US3692094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for receiving and storing a flexible starter bar
Assignee: United States Steel Corp
•
Filing: 1970-12-30
•
Granted: 1972-09-19
•
Expires: 1990-12-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for receiving a flexible starter bar used in continuous-casting of metals and storing the bar between casting operations. The apparatus includes upper and lower ramps, the latter being pivotally supported, whereby it can be lowered to divert the starter bar. As the bar moves up the lower ramp, the tail is directed from the lower ramp back onto the upper ramp. Thus the bar is doubled on itself for compactness. The parts can be shifted transversely of the casting line to make them accessible for maintenance.
Inventors
- 👤 George J Wagner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:58
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/08; B22D11/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a continuous-casting machine, which includes a roll rack, roller conveyor means extending from said roll rack, a flexible starter bar adapted to travel through said roll rack, a separable head on said starter bar adapted to be attached to the leading end of a casting, and means for separating said head from the remainder of said bar when said head reaches a predetermined position, the combination therewith of apparatus for receiving and storing said bar, said apparatus comprising a frame, upper and lower ramps carried by said frame, said lower ramp being pivoted to said frame for movement between a lowered position in which its free end is adjacent said rack to divert said bar onto the ramp and a raised position for storing said bar, means on said frame connected with said lower ramp for raising and lowering it, a sheave journaled on said frame adjacent the pivot of said lower ramp, and a guide carried by said frame partially surrounding said sheave and being spaced therefrom, said sheave and said guide cooperating for directing a potion of said bar from said lower ramp onto said upper ramp and doubling the bar on itself for storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a continuous-casting machine, which includes a roll rack, roller conveyor means extending from said roll rack, a flexible starter bar adapted to travel through said roll rack, a separable head on said starter bar adapted to be attached to the leading end of a casting, and means for separating said head from the remainder of said bar when said head reaches a predetermined position, the combination therewith of apparatus for receiving and storing said bar, said apparatus comprising a frame, upper and lower ramps carried by said frame, said lower ramp being pivoted to said frame for movement between a lowered position in which its free end is adjacent said rack to divert said bar onto the ramp and a raised position for storing said bar, means on said frame connected with said lower ramp for raising and lowering it, a sheave journaled on said frame adjacent the pivot of said lower ramp, and a guide carried by said frame partially surrounding said sheave and being spaced therefrom, said sheave and said guide cooperating for directing a potion of said bar from said lower ramp onto said upper ramp and doubling the bar on itself for storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a track on which said frame is mounted for movement transversely of said rack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said ramps have idler rollers spaced along their length for carrying said bar, a line tangent to the rollers on said upper ramp being tangent to said sheave, a line tangent to the rollers on said lower ramp being spaced below a parallel tangent to said sheave to allow said starter bar to pass between the rollers and sheave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which said lower ramp has a seat at its free end engageable with one of the rollers of said conveyor means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4 further comprising a table on which certain of the rollers of said conveyor means are journaled, and means for lowering and raising said table to provide clearance for said lower ramp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a motor-driven winch on said frame, and a cable wound on said winch and connected to said starter bar for pulling said bar along said ramps.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |