Improvements in Rolling Mills.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 20th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rolling Mills.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18, Buckingham
Street, Strand, W.C., Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention a communication to me from abroad by Henry Grey, of the City of
New York and State of New York, in the United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer and Manufacturer, and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:--
This invention relates to improvements in mills or apparatus for rolling
metallic beams, girders, and structural work generally.
This invention pertains, more especially, to a mill that comprises, firstly, two
horizontal rolls arranged the one above the other in the same vertical plane and
in position to operate upon the blank's web and upon the inner sides of the
heads or flanges of the blank, and having the upper horizontal roll adjustable
vertically; secondly, two vertical rolls arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of
the horizontal rolls, and in position to operate upon the outer sides of the blank's
heads or flanges; thirdly, another system of rolls comprising two horizontal rolls
arranged the one above the other and in position to operate upon the edges of the
blank's flanges in the passage of the blank to or from the first mentioned roll
system fourthly, side guides arranged between the roll systems at opposite sides,
respectively, of the work's path, and fifthly two blank straightening bars arranged
at opposite sides, respectively, of the work's path, and operated as required to
gradually effect the straightening of the blank.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. I is a top plan of the improved mill or
apparatus, and portions are broken away and in section in this figure to reduce
the latter's size and to more clearly show the construction: Fig. II is an elevation
of roll system B (employed in rolling the sides of the webs and heads or flanges of
the work), partly in section on line II-II, Fig. I. Fig. III is a top plan of
roll system Band portions are broken away and in section in this figure to
more clearly show the construction. Fig. IV is a top plan of the apparatus or
machinery employed in simultaneously driving all of the horizontal rolls of the
mill. Fig. V is an elevation of the roll system employed in operating upon the
edges of the work's heads or flanges, and showing, also, a portion of the machinery
instrumental in driving the said rolls. Fig. VI is an elevation showing the
web reducing rolls in end elevation and the operative connection between the
blank straightening bars and the shaft that is instrumental in the rotation of
the screws employed in the adjustment of the top web reducing roll, and show-
ing also the operative connection between the said shaft and the screw employed
in the adjustment of an upright flange reducing roll. Portions are broken away
in Fig. VI to show a half box for the top web reducing roll. Fig. VII is an
elevation of roll system A, (employed in rolling the edges of the heads or flanges
of a blank and in straightening, smoothening or removing scales from the web)
partly in section on line VII-VII, Fig. L. Fig. VIII is an elevation of roll
system A at line VIII—VIII Fig. VII, and shows the flange edge rolling rolls

page_text: engaging the flanges and webs of the blank. Fig. IX is an elevation, partly in
vertical section, showing in detail, the operative connection between an upright
side roll D (employed in reducing the flanges of the blank) and the top web
reducing roll. fig. X is a horizontal section on line X X Fig. IX.
This improved apparatus or mill comprises two systems of rolls, one roll
system A for rolling the edges of the heads or flanges of the column, beam or
girder, (that is hereinafter termed the blank or the work or the product) and
another roll system B for rolling opposite sides of the flanges or heads and the web
of the work. The two roll system A and B are located in line, and, preferably,
in such proximity to each other, that the blank or work can be fed from the one
system to the other and the work, in feeding it from the one to the other roll
system, shall be received by the latter before it has left the former, and the
rolling or operating surface of the rolls of both systems of rolls are driven
positively and in the direction required to feed in opposite directions alternately,
and the work is given as many passes through the mill as are required to com-
plete the rolling or shaping of the work, and the blank or work is, of course,
suitably heated preparatory to its introduction into the said rolling mill, and the
work is fed through the mill with its web arranged horizontally.
The roll system B (see Figs. II and III) comprises a top horizontal roll 13', a
bottom horizontal roll 13 and two vertical side rolls D and D arranged at opposite
ends, respectively, of said horizontal rolls, and all of said rolls are positively rotated
in the direction required to feed the work, as will hereinafter appear. Roll B₁
is arranged horizontally and transversely of the work's path in position to operate
upon the upper side of the web of the work and upon the inner sides of the
work's flanges or heads above the web. Roll 12 is arranged below and trans-
versely of the work's path in position to operate upon the lower side of the work's
web and upon the inner sides of the work's heads or flanges below the web.
The two upright rolls D and D are arranged at opposite sides respectively, of
the work's path in position to operate upon the outer side of the adjacent flange
or head of the work. The work C is shown in position in Fig. II. Rolls B' B²
are of course, rotated in opposite directions, respectively.
Roll system A (see Figs. VII and VIII comprises, preferably, two rolls A¹
and A arranged at the top and bottom, respectively. of the work's path, in
position to operate upon the edges of the flanges or heads of the work. That
is the top roll A operates upon the upwardly presented edges, and the bottom
roll A operates upon the downwardly presented edges.
Two feed table C and C are arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of the
work's path through the mill. Feed table C is located adjacent to roll
system B and is provided with any suitable number of suitably driven feed
rollers C³. Feed table C2 is located adjacent to roll system A and comprises
any suitable number of suitably driven feed rollers C. The work is fed from
one of the feed tables to the other feed table, and is passed in opposite directions
alternately.
Any mechanism or apparatus suitable for positively driving rolls B' B² of roll
system B and rolls A and A+ of roll system A is provided, and in the case
illustrated, a trunnion A of the lower roll A+ of roll system A (see Fig. V) is
operatively connected, by means of a suitable coupling or connection A", with a
suitably supported horizontally arranged shaft a and a trunnion A³ of the upper
roll A is operatively connected, by means of a suitable coupling or connection A,
with a horizontal shaft arranged above and parallel with shaft a.
