US2203733A

US2203733A - Feeder and catcher table mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2203733A
Application number: US146998A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy J Leckrone
Original assignee: Continental Roll & Steel Found
Current assignee: Continental Roll & Steel Found; Continental Roll & Steel Foundry Co
Priority date: 1937-06-08
Filing date: 1937-06-08
Publication date: 1940-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1957-06-11

Description

June 1l., `1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHERNTABLE MECHANISM Filed June 8, 1937 l1 Sheets-Sheet l.

R gf; m E V m June ll, 1940. R. J. LECKRONE msnm Ann encima TABLE ucamrsu 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVETOR 9AM f2@ Filed June 8, 1937 June 11 1940- v R.J. LEcKRoNE v 2,203,733

' FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISM Filed June a, 193'/ 11 sheets-sheet s www R. J. Ll-:cKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISI June 11,y 1940.

Filed June 8, 1937 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 man -m\ INVITOR June ll, l940 R. J. LECKRONE FEEDER AND CATGHER TABLE MECHANISM Filed June a, 19317 11 sheets-sheet 5 Il! III www@ June 1l, 19.40. R, 1 LECKRQNE 2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATGHER TABLE MECHANISK I Filed June 8, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet '6 June ll1 1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISH Filed .June 8,1937 11 sheets-sheet 7 June 1l, 1940. R, J, LECKRQN 2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATCIUFJR TABLE MECHANISM Filed June l8, 1937 1l Sheets-Sheet 8 June 11, 1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISH 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 8, 1937 NSW llElL rl.

INVENTOR June ll, 1940.

n. J. LECKRQNE FEEDER AND GATCHER TABLE MECHANISI Filed June, 1937 11 vSheets-She'c 10 June l1, 1940. R. J. LEcKoNE 2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISH Filed June a, 1937 11 shee'ts-sheet 11 9 1 L --LTI-n rXXI' 66 ZE Y--r-f, l i i f EKL-fnl I I .236

l I g l l l Ivi 'mt will EEO l l d /j i315 |L f 05 if E11 lf' /504 "d 0a 315 E14 i 16 Jgf? FFE] KO E10 210 INVENTYOR @Z5/mi2@ Patented June Il, 1940 PATENT ori-ICE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISM Roy J. Leckrone, Mount Lebanon, Pa., assignor to Continental Roll & Steel Foundry -Comi,

panna corporation o! Delaware Application June 8, 1937, Serial No. 146,998

9 Claims.

r This invention `relates to the hot rolling of metal and more particularly to a combined apparatus comprising feeder and catcher tables for use in handling the metal being rolled in a threehigh mill. l

The feeder table of this invention being `adapted for use in connection with a three-high 'mill is not tiltable but after being moved to position so that its conveyor chains are lined up with 10 the lower pass of the mill, remains stationary. The catcher table is pivotally mounted adjacent its rear end so that after `receiving material passing through the lower pass of the mill, it is tilted upwardly about its pivot point and delivers the material to the upper pass. After delivering the material to the upper pass it is moved down to receiving position.

Feeder and catcher tables of the type designed for use in connection with two-high mills are not m satisfactory for operation in connection with three-high mills and an object of this invention is to produce an organized apparatus comprising a feeder table, a catcher table and controls i therefor suitable for use in connection with a three-high sheet bar or sheet breakdown mill.

Each of the tables of `this application embodies hinged side guides and mechanism `whereby the operators may readily swing the guides simultaneously toward and from each other to produce a shuiliing action for the purpose of lining up the material forming the pack, breakdowns or partly finished sheets as the case may be.

i The side guides of the feeder table are so constructed and adjusted that the sheet `bars or breakdowns as the caseimay be on the feeder table may be selectively released, that is, all but the forward sheet bar or breakdown may be held back and the forward sheet bar or breakdown. no matter where the same is located carried on 40 by the conveyor to the lower roll pass.

` The feeder table also includes a front stop under the control of the operator by means of which the sheet bars, `breakdowns or sheets as the case may be may be matched.

Both the feeder and catcher tables with their operating motors are self contained, that is, the feeder table is mounted upon a base which carries `its operating motor `and reducing gear set so that the table and its operating :motor` and 5o gear set can be moved as a unit to and from position. This is also true of the catcher table and its operating motor.

