US2981653A

US2981653A - Suction box with changeable belt

Info

Publication number: US2981653A
Application number: US774993A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward D Beachler
Original assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Current assignee: Beloit Iron Works Inc
Priority date: 1958-11-19
Filing date: 1958-11-19
Publication date: 1961-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1978-04-25

Description

A ril 25, 1961 E. D. BEACHLER 2,981,653

SUCTION BOX WITH CHANGEABLE BELT Filed Nov. 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Edward D. Beau/liar April 25, 1961 E. D. BEACHLER sucnon BOX WITH CHANGEABLE BELT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19, 1958 he Elm Edward D. Beam/er b w a; zwyfifi April 25, 1961 E. D. BEACHLER SUCTION BOX WITH CHANGEABLE BELT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 19, 1958 m ww Edward Beach/er b l/p gzzz April 1961 E. D. BEACHLER 2,981,653

SUCTION BOX WITH CHANGEABLE BELT Filed Nov. 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Edward 2. Beau/lief United States Patent Edward D. Beachle r, Beloit, 'Wis., assignor to .Beloit Iron Works, Beloit, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Nov. 19, 1958, SenNo. 774,993 12 Claims. Cl. 162-200 The present invention relates to improvements in paper making machines, and. more particularly relates to mechanism for dewatering a paper web, and more particularly to a suction box and a looped traveling belt on the suction box for carrying a traveling Fourdrinier wire, and to a method and apparatus for changing and replacing the'beltr t T In a Fourdrinier ty-pe. of paper machineqa suspension of paper stock is deposited on the traveling Fourdrinier wire which passes over the top of suction devices, such as a suction box which subjects the lower surface of the wire to a sub-atmospheric pressure for drawing the. water from the web of paper on the upper surface. For improved distribution of suction forces and toreduce the friction forces of the wire traveling over a suction box, a foraminous belt is carried over the suctionbox and carries the wire onits upper surface. In present paper machines, the sizeand weight of the belt are very large so that changing the belt when itbecomes worn or fouled becomes a difficult project. It is important in the saving of time and cost to be able tochange the belt with a minimum amount of efiort andtime. The present mechanism particularly contemplates use with. a belt formed of rubber or, similar material, where the weight and unwieldiness of the belt ma ke changingsa major project,

. o In general, the present invention contemplates the pro-- vision of a suction box for carrying a looped dewatering belt with belt supporting rotatable rolls mounted on the suction box. A fourdrinier wire is carried on the upper surface of the belt. 'At least one of. the rolls is carried on bearing supports, which are removable from the suction box, softhat the roll can also function as a t carrying bar with the belt draped over theroll for removing the belt and replacing 'af new belt. The suction box and roll assembly is :detachably supported ona frame which also carries guide rolls .thatoengagethe undersurface of the lower run of the belt to provide an operating tension in the belt. The guide rolls aremounted in the frame and extend against the beltffontensioning and release the belt and providea loosedrape as the box land roll assembly are lifted away from the frame. A cantilever belt changing column is provided with connectorsthatare constructed so that a lifting device canlift the roll and box assembly with the belt, and swing thebox to. avertical position for mountingon the column in cantilever fashion. The upper roll is then detached and carried axially ofi" of the suction box, takingthe worn belt wih it. The roll is subsequently insertedinto afresh belt, and carried into operating position carrying the freshbeltwith it mm the box.

supporting"a Fourdrinier wire "and'which can be readily and quickly changed. Y

Another object "of theinvention is to provide an improved method of removing a heavy fforaminous support- 2,981,653 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 ice ing belt from a suction box in a dewatering section of a paper machine, and replacing it with a fresh belt.

Another object of the invention is to provide an mproved construction for a paper web dewatering mechanism of the Fourdrinier type which includes a wire supporting belt, which will permit a sub assembly of the mechanism to be elevated from the frame and rotated for ease of removing the support belt and which will permit one of the belt carrying rolls to be used as a carrier for the draped belt when it is removed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved supporting mechanism for rapid and safe removal of a beltfrom a paper web dewatering mechanism wherein the mechanism is capable of rapid alignment for fast movement and connection of the parts so that changing of the belt may be accomplished in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum of effort.

