Improvements in Rolling Mill Apparatus.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 2nd July, 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug,,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rolling Mill Apparatus.
I, FRED HARRIS DANIELS of Worcester, in the County of Worcester and State of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my present invention is to provide a practical and efficient apparatus
for the production of wire-rods, bands, hoop-iron, and other small shapes, by rolling
from steel, iron, copper or other metal blooms of large size, to form product of great
length, and at a single heating of the metal, as more fully hereinafter explained;
reference being made to the accompanying drawings which form part of this specifi-
cation and in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan diagram showing, in a general way, an adaptation of my invention
for use in a rolling-mill plant, comprising a billet-mill or large section train, and two
rod-mills or finishing trains.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of switching mechanism at the foot of the billet-mill.
Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the encased conductor, as made with two
guiding channels.
Fig. 4 is a similar view of the conductor as made with a single guide channel.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism at the foot of the conductor, and head of the
rod-mill or second train.
Fig. 6 is a part side and part vertical section view of the same, and
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the connecting joints of the conductor.
In the drawings A indicates the billet-mill, or first train of reducing rolls, consisting
of any desired number of pairs, preferably arranged to operate in continuous order,
though other order may in some cases be employed, and provided with suitable pass
guides and operating gearing, which parts being well known are not herein shown.
The respective rolls have grooves of suitable size and form for reducing a bloom or
bar of large section, say four by four inches more or less, to a section of about one inch,
more or less, as it issues from the last pair of rolls a in said billet-mill, or first series.
B indicates a switch or movable section of the conductor through which the bar or pro-
duct is projected from the rolls a, and by means of which the product can be directed into
the proper guideway to run through either of the rod-mills or second series of reducing
rolls C, or C, which are located at the right and left at some distance from the billet-
mill A, and are, in the present instance, disposed in a direction at right angles to
that of the billet-mill; but if preferred might be disposed in other suitable relation
thereto.
con-
I have illustrated the second reducing trains or series of mills C and Clas
tinuous mills," but a "Belgian
" or other form of mill can be used instead if desired..
The rod-mills C, C may consist of any number of pairs of rolls, say 14 or 10 pairs,
more or less in each train, the rolls being arranged and operated in substantially, the
same manner as now employed in rod rolling mills. In the present illustrated plant
I show two rod-rolling-mills or second trains, for receiving billets from a billet-mill or
single first train. Said rod-mills C and C may be of similar construction, or for
rolling wire rods of similar size and shape; or, if preferred, the respective second trains
may be fitted for inaking rods of different size, or product of different shapes. It will,
however, be understood that my invention is equally adapted for use in rolling mill
plant whether a single second train or a plurality of second trains are employed for
Gnishing the product from the first train or billet-mill. The roll-supporting-housings,
operating gearing, and guides being such as commonly used in this class of mill, and
well-known, are not herein shown or described.
D; D indicate the guides or conducting ways for directing the product from the

page_text: first to the second rolling trains. Said conductors are constructed as indicated with a
channel or trough d for receiving the billet or hot product that issues from the last
pair of rolls of the first reducing train, and supporting it in a manner that will prevent
its buckling and cause it to travel endwise within the channel or trough, which is of
sufficient length to contain the partially reduced product fully extending between the
first and second reducing trains, so that it is freed from the first series of reducing-
rolls before it is entered to the second series of reducing-rolls. The conductor can, if
preferred, be made with two guiding grooves or channels d. The guide channel is
formed in an inner casting or metal trough D', which trough is enclosed by an outer
box or casting D³ of considerably larger diameter, and the intervening space between
the inner and outer metal is filled with fire-brick asbestos-plaster, or other non-radi-
ating or non-conducting refractory material E; or, if desired, with a dead-air space,
thus providing a covering for retaining the inherent heat of the worked product while
within said conductor, and for protecting the hot metal from the oxidizing influence
of the atmosphere. The conducting way D may in some instances be left open at the
top, but is best provided with a movable part or cover D³ to close over the channel d,
which cover can be formed in short lengthis or section convenient for handling.
These cover sections are preferably suspended in connection with counter-balance
weights by suitable chains that pass over pulleys mounted on overhead
supports, so that the covers can be conveniently raised when desired. If desired the
covers D³ may be hinged to the lower part of the casing as indicated by dotted lines
at h in Fig. 3; or the casing may be provided with lugs as at h³, Fig. 4, for retaining
the cover in position laterally.
