US2276329A

US2276329A - Apparatus for conditioning metal bodies

Info

Publication number: US2276329A
Application number: US352042A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alfred J Miller; James H Bucknam; William C Weidner
Original assignee: Linde Air Products Co
Current assignee: Linde Air Products Co
Priority date: 1940-08-10
Filing date: 1940-08-10
Publication date: 1942-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1959-03-17

Description

March 17,` 1942. A, MlLLER gl-AL 2,276,329

APPARATUS FR CONDITIONING METAL BODIES Filed Aug.. l0, 1940 6 Sheecs--SheerI l o a o e n c. N) INVENTORS i q) AFefo f7/LEZ .7b/vas /x Back/v4 ATTORNEY March 17,Y 1942. A. Mit-Lw HAL APPARATUS FOR CONDI-TlONING METAL BODIES Filed Aug. l0, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1942. A. J. .MILLER ETAL 2,276,329

APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING METAL'BODIES Filed Aug. 10, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 yze ch 17, 1942. A. J. MILLER ETAL 2,276,329

APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING METAL BODIES I Filed Aug.. l0, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY March 17, 1942. A. J. MILLER ET AL APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING METAL BODIES Filed Aug. 1o, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 e @MM SEN@ Ruf/, Y O/ CW E .TNU N Nf w HN T mms@ T f A eff. Z QM March 17, 1942.

A. J. MILLER ETAL APPARATUs Foa CONDITIONING METAL BODIES Filed Aug. 1o, 1940 e sheets-sheet 6 ATTORNEY yPamesa Mar. 17, 1942' UNITED STATESv PATENT FFlcl:

APPARATUS FORl CONDITIONING METAL BODIES Alfred J. Miller, Garwood, James H. Bucknam Cranford, and William O. Weidner, Grantwood,

N. J., assignors to The Linde Air Products Company, a corporation of Ohio s Application August 1o, 1940, serial No. 352,042

(ci. 26e-23) 26 Claims.

This invention relates to-the art of conditioning surfaces of metal bodies and more particularly to apparatus for thermo-chemically removtioned; to-provide such apparatus which includes a raisingfand lowering mechanism-for supporting and maintaining the conditioning heads in ing a layer of metal from longitudinal surfaces of `a ferrous metal body such as a'lsteel bar. billet, bloom, slab, or the like and to apparatus for removing scale from such surfaces.

In the casting of steel ingots and during the hot rolling of steel, defects such as scale.' cracks, seams, and the like form on and in thesurface of a steel body and in turn cause imperfections in the nishedrolled products. In order to re-` i a steel shape of one particular cross-sectional size so that considerable time is lost whenever either .the width or the thickness of successive Vsteel shapes moving along the roll table changes.

The present invention provides a novel apparatus for thermo-chemically removing a layer of surface metal from a ferrous metal body, preferably while the body is at an elevated ternperature and moving along a roll table from one rolling operation to another and provides apparatus adaptable for eliminating scale from such a body. The conditioning or desurfacing units or heads are constructed and arranged so that bodies of diiferent transverse dimensions can be readily conditioned Without dismantling all or a portion of the apparatus. Thus, the present invention provides apparatus which can te readily used for conditioning or desurfacing operative positions adjacent such a body; .to prol vide a mechanismfor supporting and maintaining the'conditioning heads in an operativel'position adjacent the corresponding longitudinal surfaces and which includes means normally tending to urge such units toward the operative positions when displaced therefrom; to provide such apparatus which includes means for locking the conditioning heads in either the open and inoperative position or the closed Yand operativeposition; to provide such apparatus including a conditioning head for ,each longitudinal surface to be conditioned and means for adl justing the effective width of each head according to the exposed or operating width of the 'head and according to the transverse width of the corresponding longitudinal surface; and, to provide such an arrangement of blowpipe Vheads for conditioning at least two adjacent longitudinal surfaces of aferrous metal body that at least one of the heads maybe readily adjusted transversely relatively to one of the other heads to vary its exposed width according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface.

These and other objects and novelieatures of this invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

diflerent sizes of steel bodies such as are commonly produced by a steel mill.

Accordingly, the principal objects of this4 invention are to provide .improved apparatus for .surface conditioning all of the longitudinal surfaces of a. metal body at a single pass; to provide such apparatus particularly adapted for removing a layer of surface metal from longitudinal surfaces of successive ferrous metal bodies of different transverse dimensions; to provide l .such apparatus in which the conditioning heads are constructed and arranged so as to be readily adjustable according 'to the cross-sectional dimensions of the particular ,body being condi- Eig. 1 is -an isometric View of an exemplary slab desurfacing machine embodying the principles of the present invention and installed in a roll table such as is employed in a steel mill?.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the desurfacing machine of Fig. 1 with a portion brokenaway and with portions removed to more clearly disclose the construction;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine'of Fig. 1

with a portion broken away and with portions removed to more clearly show the construction;

Fig.. 4 isra front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the right-hand desurfacing unit with the covers removed and schematically showing the relation of the heads of the left-hand unit;

Fig. 5 is a. side view partially in section of the right-hand conditioning unit of Fig. 4 and with some parts removed more clearly to show the transversely slidable mounting means for this unit;

Fig, 6 is a fragmentary view of the heads arranged for desurfacing a slab having a smaller vertical or thickness dimension than the slab of Fig. 4:

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the heads arranged for desurfacing a slab of smaller transverse dimensions than the slab of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View of a desurfacing machine embodying the principles of the present invention and adapted for conditioning substantially square steel bodies in the diamond position; A l

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of an exemplary desurfacing machine embodying the principleslheads, similar to the heads of Fig..10, arranged for desurfacing a billet of Llarge cross-sectional dimensions; and,

` Fig. 13 is a fragmentary schematic view of the heads of Fig. 12 arranged for desur'facing abillet of smaller cross-sectional dimensions to iilustrate a slightly different method of adjusting the heads.

-Referring to the drawings and more 'particula'rly to` Figs. 1 to 7. a desurfacing machine A may be mounted on a'xed foundation for permanent installation in the roll table conveyor C such as is usually employed in steel mills for conveying metal bodies, but, the desurfacing machine A is preferably mounted on the motor-driven carriage W on the rails R for transverse movement into and out of alignment with the roll table C. The desurfacing machine is shown as being adapted for simultaneously desurfacing the four longitudinal surfaces of an elongated ferrous metal body such as a steel slab S, or the like. The slab S is supported on the rollers of the roll table C. The rollers 20 are mounted on axles which are connected' through suitable bevel gearing to one or more of the usual roll table motors| the gearing and the drive shaft and the drive motornot being shownin the interest ol' greater clarity in the drawings.. Thus, when the roll table motor is energized, the slab S is moved along the roll table C past or through the desurfacing machine A. A .frecly rotatable, idler roller I9 (Fig. 3) may be mounted on the carriage W for additionally supporting the slab when being conditioned. The right and left desurfacing units E and F are substantially similar and are each similarly supported by suitable linkage for independent vertical floating movement and for transverse floating movement in unison so that the units can readily follow warped or bent slabs to simultaneously desurface all four longitudinal surfaces at a single` pass.

