Metal strip downcoilers-ii

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus and method for selectively coiling a hot steel transfer bar or allowing the bar to pass uncoiled through the apparatus. A frame supports a number of rollers which can transfer a bar in one direction, and conventional bend roller means are located above the rollers, adapted to apply a down curvature to a transfer bar. Pivotal ramp means upstream of the bend roller means can either direct a transfer bar through the bend roller means, or allow the transfer bar to pass along the rollers under the bend roller means. A sub-frame downstream of the bend roller means carries at least one roller, and is mounted for movement between a raised position and a lowered position. In the raised position, the roller on the sub-frame defines, with a further roller upstream thereof and with a coil-guide roller located under the bend roller means, a cradle in which the initial convolutions of a coiling transfer bar can be contained. Initially, the sub-frame is in its uppermost position, to receive the initial small convolutions of a coiling transfer bar. As the transfer bar continues to coil and becomes heavier and larger in diameter, a point is reached where the sub-frame can be lowered, thus allowing a greater coil radius to be accommodated in the cradle.