FR2541600A1 - UNIVERSAL CAGE WITH OPEN COLUMNS, CONVERTIBLE INTO A DUO CAGE AND VICE VERSA EXTENSIBLE IN HEIGHT AND WIDTH, FOR LAMINATION OF PROFILES SUCH AS H AND I POULTRY, RAILS, PALPLANCHES AND OTHER SIMILAR PROFILES - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS UNIVERSAL CAGE WITH OPEN COLUMNS IS SEPARABLE HORIZONTALLY INTO THREE SIMILAR UPPER I AND LOWER III SETS AND ONE CENTRAL II SET, EACH SET BEING VERTICALLY SEPARABLE IN TWO PARTS, THE TWO UPPER I AND LOWER III SETS SIMILAR AND ONE CENTRAL II SET, EACH SET BEING VERTICALLY SEPARABLE IN TWO PARTS, THE TWO UPPER I AND LOWER THREE UNDER III SETS THE CENTRAL ASSEMBLY IN THE FORM OF TWO SIMILAR HALF-PARTS 2 CONNECTED BETWEEN THEM AND EACH CONTAINING TWO COLUMNS 8 SURROUNDED BY A HALF-BELT 17, THE CAGE BEING PRE-STRESSED IN THE VERTICAL PLAN AND THE UPPER I, CENTRAL II AND LOWER ASSEMBLIES CONNECTED BY FOUR VERTICAL TENSIONERS 5 TENSIONED, THE CAGE BEING ALSO PRE-STRESSED IN THE HORIZONTAL PLANE AND THE CENTRAL HALF-PARTS ASSEMBLED BY FOUR HORIZONTAL TENSIONERS 3 TENSIONED. THIS CAGE TURNS INTO A DUO CAGE BY REPLACING THE CENTRAL ASSEMBLY WITH A CENTRAL ASSEMBLY SPECIFIC TO THE DUO CAGE.

Description

Universal cage with open columns, transformable into duo and vice cage

  versa, extendable in height and in width, For the lamînao of profiles such as beams H and I rails, pallanches and others

similar profiles.

  The invention relates to a universal cage and

  to a duo cage for rolling according to the universal or suitable case

  of sections such as H and 1 beams, rails, sheet piles,

  angle irons and other similar profiles.

  By universal cage is meant a cage which comprises two cylinders with horizontal axes and two rollers with vertical axes and by cage duo a cage which comprises only two cylinders with horizontal axes There are numerous universal cages which can be classified in several different categories, according to the range of dimensions of the rolled products and the possibility of transforming them

  or not in duo cages When a cage or a rolling mill must be set up

  trout for a wide range of profiles and profile dimensions, it becomes essential to be able to vary the center distance of the chocks of the cylinders to allow the use of cylinders of the minimum width required, otherwise the cost of the cylinders

  too wide would become prohibitive for the smallest profiles.

  In this connection, two types of cage construction are known.

  The first type uses columns that can be moved relative to each other This first type of cage that was encountered on

  the old GRAY type trains disassembled in the rolling position.

  It has the disadvantage of poor rigidity (due to the high windows, the large travel of the clamping screws), a significant weight and a high installation cost. The second type used transverse beams also used for balancing -25 of the upper cylinder, allowing the concentric movement of chocks, according to the desired spacing (IRON AND STEEL ENGINEER review May 1970, p 77 to 81) This second type of cage also has the drawback of poor rigidity, tall, wide windows and large tightening screw runs When a cage

  is built to laminate a reduced range of pro-

  spun (for example for medium beam trains from 100 to 400 mm or large beam trains from 200 to 600), there is no longer any obligation to vary the width of the cylinders The cage is not

  not extendable in width and the spacing of the chocks remains constant.

