Frame construction in a paper machine press section for facilitating replacement of press rolls and fabrics

In a paper machine press section having a compact press roll combination including a first upper press roll, a second lower press roll forming a first press nip with said upper press roll, and a third central press roll forming a second press nip with said upper press roll, said press section further having a first press fabric passing through said first and second press nips and a second press fabric passing through said first press nip, a web adapted to run between said press nips in a longitudinal machine direction, a frame construction on which said press rolls and fabrics are mounted, comprising:

• a front frame situated before said roll combination in the direction of web run through the press section;
• a rear frame separate from said front frame situated after said roll combination in the direction of web run through the press section;
• a first intermediate frame situated above said roll combination and having a pair of longitudinal ends, said first intermediate frame being pivotally mounted on said rear frame at one of its longitudinal ends at a longitudinal side of said roll combination by a first pivot shaft having an axis transverse to the longitudinal machine direction;
• first joint means for releasably attaching the other one of said longitudinal ends of said first intermediate frame to said front frame;
• actuating means for pivoting said first intermediate frame around said pivot shaft between a closed position wherein said first intermediate frame substantially overlies said roll combination and an open position to create an open space above said roll combination,
• whereby at least one of press rolls and press fabrics can be removed and replaced through said open space when said first intermediate frame is in its open position.