US3044133A - Hot top with refractory bottom ring and wiper - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1 62 Q E. A. MARCEC 3,044,133

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. ERVIN A. MAROEO ATTORNEY July 17, 1962 E. A. MARcEc 3,044,133

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Filed Nov. 25, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 8 D IO 2 U.

0 2 a 2 m l0 0 IO I0 no 0 g INVENTOR. E ERVIN A. mmcsc ATTOR NEY United States Patent 0.

HOT TOP WITH REFRACTORY BOTTOM RING AND WIPER Ervin A. Marcec, 20701 Oak Lane Drive, Olympia Fields, 111. Filed Nov. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 855,358 6 Claims. (61. 22-147) This invention relates to hot tops for the pouring of metal into molds and more specifically to refractory bottom rings and wipers which are suspended from the hot top to protect the hot top casing from the molten metal being poured and to prevent the metal from spewing out between the hot top casing and the mouth of the mold.

Heretofore refractory bottom rings, metal wiper strips and hanger clips have all been formed and shipped as separate items and assembled at the point of use at the time the hot tops are prepared and readied for the pouring of the next heat. Most refractory bottom rings are somewhat similar in shape to the hot tops which they serve, and are formed generally of refractory sands and a suitable binder such as sodium silicate, and thereafter baked to set the silicate binder and drive oflf moisture. They are usually formed-with a central annulus defined by a short upstanding chimney which fits up into the refractory lining of the hot top casing. This chimney generally flows laterally into the upper or strike off surface of the ring, and which surface is adapted to be disposed adjacent the lower surface of the hot top casing from which it is suspended. Between the bottom surface of the hot top casing and the strike off surface of the bottom ring, generally there are disposed sheet metal wipers which extend outwardly therefrom. These are positioned by a variety of means, generally molded shoulders or notches in the strike off surface of the ring and corresponding pressed out projections in the wiper strips. Embedded pins have also been proposed to position the wiper strips in place. Regardless of the means for positioning the wiper strips, they have been restrained with varying degrees of success by compressive forces derived from "ice for simple assembly to the hot top in a single operation at the time the hot top is prepared for pouring, and accordingly this constitutes the principal object of this in vention.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of special means for permanently attaching both wiper strips and hanger clips to the refractory ring.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the arrangement whereby the hanger clips are attached to and supported by the wiper strips prior to the latter being permanently connected to the refractory material.

hanger clips which extend from within the central annulus, below-the ring, then upwardly along the outsides of the rings, through slots in the wiper strips'provided for that purpose, and finally hooked over lugs projecting from the lower side walls of the hot top casing.

Depending on the skill of the laborers preparing the hot tops for pouring and the length of time allotted, these hanger clips frequently are not properly secured and thus the wiper strips and the refractory rings are often dislodged by pulling forces acting on them as the hot top is lowered by crane into the mold prior to pouring.

Moreover, due to the necessity of slotting the wiper strips to receive the hanger clips, the thin gauge sheet metal is materially weakened and frequently curls up or is pulled out in that operation. This is readily understood when it is considered that only compressive forces derived from the hanger clips and the clips themselves act tov restrain outward movement of the otherwise loose wiper strips against the frictional forces pulling at them as the hot top is lowered into the mouth of the mold. Thus not only is the existing practice costly in labor employed, both in initial preparation of the hot tops for pouring as well.as reworking when not properly suspended, but also in the removal of flash and other excess metal from the ingot as by shearing or flame scarfing caused by improperly positioned wiper strips. The added danger of spewing hot metal to attendant personnel is also a substantial factor.

Applicant has overcome all of the objectionable features of the heretofore generally employed rings by providing a refractory ring prefabricated with permanently attached nonslotted wiper strips and hanger clips ready Still another object of the invention in keeping with the last mentioned object resides in the novel means by which the wiper strips are themselves integrated into a continuous band and'either partially embedded into a wall of the refractory or mechanically secured thereto between molded shoulders.