Two spur
gears aaoperatively mounted upon shafts & and respectively, and having
corresponding number of teeth mesh with each other, and gear a meshes with
a driving pinion at operatively connected in any approved manner, with a suit-
ably supported and suitably actuated driving shaft . Hence rolls A¹ and A+
are driven in opposite directions, respectively, as required.
a
Another pinion aª (see Fig. IV) is operatively mounted upon driving shaft
and meshes with a spur gear af operatively mounted upon a horizontal shaft a³

page_text: suitably supported at one side of, and a suitable distance from, shaft a³ and
operatively connected, by means of suitable couplings or connections a², with a
spur gear a arranged in line with shaft a and between said shaft as and the
trunnion b (see Fig. IV) of the lower roll 132 of roll system B, and any suitable
couplings or connections 6 establish operative connection between said
trunnion and gear. A spur gear all is arranged above and parallel and
meshes with spur gear at Gear " is operatively connected, by suitable
couplings or connections, with one of the trunnions of the upper roll B₁ of
the roll system B. The arrangement and relative size of the gear wheels employed
in establishing operative connection between the engine-shaft and rolls A',
A+ B and B are preferably such that the rolling or operating surfaces of said
rolls shall be driven at the same speed, or nearly so.
The two rolls B1 132 are driven in opposite directions, respectively, as already
indicated, and the upper roll B and the lower roll are driven in the same
direction as the upper roll A' and lower roll A+, respectively, of roll system A,
and hence, the work can be fed from rolls A, A, to rolls 131 or vice versa,
according as the driving shaft is actuated in the one direction or the other, and
the two systems of rolls are preferably arranged in sufficiently close proximity
to each other to enable the one system of rolls, as already indicated, to operate
upon the work before the latter has left the other roll system. The bottom
roll 13 of roll system B is suitably supported from the two housings G G
arranged a suitable distance apart at opposite sides, respectively, of the work's
path and suitably tied together and braced apart by rods G. It is obvious that,
for the work of the character indicated, one or both of the horizontal web
reducing rolls must be adjustable vertically, and the upright side rolls D and D must
be adjustable apart, and in the case illustrated, the top roll B is adjustable toward
and from the bottom roll 12, and it is also obvious that the said upright rolls D D
and the top roll 31 are preferably adjusted simultaneously relative to the work's
path, and the said upright side rolls, in adjusting them apart simultaneously with
the adjustment of the top roll, are preferably moved more rapidly than the top
roll in order to avoid long crop ends and torn or cracked flange edges on the
finished product.
Very good results are obtained by moving rolls D and D considerably and
preferably about thirty-three and one-third per cent. faster than the movement
of the top roll B, during the adjustment of said rolls. It is obvious that the rolls
at the commencement of the operation of the mill are set as required to accomo-
date the passage between them of the heated blank, and generally in the first
pass of the work little more is accomplished than a straightening of the blank.
If the rolls DD, in their movement toward and from each other, were
travelling at the same rate as the travel of the top roll toward and from the
bottom roll, all of the said rolls will have traveled the same distance, and if,
for instance, the rolls were set, say for a finished product to have one half inch
thickness of web and a half-inch thickness of flange, the top horizontal roll B
would, at the completion of the work be brought within that distance of the
bottom horizontal roll, and the side rolls D D would be brought within that
distance of the ends of the horizontal rolls that form, as already indicated, the
inner sides of the flanges or heads and web of the work. Now, if the top roll, in
its movement toward the bottom roll, moves at the same rate that each of the
sie rolls move, in the latter's movement toward each other, and if the top roll's
travel during the rolling of the work is two and one half inches it follows that
after the top roll has travelled two and one half inches, all of the rolls (B₁ D D)
will have travelled the same distance, and the top roll ] will be three inches
from the bottom roll B2, and the side rolls D 1) will be the same distance, namely,
three inches, from the flange rolling surface of the horizontal rolls B B. Now,
ji is evident that if an even reduction of all parts of the work is to be effected,
and the travel of the top and side rolls, during the adjustment of the said rolls,
were the same not only had no allowance been left for over coming the dis-

page_text: tortion caused by the shear in cropping or cutting the blank, which is always
much greater on the flanges than on the web, but long crop ends will be had on
the finished product. This subject of long crop ends will be readily under stood
upon consideration of the fact that the flange rolling surfaces of the horizontal
rolls always rotate more slowly than the peripheral or web rolling surfaces
of said rolls because the flange rolling surfaces of said rolls extend nearer to the
axes of the rolls than the latter's wel rolling surfaces, and if the side rolls 1) D
are not caused to work more vigorously than the horizontal rolls the finished
product will probably be found cracked or torn at the edges of the heads or
Hanges, and a great deal of material, that should be equally or properly dis-
tributed between the web and flanges and thereby increase the length of
the perfect product, will have been robbed by the web rolling surfaces of the
horizontal rolls to form extensive elongations of the web at the ends of the
product, which elongations or crop ends have to be cut off and are not worth any
more than scrap material, and if the edges of the flanges or heads are mutilated
the whole product is practically worthless and forins very expensive scrap.
Instead, therefore of desiring only to reduce the flanges at the same rate as the
web, it is invaluable to reduce the flanges considerably faster than the web in
order to make up for the much slower rate of delivery at the points of the
horizontal rolls from which the edges of the flanges are delivered from the speed
of those parts of the horizontal rolls at which the web is delivered, and when
the side rolls D D are adjusted toward each other more rapidly to the extent
required than the movement of the top rolls 13 relative to the bottom roll B³,
it will be found that cracking or tearing of the edges of the flanges of the pro-
duct will always be avoided. The additional material going into the flanges, it
will be observed, is instrumental in adding to the length of the finished product,
(flanges as well as web) and is not robbed by the web for the objectionable
purpose already indicated.
