US1594598A - Air-operated molding apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 3 1Q26. 1,594,598

' D. J. CAMPBELL AIROPERATED MOLDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 28, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 E 3859 56 25 35 3g 55/ ll Aug. 3 1926.

D. J. CAMPBELL Filed Sept. 28, 1

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Inuenfor Donald J. CampbeH i-morneg,

Aug. 3 1926.

D. J. CAMPBELL AIR OPERATED MOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28 1922 Inuenfor. Donald J. Cam

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UNITED STATES DONALDJ. CAMPBELL, MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN.

AIR-OPERATED MOLDING APPARATUS.

Application filed September 28, 1922. Serial No. 591,019.

This invention relates to air operated molding apparatus. As shown in my prior applications for patent, Ser. No. 443,739, filed Feb. 10, 1921, and Ser. No. 491,351,

filed Aug. 11, 1921, I have devised a molding apparatus wherein compressed air is utilized for the forcing of sand into molds or core boxes, a complete mold or core being made with one or two impulses of the air acting on the sand which is contained in a sand ho per to force it into flasks or core boxes. Ehave found that the air when carried to the hopper through a pipe conduit loses its effectiveness through loss of pressure and that sufficient air is not carried in the required time of operation to make satisfactory molds except when the pressure of the air is very high, and my present invention is primarily directed to overcoming this through the use of a comparatively large reservoir located directly contiguous to the sand hopper which may be filled from the main compressed air tank during the intervals between mold formings, so that when the operation of releasing the air to act on the sand is performed, the necessary and suflicient supply of air is ready for immediate action on the sand without having to come thereto through a long'and small pipe. Further objects of the invention are to provide suitable controlling valve mechanism for the air, relief valve mechanism therefor and many other novel additional constructive features for thebetter handling of the air for the most effective attainment of the main end desired, namely, the rapid formation of sand molds and cores through the agency of compressed air. a

For an understanding of the, invention, reference may be had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken centrally through the flask, sand hopper, and air reservoir, showing the invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged central vertical section through the air reservoir at the lower end thereof, showing the air con trol and relief valves.

Figs. 3 and 4 are horizontal sections taken, respectively, on lines 3--3 and 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary under plan view of the lower end of the reservoir member of the construction,

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the upper portion of the construction embodying my invention;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to that shown in .Fig. 6, showing a somewhat modified form of the invention, and

Fig. 8 is an elevation looking at a side of the construction shown in Fig. 7.

- Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the draw- The sand hopper 1 in which the charge of sand is located for action thereon by compressed air is of frustro-conical form having an outwardly extending annular flange 1 at its upper end. A san'd retaining grating including an outer frame 2 and grating bars 3 is secured at the lower end of the hopper, the same lying over the flask 4 which is provided with a similar grating 5 at its upper side, is-located. The pattern rests on a board 7, in turn supported on a suitable base 8. This construction so far described is not new in the present application, being fully disclosed in the applications to which reference is made above.

The hopper is adapted to be moved back and forth and in operative position for the forcing of sand into the flask comes under the lower end of the air reservoir construction. This reservoir construction includes an upper air container of relatively large size having sides 9, top 10 and bottom 11 fromwhich bottom a neck 12 projects downwardly for a short distance and is then carried outwardly for a short distance making an annular flange 13. A plate 14 passes across the lower end of the neck and is secured thereto by screws or like fastening means, and a gasket ring 15 of rubber is held between the edges of the plate and the depending outer lip of flange 13 as shown.

There is thus provided a smaller chamber through the plate as shown.

The air is carried to the large container through a pipe 18 from the main compressed air tank. From the container it passes to chamber 16 through openings 19 made through the bottom 11- of the container. A

under which the pattern 6 rubber disk or plate 20 is located a ainst the upper side of the bottom 11 an has openings therethrough in conjunction with the openings 19, this disk being secured in place by a thin metal plate 21 connected to the bottom 11 by screws or the like. Plate 21 is also provided with openings somewhat larger in diameter than openings 19 so that the closing valves 22 may pass through said larger openings and bear against the rubber seating disk 20. As shown there are seven of the openings 19, .all comparatively large size so as to carry the volume of air rapidly therethrough when the closing valves are lifted.

The valves 22 ends of stems 23 valves to be seated on the disk 20 under pressure of springs 26 and obviate any slight irregularities which may be present.

The head 25 is pinned to the lower end of a vertical rod 29 by a pin 30, passing upwardly therefrom through a collar 31 formed at the lower ends of a plurality of arms 32 which arecast integral with and extend downwardly from a plate 33 connected to and filling an opening in the upper side of the air container. The rod 29 passes through plate 33, a suitable stuffing box 34 being provided to insure against escape of air around the rod. At the upper end of the rod a head 36 is formed, provided with oppositely extending pins 37 which seat in sockets formed in the forks 38 formed at one end of a lever 38 connected to a rod 39, which rod is rotatably mounted at one end in post 40 extending upwardly from the plate 33 and passing through, at its other end, one of the connector bars 41 used to suspend the reservoir construction from an overhead stationary beam 42. A handle arm 43 is attached to the rod 39 and it is obvious that on manual operation thereof,'the rod 29 and connected valve carrying head 25 may be easily raised or lowered as desired.

The lever 38 is connected to rod 39 between its ends, having one end portion thereof extending beyond the side of the air container, to which the upper end of an elongated tubular member 44 is pivotally connected. An outlet passage 45 for air from the chamber 16 is made in one side of the neck 12, a nipple 46 threading into said passage and connecting with a valve casin 47 to which, at its opposite side an outlet. short length of pipe is secured. A valve 49, of conventional structure is located within the casing 47 normally closing the casing against the passage of air therethrough. The valve is connected to the lower end of a rod 50 which passes upwardly through the casing 47 and loosely through a cap 51 screwed on to the lower end of the member 44. A nut 52 is threaded on to the upper end of rod 50 above the cap 51, between which nut and a stop plug 53 in member 44 a coiled spring 54 under compression is located.

