Year: 1888

page_text: I, GEORGE CECIL DYMOND M. Inst. M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and, 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, 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:-
:-
The invention relates to that class of tube rolling machines in which a pair of
horizontal and a pair of vertical rolls are employed in connection with a stationary
mandrel which extends between them, and is designed as an improvement upon the
machine illustrated in Letters Patent of Great Britain, numbered 12,042, which were
granted September 6th, 1887, and to which reference may be had.
In the rolling of tubes and other hollow articles with machines of this class, it is
necessary to maintain at all times the axis of the mandrel in true central relation
with respect to the grooves in the rolls, or to the bearing surfaces thereof, in order
that the walls of the tube or other article being rolled may be of uniform thickness
throughout.
In the machine illustrated in the Letters Patent aforesaid, this result is accom-
plished by mounting each of the rolls of both the horizontal and vertical pairs in
movable-bearings, and so connecting and operating their adjusting screws, that in
effecting each of the adjustments of said rolls toward and away from the mandrel
necessary to the operation of the machine, all of such screws will be rotated in
unison to the same extent, and the several rolls thereby all be moved to precisely the
same distance.

page_text: This construction, while effective for the purposes stated, necessitates, in the
operation of the machine, the employment not only of the usual rolls or tables for
supporting the ingot or other article being reduced, as it passes to and away from
the machine, but also devices by means of which these supporting rolls or tables may
be adjusted and maintained in proper relation with respect to the under roll of the
horizontal pair, as the same is adjusted to effect the reduction of the article being
rolled.
My correspondent has discovered that by mounting this under roll of the horizontal
pair in fixed bearings, and so supporting the mandrel and the vertical rolls that, in
addition to the adjustment of the latter toward and away from the mandrel, such
mandrel and vertical rolls may have a vertical movement imparted to them of the
proper extent at the times the adjustment of the latter and the upper roll of the
horizontal pair for reducing the article being rolled is effected, he is able not only
to maintain the axis of the mandrel in true central relation with respect to the
grooves in the rolls, but also to dispense with the complicated mechanism heretofore
made use of for adjusting the supporting rolls or tables.
The invention therefore consists, first, in the mechanism whereby these adjustments
of said rolls aro effected; second, in the combination with such rolls and the
mechanism for imparting to them their various adjustments, of a mandrel, and
appliances for causing the same to move vertically in unison with the vertical rolls ;
and third, in various other combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will
hereinafter more fully appear.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tube rolling machine with the invention applied
thereto, a portion of the bracket for supporting the rear end of the mandrel being
shown in section.
Figure 2 a plan view of the same.
Figure 3 a section taken on the line x x of Figure 1, showing the frame for
supporting the vertical rolls and the manner of mounting the same in the housing
of the machines.
Figure 4 a detail showing the upper portion of the bracket for supporting the
rear end of the mandrel which is illustrated in section.
Figure 5 a section taken of the line y y of Figure 4, and,
Figure 6 a detail showing the devices by means of which the inner or free end of
the mandrel is supported.
In all the figures like letters are employed to designate corresponding parts.
A A indicates the standards or housings which are or may be connected by cross
bars a a, and B B₁ the upper and under rolls, respectively, of the horizontal pair
mounted therein. Each of these rolls is preferably provided with a circumferential
groove bin its periphery, which is of the proper shape in cross section to conform
to the outer contour of the article being rolled; and the under roll B₁ thereof is so
mounted as to be incapable of any vertical movement either in an upward or
downward direction, its boxes 61, being fixedly and immovably secured in the lower
ends of the guide ways c c formed in the standards or housings A A. The upper
roll B of this pair, on the other hand, in order to provide for the proper adjustment
to effect the reduction of the ingot and the production of the finished article, is
mounted in bearings 62 which are movable in said guide ways and may be raised or
lowered to adjust such roll toward and away from the under roll, as may be required
in the operation of the machine, by means of screws d d².
Located in the rear of the horizontal rolls B B₁ are the vertical rolls CC, which
like the former, are each provided with an appropriately shaped circumferential
groove in its periphery. These rolls are mounted in bearings etc which are fitted
to slide in suitable guide ways e e, and are adjustable therein to carry said rolls toward
and away from each other by means of screws ff.
The under roll B₁ of the horizontal pair, as before indicated, being mounted in fixed
bearings, and the adjustment of the rolls of such pairs necessary to the operation of
the machine being effected wholly by the movement of the upper roll thereof

page_text: toward and away from the same, it follows that the centre or axis of the figure formed
by the grooves in said rolls, at the point where the latter operate upon the material, is
constantly being changed from a higher to a lower plane and rice rersa, according as
such upper roll is moved toward or away from the under roll. In order therefore to
maintain at all times, as is essential, the axis of the figure formed by the grooves in
the vertical rolls at the point of their nearest approach, in coincidence with the movable
axis of the figure formed by the grooves in the horizontal rolls, it becomes necessary
to so mount such vertical rolls that, in addition to their movements toward and away
from each other, they shall be caused to rise and fall to the proper extent in unison
with the upper roll B. Instead therefore of forming the guide ways e e, which receive
and guide the bearings c¹³ of the vertical rolls, in the standards or housings A A, or
in a stationary part thereof, my correspondent finds it convenient to form such guide
ways in the upper and under sides of a frame D, which is fitted to slide in guide
ways h h, formed in the standards or housings A A and to raise and lower it therein
by means of screws i i.
Projecting between the rolls of both the vertical and horizontal pairs, and resting
centrally within the grooves formed therein, is the mandrel E, over and from which
the article being rolled is alternately forced and withdrawn, the same being constructed
either solid or tubular, as may be preferred, and provided at appropriate points
opposite the bites of the rolls with enlargements k k', in which may be arranged rolls
if desired, as shown in Figure 3 of the Letters Patent to which reference has been
made. This mandrel, instead of being supported at all times in the same horizontal
plane, is so mounted that while restrained from all longitudinal movement it is, like
the vertical rolls C C, raised and lowered in unison with the upper roll B of the
horizontal pair, in order to maintain it in true central relation with respect to the
grooves in said pair in whatever position its upper roll may be adjusted. To accom-
plish this result, the bracket F and pulley are employed, the former of which is
provided in its upper end with an open slot 2 in which is fitted to slide a movable
bearing, that is raised and lowered therein at the proper times by means of a screw f
and the latter is journailed in the upper end of an arm which is jointed at its lower
end in a stand 2 projecting upward from the movable frame D. The rear end of the
mandrel rests upon the movable bearing f within the open slot f, and is provided
with two collars d' which are placed on opposite sides of the upper portion of the
bracket F, and serve with the latter to prevent the mandrel from moving longi-
tudinally; while its inner or free end rests upon the pulley l.
The normal position of the arm which supports the pulley is vertical as shown in
Figures 1 and 6, being held therein by means of the spring resting upon the cam *
secured to its side, but may be swung to the right or left on its pivot to carry its
pulley down and away from the article being rolled, when such pulley is struck by the
article as it passes on and off the mandrel. By these means, as will be seen, provision
is made not only for restraining the mandrel from all longitudinal movement, but also
for raising and lowering it to the proper extent at the times required, the roll
mounted upon the movable frame D, partaking of the rising and falling movement of
the same, and the movable bearing being elevated and depressed by the action of
the screw *.
The devices for effecting the various adjustments of the rolls, as well as the rising
and falling movement of the mandrel, may be operated separately or connected by
suitable mechanism and moved together as desired. This last mentioned arrangement
is preferred in practice, since thereby not only are the adjustments of the various parts
effected simultaneously, but the exact relative momnevent and position of each with
To this end the vertical
respect to the other or others is at all times ensured.
shafts H H are employed which are mounted in suitable bearings m m upon opposite
sides of the machine, and are provided at their upper ends with spur gears h³ respec-
tively, and at a point near the lower end of each with a similar gear h², the shaft H,
in addition thereto, carrying at a point still lower down a wheel ³. The gears h
respectively, mesh with the gears n n' appropriately fitted to the upper end of the
adjusting screws dd' and also with the gears o o¹, respectively fitted to the upper end of

page_text: the short shafts p p' which are supported in suitable hangers 99., The short shafts
carry at their lower ends bevel gears ss which engage with similar bevel gears tt
fitted to the ends of the adjusting screws ff which in turn are connected with the
screws below, through the instrumentality of the wheel v¹ and chains ww.
Similarly the gears hh mesh with the gears ¹ secured to the lower ends of the
screws ii, while the wheels through the medium of the chain 10 in connection with
a wheel secured to the lower end of the screw and thus through the train of
mechanism as here described the several devices made use of for effecting the adjust-
ments of the various rolls, as well as for raising and lowering the mandrel, are all
connected with the shafts H H and are all simultaneously operated.therefrom.
In making the adjustments necesssary to the operation of the machine, the vertical
movements of the rolls C C₁ and of the mandrel E will be only one half of that
imparted to the former as they are moved toward and away from each other, and of
the roll B, by the screws ffl and d d', respectively, the various gears, wheels, and
pitches of the screws being so proportioned as to effect this result.
