An Improved Rolling Mill for the Manufacture of Round Bars and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
4
An Improved Rolling Mill for the Manufacture of Round Bars and
the like.
I, PAUL JEAN DELAY of Boucau, (Basses Pyrenées) in the Republic of
France Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to enable bars or pieces of circular shape in
section to be obtained' by means of a rolling mill, instead of, as hitherto 'minu-
facturing them by means of a stamp hammer or a press, or, where only ordinary
rolling mills are available, being under the necessity of employing a variety of
complicated devices to suit the numerous classes of round pieces which may have
to be produced.
The improved machine enables cylindrical pieces of varying diameters, to be
produced; and not only such as have the same diameter throughout, but also such
as vary in diameter at different, points of their length. The "blanks" or pieces to
be operated upon, should preferably have an initial circular sectional area, when,
in consequence of all their parts being acted upon in an even and uniform manner,
there will be greater uniformity in the finished article. Hollow pieces may be
shaped upon mandrels, or where their bores are very small in comparison with
their thickness, mandrels may be dispensed with.
The improved machine consists of a number of rolls adapted to be set in rotary
motion and the respective axes of which are parallel to the piece or blank to be
"drawn" or rolled; or their axes may converge to any one point of the blank to
be rolled, to which their circumferences will be tangential. In the same way as in
ordinary rolling mills, the rolls in the improved arrangement, engage and compress
the blank, as they revolve, and in so doing reduce its diameter, at the same time
imparting to it, finally a circular sectional outline. When the blank has been thus
reduced, the rolls are moved apart, while the blank is caused to move along under
the action of extraneous or auxiliary devices, such as special conveying rollers, or
some source of motive power operating by either compression or traction;' after
which, the diameter of the blank is once tnore narrowed down at the point to
which it has thus been moved; and so on. By changing or reversing the direction,
in which the force, instrumental, in moving the 'blank along, is made to act, the
blank may be rolled while being returned to its initial position, without any change
in the direction of rotation of the rolls.
In order to enable the invention to be better understood, the example hereinafter
described will apply to the case of a round cylindrical bar to.be' rolled by the
improved machine; or, in other words, the assumption is that the blank to be
operated upon is, initially, of circular section.
The rolling mill may be supposed for example to consist of four rolls of equal
diameter, all of which are operated and controlled by means of suitable clutches or
sleeves and extension pieces, the length of the latter being such that by inclining
them sufficient space may be provided in the frames for the blank to engage in,
when it has attained a predetermined length.
i
The balanced rolls are connected to set screws through the medium of sleeves.
The acting periphery of each roll is formed with a cylindrical portion and two

page_text: All the screws are connected together in such a manner that if a movement be
imparted to any one of them, all the others are compelled to participate in such
movement to an equal extent, as hereinafter more fully explained. If they have
been properly adjusted to start with, that is to say, if the respective circumferences
of the rolls are equidistant from the centre, their position in this particular will
remain the same, no matter how they may otherwise be displaced.
The screws engage in movable nuts each of which carries at its upper end two
trunnions or pivots whereon are mounted powerful levers capable of forcing the
rolls into the substance of the blank to be stretched or rolled by their pressure.
By means of caps the levers are securely retained on their pivots while the nuts
follow all the movements of the said levers. At the lower part or inner part, each
nut terminates in another, additional, nut which serves to prevent the set screws
from leaving their recesses when the levers are disconnected.
The openings in the frame in which the aforesaid nuts move are provided with
linings secured thereto; there being left, between the ends of the nuts and the ends
of said internal linings, a space, either equal to, or exceeding, the maximum
adjustment of the rolls.
All the movable nuts are connected together by levers so that, whenever a
movement is imparted to one, all the others are set in motion at the same time
and rate.
Two hydraulic single acting cylinders are supposed to be employed in this
example for imparting reciprocating motion to the levers and nuts and consequently
to the four rolls of the rolling mill. If preferred, however, a large number of
motor cylinders may be employed, in which case they should be arranged nearer
to their point of operation. Or any other suitable driving gear or mechanism may
be employed to operate the levers and nuts.
