US2001637A

US2001637A - Rolling mill feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2001637A
Application number: US651153A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard H Talbot
Original assignee: United Engineering and Foundry Co
Current assignee: United Engineering and Foundry Co
Priority date: 1933-01-11
Filing date: 1933-01-11
Publication date: 1935-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 1952-05-14

Description

May 14, 1935. H, H. TALBOT ROLLING MILL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1933 8 Sheets-sheet l 0 4 h.l|| H r n 3 4 a. a. nte fimn. M n mm. 3 1 My ia wj 1 9 u 6 1" 1 I z r u; 6 II n i 1 Ill. 4 i MI: 5 5 my fiu u 5 5 7 E 6 in Z g A 1 a f 1! fi u m o i M 6 z 2 INVENTOR WITNESSES May 14, 1935. H. H. TALBOT 2,001,637

ROLLING MILL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 l :0} TO:

I l I i Y IQI Q H n if lNVENTOR May 14, 1935. H, H TALBOT ROLLING MILL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1933 '8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 7 5W WITNESSES May 14, 1935. H. H, TALBOT 2,001,637

ROLLING MILL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1933 l 8 Sheets-Sheet, 5

H H. TALBOT May 14, 1935.

ROLLING .MIIJIJ FEEDING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 11, 1933 =-I Illllllllllllllilllllll MHMFMHMFEM H HF, E1 E E INVENTOR wnnesssa W M. XKYWM May 14, 1935- H. H. TALBOT ROLLING MILL FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 11, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 WWM INVENTOR Patented May 14, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE United Engineering & Foundry Company,

Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 11,

27 Claims.

This invention relates to rolling-mill apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for feeding materials such as sheets, strips, and the like, into the working rolls of a rolling mill.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for this purpose which is adapted to straighten the stock to be rolled before it is delivered to the mill, positively stick or feed it into the roll pass and tension it while it is being rolled.

A more particular object is to provide apparatus of this character which is simple and sturdy of construction, easy to operate and capable of materially increasing the speed of production of the mill with which it is used as compared with the prior practice.

Another object is to provide all of the aforementioned features in a single machine, and one which may be readily and easily applied to a rolling mill already in service as well as to one when it is being built.

These and numerous other objects, as well as the various other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which, Fig. l is a front view of one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 a sectional view of thesame taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a View similar to Fig. 2 of a modification of the invention; Fig. 4 a view also similar to Fig. 2 of another modification of the invention; Fig. 5 another view similar to Fig. 2 of still another modification of the invention; Fig. 6 a plan view of the modification illustrated in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 a plan of the modification illustrated in Fig. 5, showing a section of the upper belt removed; Fig. 8 a broken horizontal section taken on the line VIIIVIII of Fig. 5; Fig. 9 a vertical section taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. 5; Fig. 10 a vertical section taken on the line X-X of Fig. 7; Fig. 11 a view similar to Fig. l of another modification of the invention; and Fig. 12 a plan view of the same.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. '1 and 2 of the drawings, the numerals l and. 2 designate the roll housings or end uprights and the numerals 3 and 4 the working and backing-up rolls respec- 1933, Serial No. 651,153

invention, a table or platform 5 is provided for receiving the stock or the forward end of the stock to be rolled and delivering it to the working rolls 3 of the mill. In order to utilize the whole or as much of the roll width of the mill as is possible, the table is preferably made as wide as will conveniently fit between the mill housings I and 2, and mounted close to the working rolls with its top in the plane of the roll pass. To permit it being readily moved towards and from the mill it is slidably mounted at its lateral edges on supports Ii which are attached to the inner walls of the roll housings, and, to facilitate its movement, thesesupports 'are equipped with flat .wear plates 12 which are made of hard wear-resisting material. Cooperating with these is a pair of L-shaped plates l3 made of similar material which are attached to the lateral lower edges of the table, the latter plates being provided with groove forming beads i3a on their lower edges which are arranged to engage the under sides of the plates l2 to thereby prevent the table from lifting away from its supports when it is reciprocated.

