US2765896A - Approach table, apron and kick-off - Google Patents

Description

Get. 9, 1956 Filed June 11, 1951 E. T. PETERSON 2,765,896 APPROACH TABLE. APRON AND KICK-OFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Edward TJefe won 1955 E. T. PETERSON APPROACH TABLE}. APRON AND KICK-OFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11 1951 Adm lllll Get. 9, 1956 E. T. PETERSON 2,765,896

APPROACH TABLE. APRON AND KICK-OFF Filed June 11 1951- 5 SheetsSheet 3 1 INVETOR Edward [Peterson 0d. 9, 1956 T. PETERSON APPROACH TABLE. APRON AND KICK-OFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 11 1951 I VENTOR raf Zfleiersan.

Oct. 9, 1956 PETERSON 2,765,896

APPROACH TABLE. APRON AND KICK-OFF Filed June ll, 1951 5 Sheets-shew 5 INVENTOR Edward T. Pe If e a ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,7 65,896 APPROACH TABLE, APRON AND KICK-OFF Edward T. Peterson, Reading, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Birdsboro Steel Foundry and Machine Company, Birdsboro, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application June 11, 1951, Serial No. 230,894 1 Claim. (Cl. 198-24) The present invention relates to approach tables for rolling mills, and particularly to the construction of the aprons, the plunger lift mechanism and the kick-offs therefor.

A purpose of the invention is to permit the handling of two strands of stock on a single cooling bed, thus avoiding the necessity for using a double cooling bed.

A further purpose is to permit two strands to be handled simultaneously or substantially simultaneously in the same approach table mechanism by providing two sets of approach table rolls with aprons and kick-offs which discharge to the same cooling bed.

A further purpose is to provide apron bars from the apron of an upper set of approach table rolls which extend over the path of the stock or over a lower set of approach table rolls and permissibly also over the straightening notch in the apron of a lower approach table.

A further purpose is to provide apron bars for the apron of an upper approach table which may alternately carry the stock into the straightening notch of the apron of a lower approach table or may clear the straightening notch and deposit the stock on a cooling bed without passing through the straightening notch of the lower apron.

A further purpose is to provide plunger lifts for the notches of the two aprons and to operate the plunger lifts by the same plunger lift mechanism suitably swinging in different directions.

A further purpose is to provide heads on kick-01f arms which slope diagonally with respect to the direction of approach of the stock and also desirably slope toward the direction of kick-off, so as to minimize the danger of damage to the kick-01f arms by contact with an end of the stock.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claim.

In the drawings I have chosen to illustrate one only of the numerous embodiments in which my invention may appear, selecting the forms shown from the standpoints of convenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and clear demonstration of the principles involved.

Figure l is a typical transverse section of an approach table mechanism in accordance with the invention, the actual section shown being taken adjoining one end of the table, but substantially conforming to the transverse section at any one of a number of points along the table.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section of Figure l on the line 22.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of the driving mechanism for the plunger lifts of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section of Figure 3 on the line 44.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the plunger lift mechanism.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the drive for the kick-off for the upper approach table.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional end elevation of the drive for the kick-off from the lower set of approach table rolls.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of the head of the kick-01f arms used on the lower approach table.

Figure 9 is a perspective of one of the alternate apron bars shown in Figure l.

Describing in illustration but not in limitation and referring to the drawings:

In rolling mill practice, especially in rolling steel and iron stock such as bars, rods, strips and the like, the strand of stock after it has completed its rolling on the rolling mill, is carried by an approach table to a hot bed or cooling bed. The stock is kicked off laterally from the approach table, passing over the apron, and being received on the notched or smooth bars of the cooling bed to begin the progression across the cooling bed.

In some cases it has been desirable to handle two strands of stock from the rolling mill simultaneously, and Where this practice is followed, it has been usual to employ .two cooling beds back-to-back, and receive stock from approach tables which kick off in opposite directions.

This of course necessitates the construction of double cooling bed facilities, and where the practice of rolling double strands is not followed constantly, one of the cooling beds is likely to be idle for a substantial part of the time of operation.