'I'he forward endof the supporting base foreach table is provided with leveling fjacks for `point by means of a reducer set having crank l arms connected to the main frame of the catcher table. The reducer set and its motor are sup- 1| plemented by a spring motor utilizing nested compression springs. Thisspring motor assists the reducer set and its motor in raising the table about its pivot point and tends to cushion the downward movements of the table.

The catcher table is provided with a middle stop which can be moved to different positions longitudinally of the table in order to take care of various lengths of material being rolled. The catcher table is also provided `with a back stop 25 under the control of the operator and with pinch rolls at the Arear end of the table which are also under the control of the operator and which feed the nished sheets to a piler.

The operators chairs, one for the feeder table 30 and one for the catcher table, also form part of i the organized apparatus and these chairs are located adjacent the rear end of each table with both `operators facing the mill. While these chairs are bolted to the table or foundations and are not carried by the table supports the operat- 5 ing shafts extending from the chairs to the table are made extensible and provided with universal joints so that the tables may be adjusted toward and from the `mill without disconnecting the operating levers which are mounted at the chairs. 40

In .the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 taken together (Fig. 2 bein;` a continuation of Fig. l) illustrate in side elevation a feeder table embodying this invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 (Fig. 4 being a continuation of 45 Fig. 3) taken together illustrate in top plan the feeder table of Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 taken together (Fig. 6 being a continuation of Fig. 5) illustrate in side elevation a catcher table embodying this invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 taken together (Fig. 8 being a continuation of Fig. 7) illustrate in top plan the catcher table of Figs. 5 and 6; v

Fig. 9 is a more or less schematic view in side elevation of the combined structure comprising I8 thefeeder and catcher tables embodying this invention and the mill; the mill being .by

' dotted-lines.

,ychairyV v Fig.' 25 is a view in Side elevation of the catcher mg. 101s a top pian view of the combinedr structure shown in Fig 9 withl the rolls of the mill removed;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the feeder tableand is taken'on line XI-XI of Figs. 1 and 3. This view illustrates the zshuii'iing, side guides. `their adjusting devices andthe operating mechanism for the same;v

Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the feederv table taken on lline XII-fm of Fig, 1 and illustrates the feeder table-back stop;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are detail views of portionsof the shuiiling mechanism used in both 'the 1 catcher and feeder tables and which is shown in Fig. 11; Y

Fig. 16 is a transverse section taken on line XVI- XVI of Figs. 2 and 4 and illustrates lthe front stop forvthe feeder table and a portion of its operating mechanism;

Fig. 171s a perspective view of the back stop of the catcher table with a portion of its operating mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a view inside elevation of thev adjustable middle stop for the catcher table. This view shows a portion of the mechanism for raising and lowering the middle stop; t

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the elements shown in Fig. 18; j

Fig. 20 is la detail view in section ofone of the auxiliary supports for the catchef. table;l

Fig. 2l is a sectional view takenon line m- XXI of F18. 20;

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view taken on lineXXlI-XXII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 23 is a view in side elevation of the feeder table chair;

y Fig. 24 is a topplan view of the feeder table table chair; and

Fig. 26 is atop plan view of the catcher table chair. v-

. Feeder table The-frame of the feeder table is preferably .fabricated from rolled shapesfand plates such as channels 30 and3l which constitute the frame side members.'4 channel 32 which' constitutes the backcross member and plate`33 which=forms the flooring orl bedl for the frame.- The frame' is mounted on a baseplate 34 which in turn is supported by suitable y channels and v1-beams .which are collectivel'yrdesignated bythe numeral 35.l Pedestals 3 6 'support the rear of the table frame and pedestals, support the forward part `of the frame.` A chain conveyor drive shaft 33 extends across the frame at its rear and isjour- Y naled in` suitable bearings carried in the top portion of pedestals 36.A Shaft133`carries suitably spaced chainsprockets 39 and 40 and the shaft is coupled to the low speed shaft of a worm re- [duction gear set 4| whichis mounted on an ex tension 42. of the base.