The rolls enter into the body or substance of the blank to be rolled under
pressure. When they have completed a quarter of a revolution, the outer zone or
layer of the blank is rolled. By continuing to apply pressure, the rolls will be
further pressed into the blank to be rolled, so that now an innerzone or layer of
the original blank will be the surface rolled; and next, the innermost zone or layer
of the blank will be similarly rolled. The operation will thus be continued until
the levers and nuts have completed their stroke.
The rolls are then raised, and the blank is shifted a certain distance longitudinally.
Then pressure is applied and the blank is, for a corresponding distance, reduced to
the same diameter, as before. The process continues in this manner, the same
operations being repeated over and over again, until the extremity of the blank is
reached, when a piece of cylindrical shape, will be obtained. Where projecting
parts, are left on this cylindrical piece, it shows that the strokes of the rolling mill
have been applied at too long intervals apart.
It will be understood that the initial impulse must be somewhat powerful, and
the first movement proportionately rapid, as they depend upon the power which
each individual set of levers and nuts is capable of displaying and upon the speed
at which it may be operated.
In order adequately to proportion the extent of the stroke and to provide for a
precise adjustment by means of the screws, such screws are connected two and two,
by means of bevelled pinions and shafts. The tightening and adjusting process of
each pair of screws is performed in the same manner as in the ordinary sheet metal,
or plate rolling mills; and by means of shafts, gear wheels, links and pulleys all the
screws are set in motion at the same time.
The screw adjusting mechanism consists of bevel wheels, secured, respectively, to
the outer ends of the screws, and engaging with other bevel wheels, integral with the
driving pulleys of the screw mechanism. The shafts or spindles connecting
the last named bevel wheels with the driving pulleys are loosely fitted to the ends
of the said screws and, at or near the centre of their length, carry toothed wheels,
in gear with other toothed wheels, which, in turn, engage with third toothed
wheels; the last named toothed wheels being loose upon their respective shafts.

page_text: These shafts revolve in bearings permanently attached to, or stationary on, the
frame, all the said shafts being connected together by rods or links. The last
named toothed wheels are loose upon their shafts, but may, when required, be
made fast thereon by means of clamps, friction cones or the like. The length of
the links connecting the shafts of the three sets of toothed wheels described is
constant, but the angles, they make with each other are variable according to the
position of the shafts or spindles mounted on the ends of the screws, which owing
to their particular construction, are compelled to follow the straight lines leading
from them to the centre of the machine.
The sets of gear wheels will assume a certain position whilst the rolls and nuts
move under the action of the levers, at which juncture the third set of toothed
wheels will have become loose upon their shafts. The links remain
stationary, and the last named toothed wheels (preferably four in number), corre-
sponding to eight sets of screws and nuts, will turn, two and two, in opposite
directions. When the screws & nuts are lifted, the reverse movement will take
place. By restoring the connection between last named toothed wheels and their
shafts and by revolving the gear wheels through the medium of the driving pulley,
while the nuts are at rest, a different position will be arrived at.
All the toothed
wheels mounted on the shafts supported on the ends of the set screws revolve in the
same direction, therefore, by cutting the screws at a corresponding pitch and
winding their threads in the required direction, they may be caused to advance or
recede a corresponding distance.
The following is an arrangement differing from the one just described in its being
supplemented by two additional toothed wheels secured to corresponding shafts,
which revolve in bearings permanently fixed to the cage or frame.
The result of the provision of these additional toothed wheels is to enable all
the toothed wheels of the mechanism to be securely wedged on their shafts.
The shafts supporting these additional wheels and the third set of toothed
wheels are connected by links the additional shafts being, moreover, joined together
by a separate link, and each of these shafts being connected to the corresponding
third named toothed wheel, below, by another link.
During the descent of the nuts under the action of the levers all the shafts
connected by links move in the required direction, such motion being feasible in
spite of the fact that all the gear wheels are wedged on their shafts. During the
forward or rearward movements of the screws and nuts, the gear wheels and links
will turn for a certain distance, and the angles will vary.
When the screws and nuts are stationary, if motion be imparted by means of a
pulley two of the gear wheels (mounted at or about the centre of the shafts con-
necting the bevel wheels) will turn in the same direction, and the two remaining
ones in the opposite direction. The required movement will therefore be obtained
by providing part of the screws with right hand threads, and the others with left
hand threads.
