Improvements in Automatic Feed Mechanisms for Step by Step Tube Rolls.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
[Communicated from abroad by MAX MANNESMANN and REINHARD MANNESMAN, both
of Remscheid, Bliedinghausen, in the Empire of Germany, Engineers.]
Improvements in Automatic Feed Mechanisms for Step by Step
Tube Rolls.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This improvement relates to devices for automatically feeding a mandrel and a
relatively thick-shelled hollow metallic billet mounted thereon to a roll groove which
during a part of every revolution of the rolls gradually diminishes in cross section
and thereby acts to reduce the relatively thick shelled hollow billet step-by-step into
integrally united lengths of relatively thin-shelled tubing. For the successful
production of this result it is preferred to employ rolls, the reducing sections of which
are partly eccentric, partly concentric. It is essential that each successive attack of
the rolls upon the billet shall commence at a prescribed distance back from the
forward end of the previously unacted-upon part of the billet, so that there will be a
sharp initial impingement of the two rolls in the surface of the billet and a retention
in front of the rolls of waves of metal which will be compressed toward each other
as the main body of the billet and the mandrel are driven backward by the frictional
effect of the working surfaces of the rolls upon the billet. By such compression the
said waves of metal are ultimately made to form a portion of the finished tubing. As
the finished tubing is formed, it is pushed forward upon the mandrel and finally
pushed off the forward end of the mandrel.
The mandrel is provided with a fixed shoulder in the rear of the billet and is hence
forced backward by the backward thrust of the billet induced by the action of the
rolls. A suitably strong spring is so arranged that it is compressed by the backward
movement of the mandrel. When the billet is released from the working faces of the
rolls, the resilient action of the spring drives the mandrel forward. The range of the
forward movement of the mandrel induced by the resilient action of the spring is
intended to equal the range of backward movement induced by the frictional action of
the working faces of the rolls upon the billet.
During the backward movement of the mandrel a radially projecting pin affixed
thereto, by action upon a spiral groove in a sleeve through which a portion of the
mandrel slides, turns the said sleeve and a ratchet wheel mounted thereon, through
90 degrees, more or less, as may be desired. Suitably arranged pawls provent the
ratchet wheel and sleeve from turning backward, and hence during the forward
movement of the billet the return travel of the said pin through the said spiral slot
compels the mandrel and the billet mounted thereon to turn upon their longitudinal
axis a number of degrees equal to the number of degrees to which the sleeve has been
turned during the preceding movement of the mandrel.
The mandrel and its described operating devices are mounted upon a car which is
subject to a constant strain, whereby at each revolution of the rolls it is moved
through a distance which it is intended shall equal the distance between the formed
end of the previously unacted-upon part of the billet and a part of the billet which is
next to the part attacked by the rolls.

page_text: To this end the car is locked to a hydraulic cylinder adapted to slide in fixed ways
adjacent to the housing and containing a stationary hollow plunger through which
liquid under pressure is forced into or withdrawn from the rear end of the cylinder.
By means of an adjustable leak-valve liquid is allowed to escape from the cylinder at
such a rate as will permit the cylinder and the car locked thereto to be, at each
revolution of the rolls, pulled the required distance toward the rolls by the influence
of a weight hung on a chain which is led over a suitably placed pulley and connected
with the forward end of the hydraulic cylinder.
When the rolling operations are concluded, the car is unlocked from the hydraulic
cylinder, and the operating valve being suitably manipulated, liquid under pressure is
introduced into the cylinder, whereby the cylinder and the car are forced rear-
wards and the finished tube is withdrawn from the rolls in a rearward direction.
A hollow work-gauge is employed to act as a stop for the forward end of the billet,
so that it may not at any time feed too far forward.
This tubular work gauge is arranged in front of the rolls and is fixed by its flanged
outer end to a strong transverse bar which is held by strong springs against the
housings of the roils, so that the gauge and bearer can yield elastically to a forward
pressure.
The inner end of the gauge is chamfered at top and bottom and thus forms two
jaws which extend nearly to the vertical plane of the axes of the rolls, and present
upon their opposed faces bearing surfaces approximately fitting the forward end of
the partially reduced billet, which, together with the mandril passes through the
interior of the work gauge. By this construction the work gauge is made to act as a
slightly yielding stop for receiving the forward thrust of the billet when this is fed
forward after each operation of the rolls upon it.
