US2803870A

US2803870A - Apparatus for applying a metal casing to a refractory member

Info

Publication number: US2803870A
Application number: US576145A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leo P Uphoff
Original assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Current assignee: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Priority date: 1956-04-04
Filing date: 1956-04-04
Publication date: 1957-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 1974-08-27

Description

Aug. 27, 1957 L P. UPHOFF 2,803,870

APPARATUS FOE APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY da ATTORNEY 1957 P. UPHOFF APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 '9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LEO R UPHOFF ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1957 P. UPHOFF 2,803,870

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR LEO P UPHOFF 1957 P. UPHOFF 2,803,870

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 N N p & N

o m O N t m \i In f": I I 5-1 A f R Iii.. i 5 n 3 i (o 1| i 5 x A A f N E 1 3;

1 3 I g I 9 A" A I! I0 L m I I v w A i m' h L A 8 i 2 =i A A g A A I h @H! 9 H h m 1 EH In I o A" (D Q h 5 (D I u N l v .I m J 8- INVENTOR LED 2 UPHOFF ATTORNEY 9 P. UPHOFF 2,803,370

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR LEO P. UPHOFF 0 1 BY WW 304412 I ATTORNEY L. P. UPHOFF APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING Aug. 27, 1957 1 TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Iiiiiiiiiliiill \Iiil! file-E! Jlsli .lulilili in! liir L. P. UPHOFF APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING Aug. 27, 1957 TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 4, 1956 INVENTOR LEO Fr UPHOFF m, 1 BY L ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1957 k p, UPHQFF 2,803,870

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Filed April 4, 1956 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 39 47 as '33 1; :1 Jim? 32 III 1 33 I i 30 l I I l r I I I i I 5 q INVENTOR .2 36 LEO P. UPHOFF ATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1957 P. UPHOFF 2,803,870

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER INVENTOR LEO P. UPHOFF 6/ ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A METAL CASING TO A REFRACTORY MEMBER Leo P. Uphoff, Santa Cruz, Califi, assignor to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, Oakland, Calm, a corporation of Delaware Application April 4, 1956, Serial No. 576,145

16 Claims. (Cl. 29-'-Z11) This invention relates to an, apparatus for applying metal casings to a refractory article. More particularly, it is concerned with providing a novel apparatus for applying a channel-shaped casing to a refractory brick.

In the cases of certain industrial furnace applications, it is common practice to employ bricks either partially or wholly encased in a metal sheath. Such bricks are made of non-acid refractory materials such as magnesite, spinal, chrome or olivine or a mixture of these and usually are not fired before being emplaced as a refractory lining for an industrial furnace. The high temperature of the furnace fires up the bricks and causes adjoining metal cases to fuse one with another and with the, brickswhereby an integral monolithic type structure is formed. In certain instances the metal casings for such bricks are in the form of a channel-shaped sheath. The walls of the channel are usually resilient so that they can firmly engage the sides or surfaces of the refractory article. At the time that the brick is emplaced within the metal sheath or casing, it is necessary to flex or spring back the flanges or side walls of the channel so that the brick may be conveniently placed therein. When. the flanges are released they spring back and tightly grip the brick.

In the past, it has been common practice to spread the case flanges apart by hand during application of the sheath to brick. This is not only time consuming and diificult, but in addition, there was the danger of injury to the workmen handling the metal casing and brick.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for applying metal casings to a brick.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus employing electromagnets for applying channel shaped metal casings to a refractory brick.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for applying metal casings to a refractory brick, wherein electromagnets are mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the casing whereby they can be utilized not only for holding the casing adjacent a brick but also for flexing the flanges outwardly whereby the casing may be easily slipped about the refractory body.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for continuously applying successive casings to a plurality of successive bricks.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for applying metal casings to a refractory article, wherein electromagnets are pivotally mounted, with respect to the metal casing as well as being mounted for reciprocal movement between a casing support and a refractory article support, so that the electromagnets may be used not only for spreading apart the flanges of the casing, but also for transferring the casing from a source of supply to and about the refractory article.

