Preloaded triple roller entry guide

Abstract

A triple roll entry guide where the guide has two sets of operation, a first which operates as a standard triple roller entry guide. Here the guide functions as a standard guide wherein three levers are pivoted about a work product axis to guide the work product into the reduction rolls of the mill. The guide will accept a predetermined size range of work products. In this instance the rollers of the guide overcome the force holding the levers in their usual working position and force the levers to assume a new position which the work product is accepted in the guide. This is the second method of operation, and in it the levers of the guide are “preloaded” so that the guide functions as a standard guide under prescribed conditions. Under conditions which lead to the acceptance of a work product of a larger diameter in the predetermined size range the levers of the guide overcome the force which limits the maximum position of the levers of the guide and the work product is accepted by the guide.

1 . A roller entry guide for guiding a work product a longitudinal axis comprising:
 a hollow housing having multiple pivots incorporated therein,   said pivots being located in a plane lying orthogonal to said longitudinal axis,   pivotably mounting at least three roller assemblies at equally spaced angles about said longitudinal axis,   said roller assemblies comprising a lever having a first end and a second end and a pivot point located between said ends, said first ends of said lever assemblies having a shaped wheel mounted for rotation thereon, for engaging said work product so that an opening for said work product is formed by said wheels,   said second ends of said lever assemblies bearing against a common member mounted on said housing and so that the second ends exert a first force on said common member when a work product of a first diameter passes through said opening,
 the second ends of said lever assemblies exerting a second force on said common member when a second work product of a larger diameter passes through said opening, said second force being greater said first force, 
   said common member moving against a second resilient member to establish a reaction force when said second force exceeds a predetermined value.   
     
     
         2 . A roller entry guide as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first and second forces are applied evenly to said common member by said lever assemblies. 
     
     
         3 . A roller entry guide having a body on which a plurality of identical levers are pivotably mounted thereon so as to pivot in planes which are equally angularly spaced about an axis where a steel strand is being rolled,
 said levers each having a roller mounted for rotation at the first end of said lever, said rollers contacting said steel strand, and guiding it into work reducing rolls of a steel mill, said rollers being adjustable to roll steel strands of various sizes, said levers transferring the force created by said rollers contacting said strand to the remote end of each lever,   the second end of each lever contacting a common member, said common member being positioned so that any force exerted on said common member by the second ends tends to move said common member laterally, said common member resisting the force exerted by said second ends of said levers until said force exceeds a predetermined value, at which time said common member moves laterally and permits said levers to move.   
     
     
         4 . A roller entry guide having at least three rollers for guiding a work product to the reducing rolls of a reducing mill,
 said rollers being mounted at the ends of at least three levers so as to form a first opening formed by said wheels for the passage of a work product of a first diameter there between along an axis through said entry guide, said opening in said guide being adjustable to resistably open beyond the limit set by said first opening so as to accept a pre-determined range of work product of slightly greater diameter than said first diameter,   said levers being pivoted on a set of pivots which are equally spaced about said axis and lie in the same plane on said entry guide, orthogonal to said axis,   said pivots on said levers lying between the ends of said levers, such that the ends of said levers remote from said rollers rest upon a common conically shaped surface of a spring loaded circular member,   said ends of said levers pushing said common member sidewise against said spring loaded circular member when a work product of slightly greater diameter than said first diameter passes through said opening formed by said wheels,   said levers being forced to return by said common member to form said first opening when said work product diameter decreases to its first diameter.   
     
     
         5 . A roller entry guide as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the levers are substantially the same. 
     
     
         6 . A roller entry guide as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the wheels all have the same shape. 
     
     
         7 . A roller entry guide as claimed as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said common member slides on a circular cylindrical surface formed on said guide to adjust said opening. 
     
     
         8 . A roller entry guide as claimed in  claim 7  where the position of said spring loaded member is adjustable laterally by a screw threaded ring.