Apparatus for rolling annular objects

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for rolling an annular object, configured to stably and uniformly roll the inner periphery of the annular object while preserving the texture, pattern, or appearance of the outer periphery of the annular object. [Solution] An apparatus for rolling an annular object includes a rolling drum, a rolling tool, and a base. The rolling drum has two circular frames filled with an embedding material that tightly surrounds the outer periphery of the annular object with a removable fixture, and the embedding material is removed to form a cavity that reveals the inner periphery of the annular object. The inner periphery of the annular object is rolled on the rolling platform of the base via a cylindrical roller of the rolling tool inserted through the cavity in the embedding material to increase the density of the annular object. During the rolling process, the outer periphery of the annular object is fixed and protected by the embedding material to protect the texture and pattern formed on the annular object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to rolling technology, and more particularly to an apparatus for rolling an annular object configured to stably and uniformly roll the inner circumference of the annular object while protecting the texture, pattern, or appearance of the outer circumference of the annular object.

Background Art

[0002] To make various annular objects having an attractive appearance, such as bracelets or rings, the annular object is formed by casting and then polished. However, various annular objects, such as cast annular objects, may have a low density and a poor internal structure, resulting in low hardness and low strength. The annular object is easily damaged or deformed while being compressed by an external force. Forged annular objects have a high density but no luster on the appearance or are easily broken at the welded parts.

[0003] In press molding technology, a pressure molding die made of rubber, acrylic resin, or polyurethane (PU) is easily formed as a female or male die having a complex pattern and is configured to increase the density of the annular object. However, the pattern formed by a single press molding using a die may not present as good and attractive details as the pattern formed by casting. A pressure molding die made of rubber or polyurethane is easily cracked. Metal annular objects are formed with burrs.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, technology is needed to manufacture annular objects while considering both their appearance and structural strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for rolling an annular object. The embedding material in the rolling drum may densely cover the outer circumference of the annular object, leaving the inner circumference exposed from the cavity of the embedding material. The outer circumference of the annular object is protected by the embedding material during the process of rolling the inner circumference of the annular object to increase its density by cylindrical rollers inserted through the cavity. The annular object is fixed in place with the texture and pattern on its outer circumference protected by the embedding material. Because the rolling drum is cylindrical and the cavity is located in the center of the rolling drum, the inner circumference of the annular object can be rolled stably and uniformly by the cylindrical rollers.

[0007] The apparatus is configured to roll the inner circumference of an annular object and comprises a rolling drum, rolling equipment, and a base. The rolling drum comprises two circular frames connected to each other, a removable base fixture, a removable lower central fixture, and a removable upper central fixture connected to the removable lower central fixture. The removable base fixture is configured to support the two circular frames and has a hole in the center. The removable lower central fixture is held in the hole of the removable base fixture and is aligned with the central axis of the two circular frames. A cylindrical pin is formed at the top of the removable lower central fixture and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top of the removable lower central fixture. The cylindrical pin is configured to be surrounded by the annular object. The removable upper central fixture has a hole for receiving the cylindrical pin of the removable lower central fixture. The two circular frames are filled with embedding material. After removing the removable base fixture, the removable lower central fixture, and the removable upper central fixture, a cavity is formed in the center of the embedding material. The outer circumference of the annular object is embedded in the embedding material, and the inner circumference of the annular object emerges from the cavity. The rolling equipment comprises cylindrical rollers configured to roll the inner circumference of the annular object within the rolling drum. The base comprises a rolling platform. The rolling drum rolls along the rolling platform during the rolling process.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when interpreted in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an apparatus for rolling an annular object according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged perspective view of the rolling drum with cylindrical rollers of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a side view of the rolling drum. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an annular object fixed inside a rolling drum. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rolling drum. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the rolling mill equipment of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a rolling mill. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the base of the device. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support structure for the device. [Figure 10] This is an operational side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, illustrating the steps involved in assembling the rolling mill equipment. [Figure 11] This is an operational side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, illustrating the steps involved in assembling the rolling mill equipment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 100 for rolling an annular object according to the present invention is configured to improve the internal material structure of the annular object R by performing a rolling process on the inner circumference RI of the annular object R as shown in Figure 4, thereby increasing the density of the annular object R and improving the structural strength and hardness of the annular object R. The annular object R may be a ring or bracelet having a complex pattern or texture formed on it before the rolling process. The apparatus 100 comprises a rolling drum 200, rolling equipment 300, and a base 400. The rolling equipment 300 comprises a frame 500.