- it is a further object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus having common means for transferring a metal sheath from a sheath support to a refractory article spreading the flanges of the sheath outwardly during "ice the said transferring operation and thereafter applying the sheath to the refractory article.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus for applying successive metal casings to a plurality of successive refractory articles in a continuous operation, wherein novel means are employed for feeding the casing to and placing the casing about a brick together with novel means for moving the encased brick away from the casing applying means and with the functioning of all of these means taking place in a predeter-. mined timed sequence of operations.

These and other objects arev attained by providing a novel apparatus for applying metal casings to a refr actory article comprising the combination of a support means for the refractory article and a separate support means for a metal casing. Electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means are employed for engaging and removing the casing from the support means therefor and for transferring the casing to the refractory article.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention,- means are also provided for mounting the electromag. netic means for pivotal movement in a novel fashion with respect to the casing during movement of the electromagnetic means between the said supports. As a re; sult of the aforesaid pivotal movement on the part of the electromagnetic means the sides or flanges of the casing are advantageously flexed outwardly so that the casing may be conveniently slipped about the refractory article being sheathed with the metal casing.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will become more apparent by reference to the follow: ing detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the novel metal casing applying apparatus of the instant invention and discloses the position of the electromagnetic means as it selects a metal sheath from the sheath support;

Figure 2 is anotherside elevational view of the apparatus disclosed in Figure 1 and discloses the position of the electromagnetic means as it places the metal sheath about a refractory brick;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the apt paratus as disclosed in Figure 2 when taken along the lines 3--3 thereof.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus as disclosed in Figure 4 when taken along the lines 5-5 thereof, with parts added for the sake of clarity;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view with parts removed for the sake of clarity of the apparatus as shown in Figure 6, when taken along lines 77 thereof and with parts added;

Figure 8 is an enlarged side elevational view of the electromagnets and their mounting means in the apparatus of the instant invention;

Figure 9' is a top plan view of the electromagnets shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic systern used for operating various elements of the apparatus as well as a schematic diagram of a portion of the wiring system used for operating the electromagnets in the apparatus of the instant invention; and

Figure 11 is a schematic drawing of the various positions taken by the side flanges of the metal casing during the transfer of the metal casing from the casing support onto a brick or refractory article through the medium of the electromagnets forming part of the instant invention.

With further reference to the drawings and particularly Figures 1 and 2, the novel casing applying apparatus of the instant invention is generally comprised of a supporting base or table 1. This table is comprised of base elements 2, upon which are mounted a plurality of upstanding members or legs 3 and one or more diagonal members 3'. Secured to theupper extremities of legs 3 is a plurality of horizontal beam members 4, which may be channel irons. Base elements 2 may also be raised otf the floor by means of the leg members 2' which are welded or otherwise secured to the base member 2. Located intermediate beam members 4 and the base elements 2 is a horizontal inverted channel member 5 which is supported at one end by means of an inverted U-shaped forward support 5' andat the other end by means of the diagonals 3' and the suspending bracket assembly 6 which bracket assembly is also secured to the legs 3 and beam members 4. The topmost flange of each of the angle members 4 serves as a support for an endless chain type conveyor 8. bars or slat members .9 together with a cross block member 10, portions of which may extend slightly below the top surface of the conveyor. Block members 10 are located at predetermined spaced points on the conveyor for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. Suitably mounted at the opposite extremities of the beam members 4 and base members 2 are a plurality of idler sprocket wheels 11. These sprocket wheels engage the sides of conveyor 8. Adjusting and tensioning means 11 may also be used to position these sprocket wheels so as to tension the conveyor 8.

The bracket assembly 6 affixed to one of the beam members 4 and one of the legs 3 supports at the top thereof a base plate 12. Mounted on base plate 12 is a pair of spaced and upstanding plates 13. A rod 14 is welded to the top of each of these plates. Plates 13 along with rods 14 are set apart from each other at a distance less than the cross-sectional dimension of the refractory casing 15, as indicated in Figure 5, which is placed thereon in an inverted position, that is, with the flanges 16 of the U-shaped casing extending downwardly. The casing is adapted to slide along these rods from the point where it is first placed thereon in a manner to be described hereinafter.

, As indicated particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the ferrous metal casing or sheath 15 is fed to the rods 14 in the following manner. It is first placed upon a suitable conveyor mechanism 16 in an upside down position, that is, with the flanges 16 of the casing extending upwardly.

