APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE RODS
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 4th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 4th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 9th Mar., 1889
I, HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny, and State of Penn-
sylvania, United States of America, Iron Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE RODS, to be as
follows:-
In rolling metal rods in a mill as now commonly practised, it is customary to employ
a series of trains of rolls set in line with each other, and to pass the metal back and
forth between these rolls. As the metal is reduced in diaineter and increases in
length, there is always difficulty in controlling it and preventing it from kinking,
especially so when it is attempted to roll more than one rod at a time in a single mill.
For this purpose it has been usual to employ boys who stand with hooks opposite to
the rolls and guide the elongating metal loop with a view of preventing it from
kinking or injuring the workmen. The work of these boys is very dangerous and
requires the closest attention, and therefore the wages paid them are quite high.
Besides this, the least neglect on their part is apt to cause the kinking of the rod,
and when this happens, the delay in its passage through the mill chilis the metal
and unfits it for use, necessitating the cutting of it into pieces for scrap..
The object of my invention is to diminish these evile, and to provide means for
guiding a metal loop as the rod is passing from one set of rolls to the next. To this
end, it consists first in providing the rolls with an inclined floor extending a suitable
distance from the rolls, the pairs of rolls being set end to end, and the inclination of
the floor being in a direction at right angles to the axes of the rolls, and being such
that as the metal loop elongates, it shall be forced by the action of the primary pair
of rolls away from the rolls down the inclined floor, on which it travels freely, thus
preventing kinking, and lessening the labor necessary to be employed in guiding it.
Second, it consists in the use of a channel or guide sunk in the floor of the mill
and extending transversely from the delivery side of a pair of rolls, the purpose of
this guide being to direct the course of the elongating loop. Heretofore, such guides
have been set upon the floor of the mill, and their sides liave necessarily been above

page_text: the level of the floor. The effect is sometimes to bend the wire rod as it extends
over the side of the guide and thus to cause kinking. When the guide is sunk in
the floor of the mill, this is not the case.
Third, my invention consists in a combination of these parts, namely, the sunken
guide arranged on an inclined floor of the mill. Fourth, it consists in a guide trough
or channel leading from the rolls and provided with a smooth bottom to permit free
passage of the wire loop, as distinguished from a trough or channel having its bottom
transversely ribbed or corrugated. Fifth, it consists in the combination with the
final pass of the mill and a reel for receiving and coiling the wire loop, of an open
guide or channel leading from the rolls to the reel for directing the wire thereinto.
Sixth, it consists in a novel and useful construction of the reel itself.
The mill is provided with the usual series of adjacent rolls through which the wire
rod is passed in curved loops and by which it is gradually reduced in diameter. My
invention applies principally to the last two pairs of rolls of the series, though it may
be applied to other rolls of the mill. The mill is provided with the usual receiving
floor on which the wire loop passes, and this floor is inclined in a direction transversely
to the axis of the rolls, the inclination being preferably greater than two degrees from
the horizontal, say about six degrees, the purpose being that the wire loop as it
elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the next, shall travel easily down the
inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and shall be impelled in its course
by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls. I believe that in order to
accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necessary that the inclination should be equal
to or greater than two degrees.
The second feature of my invention consists in a channel or trough leading from
the delivery side of the rolls for the purpose of guiding the metal loop, one leg or
branch of which travels within the guide, while the other extends over the side
thereof and back to the second pair of rolls. The bottom of this trough or channel
is set or sunk in the floor of the mill, so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a great
degree, the bending of the hot wire loop. If desired, this trough or channel may
be altered in form, or it may be provided with a cap or cover.
I prefer to use this
guide in connection with an inclined floor, as I have found that the best results are
attained thereby, but it may be used with a floor which is horizontal or nearly so.
I shall now describe that feature of my invention which relates to the automatic
delivery of the wire rod from the rolls to the reel, and to the construction of the reel
itself. Between the reel and the last rolls of the series, I arrange a guide trough or
channel whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence to the mouth of the reel, so that as the end of the rod emerges
from the rolls, it is guided by the trough or channel into the reel, without the necessity
for any handling or directing by the workmen. The guide trough is made open or
slotted at the top or side, so that if there should be an overfeed of the wire from
the rolls, or if for any reason it is delivered therefrom faster than it can be taken up
by the reel, or if the wire rod should be obstructed in its passage through the guide,
it may escape laterally.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame, which is fixed to a rotary shaft, journalled
in a line at right angles to the course of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate,
is a cylindrical boss or projection, which extends therefrom at right angles, and a
series of fixed projecting arms is arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss.
At or near the margin of the plate, are the operative arms, which are pivotted to the
plate on their longitudinal axes, and they do not extend out from the plate in the same
line as their axes, but are curved or otherwise bent or made in crank form, so that
when in one position the reel is of proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned
on their axes into another position, the reel is converted into tapering form or
contracted in diameter so as to cause or permit the removal of the wire coil. In
order to move the arms, I provide the shank of each back of the plate of the reel,
with small wheels, arranged around and in contact with the periphery of a large
wheel, which is mounted loosely on the hub of the reel. The axes of the reel arms

page_text: have their bearing in a wheel which is fixed to the hub of the reel, and there is an
eccentric which is arranged to be moved so as to bear against the periphery of the
large wheel. This eccentric is operated by a hand lever.
The operation is as follows :-Ordinarily the reel revolves with the ends of its arms
in their outermost position. When, however the wire has been wound upon the reel,
the workman moves the hand lever, so as to bring the eccentric into contact with the
large wheel. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this wheel, and therefore to
When they
cause each one of the wheels fixed to the axes of the reel arms to turn.
have made a semi-revolution, the reel arms are moved inwardly, so as to contract
the diameter of the reel, and the wire coil will then drop off.
