Tenter frame and method
AssigneeMarshall and Williams Company
InventorChristopher Eugene Hosmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tenter frame apparatus includes an endless chain for carrying tenter clips (A) on one side of a monorail (B) for positioning a web (W) for transport on a single pair of longitudinally aligned bearings (C) carried in horizontal alignment with the web (W), and for guidance on a stationary track (D) by a wear strip (E) first opposed wear pads (F) opposite the bearings and second opposed wear pads (G) at the top of the monorail. Since the bearings (C) do not engage drive sprockets at turnarounds impact and high loads are avoided. In some applications wear strips may be substituted for the bearings (C).
Claims9
Tenter frame apparatus for carrying tenter clips supporting a web in open width comprising:
- a single vertical stationary monorail for supporting said tenter clips transporting the web in open width for subjecting the web to a treatment medium;
- longitudinally aligned anti-friction means supporting each of said tenter clips on a back side of said monorail in opposed horizontal alignment with said web for carrying the tenter clips during treatment of the web;
- a driven chain beneath said tenter clips for moving the web supported thereby;
- a longitudinal stationary track for guiding the chain and the web for longitudinal movement on said monorail;
- a longitudinal horizontally disposed wear strip carried by said track providing a low friction bearing surface for guiding the chain for longitudinal movement;
- first wear pads fixed to said tenter clips opposite said anti-friction means on a front side of said monorail;
- and
- second wear pads on said tenter clips providing guidance therefor at a top of said monorail;
- whereby a compact, accessible monorail apparatus is provided for a tenter frame utilizing a longitudinally aligned anti-friction means for support and low friction wear strips and wear pads for guidance out of contact with turnaround drive sprockets avoiding variations in load at a turnaround.
A method of carrying tenter clips for supporting a web in open width comprising the steps of:
- providing a single vertical stationary monorail for supporting said tenter clips while subjecting the web to a treatment medium;
- guiding a chain carried beneath and driving the tenter clips for longitudinal movement on a low friction bearing surface;
- utilizing longitudinally aligned anti-friction means supporting each of said tenter clips on a back side of said monorail in opposed horizontal alignment with said web for carrying the tenter clips during treatment;
- mounting wear pads for guiding said tenter clips opposite said anti-friction means on a front side of said monorail;
- and
- supporting wear pads on said tenter clips at a top of said monorail for guiding said tenter clips for vertical alignment;
- whereby a method is provided for use in a tenter frame during transport of the web for continuous guidance of the tenter clips thereby with the anti-friction means out of contact with a turnaround sprocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.