The casing is discharged from conveyor 16 onto a curved metal plate 17 disposed within a suitable chute 17 and secured thereto by means of the brackets 13. It will be noted that when the casing 15 is fed onto the plate 17 it will automatically be placed into its inverted or proper position for application to a brick B. At the end of the plate 17 the casing is allowed to drop through an opening 19 in the chute and upon the sheath supporting rods 14 described above, from which they are then moved into position for pick up by the eleetromagnets 42.

The means for moving successive ferrous metal casings 15 along the rods 14 and into position for pick up by the electromagnets 42 comprises a flat plate 20 which is slidably mounted upon the rods 14. Secured to the underside of plate 20 and intermediate the rods 14 is a bracket 21 pinned to the outer extremity of a piston rod 22 mounted within the cylinder 23, cylinder 23 in turn being rigidly afiixed by suitable brackets 24 to the plate 12.

The plate 20 upon actuation of the cylinder 23 through the medium of the air supply control cylinder 25 indicated in Fig. 10, which is connected by the

conduits

26 and 27 to the cylinder barrel 23, is adapted to move the casing along the rods 14 toward the left as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6 and into a position where it can be picked up and applied to a brick B.

I The means employed for removing a metal casing 15 Conveyor 8 includes conventional cross from rods 14 and for transferring and applying the casing to a brick B on the conveyor it will now be described. These means as indicated particularly in Figs. 8 and 9 comprise a carriage 3G. Carriage 30 includes two spaced base members 30', one for each side of the sheath applying apparatus. Each base member 30' is provided at the opposing ends thereof with a channel-shaped recessed portion or slot 33 as indicated particularly in Figs. 8 and 9. Slidably mounted on each of the base members 30' is a plate 32. Each of the base members 30 is also provided intermediate its ends and side edges with a pair of spaced

elongated slots

34 and 35. Each of the plates 32 is also provided with similarly arranged

slots

36 and 37. These latter slots, however, are of angular configuration in contradistinction to the straight

elongated slots

34 and 35 in base members 30. Slots 36 in plates 32 are also adapted to register with slots 34 in base member 30, while slots 37 are adapted to register with slots 35 in base member 39'. Insertable in the aligned

slots

34 and 36 is a pin member 38. A similar pin member 39 is insertable in the aligned

slots

35 and 37. These pin members are secured to the top of a side plate 40 of which there are two, one for each side of the sheath applying apparatus.

The opposing ends of each of the plates 40 are pivot ally secured to the spaced and parallel mounting arms 41 at a point adjacent the one extremity of these arms. The ends of base members 30 are also pivotally secured to another portion of the aforesaid extremity of the arms 41 by means of the brackets 42'. Each of the arms 41 is pivotally secured intermediate its ends to a side flange of the channel beam member 5 by means of a pivot rod 43. The opposing end portions of the arms 41 on both sides of sheath applying apparatus are linked together by means of the inverted channel-shaped element 44 and the pivot pins 45 whereby all of the arms 41 will pivot in unison.

It will also be observed by reference particularly to Figs. 8 and 9 that an elongated bar 47 provided with

upstanding journal brackets

48 and 49 at the ends thereof is bolted to each of the plates 32. Pivot pins 50 are secured to these

brackets

48 and 49 and suitably insulated therefrom, and an electromagnet 42 of any suitable design is freely pivoted on and between two opposing pins as indicated particularly in Figs. 5, 7, 8 and 9.

The means for operating the carriage 3i) and its associated elements will now be described. The four arms 41 are all connected through the medium of the inverted channel plate 44 and the pivot rods 45' to a main eccentric and lever arm 53 suitably secured to the eccentric 54 mounted on shaft 56. Eccentric 54 is motivated by a power source 55 as indicated in Fig. 3 suitably connected thereto in a manner well known in the art. Secured to shaft 56 is a sprocket 57. Sprocket 57 is connected by the endless chain 58 to a sprocket 59 on shaft 60. Also aflixed to the shaft 66 as indicated more particularly in Fig. 10 are a, plurality of

cam elements

61, 62 and 63, the function of which will be described later.

- In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention it is also contemplated that a lever arm 65 be pivotally afllxed to the bottom extremities of the two right hand arms 41 as disclosed in the drawings by means of the shaft pin 66. The opposing end of lever arm 65 is pivotally connected to a bracket 67 secured to the elongated rod 68 mounted for reciprocatory movement in a holder 69 slidably supported on the

track elements

70 and 71 as indicated more particularly in Fig. 5, and a second holder 72 fixedly attached'to the beam member 5'.

Track elements

70 and 71 are secured to the legs 3 by means of brackets 75. Pivotally secured to the opposing end of rod 68 is a finger element 76 provided with a notch 77 therein. A detent spring 77' and stop 78 hold this finger in its'normal position. i This finger is adapted to engage the bars 10 on the conveyor by having the bars seat in the notch 77 thereby moving the conveyor 8 which supports the brick or'refractory article to and away from the case applying station in a manner to be described herein f er.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, carriage 30 is provided with a pneumatic cylinder and piston assembly 80. Secured to the bottom of the Piston rod 82 of the assembly 80 is a block .83 to which several pairs of

rollers

84 and 85 are journalled. Pivotally mounted

guide arms

86 and 87 secured to the block and the carriage guide the block and rollers in their upward and downward movements. Assembly 80 is adapted to be actuated at the time that the casing 15 is applied to the brick B with the flanges thereof being spread apart as a :result of the energization of the magnets. The hydraulic cylinder and piston is adapted to exert pressure upon the block 83 and

rollers

84 and 85 .in contact with a casing 15 so as to. secure the casing 15 firmly to the brick. This is particularly important in the event that a suitable type of. adhesive has first been applied to the surface of the brick which would be in contact with the web portion of the casing. Thus the force exerted by the pressure applying unit consisting of the cylinder and piston assembly 80 would cause the casing to adhere firmly to the surface of the brick.

The cylinder and piston means 80 used for applying pressure to the casing at the time the brick is sheathed is operated as indicated in Fig. by a control cylinder 105 connected thereto by lines 110 and 111. Control cylinder 105 operated by the micro air valve switch 105 alongwith control cylinder 25 for piston and cylinder means 23' and operated by micro air valve switch 100 and the switch 90 and power leads 91 and 92 for energizing and connecting the electromagnets 42 to a suitable source of power are all selectively operated by means of

several cam members

61, 62 and 63 affixed to shaft 60 which is driven by the chain 58 and

sprockets

57 and 59 as described heretofore. In this way, all of the operations of the various elements of the device can be synchronized one with another.

The operation of the device is as follows: A casing is fed by means of conveyor 16' onto the curved plate 17 and through chute 17 onto the elongated rods 14 in an inverted condition. At this point, the plate 20 actuated by the cylinder means 22 and 23 is moved forward thereby moving the casing 15 away from the open ing 19 in chute 17' and into position for it to be picked up by the electromagnets 42, cylinder means 22 and 23 in turn being operated by cam 62 which controls switch element 100 for the control cylinder 25 causing actuation of the latter in the requisite manner.

In the meantime, the motor means 55 for driving shaft 56 on which the eccentric 54 is mounted in a manner previously described also causes rotation of the eccentric in a predetermined manner. Movement of the eccentric 54 operates the pitrnan arm 53 thereby causing arms 41 to pivot about their fulcrum points 43. As a result, carriage and its associated elements will be moved in an arc upwardly and to the right from a position of rest as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6 to the casing pick-up position shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Simultaneously therewith the rotation of cam 63 and shaft 60 is such that the switch arm 101 for switch 90 will operate to close switch 90 causing energization of the electromagnets 42 as the magnets are moved to a point adjacent the casing 15 on the support rods 14. At the same time the magnets are moved forward with carriage 30 as viewed in Figures 2, 8 and 9 the electromagnets will also be caused to .be moved slightly inwardly in their normal horizontal planes of rest by virtue of the

pin members

38 and 39 which as viewed in the several drawings slide to the left in the several Slots 34, 3.25, 36 and 37 in the base elements 30' and plates 32 respectively. Sliding of the

pins

38 and 39 arms 41. --In addition, since the

slots

36 and 37 in plate 32 are angular in longitudinal plan, while

slots

34 and 35 in base elements 30 are straight, plates 32 and electromagnets 42 aflixed to the plates 32 will of necessity be drawn slightly inwardly. Then, as indicated particularly in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the plates 32 will move slightly outwardly when the carriage is moved back to the left or to its normal position of rest by virtue of the

pins

38 and 39 moving in a reverse direction in

slots

34, 35, 36 and 37. Since the magnets 42 are also free to pivot about the pin members 50, these magnets upon energi'zation and contact with the side flanges 16 of the casing 15 will also necessarily pivot as they draw the casing flanges 16 toward them so that substantially the entire surface of the electromagnets will be in flush contact with the flanges 16 of the casing as the carriage 30 is moved to the left.

As the eccentric 54 continues to operate then the motion of lever arm 53 will be reversed. Arms 41 will in turn be caused to move in an are back to their position of rest along with carriage 30, magnets 42 and a casing 15 carried by the magnets with magnets 42 pivoting as noted above. Movement of 'arms41 also have caused actuation of rod 68 and finger 76 as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 6 where by finger 76 engages a bar 10 on the conveyor as it moves the conveyor 10 along with a previously encased brick B away from the casing applying point as carriage 30 moves toward the casing support rods. As carriage 30 and the magnets 42 with a casing held therebetween move back to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 6, finger 76 will re"- turn to the position shown in Fig. 6, by sliding beneath the conveyor elements 9 as it moves backwards. As it stops, spring assembly 77 and stop 78 will force the finger upward and into rigid engagement with another bar 10 on the conveyor 8.

'As the carriage 30, magnets 42 and a casing are returned to the position over an 'unencased brick as indicated in Figs. 2 and 7 the position of cam 63 on shaft 60 is such that it opens switch element 101 thereby opening switch 90 and deenergizing the magnets 42 and allowing the spread apart flanges 16 of the casing 15 to spring back against the side surfaces of the brick. At the same time, the position of cam 61 on shaft 60 is such that control cylinder 105 is operated by the switch element 105' thereby actuating cylinder assembly 80 so that pressure can be exerted on block 83 and

rollers

84 and 85 and on the casing as now applied to the brick. Continued rotation of the shaft 66 and cam 61 then causes operation of switch element and control cylinder 105 in an opposite direction thereby causing the fluid to be exhausted from the cylinder assembly 80 so that pressure is removed from the brick casing. In the meantime also, rotation of shaft 56 and eccentric 54 and movement of shaft60 will operate cam 63 controlling cylinder assembly 20 thereby bringing another casing into position on rods 14. Carriage 30 and magnets 42 are then moved to a position over rods 14 and the magnets 42 are energized and the conveyor 8 and the encased brick moved forward away from the point of encasement in the man ner previously described.

By use of the instant apparatus, a casing can be eiuciently applied to a brick article such as a refractory brick or other type of encased brick in a minimum amount of time and with .a minimum amount of effort. In addition, a continuous operation can also be employed with manual handling of the bricks being reduced to a minimum.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosed and described. It is obvious that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims, wherein what is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for applying a channel-shaped metallic casing. to a refractory article, the combination of support meansfor the refractory article, a separate support means for the casing spaced from said first mentioned support means, electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means, said electromagnetic means being adapted to engage a channel wall of the casing for transferring the casing from the support means therefor and for placing the casing on the refractory article, and pressure applying means operable at the time said casing is applied to said refractory article for pressing said casing into firm contact with the refractory article.

2. In an apparatus for applying a metallic casing to a refractory article, the combination of a support means for the refractory article and a support means for the casing located in spaced relationship to said first mentioned support means, electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means for engaging and removing the casing from the support means therefor and for placing said casing on a refractory article.

3. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein the support means for the refractory article is also movable.

4. In an apparatus for applying a channel-shaped metallic casing to a brick, the combination of a support means for the brick, means for supporting a channelshaped casing in an inverted position, electromagnetic means, means mounting said electromagnetic means for pivotal movement toward and away from the normal planes of the channel sides of the casing, means for re- .ciprocating said pivotal mounting means for said electromagnetic means between both of said support means, and .means operable during actuation of said last mentioned means for actuating said electromagnetic means whereby said electromagnetic means may engage and remove the channel-shaped casing from said second mentioned support means and place said casing about said brick.

v 5. An apparatus for applying a channel-shaped metallic casing to a refractory article comprising the combination of support means for the refractory article, separate means spaced from said first mentioned means for supporting the casing in an inverted position, electromagnetic means, means mounting said electromagnetic means for pivotal movement with respect to the sides of the casing when positioned on said casing support, means for moving said pivotal mounting means and said electromagnetic means between said first and second mentioned support means, and means operable during actuation of said electromagnetic mounting means between said support means 'for energizing the electromagnetic means whereby the electromagnetic means may engage and remove the channel-shaped casing from the support means therefor and place said casing in engagement with said refractory article.

