Improvements in Apparatus for Straightening Metal Rails and Bars.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Straightening Metal Rails and Bars.
A communication by WILLIAM DOYLE, of Milwaukee, in the County of Milwaukee,
and State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Manufacturer.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention pertains―
First, more especially to the arrangement upon a series of roller driving shafts of
a series of rigidly affixed bearing rolls in line with each other, in conjunction with a
series of loose rollers or sleeves also arranged in line with each other, capable of
independent rotation upon such shafts and adapted to be rotated by the frictional
contact of the rails or bars as they are drawn forward by the fixed bearing rolls,
whereby the rolls and sleeves respectively move in unison with that part of the rail
or bar against which they are brought to bear, regardless of their difference in
diameter or cross section, thereby preventing friction that would otherwise be caused
by forcing a bar or rail of irregular shape either faster or slower than the surface
of the roll against which it bears.
Second, to the arrangement of an independently rotatable sleeve or collar upon the
supporting shaft opposite the stationary roll adapted to bear laterally against the
rail or bar interposed between it and the end of said stationary roll, and—
Third, to the arrangement of two series of rolls, the rolls of one series being
arranged so as to alternate or break space with the rolls of the other series.
The object of the invention is to enable one to rapidly and satisfactorily straighten
metallic rails and bars which are of irregular shape in cross section, such for instance,
as railway rails street railway rails, and the like.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention,
Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a set of rolls con-
structed according to the invention.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the end of the same showing the arrangement of the
rolls and the gearing for transmitting motion from one roll to another.
Figure 3 illustrates a somewhat different form of roll.
Referring by letter to the drawings, AA designates the axis of a series of rolls
which may be supported in any suitable or desired form of framework.
Each shaft
or axis A is provided with a part B formed integral with the axis, and of larger
diameter than the axis, and turned down upon one end so as to form an annular
bearing face C and an adjacent annular bearing shoulder D.
A loose sleeve E is journaled upon the axis of each roll, and is likewise turned
down or reduced in diameter at one end so as to form an annular bearing face F, and
an adjacent annular bearing shoulder G.

page_text: The particular form of rolls illustrated in the drawings is designed for use in
straightening railway rails, and to this end, the annular bearing face: CC are made
of such diameters as to engage with opposite sides of the heads of the rails, while the
annular bearing faces F F are made of such diameters as to engage with the oppo-ite
sides of the bases of the rails. The sleeves EE are adjusted upon the axis of the
rolls to such a position as to cause the upper faces or treads of the rails to engage
with the annular shoulders D D upon the integral portions of the rolls while the
bott m faces of the base flanges of the rails will be engaged by the annular bearing
shoulders GG thereby serving to firmly engage the top and both sides of the heads
of the rails and the bottoms and both edges of the base flanges of the rails.
It follows therefore that as the rails are passed between the rolls they will be
effectually straightened and freed from all vertical and lateral irregularities and
delivered from the rolls in a perfectly straight condition.
It follows also that by reason of the greater width of the bases of the rails, and
the consequent nearer approach of the same toward the centres of the rolls when in
engagement therewith, the loose sleeves which engage with the base flanges of the
rails will necessarily revolve at a greater speed than the solid or integral parts of
the rolls which engage with the head portions of the rails.
Any desired means may be employed for transmitting motion to the series of
rolls or from one roll to another, such for instance, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the
drawings in which five of such rolls are employed, the lower tier or row consisting
of three, and the upper tier or row of two rolls. Motion is conveniently transmitted
from one roll to another by means of suitable gears H H keyed to the axis of the
cuter 1olls of the lower tier, and an idler gear I love upon the axis of the middle
roll and meshing with said gears H H. This gives rotation in the same direction to
both of the outer rolls of the lower tier. A gear-wheel I is provided upon the axis
of one of the outer rolls of the lower tier, and meshes with a gear-wheel I' upon the
axis of one of the upper rolls, which axis also carries a gear-wheel J meshing with
the gear-wheel J¹ upon the axis of the intermediate lower roll, this latter gear also
conveniently actuating a gear-wheel Ja upon the axis of the other upper roll.
By this means, a positive and uniform rotation is transmitted to all of the rolls so
as to cause their adjacent faces to travel in the same direction, so as to operatively
engage with and advance rails or bars interposed between the same..
Any suitable means may of course, be provided for holding the tubular sleeves E,Ę
in proper position upon the axis of the rolls to enable them to firmly engage with
the bottom faces of the rails and hold the heads of the rails firmly against the annular
shoulders D D of the solid or integral portions of the rolls, and to this end, the said
sleeves are conveniently arranged to bear against suitable collars K K which serve
to hold said sleeves in proper position, upon the axis A A and which may, if desired,
be made adjustable.
If desired, the form of construction illustrated in Figure 3 may be employed in
place of that illustrated in Figure 1. In said form of construction shown in
Figure 3, the sleeve E upon the axis A is splined or feather-keyed to the axis A, as
shown, so as to revolve therewith, and a collar M is loosely supported upon the axis
of the roll and is turned down so as to form the annular bearing face F and the
annular bearing shoulder G for engagement with one part of the rail or bar. In this
form of construction, the collar M revolves freely and is held up to its work by the
sleeve E, and if desired, suitable anti-friction balls m m may be interposed between
the sleeve E and the collar M to reduce friction and prevent wear. If desired, also,
an adjusting mechanism such as shown in Figure 3, may be employed for setting up
the sleeve E and the collar M, such mechanism comprising a bushing P upon the
axis A and inside of the box 0 and operatively engaging at one end with a washer p,
bearing against the end of the sleeve E, and a nut Q screw-threaded within the box ()
and engaging with the end of the bushing P, and adapted to adjust said bushing and
the sleeve E longitudinally upon the shaft or axis A.
It is obvious that when a railway rail or other bar of irregular shape is being
drawn forward between the straightening rolls, as shown in Figure 1, the stationary

