GB1599290A - Selection apparatus for rolling mill products - Google Patents

Description

(54) AN IMPROVEMENT IN OR RELATING TO SELECTION APPARATUS FOR ROLLING MILL PRODUCTS (71) We, HILLE ENGINEERING COM PANY LIMITED, a British Company, of Toledo Works, Neepsend Lane, Sheffield 3, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to selection apparatus for rolling mill products and has for its object to provide an improvement therein.

When rolling mill product is being cropped to length there is from time to time, mixed in with the lengths of product which are of the required length, a shorter length which may for example be the tail end of a strand which has been cropped. It is usually essential for such shorter lengths to be extracted from the products of the required length and not to be passed on to a custorner, but the extraction of such lengths automatically and reliably is difficult. The invention aims to at least alleviate this difficulty.

According to the invention, apparatus for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from lengths of product which are of a shorter length are constituted by means for arranging a procession of lengths of product so that they all proceed laterally on transfer mechanism towards selection means along a substantially mean line, that is to say, so that at least those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length extend substantially the same distances from opposite sides of said notional mean line, the selection means including guide surfaces spaced apart at a spacing equal to the required minimum length so that those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length can straddle and continue across said guide surfaces, whilst shorter lengths are able to fall through the space between said guide surfaces into a reject space, the means for arranging the processing of lengths of pro duct so that they all proceed towards the selection means along the substantially mean line including an end stop for initially arranging the one ends of the lengths of product in line and "nudger" means for acting against the other ends of said lengths of product and for longitudinally displacing in turn those lengths of product which are of at least the required minimum length tht gh a further increment of movement so that they then project somewhat beyond the ends of the relatively shorter lengths.

Second "nudger" means operable in the reverse direction to the first mentioned "nudger" means, will preferably be provided for centralising the "to length" products, that is to say those lengths of product which are of the required length and third "nudger" means may be provided, operable in the same direction as the first mentioned "nudger" means, for centralising lengths of product which are of relatively longer length. The "nudger" means mav be constituted by respective arms each of which is connected at one end to a fixed pivot and at its other end to a reciprocable link, the respective links being connected to power driven means, conveniently to respective cranks, by means of which the arms are caused to swing to and fro.On the other hand, the "nudger" means may be constituted by endless chains moving in a horizontal plane and each chain having an operative run extending at an angle to the direction in which the lengths of product proceed laterally towards the selection means, or may be constituted by respective wheels rotatable about fixed vertical axes so that the ends of at least some of the lengths of product contact the peripheries of said wheels.

The selection means may include guide surfaces which are downwardly inclined from the first mentioned transfer mechanism to second transfer mechanism so that the lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required can slide across a gap through which shorter lengths can fall into the reject space. Alternatively, the selection means may include an arrangement of so-called gripper units constituted by spaced pairs of endless chains or belts, each pair of endless chains or belts having operative runs of chain or belt closely spaced apart and forming a "nip" between which the respective ends of lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required are received from the first mentioned transfer mechanism and gripped to carry them across the gap through which shorter lengths can fall into the reject space.In this case, the lengths of product which have been carried across said gap will preferably emerge from the gripper unit onto second transfer mechanism arranged in line with the first transfer mechanism. A reject table will preferably be disposed in the reject space so that the shorter lengths of product can be carried away as they fall onto it.

In order that the invention may be fully understood and readily carried into effect, the same will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, of which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of apparatus embodying the invention for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from lengths of product which are of a shorter length, Fig. 2 is a side view of selection means forming a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified arrangement, Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a different design of selection means, Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the range of adjustment of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4, and Figs. 6 and 7 are views which illustrate other possible modifications which will be referred to.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus there illustrated for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from lengths of product which are of a shorter length are constituted by means generally indicated 10 for arranging a procession of lengths of product so that they all proceed laterally on transfer mechanism 12 towards selection means generally indicated 14 along a notional mean line so that at least those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length extend substantially the same distance from opposite sides of said notional mean line.