Other objects and advantages will become more apparent with the teachings of the principles of the present invention in connection with the disclosureof the preferred embodiments thereof, in the specification, claims and drawings, in which:

,ess of changing the belt; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational'view illustrating the belt being removed.

Asshown on thejdrawings; H o l As illustrated particularly in Figure 1, a paper web forming and dewatering mechanism is provided including a looped foraminous belt. 11. The belt 11 supports a traveling wire W on the upper surface of its upper run 11 1," A suspension of paper stock is deposited on the upper surface of the wire by means, not shown, and a web ofpaper is carried on the upper surface ofthe wire.

.with shaped openings therethrough for the {Suction is applied to the lower surface of the upper run 11a of the bolt and the belt is 'foraminous to draw water from the web on the wire.

The upper run 11a of the belt passes over a suction box 12 which hasjan open top for supporting the belt, i.e., a top surface with openings therein typical of conventional suction box tops. The suction box is provided with

end walls

12a and 12a, Figure 5, and side walls 121: and 12c, Figure 1 Suitable fittings are provided, not shown, for creating a sub-atmospheric pressure within the suction box, and for draining water'withdrawn from thefpaper web. For purposes of discussion and illustration, the belt 11 will be referred to :as a rubber belt or blanket which is forarninous or in other words formed drainage" of water from the paper web on the wire W. t

Within theends' of theiloo'ped belt ll are positioned a second belt carrying roll 13 at the trailing side of the suctlon .box, and a first belt carrying roll 14 "at the leading .sideof the suction box. .;The web is driven so that the upper run 11a will move in the direction indicated by the arrow 16, and the lower run lrlb will move in'the direction of the arrow 16a. t V t t o The second roll l3 has stub shafts 1'7;and 18yprojeoting from the ends,Figures 1 and 5, and the shafts are sup ported

bearings

19 and 21.. The' bearin gs at each end of the roll are supported in; a like manner, and, therefore, .on ly the supp ontfor the bearing 2l need be describedfin detail.

The bearing 21 is carried on a support bracket 22 which is removably secured to the side of the suction box 12. The base of the bracket is flanged and drilled to receive bolts 23 which extend through holes in a plate at the side 120 of the suction box 12. vShims 24 may be positioned between the bracket and suction box for accurately positioning the bearing 21. The bearing is shiftably mounted on the bracket 22 by a gib connection 26, which is arranged to. be locked by locking bolts 27. When these bolts are loosened, the bearing 21 can slide up and down on the gib connection 26 on the bracket 22. Adjustment of the bearing on the bracket is accomplished by a threaded adjustment bolt 32 threaded into a threaded boss 22a on the bracket 22.

Additional vertical support for the bearing 21 is afforded by an adjustment stop bolt 29 which is threaded into a bracket 28, and the head of the bolt 29 engages a boss 21a on the bearing 21. Lateral positioning of the caring 21 and the suction box'asesmbly is aided by a bolt 31 which is also threaded into the bracket 28. The head of the bolt engages a boss 21b on the bearing 21. The bracket 28 is secured on a frame 33. A bracket similar to 28 and similar bolts are provided for the bearing at the other end of the roll 13.

The first roll 14 has stub shaft-s 34 and 48 projecting from the ends, Figures 1 and 5. The shafts are rotatably supported in

bearings

36 and 37. The bearings are supported on brackets mounted on the ends of the suction box, and the brackets are identical in construction, therefore, only the bracket supporting the bearing 36 need be described in detail. The bearing 36 is carried on a support bracket 39' which has a flanged base drilled with holes to receive bolts-41 which pass through a plate on the end 12b of the suction box 12. The bearing 36 is connected to the bracket by a gib 42, which may be locked by bolts 43. A vertical adjustment of the bearing .36 on the bracket 39 is possible by an adjustment bolt 44 threaded in'to'a boss 39a. The bearing also supports, by means of bolts 46-, extending through holes in a bracket 36 on the one roll is detached from the suction box assembly for purposes of changing the belt '11, and, therefore, only one detachable attachment is necessary for the roll supporting brackets.

