Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 28th June, 1887
Complete Left, 14th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 20th Apr., 1888
I JOHN FERGUSON HASKINS of 114 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London
Consulting and Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
My invention relates to rolling mill plants or apparatus for rolling metal from a
billet or bar, to a wire rod, and also to the reeling thereof at completion.
It consists in the combination and relative arrangement of the various mechanisms
which compose said plant, as hereinafter set forth whereby the aforesaid results are
effected.
I will direct my explanations to a simple form of the invention but equivalents will
readily suggest themselves.
1 employ a continuous train of reducing rolls such as is often employed in a wire
rod rolling mill, the various sets of said series of rolls being fitted to turn in suitable,
stationary bearings, and operated in the usual way by means of power imparted from
a suitable engine, through a main driving shaft, large gears, small gears, shafts,
bevelled gears, subsidiary shafts, and pinions. The shafts being fitted to turn in
suitable bearings, and the various gears secured to their respective shafts.
Before passing between the series of rolls, the billet is partially reduced in size by
passing it back and forth between a set of rolls, arranged say, at the opposite end of the
main shaft, from the fly-wheel and turned by said shaft. After the required number of
passes between said rolls, (of which there are three or other number provided with a
number of grooves) the partially reduced billet is fed over a series of carrying rolls
fitted to turn in suitable bearings in a stationary frame, and from thence into a hollow,
star shaped, transferring device, comprising in this instance four pipes projecting out
radially, from a four way hub having a downward projection fitted to turn in a
socketted or hollow support.
In connection with the aforesaid supporting and carrying rolls, a cutting device is
employed for cutting the metal into proper lengths as may be required before passing
into the transferring device, said severed sections being-made to lengths coming within

page_text: the limits of the transferring device, so that when deposited therein, said device may
be turned without obstruction, one fourth of a revolution, or sufficient to bring the
metal bar contained therein, in line with the series of rolls, as hereinafter more fully
described.
Ordinarily said cutting operation would be unnecessary in practice, the various
parts being made and arranged so that when the metal bar leaves the set of reducing
rolls, it has been rolled out to the proper length to be deposited in the transferring
device as aforesaid, without the necessity of cutting or trimming the same.
When using extra large or long billets however, it is necessary to employ a cutting
device between the rolls and transferring device.
Said cutting device is, (say) arranged midway between the ends of the series of
supporting and carrying rolls, and consists of a stationary cutter fastened to a frame,
and a movable cutter, operated past the cutting edge of the stationary cutter by means
of hydraulic power connected therewith.
In practice, the carrying rolls are turned by means of suitable driving mechanism
connected with their shafts, so that as the rear end of the billet passes from between
the rolls, said billet is carried on by said rolls and deposited in the rotary transferring
device.
The mechanisms for operating the movable cutter, and rolls, may be of any well
known construction, and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to describe the same.
Upon the billet being conveyed from the rolls to the rotary transferring device, as
previously described, said device is turned one fourth of a revolution to bring said
billet in line with the series of reducing rolls, when a rod or piston is moved forward
in line with the billet, and coming against the end thereof, pushes it forward along
the transferring device, and in between the first set of reducing rolls of said train.
Said first set of rolls now gripping the billet draws it forward, and passes it on to
the next set, and so on continuously from one set to the next through tho whole train,
at the same time reducing it, so that when it issues from between the last set or finish
rolls it has been rolled down and extended into the form of a wire rod, which, as it
leaves the train, is guided to and coiled upon a suitable reel.
Two reels are preferably employed for the reason that while the rod is being
delivered and coiled upon one, the rod previously coiled may be removed from the
other, thereby, as will be obviously seen greatly facilitating the operation of the
machine, and increasing the production. The operation of conveying the billet from
the primary reducing rolls, to the continuous train, is also facilitated, by the use of a
star shaped transferring device, from the fact that while one billet is being drawn
from the opening in line with the train of rolls, by the first set of rolls of said train,
the next succeeding billet is being fed forward into the other opening therein, arranged
in this instance, at right angles thereto, the various parts being so arranged and
timed, that upon the rear end of the first billet passing the center of the device where
the openings cross each other, the forward end of the second billet following directly
after, passes said rear end ; and by the time the first billet has been drawn out of the
device, the second one has been deposited therein, preparatory to turning said device
one fourth of a revolution to bring it in line to be pushed forward as previously
described.
The rod or piston for thus pushing forward the billets may be operated in any
suitable and convenient manner, but steam or hydraulic power is preferably used for
the purpose.