" of this worm reduction gear set is connected to i ja reversible motor 43 which isfalso mounted on extensions: of the base. A shaft u jcurnaled in the` forwardend of thetable frame 'carries' chain-wheels 45 and 46. Conveyor chains 4i are trained over sprockets 39 and 40 and wheels 45 v and 43 and' these chains are kept taut by means of, spring'actuated chain tighteners 43v of well knownV construction. Wear' plates 49--43 are 'I'he high speed shaft secured to table piste u below the upper runs of chains 41 and the lower runs of the chains are supported on -idler rollers I3 and Il. The forward portion of the table is provided with upstandlng chain guides l2 on each side o f the wear plates 4l while the rear of the frame is provided with upsta'nding chain guides I3 located posite sides of the wear plates 43.v v

A sectional `water cooled roller I4 is supported by brackets Il which are secured to and extend forwardly of the forward end of frame side channels 30 and 3|.l The top of this roller is in line with the top of conveyor chains 41-41 and serves as a support for the material passing from the conveyor to the lower roll pass.

This roller, as said, is sectional and is made up of a number' (four) of tube-like members, preferably made from some heat resisting alloy.

These members are mounted on a stationary shaft lrnd fabricated bearings are interposed be# tween these' members and said shaft. The shaft on opis hollow and is supplied with. water which passes out of the same through radial holes formed therein.

Each of the outer channels 35 is providedwith a relatively short longitudinally grooved contact plate 5l. Screw Jacks 5l (there be-1 ing one for each side) secured to the foundation and having their upper surfaces lying within the grooves of saidcontact plates support the forward portion of the feeder table. By means of these jacks the forward end of the table may be raised and lowered slightlyso as to line up roller 54 with the lower pass of the mill. a indicates the upper roll of the mill, b the middle roll and c the lower roll.

` The rearof the feeder table is supported by two rack and spur gear devices 53 shown more or less in detail in Fig. 22.

A wrench in the form oi' a long lever for operating the spur and rackmechanisms as well as the jacks is indicated by dotted lines in a number of the figures of the drawings and it rwill be understood that it is only used for racking the tables to and from position and for raising and lowering the forward ends thereof.

Racking mechanisms The base member. beside the side channels 35 f and base plate 34 has a bottom plate 53 and llongitudinally extending stiflening members in theform of I-beams 60. Two rack mechanisms its rear end, and in line with pedestals 36. The spur wheel portion of each of these devices is bolted to the foundation. 'Ihis portion comprises a shaft .6i which extends from one racking mechanism to the other at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the feeder table and is journaled in bearings and 63 within

brackets

34 and 65 which are secured to the foundation by bolts 33-33 (see Fig. 22). Cap portion 61 lof one of the brackets 64 is splitv as shown in Figs. l and 22v and ,a clamp bolt 83 .is provided v for clamping shaft 6I against rotation. Shaft 6i inside of each set vof brackets and adjacent thereto is provided with a spur wheel 63 and these are-'keyed to the shaft. The hub of each spur wheel is provided with a hardenedv steel ring l'I3v which is preferably shrunk thereon. `A relatively short rack is provided for eachl spur gear. These racks are numbered 'ii- 1i and are secured to thel under side -of the base member in line vfor racking the feeder table toward and from Y the mill are used for the feeder table. I'he racks are secured to the under side of the `base adjacent with the spur gears. Each rack member is provided with a hardened steel bearing plate 12 which parallels the rack teeth and bears on one of the wear rings 19. of the table is therefore taken by shaft 9| through rings 19 and plates 12. From this construction it will be seen that the racks and spur gears bear no weight and the racking of the table toward and from the mill is their soie function.

One end of shaft 9| is squared as shown at 19 to receive the actuating wrench.

Shumina mechanism The side guides are shownin plan at -1919, Figs. 3 and 4, one in side elevation in Fig. 1 and they are shown in transverse section in Fig.' 11. Each of the guides at its rear end is ilared outwardly as shown at 19 to facilitate entrance of sheet bars therebetween. Each guide from point 19 to a point 11 adjacent its forward end is ared outwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A stiffener rib 19 welded to the back of each side guide 19I extends throughout the major portion of its length. Each of the side guides has a wear plate 19 of some suitable heat resisting metal secured to its inner face. Each guide is carried upon a pair of swinging levers, those for one of the guides being numbered 99 and those for the other being numbered 9|. The levers of each pair are spaced apart longitudinally of the table and between each side guide and each lever 99 a. tubular sheet metal spacer 92 is interposed. Bolts 99 extend through each spacer and side guide and secure the guides to the levers. Each lever is preferably formed in two parts (Figs. 11, 14 and 15) bolted together at 99. The lower part of each lever is forked as clearly shown in Fig. 4l5 and the parts are pivotally mounted .on a shaft 99 by means of ball bearings 99. Shaft 99 is secured within the depending portion 91 of a bearing block 99 which surrounds a more or less rectangular bar 99. The lower forked portion of each lever is bent at an angle to the remainder oi the lever as shown in Figs. 11 and 14 and stiffening ribs 99 are provided for the fork portions. Bar 99 is carried in support brackets 9I--9| and is bolted thereto at 92-92. These brackets depend from channel side members 99 and 9| and are bolted to said channel members at 99-99 and 99--99.

The top surface of bar 99 adjacent each end thereof has rack teeth 99 cut therein. The top of levers 99 and 9| extend outwardly `as shown at 99 and the extreme outer end 91 of each such extension is bent downwardly at an angle and is pierced to loosely receive a rod 99. This rod is threaded at its upper end and is provided `with a hook` at its lower end as shown in Fig. 11. A coil spring 99 has its upper end engaged by said hook and its lowerend hooked into a screw eye |99 which is threaded into an extension |9| of bearing block 99. The tension of spring 99 is adjusted by means of a wing nut |92 which bears againsta bearing washer |99 which loosely surrounds rod 99 and rests against the upper surface of the downturned part 91 of extension 99 of each of the levers. Spring 99 of lever 99 tends to move said lever toward the left of Fig. 1l, while spring 99 of lever 9| tends to move said'leverto the right of' Fig. 11. Stop screws |99 which are threaded through flanges |99 of bearing blocks 99 form adjustable stops. for limiting the outward movement of levers 99 and 9|. `These screws are adjusted so that the levers and "fthe side'guides 19 carried thereby maybe easily 'I'he weight of the rear oscillated in andA out 'to matin the desired shuiiiing action.

Mechanism for oscillating the side guides A shaft |99 journaled for oscillation in suitable bearings carried by brackets secured to and depending from plate 99 in line with levers 99 and 9| is provided with a pair of oppositely extend- `respectively carried by said channel 99 and plate 99.

A bar Ill preferably bent as shown in Fig. 11 and having its inner end provided with a bearing portion ||9 which surrounds the pin of crank |91 has its outer end drilled to provide a series of aligned circular holes H9. A pin ||1 carried by a pad ||9 secured to lever 99 has a hole drilled therethrough from top to bottom to receive a tapered pin H9.l Pin ||1 projectsthrough one of the series of holes ||9 and tapered pin ||9 locks bar ||4 in position on pin ||1. A bar |29 bent in the reverse direction from bar IM as will appear from Fig. 11, has its end bearing |2| surrounding the pin of crank |99. This outer end is provided with a series of holes |22 and this bar is locked in position on pin i 29 by a tapered pin |29.

` In order to adjust the position of levers 99 and 9| to accommodate the shuiiiing mechanism to material of diierent widths, the bearing blocks 99 which carry pins 99 upon which the levers are mounted may be moved toward and from one another. This movement or adjustment is accomplished by unlocking the bearing blocks from bar 99, moving them manually to the desired positions and then locking them in such positions. The locking mechanism for each bearing block comprises a shaft |29 journaled in bearings formed in extensions |29 and |21 of bearing block 99.l One end of the shaft carries an operating lever |29 and the other end a locking cam |29 which, when lever |29 is turned to horizontal position as shown in Figs. 11, 13 and 15, nioves to position between two of the rack teeth 99.

'I'hese mechanisms are identical for both levers 99 and 9| and one description will suffice for both.

The adjustment of the parts as shown in Fig.

41`1 is suitable for handling the narrowest material and with this adjustment the side guide 19-19 or that portion thereof between outflared ends 19 and flared side portions 19 is substantially perpendicular when at rest. `When wider material is to be rolled, the bearing blocks are unlocked and moved the desired distance apart. Bars Ill and |29 are disconnected from pins |I1 and |29 and said pins are entered in the proper holes of series ||9 and |22 to correspond with the new position of the bearing blocks.