Each unit E and F'includes two adjacent angularly disposed blowpipe heads which are so constructed and arranged that slabs of different cross-sectional sizes or dimensions may be readily, successively desurfaced. The constructionof the desurfacing units and the means for supporting them will later be described in detail.

The desurfacing units E and F are similar, the right-hand unit E being adapted` and positioned for desurfacing the right-hand and bottom longitudinal surfacesof the slab S and thedesurfacing unit F beingadapted to desurface the left-hand and top longitudinal surfaces of the slab S. The desurfacing unit E includes two

heads

22 and 23 for desurfacing the corresponding

longitudinal surfaces

25 and 26 of slab S, and the unit-F includes two

heads

28 and 29 for desurfacing the corresponding longitudinal surfaces 30 and 3l of the

slab S. Heads

22 and 28 and

heads

23 and 29 are similar and oppostely disposed. Actually, -the

heads

23 and 29 may each comprise .l0 one 'or more separate, similar sub-units but these sub-units are maintained in fixed alignment and in eiectform single heads and, accordingly, the

heads

23 and 29 will be referred to as single heads. Each of the heads includes at @l5 least one nozzle block 33 (Fig. 3) which is adaptedto operatively receive a row of nozzles 34and a nozzle protecting shoe 35 which entirely encloses the nozzles 34 except for the outlet ends thereof. Each nozzle 34 contains a central passage terminating in arelatively large discharge orifice for discharging a relatively voluminousstream of oxidizing gas such as oxygen, and contains one or more substantially parallel gas passages for a combustible gas mixture, such as a .mixture of oxygen and acetylene, such combustible gas forming one or more high temper.

ature preheating names.v y

- All of the nozzles of any one of the heads arc so positioned and spaced as to apply a substantially sheet-like stream of oxygen of substantially uniform thickness at an acute angle against a relatively narrow transverse zone extending at least substantially across the corresponding longitudinal surface of the slab S, and to apply, if desirable, a row of high temperature preheating names against such surface to heat a portlon'of the surface metal to the oxygen ignition temperature and/or to aid in maintaining the cut and more efficiently removing surface metal from the slab when the slab is moved relatively `supply oxygen to the oxygen passage of each of the nozzles 94 therein and to separately supply a combustible gas mixture to the preheat pasthereto and,A to prevent excessive abrasion or wearing away of the shoe, a layer of abrasionresistant metal 36 may be deposited on the surface of each shoe that slidingly engages the slab. The

heads

22, 23, 28, and 29 may be any suitable type and may be the same as or similar to the described in the copending t United States application, Serial No. 334,510, filed May 11, 1940, by A. M. Keller, J. H. Bucknam, and A. J. Miller.

On the carriage W there are two similar right and left-hand columns 38 and on each of these columns at 39, there is pivotally mounted by means of suitable pillow blocks one end of a link 40. A plate or back link 4| is pivotally connected at each end to an outer end of one of the links 40. The two links 40 and plate 4| form av parallelogram linkage and plate 4I can float or move horizontally. A pair of upper and lower links 42 are each pivotally mounted at one end to the plate 4I as at 43 and, a similar pair of links 44 are pivotally connected as at 45 to the plate 4 I. A plate 41 is pivotally connected to the outer ends of the links 4'2 and a similar plate 48 is connected to the outer ends of the links 44. The links 42 and plate 41 form a parallelogram linkage and plate 41 can oat independently vertically and can oathorizontally in unison with the plate 4I and similarly, the links 44 and plate 48 form a parallelogram linkage andvplate 48 can oat independently vertically and can iioat horizontally with back plate 4|. Thus, the

plates

41 and 48 can independently oat or move vertically and can float or move horizontally in unison. Themovement of

plates

41 and 48 is confined substantially but not entirely within a vertical transverse plane relative to the longitudinal axis of the slab S. The previously described linkage for supporting the desurfacing units is similar to the linkage described inthe United States Patent No. 2,210,921 to HJW. Jones, J. H. Bucknam, and E. A. Doyle. 'J

On each of the

similar plates

41 and 48 ther is formed upper and lower ways 49 in which is horizontally slidingly mounted a plate 50. -On each plate 50 there are formed or attached two outwardly extending supporting pins 5| and 52 on which is removably mounted either the right or left-hand carrier-

plate

53 or 54. On the righthand carrier plate 53 there is mounted the rightj hand desurfacing unit E and, the left-hand de,- .surfacing unit F is mounted on the left carrier plate` 54. Anai'r or hydraulic cylinder 55 is resiliently attached to each of the plates 41 -and 48 by means which is more fully described -later and the piston rod 56 of each cylinder 55 is connected to the corresponding carrier plate 58. Thus', when air or uid is admitted under pressure to the head ends of the cylinders 55, the units E and F are moved horizontally toward each other and toward the slab S and, when air or fluid is admitted under pressure to the rod lends of the cylinders 55, the units E and F are moved horizontally apart and away from the slab S.

Across theJtop of the columns 38 there isa box-like housing 58 which may be preferably cooled by means such as a water spray, not shown and in one end of which is pivotally mounted at 59 a lever 60. The inner end of the lever 60 is connected by means of a cable 6| to the floating plate 41 and the outer end of the lever 60 is pivotally connected to the upper end o f the piston rod 82 of the hydraulic or air cylinder S3 pivotally mounted in the right-hand co1- -umn 38. 'When air or fiuid under pressure is admitted to the top or rod end of cylinders B3, the unit E is raised vertically toward the slab S, andwhen the air or iiuid pressure in the rod end of cylinder B3 is relieved the unit E is lowered by gravity. Also, in the housing 58, there is pivotally mounted at 6B a lever 89. 'I'he inner end of lever 69 is connected to the iioating plate 48 by means of a'cable 10 and, the outer end of lever 69 is connected to the upper end of a piston rod 1| of an air or hydraulic cylinderf12 piv- :12, the weight of the unit F can be partially counter-balanced so that the pressure of head 29 against the longitudinal surface 3| is the desired pressure. Additionally, the` cylinders 55 may urge the

heads

22 and 28 against the corresponding

longitudinal surfaces

25 and 38 at a. predetermined pressure. Thus, each of the four heads otally mounted in the left-hand column 38.-

When fluid or arunder pressure is admitted to the rod end o f cylinder 12, the unit F lsraised away from the slab S and when the pressure in can be supported in operative position adjacent its corresponding longitudinal surfaces. of slab S and can be urged toward such surface at a predetermined pressure.