My invention is of the greatest utility, and results in an economy of labor, a
great diminution of loss of metal by waste, and in lessening the danger to the
workmen.

page_text: Apparatus for the Manufacture of Wire Rods.
1, HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny, and State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Iron Manufacturer, 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 :-
In rolling metal rods in a mill as now commonly practiced, it is customary to
employ a series of trains of rolls set in line with each other, and to pass the metal
back and forth between these rolls. As the metal is reduced in diameter and increases
in length, there is always difficulty in controlling it and preventing it from kinking,
especially so when it is attempted to roll more than one rod at a time in a single
mill. For this purpose it has been usual to employ boys who stand with hooks
opposite to the rolls and guide the elongating metal loop with a view of preventing it
from kinking or injuring the workmen. The work of these boys is very dangerous
and requires the closest attention, and therefore the wages paid them are quite high.
Beside this, the least neglect on their part is apt to cause the kinking of the rod, and
when this happens, the delay in its passage through the mill chills the metal and
unfits it for use, necessitating the cutting of it into pieces for scrap.
The object of my invention is to diminish these evils, and to provide means for
guiding a metal loop as the rod is passing from one set of rolls to the next. To this
end, it consists first in providing the rolls with an inclined floor extending a suitable
distance from the rolls, the pairs of rolls being set end to end, and the inclination of
the floor being in a direction at right angles to the axis of the rolls, and being such
that as the metal loop elongates, it shall be forced by the action of the primary pair
of rolls away from the rolls down the inclined floor, on which it travels freely, thus
preventing kinking, and lessening the labor necessary to be employed in guiding it.
Second, it consists, in the use of a chamber or guide sunk in the floor of the mill and
extending transversely from the delivery side of a pair of rolls, the purpose of this
guide being to direct the course of the elongating loop. Heretofore, such guides
have been set upon the floor of the mill, and their sides have necessarily been above
the level of the floor. The effect is sometimes to bend the wire rod as it extends
over the side of the guide and thus to cause kinking. When the guide is sunk in the
floor of the mill, this is not the case. Third, my invention consists in a combination
of these parts, namely, the sunken guide arranged on an inclined floor of the mill.
Fourth, it consists in a guide trough or channel leading from the rolls and provided
with a smooth bottom to permit free passage of the wire loop, as distinguished from
a trough or channel having its bottom transversely ribbed or corrugated. Fifth, it
consists, in the combination with the final pass of the mill of a reel for directing the
wire thereinto. Sixth, it consists in a novel and useful construction of the reel
itself.
The mill is provided with the usual series of adjacent rolls through which the wire
rod is passed in curved loops and by which it is gradually reduced in diameter. My

page_text: invention applies principally to the last two pairs of rolls of the series, though it may
be applied to other rolls of the mill. The mill is provided with the usual receiving
floor on which the wire loop passes, and this floor is inclined in a direction transversely
to the axis of the rolls, the inclination being preferably greater than two degrees
from the horizontal, say about six degrees, the purpose being that the wire loop as it
elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the. next, shall travel easily down the
inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and shall be impelled in its course
by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls. I believe that in order to
accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necesary that the inclination should be equal
to or greater than two degrees.
The second feature of my invention consists in a channel or trough leading from
the delivery side of the rolls for the purpose of guiding the metal loop, one leg or
branch of which travels within the guide, while the other extends over the side
thereof and back to the second pair of rolls. The bottom of this trough or channel
is set or sunk in the floor of the mill, so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a great
degree the bending of the hot wire loop. If desired this trough or channel may be
altered in form, or it may be provided with a cap or cover. prefer to use this guide
in connection with an inclined floor, as I have found that the best results are attained
thereby, but it may be used with a floor which is horizontal or nearly so.
I shall now describe that feature of my invention which relates to the automatic
delivery of the wire rod from the rolls to the reel, and to the construction of the
reel itself. Between the reel and the last rolls of the series, I arrange a guide trough
or channel whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence to the mouth of the reel, so that as the end of the rod emerges
from the rolls, it is guided by the trough or channel into the reel, without the necessity
for any handling or directing by the workmen. The guide trough is made open or
slotted at the top or side, so that if there should be an overfeed of the wire from the
rolls, or if for any reason it is delivered therefrom faster than it can be taken up by
the reel, or if the wire rod should be obstructed in its passage through the guide, it
may escape laterally.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame, which is fixed to a rotary shaft, journalled
in a line at right angles to the course of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate, is
a cylindrical boss or projection, which extends therefrom at right angles, and a series
of fixed projecting arms is arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss. At or
near the margin of the plate, are the operative arms, which are pivotted to the plate
on their longitudinal axis, and they do not extend out from the plate in the same line
as their axis, but are curved or otherwise bent or made in crank form, so that when in
one position the reel is of proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned on their
axis into another position, the reel is converted into tapering form or contracted in
diameter so as to cause or permit the removal of the wire coil.. In order to move the
arms, I provide the shank of each back of the plate of the reel, with small wheels,
arranged around and in contact with the periphery of a large wheel, which is mounted
loosely on the hub of the reel. The axis of the reel arms have their bearings in a
wheel which is fixed to the hub of the reel, and there is an excentric which is arranged
to be moved so as to bear against the periphery of the large wheel. This excentric is
operated by a hand lover.