The sand hopper 1 being supplied with sand in any suitable manner, such as outlined in my prior application for atent, above noted, and brought under t e air reservoir, tween the reservoir and base 8, gasket 15 bearing against the flange 1 of the hopper. The handle member 43 is then grasped and operated to lift all of the valves 22. The compressed air from the large container passes through openings 19 instantly, due to the number and size of the openings, and into chamber 16, and therefrom through openings 17 in plate 14 to impinge against the sand. By reason of the large number of openings 17 over all of the upper surface of the sand, the air is evenly distributed thereover, this being aided by the progressive enlar ement downward of such openings, and the effect is that the air strikes the sand evenly over its entire mass, and practically instantaneously, giving it an impulse downward which forces it through the gratings into the flask and compresses it evenly at every point around the pattern. After the air has been utilized to ram the sand into the fiask,handle member 43 is turned in the opposite direction, first permitting the valves at 22 to come toseating position, in which they are aided by spring 35 disposed between the head 25 and collar 31, after which, on further movement of member 43, member 44 is raised, thereby lifting valve 49 and releasing the air in chamber 16 which passes out through pipe 48. The operating handle member 43 is then moved back to central neutral position, spring 54 acting to close the relief valve 49, the mechanism be ing ready for the next cycle of operations thereof.

In Figs. 7 and 8, a slightly modified form of the invention is shown. The rod 50 extending from valve 49 is shortened, as indias shown in Fig. 1, is clamped becated at 50 and provided with a head 55 i air reservoir, the other arm 61 01? which extends downwardly as shown.

The handle member 43 is modified in form, as indicated at 43, its lower end having a handle 62 pivot-ally mounted thereon, the upper end of the handle being formed with a yoke 63 passing to each side of the lower end of the member 43, with a pivot pin 64 passing through the yoke and lower end of member 43. The lower end of the arm 61 bears against a side of the handle 62. The handle when moved in the direction of the arm 61 has no effect on the member 43* which remains in vertical neutral position, the bell-crank lever being operated to lift the valve 49. When moved in the opposite direction, the member 43 is operated and the valves 22 elevated for the passage of air from the air reservoir through the openings 19, as is evident.

This construction is operated substantially the same as the one previously described and has the same effect. It is simpler in construction, more easily constructed and repaired and there is no necessity of turning the member 43 past its vertical neutral position with the valves 22 closed in order to open the exhaust valve. This makes an easier operation and one much more satisfactory.

The construction described is particularly practical and ellective in controlling the compressed air and getting the maximum results therefrom. Between operations of the apparatus, the air is supplied to the reservoir container therefor from the main compressed air tank, coming through pipe 18, and a full charge of air required for an operation is secured directly over the sand ho er and in position to be carried direct y into the hopper. In addition, the apparatus has means for applying the full force of the compressed air evenly and homogeneously over and against the sand in the ho per, so that the sand at all points is under t e same pressing force, resulting in a mold which is evenly rammed throughout. The relief of the hopper after a charge of sand has been driven therefrom, is simple, the relief valve being operated with a continuation of the operation which shuts off the air from the hopper. The valve mechanisms in all respects are particularly simple and consequently durable in practical service.

The appended claims define the invention, and I consider myself entitled to all forms of construction coming within their scope.

I claim:

1. An air supply reservoir construction, comprising a large container for compressed air having sides, bottom and top, said bottom having a plurality of openings therethrough, a neck depending from the bottom of the container around said openin s, a

plate having a plurality of openings t ere through secured across the lower end of the neck, valves, onelforeach opening in the bottom ofthe container located over said openings, a head to which said valves are attached, means normally holding the valves in closed position, and means operable from outside of the container for lifting all of the valves together.

2. Anairsupply reservoir construction for molding machines, comprising a large container for compressed air having sides, bottom and top, the bottom having a plurality of relatively large openings there through, a neck depending from the bottom of the container around -the openings, a plate secured across the lower end of the neck, said plate having a plurality of closely positioned small openings therethrough, valves located in the container, one over each 0 ening in the bottom thereof, a head on w ich all of the valves are mounted, a rod attached to the head extending therefrom through the top of the container, .a rotatably mounted rod, an operating handle therefor, and a lever fixed to the rod and connected to the lar member connected to the lever,a cap on the lower end of said member through which said valve rod passes, a nut on the rod above. the cap, a lug secured in the tubular member above t e nut, anda compression spring between said nut and'plug.

4. In combination, a relatively lar e container for compressed air having a ottom with openings therethrough, a neck depending from the bottom around said openings, a plate secured across the lower end of the neck and having a large number of small closely positioned openin s therethrough valves in the container or closing said openings, an outlet member connected with said neck, a valvetherein normally stoppin the outlet passage, and manually operated I means for lifting the first named valves simultaneously when moved in' one direction from a central neutral position, and for moving said second valve to open the outlet passage when moved in the opposite direction from-a central neutral position.

5. In combination, a relatively large container for compressed air having sides, bot tom and top, said bottom having a plurality e valves may be lifted on operation of the of relatively large openings therethrough, lower ends to form a collar through which valves, one for each opening located within the rod asses, a compression spring between 10 the container over said openings, a head, a the head and collar, and manually operable stem connected to each valve and connected means for raising the rod and attached head to the head, a rod attached to the head at its and valves against the spring.

lower end and extending upwardly through In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature. the top of the container, arms depending fromthe head and ioined together at their DONALD J. CAMPBELL.

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