US2843894A - Automatic battery parts casting machine - Google Patents

Description

J l 22, 1958 H. c. WINKEL ETAL AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheei 1 IN VEN TOR W/NKEL July 22, 1958 H- wINKEl- ET 2,s43,s94

AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16.1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 Sheets-Sheer 3 H. C. WINKEL ET AL AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16 1955 July 22, 1958 \hx M u w INVENTOR. HEEEE/PT c. W/N/(fl. Xf/V/VETH MC $0/4/A/V hwee y H MEJC/v Kt' CHARLES H, M044 P/A/E 5r WW 6, Mum

ATTORNEY y 22, 1953 H. c. WINKEL ET AL 2,843,894

AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING'MACHINE Filed March 16 1955 9 Sheets-Shes? 4 ull "I! a7 g llllllllilfllll 5? I l l 53 W I 7 l' l 6 INVENTOR;

HERBERT 'C. W/A/KEL Af/V/VETH MC 0 WAN HAP/9y H MESCH/(E 09449455 H Mc- AL P/A/E AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheer 5 INVENTOR. HERBERT C. I V/A/KEL KE/V/VETH G. MCGOWA/V HA R/9V HMSCHKE Cf/fl/PLELS" H MCALP/NE YRMMZXZI/ ATTORNEY July 22, 1958 H. c. WINKEL ET AL 2,843,894 7 AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March, 16 1955 9 Sheets-sheaf 6 ATTORNEY July 22, 1958' H. c. WINKEL ET AL AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1955 9 Sheets-Shem 7 INVENTOR.

HfPBE/Q'T Wl/V/(EL July 22, 1958 H. c. WINKEL ETAL AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16. 1955 9 Sheets-Shegr 8 IN V EN TOR. HERBERT C W/A KEL July 22, 1958 Y 1 WINKEL ET AL 2,843,894

AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Filed March 16; 1955 9 Sheets-Sher 9 ATTOPA/EY 7 United States Patent AUTOMATIC BATTERY PARTS CASTING MACHINE Herbert C. Winkel, Watervliet, Kenneth G. McGowan, Lawrence, Harry H. Meschke, Benton Harbor, and Charles H. McAlpine, Coloma, Mich.; said McGowan, Meschke and McAlpine assignors to said Winkel Application March 16, 1955, Serial No. 494,666

13 Claims. (Cl. 22-76) This invention relates to a device for automatically casting'small metal parts and it particularly relates to the provision of a fully automatic machine wherein the molds may be readily changed, wherein successive molds having differently shaped cavities may be utilized during a single operation and which will provide a high rate of production at a minimum of cost.

While a variety of prior machines for this purpose have long been known, such machines have usually been relatively complicated or have required the constant presence of an operator, both of which such situations have been the source of expense which it has long been desirable to reduce. Particularly, many types of prior machines have been limited to the production only of parts of identical shape. Where small production runs of a substantial number of differently shaped parts are required, such prior machines are poorly adapted to the rapid change over that is required for economical production.

Further, in any industry there is a constant effort to improve the equipment utilized. The present invention grows out of a general attempt to improve the accuracy of operation of the machine, to render the same more versatile and to minimize the points at which break down for maintenance requirements is likely to occur.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide a machine for automatically casting small metal parts which will operate smoothly, effectively and economically.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a machine which will simultaneously carry out operations with respect to a large number of differently shaped parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ma chine where the molds may be readily interchanged in order to change the particular shapes which the machine is adapted to make.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device wherein the supply of metal to the molds may be smoothly and accurately regulated and by mechanism having a minimum of complexity.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device wherein the various operating parts of the machine are all actuated from a single cam shaft, and most of them from a single cam, whereby to increase the accuracy of relating these operations to each other and to minimize the timing problems in connection therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide adevice, as aforesaid, wherein the sprue can be readily returned to the metal pot for remelting.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device having a convenient and accurate knock-out mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a device wherein all parts of an operation are performed in full view of the operator whereby to minimize the likelihood of an improper operation remaining undetected for more than a very short period of time.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a device,

Patented July 22,1958

ICC

as aforesaid, which is sufficiently simple in its construction that it can be economically built and easily maintained in operating condition.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will become apparent to persons acquainted with equipment of this general type upon a reading of the following disclosure and an examination of the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partially broken side view of the machine taken from what will hereinafter be defined as the leftward side thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure l, but not showing the elements used to drive the sprockets and also the knock-out return mechanism in the interest of simplifying the drawings.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line IIIIII of Figure l. I

Figure 4 is. a sectional view similar to the upper part of Figure 3 but showing the parts on an enlarged scale and also showing a sectional view of the casting pot.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken approximately on the lines V-V of Figure 3 with the structure below the molds not shown.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, partially sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view taken approximately from the plane of the line VII-VII of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a section taken from the line VIII-VIII of Figure l.