When the screws and nuts have completed their stroke, and reduced the blank to a
uniform section, it is only necessary to lift the rams and to tighten the screws to
an extent equal to the strokes of the screws and nuts, to enable the blank, under
the influence of the levers, to undergo a further reduction of diameter, equal to
that to which it has been subjected before, and so on. The screws may thus be
extended so long as they do not bend under the compressing strain to which they
are subjected, a condition which it is easy to fulfil and which, when complied with,
secures an extensive stroke for the machine. And while sufficient in extent the
stroke will also be perfectly precise, as, upon reaching the limit of their strokes,
the screws and nuts will be able to force the rolls into the body of the
blank only to the extent to which the screws have been tightened, the extent of
reduction being thus adjustable to a nicety. By such means, the blank may
reliably be reduced to the desired dimensions, and not beyond the predetermined
limit.
The driving pulley receives motion in either direction, or (if preferred) in one

page_text: direction only, by any convenient or well known devices which need not be
described.
The improved rolling mill enables variously shaped pieces to be turned out.
In order to obtain a cylindrical piece, the strokes of the machine should be
caused to succeed each other at brief intervals. In this operation, 'forging takes
place in lengths, similarly to what happens when presses or stamp-hammers are
employed the piece operated upon 'moving along only when external force is
applied to it for the purpose. Cylindrical pieces, varying in diameter, may also
be readily obtained, a cylindrical round piece being first produced, and one of its
terminals being then forged. In the same way cylindrical pieces can be obtained,
having a centre part of smaller diameter, this part being made to equal 'the
minimum size of the straight portions of the roller surfaces. "When more delicate
shapes, are to be formed, the rollers may be grooved or fluted. Conical or
bevelled pieces, are obtained by correspondingly bevelling the rollers or,-better
still by inclining their shafts at equal angles to the blank..
Smaller round articles may be turned out by employing three cylinders instead
of four. Or two pairs of rollers of different diameters may be employed for the
same purpose. Pressure may be applied to two of the rollers 'only, if desired; 'and
provision for cutting the articles of circular section may be readily made by
forming each of the two compressing rollers with a projecting part in outline, the
two smaller rollers being employed as guides or checking or limiting devices.
Similarly to what occurs in ordinary rolling mills, some of the rollers only may
receive rotary motion if desired; and some only of the rollers, need be capable of
parallel movement.
If, given the same penetrating power, the deformation, produced by the same
rolling mill on a flat piece and on a round body, be examined, it will be found that
the deformation will be less in the case of the round article. As no slipping of the
blank is to be apprehended, greater penetrating force may be given to the improved
rolling mill, than to machines of the same class as at present constructed.
It will be observed that, in rolling round articles according to this invention,
frictional contact is invariably insured between the blank and the rollers.
It will of course, be understood, that, instead of (as above suggested) combining
two methods of pressure, or compression-riz. :-hydraulic pressure and pressure
by screws-either method may alone be adopted, if required.
Dated this 16th day of January 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rolling Mill for the Manufacture of Round Bars and
the like.
I, PAUL JEAN DELAY of Boucau (Basses Pyrenées) in the Republic of France
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 object of this invention is to obtain by rolling, rods, bars or other articles of
circular cross section and rectilinear longitudinal axis. Such articles have been
manufactured hitherto by means of a stamp hammer or a press, or where ordinary
rolling mills have been employed it has been necessary to provide a large variety
of parts to suit the numerous forms or classes of articles to be produced. As
examples. I may cite straight shafts or axles for machines and vehicles, propeller

page_text: shafts for steamships, conical pivots, as employed in some hoisting devices, and
straight shafts of varying diameter for stationary engines.
I will describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:-
Figure 1 is an end elevation of a machine constructed according to my
invention the parts being shown in the position they occupy in the first compressing
operation.
Figures 1A and 1B are diagrammatic views corresponding to Figure 1 showing
the operating parts in two positions, Figure 1 illustrating the first movement of
the blank, compressing parts or slides, which movement is obtained by hydraulic
pressure through the medium of levers, while Figure 1B indicates the secoud
movement corresponding to the tightening and adjusting operation of the slides, by
means of the screw mechanism which will be fully described hereinafter.