Beneath the table adjacent its lateral edges there is provided a pair of gear racks M which are arranged to mesh with a pair of gears l5 that are keyed to a shaft l6 supported in brackets I1 and I8 attached to the outer faces of the housing uprights I and 2. Adjacent the latter of these brackets I 8, which is mounted on the left-hand housing i of the mill, there is secured to the gear shaft IS a crank or lever 2i which has its outer end pivotally connected by a link 22 with the upper end of a piston rod 23. This piston rod inturn is connected to a piston disposed in the cylinder 24a of a reciprocatory engine 24 which is provided for moving the table to feed the stock into the mill, the engine being attached below the table 5 to the mill upright l by a plate 20. Any suitable power supply and control mechanism (not shown) may be provided for effecting and controlling the operation of this engine 24 to rotate the gear shaft l6 and reciprocate the table 5. To assist in determining the movement of the table, a dog 25 is keyed to the gear shaft l6 and arranged to engage a pair of

adjustable stops

26 and 2! which are threadably mounted in a bifurcated bracket 28 attached to the plate 20 by which the engine is secured to the mill housing, the stops 26 and 21 being adjustable to vary the limit of the stroke of the platform.

In conformance with the invention, to positively or forcibly feed the stock into the working rolls when the table is moved toward the mill, a plane faced clamping shoe 29 is mounted for vertical adjustment above the top of the table. This shoe, as illustrated here, is made somewhat shorter than the table and is provided at its ends with vertically disposed guides 3| in which inclined grooves 32 are provided. These grooves are adapted to receive similarly inclined ribs 33 formed on a pair of plates 34 attached to the ends of the table or platform 3 and are inclined toward the mill end of the table so that when a piece of stock is clamped between the shoe and the table and an attempt is made to pull the stock toward the mill, as is done when the stock is engaged in the mill, the friction between the stock and shoe will tend to force the shoe more tightly against the stock. This insures a continual resistance to the passage of the stock between the shoe and table and tensions it as it is drawn into the mill. It also straightens the material, which, as well as the tensioning of the stock, is highly desirable in the rolling of materials of the character contemplated. In addition it assists in keeping the stock in line while it is being rolled, which is necessary to prevent edge crimping and faulty rolling. The slope of the ribs 33 and slots 32 is, of course, made insuiilcient to cause the shoe to wedge itself against the table tightly enough to rupture the stock due to the pull of the mill or to cause undue slipping between the mill rolls.

For moving the shoe into and out of engagement with the stock, an engine 35, similar to the one attached to the table, is attached to the inner face of one of the uprights l above the table. At the end of the piston rod 36, attached to the piston of this engine, a gear rack 31 is provided which is arranged to move in a bracket 33 attached to the housing I below the engine. This rack in turn is meshed with a gear sector 4| mounted on a shaft 42 supported at one end in the plate 39 on which the rack-supporting bracket 33 is formed and at the other end in a bearing 43 mounted on the other end upright 2. An arm 43 is secured to the back of this gear sector and pivotally connected by a connecting link 44 to a bracket 45 secured to the adjacent end of the shoe 29. At the opposite end of the shaft 42 an arm 43a is secured which, in turn, is pivotally connected by a link 44a to a bracket 45a secured to the opposite end of the shoe to thereby balance the movement of the shoe. Hence when the engine 35 is operated, which may be accomplished by any suitable power supply and control (not shown) the shoe 29 may be moved towards or away from the table 3 at the will of the operator.

In addition to positively sticking the stock placed upon the table 5 into the mill, as stated hereinbefore, it is also the duty of the shoe 29 and table 3 to function as a drag or braking device for tensioning the stock while it is being rolled, as well as for straightening it before it enters the mill. In order not to injure the surfaces of the stock as it is drawn between the two, their adjacent surfaces are lined with some suitable material which will not scratch or injure the stock. In the present instant, although brass or other material may be used, a series of wooden sections 43 and 41 respectively are mounted on the top of the table and on the lower side of the shoe, being provided in sections so that they may be readily replaced or removed to fit the width of stock being rolled.