The operation is as follows:-Ordinarily the reel revolves with the ends of its arms
in their outermost position. When, however, the wire has been wound upon the reel,
the workman moves the hand lever, so as to bring the excentric into contact with the
large wheel. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this wheel, and therefore
to cause each one of the wheels fixed to the axis of the reel arms to turn. When they
have made a semi-revolution, the reel arms are moved inwardly, so as to contract the
diameter of the reel, and the wire coil will then drop off.
My invention is the greatest utility, and results in an economy of labor, a
great diminution of loss of metal by waste, and in lessening the danger to the
workmen.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 ís a plan view of a rod rolling mill constructed according to the principles of
my invention; fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section on the line of
fig. 1; fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section on the line y. y. of figs. 1 and 2,
showing the guide trough and the fender; fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section
on the line z z of fig. 1.
In the drawings 2. 3. 4 and 5 represent pairs of rolls of a wire rod mill, 6 is the
floor of the mill on the delivery side of the rolls 3, and 1 is the floor of the mill on the
delivery side of the rolls 2. The rod passes from the rolls 5 in a reflexed course to
the rolls 4 thence to the rolls 3, and thence through the rolls 2, whence it passes in a
direct line to the reel on which it is wound. There are more rolls than these generally
used in a rod mill, but I have shown a sufficient number to illustrate the principles of
my invention. In its passago through these rolls the elongation of the rod forms
loops a. b. which as they elongate tend to spread over the floor, and it is the purpose
of my invention to guide them as I have already explained. One or both of these
loops may be provided with guides according to my invention, and instead of
arranging the guides differently they may be similarly arranged as will be readily
understood, since I have shown two modes of arrangement in the same mill simply for
the purpose of more clearly illustrating my invention.
The floor 6 of the mill is inclined as shown in fig. 2 the inclination being
preferably greater than two degrees from the horizontal, about six or more degrees,
so that the wire loop as it elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the next
shall travel easily down the inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and
shall be impelled by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls 3 or 5.
I believe that in order to accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necessary that the
inclination should be greater than two degrees. I employ guide troughs or channels 7
and 8 leading from the delivery side of the rolls 3 and 5 for the purpose of guiding
the loops a and b, the primary branches of which travel in the guidos, while the
other branches extend back to the rolls 2 and 4 respectively. I show the trough 8
set or sunk in the floor of the mill so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a
great degree the bending of the hot wire loop, and I show the guide 7 laterally
inclined to the axes of the rolls, the purpose being to cause the branch of the loop to bear
against the side of the guide, thus the better preventing it from flying over the floor.
This lateral inclination also directs the loop over to a position on the floor more nearly
opposite to the second pair of rolls, and thus causes the loop to take up less room
on the floor. I also show the guide 7 set on the floor. The bottoms of both
guides 7 and 8 are preferably flat, as shown in fig. 4, since I have found this
forin the best for guiding the loops and preventing tangling when more than one
rod is rolled at once. If desired the mill floor may be inclined on both sides of the
rolls for the purpose of guiding the loops. I have shown it inclined on one side only
because that is sufficient to illustrate the principles of my invention.
At the delivery side of the rolls 2, and extending thence towards the reel is a
guide 9, which is unlike the guides 7 and 8 in function, because it does not guide a
loop of the rod, but the end of the rod passes directly through the guide 9. It is sunk
in the floor of the mill, and in this way I render the overfeed of the wire less liable
to bend and tangle. 10 are the guards or fenders which I employ for preventing the
rear end of the rod from flying upwards or laterally as it passes through the rolls.
The fender consists of an angled plate, set with its upright side extending upwards
from the floor between the course of the second branch of the loop, and the position of
the roller, and preferably having a cover extending over the loop. As the end of
the rod emerges from the rolls 3 or 5 the roller seizes it with his tongs, throws the loop
over the cover of the fender so that it shall fall to the floor beneath the cover as shown
in the drawings, and places the end of the loop in the pair of rolls 2 or 4. To make
this operation easier, the fender is preferably downwardly tapered in height from the
rolls, and also inclined on the top laterally, as shown in figs. 3 and 4. As the end of

page_text: the rod passes through the rolls 2 or 4, the fender keeps it from flying up or towards
the roller, who may therefore with security stand by the rolls, and reach over the
passing rods for the purpose of inserting the forward end of the incoming rod into the
bite of the rolls. The fender may be modified in form and size.
Fig. 5 is a side view of my improved reel, shown in connection with a pair of rolls
and a delivery or guide trough leading from the rolls to the reel; fig. 6 is a vertical
cross section of the reel on the line of fig. 5; fig. 7 is a vertical cross section on the
line y. y. of fig. 5 showing the preferred form of the guide which I employ; fig. 8 is a
view similar to fig. 6 showing a modified form of the reel; fig. 9 is a vertical cross
section on the line of fig. 8.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each :
Referring now to figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, 12 are the final rolls of the mill
from which the wire rod is delivered moving in the direction of the arrow, and 13 is a
guide trough whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence in a straight line to the mouth 14, of the reel, so that as the end
of the wire rod emerges from the rolls it is guided by the trough 13 into the reel
without the necessity of any handling or direction by the workmen. The side of the
guide trough 13 is made open or slotted (as shown in fig. 7) so that if the wire rod
should for any cause be obstructed in its passage through the guide it may escape freely
from the side thereof.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame 15 which is fixed to a rotary shaft journalled
in a line at right angles to the line of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate 15 is a
cylindrical boss or projection 18, which extends at right angles from the plate, and
arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss 18 is a series of fixed projecting
arms 17.
