US2351534A - Slasher squeeze roll pressure regulator - Google Patents

Description

June 13, 1944. A, s NORCROSS 2,351,534

SLASHER SQUEEZE ROLL PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4o lo a 42. m if. ZIB

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SLASHER SQUEEZE ROLL PRESSURE REGULATOR June 13, 1944.

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SLASHER SQUEEZE ROLL PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Aug. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 6

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y dztornez Patented June 13, 1944 SLASHER SQUEEZE ROIL PRESSURE REGULATUR Austin S. Norcross, Waban, Mass. Application August z5, 194i, serial No. 403,185

15 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in supporting devices for the ends of a shaft of a squeeze roll abutting a rotating cooperating roll capable of applying adjustable variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and of retaining the nip between said rolls and the axis of said 'upper rollin continued lalignment with the axis of said other roll. While my improved device may be employed for regulating the pressure exerted by a pair of squeeze rolls of any type, such as wet squeeze or pressurerolls in slashing, dyeing, finishing, paper making, etc. or dry squeeze rolls such as employed in calendering, etc., it is peculiarly designed and adapted for use in a device to be used as an attachment for a warp sizing machine or initially built into such a machine of the type commonly known as a slasher and my invention is primarily adapted to improve sizing conditions in slashers. After the warp has been passed through the size box of such a slasher, it is passed through a pair of squeeze rolls before being dried. In the prior art one squeeze roll has been normally superimposed over the other andthe only pressure applied by the' squeeze roll has been that furnished by the dead weight of the upper roll which has proved insufficient in practice.

While I am aware that various types of spring devices and weights have also been employed for this purpose usually in conjunction with lever systems, so far as I am aware no device has hitherto been provided which will adjustably vary the pressure applied at the nip between the rolls in a satisfactory manner under all variable conditions of use.

, An object of my invention therefore, is to provide a device which will improve the size pene-k tration by applying the correct squeeze roll pressure for the particular sheet being processed, and variations in the slasher itself, such as nonuniform blanket conditions or irregularities in the thickness of the threads.

A further object of my invention is to apply the correct amount of pressure for optimum sizobviously reduces the size cost and also decreases the ily in the weave shed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a freely exible supporting device for the end of a shaft of a squeeze roll, which will readily yield on passage of objects of excessive thickness between the nip, auch as large knots in the warp threads, etc., and which will immediately tend to realign itself to again bring the nip in alignment with the axis of the cooperating roll.

the axis of the other roll. With any type of pushing movement any irregularitiesin the material passing through will tend to push the squeeze roll out of alignment. inasmuch as I employ a pulling movement, and in my preferred embodiment, a pulling movement both in front and behind, or fore and aft of the nip or shaft ends the net resultv of these two separate pulls will b e at all times to keep the rolls in alignment and the nip between the rolls in alignment with the axis of the lower roll. Due to the fact that I provide an identical supporting device at each end of such a squeeze roll, it is obvious that each end will be similarly kept in alignment with the other end to prevent a disaiignment of said rolls 3 due to an excessive adjusting or other movement at one end thereof.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which will not only resiliently support both ends of a squeeze roll shaft with au equalized spring pull suspension with adjustable variable pressure, but will also by a continued manipulation of the same device lift the adjustable squeeze roll away from its cooperating roll. l

A further object of mydevice is that it will yield to temporarily permit passage of objects of excessive thickness between the rolls, but will immediately resiliently rebound to positively maintain the squeeze rolls in alignment.