'I'he outer end of shaft by means of universal joints |99 and I9|, shafts |92 and |39 and a tubular extensible coupling member |39 is connected to a stub shaft |99 which carries an operating lever |99 at the operator's chair |91. From this construction it will be apparent that shaft |99 may be oscillated by swinging operating lever |99 and thus'cause hinged side guides 19-14 to approach and recede from one `another thus accomplishing the shuming action of break- 4 downs or'partially finished sheets as the case may be while the samerare supportedon the chain conveyor.

Feeder table back stop 'I'he feeder table, lust behind the flared 'en- 'trance ends of side guides 14 is provided with `a back stop which when in raised or operative position. stops the advance of sheet bars which are being carried forward bythe chain conveyor.

f This back stop is shown in detail in Fig. 12 and comprises two squared members or fingers |33.

-These as shown in said figure are spaced apart and when in operative position, project above the top surface of the conveyor chains. Members |33 are pinned to a shaft |33 which is mounted for oscillation within bearing members |45|40 secured to and depending from platel :3. one end of this shaft is provided wana crank arm |4| and this arm by means of a link |42 is connected to crank arml |43,.the hub |44 of which is pinned to a shaft |45. Shaft |45 extends across the table andisv journaled in bearing. blocks |45|45 which are bolted to the webs of channel side members and 3|. lThis vconstructionis such that when members or fingers |33 are raised to operative position as shown in Figs. 1 and 12, link |42 andcrank arm |43 which form a toggle are lined up, and thus in eifect form a lockv for locking members in raised position and for preventing rotation of shaft |45 by the sheet bars as they collide with the stop members. v

Feeder table vfront stop yThe feeder table ladjacent its forward end, as shown in Fig. l, is ,provided .with a stop which is used -in matching breakdowns or sheets as the case may be, prior to ltheir entrance into the lower pass of vthe mill. This'stop i's shown in position'as'shown in Figs. 2, 16 and 17, extend a distance above the tops of the conveyor chains.

of a shaft |53.

f forward end of plate 33 isfcut away to re` j ceive thel back stop assembly as shownin 17.

' shaft sa is journaiedin two hollow cyiindricai 1 bearing members |53 and |50 andeachof these bearing members is provided with a plate-like -V extension|5| which is bolted tothe underside. of

plate 33. Anti-friction bushingsare inserted besacarse y inner face of thechannel 30 is provided with a cylindrical bore |53 and a similar bearing bracket drical ends |51- |51 has such ends journaled Vwithin said bores |53 and. |55. Shaft |55 carries two crank arms` |55 and |55 vand each of these is provided with a hub portion |10 having a squared through hole which snugly fits the squared portion of shaft |55 and lies immediately' adjacent one of the bearing bracket members. Each of these crank arms is connected to the outer end of crank arms |55 by a pair of links |1|. I-lub |10 of crank arm |58 is provided with another crank arm |12 which with said hub and arm |55 forms abell crank lever. The outer end of crank arm |12 is connected to the bifurcated end |13 of a shaft or rod |14 which extends longitudinally of the table. The opposite end of shaft or rod |14 is bifurcated and is connected v"rue catcher table 'rn'e'c'atc'her table framers a substantial dupii- Vcate of the frame of the feeder table, so also is the base upon which the frame'is mounted. The catcher table is pivotally mounted at its rear end on the shaft which carriesthe driving sprockets for the conveyor chains. The motor and worm reduction set for raising and lowering the table about said shaft are located directly beneath the 4table and because of this, the pit within which the table is positioned must be deeper than that withinv which the feeder table is positioned. The pedestals within which the upper portion of the pivot shaft is journaled are mounted on supports carried by the table base.

The motor and reduction gear for driving the conveyor chains `are mounted on an extension of the base as shown in Fig. l0 and as with the feeder table, the forward end of the catcher table is mounted on jacks which are identical with .the jacks employed inconnection with'the feeder table. The rear rof the base is mounted on racking devices identical with those employed inl conriection with the feeder table.

A The forward end portions of the channels form# ing the sides ofthe table frame are reduced in height .'(Fig. 5) in the same manner 'as the for,

'ward ends of the `sidevchannels of the feeder table; This reductionin height of the side channels Ais for the purpose'of permitting the tables to be moved close to the rolls of the mill.

