Abstract: A conveyor comprising an endless accumulation chain and at least two sets of devices for effecting incremental movements of the chain at respective stations. Each set of devices includes a first device for engaging and disengaging respectively the chain, a second device engaged to the first device for moving it from a first position to a second position while it is engaged to the chain for effecting an incremental movement of a portion of the chain and for retracting the first device to the first position while the first device is disengaged from the chain, and a third device for engaging the chain to lock the chain portion in a fixed position while the first device is disengaged from the chain and for disengaging from the chain when the first device is engaged to the chain portion so that the first device may be moved to the second position for incrementally moving the chain portion.

Abstract: An inexpensive, high capacity, and easy to install roller for engaging hot metal plates being transferred over a cooling bed plate transfer grid. An invertible block which may have a bearing is provided at each end of the axle for the roller. The bearing block is received in a cut-out in the upper edge of a respective elongate parallel grid member. The bearing block is clamped in the cut-out by a plate which is received in a pair of slots in forward and aft edges of the cut-out to clampingly overlie the bearing block. A lip on each of the bearing blocks is positioned and sized to abut a lateral surface of a respective grid member and a shoulder on the axle engages the bearing block for preventing movement laterally of the bearing, whereby the roller is restrained from movement axially.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use as a back-up roller for work rolls. The roller assembly comprises an axle, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the axle and roller, at least one bushing which is eccentric relative to the axle and which is fixedly mounted on the axle by a dowel which passes through holes in the axle and eccentric bushing, and a housing for the bushing. The eccentric bushing is rotatable for translating the roller in a radial direction thereof.

Abstract: An inexpensive, high capacity, and easy to install roller (20) for engaging hot metal plates being transferred over a cooling bed plate transfer grid. An invertible block which may have a bearing is provided at each end of the axle (22) for the roller. The bearing block (24) is received in a cut-out in the upper edge of a respective elongate parallel grid member. The bearing block (24) is clamped in the cut-out by a plate which is received in a pair of slots in forward and aft edges of the cut-out to clampingly overlie the bearing block (24).

Abstract: A bearing cartridge which is constructed not to be disassembled for re-packing with grease or otherwise and which may be quickly and easily replaced in the field. For high temperature applications such as sinter or pellet car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a high temperature solid lubricant, and the rolling elements preferably comprise cylindrical rolling elements for bearing radial loads and spherical rolling elements for bearing axial loads. For ultra high temperature applications such as furnace car wheels, the bearing cartridge is lubricated by a ultra high temperature lubricant composed of a graphite and molydenum paste. In order to economically provide small furnace car bearing cartridges, a two-piece bearing cartridge is provided with rolling elements, preferably having cylindrical central portions for bearing radial loads and conically shaped axially outer end portions for bearing axial loads, between the races, the rolling elements insertable by means of a feeder slot.

Abstract: A roller assembly for use as a back-up roller for work rolls. The roller assembly comprises an axle, a roller rotatably mounted on the axle, a plurality of bearing elements rotatably positioned between the axle and roller, and at least one bushing which is eccentric to the axle and which is fixedly mounted on the axle. The eccentric bushing is rotatable for translating the roller in a radial direction thereof. In order to rotate the bushing in one of opposite circumferential directions, preferably, force is applied to a respective one of a pair of terminal ends of a groove which extends circumferentially in a radially outer surface of the eccentric bushing. Each of the axle and roller, which serve as inner and outer races respectively, preferably has a thickness radially of at least about 1 inch to provide high bearing capacity.

Abstract: A high capacity and easy to maintain insert for a cooling bed plate transfer grid. In order that the inserts may be installed or replaced at a remote location thereby requiring removal of the grid to the remote location, the height of the grid is adjustable so that it may be easily re-installed after the servicing at the remote location. The roller height is set to a fixed non-adjustable height during initial insert installation so that, during the subsequent re-installation, there is advantageously no requirement for adjustment of the roller height. This allows the grid and inserts to be easily and quickly re-installed in the field.

Abstract: A reliable bearing wheel assembly comprising a shaft, an inner race, an outer race, and rollers or other bearing elements between the inner and outer races, wherein the inner race is reliably prevented from both rotating and moving axially relative to the shaft, even when there is bearing failure. A first pair of axially extending grooves are provided in the outer surface of an end portion of the shaft and in the inner surface of the inner race respectively which in combination define a first keyway. A second pair of axially extending grooves are provided in the outer surface of the shaft end portion and in the inner surface of the inner race respectively which in combination define a second keyway. A first key is received in the first keyway. A fastener having a threaded shank portion threadedly engages a threaded bore which extends axially in the shaft end portion. A head portion of the fastener engages the inner race and at least partially covers the first keyway to block escape of the first key therefrom.

Abstract: An axle mounting assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a yoke (24) including a generally U-shaped member defining a slot (26) for receiving an axle with the slot extending vertically and having an upper opening. A member (54) is removable attachable to the yoke to close the opening for removably retaining the axle in the yoke. A block (56) is disposed in the slot and spring biased to effect bearing of the block against the axle for distributing the load between the assembly and other axle mounting assemblies.

Abstract: A cooling bed plate transfer grid insert which is height adjustable independently of its mounting to the grid. The insert has an outer frame which is clampable to the grid and an inner frame supporting a roller and which is clampable to the outer frame and height adjustable relative to the outer frame so that the mounting of the outer frame to the grid need not be disturbed when adjusting the height of the roller or when replacing the inner frame and roller assembly for repair of the insert. The inner frame is thus easily and inexpensively replaceable without the necessity of replacing the outer frame. The replaceable inner frame includes stationary bearings for the rotating roller shaft to provide improvement in wear life of perhaps about 200 per cent. Springs are provided to allow the roller to flexibly move downwardly under load of plates being moved thereover so that each of the rollers underlying a plate bears its share of the load, but the rollers are biased to the desired unloaded height.

Abstract: A high capacity and easy to maintain insert for a cooling bed plate transfer grid. The insert supports a wide high capacity roller in a grid pocket modified by removal of a portion of a grid member wherein the modified pocket has more than double the width. High capacity bearings which receive the roller axle are mounted in the frame, which is of modular construction to allow replacement of worn bearings as well as other repair and rebuilding easily. The insert is constructed so that it may be inverted to allow unworn portions of the bearings to experience axle contact whereby the bearing life is increased. In order that inserts may be installed or replaced at a remote location thereby requiring removal of the grid to the remote location, the height of the grid is adjustable.

Abstract: A method for cooling hot metal plates formed in a plate mill and inserts therefor. The metal plates are slid over a cooling bed plate transfer grid having a plurality of inserts supporting rollers wherein the metal plates are in contact with the rollers for decreased friction and reduced marring of the metal plates. The insert is clamped to the transfer grid so that it is easily and quickly removable and replaceable for cost effective plate cooling.

Abstract: An insert to be removably and replaceably mounted in a pocket of a plate transfer grid for a cooling bed. The insert supports a roller to project above the members of the grid to engage plates for movement along the grid so as to reduce transfer grid wear and marring of the plates.