Improvements in Machines for Straightening and Polishing Metal Shafts, Tubes, and the like.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th July, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Straightening and Polishing Metal
Shafts, Tubes, and the like.
I, WILLIAM ALLEN MCCOOL, of Beaver Falls, in the County of Beaver, and State
of Pennsylvania, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction of machinery employed for straightening
or polishing, or straightening and polishing rods, bars, tubes, and like metallic
articles in order to fit the same for use as shafting, piston rods, and various other
uses in the arts, to which the said rods and tubes in the rough and bent state in which
they are originally produced are not adapted.
My present invention relates especially to that class of straightening or polishing
machines wherein the rod operated on travels through the rolls in a line parallel
with the axes of the rolls or end wise and is caused to travel by the action of the rolls
or equivalent straightening or polishing mechanism; and has for its first object to
apply the straightening or polishing force on lines directly opposite to-but at one
side and not against-the points of support whereby the spring of the rod is utilized,
less power is required, and the tendency of the rod or tube to fly, or to cramp in
the machine is avoided.
To accomplish this I combine with centrally arranged rotary supports whose axes
of rotation are parallel with each other and with the line of feed, a series of rotary
pressure-surfaces arranged on both sides (or in front and rear) of the central supports,
the said pressure surfaces also having their axes parallel with each other and with the
line of feed of the machine.
The second object I have in view is to so control and limit the vibration or spring
of the free portion of the bar, rod, or tube operated on as to ensure at all times the
proper position of the rod or the like in the machine, or with relation to the
straightening devices thereof, and at the same time avoid any tendency of the rod to
cramp, bind, or strain either itself or the straightening or polishing devices.
This I accomplish by means of a flexible, yielding, or spring guide, preferably of
such extent as to engage the rod at several different and distant points in its lengths.
There are other and minor features of invention, all of which will hereinafter more
fully appear.
I will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically so that others skilled
in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.
The machine comprises a suitable frame or support for the straightening or
polishing mechanism which frame if desired, may form a closed chamber to contain
driving mechanism and which may be provided with a door for access thereto.
A power shaft is journalled in the said frame; the said shaft is provided with a
band wheel and two pulleys which, through belts, communicate motion to the
rotatory supports of the straightening or polishing mechanism. The said belts are
loop belts used to drive both rotary supports in the same direction. The said
belts are passed around tightening pulleys on a movable shaft which shaft is con-
trolled by a lever pivotted on the frame and provided with a locking or rack bar.
In lieu of the above, any suitable gearing may be used.
Bolted, or otherwise secured to the top of frame is the bed plate of the straightening
or polishing mechanism, upon which at opposite ends are placed the pillow blocks
for the bearings of the two rotary supports. Two parallel shafts are provided each
journalled at its ends in the pillow blocks provided at points near its journals with
pulleys for belts and at its mid-length with a roll or rotary bar support.
These rotary bar or rod supports are arranged side by side to form a groove or

page_text: recess for the reception of the rod to be polished or straightened, and are preferably
slightly convex to reduce their points of contact with the rod or bar operated
on as well as to allow for the spring of the bar or rod without cramping it in the
machine.
On opposite sides of the bed plate are pillars or vertical frames which support a
platform from which bearings are adjustably suspended and in the said bearings are
journalled a series of pressure rolls, or rotary pressure surfaces, adapted to co act
with the rotary supports in either straightening or polishing the rod, bar or tube.
Suitable housing screws are provided for raising or lowering the suspended
bearings. Screws provided with bevel pinions and coupled by a shaft and other bevel
pinions or any well known or equivalent means for raising or lowering both the
bearings simultaneously may be substituted therefor if desired.
The bearings are placed at opposite ends of the platform so as to bring the
rotary bar or rod supports below and between the two sets of rotary pressure surfaces.
or rolls.
The rotary pressure surfaces are preferably two sets of narrow or disc rolls
arranged with their axes parallel to the line of feed, said rolls are so journalled in
the suspended bearings that the two rolls of a set lap over each other.