In thus broadly stating the nature of the improvement it has been convenient to
treat the mandrel as a single shaft extending backward upon the car and sufficiently
forward therefrom to reach a short distance into the hollow work gauge, and such an
organization would be entirely practicable, but inasmuch as it is desirable to employ
mandrels of different sizes for making different sizes of tubing, it is preferred to
separately connect the forward part of the mandrel which enters the billet and
supports the work with the rearward part thereof which is permanently mounted upon
the car.
In carrying out the above construction the rear end of the mandrel is detachably
secured in the head of a bar on which are mounted a series of helical springs
arranged one behind the other with intervening collars loose on the bar, the front
spring being made to bear against the mandrel block or carriage, while the rear spring
abuts against a standard on the rear end of the car body.
The mandrel block or carriage has side tongues which slide in horizontal grooves
in the car body. The rear end of the rod carrying the springs. passes through the
before mentioned standard and through the extended tubular sleeve or boss of a
ratchet wheel immediately behind such standard, and on such tubular boss is formed
a helical slot through which projects a pin fixed on the bar passing through, whereby
the before mentioned alternate partial rotation of the boss or sleeve and of the bar and
consequently of the mandrel and billet is effected.
The car-body is mounted on inverted U-shaped axle-trees, provided with flanged
wheels, travelling on parallel rails, suitably aligned with relation to the housings.
Adjacent to the housings and between the two rails, is erected a substantial frame,
composed of the bed-plate and two longitudinal standards, in the opposed side walls
of which are two horizontal grooves, which serve as the guide for sliding cylinder-
carriages to which is secured a hydraulic cylinder. Connected to the forward end of
the cylinder carriage is a chain which is led over a suitable sheave, loosely mounted
upon a rock-shaft supported in bearings affixed to the rear of the housings. The
chain is led downward from the sheave into a well and has its lower end connected to
a strong spiral spring, to which is attached a weight. By this device the carriage
is constantly subjected to a strain tending to pull it toward the housings.
Within the hydraulic cylinder is a piston affixed to the rear end of a hollow

page_text: piston rod which is held stationary by having its forward end fastened to a transverse
standard of the frame.
The forward end of the piston rod is connected to one of the valve passages of an
ordinary three-way valve, the other two passages of which are connected respectively
with a waste-pipe and with a pipe communicating with a reservoir, containing a fluid
under pressure.
The movement of the hydraulic cylinder toward the housings is governed by so
regulating the three-way valve as to allow the escape from the cylinder into the
waste pipe of such prescribed quantity of fluid as will permit the cylinder to move
toward the housings during each rotation of the rolls a distance equal to the distance
between the forward end of the unacted-upon part of the billet and the place where
the rolls are intended to commence their next action upon the billet.
The cylinder carriage has pivotted to it a locking lever, which, when the car has
run forward to an appropriate position, is thrown upward between wings projecting
laterally from the side of the car-body. When the locking lever is thus seated
between the wings the car is made to partake of the motions of the cylinder
carriage.
The thin-shelled tube as it is gradually produced by the rolling down of the billet
is fed forward through the work-gauge and off the forward end of the mandrel into
a supporting tube. When the billet is completely rolled down, the three-way valve
is so manipulated as to admit fluid under pressure into the hollow piston rod, through
which it makes its way into the hydraulic cylinder, and by driving the cylinder
backward moves the car backward and withdraws the finished tube from the rear of
the housings. The finished tube is then removed from the mandrel.
