A suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, a method for suspending at least one refractory brick in a ceiling region of a furnace and a furnace

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, a method for suspending at least one refractory brick in a ceiling region of a furnace and a furnace.

Description

[0001] Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0002] A suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, a method for suspending at least one refractory brick in a ceiling region of a furnace and a furnace

[0003] D e s c r i p t i o n

[0004] The present invention relates to a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, a method for suspending at least one refractory brick in a ceiling region of a furnace and a furnace.

[0005] High temperatures prevail in a furnace, especially in an industrial furnace. In order to withstand these high temperatures, the inside of a furnace can be lined with refractory material. This refractory material may comprise refractory bricks. In particular, the refractory material can enclose the combustion chamber of the furnace.

[0006] Refractory material, especially refractory bricks, can usually be placed on the floor and side walls without any problems. However, the arrangement of refractory material, especially refractory bricks, in the ceiling or roof region of a furnace poses a challenge. In some cases, refractory bricks combined to form a vault can form the furnace ceiling. However, the formation of such a vault is not always possible. In this case, refractory bricks are suspended in the ceiling region of a furnace to form the refractory lining of the furnace or of the furnace chamber, respectively, on the ceiling side. The refractory bricks are suspended by a suspension device in the ceiling region of the furnace.

[0007] Such suspension devices according to the state of the art usually comprise an anchor to which at least one refractory brick can be attached. The anchor, in turn, can be attached via a screw or welded connection, in particular to a support in the ceiling region of the furnace. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0008] In principle, such suspension devices have proven their worth for suspending refractory bricks in the ceiling region of a furnace. However, such suspension devices also have considerable disadvantages.

[0009] In this respect, such suspension devices according to the state of the art represent a complicated technology. On the one hand, the suspension device itself has a complicated design, as it is made up of numerous components. On the other hand, the attachment of the suspension device in the ceiling region is particularly complicated. This is because either the refractory bricks have to be attached to the anchor that is part of the suspension device in a first step, and then the suspension device has to be screwed or welded to the ceiling region in a second step, which is complicated due to the weight of the bricks and the limited space. Alternatively, the suspension device can be attached to the ceiling region in a first step and then the bricks arranged on the anchor, which is also problematic for at least two reasons. Firstly, in this case, neighboring bricks that are already suspended can obstruct the arrangement of the bricks on the anchor. Secondly, the fastening in the ceiling region can no longer be corrected, meaning that individual brick geometries are difficult to take into account and refractory bricks are therefore not always fastened in an optimum position in the ceiling region. In addition, the fastening of a suspension device via such a screw or welded connection is not always secure, as it can become loose. This can be the case in particular if the suspension device is not optimally positioned due to the individual geometry of the refractory bricks.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to provide a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in the ceiling region of a furnace, which is of particularly simple construction, in particular simpler than the suspension devices according to the state of the art.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a suspension device which can be suspended particularly easily and safely in the ceiling region of a furnace. In particular, it should be easier and safer to suspend in the ceiling region of a furnace than the suspension devices known from the prior art.

[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a suspension device, the positioning of which in the ceiling region of the furnace, in particular even after its first attachment, can still Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 be easily changed or corrected, in particular more easily than the suspension devices known from the prior art.

[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for suspending such a suspension device in the ceiling region of a furnace.

[0014] It is a further object of the invention to provide a furnace comprising such a suspension device.

[0015] To solve these problems, the invention provides a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, comprising: a holding element configured to hold at least one refractory brick on the holding element; two legs which are pivotably arranged on the holding element; wherein each of the two legs has a mounting section; and wherein the two legs are pivotable into a suspension position in which the suspension device is suspendable on the ceiling region by the mounting sections.

[0016] The suspension device according to the invention has a particularly simple and uncomplicated design. Thus, the suspension device according to the invention is already fully functional if it comprises only three parts, namely, the holding element and the two legs. The suspension device according to the invention can essentially be constructed like a pair of pliers, whereby the two legs of the suspension device according to the invention correspond to the two legs of a pair of pliers and the holding element acts as the joint of the pliers. The gripping position of the tongs of the pliers can correspond to the suspension position of the suspension device according to the invention, with the two legs in the suspension position gripping an element in the region of the ceiling of a furnace in such a way that the suspension device is suspended as a result.

[0017] Furthermore, the suspension device according to the invention makes it possible to suspend refractory bricks particularly easily and securely in the ceiling area of a furnace. For this purpose, the two legs only need to be pivoted into the suspension position, whereby the suspension device can be suspended in the ceiling area of the furnace by means of the mounting sections. A complicated step of screwing or welding the suspension device in the ceiling region is no longer necessary. For example, the mounting sections can be designed Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 in such a way that they can be placed on an element in the ceiling region of the furnace in the suspension position or clamped to such an element in the ceiling region.

[0018] A further advantage of the suspension device according to the invention is that it can be easily released from its suspended position and repositioned at any time, even after it has been suspended with the refractory bricks held on the holding element. This means that the positioning of the suspension device according to the invention can be easily corrected at any time. To release and reposition the suspension device according to the invention, for example, the legs can be released from their suspension position, the suspension device can then be repositioned and then re-suspended by pivoting the two legs into the suspension position. According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the suspension device can be arranged in the ceiling region of a furnace in a self-locking manner in the suspension position. In this embodiment, the suspension device can therefore be suspended in a selflocking manner in the ceiling region of a furnace due to the force of gravity acting on it in the suspension position. Only by deliberately releasing the suspension device, for example by deliberately lifting the suspension device, can the self-locking mechanism be released. Unintentional release of the suspension device from its suspended position can thus be effectively avoided.

[0019] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs can assume a first position in which the suspension device cannot be suspended by the mounting sections in the ceiling region of a furnace. According to a further embodiment of this inventive concept, it may be provided that the two legs are pivotable from this first position into the suspension position. According to a further embodiment of this inventive concept, it may be provided that the two legs are pivotable from the first position into the suspension position in a single movement. According to a further embodiment of this inventive concept, it may be provided that the two legs are freely pivotable from the first position into the suspension position in a single movement.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are pivotable into the suspension position by pivoting them towards each other.

[0021] By allowing the two legs to be moved into the suspension position by pivoting towards each other, the suspension device according to the invention can be moved into the suspension Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 position particularly easily and securely. This is because such a movement of the two legs towards each other makes it particularly easy to fasten the suspension device in the ceiling region of a furnace by fastening the two legs with their mounting sections in the ceiling region.

[0022] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the mounting sections are configured to be mounted on a support in the ceiling region.

[0023] Generally, such a support may be any beam in the region of the ceiling of a furnace.

[0024] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the beam can be a steel beam, preferably a profiled steel beam, particularly preferably a T-beam (i.e. , a profiled steel beam with a profile in the shape of a capital “T”) or an I-beam (i.e., a "double T-beam", i.e., a profiled steel beam with a profile in the shape of a capital “I” with serifs).

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the mounting sections are configured to be mounted on a support by embracing a section of the support.

[0026] This embodiment allows the suspension device to be attached to a support particularly easily and securely. In particular, if the support is a profiled steel beam, as described above, the section of the support that can be embraced by the mounting sections can be a flange of the profiled steel beam. As is known, the flange of a T-beam is the transverse line or T-line of the “T”, and the flange of an I-beam is the serif of the “I”. This has the particular advantage that a standard T-beam or standard I-beam can be used as the support. Individual adaptation to the suspension device, such as drilling holes or the like, is not necessary. On the contrary, the mounting sections of the suspension device according to the invention can be designed in such a way that they can be mounted to a flange of such a T-beam or I-beam in the suspension position, and the suspension device according to the invention can then be suspended from the flange of the beam.

[0027] To embrace around the section of the support, the mounting sections can be designed in a claw-like manner, for example, so that they can simply grip around a section of the support.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the mounting sections are configured to be mounted on the support in the suspension position. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0029] A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the suspension device according to the invention can be suspended particularly easily in this case in that the mounting sections can be mounted to the support, i.e., particularly preferably can be placed on a section of the support. According to a further embodiment of this inventive concept, the mounting sections in this embodiment can therefore be configured in such a way that they can be placed on a section of the support in the suspension position. Insofar as the support is provided in the form of a T-beam or I-beam, as explained above, the mounting sections can therefore preferably be configured in such a way that they can be placed on the flange of the beam in the suspension position. This allows the suspension device to be arranged on the beam particularly easily and securely. Furthermore, the position at which the suspension device is mounted to the beam can be easily changed or corrected at any time. It is also particularly advantageous in this respect that a standard T-beam or I-beam can be used.