  It has the disadvantage of a high cost of cylinders for the small dimensions of profiles. An attempt has been made to increase the rigidity of the universal cages by constructing composite cages with prestressed tie rods. These cages designed for medium continuous trains with beams are essentially composed of three parts,

  namely a top hat comprising the upper half-columns

  laughing, a belt containing or likely to receive

  vertical rollers and a lower cap including the half

  lower columns The three parts are assembled by pre-stressed vertical tie rods Composite cages have the disadvantage of not allowing the width of the

  cylinders, therefore a high cost of cylinders for small-

  profile dimensions The composite cages can be transformed into a duo, by omitting the vertical roller belt On

  also knows a universal cage called compact (American patent

  ricain 3 802 242) assembled by tie rods, without preload, which essentially comprises three parts, namely a central part forming a belt and upper and lower caps This type of cage also has the disadvantage

  high cost of cylinders for small dimensions of pro-

  spun, because it does not make it possible to vary the center distance of the chocks We also know a universal cage called compact

  without columns It is made up of upper and lower chocks

  lower, of a horizontal belt and of tie rods prestressed in the vertical plane This last cage also has the drawback of not making it possible to vary the spacing of the chocks, therefore a high cost in cylinders for small profiles Some types of compact cages are not suitable for reversible rolling, because their design does not allow to vary the tightening of the cylinders of a

  sufficient and fairly quick value between passes.

  To overcome these drawbacks, the invention aims: a universal cage transformable into a duo cage and vice versa suitable for reversible rolling; the possibility of extension of the cages in, height and width of the value strictly required to allow the rolling of profiles in a wide dimensional range, without this entailing sacrifices on the cost of the cylinders, the stiffness of the cage and excess the weight of the latter when it rolls sections of small dimensions; advanced standardization of the elements of the cages, to reduce the initial investment and spare parts costs of a rolling mill, in particular of a mixed rolling mill operating with universal or duo cages or with a combination of the two; universal and duo cages of improved rigidity; cage design compatible with rapid changes

of cages on a train.

  To achieve the aims, the invention relates to a universal cage with open columns, convertible into a duo cage and vice versa, horizontally separable into three similar upper and lower assemblies and a central assembly, each assembly being vertically separable into two parts, the two upper and lower assemblies each in the form of two similar caps, the central assembly in the form of two similar half-parts connected together and each comprising two columns surrounded by a half-belt, the cage being prestressed in the vertical plane and the upper, central and lower assemblies being connected by four vertical tie rods under tension, the cage also being prestressed in the horizontal plane and

  the central half-parts assembled by four horizontal tie rods

  zontàux energized; a duo cage obtained by transforming the universal cage, in which the upper and lower assemblies are those of the universal cage, the central assembly being replaced by a central assembly specific to the duo cage and comprising four open columns connected laterally by spacers and on the front and rear of the cage by half-crosspieces, the central assembly also being vertically separable into two similar half-parts assembled by four horizontal tie rods, the cage being assembled and prestressed in the vertical plane by four vertical tie rods tensioned; a pre-stressed duo cage in the vertical and horizontal planes; the prestressing of the cages made using hydraulic cylinders locked by nuts after the tensioning of the tie rods;

  the modulation of vertical and horizontal prestressing values

  zontales to adapt the stiffness of the stand to variations in rolling pressures; the use of hydraulic cylinders as safety allowing

  release the prestress in the event of a rolling incident.

  An embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

  Figure 1 is a front view of the universal cage

saddle of the invention;

  Figure 2 is a side view of the universal cage

  saddle of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view along section AA of Figure 1;

  Figure 4 is a front view of the universal cage

  saddle of the invention, with two partial vertical sections B-B and C-C as shown in Figure 2; Figure 5a is a top view of a hat; Figure 5b is a section along section D-D of Figure 5a; Figure 6 is a front view of the duo cage of the invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the duo cage of the invention; Figure 8 is a plan view along the> E-E section

in Figure 6.

  The invention will be better understood and its variant embodiments and advantages will emerge more clearly in the light of the

  description which follows, given as an example of a pre-

  and with reference to the appended figures.

  The universal cage of the invention consists of three sets of an upper set I, a central set II of a universal cage and a lower set III, as indicated by braces in FIG. 1 The upper sets I and lower III are similar They each comprise two symmetrical caps 1 which can be secured by appropriate means, bolts for example the central assembly II of universal cage

  consists of two identical central half-parts 2 Half

  central parts 2 are secured by four horizontal tie rods

  identical rate 3 tightened at each of their ends by

  horizontal tie rod nuts 4 The upper assemblies I, cen-

  tral II of universal and lower cage III are secured by four identical vertical tie rods 5 tightened by nuts 6 of vertical tie rods The horizontal tie rods 3 are housed in

  through holes 3 'made in half-beams 7 of the belt.

