Abstract: A spring element (2) consists essentially of an elastic spring body (4) which is fixed between two rigid end parts (6, 8) arranged at a variable spacing from each other. The spring body (4) consisting of rubber or a rubber-type plastic has a rotationally symmetrical cross section, the longitudinal section shows a biconvex surface line. A U-shaped cross section is formed as a result of a cavity (10). The abrasion caused by the introduction of vertical and horizontal forces is to be reduced and an easy, horizontal slide is to be made possible. The surface (12) of the spring body (4) is provided with ribs (14; 14a, . . . ) that are arranged at spacings (A) from each other and are intersected by ribs (16; 16a, . . . ) or groups of ribs (16, . . . ) also arranged at spacings (A) from each other. Polygonal fields (18a, . . . ) are formed on the surface (12) of the spring body (4) in the gaps between the ribs (14, . . . ; 16, . . . ) according to the angle of intersection.

Abstract: A spring element (2) consists essentially of an elastic spring body (4) which is fixed between two rigid end parts (6, 8) arranged at a variable spacing from each other. The spring body (4) consisting of rubber or a rubber-type plastic has a rotationally symmetrical cross section, the longitudinal section shows a biconvex surface line. A U-shaped cross section is formed as a result of a cavity (10). The abrasion caused by the introduction of vertical and horizontal forces is to be reduced and an easy, horizontal slide is to be made possible. The surface (12) of the spring body (4) is provided with ribs (14; 14a, . . . ) that are arranged at spacings (A) from each other and are intersected by ribs (16; 16a, . . . ) or groups of ribs (16, . . . ) also arranged at spacings (A) from each other. Polygonal fields (18a, . . . ) are formed on the surface (12) of the spring body (4) in the gaps between the ribs (14,. . . ; 16, . . . ) according to the angle of intersection.

Abstract: In continuous casting in a continuous casting plant, a strand (2) after emergence from the mold (1) is reduced in thickness by a wedge-shaped roller gap. In order to assure upon the casting to obtain the shortest possible wedge-shaped solidified head piece (25) or in the event of an interruption in casting or a decrease in the operating casting speed a short completely solidified strand intermediate piece of a thickness (28) differing from the desired final thickness (26) of the strand, the strand (2) is reduced in thickness exclusively in a region in which it has a liquid center (20), support segments (4, 5) being so directed at all times that the liquid tip (19) of the liquid center (20) always lies in a region of the strand guide in which the roller gap developed by the rollers (8) is the narrowest parallel gap--with respect to the following strand guide and disregarding a roller adjustment which follows the shrinkage of the completely solidified strand.