[0011] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the rolling drum 200 comprises two circular frames 210 and 220, a removable base mounting fixture 230, a removable lower central mounting fixture 240, and a removable upper central mounting fixture 250. The circular frame 210 is the upper frame, and the circular frame 220 is the lower frame. The two circular frames 210 and 220 are connected to each other. The circular frame 210 has at least one first through hole 212 and at least one boss 214. The circular frame 220 has at least one second through-hole 222 corresponding to at least one first through-hole 212 in terms of position, and at least one counterbore 224 corresponding to at least one boss 214 in terms of position. Each boss 214 of the circular frame 210 is inserted into the corresponding counterbore 224 of the circular frame 220. Each first through-hole 212 is aligned with the corresponding second through-hole 222. The bolt 260 is inserted through the first through-hole 212 and the second through-hole 222 aligned with each other, and tightened with a nut 262 to prevent the two circular frames 210 and 220 from moving. The number of the first through-holes 212, bosses 214, second through-holes 222, or counterbores 224 may be three each to provide a stable connection between the two circular frames 210 and 220.

[0012] The removable base fixture 230 is configured to support the circular frames 210 and 220. Referring to FIG. 5, the removable base fixture 230 has at least three positioning rods 232 formed on itself and spaced apart from each other to hold the circular frames 210 and 220 in a predetermined position, and has a hole 234 formed at its center.

[0013] The removable lower central fixture 240 is held in the hole 234 of the removable base fixture 230 and is aligned with the central axis of the two circular frames 210 and 220 connected together. The cylindrical pin 242 is formed at the uppermost part of the removable lower central fixture 240 and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the uppermost part of the removable lower central fixture 240 so as to form a shoulder 241 at the uppermost part of the removable lower central fixture 240 around the cylindrical pin 242. The cylindrical pin 242 is configured to be surrounded by an annular object R for rolling. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the annular object R includes an outer circumference RO and an inner circumference RI inside the outer circumference RO. The sides of the annular object R are supported by shoulders 241 at the top of a removable lower central mounting fixture 240. The outer perimeter RO is located on the outer edge of the uppermost part of the removable lower central mounting fixture 240. The top of the removable lower central mounting bracket 240 is slightly lower than the circular frame 220.

[0014] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the annular object R is connected by a sleeve on a cylindrical pin 242 on a removable lower central mounting fixture 240, and then the removable upper central mounting fixture 250 is connected to the removable lower central mounting fixture 240. The removable upper central mounting fixture 250 has a hole 252 for receiving a cylindrical pin 242. The removable upper central mounting bracket 250 abuts against the other side of the annular object R. Since the removable upper central fixture 250 has a ferrule 254 formed on it, a tool, such as a screwdriver, may be inserted into the ferrule 254 to remove the removable upper central fixture 250 from the embedding material 270 made from high-temperature investment powder, such as phosphate investment or ethyl silicate investment.

[0015] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the embedding material 270 may be filled into the two circular frames 210 and 220 in several stages to secure the removable base mount 230, the removable lower central mount 240, the removable upper central mount 250, and the annular object R. After the embedding medium 270 has solidified, the removable base attachment 230, the removable lower central attachment 240, and the removable upper central attachment 250 are removed to form a cavity 272 within the embedding medium 270. The outer circumference RO of the annular object R is embedded in the embedding medium 270, and the inner circumference RI of the annular object R emerges from the cavity 272 of the embedding medium 270.

