US1041772A - Rolling-mill coupling-spindle. - Google Patents

Description

H. R. GEER, ROLLING MILL COUPLING SPINDLE.

APPLICATION FILED NO V. 14, 1910. l ,QQJ, JTYQ Patented 0013.22, 1912.

(if lI IZVESSL'S, A

HARRY GEER, 0F JOHNSTDWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY R. GEEK, a citizen of the- United States, residing in the city of Johnstown, in the county of Ca nbria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rolling-Mill Coupling-Spindles; and I do hereby. declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to rolling mill apparatus and particularly to the couplingspindles thereof which connect the driving shafts or customary pinions to the roll necks, for the purpose of rotating the rolls. My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with metal-rolling mills of the two-high, or three-high type, the rolls of which require frequent adjustment in a vertical direction to accommodate the different sizes of bars, blooms, plates or other products being operated upon, while maintaining at the same time operative rotative connection with the pinions or source of power.

Heretofore it has been generally customaryto drive a pair or a set of three pinions by driving one of the same through the connection of one'of its necks with the continuously or reversely rotating shaft of a steam engine, or other motor, while the other ends or so-called necks of the pinions are provided with similar connections for driving the rolls as hereinafter described.

The ordinary old styles of pinion-necks and roll-necks are substantially cylindrical in form, andthe outer portions of the same which project from the bearings or housings are provided withthree or four flutes, each flute being a semi-circular or semi-oval longitudinal groove. The old style coupling-boxes as at present used, are composed, generally speaking, of a cylindrical annulus provided on its interior surface with projections of semi-circular or semioval cross section,

corresponding to the flutes in the necks of the pinions and rolls.

The ordinary old style spindle consists.

generally of a cylindrical shaft provided at each end with flutes similar to those provided in the pinion-necks and rollnecks,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 14, 1910.

"ROLLING-MILL COUPLING-SPINDLE.

Patented Oct. 22, 1912. Serial No. 592,182.

of the pinions and rolls, this construction is very noisy in operation, and on account of the backlash in operation, is very destruc tive to the parts directly involved and to the other portions of the mechanism connected therewith, by reason of the jarring and hammering actionoccasioned by said loose connections. This is particularly true on whatare known as two-high reversing mills where the backlash of a set of old style spindles and couplings frequently amounts to one-third or one-half of a complete revolution of a rolling mill engine or motor. In other words, when'reversing an engine or motor for the purpose of operating a mill, this frequently has to turn around through about one hundred and eighty degrees before the rolls begin to move and the momentum thus acspindles, coupling-boxes, fly wheels, and

other parts, causes very severe and destructive percussion on the spindles and conplings and also'jars the-other parts of the apparatus with frequent disastrous results. This effect is repeated at very short intervals of time as in two-high mills the reversal of their rotation ismade after each pass.

As an example of this, it has been found by a set of spinexperience on some mills that dles and coupling-boxes will only last a week, as, by the end of that time, the fluted ends of the spindles and the corresponding projections in the coupling-boxes are so worn as to be useless, thereby necessitating their rejection and replacement by new ones, which is therefore, a constant source of labor and expense, besides which, such spindles and coupling-boxes frequently break in use. ,It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a coupling-spindle which will be tion, without backlash or excessive clearance and my device is particularly applicapractically noiseless in opera- 55 numbers My invention consists essentially of a spin-' ,dle of general cylindrical form, provided at each end with projections which are partially cylindrical in cross section and secured to, or integral with the spindle, the axis of each projection being substantially at right angles to the main axis of the spindle in general; these projections therefore 'serving as pivots about which the spindle can oscillate in a certain plane.

