Previously known are roll conveyors on the floor capable of receiving a rolling roll so that the roll rolls against a quite upright lifted level in the conveyor in order to stop the roll; of returning it against another, quickly raised level. The heavy roll remains swinging between the levels till centred by them onto the base. The roll then remains on the conveyor and by means of slightly raised conveyor side levels stays put on the conveyor and can then be shifted forward moving the conveyor.

The level turned up as roll stopper is placed at a certain distance on the base so that the roll stops in the right place, usually just on the base centre line. This results in that the constructions can receive rolls with diameters quite close to one another, since the range of diameter change is restricted by the angle of inclination of the level. Further, in known solutions the roll is stopped by the stopping wall quite suddenly causing great stress on the base and the roll usually stops still making damped motion. The base construction must be steady.

By means of a base furnished with two turnable levels as per this invention, problems appeared in connection with known roll handling bases, among others as above illustrated, are solved and, furthermore, a remarkable improvement of roll stability, on receiving it onto and discharging it from the base, is produced. This aim is reached by means of the construction as per this invention and characterized in that between the edges of said levels, directed against each other, or directly between these two levels, there is an pivoted arrangement by means of which both levels can be turned individually to the roll receiving position, roll-transporting position (V angle) and roll discharging position by means of hydraulic cylinders placed above or underneath the levels.

The aim of the invention is to produce a device that receives a rolling roll optimally without any oscillation or any sudden bumps. Also a controlled discharge of roll is possible by means of this device, while the motions of roll supporting levels can be completely

controlled and their motions adjusted. The base construction can be lighter and, if the base is on wheels, their bearings do not get so easily damaged as in known bases. The more careful handling of the roll also reduces defects of roll surface.

In the following the invention is disclosed referring to the enclosed drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a roll handling device on a transport carriage in receiving position viewed from one end.

Fig. 2 shows a roll handling device in transport position.

Fig. 3 shows a roll handling device in discharging position.

Fig. 4 shows a roll handling device on the base viewed from one side.

Fig. 5 shows a floor-mounted roll handling device.

Fig. 6 shows roll handling levels viewed diagonally.

Fig. 1 is a roll handling device placed on a transport base 1 moving on rails 2 and having two movable levels 9a and 9b pivoted to turn by means of fastening shafts 8 arranged close to the base centre line. In this embodiment levels 9 are turned by means of cylinders 5 placed above the levels, whereby there is for the cylinders a supporting pillar 3 in both ends of the base viewed from the transport direction of the carriage. Since levels 9 can several metres long, they have lengthwise running supporting beams arranged in both edges and supporting plates 6 mounted in the ends.

The roll bearing plate 9a and 9b comprised in the levels is in the solution shown in the figures formed into a gently sloping V-profile viewed from the end, whereby it has a fold line 7 almost in the middle of the level. When the roll in figure 1 is rolling to level 9, it continues on the level to the fold point 7 and falls then to the rising position, where the speed falls. When the roll rolls to the base centre line, the level in the steeper stopping angle of other level 9b starts further braking of rolling, whereby the rolling stops and roll 4 returns to the centre line and stops there, since meanwhile first level 9a has been turned symmetrically also into an angle as per level 9b. In order to raise level 9a at right time, one can as help by cylinder 5 steering use the photocell that follows the roll motion or load detecting sensor in connection with level 9a. Also on the centre line there can be a mechanical limit switch between shafts 8, the detecting lever of which is pressed down by the rolling roll as a sign to start raising the level 9a. Raising level 9a can be started already

when the roll passes the outer edge of the level.

Figure 2 shows roll 4 supported by both levels 9a and 9b in transport position, whereby base carriage 1 can be moved along a track. The raising height of levels 9, i. e. the turning angle, can be adjusted according to the roll diameter. The cylinders have linear sensors indicating the position of raising. The partly or fully automated operation of the equipment comprises a control system, into which possible different roll diameters are programmed and for each of them positions of the levels on receiving the roll, raising height positions of levels by roll transport, raising speed of first level 9a on receiving the roll, which is possible by means of proportional valves used, and further the let down speed of level 9b on discharging the roll (figure 3).