[0030] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the pivotability of the two legs on the holding element is limitable.

[0031] The provision of such a limitability of the pivotability can greatly simplify the handling of the suspension device according to the invention, since the pivoting of the two legs can be limited. In particular, it may be provided that the range of pivoting of the two legs from the suspension position is limited.

[0032] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the suspension device comprises a blocking element, by means of which the pivotability of the two legs on the holding element is limitable.

[0033] In this respect, according to one embodiment, it may be provided that the pivoting of the two legs can be limited, in particular be the blocking element, to such an extent that they can be pivoted out of the suspension position into the first position described above. However, free pivoting of the two legs about the holding element can be prevented by the blocking element, which greatly simplifies the handling of the suspension device.

[0034] According to one embodiment it may be provided that the blocking element is provided as at least one stop. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one stop can be provided Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 in such a way that at least one of the two legs strikes against the stop when pivoting about the holding element. This allows the pivoting of the legs to be limited.

[0035] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the blocking element is integral with at least one of the two legs, i.e. , it may be formed from the latter, for example. This has the particular advantage that no additional component is required. According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that at least one of the two legs comprises a blocking element, by means of which the pivotability of the two legs on the holding element is limitable. According to one embodiment, it may be provided that each of the two legs comprise a blocking element, in particular a blocking element that is provided as a stop. For example, the two legs can strike against each other on the stop so that further pivoting of the legs is blocked.

[0036] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are lockable in the suspension position, i.e., the pivotability of the two legs on the holding element can be locked in the suspension position.

[0037] This has the particular advantage that the suspension device can be suspended especially securely in the suspension position in the ceiling region of the furnace, since the two legs are secured against unintentional release from the suspension position and thus the suspension device is also secured against possible release from the ceiling region.

[0038] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the suspension device comprises a locking element, by means of which the two legs are lockable in the suspension position, i.e., the two legs can be locked in the suspension position against a pivoting movement around the holding element. In this embodiment, for example, a locking element can be provided that is guidable through two openings of the two legs that are aligned with each other in the suspension position. In this case, the locking element acts in the manner of a split pin. According to one embodiment, it may be provided that each of the two legs has an opening that aligns with each other in the suspension position. This makes it possible to guide a locking element through these aligned openings to lock the two legs in the suspension position. Such a locking element can preferably be pin-shaped, in particular a screw, a bolt or a pin. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are identically shaped.

[0040] In particular, such an embodiment also has the advantage that only two different components are required to realize the suspension device according to the invention, namely the holding element on the one hand and the two identical legs on the other hand. This makes the suspension device according to the invention particularly easy and inexpensive to manufacture. A further particular advantage of legs of identical shape is that they are interchangeable when assembling the suspension device according to the invention and thus no confusion is possible.

[0041] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are made of steel.

[0042] The two legs are preferably made of heat-resistant steel. This makes it particularly easy and safe to provide the two legs.

[0043] The way in which the two legs are attached to the holding element to enable them to pivot around the holding element is basically arbitrary.

[0044] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs each have an opening through which the holding element is guided.

[0045] This makes it particularly easy and effective to pivot the two legs around the holding element. In this respect, the two legs and the holding element interact in the manner of a plain bearing.

[0046] The holding element of the suspension device according to the invention can basically have any shape. On the one hand, the holding element must be configured in such a way that at least one refractory brick can be attached to it and, on the other hand, that the two legs can be pivotably attached to the holding element.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, it may be provided that the holding element is pinshaped. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0048] A holding element configured in this way can, for example, be rod-shaped, bar-shaped or bolt-shaped, preferably with a circular cross-sectional area (in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the holding element). On the one hand, such a rod-shaped holding element has the advantage that refractory bricks can be held particularly easily on the holding element. For this purpose, the refractory bricks only must have openings corresponding to the rod-shaped holding element, into which the holding element can be inserted in order to subsequently be able to hold the refractory bricks on the holding element. In addition, the two legs can be arranged particularly easily on such a rod-shaped holding element, especially if it has a circular cross-sectional area.