Afurther object of my invention is to provide ing conditions, in other words to vary the presan indicating device 00mP1i-Sin8 Visible Smiles slasher. 'I'he elimination of the unnecessary size u which always indicate accurately the pressure then applied to each end of the squeeze roll which can be set for the correct pressure for the type oi' goods being sized or processed as previously determined. ,i

A further object of my invention is to provide a safety device which will positively prevent the pressure applied to the squeeze roll exceeding the safe piiessure limit.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying draw' ings which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic side elevation of a warp sizing machine constructed 'in accordance with my invention. y

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the size box thereof l shown in Fig. 3 with the housing cover plate carrying a shaft end supporting bearing plate and scales removed, showing my improved supporting device with the springs in compressed position and adjusted to apply substantial pressure at the nip of the squeeze rolls adjacent said end. l y

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 6 with my improved device adjusted to raise the upper squeeze roll away from the lower squeeze or size roll.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicate like parts throughout. Il generally indicates a warp sizing machine constructed in accordance with my invention. While I have shown my invention applied to a warp sizing machine, it is apparent that certain features thereof maybe incorporated in an adjusting device for any type of a squeeze roll pressing against any type of cooperating roll. Said warp sizing machine includes the usual creel I2 for holding the warp supply beams I4, the usual size box Il, including the guide roll Il mounted thereon, the guide roll-20 in the lower portion of said size box in substantially vertical alignment with the guide roll IB, the initial superimposed squeeze rolls 22 and 24 and the final squeeze rolls 28 and 28. As the pressure exerted by the upper final squeeze roll 28 against the lower final squeeze or size roll 26 considerably determines the penetration of the size in the warp 3l led from the various warp beams I4 and combined before entry into the size box Il, it is to the regulation of such pressure exerted by said final upper squeeze roll 28 against the final lower size roll or squeeze roll 20 that my invention particularly relates.

My invention particularly includes a supporting device 32 for the ends 34 of the shaft Il of the upper squeeze roll 20 overlying a cooperating rotating lower size roll 26 and capable of applying an adjustable pressure at the nip 38 between said rolls. It is obvious that if desired, my inveneach shaft end for resiliently pulling down the bearings 44 for the respective shaft ends and the adjusting means Il and I2 for positively varying the tension exerted by each of said spring means. Said supporting device I2 includes the supporting means, in my preferred embodiment comprising a housing 4l for supporting each bearing 44 and draw-bar means 4l extending longitudinally below each shaft end below each housing 4l. The respective spring means l0 and l2 are interposed between a portion of the draw-bar means 4l and a portion of said supporting means 4l fore and aft of each shaft end l. and I specifically provide said means Il and 42 for vertically adjustably supporting each end of said draw-bar means on said size box Il for adjusting the pressure exerted on said nip Il by each of said spring means II and I2, said adjusting means Il and 62 being lapplied by said spring means.

Specifically, my invention also includes a freely flexible supporting device 32 for an end 34 of a shaft Il of a squeeze roll 2l overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll 24,'said device being capable of applying an adjustable variable pressure at the nip Il of said rolls. of lifting said squeeze roll 28 from said lower roll 20 and of retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axisof said lower roll and where two of said devices are employed on each end of such a squeeze roll, of maintaining the axes of said rolls in vertical alignment. Said device includes the mounting supports or brackets il securable in any suitable manner, such as by the bolts I4 shown, to the machine frame, such as the frame i1 of the size box Ii. In the embodiment shown. the outer ends of said bracket means 53, which are preferably securable as shown, to the machine frame I1 to project laterally therefrom on each side of a shaft end 34, are provided with `the threaded vertical holes 56 `and 5I therein. I provide threaded control shafts Il and l2 having turning handwheels 44 on the upper ends thereof, each provided with a suitable turning handle It, individually vertically adjustable within said holes/it and 5I respectively on turning ,of said handwheels 44. The draw-bar 4l is loosely moimted on and connects the lower ends of said control shafts III and 82 together. The lower ends of said shafts may be loosely connected to the ends of said draw-bar in any suitable manner, such as by projecting through suitable holes therein and -being secured thereto by the nuts 89 secured on said control shaft at a spaced distance on each side of said draw-bar 48. As stated, my entire device is adapted for loose ilexiblemovement and it is for this reason that the loom beam 42. I'provide a bearing 44 for the control shafts are loosely connected to the draw-bar. In the preferred embodiment shown,