The suction box assembly which includes the

rolls

13 and 14 and their bearing supports, is' mounted on the frame 33. The mounting is detachable, so that the suction box assembly 78 may be lifted from the frame assembly 79, as illustrated in Figure 2. v

As illustrated in Figures 11 andZ, the frame 33 is pro- 7 v ided with a pair of small spaced platforms 48 and '49 which support the ends of the suction box assembly, and

a central small platform 51, which supports the center of the suction box. These platforms are located at each endof the suction. box. Since they are identical in con- ;Struction, only the support platforms on the near side, as

illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, need be 'described'in detail.

The ,suction b-ox12 is provided with downwardly extending

supports

52 and 53 which rest on :the support plat- .forms 48 and 49, and a central support 54 which rests on the platform 51. The support platforms 4% and 49 are provided with swing bolts 56 and 57 which may be swung upwardly into

notches

58 and 59 to detachably connect the suction box assembly to the frame 33. The center platform 51 is provided with swing bolts 61' and 62 which maybe swung'upwardly into notches 63 and 64 in the support 54 for securing the suction'box to the frame. When the suction box assembly is to be lifted from'the frame in the manner shown in Figure 2, the nuts and the swing bolts are loosened, and the swing bolts drop downwardly to the position of Figure 2.

Mounted on the frame 33 and extending horizontally parallel to the

rolls

13 and 14 are guide rolls 66 and 67. These guide rolls extend upwardly beyond the lower surface of the roll 13 and the roll 14 so as to impart an operating tension to the belt 11 when the suction box assembly rests on the frame. The rolls 66 and 67 engage the outer surface of the lower run 11b of the belt holding it upward, and the belt will drape downwardly when the suction box assembly is raised in the manner shown in Figure 2. The guide rol ls66' and 67 are suitably jour nalled in bearings on the'frarne, and the roll 67 may have a pivotal bearing mount on the far side of Figure 1 (not shown), and a shifting bearing mount 68 on the near side, so as to controllably alter the position of the axis of the guide roll 67. The shiftable bearing 68 includes bellows air springs which are provided with a controlled air pressure source to control the position of the guide roll 67, and

thereby control the running position of the belt 11.

For purposes of changing the belt 11, the suction box assembly 78 is elevated from the frame assembly 79 in the manner shown in- Eigure 2, to a position where the suction box assembly can be rotated about a horizontal axis parallel to the

rolls

13 and 14, and substantially about an axis which passes through the center of the suction box 12.

To lifit the suction box assembly, the

shafts

17 and 18 at the ends of the roll 13, and the

shafts

34 and 38 at the ends of the roll 14 have open spaces between the ends of the rolls and the bearings in order that lifting devices, such as chains, may be looped around the shafts to applyan upward lifting force. Chains 69 and 71 are looped around the

shafts

17 and 18 and are connected to. hooks 73 and 74 at the ends of a strongback 76, Figures 3 and 5'. The strongback is connected to a suitable cable 77 whichis secured to an overhead crane, not shown, for lifting the suction box assembly 78. Similar chains, such as '72, are looped around the stub shafts for the roll 14. The'chain 72 is looped around the shaft 34, and another chain, not shown, is looped around the shafit'38. These'chains are connected to hooks with the chain 72 connected to a hook 81, and the chain at the other end connected to another hook, with these hooks being secured to another strongback which is raised bya crane, so as to lift the suction box assembly 78 to the position shown in Figure 2. The cranes are'then moved to travel to a belt changing location, such as illustrated in Figures 3, 4' and 5.

Centrally located at each end of the suction box 12 are projecting trunnions or alignment pins 82 and 83.

"The alignment pins are mounted on reinforcing plates 84 and 86, secured to the

end walls

12a and 12a of the for connecting cantilever support connectors.

It will be understood thatin transferring the suction 'box assembly from the position of Figure 2, where the suction box is 'in horizontal position, to the position of horizontal suction box may be rested' on the alignment bearings" 92'and 93, and the chains for supporting the side of the suction box having the roll 14"may be then detached. In anyevent, the support for theside of the suction boxhaving roll 14 is detached atjsome convenient point and the assembly is swung to a vertical position, as shown in Figure 3. n n Since the weight of the assembly-is supported by the strongback 76, in some instances it will not be necessary to utilize the bearing support 93,- and bearing support 92 can be used alone as a guide. It is, of course, possible to support the assembly in a cantilever fashion without either, of the guide supports 92 and 93 because of the size and weight of the assembly, and for speedin connectioneiid safety, the guides are used.

