CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING STRIPS, HOOPS, BARS, OR OTTER SECTIONS OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER METALS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL PURPOSES, AS ALSO APPLIANCES THEREFOR.
Year: 1875

page_text: IETTERS PATENT to William Brownhill, jun'., of Walsall, in the
County of Stafford, Managing Director of the Birchills Hall Iron
Company, Limited, and Thomas Henry Smith, Roll Turner, also of
Walsall, aforesaid, for the Invention of " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROLLING STRIPS, HOOPS, BARS, OR OTTER SECTIONS OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER
METALS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL PURPOSES, AS ALSO
APPLIANCES THEREFOR.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Brownhill
and Thomas Henry Smith at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 27th September 1875.
We, WILLIAM BROWNHILL, junior, of Walsall, in the County of
Stafford, Managing Director of the Birchill Hall Iron Company, Limited,
and THOMAS HENRY SMITH, Roll Turner, also of Walsall, aforesaid, do
hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for " CERTAIN -IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ROLLING STRIPS, HOOPS, BARS, OR OTHER SECTIONS OF IRON, STEEL, OR

page_text: OTHER METALS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL PURPOSES, AS ALSO
APPLIANCES THEREFOR, ," to be as follows (that is to say) :—
The main features of our Invention for rolling iron, steel, or other
metals consist in the use of three rolls geared and working in the same
frame or housings, the said rolls being graduated in size, the first roll
proportionately larger than the second, and the second larger than the
third, according to the nature of the metal desired to be rolled, the said
largest roll we (by preference) place at the top, which by our system
becomes what may be called the finishing roll, but notwithstanding they
may be worked in the reverse order. By this arrangement we expedite
the process, and greatly reduce the cost of apparatus or machinery and
its maintenance, as, for instance in a general way, we shall be enabled
to carry on the process of iron or metal rolling with increased efficiency
and with rolls one-half the length now generally used, which will
be understood from the following result:-The three rolls being
grooved in graduated order or shape from their shortness and conse-
quental additional strength they are capable of receiving the additional
strain consequent upon a quick gradation from groove to groove, the
heated bar being rapidly broke down by being passed between the
desired groove of, say, the bottom rolls, the said bar being returned back
between the same or next groove of the middle and the top roll, which
top roll permits of lowering according to the pressure desired to be
imparted to the bar that is being rolled, the difference of the diameters
of the rolls tending much to reduce the direct strain by their drawing
effect, which is an important feature of our Invention, and which
difference of size of the rolls may be to varied according to the naturo
of the metal desired to be rolled, as for instance, in rolling steel by this
process its varied nature may not permit of a too rapid draught whilst
being reduced, but this is compensated for to a great extent by the
additional strength afforded by the shortening of the rolls, and the
difference of the diameter of the rolls may be easily met by changing
either of the rolls for one of the desired diameter, our frame or housings
being so constructed as to facilitate this operation.
One great advantage derived from this rapid process of rolling (say)
strip iron is that we are enabled to operate on the edges of the strips so
as to preserve them of the shape desired (square or feathered) which is
important, as in the case of rolling strips for subsequent welding into
tubes, whether jump or lap jointed, the strip will leave the rolls by our

