US1535675A - Pipe-foundry plant - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1925. 1,535,675

J. R. M WANE PIPE FOUNDRY PLANT Filed May 12, 1923 4 She'etS -Sheet 1' Ji a M ATTORNEY 'iGM.

April 28, 1925. 1,535,675

- J. R. MGWANE I PIPE FOUNDRY PLANT Filed May 12, 1925 l'sne'csi-sneet 2 ATTORNEY April 28, 1925.

J. R. M WANE PIPE FOUNDRY PLANT '4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 12, 1923 Ton,

WITNESSES ATTORNEY April 28,1925. f 1,535,675

J. R. MCWANE PIPE FOUNDRY. PLANT Filed May 12, 1923 Ifshee'cs -sheali 4 I vEN-roR, C 71 m, WWNESEIES Patented Apr. 28, 1925.

ATE-NT OFFICE.

Jar/ins nMcwAnn, or BIRMINGH M, ALABAMA.

PIPE-FOUNDRY PLANT.

Application filed May 12,

To all whom it majconcera: Be-it known that LJAME'S R. MCXVANE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Birmingham, in the county of'Jetlerson and State of Alabama, have invented new" and useful Improvements in Plpe-Foundry l'iandling-of the core bars, cores, and flask sect-ions is reduced, the casting being done inhorizcntal molds upon the ground or floor [of the foundry, and without employing a pit as inthe vertical method of molding-which is highly expensive to operate as well as dangerous to the operatives.

Another object. is to adapt the various improved means 1n general use in the production of cast iron pipe by the horizontal casting method,\ such as the core machine for makin'gthe necessary cores, and the molding machine for forming the molds in the cope and drag section's comprising the flasks, so as to make practicable themanumethod of casting.

A further object is to provide fora more condensed and convenient arrangement of the necessary machines and devices used in horizontal pipe'casting, with relation to the cup'ola, and therequired lifting and convveying means in the form of traveling cranes having transversely movable carriers, and independent hoists for handling the pouring ladle, the flask sections and the "cores respectively, such novel arrangement enabling these elements to be placed in position and manipulated expeditiously and with the minimum amount of handling, and withoutthe danger usually attendant upon such operations, thus resulting in the saving .of a great amountof time and a consequent reduction in the cost of production by ,the employment of fewer operatives.

A still further object is to arrange the pl'antor foundry in the form of a series, of units or sections, known as bays, each being independent of the'others and capable of making pipe, and having the flasks with the "molds formed'therein, in a position to facilitate the pouring molten metal from 1923. Serial No. 833,639. a a i a single, elongatech; multiple-lipped ladle, which may receive its charge from a cupola capable of serving one or: more of said bays, the said ladle being shift-ablewith out dangerof accidental tilting from one end of the bay-t0 the other for'pouri a,

into any one ofthe molds, and capable of being shiftedJfrom the overhead carrier or crane to a transfer car movable laterally of the bays to position the ladle before the cupola, for receivingits charge. a

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtainedfrom a 0011- side-ration of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of llhlSii;

specification; it being understood that while the drawings show a practical forms and ar- 'angements of the invention, the latter is not confined to strict conformity with the showing thereof, but may be changed :ora.

modified, so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of theinvention, as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar mien- 1 ence characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figuresz u facture of pipes of greater lengths than has heretofore been possible by the horizontal .plaht in acpipe by the improved Fig. al is a plan View of the multiplelipped ladle used in the pouring of the mol- "ten metal. a

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the flask, witlitli mold therein. x 1

i Fig. 6 is a plan view, SllnllflI"tO Flg;-1,

and showing a modified arrangement of the bays with relation to the eupola. The foundry plant illustrated in-Fig..-'1

of the drawings comprises a plurality of forming part of the structure of the housing of the plant. :Such sections are known inthe art as bays, and maybe of-any desired number and arranged, in this formnof units or sections defined by and-larranged between the upright posts or I-beams 1 orlfloor. to withstand the weight of the said molding machine, which latter may be of any desired form capable of receiving the cope and. drag sections comprising the flask, for the .purpose of making the mold in the same.

The tracks 2 extend from what maybe termed the front end of each bay to a point somewhat beyond the longitudinal center of the same, and the inner, opposed rails thereof are flanked by longitudinally disposed sills 4, which may be formed of wood, metal or concrete, the upper surfaces of the same being elevated slightly above the floor level and stopping, at their inner ends, short of the ends of the tracks 2.

