Gripper means for stretcher leveler apparatus

A stretcher leveler apparatus comprising a first gripping jaw adapted to be closeable with an identically aligned second gripping jaw, whereby both jaws of a first pair can hold firmly one section of an uncoiled metal strip passing therebetween during the periods of high stress elongation of the strip length lying between the first pair defining one end of the metal strip and a second pair of opposing gripping jaws operating simultaneously at a distance from the first pair of jaws and forming the second end of the elongating strip section to be elongated, the improvement comprising each jaw having a gripper means consisting essentially of

• a. a high density, cast polyurethane gripping surface adapted for engagement with the metal section to be stretched and operatively anchored to the contact jaw faces, said gripping surface being positioned in a plane parallel to the surface of the metal to be engaged, and
• b. said gripping surface includes an integral reinforcing means made of steel adapted to maintain the transverse rigidity of the said surface during coil engagement and the forces incident to elongation of a strip length when forces are applied to the metal through the jaws, said gripping surface being operatively anchored to each jaw through the reinforcing means, said gripping surface being cast in situ on the reinforcing means.