Abstract:
The present invention provides a guide assembly for use in processing a work piece with features that incorporate a cam-style locking clamp to promote ease of use in securing and releasing a guide of the assembly. In more specific embodiments, the invention is a delivery guide assembly for use in, for example, a rolling mill for processing steel and steel rods that promotes rapid removal of a delivery stripper and addresses the problems identified with known delivery guide assemblies.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a mechanism for guiding a work piece from one station to another in a material processing operation. Specifically, the invention relates to a delivery guide assembly for use in a rolling mill. 
         [0002]    During a hot rolling process in a steel mill, a billet of hot steel (i.e., a work piece) is gradually reduced into a bar or rod of desired cross-sectional dimension and configuration. The reduction of the bar is accomplished by passing the unfinished steel through a plurality of rolling mill stands each having a pair of opposed grooved rollers for forming the bar. The rolling mill stands typically include a series of guide assemblies for guiding the bar to and from the grooved rollers. The delivery guide assembly typically includes a delivery holder, and a delivery guide or stripper for directing and processing the bar, wherein the delivery stripper is secured by the delivery holder. 
         [0003]    As the bar travels through successive stands it must be guided into and out of the grooves on the opposed rollers. Improper alignment of the bar can result in a “cobble.” The term cobble refers to a mass of hot deformed bar at the point of initial failure and at upstream locations. The cobble results in a blockage in the in-line process and prevents continuation of the hot rolling process. Accordingly, the cobble must be cooled, cut, and removed prior to continued mill operations. Unfortunately, the mill remains shut down until the cobble is removed from, for example, the delivery guide assembly. Discontinuation of the mill operations results in economic losses borne by the manufacturer. 
         [0004]    Known devices for securing the delivery stripper to a base include bolts that are tightened to produce the force necessary to secure the delivery stripper to the delivery holder. Other known devices include impact wedge assemblies that are moveable to create the force necessary to secure the delivery stripper to the delivery holder. 
         [0005]    The known delivery guide assemblies fail to provide a means for readily removing delivery strippers from the delivery holder. For example, the bolts must be manually loosened and removed which can be time consuming when the cobble settles on a portion of the bolt. In another example, the impact wedge assemblies are typically positioned on the delivery guide assembly to prevent ready access for removal. Stated differently, a worker must manually strike the wedge assemblies at angles that are not conducive to ready removal. Accordingly, there exists a need for a delivery guide assembly that better provides for the ready removal of delivery strippers from the delivery holder. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a guide assembly for use in processing a work piece with features that promote ease of use in securing and releasing a guide of the assembly. In more specific embodiments, the invention is a delivery guide assembly for use in, for example, a rolling mill for processing steel and steel rods that promotes rapid removal of a delivery stripper and addresses the problems identified with known delivery guide assemblies. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the invention is a guide assembly for use in processing a work piece having a holder, a guide for directing the work piece from one station to another station, and a movable cam releasably attached to the holder. The guide is releasably secured to the holder by the movable cam. The cam is movable between a disengaged position to release the guide from the holder and an engaged position to secure the guide to the holder. This embodiment may further provide that the holder has a bottom member, a pair of side members that extend upward from the bottom member, and a mounting member that connects upper portions of the side members and supports the movable cam. As configured, the guide is releasably secured between the bottom member and the mounting member. The concept of a component being “between” two other components does not necessarily imply that the three components are contiguous (i.e., in intimate contact). Rather, as used herein, the concept of one component being between two other components is meant to describe the relative positions of the components within the assembly structure, respectively. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the invention is a delivery guide assembly that includes a delivery stripper secured to a delivery holder by a cam-style locking clamp. As the locking cam is rotated, it applies a force on the upper surface of the delivery stripper to secure the stripper to the base. Variations of this embodiment of the assembly are disclosed that include one or more additional components, such as a base to support the delivery holder and delivery stripper, a lever arm attached to the cam-style locking clamp and used to facilitate the operation of the locking clamp, and a wedge serving as an upper restraint for the delivery stripper. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, the invention is a delivery guide assembly for use in a rolling mill having a delivery holder, a delivery stripper releasably secured to the delivery holder, and a movable striker cam pivotally mounted on the delivery holder that releasably secures the delivery stripper to the delivery holder. A base is provided to support the delivery holder and the delivery stripper. Also provided in this embodiment is a locking wedge positioned between the striker cam and the delivery stripper. 
         [0010]    In this embodiment, the rotation of the striker cam imparts a compression force through the locking wedge to the delivery stripper to secure the stripper to the delivery holder. The delivery holder may include a bottom member, a pair of opposing side members extending from the bottom member, and a striker cam mounting member position between the opposing side members such that the mounting member engages the striker cam. As configured, the delivery stripper is releasably secured to the delivery holder within a space defined by the bottom member, the opposing side members, and the striker cam mounting member. 
         [0011]    The invention provides, among other benefits, a delivery guide assembly that facilitates the ready removal of a delivery stripper in the event of cobbling. In particular, the combination of the moveable cam and movable wedge that secures and releases the delivery stripper promotes the efficient repair of a delivery guide assembly during cobbling and minimizes downtime for repairs during steel rolling operations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention and the manner in which the same are accomplished will become clearer based on the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is partial cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the delivery guide assembly of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged transverse sectional view of one embodiment of the delivery guide assembly taken generally along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the delivery guide assembly illustrating rotation of the cam and movement of the wedge; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the cam showing the varying outer radius along an outer circumference of the engaging member of the cam; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevation view of another embodiment of the delivery stripper of the delivery guide assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a partial cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the assembly, shown generally at  10 . In the embodiment depicted, the structure of the delivery guide assembly  10  is generally defined by a delivery holder  11  mounted on a base  15 . The delivery stripper  12  is secured to the delivery holder  11 , and serves to guide a work piece to or from a series of rollers  40 . The delivery stripper  12  is secured to the delivery holder  11  by a locking wedge  14  adjacent to the delivery stripper used in conjunction with a movable striker cam  13  mounted to the delivery holder  11 . A top member  24  of the delivery holder  11  provides stiffness to the delivery holder  11 , and may further be used to connect other components in the rolling mill to the delivery guide assembly  10 . 
         [0020]    The striker cam  13  includes a substantially semi-circular engaging member  31  that secures the striker cam  13  to a mounting member  23  on the delivery holder  11 . The striker cam  13  also includes a lever arm  32  extending from the engaging member  31 , which serves to provide mechanical assistance for the operation of the striker cam  13 . The movement of the lever arm  32  causes the striker cam  13  to rotate about the mounting member  23  between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The rotation of the striker cam  13  to the engaged position imparts a compressive force on the locking wedge  14 , which translates the compressive force to the delivery stripper  12 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows an enlarged transverse sectional view of this embodiment of the delivery guide assembly  10  having a delivery holder  11  mounted on a base  15 . As is shown in this figure, the delivery holder  11  is composed of a bottom member  21  and a pair of side members  22  extending upward from the bottom member  21 . The mounting member  23  is secured to each of the side members  22 , thereby connecting the upper free ends of the delivery holder  11 . The striker cam  13  rotates about the mounting member  23 , applying pressure to the locking wedge  14  to secure the delivery stripper  12  between the locking wedge  14  and the bottom member  21 , and between the side members  22 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of the delivery guide assembly  10 . The movement of the lever arm causes a rotation of the striker cam  13  from an engaged position to a disengaged position. This movement allows the locking wedge  14  to be removed from the delivery holder  11 , which accordingly releases the delivery stripper  12  from its fixed position against the delivery holder  11 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of the striker cam  13 . As is shown in this figure, the engaging member  31  of the striker cam  13  has an outer radius varying along the outer circumference of the engaging member  31 . This outer radius varies between a first radius R 1  corresponding to a disengaged position of the striker cam  13  and a second radius R 2  corresponding to an engaged position. By this structure, the increasing radius relative to adjacent objects caused by the rotation of the striker cam  13  is thereby translated into a lateral force. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged side elevation view of another embodiment of the delivery stripper  12  of the delivery guide assembly  10 . In this embodiment pictured, the delivery stripper  12  is formed of two pieces. The separate pieces are secured together and secured between the side members  22  and a bottom member  21  of the delivery holder  11  and the locking wedge  14 . As with previous embodiments, the rotation of the striker cam  13  mounted to the mounting member  23  on the delivery holder  11  presses the locking wedge  14  against the delivery stripper  12 , thereby securing it to the delivery holder  11 . 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the invention is a guide assembly  10  for use in processing a work piece. The guide assembly  10  includes a holder  11 , a guide  12  for directing the work piece from one station to another station, and a movable cam  13  mounted on the holder  11 . For instance, the guide  12  may be an entry guide for feeding a steel bar to a pair of grooved rollers  40 , or the guide  12  may be a delivery stripper for guiding a steel bar from a pair of grooved rollers  40 . The guide  12  is releasably secured to the holder by the movable cam  13 . The cam  13  is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the engaged position, the cam  13  exerts a force on the guide  12 , thereby securing the guide  12  to the holder  11 . In the disengaged position, the force exerted on the guide  12  by the cam  13  is relieved, allowing the guide  12  to be released from the holder  11 . 
         [0026]    This embodiment of the invention may further provide that the holder  11  includes a bottom member  21  and a pair of side members  22  that extend from the bottom member  21 . A mounting member  23  serves as the mounting connection of the movable cam  13  to the holder  11 . The mounting member  23  also connects the free ends of the side members  22  (i.e., the ends not connected to and located distally to the bottom member  21 ) to add structural stability to the holder  11 . 
         [0027]    In a typical embodiment, the side members  22  are substantially parallel to one another and extend upward from the bottom member. It will be understood that the term “substantially parallel” is meant to describe the spatial relationship between, for example, component to another component, wherein the relationship is approximately parallel. 
         [0028]    In this arrangement, the mounting member  23  connects the top ends of the side members  22 . The terms “bottom member,” “upward,” and “top ends” are intended to describe the typical orientation of the components of the holder  11 , and are not intended to limit the invention to a single positioning. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the structure of the holder  11  can be formed in any orientation so long as the operation of the cam  13  releasably secures the guide  12  between the bottom member  21  and the mounting member  23 . 
         [0029]    Typically, the cam  13  of this particular embodiment includes a semi-circular engaging member  31  that pivotally mounts the cam  13  to the holder  11 . The engaging member  31  has an outer radius that varies along an outer circumference of the engaging member  31 , as is depicted in  FIG. 4 . Specifically, the outer radius varies from a first radius R 1  that defines a disengaged position to a second radius R 2  that defines an engaged position. The cam  13  also includes a lever arm  32  extending from a portion of the engaging member  31 . Accordingly, movement of the lever arm  32  effects the rotation of the engaging member  31  between the disengaged position and the engaged position. 
         [0030]    A wedge  14  may also be provided in a position between the cam  13  and the guide  12  such that the wedge  14  translates the rotation of the cam  13  between the disengaged position and engaged position to a compressive force securing the guide  12  to the holder  11 . In other words, as the cam  13  is rotated, the thickness of the portion of the cam  13  between the mounting member  23  and the wedge  14  is changed. As the cam  13  is rotated towards the engaged position, the thickness of the portion of the cam  13  in contact with the wedge  14  increases, pressing the wedge  14  towards the guide  12 . Alternatively, as the cam  13  is rotated toward the disengaged position, the thickness of the cam  13  relative to the wedge  14  decreases, relieving the compressive force of the wedge  14  against the guide  12 . 
         [0031]    To further assist in the securing and releasing of the guide  12  to the holder  11 , the wedge  14  may define a varying thickness along its length, as is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . With such a structure, the wedge  14  may be positioned relative to the cam  13  such that guides of varying heights may be secured to the same holder  11  (e.g., a thicker portion of the wedge can more readily contact, and therefore exert pressure on, a smaller guide). 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the invention is a delivery guide assembly  10  for use in a rolling mill that includes a delivery stripper  12  releasably secured to a delivery holder  11  by a cam-style locking clamp  13 . The rotation of the striker cam  13  imparts a compression force on the delivery stripper  12  to secure the delivery stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11 . A base  15  supporting the delivery holder  11  and delivery stripper  12  may be included to secure the delivery guide assembly  10  in place. 
         [0033]    The delivery holder  11  may be comprised of a bottom member  21 , a pair of opposing side members  22  extending from the bottom member  21 , and a striker cam mounting member  23  positioned between the opposing side members. Using a delivery holder  11  having this structure, the striker cam  13  engages the mounting member  23  to releasably secure the delivery stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11  within the space defined by the bottom member  21 , the side members  22 , and the striker cam mounting member  23 . The delivery holder  11  may further include a top member  24  connecting the side members  22 . The top member  24  should be substantially parallel with the striker cam mounting member  23  with respect to the bottom member  21 , if not further from the bottom member  21 . Such positioning ensures that the top member  24  does not interfere with the positioning of the delivery stripper  12  within the delivery holder  11 . As noted above, the top member  24  provides stiffness to the delivery holder  11 , and may further be used to connect other components in the rolling mill to the delivery guide assembly  10 . 
         [0034]    The delivery stripper  12  may be a one-piece component that is simply inserted and then secured to the delivery holder, as is shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the delivery stripper  12  may be constructed from multiple pieces. When using multi-piece strippers, the delivery holder  11  not only secures the delivery stripper  12  in place, but also secures the pieces of the delivery stripper  12  to each other. A variation of the delivery stripper constructed from two pieces is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    The striker cam  13  may include a substantially semi-circular engaging member  31  for pivotally mounting the striker cam  13  to the delivery holder  11 . The engaging member  31  has a variable outer radius, as shown in  FIG. 4 , ranging in thickness along its outer circumference from a first radius R 1  defining a disengaged position to a second radius R 2  defining an engaged position. The rotation of the striker cam  13  accordingly changes the thickness of the engaging member  32  relative to the delivery stripper  12 , thereby exerting an increasing force on the delivery stripper  12  as the engaging member  31  rotates from the first radius R 1  to the second radius R 2 . 
         [0036]    One or more additional components may be included in the delivery guide assembly  10  to enhance the operation of the mechanism. First, a base  15  may be included to support the delivery holder  11  and the delivery stripper  12 . The base  15  may be secured to other equipment in the rolling mill or to the ground below the delivery guide assembly  10  to provide structural support. 
         [0037]    Second, a lever arm  32  attached to the cam-style locking clamp  13  can be provided to facilitate the securing and releasing of the delivery stripper  12 . The inclusion of the lever arm  32  requires the operator of the delivery guide assembly  10  to apply less force to secure or release the delivery stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11 . In some embodiments, the lever arm  32  extends beyond the delivery holder  11  to allow for easier access by the operator (i.e., the operator does not need to reach into the holder to manipulate the striker cam). 
         [0038]    Third, a locking wedge  14  serving as an upper restraint for the delivery stripper  12  may be provided. The combination of a locking cam  13  and a locking wedge  14  serves to secure the delivery stripper  12  in place. As the locking cam  13  is moved to the engaged position, for instance by the movement of an attached lever arm  32 , the interaction with the locking wedge  14  applies a force on the upper surface of the delivery stripper  12  and secures the stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11 . The locking wedge  14  may be moveable with respect to the striker cam  13  such that the locking wedge  14  may engage the striker cam  13  at varying positions. Further, the thickness of the locking wedge  14  may vary along its length so that the positioning of the locking wedge  14  relative to the striker cam  13  can accommodate different sizes of delivery strippers  12 . 
         [0039]    Advantageously, the cam  13  and locking wedge  14  minimize the time required to remove the delivery stripper  12  for maintenance or replacement in case of cobbling, thus minimizing downtime in the mill. For example, a worker may strike the lever arm  32  of the cam  13  with a mallet to secure or release the wedge  14 , thereby promoting the securing or removal of the delivery stripper  12 . The action of striking the lever arm  32  is less time-consuming than loosening a bolt or striking a wedge multiple times to release or secure the delivery stripper  12 . 
         [0040]    Although this embodiment discloses the application of the invention to secure a delivery stripper to a holder, the structure and function of this embodiment is equally effective in securing an entry guide to a holder to guide a steel bar to a series of rollers in a steel mill. 
         [0041]    In yet another embodiment, the invention is a delivery guide assembly  10  for use in a rolling mill having a delivery holder  11 , a delivery stripper  12  releasably secured to the delivery holder  11 , a base  15  supporting the delivery holder  11  and the delivery stripper  12 , a locking wedge  14  positioned substantially adjacent to the delivery stripper  12  for restraining the delivery stripper  12  against the delivery holder  11 , and a movable striker cam  13  having a lever arm  32  attached to the delivery holder  11 . The striker cam  13  releasably engages the locking wedge  14  to secure the delivery stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11 . In this embodiment, the rotation of the striker cam  13  facilitates the insertion or removal of the locking wedge  14 , which in turn permits the securing or removal of the delivery stripper  12  to the delivery holder  11 . 
         [0042]    The striker cam  13  includes a substantially semi-circular engaging member  31  having an inner coupling surface engaging the delivery holder  11  and an outer surface engaging the locking wedge  14 . The outer surface of the striker cam  13  may define a variable outer radius that varies along the outer circumference of the engaging member  31  from a first radius R 1  to a second radius R 2 , the second radius R 2  being greater than the first radius R 1 . The engagement of the striker cam  13  with the locking wedge  14  at the position of the outer surface having the first radius R 1  defines a disengaged position. In this disengaged position, the locking wedge  14  may be removed from the delivery guide assembly  10 , thereby releasing the delivery stripper  12 . Conversely, the engagement of the striker cam  13  with the locking wedge  14  at the position of the outer surface having the second radius R 2  defines an engaged position. In the engaged position, the combination of the striker cam  13  and the locking wedge  14  exert a pressure on the delivery stripper  12 , securing the delivery stripper  12  against the delivery holder  11 . 
         [0043]    The delivery guide assembly of any of the embodiments of this invention can be formed from steel, alloy, or any other material suitable for the purposes of the invention as set forth herein. 
         [0044]    In the drawings and specification, typical embodiments on the invention have been disclosed. Although specific terms have been employed, they have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.