UN DISPOSITIVO DE SOPORTE PARA UN FLEJE MOVIL

摘要

A support device for a moving strip comprises floaters arranged only below the moving strip for jetting fluid against a lower surface of the strip to float it. A plurality of upright baffle plates are provided on a pressure receiving surface of each the floater in opposition to the lower surface of the strip. The baffle plates extend in moving directions of the strip and are aligned with each other in width directions of the strip. Each the floater is provided with at least one support roll extending in a width direction of the strip and movable into a lower position and a higher position higher than the highest portion of the floater. With this arrangement, the moving strip is stably supported without contacting any solid members, and pressurized fluid from the floaters is prevented from unduly escaping from clearances between the strip and the floaters. The support device is capable of supporting the strip not only by floaters in floating condition but also by at least one roll at each the floater as the case may be to reduce power cost and to prevent a leading end of the strip from collision with the floaters and other components when the strip is initially introduced into a treating apparatus for the strip.