Before referring to the mechanism employed for effecting the adjustment of
said adjustable rolls 13 D and D, it is observed that live surfaces should be
present to all sides of the work, and consequently all of said rolls and the
hottom roll B2 should be rotated positively and in unison. A suitable operative
connection between cach of said upright rolls D and D and the adjacent
trunnion of the upper horizontal roll B' comprises, preferably, a horizontal
friction disc d (see Fig. IX) operatively connected with the respective upright
roll in any approved manner and preferably by the formation of interlocking
Jugs and 1 (see Figs. IX and X) upon said friction disc and the roll,
respectively. The upright roll is bored centrally, as at D and the lugs D³ are
formed upon the upper portion of the surrounding wall of said bore. The
friction disc is, therefore arranged within or extends into the upper portion of the
bore through the roll, and the aforesaid interlocking Jugs are arranged vertically
to accomodate an up and down movement or adjustment of the friction disc for
the purpose hereinafter made more apparent. Said friction disc d. at its upper
end, is provided with an external annular friction surface that is frictionally
engaged by a corresponding annular friction collar B3 formed upon or operatively
connected with, the adjacent trunnion of the upper horizontal roll 13. By means
of the vertical adjustability of dises d, frictional engagement is maintained
between said friction member and the friction collars B upon vertically readjust-
ing the upper horizontal roll B. The frictionally engaging surfaces of mem-
hers and B are shown arranged horizontally. The friction surface of each
member is formed upon the periphery of the said member, and the friction
surface of each disc is formed upon the top of the said member d. The said
arrangement of the frictionally engaging surfaces of members and 13 main-
tain a desirable adequacy in the contact between the said friction members
during the adjustment of the vertical side roll toward and from the horizontal
rolls and during the adjustment of the top web reducing roll toward and from
the lower web reducing roll, and the friction surface of discs d is preferably suffi-

page_text: ciently wider than the friction surface of members B³ to maintain the entire
width of the friction surface of members B in contact with discs & in the
different adjustments of the side rolls.
The means acting to elevate each friction disc d and maintain frictional engage-
ment between said friction disc and the engaging friction collar B, comprises,
preferably, a piston E (see Figs. IX and X) that is secured to the said disc d in
any approved manner. The piston extends downward into the chamber f formed
in the vertical cylindrical lug or cylinder F formed upon the inner end of a
horizontally arranged slide H, and upon said cylinder the upright roll, that is
operatively connected with the aforesaid friction disc d, is mounted. A port
or passage way f¹ for conducting water or fluid under pressure to chamber f, is
formed, in any approved manner, within the lower head of said cylinder, and
communicates with the aforesaid chamber. The fluid under pressure, within
said chamber, acts to force the piston upwardly and thereby causes the horizontal
friction disc d to be held in frictional contact with the engaging friction
disc 13, and can, if desired assist in supporting the top roll B. A stuffing
box F is provided around the piston at and supported by the upper end of
cylinder F, and prevents upward leakage of the fluid under pressure from
chamber f
H
An improvement that constitutes a portion of the novel matter contained in
this application, consists in positively preventing piston E from rotating with
the friction disc borne by the said pistons and thereby avoid wear of the pack-
ing or stuffing box that encircles the said piston. Each piston E is, there fore,
prevented from turning by a key E that engages a recess f³ formed in the
upper end of the gland f4 of the stuffing box formed between the said piston
and the embracing cylinder, and the said key extends into a groove e formed
in and arranged longitudinally of the piston. Member ft is bolted, as at f", or
otherwise rigidly secured, to the cylinder, and groove e is long enough to accom-
modate the vertical adjustability of the piston, and the friction disc that is
carried by the said piston, is rotably mounted upon the piston, and rests, prefer-
ably, upon a series of anti-friction rollers suitably interposed between the
under side of the disc and the upper side of a collar E formed upon the piston.
Each housing G, near its lower end, adjacent to the trunnion of the lower
horizontal roll, (see Figs. III and VI) is provided with a horizontally arranged
slideway engaged by a slide H that carries one of the side rolls D. Slide-
ways GG are arranged parallel, therefore, with the direction in which the
side rolls and D are adjustable. That is, two horizontally movable slides
are arranged or extend within the different housings, respectively, and each of
the said slides carries a side roll that is supported from the said slide in any
approved manner. Both slides H H are adjustable toward and from each other,
and the two rolls D D are moved, therefore, toward or from each other.
slide H is operatively connected, at its central portion, with a screw H² arranged
parallel with the slide ways for the said slide. The screw H² engages, prefer-
ably, a correspondingly threaded nut I (see Fig. III) rigidly secured within a
recess I formed in the outer and central portion of the slide, and the nut bear-
ing portion of the slide consists of a piece that is suitably connected with but
has an adjustment independently of the slide's portion that carries a side roll,
and the said outer slide member carries the thrust bearing for the said slide
roll, and the said thrust bearing comprises two large vertical anti-friction
rollers JJ arranged a suitable distance apart at the outer side of and engaging
the said side roll and thereby sustaining the said roll against lateral outward
pressure during the roll's operation. The said sustaining rollers are supported
from the outer slide member in any approved manner. Studs or bolts are
screwed into and rigid, therefore, with the inner or roll bearing slide member
and extend freely through the outer or roller bearing slide member.