Figure 9 is a view similar to the lower part of Figure 3 and showing the parts on an enlarged scale, partially broken, and showing therelative position of the parts to the receptacles and receptacle holding table.

Figure 10 is a section takenon the line XX of Figure 9 but omitting the receptacle and receptacle holding table.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary oblique view of a mold and showing particularly the relationship'of the mold to the driving chains.

Figure 12 is a side View of a mold body and a driving chain, showing the mold in a raised position occupied Figure 14 is a fragmentary view taken on the line, XIV-XIV of Figure 2 but omitting the chain and sprocket structure.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on the line XVXV of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a sectional, partially broken, fragmentary view taken on the line XVI--XVI of Figure 1.

Figure .17 is a fragmentary view showing the knock out return mechanism as seen from a line XVII--XVII of Figure 2. (Said knock-out return mechanism being omitted from Figure 2 in the interest of simplifying the drawings.)

Figure 18 is a schematic view showing an alternate construction for controlling the metal dispensing mechanism.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary view similar to the lower part of Figure 9 and showing an, alternate construction for directing parts from a multiple cavity mold into a" corresponding multiple receptacle.

Figure 20 shows a plan view of the dividing mechanism shown in the modification appearing in Figure 19.

. IN GENERAL In order to meet the objects and purposes above set forth, we have provided a machine having a pair of conveyor chains running in mating relationship to each other,

one of said chains carrying a mold structure and the other of said chains carrying a mold cover. Said chains are moved intermittently and, in a given position, means are provided for automatically casting a suitable quantity of molten metal into a mold cavity. Other means are provided for shifting the cover laterally with respect to the mold body to shear the sprue from the molded part and thereby to make it possible to recover said sprue without further cutting or separating action. Knock-out mechanism is provided for functioning in response to movement of the molds and movable receptacles may be provided for receiving the parts discharged from the molds.

DETAILED CONSTRUCTION Turning now to the construction of a preferred embodiment of the invention, attention is directed to the drawings wherein such an embodiment, but by no means the only useful embodiment, of the invention is illustrated.

For convenience in description, the term driving end of the machine will refer to that end of the machine at which the driving mechanism is located, which is the right end in Figures 1 and 2. The term mold return end of the machine will refer to the opposite end of the machine, the same being the point at which the several mold bodies and covers are brought back together and respectively made ready for refilling after having the molded parts discharged therefrom. The term rightward side of the machine will refer to the rightward side thereof when looking from the driving end toward the mold return end of the machine and the term leftwar side of the machine will refer to the leftward side of the machine when looking from the driving end toward the mold return end thereof. The terms upward and downward and derivatives thereof will refer to said machine when in its normal position of use and the terms inwardly and outwardly and derivatives thereof will refer to directions toward and away from the geometric center of the machine.

Although it will be apparent that the machine may be mounted on a variety of different frame structures, the frame structure here illustrated will be briefly described.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown one of two parallel base members 1 and the leftward two of four vertical members 2 extending upwardly at each of the four corners of the machine. The upper ends of said four corner members 2 are connected by a pair of longitudinally extending upper frame members 3. Intermediate the upper frame members 3 and the base members 1 parallel, longitudinally extending, intermediate frame members 4 are provided to connect the intermediate portions of corner members 2. The side structure as described is held together at the driving end of the machine by the end plate 6 and is held together at the mold return end of the machine by the end plate 7.

Side plates are attached to the several parts of said frame structure for supporting the operating parts of the mechanism. These are indicated in Figure 1 as parts 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and said parts will be referred to further as the description proceeds. Similar side plates are also provided on the opposite side of the machine and appear at 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 (Figure 2).

A pair of upstanding members of which one appears at 21 are provided for supporting one end of the cover mold conveyor and a second pair of upstanding members of which one is shown at 22 (Figure 1) are provided for supporting the other end of said conveyor. Upstanding members 21 and 22 are supported on frame member 3 (Figure 16).

The mold bodies 23 (Figure 4) hereinafter described in further detail are arranged sequentially between a pair of chains 24 and 26. These chains are supported on and around a pair of sprockets 27 and 28 (Figure 2) with respect to chain 24 and sprockets 29 and 31 with respect to chain 26. Sprockets 27 and 29 are supported on shaft 32 at the driving end of the machine and sprockets 28 and 31 are supported on shaft 33 at the mold return end of the machine. The shafts are supported by suitable hearings on the side plates, the shaft 32 being supported on side plates 9 and 14 and the shaft 33 being supported on side plates 11 and 16.