In my invention the pinion-necks and rollnecks each have bifurcated ends, the two opposing Interior surfaces of which are -pro- 2o vided with a so-called' slipper, or bearing piece of bronze or other material, substantially flat where it bears on the interior surface of the bifurcated end of the roll or pinion-neck, while the other side of said slipper has a partial cylindrical surface to conform to the corresponding pivotal end of the spindle, thereby forming a support and bearing for the same. passes through the roll or. pinion-neck and the'eenters 'of said slippers, which latter are 'pro'videdwith larger holes to admit said olt, and to permit said slippers to slide sli' htly on the interior flat surfaces of the bi rcated ends of the roll or pinion-necks 85 in order to give flexibility of joint in either direction. This construction can be made to fit quite r curately, thereby reducing all lost motion and backlash, while atathe same time the details are such that my improved spindle can drivea' roll even though the'angular positionv of'sa'id spindle may be varied y the moving of the roll.

My construction is cheaply made and per-- 'mits easy access for lubrication, inspection 46 and replacementof arts, if necessary. The

sliding movement of the slippers also allows for the greater effective length of the cou-.

pling required, owing to the angularity when the roll is lifted, as will be readily understood.

Having thus given this general descriptionof my invention, I Wlll now, in order to make the matter more clear, refer to these companying sheet of drawings in which like :haracters indicate like and parts Figure l is a side elevation of a pair of pinions, a pair of two-high adjustable rolls, the driving conneztion between which con 0 sists of my improved couplingspindle; the

upper one of said spindles being what is generally known as the vibrating spindle,

the amplitude of its movement being as in- .dicated by dotted lines in this figure. Fig.

5 2 is an enlarged top plan View of the spindle A large bolt,

shown in Fig. 1 showing the pinion and rollnecks in plan and the housings in cross section. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved spindlecoupling taken on the line III-III of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is-a-vert-ical;transverse sectional elevation taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. Fig.5 is a plan view of one of my slippers showing the cylindrical bearing faces thereof. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the central cylindrical spacing-block 23 showing the hole therethrough to receive the bolt 18.

Referring now'to the various characters of referenceon the drawings 1 represents'part of the bed-plates of a rolling-mill, 2 one of the pinion housings thereof; 3- is one of the roll housings; 4' are the pinions, shown in this case for a two-high mill.

5 are the rolls of a two-high mill, the upper one of which is shown by full lines in its lowered position, while the dotted lines above, indicate its higher position.-

6 are the bifurcatedends of my improved coupling, which are secured to, or form part of the pinion-necks, 7 are the journal portionsof the pinion-necks, S are the bifurcated ends of my improved.coupling which are'attached to, or form part of the rollnecks, While 9 are the journal portions of the roll-necks. 3

l0 are'the grooves in the pinion ends of my improvedcoupling, which grooves form the bifurcation of the said coupling, while 11 are similar grooves in the roll coupling.

12 are slippers preferably made of brass or bronze, which fit and slide, to a'certain extent, within the grooves .10 and 11.

13 represents the bottom spindle of a twohigh rolling-mill, 14 represents the top spindie in its lowered, position, while the upper osition of said top or vibrating spindle is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In order to make the illustrations com- ,plete for this particular style of construcancing spring 28, although these particular" parts Noslli'), l6, and 24 to 28 bothlinclusive,

a 0 not form any essential feature of my invention.

Each" ofthe slippers 12 is provided with a hole 17 in the center thereof, said hole being of greater diameter than the bolt" 18 which p'assesitherethrough and which is secured within the bifurcated ends of the pini 0n and roll couplings, as shown. The bolts 18 are secured in the bifurcated coupling extensions of the pinion androll-necks as shown and serve to hold the slippers 12 and central spacing-blocks23 in operative position, and thereby couple the spindle to the rolls and pinions, while allowing the neces sary freedom to the moving parts of the construction.

19 represents-ahub or enlarged end of the spindles 13 and 14 andprojecting from,

bore of the central portion of the slippers which it adjoins, thereby allowing the slippers to move backward or forward, as requit-ed, without being obstructed by said spacing-block. This centralspacing-block,

however, fits-between the two cylindrical ends 20 with its ends bearing against the same, and thereby assists in maintaining the spindle in position as it revolves.