In accordance with the present invention, itis possible to roll two strands simultaneously, and deposit the same on a single cooling bed, avoiding the necessity of using double cooling beds. This is not only a great economy in the cost of equipment, but also reduces the space requirement tremendously, as cooling beds of course occupy large areas.

By the invention it is possible to carry one strand of stock above one of the approach tables to the cooling bed with or without travel through the straightening notch of the approach table above which the strand is carried. The operator is also permitted to select either of two modes of operation, in one of which the strand enters the straightening notch of the approach table above which the strand has been carried, and in another of which the strand avoids entry into this straightening notch. It is also possible by the present invention to operate the plunger lift for the second approach table from the same mechanism which operates the plunger lift for the first approach table, merely moving the mechanism in the opposite direction.

The upper approach table does not permit ready access immediately below the rolls for insertion of the conventional type of kick-off mechanism because of the need of positioning supports, and in accordance with the invention a kick-01f is provided for the upper approach table which functions merely by rotating or angularly turning a shaft carrying one or preferably two sets of kick-01f arms which sweep across the path of the stock.

Provision is also made in the present invention to eliminate difiiculty through bumping of one of the ends of the stock against one of the kick-off bars in the oscillating arm type kick-off. This ditficulty is overcome by providing heads on the kick-off arms which slope diagonally to the direction of approach of the stock an also suitably toward the direction of kick-01f.

One set of approach table rolls 20 (Figure 1, in which only one is shown) extends longitudinally and horizontally of a lower approach table, the rolls being shouldered at 21 at the side opposite from kick-off and free from shouldering at the side of kick-oif. Each roll is driven independently by a motor 22 supported on a frame 23 which extends longitudinally beneath the approach table.

Suitably disposed above and to one side of the set of approach table rolls 20, I provide a second set of approach table rolls 24 (Figure 1 only one of which is shown), which extend longitudinally at suitably spaced intervals for the individual rolls and provides a horizontal support at the top for the stock. The rolls 24 .are not located, have aprons belong to an upper approach table. Each of the rolls 24 is shouldered at 25 at the side opposite from the side of kick-off and is free from shouldering at the side toward kick-off, which is toward the set of rolls 20. Each of the .rolls 24 is individually driven by a motor 26 supported on a bracket 27 on the frame.

While .of course any desired relationship of width may exist between the two approach tables, as shown in Figure 1 the approach table rolls 2% are comparatively wide and the approach table rolls 24 are narrower, the intention being to handle the heavier and wider on the rolls 20 and utilize the rolls 24 for narrower and lighter stock.

The lower approach table is equipped with the usual side guards 28, and has in between the rolls and extending laterally and downwardly from the rolls toward the cooling bed, an apron 30 of well known form, having a straightening notch wall 31 extending up abruptly in the apron and running longitudinally of the approach table to receive and straighten stock leaving the approach table. A notch 32 is produced by the wall 31 which receives the stock from the approach table rolls. When the stock is raised from the notch as later explained, it passes over -a higher portion 33 of the downwardly inclining apron, and is deposited on the usual cooling bed (not shown), which is positioned to the left in Figure l and receives stock leaving the apron.

The upper approach table rolls 24 are provided with overhanging side guards 34 at the side opposite from the lower approach table rolls and, at points where the rolls 35 which extend downwardly toward the cooling bed and toward the lower approach table rolls. The aprons 35 have an abruptly upwardly extending straightening notch wall 36 which forms a straightening notch 37 running longitudinally of the upper approach table. Beyond the straightening notch the aprons 35 are provided with a raised wall 33, which has an apron extension over the lower approach table.

The apron extension is formed by apron bars 40 or 40' which are alternately used and extend at least over the path of the stock on the lower approach table rolls. Socket openings 41 in the apron at a number of points thereon receive supporting socket pins 42 which mount downwardly sloping top portions 43 of the apron bars. In the form of apron bars shown in solid lines at 40 in Figure l, the apron bars terminate substantially above the kick-off end of the approach table rolls 2t) remote from the upper approach table, and thus will deposit the stock in the straightening notch 32 of the lower approach table. On the other hand in the form of apron bars shown in dot-and-dash lines in Figure 1 and shown in Figure 9, which are inserted simply by lifting the socket pins 42 out of the socket openings 41 and inserting the socket pins of the other bars into these openings, the downwardly sloping top portion 43 of the apron bar extends to a position far enough down so that the stock from the upper approach table will clear the straighten ing notch of the lower approach table as it slides down. The apron bars will of course be placed close enough together to provide adequate support for the stock, and will be as wide as necessary for this purpose.