A gear 34 is attached to the shaft 32, and is in turn driven by a gear 36. Said gear 36 is driven from the shaft 37 in response to the actaution of said shaft by a suitable intermittently acting driving mechanism 44, such as a Geneva mechanism. The Geneva wheel 46, which may be of any convenient Geneva type construction, is driven by a suitable driver 47 (Figures 15 and 16) which in turn'is mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 48 which in turn is rotated by the sprocket 38. Said sprocket is driven by a chain 39 from a power unit 41, which in this particular embodiment of the invention comprises a gear box 42 and a motor 43. Accordingly, operation of said motor 43 results in intermittent rotation of the shaft 37 and of the parts connected therewith.

The structure of the central portion of the machine may be reinforced by a plate 101 (Figures 1, 3 and 4), mounted on and extending between the lower edges of the upper frame members 3. The length of the plate 101 may be any convenient distance, such as that indicated in Figure l.

Rail supporting plates 102 and 103 (Figures 3, 4 and 9) are mounted on the upper edges of the upper frame members 3 and extend the full distance between the uppermost parts of the lower driving sprockets 27, 28, 29 and 31. Suitable mold supporting rails 104 and 106 are supported by said plates in position to provide positive support for the several mold structures 23.

The mold covers 51 (Figure 4) are supported on chains 52 and 53 which in turn are supported on sprockets 54 and 55 (Figure 16) on the driving end of the machine and sprockets 56 and 57 on the mold return end of the machine. These sprockets are not positively driven but interengagement between the mold bodies and mold covers as described hereinbelow causes said parts to move along together.

Referring now to Figures 11 and 12 for the specific mold and mold cover structures, attention is first directed toward a mold 23. This may be provided with any suitable cavity in any known manner, either for forming deep narrow articles such as a battery post and as indicated at A in Figure 6 or for forming shallow articles, such as a battery connecting bar, as indicated at B in Figure 9. Other shapes may, of course, be provided within the scope of the invention. Alongside of the mold body, on each side thereof, are driving plates 201 and 202 (Figures 6, 11 and 12). The driving plates may be integral with the mold body as indicated in Figure 6, or they may be formed separately and either Welded or bolted thereto. One surface 203 (Figure 11) of the driving plates constitute a bearing surface for engagement of the upper supporting rails 104 and 106 when the mold is in an upright position, as indicated in the upper part'of Figure 9, and the opposite surfaces of said driving plates constitute bearing surfaces for engaging the lower rails 187 and 189 when the molds are in an inverted position, as shown in the lower part of Figure 9. Rails 187 and 189 are mounted on support plates 186 and 188, respectively, which are inturn mounted on the lower surfaces of frame members 4. The leading ends of the driving plates are each provided with an open slot 204 which extends upwardly when the mold is in its upper, or mold filling position, and extends downwardly when the mold is in its lower, or knock-out position. A further open slot 206 is provided at the trailing end of the driving plates opening rearwardly. A plurality of pins of which two are indicated at 207 and 208 in Figure 11, and others are indicated elsewhere in the drawings, such as at 209 and 211 in Figure 6, are afi'ixed in the chains in a conventional manner through the pivot points thereof (Figure 11-) and extend into said slots. As best shown in Figure 12, the arrangement of the slots and pins is such that the mold may be readily placed in position merely by slipping the rearward slots over driving pins in the lower course of the chain and then dropping the forward slots 204 down onto the pins to be associated therewith. They are readily removed by a reverse operation.

Thus, molds may be readily inserted into and taken out from operating position with respect to the chains, but they will ride through the lower course of the chains with the weight supported solely by the chains if desired, although preferably they are supported by convenient rails, as indicated at 187 and 189 in Figure 9. In the upper course of the chain, as indicated at the upper part of Figure 9, the weight of the mold is carried by the rails 104 and 106 and no slipping out of engagement with the chains is possible. As hereinafter indicated in more detail, the molds are prevented from dropping out of the chains in the region of the sprockets by the supporting disks 181, 182, 183 and 184 (Figure 2).

Knock-out return pins 212 and 213 (Figures 6 and 12) are also provided in the mold 23, in any convenient number, and are utilized as set forth in more detail hereinafter.

The mold covers 51 are best shown in Figures 6 and 7. The cover body 51a is provided with a suitable sprue opening 216 by which molten metal is conducted in the usual manner from the source thereof into the mold cavity. A pair of driving bars 217 and 218, which may be integral with the cover body or which may be fastened thereto in any convenient manner, are fixed on either side of the cover body 510. The leading ends of the members 217 and 218 support a driving rod 219, the same being held in position therebetween by the collars 221 and 222. A spring 223 permits limited movement of the cover structure rightwardly as appearing in Figure 7 for the purpose of shearing the sprue from the molded part as hereafter set forth in more detail. Pins 224 and 226 extend from selected joints of the chains52 and 53, respectively, and enter into suitable openings in the end of the rod 219 for the purpose of effecting a driving connection between said chains and the cover structure 51. Said cover structure 51 is supported in substantially horizontal position through the upper course of its travel on the rails 231 and 232 (Figure 3) which are in turn mounted through mounting plates 233 and 234 upon angle members 236 and 237 (Figures 1 and 3) which angle members extend between the uprights 21 at one end of the machine and uprights 22 at the other end of the machine. A guard 401 (Figures 1 and 16) is mounted on and between the uprights 22 at the mold return end of the machine and is spaced radially outwardly from the sprockets 56 and 57 sufficiently to permit the cover structures 51 to pass between said sprockets and the guard but to hold said cover structures from falling outwardly away from said sprockets. Discs 238 and 239 (Figure 16) are positioned between said sprockets and under the structures 51 for the purpose of preventing them from falling inwardly during their travel from the upper course of the chain to the lower course thereof.