Figures 1 and 1 are diagrammatic elevations representing in two positions
corresponding to those illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B a slightly modified
arrangement of the screw mechanism.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line a-a Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents diagraminatically the action of the rollers.
Figures 4 to 9 illustrate various forms of articles which may be produced by my
improved machine.
Figure 10 represents in end view and side elevation a modified arrangement of
rollers.
Figure 11 represents in transverse section and side elevation another
modification.
Figure 12 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 represent in side elevation, transverse section, and plan,
respectively, the mechanism for rotating the rollers.
Figures 16 and 17 are sectional elevations similar to Figure 2, illustrating the
arrangement of parts for forming conical articles.
Figures 18 and 18 are a longitudinal section, and a transverse section,
respectively, (both drawn to an enlarged scale) of a ball and socket joint employed
in the construction shown in Figures 16 and 17.
Figure 19 is a diagrammatic section illustrating the action of the rollers on the
blank.
Figure 20 is an enlarged detail view, showing, in sectional elevation, mechanism
for moving the rollers toward and from the blank.
Figure 21 shews in section means for connecting the bearings, which receive the
trunnions of the rollers, to their adjusting shafts or spindles.
Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 20, showing another arrangement for
adjusting the said bearings.
Figure 22 is an end' view of the mechanism shown in Figure 22.
Figure 23 is an end 'elevation of the construction illustrated by the diagrams
Figures 1° and 1º.
Figure 24 is a side elevation of the machine represented in Figure 23, and,
Figure 25 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the gear wheels.
I will first describe in detail a rolling mill provided with four cylinders or rollers
whose axes are parallel to that of the blank to be worked, the said rollers being of
equal diameters and situated at equal distances from each other as well as from the
centre of the blank. All these rollers are operatively connected to rotate in the
same direction, their circumferential rates of speed being equal. The blank in its
initial shape is circular in cross section. After describing the construction above
referred to as a type of my invention, I will indicate modifications which may be
made when it is desired to alter the direction of the rollers' axes, their number, or
the number of rollers driven. One characteristic feature of the different arrange-
ments is, however, that the manner of moving the rollers towards the blank remains
unaltered.
In the drawings, F¹ designates the blank to be worked. ✗ are the rollers.

page_text: between which the blank is rolled. The periphery of each roller is, in most cases,
partly cylindrical, the two ends being conical, and each end is provided with a
journal or trunnion. These journals or trunnions are received in bearings Q
capable of sliding in radial slots in the frame or end standards Y Y of the
machine, the said slots, as shown, being arranged at an angle of 90° to each
other.
The bearings are connected to the ends of adjusting screws p (more fully
described hereinafter) in such a manner as to permit of the said screws turning
within the sockets provided for their reception in the bearings Q (Figures 1, 2
and 21).
The bearings Q are protected by sleeves R' from the heat radiating from the
blank while being worked and against the oxides scraps, etc., which may fly off the
said blank.
The screws p engage with moveable nuts p' each of which is provided at its
.outer end with two projecting pins e engaged by strong levers & by means of which
the rollers X can be forced against the blank.
The parts of the frame or standards Y Y through which the said nuts p' pass
are each provided with a sleeve p2 having a smooth inner surface so that the nuts
may slide in a radial direction therein with as little friction as possible.
Caps d are provided to make the levers b practically integral with the pins e, so
that any movement of the levers will be cominunicated directly to the nuts p¹ and
screws p. At its inner end each of the nuts pl is screw threaded to receive a nut f,
chiefly for the parpose of preventing the nuts p from falling out of their sockets
when the levers bare removed. The nuts p¹ and screws p. constitute slides, and
for the sake of conciseness, I will refer to them as such, when describing their joint
movement.
The moveable nuts pare connected by means of levers links and
rods b, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, (Figures 1 and 12), of which the levers work on
fulcrums E on the frame or standards and are connected at o to a piston rod
actuated by fluid pressure in single acting hydraulic cylinders H' and 'H. The
smaller cylinder H³ (see Figures 23 and 24) is in constant communication, at its
upper end only, with a supply of water admitted by means of the valve 35 and the
tube 33.