To properly register or position the stock on the table, side guides 43 and 43a are provided and made adjustable to accommodate difl'erent widths of stock. For adjusting these guides 43 and 43a they are secured. to threaded brackets 49 and 43a which are arranged to slide in transversely disposed slots formed in the top of the platform 3. Preferably two or more of these brackets are attached to each guide at spaced points along their length and these in turn threadably engaged on telescoping shafts 3| and 32 respectively which are mounted one within the other below the surface of the table and supported at their ends in

suitable brackets

33 and 34, the outer of the two shafts not extending beyond the middle of the table. Where more than one bracket is attached to each guide, as shown here, the ends of one pair of shafts 3| and 52 are projected beyond the side of the table and equipped with turning

wheels

33 and 33 by means of which they may be manually adjusted. To allow for their being adjusted both individually and collectively a clutch 31 is provided between the two wheels and, to turn all of the shafts 3| and 32 at the same time so that the guides will positively move in a straight line,

sprockets

33 and 33 are mounted on them adjacent the

brackets

33 and 34 on which they are supported and chains or belts 63 are mounted on these sprockets.

In operating this embodiment of the invention the stock guides 43 and 43a are first properly adjusted and the stock, which may be either in the form of a sheet or strip, such as the strip 3 shown being taken from a coil I mounted in a reel structure 3, is then fed onto the table while it is in its retrieved position until it hits the mill or until its forward end projects suinciently beyond the end of the table to be fed to the mill by the table when it is moved forward. The upper engine 33 is then operated to move the shoe 29 to clamp the stock to the table. On the completion of this operation, the lower engine 24 is operated to move the table from its inoperative position, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 2, to its forward position shown by the dotted lines. This movement, due to the stock being clamped to the table by the shoe, positively forces the stock between the working rolls 3 of the mill and with sufficient force to permit the rolls being set to take a relatively heavy reduction. Furthermore, it does so in such a way that the end of the stock is started evenly in the roll-pass even though it may be cut irregularly or be beaded as it sometimes is. Once the stock is engaged between the rolls it is drawn between the shoe and table which also function as a drag to both tension and flatten the stock as well as hold it in proper alignment as it is drawn through the mill.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 6 an embodiment of the invention is shown which comprises a feed table II that is mounted for reciprocating movement similar to the aforementioned table 3 but in place of a plane surface is provided with a plurality of spaced transverse rolls 12 which are mounted in suitable hearings in the side of the table. Above this table there is provided a vertically adjustable roll carrying frame 14 in which a plurality of rolls I3 is mounted being so arranged as to form a levelling pass with the table rolls 12, when the carrier I4 is lowered so that the upper rolls 13 project below the upper edgeof the lower rolls 12. For lifting the carrier I4 so that a piece of stock can be readily mounted on the top of the table II an engine II is employed being secured to the inner wall of the mill housing I. The piston rod fl of this engine isequipp d. with a gear rack I1 which is arranged to slide in a bracket II and is meshedwith a gear sector I! carried. by a shaft II mounted-between the two housings I' and 2. The back of this gear sector is formed by an arm 02 which is connected by a link 83 to the side of the carrier ll. To guidethe movement of the carrier it isequipped at its four corners with sleeves 04 through which pins mounted on the table II are fitted.

T For moving thetable to and from the mill a gear rack is mounted on its under side and with it'a gear 31, mounted on a shaft 83 journaled to the mill housing, is meshed. A lever is in turn is keyed to this shaft and connected by a link OI to the piston rod 32 of an engine 33 mounted on a plate 30 attached to the inner face of the mill housing. A dog 35 is alsokeyed I to plate 30 for limiting the movement of the table.

T0 operate this embodiment of the invention, the table II is moved to its rearward position as shown in full lines in the drawings and the stock moved onto the rolls 12 until its forward end projects sufllciently beyond the ends of a pair of guides 80 and provided on the mill end of the table to be forced into the rolls 3 of mill when the table'is moved to its forward or feeding position indicated by the dotted lines.

. when the stock is in place, the engine I! is operated to lower the carrier I4, placing the rolls 13 between the rolls I2 and deflecting the stock so that it held firmly in place. The engine 33 is then operated to move the table forward and forcibly feed the end of the stock into the mill rolls. As soonas the stock is engaged in the rolls. the mill pulls it through the rolls I2 and I3 t'vhich both tensions the stock and levels it as it is passing therethrough.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown another embodiment of the invention which differs from that shown in Figs. 3 and 6, only in that backing-up rolls 3! and I30 are employed for resisting the bending of the straightening rolls I2 and I3 respectively, and in which similar reference characters are used to designate its different parts. The advantage derived from the backing rolls used in this embodiment is that smaller work rolls can be used in the sticker to obtain increased straightening effect as well as adapt it to accommodate wider materials without the rolls bending.