  Two belt half-crosspieces 7 are provided superimposed on the front of the cage, two are superimposed on the rear, The vertical tie rods 5 are housed in through holes 5 'aligned made

  in the four caps 1 and in four vertical columns 8.

  The latter are symmetrical two by two and located inside the four belt half-crosspieces 7, the caps 1 provide the connection between the columns 8, in the longitudinal directions and

  transverse of the cage Each cap 1 is placed at each end

  mite of two columns 8 and each comprises a flange 1 ′ which connects two columns 8 longitudinally and forms with them the windows 10 of the universal cage Each cap (FIG. 5 a) can additionally comprise two half-crosspieces 11 of cap, horizontal, both located on the same side of the hat, towards the front or the rear thereof The joining of the hats does not play the role in the rigidity of the cage, it only has the function of allowing to make a platform on which will be mounted auxiliary devices of the cage Each half-cross member of the cap comprises, for example at its free end, inside of the cage, an assembly plate 12 provided with drilling 13 The two caps 1 of a whole assembly can for example be assembled directly by their assembly plates 12, using bolts passed through the boreholes 13 and tightened by nuts The upper assemblies I and lower III respectively carry the tightening mechanisms horizontal cylinders upper 14 and lower 15

  as well as the balancing devices thereof

  nisms and devices are symbolically represented (figure 2) by the reference 16 The control motors (not shown) of the clamping mechanisms can be placed on the upper assembly I for example, the transmission of the command to the clamping mechanisms of the lower cylinder which can in this case be ensured by trees (not shown) Each central half-part 2 of universal cage, which can be made in one piece by foundry or by assembling the main elements which constitute it, essentially comprises two vertical columns 8 open and a half-belt 17 in the shape of a U lying horizontally Each half-belt 17 which surrounds two columns 8 in their median parts carries on each of its front and rear vertical faces

  (large branches of the U), at the top and bottom of these, a half

  transverse belt 7 which extends towards the inside of the cage, beyond the columns 8, by an end 7 'of assembly The chocks 18 of the horizontal cylinders are housed between the columns 8 and are vertically movable between them The doors - rollers 19 of the vertical rollers 20 (FIG. 3) are housed in the half-belts 17 and can be moved horizontally in these and entce the columns 8 The clamping mechanisms of the vertical rollers are carried respectively by the half-belts 17

  corresponding and are symbolically represented by the ref-

  rence 21 (figure 3) The extension towards the inside of the cage (figure 1), beyond the columns 8, of the only half-sleepers 7

  belt, the half-belt 17 stopping near the settlers

  nes 8, cleaning in the central set II of universal cage

  front and rear of the cage, an opening 38 for the passage

  wise rolled products (we can see shown in Figure 1 the section of a beam in hatched lines) Each column 8 has at its lower part, respectively on its front or rear (Figure 2), a tab 22 height 23, slid between the legs 22 and the means on which the cage rests and is fixed, make it possible to adjust the horizontal rolling plane 24 of the cage relative to the horizontal plane (not

  shown) lines of rolls upstream and downstream of the cage.

  According to the invention, the universal cage of the invention is extended

  width in order to adapt it to the different table lengths of the horizontal cylinders 14 and 15 The widening of the cage in the transverse direction is effected by the interposition, between each half-cross member of the cap (when they are provided ) of each hat 1, of an intermediate piece 25 of hats,

  horizontal, of appropriate length (i.e. four inter-

  braces 25 of hats) Intermediate pieces 26 of belts, horizontal, of appropriate length are interposed between the assembly ends 7 ′ of the half-crossbars 7 of the belt (that is to say four intermediate pieces 26 of the belt) The possible parts

  25 hat dividers can be fitted with horizontal boreholes

  zontals corresponding to the boreholes 13 (FIG. 5 b) made on the assembly plates 12 of caps, to allow the passage of assembly bolts The intermediate pieces 26 of the belt can be provided with each a horizontal borehole passing through 3 ′,

  for the passage of horizontal tie rods 3, or of a slot allowing

  both to engage them on the horizontal tie rods 3 without having to remove the latter from the boreholes to carry out the operations

width of the cage.