For handling a heavy billet a suitably arranged elevated rail is provided. A truck
travelling on the rail has suspended to it a rod, to the lower end of which there is
pivotted a lever of the first order, having pivotted upon its shorter end a hook,
adapted to be hooked under and to sustain the billet when the lever is swung into the
horizontal position. An operator holds the lever in a horizontal position while the
car is being moved towards the housings and until the forward end of the billet is
delivered between the housings and upon a supporting roller mounted upon the free
ends of arms which are affixed to a rock shaft. Another arm affixed to the said rock
shaft and projecting downwardly therefrom has its lower end connected with one end
of a contracting spring, the opposite end of which is secured to the side of one of the
housings. The outer end of the rock-shaft has affixed to it another radius arm, by
means of which the rock-shaft can be conveniently so turned as to swing the said
supporting roller and the said arms downward below the path of the carriage. after
the forward end of the billet has been delivered between the rolls. To retain the
roller and the arms in their depressed position there is provided a weighted latch for
engaging the free end of the operating armı.
Dated this 25th day of March 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Feed Mechanisms for Step by Step
Tube Rolls.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-.
This improvement relates to devices for automatically feeding a mandrel and a

page_text: relatively thick-shelled hollow metallic billet mounted thereon to a roll groove which
during a part of every revolution of the rolls gradually diminishes in cross section
and thereby acts to reduce the relatively thick shelled hollow billet step-by-step into
integrally united lengths of relatively thin-shelled tubing.
For the successful production of this result it is preferred to employ rolls, the
reducing sections of which are partly eccentric, partly concentric. It is essential
that each successive attack of the rolls upon the billet shall commence at a prescribed
distance back from the forward end of the previously unacted-upon part of the billet,
so that there will be a sharp initial impingement of the two rolls in the surface of the
billet and a retention in front of the rolls of waves of metal which will be compressed
toward each other as the main body of the billet and the mandrel are driven back-
ward by the frictional effect of the working surfaces of the rolls upon the billet. By
such compression the said waves of metal are ultimately inade to form a portion of
the finished tubing. As the finished tubing is formed, it is pushed forward upon the
mandrel and finally pushed off the forward end of the mandrel.
This action which has already been described in the Specifications Nos. 3371°¹ and
16486 is shewn at Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. The tube W to
be acted upon, is first advanced between the rolls A and B Figure 1 when these
present their parts a of smaller radius to each other. When the rolls in revolving in
the direction of the arrows, 1 and 2 begin to attack the tube W with the commence-
ment of the part of eccentric configuration, they will, while acting thereon, push
the same and the mandrel D backward in the direction of the arrow 3 Figure 2, and
after the termination of such action, when the parts a, again face each other, the
mandrel and tube are again pushed forward in the direction of the arrow 4, Figure 1;
the rolling action consequently takes place, during the backward motion of the
mandrel and tube.
This mode of operating is utilised according to the present invention for the
production of a very reliable feeding mechanism the action of which will be readily
understood from the following. As shewn at Figures 1 and 2 there is produced upon
the tube by the rolling operation a conical working surface, which is always first
attacked at the thicker end by the parts of the rolls. The tube W must therefore
be brought by the mandrel D into such a position between the rolls A and B Figure 1
at the commencement of the operation, that the thick part will be correctly seized by
the commencement of the part b.
This can be effected by providing on the forward side of the rolls a suitably formed
stop or abutment extending between the rolls so as to abut against the conical part
of the tube and thereby limit its advance in the direction of the arrow 4. At each
revolution of the rolls a certain length of the tube W will be rolled out so that at
each operation the tube must be fed farther forward to an extent equal to that length.
The mandrel D is for this purpose connected to a rod D Figure 3 which is mounted
on a slide or carriage S so as to slide in bearings or guides s and t. Between the
rear bearing t and a collar d on the rod D' is mounted a helical spring f. The tube W
can also be supported at its rear part by a roller r, at the commencement of the
rolling operation; afterwards the tubular abutment or gauge G can serve as support
to the part of the tube W that has already been rolled, as shewn at Figure 3.
If the side or carriage S is held stationary in the position indicated, the backward
motion of the tube W and mandrel D caused by the action of the rolls will cause the
rod D' to slide backward in its bearings s and in the direction of arrow , and
consequently the spring f will be compressed as at Figure 4. By making the spring f
of suitable strength, the work stored by its compression can be made of such extent
as to be quite sufficient for moving the tube together with the parts connected
therewith forward again into the position at Figures 1 and 3, after the action of
the rolls is completed.
The spring is advantageously made of several separate sections that are either
arranged one behind the other on the rod D', or which surround the same concen-
trically or are arranged symmetrically round the same.