A guide, is also preferably employed for guiding the billets from the transferring
device to the first set of rolls of the train, and also suitable guides for directing the
finished rods from the last set of rolls of said train to the reels upon which they are
coiled, say by means of a swivel guide, which in practice is provided with suitable
means for operating the same so as to direct the rods into one or more conducting
tubes, interposed between the same, and the reel or reels upon which said rods are to
be deposited and coiled.
Guides may also be employed, if desired, for conducting the billet from one set of
rolls to the next while in the process of reduction.

page_text: The construction of the improvel reels is as follows. A reel is mounted on the
outer end of one shaft, fitted to turn in suitable bearings, in a rocking frame having
bearings upon each side in the upper ends of the supporting standards. Said shaft is
turned by means of one or the other of two pulleys, (one being a tight and the other
a loose pulley) through another shaft and two bevel gears, the pulley and one of the
bevel gears being secured to the latter shaft and the other gear to the former shaft.
The former shaft is, in this instance, fitted to turn in one of the hubs of the frame, a
central opening being formed therein for the purpose.
While the rod is being delivered to the reel as previously described, it occupies a
horizontal, and its shaft a vertical position, and is turned with sufficient speed to take
up the rod as fast as delivered; but as soon as the coil is completed thereon said reel
is stopped and swung over one fourth of a revolution into a vertical position when said
coil may be removed therefrom by means of a pair of tongs, and a crane, or, in any
other suitable and convenient manner. The reel is thus swung over in this instance,
by means of a steam or hydraulic piston, operating through a link, a crank secured to
one of the hubs of the frame.
In practice, the reel is preferably arranged to be stopped automatically, after each
coil is completed thereon, by means of any suitable and well known mechanism
combined therewith.
From the foregoing description it is obvious that a very perfect and effective plant
is produced by the carrying out of my invention to practice. I am enabled, not only
to increase the production but also to improve the quality thereof over many of the
rolling mill plants now in use for a similar purpose.
By the employment of a transferring device such as herein before described, I am
enabled to obtain a convenient and quick transfer of the billots, while at the same time
protecting them in a measure from direct exposure to the surrounding atmosphere,
thereby preventing them from cooling, except only in a slight degree, so that they
may be more readily reduced by the subsequent rolling process than by the usual
method of transferring said billets from one set of rolls to another entirely
unprotected.
To facilitate the confinement of the heat within the transferring device, the pipes
thereof may be made with an inner and outer casing, and filled between the same with
asbestos or other non-conductor of heat.
Dated the 28th day of June 1887.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from abroad by CARYL DAVIS HASKINS, of 16, College Place,
Rochester, in the State of New York, one of the United States of America,
Student.
I JOHN FERGUSON HASKINS of 114* Queen Victoria Street in the City of London
Consulting and Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to rolling mill plants or apparatus for rolling metal from a
billet or bar, to a wire rod, and also to the reeling thereof at completion.
It consists in the combination and relative arrangement of the various mechanisms
which compose said plant as hereinafter set forth whereby the aforesaid results are
effected.
I will direct my explanations to a simple form of the invention but equivalents in
details will readily suggest themselves.
I employ a continuous train of reducing rolls such as has before been employed in a
wire rod rolling mill the various sets of said series of rolls being fitted to turn in suitable
stationary bearings and operated in the usual way by means of power imparted from a
suitable engine, through a main driving shaft, large gears, small gears, shafts, bevelled
gears, subsidiary shafts, and pinions. The shafts being fitted to turn in suitable
bearings and the various gears secured to their respective shafts.
Before passing between the series of rolls, the billet is partially reduced in size by
passing it between a set or sets of rolls, arranged say, at the opposite end of the main
shaft, from the fly wheel or otherwise and turned by said shaft or by gearing-After
passage between said rolls (of which there are three or other number provided with a
number of grooves) the partially reduced billet is fed over or between a series of
carrying rolls fitted to turn in suitable bearings in a stationary frame, and from thence
into a hollow transferring device, comprising for instance four pipes projecting out
radially, from a central socket or a shaft with bearings thereto so as to fit it to rotate
around a central axis on radial arms.
In connection with the aforesaid supporting and carrying rolls, a cutting device is
employed for cutting the metal into proper lengths as may be required before passing
into the transferring device, said several sections being made to lengths coming within
the limits of the transferring device, so that when deposited therein, said device
may be turned without obstruction one fourth of a revolution, or sufficient to bring
the metal bar contained therein, in line with the series of rolls, as hereinafter more
fully described.