The conducting-way is preferably made in sections with connecting joints, as
indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, to allow expansion and contraction in its length; the
sections of the interior trough or metal lining D' being fitted together in the manner
indicated at din Fig. 7, so that the expansion and contraction will not open or offset
the parts in a manner to interfere with the free running of the product end wise through
the guiding channel d. The conductor-casing or box D2 can be suspended from above,
or supported on posts G, to which the respective sections are bolted, as indicated at g;
or a brick wall can be used for the support of the conducting-way. The covers D³
can be locked down by straining bars H and suitable binders, as indicated in Fig: 6.
In the line of the conductor D near to the head of the rod-mill or second rolling-trainC,
or at other convenient location I arrange feed-rolls F. These feed-rolls are arranged in
pairs, and one roll in the pair is journaled in adjustable bearings, so that it can be
raised and depressed for gripping and releasing the billet. Said roll-bearings are
suitably connected with a piston fitted in a cylinder F¹ to be operated by hydraulic,
steam, or pneumatic pressure, under control of convenient valve mechanism F2 to be
manipulated as desired for causing the feed rolls to grip or release the product to feed
it forward, or to stop its movement within the enclosed guiding channel d. The
feed-rolls are kept constantly in motion but the billet will not be moved forward except
when the rolls are forced together to give a grip or friction thereon. The feed-rolls
can have a removable counter-weighted cover f3 as indicated in Fig. 6, or otherwise
as preferred. J J indicate small rods for supporting the product while roll fis
depressed.
A cutting off mechanism or power shear I adapted for clipping or severing the bar
or product is arranged in the line of the conductor, preferably near the latter ond
thereof and adjacent to the feed-rolls. Said shear can be of any suitable construction
for efficiently and quickly cutting the bar, and provided with means for throwing it
into and out of action in convenient manner. Motion, is imparted for operating tho
shear I and feed rolls F by suitable belts running on the pulleys 12 and F³ from any
convenient driving shaft. Beyond the shear I the guide section D in continuation of
the conductor D, extends to the leading pair of rolls c in the rod-mill or second train,
so that the product as it runs forward will be caused to enter the bite of rolls c
automatically, for passing through the second train or series of rolls.
An offshoot guide or channel leading away from the rod-mill is provided,, as
indicated at S, and a cutting and switching device K is arranged in connection with

page_text: the main conductor for severing the bar and directing the following portion thereof
into said offshoot guide where it can run out upon the floor, or other place of deposit
at one side of the mill, without entering the second train of rolls. Said cutting and
switching device preferably consists of a suitably formed head mounted on a rotating
shaft which is provided with a gear K³ that meshes with an actuating rack operated by
a hydraulic piston and cylinder K', brought into action under control of the valve and
valve-lever K³ when required. The purpose of this cutter, switch K, and offshoot-
channel S is for severing the bar while running, and thus stop the feeding of the bar
into the rod-mill or second train in case of any accident, such as the choking of the
twisting guides, the breaking out of the rod between pairs of rolls, or any other
derangement or irregularity in the running of the finishing train.
The switch B, in the present instance is pivoted to the guide-box A' supported in
connection with the slotted bar A2 fixed to the housing-frame of the billet-mill, and
which box is laterally adjustable on its support to bring the guide in line with either
of the several grooves of the rolls a, so that the switch can with facility be adjusted to
take the product issuing from any particular groove, and direct it into the desired
channel of the conductor. A suitable operating lever B' is combined with said switch
for shifting it to direct the rod to either of the guiding channels in the right or left.
conducting-ways D. B2 indicates a notched segment for retaining the lever Bland
switch B at the various positions of adjustment. This switching guide B is preferably
encased in a non-radiating or refractory casing similar to that of the conductor D, as
indicated in Fig. 2.
Feed-rolls Larranged at the head of the conducting way D serve for advancing the
product clear of the switch B after its rear end has left the last rolls a of the billet-mill.
The length of the respective conducting-ways D is preferably made sufficient to
contain the entire length of the bar or product as delivered from the first train A;
said bar being deposited within the channel d as it is rolled out from said first train,
with its forward end just reaching through the shear I to the extent of the crop-end to
be cut off; its rear end being then clear of the first train, or the switch 13, so that a
following bar can be directed by said switch into one of the other guiding channels d
whereby alternate billets are directed to the right and left rod-mills or trains U, C₁,
when working the apparatus to its full capacity. By making the conducting-way D
with two guiding-channels d, ample opportunity is afforded for clearing the con-
ductor of one billet or section of the product before another is brought into position,
as the second channel d can be used for the second billet when the first channel or any
portion thereof is occupied by a preceding billet.