In place of the springs f, the carriage or slide may be provided with a cylinder C

page_text: Figure 5 containing gas or air and having a piston d² connected to the rod D', so that
when the piston d is moved in the direction of the arrow 3, the air on the left hand
side is expanded and that on the right hand side is compressed, so that by this means
energy is stored up for moving the tube forward again; by means of the by-pass
pipe g with cock h the storing of the energy and the speed of the forward motion can
be regulated.
As at each attack of the rolls a certain length of the tube is rolled out, the slide S
must be advanced to an extent equal to such length in the direction of the arrow 5,.
Figure 4, in order that the spring for its equivalent may operate effectually for
bringing the tube W forward.
This advance of the slide S can take place intermittently either during the forward
motion or during the backward motion. It can however also take place uniformly in such
manner that the speed of the slide S shall correspond to the amount of extension of the
tuhe produced by each attack of the rolls. The said motion of the slide or carriage can,.
for small machines be effected by hand, either directly or through gearing, such as by
a rack fixed to the guide plate and gearing with a pinion carried by the carriage S
and rotated by a crank handle, or the rack P Figure 5 may be on the carriage S and
the pinion p he carried by the plate F and be rotated either by hand or by power.
The said motion might also be obtained by a weight arranged as shewn in dotted
lines at Figures 3 and 4, so as to urge the carriage continuously forward. The motion
of the carriage can in this case be controlled by a suitable mechanical or hydraulic
brake device. With larger apparatus the motion of the carriage can be effected by
hydraulic or steam power. Thus it will be seen that the means for effecting this
operation can be greatly varied, so long as the provision is made that the carriage S.
shall offer sufficient resistance for the compression of the spring f during the backward
motion of the tube W in the direction of arrow 3, and shall allow of the slow forward
feed in the direction of the arrow 5.
On completion of the rolling process the carriage S must be moved completely
back again. This can either be effected by the actuating gear of the slide, or the
carriage may be arranged so that it can be disconnected from the actuating mechanism
and be moved back again by any convenient means independently of such.
mechanism, so that the mechanism can be brought into its original position while.
the finished tube is removed and replaced by a fresh blank.
When cylindrical tubes have to be rolled by the above described process, it is
necessary to provide, in addition to the above described longitudinal motion, also
a rotary motion thereof round its axis after each action of the rolls. Such rotation
should generally be through an angle of 90°, and it can be conveniently obtained by
constructing for instance, the rear end of the rod D' with quick screw threads d
Figure 6, and by forming in the rear bearing t a recess into which is rotatably fitted
a screw nut m formed with ratchet teeth on its periphery, with which gears a spring
pawl n, o, Figure 7.
The pitch of the screw threads d³ and the teeth of the ratchet m are so arranged
that on the rod D' being moved to the right, in the direction of arrow 3, the teeth of
the ratchet will rotate past the pawl n, so that the rod D' will not revolve while when
the rod D' is moved to the left in the direction of arrow 4, the ratchet m will be
prevented by the pawl n from rotating so that the rod D', and consequently the
mandrel D and tube W will be rotated through the required angle.
It will be evident that the above described mechanism, which is only shewn
diagrammatically can be variously modified in carrying out the essential features of
the invention. Thus, for instance, the front guide bearing s could be made to slide
with the rod D' in special guides on the carriage S; the connection of the
mandrel D with the rod D' must be such that the two parts can be readily separated
for removing the finished tube from the mandrel; when the front guide bearing a is
fixed to the carriage, it can be provided with the device for rotating the rod D'.
The latter can also be provided with another guide between the bearings s and t..
so that several groups of springs can be employed at the same time. Figures 8 to 11.
shew by way of example a complete machine for operating according to the present.

page_text: invention; Figure 8 shews a longitudinal section, Figure 9 a cross section at X X,
Figure 10 a cross section at Y Y, and Figure 11 a sectional plan at Z Z.