  According to the invention, the delivery of the universal cage

  at its minimum width is done by removing the inter-

  calaires 25 of hats and 26 of belt Each piece inter-

  belt brace 26 will be removed from the previously described position and slid onto one end of each tie rod

  horizontal, between a horizontal tie nut of 4 and the end

  clamping mite 7 "of a half-cross member 7 of the belt It can be replaced in this last position by a piece of suitable shape and equivalent thickness This way of doing allows the use of tie rods of constant length, therefore to keep the same horizontal tie rods, whatever the width given to the universal cage According to the invention, the universal cage is extendable in height to adapt it to the different working diameters of the horizontal displacements The extension of the cage in the direction vertical is effected by the interposition, between each end of each column 8 and each cap 1, of a spacer piece 27 (i.e. eight spacer pieces 27 in total) of appropriate thickness The spacer pieces 27 are each provided with a vertical transverse borehole 5 ′ to allow the passage of the vertical tie rod 5 According to the invention, the universal cage is returned to its minimum height between the caps 1 by means of the e removal of the spacer pieces 27 from their previously described position Advantageously, in this case (FIG. 4), a spacer piece 27 (which has just been removed) will be placed on each end of each vertical tie 5, between each nut 6 of vertical tie rods and caps 1 As with the belt spacers 26, the riser spacer pieces 27 can be replaced, under the vertical tie rod nuts 6, by pieces of appropriate shape and equivalent thickness This way of doing things allows the same vertical tie rods 5 to be used, whatever the height given to the universal cage As already stated above, the universal cage of the invention can be adjusted to intermediate heights and widths, respectively by the interposition of riser pieces 27 of appropriate height between the columns 8 and the caps 1 and of intermediate pieces 25 of caps and of belt, of approp lengths between the caps 1 and the assembly ends 7 ′ of the half-crosspieces 7 of belts II

  in this case, it will also be necessary to place respective pieces

  appropriate heights and lengths under the service nuts

  rage of the tie rods in order to keep the lengths constant

  horizontal and vertical tie rods In a preferred variant

  tial of the invention, the universal cage is prestressed in both planes, vertical and horizontal The prestress in the vertical plane is done by means of the tensioning of the four vertical tie rods 5 That in the horizontal plane is done

  by means of the tensioning of the four horizontal tie rods

  rate 3 The eight tensioned tie rods put the elements of the cage in compression After establishing the prestress

  at a level higher than the rolling force, the horizontal tie rods

  zontals 3 and vertical 5 are locked respectively using the nuts 4 and 6 The horizontal tie rods 3 and vertical 5 as well

  blocked then operate as preload springs, anta-

  gonists at the spring of the horizontal belt formed by the horizontal belt crossmembers 7 (in compression) and at the spring of the vertical columns 8 also in compression. Each of the vertical tie rods 5 for assembly and prestressing is preferably made in three pieces (FIG. 4) The two end pieces designated by 5 A are identical They remain permanently in the caps 1 The third central piece,

  designated 5 B, remains permanently in columns 8 The two extremes

  mites of each central part of vertical tie 5 B are provided with a female head 5 C of connection A male head 5 of connection is E Lf on yoke piece of tit vetical 54, on Iedzmi on the side of cobaes a Female heads 5 C and 5 D males have the function of joining together the

  parts SA and 5 B of the vertical tie rods 5 and to separate them.

  The vertical holes 51 made in the caps 1 and the columns 8 allow the free extension of the tie rod parts 5 A and 5 B Hydraulic cylinders 28 are mounted on the tie rod parts 5 A, outside the caps 1 These cylinders 28 are used to establish the prestressing of the vertical tie rods 5 A

  Once the preload has been established, the hydraulic cylinders can be blocked.

  28 using the nuts 6 and releasing the hydraulic pressure

  According to the invention, it is also possible in hydraulic cylinders 28

  tion, only use nuts 6 to lock the hydraulic cylinders located on the same side of the cage, the hydraulic cylinders of

  the other side of the cage remaining blocked by hydraulic pressure.