These and additional objects and features will become more readily apparent from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodi-' ment of the invention in which integrated wiper strips and pre-assem'bled hanger clips secured to the wiper strips are secured and bonded into the outside wall of the refractory ring by partial embeddment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section of one of the wiper strips along one side of the composite device of FIG. 1, illustrating in greater detail the pre-assembled hanger clips secured to the wiper strip and the manner in which they are secured by partial embeddment into the outside wall of the refractory ring. I

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hanger clip as employed'in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating schematically the manner in which a composite refractory-wiper strip and hanger clip device according to this invention is suspended from the underside of a hot top casing, the latter having been lowered into the mouth of an ingot mold.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section, of another embodiment of applicants invention illustrating integrated band-like wiper strips and pre-assembled hanger clips secured, to the wiper strips mechanically secured to'the outside walls of the refractory ring between retaining shoulders formed on said outside walls; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hanger clip similar to that of BIG. 3 but employed in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIGS. l-4 of the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a refractory bottom ring for hot tops a metal hot top casing 13 provided with an in-turned lower metal lip 14 for retaining its lining. The chimney 11 tapers to a generally flat upper or strike off surface 15 whichat its outer periphery is defined by outside walls 16. To these outside walls preferably are secured bandlike metal wiper strips 17 to which have been secured hanger clips 18. The free ends of the hanger clips 18 are inserted into suitable apertures or holes provided in the lower side walls of the hot top casing 13 to receive them, and by means of which the entire composite refractory ring, wiper strips and hanger clips are secured to and suspended from the underside of the hot top for lowering within the mouth of a mold such as 19. e

The wiper strips 17 are each provided with a side bandlike portion 20 from which extends outwardly, preferably at a slight angle and upwardly, an integral and flexible which alternate, one being integrally connected to the band portion 2llnearer' its upper edge, while the next'is integrally connected to the band portion 20 nearer its lower edge, These tabs are all inturned however, that is, opposite to the outwardly extending wiper portion 21. V

The alternating tabs 22 are interrupted at one or more spaced locations'on each band portion of the wiper strips 17, to provide additionally inwardly punched members for receiving the shank ends of the hanger clips 18. These members take the form of an eyebrow or eyelet-like inwardly punched portion 23 into which the ends of the hanger clips .18 are received. Adjacent the raised eyelets 23 are two inwardly bent hooklike projections or clips 24 and 25, under which adjacent portions of the shanks of the hanger clips 18 are secured. The intermediate bentover projection 24 is somewhat larger to receive in press fit relation a kink 30 in the shank end of the hanger clip for that purpose. Flanking either side of the hanger clip securing projections are two additional vertically disposed inwardly punched lugs or tabs 26 similar to tabs 22.

. The wiper strips 17 are additionally provided at respective ends of their band portions 20 with a tab 27 which may be provided with a slightly raised portion 28 and a 7 slot or raised eyebrow-like eyelet 29 to receive the tab 21 'of the next adjacent wiper strip 1 7, thus forming a continuous band of the band portions 20.

The hanger clips 18 beyond their shank end kinked at 30 are provided with a leg portion 31 to clear the top of the band portion 20 of the wiper strip, and then an expansible portion which my take the form of overlapping legs 32 and 34 interconnected by leg 33 and terminating in an inturned hooked end 35 for insertion into suitable apertures in the lower side wall of the hot top casing 13. The hanger clips are preferably of 14 gauge wire and by having one or more bends are resiliently extensible and adjustable in length; All portions of the hanger clip except the hooked end 35 and the kink 30 are preferably in one plane, and the hooked end and kink are in planes trans-. verse thereto, preferably parallel; Obviously the hanger clip could be in the form of a helical coil or spring but the illustrated form is adequate and preferred. g

All components having been individually described, the composite device is assembled as follows:

Four wiper strips 17 are assembled into a continuous band by inserting the end tabs 27 into the adjacent raised eyebrow 29. The hanger clips are inserted by placing the shank kinked ends under the hooked over clips 24 and 25 and into the raised eyelet 23, then turned upwardly so that the kink 30 engages in a press fit against the inside of the clip 24. The metal assemblyis then placed into a form box and the refractory material and binder are rammed against the insides of the wiper strips and into the shape illustrated, thus'embedding all of the inturned tabs 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, and bonding same within the refractory material. The composite assembly is then baked to set the binder and drive elf moisture. The composite assemblies are then'ready for shipment and use as the hanger clips and wiper strips are securedpermanently in place and in position for use.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated another embodiment which is similar to that previously described except that the Wiper strips are mechanically secured to the refractory material rather than partially embedded. Here again it will be noted that the wiper strips170 are each formed with a band-like portion 210 extending outwardly and preferably upwardly at a slight angle there-, from. Each wiper strip is provided at one end of the band portion 200 with a tab 270, prow'ded with a raised portion 280, and the other end with a raised eyebrow-like slot or eyelet'290 to receive the tab 270 of the adjacent wiper strip 170. The band portion 200 of the wiper strips 171} is formed with an inwardly pressed integral molding 220. This molding cooperates with a pair of shoulders 260 formed on the outside Wall of the refractory member 100.