page_text: Ordinarily said cutting operation would he unnecessary in practice, the various parts
being made and arranged so that when the metal bar leaves the set of reducing rolls,
it has been rolled out to the proper length to be deposited in the transferring device
as aforesaid, without the necessity of cutting or trimming the same.
When using extra large or long billets however it is necessary to employ a cutting
device between the rolls and transferring device.
Said cutting device is (say) arranged midway between the ends of the series of
supporting and carrying rolls, and consists of a stationary cutter fastened to a frame,
and a movable cutter operated past the cutting edge of the stationary cutter by means
of hydraulic power connected therewith.
In practice the carrying rolls are turned by means of suitable driving mechanism
connected with their shafts, so that as the rear end of the billet passes from between the
rolls said billet is carried on by said rolls and deposited in the rotary transferring device.
The mechanisms for operating the moveable cutter, and rolls, may be of any well
known construction and it is therefore deemed unnecessary to describe the same.
Upon the billet being conveyed from the rolls to the rotary transferring device in
the instance previously described, said device is turned one fourth of a revolution to
bring said billet in line with the series of reducing rolls, when a rod or piston is
pushed forward in line with the billet, and coming against the end thereof, pushes
it forward along the transferring device and in between the first set of reducing rolls
of said train.
Said first set of rolls now gripping the billet draws it forward, and passes it on to
the next set and so on, continuously from one set to the next through the whole train
at the same time reducing it, so that when it issues from between the last set or finishing
rolls it has been rolled down and extended into the form of a wire rod, which, as it
leaves the train is guided to and coiled upon a suitable reel.
Two reels are preferably employed for the reason that while the rod is being delivered
and coiled upon one, the rod previously coiled may be removed from the other, thereby,
as will be obviously seen greatly facilitating the operation of the machine, and increasing
the production.
The operation of conveying the billet from the primary reducing rolls, to the con-
tinuous train, is also facilitated by the use of a star shaped transferring device, from
the fact that while one billet is being drawn from the opening in line with the train of
rolls, by the first set of rolls of said train, the next succeeding billet is being fed forward
into the other opening therein, arranged in this instance, at right angles thereto, the
various parts being so arranged and timed, that upon the rear end of the first billet
passing the centre of the device where the openings cross each other the forward end
of the second billet following directly after, passes said rear end, and by the time the
first billet has been drawn out of the device, the second one has been deposited therein
preparatory to turning said device one fourth of a revolution to bring it in line to be
pushed forward as previously described.
The rod or piston for thus pushing forward the billets may be operated in any
suitable and convenient manner but steam or hydraulic power is preferably used for
the purpose.
A guide is also preferably employed for guiding the billets from the transferring
device to the first set of rolls of the train and also suitable guides for directing the
finished rods from the last set of rolls of said train to the reels upon which they are
coiled, say by means of a swivel guide, which in practice is provided with suitable
means for operating the same so as to direct the rods into one or more conducting tubes
interposed between the same and the reel or reels upon which said rods are to be
deposited and coiled.
Guides may also be employed if desired for conducting the billet from one set of
rolls to the next while in the process of reduction.
The construction of the improved reels is substantially as follows. A reel is mounted
on the outer end of one shaft, fitted to turn in suitable bearings, in a rocking frame
Having bearings upon each side in the upper ends of the supporting standards.

page_text: Said shaft is turned by means of one or the other of two pulleys, (one being a tight
and the other a loose pulley) through another shaft and two bevel gears, the pulley and
one of the bevel gears being secured to the latter shaft and the other gear to the
former shaft.
The former shaft is, in this instance fitted to turn in one of the hubs of the frame,
a central opening being formed therein for the purpose.
While the rod is being delivered to the reel in the instance previously described, it
occupies a horizontal, and its shaft a vertical position, and is turned with sufficient
speed to take up the rod as fast as delivered; but as soon as the coil is completed thereon
said reel is stopped and swung over one fourth of a revolution into a vertical position
when said coil may be removed therefrom by means of a pair of tongs, and a crane or
in any other suitable and convenient manner. The reel is thus swung over in this
instance, by means of a steam or hydraulic piston operating through a link a crank
secured to one of the hubs of the frame.
The reel is preferably arranged to be stopped after each coil is completed thereon by
a brake or by means of any suitable kind.
From the foregoing description it is obvious that a very economical and effective
plant may be produced by the carrying my invention into practice, I am enabled not
only to increase the production but also to improve the quality thereof over rolling
mill plants now generally in use for a similar purpose.