In figure 4 there is a roll handling device with level above cylinders 5, into which device a roll with a size of maximum L width can be placed. It is possible to place cylinders 5 also underneath levels 9, whereby the structure from rails 2 to levels 9 becomes higher and requires, generally, that the transport track has to be sunk lower than the floor level in comparison to the solution illustrated in the figures. On the other hand, in this solution the supporting pillars are omitted.

The roll handling base as per this invention can be used for rolls with quite different diameter sizes and by means of the program it is possible to produce optimal cylinder motions so that rolling of rolls by receipt, stopping, support by transport and rolling by discharge would take place under control. Then even stresses on the base can be reduced to minimum.

Though the levels 9 in the figures are presented formed as a gently sloping V-profile by means of fold 7, it is possible to use also other crosscut-forms, such as two or more gently sloping V-shapes per each level or, for instance, slightly sloping U-profiles or combinations of the same.

In addition to the transport carriage, the roll handling base can also be placed on rotary tables and, for instance, as a device to feed rolls to conveyors, for instance.

Figure 5 shows a roll handling base placed on the floor and capable of receiving a roll from whichever side and of discharging to whichever side, whereby the heights of discharge and receipt can be on different levels and even vary between each other.

The base frame comprises a fixed part placed in floor depression 17. The first level 13 is from its edge portion hinged on base frame 18 and tilted by cylinder 16. The second level 14 is hinged on the edge opposite the hinges of first level 13 and with respect to level 13 tilted by cylinder 15. By means of cylinders 15 and 16 both levels can be tilted to the horizontal plane and to the corners on both sides of the horizontal plane.

Thanks to the tilting possibilities of levels 13,14 roll 4 can be received both from the floor and from transport carriage 12 beside the base or a corresponding horizontal conveyor. The roll can also be discharged from levels 13,14 to both the floor and the transport carriage 12.

On the other side of the transport carriage there is a stopping device 11 that stops the roll onto the transport carriage. By the device 11 it is also possible to push the roll into motion, when the roll is moved over to levels 13,14 from the transport carriage.

By means of the hinged joints and cylinders 15,16 steering the motions of levels 13,14, receipt and discharge of roll can take place from levels of different height. Viewed from figure 5, discharge and receipt can take place on the right side of the device, instead of the floor from other height levels above the floor, at least even starting from level L.

In figure 6 a solution is presented, where the second level is divided into many parts 14a, 14b, 14. For each part a, b, c, there is an individual cylinder 15, whereby they can be tilted independently between each other. By this solution the advantage is reached that one or several rolls, cut off from one another, and arriving onto the levels stuck to each other, can be separated and steered for instance one by one to a track wanted or onto the floor.

The approaching roll is kept between levels 13 and 14 in the V-angle and level 14 (a, b, c,) that supports the selected roll is tilted down to discharge onto the floor.

It is also possible to separate rolls in the direction of transport carriage 12, since the rolls one wants to remain on levels 13,14, are kept resting on the gently sloping V-angle of level 14 and the roll or rolls, which one wants to become shifted gypr to transport carriage 12,

are pushed into motion by means of level 14 that is supporting them.

So that separation of rolls would be possible by individually movable levels, there must be between levels 14a, b, c, a clear distance, e, g, 150 mm, into which area it must be possible to adjust the roll cut off point, when the roll is stopped for receipt onto a base according to the invention.

In the tilting cylinders linear sensors can be fixed and the information given by them is transmitted as tilting data to the control centre. Also the levels can directly include angle- sensors to detect their angle of inclination. The control centre comprises a unit steering the motion and motion speeds of the levels. The roll diameters and roll masses are either detected or otherwise given to the control unit. The diameters and masses affect the motions and motion speeds of the levels.

There is for instance in the pressure line of the motion cylinders of levels 9,13,14 a pressure sensor that can be set or a shut-off valve, by means of which the motivity of levels is adjusted on turning them into V-angle and the roll being in said V-angle. Thus excess compression and damage of roll between levels is prevented.