Abstract: A laying head for forming an axially moving hot rolled product into a helical series of rings includes a quill rotatable about an axis, with a tubular body journaled for rotation between axially spaced bearings, and a nose projecting axially and forwardly from its tubular body. A product guide is carried by the quill. The product guide is configured to form the product into a helical series of rings. A guide trough provides a helical extension of the product guide. Major portions of the product guide and the guide trough are carried on a continuous helical support on the nose of the quill. The guide trough is channel shaped, with a continuous bottom defining the rim of the helical support, and with segmented detachable side walls.

Abstract: A laying head for forming an axially moving hot rolled product into a helical series of rings comprises a quill rotatable about an axis, with a tubular body journalled for rotation between axially spaced bearings, and a nose projecting axially and forwardly from its tubular body. A product guide is carried by the quill. The product guide is configured to form the product into a helical series of rings. A guide trough provides a helical extension of the product guide. Major portions of the product guide and the guide trough are carried on a continuous helical support on the nose of the quill. The guide trough is channel shaped, with a continuous bottom defining the rim of the helical support, and with segmented detachable side walls.

Abstract: A rolling mill coil-forming laying head apparatus includes a driven rotating quill that discharges elongated material into an elongated path hollow structure, such as a laying head pipe and a downstream deflector guide trough. The path and deflector guide trough structures are supported by a unistructural permanently-formed housing having integral elongated hollow pathway structure, deflector guide trough, and quill mounting support extensions formed therein.

Abstract: A dual drive system for driving a pair of parallel output shafts comprises a pair of idler shafts interposed between and mechanically coupled to the output shafts by a first gear train. An input shaft is aligned coaxially with and is rotatable independently of one of the idler shafts. The output shafts are driven at one speed by adjusting a clutch to directly couple the input shaft to the one idler shaft, and are driven at a second speed by adjusting the clutch to indirectly couple the input shaft to the one idler shaft via a second gear train and gears rotatable respectively on the input shaft and the one idler shaft.

Abstract: A dual speed drive system for alternatively driving a pair of parallel output shafts at one or the other of two different speeds, comprises a pair of parallel idler shafts interposed between the output shafts. A first gear train for mechanically couples the idler shafts to each other and to the output shafts. An input shaft is aligned coaxially with and rotatable independently of one of the idler shafts, and first and second drive gears are respectively received on and are rotatable relative to the input shaft and the one idler shaft. A second gear train mechanically couples the first drive gear to the second drive gear. The second gear train is configured and arranged to effect rotation of the second drive gear in the same direction as and at a different speed from that of the first drive gear.

Abstract: A releasable gear type spline clutch can couple a shaft to a wheel rotatably mounted on the shaft. The clutch comprises an annular clutch member axially mounted on the shaft. Mating external and internal first splines are provided respectively on the shaft and the dutch member, and mating external and internal second splines are provided respectively on the clutch member and the wheel. The pitch diameter of the second splines is greater than the pitch diameter of the first splines, and the pressure angle of the first splines is greater than the pressure angle of the second splines. The clutch member is axially shiftable between a disengaged position at which the second splines are out of mesh, and an engaged position at which the second splines are meshed. The first splines are meshed in both the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A dual ratio drive for a rotary sheer comprises a parallel pair of first shafts carrying freely rotatable first gears. A pair of second shafts are rotatable about axes parallel to the axes of the first shafts. Each second shaft carries a shear blade, and a second gear in meshed relationship with one of the first gears. A drive shaft is connectable to one of the second shafts by a first gear set having a high speed ratio, and is connectable to one of the first shafts by a second gear set having a low speed ratio. A clutch alternately engages one or the other of the first and second gear sets to drive the second shafts and their respective shear blades at the different speeds.