Patent ID: 8167025

Claim:
A dummy bar ( 1 ) for a continuous casting installation for casting a metal strand, comprising a dummy bar head ( 2 ), a transition piece ( 3 ), and a link chain ( 4 ), wherein the transition piece ( 3 ) is arranged between the dummy bar head ( 2 ) and the link chain ( 4 ), wherein at least one of the transition piece ( 3 ) and the link chain ( 4 ) are formed of a plurality of links ( 5 , 6 ) connected with each other in an articulated manner, and wherein the links ( 5 , 6 ) are pivotable relative to each other about a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar ( 1 ), characterized in that at least one articulated joint ( 7 ) between two links ( 5 , 6 ) connected with each other in articulated manner is so formed that it provides for a relative movement of the links ( 5 , 6 ) about the transverse axis (Q) which is greater than any pivot angle (a) encountered during use of the dummy bar ( 1 ), wherein a locking element ( 8 ), which is displaceable in a direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar ( 1 ) and perpendicular to the transverse axis (Q), is arranged in one of the links ( 5 , 6 ), wherein the locking element ( 8 ) is displaceable between a first position (A) in which a pivotal movement of the links ( 5 , 6 ) is not influenced by the locking element ( 8 ), and a second position (B) in which the pivotal movement of the links ( 5 , 6 ) in a pivotal direction is limited to a predetermined pivot angle, and wherein the locking element ( 8 ) displacing between its positions (A, B) only due to action of the gravity force.