The four heads 22, 23,28, and 29 are so constructed and arranged that the heads may readily be positioned to successively d esurface slabs of diierent cross-sectional dimensions or retained in position tosuccessively desurface slabsof the same cross-sectional dimensions. lxedly attached by bolts or other suitable mea-ns to the carrier-plate 53 and the head 22 is movably or adjustably attached to the carrier plate 53. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, thev head 22 is attached to a plate 14 and, three similar bolts 13 extend through the elongated vertical slots 15 formed in the plate 14 andv threaded- 1y engage the carrier plate 53 to movably attach the-slide plate 14 to the carrier plate. A lead screw 16 is rotatably mounted in the carrier plate c at 11 by means of the two collars 18 and the screw 16 threadedly engages the slide plate 14 at 19. Thus, when tl'iescrew 16 is'turned the head.

22 is moved vertically and parallel to and transversely ,of the surface 25. The head 29 is iixedly attached to the left-hand carrier' plate 54 and head 28 lisslidably attached to the carrier plate 54 for vertical movement by means of a lead screw similar1 to the Lway the head 22 is mounted on plate 53 and is vertically movable by means of screw 16.

When the heads are in operative positions adjacent the corresponding longitudinal surfaces of theslab S, similar end 82 of each head is positioned substantially fiush with. the edge of the corresponding longitudinal surface and-the end 82 is positioned inside of the adjacent head so that each head may be adjusted transversely of and parallel to its corresponding surface without interference between any of the heads. Each head is as wide as the widest surface to be desurfaced and the

heads

22 and 28 are as -wide as the vertical thickness of the largest slabk to be desurfaced and the

heads

23 and 29 are as wide as the horizontal width of the largest slab to be desurfaced. When such largest slab is being desurfaced the full width of each Vhead is exposed as shown in Fig. 4, but, when a smaller slab is to be desurfaced, the exposed width of each head is less as more clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

By means of the screws 16, the exposed widths of the

heads

22 and 28 can be readily and similarly adjusted to be equal to the verticalfthickness of the slab as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and the distance between the

heads

23 and 29 can be varied according to the exposed widths of the other two heads by means of the cylinders G3 and 12. The minimum distance between the heads `22 and 28 and the exposed width of each of the

heads

23 and 29 can be adjusted by means the rod end is released vthe unit F is lowered toward the slab S by gravity.

By admitting uid or air at a predetermined pressure into the rod end of cylinder 63 the Vpressure of the head 23 upwardly against the bottom longitudinal surface 26 .can be accurately maintained. Similarly, by maintaining a predetermined lower pressure in the rod end of cylinder of an adjustable stop. In each of the

carrier plates

53 and 54 there is a threaded bolt 8|, each inclers 55 resiliently urge the

heads

22 and 28 toward the slab and after the bolts 8| have been correctly adjusted the exposed widths of the top and bottom heads 29 and 23 vary according to the horizontal width of the slab. When desurfacing a slab, the four heads always enclose an area of substantially the same dimensions as the cross-sectional area of the slab.

To successively desuriace slabs of different cross-sectional dimensions, each head must be so positioned thatv a similar end of each head is inside of the head adjacent such end. and, each head must be adjustable in a direction parallel to and transversely of the corresponding longitudinal surface. rectangular slabs may be desurfaced by increasing the number of heads. heads could be arranged in an anti-clockwise direction instead of a clockwise direction-as shown. Each unit E and F includes means for varying the effective Width of each head or the width of each oxygen stream and the width of the row of preheating flames according to the exposed width lof eachhead. Each unit is similar andonly unit E will be described in detail. Onthe carrier plate 5.3 there is mounted a relatively large cutting or desurfacing oxygen header 86 which f equal in number to the nozzles in the head 23.

Each length of tubing communicates through a valve 89 with the head 86 for separately supplying oxygen to the central passage of a corresponding nozzle 34; Also connected to the head ,23 are a number of lengths of supply tubing 8 0 for separately supplying a combustible gas mix- Slabs other than four-sided,

V', each containing suitable valves and pressure regulators for controlling the gas and water supply and for maintaining the gases at the desired .predetermined pressure.

.limited movement to absorb shocks and prevent damage to the desurfacing units. The right-hand cylinder 55 is pivotally connected at its rear end -to an arm 99 which is pivotally connected at |80 to the plate 41. To the opposite end 'of the arm 99' there is connected a clevis attached to or formed on the end of a rod |0I which extends through a portion |02 Vformed on or a part of Additionally, the

plate 41. On the threaded outer end of rod |92 there is a nut |03 and a washer |04. The compressed spring |06 is contlned on the rod |0| between the washer |04 and the portion |02. The spring |06 is preloaded so as to normally urge the arm 99 and the cylinder 55, toward the left as far as the arm 99 is movable. Thus, pressure or shock applied against the head 22 by the slab S will move the desuri'acing unit E toward the right against the action of spring |06. The left-` hand cylinder is similarly resiliently connected Thus. both desurfacing units E and F have limited, resilient transverse movement.

As has been previously pointed out, the iluid or. air pressure in the

cylinders

63 and 12 is such. that the

heads

23 and 29 exert a pressure against the bottom and top surfaces of the slab S. Thus when desurfacing a slab on the flat as shown.

the units E and F can be moved vertically toward \ture toeach of the nozzles, and each lengthl of tubing 90 communicates with a gas mixer 9|.

supply and header 95 separately communicates f through a valve 96 and a length of tubing 91 with each of the mixers 9|. Thus, by means or the oxygen valves 89 and the preheat gas valves 93 and 96 any number of the nozzles may be individually blank-off, to vary the effective width of the head, i. e., effective width of the composite sheet-like oxygen stream and the width of the zone across which the preheat flames extend. The gas supply for each of the nozzles of the head 22 is similarly controlled, and the gas supply `for each of the nozzles in the

heads

28 and 29 is similarly controlled.

' A length of tubing |25 communicates with a source of water supply and is connected to the head 23 for supplying cooling liquid, such as water, thereto. A length of tubing |26 communicates with

heads

23 and 22 and after the water flows through

head

2,3, it flows through head 22 and through the outlet tubing |21 to a drain, not

' supply and are so positioned as to spray Water over the gas supply tubes and the mixers of

heads

22 and 23.. The heads and gas supply tubes of unit F are similarly prevented from overheating.

The main gas and water supply hoses |29 of Fig. 1 communicate with control columns V and each other, or'moved vertically 'and horizontally toward each other, on'y when the slab is in`posi tion to limit the vertical movement of the units. Each

head

23 and 29 has formed thereon or attached thereto an outwardly projecting iinger |24 so-that the units will be certain to engage the slab S when moved toward it.

This desurfacing machine may be readily adapted for desurfacing ferrous metal bodies in the diamond position by substituting Y-shaped carrier plates as shown more particularly in Fig.

