Abstract: A surface pressure loading and releasing mechanism in a sliding nozzle device for a molten metal vessel is used to reduce the hot manual work involved in loading and releasing surface pressure on plates and to carry out loading and releasing of the surface pressure by a simple operation. In a sliding nozzle device for applying and releasing surface pressure between plate bricks by moving an opening/closing metal frame having elastic force loading and a sliding metal frame disposed between a fixed metal frame and the opening/closing metal frame, a surface pressure block is removably disposed between brackets for mounting the opening/closing metal frame on the fixed metal frame. Surface pressure loading and releasing is carried out by moving the opening/closing metal frame, by causing a projecting portion of the sliding metal frame to project into the opening/closing metal frame, and by having a molten steel passage hole in the sliding metal frame passing therethrough abut with the opening/closing metal frame.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle plate-metal frame fixing structure which allows the sliding nozzle plate to be mounted to and removed from the metal frame with ease. The sliding nozzle plate which is used with a sliding nozzle device attached to a molten metal vessel has a sliding surface, and is surrounded by a metal case with the exception of the sliding surface. The metal case has a projection or a plurality of projections of a particular shape on the surface of the plate opposite the sliding surface, and a metal frame in which the metal-cased plate to be mounted has a plurality of concave portions corresponding to the projection or projections of the metal case, so that the metal-cased plate can be mounted to and removed from the metal frame simply and accurately through engagement and disengagement of each of the metal case projection or projections with each of the metal frame concave portions.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle apparatus for a molten metal holding vessel including a fixed nozzle member and a fixed plate therefor which are supported by an upper or fixed bracket secured to the vessel, and a movable nozzle member and a slidable plate therefor which are supported by a lower or movable bracket having one edge hinged to the upper bracket, while its opposite edge remote from its hinged connection to the upper bracket is removably connectable to the upper bracket to bring the slidable plate into contact with the fixed plate. A first set of coil springs are located adjacent to the edge of the lower bracket at which it is hinged to the upper bracket, and a second set of coil springs are located adjacent to the opposite edge of the lower bracket. The first set of coil springs are deflected to a greater degree than the second set of coil springs, or are, in other words, preloaded differently from the second set of springs.