Abstract: A joint between the overlapped ends of two metal strips comprising strip portions defined by parallel straight longitudinal slits cut through the thickness of both strips, adjacent strip portions being deflected in opposite directions to define a transverse passage and a lock pin located in said passage is produced by apparatus comprising a pair of parallel cutter bars arranged on opposite sides of the path of the metal strip carried by supports, provided with means for moving said cutter bars towards and away from each other, each cutter bar carrying a plurality of laterally spaced cutter elements, the space between adjacent cutter elements on each cutter bar being substantially equal to the thickness of width of the cutter elements on the other cutter bar, the cutter elements on each cutter bar being arranged to mesh with the cutter elements on the other cutter bar, each cutter element having at least a part-circular periphery, each cutter bar being rotatable in relation to its support between a series of p

Abstract: In the continuous casting of metal in strip form between moving belts while maintaining a flowing layer of liquid coolant between the reverse surface of a belt and mutually adjacent, guiding-surface, nozzle elements that deliver such coolant, such elements are each constituted as a cooling and guiding unit having a hexagonal face and including releasable retaining elements normally holding such face (through which coolant is projected against the belt) at desired level under spring pressure against the engaged elements. The elements, respectively with the hexagonal head and with a fixed support, are disengaged by depressing the head and turning it, thus allowing removal of the device for replacement or service. As the hexagonal heads can be arranged very closely together, except for narrow, liquid-withdrawal spaces between adjacent edges, practically complete support for a coolant layer across and along the entirety of the belt, is attainable, yet with practicality of construction of the units.