  It is also possible to use from the same last side hydraulic safety cylinders 28 ′, equipped for example with a calibrated valve adjusted for venting. In another variant, said valve can be controlled by an external device controlled by rolling pressure These safety cylinders 28 'have the primary function of preventing cylinder ruptures in the event of rolling overpressure by jamming A second function is, in the event of the laminated bar stopping between the cylinders and rollers (by example in the event of untimely stopping of the motors or breakdowns of the clamping movements), to allow the spacing

  cylinders and rollers to protect them from thermal shock.

  The nuts 6 will in this latter case be screwed at a certain distance from the hydraulic safety cylinders 28 ′, so as to

  allow a release of the prestressing of the vertical tie rods

  blocks, to avoid breakage while avoiding untimely separation of the components of the cage The horizontal tie rods 3 for assembly and prestressing are each in one piece They are prestressed in the same way

  so that the vertical tie rods 5, using hydraulic cylinders

  29 similar to hydraulic cylinders 28 Hydraulic cylinders

  safety hydraulics 29 'can also be provided

  on all the ends of horizontal tie rods of a half

  belt 17 In this case the nuts 4 located on the same side 8 tee will not be blocked on the hydraulic cylinders 29 ', but screwed so as to allow a release and a certain opening

  belts in the horizontal direction.

  According to the invention, the hydraulic supply is controlled

  hydraulic prestressing cylinders to a continuous measurement system of the rolling forces exerted on the rolls during rolling, so as to modulate the prestress according to the increase in rolling forces which can be applied to a bar during rolling The measurement of the rolling forces can be done for example using measuring gauges placed between the pressure screws and the chocks of the vertical rollers on the one hand and those of a horizontal cylinder

  on the other hand, the gauges for measuring the rolling forces are exerted

  on the vertical rollers drive the prestress in the

  horizontal direction, by increasing or reducing during the course of

  hydraulic pressure stroke in the hydraulic cylinders 29 '.

  The gauges for measuring the rolling forces acting on the

  horizontal cylinders control the preload in the vertical direction

  tical, by increasing or reducing the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinders during rolling 28 'After disconnection of the connections of the hydraulic fluid circuits

  and electrical, loosening of the prestressing of the tie rods

  ticals and loosening of the nuts 6, separation of the tie rods heads 5 D and 5 C, the dismantling of the cage is done either by separate removal of the upper caps 1 or by removal of the upper assembly I if the horizontal intermediate pieces 25 of caps are not separated The upper horizontal cylinder 14 with its chocks can be removed from the top of the cage, either during the removal of the upper assembly I in this case it remains fixed by its suspension elements, or

  only after the operation to remove the upper parts.

  The central assembly II and the lower part III

  remain united for the following dismantling of the cage.

  After having extracted the paraphernalia constituting the guidance system (not shown), the

  rollers 19 of the half-belts 17.

  The horizontal lower cylinder 15 with its chocks is then removed from the top by sliding the chocks

  in the column windows 8 If the cage does not have to undergo an operation

  transformation rations of width or height upgrades, we proceed

in reverse order for reassembly.

  The assemblies and disassembly can be done on the cage site or preferably in the workshop The cage is in the latter case transferred to the workshop by an appropriate means (bridge

wheel or cart).

  According to the invention, the transformation, if necessary, of the universal cage of the invention into a duo cage of the invention

  is done by replacing the central set II of a single cage

  verselle by a central assembly IV (indicated by a brace in FIG. 6) specific to the duo cage According to the invention, the assemblies

  upper and lower of the duo cage are identical respectively-

  ment to the upper I and lower III assemblies of the universal cage

  saddle of the invention They can be common and therefore are perfectly interchangeable with each other. The transformation, if necessary, of the duo cage into a universal cage is done by replacing the central IV-duo cage assembly by an assembly central It de-cage universal Since the sets I and III of the two cages universal and duo are identical, the

  description of the duo cage of the invention will be limited to that of

  the central IV duo cage assembly The central IV duo cage assembly of the invention consists of four vertical columns 30 (FIG. 6) A vertical through hole 31 (FIG. 8) is provided in each column for the passage of the tie rod vertical 5 of assembly

  clamping and prestressing (represented by its axis in the figures).