- 6. In an apparatus for applying a channel-shaped metallic casing to a brick article, the combination of support means for the brick article, a separate support means for the casing spaced from said first mentioned support means, and electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means. said electromagnetic means being adaptable to engage the channel walls of the casing for removing the casing from the support means therefor and for thereafter applying the casing to the brick article.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 6 including means for moving the brick article and the portion of the support means in contact therewith away from said electromagnetic means after the casing has been applied to the brick article.

8. In an electromagnetic apparatus for applying a channel-shaped casing to a refractory article, the combination of support means for the refractory article, a support means for holding the casing in an inverted position, a carriage located in spaced relation to said first mentioned means mounted for movement between both of said support means, electromagnetic means, means pivotally mounting said electromagnetic means on said carriage for free pivotal movement thereon, means for energizing said electromagnetic means during the pivotal movement of and carriage between said support means whereby the channel sides of the casing will be flexed outwardly and into engagement with said electromagnetic means, and means for moving said carriage from one support means to the other of said support means and vice versa.

9. The combination defined in claim 8, wherein said electromagnetic means comprises electromagnets disposed in spaced relationship on opposite sides of said carriage.

10. The combination set forth in claim 8, including means for moving an encased refractory article and the portion of the refractory article support means in contact therewith away from said carriage after the casing has been applied thereto.

11. An apparatus for applying a channel-shaped metal casing to a refractory article comprising the combination of movable support means for the refractory article, a fixed support means for the casing, electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means for initially engaging the channel walls of the casing and for removing the casing from the support means therefor and for placing the casing on the refractory article, lever means for moving said refractory article support means after the casing has been applied thereto toward a discharge station, and common means for actuating and moving both said electromagnetic means between said support means and said lever means in a predetermined timed sequence of operations.

12. An apparatus for applying successive channelshaped metallic casings to successive refractory articles comprising the combination of a support means for the refractory articles, a fixed support means for the casings, lever operated means for feeding successive casings across the last mentioned support means and into a pickup position, movable electromagnetic means for engaging the channel walls of a casing and for removing the casing from the pickup position on the support means therefor and for placing the casing on a refractory article located on said refractory article support means, and common power means for actuating and moving said electromagnetic means between both of said support means and said lever operated casing feeding means in a predetermined timed sequence of operations.

13. In an electromagnetic apparatus for applying a plurality of successive channel-shaped metallic casings to a plurality of successive refractory articles, the combination of a movable endless support means for the refractory articles, lever means for moving said support means at predetermined intervals, a fixed support means for the casings, means for feeding successive casings across the support means to a pickup point, electromagnetic means movable between both of said support means, means for moving said electromagnetic means between said support means, said electromagnetic means being adapted to engage the casing and to remove the casing from the pickup point on the support means therefor and thereafter to place the casing on a refractory article on the support means therefor, means for energizing said electromagnetic means, and common means for actuating said lever operated means for the movable refractory article support means, said casing feeder means for moving successive casings across the fixed support means therefor to a pickup point, the means for moving and the means for energizing said electromagnetic means in a predetermined timed sequence of operation.

14. An apparatus for applying successive channelshaped casings to successive refractory articles comprising the combination of an endless conveyor for supporting the refractory articles, lever means for moving said conveyor at predetermined intervals of time, a support for the casings, lever means for moving the casings across the support to a pickup point, a carriage, electromagnetic means, means mounting said electromagnetic means on said carriage for pivotal movement with respect to the channel sides of the casings, lever means for moving said carriage and electromagnetic means between the said conveyor and the pickup point on said metallic casing support, means for energizing said electromagnetic means during movement thereof between the conveyor and the casing support whereby the electromagnetic means may engage and remove a casing from its support and place the casing on a refractory article, and common means for actuating all of said lever means, said mounting means and said means for energizing said electromagnetic means in a predetermined sequence of operations.

15. The combination defined in claim 14, including pressure applying means also actuated by said common means for pressing a casing against a surface of a refractory article after the casing has been applied thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Young Dec. 28, 1948 Yeager Aug. 30, 1949