At or near the rim of the plate 15 are the operative arms 19 of the reel, which pro-
ject therefrom at right angles, and are pivotted at points 20 so as to be novable thereon
as indicated in dotted lines in fig. 6. The arms 19 project back of the plate 15 and are
connected by links 11 with a sleeve 21 which is mounted on the shaft 16 by a feather
and key way so as to be capable of a longitudinal motion thereon up towards and away
from the back of the plate 15, and as the sleove is thus moved, it is clear that it will
cause the radial motion of the arms 19 on their pivots 20 as indicated in the drawings.
The sleeve is thus moved by means of a foot lever 22 connected by means of intermediate
connections 23 with a yoke on the sleeve.
The operation is as follows: When the parts of the reel are in the position shown in
fig. 6 the end of the wire rod as it traverses the guide 13 enters the mouth 14 of the
reel, and engaging the central boss 18 is bent into hook form as shown in fig. 5. Then
by means of the usual power connections the reel is started to revolvo, and by these
means the end of the rod in the reel is locked by the engagement of the arms 17, and
the further revolution of the reel will wind up the wire on the outer arms 19 as will be
readily understood. When the winding operation is being carried on the arms 19 are
projecting from the plate 15 and form substantially the outline of a cylinder. When
the wire rod has been completely wound and it is desired to remove it from the reel,
the workman depresses the lever 22. The effect of this is to move the collar 21 forward
on the shaft 16 and to throw the ends of the arms 19 inward, thus changing the outline
of the reel from that of a cylinder to approximately that of a cone, and the wire coil
then by its own gravity falls forward from the reel on to a truck 24 which is placed
below to receive it.
The foregoing is a description of my invention in the form in which I prefer to use
it. It however may be modified greatly in form and details of construction.
Among the many modifications of my invention which may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope thereof, is the form which I show in fig. 8, in which the
arms 19 instead of being pivotted traversely and being movable on their pivots to
bring their ends inward, are pivotted on their longitudinal axis to the plate 15, and
their ends are curved outward, so that when in the position shown in full lines in fig. 3.
the reel is of the proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned on their axis into
tho position shown by dotted lines the reel is converted into tapering form so as to

page_text: cause or permit the removal of the wire coil. In order to move these arms 19 I provide
the shank of each of them back of the plate 15 with small wheels 25 which are arranged
around and in contact with the periphery of a large wheel 26 which is mounted loosely
on the hub of the reel. The shanks of the arms 19 have their bearings in a wheel 27
which is fixed to the hub of the reel. 28 is an excentric which is arranged to be moved
so as to bear against the periphery of the disc 26, and is operated by a hand lever 29.
The operation of the reel in discharging the wire is as follows:-Ordinarily the reel
revolves with the parts as they are shown in fig. 8. When however the wire has been
wound on the reel the workman moves the lever 29 so as to bring the excentric 28 into
contact with the disc 26. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this disc and
therefore to cause each one of the wheels 25 to turn on its axis. When they have
made a semi revolution the arms 19 are brought into the position shown in dotted
lines, and the wire coil will drop off. This form of my invention is like that shown in
fig. 6, in that in both forms the outer ends of the arms of the reel move inward to
cause the discharge of the wire, and obviously the parts may be otherwise arranged to
effect the same result.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :---
First. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop of a
receiving floor which is inclined substantially as described, in a direction transversly to
the axis of the rolls, so that by the joint action of gravity and the propelling force of
the rolls the loop shall be caused to travel freely over the floor, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
Second. In a rod mill the combination with the rolls of a sunken guide trough or
channel extending therefrom substantially as and for the purposes described.
Third. In a rod mill the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a sunken
guide trough or channel extending from the rolls for the purpose of guiding a branch
of the loop, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourth. In a rod mill the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a
guide which is downwardly inclined from the delivery side of one pair of rolls,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fifth. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod
emerges from one pair of rolls it shall be refloxed and shall form an elongating
loop, of a guide which is inclined both downwardly and laterally from the delivery
side of one pair of rolls, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Sixth. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a
receiving floor which is downwardly inclined in a direction transversely to the axis of
the rolls, and a guide which directs the loop in its elongation on the floor, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Seventh. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod
emerges from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop,
of a guide trough or channel extending from the rolls for the purpose of guiding a
branch of the loop, said guide trough or channel having a flat bottom substantially as
and for the purposes described.
Eighth. In a rod mill, the combination with pairs of rolls arranged so that the rod
as it emerges from one set of rolls, is reflexed so as to form a loop, and is fed back to
the other set of rolls, of a guide trough or channel extending transversely to the delivery
side of one pair of rolls for the purpose of guiding one of the branches of the loop,
said guide trough or channel having a smooth bottom, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Ninth. A reel for wire, having projecting arms around which the wire is coiled,
said arms being movable inwardly, substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: Tenth. In a reel for wire, the combination of arms 19, pivotted transversely at their
bases, and movable on their pivots to discharge the coil, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Eleventh. In a reel for wire, the combination of the inner and outer series of
arms 17 and 19, and a central projection or boss, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Twelfth. The combination with the rolls of a wire rod mill, of a reel situate opposite
to the delivery side of the rolls, and a guide leading from the rolls to the reel,
substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: I, HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny, and State of Penn-
sylvania, United States of America, Iron Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of said invention for APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF WIRE RODS, to be as
follows:-
"
In rolling metal rods in a mill as now commonly practised, it is customary to employ
a series of trains of rolls set in line with each other, and to pass the metal back and
forth between these rolls. As the metal is reduced in diaineter and increases in
length, there is always difficulty in controlling it and preventing it from kinking,
especially so when it is attempted to roll more than one rod at a time in a single mill.
For this purpose it has been usual to employ boys who stand with hooks opposite to
the rolls and guide the elongating metal loop with a view of preventing it from
kinking or injuring the workmen. The work of these boys is very dangerous and
requires the closest attention, and therefore the wages paid them are quite high.
Besides this, the least neglect on their part is apt to cause the kinking of the rod,
and when this happens, the delay in its passage through the mill chills the metal
and unfits it for use, necessitating the cutting of it into pieces for scrap.
The object of my invention is to diminish these, evils, and to provide means for
guiding a metal loop as the rod is passing from one set of rolls to the next. To this
end, it consists first in providing the rolls with an inclined floor extending a suitable
distance from the rolls, the pairs of rolls being set end to end, and the inclination of
the floor being in a direction at right angles to the axes of the rolls, and being such
that as the metal loop elongates. shall be forced by the action of the primary pair
of rolls away from the rolls down the inclined floor, on which it travels freely, thus
preventing kinking, and lessening the labor necessary to be employed in guiding it.
Second, it consists in the use of a channel or guide sunk in the floor of the mill
and extending transversely from the delivery side of a pair of rolls, the purpose of
this guide being to direct the course of the elongating loop. Heretofore, such guides
have been set upon the floor of the mill, and their sides have necessarily been above

page_text: the level of the floor. The effect is sometimes to bend the wire rod as it extends
over the side of the guide and thus to cause kinking. When the guide is sunk in
the floor of the mill, this is not the case.
Third, my invention consists in a combination of these parts, namely, the sunken
guide arranged on an inclined floor of the mill. Fourth, it consists in a guide trough
or channel leading from the rolls and provided with a smooth bottom to permit free
passage of the wire loop, as distinguished from a trough or channel having its bottom
transversely ribbed or corrugated. Fifth, it consists in the combination with the
final pass of the mill and a reel for receiving and coiling the wire loop, of an open
guide or channel leading from the rolls to the reel for directing the wire thereinto.
Sixth, it consists in a novel and useful construction of the reel itself.
The mill is provided with the usual series of adjacent rolls through which the wire
rod is passed in curved loops and by which it is gradually reduced in diameter. My
invention applies principally to the last two pairs of rolls of the series, though it may
he applied to other rolls of the mill. The mill is provided with the usual receiving
floor on which the wire loop passes, and this floor is inclined in a direction transversely
to the axis of the rolls, the inclination being preferably greater than two degrees from
the horizontal, say about six degrees, the purpose being that the wire loop as it
elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the next, shall travel easily down the
inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and shall be impelled in its course
by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls. I believe that in order to
accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necessary that the inclination should be equal
to or greater than two degrees.
The second feature of my invention consists in a channel or trough leading from
the delivery side of the rolls for the purpose of guiding the metal loop, one leg or
branch of which travels within the guide, while the other extends over the side
thereof and back to the second pair of rolls. The bottom of this trough or channe!
is set or sunk in the floor of the mill, so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a great
degree, the bending of the hot wire loop. If desired, this trough or channel may
be altered in form, or it may be provided with a cap or cover. I prefer to use this
guide in connection with an inclined floor, as I have found that the best results are
attained thereby, but it may be used with a floor which is horizontal or nearly so.
I shall now describe that feature of my invention which relates to the automatic
delivery of the wire rod from the rolls to the reel, and to the construction of the reel
itself. Between the reel and the last rolls of the series, I arrange a guide trough or
channel whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence to the mouth of the reel, so that as the end of the rod emerges
from the rolls, it is guided by the trough or channel into the reel, without the necessity
for any handling or directing by the workmen. The guide trough is made open or
slotted at the top or side, so that if there should be an overfeed of the wire from
the rolls, or if for any reason it is delivered therefrom faster than it can be taken up
by the reel, or if the wire rod should be obstructed in its passage through the guide,
it may escape laterally.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame, which is fixed to a rotary shaft, journalled
in a line at right angles to the course of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate,
is a cylindrical boss or projection, which extends therefrom at right angles, and a
series of fixed projecting arms is arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss.
At or near the margin of the plate, are the operative arms, which are pivotted to the
plate on their longitudinal axes, and they do not extend out from the plate in the same
line as their axes, but are curved or otherwise bent er made in crank form, so that
when in one position the reel is of proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned
on their axes into another position, the reel is converted into tapering form or
contracted in diameter so as to cause or permit the removal of the wire coil. In
order to move the arms, I provide the shank of each back of the plate of the reel,
with small wheels, arranged around and in contact with the periphery of a large
wheel, which is mounted loosely on the hub of the reel. The axes of the reel arms

page_text: have their bearing in a wheel which is fixed to the hub of the reel, and there is an
eccentric which is arranged to be moved so as to bear against the periphery of the
large wheel. This eccentric is operated by a hand lever.
The operation is as follows:-Ordinarily the reel revolves with the ends of its arms
in their outermost position. When, however the wire has been wound upon the reel,
the workman moves the hand lever, so as to bring the eccentric into contact with the
large wheel. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this wheel, and therefore to
cause each one of the wheels fixed to the axes of the reel arms to turn.
When they
have made a semi-revolution, the reel arms are moved inwardly, so as to contract
the diameter of the reel, and the wire coil will then drop off.
My invention is of the greatest utility, and results in an economy of labor, a
great diminution of loss of metal by waste, and in lessening the danger to the
workmen.