21 represents the concave cylindrica-lly curved bearings of the slipper 12, said bearings 21 fitting on and conforming to the cylindrical surfaces 20 of the pivot portionsof the spindles. 22 are the raised central portions of the said slippers .pi'zsitioned between the pair of projecting pivotal ends 20 of the spindle, these projecting portions 22 of the slippers having a concave cylindrical curvature on one side, of a diameter somewhat greater than that of the syncing-block 23 -as heretofore described. The exterior outer ends of the cylindrical portions 20 are beveled or cut away as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 52 and, as shown by full lines and shading in Fig. l, the objcctuof this being to allow the spindles to oscillate as required, without interference with the coupling portions of the pinion and roll-nc'cl s.

in operation my improved coupling spindle has approximately tight, or working fits,

.avlxcrc one part adjoins the. other, in-so-far as the ccrncd.

i reason 'of'the pivotal projecting ends 20 of my spindles, and the corrcspomling slippers 12 thereof, which are slidably litled within the bifurcated ends of thepinion nd roll-neck pmjcctions, this permits the spindles to oscillate as desired in any direc-v tion. without loosening the working contacts of the css vial parts. in one direction the spindle is maintaincd in position by the slipo'lzilc in the-other direction, it is maintransmission of rotative force is conruined by the contact of its partially cylin-' drical pivotalcnds with the spacing-block through the bifurcated coupling ends of the and the bolt- 18 passing thcrctlnough and' pinion and roll-necks. This therefore forms a jointed connection of particular and powerful construction, which has been proved by actual experience to be very well adapted for the purpose intended. I

While my invention 'is shown and illustrated in connection with a two-high rollin mill, it is equally applicable to a three-hig or other style of rolling-mill, and in fact to any apparatus or machine in which it is desired to transmit rotating motion, Where, from lack of rigidity, necessity for ai'itomatic adjustment, or' otherwise, an absolutely stiff coupling should not be used.

I do not limit my invention to the precise details of construction herein shown and described, as it is capable of considerable structural variation, and I may use such substitutions, modifications, equivalents or alterations therein, as fall within the .scope of my invention and set forth in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A spindle provided with a pair of partially cylindrical projections spaced apart and arranged transversely at the end thereof, a bifurcated coupling having a corresponding transverse groove of substantially rectangular cross section adapted to receive said projections; slippers fitting the cylindrical surfaces of said projections and adapted to allow the same to partially rotate thereon, the opposite sides of said slippers being in sliding contact with the sides of the groove of the bifurcated coupling, a spacing-block located in the space between the interior ends of said partially cylindrical projections adapted for fiat sliding contact therewith; and a bolt secured through-said bifurcated ends and passing through larger holes in said. slippers and through said spacing block, whereby the aforesaid parts are maintained in operative position.

2; A spindle provided with a pair of cylindrical pivots spaced apart, arranged transverselyof, and' projecting from, the

end thereof, a bifurcated coupling having a corresponding transverse groove of substantially rectangularcross section adapted to receive said pivots, slippers fitting the curved surfaces of said pivots, the opposite sides of said slippers beingin sliding contactwith the sides of the groove of the bifurcated coupling; a spacing block located in the space between the ends of said pivots; and a bolt passing through said bifurcated coupling and through larger holes in said slippers, and through a corresponding hole in said spacing block, thereby holding the parts in operative position.

3. A spindle provided with a projecting pivot arranged transversely at the end thereof and provided with'a slot or space in'its intermediate portioina corresponding bifurcated coupling adapted to receive said pivot,

bearings located within said bifurcation and holes in said bearingsand through a correadapted for rotative contact with said pivot sponding hole in said spacing block. 10

and for sliding contact With the interior sur- In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my faces of sald bifurcation, a spacmg block signature 1n the presence of two wlt-ncsses.

-" located Within the intermediate slot of the HARRY R. GEEK.

pivot adapted for fiat bearing against the Witnesses; surfaces thereof; and a bolt passing through ELMER SEAVEY, said bifurcated coupling, through larger l ROBERT A. BEER.

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