page_text: process fit or in a condition to be welded into tubes, in which case we
purpose utilizing the extra draught of the differential rolls to deliver the
strip through a contracted bell-mouth die, which shapes the strip as it
advances from the rolls into a skelp or open jointed tube, that is, instead
of being delivered flat, as by the ordinary process, it is bent up on each
side into the desired shape for reheating and welding into a solid
tube.
The shaping die is by no means arbitrary, as the same effect may be
obtained by lateral or other rolls suitably placed and geared or otherwise
at the back of the rolls proper that will impart to the strips as delivered
the desired shape for forming the skelp, and this applies to the treat-
ment of other sections of rolled iron or other metal, as, for instance, by
regulating the grooves of the rolls, say, with a series of grooves that
narrow as they deepen, and the top or larger roll being adapted and
grooved so as to permit a certain projecting portion of its annular face
to enter the lateral expanded grooves of the middle rolls, by which
means, say, a bloom or pile of iron may be passed between the lower
grooves and between the middle roll and the upper one, thus producing
a bar narrower on the lower side than on the face, but nevertheless
worked on the edges. By this process we avoid the common necessity
of turning over the bar or strip during the course of rolling. The action
of the intermediate or top roll following up this mode of working will
rapidly reduce and work the edges of the bar or strip as on the face,
which for many purposes would be highly preferable, and may be applied
to other special rolled metals than those hero named, according to the
use or purpose for which they may be required.
In rolling what is technically called hoop iron we shall be enabled by
our rapid process, and consequent retension of heat, not only to roll it
thicker on edge than the other, but to preserve a clean angular form
to the edges of such hoop iron, and these several advantages apply to a
variety of other special requirements of rolled iron which now enters so
largely into constructive use, and which forms an important feature of
our Invention.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Brownhill and Thomas Henry Smith in
the Great Scal Patent Office on the 25th March 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, WILLIAM
BROWNHILL, junior, of Walsall, in the County of Stafford, Managing
Director of the Birchills Hall Iron Company, Limited, and TпомAS
HENRY SMITH, Roll Turner, also of Walsall, aforesaid, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said William Brownhill, junior,
and Thomas Henry Smith, Her special license that we, the said
William Brownbill, junior, and Thomas Henry Smith, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said William
Brownhill, junior, and Thomas Henry Smith, our exccutors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, excrcise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
ROLLING STRIPS, HOOPS, BARS, OR OTHER SECTIONS OF IRON, STEEL, OR OTHER
METALS, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE FOR CERTAIN SPECIAL PURPOSES, AS ALSO
APPLIANCES THEREFOB," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the
said William Brownhill, junior, and Thomas Henry Smith, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, by an instrument in writing under our or their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Brownhill, junior, and
Thomas Henry Smith, do hereby declare the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference

page_text: being had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say :-
The main feature of our Invention for rolling iron, steel, or other
metals consists in the use of three rolls geared and working in the same
frame or housings, the said rolls being graduated in size, the first roll
proportionately larger than the second, and the second larger than the
third, according to the nature of the metal desired to be rolled, the said
largest roll we (by preference) place at the top, which by our system
becomes what may be called the finishing roll, but notwithstanding they
may be worked in the reverse order. By this arrangement we expedite
the work of changing, as also the process of rolling, and greatly reduce
the cost of apparatus or machinery and its maintenance, as for instance,
in a general way we shall be enabled to carry on the process of iron or
steel rolling with increased efficiency and with rolls one-half the length
now generally used, which will be understood from the following
result:-The three rolls being grooved in graduated order or shape from
their shortness and consequential additional strength they are capable of
receiving the additional strain consequent upon a quick gradation from
groove to groove, the heated bar being rapidly broke down by being
passed between the desired graduated groove of, say the bottom rolls,
the said bar being returned back between the same or next groove of
the middle and the top roll, which top roll permits of lowering according
to the pressure desired to be imparted to the bar that is being rolled, the
difference of the diameter of the rolls tending much to reduce the direct
3 strain by their drawing effect, which is an important feature of our
Invention, and which difference of size of the roll may be varied
according to the nature of the metal desired to be rolled, as for instance,
in rolling heated bars of steel by this process; its varied nature may not
permit of a too rapid draught whilst being reduced, but this is
O compensated for to a great extent by the additional strength afforded by
the shortening of the rolls and utilizing the heat in the bar by rapid
rolling, and the difference of the diameter of the rolls may be easily mot
by changing either of the rolls for one of the desired diameter, our
frame or housings be so constructed as to facilitate this operation.
One great advantage derived from this rapid process of rolling say
strip iron is that we are enabled to operate on the edges of the strips, so
as to preserve them of the shape desired (square or scarfed), which is
important, as in the case of rolling strips for subsequent wolding into

page_text: tubes, whether jump or lap jointed the strip will leave the rolls by our
process fit or in a condition to be welded into tubes, in which case we
purpose utilizing the extra draught of the differential rolls to deliver the
strip through a contracted bell-mouthed die, which shapes the strip as it
advances from the rolls into a skelp or open jointed tube; that is, instead
of being delivered flat as by the ordinary process it is bent up on cach
side into the desired shape for reheating and welding into a solid tube.
The shaping die is by no means arbitrary, as the same effect may be
obtained by lateral or other rolls suitably placed and geared, or other-
wise at the back of the rolls proper that will impart to the strips as
delivered the desired shape for forming skelp; and this applies to the
treatment of other sections of rolled iron or other metal, as for instance,
by regulating the grooves of the rolls, say with a series of grooves that
narrow as they deepen, and the top or larger roll being adapted and
grooved so as to permit a certain projecting portion of its annular faco
to enter the lateral expanded grooves of the middle roll, by which means,
say a bloom or pile of iron after being broke down may be passed
between the lower grooves and between the middle roll and the upper
onc, thus producing a bar narrower on the lower side than on the face,
but nevertheless worked on the edges. By this process we avoid the
common necessity of turning over the bar or strip during the course of
rolling. The action of the intermediate or top roll following up this
mode of working will rapidly reduce and work the edges of the bar or
strip as on the face, thus rapidly operating on the iron whilst it is hot or
near a white heat, which for many purposes would be highly preferable,
and may be applied to other special rolled metals than those here
named, according to the uso or purpose for which they may be
required.
In rolling what is techanically called hoop iron, wo shall be enabled
by our rapid process (and consequent retension of heat), not only to roll
it thicker on one edgo than the other, but to preserve a clean angular
form to the edges of such hoop iron, and these advantages apply to a
variety of other special requirements of rolled iron, which now enters so
largely into constructive use.
But in order that we should be fully understood as to the nature and
object of our Invention, we will refor unto the Drawings hereunto
enneved which wa will now dusuriha