the supporting means 46 for said bearings 44 comprises a freely vertically movable plate 4l of greater height than the diameter of 4said roll` shaft 34 having a central hole Iii for receiving said shaft end and a ange I2 projecting laterally outwardly therefrom around said hole 14. Said plate 4l has a base 'Il projecting inwardly from the lower end thereof overlying said draw-bar 4l between said control shafts 6l and 82 having spaced holes 1l and Il therein fore and aft of said "draw-bar 48 against upward vertical movement,-

in the embodiment shown, by having the nuts 94 abutting the lower surface of said draw-bar 48 threaded onto the respective lower ends 90 and 82 of said spring supporting rods and with said draw-bar 48 also abutting an annular shoulder on the lower end of each supporting rod. The helical springs Il and 82 surround said respective supporting rods 82 and 84 having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps 88 and 88 and the lower ends thereof abutting said base 18 exterior of said spaced holes. To prevent dust,

moisture and size from gathering around said springs 50 and 82, said supporting means also includes the housing 48 freely/vertically movable with the plate 48 of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft end 38 overlying said draw-bar 48 between said control shafts 80 and |52 having an open outer end |08, a hole |08 for receiving said roll shaft end 38 in the rear wall ||0 thereof, said housing including as its lower wall the base 18 hitherto described. The plate 49, in my preferred embodiment comprises the housing cover 48 detachably securabie asl by the bolts ||2 to the open front end |08 of said housing 48, said plate 48 having the central hole l10 for receiving the shaft end 84 and the annular flange 12 projecting forwardly from said plate around said hole 10. The bearing 44 is mounted within said flange 12, said bearing 44, as stated, supporting said shaft end 84.A While any suitable type of 'a bearing may be used for mounting the shaft end 34 within said annular flange 12, in the preferred embodiment shown, said bearing 44 comprises a ball bearing of standard type comprising the usual inner race ||4 surrounding said shaft end 34 and the outer race I I8 secured within said flange 12 and the balls ||8 mounted in suitable channels in said respective raceways H4 and ll8'and if desired, suitable oil seals |20 at each end respectively of said flange 12. In the embodiment shown, the bearing 44 isy tiltably mounted within said ange thereby being selfaligning and for this purpose, the outer surface of the outer race-way ||8 istransversely concaved as at |22 and the inner surface of the flange 12 correspondingly transversely convexed as at |24.

As stated, I may also provide means to indicate relative vertical movement between the respective ends of said draw-bar 48 and said supporting means 48 to indicate the adjustable pressure supplied by said spring means 50 and 52. In the preferred embodiment shown, said indicating means comprises the indicating scales |28 mounted on each end of said draw-bar 48 to project vertically thereon having the indicating insignia |28 thereon and the pointers |30 projecting longitudinally from each side of the lower end of the supporting means 44, in the embodiment shown,

comprising the housing 48 for indicating on said scales |28 the pressure applied by each respective spring 50 and 52 fore and aft of the shaft 38.

I also provide means to limit the downward movement of said control shaft to limit the pressure applied by said springs. In vthe preferred embodiment, said means comprises the check nuts |82 adjustably mounted on said respective control shafts 80 and 82 having the peripheral guide flanges |88 adapted to abut the end walls of the housing 48 to keep said housing in vertical position and lock nuts |84 on said control shaft for abutting said check nuts |82 for locking them in adjusted position thereon.

As stated hitherto, my improved device may be built into any size slasher box, or any machine employing squeeze rolls, or it may form a supporting device detachably securabie to such existing size box or machine In use, by counter-clockwise rotation of the control shafts 80 and 82, the upper squeeze roll 28 may be suitably raised as shown in Fig. '7 to permit the warp threads 30 to be threaded between said upper squeeze roll 28 and said size roll 28 after which, the turning handles 84 on the control shafts 80 and 82 may be suitably turned clock-wise until the upper roll 28 abuts the lower roll 28 to provide the nip 88 and further turned clock-wise compressing the respective springs 80 and 52 fore and aft of said shaft end 88 to positively pull the bearing 44 and its supporting means 48 downwardly pulling the roll 28 downwardly against the lower roll 28 with a resilient pulling motion fore and aft of the nlp 88. Said control shafts may thus be rotated to compress the springs 50 and 52 the desired amounts to provide the desired adjustable amount of pressure at the nip 38 as indicated by the indicating means |80 and |28 as has been experimentally found desirable previously for similar types of warps. The warp is run through the sizing device as usual. Should there be any irregularities in the blanket or knots in the warp, it is obvious that due to the loose connection 68 between the lower ends of the control shafts 80 and 82 and the draw-bar 48 and the two spring adjustments fore and aft of the shaft end 34 that my improved supporting device will readily 40 yield to permit the passage of any such obstruction through the nip 38 with the resilient springs 50 and 52 causing the device to immediately resilientiy rebound after passage oi' the obstruction therethrough to its original position, the springs 50 and 52 yielding an additional amount for this purpose, such resilient rebound causing the respective rolls 28 and 28 to immediately be brought again into alignment.

It is also obvious that on counter-clockwise rotation of said handwheels 84, the control shafts and 82 may be rotated to lift the draw-bar 48, supporting means 48, bearing 44 and shaft end 84 until the upper squeeze roll 28 is lifted from the lower squeeze roll 28, as shown in Fig. 'I for any desired purpose, such as insertion of the work therethrough, during washing down, during blanket changing and to prevent the upper squeeze roll 28 from marking the warp when the slasher is stopped.

It is apparent therefore that I have provided a novel supporting device for anend of a shaft of a squeeze roll with the advantages described above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

WhatIclaim is: f

1. In a warp sizing machine, a size box, a lower positively driven squeeze roll rigidly rotatably mounted transversely of said size box, an upper squeeze roll above said lower squeeze roll driven by peripheral contact therewith and having a shaft end projecting from each end thereof, a

bearing for each shaft end, supporting means for each bearing. draw-bar means extending longitudinally below each shaft end below each supporting means, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft end, means for vertically adjustably mounting each end of each draw-bar means on said size box for adjusting the pressure exerted on the nip of said squeeze rolls by each of said spring means and for raising said upper squeeze roll from the lower squeeze roll after said draw-bar .means abuts said supporting means and means to indicate relative vertical movement between the ends of said draw-bar means and supporting means to indicate the adjustable pressure app lied by said spring means.

2. In a warp sizing machine, a size box, a lower positively driven squeeze roll rigidly rotatably mounted transversely of said size box, an upper squeeze roll above said lower squeeze roll driven by, peripheral contact therewith, and having a shaft end projecting from each end thereof, a bearing for each shaft end, supporting means for each bearing, draw-bar means extending longitudinally below each shaft end below each supporting means, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft en'd, and means for vertically adjustably mounting each end ofveach draw-bar means on said sizebox for adjustingthe pressure exerted on the nip of said squeeze rolls by each of said spring means and for raising said upper squeeze roll from the lower squeeze roll after said draw-bar means abuts said supporting means.

3. In a warp sizing machine, a size box, a lower positively driven squeeze roll rigidly rotatably mounted transversely of said size box, anupper squeeze roll above said lower squeeze roll driven by peripheral contact therewith land having a shaft end projecting from each end thereof, a bearing for each shaft end, supporting means for each bearing. draw-bar means extending longitudinally below each shaft end, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft end, means for vertically adjustably mounting each end of each draw-bar means on said size box for adjusting the pressure exerted on the nip of said squeeze rolls by eachy of said spring means and means to' indicate relative vertical movement between the ends of said draw-bar means and supporting means to indicate the adjustable pressure applied by said spring means.

4. In a warp sizing machine, a size box, a lower positively driven squeeze roll rigidly rotatably mounted transversely of said size box, an upper squeeze roll above said lower squeeze roll driven by peripheral contact therewith, a bearing for each shaft end, supporting means for each bearing, draw-bar means extending longitudinally below each shaft end, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supportingA means portion fore and aft of each shaft end, and means for vertically adjustably mounting each end of each draw-bar means on said size box for adjusting the pressure exerted on the nip of said squeeze rolls by each of said i spring means.

5. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooprolls, of lifting said Squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll. comprising bracket means securable to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein. threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turning of said handwheels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the low ends of said control shafts, having vertic extending scales mounted on each end thereof, a freely vertically movable housing of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft end overlying said drawbar between said control shafts having an open outer end, a hole for receiving said roll shaft end in the rear wall thereof and spaced holes in the lower wall thereof fore and aft of said roll shaft end, spring supporting rods projecting upwardly through said holes within said housing on each side of said shaft end having caps on the upper ends thereof and their lower ends secured to said draw-bar against upward vertical movement, helical 'springs surrounding said supporting rods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting the lower wall of said housing exterior of said spaced holesl a cover detachably securable to the open front end of said housing having pointers projecting longitudinally from each side of the lower end thereof for indicating on said scales the pressure applied by each spring fore and aft of the shaft end, a central hole for receiving said shaft end and a flange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole, a bearing tiltably mounted within said flange to be self-aligning supporting said shaft end, check-nuts adjustably mounted on said control shafts to -limit the downward movement of the control shafts having peripheral guide flanges adapted to abut said housing end wall to keep said housing in vertical position and lock-nuts on said control shafts for abutting said check-nuts for looking therein in adjusted positions thereon.

6. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and of retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising bracket means securable to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turning of said handwheels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts, a freely vertically movable housing of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft end overlying said draw-bar between said control shafts having an open outer end, a hole for receiving said roll shaft end in the rear wall thereof and spaced holes in the lower wall thereof fore and aft of said roll shaft end, spring supporting rods projecting upwardly through said holes within said housing on each side of said shaft end having caps on the upper ends thereof and their lower ends secured to said draw-bar against upward vertical movement, helical springs surrounding said supporting rods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting the lower wall of said housing exterior of said spaced holes.

a cover detachably securable to the open front end of said housing having a central hole for receiving said shaft end and a flange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole, and a bearing mounted within said flange supporti said shaft end.

'1. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip in vertical alignment with ,the axis of said lower roll, comprising bracket means securabie to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turning of said handwheels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts having vertically extending scales mounted on each end thereof, a freely vertically movable plate of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft having a central hole for receiving said shaft and a flange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole, and having a base projecting inwardly from the lower end thereof overlying said draw-bar -between said control shafts having spaced holes therein fore and aft of saidl shaft end, spring supporting rods projecting upporting rods projecting upwardly through said holes on each side of said shaft end having caps on the upper ends thereof and the lower ends se.- cured to said draw-bar against upward vertical movement, helical springs surrounding said supporting lrods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting said Ibase exterior of said spaced holes. and a bearing supporting said shaft mounted within said flange.

9. A freely flexible supporting devicefor an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, bracket means securable to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded verticalY holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adj table within said holes on turning of said handglsiels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts having vertically extending scales mounted on each end thereof, a frely vertically movable plate of greater height than the diameter of said wardly through said holes on each side of said A self-aligned, pointers projecting longitudinally from each side of the lower ends of said plate for indicating on said scales the pressure applied by each of the springs fore and aft of the shaft end and check-nuts adjustably mounted on said control shafts to limit the downward movement of the control shafts having peripheral vguide flanges adapted to abut said plate end walls tol keep said plate in vertical position and lock-nuts on said control shafts for abutting said check nuts for locking them in adjusted positions thereon.

8. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, bracket means securable to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turning of said handwheels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts, a freely vertically movable plate of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft having a central hole for receiving said shaft and a ange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole and having a base projecting inwardly from the lower end thereof overlying said draw-bar between said control shafts having spaced holes therein fore and aft of said shaft end, spring suproll shaft having a central hole for receiving said shaft and a flange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole and having a base projecting inwardly from the lower end thereof overlying said draw-bar between said control shafts having spaced holes therein fore and aft Vof said shaft end, spring supporting rods projecting upwardly through said holes on eachside of said shaft end having caps on the upper ends thereof and the lower ends secured to said/'drawbar against upward vertical movement, helical springs surrounding said `supporting rods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting said base exterior of said spaced holes, a bearing supporting said shaft mounted within said flange, and pointers projecting longitudinally from each side of the lower ends of said plate for indicating on said scales the pressure applied by-each of the springs fore and aft of the shaft end.

