US 3,945,547 A · Tractive apparatus

Abstract

Tractive apparatus for longitudinally moving elongated material providing opposed tractive assemblies for gripping material therebetween by opposed and balanced gripping forces. Each tractive assembly provides a plurality of tractive members in end-to-end relation confined to circulation in a closed path and the apparatus is characterized by the provision of means for holding the tractive members in abutting relationship at least during the time they grip the material. The apparatus is further characterized by the reduction of frictional forces on the tractive members by forcing the latter against the elongated material by sets of rolling bodies, each set of which circulates in a closed path within a respective tractive member path. Each tractive member has a material gripping face and each face is maintained in assembled relation with its tractive member by magnetic attraction to provide for ready removal and replacement of such faces.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tractive device for gripping elongated stock and for exerting a force thereon longitudinally thereof, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of tractive members circulating in a closed path toward and away from successive engagement with said stock,
and means removably secured to each member by magnetic attraction and providing a replaceable stock-engaging face.

A tractive device for forcing elongated work, such as a bar, tube and the like, in a longitudinal manner, comprising:

track means forming a guide surface along a closed path, a portion of which is arcuate and another portion of which is rectilinear and defines a working station wherein force is applied to said work to move it longitudinally,
a plurality of rigid gripping members movable along said path and adapted to grip said work in travel along said retilinear path portion and thus move said work longitudinally, said gripping members being disposed in end-to-end relation in said path,
a plurality of separate, rigid intermediate members, each interposed between facing ends of adjoining gripping members, and having only abutment interengagement therewith,
said gripping members and said intermediate members completely filling said path to substantially maintain facing ends of all adjoining gripping members in abutment with respective intermediate members, the latter providing for longitudinal angular displacement of adjoining gripping members as they move through said arcuate path portion, while providing for solid transmission of force from one gripping member to an adjoining gripping member as such members move along said rectilinear path portion, and
means for forcing said gripping members along said path.

2 more elements

A tractive device for forcing elongated work, such as a bar, tube and the like, in a longitudinal manner, comprising:

a pair of laterally spaced side plates,
a track on the inside surface of one side plate, forming a guide surface along a closed path, a portion of which is arcuate and another portion of which is rectilinear and defines a working station wherein force is applied to said work to move it longitudinally,
a plurality of rigid gripping members, each extending crosswise of the space between said plates, and movable along said path and adapted to grip said work in travel along said rectilinear portion and thus move said work longitudinally, said gripping members being disposed in end-to-end relation in said path,
a plurality of rigid intermediate members, each extending crosswise of the space between said plates and interposed between facing ends of adjoining gripping members, each intermediate member having a central portion having abutment interengagement with respective facing ends, and an end portion slidable along said guide surface to guide movement of said gripping members along said path,
said gripping members and said intermediate members completely filling said path to substantially maintain facing ends of all adjoining gripping members in abutment with the central portion of respective intermediate members, the latter providing for angular displacement of adjoining gripping members as they move through said arcuate track portion, while providing for solid transmission of force from one gripping member to the next as they move along said rectilinear track portion, and
means for forcing said gripping members along said path.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tractive apparatus

Life of this patent

Tractive apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20