[0049] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that a rod-shaped holding element has a projection, preferably extending angular to the longitudinal extension of the holding element, on at least one of its end sections. Such a projection has the particular advantage that it can engage behind an undercut on a refractory brick, so that a refractory brick can be prevented from detaching from the holding element.

[0050] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are secured in their position on the holding element by securing means. These securing means may, for example, be at least one clamping ring that is clamped onto the holding element and which allows the two legs to be retained in a defined position. Preferably, such at least one clamping ring can be attached to the holding element in a force-fit or form-fit manner. In this respect, the at least one clamping ring can, for example, be pushed onto the holding element and held there in a non-positive manner. Alternatively, the at least one clamping ring can, for example, also be positively attached to the holding element in a corresponding groove.

[0051] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the holding element is made of steel.

[0052] Preferably, a heat-resistant steel can be provided. This makes the holding element particularly easy and safe to manufacture. Preferably, the holding element and the two legs are made of the same material, i.e. , in particular of the same heat-resistant steel, in order to prevent thermal stresses or chemical reactions between the holding element and the two legs. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0053] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the holding element is configured to hold two refractory bricks.

[0054] The advantage of this embodiment lies in particular in the fact that a very balanced weight distribution on the suspension device can be achieved. In particular, the suspension device can thereby be brought into a vertical position in its suspended position particularly easily, whereby a very even load distribution can be produced on the suspension device. According to a further development of this idea of the invention, it may in particular be provided that the holding element is configured in such a way as to hold the two refractory bricks on the outside of the two legs. In other words, in this embodiment, the suspension device is configured such that the two legs are pivotably arranged between the refractory bricks on the holding element. This allows a particularly uniform load to be applied to the suspension device.

[0055] The two legs can be attached to a pivoting section on the holding element. This pivoting section thus represents a joint on which the two legs are pivotably arranged on the holding device.

[0056] The mounting sections can be configured in such a way that they can be mounted to a retaining section in the region of the ceiling of the furnace. This retaining section in the region of the ceiling can, for example, be a section of a support as described herein, to which the mounting sections can be mounted.

[0057] According to one embodiment, it may be provided that the two legs are arranged at a pivoting section on the holding element, wherein the mounting sections are configured to be mounted on a retaining section in the region of the ceiling, and wherein the pivoting section lies in the gravitational direction of the retaining section.

[0058] In this embodiment, the pivoting section on the holding element and the retaining section in the region of the ceiling are lying on one vertical axis. This allows the suspension device to be suspended essentially in a vertical position. This not only results in a particularly uniform load application to the suspension device, but the load application by the suspension device in the region of the ceiling can also be very uniform. This can prevent the introduction of forces into the suspension device or into the region of the ceiling, which could lead to Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 damage to the suspension device or the region of the ceiling on which the suspension device is suspended.

[0059] The invention also relates to a method for suspending a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, comprising the following steps: providing a furnace; wherein the furnace comprises at least one support in a ceiling region thereof; providing a suspension device according to the invention; suspending the suspension device in the ceiling region by arranging the mounting sections on the support by pivoting the two legs into the suspension position.

[0060] The furnace provided for the method according to the invention can in principle be any furnace, in particular an industrial furnace. Particularly preferably, it can be an industrial furnace in the form of an electric arc furnace, a 6-in-line furnace or a slag cleaning furnace.

[0061] The suspension of the suspension device in the region of the ceiling is accomplished by the two legs being pivoted into the suspension position and the mounting sections in the suspension position then being mounted in the region of the ceiling of the furnace. For this purpose, the mounting sections can in particular, as disclosed herein, be mounted to a support in the region of the ceiling of the furnace, for example by resting on a flange of the support in the suspension position and / or by engaging around a flange of the support.

[0062] In particular, for mounting and suspending the suspending device, the two legs can be pivoted from the described first position into the suspension position, as described herein.

[0063] The invention also relates to a furnace, comprising: at least one support in a ceiling region of the furnace; at least one suspension device according to the invention; wherein the suspension device is suspended on the support by the mounting sections.