8 and which will be described later in more detail. When desurfacing a body in the diamond position, it is necessary that the units be normally maintained at the .desired level and accordingly, the previously described counterbalancing mechanism of Fig. 2 is provided with the steadying or centering means which causes the desurfaclng units to each normally float substantially at the desired level. This centering means is only essential Whendesurfacing a body in the diamond position and is so constructed and arranged that when desurfacing a body in the fiat position, as shown in Fig. 2, the units E and F would be normally maintained at such a level that the

heads

23 and 29 would contact or almost contact each other, if the slab S did not interfere.

Thus, in the following description of the centerlng means, the movement of 'the units E and F will be described when the units are adapted to desurface a body in the diamond position. In the housing 58, on the right-hand lever 60, there is formed an upwardly extending portion having a pin |09 therein engaging an elongated slot |09 formed in a clevis |I0 attached to or formed on the end of a rod The rod extends through a collar ||2 pivotally mounted in the I III, and normally urges rod III toward the rightas shown in Fig. 2. When the desurfacing unit E is in the lowered position, the spring I|3 is fully compressed and when air or uid under pressure is admitted to the rod end of the lifting cylinder 63, the spring I I3 aids in lifting the unit E toward the slab S. 'I'he spring II3 is so proportioned as to only aid in lifting the unit E until the heads are substantially at a normal operative level. The pressure in the head end of the cylinder 63 is not enough to lift the right-hand desurfacing unit without the aid of tne spring H3. Thus, if desurfacing unit E is displaced upwardly. gravity tends to restore it to the normal level and if displaced downwardly, the spring H3 aids in raising it to its normal position. By means of the.

nut H4, the tension of spring H3 can readily be adjusted to vary the normal or 'oating level of the unit E. y

On the lever 69 there is formed an upwardly extending portion having a pin IIB therein .engaging an elongated slot in the clevi's II1 formed on or attached to one en'd of the rod IIB. 'Ihe rod H8 extends through a member II9 andyhas a nut threaded on its outer end for confining a spring I2I on the rod, between the nut I2IJ and member H9. The spring I2I normally urges the rod II8 toward the right. When the desurfacing unit F is in the raised position, the spring I2I is compressed and when the pressure in the rod end of cylinder 12 is lowered to apredeterexposed widths of these heads according to the widths of the corresponding surfaces and 30, respectively. The cylinders 55 resiliently urge each unit E and F toward the slab so that the surface 3|, respectively. It will be seen that the shoes of the blowpipe heads in their operative Y positions always cooperate to form the four sides of the border of a rectangular passage through' which the elongated metal body is propelled. Withthis construction and arrangement of the heads; different sizes oi bodies can readily, successively be desurfaced without laboriously mounting different heads and shutting down and dismantling the machine.

, The desurfacing/machine of Figs. l to 7, inclusive, may be 'operated by any suitable means but is preferably operated through a remote control system such as or similar to the control system shown in the United States Patent No.

mined pressure, the desurfacing unit F is lowered toward the slab S by gravity and the force of spring I2I until counterbalanced by the cylinder 12. By selecting the lcorrect pressure for the rod end of cylinder 'I2 and by correctly Varying the tension of spring I2I by means of nut |20 the desurfacing unit F can be maintained at the desired level during the desurfacing operation. If the unit F isldisplaced upwardly by the slab, the

spring I2I is compressed to urge the desurfacing unit downwardly toward its normal position. If the desurfacing unit F isdisplaced downwardly below the desired level, the spring I2! exerts no force and the cylinder l2 will urge .the desurfacing unit upwardly toward its normal position. Ifl

the springs II3 and I2I or someother suitable similar acting means Awas not employed, the counter-balanced desurfacing units E and F would not return to their normal positions when displaced therefrom.

This centering means is so constructed and ar' 2,244,822- to J. H. Bucknam. In general, this machine is operated in the usual manner. The slab S is moved along the roll table until the starting end is in position, the roll table is then stopped and the units E and F are moved toward the slab and the preheating flames are turned on to heat a starting zone to the ignition' temperature. If the slab is at a high enough tem- Y perature, it is not necessary to employ such preheating flames, or, other'means such as an electric arc may be used for preheating an initial portion, but generally it is desirable to use such preheating llames for starting the out and for aiding in maintaining the desurfacing reaction.

After a portion ofthe slab has been heated to' the ignition temperature, cutting oxygen is turned on and simultaneously the roll table motor is energized to cause the slab to move along the roll table past the desurfacing heads to progressively desurface all four longitudinal surfaces ofu the slab.

When a slab having diierent cross-sectional dimensions is to be desurfaced, the operator must adJust the heads as previously described and by means of the adjusting screws 1B, adjusts each of the

heads

22 and 28 vertically until the exposed widths of each head is equal to the vertical thickness of the slab andthen by means of the corresponding

valves

89, 93, and 95, the gas supply `for part of the nozzles of these side heads is either turned completely off or on to vary the positions adjacent the slab as shown in Fig.v 1,

the heads are substantially coplanar, i. e. the fronts of all the heads vare substantially in the same transverse plane, and each of the coplanar heads 22, 23, 2B, and 29 is maintained adjacent width of the composite preheating and desurfacing oxygen streams according to the exposed width of these heads. By means of the adjusting screws dl, theoperator .can quickly adjust the minimum distance between the

heads

28 and 22 when in the closed position and the exposed width of

heads

29 and 23 according to the horizontal width of the slab. Also by means of the gas-controlling valves, the effective widths of the

heads

29 and 23 are correspondingly adjusted according to the exposed Widths o'f these heads. Such adjustment of the heads only takes a relatively short time and after adjustment, the four heads when in the closed operative position enclose an area of substantially the'same dimensions as Vthe cross section of the slab to be desurfaced and each longitudinal surface of the slab is conditioned at a lsingle pass.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 8, is similar to the machine shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and is adapted for desurfacing substantially square bodies such as steel bars, billets, and the like when such bodies are in the so-called diamond position, with all longitudinal surfaces at a transverse angle of 45 relative to either a horizontal or vertical plane. Portions of apparatus have been broken away and the gas supplying pipes and tubing and other minor portions of the apparatus have been removed to more clearly disclose the structure.