page_text: DESVALTION
VE
Fig. 1 simply represents three rolls with their journeys and eccentrics
for wabblers; and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same..
A bloom or pile of iron from the mill furnace is broke down and then
passed between the opening A back through B and forward through 0,
and return through D to come forward in a finished condition through E
unless required of a thiner gauge. This rapid mode of working
prepares and finishes the strip almost at a white heat, so that the force
with which it leaves the rolls in its soft and pliable condition from its
heat we conduct it to a suitable bell-mouthed die with lateral rolls or
otherwise, as shown in side view at Fig. 3, and top view at Fig. 4, as
well as in front and back view at Figs. 5 and 6. The strip enters the
bell-mouthed die, which by its curveture begins to impart shape to it
until it is advanced under the roll F, from whence it emerges from the
bell-mouthed die scalped into the form of a U. But if a pear shape be
desired we apply lateral rolls, as at G, H, working on vertical axis, the
effects of which will be to bring together the top edges of the skelp, as
best seen at Fig. 6. Notwithstanding squeezers may be used for
effecting this purpose in the place of the rolls described, so also with the
vertical roll F which may be superceded by a vertical deflected tongue
equivalent to the periphery of the roll cast with or connected to the
bell-mouthed die; but if the strip is scalped by the means herein
exhibited and described the same will pass through the bell-mouthed or
shaping die, as at J, J, that is to say, the two edges brought nearer
together than at the enlarged part, as shown in a sectional view at
Fig. 7. We have been thus dealing with a strip and scalp as produced
by the rolls with square edges, but when strip iron is required for lap
welded tubing we are enabled by our system of rolling to produce it
scarfed on the hedges of any desired angle. This important feature of our
Invention we carry into effect by adapting rolls, as exhibited at Fig. 8,
and end view at Fig. 9, the bloom from the mill furnace being first
broke down and passed, as in the former case, from the larger hole K to
the finishing roll L, the width and thickness of the strip being regulated
according to the width of strip and thickness of iron or steel that may
be required to weld into a lap welded tube, the process of scalping being
the same as herein-before described, or its equivalent, the scalping being
effected by the force of the delivery of the finished strip from the
olla

page_text: We have not thought proper to exhibit a variety of rolls illustrating
the various modifications or shapes of iron or steel that may be thus
rolled whilo in a highly heated condition by this system of rolling, such
as hoop iron, that may be required thicker on one edge than the other
to compensate the bulged form of the cask around which they may be t
used, and for the other sections of iron, whether to be finished by the
process of rolling or subject to further operations on leaving the rolls in
a heated condition.
Having thus described the nature of our Invention, and the manner
in which the same may be practically carried into effect by artisans ]
accustomed to the turning of rolls for the rolling of iron, steel, or other
metals, as also artisans accustomed to iron or metal rolling, we claim
the advantages herein doscribed and set forth for the rolling (by means
of triple rolls) strip or other iron scarfed on its edges or otherwise, as
herein described, as also the scalping of strip iron so rolled by the force 1
with which it leaves the finishing rolls and passes through scalping dies
or other equivalent purposes for operating on hot strip iron as it leaves
the finishing rolls.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Brownhill, junior, and
Thomas Henry Smith, have hereunto set our hands and seals,
this Twenty-third day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-six.
WILLIAM BROWNHILL, JUNR. (L.S.)
THOMAS HENRY SMITH.
(L.S.)
Witness,
JAMES S. COCKINGS,
Patent Agent,
17, Ann Street,
Birmingham.