A guard 241 (Figure l) is provided adjacent the sprockets 54 and 55 for the same reason as the guard 401 and the discs 242 and 243 are provided adjacent and between the sprockets 54 and 55 for the same reason as the discs 238 and 239.

The cover structures are also provided with driving pins 244 and 246 at their leading and trailing ends, respectively, which pins contact either end of the mold bodies 23, as shown in Figure 1 at 244a and 246a, to prevent longitudinal movement of the cover structures 51 relative to the mold bodies 23 while permitting transverse movement of the cover structures 51 relative to the mold bodies. The pins effect a tight driving relationship between the mold bodies and mold covers to move them longitudinally along the conveyor and allow the coverstructure to move transversely of the mold body during the sprue severing operation.

A further pair of upright members 61 and 62 (Figures 4 and 5) extend upwardly from the frame structure and are provided with a pair of cross members 63 and 64. The casting pot 66 hangs downwardly from said cross members and is arranged in close proximity to the position of the mold cover as an assembly of the mold body and the mold cover passes therebeneath. Said pot 66 is provided with a chamber 67 (Figure 4) which has an outlet 68 closed by a valve structure 69, which valve structure is actuated by the valve bar 71. Said valve bar is pivoted at 72 to the upper end of the upright 61, and its vertical movement is guided by guide bar 73 which has a generally U-shaped groove formed therein. The valve bar is urged downwardly by a spring 74. Valve lifting mechanism which operates against the force exerted by spring 74 is indicated generally at 76 and will be described in further detail hereinafter.

The casting pot 66 is continuously supplied with molten metal through the conduit 77 (Figures 1 and 5) from any convenient and conventional source 78 of hot metal. Metal which returns from said pct 66 back to the source 78 travels through the conduit 79. As is conventional in this type of equipment, said metal is kept in condition of constant circulation in order to assure that the pot 66 has a constant supply of molten and easily handleable metal.

Turning to Figures 6 and 7, attention will now be directed toward the mechanism by which the sprue is separated from the molded article after the material has cooled sufliceintly to eifect solidification thereof but prior to the opening of the mold. Referring first to Figure 6, a mold cover is shown supported on the chains 52 and 53 and the mold body 23 is shown supported on the chains 24 and 26. The rails supporting the mold assembly appear at 104 and 106.

A pair of uprights 81 and 82 are supported on the upper flanges of the upper longitudinal frame members 3 and support ,a pair of cross rods 83. and 84 (Figure 7). Sleeved on said rods are the sleeves 86 and 87 together with springs 88-and 89 uging said sleeves leftwardly. A plate 91 is fastened to the undersides of the sleeves 86 and 87 and extends between them. A slot within said plate receives the roller 92. A pusher 93 extends downwardly from said plate and is in position to engage a convenient portion of the mold cover 51. An actuator bar 94 extends vertically alongside of the upright 82 and is provided with at notch 96, having a cammed edge 97 for engaging the roller 92. Thus, downward movement of said actuator bar 94, by means to be described hereinafter, will elfect engagement of the surface 97 against the roller 92 and thereby push the plate 91 together with the sleeves 86 and 87 rightwardly against urging of the springs 88 and 89. This will move the mold cover 51 rightwardly with respect to the mold body 23 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 6. This effects a shearing of the sprue within the mold cover 51 from the molded article which is in the upper part of the mold body 23. The mold 23 is held against rightward movement, as appearing in Figure 6, by the rail 402.

A pair of guard structures 107 and 108 (Figures 3 and 4), each having an upright portion and a horizontal top portion, are arranged along either side of the chains in the metal pouring region thereof. Said guards begin a short distance from the pot 66 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the molds past said pot, as indicated by the fragment 108a in Figure 1, and extend to a point adjacent the sprue cut off mechanism, as indicated by 10811 in Figure 1. These guards prevent the splashing of molten metal from the pot onto the chain structure of the machine.