page_text: ppa T то мациасто
I, HENRY ROBERTS, of Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny, and State of
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Iron Manufacturer, 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 :-
In rolling metal rods in a mill as now commonly practiced, it is customary to
employ a series of trains of rolls set in line with each other, and to pass the metal
back and forth between these rolls. As the metal is reduced in diameter and increases
in length, there is always difficulty in controlling it and preventing it from kinking,
especially so when it is attempted to roll more than one rod at a time in a single
mill. For this purpose it has been usual to employ boys who stand with hooks
opposite to the rolls and guide the elongating metal loop with a view of preventing it
from kinking or injuring the workmen. The work of these boys is very dangerous
and requires the closest attention, and therefore the wages paid then are quite bigh.
Beside this, the least neglect on their part is apt to cause the kinking of the rod, and
when this happens, the delay in its passage through the mill chills the metal and
unfits it for use, necessitating the cutting of it into pieces for scrap.
The object of my invention is to diminish these evils, and to provide means for
guiding a metal loop as the rod is passing from one set of rolls to the next. To this
end, it consists first in providing the rolls with an inclined floor extending a suitable
distance from the rolls, the pairs of rolls being set end to end, and the inclination of
the floor being in a direction at right angles to the axis of the rolls, and being such
that as the metal loop elongates, it shall be forced by the action of the primary pair
of rolls away from the rolls down the inclined floor, on which it travels freely, thus
preventing kinking, and lessening the labor necessary to be employed in guiding it.
Second, it consists, in the use of a chamber or guide sunk in the floor of the mill and
extending transversely from the delivery side of a pair of rolls, the purpose of this
guide being to direct the course of the elongating loop. Heretofore, such guides
have been set upon the floor of the mill, and their sides have necessarily been above
the level of the floor. The effect is sometimes to bend the wire rod as it extends
over the side of the guide and thus to cause kinking. When the guide is sunk in the
floor of the mill, this is not the case. Third, my invention consists in a combination
of these parts, namely, the sunken guide arranged on an inclined floor of the mill.
Fourth, it consists in a guide trough or channel leading from the rolls and provided
with a smooth bottom to permit free passage of the wire loop, as distinguished from
a trough or channel having its bottoni transversely ribbed or corrugated. Fifth, it
consists, in the combination with the final pass of the mill of a reel for directing the
wire thereinto. Sixth, it consists in a novel and useful construction of the reel
itself.
The mill is provided with the usual series of adjacent rolls through which the wire
rod is passed in curved loops and by which it is gradually reduced in diameter. My

page_text: as it
invention applies principally to the last two pairs of rolls of the series, though it may
be applied to other rolls of the mill. The mill is provided with the usual receiving
floor on which the wire loop passes, and this floor is inclined in a direction transversely
to the axis of the rolls, the inclination being preferably greater than two degrees
from the horizontal, say about six degrees, the purpose being that the wire loop
elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the next, shall travel easily down the
inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and shall be impelled in its course
by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls. I believe that in order to
accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necessary that the inclination should be equal
to or greater than two degrees.
The second feature of my invention consists in a channel or trough leading from
the delivery side of the rolls for the purpose of guiding the metal loop, one leg or
branch of which travels within the guide, while the other extends over the side
thereof and back to the second pair of rolls. The bottom of this trough or channel
is set or sunk in the floor of the mill, so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a great
degree the bending of the hot wire loop. If desired this trough or channel may be
altered in form, or it may be provided with a cap or cover. prefer to use this guide
in connection with an inclined floor, as I have found that the best results are attained
thereby, but it may be used with a floor which is horizontal or nearly so.
I shall now describe that feature of my invention which relates to the automatic
delivery of the wire rod from the rolls to the reel, and to the construction of the
reel itself. Between the reel and the last rolls of the series, I arrange a guide trough
or channel whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence to the mouth of the reel, so that as the end of the rod emerges
from the rolls, it is guided by the trough or channel into the reel, without the necessity
for any handling or directing by the workmen. The guide trough is made open or
slotted at the top or side, so that if there should be an overfeed of the wire from the
rolls; or if for any reason it is delivered therefrom faster than it can be taken up by
the reel; or if the wire rod should be obstructed in its passage through the guide, it
may escape laterally.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame, which is fixed to a rotary shaft, journalled
in a line at right angles to the course of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate, is
a cylindrical boss or projection, which extends therefrom at right angles, and a series.
of fixed projecting arms is arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss. At or
near the margin of the plate, are the operative arms, which are pivotted to the plate
on their longitudinal axis, and they do not extend out from the plate in the same line
as their axis, but are curved or otherwise bent or made in crank form, so that when in,
one position the reel is of proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned on their
axis into another position, the reel is converted into tapering form or contracted in
diameter so as to cause or permit the removal of the wire coil. In order to move the
armis, 1 provide the shank of each back of the plate of the reel, with small wheels,
arranged around and in contact with the periphery of a large wheel, which is mounted
loosely on the hub of the reel. The axis of the reel arms have their bearings in a
wheel which is fixed to the hub of the reel, and there is an excentric which is arranged
to be moved so as to bear against the periphery of the large wheel. This excentric is
operated by a hand lever.
The operation is as follows:-Ordinarily the reel revolves with the ends of its arms
in their outermost position. When, however, the wire has been wound upon the reel,
the workman moves the hand' lever, so as to bring the excentric into contact with the
large wheel. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this wheel, and therefore
to cause each one of the wheels fixed to the axis of the reel arins to turn. When they
have made a semi-revolution, the reel arms are moved inwardly, so as to contract the.
diameter of the reel, and the wire coil will then drop off.
