Abstract: An inflatable crown roll for a rolling mill is made entirely from castings and has a cavity of very small radial dimension. In one embodiment the arbor is cast in the usual way. Its surface bounding the cavity is coated with a refractory composition that will disintegrate after being heated to casting temperature. A sand mold for the sleeve is then formed around a pattern, the pattern is removed, the cast arbor is positioned vertically in the sleeve mold and the sleeve is cast around the arbor. The sleeve metal temperature is regulated so that the sleeve fuses to the arbor at its necks. The disintegrated coating is flushed out through drill holes in the sleeve by fluid, leaving a cavity between arbor and sleeve. A sleeve with a composition of metal on its working face different from that of its neck portion may be cast by positioning gates with shut-off valves and risers at appropriate positions in the sleeve mold.

Abstract: The cavity or gap between shell and arbor of a hydraulically inflatable roll also houses metal support elements which may be adjusted to fill that gap partially or wholly. The roll support elements are mating wedges, preferably a pair of sawtooth profiled metal ring assemblies with inclined faces bearing on each other. The degree of support is varied by moving one assembly axially on the other. Hydraulic apparatus for so moving an assembly is contained with the roll arbor.

Abstract: A self-contained inflatable variable crown roll having a circumferential cavity between sleeve and arbor has means to connect that roll cavity to an external high pressure fluid pump when the roll is not rotating. The roll preferably has a reservoir within its arbor which is charged with hydraulic fluid and valved means connecting the roll cavity with the reservoir. The reservoir preferably encloses a fluid-tight bag which is inflated with a gas to maintain pressure therein as hydraulic fluid is withdrawn. A collecting chamber is preferably included within the arbor for receiving hydraulic fluid released from the roll of cavity.

Abstract: A drive fit coupling for joining together a pair of plain end concrete piles each having a polygonal cross sectional configuration is disclosed. A metal sleeve is provided in which a portion of the perimeter of the sleeve wall expands outwardly as the piles are driven into the sleeve causing the sleeve to fit tightly over the ends of the piles. The friction of the sleeve around the pile ends is sufficient to resist bending thereby keeping the joined piles straight during driving. Center stopping means is also provided to prevent a pile from entering the sleeve beyond the vertical center thereof.

Abstract: The apparatus and method make possible the semi-continuous rolling of an extensive range of product widths from no more than three widths of slabs. The leading end of a slab is forged or upset laterally between dies tapered to reduce its width at said end gradually to a value less than the desired width at the end of the pass. The slab is then passed through grooved vertical edging rolls to reduce its width and into the rolls of a roughing stand. The edge rolling tends to move the overfilled metal into the void created by the dies. As the trailing end of the slab approaches the roughing stand the edging rolls are backed off, allowing that end of the slab to fan out laterally. As the slab leaves the roughing stand it is rolled between grooved vertical edging rolls to reduce spread and bring the fanned-out trailing end to size. That operation causes the trailing end to bulge rearwardly at its center, so compensating for fishtailing.