Stock is discharged from the straightening notches by plunger lifts which are located at frequent intervals along the straightening notches as best seen in Figures 1 and 2. The plunger lifts 44- for the lower apron and 45 for the upper apron have heads 46 which are desirably suitably rectangular, in lateral cross section, and have upper edges 47 which slope downwardly more abruptly than the adjoining sloping portions of the aprons. Each of the heads is mounted on a plunger rod 48 or 50 as the case may be, which is suitably adjustably supported on .a cross bar 51 or 52. The plunger rods 48 are offset to avoid interference. Openings in the aprons for the heads 46 provide guiding walls 53 which assure adequate guiding of the heads in their up and down motion.

The cross bars 51 and 52 are pivotally connected at 54 to crank arms 55 or 56 extending out suitably oppositely as shown in Figure 1 from a shaft 57, and positioned at intervals along the shaft. The shaft is made up of tubes 58 which mount connecting flanged ends 66 joined together by pins 61 secured to one flange and extending through but longitudinally free in the other cooperating flange to form expansion joints which connect the respective shaft sections (Figure 2). Certain of the flanged ends have bearing support at 62 on hearing mountings 63 on the frame.

The shaft 57 at one point along its length mounts a crank arm 6 3 (Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5), which makes pivotal interconnection at its outer end at 65 with a clevis adjustably connected to a connecting rod 67 which is ad stably connected at 1% to a cross bar 7%). The cross at its opposite ends has connecting rods 71 and 72 adjustaoiy connected therewith and at the opposite ends the r: pivotally .ective connecting rods 71 and 72 are connected at 73 to similarly placed cranks 74 on opposite ends of a crank shaft 75 driven by a motor 76 through a speed reducer 77.

Supported above the side guards 34 of the upper approach table rolls on suitably upwardly extending brackets, are bearings 78 (Figures 1, 2 and 6) which rotatably mount a longitudinal shaft 3% extending above the approach table rolls 24. The shaft 80 is suitably a long shaft extending the full length of the table and made up of sections joined by gear type couplings 81 which form expansion ioints.

At intervals along the shaft extending radially therefrom are kick-off arms 82 of one set. Desirably diametrically opposite of the kick-off arms 32 are kick-off arms 33 of another set so that kick-off can be accomplished by moving these arms through approximately 139". While the respective arms 32 and 33 are at positions 130 apart, it will be understood that some other circumferential spacing of the arms may be employed if desired. a

The arms $2 and 83 swing in recesses 84 in the side guards, and in their swinging motion sweep transversely across the path of the stock on the rolls 24.

The drive of the kick-off arms 82 and 33 is accomplished by a motor 64 (Figure 6) driving through a speed reducer S5 to a gear box 86. Any suitable mechanism, such as limit switches, stops the operation after the proper angular turning as well known.