  The vertical tie rods 5 can, like those of the universal cage,

  be made in three parts (not shown) The central parts

  tracks 5 B of the tie rods 5 of the duo cage are of different length from that of the central part of the vertical tie rods 5 of the universal cage Half-cross-members 32 (eight in all) forming a body with the columns 30 are provided at the top and bottom of the columns, near the ends of these, four on the front and four on the back of the duo cage Horizontal through holes are

  provided in these half-cross members 32 for the passage of tie rods

  upper 33 and lower 33 'horizontal wiring An upper lateral horizontal spacer 34 is provided on each side of the cage, at its upper part (FIG. 7) The upper spacers 34 are provided with cranks 34' at their ends

  which slide into consoles 35 provided on columns 30.

  A slot 35 '(Figure 6) is provided for this purpose on each console 35 to allow the establishment and removal of the upper spacers 34 A lower side spacer 36 is provided

  on each side of the cage, at the bottom of the columns 30.

  The lower spacer 36, U-shaped, envelops the columns 30, is in contact with the lateral faces of the columns 30 and extends over part of the front faces of the columns 30 where it comes into contact

  lower horizontal half-beams 32 The tie rods

  lock 33 are threaded into the upper half-cross members 32 and

  tightened at their ends by nuts 37 The tie rods

  lock 33 'are threaded into the lower half-beams 32 as well

  that in the two parallel branches of the U, formed by the

  height rods 36 and tightened at their ends on the spacers

  lower rods 36 by nuts 37 The upper spacers

  34 are locked on the brackets 35 by nuts 37. The duo cage is extendable in width (Figure 6), like the cage

  universal, by the possible interposition of interchangeable parts

  25 of hats between hats 1 and interchangeable parts

  horizontal bars 26 'of sleepers between the half-sleepers 32.

  The duo cage is extendable in height, like the

  universal cage, by the interposition of raising pieces 27.

  Figures 6 and 7 show the duo cage in its minimum height configuration In this case, the extension pieces 27 (or equivalent pieces of the same height) are interposed between the hydraulic cylinders 28 and 28 'and the caps 1 For the extension of the cage in height, the extension pieces 27 are placed, as

  for the universal cage, between caps 1 and columns 30.

  The return of the cage to its minimum width is done, as for the

  universal cage, by removing horizontal spacers

  zontals 25 of caps if they exist, and by moving the horizontal intermediate pieces 26 'from their positions shown between the half-spacers 32 and 32' As for the universal cage, one can, for example, place the intermediate pieces 26 ' at the end

  tie rods 33 and 33 ', respectively between a horizontal half-cross

  zontale 32 and a lower side spacer 36 and the clamping nuts 37 This allows the same horizontal tie rods to be used, whatever the width of the duo cage We will proceed in a similar way to that of the universal cage, to adapt the duo cage

  of the invention at intermediate heights and widths.

  The duo cage of the invention is prestressed in the vertical plane like the universal cage of the invention Since the prestressing is done in exactly the same way,

  with the same means, a repetition of the description would be

  superfluous The duo cage of the invention can be prestressed in the horizontal plane, in the same way as the universal cage of the invention For this purpose, hydraulic cylinders will be placed in

  end of the horizontal tie rods 33 and 33 ', said hydraulic cylinders

  Liques being locked in the same way by nuts As for the universal cage of the invention, it is possible to control the hydraulic supply of the hydraulic preload cylinders to a continuous measurement system of the rolling forces exerted on the cylinders in rolling course The assembly and disassembly of the duo cage is done in the same way as for the universal cage with, however, some small differences due to the absence of

  vertical roller holders and the presence of the upper spacers

  laughing 34 that must be loosened and removed to be able to lift

and extract the cylinders.

  Given imperatives such as programs

  manufacturing, rolling mill designs and operating conditions

  tation, the advantages provided by the invention are of several orders They relate to the initial investment cost of a train, the dimensional range and the variety of profiles which it makes it possible to laminate, the tighter tolerances and the thicknesses more low allowed by the high natural stiffness of the cages, the operating savings brought about by the high standardization of the equipment of the cages, the reduction of cylinder costs and the possibility of rapid change of rolling program The high rigidity of the cages also allows laminating long bars The possibility of transforming universal cages into duos and vice versa and the advanced standardization of the elements which constitute them make it possible to reduce the initial investment cost of a train, by reducing the cost of manufacturing cages due to the series effect and thanks to the high interchangeability between the two types of cages of their constituent elements, which allows d e reduce the number of complete cages to buy and the volume of spare parts to provide The possibility of extending the cages in width and height makes it possible to laminate a wide dimensional range and a wide variety of products on a single train then that until now it was necessary to specialize the cages or trains in a narrower range which led ultimately to the multiplication of the number of cages and trains The invention allows

  there again, a saving on investment costs The pos-

  sibility of extension also allows considerable savings on the weight of the cylinders, therefore on the operating costs of the trains (initial investment in less expensive cylinders,

  lower cost per cylinder per tonne produced).