At suitable intervals, at least one to a side and preferably two spaced apart locations, the molding 220 of the band portion 200 of the wiper strips 170, are formed as by a die punching operation with the came structure as 23, 24 and 25 illustrated in detail in FIG. 2, that is, a raised eyelet 230, and two inturned hooklike clips or tabs 240 and 250 to receive the shank end of a hanger clip 180 (see FIG. 6). Hanger clip 180 is identical to that of clip 18 illustrated in FIG. 3 except for an additional pair of bends 310a in the leg 310 to conform to the molded portion 220 of the wiper strip 170 before clearing theupper edge of the band portion 200. The kink 300, legs 320, 330 and 340 and the hooked end 350 likewise conform to corresponding portions 30, 32, 33, 34 and 35 of hanger clip 18. V I

The composite device 100 is assembled in the same manner as device 10. Four wiper strip members 170 are formed into a continous band with tabs 270 locked into place beneath corresponding raised eyelets 290 by raised portions 280 on the tabs 270. Shank ends of hanger clips 1 80 are'then inserted into the raised eyelet 230 and under the hooklike tabs 240 and 250. The hanger clips 180 are then turned upwardly so that the kink 300 is pressed against the inside of the tab 2-40 and thus held in place. The wiper strip-hanger clip assembly is then placed in the mold (core) box and the refractory-binder mix rammed into the mold, thus forming the shoulders 260 above and below the molding portions 220 of the wiper strips 100 and embedding the tabs 240, 250 and eyelet 230 into the outer refractory walls. The ramming of the refractory material in the mold box will tend to further lock the eyebrow slots 290 to the raised portions 280 of the tabs 270. The composite refractory-wiper strip and hanger clip device is then baked to set the binder material and drive off the moisture from the refractory. When thus cured, themetal wiper strips 170 are locked as a continuous hand between the shoulders of the outside wall of the refractory bottom ring with hanger clips secured to the band-like wiper strips 170. and hanger slip tabs being embedded into the refractory side wall, thus providing a permanent composite consuch as come within its spirit and intended as falling within the scope of this invention, as best defined by the appended claims wherein I claim:

1. A composite bottom ring for a hot top comprising. a refractory bottom member having a plurality of side walls, a continuous band of metal including a plurality of metal wiper strips extending outwardly from said band,

said band permanently interconnected with the side walls of said refractory member, and a plurality of extensible hanger clips each connected at one end to the metal band immediately adjacent the side walls of the refractory member. 2. A composite bottom ring as claimed in claim 1, in which said band of metal is provided with a plurality of integrally connected tabs, said tabs being embedded and, bonded within the side Walls of said refractory member.

. 3. A composite bottom ring as claimed in claim 1, including an elongate cavity in said side walls, said band being disposed at least in part in said cavity.

4. .A composite bottom ring for a hot top comprising a refractory member having a plurality of side walls, a band of metal adapted to circumscribe said side walls in flush contact therewith, said-band having an integral wiper strip portion extending outwardly from said band and at a slight angle thereto, a plurality of extensible wire hanger clips, one end of each of which is provided with a kink for interconnection with said continuous band of metal, the other end with a hook to engage a suitable aper ture in said hot top casing, said continuous band being provided with a plurality of punched out clips immediately adjacent the side walls of the refiractory member under which the kinked ends of said extensible wire hanger clips are secured, and means securing said band to said side walls of the refractory member independent of said wire hanger clips.

5. A composite bottom ring for a hot top as claimed in claim 4, in which said plurality of punched out clips are disposed internally of said continuous band and embedded and bonded Within the said side walls of the refractory member, said hanger clips each connected at one end to one of the punched out clips, said hanger clips extending upwardly from within said band, said wiper strip portions being unslotted.

6. A hanger clip for connection to a metal bandlike wiper strip permanently attached to the side walls of a refractory bottom ring for hot tops, comprising a shank end provided with a kink for interengagement with said metal 'bandlike wiper strip, a hook member at the other end of said hanger clip, and a plurality of overlapping extensible portions extending parallel to said bandlike wiper strip intermediate said ends permitting limited universal adjustment of the position of said hook member relative to a hot top casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,804,207 Charman et a1 May 5, 1931 1,997,677 Charman Apr. 16, 1935 2,258,483 Charman Oct. 7, 1941 2,300,077 Urmetz Oct. 27, 1942 2,426,748 Rees et al. v Sept. 2, 1947 2,546,270 Marburg Mar. 27, 1951 2,678,481 Peterson May 18, 1954

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