The desurfacing units E' and F are 'similar to the units E and F and are similarly mounted. As the lsupporting linkage for the units'E'fand F' is the same as for units E and F such supporting linkage will not be again described. The heads |3|, |32, |33, and |34 are similar to and are mounted substantially the same as the'heads 22, 23, 28, and'26 respectively. The heads |32 and |34 are xedly mounted-on the respective Y-shaped carrier plates |35 and |36 of units E' and F and the heads |3| and |33 are slidably mounted on the respective carrier plates |35 and |36. Each head |3| and |33 may be adjusted transverselyof and parallel to the correspondingly longitudinal surfaceof the bar B by means of the respective adjusting screws |31 and |31' similar to the wayheads 22 and 23 can be adjusted. The heads of Fig. 8are'each inclined at an angle of 45, relatively to either ahorizontal or vertical. When the units E' and F' are in the operative positions adjacent the bar B, each of ing longitudinal surface irrespective of the crosssectional dimensions of the steel body and the heads enclose an area of substantially-thesame dimensions as the dimensions of the cross-sectional area of the bar B.' The heads are so constructed and arranged that the .machine may be quickly adapted for desurfacing bodies of different cross-sectional dimension. While these heads are shown as being arranged for desurfacing a square body such as a bar B, they can-be engaging the elongated slot of the clevis |49 I the heads is maintained adjacent a' correspondend of lever |38 is connected to an upper end of a piston rod of a pivotally mounted, counterbalancing cylinder in the right-hand column of the machine. The inner end of the lever |38Ais connected by means of a cable to the right-hand desurfacing unit E and when air or liquid under pressure is admitted to the rod end of the counterbalancing cylinder, the unit is raised and whenthis pressure is lowered or released, the unit is lowered by gravity. 'I'he upwardly extending portion of lever |38 contains a pin |39 engaging a slot in the clevis |40 formed on or attached to the rod |4| which extends through the pivotally mounted collar |42. On the outer end of the rod |4| there is threaded a nut or an adjustable collar |43 and, a spring |44 is confined on the rod |4| by means of the nut |43 and the collar |42. With the unit E in the lowered position,

. air or fluid may be admitted to the rod end of placed upwardly from the operative position,

gravity and spring |44 tend to lower the unit to the unit upwardly to its normal level.

` A spring |52 is confined on the rod |50 between The machine shownin Fig. 8 can readily be adapted for desurfacing a body in the at position by changing the carrier plates and heads. It has been found in practice that the centering means is not entirely satisfactory when desurfacing on the flat as the springs |44 and |52 so tend to decrease the pressure exerted by the bottom fand top heads against the body that the desurfacing units do not always follow the body when it is slightly irregular. Accordingly, when desurfacing on the at the centering vmeans is preferably disconnected by removing pins |39 and |48. It has been found in practice that the centering means of Fig. 8 is preferable, as compared to the centering means of Fig. 2, when desurfacing on the diamond.

, The desurfacing machine shown in Fig. 8 can be readily adjusted for successively desurfacing bodies of different cross-sectional dimensions and the means for adjusting the heads is substantially the same as the means for adjusting the heads of the machine shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 8 the heads are positioned for desurfacing a bar B of a smaller cross section than the heads can be adapted for desurfacing. The heads |3| and |33 can be moved transversely of and parallel to the corresponding vlongitudinal surfaces by means of the lead screws |38 and |39 to vary the exposed width of each of the heads |3| and |33 according to the transverse width `of the corresponding longitudinal surface. 'I'he heads |32 and |34 can be adjusted transversely of and parallel to the corresponding longitudinal surfaces by adjusting the units E' and F horizontally to vary the exposed width of each of the heads |32 and |34 according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surfaces. A similar end of each of the heads is alwaysl inside of the work-contacting surface of the head adjacent thereto and each head includes valve means for varyingthe effective width of thehead according to the exposed width of the head and according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface.

The method of operating the Amachine of Fig. 8 is substantially the same as the method of operating the machine. of Fig. 1, except that, when desurfacing on the diamond, the units need not be moved vertically and only need to be moved horizontally toward or away yfrom the body.

When the apparatus of Fig. 8 is used for desury facing a body on the flat, the desurfacing units similar to the machine of Fig. 1 but more particularly adapted for conditioning 'steel bodies such as billets, and the like. The link mechanism for supporting the right and left-hand desurfacing units X and Y is similar to the linkage for sup'- porting the desurfacing units E and F of the machine of Fig. 1 and accordingly this mechanism is not again described in detail. Each of the units X-and Y may be individually raised and lowered by air or hydraulic cylinders mounted in the respective side columns similar to the way that the units 'E and F are raised and lowered. The mechanism for supporting and for raising and lowering the units X and Y is very similar to the mechanism described' in the previously mentioned copending application, Serial No. 145,480. The machine of Figs. 9 to 11 does not employ centering means but does include means for lockingV the desurfacing units in either the open position or the closed position.

|59, and |60 are similar to andare mounted in 2 the same manner as the

heads

22,23, 29, and 28 to successively desurface steel bodies such as billets having different cross-sectional dimensions or having the same cross-sectional dimensions.

When the desurfacing units are in the open or inoperative position as shown in Fig. l0 the roller |10engages the cam surface |1| as shown. When the desurfacing units X and Y are moved upwardly and downwardly, respectively, toward the billet to the closed or operative position, tongue |16 enters into the slot |15 and the vertical movement of the desurfacing units may continue until the inner `end of bolt |12 strikes the stop |13. Thus, by adjusting the bolt |12, the distance between the heads |56 and |59 may be readily adjusted. By admitting air or uid under pressure to the rod end of the cylinder |61 the bell crank |68 is urged in an anti-clockwise direction at face |11 of the portion |65 and as long as the pressure is maintained in thc rod end of the cylinder |61 the two desurfacing units are locked together and will move vertically and horizontally in unison. Each of thel desurfacing units X and Y is horizontally slidably mounted similar to the units E and F and, thus, units X and Y may be moved horizontally toward and away from each other and the billet D.

Preferably,'this machine is operated by means of one or more suitable controls located at a remote control 'point out of the zone of high' ternperature heat. When a billet having a different vertical thickness than the previously desurfaced billet is to be desurfaced, the operator must rst adjust the stop |12 to vary the distance between the top and bottom heads and must vertically adjust the heads |51 and |60 by means of screws |58 and |6| to vary the exposed widths of these heads according to the widths of the correspondingr/ longitudinal surfaces. Also the effective width of each of the heads must be correctly adjusted.` After these adjustments have been made, the roll table motor'is momentarily energized to move the billet to the starting position'so that i released so that unit X is raised and unit Y is lowered towards each other and the billet. As the units movetoward each other the tongue |16 engages the groove |15. This movement is limited by both the stop |12 and the billet or by the billet alone. vA finger |88 is formed on each of the heads |56 and |69 and vthese fingers strike the which time the roller |10 engages the lower sur- 75 billet even when the units are horizontally wide apart. The fingers |88 by engaging the billet cause the units X and Y to be maintained at the proper level. Alter the units have been moved vertically towards the billet, air or fluid is admitted to the rod end of the locking cylinder |61 to lock the units together and air or fluid is also admitted to the pneumatic means for moving the units-horizontally towards the billet. As a similar end cf each of the heads |51 and |60 is inside.

remove a layer of metal from the longitudinal surfaces. Y

After the billet has been desurfaced the oxygen may be turned off by either automatically or manually operable means and the units are un.- locked and moved apart to the open position as shown in Fig. 10 by either automatically or manually operable means. The preheating flames may be turned off by either automatically or manually operable means and preferably after the heads are partially retracted. If the next billet to be desurfaced is a different size the heads '|51 and |80 and the bolt |12 must be adjusted before desurfacing this next billet.

