displaceable component further comprising a roller in communication with a selected lateral edge of the elongated material, a coil spring mounted about a guide pin operably connecting said fixed and laterally displaceable components, said laterally displaceable component further comprising an outer and substantially “U” shaped portion biasingly mounted by said spring and guide pin to an inner and substantially rectangular shaped fixed portion; and said at least one body being laterally displaced, upon misalignment of the elongated material, a sensor associated with said body causing an alarm signal to be issued to a processor indicating said misalignment, said sensor further comprising an illuminating portion and an opposing target portion, a selected one of said illuminating and target portions being laterally displaceable upon movement of said roller relative to the associated elongated material edge to indicate said misalignment condition.