[0016] Referring to Figures 1, 6, and 7, the rolling mill 300 comprises a cylindrical roller 310, two bearings 320, two lining joints 330, and two mounting tubes 340. The two lined couplings 330 are each mounted within the two bearings 320. Each lining joint 330 has a polygonal socket 332 in its center. The two bearings 320 are each mounted in two mounting tubes 340. Each mounted pipe 340 has at least one projection 342 on its outer circumference to connect the rolling equipment 300 to the frame 500. Each cylindrical roller 310 has two polygonal ends 312 formed at both of its ends and fitted into polygonal sockets 332 of two lining joints 330. The cylindrical roller 310 is inserted through the cavity 272 of the embedding material 270 in the rolling drum 200 and through an annular object R fixed within the embedding material 270, and is configured to roll the inner circumference RI of the annular object R. During the rolling process, the cylindrical roller 310 rotates by the polygonal end 312, which drives the lining joint 330. Since each lining joint 330 is mounted inside the bearing 320, the inner ring of the bearing 320 may rotate together with the lining joint 330. The polygonal end 312 and polygonal socket 332 of the cylindrical roller 310 are polygonal to reduce slippage during rolling.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1 and 8, the base 400 comprises a rolling platform 410 and two rails 420. The rolling platform 410 has an extending direction ED and is configured to allow the rolling drum 200 to roll back and forth on the rolling platform 410 along the extending direction ED. The two rails 420 are arranged on either side of the rolling platform 410 and below the rolling platform 410. The frame 500 of the rolling mill equipment 300 is movable back and forth on two rails 420 along the extending direction ED. Two elongated blocks 412 are arranged on either side of the rolling platform 410 and extend along the extending direction ED, restricting the rolling drum 200 to rolling between them. Baffles 414 and 416 are positioned in front of and behind the rolling platform 410, respectively, to obstruct the rolling drum 200. Each of the two ends of the elongated block 412 is connected to baffles 414 and 416, respectively.

[0018] Referring to Figure 8, the base 400 includes two supports 430 that stably support the rolling platform 410 for the rolling process. Each support 430 has two openings 432, 434 arranged in a continuous line below the rolling platform 410. The support 430 of the base 400 may be any structure for stably supporting the rolling drum 200 and for stable rolling on the rolling platform 410, which is not limited as shown in Figure 8.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 and 9, the frame 500 is mounted on the base 400 for assembling the rolling mill equipment 300 and is movable along two rails 420. The frame 500 comprises a reciprocating table 510, a number of flexible members 520, and a rolling base 530. The carriage 510 is mounted on two rails 420 of the base 400 and comprises four columns 512, two beams 514, two connecting blocks 516, and four wheels 518. Each connecting block 516 is connected to two of the columns 512 on the corresponding side of the rolling platform 410. The two beams 514 extend through two connecting portions 516 and through openings 434 in the two supports 430 of the base 400. Four wheels 518 are positioned at the bottom of each of the four pillars 512, allowing the carriage 510 to move along the rail 420. The carriage 510 can have any suitable structure.

[0020] The flexible members 520 may be springs, each connected by sleeves on the columns 512 of the carriage 510, and arranged on both sides of the rolling platform 410. In the rolling process, the flexible member 520 provides a compression stroke for rolling. The rolling base 530 is positioned above the flexible member 520 and traverses above the rolling platform 410. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the rolling base 530 comprises two side plates 532 on both sides of the rolling platform 410, and two connecting plates 534 connected to the two side plates 532. The frame 500 further comprises a fixing rod 540, which extends through two side plates 532 of the rolling base 530 and through openings 432 of two supports 430 of the base 400, and is positioned below the rolling platform 410 to stabilize the structure of the rolling base 530.

[0021] The rolling base 530 is mounted through two side plates 532, each on either side of the other, and further comprises two fixed tubes 536, each arranged on either side of the rolling platform 410. The fixed pipe 536 is perpendicular to the extending direction ED of the rolling platform 410. Each fixed tube 536 is provided with at least one slot 536a to receive at least one projection 342 of the mounted tube 340 of the rolling mill 300 and to secure the mounted tube 340 within the fixed tube 536, as shown in Figure 6. Each fixed pipe 536 has threads 536b formed at its end, which are tightened with nuts 538 to secure the mounted pipe 340 inside the fixed pipe 536.