A sprue knock-out mechanism is indicated generally at 111 in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figure 13. Said sprue knock-out mechanism comprises a pair of straps 112 and 115 pivoted near the upper ends of the uprights 22 and provided with a cross member 113. A block 114 (Figure 13) is positioned on the under side of the crossmember 113 and knock-out pins 116 extend downwardly from said block to engage the sprue and force it from the mold cover. The pins 118 and 119 are pilot pins slightly leading the knock-out pin 116 and entering suitable openings 403 in the mold cover. The trough 121 is positioned immediately under the sprue knock-out station and may conduct the knocked out sprues to any convenient point of collection, such as returning them to the melting source 78. Said knock-out mechanism 111 is actuated by the vertical member 122 in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Turning now to the structure for actuating the sprue cut off mechanism, the sprue knock-out mechanism, the metal pot valve and the part knock-out mechanism, attention is first directed to Figures 1, 2 and 9 where there is shown a cam-frame 120. Particularly, there are provided a pair of cam- frame members 123 and 124, both pivoted at the driving end of the machine, as at 126 (Figures 1 and 2). Suitable cross members, as 125, are provided to lend rigidity to said cam-frame 120. The vertical member 122 is fastened at 122a to the member 123 and the vertical member 94 (Figure 6) is fastened at 95 to the member 124.

A cam shaft 127 is located between the plates and and carries a sprocket 128 thereon. Said sprocket is driven by the chain 129 from the sprocket 130, which sprocket is mounted on the shaft 48 for continuous rotation therewith.

The shaft 127 has mounted thereon a earn 131 which acts against the cam followers 133 and 134 (Figures 9 and 10). Said cam followers are mounted on a rod 1351 which is fastened, as by screws, onto the cross member 125 of the cam-frame 120. Thus, action of said cams will move said cam-frame downwardly to actuate both the sprue cut off and the sprue knock-out mechanism. A plate yoke 135 is likewise mounted on the cross member 125. As the cam 131 rotates past the position which it urges the cam-frame 120 downwardly, it will engage and raise the plate yoke 135 and thereby cause the camframe 120 to rise.

Mounted alongside of the sprocket 128 on the shaft 127 is a further cam 141 (Figures 1, 3 and 9). A vertically reciprocable element 142 carries a cam follower 143 (Figures 1 and 3) in engagement with said cam 141 and is itself mounted for vertical movement in any convenient manner, as on a pair of members 147 and 148 (Figure 1) which in turn are pivotally mounted at 149 and 151 upon bar 404. Said members 147, 148 and 404 form with the member 142 a parallelogram insuring the vertical motion of said member 142 with a minimum of displacement. The upper end of said member 142 is connected to the actuator bar 76 for causing the engagement of the actuator bar with the valve controlling bar 71. The bolts 405 and 406 (Figure 4) which are mounted on the valve controlling bar 71 and actuator bar 76, respectively, are provided to eflfect suitable adjustment.

The knock-out structure is shown in detail in Figures 9 and 10. A knock-out pin mounting bar 151 is slidably supported on a plurality of headed rods, two appearing at 152 and 153, and said plate 151 itself supports a pair of blocks 155 and 155a for purposes appearing hereinafter. Knock-out pins 154 are mounted on the plate and extend into the mold body 23 in any suitable manner for engaging the molded part therein. A plate 156 having pads 156a and 156b fixed on the lower side thereof, is slidably mounted below the cross-member 125 on headed rods, or bolts, of which two appear at 157 and 158, in a position for contacting the blocks 155 and 155m of the respective knock out plates 151 of the molds passing thereunder. Tension springs, two appearing at 159 and 160, are sleeved onto said bolts for resisting motion of the plate 156 toward cross member 125. Thus, the downward movement of the cross member will cause the pads 156a and 1561) to engage the blocks a and 155, respectively, and, after compressing the springs 159 and 160, move the plate 151 downwardly and thereby move the knock-out pins 154 downwardly. This will effect a positive loosening of the mold part from the mold body upon operation of the cam. It frequently happens that some of the cast metal will escape from the mold cavity and solidify on the knock-out pins. Thus, as the molded article is dislodged from the mold walls it will sometimes adhere to the knock-out pins 154. Expansion of springs 159 and 160 will cause the molded article to be kicked off the knock-out pins.

The mold body 23 is thus caused to approach the mold return end of the machine with its knock-out parts in knock-out position. These parts may return to their normal position by gravity, but to avoid the possibility of any of them not so returning, a knock-out return mechanism is provided as illustrated in Figure 17. This structure constitutes a pair of parallel levers, of which one is shown at 161, which are rigidly mounted on a shaft 162. A linkage 163 connects said structure to the cam-frame 120 for actuation downwardly and return upwardly there with. A further pair of parallel members, of which one appears at 164, are bolted to the shaft 162 for movement therewith and support the cross member 165. The angle of the lower surface of the cross member 165 is such that it is substantially parallel with the opposed surface of the mold body which occupies the position indicated by the mold body 23 (Figure 17) and are aligned for contacting the knock back pins 212 and 213 if said pins should be projecting upwardly from the mold body. Thus, when the cam-frame 120 moves downwardly as above described it causes the knock-out return structure to move downwardly, strike said knock-out return pins 212 and 213 and push the knock-out structure back into retracted position.