' Referring to Figs. 5, '7, 8, 9 and 10; an embodimerit of the invention is shown which comprises a frame III that is permanently secured, by

brackets or supporting plates I02, to the inner faces of the mill housings "I and 2. In this framethere is mounted a series of straightening rolls I03 and sectionalbacking rolls I04, and aboveit, in a carrier IIII, there is mounted a plurality of similar work rolls I and backing up rolls I06 which form with. the rolls I03 a and lower sets of straightening and backing rdlis .1" of the-width of the straightening rolls are I employed being arranged to encircle the upper and to extend above pulleys H3 and Ill and III' of the frome IN on shafts H1; H0, III

I20 journaled in the frame III. 'To permit e i'eady entrance of the stock between belts which carry it through the straightening rolls the pulleys H3 and H5 are separated sufficientlg to provide a stock-receiving throat, and to guide the'stock into the mill a pair of guide plates I22 and I23 are provided on'the frame IIII just forward of the pulleys Ill and H0.

As a drive for the belts land I I2 the shaft II! is projected to one side of frame IN and equipped at its end with a pulley I33 on which a belt I24 is mounted that in' turn is connected to the -milldrive I30a. To adaptthe machine to tension the stock, this drive is made. in such manner that the speed of the belts III and H2 will be less than the peripheral speed of the working rolls 3 of the mill and to permit such operation without slipping of the belts when the stock is engaged in the mill and over-travel clutch I25; is provided in pulley I30. This clutch, although outlined in Fig. 10, is not shown and described in detail as any suitable and 6- respectively mounted at the two ends clutch of this type may be used, many of which are well known in the art. I

--For driving the working rolls I03 to assist in the drive of the machine, they are geared t0- gether by gears I26 at one end and this train stallations ofthe invention they may be omitted.-

Another feature of this embodiment of the invention which may be omitted in certain installations is the use of springs I32 for varying the position of the roll carrier I01 with respect to the frame IOI. As shown in Fig. 9 such springs are mounted on pins I33 anchored in brackets I30 which are attached to the sides of the table and extended through sleeves I35 secured to the sides of the carrier, the springs being arranged between the brackets and sleeves and the pins equipped with nuts I36 for varying the spring pressure.

In the operationof this latter embodiment of the invention the stock, which is shown as com! prising a pile of sheets I3I at the left-hand end of Fig. 5, is either manually or mechanically, as indicated, taken therefrom by a vacuum transfer device I38 ,of other suitable mechanism and fed into a set of pinch rolls I39. These in turn feed the sheets over a support III where they are picked up by the belts III and H2. These then draw them between the rolls I03 and I05 and. in turn force them positively into the rolls '3, by way of the guides I22 and I23. The running of the stock through the machine in this fashion,

as will be appreciated, causes it to be straightened and as the belts are run at a slower speed than the mill, the straightening rolls automatically become a dragv as soon as the mill starts to pull the stock.

In Figs. 11 and 12 there-is illustrated still another modification of the invention which is in a sense a combination of the embodiments shown in Figs13 and 5 in that it incorporates the levelling rolls, together with means for driving these rolls, for feeding the stock-into the mill, in-

carrier 14 and connected by flexible couplings,-

support. In this embodiment the same reference characters have been applied to the parts which correspond to those shown in Figs. 3 and 8. As illustrated in the embodiment the table II is rigidly secured by plates ill to the mill uprilhts I and I, and rolls ill and 2 are mounted in the entrance ends of the frame II and carrier 14 andan'anged to function as pinch rolls for feeding the stock into the leveller. 0n the ends of the pinch rolls and the levelling rolls sprocket wheels I and I are provided, and over these chains Ill and I are extended to drive such rolls. For driving these chains the axes I" and I of the rolls ill and Ill are projected beyond the sides of the frame II and which permit relative movement of the carrier with drive shafts I" and III which are in turn tied together by a pair of gears I if and I" and coupled to the mill'drive through an over-travel clutch III whereby they are adapted to drive the rolls at a peripheral speed which is slower than that of the mill.

