318,131. Leyondre, E. Aug, 28, 1928, [Convention date]. Mouding-machines.-In a moulding-machine of the type in which a series of flasks are carried past means for filling, pressing, &c., each pattern plate with its charged flask is pressed against one member of a chain of plates 24, Fig. 3, shaped to correspond to the pattern. A number of pattern plates 7, Fig. 1, and flasks 6 are carried by frames 14 vertically movable, by reason of guides 15, in a table 8 intermittently rotated through 36‹ at each movement. At position I the pattern &c., is prepared by a workman; at II the flask is charged with sand at about III any addition operation may be performed and excess sand removed by a fixed scraper (not shown); at IV the frame 14 is raised by a plunger 36 to compress the sand; at about V another workman applies a false flask 20 and runner; at VI, VII and VIII the operations at II, III, and IV are repeated; between VIII and X the false flask and excess of pressed sand are automatically removed; and at X the mould is removed from the table. The plunger 36 of each press has attached to it two cords 42, 61, Fig. 10, the former passing over pulleys 141 adapted to take up slack to a drum 44 on a hollow shaft 45 carrying drums 64, 46 and the latter passing to the drum 64 over pulleys 65 to 72 of which 69 is on a spring-pressed bolt 32 adapted to lock the tables 8 in the desired positions and 71, 72 are adapted to take up slack. A shaft 52 mounted in the shaft 45 carries a two toothed ratchet 55 and chain wheels 53, 54 connected by chains and wheels 56, 57, 59, to a barrel 13, Fig. 1, and the table 8. The barrel carries the plates 24, against which the sand is pressed, loosely mounted so that when in action they are supported by a fixed abutment 21. Fluid is admitted below the plunger 36 by moving a hand lever 33, Fig. 4, to the right, this being impossible unless spring bolts 31, 32 are in position to lock the barrel 13 and table 8. The lever snaps over and is held by a spring bolt 34. During the upward movement of the plunger 36 the cord 42, Fig. 10, rotates the shaft 45 through 180‹ causing the cord 61 to run idly over the pulleys 65 to 72 and the drum 46 to raise a weight 48, Fig. 8, connected thereto. Also an adjustable spring-pressed rod 39, Fig. 1, is lifted by the frame 14 and acts on a crank lever 41 to withdraw the bolt 34 and release the lever 33 which is returned by a spring 42 to its original position to exhaust the fluid below the plunger 36. During the return the cords move in the reverse direction until a pawl 47, Fig. 8, carried by the drum 46, engages the ratchet 55, which cannot turn as the table 8 is locked by the bolt 32, and arrests the shaft 45 so that the cord 61, Fig. 10, is tightened and withdraws the bolt 32, and. by reason of a connection 78, the bolt 31. The weight 48 then rotates the shafts 52, 45, and so the barrel and table, the slackening of the cord 61 allowing the bolts to drop into the next index holes when they arrive. The removal of the moulds is effected by a plunger 82, Fig. 13, to which is attached cords 114, 115 adapted to rotate a wheel 112 and, through a lost motion device 110, a wheel 106. This drives, through chain gearing, a shaft 104 and a crank disc 127. The shaft 104 carries a drum 101 around which passes a cord 100 for reciprocating a truck 89 on rails 95. Fluid is admitted below the plunger 82 by a lever 136, Fig. 14, which is then held by a catch 80. The plunger lifts the flask and mould by means of adjustable rods 86, 87 engaging the rods 18, 19, Fig. 1. During the rise of the plunger the truck 89 moves from position A to position B, brackets 96 thereon passing below trunnions 97 of the flask and a projection 90 on the truck striking a latch 91 so as to withdraw the catch 80 and allow a spring to return the lever 136 and exhaust fluid below the plunger 82. During the fall of the plunger the truck does' not at first move owing to the device 110 but the trunnions engage the brackets 96; then the truck moves to the right carrying the mould which is kept horizontal by a guide rail until released at position C where, owing to intentional weighting, it rotates as shown by the arrow. At D the lower end is engaged by a rubber roller 119 moved in the same direction but at a decelerating speed by the crank 127 so that the inversion of the mould is completed at E and the mould fixed by a spring bolt 120 on the truck which is actuated by a rail 121, Fig. 14. The truck then moves down an incline and deposits the mould on a plate 139, Fig. 13, with upturned edge 123 and the bolt 120, by engaging a vertical member 124 on the flask, moves this and the plate over a roller table 122 so that the brackets 96 are free from the trunnions 97 and truck is ready for the next operation. If desired, the levers 33 of the two presses and the lever 136 may be moved into the " lifting " position by weight returned levers' 1'29, Fig. 4, connected by a cord 131 so that one handle operates all. If desired the first pressing may be replaced by a shaking operation. In place of plungers electrical means may be used to supply the necessary power.