Bar stock guide arrangement for screw machines

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I claim: 1.
In a bar stock guide arrangement at the inlet side of a screw machine, said guide arrangement comprising rigid cross plates spaced apart at intervals along the path of the bar stock at the inlet side of the screw machine and having substantially horizontal openings therethrough for passing the bar stock, the improvement which comprises: an annular fitting defining a longitudinal passageway for the bar stock; a plurality of guide members mounted in each fitting at circumferentially spaced locations around said longitudinal passageway for the bar stock; spring means in each fitting resiliently biasing said guide members inward toward said longitudinal passageway for engagement with the bar stock to restrain it against vibrating transversely; and means rotatably mounting each fitting in each cross plate at said opening therein for permitting the fitting to rotate in unison with the bar stock when the bar stock is rotated by the screw machine.
2.
A bar stock guide arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said fittings and guide members constitute the sole means confining and guiding the bar stock as it travels between successive cross plates to the screw machine.
3.
A bar stock guide arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said guide members are rollers rotatably mounted in said fitting at circumferentially spaced locations around said longitudinal passageway for the bar stock, and said spring means bias said rollers inward for rolling engagement with the bar stock.
4.
A bar stock guide arrangement according to claim 3, wherein each means rotatably mounting each fitting comprises: an outer sleeve clamped to the corresponding cross plate at said opening therein; and anti-friction bearing means supporting an inner sleeve for rotation with respect to the outer sleeve; and wherein each of said fittings comprises: the inner sleeve rotatable inside the outer sleeve; and an annular housing rigidly attached to said inner sleeve at one axial side of the corresponding cross plate, said rollers being mounted inside said annular housing