A A' are the housings of the rolling mill, in which are mounted in the ordinary
manner the rolls B B', formed as before described. The tubular work gauge C is
fixed to a horizontal transverse bar D carried by the housings A A', to which it is
attached by bolts E E the har being firmly pressed with elastic pressure against the
housings by means of strong volute springs E' interposed between the bar and
washers E held by the bolts E. The rear end of the tubular work gauge is formed
angular on each side so as to project between the rolls on each side of the tube F
which passes through it, thus forming a double jaw that projects to near the vertical
plane passing through the axes of the rolls, and consequently constitutes a spring stop
or gauge for bearing against the shoulder or coned part of the tube F that is being
rolled, so that the thick part of the latter cannot advance beyond that point when it is
fed forward again after each backward motion. The mandrel G carrying the tube F
has a collar G against which the tube abuts with the intervention of a sleeve G³, and
it is detachably secured by its rear end in the head H of the rod H' which can slide
longitudinally in supports, and which passes through a number of helical springs I
separated from each other by collars I loose on the rod H. The front end 12 of the
front spring bears against a washer 13 which bears against the sliding block H³
carrying the head of the mandrel.
The end I of the last spring I bears against the washer 15 which bears against the
support Jon the carriage K, through which support the rod H' slides. The head H
is cylindrical and can turn in the block H2, which has lateral tongues H³ by means of
which it can slide in horizontal grooves H formed in the sides of the carriage K.
The rod H' after passing through the support J passes through the tubular sleeve L
formed in one with the ratchet wheel L' after which it passes through the upright J
of the carriage.
The sleeve L has a helical slot I.2 with which engages a stud L³ projecting laterally
from the rod H'. During the backward motion of the rod H', the stud L thereof in
sliding along the helical slot of the sleeve L, causes this and consequently the ratchet
wheel L' to turn through a certain angle in the direction permitted by a spring
pawl L engaged with the ratchet teeth.
During the forward or feed motion of the mandrel and rod H' the ratchet wheel
is held stationary by its pawl L pivotted on the support J, and consequently the
rod H', mandrel G, and tube F will be rotated through an angle, corresponding to the
extent to which the ratchet wheel was previously rotated.
The carriage is supported on bent axles K' carried by flanged wheels K2 running
on rails K³ suitably fixed on the floor.
Between the rails, in front of the housings is fixed a strong frame M composed of
the plate M and of two longitudinal supports M2, on the inner sides of which are
formed horizontal grooves M³, which serve to guide the slide N carrying the hydraulic
cylinder N. To the front end of this cylinder is attached the one end of a chain N',
passing over a suitable pulley N mounted loose on a shaft N' carried in fixed bearings
on the housings.
The chain N passes down from the pulley N into a pit where its end is attached to
a strong helical spring N³ to which is fixed a weight Ne. By this means the slide N
is always subject to a strong pull, tending to draw it towards the housings.
Within the cylinder N' is a piston O the tubular piston rod O' of which is fixed to
the cross piece of the frame M. The tubular piston is connected to one of the
ways of an ordinary three way cock or valve O2, the other two ways of which are
'connected respectively to a discharge pipe 03 and to a tube O' communicating with a
reservoir or accumulator containing fluid under pressure.
The movement of the cylinder N¹ towards the housings is controlled by the
regulation of the three way cock or valve in such manner as to allow a certain
quantity of liquid to escape from the cylinder N¹ into the discharge pipe for allowing
the cylinder N to move towards the rolls a distance equal to that between the front
end of the unworked part of the tube F and the point where the rolls are to attack the

page_text: tube. The slide of the cylinder N carries a pivotted lever which, when the carriage
has advanced to a suitable position is raised between laterally projecting lugs Pon
the carriage K. When the lever is thus placed the carriage is caused to participate
in the motion of the cylinder slide. The rolled portion of the tube, as it is gradually
formed by the rolling action, passes through the tubular work gauge C, and as soon
as it extends beyond the end of the mandrel G it passes into the tubular support C¹.
When the tube has heen completely rolled out, the three way cock 02 is turned so as
to admit fluid pressure through the tubular piston rod O' into the cylinder N';
the cylinder and carriage being thus driven backward, the finished tube is with-
drawn from the rolls, and is then removed from the mandrel, as is also the sleave G
if necessary, to be replaced by a new sleeve and tube blank.
'
For working a heavy tube blank, it is advantageous to mount above the housings
an elevated rail Q on which is a truck Q' carrying a rod Q to the lower end of which
is pivotted a lever Q3 to the short arm of which is pivotted a hook Qadapted to
be engaged with the underside of the tube F for supporting it when the lever is
drawn down into the horizontal position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 9.
A workman holds it in this position while the carriage moves towards the rolls
until the front end of the tube blank rests upon the supporting roller Qmounted
on the ends of the arms Q fixed on the shaft N. Another arm Q' fixed to the
shaft projecting downwards has its lower end attached to the one end of the helical
spring Q the other end of which is attached to one of the housings.
The outer end of the shaft N has fixed upon it another arm Q by means of
which the shaft can he turned so as to lower the roller Q and arms Qbelow
the path of the slide K after the end of the tube blank has been disengaged from
between the rolls. For retaining the roller Q and arms Q in that position a
weighted catch Q10 is provided for engaging and holding the arm Q³.
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. Automatic feed mechanism for step-by-step tube rolls, wherein the tube to be
rolled is supported by an extension D₁ of the mandrel D on a slide or carriage S
which is moved towards the rolls as the rolling proceeds, the tube being forced
backward against such feed motion by the action of the rolls, under compression
of springs or a confined body of gas or air, so that after the termination of the
action of the rolls, the stored energy of the spring or body of gas or air will effect
the forward motion of the tube again until it is stopped by a work gauge or
abutment G, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the
drawings.
2. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, con-
structing the extension D' of the mandrel D with screw threads engaging with
a nut with ratchet teeth m carried by a support of the rod D¹ and held by a pawl n
in such manner that during the forward motion of the mandrel and tube these are
partially rotated, the nut being held stationary while during the backward motion
the tube and mandrel only move longitudinally while the nut rotates, substantially
as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
3. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, the
combination with the rolls B B of a mandrel G carrying the tube to be rolled and
capable of sliding to and fro on a slide or carriage KN acted upon by a weight
or equivalent device N for advancing the carriage as the work of rolling proceeds,
springs I or equivalent elastic devices that are compressed by the backward motion
of the mandrel and that move the mandrel forward again after each action of the
rolls, and means for partially rotating the mandrel and tube during each forward
motion, substantially as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.
4. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, the
combination with the rolls B B of a mandrel G having a. collar G serving as
abutment for the tube to be rolled and an extension H¹ sliding in supports J,

page_text: springs I, that are compressed during the backward motion of the mandrel and serve
to propel the mandrel forward again, a sleeve L with helical slot L with which is
engaged a stud L on the mandrel extension H', ratchet gear L' attached to the said
sleeve so as to allow it to rotate when the mandrel moves backwards and to prevent it
from rotating when the mandrel moves forward, and a work gauge C for limiting
the extent of such forward motion, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 8 to 11.
5. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, the
combination with the rolls B B' of a carriage K carrying a slide N on which is
mounted the mandrel extension H', acted upon by springs I, a weight N, or
equivalent device, tending to move the carriage and slide forward, a hydraulic
cylinder N¹ attached to the said slide and carriage and containing a fixed piston O
whose tubular rod O' is connected to a three way cock 02 by means of which either
liquid is allowed to escape in a regulated manner from the cylinder as this advances
with the carriage, or liquid under pressure is admitted into the cylinder for forcing
this and the slide and carriage backward, when the rolling operation is completed,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.
6. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, the com-
bination with the rolls B B¹ of a mandrel G carrying the tube to be rolled and which
is moved backward by the action of the rolls on the tube, and is moved forward again
after such action by means of springs, and a tubular work gauge C with jaws that
project between the rolls so to act as a stop to the tube, which work gauge is attached
to the roll housings through the medium of springs and which also serves as a tubular
guide to the tube, substantially as described with reference to Figures 8 to 11.
7. In automatic feed mechanism such as is referred to in the first claim, the. com-
bination with rolls B B' of a roller Q for supporting the tube to be rolled, such roller
being mounted on pivotted arms Q, so as to be capable of being lowered when
the tube no longer requires its support, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 8 to 11.
Dated this 25th day of January 1807
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.