In each of the machines of Figs. 1, 8, and 9, the desurfacing units are separately mounted on horizontal, vertically-swingable links so that each unit moves vertically through a slighty arcuate path. As the bottom surface of the body is supported on the roll table rollers the level of the bottom surface is substantially constant regardless of the vertical thickness of the billet. Therefore, when the vertical thickness of successive bodies varies over a wide range, one of the units may move an undesirable distance fore or aft relative to the other unit and it is necessary to provide some compensating means to maintain all of the heads substantially coplanar, such as, mounting the top head so that it may be adjusted vertically for a short distance. may be accomplished by providing a plurality of threaded holes in the carrier plate so that the top head can be bolted to the carrier plate at the different desired levels.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 12 and 13, there is schematically shown a slightly different method of adjusting the heads'. The right-hand unit |80 is similar to and is supported in the same manner as the unit E of Fig. 1, that is, the bottom head |8| is fixedly attached to the carrier plate and the right-hand head |82 is adjustably attached to the carrier plate for vertical movement. The left-hand desurfacing unit |84 is supported inthe same manner as the unit F of Fig. l, but, the top head |85 is adjustably attached to the carrier plate for vertical movement and the left-hand head |86 is fixedly attached to l arranged for desurfacing a billet having smaller than maximum cross-sectional dimensions. In Fig. 13 the ,right-hand head |82 has been adjusted downwardly from its position as shown in Fig. 12 to shorten the exposed width of head |82 according to the vertical thickness of the billet. The top head |85 has also been adjusteddownwardly which in effect, varies the exposed width of the left-hand head |88 according vto the vertical thickness of the billet. The units |80 and |84 also have been adjusted horizontally toward each other to vary the exposed widths of the top and bottom headsA |85 and |8|, respectively.,

IFig. 12 is similar t0 Fig. 4 in that the full Width of each head is exposed and Fig. 13 is similar to Fig. 7 in that the exposedwidt-h of each head has been varied according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface. In both Figs. 4 and 13 the heads, in effect, have been moved toward a common center according to the crosssectional dimensions of the body to be desurfaced.

By vertically adjusting the top head as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the normal operating level of the left-hand desurfacing unit |84 remains substantially constant regardless of the vertical thickness of the billet and the normal omrating level of the right-hand unit |80 remains substantially constant as the billet is supported on the roll table. Accordingly, with this arrangement of heads an indefinite range of sizes may be desurfaced without causing either of the units to move vertically and the heads remain substan- For instance, the heads instead of being mountedtially coplanar at all times. If desirable the right-hand unit could be constructed similar to the left-hand unit, i.-e., the bottom head |8| could be adjustably attached to the carrier plate for vertical movement and the right-hand head |82 could be either adjustably or fixedly attached to the carrier plate, though vertical adjustment of the bottom head |8| would cause the level of the unit |80 to change.

In each of the machines of Figs. 1, 8, 9, and 12 the desurfacing heads are each in effect relatively adjustable transversely of and parallel to the corresponding longitudinal surface of the work body to vary the exposed width of each head according to the width of the corresponding surface and to maintain a similar end of each head substantially flush with an adjacent surface edge and inside of the head adjacent thereto so that the heads may in effect eachbe moved toward and away from a common center to vary the dimensions of the enclosed area according to the cross-sectional dimensions of the work body. Thus the heads are so adjustably supported and arranged that successive bodies of different crosssectional dimensions or of the same cross-sectional dimenslons can be equally as readily desurfaced.

Having described the invention in detail, it is obvious that alterations could be made in the apparatus by one skilled in the art. without departirig from the spirit or scope of this invention.

in pairs as shown and described could be separately, adjustably mounted for independent universal movement in a common transverse plane. Also, blowpipe heads could be adapted for applying heating flames only for conditioning the longitudinal surfaces by thermally removing scale therefrom.

What is claimedl is:

1. Apparatus for conditioning the longitudinal surfaces of .an elongated ferrous metal body comprisingl in combination a plurality of blowpipe heads equal in number to the longitudinal surfaces to be simultaneously conditioned, each head being-adapted to apply a gaseous stream against a corresponding longitudinalsurface; means for supporting and longitudinally propelling such a body; means for supporting said heads adjacent said bodywhen so propelled; means for adjusting.

. each of said heads transversely of and parallel to the corresponding longitudinal surface to maintain a similar end of each head substantially fiush with an adjacent surface edge land to vary the exposed width of each head according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface; means for adjusting said heads toward and away from the center of said'body'according to the cross-sectional dimensions of said body; and means for varying the eifective width of each head according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface.

2. Apparatus for conditioning all of the longitudinal surfaces of successive ferrous metal bodies ofv different cross-sectional dimensions comprising in combination a plurality of substantially coplanar blowpipe heads each being equal in width to the widest corresponding longitudinal surface to be conditioned and each being adapted to apply a gaseous stream against a corresponding longitudinal surface; means for supporting said heads adjacent said surfaces; means for adjusting each of said heads transversely. of the corresponding longitudinal surface to vary the exposed width of said head according to the aaivasao width` of said surface and toward and away from the center of such a body according to the crosssectional dimensions of said body; and means for eecting relative movement between said heads and said body longitudinally thereof.

3.'Apparatus for successively conditioning elongated ferrous metal bodies having dierent cross-sectional dimensions or having the same cross-sectional dimensions and comprising the combination of means for successively supporting 10 and longitudinally propelling such bodies; a plurality of substantially coplanar conditioning heads disposed adjacent corresponding longitudinal surfaces of such a body when so prepelled,

said heads being equal in number to the longi- 1g' i tudinal surfaces to be conditioned simultane-v ously, and each of said heads having a maximum eective Width substantially equal to the widest surface to be conditioned; mechanism for supporting and adjusting said heads transversely g@ with respect to said body to vary the exposed width of each head according to the width of. the corresponding surface of said body; and means for varying the effective width of each head according to the exposed width and accordgg ing to the width of said corresponding longitudinal surface.

4. Apparatus for desurfacing two or more adjacent longitudinal surfaces of a ferrous metal body at a single pass comprising the combination 3@ of a plurality of desurfacing heads equal innumber to said surfaces, said heads being each adapted to apply a. substantially sheet-like stream of oxidizing gas against a relatively narrow transverse zone extending substantially across the corgg responding longitudinal surface for thermochemical reaction with the surface metal; means for supporting said heads in desurfacing positions, said supporting means including adjusting devices arranged for adjusting each of said heads '4 0 transversely of its corresponding surface of the body to position a similar end of each head inside of the head next adjacent thereto and `for adjustingsaid heads toward and away from the center of said body according to the distance of 5 the corresponding surfaces from said center, said heads being so adjustably supported as to desurface ferrous metal bodies of successively different cross-sectional dimensions; and means for relatively moving said heads and said body longi- 5@ Y closing an area substantially equal to the crosssectional area of said body; means for supporting said heads in an operative position adjacent said body, said supporting means including mechanism for adjusting each head universally in a transverse plane relatively to the longitudinal 70 axis of said body to vary the area enclosed by said heads 'according to the cross-sectional area of said body.