My invention is the greatest utility, and results in an economy of labor, a
great diminution of loss of metal by waste, and in lessening the danger. to the:
yorkmen.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rod rolling mill constructed according to the principles of
my invention; fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section on the line of
fig. 1; fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross section on the line y. y. of figs. 1 and 2,
showing the guide trough and the fender; fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross section
on the line z z of fig. 1.
In the drawings 2. 3. 4 and 5 represent pairs of rolls of a wire rod mill, 6 is the
floor of the mill on the delivery side of the rolls 3, and 1 is the floor of the mill on the
delivery side of the rolls 2. The rod passes from the rolls 5 in a reflexed course to
the rolls 4 thence to the rolls 3, and thence through the rolls 2, whence it passes in a
direct line to the reel on which it is wound. There are more rolls than these generally
used in a rod mill, but I have shewn a sufficient number to illustrate the principles of
my invention. In its passage through these rolls the elongation of the rod forms
loops a. b. which as they elongate tend to spread over the floor, and it is the purpose
of my invention to guide them as I have already explained. One or both of these
loops may be provided with guides according to my invention, and instead of
arranging the guides differently they may be similarly arranged as will be readily
understood, since I have shown two modes of arrangement in the same mill simply for
the purpose of more clearly illustrating my invention.
The Hoor 6 of the mill is inclined as shown in fig. 2 the inclination being
preferably greater than two degrees from the horizontal, about six or more degrees,
so that the wire loop as it elongates in passing from one pair of rolls to the next
shall travel easily down the inclined floor without stopping or becoming kinked, and
shall be impelled by the positively acting motive force of the primary rolls 3 or 5.
I believe that in order to accomplish this result satisfactorily, it is necessary that the
inclination should be greater than two degrees. I employ guide troughs or channels 7
and 8 leading from the delivery side of the rolls 3 and 5 for the purpose of guiding
the loops a and b, the primary branches of which travel in the guides, while the
other branches extend back to the rolls 2 and 4 respectively. I show the trough 8
set or sunk in the floor of the mill so as to bring the top of the trough on a level
with or to decrease its distance from the floor, thus preventing entirely or to a
great degree the bending of the hot wire loop, and I show the guide 7 laterally
inclined to the axes of the rolls, the purpose being to cause the branch of the loop to bear
against the side of the guide, thus the better preventing it from flying over the floor.
This lateral inclination also directs the loop over to a position on the floor more nearly
opposite to the second pair of rolls, and thus causes the loop to take up less room
on the floor. I also show the guide 7 set on the floor. The bottoms of both
guides 7 and 8 are preferably fat, as shown in fig. 4, since I have found this
form the best for guiding the loops and preventing tangling when more than one
rod is rolled at once. If desired the mill floor may be inclined on both sides of the
rolls for the purpose of guiding the loops. I have shown it inclined on one side only
because that is sufficient to illustrate the principles of my invention.
At the delivery side of the rolls 2, and extending thence towards the reel is a
guide 9, which is unlike the guides 7 and 8 in function, because it does not guide a
loop of the rod, but the end of the rod passes directly through the guide 9. It is sunk
in the floor of the mill, and in this way I render the overfeed of the wire less liable
to bend and tangle. 10 are the guards or fenders which I employ for preventing the
rear end of the rod from flying upwards or laterally as it passes through the rolls.
The fender consists of an angled plate, set with its upright side extending upwards
from the floor between the course of the second branch of the loop, and the position of
the roller, and preferably having a cover extending over the loop. As the end of
the rod emerges from the rolls 3 or 5 the roller seizes it with his tongs, throws the loop
over the cover of the fender so that it shall fall to the floor beneath the cover as shown
in the drawings, and places the end of the loop in the pair of rolls 2 or 4. To make
this operation easier, the fender is preferably downwardly tapered in height from the
rolls, and also inclined on the top laterally, as shown in figs. 3 and 4. As the end of

page_text: the rod passes through the rolls 2 or 4, the fender keeps it from flying up or towards
the roller, who may therefore with security stand by the rolls, and reach over the
passing rods for the purpose of inserting the forward end of the incoming rod into the
bite of the rolls. The fender may be modified in form and size.
Fig. 5 is a side view of my improved reel, shown in connection with a pair of rolls
and a delivery or guide trough leading from the rolls to the reel; fig. 6 is a vertical
cross section of the reel on the line xx of fig. 5; fig. 7 is a vertical cross section on the
line
y.y. of fig. 5 showing the preferred form of the guide which I employ; fig. 8 is a
view similar to fig. 6 showing a modified form of the reel; fig. 9 is a vertical cross
section on the line ¹¹ of fig. 8.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each:
Referring now to figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, 12 are the final rolls of the mill
from which the wire rod is delivered moving in the direction of the arrow, and 13 is a
guide trough whose flaring mouth is set opposite to the delivery pass of the rolls, and
which extends thence in a straight line to the mouth 14, of the reel, so that as the end
of the wire rod emerges from the rolls it is guided by the trough 13 into the reel
without the necessity of any handling or direction by the workmen. The side of the
guide trough 13 is made open or slotted (as shown in fig. 7) so that if the wire rod
should for any cause he obstructed in its passage through the guide it may escape freely
from the side thereof.
The reel consists of a back plate or frame 15 which is fixed to a rotary shaft journalled
in a line at right angles to the line of the wire rod. At the centre of the plate 15 is a
cylindrical boss or projection 18, which extends at right angles from the plate, and
arranged in a circle on the plate around the boss 18 is a series of fixed projecting
arms 17.