The bearing 92 is mounted on a bracket 87 secured to the side of a cantilever column 88. This column is supported from a floor 91, and is given additional supn port by struts 89,, which are attached to the side of the column and to the floor.

The alignment bearing 93 is mounted on a dolly 94, Figures, 3 and 4, provided with .a vertical column 96. The bearing 93 is mounted on a sliding block 97 on the vertical column, and the block rests on a jack 98 supported on a bracket 99 on the column. With the suction box supported on the trunnion pins 82.and 83, it can be swung about its horizontal axis 81 for alignment with a connector 103 on the cantilever column 88. A connector 104 is mounted on the end 12e of the suction box, and is bifurcated to receive an extension 107 of the connector 103, and a pin 106 is slid into an opening through the extension 107 and openings in the connector 104 to connect the upper end of the suction box to the cantilever column 88. The jack 98 is raised sufficiently high to align the openings with the pin 106 and when the jack 98 is lowered, an abutment fitting 102 will rest against a mating abutment fitting 101 at the base of the canti lever column 88, thereby formingja 'cantileversupport for the suction box assembly. The dolly 94 is then rolled out of the way for removing the belt 11.

The brackets and: 22, Figure 3, which support the

bearings

19 and 21, are then disconnected from the suction box. The suction box is, of course, supported on the cantilever column 88, and the roll 13 will be carried on the strongback 76. The roll 131is lifted from the dotted line position ofFigure 4, to the solid 'line position, and the belt moves trom the dotted 'to the solid line position in order that the'belt may he slid axially off of the suction box and oil of the roll 14. The roll 13 acts as a carrier for the heavy belt. The dolly 94, ofcourse, has been rolled out of the way and is not in the position of Figure 4, but the end of the suction box isclear for removal of the belt, as shown in Figure 5. The roll 13 and the belt 11 supported thereon are then carried by the strongback on the crane to a location such as an open floor space where the belt may be laid on the floor, and the roll 13 withdrawn from the belt. The roll 13is then slid intothe end of a fresh belt, and again -;pic'ked up by, the strongback and crane. Removal of the heavy roll l3 from the worn belt 11 and insertion into anew belt may be accomplished invarious ways, as will be appreciated by those versed in the art. Theinside of the beltcan be wetted-for lubricatiom andthe roll manhandled to he slid out, or a block and tackle arrangement can beused. e e V The freshbelt is then replaced in the same manner in which the worn belt was removed. The roll 13, carried on the strongback 7 6, isrnoved axially over the end of the suction box 12 to slide a belt over the suction box and roll 14. Whenjthe belt 11 is fully installed,the crane other strongback attached to the shaftslat'the end of the roll 14. The suction box assembly can then be carried horizontally back to its position over the frame, as illustrated in Figure 2, and dropped down into operating location.

l The suction box assembly is positioned by the bosses 21a and 21b of the bearing 21 resting against the stop bolts 29 and 31, as the suction box is lowered, and 'the bracket 47 is flexible so that it can be swung out of the way of the bearing bracket 36a. The bolts are then attached and the swing bolts 56, 61, 62 and 57 are swung into location to secure the suction box to the frame 33. The guide rolls 66 and 67 engage the under surface of the lower run 11!) of thebelt as the suction box is lowered, and the entire assembly is thenready for renewed operation.

As a summary of operation, the formingand dewatering belt 11 is carried on the roll 13, and the roll 14, and passes over the open top of the suctionbox 12 with paper stock being deposited on the wire supported on the belt, When the belt requires changing, the strongbacks supported on cranes are brought into position above the suction box assembly, and connectors such as the looped

chains

69, 71 and 72 are looped around the shafts projecting from the ends of the rolls and the suction box assembly detached from the frame 33 by loosening the swing bolts '56, 61, '62 and 57, and removing the bolts 46 from the bearing bracket 36a. t The suction box assembly is then carried to a belt changing location, and the alignment trunnion pins 82 and 83 are rested on

