Twin drive for rolling mills

In a twin drive rolling mill mounted on a foundation and having upper and lower rollers connected with the rotor shafts of corresponding drive motors through respective transmission chains, an elevated bearing support platform over which the upper-roller transmission chain is guided, each transmission chain including:

• a coupling that permits longitudinal displacements, a spindle, and an axial pressure bearing for taking up forces transmitted along the transmission chain;
• the upper-roller transmission chain further including:
• an intermediate shaft, a radial bearing mounted on the support platform for accommodating the intermediate shaft, and a support-beam structure arranged laterally of the spindle for supporting the spindle;
• the lower-roller transmission chain further including a support-beam structure arranged laterally of the spindle of the lower-roller transmission chain for supporting the same, the rolling mill further including a bearing support arranged on the foundation, the improvement comprising:
• a lever pivotally mounted on the elevated bearing support platform;
• connection means for connecting said support-beam structure to said lever;
• rupture means connecting said lever to the support platform for rupturing upon the application of a predetermined force between said lever and the support platform;
• a second lever pivotally mounted on said bearing support, second connection means for connecting the support-beam structure of the lower-roller transmission chain to said second lever;
• and, second rupture means connecting said second lever to the bearing support for rupturing upon the application of a predetermined force between said second lever and the bearing support.