IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING METALS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near
Sheffield, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROLLING METALS, AND
IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
Sealed the 18th March 1879, and dated the 24th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Fox at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1878.
SAMUEL Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield.
IN ROLLING METALS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
This Invention has for its object improvements in rolling metals.
"IMPROVEMENTS
In the cold rolling of thin steel bands or ribbon steel there is difficulty in avoiding
a slight puckering of the edges of the metal. I overcome this difficulty and ensure
the production of a flat band or ribbon by causing the band or ribbon as it comes
from the rolls to be strained tight. For this purpose I cause it as it comes from the
rolls to be wound upon a drum. I mount the drum upon an horizontal axis which
is driven by a pulley and belt. The drum is free to revolve and to slide upon the
axis, but a clutch renders the drum fast with the axis when the drum is slidden up
to it. There is a slit in the drum into which the end of the band or ribbon is
inserted, and in which it is held. The drum is then turned round by hand until the
band or ribbon is drawn tight, and it is then thrown into gear. The rotation of
the drum keeps the band or ribbon strained during the rolling, and it is wound up
as it is produced. It is important that the winding should take place truly, each
successive convolution lying accurately on the preceding, and to ensure this, means of
I Drine all

page_text: adjustment are provided in respect to the position of the drum and the direction of
its axis.
To facilitate the removal of the coils a portion of the drum is made to fall inwards
about a hinge joint.
In rolling heavier sections of metal I economise power by providing in connection
with the engine which drives the rolls a steam cock with a bye pass so arranged
that when the main cock is closed the bye pass supplies to the engine steam enough
to keep it running slowly, and it is only at the time that the work is being per-
formed that full steam is given by opening the main steam cock, and the engine
then starts into rapid motion.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Fox in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th June
1879.
SAMUEL Fox, of Stocksbridge Works, Deepcar, near Sheffield.
IN ROLLING METALS, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object improvements in rolling metals and in apparatus
employed therein.
In the cold rolling of thin steel bands or ribbon steel there is difficulty in avoiding
a slight puckering of the edges of the metal. I overcome this difficulty and ensure
the production of a flat band or ribbon by causing the band or ribbon as it comes
from the rolls to be strained tight. For this purpose I cause it as it comes from
the rolls to be wound upon a drum. I mount the drum upon an horizontal axis
which is driven by a pulley and belt. The drum is free to revolve and to slide upon
the axis, but a clutch renders the drum fast with the axis when the drum is slidden
up to it. There is a slit in the drum into which the end of the band or ribbon is
inserted and in which it is held. The drum is then turned round by hand until the
band or ribbon is drawn tight, and it is then thrown into gear. The rotation of the
drum keeps the band or ribbon strained during the rolling, and it is wound up as it
is produced. It is important that the winding should take place truly, each succes-
sive convolution lying accurately on the preceding, and to ensure this means of
adjustment are provided in respect to the position of the drum and the direction of
its axis.
To facilitate the removal of the coils a portion of the drum is made to fall inwards
about a hinge joint.
In rolling heavier sections of metal I economise power by providing in connection
with the engine which drives the rolls a steam cock with a bye pass so arranged
that when the main cock is closed the bye pass supplies to the engine steam enough
to keep it running slowly, and it is only at the time that the work is being per-
formed that full steam is given by opening the main steam cock, and the engine
then starts with rapid motion.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus
which I employ for winding up ribbon steel as it comes from the rolls, and thus to
prevent it puckering or wrinkling at the edges. It consists of a foot a upon which
the standard b is supported. The standard is adjustable upon the foot, to which it
is clamped by two bolts c and d. The hole in the standard which receives the bolt d
is slotted, as is seen in Figure 3, so that the standard can be turned to adjust the
direction of the axis in au horizontal plane. Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 1, 1,
in Figure 2. e is an abutment screw which aids in the adjustment of the standard
and prevents its shifting. The head of the standard forms a bearing in which the
shaft is able to rotate. It is driven by a pulley g which receives a driving belt.
h is the winding drum; it is mounted loosely on the shaft, on which it is free both
to turn and to slide for a short distance. It has upon the end of its boss clutching
inclines or teeth, as is seen in Figure 4 at h. Figure 4 is a side view of the drum
removed from its axis; this Figure also shows the hinged flap which forms a portion
of the surface of the drum. i indicates the strip or ribbon of steel passing on to the
drum; its end is held by being shut in between the hinged flap and the part of the
drum upon which the end of the flap abuts. k is a lever having a short axis carried
upon the boss of the drum, and having projections upon it, by which when the lever
is turned to the position in which it is represented in Figure 4 the flap is forced up

page_text: to its place. The clutching teeth or inclines h¹ engage with similar teeth or inclines
on a ring or collar on the shaft f. m is a filling piece inserted between the collar
and the standard to adjust the position of the drum. The belt pulley g can be
shifted along the shaft f to admit of this adjustment. When the apparatus is at
work the shaft f is so driven that the drum may have a surface speed somewhat in
excess of the speed at which the steel is delivered from the rolls; thus, when winding,
the driving belt has to slip to some extent upon the pulley g. In working the
operator takes the end of the ribbon or band of steel and lays it over the flap of the
drum, which is at this time open and the drum out of gear with the shaft; he then
closes the flap to its place, thereby securing the end of the steel, and he turns the
drum by hand until the ribbon or band is tight, when at once he slides the drum
inwards along the shaft until the clutching surfaces engage; the winding then goes
on until the whole length of the band or ribbon is rolled. The workman secures
the end of the ribbon or band as it escapes from the rolls, so that the hoop on the
drum may not come unrolled. Having drawn the drum out of gear he lowers the
flap, thus releasing the hoop, which he removes. The drum should be so adjusted
in respect to the rolls that in winding, each convolution of the ribbon or band falls
truly upon that beneath, whilst the hoop produced lies close against the flange of
the drum.
'
In carrying out the part of my Invention which relates to the economizing power
and controlling the mechanism in rolling heavy sections of metal I have a throttle
valve in the steam pipe by which the engine is supplied, and this by connection with
the governor of the engine is completely closed as soon as the speed of-the-rolls-a-
little exceeds the proper rate for rolling. Passing from one side to the other of the
throttle valve and communicating at each end with the steam pipe there is a pipe
or byepass. The byepass has a cock upon it by which it may be more or less closed,
and this cock is set when at work so as to admit to the engine, when the throttle
valve is closed, the amount of steam requisite to keep the rolls running in the
intervals of rolling. Then as the metal is entered between the rolls their speed is
at once slightly reduced, the balls of the governor fall, the throttle valve opens and
full steam is given to the engine. Similarly almost immediately after the metal has
left the rolls the governor shuts the throttle valve, and (if the byepass is properly
adjusted) the throttle valve remains closed until metal is again brought to the
rolls.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. In the cold rolling of thin steel bands or ribbon steel the means of pre-
venting puckering of the edges and ensuring the production of a true and flat band
or ribbon by maintaining an uniform strain upon the band or ribbon as it comes
from the rolls, substantially as described.
Second. The means of economising power and controlling the mechanism for
rolling metals by the use of a byepass, substantially in the manner described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Fox, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.