While the rotary central supports are power driven as hereinbefore specified, and.
communicate notion to the rod or bar operated on, these rotary pressure surfaces
last described are not power driven, and may be termed idlers, as they receive their
motion from the travelling rod, tube or the like.
The central rotary supports form a fulcrum for the rod or tube, power being
applied at two points distant therefrom by means of the pressure surfaces in con-
sequence of which construction-or its equivalent--it results that though the portion
of the rod or tube which has passed the fulcrum (or rotary supports) and been duly
straightened thereby will revolve on a true axis the unstraightened portion of that.
not operated on will have considerable irregular vibration which should be controlled,
though not rigidly, as that would tend to cramp the machine, augment the power
required to operate it and risk the indenting of tubes and the like operated on.
The rod or tube guides for this and similar machines, should therefore be one
which will yield and best support the rod or tube at several points along its length,
and for this purpose any suitable frame with flexible -strips or bands-such as rubber
or leather or springs such as spirals, with rod loops or rings, may be employed.
That form preferred consists in a frame which may be composed of sills, up-rights,
cross pieces, a longitudinal central timber, and a ridge timber, with flexible (rubber
or, leather) strips extending from the central timbers to the ridge timber and pro-
vided with rod holes, in the line of feed and through which passes the rod or tube
being operated upon.
Or in lieu of the straps the spiral or equivalent springs with rod loops may be
extended from central timber to the ridge timber.
The devices being of the general character hereinbefore described will operate as
follows: The rod or tube to be operated on having been inserted in the loop or
holes of the flexible guide, its leading end is passed under the first set of rotary
pressure surfaces (or those next to the guide) over and between the central rotary
supports and under the second or distant rotary pressure surfaces and the bearings
of the rotary pressure surfaces are then lowered by means of the coupled housing
screws, until they bind on the rod or bar at the two points before and behind the
central rotary supports and straightening devices.
The loop belts are then tightened by means of hand lover, shaft and pulleys, and
the said belts impart motion to the rotary supports, which being both revolved in
the same direction rotate the rod or tube to be straightened on its own axis, while the
rotary pressure surfaces or rollers exert their pressure on lines parallel with lines
which intersect the fulcrum, (rotary supports) and the axis of the rod operated on,.
and on both sides of the fulcrum so that the rotary motion of the rod is transmitted
into a progressive forward motion which feeds the rod or tube through the machine
without other force..

page_text: The above described mechanism may be employed to straighten rods tubes and
like articles which have been previously polished, or to polish or burnish such articles
when they require no straightening, or have been previously straightened, or it may.
be used to simultaneously straighten and polish.
.
Dated this 9th day of October 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Straightening and Polishing Metal
Shafts, Tubes, and the like.
I, WILLIAM ALLEN MCCOOL, of Beaver Falls, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to the construction of machinery employed for straightening
or polishing, or straightening and polishing rods, bars, tubes, and like metallic
articles in order to fit the same for use as shafting, piston rods and various other
uses in the arts, to which the said rods and tubes in the rough and bent state in
which they are originally produced are not adapted.
My present invention relates especially to that class of straightening or polishing
machines wherein the rod operated on travels through the rolls in a line parallel
with the axes of the rolls, or endwise, and is caused to travel by the action of the
rolls or equivalent straightening or polishing mechanism; and has for its first object
to apply the straightening or polishing force on lines directly opposite to-but at one
side, and not against-the points of support whereby the spring of the rod is
utilized, less power is required, and the tendency of the rod or tube to fly, or to
cramp in the machine is avoided.
To accomplish this 1 combine with centrally arranged rotary supports whose axes
of rotation are parallel with each other and with the line of feed, a series of rotary
pressure surfaces arranged on both sides, or in front and rear, of the central supports,
said pressure surfaces also having their axes parallel with each other and with the
line of feed of the machine.