Midway between the sills 4 is a central,

longitudinally-disposed sill or support 5 formed and set similarly to the supports 4 and extending towards the center of the bay a distance equal to said sills 4, the latter comprising supports for the ends of flasks 6, which are placed thereon transversely of the bay, and the center sill 5 serving tochock up the center of said flasks as by means of a wedge 7, shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. 7

Beyond the inner ends of the tracks 2 and spaced therefrom, is another track 8 of wider gage than the same and located'at the center of the bay and extending rearwardly to the rear end of the same, said track comprising rails somewhat elevated above the ground level and adapted to receive empty core bars 9, which latter may be of any desired form capable of having a sand core made thereon.

C At each side of the rear, central track 8 are other. tracks 10, in spaced relation thereto and located adjacent to the line of posts 1 defining the walls of the bay, and adapted to receive, transversely thereof, finished pipes 11 both before the core bars 9 have been Withdrawn therefrom and afterwards to allow the latter to be rolled to the rear end of the bay. The molding machines 3 mounted to run onthe tracks 2 may be adapted for hand ramming' or for mechanical ramming, and are moved along to any position, opposite to the point of operations; and arranged between the posts oreolumns 1 and the adja-' cent tracks. 2 are'stacks 12 of flask sections or members, each stack preferably consisting of an equal number of copes and drags. The copes 13 are preferably placed at the bottom of the stacks and telescoped on one another, and the drags 1 1 which are similarly constructed, are inverted and placed in telescoped relation on top of the copes as indicated in the right hand bay of Fig. 2, which is a transverse sectional view looking toward the inner end of said bay.-

The stacks 12 are arranged longitudinally of the bay and in slightly spaced relation, there being sufficient cope and drag sections in said stacks on either side of the bay to form a continuous series of flasks 6, in parallel relation and transversely of the bay, and resting upon the sills 4, such arrangement resulting in great economy of space within the foundry or plant.

Between the center sill 5 and the opposite sills at there is heaped molding sand .15, preferably in two piles extending the full length of the said sills and adapted to be shoveled into the cope and drag sections, after the I latter have been placed in the molding machines and the proper pattern positioned therein, when the same is rammed either by hand or mechanically.

The posts or columns 1 support overhead tracks 16, one at each side of each bay, and mounted on said tracks is an overhead traveling crane 17 movable, longitudinally of the bay a distance substantially equal to the length of the floor tracks 2. This crane 17 carries a smaller, transversely-movable carriage 18 having a hoisting means and connections, including a spreader bar 18 for attachment to the ends of the cope and drag sections, for the purpose of handling the same either longitudinally or transversely of the bay, to place them on the molding machines, and then upon the sills 4:, after the mold impressions have been made therein by the said machines; it being understood that the drags are first placed and then the copes on top of the same to comprise the flasks.

The crane 17 is also provided with spaced hoists 19 wound upon a. winding drum 20 connected to a mortor 21 under control'of the crane operator, said hoists including hooks 22 for engagement with eyes 23 carried on trunnions at each end of an elongated ladle 24. said ladle being substantially equal in length to the lengths of the flasks, and provided with a series of pouring lips 25, and steadying and guiding handles 26 at one end, while at the other end, the ladle is provided with suitable worm gearing suitably encased, as M27, and having an operating hand-wheel 28 for the purpose of properly tilting the ladle when pouring the molten metal therefrom.

The ladle 2 1' is preferably mounted upon a central, vertical pivot carried by the supasses :1

plenientalvcar 38, so that the said ladle may be turned slightly in one direction or the other ivhile beneath the spout 37 of the cupola, in order that the flovvof the molten metal therefrom may be directed more or less longitudinally of the ladle to prevent spilling or splashing of said metal, as the fioiv fluctuates considerably depending upon the head of the metal which, When the cupola full, flows forcefully and When the supply in the cupola decreases, flows ivith diminished force. v

Arranged centrallyand longitudinally of each bay is a monorail 29 suitably sup ported by the roof trusses of the bay, and the ends of tWo adjacent monorails may be joined a loop 29 so as to connect one bay With another, When it becomes desirable to carry from one to theother. Mounted on each monorail is a trolley 30 capable of being shifted along the same, and provided vvith hoisting means and connections including a spreader bar 31 for handling the. core bars 9, both before and after the cores have been made thereon by the core machines 31. The core machines may be of any form capable of making the cores upon the bars 9, and are preferably placed transversely of the bays, there being one machine located in linewith every alternate line of columns or posts 1, so that one machine Will serve for two adjacent bays, the inner orrear loops 29 passing adjacent to the said machine to receive the finished cores athrefrom, and to convey the same to the reartvardly for a distance beyond the core machines 81, Where they are directed in- Wardly and oined to a single, central, longitudinal monorail 29, extending to the rear end of every alternate bay, for the purpose of carrying finished pipe 11, with the core bars 9 therein, to a position adjacent to transversely disposed core bar pulling machines 33, Which act to draw the bars from said pipe.

