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US 5,690,264 AGranted
Apparatus and method for self-aligning contacting surfaces
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJoseph Distefano, Vladimir A. Garris, Brian Douglas Hauss, Michael Alexander Kubiak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for continuously self aligning a first surface with a second roller has an adjustable support member for the first surface which produces movements of the first roller that corresponds to movements of the second roller. The adjustable support member supporting the first roller uses a plurality of bearings, preferably thrust bearings, arranged on the frame supporting the first roller which alignable controls the movements of the first roller in contact with the second roller.
Claims14
Apparatus for self-aligning a first roller in proximate contact with a second, roller comprising:
- a first frame member having a main portion and first and second opposite end portions structurally mounted to said main portion, first and second elongated members structurally mounted to a respective first and second opposite end portion, said first and second elongated members defining a central axis passing through said first frame member, and said first and second opposite end portions being capable of rotation about said central axis;
- a second frame member having second, opposite end portions for supporting said first roller;
- and
- first end bearing means, central pivot bearing means, and second end bearing means for supportedly mounting the first frame member to said second frame member, said bearing means being arranged so as to enable either of said first end bearing means and second end bearing means to apply continuous pressure to said second frame member in response to movements of said second roller thereby providing continuous alignment of said first roller with said second roller;
- wherein a pivot shaft having a threaded and non-threaded end portion is disposed in said central pivot bearing means and passes through a boring in said second frame member, said threaded end portion extending outwardly of said first frame member, and wherein a hex nut and cap are arranged on said threaded end portion of said pivot shaft to secure the pivot shaft to said first and second frame members, and wherein said non-threaded end portion of said pivot shaft is disposed in a roller bearing arranged in said boring in said second frame member, said roller bearing being secured to said pivot shaft by a bearing cap.
2 more elements
Self-aligning roller assemblage, comprising:
- a first frame member;
- a second frame member mounted to said first frame member, said second frame member having first and second end portions arranged thereon for rotatably supporting a first roller;
- a second roller positioned in alignable, proximate rotating contact with said first roller;
- bearing means arranged in said first and second frame members to provide continuous movements of said first roller relative to movements of said second roller, said bearing means comprising a first end bearing, a second end bearing and a central pivot bearing, and wherein a pivot shaft having a threaded and non-threaded end portion is disposed in said central pivot bearing and passes through a boring in said second frame member, said threaded end portion extending outwardly of said first frame member, and wherein a hex nut and cap are arranged on said threaded end portion of said pivot shaft to secure the pivot shaft to said first and second frame members, and wherein said non-threaded end portion of said pivot shaft is disposed in a roller bearing arranged in said boring in said second frame member, said roller bearing being secured to said pivot shaft by a bearing cap.
1 more element
A method continuously self-aligning a first surface with a second surface, comprising the steps of:
- providing an assemblage having a first and second frame member for supporting said first roller in proximate contact with said second roller;
- providing a first end bearing means, a central pivot bearing means and a second end bearing means on said assemblage for adjusting the movements of said first roller in response to movements of said second roller, wherein a pivot shaft having a threaded and non-threaded end portion is disposed in said central pivot bearing means and passes through a boring in said second frame member, said threaded end portion extending outwardly of said first frame member, and wherein a hex nut and cap are arranged on said threaded end portion of said pivot shaft to secure the pivot shaft to said first and second frame members, and wherein said non-threaded end portion of said pivot shaft is disposed in a roller bearing being secured to said pivot shaft by a bearing cap;
- rotating said first and second rollers, said second roller making rotational and translational movements relative to said first roller;
- and
- adjusting the movements of said first roller to correspond with said rotational and translational movements of said second roller thereby enabling continuous alignment of said first roller with said second roller.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.