As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the advantages of the invention are that it insures positive and accurate feeding of the stock to the mill, makes for increased speed, reduces the labor required and maintains the stock in alignment as well as straightens and tensions it while it is being rolled, thereby improving the product and reducing the cost of production.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and mode of operation of my invention, and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the ap-.

pended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim: 1 r

1. A combined sticker, drag and leveling apparatus for use with a rolling mill, comprising a table adapted to be reciprocably mounted in hor-: izontal alignment with the roll pass of the mill, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in the top of said table, a roll-supporting frame mounted above said table, a plurality oftransversely extending rolls mounted in parallel spaced relation in said frame with their axes lying between the axes of the rolls mounted in said table, forming a wave-like stock working pass between said two sets of rolls means for moving said frame toward and away from said table whereby adapting it to clamp a piece of stock when disposed between said rolls and resist the movement therethrough, and means for moving said table and frame toward the mill to forcibly feed stock so clamped and held bysaid sets of rolls to the mill, the mill after biting the material, pulling the same through said sets of rolls which then act as a drag and leveling apparatus.

2., A combined sticker, drag and leveling apparatus for use with a rolling mill, comprising a table mounted for reciprocable movement in horizontal alignment with the roll pass of the mill, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in the top of said table, a roll-supporting frame mounted above said table, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted inparallel spaced relation in said frame with their axes lying between the axes of the rolls mounted in said table form- 7 ing a wave-likev stock-working pass between said two sets of rolls, means for moving said frame toward and away from said table whereby adapting it to clamp a piece of stock when disposed between said rolls and mist its movement therethrough, means for guiding the movement ofsaid frame toward and away from the table, and means for moving said table and'frame in the plane of the mill pass to forcibly feed stock so clamped and held by said sets of rolls into the mill, the mill after biting said material pulling the same through said sets of rolls which then act as a drag and leveling apparatus.

3. A combined feeding, tensioning and levels ing apparatus for use with a rolling mill, comprising a table mounted for reciprocable move?- ment in the plane of the roll pass of a rolling mill, a plurality of transversely extending work rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in-the top of said table, a plurality of backing rolls mounted in said table to resist bending of said work rolls, a roll-supporting frame mounted above said table, a plurality of transversely extending work rolls mounted in parallel spaced relation in said frame with their axes lying between the axes of the work rolls mounted in said table, backing rolls mounted in said frame to resist bending of the frame work rolls, means for moving said frame toward and away from said table whereby adapting it to form a straightening and stock-engaging as well as tensioning pass for a piece of stock disposed between the work rolls of the frame and table, and means for moving said table and frame toward the mill to forcibly feed stock engaged by said frame and table work rolls to the working rolls of a rolling mill.

4. A combined feeding, tensioning and leveling apparatus for use with a rolling mill, comprising a table adapted to be mounted for reciprocable movement in horizontal alignment with the roll pass of a rolling mill, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in the top of said table, a roll-supporting frame mounted above said table, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted in parallel spaced relation in said frame with their axes lying between the axes of the rolls mounted in said table forming a wave-like stock-working pass between said two sets of rolls, means for moving said frame toward and away from said table whereby adapting it to clamp a piece of stock when disposed between said rolls and resist its movement therethrough, pins disposed at the corners .of said table slidably extended through sleeves attached to said frame to guide the movement of said frame with respect to the table, and means for moving said table and frame in the plane of the mill pass to forcibly feed stock so clamped and held by said sets of rolls into the mill, the

mill after biting said material pulling the same through said sets of rolls which then act as a drag and leveling apparatus.