l0. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip 'in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, bracket means securable to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turning of said handwheels, a draw-bar loosely mounted on and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts, a freely vertically movable plate of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft having a central hole for receiving said shaft and a flange movement, helical springs surrounding said supporting rods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting said base exterior of said spaced holes, and a bearing supporting said shaft tiltably mounted within said flange to be self-aligned. l

11. A freely nexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustably variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, bracket means securabie to the machine frame to project laterally therefrom on each side of said shaft end having threaded vertical holes therein, threaded control shafts having turning handwheels on the upper ends thereof individually vertically adjustable within said holes on turnl ing of said handwheels. a draw-bar loosely mountedlon and connecting the lower ends of said control shafts, a freely vertically movable plate of greater height than the diameter of said roll shaft having a central hole for receiving said shaft and a flange projecting forwardly therefrom aligned with said hole and having a base projecting inwardly from the lower end thereof overlying said draw-bar between said control shafts having spaced holes therein fore and aft of said shaft end, spring supporting rods projecting upwardly through said holes on each side `of said shaft end having caps on the upper ends thereof and the lower ends secured to said drawbar against upward vertical movement. helical springs surrounding said supporting rods having the upper ends thereof abutting said caps and the lower ends thereof abutting said base exterior of said spaced holes. a bearing supporting said shaft mounted within said flange and checknuts adjustably mounted onsaid control shafts to limit the downward movement of the control shafts having peripheral guide flanges adapted to abut said plate end walls to keep said plate in vertical position and lock-nuts on said control shafts for abutting said check-nuts foriocking therein in adjusted positions thereon.

12. A freely exible supporting device for an end of a shaft `of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustable variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and of retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll. comprising, a bearing for said shaft end, supporting means for said bearing., draw-bar means extending longitudinally below said shaft end below said supporting means, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft end and means including a portion adapted to be rigidly mounted `fore and aft of each shaft end for vertically adjustably, supporting each end of said draw-bar means for adjusting the pressure exerted on said nip by each of said spring means and for raising said upper squeeze roll from said lower squeeze roll after said drawassises bar means abuts said supporting means and means to indicate relative vertical movement between the ends of said draw-bar means and supporting means to indicate the adjustable pressure applied by said spring means.

13. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustable variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, of lifting said squeeze roll from said lower roll and of retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, a bearing for said shaft end. supporting means for said bearing, draw-bar means extending longitudinally below said shaft end below said supporting means, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft end and means including a portion adapted to be rigidly mounted fore and aft of each shaft end for vertically adjustably supporting each end of said draw-bar means for yadjusting the pressure exerted on said nip by each of said spring means and for raising said upper squeeze roll from said lower squeeze roll after said draw-bar means abuts said supporting means. l

14. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustable variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, and of retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, a bearing for said shaft end, supporting means for said bearing, draw-bar means extending longitudinally below said shaft end, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore `and aft of each shaft end and means including a portion adapted to be rigidly mounted fore and aft of each shaft end for vertically adjustably supporting each end of said draw-bar means for adjusting the pressure exerted on said nip by each of said spring means and means to indicate relative vertical movement between the ends of said draw-bar means and suppvl'ting means to indicate the adjustable pressure applied by said spring means.

15. A freely flexible supporting device for an end of a shaft of a squeeze roll overlying a cooperating rotating lower roll capable of applying an adjustable variable pressure at the nip of said rolls, and of' retaining said nip in vertical alignment with the axis of said lower roll, comprising, a bearing for said shaft end, supporting means for said bearing, draw-bar means extending longitudinally below said shaft end, spaced spring means interposed between a draw-bar means portion and a supporting means portion fore and aft of each shaft end and means including a portion adapted to be rigidly mounted fore and aft of each shaft end for vertically adjustably supporting each end of said draw-bar means for adjusting the pressure exerted on said nip by each of said spring means. f

AUSTIN S. NQRCROSS.

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