The larger cylinder H receives the water at its lower end only. Water is
admitted to this cylinder by means of a cock or valve 31 having a key or handle 30
the said cock when in one position allowing the water to proceed from a pipe 33*
and through a pipe 31 to a distributor 32 which cominunicates with the cylinder H
by means of the tube 34 and when the cock is in another position water escapes
through the tube 34, distributor 32, pipe 31, cock 31, pipe 31, distributor 32 and
tube 35. It will be seen therefore that, according to the position of the cock 31,
water is either admitted to the cylinder H or allowed to escape therefrom. The
radial slots in the frame or standards in which the nuts f'slide are sufficiently deep
to provide a space between the inner ends of the said slots and the nuts equal to
or greater than the maximum adjustment of the rollers X.
To make the description and drawings more readily intelligible, I have omitted
from several views the mechanism for actuating the screws p and the nuts pl.
It is understood that the screws p cannot turn when the levers are actuated by
the pistons in the cylinders H³ and H. The mechanism for actuating the
screws and slides is shown best in Figures 23 and 24 and will be fully described
hereinafter,
By actuating one or the other of the pistons contained in the cylinders Hand H
I cause the four rollers to move simultaneously and the same distance toward or
from the blank. The pressure will cause the rollers to penetrate the blank
(Figure 3) and owing to their rotary movement, they will progressively compress
the blank on its entire circumference. After one fourth of a revolution, the
portion will have been rolled. If the application of pressure is continued, the
portions y and z will be rolled successively, and this operation will continue as long

page_text: as the piston contained in the cylinder H has not reached the end of its stroke..
When nearing the end of the operation, the thickness of material to be worked by
the rollers will decrease gradually, and since the said rollers bear on the blank
with a constant pressure and rotate against it as long as desired they will finally-
work the blank into a regular shape.
When this result has been obtained pressure is discontinued in the cylinder H
and applied in the cylinder H3 so that the rollers moving outwardly to their initial:
position release the blank completely.
As illustrated by Figures 13, 14 and 15 the blank F¹ is supported at its front-
and rear ends by two chains G' which pass under it and over pulleys G'. During
the compression the blank will rotate causing a similar movement of the pulleys G..
When the rollers are removed from contact with the blank, the latter will be
supported by the chains G. The pulleys G' are connected to overhead travelers or.
carriages of suitable construction according to the weight and character of the work..
A rotary movement is imparted to the rollers X by means of the driving
shaft K' which actuates the gear wheels J', I', M, 12. The pinions I¹ and 12 are
connected to the rollers by means of shafts H and H and articulated connec-
tions H and H. The shafts H¹ and H are of sufficient length to permit of their
assuming various inclinations and actuating the rollers in any position they may be
adjusted to.
It will be observed that a free space is left between the portions Y2 Y2 and Y Y
of each of the frames supporting the gearing J', I', M, I for the purpose of
allowing the blank and its supporting chains to travel freely therein.
It will therefore be understood that if the rollers X have first been set at such a.
distance from each other that the blank may be freely moved between them.
longitudinally by means of the overhead carriage from which the said blank is
suspended, it will be easy to feed the blank forward by means of the said carriage
or traveler after the blank has been rolled for a part of its length. That is, the.
feeding of the blank may be accomplished in the same manner that is customary-
when working bars or the like with a steam hammer or a press.
By compressing successively adjacent portions of the blank a finished product
like that shown in Figure 4 will be obtained, the collars g affording a means of readily-
ascertaining if the amount of feed between two successive compressions has been.
too great.
The above described movement of the rollers is quick and powerful, since it-
depends only on the force and speed which can be obtained with a piston.
In order to obtain a precise adjustment of the rollers X to suit different diameters.
of articles to be produced the screws p are connected together by pinions, shafts,.
gear wheels, connecting rods, and pulleys, permitting of the rotation of all the.
screws at the same time.
A more detailed illustration of these movements is given in Figures 1A and 1B of
the drawings: Figures 14 and 1B being diagrams corresponding to Figure 1 shewing
two positions, that is to say Figure 14 illustrates the first movement corresponding
to the operation of the slides by hydraulic pressure and through the medium of the-
levers while Figure 1B indicates the second movement corresponding to the
tightening and adjusting operation of the slides by means of the screw mechanism
which will be hereinafter fully described.