In the operation of my improved apparatus, the bloom properly heated, is fed into
the billet-rolling-mill or first train, and by passage through its several pairs of rolls, is
reduced into a long bar or billet which issues from said billet-mill into the conductor
channel d.
"
When the rear end of the billet is free from the billet-mill A and its forward end is
just past the cutters I, said cutters are brought into operation to sever the "crop-end
or rough head from the partially reduced bar. After the rough head or crop-end of
the partially reduced bar has been clipped off by the shears I, pressure is let onto the
cylinder F, whereby the feed-rolls are brought into action to grip the product
between said rolls, and to advance the bar into the second train of rolls C or C'; by
means of which train the reduction of the product to a finished wire-rod, or other
special finished shape, is accomplished; and as it issues therefrom such finished
product may be automatically coiled up upon a suitable reel.
The entiro product of a single bloom can be made into a single coil of great length;
or if coils of smaller quantity are desired the partially reduced product can be severe:
into sections of a desired length by means of the shears I, and each of the several
sections in turn advanced by means of the feed-rolls F to be finished and separately
coiled, as above stated.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1888.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55, Chancery Lane, Applicant's Agent.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rolling Mill Apparatus.
I, FRED HARRIS DANIELS of Worcester in the County of Worcester and State of
Massachusetts, one of the United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of my present invention is to provide a practical and efficient apparatus
for the production of wire-rods, bands, hoop-iron, and other small shapes, by rolling
from steel, iron, copper or other metal blooms of large size, to form product of great
length, and at a single heating of the metal, as more fully hereinafter explained,
reference being made to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification in
which :-
:―
Fig. 1 is a plan diagram showing, in a general way, an adaptation of my invention
for use in a rolling-mill plant, comprising a billet-mill or large section train, and
two rod-mills or finishing trains.
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of switching mechanism at the foot of the billet-
mill.
Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the encased conductor, as made with two
guiding channels.
Fig. 4 is a similar view of the conductor as made with a single guide channel.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism at the foot of the conductor, and head
of the rod-mill or second train.
Fig. 6 is a part side and part vertical section view of the
same, and.
Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the connecting joints of the conductor.
In the drawings A indicates the billet-mill or first train of reducing rolls,
consisting of any desired number of pairs, preferably arranged to operate in continuous
order, though other order may in some cases be employed, and provided with suitable
pass guides and operating gearing, which parts being well known are not herein
shown. The respective rolls have grooves of suitable size and form for reducing a
bloom or bar of large section, say four by four inches, more or less, to a section of
about 1 inch, more or less, as it issues from the last pair of rolls a in said billet-mill
or first series.
B indicates a switch or movable section of the conductor through which the bar
or product is projected from the rolls a and by means of which the product can be
directed into the proper guideway to run through either of the rod-mills or second
series of reducing rolls O, or C, which are located at the right and left at
distance from the billet-mill A, and are, in the present instance, disposed in a direction
at right angles to that of the billet-mill; but if preferred, might be disposed in other
suitable relation thereto.
رو
"
some
con-
I have illustrated the second reducing trains or series of mills C and C₁as
tinuous mills," but a Belgian or other form of mill can be used instead if desired.
The rod-mills C, C₁, may consist of any number of pairs of rolls, say 14 or 16 pairs,
more or less, in each train, the rolls being arranged and operated in substantially the
same manner as now employed in rod-rolling mills. In the present illustrated plant
I show the two rod-rolling-mills or second trains for receiving billets from a billet-
mill or single first train. Said rod-mills (and may be of similar construction, or
for rolling wire rods of similar size and shape; or if preferred, the respective
second trains may be fitted for making rods of different size, or product of different
shapes. It will, however, be understood that my invention is equally adapted for
use in rolling mill plant whether a single second train or a plurality of second trains
are employed for finishing the product from the first train or billet-mill. The roll-
supporting-housings, operating gearing, and guides being such as commonly used in
this class of mill and well-known, are not herein shown or described..