, 5. A combined sticker, drag and leveling apparatus for use with a rolling mill, comprising a table adapted to be arranged for reciprocable movement in horizontal alignment with the roll pass of a rolling mill, a plurality of transversely extending rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in the top of said table, a roll-supporting frame mounted above said table, a plurality of rolls mounted in parallel spaced relation in said frame and arranged to form a wave shaped lichens? '5 stock enga ing pass I between -the two' sets of bined stock feeding, tensioning and straightenrolls mounted in said table,'means for moving ing apparatus comprising a frame adapted to said frame toward and away from said table bemou'nted at .the front'of the mill, a plurality to clamp. a piece of stock when disposed-between of transversely disposed rolls mounted in spaced the two sets of rolls and ,resistdts movement parallel relation in said frame with their upper therethrough, means for moving said table and sides lying substantially in the plane of the roll frame toward the mill to thereby forcibly feed pass, a roll carrier mounted on said frame above stock so clamped and held by said sets pulling the same through said sets of rolls which to form a straightening pass with the rolls then act as a drag and leveling apparatus, and e mounted in said frame, a'pair of pulleys mounted uiding means mounted on the front end of the at each end of said frame one above the other, table for preventing-the stoek'from buckling a belt extended about the two upper pulleys and we t v lin appa a d t e l as it the rolls -inounted in said roll carrier, another is forced thereby in th T011 P of a mill. belt extended about the two lower pulleys and 6. A combined stock feeding, tensio and the rolls mounted in said frame, and means for straightening apparatus for usewith a rolling driving one of said pulleys from the mill at, a mill, comprisin a frame d pt to be mounted peripheral speed less than the peripheral speed in front of a'mill in the plane of the roll pass of th n 11 I .of the mill, a plurality of transverselyl disposed 0 A combined feeding, tensioning and levelrolls mounted in-spaced parallel relation in said ing apparatus for use with a rolling mill, c

\ fram a roll earlier mounted on 'Said frame prising a table mounted for reclprocable move-,

above said rolls and arranged to rest thereon, t i the plane of the roll pass of a rolling a plurality of rolls mounted in Said carrier mill,'a plurality of transversely extending work in spa dpara on and arranged to form rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in the a Stra l e with the 10115 of Said top of said table, a plurality of backing rolls r hen of pulleys mounted at each end o mounted in said table in such a manner as to said frame one above the other, a belt extended r ist bending of said work rolls, in both the about the wo pp p lleys and the r s horizontal and vertical planes, a roll-supporting mounted in said roll carrier, another belt exframe nt d above said table, a plurality of tended about Sa d lower P of P y and the transversely extending work rolls mounted in rolls mounted n S and means for parallel spaced relation in said frame with their driving one of said belts. axes lying between the axes of the work rolls 7, A combined Stoc d tensioning and mounted in said table, backing rolls mounted strai hte i app for use w rolling in said frame in such a manner as to resist m comprising a frame a a to be ounted bending of the frame work rolls in both the in front of a mill in the P a o the T011 P horizontal and vertical planes, means for movof the mill, a plurality of transversely d posed ing said frame toward and away from said table rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in saidh reb adapting it to form a straightening and frame, a roll carrier mounted on said frame stock-engaging as well as tensioning pass for a' above said rol s and a a d to t thereon, pieceof stock disposed between the work rolls a p a y of rolls mounted in Said earriel in of the frame and table, and means for moving p d pereilel'relaticn d arranged to a said table and frame toward the mill to forcibly straighten g I pass with the rolls mounted in feed stock engaged by said frame and table work said fram m ans f r vary th r ativ p sirolls to the working rolls of a rolling mill. tion of said carrier on said ta l a air of 11. A combined feeding, tensioning and levelpulleys mounted at each end of said frame one ing apparatus for use in feeding thin fiat mateabove the o her on pp Sides of e P s -rial into the working rolls of a rolling mill of provided by said ro ls, a belt extend d about the backed-up working roll type, comprising a the two upper pulleys at the Oppo te ds of table adapted to be mounted between the roll the frame and" the rolls mounted in said carrier, housings of a'mill in front of the working rolls another belt extend d about the lower P eys thereof, a' plurality of transverse rolls mounted and the rolls mounted in said frame; and means in spaced parallel relation in the top of said for driving one of said pulleys; table, a plurality of backing rolls mounted in 8. A combined St ck d t n ns and said table to engage said working rolls at opstraightening appara o us h a rolling posite sides of their axes and below their cenmill, comprising a frame adapted to be mounted ters, a vertically adjustable frame mounted in front of a mill in the plane of the roll pass above said table, a plurality of transverse work of the mill, a plurality of transversely disposed rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in said rolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in said frame with their axes lying between the axes of frame, a roll carrier mounted for vertical adthe working rolls mounted in said table, backing justment on said frame above said rolls, a plurolls mounted in spaced parallel relation in said rality of rolls mounted in spaced parallel relaframe to engage the work rolls in said frame at tio n Said carrier and arranged to form a opposite sides of their axes and above their censtra'ishten e pa 'w the rolls o t in ters, means for moving said frame towards and said frame, a pair of pulleys mounted at each away from said table to form a stock-engaging end of said frame one above the other on oppoand stock-straightening pass between as well as site sides of the Strai te P formed by adapt said work rolls to resist the passage of a Said rolls, a belt extended about the two upp piece of stock between them, and means for P y a the opposite ends of the frame and moving said table and frame integrally towards the rolls mounted in said roll carrier, another and away from the mill to forcibly feed stock enbelt extended about the lower two of said pulleys gaged between said frame and table rolls to the and the rolls mounted in said frame, and means working rolls of a rolling mill. for driving one of said pulleys from the mill. 12. A combined apparatus according to claim 9. In combination with a rolling mill, a com- 3 in which the backing rolls are divided into of rolls said rolls, a plurality of rolls mounted in sold into the mill, the mill after biting said material carrier in spaced parallel relation and arranged sections and so supported in said table and frame as to engage said table and frame working rolls 'jacent the entrance to said roll pass and adapted to engage the upper and lower surface of the stock sufllciently close-to the rolls to prevent it from buckling sufficiently to interfere with its entrance in the roll pass as the force is applied to it.