Each
The space had between the two slide members accommodates the adjust-
ment of the outer or roller bearing slide member, upon the said bolts or studs,

page_text: toward the inner or roll bearing, slide member. The adjustability of the roller
bearing slide member accomodates the taking up of any wear of the said roll
and roller, and the maintenance of the rollers in; contact with the roll, and the
roll bearing slide member is retained in the adjustment required to hold its
rollers in contact with the roll by, nuts 3 mounted upon the studs or bolts at
the outer end of the said slide member.. The slide operating screw H² extends
from the connected slide outwardly through a yoke forming beam or piece G
that connects together and is removably, secured to the two legs of the housing
that supports the said slide. Two collars H H³, that are fixed or formed upon
the screw at opposite sides, respectively, of the said yoke, prevent endwise move-
ment of the screw during the latter's rotation. It will be observed by the con-
struction herein before described that the said screw He is not only instrumental
in adjusting the connected slide H, and, consequently the roll carried by the said
slide, relative to the web reducing rolls, but is also employed in adjusting the
cuter roller bearing of the said slide inwardly toward the inner or roll bearing
member of the slide for the purpose herein before indicated. The means
removably securing yoke G2 to the housing legs comprises, preferably, studs g
that extend through the yoke into the said legs, keys that extend through
or partially through the said legs into or through the studs g, g¹ and nuts g
mounted upon the studs at the outer side of the yoke. The peculiar means here-
inbefore described relative to the construction and operation of a slide H and
connected parts is exceedingly simple and forms a portion of the novel matter
contained in this application. It is obvious that cach slide H and the roll
supported thereby are adjusted toward or from the pair of horizontal rolls B B²,
according as the connected screw is turned in the one direction or the other.
The upright screws L L (see Figs. I, II, and VI) engage correspondingly
threaded holes formed in the tops of housings G G and are arranged to form
stops that limit the upward movement or elevation of the upper horizontal
roll B. Saddles are interposed between the lower ends of said screws and the
trunnions of said roll and one of the said saddles is shown and marked
Fig. VI. Each trunnion of the top roll is supported in the same manner, and
referring to Fig. VI that shows one of the trunnions of the said roll, it will be
observed that the support for the said roll comprises, a half box under each
trunnion of the roll and resting upon upright bars that at their lower ends,
are supported from the one end of a vertically tilting weighted lever whose
weight somewhat more than counterbalances the said roll and any load carried
by the roll.
in
The present invention involves, broadly, the particularly illustrated mechanism
employed in attaining the required greater reduction of the space between the
side roll than between the top and bottom rolls, during the setting of the said
rolls. The mechanism employed for rotating screws L and H2 is shown to be as
follows: Upon the upper end or portion of each screw L (sce Fig. I, II and VI)
is operatively mounted a worm wheel L that meshes with a worm M¹ formed
upon a suitably supported horizontally arranged shaft M. The upper ends of
screws L are, in the case illustrated, angular in cross section and extend through
corresponding holes in the central portions of the engaging wheels L' so that
the said screws are capable of endwise movement independently of the said
wheels L without interrupting operative connection between the said wheels
and screws. Upon the outer end of each screw H2 of a slide H (see Figs. I,
III and VI) is operatively mounted a worm wheel H that meshes with a worm
formed upon a suitably supported upright shaft 4+. Each shaft is operatively pro-
vided, at its upper end, with a bevel gear that meshes with a bevel gear M
operatively mounted upon the shaft M that is suitably driven in the one or other
direction according as screw L, and consequently the top roll B. are to be
elevated or lowered. By the construction just hereinbefore described it will be
observed that all of the said screws L and H2 are operatively connected with one
and the same shaft M, and are consequently operated simultaneously. All the
г.

page_text: gears he and Me correspond diametrically and the screws L and H have the
same pitch, but the worm engaged worm wheels H employed in the adjustment
of the side rolls have a diameter that is about three-fourths of the diameter of
the worm wheels Ls that are instrumental in the operation of screws L. Hence,
in the case illustrated, the more rapid endwise movability of screws H2 is due
solely to the difference in diameter between worm wheels L' and H³. Of course,
the members of the mechanism establishing operative connection between the
reversible shaft. M and screws H and L are preferably so arranged that the side.
rolls D D and top roll 13 shall be simultaneously shifted inwardly, or out
wardly, according as the said shaft is rotated in the one or the other direction,
and the said rolls are set as required, at the commencement of the operation of
the mill upon a predetermined size of blank, to form the initial passage way,
between the said side rolls and between the top and bottom rolls, for the said
blank, and the said adjustable rolls are adjusted as required to reduce the said
space after each subsequent pass of the said blank.
Rolls A¹ and A+ of roll system A (see Figs. I, VII and VIII) are of course
arranged in the same vertical plane, and roll A¹ has its trunnion resting in
half boxes A movable up and down within the two upright housings As that
are arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the work's path. Half boxes A'
rest upon and are consequently supported from any suitable number of upright
bars or rods A6 (see Figs. V and VII) operatively connected, at their lower ends,
with vertically tilting weighted levers whose weights AS somewhat more than
counterbalance the weight of roll A¹ and act in the direction required to elevate:
said roll. Saddles or blocks A" rest upon the trunnion of rolf A¹ above half
boxes A, and suitably operated screws A10 engage correspondingly threaded.
holes in the removable tops or caps of the housings and engage the upper sur
faces of saddles A and not only limit the upward movement of roll A but are
instrumental in lowering the said roll against the action of weights As.
Roll A is adjustable vertically, therefore, as required preparatory to operating
upon the edges of the heads or flanges of a predetermined piece of work.
Screws A, when they are rotated or turned, are operated uniformly, and the
mechanism employed for uniformly operating said screws comprises, prefers:
ably, two worm wheels A" A* operatively mounted on the different screws,
respectively, above the housings, and meshing with beveled worm Ab that are
formed upon a horizontally arranged shaft A suitably supported above and from
the housing tops, and the arrangement of the said worms relative to the said.
gears A is such that the screws, when the said shaft is rotated, are simultaneously
turned in the same direction.