Figures 1 and 1 represent a slightly modified form of the screw mechanism in.
two positions corresponding to those illustrated in Figures 1 and 1.
The screw mechanism (Figures 1, 1 1 and 2) consist of bevel wheels A secured
to the ends of the screws p and engaging with other bevel wheels B². The latter
are connected in pairs by means of shafts B' loosely mounted on the ends of the
screws p. Each shaft B carries at its central portion a toothed wheel B engaging
a gear wheel C meshing into a similar wheel D. The gear wheels D are mounted.
loosely on their shafts D' but can be caused to rotate therewith when required..
One of the shafts B' carries the driving pulley B³.
The shafts D' revolve in bearings on the frames or standards Y, all of the said:
:

page_text: The gear
shafts D' being connected together by cranks and rods or links H.
wheels D may be connected to the shafts D when required by means of friction
cones clutches or the like d Fig. 12. The length of the links D, C connecting "
the shafts B, C, D', is constant, but the angles formed by the pairs of links C2, D
are variable, according to the position of the shafts B', which, owing to the
particular construction described, are compelled to move in straight lines leading
from them to the centre of the machine.
In Figure 1 arrows indicate the direction in which the gear wheels C and D
turn whilst the eight slides (unts p' and screws p) move inwards under the action
of the levers b, at which juncture by means of the clutch d' the gear wheels D will
have become detached from their shafts D', the links H remaining stationary. It
will be seen that the four toothed wheels D corresponding to the eight slides will
turn, two and two, in opposite directions. When the slides are moved outwardly,'
the reverse rotary movement of the gearing will take place. By restoring at this
moment the connection between the shafts D and the gear wheels D, aud by
revolving the gear wheels through the medium of the driving pulley B³, the position
shown in Figure 1B will be arrived at. It will be observed that all the gear
wheels B revolve in the same direction. Therefore, by the screws p being all the
same pitch and their 'threads all left hand or right, hand as required, they may be.
caused to advance or recede in unison and to the same distance.
The arrangement represented in Figures 1 and 1 differs from the one just
described in its being supplemented by two additional toothed wheels E, secured
to the shafts E, which revolve in bearings in the frame or standards.
In Figure 25 I have indicated diagrammatically the movement of the gear
wheels B. C. D. E when actuated by the piston of the cylinder H. Owing to the
construction above referred to, the point 2 moves inwardly to the position 2, on the
straight line connecting the point 2 to the centre of the apparatus. The point 3
of the gear wheel B moves to 3 parallel to the line 2. 2' since when the pistons are
used for moving the slides, the serews p and consequently the gear wheels A. B' B
cannot rotate. This movement involves a rotation of the gear wheel C and a
shifting of its centre the point 3 coming to the position 3. Similarly the point 4,
moves to 41, 42 and the point 5 to 5².
Arrows in Figure 1° indicate the direction of the movement of all the gear wheels
during the inward movement of the slides when actuated by the levers b. It will
be seen that all the shafts linked together by the connecting rods, move in the
required direction. The slides thus can move although the gear wheels are keyed
or otherwise rigidly secured on their shafts during such movement, the gear wheels
and the connecting rods will turn to a predetermined extent, with the exception of
the gear wheels B, B2, A. The sugles formed by the links which connect the
shafts B, C, D will vary.
Assuming the slides to be stationary, if the pulley B is rotated, it will be seen
Fig. 1 that two of the gear wheels B will turn in the same direction and the other
two in the opposite direction. It will be evident that if the screw threads have the
same pitch and the same direction, the screws p will be fed inward or outward in
unison and the same distance.
By adding the gear wheel E I therefore obtain the advantage of being able to
rigidly secure all the gear wheels on their shafts.
Whether one or the other of the above described mechanisms is employed,
it is sufficient, in order to effect a second compression when the slides have
reached the end of their stroke and the first rolling or compression has been
effected, to move the slides outwardly, raise the locking lever 11, adjust the
screws p inwards by means of the pulley B³ a distance equal to the stroke
of the slides, and put the locking lever 11 back to its original position
The slides may then be moved inward by means of the levers b, and a second
reduction of diameter, equal to the stroke of the slides, may be obtained on the
blank. This operation may be repeated as often as required. The screw
may thus be extended to the desired extent so long as they do not bend under the

page_text: compressing strain to which they are subjected; a condition which it is easy to
fulfil. This adjustability of the screws secures a very considerable stroke for the
machine, and while sufficient in extent, the stroke will also be perfectly precise, as,
upon the slides reaching the limit of their strokes, the rollers carried thereby will
be able to force their way into the body of the blank only to the extent to which
the screws have been moved inwards, the extent of reduction or compression
being thus adjustable to a nicety. By such means, the blank may reliably be
reduced to the desired dimensions, and not beyond the predetermined limit.