  The prestress in the two planes of the entire cage in such a way that the number of cage parts under stress is maximum, the narrow windows, the minimum possible height of the windows and therefore the minimum length of the screws tightening according to the diameters of the horizontal cylinders contribute to ensuring the cages of the invention a

  extremely high natural rigidity which also allows the lami-

reversible swim.

  Modular construction of cages in parts of

  relatively low unit weight (around 36 tonnes maximum)

  mum) allows the installation of cages and their use in halls with overhead cranes of relatively low lifting capacities, which can provide considerable savings on

  buildings and overhead traveling cranes required.

Claims (8)

  1 Universal cage with open columns, for laminate   profile swimming, convertible into a duo cage, separable horizontally-   the: come in a higher set, a central set and a set   lower, the three assemblies being assembled and the cage pre-   vertically towed by four vertical tie rods and prestressing characterized in that the upper assembly (1) and the lower assembly (III) each consist of two caps (1), each cap (1) having a flange (l ') to cap and connect the ends of the two columns (8) located on the same side of the cage the central assembly (II) of the universal cage consists of two half-parts (2) each comprising two open columns (8), a half-belt (17), U-shaped lying horizontally and open towards the inside of the cage, surrounding two columns (8) around their median parts and stopping near the columns (8) towards the inside the cage; each half-belt (17) carries on each of its faces, at the front and at the rear of the cage, two half-crossbars (7) of horizontal and superimposed belts which extend from one side   and on the other side of the columns, towards the inside of the cage by ends   mites (7 ') of assembly and towards the outside of the cage by ex-   tightening hoppers (7 "); the central assembly (II) of the universal cage is assembled by the juxtaposition of the ends (7 ') of assembly of the half-crosspieces (7) of the belt of two central half-parts (2) , the assembly being maintained and the cage being prestressed in the horizontal plane by means of the tensioning of four   horizontal tie rods (3) for assembly and prestressing housed each   cun in aligned horizontal through holes (3 ') made in   the half-crosspieces (7), the horizontal tie rods being tensioned   screw by nuts (29 and 29 ') placed at their ends which   bear on the ends (7 ") of tightening the half-crosspieces (7) of belts, to put in compression in the horizontal plane the elements of the cage contained by the central assembly (II) of universal cage; the upper assemblies (I), central (II) cage   universal and lower (III) are assembled and the cage pre-   travels in the vertical plane by known means of placing under   tension of four vertical tie rods (5) each housed in   aligned vertical through rages (5 ') made in the caps (1) and columns (8), the vertical tie rods (5) being tensioned by nuts (28 and 28') placed at their ends and bearing on the caps (1) to put under compression, in the vertical plane, the elements of the cage located between said nuts (28 and 28 ').   2 Duo cage with open columns, for rolling   profiles, convertible into a universal cage, separable horizontally   Lement in an upper set, a central set and a lower set, characterized in that: the upper set and the lower set of the   duo cage are respectively upper (1) and lower sets   laugher (III) of universal cage according to claim 1,   the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is cons-   made up of four vertical columns (30) which are connected two by two: on each side of the cage, by an upper horizontal spacer (34) as well as by a lower horizontal spacer (36) in the shape of a U lying horizontally, the latter enveloping the columns at their base and extending partially over the front and rear of the cage, eight half-crosspieces (32) four on the front and four on the rear of the cage, the half crosspieces being aligned horizontally two by two and each half-crosspiece (32) being secured on the side of one of its ends to a column (30); the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is assembled   by the juxtaposition of the interior ends of the eight half-tra-   lodging (32), the assembly being maintained by four horizontal tie rods   rates including two upper (33) and two lower (33 ') housed in   aligned horizontal through holes drilled in half-ways   poures (32), said drilling being, for the lower tie rods (33 '), extended in the two branches of the U of the lower horizontal spacer (36); the central assembly (IV) of the duo cage is tightened by nuts placed at the ends of the horizontal tie rods, the upper (1), central (IV) duo cage and lower (III) assemblies are assembled and the cage prestressed in the vertical plane by the tensioning of four vertical tie rods (5) each housed in vertical through holes (5 'and 31) made in the caps (1) and the columns (30), the vertical tie rods being tensioned and the prestressed cage   in the same way and by the same means as in the claim cation 1.   