Patent ID: 7798949

Claim:
A spreader roll assembly comprising: a first partial roll having a composite shell, and having a first coaxial end journal mounted to a first end of the first partial roll for rotation with the first partial roll, and an intermediate coaxial journal mounted to a second end of the first partial roll for rotation with the first partial roll; a second partial roll having a composite shell having a second coaxial end journal mounted to a first end of the second partial roll for rotation with the second partial roll, and wherein a second end of the second partial roll is mounted to the intermediate coaxial journal which connects the first partial roll and the second partial roll so that the intermediate coaxial journal is mounted for rotation with the first partial roll and the second partial roll; a first construction mounted to a fixed frame; a first bearing mounted to the first construction, wherein the first coaxial end journal is mounted for rotation on the first bearing; a second construction, mounted to the fixed frame; a second bearing mounted to the second construction, wherein the second coaxial end journal is mounted for rotation on the second bearing; a third construction mounted to the fixed frame; and a third bearing mounted to the third construction, wherein the intermediate coaxial journal is mounted for rotation on the third bearing, and wherein the first partial roll shell and the second partial roll shell are spaced apart axially to define a gap therebetween, and wherein the third construction has portions extending through the gap to a fixed support beam external to the partial rolls which is in turn mounted to the fixed frame.