support bearings

92 and 93. The strongback is disconnected from the roll 14, and the suction box swung to vertical position, as shown in Figure 3. The suction box assembly is then supported on the vertical cantilever column 88 by the connector 104, and the abutment 102, and the dolly 94 is rolled out of the way. The support brackets 20 and 22 for the upper roll 13are disconnected from the suction box, and the roll 13, and suspended belt are then carried axially elf the end of the suction box in the manner illustrated in Figure 5. The roll 13 is removed from the worn belt and inserted into a fresh belt, and the fresh belt replaced by being carried axially over the suction box. The mechanism is returned to operating position in the same manner in which it was removed. i Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved paper dewatering mechanism employing a traveling looped belt in which the belt is quicklyand' easily changed. 1 The mechanism is well-adapted to handling a heavy belt and heavy assembly with a maximum of ease, reducing the manual labor'required, and reducing the possibility of accident. t t

I I have, in the drawings and specification, presented a detailed. disclosure of the preferred embodiments of my invention, and it is to be understood that Ido not intend to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but

intend to cover all "modifications, changes and alternative constructions-and methods. falling within the scope of the principles taught by my invention. I claim as my invention:

1., In combination, anopen topped horizontally disposed suction box, a roll at afirst side of the. suction .box, a roll at asecondsideof the suction box, a looped flexible foraminous belt for supporting said wire and .carried on the rolls,j stub shafts projecting from the ends of said. rolls, support bearings with'the shafts journalled therein mountedat the endsof the suction box and rotatably supporting ,said rolls at the sides of the box, a releasable connector for the support bearings for one of saidrolls whereby the roll may be moved away from the box, a framef or supporting the suction ,box and rolls, means for detachably connecting thefrarrie to the su non box, a pair of. guide rolls extending parallel to the roll s and mounted on the frame and positioned beneath the lower runof the belt whereby the belt will lift oil? of .said rollsto loosen the belt whenthe box and supnector for engaging the column to complete the cantilever support for the box, and a pair of alignment sup port members centered on the ends of the box for supporting the box and swinging the box for alignment of said connector members.

2. A mechanism for dewatering a paper Webcarried on a Fourdrinier Wire comprising an. open topped horizontal suction box for draining water from a web into sub-atmospheric pressures within the box, a roll at one end of the box, a roll at the other end of the box, a looped foraminous supporting belt trained over said rolls and positioned to pass horizontally over the top of the suction box for supporting a paper web carrying Wire, first and second bearing supports mounting said rolls on said suction box, releasable securing means for at least one of said bearing supports to release the roll carried by the bearing support from the box, a support frame for said suction box, and means detachably mounting the suction box on the frame so that the suction box and the rolls may be lifted as an entity off the frame and be swung to an upright position with the roll carried by the support having the releasable securing means being uppermost to release the securing means and thereby release the roll to carry the roll endwise from the box and slide the belt off the end of the box for changing a worn belt.

3. A mechanism for forming and dewatering a paper web comprising an open topped horizontal suction box for draining Water from a web into sub-atmospheric pressures within the box, a belt roll at one end of the box, a belt roll at the other end of the box, a looped foram-inous supporting belt trained over said rolls and positioned to pass horizontally over the top of the suction box for supporting a web carrying Fourdrinier wire, means rotatably mounting said rolls on the box, a support frame for said suction box, a guide roll rotatably mounted on the frame and'positioned to engage the outer surface of the belt and raise the lower run of the belt upwardly above the lower part of the belt rolls to tighten the belt, and means detachably mounting the suction box on the frame so that the box and belt'may be lifted from the frame away from the guide roll to loosen the belt for carrying a wire for supporting a paper Web and having an upper run passing horizontallyoverand supported by, the open top of the suction box, a rollat one side of the suction box over which the belt is trained, a roll at the other side of the suction box over-lwhich the belt is trained, first and'se'condshaftsprojecting from the ends of the rolls for rotatably supporting the rolls, first and second support bearings with the shafts journalled there. in, said bearings connected to the shafts to leave an exposed length of shaft for connection of a lifting device,

securing means for attaching the .bearings to the suction box, the securing means for the support bearingsfor one of the rolls being detachably secured to the suction box for releasing the roll, a frame on which the suction box is'mounted, and means detachably connecting the suction 8 carry the roll with the belt endwise oi the box for changing the belt.