The driving pulley B³ may receive motion from any convenient source of motive
power, which I have not deemed necessary to illustrate.
In order to equalize the distance, of the rollers from the centre or axis of the
blank, I may employ with each shaft B' the mechanism shown in Figure 20. Upon
the removal of the pins 6. 6 the shaft B' can be raised so as to move the gear
wheel B2 out of engagement with the wheel A, then the gear wheel A and the
screw p are turned to the desired extent, and the shaft B again connected to the
screw p by inserting the pins 6, 6. If the desired movement is too considerable
and involves too great an inclination of the shaft B, I adopt the mechanism
represented in Figure 21 which shows the connection of the screw p to the sleeve
or bearings Q. The bolts 8 are loosened, and washers 7 and 9 of appropriate
thickness are put in.
For the purpose of connecting the shaft B₁ to the screws p I may also employ
the mechanism shown in Figure 22. I remove the pins or cottars 10, 10 (Figure 22)
and 10 (Figure 24) then slide the shaft B' in its bearings, so as to disengage the
pinions B2 from the wheels A, to adjust the rollers as above described.
Or I may use for adjusting the rollers, any one of the mechanisms ordinarily
employed for this purpose in sheet metal rolling mills.
In order to prevent the screws from turning during the movement of the slides,
I provide the locking lever 11 (Figure 22) one end of which is free while the other
end is formed with a fork, provided at its ends with sleeves which are adapted to
slide on the shaft B', the said lever being" also provided with a tooth or projection 13
to engage the teeth of the wheel A so as to prevent any independent movement of
the screws p.
When it is desired to turn the screws, the levers 11 are raised by means of
tappets 14 (Figures 23 and 24) through the medium of the connecting rods and
crank arms 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 the movement being effected by means of a
lever 21 fulcrumed at 22 and pivotally joined at 23 to the connecting rods 17
and 18.
I will now describe by way of example, a few of the shapes that can be produced
with my improved rolling mill. In order to obtain a cylindrical shaft, such as is
shewn in Figure 5 the rollers are first separated sufficiently to allow the blank to
move freely between them. The blank which is suspended by chains from the
overhead carriage is then brought into position between the rollers and the
handle 31 of the cock turned so as to admit water to the hydraulic cylinder H*.
The blank will thus be compressed and rolled at the part situated between the
rollers. The rollers are then separated by admitting water into the cylinder H³ to
admit of the next part of the blank being brought into position to be acted on by
the rollers, the blank being thus acted in successive portions until the whole of
the blank has been acted on. The gear wheels A are then unlocked, the screws p
adjusted inward to the required extent, the wheels A locked again by means of
the levers 11, and the blank again rolled in successive portions in its entire length,
this operation being repeated until the diameter of the blank shall have been
reduced to the desired dimension.
In order to produce a shaft like that shewn in Figure 6 a cylindrical piece of
uniform diameter in its entire length is produced to begin with, and then one end
only of the shaft is rolled, the conical portion connecting the two cylindrical
portions of unequal diameters being produced by the inclined or conical portion of
the rollers X.

page_text: Pieces like that represented in Figure 7 will be produced if the interval (rs)
is equal at least to the length of the straight or cylindrical portions of the
rollers.
When more delicate shapes are to be formed such as shewn in Figure 8, the
rollers will he shaped accordingly with grooves or flutes.
My improved rolling mill may also be employed when the axes of the rollers
converge toward a point in the axis of the blank; in this case conical shafts may
be produced.
When the angle formed by the axes of the rollers is small, as shewn in the
arrangement Figure 16 the central portion of the rollers may be of uniform
diameter. The journals of the rollers are provided with balls 24 (Figure 18) held in
casings or sockets 25, 26, 25, 26 (Figures 16, 17 and 18). By employing sockets
of different thicknesses for each end of the roller, its axis can be inclined to any
extent desired while leaving the shaft. B' horizontal.