The kick-off employed for the lower approach table is of the more conventional character best seen in Figures 1, 7 and 8. A crank shaft 37 extends longitudinally beneath the approach table rolls 20, rotatably mounted on bearings 88. The crank shaft is driven in any suitable manner as by a motor 89 through a speed reducer 89 (Figure 7). The crank at each crank position along the crank shaft mounts an eccentric strap 90 which has a lower lever extension 91 pivotally connected near the bottom at 92 with a link 93 which is pivotally connected at 94 at its opposite end to the frame. The various eccentric straps mount a longitudinally extending kickofi bar 95 which supports at intervals corresponding to spaces between approach table rolls upstanding kick-off arms 96 which normally remain below the upper surface of the approach table rolls in suitable slots in the apron, but under operation of the crank rise above the rolls and sweep transversely of the path of the stock on the rolls from right to left in Figure 1 (the same as the direction of kick-off from the upper approach table). The kick-off arms 96 as shown in Figure 8 have near their upper ends heads 97 which are provided with diagonal surfaces 98 which extend diagonally from the point 10% at one side nearest to the direction from which the stock is arriving to the edge 101 at the opposite end of the diagonal 98 which is nearest to the direction toward which kick-off is taking place. Thus, the horizontal cross section of the head is generally triangular, the side 102 opposite to the direction toward which kick-off is taking place and the side 1103 opposite to the direction from which the stock is arriving constituting the sides of the triangle and the diagonal 98 constituting the long side or hypotenuse. The forward end of the stock or a rearward hook end of the stock, if either strikes against the head 97, will be deflected toward the direction to which kickoff is taking place, reducing the likelihood that it will break off the kick-off arm In operation, if we assume that the approach tables are set up with the long apron bars 40' in place and the short apron bars 40 removed, stock arriving on the lower approach rolls travels in the direction away from the position of the observer in Figure 1, if it strikes one of the kick-01f arms, will hit the diagonal face 98 and be defiected toward the direction of kick-off. This will minimize damage to the arms and the stock.

When the stock has proceeded far enough so that it is ready to be kicked oi, the kick-off motor 89 is started and the crank 87 turns in the direction to move the heads 97 of the kick-01f arms up at the right to a position above the level of the rolls 20 and then to the left while remaining above the level of the rolls 20 until the stock is kicked off on to the apron 30. The stock will slide down the apron laterally until it seats in the straightening notch 32 against the upstanding wall 31, thus having a tendency to remove any bends or lack of straightness from the heated stock. When operating manual-ly as soon as conditions on the cooling bed justify, the operator by moving the plunger lift motor 76 in the direction to raise the plunger lift 44, will force the stock out of the straightening notch on to the top portion 33 of the apron, from which the stock will drop on to the cooling bed as well known. This will of course be done automatically by limit switches where desired.

If double strand rolling is being used, a second strand will enter the position of the observer on to the tops of rolls 24 of the upper approach table. When this strand has moved far enough to be kicked oflF, motor 84 is operated to turn the kick-off arms 82 clockwise in Figure 1 through 180, causing the arms to sweep across the path of the stock on the rolls 24. The stock then travels down the apron 35 into the straightening notch 37 against the straightening abutment 36. This straightens the stock. With manual operation, as soon as conditions on the cooling bed are suitable, the operator operates motor 76 in the reverse direction from that in which it was previously operated, raising plunger lifts 45 in Figure 1 and raising the stock until it is on top of apron bars 40' and slides down over the apron bars above the lower approach table rolls and above their apron and straightening notch, landing on the cooling bed. The same can be accomplished automatically if desired.

In case the approach table is equipped with the shorter bars 40 instead of the long apron bars 40', a slight difference in operation occurs. In this latter case the stock after leaving the straightening notch 37 slides down over the apron bars 40 and drops on to the apron 30 of the lower approach table, sliding down into the straightening notch 32. From this straightening notch 32 the stock is raised by plunger lifts 44 on to the upper portion 33 of the apron beyond the straightening notch 32, and slides down on to the cooling bed. Other lengths of apron bars can be used, the longer ones avoiding the second straightening notch.

In view of my invention and disclosure, variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such insofar as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claim.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In an approach table for rolling mill, a set of approach table rolls, kick-off arms extending upwardly from below the tops of the rolls and having heads at the upper ends of the arms, the heads having in the direction opposite to the direction of motion of the Work on the approach table, inclined surfaces directed diagonally toward the side at which the work is kicked 01f from the approach table and adapted to deflect work in the direc tion of kick-off in case the work strikes against any one of the heads, and means for manipulating the kick-01f arms to move them radially across the approach table.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 18,996 Peterson Nov. 14, 1933 1,689,552 Kastel Oct. 30, 1928 1,764,663 Voigt June 17, 1930 2,024,513 Diescher Dec. 17, 1935 2,498,449 Peterson Feb. 21, 1950

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