While any desired receptacle may be placed in position under the knock-out station to receive molded articles from said mold bodies, it will be found convenient to provide a circular table 171 and arrange a series of re ceptacles thereon. Said table may be driven in any convenient manner in synchronism with the arrival of the successive molds at the knock-out station. Thus, said table is desirably driven by the chain 172 which is powered through the sprockets 173 and 174 (Figure l), by the chain 176 driven from a sprocket which is mounted on shaft 37 (Figure 2). Thus, by effecting the placement of a receptacle under the knock-out station each time a mold enters the knock-out station, and by providing the same number of receptacles, or a multiple thereof, as the number of mold assemblies in the machine, a plurality of different types of articles may be made by the use of different shaped mold cavities in each mold assembly but identical articles will be collected in the several receptacles. Further details with respect to this type of collecting apparatus appear in our Patent No. 2,278,815.

In view of the manner by which the molds are mounted onto the chains, it will be recognized that as said molds reach the end of the rails 104 and 106, and start around the upper quadrant of the sprockets 2'7 and 29, there will be a tendency for said molds to drop free of said chain. Accordingly, the discs 183 and 184 (Figures 2 and 8) have been provided adjacent said sprockets to bear against the lower surfaces of said mold bodies and hold them firmly in position. For the same reason the discs 181 and 182 (Figure 2) have been provided on the shaft 33 adjacent the sprockets 28 and 31. If desired, there can also be added to the frame structure of the machine, as the part 236 appearing in Figure 1, a water spray unit 303 supplied through a valve 304 by pipe 306 connected to any convenient source of cold water, not shown. Means are provided for opening said valve 304 intermittently to direct a spray of coldwater onto a mold and cover assembly as said assembly leaves the mold filling station and thereby effect a rapid cooling thereof. Preferably, the control for valve 304 is arranged to hold same open for a period of time proportional to the amount of material within the mold cavity. For example, referring to Figure 4, a limit switch 307 may be positioned immediately above some portion of the mechanism controlling the valve 69, as the bar 71, and the same connected through a source of potential 308 to a solenoid 309. Said solenoid is arranged for controlling the valve 304. Thus, each time the bar 71 lifts, the switch 307 is closed, the valve 304 is actuated into its open position and the water spray is caused to continue for so long as the bar 71 is in a raised position.

OPERATION While the operation of the machine of the present invention has been substantially indicated above, it will be reviewed briefly in the interest of completeness.

The apparatus is made ready for operation by the preparation of molten metal in the source 78 (Figure 1) and the supplying of said metal by any convenient means, not shown, to the pot 66 through the conduit 77. Said metal will return from said pot to the source 78 and thereby a constant circulation of molten metal is maintained. This procedure is conventional and needs no elaboration.

A series of suitable mold bodies and mold covers are positioned on the chains as indicated, in the usual case the mold bodies being the only parts which will require changing. The mold covers will be adaptable for use with a wide variety of mold bodies but can be changed when needed, particularly where multi-cavity molds are being used. Suitable receptacles R are arranged on the receiving table 171 (Figure 1) and the mechanism is started. The rotation supplied by the motor 43 is transmitted through the sprocket and chain system indicated at a uniform rate to the shaft 48. This actuates the Geneva driver 47 which enters into the slots of the Geneva wheel 46 and causes intermittent rotation thereof and consequent intermittent rotation of the shaft 37.

This acts through the gears 36 and 34 to effect the intermittent advancement of the mold bodies 23. Said mold bodies engage the mold covers through the pins 244 and 246 and cause them to move simultaneously therewith. The step-wise movement effected by the Geneva mechanism is coordinated with the spacing between the several stations of the apparatus, referring particularly to the mold filling station, the sprue cut ofi station, the mold part knock-out station, the knock-out return station, and with respect to the covers, the sprue knock-out station. Sufificient space is provided between the casting station and the sprue cut off station that the cast parts will be substantially rigidified by the cooling action of the water spray and the ambient atmosphere by the time the molds reach the sprue cut off station.