5. In a mechanism for dewatering a web of paper the combination comprising a suction box assembly including an open topped suction box-for applying sub-atmosphen'c pressures to a web to drain water therefrom, including a roll at one end of the box assembly, and including a roll at the other end of the box assembly, a foraminous looped dewatering belt trained over said rolls for supporting a traveling wire and positioned to pass horizontally over the top of the suction box, bearings supported on the suction box for carrying the rolls at the sides of the box, a frame for supporting the box assembly, means for detachably mounting the box assembly on the frame, and spaced connectors at one end of the box for mounting the box assembly in cantilever fashion with the rolls vertically spaced for sliding the belt off the end of the rolls and box.

6. In a mechanism for dewatering a web of paper the combination comprising a suction box assembly including an open topped suction box for applying sub-atmospheric pressures to a web carried on a Fourdrinier wire to drain water therefrom, and including a roll at each side of the box assembly, a foraminous looped dewatering belt trained over said rolls and positioned to pass horizontally over the top of the suction box for supporting said wire, bearings supported on the suction box for carrying the rolls at the sides of the box, a frame supporting the box assembly, means for detachably mounting the box assembly on'the frame, spaced connectors at one end of the box for mounting the box assembly in cantilever fashion with the rolls vertically spaced for sliding the belt off the end of the rolls and box assembly, and a vertical cantilever support having connectorsspaced to connect with the connectors on the end of the box for vertically supporting the box for drawing the belt endwise off of the box and rolls.

7. A mechanism for dewatering a paper web on a traveling wire and for changing a wire supporting belt comprising in combination a looped foraminous dewatering supporting belt, horizontally spaced rolls supporting said belt, a suction box within said belt having'an open top supporting the upper run of the belt, a guide roll mounted beneath the lower surface of the lower run of the belt'supporting and tensioning said belt, a frame supporting the guide roll and supporting the suction box thereon, means for rotatably supporting the rolls on the suction box with one of said rolls being removably'supported, means for removably securing the box on the frame, a pair' of alignment support members located. at a mid-point on each end of thesuction box for supporting the box in a verticallyupright position and for pivotal adjustment of the box to connect to a cantilever support, a pair of spaced cantilever support members on .one end of said box and spaced laterally of said alignment members whereby the box may be elevated from the frame and swung to an upright position on the alignment members for being supported in a cantilever fashion with the box turned with said removably supported roll being upright so that the roll and belt can be carried off of the box in an axial direction for changing the belt.

8; The method of changing a heavy looped supporting belt for a papermaking'machine carried "on an assembly including a suction box, and rolls on the sides of the'box With the box and rolls supported on a frame,the method com-prisingthe steps of separating the assembly of the tioned verticallyabove the other and the box'is vertical,

the box and the other roll, 9. The method of changing a heavy looped supporting and carryin'g the upper roll andbelt axially away from belt for a Fourdrinierfwirecarried on an assembly 'ineluding a suction box, belt rolls on the sides of the box with the box and tensioning rolls supported on a frame, the method comprising the steps of transporting the assembly of the belt rolls and the box away from an operating' position on the frame, turning the assembly to a vertically upright position, supporting the box at one end to carry the assembly in cantilever fashion with the other end clear, freeing the upper roll from attachment to the assembly, and moving the upper roll horizontally and axially oif the box to carry the belt therewith to remove the belt from the assembly.

10. The method of changing a heavy looped wire supporting belt in a paper machine carried on an assembly including a suction box and rolls on the sides of the box with the box and rolls supported on a frame, the method comprising transporting ,the assembly of the belt, the rolls and the box away from an operating position on the frame, rotating the assembly about an axis extending parallel to the rolls until one of the rolls is positioned vertically one above the other and the box is vertical, supporting the box at one end in cantilever fashion, freeing the upper roll from attachment to the assembly, moving the upper roll horizontally and axially off the box to carry the belt therewith to remove the belt from the assembly, removing the upper roll from the belt and positioning the roll in a fresh-belt, elevating the roll and fresh belt and moving the draped belt and roll axially over the cantilever supported box and lower roll, attaching the upper roll to the assembly, rotating the assembly to a horizontal position, and transporting the assembly back to said operating position.