page_text: Tolls engage the head or narrower part of the rail and carry forward such rail with a
speed corresponding with the speed of the greater diameter of said stationary rolls,
while the loo-e sleeve which is caused to roll by contact of the flange or wider part of
the rail acting near its axis or centre, has a more rapid movement than its support-
ing shaft, corresponding with the movement of that part of the rail which passes over
it, whereby it is obvious that the intense friction and loss of power which would be
otherwise caused by rigidly affixed rolls, is avoided. The work is more easily
performed and the wear and tear upon the rolls is greatly diminished.
Any suitable means may be provided for normally holding the sleeves E E against
said bearing collars K K, such, for instance, as an interposed spring or elastic
washer L or any other desired form of elastic body which may be conveniently inter-
posed between the end of the sleeve and the integral or solid part of the roll.
By the improved method and apparatus all irregularities from rails or bars are
enabled to be very readily and rapidly removed and the same delivered in perfectly
straight form from the series of rolls. The invention is, of course, equally applic-
able to the work of straightening railway rails or any other form of rails or bars
having an irregular shape in cross section, it being only necessary in order to adapt
the device for straightening forms of rails or bars other than that shown in the
drawings, to simply modify the shapes of the integral and the tubular portions of
the rolls so as to enable the same to engage with the desired portions of the rails or
bars under treatment.
It will, of course, be understood that although the improved construction of rolls
as consisting of upper and lower tiers or rows of horizontally arranged rolls have
been shown and described herein, yet, the rolls may be readily arranged vertically or
in any other desired position without material change in the construction of the
device and without departure from the invention.
It is obvious that the supporting shafts of the respective series of rolls may be
formed in two parts, whereby the respective rolls on one side of the centre of said
supporting shafts may be adjusted independently of the rolls on the opposite side
of said supporting shafts.
It should also be understood that while one form of mechanism for transmitting
motion from one roll to another has been shown and described, yet any other desired
form of actuating mechanism may be employed, if desired, and any device compris-
ing a series of rolls for engagement with opposite sides of metallic rails or bars of
irregular shape in cross section, and each of said rolls being provided with a loosely
revoluble sleeve for engaging with one part of the rails or bars, would be regarded
as coming within the scope of the original invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An apparatus for straightening metal rails or bars having irregular shapes in
cross section, comprising a series of opposed rolls arranged so as to alternate or break
space with each other, and each roll being provided with a solid or integral bearing
portion having an annular bearing face for engagement with one portion of the rails
or bars under treatment, and with an independently revoluble sleeve or collar adapted
for engagement with another portion of the rails or bars under treatment, substan-
tially as described.
2. In a machine or apparatus for straightening metal rails or bars of irregular
shape in cross section, a series of alternately arranged parallel rolls, each provided
with a solid or integral bearing portion turned down or reduced in diameter so as to
form an annular bearing face and an adjacent annular bearing shoulder, and further
provided with an independently revoluble sleeve or collar likewise turned down or
reduced in diameter so as to form an annular bearing face and an adjacent annular
bearing shoulder, said annular bearing faces and shoulders being adapted for engage-
ment with desired parts of the rails or bars under treatment, substantially as
described.

page_text: 3. In a machine for straightening metal rails or bars of irregular shape in cross
section, the combination of two series of opposed rolls, the plane of one series being
located above the other and the rolls of one series being arranged so as to alternate
or break space with the rolls of the other series, the rolls of each series being provided
with a fixed or integral bearing portion, having an annular bearing face for engage
ment with one portion of the rails or bars under treatment, and with an indepen-
dently revoluble sleeve adapted for engagement with another portion of the rails or
bars under treatment, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a machine for straightening metal rails or bars of irregular shape in cross
section, the combination of two series of opposed rolls, the plane of one series being
located above the other and the rolls of one series being arranged so as to alternate
or break space with the rolls of the other series, the rolls of each series being pro-
vided with a fixed or integral bearing portion having an annular beating face for
engagement with one portion of the rails or bars under treatment, and with an
independently revoluble sleeve adapted for engagement with another portion of the
rails or bars under treatment; and mechanism for adjusting said independently
revoluble sleeve longitudinally upon their supporting shafts, all substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
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