US3592035A

US3592035A - Strip transfer device

Info

Publication number: US3592035A
Application number: US807691A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dario Buccicone
Original assignee: Bucciconi Engineering Co Inc
Current assignee: Bucciconi Engineering Co Inc
Priority date: 1969-03-17
Filing date: 1969-03-17
Publication date: 1971-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-13

Abstract

A device for supporting metal strip material between roll stands in a rolling mill which comprises an apron forming member of polished stainless steel plate which is mounted so as to extend between the exit end of one roll stand and the entrance end of the next succeeding roll stand with a sheet supporting surface which is bowed transversely of the path of the strip and which has magnets mounted beneath the same for exerting a downward pull along the center of the strip as it advances across the apron so that the traveling strip will be bowed and stiffened to prevent sagging between the roll stands. An antifriction means may be provided in the center of the apron such as skate rollers or an air cushion.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Dario Buccicone 3,072,309 1/1963 Hills, 226/88 Gary, lnd. 3,240,441 3/1966 Hunter et a1. 1. 226/88 X [21] Appl. No. 807,691 3,422,649 l/1969 Lowy 72/22 1 Filed Mar. 17. 1969 OTHER REFERENCES #2} T' 2" F 13;. C I IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN Creating S 'gnee r ngmeenng Transverse Curvature with Air Jets of varying Sizes," R. V.

n" Rogers,Vo1. 5, No. 4. Sept. 1962.

Primary ExaminerMilt0n S. Mehr 1 STRIP TRANSFER DEVICE AttorneyGreist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey 10 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 72/227,

72/ 226/88 ABSTRACT: A device for supporting metal strip material [51] I111. Cl B2") 41/00 between 01] stands in a rolling mill which comprises an apron [50] Field of Search 72/227, forming member of polished stainless steel plate which is 226/83 mounted so as to extend between the exit end of one roll stand 56 R f and the entrance end of the next succeeding r01] stand with a l 1 e sheet supporting surface which is bowed transversely of the UNITED STATES PATENTS path of the strip and which has magnets mounted beneath the 651,868 6/1900 Leibert 72/227 same for exerting a downward pull along the center of the strip 1,638,560 8/1927 Beveridge... 226/88 as it advances across the apron so that the traveling strip will 1,824,486 9/1931 Kennedy 72/227 be bowed and stiffened to prevent sagging between the roll 1,986,734 1/1935 Lorig 226/88 X stands. An antifriction means may be provided in the center of 2,331,246 10/1943 Stoltz 72/227 the apron such as skate rollers or an air cushion.

II k 12 i S 13 L H- 17 I4 24 ilh. '51 2| 1 6 39 H g 39 I. 'i' "3.1!

PATENTED JUL] 3 I97! SHEET 1 0F 3 ATT 'YS,

PATENTED Jun 3 I97! SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR I DAR/O BUCC/CONE ATTYS.

STRIP TRANSFER DEVICE This invention relates to material handling and is more particularly concerned with improvements in apparatus for supporting a metal strip while it is advanced between roll stands in a processing line.

In high-speed rolling mill operations, the threading of the metal strip while it is traveling at high speeds through various stands has created a problem because the stands are usually some distance apart and as the strip advances and is rolled thinner it becomes limber so that it must be supported while it is pushed by the rolls in the one stand to the rolls in the next succeeding stand. The strip is advanced at a high rate of speed and there is a need for guiding and supporting the strip so that threading of the leading end of the strip between the rolls of the next stand and transfer of the strip between stands may be accomplished without damage to the strip and/or the roll equipment. Some apparatus has been developed for this purpose particularly where the distance between roll stands is relatively large which makes it desirable to provide a device in the form of a conveyor for both supporting and advancing the strip between the spaced roll stands. One such arrangement is disclosed in Buccicone US. Pat. No. 3,344,645, dated Oct. 3, 1967. In this arrangement conveyor devices are employed which carry the strip between the roll stands. An object of the present invention is to provide a strip transfer device which is relatively simple in construction and comparatively inexpensive to produce while highly effective in handling the strip material.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a specially designed transfer device for supporting and guiding a metal strip between the rolls of a mill stand which is spaced from the discharge side of the preceding mill stand in a processing line.