The trolley hoist is thus employed to lift anddto carry the completed cores from the machines 31 and place them in the drag sectionsaipon the sills 4t beforethe cope sections are placed in posit on thereon, and it is also employed for carrying the completed pipe containing the core bars and cores to "a coininon'point indicated atA (Fig; 1),

preparatory to drawing the bars by, the era: chines which arepiaced in a staggered relation to permitof their operation.

, The overhead tracks 16 extend, at the cupola end of each bay, to a point overa transfer track 34 arranged on'thehoo'r level and at rigl'it-angles to the ends of the bays, and the track 84 carries atiansfer ear-P35 which is adapted to be movedalong in front of anyone of the sairie, and in a position before. a oupola '36, having a spout 37 in overhanging relation to the car 35. Mount ed on the car 35 is" a smaller, supplemental car 38 movable transversely of the main car, and having means ihrsup'porting the elon= gated, multiple-lipped ladle beneath the spout of the cupola to receive acharge oimolten metal,the said ladle being adjusted in proper position by means of the desired amount of movement of "the car 35 megs tudinally of the ladle or m-ovementof the car 38 transversely of the said ladle. g-

lVith the ladle mounted on the. supple mental car 38 and filled With metal, the car 38 is first shifted away from. the spout ofthe cupola, and tlience shifted the main car to a position at the end of the desired bay,,the said ladle being then beneath the overhanging ends of the longistudinal tracks 16, which extend almost across the floor tracks 3tand in aposition to have the hoists 19 of the overhead,'traveling crane :17, connected thereto by means of the eyes 28 andthe hooks 22, When the ladle may be carried to any point along the bay,

Ibo

it being-preferable to start pouring the mold in the flash 6 farthest j removed fromthe capo-la.

l v The clycle of operations is as roused-=- bay? being located opposite" each other.

The crane 17 is shiftedto the longitudinal stackof flask sections 12 adjacentto said machines, and the uppermost drag section l4 on one stack 12 is picked upby the transversely movable 'hoist 18, through the spreader 18 and placed on one of the inachines 3. While this drag section is being filled with sand from the heaps 15 m rammed around'the proper pattern in'any desired manner, the hoist 18 With the spreader 18-, is moved event the opposite molding machine- 3 and picks up another drag sect-ion rirrem the adjacent staok12,

and places the same on said machine. Then the'crane moves back to the first machine and picks up the rammed fdrag tlierefrom and conveys itto the first 'iiaslr location at "the inner ends otf'th'e sills 4, the said, drag being inverted and turned atright angles so that'its ends mayrest upon said sills.

The crane returns to the first stack of cope and drag sections and, picks up another drag, placing the same on the first machine 3. By thistime the opposite drag has been rammed in the second machine 3, and the hoist 18 is moved across and picks up the drag from this machine and places it, after inversion, alongside of' the first drag section upon the sills 4. This alternate serving of the two machines 3 in. a fbay. is continued until all the drag sections 14,.in two of the opposite stacks 6, have been rammed and placed in position transversely of the bay; and while such operation is taking place, the monorail hoist 3O begins tobring cores formed by the core machine 31 on the core bars 9, and places the same in position in the drags, having onehalf of the mold formed therein. As soon as a number of cores have been placed in position in the drags, the overhead crane 17 begins picking up the cope sections 13, which have been uncovered by the removal of the drag sections, and places the same on themachines 5,v alternately, for ramming, and then, when rammed, placing the copes in final position on the drags, with the cores properly positioned therein, ready for the casting of the metalfrom the multiple-lipped ladle 24, the upper faces of the sand in the cope sections being provided with a suitable gate for each pouring spout of. the ladle. This ramming and placing of copes and drags is continued until the entire series of opposite stacks 6 of-drag and cope sections is exhausted. j