D, D, indicate the guides or conducting ways for directing the product from the
first to the second rolling trains. Said conductors are constructed as indicated,

page_text: with a channel or trough d for receiving the billet or hot product that issues from
the last pair of rolls of the first reducing train, and supporting it in a manner that
will prevent its buckling and cause it to trave! endwise within the channel or trough,
which is of sufficient length to contain the partially reduced product fully extended
between the first and second reducing trains, so that it is freed from the first series
of reducing-rolls before it is entered to the second series of reducing rolls. The
conductor can, if preferred, be made with two guiding grooves or channels d. The
guide-channel is formed in an inner casting or metal trough D', which trough is
enclosed by an outer box or casting D2 of considerably larger diameter, and the
intervening space between the inner and outer metal is filled with fire-brick, asbestos-
plaster, or other non-radiating or non-conducting refractory material E; or if desired,
with a dead-air space, thus providing a covering for retaining the inherent heat of the
worked product while within said conductor, and for protecting the hot metal from
the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The conducting way D may, in some
instances be left open at the top, but is best provided with a movable part or
cover D³ to close over the channel d, which cover can be formed in short lengths or
section convenient for handling. These cover-sections are preferably suspended in
connection with counter-balance weights E' by suitable chains d that pass over
pulleys e mounted on overhead supports, so that the covers can be conveniently
raised when desired. If desired the covers D³ may be hinged to the lower part of
the casing as indicated by dotted lines at h in Fig. 3, or the casing may be provided
with lugs as at ', Fig. 4, for retaining the cover in position laterally.
The conducting-way is preferably made in sections with connecting joints, as
indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, to allow expansion and contraction in its length; the
sections of the interior trough or metal lining D¹ being fitted together in the manner
indicated at din Fig. 7, so that the expansion and contraction will not open or
offset the parts in a manner to interfere with the free running of the product endwise
through the guiding channel d. The conductor-casing or box D' can be suspended
from above, or supported on posts G, to which the respective sections are bolted,
as indicated at ; or a brick wall can be used for the support of the conducting-
way.
The covers D³ can be locked down by straining bars H and suitable binders, as
indicated in Fig. 6.
In the line of the conductor D, near to the head of the rod-mill or second rolling-
train C, or at other convenient location I arrange feed-rolls F. These feed-rolls are
arranged in pairs, and one roll f in the pair is journaled in adjustable bearings, so
that it can be raised and depressed for gripping and releasing the_billet. Said roll-
bearings are suitably connected with a piston fitted in a cylinder F' to be operated
by hydraulic, steam, or pneumatic pressure, under control of convenient valve
mechanism F to be manipulated as desired, for causing the feed rolls to grip or
release the product to feed it forward, or to stop its movement within the enclosed
guiding channel d. The feed-rolls are kept constantly in motion but the billet will
not be moved forward except when the rolls are forced together to give a grip or
friction thereon. The feed-rolls can have a removable counter-weighted cover f³ as
indicated in Fig. 6, or otherwise as preferred. J J indicate small rolls for supporting
the product while roll f is depressed.
A cutting off mechanism or power shear I adapted for clipping or severing the bar
or product is arranged in the line of the conductor, preferably near the latter end
thereof and adjacent to the feed-rolls. Said shear can be of any suitable construction.
for efficiently and quickly cutting the bar, and provided with means for throwing it
into and out of action in convenient manner. Motion is imparted for operating the
shear I and feed-rolls F by suitable belts running on the pulleys 12 and F from any
convenient driving shaft. Beyond the shear I the guide-section D³ in continuation.
of the conductor D extends to the leading pair of rolls c in the rod-mill or second
train, so that the product as it runs forward will be caused to enter the bite of rolls c
automatically for passing through the second train or series of rolls.

page_text: An offshoot guide or channel leading away from the rod-mill is provided, as
indicated at S, and a cutting and switching device K is arranged in connection with
the main conductor for severing the bar and directing the following portion thereof
into said offshoot-guido where it can run out upon the floor or other place of deposit
at one side of the mill, without entering the second ain of rolls. Said cutting and
switching device preferably consists of a suitably formed head mounted on a rotating
shaft which is provided with a gear K2 that meshes with an actuating rack operated
by a hydraulic piston and cylinder K', brought into action under control of the valve
and valve-lever K³ when required. The purpose of this cutter, switch K, and offshoot-
channel S is for severing the bar while running, and thus stop the feeding of the bar
into the rod-mill or second train in case of any accident, such as the choking of the
twisting guides the breaking out of the rod between pairs of rolls, or any other
derangement or irregularity in the running of the finishing train.