It is another object of the invention to provide a transfer unit adapted to be positioned between pairs of spaced mil] stands for guiding and supporting a metal strip as it is advanced from the one mill stand to the next wherein the unit is provided with means for supporting the edges of the strip at a predetermined level and a means for drawing the middle portion of the strip out of the plane of the edges so as to impart a curvature continuously to the traveling strip in a direction transversely of the path of travel thereby stiffening the strip and preventing sagging of the strip as the forward end is advanced for threading between the rolls of the succeeding mill stand.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a transfer device adapted to be positioned between a pair of mill stands in a strip-processing line wherein the device is provided with a means for supporting the edges of the strip while it is advanced between the mill stands and a a series of magnets are spaced along the center portion of the device for subjecting the same to a magnetic pull so as to impart a stiffening curvature to the strip and prevent the leading edge portion from dropping out of line thereby to insure proper threading as the leading edge of the strip is advanced to the rolls of the receiving mill stand.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a strip-supporting and transfer apparatus which is adjustably mounted so as to permit raising the lowering of the portion thereof defining the path traversed by the strip across the same and which is also mounted so that it may be readily removed to clear the area between the mill stands.

Another object of the invention is to provide a transfer device adapted to be positioned between a pair of spaced mill stands in a strip-processing line which comprises an apron mounted for vertical adjustment and formed of stainless steel plate, with a highly polished strip-engaging surface which is bowed transversely, together with means for exerting suffi- A further object of the invention is to provide a transfer device of the character described having a bowed apron sur' face over which the strip is adapted to pass and an antifriction means for reducing the drag which is otherwise exerted on the strip by frictional contact as it passes across the surface of the apron.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the strip transfer and supporting apparatus which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a plan view of a strip transfer device which incorporates therein the principal features of the invention, the device being shown in operative position between a pair of roll stands;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross section similar to FIG. 3, to a larger scale and showing a modification of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross section, to a larger scale, showing a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section illustrating a further modification of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a modified form of the strip transfer device; and

FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a strip transfer device 10 disposed between a pair of conventional roll stands 11 and 12 which are spaced apart in a strip-rolling mill, the stands being indicated diagrammatically. The strip material S is adapted to be advanced by driven

rollers

13 and 14 from the exit or discharge side of the mill stand 11 and fed to or threaded between the entrance or receiving

rollers

15 and 16 of the mill stand 12. The transfer device 10 is adapted to support the strip S and permit the same to be advanced between the stands 11 and 12 with the strip being held on the pass line, which is indicated at 17, so that it is passed across the device and threaded between the

rollers

15 and 16.

The transfer device 10 comprises an apron forming plate 20 (FIGS. 1 to 4) which is mounted on a supporting stand 21 adapted to be positioned between the exit end of the mill stand 11 and the entrance end of the mill stand 12. The apron 20 in the form of the apparatus illustrated has fixed

side guide members

22 and 23 and is mounted on the horizontal top frame 24 of the stand 21. The apron 20 which forms the main support for the strip S has a downwardly inclined marginal portion 25 at its entrance side to insure that the leading edge of the strip will not go below the same. The apron 20 is preferably formed of a stainless steel plate with a polished top surface for engaging the strip S, which surface has a transverse bow, as shown in FIG. 3, for imparting a stiffening curvature in the sheet material. The

side plates

22 and 23 form fixed side guides for the strip material. A box forming a housing 26 i mounted beneath the apron 20 along the line of travel of the strip S and a plurality of spaced magnets 27 are mounted therein. These may be fixed or permanent-type magnets or electromagnets, as desired.

The apron 20 is shown supported in operative position on the stand 21 which comprises the top horizontal frame 24 and a vertically spaced bottom horizontal frame 28, with a pair of connecting scissors frames 29 and 29' disposed between the same. The scissors frames 29 and 29' are connected by pivot bar 30 and each frame is connected at one end by a

pivot

31 and 32, to the respective top and bottom

horizontal frame

24 and 28 while the other end carries

rollers

33 and 34

engaging wear plates

35 and 36 on the top and

bottom frames

24 and 28. The top frame 24 is adapted to be raised and lowered by a fluid cylinder 37 having piston 37' which is pivotally connected to a portion of the top frame 24. The cylinder 37 is pivotally mounted on bracket 38 on the bottom frame 28 which carries rollers or wheels 39 so that the stand may be readily moved about.