The gears n n¹, o o¹, i and wheels v v¹, instead of being rigidly secured to their
respective screws and shafts, are connected thereto by grooves and feathers, so that
while compelling the latter to rotate with them, said screws and shafts are yet free to
move longitudinally therethrough, to adapt themselves to the various adjustments to
which they may be subjected; and in order to maintain such gears and wheels at all
times in the same position, they are each provided with a circumferential groove a¹
in its hub, which engages with lugs a secured to the standards or housings A A, and
frame D. in proper relation with respect thereto.
To connect and operate the two vertical shafts H H¹, so as to cause them not
only to rotate in unison, but also to move to the same extent, various devices may be
employed, the means, however, inade use of for this purpose consists of a rack I,
which meshes with gears 4 and 5 of the same diameters, secured to the lower ends
of said shafts, respectively, and is moved back and forth to the proper extent at the
times required by a piston rod L from a steam cylinder L', which is provided with
suitable induction and eduction pipes m² m² and is or may be of the form of that
employed for the same purpose in the machine illustrated in the Letters Patent afore-
said, and requires no further description herein.
M M indicate the rolls by means of which the article being rolled is supported and
carried to and away from the machine, and NN the standards in which they are
supported. These rolls are preferably constructed with a circumferential groove of
circular form in the periphery of each, the bottom of which is maintained at all
times at the proper elevation with respect to the groove in the roll B' of the hori-
zontal pair by their standards N, which may each be constructed of a single piece
of metal as shown or otherwise.
It has not been thought necessary to illustrate more than four of these rolls-
two of which are arranged in front and two in the rear of the machine-but it is
to be understood that in practice the number will be increased, or, if preferred,
stationary tables or troughs may be employed in lieu thereof.
By the construction above set forth, it will be seen that a machine for rolling tubing
and other hollow articles is produced, in which not only is the complicated mechanism
heretofore employed for adjusting the supporting rolls or tables with respect to the
different positions assumed by the movable under roll, omitted, but the apparatus as a
whole simplified and in some respects rendered more effective.
In the foregoing the best means for carrying the invention into practice has been
described, but it should be distinctly understood that my correspondent does not
limit himself strictly thereto, as it is obvious that he may modify the details thereof
in various ways without departing from the spirit, thereof, as, for instance, if desired,.
instead of mounting the under roll of the horizontal pair in stationary bearings, one
of the vertical rolls may be arranged in stationary bearings, in which event, the
horizontal roll will, in addition to their movement toward or away from each other,
be so disposed as to move laterally in unison with the mandrel, the vertical move-
ment of the vertical rolls and of said mandrel being omitted.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination, with the under horizontal roll mounted in stationary bearings,
the upper horizontal rolls mounted in movable bearings and devices for adjusting the
latter roll toward and away from the former, of a pair of vertical rolls, a mandrel, and
mechanism for adjusting said vertical rolls toward and away from each other and for
imparting to them a vertical movement, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the under horizontal roll mounted in fixed bearings, the
upper horizontal roll mounted in movable bearings and devices for adjusting the latter
toward and away from the former, of a pair of vertical rolls, a mandrel and mechanism
for adjusting said vertical rolls toward and away from each other, and for imparting
to them and to the mandrel a vertical movement, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a circumferentially grooved under horizontal roll mounted
in fixed bearings, a circumferentially grooved upper horizontal roll mounted in
movable bearings, and devices for adjusting the latter roll toward and away from
the former, of a pair of circumferentially grooved vertical rolls, a mandrel extending
between the rolls of both pairs and mechanism for both adjusting the rolls of said
vertical pairs toward and away from each other and for imparting to them and to
the mandrel a vertical movement, whereby to maintain them in proper relation with
respect to the horizontal rolls, substantially as described. .
4. The combination with the under horizontal roll mounted in fixed bearings, an
upper horizontal roll mounted in movable bearings, supports for the article being
rolled as it passes to and away from the machine arranged at a fixed elevation, and
devices for adjusting said upper roll toward and away from the, under roll, of a pair of
vertical rolls, a mandrel and devices for both adjusting said vertical rolls toward and
away from each other and for imparting to them and to the mandrel a vertical move-
ment, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a horizontal' roll mounted in fixed bearings, and a hori-
zontal roll mounted in movable bearings, and devices for moving the latter roll toward
and away from the former, of a mandrel and mechanism for raising and lowering the
same to maintain it in proper central relation with respect to said rolls, substantially
as described.
6. The combination with a roll mounted in fixed bearings, a companion roll mounted
in movable bearings and devices for adjusting the latter roll toward and away from
the former, of a mandrel and mechanism for moving it transversely of its axis, to
maintain it in proper relation with respect to the rolls, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of December 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.