With the mold body and mold cover assembly positioned below the pot 66 and shaft 127 rotating, the cam 131 will depress the cam-frame 120. Rotation of shaft 127 alsocauses cam 141 to lift the actuator bar 76 and thereby li ft the cross arm 71 which in turn lifts the valve 69 to permit a supply of molten metal to pass from the pot 66 downwardly into the mold cavity. The shape of the cam 141 will be designed to hold the valve open a proper length of time to permit the correct amount of molten metal for filling a given mold to flow out of the pot. Said cam may be readily replaced as required to adapt the apparatus for operation with molds of varying capacities. With the mold filled, the further operation of the cam 141 effects closing of the valve 69 and the apparatus is ready to move one step. At this point the Geneva driver 47 moves into the next slot of the Geneva wheel 46 and effects a further step-wise movement of the mechanism, whereby the next following.

any one mold body and cover assembly reaches the sprue shearing station, the metal within said assembly is rigidified. Actuation of the cam-frame moves the member 94 downwardly to a position where the roller 92 rides up the cam track 97 which causes the roller 92 to move rightwardly (Figure 6) and thus push the mold cover rightwardly with respect to the mold body. This shears the sprue from the material within the mold body. Further movement of said mold body and cover assemblies then moves the parts towards the lower sprockets 27 and 29 and the upper sprockets 54 and 55, respectively. The mold body 23 and mold cover 51 separate as they pass around the respective sprockets. The mold cover travels upwardly and then toward the mold return end of the machine to reach a position under the sprue knock-out mechanism. Actuation of the camframe 120 moves the actuator 122 downwardly which causes the sprue knock-out mechanism 111 to be moved downwardly to drive the knock-out pin 116 against the sprue and cause it to fall into the trough 121 by which it is returned to any suitable collector, such as the melting furnace 78. In the meanwhile the mold body travels around the sprockets 27 and 29 to a position near the under side of the machine at which point the mold body is supported by the rails 187 and 189. Further movement of the supporting chains moves the mold body into the knock-out position. At this point an appropriate downward movement of the cam-frame 120 drives the plate 156 downwardly to move the blocks and 155a, and thereby knock-out pins 154, downwardly to loosen the cast part from the mold cavity walls. The positive striking is suflicient only to. effect a limited movement of said cast article with respect to the mold body, but the same movement compresses the springs 159 and 160 which forthwith expand and provide the further movement necessary to complete the knock-outoperation. The cast part then falls into a suitable one of the receptacles R on the table 171. The movement of the receptacles is coordinated with the movement of the respective molds so that the product of selected molds is received in correspondingly selected receptacles. The mold then moves around to the knock-out return position and its knock-out mechanism is driven back into normal position in the event that it has not already returned thereto by gravity. At this point, a mold body is again approached by its cover, the two join with the pins 244 and 246 of the cover, embracing each end of the mold body, and the mold body and cover assembly are again ready to move into metal receiving position under the pot 66, thereby completing a cycle.

It will be obvious fromthe foregoing that the number and spacing of the molds on' the conveyor is such, and the operation of the cam-frame 120 is so timed, that each mold and mold cover passing therealong is subjected to each of the operations described above.

MODIFICATIONS While it has been indicated in the foregoing description that a variety of different molds may be utilized simultaneously in the particular embodiment described, it will be recognized that the length of time the plunger remains in raised position with respect to each mold is governed by the single cam 141 in any particular operation of the machine. Thus, while said cam may be changed to accommodate mold cavities of different sizes in different runs of the machine, for any given run it will be necessary that all mold cavities be of the same volumetric capacity. However, it is desirable to provide the machine with alternatively usable apparatus by which the period of time that the valve plunger 69 is in raised position with respect to any given mold may be varied according to the capacity of each particular mold and thereby enable the machine simultaneously to handle molds having both differently shaped cavities and cavities of different volumetric capacities.

Turning now to Figure 3, the cam 141 is removed, or alternatively, rendered ineffective by the removal of the connecting pin for the cam follower 143. Actuator 76, by which the valve bar 71 is lifted, is then removed. Preferably, as indicated in Figure 4, the entire structure of valve bar 71 is also removed. The valve 69 may then be connected directly, as shown in Figure 18, to the plunger 251 of a solenoid 252. The solenoid 252 is mounted by any suitable means, such as a bracket, on the pot 66 or the frame of the machine, so as to occupy the position shown in Figure 18. The parts are arranged so that energization of solenoid 252 will lift the valve plunger 69 and permit molten metal to flow downwardly out of the pct 66.