By the employment of a transferring device such as described I am enabled to
obtain a convenient and quick transfer of the billets while at the same time protecting
them in a measure from direct exposure to the surrounding atmosphere, thereby
preventing them from cooling, except only in a slight degree, so that they may
be more readily reduced by the subsequent rolling process than by the usual
method of transferring said billets from one set of rolls to another entirely
unprotected.
To facilitate the confinement of the heat within the transferring device the pipes
thereof may be made with an inner and outer casing and filled between the same with
asbestos or other non-conductor of heat.
Figure 1. represents a top or plan view of a rolling mill plant embodying my
improvements.
Figure 2. is a front side view thereof with the reel guard hereinafter described
left off.
Figure 3. is a vertical transverse section taken on line a Figure 1 looking in the
direction indicated by the arrow a¹ same figure.
Figure 4 is a cross section on line b. Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a modification thereof.
Figure 6, is a vertical longitudinal section on line c Figure 1. Figures 7 and 8
represent a plan and side view respectively the latter partly in section of a reeling
machine for coiling up the wire rods as they are delivered from the last set of reducing
rolls, the reel being shown in different positions by full and dotted lines, and the
appliances for removing the finished coils also being shewn by dotted lines, as herein-
after more fully described.
Figure 9 is a vertical section through said reeling machine, taken on line d
Figure 7.
Figure 10 represents, upon the same scale, as Figures 1 and 2 a modification of a
portion of my improved plant also hereinafter more fully described.
Figure 11 represents a top or plan view of a rolling mill plant embodying my
improvements and modified in so far as to effect economy in working by making one
set of primary rolls k serve two sets of feeding transferring storing and coiling
mechanisms.

page_text: Figure 12 is an end view, upon an enlarged scale, of a transferring device used in
connection therewith looking in the direction of arrow a Figure 11.
Figure 13, is a transverse section through a portion of said transferring device,
upon a still larger scale, taken on line x x Figure 11.
The various parts and the letters of reference thereto are substantially the same in
construction and operation throughout the figures, the differences mainly consisting
of variations in the relative positions of the parts to suit alterations of conditions of
site or other circumstances.
My invention relates to Rolling mill Plants for rolling metal from a billet or bar
to a wire rod and also to the reeling thereof into coils at completion.
The various special constructions shown in said drawings, it will be understood
simply serve as an illustration of one way in which my invention may be carried out
in practice, and as the same results may be effected by other similar constructions.
A represents a continuous train of reducing rolls such as has been before employed
in a wire rod Rolling mill.
The various sets of said series of rolls are fitted to turn in suitable, stationary
bearings and may be operated in the usual way by means of power imparted from a
suitable engine through the main driving shaft B, large spur gear C, small spur
gear D, shaft E, bevel gears F and F¹, shafts G. G¹, and pinions H. the shafts being
fitted to turn in suitable bearings and the various gears secured to their respective
shafts.
The part I represents part of an ordinary engine, and J a fly wheel on the main
driving shaft B, which being of well known construction require no further illustra-
tion or description.
Prior to passing between the series of rolls A, the billet is partially reduced in size
by passing it back and forth between a primary set of rolls K arranged in this instance,
at the end of the shaft B, opposite from the fly wheel J, and turned by the said shaft
or by continuous passage through rolls in series.
After the billet has been subjected to the required number of passes between the
said rolls K, said billet is fed over a series of supporting and carrying rolls e, fitted to
turn in suitable bearings in a stationary frame f. It is then passed into a hollow
star shaped transferring device L, consisting in this instance of four pipes 9 projecting
out radially from a four way hub h having a downward projection * fitted to turn in
a socketed or hollow support n.
As illustrated in the drawing Figure 3, there are three primary rolls K but I do not
limit myself to this number.
A cutting off or trimming device M may be employed in connection with the afore-
said carrying rolls e, if desired, for cutting the billet into proper lengths, or trimming
the ends thereof as may be required before passing the same into the transferring
device L.
In practice the severed sections to be fed into said transferring device being made
a little shorter than the device so that when deposited therein it will not project at
either end, and obstruct the proper working thereof as hereinafter described.
Ordinarily said cutting operations would be unnecessary, the billets being of the
proper size and length and the various parts of the mill constructed and arranged to
produce the desired length of rods from said billets.
The cutting device is, in this instance, arranged midway between the ends of the
series of carrying rolls e and consists of a stationary cutter i fastened to frame and
a moveable cutter joperated past the cutting edge of the cutter i by means of
hydraulic, steam or other power connected therewith in any convenient and well known
manner.