14. The combination with a rolling mill provided with relatively small working rolls, means for forcibly feeding into the roll pass formed by said rolls flat stock which is too thick to be en- 'tered therein without the application of a positive pressure and too thin to permit the feeding force to be applied to it at an appreciable distance from the rolls on account of buckling, said feeding means being arranged adjacent the entrance to said roll pass and adapted to engage the upper and lower surface of the stock across the entire width thereof and sufllciently close to the rolls to maintain the front end of the stock in accurate alignment for entrance into the roll pass and also sufficiently close to the rolls to prevent it from buckling when it is forced into the mill.

15,. The combination with a rolling mill provided with relatively small working rolls, means for forcibly feeding into the roll pass formed by said rolls flat stock 'which istoo thick to be entered therein without the application of a positive pressure and too thin to permit the feeding force to be applied to it at an appreciable distance from the rolls on account of buckling, said feeding means comprising means for gripping the stock sufficiently close to said rolls to prevent it from buckling as itis forced into the roll pass, means for rapidly releasing said gripping means to facilitate the entrance of the stock into it, and means for rapidly moving it to feed the stock into the mill.

16. In combination with a rolling mill, a combined stickerand drag comprising a stock supporting platform mounted for movement in front of the roll pass of the mill, means for supporting said platform, a gear rack attached thereto, a drive shaft equipped with a pinion disposed to engage said rack, an engine mounted on said mill and operably connected to said shaft, a clamping shoe reciprocably mounted above said platform, an engine mounted in said mill, and means connecting said latter engine to said shoe for clamping it to said platform, said connecting means being adapted to permit movement of the platform after the shoe is clamped onto it.

17. In combination with a rolling mill, a combined sticker and drag comprising a stock supporting platform mounted for movement in front of and in the plane of the roll pass adjacent the entrance thereto, guiding means on said platform for aligning the stock thereon, means for adjusting said guides to accommodate stocks of different widths, an engine mounted on said mill, means connecting said engine to said platform to move it to and from the mill, a shoe for clamping the stock to said platform movably mounted thereabove, means for positively moving said shoe into and out of engagement with said platform, and means connecting said latter means to said shoe in a manner to permit movement of the shoe with the platform after it is clamped thereto.

18. The combination with a rolling mill of a roller leveler mounted adjacent the roll pass thereof for movement in the plane of said pass, means for positively moving said leveler to feed a piece of stock engaged in it into the mill, and

means interposed between the leveler and the mill for preventing the stock buckling between the outlet of the leveler and the entrance of the frame mounted for movement, to and from the mill, a series of spaced transversely disposed rolls mounted in said frame in the plane of the roll pass, an upper roll frame mounted for guided vertical movement above said main,

frame, a series of spaced transversely disposed rolls mounted in said latter frame in staggered relation with said first-mentioned rolls, means for moving said upper frame to a position above said lower rolls and to a position placing thelower surface of the upper rolls below the upper surface of the lower rolls to thereby flex a piece of stock disposed between them, means for positively moving said main supporting'f-rame towards and from the mill and means carried by said main frame for preventing the stock from buckling between the leveler and the mill.