A gauge for regulating the width of the heads or flanges of the work is pro-
vided, and comprises, preferably, two collars ii (see Figs. VII and VIII) mounted
upon the roll A² and roll A, respectively, of roll system A, at opposite sides,
respectively, of the path of and arranged to engage, the web of the work, between
the paths of the work's flanges or heads. Each collar is removably and
operatively mounted upon the central portion of the respective roll. The collar's
end portions are diametrically smaller than the collar's central portion and form
the flange edge rolling portions of the roll, the collar is placed. upon the roll
by sliding it endwise onto the core of the roll, and the operative connection
between the core and the collar consists, preferably, of any suitable number of
keys engaging opposing grooves formed in the collar and core, respectively.
The rolls A and A+ with their collars i I are adapted for making a particular size
or width of flanges, but any other size can be made by removing the said collars
and substituting other collars required for the desired particular size. The size
of said collar i determine, as already indicated, the width or size of the products
flanges. The collars assist, also in straightening or removing irregularities in
and in removing scales from the web of the work, and are so shaped that they
will engage and assist in finishing the inner sides of the flanges of the work.
Two horizontal bars c are arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of and

page_text: parallel with the lower flange edge rolling roll A+ and below and transversely
of the under side of the works path. Each bar c bears two rollers a sup-
ported from the bar a suitable distance apart and arranged next below the path
of opposite flanges, respectively, of the work. Between each pair of rollers cel
is provided a bottom guide arranged to be engaged by and guide the under
side of the work's web, and the said guide straddles and is removable upwardly
from the bar that bears the said rollers. A guide and rollers care, there-
fore, at each side of the roll A+ and the two guides and the two pairs of rollers
are instrumental in guiding the work to and from the flange edge rolling rolls.
The means removably securing the housing caps Ad to the legs of the housings,
comprises preferably studs A extending through the caps into the housing legs,
keys A extending through or partially through the said legs into or through
the studs, and nuts Ah mounted upon the studs at the upper sides of the caps.
By removing the housing caps, the rolls A¹ A+ and guides can be readily
removed for repairs and the placing of other collars upon the rolls.
It will be observed that the details of construction, relative to roll system A
are desirable and valuable, and the said details to the extent pointed out in the
claims, form a portion of the novel subject matter of this application. Feed
table comprises any suitable number of feed rollers C that are driven in any
approved manner and as required to feed the work to and from the said roll
system A from and to the said table. The work, in order to remove scales there-
from and to assist in the production of uniform work is, when it is upon
table C2, automatically overturned any suitable number of times, and in any
approved manner.
Two suitably formed bottom guides or bearings Q Q¹ (see Figs. I, and III) for
the work are provided at opposite sides, respectively, of rolls B1 13 of roll
system B at the underside of the path of the work. A suitably driven roller is
arranged horizontally and transversely of the under side of the work's path,
between roll system A and roll system B and the guide Q is arranged between
the said roller j and roll B2 and extends into close proximity to the said roll_B³.
Guide is arranged between roll B2 and table C₁ and extends into close
proximity to the said roll. Said guides prevent downward displacement of the
work in the latter's passage to and from roll system B.
A top guide (not shown) for the work in the passage of the work from the
roll system B to the roll system A is preferably provided for the purpose of
preventing the work from being thrown upwardly out of its path in said passage,
but as the top guide, preferably employed in the place indicated, involves con-
siderable mechanism and does not form any portion of the subject matter
claimed in the application, and would, if it were illustrated in this application,
confuse other matters hereinafter claimed; this specification and accompanying
drawings do not disclose it.
It is obvious that, as already indicated, the top web reducing roll B¹ and
with it the flange reducing rolls D) D), are set, preparatory, to the first pass of a
heated blank that requires reducing, the distance apart required for the first
pass, which distance forms the largest work receiving passage between said rolls
during the operation of the mill, and said passage is rendered smaller pre-
paratory to each successive pass of the work, and the rolls after the work had
its finishing pass, are again adjusted to enlarge the work receiving passage
between them as required for another blank.
Two side guides forming bars rr for the work (see Figs. I, II, III and VIII)
extend from roll system B to and beyond roll system A, and are arranged at
opposite sides, respectively of the work's path. Said guides extend into close
proximity to the rolls of roll system B, and a suitable distance beyond the
outer side of roll system A into suitable proximity to table C. Guides r are
parallel, supported as will hereinafter appear, adjustable simul-
taneously with the shifting of the rolls D and D toward or
from each other, and to the same extent, or approximately to the same extent,

page_text: as the movement of the said rolls D D. Bars or guides r r are pivoted vertically,
at or near their inner ends, as at r to the different housings GG respectively,
at opposite sides, respectively of the works path at any suitable point between
roll systems A and B and preferably near the rolls of roll system B and the
said guides are capable of being swung horizontally on their pivotal bearings
towards or from each other. Guides r at the outer side of and a suitable
distance from rolls A¹ A+ are operatively connected with each other for the pur-
pose of simultaneously and equally moving the said guides in adjusting the
guides apart. A desirable operative connection between the said guides com-
prises a horizontally arranged shaft that extends transversely of and below
the work's path through lugs or flanges formed upon and depending from
guides r r. A right handed screw is formed upon the shaft t at the outer side
of one of the said guides, and a left handed screw is formed upon the said
shaft at the outer side of the other guide. Screws and are operatively
engaged by two nuts and respectively. The said nuts have bearings in and
are arranged to slide endwise of lugs A formed upon the housings A5 and each
of the aforesaid guides is operatively connected with one of the aforesaid nuts r
in any approved manner and in the case illustrated each of the aforesaid guide
lugs slidably embraces the shaft and engages a recess 5 formed in the inner end
of the connected nut. Shaft t, at or near one end, has bearing in a stationary
box A and a bevel gear is fixed upon the shaft at the outer end of the said
box and meshes with a bevel gear operatively mounted upon a shaft that is
arranged horizontally and at right angles to shaft that it will be observed
therefore is stationary as far as endwise movement is concerned. Shaft is
supported in any approved manner and extends from end to end of the machine.