[0022] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, when assembling the device 100, the removable lower central mounting bracket 240 is placed in the hole 234 of the removable base mounting bracket 230. The circular frame 220 is placed on a removable base mounting bracket 230. The annular object R is connected by a sleeve on a cylindrical pin 242 of a removable lower central fixture 240, and then a removable upper central fixture 250 is placed on the cylindrical pin 242 and abuts against the side surface of the annular object R. Subsequently, the liquid embedding agent 270 is filled into the circular frame 220, sealing the outer circumference RO of the annular object R. After the embedding medium 270 has solidified, a separating agent is applied to the embedding medium 270. The boss 214 of the upper circular frame 210 is inserted into the blind hole 224 of the lower circular frame 220, thereby connecting the circular frames 210 and 220. Subsequently, the inside of the circular frame 210 is filled with liquid embedding agent 270.

[0023] After the embedding material 270 in the circular frames 210 and 220 has solidified, the removable base mounting bracket 230, the removable lower central mounting bracket 240, the removable upper central mounting bracket 250, and the annular object R are fixed in place. Next, a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into the ferrule 254 on the removable upper central mounting fixture 250. The removable upper central mounting bracket 250 is removed from the embedding material 270 by rotating the removable upper central mounting bracket 250. The removable base mount 230 and the removable lower central mount 240 are also removed from the embedding material 270 to form a cavity 272 within the embedding material 270. The bolts 260 are inserted through the corresponding first through holes 212 and second through holes 222, respectively, and tightened with nuts 262. Accordingly, the annular object R is fixed in the center of the rolling drum 200. The outer circumference RO of the annular object R is embedded in the embedding material 270, while the inner circumference RI emerges from the cavity 272. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rolling drum 200, fastened with bolts 260, is placed in the furnace and heated.

[0024] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, after the rolling drum 200 has been heated to the forging temperature, the rolling drum 200 is placed on the rolling platform 410 of the base 400 to roll the annular object R. While the rolling drum 200 is being heated, a rolling mill 300 as shown in Figure 6 may be prepared. The cylindrical rollers 310 of the rolling mill 300 are movably inserted into the polygonal sockets 332 of each lining joint 330 and detachably connected to the polygonal sockets 332. The bearing 320, the lined joint 330, and the mounting pipe 340 are connected to each other. In other words, the lining joint 330 is already mounted inside the bearing 320, and the bearing 320 is already mounted inside the mounting pipe 340.

[0025] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the polygonal end 312 on the right side of the cylindrical roller 310 is inserted into the polygonal socket 332 of the lining joint 330 in the bearing 320 in the mounting pipe 340 on the right side, and the mounting pipe 340 is inserted into the fixed pipe 536 on the right side of the rolling base 530 of the frame 500. The cylindrical roller 310 is inserted through the cavity 272 of the embedding material 270 in the rolling drum 200 and through the annular object R, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. As shown in Figure 10, the left mounting tube 340, with bearing 320 and lining joint 330, is inserted into the fixed tube 536 on the left side of the rolling base 530, and the left polygonal end 312 of the cylindrical roller 310 is inserted into the polygonal socket 332 of the lining joint 330 in the bearing 320 on the left side. Next, the nut 538 is screwed onto the threaded portion 536b of the fixing pipe 536.

[0026] While rolling the annular object R, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the operator holds two fixed tubes 536 on both sides of the rolling base 530 of the frame 500 and presses the cylindrical roller 310 downward to pressurize the inner circumference RI of the annular object R in the rotating drum 200. Next, the operator pushes the rolling base 530 of the frame 500, moving the frame 500 back and forth along the rail 420 of the base 400. After pushing the rolling base 530 of the frame 500 and moving it back and forth several times, the rolling process is completed. The rolling process may be carried out by hydraulics, pressure equipment, or electricity without manual operation.

[0027] After the rolling process, the nut 538 on the fixing pipe 536 of the rolling base 530 is removed. Next, the mounted tube 340 is removed from one side of the rolling mill 300, which includes the bearing 320, the lining joint 330, and the cylindrical roller 310, and then the mounted tube 340 is removed from the other side of the rolling mill 300, which includes the bearing 320 and the lining joint 330. Next, remove the rolling drum 200, loosen the nut 262, and remove the bolt 260. The circular frames 210 and 220 are separated from each other. The embedding agent 270 is destroyed, and the rolled annular object R is recovered. After the rolling process, the annular object R may be polished.