3 duo cage of claim 2, characterized in that it is also prestressed in the horizontal plane by means of the tensioning of the four horizontal tie rods (33 and 33 ') of assembly, the tensioning being done by nuts placed at the ends of the tie rods,   nuts resting on the outer ends of the half-tracks   upper slats (32) and on the lateral faces of the spacers lower (36).   4 Cage according to one of claims 1 to 3, character- laughed at in that: : The tensioning nuts   The vertical and horizontal prestressing rods are   hydraulic cylinders or nuts, blocked by mean nuts   until after the tie rods have been properly tensioned, the pressure   hydraulic pressure in hydraulic cylinders or nuts being released   chée after their blockages by mechanical nuts.   5 A cage according to claim 4, modulus preloaded   lable, characterized in that the hydraulic pressure is released after their   blocking with mechanical nuts, in hydraulic nuts or cylinders   liques located on the one hand on the same side of the cage and on the other hand on the top of the cage, the pressure being maintained at the set value on the other nuts or hydraulic cylinders   and as the need arises to increase the pre-   stress as a function of L increases in rolling pressures detected by rolling pressure measuring devices, the reference value being restored after the rolling pressures have returned to normal conditions. 6 A cage according to claim 5, characterized in that the hydraulic pressure maintained on the nuts or hydraulic cylinders of prestressing modulation is released when the detected rolling pressures reach abnormal values liable to damage the cylinders and equipment of the cage.   7 Cage according to claim 6, characterized in that the mechanical nuts (4 or 6) are screwed onto the prestressing tie rods, at a suitable distance from the hydraulic nuts or vee ins (28 'and 29') for modulating   these in the event of a release of the hydraulic pressure, in order to avoid   ter an untimely separation of the various elements of the cage.   8 Cage according to one of claims 1 to 7, at height   variable to adapt it to horizontal cylinders of larger or smaller diameters, characterized in that: the variation in height of the necessary part of the cage is effected by the interposition of a height-enhancing piece (27) suitable between each end of each column (8 or 30) and each hat (1).   9 Cage according to one of claims 1 to 8, wide   variable to adapt it to more or less horizontal cylinders   large width, characterized in that: -   the variation in width of the cage is made by the interposition of intermediate pieces (26) of belt or (26 ') of   crosspiece, of suitable width between the half-belts respectively   tures (7) of the universal cage or the cross-beams (32 and 32 ') of duo cage.   Cage according to one of claims 8 or 9, charac- terized in that:   it is fitted with tie rods and pre-   constraint (3, 5, 33, 33 ') of constant length, whatever the range of variation of the cage in width and in height, the length   the length of the tie rods being determined according to the heights and the width   maximum geurs planned for the cage, the catching up of the excess lengths of the tie rods in the case of cage adjustments at heights or widths less than the maximum being done according to the type of cage by the interposition, between as appropriate the mechanical nuts or hydraulic (4, 6, 37 or 28, 28 ', 29, 29') and the caps (1), half-crosspieces (7, 32) and lower spacers (36) of interposing pieces of suitable dimensions, these pieces interposition   can be the raising pieces (27) and spacers (25) of the belt   ture of appropriate dimensions removed to be replaced by others.   11 Cage according to one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7,   8 and 10, characterized in that: each vertical preload (5) is   made of three parts, disconnectable, two pieces (5 A) of external   mites are identical and each housed permanently in a cap (1), the third central part (5 B) is housed permanently in a column (8, 30) and comprises at each of its ends a female head (5 C) of connection, each end piece (5 A) has at its end on the side of the columns (8, 30) a male connection head (5 D).