Sheet metal decoiling device and multi-coil decoiling system

Abstract

A decoiling device for decoiling a coil of sheet material includes first and second support rollers on which to support a coil of sheet material. The first and second support rollers are oriented such that their rotation axes are parallel to a first direction. The decoiling device also includes a frame supports the first and second support rollers, a rotatable mandrel, and first and second guide members. The first and second guide members are positionable at first and second sides of the frame, respectively, so as to limit movement of the coil of sheet material in the first direction. Multiple such decoiling devices can be configured together with a support member that supports the multiple decoiling devices to provide a mobile multi-coil decoiling system that is transportable from one location to another.

1 . A device for decoiling a coil of sheet material, comprising: 
 first and second support rollers on which to support a coil of sheet material, the first and second support rollers being oriented such that their rotation axes are parallel to a first direction;    a frame that supports the first and second support rollers;    a rotatable mandrel; and    first and second guide members positionable at first and second sides of the frame, respectively, so as to limit movement of the coil of sheet material in the first direction.    
   
   
       2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second guide members comprise first and second guide rollers, respectively.  
   
   
       3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second guide rollers is positioned midway between the first and second support rollers, and wherein rotation axes of the first and second guide rollers are oriented in a vertical direction relative to a plane intersecting the rotation axes of the first and second support rollers.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to allow displacement of the rotatable mandrel in a vertical direction relative to a plane intersecting the rotation axes of the first and second support rollers.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the frame is configured to substantially constrain displacement of the rotatable mandrel in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises a retaining mechanism to prevent the rotatable mandrel from exceeding a maximum displacement in the vertical direction.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable mandrel is expandable.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising an adjustment mechanism that permits at least one of the first and second guide members to be moved in the first direction.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable mandrel comprises an arbor whose length is adjustable.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor configured to drive the first support roller via a drive mechanism coupled to the first support roller, wherein the drive mechanism includes a clutch mechanism.  
   
   
       11 . A system for decoiling multiple coils of sheet material, comprising: 
 multiple decoiling devices; and    a support member that supports the multiple decoiling devices,    wherein each decoiling device comprises:    first and second support rollers on which to support a coil of sheet material, the first and second support rollers being oriented such that their rotation axes are parallel to a first direction;    a frame that supports the first and second support rollers;    a rotatable mandrel; and    first and second guide members positionable at first and second sides of the frame, respectively, so as to limit movement of the coil of sheet material in the first direction.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising a mobile platform configured to be transportable from one location to another, wherein the mobile platform includes the support member.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the mobile platform comprises a trailer or a truck.  
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second guide members comprise first and second guide rollers, respectively.  
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second guide rollers is positioned midway between the first and second support rollers, and wherein rotation axes of the first and second guide rollers are oriented in a vertical direction relative to a plane intersecting the rotation axes of the first and second support rollers.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the frame is configured to allow displacement of the rotatable mandrel in a vertical direction relative to a plane intersecting the rotation axes of the first and second support rollers.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the frame is configured to substantially constrain displacement of the rotatable mandrel in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises a retaining mechanism to prevent the rotatable mandrel from exceeding a maximum displacement in the vertical direction.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the rotatable mandrel is expandable.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising an adjustment mechanism that permits at least one of the first and second guide members to be moved in the first direction.