The machines 3 are then moved forward to a new location, where there are additional stacks of flask sections, and an additional supply of sand, and the operations described above are repeated over and over, at each new location of the machine,.until the entire supply of flasks has been used and the entire floor of .the bay, between the tracks 2, is filled with mold's ready for pouring, except the space between the machines in ,theirlast location, indicated at C inthe drawing,-Fig. 1. i After the flasks have been clamped and wedged up at their centers on the sill 5, they are ready for casting, and the crane 17 is moved to the extreme end of the crane tracks or runways 16 where overhanging the transfer car tracks 34. The crane picks up the ladle from the transfer car, after the same has .been shifted into position by the .supplemental car 38 from before the 'spout of the cupola, and said transfer car has carried the ladle to a point beneath the crane, when the latter moves along the bayto the mold at the end of the crane runway where the first pouring takes place, the, latter operation continuing from one mold to the nextadjacent one until all of the metal is poured and the ladle returned to the cupola for re-filling. The simultaneous lifting of the ladle at both ends and elevating the same by cables having a common speedof travel, instead of by the usual, single bail having a single point of suspension at the center of said ladle, prevents the tilting of the same and the consequent surging of the molten metal from end to end of the elongated ladle, and thus itmay be transported with safety and the pipe cast quickly, the metal entering the mold through a plurality of gates and insuring a'proper casting. The ladle is repeatedly re-filled until all of the molds have been poured, and by the time the last of the molds have been reached for pouring, the first of the molds may have cooled sufficiently to open the flasks and remove the pipe therefrom.

The crane now picks up thecopes, after the same have been unclamped from the drags, and elevatesthem one at a time, the sand being rapped out vwhile the cope is suspended from the spreader 18, said sand thus falling ina positionwto be heaped again,.without undue shoveling, between the tracks '2. A number of the copes are thus freed from the sand, and they are again stacked on each side as before, and the crane then, through said spreader 18, is attached tothe trunnions of the drag sections, which are so arranged as to permit of the drag being inverted, so as to drop the sand therein on the floor together with the pipe with the core therein. The sand is now rapped out of the drags, and they are stacked in inverted position on top of the stacked copes, and this alternate handling of the cope and drag sections continues until all of the flasks have been shaken out, after which the trolley hoist 30, through the spreader 31, which may now for this purpose, be equipped with a multiplicity of hooks toengage a plurality of pipes with the core bars therein, carries the said pipesand cores back to an assembling point indicated at A, from which they are rolled to the bar puller 33 most convenient, and the bars 9 are withdrawn, the finished pipe rolling towards the rear end of the bay, upon the tracks 10 to be cleaned, dipped intar and tested, while the core bars 9 having been withdrawn therefrom, are rolled in the opposite direction or forwardly to the core machine 31 for the making of a new core thereon.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings, there is illus trated a modified form of plan or arrangementv of the foundry plant which is within the scope of'this invention, the functioning of the various machines and devices being the same, and the various steps in the operations being identical. In this figure, the same reference characters have been appliedwith the exponent .a in order to identify the similar parts or machines and devices, and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to give more than a cursory description of the same. i i

The cupola 36 in this form is located at the end of runway having spacedrails 34 extending entirely along the abutting ends of a series of opposed bays, defined between spaced, upright posts or columns 1 constituting the structural supports for the roof pf the foundry. Mounted on the rails 1s a car 38 similar to the supplemental car 38 of the first described form of plant, the said car 38 being adapted to receive a multiple-lipped ladle 24 and to shift the same to a position beneath the spout 37 of the cupola for the purpose of charging the same. The ladle is adapted to be swung about a vertical pivot carried by the car, so that the ladle may be turned at right'angles to the car, or be shifted at an angle thereto, in order to facilitate the entrance of the molten metal from the cupola into the ladle, as it is sometimes necessary to turn the elongated ladle slightly to prevent the metal from splashing out, especially when there is a heavy head of the metal withinthe cupOla, or when the ladle is nearly full. i i

I The columns 1 carry overhead tracks 16 extending throughout the length of each pipe floor across theintervening runway and along the entire length of the opposite pipe floor, and on these tracks are mounted the overhead cranes 17 having the various hoists described} in connection with thefirst form Of. the invention; and arranged cenlly o ach b y t e s aa a monorail 29 passing across the runway for the car 38? and adapted to carry the trolley hoists 30%. i i a The spaced 'fl or tracks 2 arranged adjacent to the margins of the bays are for the cars having the molding machines thereon, and are located so as toallow space for thestacks 12 ofthe flask sections, and said tracks 2? are flanked by thesupporting sills a? to receive and support the completed fla ks 6?, a ng the mo her in a p sition transversely of the bays, after the said molds have been made of the sand from the piles l5 located between the spaced tracks 2, as before, The outer ends of each -t-b,ay (notshown) are provided with the the said ladle is then connected to theproper hoists carried by. the crane and carried: to the pouring position.