[0064] The furnace may in particular be a furnace as described above, i.e. , in particular an industrial furnace as described above. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0065] Further features of the invention follow from the claims, the figures and the associated description of the figures below.

[0066] All features of the invention can be combined with one another, individually or in combination, as desired. In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the figures and the associated description of the figures.

[0067] The figures show the following:

[0068] Figure 1 a first embodiment of a suspension device according to the invention with the two legs in the suspension position, in a perspective view from above;

[0069] Figure 2 the suspension device according to Figure 1 , but with the two legs in a first position;

[0070] Figure 3 the individual components of the suspension device according to Figure 1 , but detached from each other, and additionally a section of an I-beam, in a perspective view from above;

[0071] Figure 4 the suspension device according to Figure 1 with the two legs in the suspension position, whereby the suspension device is suspended from an I- beam by the mounting sections, in a perspective view from diagonally above;

[0072] Figure 5 the suspension device according to Figure 4 and additionally two refractory bricks that can be held on the holding element, in a perspective view from above;

[0073] Figure 6 the suspension device with the two refractory bricks, according to Figure 5, which are held on the holding element, in a perspective view from above;

[0074] Figure 7 the ceiling region of a furnace with I-beams and suspension devices suspended from them according to Figures 1-6, in a perspective view from above; Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0075] Figure 8 a second embodiment of a suspension device according to the invention with the two legs in the suspension position, wherein the suspension device is suspended from an I-beam, in a perspective view from above;

[0076] Figure 9 the suspension device according to Figure 8, but with separate components, in a perspective view from above; and

[0077] Figure 10 a third embodiment of a suspension device according to the invention with the two legs in the suspension position, whereby the suspension device is suspended from an I-beam by the mounting sections, in a perspective view from diagonally above.

[0078] The suspension device according to the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 1- 7, is identified in its entirety by reference sign 1. The suspension device 1 comprises a holding element 2, two legs 3, 4 and a clamping ring 5.

[0079] The holding element 2 is made of heat-resistant steel and is rod-shaped with a circular cross- sectional area perpendicular to its longitudinal extension. The holding element 2 is designed such that two refractory bricks can be held on it, as shown in Figures 5-7 and explained in more detail below.

[0080] The two legs 3, 4 are identically shaped and are made of the same heat-resistant steel as the holding element 2. At a first section 3a, 4a, located at the lower end in the Figures, the two legs 3, 4 each have a round opening 6, 7. These openings 6, 7 are clearly visible in Figure 3, which shows the suspension device 1 with the components detached from each other. The holding element 2 is guided through these openings 6, 7. The legs 3, 4 are arranged approximately in the middle of the holding element 2 at a pivoting section 8. This pivoting section 8 acts as a joint for the legs 3, 4, on which the legs 3, 4 are pivotably arranged on the holding element 2.

[0081] Each leg 3, 4 is formed from a flat steel. Starting from the respective opening 6, 7, each leg 3, 4 has a section 3a, 4a, which initially runs along an axis A, B of the respective leg 3, 4 in a direction away from the respective opening 6, 7, then an adjoining middle section 3b, 4b, Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025 bending away from the respective axis A, B, and finally an adjoining respective upper end section 3c, 4c, bent away from the middle section 3b, 4b and running in the direction towards the respective axis A, B. As a result, the suspension device 1 has an essentially claw-like or pliers-like shape.

[0082] On its underside facing the holding element 2, the respective upper end sections 3c, 4c each have a section 3d, 4d folded outwards at an angle of 90° from the plane of the legs 3, 4. This respective section 3d, 4d represents a support section, which can be placed on the upper side of the flange of an I-beam in the region of the ceiling of a furnace, as explained below.

[0083] The end section 3c together with the support section 3d of the leg 3 form the mounting section 10 of the leg 3. Likewise, the upper end section 4c together with the support section 4d of the leg 4 form the mounting section 9 of the leg 4.

[0084] The clamping ring 5 is a steel ring with protruding steel blades on the inside, which enclose a circular interior that has a slightly smaller diameter than the holding element 2. This allows the clamping ring 5 to be pushed onto the holding element 2 and held there in a force-locking manner.