At one end of the machine the said shaft 18 carries the gear and at the other
end of the machine operatively bears a bevel gear that meshes with a bevel
gear that is fixed upon shaft T that is arranged horizontally below and
extends transversely of the work's path at the outer side of and a suitable
distance from roll B². The aforesaid guides between roll system A and roll
system B are engaged, upon their outer sides, by extentions or members
of pistons r (see Fig. 1) arranged and operated as required to assist in sup-..
porting or moving the said guides toward each other simultaneously with
the shifting of rolls B D D. Guides are set as required for the work's
initial pass to accommodate the passage of the heated blank between them, and
after the first pass the said guides are shifted toward each other preparatory to
each pass, to reduce the width of the passage way between them and continue to
properly perform their functions of guiding and preventing lateral displacement
of the work during the operation of the mill upon the work. One member
engages and is arranged at the outer side of and at-right angles to one of the
guides r, and the other member is arranged at the outer side of and at right
angles to the other guide r. Each piston is arranged to operate within a
stationary horizontally arranged closed chambered cylinder that, at its outer
end, has its chamber connected with a pipe employed for supplying water or
other fluid under pressure to the piston in said cylinder, and thereby actuate the
said piston in the direction required to move the engaging guides laterally
and inwardly. Both pipes are connected with a main supply pipe by a
valve casing, and a valve (see Fig. 1) in said valve casing interrupts and
establishes communication between the main pipe and the branch pipes 76.
Valve is operated in any approved manner and is opened to admit pressure
or additional pressure to the said cylinders simultaneously, or practically simul-
taneously, with the inward shifting of rolls B D D. Fluid can be removed from
within cylinders through valved drain pipes with which said cylinders are
provided (see Fig. I).
Two side guide forming and work straightening bars R R for the work (see
Figs. I, II, and III,) are provided between table and roll system B at opposite
sides, respectively of the work's path and extend into close proximity to

page_text: rolls B B Bars R Rare pivoted vertically at or near their inner ends as
at R' to the different housings G G, respectively, at opposite sides, respectively of
the works path, at any suitable point between the rolls of the roll system B
and table and preferably near the rolls of roll system B, and the said bars are
capable of being swung horizontally on their pivotal bearings toward or from
each other. Bars R R at the outer sides of and a suitable distance from rolls B31 1º
are operatively connected with each other for the purpose of simultaneously and
equally moving the said bars in adjusting them apart. A desirable operative
connection between the said bars comprises a horizontally arranged shaft T that
extends transversely of and below the work's path through lugs or flanges R
formed upon and depending from bars RR. A right handed screw T¹ is formed
upon the shaft T at the outer side of one of the said bars R, and a left handed
screw T is formed upon the said shaft at the outer side of the other bar R.
Screws and are operatively engaged by two nuts T2 and T, respectively.
The said nuts have bearing in and are arranged to slide endwise of lugs G
formed upon the housings G, and each of the aforesaid bars R is operatively
connected with one of the aforesaid nuts in any approved manner, and in the
case illustrated, each of the aforesaid lugs R2 slidably embraces the shaft and
engages a recess 15 formed in the inner end of the connected nut. Shaft T, at
or near its end that extends adjacent to shaft has bearing in a stationary
box G and the bevel gear T is fixed upon the shaft at the outer end of the said
box and meshes with a bevel gear operatively mounted upon the shaft 18, as
already indicated, and the said shaft T is, therefore, stationary so far as endwise
movement is concerned. Shaft T is operatively provided with a worm wheel T
that meshes with a worm T formed upon a diagonally arranged shaft Ts that
extends into close proximity to shaft M, (see Figs. I, II and VI) and is operatively
provided with a bevel gear To that meshes with a bevel gear M³ operatively
mounted upon the said shaft M (see Fig. III).
As already indicated, the side guides are adjusted about the same distance
apart, preparatory to the initial pass of the work, as the side
tolls DD, and the said rolls and guides are shifted inwardly simultaneously and
to the same or approximately the same extent to each succeeding pass of the
work.
The straightening bars RR are adjusted about the same distance apart as the
side rolls and the aforesaid side guides preparatory to the initial pass of the work.
but the outer or operating ends of the said bars are caused to approach each
other more rapidly than the aforesaid side rolls and the aforesaid side guides.