[0028] The embedding material 270 of the rolling drum 200 tightly seals the outer circumference RO of the annular object R without covering the inner diameter RI of the annular object R. During the rolling process, the inner circumference RI of the annular object R is rolled by a cylindrical roller 310 inserted through the cavity 272 of the embedding material 270, thereby increasing the density of the annular object R. The embedding agent 270 protects the outer RO of the annular object R, reducing the risk of damaging the texture or pattern on the outer RO of the annular object R. In addition, since the rolling drum 200 is circular and the cavity 272 is located in the center of the rolling drum 200, the inner circumference RI of the annular object R can be rolled stably and uniformly by the cylindrical roller 310.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rolling an annular object, configured to roll the inner circumference of the annular object, It is a rolling drum, Two circular frames connected to each other, A removable base mounting fixture having a hole in the center, configured to support the two circular frames, A removable lower central mounting fixture is held in the hole of the removable base mounting fixture and is aligned in a line with the central axis of the two circular frames. A cylindrical pin is formed at the top of the removable lower central mounting fixture, having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the top of the removable lower central mounting fixture, and configured to be surrounded by the annular object. A removable upper central mounting fixture connected to the removable lower central mounting fixture, having a hole for receiving the cylindrical pin of the removable lower central mounting fixture. In a rolling drum equipped with, The two circular frames are filled with embedding material, and after the removable base fixture, the removable lower central fixture, and the removable upper central fixture are removed, a cavity is formed in the center of the embedding material, the outer circumference of the annular object is embedded in the embedding material, and the inner circumference of the annular object emerges from the cavity. Rolling drum and A rolling mill, A cylindrical roller configured to roll the inner circumference of the annular object within the rolling drum. A rolling mill equipped with, The base, A rolling platform characterized in that the rolling drum rolls along the rolling platform during the rolling process. A base equipped with A device equipped with the following features.

2. The shoulder is formed at the top of the removable lower central mounting fixture around the cylindrical pin that supports one of the two sides of the annular object, The removable upper central mounting bracket, when connected to the removable lower central mounting bracket, abuts against the other of the two sides of the annular object. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. One of the two circular frames of the rolling drum is provided with at least one blind hole. The other of the two circular frames comprises at least one boss configured to be inserted into the at least one blind hole, the position of which corresponds to the at least one blind hole. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

4. One of the two circular frames of the rolling drum is provided with at least one first through hole, The other of the two circular frames is provided with at least one first through hole and at least one second through hole arranged in a row, At least one bolt is inserted through the at least one first through hole and the at least one second through hole and fastened with at least one nut. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

5. The rolling mill comprises two bearings, two lined joints, and two mounting tubes. Each of the two lining joints is mounted in the corresponding one of the two bearings and has a polygonal socket in the center of the lining joint. Each of the two bearings is mounted in the corresponding one of the two mounting tubes. Each of the two mounting tubes has at least one projection on its outer circumference, Each cylindrical roller has two polygonal ends formed at both ends of the cylindrical roller and inserted into the polygonal sockets of the two lining joints. The cylindrical roller is inserted through the cavity of the embedding material in the rolling drum and through the annular object. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. The base comprises two rails, each arranged on both sides of the rolling platform and below the rolling platform. The two elongated blocks are arranged on the rolling platform to restrict the rolling drum to being rolled between the two elongated blocks. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

7. The rolling equipment is a frame, Each of the two side plates arranged on both sides of the rolling platform, Two fixed tubes, each arranged on both sides of the rolling platform, mounted through the corresponding side of the two side plates, perpendicular to the extending direction of the rolling platform, and having at least one slot for receiving the at least one projection of one of the two mounted tubes. Equipped with a frame that includes, The base comprises two rails, each arranged on both sides of the rolling platform and below the rolling platform. The frame is movable along the two rails of the base. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that

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