The driving sprockets-for the conveyor chains are numbered 'H4-'|54 andare keyed to shaft |35-which -forms the pivotal mounting for-the rear end of the catcher table. Thisshaft is j our. naled in bearings in the upper portions |55 of .pedestals |51. -One of the'supports referred to for the pedestals is numbered I 55 and the table baseisnumbered |55'. V h i A |50 is the reversible motor for driving-the conveyor chains throughj ajgear reducing set isi.

'shown in Figs. and located directly beneath Motri forV raising. and'lowering thetaiileasfv 25 extends through an opening in floor plate 204 the longitudinal center of the table. Its shaft is coupled to the high speed shaft of a worm reducer set |99. The low speed shaft |94 of the reducer set carries two crank arms |95 (one being shown in Fig. Motor |92 through reducer |93 `is adapted to raise and lower the catcher about its pivotal mounting and to cushion the downward movements thereof: I employ a mechanism comprising two spring devices 202-202.

These are positioned `beneath the channel side members of the frame between motor |92 and the gear reducer |93. Each of these comprises a tubular barrel 203 (Figs. and 21),` which of base |99 and is supported in place by means of a bracket 205 secured to the top of said plate.

Barrel 203 is provided with a telescopically arranged bottom member 206 which is held in place by rods 201. These rods projectthrough ears 209--209 which are welded to bracket member 205 as shown at 209. 'I'he telescopically arranged bottom member 206 is also provided with welded on ears 2|0-2i0 through which rods 201 pass.

The upper ends of rods 201 are threaded to reshown in Fig. 21 are positioned within barrel 203 and the sets are separated by a separator 2|4 i havingupper and-lower annular flanges respectively numbered 2|5 and 2I6. This separator has a loose fit in the inner bore of barrel 203 and is provided with a centrally arranged vent opening 2| 1. `The flanges 2|5 and 2|6 `hold the ends of the outer springs out of contact with the walls of the barrel. An annular top member 2| 9 having a downwardly extending annular ange 2|9 rests on the top of the upper set of springs and said flange prevents the top ends of the outer spring of the upper set from contacting with the inner wall of barrel 203. 4

A plunger 220 rests on the top of annular member2|9 and a plunger rod 22| pivotally con-` nected to the plunger by means of pin 222 has its upper end formed in the nature ofvan eye 223. This eye is pivotally secured within a bracket member 224 by means of a pin 225. The bracket member is bolted to one of the channel side members of the `table frame as shownin Fig. 20. A

`table operator at chair 20|.

Back stop The catcher table is provided with a back stop 230 which is under thecontrol of thecatcher This back stop is the same as the front stop of th'e feeder table which is shown in detail in Figs. 16 and 17. The operating means for the back stop 239 is the Vsame as that for the front stop of the feeder table and its operating shaft which corresponds to shaft |96. 'I'his shaft is connected to the shaft for lever 23| at chair 20| by means of

universal joints

232 and 233,

shaft sections

234 and 235 anda tubular expansible joint 239.

Middle stop 'Ihe catcher table is provided with a middle stop which is movable to different positions longitudinally of the table to accommodate the rolling of material of different lengths.

'I'his middle stop is shown in detail in Figs. 18 and 19. Two strips231 of plate material each provided with a series of aligned holes 239 are secured in place just inside of the conveyor chains and extend throughout that portion of the table within which it is desired to secure the middle stop. s

The middle stop comprises stop plate 239 `which is carried by two curved and spaced arms 240- 240 secured to a shaft 24|. The distance between the outside faces of arms 240 is slightly less than the distance between the inner edges of strips 231. Shaft 24| extends in opposite directions beyond the outer side faces of arms 240 and this bar is permitted to turn and is held in place by inverted U bolts or pins 242.

The assembly made up of shaft 24|. bracket arms 240 and stop member 239 may be adjusted to the desired position between the ends of strips 231 and anchored in place by placing U bolts or pins 242 over the extended ends of shaft 24|. The legs of these bolts or pins extend down through aligned pairs of openings 239 andthus hold the middle stop in the position desired.