The apparatus will be operated as above described.
When it is desired to produce shafts of conical form of greater angle, the central
operating portion of the rollers may be conical as shewn in Figure 17. Balls and
sockets 25, 26, 25" 26" of suitable thickness will be provided to keep each shaft B¹
horizontal. It will be observed that the surface velocities of the rollers and of
the blank will be equal when the axes 27-27 and 29-29 and the lines 28-28
converge toward the same point.
Or I may employ the means now used for adjusting the rollers, in rolling mills
for producing conical journals.
After each compression of a section of the blank, it will be necessary to adjust
the screws inward or outward (according to the direction in which the blank is to
be fed) a distance corresponding to the angle or taper of the cone to be formed
and to the longitudinal movement to be given to the piece to be rolled. It is
understood that the blank is rolled by sections, a longitudinal movement taking
place between each two compressing or rolling operations, as described. In this
case the addition of the gear wheel E will be advantageous since it will avoid
the necessity of frequently locking and unlocking the shafts D' and the gear
wheel D.
It will be obvious that the inclination which can be given to the rollers is limited
by the construction described; in addition thereto, however, there is a limit
imposed by the physical conditions of the operation, since when the rollers are
inclined at a greater angle than a predetermined maximum angle, the blank instead
of being compressed by them will slip longitudinally (see Figure 19). The motive
forces are represented by Pd they give rise to a friction amounting to fx Pd and
to a reaction Rd. This reaction increases with an increase in the inclination of
the rollers, and the blank will slip between the rollers when the coefficient of friction
N°
between the blank and the rollers will be equal to to.
The number of rollers employed should be at least three. With this number,
smaller cylindrical pieces can be produced than with four rollers of the same
diameter. Figure 10 shows the arrangement of three rollers.
As nearly as possible, the rollers should be equally spaced from each other and
froin the centre of the apparatus.
I may also rotate only some of the rollers, as is sometimes done in the
manufacture of certain articles with ordinary rolling mills.
As shewn in Figure 11, I may at the same time produce a piece of varying
diameter and press with two rollers only. The two small rollers will serve as
guides, and the large ones will produce a circular groove or incision by compressing
the blank, thereby permitting of its being readily divided.
A hollow blank may be worked by inserting therein a mandrel as is done with a
steam hammer or a press. Blanks of polygonal cross section originally may also
be worked with my rolling mill.

page_text: Instead of supporting the rollers at both ends, they may be journaled at one endi
only and made to project freely from their bearings.
Instead of chains for suspending the blank I may employ loosely mounted
supporting rollers.
It will be understood that according to circumstances I may employ only
one of the two modes of moving the rollers (hydraulic pressure and screw
mechanism).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A method of producing bodies of circular cross section, which consists in.
rolling the blank in a rolling mill in which the axes of the rollers are parallel to
the axis of the blank being rolled, substantially as described.
2. A rolling mill, comprising in combination one or two frames, a series of slides
arranged radially and connected in pairs to rollers whose axes are parallel to the
axis of the blank, each of said slides consisting of a nut (p¹) mounted to slide in:
guides in the frame, and a screw (p) and two independent means for moving said
slides, viz.
a. A hydraulic pressure mechanism connected to a set of levers, for the
purpose of obtaining a rapid and powerful movement of the rollers against.
the blank; and
b. A mechanism for turning the screws (p) in the nuts (p¹) by means of gear
wheels arranged to act simultaneously, for the purpose of obtaining an
accurate adjustment, substantially as set forth.
3. The adjusting mechanism described with reference to Figures 1 1A, 1B, 2
and 12.
4. The modification of the adjusting mechanism described with reference to.
Figures 1°, 10, 23 and 24.
5. The modification whereby the rolling mill may be used for the production of
conical shafts or the like provided with rollers whose axes converge toward a point
of the blank's axis the said rollers being equally spaced from the blank's axis.
(Figures 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24); the tangent of one half of the angle of the cone
being equal to, or less than the coefficient of friction between the rollers and the
blank substantially as described.
Dated this 16th day of October 1896.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents..