US2952886A

US2952886A - Apparatus for setting hot tops in ingot molds

Info

Publication number: US2952886A
Application number: US744732A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur G Mazarakis
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1958-06-26
Filing date: 1958-06-26
Publication date: 1960-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 1977-09-20

Description

Sept. 20, 196 A. s. MAZARAKIS APPARATUS FOR SETTING HOT TOPS IN INGOT MOLDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1958 //V VE/VTOR ARTHUR 6. MAZARA K/S y W A f/arn ey Sept. 20, 1960 A. G. MAZARAKIS APPARATUS FOR SETTING HOT TOPS IN INGOT MOLDS Filed June 26, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 xii Yd INVENTOR ARTHUR a. MAZARAK/S 81,554,

Altar/ray United States Patent APPARATUS FOR SETTING HOT TOPS IN INGOT MOLDS Arthur G. Mazaraki's, Hubbard, Ohio, assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey FiledJune 26,1958, Ser. No. 744,732

11v Claims. (CI. 22-31) This invention relates to apparatus for setting hot tops in ingot molds and more particularly to setting sectional hot tops such as shown in the oopending Marburg application Serial No. 581,181, filed April 27, 1956, now Patent No. 2,900,685, granted August 25, 1959. While specifically adapted for handling sectional hot tops, the apparatus may also be used for one piece hot tops. Hot tops, particularly sectional hot tops, are diflicult to insert in the ingot mold since the slabs of the hot tops are heavy and difiicult to handle. A crew of three or more men is necessary to manually fit the hot top into the ingot mold. The crew must work on top of the ingot mold where they are exposed to very hazardous conditions. To the hazards, expensive safety devices such as portable platforms, ladders or hanging steps are used. Thus a great deal of labor and time is required to set the hottop.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide apparatus for mechanically inserting ahot top into a mold.

Another object is to provide such apparatus which enables the hot top to be set in place quickly with little danger of breakage.

These and other objects be more apparent after referring to the following specifications and attached drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of the hot top setting apparatus;

Figure 2 is an endelevation of the setting apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is'an' enlarged view of the lower part of Figure 1 showing the hot. top slabs about to be inserted within the mold; and

Figure 4 is. a similar view showing the hot top slabs inserted in the mold;

Referring more particularly .to the drawings, the reference numeral 2 indicates the frame of my machine. The frame consists of a cross bar 4 intermediate the height of the frame fromwhich a bar 6, shaped in the form of an inverted U,. extends vertically upwardly. Reinforcing plates 8 are welded to the top of the bar so that an opening 10 is provided to receive a crane hook. A pair of retainer bars 12" is: fastened to the bottom of'cross bar' li at opposite ends thereof. A stop bar' or positioning member 114 extends between the bars 12 at one end thereof. A box-like platen 16 extends downwardly from the bar 4. Cross members 18 are fastened to and extend between the vertical legs of the bar 6. Cross bars 20 extend between the sides of the platen 16' intermediate" the height thereof. The parts so far, described as making up the frame 2 are welded or otherwise fastened together. An upper platen 22 is slidably mounted on bars ;6 by means; of bushings 24. A, cross'member 26 extends between the bushings 24 and: supports spaced plates 28 which extend downwardly theref'rom., A Bar 30 is fastened to the outside of each plate. 28'" adjacent the top thereof so as to provide horizontalshouldersl A hydraulic motor 32 is pivotally 2,952,886 Patented Sept. 20, 1960 mounted on the plates 18' with its piston rod 34 con-. nected to the cross member 26. Fluid from source 36 is supplied to motor 32 through control valve 38" and

conduits

40 and 42. A pair of hydraulic motors 44 are pivotally mounted on the cross plates 20. Fluid is supplied thereto from source 36 through valve 38v and

conduits

46 and 48; A pair of hinged supports 50 are mounted on platen '16 by means of pivot pins 52. The inner ends of the supports 50 are connected to piston rods- 54 of the hydraulic motors 44.

