US3672438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guide-roll rack and supporting structure therefor
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A guide roll rack and supporting structure for use in a continuous casting machine. The rack is formed in vertically aligned sections. The supporting structure includes pairs of vertically spaced arms hinged to the support columns. The rack sections are removably carried on the arms, whereby the rack sections can swing with the arms from an operative position in the machine to a position outside the machine for easy removal and replacement.
Inventors
- 👤 Gottfried Hofmann
- 👤 James T Stull
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:52
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/12; B22D11/128; B22D11/1281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
In a continuous casting machine, a guide-roll rack and a supporting structure therefor; said rack being formed of at least one section which comprises: a rigid cage which is rectangular in plan and has four corner posts and connectors fixed between each successive pair of adjacent posts; and sets of idler rolls journaled between each successive pair of adjacent posts and defining a rectangular pass to encompass four sides of a casting traveling vertically through the cage; said supporting structure comprising: first and second vertical columns; upper and lower hinge brackets fixed to said first column; and upper and lower rack-carrying arms hinged to the respective brackets; pin-and-socket means adjacent one of said posts removably mounting said cage on said arms to move therewith when said arms swing about their hinged mounting on said brackets; said cage being movable with said arms between a first position in which said rolls are operative to receive and guide a casting and a second position in which the cage is out of the path of the casting and can be lifted from said arms; and releasabLe means engaging said columns normally locking said cage in said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a continuous casting machine, a guide-roll rack and a supporting structure therefor; said rack being formed of at least one section which comprises: a rigid cage which is rectangular in plan and has four corner posts and connectors fixed between each successive pair of adjacent posts; and sets of idler rolls journaled between each successive pair of adjacent posts and defining a rectangular pass to encompass four sides of a casting traveling vertically through the cage; said supporting structure comprising: first and second vertical columns; upper and lower hinge brackets fixed to said first column; and upper and lower rack-carrying arms hinged to the respective brackets; pin-and-socket means adjacent one of said posts removably mounting said cage on said arms to move therewith when said arms swing about their hinged mounting on said brackets; said cage being movable with said arms between a first position in which said rolls are operative to receive and guide a casting and a second position in which the cage is out of the path of the casting and can be lifted from said arms; and releasabLe means engaging said columns normally locking said cage in said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said rack is formed of a plurality of vertically aligned sections and said supporting structure comprises a corresponding number of upper and lower arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which there are parallel racks and said supporting structure comprises a third vertical column, the arms which support said racks being swingable in opposite directions when moving from their first position to their second position, whereby the second positions of both racks are similar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which the means mounting said cage on said arms includes upper and lower blocks fixed to the cage outside the confines thereof and pins extending downwardly from the respective blocks, said arms having sockets removably receiving said pins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said releasable means includes bolts removably connecting at least one of said arms to said first column and bolts removably connecting said cage to said second column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which said releasable means holds the upper end of said cage in a fixed vertical position but allows the lower end of said cage to move vertically as the cage undergoes thermal expansion or contraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which the means mounting said cage on said arms includes upper and lower blocks fixed to the cage outside the confines thereof and pins extending downwardly from the respective blocks, said arms having sockets removably receiving said pins, and in which said releasable means includes a bolt removably connecting said lower arm to said first column, a bolt removably connecting said upper block to said first column and passing through the pin which extends downwardly from said upper block, and bolts removably connecting said cage to said second column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A machine as defined in claim 7 in which said lower block has clearance with respect to said lower arm and said first column to allow said cage to undergo thermal expansion and contraction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A machine as defined in claim 1 in which a rack section can be removed without disturbing adjacent equipment.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |