Rolling mill laying head

For use in a rolling mill, a laying head for forming an axially moving elongated product into a series of rings, said laying head comprising:

• a stationary housing:
• a first hollow shaft;
• first bearing means for supporting said first hollow shaft on said housing for rotation about an axis;
• a second hollow shaft having at least a portion thereof extending axially through said first hollow shaft;
• second bearing means for supporting said second hollow shaft on said first hollow shaft for rotation about said axis;
• a laying pipe carried by said second hollow shaft for rotation therewith about said axis, said laying pipe having a three dimensionally curved configuration with an entry end received within said second hollow shaft and aligned essentially concentric with said axis and with a delivery end arranged externally of said second hollow shaft and located radially from said axis;
• guide means for directing the axially moving product along said axis and into said entry end for passage through said laying pipe to exit therefrom;
• and
• drive means for rotatably driving said first hollow shaft in one direction at a first rotational speed relative to said housing, and for driving said second hollow shaft in the same direction at a second rotational speed relative to said first hollow shaft, the sum of said first and second rotational speeds being equal to the rotational speed of said laying pipe relative to said housing and being sufficient to form the product emerging from the delivery end of said laying pipe into the said series of rings.