In practice the carrying rolls are turned by means of suitable driving mechanism
connected with their shafts e¹, so that as the rear end of the billet passes from between
the primary rolls K, it is carried on by said rolls e and deposited in the rotary, trans-
ferring device L.
The mechanism for operating the moveable cutter ; and rolls e may be of any well
known construction and arrangement.

page_text: In this instance the cutter is represented as being operated by means of a cylinder
and piston j' j² (see Figure 3)-and the rolls by the shaft E. through suitable belt,
shaft and gear connections for turning bevel gears e² secured to the ends of said
rolls as shewn in Figure 1.
The billet having been deposited in the transferring device Las previously described
said device is turned one fourth (+) of a revolution so as to bring said billet in line
with the train of reducing rolls A.
A rod or piston is now moved forward in line with the billet which coming against
the end thereof pushes it forward along the interior of the device L and its forward
end in between the first set of the train of rolls A. Said set of rolls now gripping
the end of the billet draws it forward and passes it on to the next set and so on
continuously from one set to another through the whole train at the same time
reducing it, so that when it issues from between the last set or finish rolls of said
irain, it has been rolled down and extended into the size and form of a wire rod,
which as it leaves the train of rolls is guided on to and coiled upon a suitable
reel N or N'.
Two reels are preferably employed as shown in Figure 1 for the reason that while
the rod is being delivered and coiled upon one, the rod previously coiled may be
removed from the other, thereby, as will at once be apparent greatly facilitating the
operation of the machine and correspondingly increasing the production thereof.
The operation of conveying the billet from the primary set of rolls, K to the con-
tinuous train A. is also facilitated by the employment of the transferring device L,
from the fact that while one billet is being drawn forward from said device by the
first set of rolls of said train A. the next succeeding billet is being fed into the device,
in this instance at right angles thereto, the various parts being so arranged and
timed in relation to each other that when the rear end of the first billet has passed
the centre of the device, the forward end of the one following passes by said rear end,
and by the time the first billet has been withdrawn from the device, the second one
has been deposited therein preparatory to said device being turned to bring the
latter billet in line with the train of rolls A. to be pushed forward as previously
described.
Hydraulic or steam power is preferably employed for operating the piston or rod k
as indicated in the drawings, but any other convenient and well known means may be
used for the purpose if desired.
A guide 1, is also preferably employed for guiding the billets from the transferring
device to the first set of rolls of the train A, and between each set of rolls of said
train, and also for directing the finished rods from the last set of rolls of said train,
to the reels upon which they are coiled.
I have shewn the latter result as being accomplished in this instance by means of
a swivel device m which in practice, is provided with suitable means for operating
the same so as to direct the rods into one and then another of the conducting
tubes n², n³ interposed between said device and the reel or reels upon which said rods
are to be deposited and coiled.
The transferring device L may be turned by hand, by power in the manner indicated
in Figure 3 or in any other suitable, well known way. In practice bydraulic or
steam power is preferably employed.
In place of thus arranging the transferring device as described and shewn in Fig. 1
I sometimes arrange it as straight tubes as shewn in Fig. 10 or a large stationary tube
or U shaped trough or conduit as Fig. 5 which may be arranged directly in line with
a continuous rod mill and I place a pushing in device mainly as shewn in the previous
figures (see Figure 1-k) in other respects, but the said tube when arranged thus to
be stationary is made of about the same length as the billet to be rolled and to be
prolonged toward the pushing in device equal to the length of said bar the prolonga-
tion having its upper half cut away as Fig. 5 so as to make a trough into which the
billet or bar can be dropped in which case the pushing in device is made to have a longer
stroke to compensate.

page_text: Many different kinds of reeling machines may be employed in carrying out my
invention in practice and I therefore do not limit myself to any special construction
in considering the invention broadly.
For the purpose of convenience I have shown in certain of said Figures
(Figures 7. 8. and 9) a single reeling machine, and will describe the same as such,
instead of the double reeling machine shown in Figures 1. 2. 10. 11. 14 and 15 the
construction being substantially alike, in duplicate.
The reel is mounted on the outer end of a shaft o fitted to turn in suitable bearings
in rocking frame p having bearings at each side in the upper ends of supporting
standards qq. Said shaft o is turned by one or the other of the pulleys (one
being a tight and the other a loose pulley) through the shaft s level gear and
bevel gear .
The pulley and bevel gear t being secured to shafts and gear u to
shaft o.
The shaft is fitted to turn in one of the hubs pl of framo p a central
opening being formed therein for the purpose.
While the rod is being delivered to the reel as previously described, said reel
occupies a horizontal, and its shaft a vertical position, as indicated by full lines in
Figures 8 and 9, and are turned with sufficient speed to take up the rod as fast as
delivered to said reel; but as soon as the coil is completed thereon the reel is stopped,
and swung over one fourth of a revolution, into a vertical position as indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 8 when said coil may he readily removed therefrom by means of
a pair of tongs v and crane w as is also shewn by dotted lines, or in any other suitable
and convenient manner.
The reel is shown as being thus swung over, in this instance, by means of a steam
or hydraulic piston operating through a link ¹ a crank a² secured to one of the
bubs of frame p.
In practice the reel
preferably arranged to be stopped after each coil is completed
thereon by means of any suitable and well known mechanism such as a lever band or
other brake.
The part marked y represents a guard to prevent defective or short pieces of rod
from being projected from the reel and thereby protecting the workmen from injury.
Said guard is fastened to frame p and occupies at all times the same relative position
to the reel.
From the foregoing description it is obvious that an economical and effective rolling
mill plant is produced I am enabled not only to increase the production whilst at the
same time economising cost of production and material by prevention of waste but
also to improve the quality thereof over the old rolling mill plants.
By the adoption of a transferring device L such as herein before described I am
also enabled to obtain a convenient and expeditious conveyance of the billets while at
the same time in a measure protecting them from direct exposure to the surrounding
atmosphere which as is well known is of especial advantage at this point in the
reducing process for the reason that in the first stages of reduction the billet being
fed forward at a low rate of speed is liable to become cool to such an extent as to
impair the subsequent rolling thereof by the continuous or other mill employed. To
facilitate the confinement of the heat within the transferring device, the pipes g
thereof may be made with an outer and inner casing having a space between filled
with asbestos or other non-conductor of heat as shown at z in Figures 3 and 4 of the
drawings. In case only a partial protection of the billet is required, an open trough
such as shown in Figure 5 and at e¹ Figures 11. 14. and 15 may be used in lieu of
the tubes g of the transferring device respectively being the inner and outer casings
thereof filled in between with asbestos z or other non-conductor of heat and if desired,
my improved plant may be so constructed and arranged as to dispense with either the
carrying rolls and their operating mechanism, or the transferring device between the
primary set of rolls K, and the continuous train of rolls A that is only one or the
other of the same being used at the same time, as pointed out in the claims.
In the modification, Figure 10, the only essential changes consist in arranging the
primary rolls K, at right angles to shaft B; the carrying rolls parallel with said shaft
B

page_text: to correspond with the above change, and in constructing the transferring device L so
as to rotate vertically instead of horizontally, as in the former instance, being arranged
to turn with a horizontal shaft n' fitted to turn in suitable bearings and operated in
any well known way.
The cutting off or trimming device M as well as the mechanism for operating the
carrying rolls are also in this instance not shown.
Referring to Figures 11. 12. 13. 14. 15 W. W. W. W may indicate position of a
series of ordinary furnaces for heating the billets in the manufacture of wire rods;
which are in the instance illustrated by Figures 11. 12. 13. shewn as being ranged in
a semi circle in front of the primary rolls K which are here ranged as a continuous
train of rolls for partially reducing said billets one roll acting in advance of and in
line with its successor. Prior to entering between said rolls K. the billet passes
over a series of supporting and carrying rolls e; and as it leaves the last set of rolls of
said train partially reduced it enters a swivel et attached to a conducting pipe e
whereby it is guided in between a set of feed rolls e; thence by another suitable
guide el (or el or e12) in between another set of feed rolls e¹s which feed said billet
into or onto a suitable storage receptacle or device preparatory to being further
reduced to the size of a wire-rod by the continuous train of rolls A A. As the
finished rod issues from between the last set of rolls of one of said rod trains, it is
guided onto a suitable antomatic reel N. N¹ two sets of two each of which are shown
in this instance (but this number may be varied) and coiled thereon by the rotation of
said reel.
The detailed construction of most of the details have been clearly shown in the
previous Figures, I have shown in the latter figures the devices simply in skeleton
to form the various parts or groups of parts required to illustrate this portion of the
invention.
g represents a combined storing and transferring device, and consists of a pair of
tubes mounted longitudinally in circular frames g¹ g₁ at the ends. Said frames
are each in turn supported on a pair of friction rolls gags fitted to turn in suitable
stationary bearings 9. When the device is in its normal position the tubes g² g² are
both on the same horizontal plane as shewn in Figure 12. with one tube in line
with the feed rolls e¹³ and the other with the train of rolls A as shown in Figure 11.
In the modification shewn by Figure 14 the curved fixed guide to the feed rolls e¹³
is replaced by a series of pairs of rolls e¹¹.
In the modification shewn by Figure 15 the guide e¹ is also replaced by a set of
pairs of guide rolls ell as in Figure 14.
W represents an ordinary heating furnace similar to the furnaces W. and W" is
what is terined a "hot bed" consisting of a series of transverse or cross bars 1. 1. 1.
upon which the billets 2 may be placed for temporary storage as they are delivered
from the train K in case of the derangement of any of the machinery employed for
further reducing said billet. In practice said "hot bed "bars may be held in position by
partially imbedding them in the ground or by fastening longitudinal bars to the ends
thereof.
I have in Figures 11. 14 and 15 respectively shown three different ways in which
the billets may be conducted from the billet train to the aforesaid device g furnace W1
or "hot bed "W2 consisting in Figure 11 of a pipe e, in Figures 14 and 15 a series
of rolls e¹¹ and to W2 in Figures 11. 14 and 15 of an open trough e¹² but I prefer in
practice the pipe eo for the reason that the metal being enclosed, it is prevented from
cooling in passing between the points named. It is also preferable to employ a
device -rather than a furnace W₁ between the train of rolls A A and said con-
ducting tubes e¹¹; as re-heating of the metal after leaving the rolls K would ordinarily
be unnecessary to pass through the subsequent stages of reduction in producing the
wire-rods.
The protection of the billets after being deposited in the tubes g may be facilitated
by making said tubes as shown in Figures 4. 5. 12 and 13 with an inner and outer
casing, and filled in between with asbestos or other non-conductor of heat.

page_text: The feed rolls e and e¹³ may be operated in any convenient and well known way.
One method of driving said rolls is by means of a chain of spur gears inter-meshing
one with another, and which may in turn be driven in any well known way, but this
may be varied to circumstances.
It is preferable in practice, to combine two or more rod trains A A and their
respective conducting devices and reels, with the train of rolls K, so that the billets
may be passed on for further reduction to one, and then the other alternately of said
rod trains and their reels, as fast as delivered from said train K. Being thus delivered
in rapid succession, owing to the use of several furnaces W as previously described
it is obvious that the production of the mill is very materially increased over the
ordinary mills in common use.
As the "hot bed "W2 is not an essential feature of my invention I make no claim
thereto except in alternative combination with the other devices that are essential as
may be desired.
The operation of reducing a billet to a wire rod by the use of my improved plant
may be briefly summed up as follows
The attendant first removes the billet from one of the heating furnaces W, in the
usual way and deposits it on the feeding or carrying rolls e, said rolls then carry it
forward between the first set of reducing rolls of the train K ; when it is then continued
to be fed forward and reduced by said rolls, and each succeeding set of rolls of said
train in the usual way.
Upon issuing from the last set of rolls the billet enters and passes through the
swivel e guide-pipe e³ which has previously been swung in line with one of the sets of·
feed rolls e by means of the operating rod e connected with the forward end thereof.
This movement of this guide pipe e to and from a position in line with either feed
rolls may conveniently be effected by the draw e furnished with a handle e and
sliding in a swivelling support e'.
Being now passed in between said feed rolls e the latter feed it forward into and
through the conducting pipe el and in between the second set of feed rolls e¹³ which
in turn pass it forward and deposits it in the one of the tubes g² in line therewith. An
attendant now turns the device g one half a revolution by means of a handle g
thereon as indicated in Figure 12, thus bringing said filled or loaded tube in line with
the train of rolls A.
j
An attendant next grips the forward end of the partially reduced billet by means
of a suitable swivel gripping device or tongs and draws it forward and inserts it
between the first set of rolls of said train A, as indicated by full and dotted lines in
Figure 11 when said rolls and each succeeding set feed forward and further reduce
the billet as in the former instances to the size of a wire-rod, which as it issues from
the last set or finishing rolls is guided by a swivel device similar to the device m
previously described, into and through a suitable connecting pipe n² or n³ onto one
of the reels N. N¹ upon which it is coiled between the double row of spokes N² thereof
as fast as delivered thereon thus completing the operation. In practice it is preferable
to employ two reels for each train of rolls A as shown at the right hand side of
Figure 11, for the reason that while the coil is being formed upon one reel the one
previously coiled upon the other reel may be removed and thus obviate any unnecessary
delay in the rolling and coiling operations.
