IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jeremiah Brown, of South Stockton, in the
County of York, Machinist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROLLING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN MACHINERY CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 20th January 1869, and dated the 11th August 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. left by the said Jeremiah Brown at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 11th. August 1868.
I
I, JEREMIAH BROWN, of South Stockton, in the County of York,
Machinist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention. for
✓ IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN MACHINERY CONNECTED
THEREWITH," to be as follows:-
.2
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described on.
Inventions described in the Specification's of Letters Patent granted to
me for England on the 3rd July 1847, No. 11,781, for Scotland on the
13th April 1849, and for the United Kingdom on the 19th May 1858;
1111

page_text: My Invention consists in slabbing, blooming, rolling, and finishing
plates, bars, rods, strips, strands, and other descriptions of iron and
steel.
}
My Invention consists, firstly, of the following arrangement of rolls
for blooming and slabbing iron and steel. My Invention consists in
arranging two series of rolls, one in advance of the other, each of the
series consisting of four or more rolls. The rotation of each series of
rolls is in a direction opposite to that of the adjacent series. Thus when
I employ two series, each series consisting of four rolls, I arrange them
in the following manner :-The first pair of rolls rotate in a direction
proper to take the bloom or slab or pile from the workman, and after
having passed through the said rolls to deliver it into a second pair
immediately in front of the first pair having rotation in the same direction,
but sometimes driven at a higher or greater speed than the first pair.
The bloom or slab is now returned through a third pair of the rolls
of the axes of which are in a line with the axes of the second pair, but
which third pair rotates in a direction opposite to that in which the first
and second pairs rotate. The bloom, pile, or slab is delivered by the
third pair of rolls to a fourth pair, whose axes are in a line with the axes
of the first pair, and which rotate in a direction similar to that of the
third pair of rolls. The slab, pile, or bloom having been thus passed
through four pairs of rolls is delivered back to the workman at that side
of the system of rolls from which it was introduced. In order to facilitate
the rapid introduction of the bloom, pile, or slab from the second pair of
rolls into the third pair the last grooves of the first and second pairs and
the first grooves of the third and fourth pairs of rolls may be outside
the respective housings of the rolls, and be thereby brought very close
together. The rolls for blooming or rolling off. I prefer to place in an
inclined position, that is to say, the second pair of rolls are on a lower
level than the first pair, and the third pair are on a lower level than the
second pair. The axes of each pair of rolls are situated in planes inclined
to a vertical plane. The axes of the rolls are not horizontal, but are
slightly inclined, the axes of the first and third pairs being inclined in a
different direction to that of the second pair.
Another arrangement for effecting the same object is as follows:-I
construct the rolls in such a manner that I dispense with turning the
bar over.
Some of the grooves usually made in the bottom roll are made
in the top roll, consequently the rolls are reversed instead of the bar, and

page_text: the guides or guards are suspended, and the bar is conveyed sufficiently
hot to be cut into lengths; and 1 also make the same rolling machinery
suitable both for blooming and for rolling plates, bars, or other forms of
iron or steel, the ends of the roll being devoted to bloom or rough down,
and the body of the roll being devoted to preparing the iron or steel for
rolling into bars, plates, or other forms.
My Invention consists, secondly, in mounting finishing rolls upon a
base or platform capable of working on a tramway or slide. The said
finishing rolls may thus be moved to the preparing rolls and geared
therewith so as to be ready to receive and finish the bar without loss of
time. When the bar has passed through the said finishing rolls it is
still sufficiently hot to be taken to the shears or saw to be cut into the
required lengths.
My Invention consists, thirdly, of a lifter or table to be applied to rolls,
the axes of which are either vertical or horizontal or nearly horizontal
for the purpose of lowering or of raising when necessary the slab, pile,
bloom, or bar being rolled from one groove to another groove of the said
rolls, or for raising the bloom or pile previous to being operated on. The
said lifter or table is raised and lowered by means of two vertical racks
connected therewith, with which racks two pinions on a horizontal shaft
gear; motion is given to the said horizontal shaft by bevel or other
gearing with which it may be readily thrown into and out of gear.
My Invention consists, fourthly, in placing the different series. of
rolls on different levels, the slab, pile, or bloom, or bar passing from
the highest down an incline to the next, and so on to as many series as
be required to use.
it may
My Invention consists, fifthly, of the following arrangement for
reversing the motion of the rolls; instead of reversing the motion of
the rolls by means of gearing driven from the bottom centre I drive
the said gearing from the top centre, whereby I dispense with one
wheel, and the bed plate constitutes the foundation for the whole
mechanism, and still retain the speed of the fly wheel when desirable.
My Invention consists, lastly, in arranging a series of carrying rollers
or endless chains between the rolls and the shears or saw or furnace by
which the bar is to be cut up and reheated or other purpose. The said
rollers or endless chains are put in motion by bevil "gearing, so that when

page_text: the bar is allowed to fall upon them it is rapidly conveyed with very
little loss of heat to the shears or saw.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Jeremiah Brown in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th February 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEREMIAH
BROWN, of South Stockton, in the County of York, Machinist, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her Heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Jeremiah Brown, Her special licence,
that I, the said Jeremiah Brown, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Jeremiah Brown, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROLLING IRON AND STEEL, AND IN MACHINERY CONNECTED THERE WITH," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Jeremiah Brown, my exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascer-
tain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jeremiah Brown, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
My Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described on
Inventions described in the Specifications of Letters Patent granted to

page_text: me for England on the 3rd of July 1847, No. 11,781, for Scotland on the
13th of April 1849, and for the United Kingdom on the 19th of May
1858, No. 1111.
My Invention relates to slabbing, blooming, rolling, and finishing
plates, bars, rods, strips, strands, and other descriptions of iron and
steel.
My said Invention consists, firstly, of the following arrangement of
rolls for blooming and slabbing iron and steel. This part of my Inven-
tion consists in arranging two series of rolls one in advance of the other,
each of the series consisting of four or more rolls. The rotation of each
scries of rolls is in a direction opposite to that of the adjacent series.
Thus when I employ' two series, each series consisting of four rolls, I
arrange them in the following manner-The first pair of rolls rotate
in a direction proper to take the bloom or slab or pile from the workman,
and after having passed through the said rolls to deliver it into a second
pair immediately in front of the first pair, having rotation in the same
direction, but sometimes driven at a higher or greater speed than the
first pair. The bloom or slab is now returned through a third pair of
rolls, the axes of which are in a line with the axes of the second pair,
but which third pair rotates in a direction opposite to that in which the
first and second pairs rotate. The bloom, pile, or slab is delivered by
the third pair of rolls to a fourth pair, whose axes are in a line with
the axes of the first pair, and which rotates in a direction similar to that
of the third pair of rolls. The slab, pile, or bloom having been passed
through four pairs of rolls is delivered back to the workman at that side
of the system of rolls at which it was introduced. In order to fit the
machinery for blooming as well as slabbing the rolls are provided with
grooves on their ends outside the housings or standards, and are thereby
brought very close together. These rolls may also be used both for
blooming and for rolling plates, bars, and other forms.
Figure 1 represents in side clevation, and Figure 2 in plan, rolling
machinery constructed according to this part of my Invention. The
same letters indicate the same parts in both Figures.
The said machinery consists essentially of two series of rolls, each
series consisting of four (or other number of) rolls. The first pair of
rolls of the first series is marked a, a, and the second pair of rolls of
the same series is marked b, b. The first pair of rolls of the second
series is marked c, and the second pair of rolls of the said second series

page_text: is marked d. The rotation of the first series of rolls a, b, is in a direction
contrary to that of the second series of rolls c, d. The rolls of the
different series are driven by independent gearing, as represented in the
Drawing. In using these rolls the bloom, slab, or pile is delivered by the
workman into the space a², Figure 1, between the first pair of rolls a, a,
from which it is delivered into the corresponding space between the
upper and lower rolls of the second pair b, b. The partially rolled bloom
outer spaces between the
or slab if necessary is next passed into the
rolls c, c, of the second series, by which it is delivered between the
rolls d, d, at d², Figure 1. Sometimes the bloom or slab is passed
through the two pairs of rolls of one series and one pair of rolls only of
the adjacent series, one pair of rolls in this case being removed. The
several rolls are provided, as represented, with grooves of different widths
to suit the different sizes of blooms or slabs to be operated upon. The
pair of rolls b, b, are generally driven at a comparatively higher speed
than the pair of rolls a, a, and the pair of rolls d, d, at a somewhat higher
speed than the pair of rolls c, c. The rolls of each of the series are pro-
vided with grooves a³, d', on their ends outside the housings or standards
in place of wobblers, as represented. In consequence of the proximity of
these grooves a³, d', the bloom or pile passing from one is readily trans-
ferred to the other. This arrangement makes the machinery especially
fitted for blooming as well as slabbing. The arrangement of grooves
outside the housings or standards is applicable to single pairs of rolls as
well as to rolls combined in series, as represented in the Drawing. The
said grooves outside the housings may be driven by pinions of their
own, as represented in Figure 24, instead of being driven from the rolls.
The rolling machinery represented may be made suitable both for
blooming and for rolling plates, bars, or other forms of iron or steel, the
end or external grooves of the rolls being devoted to bloom or rough
down, and the body of the rolls being devoted to preparing the iron or
steel for rolling into bars, plates, or other forms. In order to facilitate
the turning on edge of the bloom, slab, or bar I employ the arrange-
ment represented in Figure 2. m is a shaft, carrying at one end a clutch n,
by which it may be geared with the axis of the toothed wheel o, and
carrying at its other end a crank or excentric p; is a pin or projection
on the end of the crank or excentric p, which pin or projection projects
so far that the edge of the bloom or bar from the end rolls r passes over
the extreme end of the said pin q. The lowest position of the crank p

page_text: is its normal position. By throwing the shaft m into gear with the axis
of the toothed wheel o rotation is given to the shaft m, and the pin q on
the crank P is raised by the rotation of the said crank p, and assists the
workman in raising the bloom or bar on edge preparatory to the passing
of the said bloom or bar through the next groove or grooves. By means
of a weight on one side of the shaft n the said shaft disengages itself,
and returns to its normal position when disengaged. By means of the
rod operated upon by the handle y and crank lever the bloom or bar
about to be returned between the rolls is acted upon so as to assist the
workman in returning it.
My Invention consists further in placing rolls for blooming or rolling
off in an inclined position, that is to say, the second pair of rolls is on a
lower level than the first pair, and the third pair is on a lower level than
the second pair. The axes of each pair of rolls are situated in the same
vertical plane. The axes of the rolls are not horizontal, but are slightly
inclined, the axes of the first and third pairs being inclined in a different
direction to that of the second pair.
Figure 3 represents in side elevation, and Figure 4 in end elevation
machinery constructed according to this part of my Invention, Figure 4
being an elevation of the lower end of the rolls.
The second pair of rolls b, b, are on a lower level than the first pair
a, a, and the third. pair c, c, are on a lower level than the second pair
b, b. The axes of each pair of rolls are situated in the same vertical
plane, as represented in the side elevation, Figure 3. The axis of the
rolls are slightly inclined to the horizon, as seen in Figure 4, the axes of
the pairs a, a, and c, c, being inclined in a different direction to the axes
of the pair b, b. By crossing the axes of the rolls in the inauner last
described the flanges of the said rolls operate more effectually on the
sides of the pile or bloom than they would if the axes were parallel, and
an effect is produced on the pile or bloom somewhat similar to that pro-
duced by the use of a pair of upright rolls combined with horizontal
rolls.
Another arrangement of my Invention especially applicable to the
rolling of rails is as follows:-I construct the rolls in such a manner
that I dispense with turning the bar over. Some of the grooves usually
made in the bottom roll are made in the top roll, consequently the rolls
are reversed instead of the bar, and the guides or guards are suspended
and the bar is conveyed sufficiently hot to be cut into lengths.