ll. The method of changing a heavy looped wire supporting belt of a web dewatering mechanism for a paper machine where the belt is carried on rolls with the upper run horizontally supported on an open top suction box, and with the box mounted on a supporting frame, the

method comprising the steps of releasing the suction box 10 taching the upper roll from the box, raisingsaid upper roll to support the belt draped thereon, moving the upper roll axially parallel to the box and to the lower roll to slidethe belt axially oil? of the box, removing the upper roll from the belt and inserting the roll into a fresh belt, raising the roll and fresh belt and carrying the belt axially onto the box and lower roll, attaching said upper roll to the box, and again rotating the box and fresh belt to operating position, and transporting the box back to its operating position on the frame.

12. A mechanism of the type described comprising in combination a horizontally positioned suction box, a looped supporting belt having an upper run carried horizontally'at the top of the suction box,'horizontally spaced rolls positioned within the belt loop at the ends of the box, means for supporting said rolls on the box, a trunnion projecting axially outwardly from a support end of the box and substantially centrally located with respect to the end of the box, a'trunnion projecting from the opposite end of the box and substantially centrally located, a pair of horizontally spaced cantilever connectors on the support end of the box positioned at opposite sides of the trunnion, a vertical support column having an upper cautilever connector for coaction with one of the cantilever connectors on the box, and having a lower cantilever for coaction with the other connector on the box, means taching the uppermost of said rolls from the box with i the box supported on the column for axially carrying the uppermost roll off of the box with the forming belt for installing a new belt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Liebeck May 11, 1926 Pederson Nov. 28, 1933

Claims

1. IN COMBINATION, AN OPEN TOPPED HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SUCTION BOX, A ROLL AT A FIRST SIDE OF THE SUCTION BOX, A ROLL AT A SECOND SIDE OF THE SUCTION BOX, A LOOPED FLEXIBLE FORAMINOUS BELT FOR SUPPORTING SAID WIRE AND CARRIED ON THE ROLLS, STUB SHAFTS PROJECTING FROM THE ENDS OF SAID ROLLS, SUPPORT BEARINGS WITH THE SHAFTS JOURNALLED THEREIN MOUNTED AT THE ENDS OF THE SUCTION BOX, AND ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID ROLLS AT THE SIDES OF THE BOX, A RELEASABLE CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPORT BEARINGS FOR ONE OF SAID ROLLS WHEREBY THE ROLL MAY BE MOVED AWAY FROM THE BOX, A FRAME FOR SUPPORTING THE SUCTION BOX AND ROLLS MEANS FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING THE FRAME TO THE SUCTION, BOX A PAIR OF GUIDE ROLLS EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE ROLLS AND MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AND POSITIONED BENEATH THE LOWER RUN OF THE BELT WHEREBY THE BELT WILL LIFT OFF OF SAID ROLLS TO LOOSEN THE BELT WHEN THE BOX AND SUPPORTED ROLLS ARE RAISED, HOIST MEANS INCLUDING ATTACHMENT MEMBERS FOR LOOPING AROUND THE STUB SHAFTS TO RAISE THE SUCTION BOX AND ROLLS FROM THE FRAME AND TO SWING THE BOX TO A VERTICAL POSITION, A VERTICAL SUPPORT COLUMN FOR SUPPORTING THE BOX AND ROLLS IN CANTILEVER FASHION, AN UPPER CONNECTOR MEMBER ON ONE END OF THE BOX A COACTING UPPER CONNECTOR MEMBER ONTHE COLUMN FOR CONNECTING TO THE BOX CONNECTOR MEMBER, MEANS ON SAID ONE END OF THE BOX SPACED DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID UPPER CONNECTOR FOR ENGAGING THE COLUMN TO COMPLETE THE CANTILEVER SUPPORT FOR THE BOX, AND A PAIR OF ALIGNMENT SUPPORT MEMBERS CENTERED ON THE ENDS OF THE BOX FOR SUPPORTING THE BOX AND SWINGING THE BOX FOR ALIGNMENT OF SAID CONNECTOR MEMBERS.