The means 10 include an end stop 16 for initially arranging the one ends of the lengths of product (arriving in the direction of the arrow A) in line as they arrive on the transfer mechanism 12. The means 10 also include "nudger" means 18 for acting against the other ends of said lengths of product (after they have progressed some distance along the transfer mechanism and clear of the end stop) and for longitudinally displacing in turn those lengths of product which are of at least the required minimum length through a further increment of movement.

A shorter distance further along the transfer mechanism second "nudger" means 20 are provided to act on the lengths of product in the opposite direction to the "nudger" means 18. A further distance still along the transfer mechanism third "nudger" means 22 are provided to act on the lengths of product in the same direction as the "nudger" means 18.

The "nudger" means 18, 20 and 22 are arranged to displace the lengths of product with which they come into contact through progressively shorter distances. That is to say, the "nudger" means 18 are arranged to displace full length products through a certain distance, the second "nudger" means are arranged to displace those same lengths of product back in the opposite direction through a lesser distance (perhaps 43 of the certain distance referred to) and the third "nudger" means are arranged to displace only those lengths of product which are of relatively short length and through a distance sufficient to centralise them.

The "nudger" means 18, 20 and 22 are constituted by respective arms 24 each of which is connected at one end to a fixed pivot 26 and at its other end to a reciprocable link 28, the links 28 being connected to respective power driven cranks 30.

The selection means 14 include guide surfaces 32 (see Fig. 2) which are downv.ardly inclined from the first mentioned transfer mechanism 12 to second transfer mechanism 34 so that the lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required can slide across a gap 36 through which shorter lengths can fall into a reject space in which a reject table 38 is disposed so that the shorter lengths of product can be carried away as they fall onto it. (In Fig. 2 one length of product can be seen to be sliding down the guide surface 32 and other lengths of product can be seen to be progressing along the transfer mechanism 12 and along the second transfer mechanism 34).

Thus there is provided a relatively simple means for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from ]engths of product which are of a shorter length. Due to the simplicity of the apparatus it is thought that it will be relatively less expensive than already known apparatus for this purpose and also that it will be trouble free and require little maintenance.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in Fig. 3 there is illustrated an arranlJement very similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 in the sense that it in cludes an end stop 16 for initially arranging the lengths of product in line at that end on the transfer mechanism and in the sense that it includes "nudger" means 40 for acting against the other ends of the lengths of product after they have progressed some distance along the transfer mechanism and clear of the end stop 16.However, it will be seen that in this case the "nudger" means 40 are the only "nudger" means provided and that these means are constituted by a wheel 42 rotatable about a vertical axis so that the ends of the lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required contact the wheel as they progress along the transfer mechanism 12, those that are longer than said at least minimum length being displaced, laterally of the transfer mechanism, as they pass the wheel 42.

It will be observed that the wheel 42 is positioned so that it displaces those lengths of product which are of the nominally required length through a distance "X", this distance being the allowable tolerance within which shorter lengths of product will still be accepted. It will be understood that those lengths of product which are less than nominal length but still within the allowable tolerance will be displaced by the wheel 42 through a correspondingly shorter distance than the distance "X".

The selection means in this case are constituted by a fixed catchment plate 44 and an adjustable catchment plate 46. The fixed catchment plate is in line with the periphery of the wheel 42 whilst the adjustable catchment plate is shown to be in line with the end stop 16. The arrangement is such that the catchment plates support each end of the "to-length" products, that is to say those lengths of product which are of the required length, and guide them to a lower level whereas the shorter lengths of product fall from the end of the transfer mechanism 12 and into the reject space.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, in a further modification the selection means are disposed between a first transfer mechanism 12 and a second transfer mechanism 34 disposed at a common height The selection means include an arrangement of so-called gripper units constituted by spaced pairs of endless chains or belts 48 and 50, each pair having operative runs of chain or belt closely spaced apart and forming a "nip" 52 between which the respective ends of lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required are received from the transfer mechanism 12 and gripper to carry them across the gap 36 through which the shorter lengths of product can fall into the reject space where they are carried away on the reject table 38.The endless chains or belts 48 and 50 encircle respective pairs of chain wheels or pulleys 54 and 56 which are mounted in housings 58, the pairs of chain wheels or pulleys being pressure loaded by spring means indicated 60 in Fig.