20. The combination with a rolling mill of a roller leveler for feeding flat stock into the roll pass thereof and tensioning it after it is in the mill, said leveler comprising a main supporting frame mounted for movement, to and from the mill, a series of spaced transversely dispoud rolls mounted in said frame in the plane of the roll pass, an upper roll supporting frame mounted for guided vertical movement above said main frame, a series of spaced transversely disposed rolls mounted in said latter frame instaggered relation with said first-mentioned rolls and forming a wave-like stock-working pass between said two sets of rolls, means for moving said upper frame to a position above said lower rolls and to a position placing the lower surface of the upper rolls below the upper surface of the lower rolls to clamp a piece of stock between said rolls and resist its movement therethrough, means for modifying the operation of said latter means to vary the position of the upper rolls when in their lowered positions, means for positively moving said main supporting frame toward and from the mill to thereby forcibly feed stock so clamped and held by said sets of rolls into the mill, the mill after biting said material pulling the same through said sets of rolls which then act as a drag and leveling apparatus.

21. The combination with a rolling mill of a roller leveler for feeding flat stock into the roll pass thereof and tensioning it after it is in the mill, said leveler comprising a main supporting frame mounted for movement, to and from the mill, 0. series of spaced transversely disposed rolls mounted in said frame in the plane of the roll pass, an upper roll frame mounted for guided vertical movement above said main furnace, a series of spaced transversely disposed rolls mounted in said latter frame in staggered relation with said first-mentioned rolls, power means for rapidly moving said upper frame to carry said upper rolls clear of said lower rolls and also lower them to a position placing their lower surfaces below the upper surfaces of said lower rolls to thereby flex a piece of stock disposed between them, means for adjusting the position of said upper r'olls, means for positively moving said main supporting frame towards and from the mill, and means carried by said main frame for preventing the stock buckling between the leveler and mill as it is forced into the mill by the leveler.

22. In combination with a rolling mill provided with working rolls, a feeding device for feeding'thin metallic stock into the bite of the mill rolls, said feeding device comprising means for engaging and gripping the leading end of the stock, means for positively moving said gripping means to force the end of the stock into the bite of the mill rolls and disposed to operate sufficiently close to the rolls to prevent deleterious buckling of the stock end as it is forced into the mill.

23. In combination with a rolling mill provided with working rolls, a feeding device for feeding thin metallic stock into the bite of the mill rolls, said feeding device comprising means for engaging and gripping the leading end of the stock, means for positively moving said gripping means to force the end of the stock into the bite of the mill rolls and disposed to operate sufficiently close to the rolls to prevent deleterious buckling of the stock end as it is forced into the mill and adapted to exert a tension on the stock after it is engaged in the rolls.

24. The method of rolling thin metallic stock comprising setting the mill rolls to effect a reduction in excess of that permitted without the stock being forcibly fed into the bite of the rolls, clamping the stock adjacent its leading end, then forcing it between the mill rolls by said clamping means, the clamping means being disposed to engage the stock sufficiently close to its end to prevent it from deleteriously buckling as the feeding force is applied.

25. The method of rolling thin metal stock which comprises setting the mill to take a reduction in excess of that which will permit the stock being entered between the mill rolls without the application of a positive force, and applying a positive force to the stock suflicient to force it into the rolls and at a point sufliciently close to the leading end of the stock to prevent the stock from deleteriously buckling.

26. The method of rolling thin metallic stock comprising setting the mill rolls to take a reduction in excess of that permitted without the stock being forcibly fed into the bite of the rolls, clamping the stock adjacent its leading end, forcing such end by said clamping means into the mill rolls, and thereafter tensioning the stock by said clamping means as it is drawn through the mill, the clamping means being operative sufficiently close to the end of the stock and the mill to prevent the stock from deleteriously buckling as. the feeding force is applied.

27. An apparatus according to claim 22 characterized by the means for engaging and gripping the leading end of the stock being i adapted to engage the stock across its entire width.

HOWARD H. TALBOT.