In operation, the bottoms of side slabs S arelplaced on the supports 50 with their to'ps thereof resting against retainer bars 12 and one vertical edge thereof resting. against the top bar 14. Tongues T of end slabs E are then placed in grooves G of the side slabs S as shown in Figure 3'. The canted position of the side slabs S prevents the end slabs. E from falling into place until the device is lowered into mold M to the depth shown in Figure 4. When so lowered, the hinged supports 50' are rotated so that their outer ends move downwardly as shown. This is done by means of valve 38 which controls flow of fluid through conduits 46 into the tops of the hydraulic'motors 44. The end slabs" E then slide into position and the upper platen 22 is moved downwardly by fluid flowing through conduit 40 into the top of hydraulic motor 32. This causes the plates 30' to bear against the top of end pieces E forcing them' downwardly so as to wedge the slabs. S and E into final" position against the walls of mold M. A crane then moves the apparatus upwardly out of the mold. It will be seen that the retainer bars 12' limit the distance that the hot top is inserted into the mold. Pins P'on the side slab S also aid in supporting the hot. top on the mold. It will be understood that the retainer" bars 12' may be vertically adjustable so as to adjust for depth of insertion of the hot top and

bars

12 and 14 maybeadjusted horizontally to handle different sizes of hottops.

While one embodiment of'my' invention has been shown and described, it'will be apparent that other adapta' tions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1'. Apparatus for inserting a hot top into an ingot mold comprising a frame" including a bottom platen of such size to be receivable within the mold, a pair-0F supports pivotally mounted on opposite sides of' said? platen adjacent the bottomthereof and extending out wardly therefrom; means for moving said supports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended posi tion outwardly of said platen to a retracted position, said supports being adapted to receive the bottom" edge of said hottop when in extended position, an upper platen slidablymounted on said frame, said upper platen in cluding a pair of opposeddownwardly' extending plates and a-horizontal shoulder-on the outside of each of-saidplates adjacent the topthereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage the topof said hot top, andmeans for moving said upperplaten in a vertical path.

2. Apparatusfor inserting a hot top into ingot mold comprising a frame including a bottom platen of such size as to'be receivable within the mold, a pair-.-

of supports pivot-ally mounted on opposite sides of said' platen adjacent the bottom thereof and extending'out wardly therefrom, means for moving said supports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended p'osi- I tion outwardly of said platen to-a retractedposition} 3; Apparatus for inserting a hot top'into an ingot mold comprising a frame including a bottom platen of such size as to be, receivable within the mold, atpairof supports pivotally mounted on opposite sidesjofflsaidj platen adjacent the bottom thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, means for 7. moving said supports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended position outwardly of said platen to a retracted posi-- tion," said supports being adapted to receive the bottom edge of said hot top when in extended position, a pair of retainers mounted on saidframeone' above each of said supports to limit lateral movement of said hot top, an upper platen"slidably mounted on said frame, said upper platen including a pair of opposed downwardly extending'plates and a horizontal shoulder on the out-' side of each of, said last named plates adjacent the top.

thereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage, the top of said hot top, and means for moving said upper platen in avertic'alpath.

v4.'Apparatus for inserting a hot top into an ingot mold comprising a frame including a bottom platen ofsuchsize as to be receivable within the mold, a pair of supports pivotally mounted on oppo'site'sides of said platen adjacent'the bottom thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, means for moving said supports around their pivots from, a generally horizontal extend-- ed position outwardly of said platen to a retracted position, said supports being adapted to receive the bottom edge of said hot top when in extended position, a pair of retainers mounted on said frame one above each of said supports to limit lateral movement of said hot top, and a positioning member located at one end of each -of said retainers to limit lateral movement of said hot top.

SIA paratus 'for inserting a hottop into an ingot mold comprising a frame including a bottom platen of' such size as to be receivable'within the mold, a pair of supports pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said platen adjacent the bottom thereof, and extending out-' sitioning member located at one end of each of said re tainers to limit lateral movement of said hot top, an up- 'per platen slidably mounted on said frame, said upper platen including a pair of opposed downwardly extending plates and a horizontal shoulder on the outside of each of said plates adjacent the top thereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage the top-of said hot top, and

means for moving said upper platen in a vertical path.

a 6. Apparatus for inserting a four-piece'hot topinto an'ingot mold comprising a frame including an intermediate cross member and a platenattached to and extending downwardly from said cross member, said platen being of such size as to be receivable within the mold, atpair, of supports pivotally mounted on opposite'sides of said platenadjacent the bottom-thereof and extending outwa ly th r m; m a v or m ng a d pp r around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended position outwardly of said platen to a retracted position,

said: supports being adapted to receive the bottom edge of two; opposed fhot toppieces when inex tended pos1- tion, and :a pair of retainers mounted on said frame one above each of said supports, 'said retainers being adapted mpre n o w rdmov m ntnf fi P i f S d 01 posed hot -top pieces j; 1 f ,1 i j 7 Apparatusffor inserting a four-piece hot top into anin'got moldcomprisinga frame having an intermediate cross imember and a .platen attached to and extending downwardly from .said cross member, said platen being of such size re receivable the mold, apairr of two opposed hot top pieces whenin extended position, a pair of retainers mounted on said frame one above each of said supports, said retainers being adapted to prevent outward movement of the tops of said opposed hot top pieces, an upper platenslidably mounted on said frame, said, upper platen including a pair of opposed downwardly extending plates and a'horizontal shoulder on the outside of each'of said plates adjacent the top thereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage the tops of the hot top pieces positioned between the c said two opposed hot top pieces, and means for moving said upper platen in a vertical path. 7

8. Apparatus for inserting a four-piece hot top into an ingot mold comprising a frame including an intermediate cross member and a platen attached to and extending downwardly from said cross member, said platen being of such size as to be receivable'within the mold, a pair of supports pivotally mountedon opposite sides of said platen adjacent the bottom thereof and extending outwardly therefrom,,means for moving said supports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended position outwardly of said platen to a retracted position, said supports being adaptedto receive the bottom edge of two opposed hot top pieces when in extended position, a pair of retainers mounted on said frame one 7 above each of said supports, said retainers being adapted to prevent outward movement of the tops of said opposed hot top pieces, and a positioning member located at one end of each ofsaid, retainers to limit transverse movement of'said two opposed 'hot top pieces.

9. Apparatus for inserting a four-piecehot top'into an ingot mold comprising a frame including an intermediate cross member and a platen attached to and extending downwardly from said cross member, said platen being of such size as to be receivable within the, mold, a pair of supports pivotally mountedj on opposite sides of said platen adjacent the bottom thereof'and extending outwardly therefrom, means for moving saidtsupports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended position outwardly of said platen to a retracted position, said supports being adaptedto receive'the bottorn edge of two opposed hot'top'pieces'iwhen in extended position, a pair of retainers mounted on said frame one-above each of said supports, said retainers being adapted to prevent outward movement of the: tops of said opposed hot top pieces, apositioning member located at one end of each of said retainers to limit transverse rnovement of said two opposed h'ot top pieces, an

upper platen slidably mounted on said frame, said upper platen includingapair of opposed downwardly extending plates and a horizontal shoulder .on the outside of each of said plates adjacent the top thereof, said being of such size as to be'recei'vable the mold, a

' pair of supports pivotally mounted on'oppositesides of said platen adjacent: the' bottom: thereof" and extending outwardly therefrom, means,- for movingi said supports around their pivotsiir'om a generallvhori'zontalfextended position out wafdly of said platentoja' iretr'actedlposition,

T said supports being a'claptedto'receive the; bottom edge of two opposed hot tep pieces whenin' extended position,

a. pair of retainer bars attached to the'botton'rof said cross member at opposite ends thereof one above each of said supports, said retainers being adapted to prevent outward movement of the tops of said opposed hot top pieces, a positioning member located at one end of each of said retainer bars to limit transverse movement of said two opposed hot top pieces, a pair of spaced legs attached to and extending upwardly from said cross member, an upper platen slidably mounted on said legs, said upper platen including a pair of opposed downwardly extending plates and a horizontal shoulder on the outside of each of said plates adjacent the top thereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage the tops of the hot top pieces positioned between the said two opposed hot top pieces, and means for moving said upper platen in a vertical path.

11. Apparatus for inserting a four-piece hot top into an ingot mold comprising a frame including an intermediate cross member and a platen attached to and extending downwardly from said cross member, said platen being of such size as to be receivable within the mold, a pair of supports pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said platen adjacent the bottom thereof and extending outwardly therefrom, means for moving said supports around their pivots from a generally horizontal extended position outwardly of said platen to a retracted position, said supports being adapted to receive the bottom edge of two opposed hot top pieces when in extended position,

a pair of retainer bars attached to the bottom of said cross member at opposite ends thereof one above each of said supports, said retainers being adapted to prevent outward movement of the tops of said opposed hot top pieces, a positioning bar extending between said retainer bars at one end thereof to limit transverse movement of said two opposed hot top pieces, a pair of spaced legs attached to and extending upwardly from said cross mem ber, an upper platen slidably mounted on said legs said upper platen including a pair of opposed downwardly extending plates adapted to move downwardly between said retainer bars and a horizontal shoulder on the outside of each of said plates adjacent the top thereof, said shoulders being adapted to engage the tops of the hot top pieces positioned between the said two opposed hot top pieces, and means for moving said upper platen in a vertical path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,676 Hively Dec. 8, 1936 2,117,311 Gathmann May 17, 1938 2,751,649 Peterson June 26, 1956 2,768,019 Brooks Oct. 23, 1956 2,800,355 Vinner July 23, 1957