The structure of the car for carrying the,

ladle, and the structure of the ladle per has not been described indetail in this ap;

plication, as the same forms the subject matter of a companion application filed of even date herewith and entitled Method "of-- casting pipe or other castings with a trough type, multiple-lipped ladle.

While two forms of the inventionhave been shown and described, it-will be understood that certain departures from-the showing, thereof may be resorted to without (lo-- parting from the spirit of the invention.

With 'an understanding of these twvo forms, it will be seen that the art of makingcast iron pipe or other analogouscastin gs has been materially advanced, and that by the adoption of the method herein employed, a great saving of time and the cost production maybe obtamed, and a largeruieasure of safety to the operativesn ay had thenumber of steps usually employed :"intl-1e= ordinary method of vertical castinginpits; bemg reduced. By reason of the multlple lipped ladle, and the means for quickly and ralityl of units defined by rows of ripright beams, two pairs of spaced rails, constitut ing tracks arranged longitudinally in pairs between I the rows of beams and spaced from the same, rows offiasksarralnged in' longi tudinal piles in u the spaces between the beams and the pairs oftrack's, supports for transversely arranged flasks arranged in the space between the pairs oftracks, a pile or piles of sand alsoarrangedlongitudinally in the space between the two pairs of tracks, and overhead means for transferring the flasks from the several rows onto said supports transversely and progressively along and between the tracks in filling the flasks.

2. A foundry plant comprising a plurality of units defined by rowsof upright beams, two pairs ofspaced rails constituting tracks arranged longitudinally between the rows of beams and spaced from the same, each pair of rails being spaced from each other, longitudinally disposed, sills located in the space between the pair of rails, said sills serving as supports for tran'sverseliy arranged flasks, "and molding" mac lines mounted on wheels and movable along the tracks. i i" 3/A foundry plant; comprising a plus t e ee sed .9 i 1. A foundry plant comprising a pllu ,-the rows of beams and spaced from the same,

each jpair o f rails b'eing spaced from each other,longitudinally disposed sills located in the space'between the pair of rails, said sills *serving as supports for transversely ar- ;ranged flasks, other sills located at approximately the center of the flasks, means cooperating with said other sills to chock up the centerof said flasks, andmolding machines mounted on \vheels and movable along the tracks.

i. A. foundry pl'ant comprising a plurality ofunits definedby rows of upright beams, two pairsofspaced rails constituting tracks arranged longitudinally between the rows of beams and'spaced from the same, each pair of rails being spaced from each other, longitudinally disposedsillslocated in the space between the pairs of rails, said sills serving as supports for transversely arranged flasks,

1 other longitudinally arranged sills located at approximately ,the center of the flasks, a pile or piles of molding sand located in the spaces between the two sets of sills, and molding machines mounted on wheels and movable along the tracks. 5. A foundry plant comprising a plurality of units defined by rows of upright beams, two-pairs of spaced rails constituting tracks arranged longitudinally in pairs bet-ween the rows of beams and spaced from the same, rows of flasks arranged in piles in the spaces between the beams and thepairsof tracks, and inoldinginachines mounted on wheels and movable along the tracks,

6. A: foundry plant comprising a plurality of units defined by rows of upright beams, two pairs of spaced rails constituting tracks arranged longitudinally in pairs between the rows of beams and spaced from the same; rows of flasks arranged longitudinally in piles in the spaces between the beams and'the tracks, a pile or piles of molding sand located in the space between the two tracks, and molding machines mounted nwheels and movable along the tracks.

- 7. In afoundry section or unit, a molding machine mounted on wheels to run on tracks, in combination with a traveling crane positioned at right angles to the movement of the molding machine.

8. A foundry section or unit comprising longitudinal tracks, longitudinally disposed molding machines mounted on wheels shiftable on said tracks and arranged on opposite sides of said section or unit, there being a longitudinal sand pile or piles between the tracks, spaced flask supports between and adjacent to the longitudinal tracks, and means for lifting flask sections from the machines and placing the same transversely t een the tracks and e the s pp 9. A pipe foundry comprising a plurality of section-s or units having opposite, longitudinally-disposed 2-rail tracks, a molding machine mounted on each track, said molding machines being also arranged longitudinally 'of.the section or unit, longitudinal flask supports located between the said tracks, and overhead hoisting means for placing flask sections on the molding machines and for lifting the same therefrom and placing them transversely upon the sup-' ports.