The lower faces of bracket arms 240 rest upon the upper faces 243 of a pair of angles. The downwardly extending portions 244 of these angles are carried on the upper arms 245 of a pair of bell crank levers which are mounted on spaced shafts 246 which extend across the table beneath the upper deck thereof and are journaled within suitable bearings carried by the channel side members of the frame. The lower arms 241 of each pair "of bell crank levers are connected to a reciprocating actuating rod 249. These rods connect with the lower ends of levers 249 which are carried by a rod 250 which extends across the table and is journaled in suitable bearings carried by the channel side members of the frame. Shaft 250 by means of universal joints 25| and 252,

shaft sections

253 and 254 and tubular telescoping` coupling 255 connects with operating lever 255 at catcher table chair 20|.

When lever 256 is swung to the right (Fig. 25)

shaft 249 will be moved to the left (Figs. 18 and 19) and the angles which support bracket arms 240 will be lowered. 'I'his will allow stop member 239 to drop below the top surface of the conveyor'chains and out of the path of the material traversing the table.

The shuffling mechanism for the catcher table is identical with that of the feeder table and shaft 251 which is the operating shaft for the shuilling mechanism is connected with stub shaft 259 at catcher table chair 20|. This shaft carries an operating -lever 259 and is connected to operating shaft 251 by means of universal joints 260 and 26|, shaft sections 262 and 266 and an extensible coupling 264. The dotted line positions of lever 256 shown in Figure indicate, the levers extreme positions inv moving the side guards 265v of the shuiiling mechanism` toward and from the material on the chain conveyor.

1 A pair of feed rolls 266 are positioned `at the rear end of the catcher table for feeding the iinlshed sheets to the receiving table or other support. The

shafts

261 and 266 of said rolls are journaled in suitable bearings mounted for ver-- tical sliding movement within windows 266 in bracket members 210. These brackets are secured to the rear end of the table frame and the lower roll is driven by a motor 21| through drive chain 212.

'I'he pinch rolls are held in contact by means of springs 21'6 (one over each of the bearings of the upper roll) and the tension of these springs is adjusted by means of screws 214.

Means are provided for lining up the ends of the sheets delivered by the pinch rolls and this means comprises an aligning member 215 which 25 is mounted for oscillation on a shaft 216. This connected to a pin 260 carriedv by the aligning member. l

'Ihe operation ofthe pinch rolls and the aligner are under the control of the operator at chair 20 I.

chairs for controlling the operation of the chain conveyor of the feeder table. This chair will also be provided with a furnace door operating switch. As shown in Fig. 10, chair |61 for thefeeder table operator is in line with the shaft which carries the driving sprockets for the feeder table conveyor.

Chair 20| for the catcher table operator is in line with the shaft which carries the sprockets for the conveyor of the catcher table. This table is provided with a foot switch 262 for controlling the operation of the table lifting motor |62 and motor |60 which operates the chainconveyor for the catcher table. Chair 20| will also be provided with a starter button for the pinch rolls. 'I'he chairs face the mill and are raised a slight distance above the mill floor so that the operators can at all times see just what is going on and have complete control of all operations.

A rotatable shaft 263 driven by gearing (not shown) from shaft |64 of reducer |66 operates a limit switch 264. This switch will be connected up to the current supply for motor -I 62 and with magnetic brake 226 (Fig. 6) so that the current supply for motor |62 will be cut off when thetable reaches the limit of its upper position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, as well as when it reaches the limit of its down position. When the current supply is cut off, rotation of motor |62 will be stopped by magnetic brake 226.

As shown in Figs. 3 and4 11, shims 265 are placed between spacers 62 and side guides 14 at the rear end of the feeder table so that the side guides at thisv position are brought slightly closer togetherl for about two `to two and onehalf feet than throughout the remainder Yof their length. 'I'his permits the operator at the feeder tablechair |21 to pinch the back sheet bars on the chain conveyor and hold them while percontact member 2i6 against which Chair |31 is provided with a foot switch 26| mitting the front sheet bar, no matter where the v same is located, to be conveyed to the lower.

pass of the mill. In this way, the feeder'table operator can time the delivery of sheet bars to the mill. It is only at the rear end of the feeder table that the side guides are shimmed'.

Front stop |54 of the feeder tableis. used for matching the breakdowns and partially finished sheets, thus the breakdowns andpartially fin- -ished sheets issue from the upper pass of the mill, pass over this stop and fall onto the chain conveyor of the feeder table. When the conveyor is reversed, the conveyor carries the material up against the stop and in this way match ing of the sametakes place.