[0085] The holding element 2 is configured to hold two refractory bricks on the holding element 2. For this purpose, refractory bricks each have an opening into which the holding element 2 can be inserted. Two correspondingly designed refractory bricks 20, 30 are shown in Figure 5. The refractory bricks 20, 30 each have an opening 21, 31 so that they can be pushed onto the holding element 2 via these openings 21, 31. As Figure 5 clearly shows, the refractory bricks 20, 30 can be pushed onto the holding element 2 in such a way that the legs 3, 4 are arranged centrally between the refractory bricks 20, 30 so that they can pivot on the holding element 2.

[0086] In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting sections 9, 10 are designed in such a way that they can be fastened to an I-beam in the region of the roof of an industrial furnace. The legs 3, 4 are dimensioned in such a way that they grip around the flange of an I-beam like claws and the support sections 3d, 4d can be placed on the upper side of such a flange. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0087] In practical use, the individual components of the suspension device 1, namely the holding element 2, the legs 3, 4 and the clamping ring 5, are provided as shown in Figure 3. The holding element 2 is pushed through the openings 6, 7 of the legs 3, 4. Finally, the clamping ring 5 is pushed onto the holding element 2 in order to hold the legs 3, 4 in a defined pivoting section 8 on the holding element 2. The legs 3, 4 are then pivotably arranged on the holding element 2, whereby the legs 3, 4 are pivotable into an "open", first position, as shown in Figure 2, and pivotable into a “closed” suspension position, as shown in Figure 1, by pivoting the two legs 3, 4 from the first position towards each other. In order to attach the mounting sections 9, 10 to an I-beam in the region of the ceiling of an industrial furnace, the suspension device 1 is first brought up to the underside of an I-beam in the first position as shown in Figure 2, so that the upper end or fastening sections 3c, 4c are arranged on both sides of the lower flange of an I-beam.

[0088] A section of such an I-beam in the region of the ceiling of an industrial furnace is marked with the reference sign 40 in Figures 3-5. This I-beam is a conventional steel beam with an I- profile. The I-beam 40 is fastened with its upper flange 41 in the ceiling region of an industrial furnace (not shown) as known in the art. The suspension device 1 is designed to be suspended from the lower flange 42 of the I-beam 40. For this purpose, the suspension device 1 is moved towards the lower flange 42 in the first position until the mounting sections 9, 10 are arranged on both sides of the lower flange 42. The two legs 3, 4 are then pivoted towards each other in the suspension position so that they grip around the flange 42. By subsequently lowering the suspension device 1 slightly, the support sections 3d, 4d come to rest on the upper side of the lower flange 42. The suspension device 1 can then be suspended on the I-beam 40 via the mounting sections 9, 10.

[0089] The section on the upper side of the lower flange 42, at which the support sections 3d, 4d come to rest on the same, act as a retaining section.

[0090] In this suspension position, the refractory bricks 20, 30 can then be held on the suspension device 1 by pushing them onto the holding element 2.

[0091] The suspension device 1 suspended from the I-beam 40 in the suspension position is shown in Figures 4-7. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0092] Figure 7 shows a part of a furnace roof 50 of an industrial furnace (not shown) as known in the art, which comprises several suspension devices 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. The suspension devices 1 are suspended along an I-beam 40 in a row one behind the other, so that the refractory bricks 20, 30 which are attached to the respective suspension device 1, are connected to one another without gaps. Several rows 51 of such suspension devices 1 arranged next to each other are arranged parallel to each other at a distance. Further refractory bricks 52 are arranged between these rows 51 so that an uninterrupted ceiling 50 of refractory bricks 20, 30, 52 is formed.

[0093] The suspension device 60 according to a second exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 8, 9, essentially corresponds in its basic structure to the suspension device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, as the suspension device 1 , the suspension device 60 comprises a holding element 62, legs 63, 64, and a clamping ring 65. The leg 63 comprises a mounting section 70 with a support section 63d, and the leg 64 comprises a mounting section 69 with a support section 64d. The support sections 63d, 64d are designed to be placed on the upper side of the flange 42 of an I-beam 40 in the region of the ceiling of a furnace.