The switch B, in the present instance, is pivoted to the guide-box A¹ supported in
connection with the slotted bar A² fixed to the housing-frame of the billet-mill, and
which box is laterally adjustable on its support to bring the guide in line with either
of the several grooves of the rolls a, so that the switch can with facility be adjusted
to take the product issuing from any particular groove, and direct it into the desired
channel of the conductor. A suitable operating lever B₁is combined with said switch
for shifting it to direct the rod to either of the guiding channels in the right or left
conducting-ways D. B2 indicates a notched segment for retaining the lever B¹ and
switch B at the various positions of adjustment. This switching guide B is
preferably encased in a non-radiating or refractory casing similar to that of the
conductor D, as indicated in Fig. 2. Feed-rolls L arranged at the head of the
conducting way D serve for advancing the product clear of the switch B after its
rear end has left the last rolls a of the billet-mill.
The length of the respective conducting-ways D is preferably made sufficient to
contain the entire length of the bar or product as delivered from the first train A;
said bar being deposited within the channel d as it is rolled out from said first train
with its forward end just reaching through the shear I to the extent of the crop-end
to be cut-off its rear end being then clear of the first train, or the switch B, so that
a following bar can be directed by said switch into one of the other guiding channels d,
whereby alternate billets are directed to the right and left rod-mills or trains C, C',
when working the apparatus to its full capacity..
:
By making the conducting-way D with two guiding-channels d, ample opportunity
is afforded for clearing the conductor of one billet or section of the product before
another is brought into position, as the second channel d can be used for the second
billet when the first channel or any portion thereof is occupied by a preceding billet.
In the operation of my improved apparatus, the bloom, properly heated, is fed
into the billet-rolling-mill or first train, and by passage through its several pairs of
rolls, is reduced into a long bar or billet which issues from said billet-mill into the
conductor channel d. When the rear end of the billet is free from the billet-mill A
and is forward end is just past the cutters I, said cutters are brought into operation.
to sever the "crop-end" or rough head from the partially reduced bar. After the
rough head or crop-end of the partially reduced bar has been clipped off by the
shears I, pressure is let on to the cylinder F whereby the feed-rolls F are brought
into action to grip the product between said rolls and to advance the bar into the
second train of rolls C or C, by means of which train the reduction of the product to
a finished wire-rod or other special finished shape is accomplished, and as it issues
therefrom such finished product may be automatically coiled up upon a suitable
reel.
The entire product of a single bloom can be made into a single coil of great length,
or if coils of smaller quantity are desired, the partially reduced product can be
severed into sections of a desired length by means of the shears I, and each of the
several sections in turn advanced by means of the feed-rolls F to be finished and
separately coiled, as above stated.

page_text: 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. The combination, with two trains or series of reducing-rolls, of a conductor
constructed for confining the bar or partially reduced product and preventing it from
buckling, and of sufficient length for containing said product fully extended between
the first and second series of rolls, said conductor receiving the product as formed by
the final reducing rolls of the first series and leading it direct to the second series of
rolls; and feed-rolls disposed in the line of said conductor for advancing the product
to the first reducing rolls of the second series substantially as set forth.
2. The combination, with two trains or series of reducing-rolls, of a conductor for
leading the product that issues from the final reducing groove of the first series of
rolls and directing it into the first reducing groove of the second series of rolls, said
conductor being of sufficient length for containing the product from the primary train
fully extended, and constructed for supporting said product and preventing it from
buckling, and a cutting-off mechanism or shears disposed in the line of said conductor
for the purpose set forth.
3. In combination, a train of rolls, a switch guide, a plurality of guiding conductors
of sufficient length to contain the hot product fully extended from said train of rolls,
and constructed to prevent the product from buckling, and finishing trains of rolls
for receiving the product from said conductors respectively, the hot product being
switched to either one of the conductors from the first train of rolls and carried end-
wise through that conductor by feed-rolls directly to the first reducing rolls of the
second or finishing train, substantially as set forth.
4. In combination, with two trains or series of reducing-rolls, of a conductor of
sufficient length to contain the product from the first train in its fully extended length,
for guiding said product and directing it to the first pair of the second series of rolls,
said conductor being constructed for confining the rod or bar and preventing it
from buckling and enclosed in a box or casing of non-radiating or heat-retaining
material, and feed-rolls disposed in the line of said conductor for advancing the
product, as set forth.
5. The combination, with two trains or series of reducing-rolls, of a conductor for
supporting and guiding the product between the said trains of rolls constructed with
its guiding trough or channel surrounded or encased with non-radiating or heat-
retaining material, and having a removable part or cover, whereby the guiding
channel can
be opened, substantially as described and as illustrated
drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of July 1889
in the
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Applicant's Agent.