The various parts of the plant are so constructed in relation to one another that the
forward end of each billet will enter between the feed rolls e, before its rear end
leaves the last set of rolls of the train K, and between the feed rolls e¹³ before leaving
the said feed rolls e therefore after having been fed in between the first set of rolls of
said train K as previously described, the billet is passed forward automatically until
it is deposited within one of the protecting tubes g of the device g when thus
deposited the forward end of said billet projects beyond the front end of the
device a sufficient distance for the attendant to grip and draw forward the same, as
previously described.
For the purpose of convenience in illustration I have shewn only a few sets of each

page_text: train of rolls in the Figures last described as well as in the previous Figures but
it will be understood that a considerably larger number are employed in practice,
the additional number thereof being governed according to different circumstances
and requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A rolling mill plant comprising a primary set or series of reducing rolls for
partially reducing the metal billet or bar; a series of supporting and carrying rolls
arranged to turn in suitable, stationary bearings, and having a device substantially
as described for cutting or trimming the billets combined therewith; a rotary trans-
ferring device fitted to turn in a socketed support or its equivalent for conveying the
billets from the aforesaid carrying rolls to a position in line with a continuous train
of reducing rolls, means substantially as described for pushing the billet along said
transferring device in between the first set of rolls of said train; the continuous train
of rolls aforesaid, a reeling machine for taking up the rods, and coiling the same as
fast as delivered from the finishing rolls of said train, and means substantially as
shown and described for supporting and operating the various parts composing the
aforesaid plant.
2. In a rolling mill plant a series of carrying rolls arranged between a set of
primary reducing rolls K and a continuous train of reducing rolls A. and having
combined therewith a suitable cutting off or trimming device, substantially as shown
and specified.
3. In a rolling mill plant a rotary transferring device arranged between a primary
set of reducing rolls K, and a continuous train of reducing rolls A, and having
means as described for pushing the billet along said transferring device, in between
the first set of rolls of said train substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a rolling mill plant a series of supporting and carrying rolls, and a rotary
transferring device, arranged between a primary set of reducing rolls K, and a con-
tinuous train of reducing rolls A, or their equivalent, said carrying rolls being adapted
to receive the billet from the primary set of rolls, and deliver it to the transferring
device, and the latter having means as described for pushing said billet along the
interior thereof, and in between the first set of rolls of said train, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination of the cutting off or trimming device M with the series of
supporting and carrying rolls e, fitted to turn in stationary bearings, and operated
substantially as set fortli.
6. The combination of the rotary or swivel device L, with the socketed support n,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. A reeling machine for receiving and coiling the wire rods as they are delivered
from a rolling mill, comprising a reel mounted on the end of a shaft fitted to turn in
a rocking frame, means substantially as described for rotating said reel so as to coil
up the rod as fast as it is delivered thereto from said rolling mill, and means for
turning the aforesaid frame to swing the reel from a horizontal to a vertical position,
and vice versa, substantially as set forth and shown.
8. The combination of the shaft o, having a reel mounted thereon and means for
operating said shaft, with the rocking frame p, means for turning the same so as to
swing the reel from a horizontal to a vertical position, and vice versa, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
9. The combination of the shaft o having a reel mounted thereon, and means for
operating said shaft, with the rocking frame p, means for turning the same so as to
swing the reel from a horizontal to a vertical position, and vice versa, and a guard y,
arranged outside of said reel, and to swing with it and frame p, substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
10. The receptacles or tubes g, constructed as set forth for receiving the heated

page_text: billet or rod and protecting it from the atmosphere while the same is being transferred
from one set or series of rolls to another, substantially as shown and described.
11. In a rolling mill plant, the system of billet heating furnaces W, supporting and
carrying rolls e, and primary train of rolls K, for partially reducing the billets, and
delivering the same in rapid succession therefrom, in combination with two or more
systems or apparatus for further reducing said partially reduced billets to wire rods,
and forming the same into coils, consisting of the swivel guide pipe e³; feed rolls e³ ;
conducting pipes e, or their equivalents; feed-rolls e¹³, storage receptacles or
appliances W W2; the trains of rolls A; reels N. N¹, and suitable guides inter-
posed between said storage receptacles or devices and the rolls A, and between
said rolls and the reels, all arranged for operation substantially as shown and
specified.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.