[0094] As shown in Figure 9, the legs 63, 64 comprise round holes 66, 67 at their lower end, through which the holding element 62 can be guided.

[0095] A significant difference between the suspension device 60 according to Figures 8-9 and the suspension device 1 according to Figures 1-7 is that the legs 63, 64 of the suspension device 60 each comprise a blocking element 71 , 72, which limits the pivoting of the two legs 63, 64. The blocking elements 71 , 72 each act as a stop against which the respective other leg 63, 64 can be stopped during a pivoting movement, so that their pivoting movement is limited.

[0096] The suspension device 80 according to a third exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 10, is mainly identical to the suspension device 1 according to the first embodiment. To the extent that the suspension device 80 has the same components as the suspension device 1 , the components of the suspension device 80 are marked with the same reference signs as those of the suspension device 1. Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025

[0097] The main difference between the suspension device 80 and the suspension device 1 is that the suspension device 80 additionally comprises a locking element 90.

[0098] The locking element 90 comprises a screw 91 which is guided through openings in the two legs 3, 4 that are aligned with each other in the suspension position taken by the two legs 3, 4 in Figure 10. The locking element 90 further comprises a screw nut 92, by means of which the screw 91 is secured against sliding out.

[0099] In practical use, in the suspension device 80, as described above with regard to the first exemplary embodiment, the two legs 3, 4 are pivoted in the suspension position so that they grip around the flange 42 and then be suspended on the I-beam 40 via the mounting sections 9, 10, as illustrated in Figure 10. In this suspension position of the two legs 3, 4, the openings in the legs 3, 4 are aligned with each other, so that the screw 91 is guided through these openings and then secured by means of the screw nut 92. The two legs 3, 4 are then locked in the suspension position.

Claims

Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.2025A suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, a method for suspending at least one refractory brick in a ceiling region of a furnace and a furnaceC l a i m s1. A suspension device (1) for suspending refractory bricks (20, 30) in a ceiling region of a furnace, comprising:1.1 a holding element (2);1.2 two legs (3, 4) which are pivotably arranged on the holding element (2); wherein1.3 each of the two legs (3, 4) has a mounting section (9, 10); wherein1.4 the two legs (3, 4) are pivotable into a suspension position in which the suspension device (1) is suspendable on the ceiling region by the mounting sections (9, 10); and wherein1.5 the holding element (2) is configured to hold two refractory bricks (20, 30) on the holding element (2).

2. The suspension device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the two legs (3, 4) are pivotable into the suspension position by pivoting them towards each other.

3. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting sections (9, 10) are configured to be mounted on a support in the ceiling region.Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.20254. The suspension device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mounting sections (9, 10) are configured to be mounted on a support (40) by embracing a section (42) of the support (40).

5. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the mounting sections (9, 10) are configured to be mounted on the support (40) in the suspension position.

6. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two legs (3, 4) are arranged at a pivoting section (8) on the holding element (2), wherein the mounting sections (9, 10) are configured to be mounted on a retaining section in the region of the ceiling, and wherein the pivoting section (8) lies in the gravitational direction of the retaining section.

7. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, further comprising a blocking element (71, 72), by means of which the pivotability of the two legs (3, 4) on the holding element is limitable.

8. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two legs (3, 4) are identically shaped.

9. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two legs (3, 4) are made of steel.

10. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the two legs (3, 4) each have an opening (6, 7) through which the holding element (2) is guided.

11. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (2) is pin-shaped.

12. The suspension device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (2) is made of steel.Refractory Intellectual Property GmbH & Co KG RFP 104446-EP 11.08.202513. A method for suspending a suspension device for suspending refractory bricks in a ceiling region of a furnace, comprising the following steps:A. providing a furnace; whereinA.1 the furnace comprises at least one support (40) in a ceiling region thereof;B. providing a suspension device (1 ) according to at least one of the preceding claims;C. suspending the suspension device (1) in the ceiling region by arranging the mounting sections (9, 10) on the support (40) by pivoting the two legs (3, 4) into the suspension position.

14. Furnace, comprising:14.1 at least one support (40) in a ceiling region of the furnace;14.2 at least one suspension device (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12; wherein14.3 the suspension device (1) is suspended on the support (40) by the mounting sections (9, 10).

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