page_text: Figure 5 represents in side elevation, and Figure 5* in plan machinery
constructed according to this part of my Invention. Instead of making
the collars or flanges all on the bottom roll, or making them alternately
on the bottom and top roll, I make the said collars in pairs, or double
pairs alternately on the top and bottom rolls. By this method of con-
struction the same effect is produced on the bar being rolled without
turning the said bar over as is produced by the use of the ordinary rolls
combined with the turning over of the bar, that is, the fin or burr which
would otherwise be produced is prevented.
a base
My Invention consists further in mounting finishing rolls upon
or platform capable of working on a tramway or slide. The said
Enishing rolls may thus be moved to the preparing rolls and geared
therewith so as to be ready to receive and finish the bar without loss of
time. When the bar has passed through the said finishing rolls it is
still sufficiently hot to be taken to the shears or saw to be cut into the
required lengths; or the separate finishing rolls may be fixed in front
of the preparing rolls.
Figures 6 and 7 represent elevations of finishing rolls constructed
according to this part of my Invention. In Figure 6 the finishing
rolls are double, and in Figure 7 the finishing rolls are single. The
housings or standards of the rolls are mounted on a base or platform a
capable of working on a tramway or slide. The said finishing rolls
when required to be used are brought opposite and near to the rolls
Figure 5 (or other rolls) and geared thereto, or the said separate
finishing rolls may be driven by separate gearing. The said separate
finishing rolls may be fixed in front of the preparing rolls instead of
working in a tramway or slide, and the said rolls may be used with
rolls, either two or three high. I prefer to place the finishing rolls
upon a somewhat higher level than the preparing rolls.
My Invention consists further of a lifter or table to be applied to rolls
the axes of which are either vertical or horizontal, or nearly horizontal,
for the purpose of lowering or of raising when necessary the slab, pile,
bloom, or bar, being rolled from one groove to another groove of the
said rolls, or for raising the bloom or pile previous to being operated on.
The said lifter or table is raised and lowered by means of vertical racks
connected therewith, with which racks pinions on horizontal shafts gear.
Motion is given to the said horizontal shaft by bevil gearing.
Figure 8 represents in end elevation, Figure 9 in side elevation, and

page_text: Figure 10 in plan this part of my Invention applied to a set of vertical
rolls.
a, a, are the vertical rolls geared together and driven in the manner
represented; b, b, are tables or lifters situated on either side of the rolls.
These tables or lifters are carried by the vertical bars or uprights c, c,
sliding in dovetails in the framing of the rolls (see the plan, Figure 14).
The said bars c, c, and the tables or lifters b, b, are raised and lowered
by the racks d, d, on the lower ends of the said bars, with which racks
pinions e, e, on the horizontal shafts, f, gear. The said shafts f,f, are con-
nected together by the end shaft g and bevil gearing as represented. The
shafts f, f, are driven by means of a hand wheel h on the shaft i, a worm k
ou which shaft gears with a worm wheel on one of the shafts f. By
turning the hand wheel in one or other direction, the pinions e, e, raise
or lower the racks d, d, and the tables or lifters b, b, and thereby simul-
taneously raised or lowered. By the use of the tables or lifters described
the slab, pile, bloom, or bar being rolled may be raised to or lowered-
from any of the grooves of the rolls a, a, or the slab, pile, or bar may
be brought opposite the required grooves previous to being operated
upon. The middle roll of the set a, a, may be driven by means of a
toothed wheel at its bottom end, instead of at its top end, as represented
in the Drawing.
Figure 11 represents in elevation, and Figure 12 in plan this part of
my Invention applied to a pair of horizontal rolls, where b, b, are the
tables or lifters on either side the rolls a, a; c, c, the racked bars
supporting the said tables or lifters; and e, e, the pinions gearing with
the said racked bars. The table or lifter may be worked by steam or
other power instead of by hand.
My improved lifter or table may be applied to rolls of various con-
structions and used for various purposes.
My Invention consists further in placing the different series of rolls on
different levels, the slab, pile, bloom, or bar passing from the highest
down an incline to the next, and so on to as many series as it may bė
required to use.
This part of my Invention is represented in side elevation in
Figure 13, and plan in Figure 14. By the elevation, Figure 13, it
will be seen that the upper series of rolls of the second pair is driven
by the shaft of the lower roll of the first pair, the second series of rolls
has consequently motion in a contrary direction to that of the first series.

page_text: The bar from the first series of rolls is conveyed down an incline to the
second series.
My Invention consists further of the following arrangement for
reversing the motion of rolls. Instead of reversing the motion of the
rolls by means of gearing driven from the bottom centre I drive the
said gearing from the top centre, whereby I dispense with one wheel
and still retain the speed of the fly wheel when desirable.
Figure 15 represents in elevation, and Figure 16 in plan this
.arrangement of my Invention; Figure 17 is a diagram of the arrange-
ment of the toothed gearing.
a is the driving wheel, the shaft b of which carries the fly wheel c.
A driving pinion is geared to the shaft b. Gearing with the said
driving wheel a is a large toothed wheel d, the shaft d2 of which carries
the toothed wheel e gearing with the large toothed wheel of working
loose on the shaft g of the upper rolls of the mill. The shaft g passes
through the pinion 7, which pinion works loose upon the said shaft, the
said pinion gearing with the pinion i; the upper shaft g is provided
with a clutch 2. The pinion and toothed wheel frotate in opposite
directions. When by the lever k³ the clutch 2 is thrown into gear with
the wheel the motion of the wheel ƒ is transmitted to the shaft g.
When the clutch k² is disengaged from the toothed wheel and is geared
with the pinion at the motion of the said wheel is transferred to the
shaft g, and the motion of the rolls thus reversed. By the arrange-
ment described the rolls are driven from the top centre or shaft instead
of from the bottom centre or shaft as usual, the speed of the fly wheel
when desirable still being retained and one wheel is dispensed with.
My Invention consists, lastly, in arranging a series of carrying rollers
or endless chains between the rolls and the shears or saw or furnace
by which the bar is to be cut up and reheated or other purpose. The
said rollers or endless chains are put in motion by bevil gearing, so that
when the bar is allowed to fall upon them it is rapidly conveyed with
very little loss of heat to the shears or saw.
Figure 18 represents in plan this part of my Invention. In front
of the furnace a I place endless chains b, b, passing over the pulleys c, c,
and in front of the set of rolls by which the bar is finally operated
upon I place a series of carrying rollers d, d. Near the end of the
said carrying rollers is a pair of shears or saw e. The carrying
rollers d, d, are geared together by the shafts and bevil gearing repre-

page_text: sented, the said shaft being driven in the manner represented from a
steam engine. Motion is given to the endless chains b, b, by driving
one pair of the pulleys over which they pass, as seen in the Drawing.
By means of the rollers d, d, the rolled bar is rapidly conveyed to the
shears or saw e without loss of heat, and cut off into the required lengths
by the said shears or saw when required. The cut off or rolled lengths
are placed on the endless chains b, b, and conveyed thereby to the
furnace a to be re-heated.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, I would have it understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise details herein described, as
the same may be varied without departing from the nature of my.
Invention; but I claim as my Invention of improvements in rolling iron
and steel, and in machinery connected therewith,—
Firstly. The combination or arrangement of parts for blooming or
slabbing iron or steel, or both for blooming or slabbing and for rolling
plates, bars, or other forms of iron or steel herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 2 of the accompanying Drawings, that
is to say, combining together two or more series of rolls, each series
consisting of four or more rolls, the rolls of one series rotating in an
opposite direction to the corresponding rolls of the adjacent series, also
the grooves external to the standards or housings, for the purpose and
substantially as described and illustrated; also the mechanism described
and represented for assisting in turning the rolled pile or bloom or bar
on its edge.
Secondly. The combination or arrangement of machinery for blooming
and rolling iron and steel herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, a series
of pairs of rolls on different levels, the axes of each pair being inclined
to the axis of the adjacent pair.
Thirdly. The method of and machinery for rolling rails and other bars
of iron and steel herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 5
and 5 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, the arrangement of
the flanges and the method of rolling the bars without turning.
Fourthly. The separate finishing rolls either fixed or made to slide in
front of the preparing rolls, substantially as herein-before described and
illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Fifthly. The arrangement or combination of the parts of tables or
lifters herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and
12 of the accompanying Drawings for raising or lowering the bloom,
bar, or plate from one groove to another of the rolls.
Sixthly. Arranging the different series of rolls at different levels, and
conveying the bars from one series to the other down inclined planes,
substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 13 and 14 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly. The arrangement or combination of the parts of mechanism
herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 15, 16, and 17 of the
accompanying Drawings for reversing the direction of the motion
of rolls.
Lastly. The series of carrying rollers and endless chains herein-before
described and illustrated in Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawings for
conveying the bar from the rolls to the shears or saw or elsewhere, and
for conveying the cut off or other pieces of iron or steel to the re-heating
furnace.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jeremiah Brown, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of January, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
JEREMIAH BROWN. (L.S.)