Middle stop 266 of the catcher table will be moved to the proper position to take care of the particular sheet barsbeing rolled. If narrow bars are being rolled, this stop will be adjusted` thus allowing the'sheets to be carried into the bite of the pinch rolls. 1

The tension of the nested coiled springs in barrel 206 may be adjusted by means of nuts 2li.

.The telescoping bottom member 206 permits the springs to be compressed as they become weakened without changing the position of annular plunger 220 bears. Y

Instead of having the operators chairs arranged so that the voperators face the mill,`it

the chairs may be arranged diagonally. Either` arrangement will allow the operators to watch the entire rolling procedure. When the chairs vare arranged as above suggested, it of course will each table, pivoted side guides for each table 1 so mounted as to be movable toward and from said conveyor, swinging stops for each table, an operators chair located on the mill-floor adjacent the rear of each table and at one side'thereof, levers at vsaid chair for loperating said stops and said side guides vand means operatively connecting said levers to said stops and` side guides; said levers beingso arranged that the operator, without-leaving his chair may operate -said stops and side guides.

v2. The 'combination in a-catcher table having a chain conveyor, of a pivotally mounted 'stop movableto' different positions lengthwise of vthe table, asu'pport for said stop extending lthroughout that portion of the table within whichsaid aligning the materialcarried by said'cnveyor,

front and yback stops for said table, av base upon which 'said' table and its operating motor and 76- gear set are mounted, jacks for supporting the forward end of said base, racking means for supporting the rear end of said base, whereby the table, said motor and said gear set may be moved as a unit, an operators chair located on the mill iloor adjacent the rear of said table and at one side thereof; operating levers at said chair for operating said stops and` said shufiling device and extensible connections between said levers and said stops and shuiiling device. l

'4. The combination with the chain conveyor of a material handling table for rolling mills, of side guides on opposite sides of said conveyor, pivotally mounted supports for said guides; the pivot points of said supports being locatedl below said conveyor, notched means extending outwardly on each side of said table a distance above said pivot points, supports mounted on said means and which carry said pivot points, means for locking said supports in different positions along said means to vary the normal distance between said `side guides and means for simultaneously operating said side guides.

5. 'I'he combination with the chain conveyor of a material handling table for rolling mills, of side guides on opposite sides of said conveyor, pivotally mounted supports for said side guides having their pivot points located below said conveyor, brackets carrying said pivotal mountings and which are adjustable to different positions laterally of said table, stops on said brackets for limiting the outward swinging movement of said side guide supports, springs for yieldingly holding said side guide supports in contact with said stops and means for simultaneously swinging said supports either toward or from said stops.

6. In a combined support and racking device for use in supporting one end of a mechanical table, a rack extending longitudinally beneath the table, a wear plate paralleling said rack, a shaft extending. transversely of the table below said rack and wear plate, supports within which said shaft is journaled, a gear carried by said shaft and meshing with said rack and a wear ring carried by said shaft and upon which said wear plate bears.

7. In a combined support and racking device for use in supporting one end of a mechanical table, a rack extending longitudinally beneath the table, a wear plate paralleling said rack, a shaft extending transversely of the table below said rack and wear plate, supports within which said shaft is journaled, a gear carried by said shaft and meshing with said rack, a. wear ring carried by said shaft and upon which said wear plate bears, and means for locking said shaft against movement.

8. In a combined support and racking means for use in supporting one end of a mechanical table, spaced racks extending longitudinally below the table, Wear plates paralleling said racks, a shaft extending transversely of the table beneath said racks and wear plates, supports Within which said shaft is journaled, gears carried by said shaft and meshing with said racks, wear rings carried by said shaft and upon which said wear plates rest and means for locking said shaft against rotation.v p

9. The combination with the frame side members and platform of a material handling table. of a chain conveyor comprising separated endless chains having their upper ilights mounted for movement above said platform, and a shuffling mechanism comprising spaced side guides located outside of the upper runs of said conveyor chains and extending above the same, support arms for said side guides hlngedto support members located below the table side members and which are movable to different positions laterally of the table, means for locking said support members in adjusted position and means for simultaneously rocking said support arms to move said side guides toward or from said conveyor.

' ROY J. LECKRONE.