Abstract: The present invention related to a wire-rod block which forms part of a wire rolling line and which includes two roll rings, between which the wire rod is rolled, and which further includes an input drive shaft and a gearing for transmitting the drive torque of the drive shaft to the roll rings. According to the invention, the input shaft (10) drives one of the roll ring shafts directly, via a first bevel gear (13) and also an output drive shaft (12), via a gear (11). The output drive shaft, in turn, drives the shaft of the other roll ring, via a second bevel gear (14), wherein the transmission ratios of the gear (11) and the bevel gears is such that the roll rings will rotate at mutually the same peripheral speeds.

Abstract: A telescopic drive spindle assembly for a rolling mill permits the assembly to accommodate axial displacement of the roll. The assembly has first and second overlapping members with a piston in one member being displaceable in a cylinder in the other member. The piston defines a chamber and a quantity of gas in the chamber serves to urge the piston in the direction out of the cylinder so as to increase the effective length of the drive spindle.