Strip stock feed apparatus with balance force feed roll

A roll type strip stock feed apparatus for advancing strip stock along a feed path comprising, a frame assembly, first and second support shafts having respective first and second shaft axes, means mounting the first and second support shafts on the frame assembly with the first and second shaft axes in parallel relation and disposed in a plane transverse to the feed path, a first feed roll having a work engaging surface coaxial with a first roll axis, means non-rotatably mounting the first feed roll on the first support shaft with the first roll axis coaxial with the first shaft axis, a second feed roll having an outer work engaging surface coaxial with a second rill axis and a passage extending axially through the second feed roll, means mounting the second feed roll on the second support shaft for longitudinal tilting movement of the second roll axis relative to the second shaft axis at a location intermediate ends of the second feed roll, and drive means for driving said first and second feed rolls to advance stock along the feed path, said drive means including a first toothed coupling member mounted on the second feed roll and having teeth arranged in an annular array coaxial with said second roll axis, a second toothed coupling member having teeth arranged in an annular array coaxial with said second shaft axis, the teeth on the first and second coupling members interengaging and having working clearance therebetween sufficient to accommodate limited tilting of the second roll axis relative to the second shaft axis, and means for substantially preventing tilting movement of the second feed roll in a direction crosswise of said plane while accommodating tilting movement in said plane.