In using the device, the apron may be wheeled into the desired position for use and removed from between the mill stands when not in use. The strength of the magnets 27may be adjusted to bow the sheet while holding the drag on the same to a minimum.

In FIG. 5 there is illustrated a modified apparatus which is designed to reduce any drag on the strip S which might retard its advance. In this form of the apparatus the apron 40 is provided with parallel slots at 43, 42 and 43 alongside of and between the two rows of magnets 44 to accommodate a series of

skate rollers

45, 4b and 47 arranged in spaced, parallel row arrangement. The

rollers

45, 46 and 47 may be mounted, as shown in FIG. 6, where roller 47 is supported on shaft 48 journaled in suitable bearing formations on the flange members 50 and El depending from the bottom face of the apron 4th. The roller 47, of course, extends slightly above the top surface of the apron 40 so as to lift the strip S slightly above the apron surface. The

rollers

45, 46 and 47 may be transversely aligned or arranged in alternate relation.

Another modification of the apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 which is designed to minimize any drag on the strip S. In this form of the apparatus the apron 60 is provided at the entrance edge with an air chamber or manifold bl extending across the longitudinal center of the apron 60 having a slot 62 forming a restricted opening onto the upper face of the apron 60 above the box or housing 63 in which magnets 64 are housed. The manifold 61 is connected by means of inlet con.- duit 65 to a source of compressed air with suitable controls (not shown) for supplying sufficient airflow to provide a cushion under the strip S as it advances across the apron dill. Other details of the apparatus may be the same as in the apparatus previously described.

A still further modified form of the apparatus is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 110. The apron 60 in this form of the apparatus is divided into a relatively fixed center section an and relatively

movable side sections

62 and 62 which extend on opposite sides of the center section 611. The center apron section 61 is fixed on the top frame 24 of a support structure 211 which may be the same as in FIGS. 2 and 3. The center plate section has a magnet box or housing 64 on its bottom face with magnets 65 arranged therein. The side plate sections are hinged at 66 and 66' to the support frame 24 by means of suitable brackets and pivots so that the outboard free edges may be swung upwardly. Eye bolts 70 and 70' are pivotally connected at 711 and 'ill to depending flange members 72 and 72' and adjustably corinected to apertured brackets 73 and 73' on the frame 24 by

nut assemblies

74 and 74 threaded onto the bolts on opposite sides of the brackets 73 and 73'. This enables the transverse bow of the plate assembly to be varied by raising and lowering the outboard margins of the

plate sections

62 and 62. The side guide plates 75 and 75' are fixed on the support frame 24. Other details of the apparatus may be as heretofore described.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for supporting a flat metal strip for transfer between one mill stand and the next succeeding mill stand which is spaced therefrom in a strip-processing line, said apparatus comprising an apronlike plate member adapted to be positioned to form a sheet engaging top surface bridging the gap between the discharge rolls of said one mill stand and the entrance rolls of said next succeeding mill stand and supporting the strip longitudinally and transversely as it advances between said mill stands, said plate member having a bow in the sheet-engaging top surface in the direction transverse of the path of a strip advancing across said plate member, and a means for exerting a magnetic force on the strip so as to make it curve transversely and conform generally to the bow in the plate member and thereby stiffen the strip while it advances across said plate member and travels between said millstands.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11, and ad ustable means for supporting said plate member so as to permit movement of said plate member to a nonoperative position below the pass line, thereby to clear the space between the mill stands.

3. An apparatus set forth in claim 11, and said plate member being of nonmagnetic material with its top strip engaging surface polished so as to exert a minimum of drag on the strip.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and said means for exerting a magnetic force comprising a plurality of magnets spaced along the central portion of said plate member.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim l, and said plate member having antifriction means associated with the means for exerting magnetic force on the strip so as to reduce any drag on the strip due to contact of the same with the surface of said plate member.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, and said plate member having slots therein and antifriction means comprising a plurality of antifriction rollers mounted for free rotation in strip engaging relation in said slots.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, and said plate member having an air compartment adjacent said magnets with a discharge slot opening onto the strip engaging face of said plate member and means connecting said air compartment with a source of compressed air so as to cushion the strip and reduce the frictional drag on the strip which may result from contact with the face of said plate member.

8. A metal-strip-supporting device for positioning between the exit end of one mill stand and the entrance end of the next succeeding mill stand in a metal-strip-processing line which supporting device comprises an apron forming plate assembly and a means for supporting said plate assembly with a stripsupporting top surface approximately at the pass line so as to bridge the gap between the exit and entrance ends of said mill stands, said plate assembly having a strip-supporting top surface which is bowed transversely of the pass line and magnetic means for exerting a force on the center portion of the strip along the pass line so as to draw the center portion of the strip toward the top surface of said plate assembly and impart a transverse bow in the strip confirming generally to the bow in the plate assembly, thereby to stiffen the strip and minimize sag between the mill stands so as to pass the strip freely between the stands without buckling.

9. A strip-supporting device as set forth in claim d, and said plate assembly having laterally extending plate sections which are adjustable to vary the transverse bow in the strip-supporting surface.

110. A strip-supporting device as set forth in claim 8, and said plate assembly including a relatively fixed center section and laterally extending side sections which are mounted so that the outboard margins may be adjusted to vary the transverse bow in the strip-supporting surface.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 3 s 59 2 Dated July 13 Patent No.

Inventor(s) Dario Buccicone It is-certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 62, the first occurrence of "the" should be and Column 2, line 60, "i" should be is Column 2, line 20, "FIG. 4" should be FIG. 5

Column '4, line 16, before set" insert as Column 4, line 50, "confirming" should be conforming Signed and sealed this 11th day of January 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.F'LETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOT'ISCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO {10-69) USCOM'WDC 50375,;59

u s sovznuusm PRINTING ornce 1 Ins oaos-:s|

Claims

1. An apparatus for supporting a flat metal strip for transfer between one mill stand and the next succeeding mill stand which is spaced therefrom in a strip-processing line, said apparatus comprising an apronlike plate member adapted to be positioned to form a sheet engaging top surface bridging the gap between the discharge rolls of said one mill stand and the entrance rolls of said next succeeding mill stand and supporting the strip longitudinally and transversely as it advances between said mill stands, said plate member having a bow in the sheet-engaging top surface in the direction transverse of the path of a strip advancing across said plate member, and a means for exerting a magnetic force on the strip so as to make it curve transversely and conform generally to the bow in the plate member and thereby stiffen the strip while it advances across said plate member and travels between said mill stands.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and adjustable means for supporting said plate member so as to permit movement of said plate member to a nonoperative position below the pass line, thereby to clear the space between the mill stands.

3. An apparatus set forth in claim 1, and said plate member being of nonmagnetic material with its top strip engaging surface polished so as to exert a minimum of drag on the strip.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and said plate member having antifriction means associated with the means for exerting magnetic force on the strip so as to reduce any drag on the strip due to contact of the same with the surface of said plate member.

8. A metal-strip-supporting device for positioning between the exit end of one mill stand and the entrance end of the next succeeding mill stand in a metal-strip-processing line which supporting device comprises an apron forming plate assembly and a means for supporting said plate assembly with a strip-supporting top surface approximately at the pass line so as to bridge the gap between the exit and entrance ends of said mill stands, said plate assembly having a strip-supporting top surface which iS bowed transversely of the pass line and magnetic means for exerting a force on the center portion of the strip along the pass line so as to draw the center portion of the strip toward the top surface of said plate assembly and impart a transverse bow in the strip confirming generally to the bow in the plate assembly, thereby to stiffen the strip and minimize sag between the mill stands so as to pass the strip freely between the stands without buckling.

9. A strip-supporting device as set forth in claim 8, and said plate assembly having laterally extending plate sections which are adjustable to vary the transverse bow in the strip-supporting surface.

10. A strip-supporting device as set forth in claim 8, and said plate assembly including a relatively fixed center section and laterally extending side sections which are mounted so that the outboard margins may be adjusted to vary the transverse bow in the strip-supporting surface.