The second object I have in view is to so control and limit the vibration or spring
of the free portion of the bar, rod or tube operated on as to ensure at all times the
proper position of the rod or the like in the machine, or with relation to the
straightening devices thereof, and at the same time avoid any tendency of the rod to
cramp, bind, or strain either itself or the straightening or polishing devices.
This I accomplish by means of a flexible, yielding or spring guide, preferably of
such extent as to engage the rod at several different and distant points in its lengths.
There are other and minor features of invention, all of which will be hereinafter
described.
I will now proceed to describe my invention more specifically so that others
skilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of a machine embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.
Figure 3 is an end view of the main frame and straightening or polishing..
mechanism looking in the direction of the arrow, figure 2.
Figure 4 is a similar view of the rod, or bar guide, and
Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical transverse section of the straightening mechanisin
aken on the line x, x, figure 1.
Figure 6 shows a modification.
Like figures of reference indicate like parts whereever they occur.
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page_text: In the drawing, 1 indicates a suitable frame or support for the straightening or
polishing mechanism, which frame, if desired may form a closed chamber to contain
driving mechanism, indicated by dotted lines, figure 1 and may be provided with a
Joor 2 for access thereto.
3 indicates a power shaft journalled in the said frame 1, provided with a band-
wheel 4, and two pulleys 5, 5, which through belts 6, 6, communicate motion to the
rotatory supports of the straightening or polishing mechanism. The belts 6, 6 are
loop belts used. to drive both rotary supports in the same direction. The said belts
are passed around tightening pulleys 7, 7, on a movable shaft S which shaft is con-
trolled by a lever 9 pivoted on the frame i, as at 10, and provided with a locking or
rack bar as at 11, Figure 3. In lieu of the above any suitable gearing may
be used:
Bolted, or otherwise secured to the top of frame 1, is the bed plate 12 of the
straightening or polishing mechanism, upon which at opposite ends are placed the
pillow blocks 13, 13 for the bearings of the two rotary supports. 14, 14, indicate
two parallel shafts, each journalled at its ends in the pillow blocks 13, provided at
points near its journals with pulleys 15, 15 for belts 6, 6, and at its mid-length with
a roll or rotary bar support 16.
The rotary bar or rod supports 16, 16, are arranged side by side to form a groove
or recess for the reception of the rod to be polished or straightened, and are prefer-
ably slightly convex to reduce their points of contact with the rod or bar operated on
as well as to allow for the spring of the bar or rod without cramping it in the
machine.
On opposite sides of the bed plate 12 are pillars or vertical frames 17, 17 which
support a platform 18 from which are adjustably suspended bearings 19, and in said
bearings are journalled a series of pressure rolls, or rotary support surfaces, adapted
to coact with the rotary supports 16 in either straightening or polishing the rod, bar
or tube.
20, 20 indicate housing screws for raising or lowering the suspended bearings 19,
said screws provided with bevel pinions 21, 21, and coupled by shaft 22 and bevel
pinions 23, 23 or any well known or equivalent means for raising or lowering both
the bearings 19, 19, simultaneously may be substituted therefor if desired.
The bearings 19, 19 it will be observed, are placed at opposite ends of the
platform 18, so as to bring the rotary bar or rod supports 16 below and between the
two sets of rotary pressure surfaces or rolls 24.
24 indicates the rotary pressure surfaces, which are preferably two sets of narrow
or disc rolls arranged with their axes parallel to the line of feed, said rolls so
journalled in the suspended bearings 19, 19, that the two rolls of a set lap over each
other as shown in full lines, figure 5, and dotted lines, figure 3.
While the rotary central supports 16, 16, are power driven as hereinbefore
specified, and communicate motion to the rod or bar operated on, these rotary
pressure surfaces last described are not power driven, and may be termed idlers, as
they receive their motion from the travelling rod tube.
It will be noted, on reference to figure 1, of the drawings, that the central rotary
supports 16, 16 form a fulcrum for the rod or tube, power being applied at two
points distant therefrom by means of the pressure surfaces 24, 24, in consequence
of which construction-or its equivalent-it results that though the portion of the
rod or tube which has passed the fulcrum or rotary supports (see the arrow, Figure 1)
and been duly straightened thereby will revolve on a true axis the unstraightened
portion of that not operated on will have considerable irregular vibration which
should be controlled, though not rigidly, as that would tend to cramp the machine,
augment the power required to operate it and risk the indenting of tubes or the like,
operated on.
The rod or tube guide for this and similar machines, should therefor be one which
will yield and had best support the rod or tube at several points along its length,
and for this purpose any suitable frame with flexible strips or bands-such as rubber
or leather or springs such as spirals, with rod loops or rings, may be employed.
:

page_text: That preferred is shown in figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawing and consists in a
framo which may be composed of sills 25, uprights 26, cross pieces 27, a longitudinal
central timber 28, and a ridge timber 29, with flexible (rubber or leather) strips 30
extending from timbers 28 to timber 29 and provided with rod holes 31, in the line
of feed and through which passes the rod or tube being operated upon.
Or in lieu of the straps shown in figures 1 and 4, the spiral or equivalent
springs 30*, with rod loops 31* may be extended from timber 28 to timber 29 as
shown in the modification figure 6.
The devices being of the general character hereinbefore described will operate as
follows: The rod or tube to be operated on having been inserted in the loops or
holes 31 (or 31*) of the flexible guide, its leading end is passed under the first set
of rotary pressure surfaces 24 (or those next to the guide) over and between the
central rotary supports 16, 16, and under the second or distant rotary pressure
surfaces 24, and the bearings of the rotary pressure surfaces 24 are then lowered by
means of the coupled housing screws 20), 20, until they bind on the rod or bar
at the two points before and behind the central rotary supports and straightening
devices 16, 16.
The loop belts 6, 6, are then tightened by means of hand lever 9, shaft 8 and
pulleys 7, 7 and said belts impart motion to the rotary supports 16, 16, which, being
both revolved in the same direction rotate the rod or tube to be straightened on its
own axis, while the rotary pressure surfaces or rollers 24, 24 exert their pressure on
lines parallel with lines which intersect the fulcrum (rotary supports 16, 16) and the
axis of the rod operated on, and on both sides of the fulcrum so that the rotary
motion of the rod is transmitted into a progressive forward motion which feeds the
rod or tube through the machine without other force.
The above described mechanism may be employed to straighten rods, tubes and
like articles which have been previously polished or to polish or burnish such articles
when they require no straightening, or have been previously straightened, or it may
be used to simultaneously straighten and polish.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
First. In a machine for straightening or polishing rods, tubes and like articles,
the combination with centrally arranged rotary supports whose axes of rotation are
parallel with the line of feed, of a series of rotary pressure surfaces arranged before
and behind the rotary supports, said pressure surfaces having their axes of rotation
parallel with each other and with the line of feed, substantially as, and for the
purposes, specified.
Second. In a machine for straightening or polishing rods tubes and like articles,
the combination with rotary rod supports, of a series of pressure rolls baving parallel
axes and lapping perimeters, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Third. In a machine for straightening or polishing rods, tubes and like articles,
the combination of rotary supports having parallel axes and convex perimeters, and
rotary pressure rolls having parallel axes and lapping perimeters, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a machine for straightening or polishing rod, tubes and like articles,
the combination with adjustable pressure rolls, of two parallel centrally arranged rod
supports provided with pulloys, and loop belts and tightening pulleys for rotating
both of the rotary supports in the same direction, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
Fifth. The combination with a straightening or polishing machine, of a flexible
or yielding rod, bar or tube guide, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination with a straightening or polishing machine, of a flexible
or yielding rod or tube guide, arranged to support the bar at several different
points along its length, substantially as and for the purposes, specified.

page_text: Seventh. The combination with the series of straightening or polishing rolls, of a
flexible or yielding strap guide having a series of rod holes and arranged in the line
of feed of said rolls, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
. Dated this 9th day of July 1889. .
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.