4. The housings 58 are shown to be mounted for adjustment along a carrier beam 62 which extends laterally of the transfer mechanisms (which are constituted by a plurality of endless chains). As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5, a first gripper unit 64 can be positioned between any two sets of chains of the transfer mechanisms. A second gripper unit 66 can be adjusted to the distance between two sets of chains in each transfer mechanism so that any required length of product can be selected. The distance "D" between the endless chains or belts of the gripper units is set at the minimum tolerance so that products of shorter length can fall between them into the reject space.

In Figs. 6 and 7 there are illustrated other possible modifications of the "nudger" means referred to. In Fig. 6 the arm 24 is shown to have a contoured surface 68 which acts against the ends of the lengths of product. In Fig. 7, the "nudger" means is shown to be constituted by an endless chain 70 encircling a pair of chain wheels 72 and 74, the latter being adjustable in position so that the ends of the lengths of product are displaced to a position in line with its periphery.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. Apparatus for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from lengths of product which are of a shorter length, the apparatus being constituted by means for arranging a procession of lengths of product so that they all proceed laterally on transfer mechanism towards selection means along a substantially mean line, that is to say, so that at least those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length extend substantially the same distance from opposite sides of said notional mean line, the selection means including guide surfaces spaced apart at a spacing equal to the required minimum length so that those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length can straddle and continue across said guide surfaces, whilst shorter lengths are able to fall through the space between said guide surfaces into a reject space, the means for arranging the processing of lengths of product so that they all proceed towards the selection means along the substantially mean line including an end stop for initially arranging the one ends of the lengths of product in line and "nudger" means for acting against the other ends of said lengths of product and for longitudinally displacing in turn those lengths of product which are of at least the required minimum length through a further increment of movement so