during the operation of the machine upon the piece of work, so that the work
is gradually straightened, or kept perfectly straight, during the operation of the
machine. The gradual straightening of the work will be found much more
desirable than the straightening of the work by the application of force to effect
the said straightening at one stroke. By the construction hereinbefore described,
it will be observed that the straightening bars R R are operatively connected
with the shaft M through the medium of the shaft. T (that is operatively con-
nected with the said bars) and the operative connection between the said shaft T
and the aforesaid shaft M, and the said guides are operatively connected with
the said shaft M through the medium of the said shaft T and the operative
connection between the said shaft T and the said guides. The bevel gears of
the operative connection between the shafts T and M correspond, but the worm
and worm wheel of the said operative connection have such diametrical dimen-
sions and pitch, relative to the diametrical dimensions and pitch of the worms
and worm wheels instrumental in the operation of the screw L, that the said
shaft T shall, (the screws formed thereon being supposed to have the same pitch
as the screws instrumental in the adjustment of the top roll 1) result in the
shifting of the straightening bars more rapidly than the shifting of the side rolls,
and if the side rolls D D are shifted about 33% per cont, more rapidly than the
top roll as desired. then the straightening bars are shifted more than 33% per

page_text: cent, more rapidly than the said top roll. In any case, it is desired to shift said
bars whenever the side rolls are shifted, and in a corresponding direction, so
that said bars, whenever the work is passed between the said rolls to and between
the said bars, act as required, to maintain the work perfectly straight, or to
straighten up the work if the latter requires subjection to any straightening
operation. The bevel gear of the operative connection between the aforesaid
shaft and the side guides r is sufficiently larger diametrically than the
engaging gear T to result or assist in the shifting of the said guides (the pitch
of the screws instrumental in the shifting of the said guides corresponding with
or being less than the pitch of the screws employed in the operation of the afore-
said straightening bars) less rapidly than the shifting of the straightening bars.
To recapitulate, therefore, the side guides are shifted at the same or about
the same speed as the side rolls D D during the adjustment of the adjustable rolls
for roll system B, and the side guides are therefore shifted gradually and corre
spondingly or approximately correspondingly, with the shifting of the side rolls
and the said guides and rolls are shifted more rapidly than the top roll 13¹.
The straightening of the work is gradual, and the gradual straightening as already
indicated is easier and more effectual and greatly assists in the production of a
finely finished product.
From the foregoing description it will be observed, that the present invention
relates, more particularly, firstly to the positively preventing of the pistons 13
that are within the side rolls D from turning with the said rolls; secondly, the
gradual straightening of the work or blank, during the process of manufacture,
by the bars RR thirdly, the improved manner of operating the slides that
carry the rolls D D; fourthly, the improved manner of supporting the side
guides independently of the said slides and yet causing them to be operated
in unison with the slides; fifthly, the improved manner of simultaneously adjust-
ing or setting the said guides and the shiftable rolls, sixthly, the simultaneous
adjustment or shifting of the shiftable rolls B D D and the side guides r r and
straightening bars RR in a manner whereby the guides are shifted at the
same, or approximately same speed, as the rolls D D. but the bars R Rare
shifted more rapidly than guides and rolls D; seventhly, other novel and
meritorious features of construction and arrangement of parts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is
1. The combination of two reducing rolls arranged at an angle to each other:
a friction collar operatively connected with one of the said rolls, a friction disc
operatively connected with the other roll and frictionally engaging the afore-
said friction collar and movable independently and endwise of the said roll:
a piston arranged to bear, at one end, against the said friction disc and retain
the latter in operative contact with the friction collar; means capable of exerting
a continuous pressure upon the other end of the said piston, and means for
preventing the rotation of the piston with the connected friction disc, substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination of two reducing rolls arranged at an angle to each other:
a friction collar operatively connected with one of the said rolls; a friction disc
operatively connected with the other roll and frictionally engaging the afore-
said friction collar and adjustable independently and endwise of the roll: a piston
grooved externally and longitudinally and arranged to bear, at one end, against
the said friction disc and retain the latter in operative contact with the friction
collar; a fluid receiving chamber contiguous to the opposite end of the piston;
means for conducting fluid under pressure to the said chamber; a stuffing box
formed about the piston: a member projecting from a rigid member of the said
box into the piston groove, and the said groove being long enough to accomodate

page_text: an endwise movement of the piston, substantially as and for the purpose sel
forth.
3. The combination of two reducing rolls adjustable toward and from each
other; a friction collar operatively connected with one of the said rolls; a
friction disc operatively connected with the other roll and frictionally engaging
the aforesaid friction collar and adjustable independently and endwise of the
roll a piston arranged to bear, ai one end, against the said friction disc, and
retain the latter in operative contact with the friction collar; means capable of
exerting a continuous pressure upon the other end of the said piston, means for
preventing the rotation of the piston with the connected friction dise, and anti-
friction rollers interposed between the piston and the said friction disc, sub-
stantially as set forth.
4. The combination of a housing: a slideway formed within the said housing:
a slide engaging the said slideway and consisting of two parts; a reducing roll
carried by one of the slide's parts; a lateral bearing for the roll carried by the
other slide's part, and the last mentioned part being adjustable independently of
the roll bearing part and operatively engaged by means for shifting the slide
within the slide way, and means for securing the independently adjustable part
in the desired adjustment relative to the roll gearing part, substantially as set
forth.
5. The combination of a housing provided with a slide way: a slide engaging
the said slideway and consisting of two parts; a reducing roll supported from
one of the slide's parts; rollers sustaining the roll and carried by the slide's
other part, and the sustaining roller bearing part being adjustable independently
of and toward and from the roll bearing part; studs or holts extending easily
through the independently adjustable part and supported from the roll bearing
part and nuts upon the studs at the outer end of the said adjustable part, sub-
stantially as shown, for the purpose specified.
6. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated the combination of the
vertically shiftable top roll: the bottom roll; the side rolls arranged at opposite
ends, respectively of the top and bottom rolls: means acting to elevate the top
roll screws for lowering the said top roll stationary members having corre-
spondingly threaded holes engaged by the said screws: a suitably driven shaft
operatively connected with the said screws; two slides carrying the different.
side rolls, respectively, and shiftable toward and from each other; nuts fixed
to the outer ends of the said slides; screws engaging the said nuts and held
stationary so far as endwise movement is concerned; worm wheels operatively
mounted upon the last mentioned screws, and upright shafts intergeared with the
first mentioned shaft and provided with worms engaging the said worm wheels,
and the said last mentioned worms and worm wheels having each side relative to
the size of the first mentioned worms and worm wheels that the aforesaid side
screws shall be rotated more rapidly than the top roll shifting screws, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
.
7. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the
two flange edge rolling rolls arranged the one above the other, of two bars
a ranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the lower roll below the work's path;
rollers supported from the said bars and having the arrangement required to be
engaged by the flanges of the work when the latter is passed between the rolls.
and bottom guides removably supported from the said bars between the rollers
upon the bars and arranged to be engaged by the under side of the work's web
during the work's passage between the rolls, substantially as set forth.
S. In a rolling mill of the character indicated, the combination of a system of
rolls arranged to operate upon the work's web and upon the inner and outer sides
of the flanges of the work, and another system of rolls arranged to operate upon
the edges of the flanges of the work, and located a short distance from the first
mentioned roll system; of two side guides arranged at opposite sides, respectively.
of the work, and the said guides being vertically pivoted at one end and extend-

page_text: ing between the two roll systems at opposite sides, respectively of the works path;
mechanism for simultaneously shifting the said guides upon their axes toward
or from each other, and pressure-exerting devices arranged to bear upon the
outer sides of the guides at an intermediate point, substantially as set forth.
9. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated. the combination with a
vertically shiftable top web reducing roll B', the bottom web reducing roll B.
and the two upright flange reducing rolls D D arranged at opposite ends,
respectively, of the top and bottom rolls; of means for vertically shifting the top
roll; means for shifting the side rolls toward and from each other simultaneously
with and more rapidly than the shifting of the top roll; two laterally shiftable
guides arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the works path, and independent
of the side rolls, and mechanism for shifting the said guides toward or from
each other simultaneously, and at the same, or approximately the same, speed
as the shifting of the aforesaid side rolls, substantially as set forth.
10. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with the
top web reducing roll shiftable vertically; the bottom web reducing roll: two-
upright flange reducing rolls arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of the top
and bottom rolls and shiftable toward and from each other: of a suitably driven
shaft screws instrumental in the shifting of the top roll and operatively con-
nected with the said shaft: screws instrumental in the shifting of the side
rolls and operatively connected with the said shaft, and two guides arranged
at opposite sides, respectively, of the works path and supported independently
of the side rolls, and mechanism for simultaneously shifting the said guides
toward or from each other and operatively connected with the aforesaid shaft,
substantially as set forth.
11. In a rolling mill of the character indicated, the combination of a system
of rolls arranged to operate upon the works web and upon the inner and outer
sides of the flanges of the work, another system of rolls arranged to operate upon
the edges of the flanges of the work and located a short distance from the first
mentioned roll system; two side guides arranged at opposite sides, respectively
of the work at one side of the first-mentioned roll system; two laterally shiftable
work straightening bars arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the work and
at the opposite side of the said last mentioned roll system, and mechanism for
simultaneously actuating the said bars toward or from each other, substantially
as set forth.
12. In a rolling mill of the character indicated, the combination of a system
of rolls arranged to operate upon the work's web and upon the inner and outer
sides of the flanges of the work; another system of rolls arranged to operate upon
the edges of the flanges of the work and located a short distance from the first
mentioned roll system; two laterally shiftable side guides arranged at opposite
sides, respectively of the work at one side of the first mentioned roll system; two
laterally shiftable work-straightening bars arranged at the opposite side of the
said last mentioned roll system, and mechanism for simultaneously actuating the
said bars and guides inwardly or outwardly, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
13. In a rolling mill of the character indicated, the combination of a systent
of rolls arranged to operate upon the works web and upon the inner and outer
sides of the flanges of the work: another system of rolls arranged to operate upon
the edges of the flanges of the work and located a short distance from the first
mentioned roll system: two laterally adjustable side guides arranged at opposite
sides, respectively, of the work at one side of the first mentioned roll system:
two laterally adjustable work-straightening bars arranged at the opposite side of
the said last mentioned roll system, and mechanism for simultaneously adjust-
ing the said bars and guides, and moving the bars more rapidly than the guides
during the adjustment of the guides and bars, substantially as set forth.
14. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with
a vertically shiftable top web reducing roll B', the bottom web reducing roll 13,

page_text: and the two upright flange reducing rolls I) D arranged at opposite ends,
respectively, of the top and bottom rolls; of means for vertically shifting the top
roll; means for shifting the side rolls toward and from each other simultaneously
with and more rapidly than the shifting of the top roll; two laterally shiftable
work straightening bars arranged at opposite sides, respectively of the works
path, and mechanism for shifting the said bars simultaneously, or approximately
simultaneously, with but more rapidly than the side rolls during the adjustment
of the adjustable rolls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. In rolling apparatus of the character indicated, the combination with
the top web reducing roll shiftable vertically, the bottom web reducing roll, and
two upright flange reducing rolls, arranged at opposite ends, respectively; of the
top and bottom rolls and shiftable toward or from each other; of means for
vertically shifting the top roll; means for adjusting apart the side rolls simul-
taneously with the adjustment of the top roll, and shifting the side rolls more
rapidly than the top roll is shifted during the adjustment of the said rolls: two
guides arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the work's path at one side
of the bottom roll; mechanism for adjusting apart the said guides simultaneously
with the adjustment of the aforesaid rolls: two work-straightening bars arranged
at opposite sides, respectively of the work's path and at the opposite side of the
bottom roll, and mechanism for adjusting apart the said bars simultaneously with
the adjustment of the aforesaid rolls and shifting the bars more rapidly than the
side rolls are shifted during the said adjustment, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.