Apparatus for changing rolls of vertical rolling mill stand

In a roll changing apparatus for a vertical rolling mill stand, wherein a roll gap adjusting system includes means for moving the rolls to a roll change position beyond a given maximum gap adjusting position, the rolls being removable from the mill stand in said roll change position said roll having an upper bearing means provided with an outwardly projecting flange;

• the improvement comprising:
• a roll lifting arrangement including a pair of L-shaped plates with horizontal portions adapted to engage said outwardly projecting flange of the upper bearing means of a roll when the roll is moved to said roll change position, guide rails, carriage means movable parallel to the rolling direction of said mill stand on said guide rails, said carriage means having support means with horizontal portions shaped to support a roll at the flange of the upper bearing means thereof, said carriage being movable to a position with the support means thereof aligned with the said roll lifting means, said carriage being above rolls in said roll changing position whereby said lifting means is adapted to move rolls vertically from said roll change position to horizontal alignment with the support means of said carriage means, and further comprising a transfer mechanism for transferring rolls between the support means of said carriage and lifting means when the support means of said lifting means is horizontally aligned with the support means of said carriage means, said transfer mechanism comprising engaging means adapted to engage means on the upper bearing means of said roll for moving said roll horizontally.