Abstract: An apparatus for providing the outer quenching and the inner quenching of tubular pieces, notably of steel tubes, characterized in that it includes successively, in the advancement direction of the tubes:slanting rollers allowing the tubes delivered continuously to move forward successively by rotating about their axis;an outer quenching system;a clamping and locking system for the tube;a retractable carrier supporting an injection lance for carrying out the inner quenching, said carrier being provided with said clamping and locking system for the tube;means allowing the carrier to move backward with the tube clamping system in order to accompany said tube in movement while the outer quenching is carried out; andretractable rollers which come in position to support the tube as the carrier moves backward while disengaging the tube from the outer quenching system.

Abstract: A buffer stop for an opening on a side-loading and side unloading furnace is mounted on a parallelogram linkage connected with a fixed support and is moved into position and out of position by the movement of a counterweight along a shaft on a member of the parallelogram linkage.