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. cludes an end stop 16 for initially arranging the lengths of product in line at that end on the transfer mechanism and in the sense that it includes "nudger" means 40 for acting against the other ends of the lengths of product after they have progressed some distance along the transfer mechanism and clear of the end stop 16. However, it will be seen that in this case the "nudger" means 40 are the only "nudger" means provided and that these means are constituted by a wheel 42 rotatable about a vertical axis so that the ends of the lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required contact the wheel as they progress along the transfer mechanism 12, those that are longer than said at least minimum length being displaced, laterally of the transfer mechanism, as they pass the wheel 42. It will be observed that the wheel 42 is positioned so that it displaces those lengths of product which are of the nominally required length through a distance "X", this distance being the allowable tolerance within which shorter lengths of product will still be accepted. It will be understood that those lengths of product which are less than nominal length but still within the allowable tolerance will be displaced by the wheel 42 through a correspondingly shorter distance than the distance "X". The selection means in this case are constituted by a fixed catchment plate 44 and an adjustable catchment plate 46. The fixed catchment plate is in line with the periphery of the wheel 42 whilst the adjustable catchment plate is shown to be in line with the end stop 16. The arrangement is such that the catchment plates support each end of the "to-length" products, that is to say those lengths of product which are of the required length, and guide them to a lower level whereas the shorter lengths of product fall from the end of the transfer mechanism 12 and into the reject space. Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, in a further modification the selection means are disposed between a first transfer mechanism 12 and a second transfer mechanism 34 disposed at a common height The selection means include an arrangement of so-called gripper units constituted by spaced pairs of endless chains or belts 48 and 50, each pair having operative runs of chain or belt closely spaced apart and forming a "nip" 52 between which the respective ends of lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required are received from the transfer mechanism 12 and gripper to carry them across the gap 36 through which the shorter lengths of product can fall into the reject space where they are carried away on the reject table 38.The endless chains or belts 48 and 50 encircle respective pairs of chain wheels or pulleys 54 and 56 which are mounted in housings 58, the pairs of chain wheels or pulleys being pressure loaded by spring means indicated 60 in Fig. 4. The housings 58 are shown to be mounted for adjustment along a carrier beam 62 which extends laterally of the transfer mechanisms (which are constituted by a plurality of endless chains). As indicated by the arrows in Fig. 5, a first gripper unit 64 can be positioned between any two sets of chains of the transfer mechanisms. A second gripper unit 66 can be adjusted to the distance between two sets of chains in each transfer mechanism so that any required length of product can be selected. The distance "D" between the endless chains or belts of the gripper units is set at the minimum tolerance so that products of shorter length can fall between them into the reject space. In Figs. 6 and 7 there are illustrated other possible modifications of the "nudger" means referred to. In Fig. 6 the arm 24 is shown to have a contoured surface 68 which acts against the ends of the lengths of product. In Fig. 7, the "nudger" means is shown to be constituted by an endless chain 70 encircling a pair of chain wheels 72 and 74, the latter being adjustable in position so that the ends of the lengths of product are displaced to a position in line with its periphery. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. Apparatus for separating lengths of rolling mill product of at least a minimum length from lengths of product which are of a shorter length, the apparatus being constituted by means for arranging a procession of lengths of product so that they all proceed laterally on transfer mechanism towards selection means along a substantially mean line, that is to say, so that at least those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length extend substantially the same distance from opposite sides of said notional mean line, the selection means including guide surfaces spaced apart at a spacing equal to the required minimum length so that those lengths of product which are of the at least minimum length can straddle and continue across said guide surfaces, whilst shorter lengths are able to fall through the space between said guide surfaces into a reject space, the means for arranging the processing of lengths of product so that they all proceed towards the selection means along the substantially mean line including an end stop for initially arranging the one ends of the lengths of product in line and "nudger" means for acting against the other ends of said lengths of product and for longitudinally displacing in turn those lengths of product which are of at least the required minimum length through a further increment of movement so

that they then project somewhat beyond the ends of the relatively shorter lengths.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which second "nudger" means operate in the reverse direction to the first mentioned "nudger" means and are provided for centralising the "to-length" products, that is to say those lengths of product which are of the required length.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which third "nudger" means are provided, operable in the same direction as the first mentioned "nudger" means, for centralising lengths of product which are of relatively longer length than the "to-length" products.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which are or each "nudger" means is constituted by an arm connected at one end to a fixed pivot and at its other end to a reciprocable link, the or each link being connected to power driven means for causing the arm to swing to and fro.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each "nudger" means is constituted by an endless chain moving in a horizontal plane the chain having an operative run extending at an angle to the direction in which the lengths of product proceed laterally towards the selection means, or the or each "nudger" means being constituted by a wheel rotatable about a fixed vertical axis so that the ends of at least some of the lengths of product contact the periphery of said wheel.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the selection means include guide surfaces which are downwardly inclined from the first mentioned transfer mechanism to second transfer mechanism so that the lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required can slide across a gap through which shorter lengths can fall into the reject space.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the selection means include an arrangement of so-called gripper units constituted by spaced pairs of endless chains or belts, each pair of endless chains or belts having operative runs of chain or belt closely spaced apart and forming a "nip" between which the respective ends of lengths of product which are of at least the minimum length required are received from the first mentioned transfer mechanism and gripped to carry them across the gap through which shorter lengths can fall into the reject space.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the lengths of product which have been carried across said gap emerge from the gripper unit onto second transfer mechanism arranged in line with the first transfer mechanism.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a reject table is disposed in the reject space so that the shorter lengths of product can be carried away as they fall onto it.

10. Apparatus for separating lengths of rolling mill product, the apparatus being constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figs.

1 and 2, or Fig. 3, or Figs. 4 and 5, or Fig.

6, or Fig. 7 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

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