6. In a machine for successively conditioning 'elongated metal bodies, a plurality of surface 75 conditioning heads equal in number to the longi-V tudinal surfaces of such a body and separately adapted to apply relatively wide gas streams against corresponding longitudinal surfaces of said body; means for supporting said heads in operative positions adjacent said corresponding surfaces; and means for separately adjusting each head and constructed and arranged to vary the exposed width of each head according to the width or" the corresponding longitudinal surface and to maintain la similar end of'each head positioned substantially iiush with the adjacent longitudinal edge of the corresponding longitudin al surface. f

7. In a desurfacing machine, a plurality of substantially coplanar desurfacing heads equal in number to the longitudinal surfaces of the ferrous metal body to be desurfaced, each such head being equal in width to the widest longitudinal surface of any such body to be desurfaced and adapted to apply an oxidizing gas stream against a 'transverse zone extending across such corresponding longitudinal surface; means for supporting said heads in operative positions ad-a jacent said corresponding longitudinal surfaces;

means for adjusting the width of the gas stream of each head according to the width of the oorresponding surface; means for adjusting each of said heads transversely and parallel to the corresponding longitudinal surface ofthe body to vary the exposed width of each head according to the width of such corresponding longitudinal surface.

8. Surface conditioning apparatus comprising means for supporting and longitudinally moving a ferrous metal body; a pair of conditioning heads for conditioning two adjacent. longitudinal'surfaces of said body, each 'of said heads being adapted to apply a gaseous stream'of variable width against a corresponding longitudinal surface of said body; means fo'r supporting said heads in an operative position adjacent said longitudinal surfaces for maintaining a similar end of each head substantially flush with a longitudinal edge of the corresponding surface, said heads being constructed and arranged to condition adjacent longitudinal surfaces of successive ferrous metal bodieshaving different or similar longitudinal surface widths.

9. In surface conditioning apparatusftwo conditioning heads adapted for simultaneously vconditioning adjacent corresponding longitudinal surfaces of a ferrous metal body; means for supporting said heads in an operative position adjacent said surfaces, said supporting means including mechanism for adjusting one'of said heads transversely of and parallel to its corresponding surface of the body to vary the exposed width of said last-mentioned head according to the width of such corresponding surface, and means for moving both of said heads transversely of said body to move the second of said heads transversely of and parallel to its corresponding longitudinal surface of the body to vary the ex- 5 posed width of said second head according to the width of said last-mentioned surface.

10. In a surface conditioning machine, a surface conditioning unit including a pair of ad- `iacent, angularly disposed heads, each head being adapted to apply a gaseous stream against a longitudinal surface of an elongated ferrous metal body; means for supporting said unit in an operative positionyadj'acent said longitudinal surfaces; means for effecting movement of oneof said heads transversely relatively to the other K of said heads for varying the exposed width of said movable head according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface; and means for effecting relative movement between said unit and said body longitudinally thereof.

11. `In a surface conditioning machine. a surface conditioning unit including a pair of adjacent, angularly disposed heads, each head being adapted to apply a gaseous stream against the corresponding longitudinal surface of an elongated ferrous metal body; means for supporting said unit in an operative position adjacent said longitudinal surfaces; means for effectingadjust- 'ment of at least one of said heads transversely relatively to the other of said heads for varying the exposed width of one of said heads according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface; and means for effecting movement of said unit transversely relatively to the longitudinal axis of said body for varying the exposed width of the other one of said heads according ton the. width of the other corresponding longitudinal surface, said heads being constructed and arranged so that the exposed width of each head can be varied according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface;- and means for effecting relative movement between said unit and said body longitudinally thereof.

12. In a surface conditioningmachine, a pair of angularly disposed surface conditioning heads adapted for conditioning two, adjacent corresponding longitudinal surfaces of a ferrous metal body; Supporting and adjusting means for supporting said heads in operative position adjacent said longitudinal surfaces and for maintaining lll distance between the opposite movable heads of said units according to the thickness of said billet therebetween.l

16. A machine for simultaneously conditioning the longitudinal surfaces of an elongated reciangular ferrous metal body comprising two pairs of blowpipe heads, each head being'adapted to apply a substantially sheet-like oxidizing gas stream against the corresponding longitudinal surface of said body; two plates for separately supporting each of said pairs of heads, one head of each of said pairs being iixedly attached to a corresponding one of said plates and the other head of each of said pairs being adjustably attached to said corresponding plate for movement parallel to and transversely of the corresponding ing the distance between said adjustable heads a similar end of each of said heads substantially flush with a similar edge of each of said surfaces,

` said heads and saidsupporting and adjusting means being' constructed and arranged to vary the exposed width of each of said heads according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface; and means for varying the effective operating widthv of each of said heads' according to the exposed width of each of said heads.

13. Apparatus for conditioning an elongated' each of which carries one of said units. said units including mechanism whereby one head of. each unit is movable transversely relatively to the other head of the same unit to vary the exposed width of said, movable head according to the width of the corresponding longitudinal surface;

`and mechanism for supporting and adjusting said carrier plates and said units transversely with.

respect to said body whereby said units are maintained in 'an operative position adjacent said body.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which said blowpipe units are so constructed andarranged that said blowpipe units may be adjusted transversely of said billet to adjust the distance according to the thickness of 'said body therebetween, wherebyV said heads are arranged and supported for varying the dimensions of the area enclosed according to the 'cross-sectional dimensions of said body.

17. Apparatus for thermally surface conditioning an elongated ferrous metal body which comprises two sets of conditioning heads; means connecting together the heads of each of said sets; means for separately moving each of said sets toward and away from said body; separate pneumatic means for counter-balancing each of said sets and associated mechanism;` and'sepanate spring means associated with each of said pneumatic means, one of said spring means acting to progressively decrease the effect of gravity when the corresponding set is displaced below a predetermined level for returning said set to said` level, and the other of said spring means pro. gressively increasing thc effect of .gravity when vthe corresponding set moves abovea predetersaid body; pneumatic means for partially counbetween opposite heads of each unit according to the thickness of said billet therebetween.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 in which the outer end of said movable head of each unit is inside of 'the inner face of the said other head of the opposite unit so that said units may be adjusted transversely of said billet to adjust the ter-.balancing said unit; a centering spring associated with said pneumatic means, said spring being so connected to said unit that when said unit is displaced below a predetermined level said spring aids in raising said unit to said level and whenV said unit 'is -displaced above said level said spring has no effect and gravity urges said saidbody; Dneumatic'means for over counter-` balancing said unit; a centering spring associated with said pneumatic means, said spring being so connected to said unit that when said unit is displaced above a predetermined level said spring aids the force of gravity in lowering said unit to said level and when said unit is displaced below said level said spring has no effect and said pneumatic means urges said unit upward toward said level.

20. In apparatus for conditioning a ferrous metal body, the combination comprising two pairs of blowpipe heads; a member separately supporting each pair of heads,-each of said pairs being movable horizontally along the corresponding one of said members; and means for separately moving each of said pairs horizontally along said corresponding member and for resiliently urging said'pairs toward said body, each of said moving means including an arm pivotally mounted on said member and resiliently movable a limited 'distance away from said body, and

power-actuated means connected to said arm and one of said pair of heads, said arm providing means whereby the corresponding pair of heads may move a limited distance away from the normal position of said body against the action of said power-actuated means.

2l. Apparatus for conditioning longitudinal surfaces of a ferrous metal body comprising in combination means for supporting and propelling such a body; a pair of conditioning unitsV each including at least cne blowpipe head; means u for movably supporting each of said units adjacent sad body and including mechanism for moving each of said units toward and away from said body; locking means adapted to connect said units together for movement in unison when said units are moved to operating positions adjacent `said body; and means for actuating said locking means to lock said heads together in the operating position and to unlock said heads when moved .lo the non-operating position.

22. Apparatus for conditioning an elongated,

rectangular, ferrous metal body comprising :means for supporting and longitudinally propelling such a body; two blowpipe units, each adapted to condition two adjacent longitudinal surfaces of said body; a member for supporting each of said units; means for separately moving each of said units horizontally along one of said members toward and away from said body; means for moving said units and members vertically toward and away from said body; and locking means adaptedto connect said members for vertical' movement in unison when said members are moved vertically toward said body and each other a predetermined distance.

23. Apparatus for conditioning an elongated,

rectangular, ferrous metal body in the flat position, comprising in combination two pairs of blowpipe heads; a carrier plate connecting together one of said pair of heads and maintaining the heads thereon positioned for applying gas streams against and along the bottom and one longitudinal side of said body; a second carrier plate connecting together the other of said 'pair of heads and maintaining the heads thereon positioned for conditioning the top and the other longitudinal side of said body; two members each supporting one of said carrier plates for horizontal movementtoward and away from said body; means for separately vertically moving each of said members and its associated mechanism toward and away from said body; a vertically grooved member associated with one of said supporting members; a tongued member associated with the other of said supporting members, said grooved and tongued members being adapted to engage each other when said supporting mem-v ing means adapted for locking said tongue and grooved members together so that said supporting members move vertically in unison only when in the closed position.

24. Apparatus for simultaneously thermochemically conditioning all four longitudinal surfaces of each of a succession of elongated metal bodies, all of such bodies being of rectangular cross-section but some of such bodies having cross-sectional sizes which differ within wide limits from the 'cross-sectional sizes of others of such bodies, such apparatus comprising, in combination, a group of four blowpipe nozzle means having shoes respectively forming the four sides of the border of a rectangular passage, said nozzle means being constructed and arranged to simultaneously discharge wide streams cf surface v.conditioning medium against :uch four surfaces along a zone on and extending entirely around the rectangular periphery of a metal body propelled through said rectangular passage and engaged by said shoes, at. least one of said nozzle means including the shoe thereof, constituting one of said four sides, being adjustable relatively to the other nozzle means and shoes of said group to change the cross-sectional size ofv said rectangular passage within such limits; and adjusting means for changing the position of at least one of said nozzle means and the shoe thereof, relatively to the other nozzle means and shoes of said group to form any selected one of a plurality of rectangular passages of different crosssectional sizes within said limits and thereby arrange said group of nozzle means tosimultaneously discharge wide streams of such medium against the four longitudinal surfaces. of any selected one of a plurality of metal bodies of different cross-sectional sizes within such limits and similarly propelled through such passage.

25. Apparatus for simultaneously thermochemically conditioning all four longitudinal surfaces of each of a succession of elongated metal bodies, all of such bodies being of rectangular cross-section but some of such bodies having cross-sectional sizes which differ Within wide limits from the cross-sectional sizes of others of such bodies, such apparatus comprising, in combination, a group of four blowpipe nozzle means having shoes respectively forming the four sides of the border of a rectangular passage, said noz.

zle means being constructed and arranged to simultaneously discharge wide streams of surface conditioning medium against such four surfaces along a zone on and extending entirely around the rectangular periphery of a metal body propelled through said rectangular passage and engaged Aby said shoes, at least one of said nozzle means including the shoe thereof, constituting one of said four sides, being adjustable relatively to the other nozzle means and shoes of said group to change the cross-sectional size of said rectangular passage within such limits; adjusting means for changing the position of at least one charge wide streams of such medium against the four longitudinal surfaces of any selected one of a plurality of metal bodies of different cross-sectional sizes within such limits and similarly propelled through such passage; and movable supporting means for said group of nozzle means and the shoes thereof, said supporting means being freely movable in any direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of propulsion of such metal bodies, whereby warps, twists and other irregular portions along a metal body propelled through such passage in engagement with such shoes will automatically actuate such supporting means to maintain the positions of such nozzle means substantially uniform rela- Y tively to said longitudinal surfaces throughout substantially the entire length of such surfaces.

26. Apparatus for simultaneously thermochemically conditioning all four longitudinal surfaces of each of a succession of -elongated ferrous metal, all of suchbodies being of rectangular cross-section but the cross-sectional sizes of some of such bodies differing considerably and within wide limits from the cross-sectional sizes of others of suchbodies, such apparatus comprising, in combination, a lgroup of four blowpipe nozzle means respectively forming the four sides of the border of a rectangular passage and constructed and arranged to simultaneously discharge wide I streams of oxidizing gasv against such four surfaces along .a zone on and extending entirely tangular passage within such limits; adjusting*A means for changing the position of at least one of said nozzle meansvrelatively to the other nozzle means of said group to form any selected one of a plurality of rectangular passages of different cross-sectional sizes within said limits and thereby arrange said group of nozzle means to simultaneously discharge wide gas streams against the four longitudinal surfaces of` any selected one of a plurality of metal bodies of different crosssectional sizes within such limits and similarly propelled through such passage; and means operable to change the effective widths of atleast two of such gas streams to correlate'the Widths of all four of said gas streams to the cross-sectional dimensions of such selected passage and to the cross-sectional size of .the metal body undergoing conditioning.

ALFRED J. MILLER. JAMES H. BUCKNAM. WILLIAM C. WEIDNER.

"ile