10. A pipe foundry comprising a plurality of sections or units having opposite, longitudinally-disposed Q-rail floor tracks, a molding machine mounted on each track, said molding machines being also arranged longitudinally of the section or unit, longitudinal'flask supports located between said tracks, an intermediate longitudinal sill arranged between the supports, means for placing flask sections upon the machines for ramming, lifting the same therefrom and placing them transversely upon the supports, and means for chocking the flasks upon the intermediate sill.

11. A pipe foundry comprising a plurality of sections or units having opposite longitudinally-disposed 2- 'ail floor tracks, a molding machine mounted on each track, said molding machines being also arranged longitudinally of the section or unit, flask supports located between said tracks, overhead means for placing flask sections on the molding machines and for lifting the same 1 therefrom and placing them transversely upon the supports to be rammed, opposite overhead tracks for supporting said overhead means arranged longitudinally of the section or unit and adjacent to the walls thereof, a monorail. arranged above and between the overhead tracks, and a trolley hav ing lifting means and mounted on the monorail for transferrii'ig cores to the transversely arranged flask sections and for removingpipes and core bars therefrom.

12. A pipe foundry comprising a plurality of sections or units having opposite longitudinal floor track's, molding machines mounted to move along said tracks, transverse molds supported between the tracks, a monorail located above and between the tracks, a trolley having lifting means and mounted to move along the monorail, said monorail being in the form of a loop traversing two or more units" to serve the same from a single core making machine.

18. In a pipe foundry, the combination of an overhead, traveling crane movable longitudinally thereof and having lifting means thereon, flask supports arranged longitudinally of the foundry and beneath the crane, spaced tracks between the supports and the longitudinal walls of the foundry, longitudinally movable molding machines. mount- 1 ed on said tracks, transfer tracks located at one end of the foundry and at right angles thereto, a cupola located on the opposite side of the transfer tracks, a transfer car mount ed on the transfer tracks and adapted to be shifted in front of the cupola, and a supplemental car mounted on the transfer car and movable transversely thereon, said supplemental car having means for supporting a ladle.

14. A pipe foundry having overhead tracks, a traveling crane movable thereon and equipped with lifting means, a cupola located at one end of the foundry, transfer tracks arranged transversely of the crane tracks and beneath the overhanging ends thereof, a transfer car movable on the transfer tracks and adapted to receive a ladle from the crane and to place the same before the cupola for filling and to return the ladle to the crane when filled, floor tracks adjacent to each longitudinal all of the foundry, a molding machine mounted on each track, flask supports arranged between the tracks, a longitudinal monorail supported above the crane and intermediate the ends thereof, a trolley having lifting means and adapted to travel on said monorail to convey cores from a core machine to any of the flasks or to convey pipes With the core bars therein to; a point for extraction of the core bars.

' 15. In a foundry section or unit, the combination of overhead tracks, a traveling crane movable thereon and having lifting means, transfer tracks arranged transversely of the first-named tracks and beneath the overhanging ends thereof, a transfer car movable along the transfer tracks, a cupola located on the opposite side of the transfer tracks, and a supplemental car mounted on the transfer car and movable transversely thereof, said supplemental car having means for supporting a ladle.

16. A pipe foundry having overhead tracks, a traveling crane movable thereon and equipped with lifting means, a cupola located adjacent to one end of the foundry, transfer tracks arranged transversely of the crane tracks and beneath the overhanging ends thereof and in front of the cupola, a transfer car located on the transfer tracks and adapted to receive a ladle from the crane, and to place the ladle before the cupola for filling and to return the ladle to the crane when filled.

17. A pipe foundry having overhead tracks, a traveling crane movable thereon and equipped with lifting means, longitudinal floor tracks, molding machines mounted to move along said floor tracks, a monorail located above and between the overhead tracks, and a trolley having lifting means and adapted to move along the monorail independently of the crane.

18. A foundry plant comprising a plucrane movable on the overhead tracks above the molding machines and having a trans versely movable carriage With hoisting means, whereby one crane takes care of the molding machines movable along the tracks below. I

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed my signature.

JAMES R. MoWANE.

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