At or near the rim of the plate 15 are the operative arms 19 of the reel, which pro-
ject therefrom at right angles, and are pivotted at points 20 so as to be movable thereon
as indicated in dotted lines in fig. 6. The arins 19 project back of the plate 15 and are
connected by links 11 with a sleeve 21 which is mounted on the shaft 16 by a feather
and key way so as to be capable of a longitudinal motion thereon up towards and away
from the back of the plate 15, and as the sleeve is thus moved, it is clear that it will
cause the radial motion of the arms 19 on their pivots 20 as indicated in the drawings.
The sleeve is thus moved by means of a foot lever 22 connected by means of intermediate
connections 23 with a voke on the sleeve.
The operation is as follows: When the parts of the reel are in the position shown in
fig. 6 the end of the wire rod as it traverses the guide 13 enters the mouth 14 of the
reel, and engaging the central boss 18 is bent into hook form as shown in fig. 5. Then
by means of the usual power connections the reel is started to revolve, and by these
means the end of the rod in the reel is locked by the engagement of the arms 17, and
the further revolution of the reel will wind up the wire on the outer arms 19 as will be
readily understood. When the winding operation is being carried on the arms 19 are
projecting from the plate 15 and form substantially the outline of a cylinder. When
the wire rod has been completely wound and it is desired to remove it from the reel,
the workman depresses the lever 22. The effect of this is to move the collar 21 forward
on the shaft 16 and to throw the ends of the arms 19 inward, thus changing the outline
of the reel from that of a cylinder to approximately that of a cone, and the wire coil
then by its own gravity falls forward from the reel on to a track 24 which is placed
below to receive it.
The foregoing is a description of my invention in the form in which I prefer to use
t. It however may be modified greatly in form and details of construction.
Among the many modifications of my invention which may be made without departing
rom the spirit and scope thereof, is the form which I show in fig. 8, in which the
rms 19 instead of being pivotted transversely and being movable on their pivots to
ring their ends inward, are pivotted on their longitudinal axis to the plate 15, and
heir ends are curved outward, so that when in the position shown in full lines in fig. 8.
he reel is of the proper cylindrical or flaring form, but when turned on their axis into
he position shown by dotted lines the reel is converted into tapering form so as to

page_text: cause or permit the removal of the wire coil. In order to move these arms 19 I provide
the shank of each of them back of the plate 15 with small wheels 25 which are arranged
around and in contact with the periphery of a large wheel 26 which is mounted loosely
on the hub of the reel. The shanks of the arms 19 have their bearings in a wheel 27
which is fixed to the hub of the reel. 28 is an excentric which is arranged to be moved 5
so as to bear against the periphery of the disc 26, and is operated by a hand lever 29.
The operation of the reel in discharging the wire is as follows:-Ordinarily the reel
revolves with the parts as they are shown in fig. 8. When however the wire has been
wound on the reel the workman moves the lever 29 so as to bring the excentric 28 into
contact with the disc 26. The effect of this is to retard the rotation of this disc and 1
therefore to cause each one of the wheels 25 to turn on its axis. When they have
made a semi revolution the arms 19 are brought into the position shown in dotted
lines, and the wire coil will drop off. This form of my invention is like that shown in
fig. 6, in that in both forms the outer ends of the arms of the reel move inward to
cause the discharge of the wire, and obviously the parts may be otherwise arranged to 1
effect the same result. I am aware that it has been proposed to use spouts, channels,
or bars inclined downwards for guiding or directing iron, steel, or metal wire from
the rolls and I make no claim for apparatus of that kind generally.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop of a
receiving floor which is inclined substantially as described, in a direction transversely to
the axis of the rolls, so that by the joint action of gravity and the propelling force of
the rolls the loop shall be caused to travel freely over the floor, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
Second. In a rod mill the combination with the rolls of a sunken guide trough or
channel extending therefrom substantially as and for the purposes described.
Third. In a rod mill the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a sunken
guide trough or channel extending from the rolls for the purpose of guiding a branch
of the loop, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourth. In a rod mill the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a
guide which is downwardly inclined from the delivery side of one pair of rolls,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fifth. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod
emerges from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating
loop, of a guide which is inclined both downwardly and laterally from the delivery
side of one pair of rolls, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Sixth. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod emerges
from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop, of a
receiving floor which is downwardly inclined in a direction transversely to the axis of
the rolls, and a guide which directs the loop in its elongation on the floor, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Seventh. In a rod mill, the combination with rolls arranged so that as the rod
emerges from one pair of rolls it shall be reflexed and shall form an elongating loop,
of a guide trough or channel extending from the rolls for the purpose of guiding a
branch of the loop, said guide trough or channel having a flat bottom substantially as
and for the purposes described.
Eighth. In a rod mill, the combination with pairs of rolls arranged so that the rod
as it emerges from one set of rolls, is reflexed so as to form a loop, and is fed back to
the other set of rolls, of a guide trough or channel extending transversely to the delivery
side of one pair of rolls for the purpose of guiding one of the branches of the loop
said guide trough or channel having a smooth bottom, substantially as and for the
purposes described.

page_text: Ninth. A reel for wire, having projecting arms around which the wire is coiled,
said arms being movable inwardly, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Tenth. In a reel for wire, the combination of arms 19, pivotted transversely at their
bases, and movable on their pivots to discharge the coil, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Eleventh. In a reel for wire, the combination of the inner and outer series of
arms 17 and 19, and a central projection or boss, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Twelfth. The combination with the rolls of a wire rod mill, of a reel situate opposite
to the delivery side of the rolls, and a guide leading from the rolls to the reel,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.