A wheel 253 is mounted on a stub shaft 254 suitably held within the frame of the machine, such as on the plate 11, and has a geared connection with one of the intermittently moving shafts, such as the shaft 37 as shown. The ratio of such gearing is such that the wheel 253 will rotate exactly once with each complete cycle of any given mold in the machine. Radially adjustable cams 256 are arranged around the periphery of wheel 253. In one particular embodiment, said radially adjustable cams Where provided by the use of ordinary carriage bolts threaded into the periphery of an otherwise solid wheel 253. A switch 257 is provided adjacent the wheel 253 with its roller 258 in position to be contacted by the several cams 256. As will be apparent in Figure 18, adjustment of a cam 256 radially outwardly will hold the switch in closed condition for a longer period of time than where one of the cams 256 is adjusted radially inwardly. The cams 256 are provided in a number equal to the number of molds utilized in a given machine and the wheel 253 is so arranged with respect to the position of the molds that an appropriate one of the cams will engage the roller 253 of the switch approximately simultaneously with the arrival of a given cover and mold assembly into filling position under the pct 66. The parts are also so arranged that the maximum time which the switch 257 can be held closed is less than the dwell time of a cover and mold body assembly under the pot 66 so that there will be no danger of the cover and mold body assembly moving forward before the valve 69 has closed. Thus, as a cover and mold body assembly reaches its filling position, one of the cams 256 will effect a closure of the switch 257 and thereby close a circuit which includes a potential source 259 to energize the solenoid 252. This opens the valve 69 and permits a filling of the particular mold which is then in filling position. Continued movement of the wheel 253 will presently permit release of the roller 258, the time before such release occurs depending upon the radial adjustment of the one of said cams 256 then contacting said roller, and opening of said switch will deenergize the solenoid and permit closure of the valve 69. Thus, by properly adjusting each of the cams 256, the valve 69 will be held open a proper length of time to fill each of the several mold cavities and a substantial variation in the volumetric capacities of the several molds with respect to each other may be accommodated. In using the apparatus shown in Figure 18, it is preferred to adjust the duration of the cooling water spray depending upon the amount of material that has been cast into the mold. Switch 3070, which is similar in construction and operation to switch 3tl7 (Figure 4-), is mounted so that it will be actuated by the adjustable cams 256 that are mounted on the wheel 253. Thus, as any one cam 256 moves, it actuates switch 257 to cause casting of a preselected amount of material in the mold. The cam 256 will then actuate switch 307a which in turn actuates solenoid 309 to open valve 304 to direct a spray of cooling water on the mold, the duration of the Water spray being proportional to the amount of material that has been cast in the mold.

Where desired, further mechanism may be applied to the structure shown by which parts from a multi-cavity mold may be directed into multiple receptacles. Referring to Figures 19 and 20, there is shown a multi-cavity mold 23a having cavities B1 and B2. Below the plates 186 and 188, there is provided an H-shaped device comprising a pair of angle bars 301 having a cross member 302, said cross member in vertical section being an inverted V. Said cross member is placed so that its apex is located substantially equi-distant between the two cavities when the mold 23a is in knock-out position. It will be evident from an inspection of Figure 19, that parts knocked out of the mold cavities B1 and B2 will be directed by the cross member 302 into the receptacles R1 and R2, respectively.

It will be recognized that the foregoing preferred embodiment utilized for illustrating the invention as well as the alternatively useful structures disclosed herein may be modified in a variety of ways as will be apparent to those acquainted with apparatus of this general type.

Such variations will be well within the skill of the art to adapt this mechanism to a variety of specific requirements. Accordingly, such variations should be considered to be within the scope of the hereinafter pending claims excepting as said claims may by their own terms expressly require otherwise.

We claim:

1. In a mold construction for use in a casting machine having a pair of parallel, endless chains with upper and lower courses and a pair of parallel rails adjacent to, and extending along, each pair of saidcourses, the combination comprising: a mold body having a cavity in its upper surface; a pair of parallel, longitudinally disposed bars secured to, and extending from, opposite sides of said body and adapted for slidably supporting said body upon said rails along said courses; means providing a pair of parallel, downwardly opening slots in said bars at the forward ends thereof, means providing a pair of parallel, rearwardly opening slots in said bars at the rearward ends thereof, said rearward and forward slots being transversely aligned, respectively; and a pair of parallel pins on one chain coaxial with, and extending toward, a pair of parallel pins on the other chain, said pairs of pins being slidably and removably engageable, respectively, with the slots in said pair of bars, whereby said mold body may be removed from said chains by raising the forward and of said mold body with respect to said pins and then moving said mold body forwardly with respect to said pins.

2. An apparatus for casting metal articles including the combination: a pair of movable conveyors; mold parts mounted on each of said conveyors, each mold part on one of said conveyors being adapted to mate with a mold part on the other of said conveyors during only part of their movement with said conveyors; knock-out means mounted on at least one of said mating mold parts and movable between a retracted position and a projected position, movement of said knock-out means to said projected position, after said mold parts have separated, causing discharge of the molded article from said one mold part; knock-out return means mounted in said one mold part and projecting outwardly therefrom when said knock-out means is in its projected position; and pivotally mounted means mounted adjacent said conveyors, pivotal movement of said pivotally mounted means causing said means to contact said knock-out return means to force said knock-out means into retracted position.

3. An apparatus adapted for the automatic casting of a plurality of small metal articles, the combination comprising: a frame; mold support means extending longitudinally of said frame and adapted for supporting a mold body; a plurality of mold bodies, having cavities and adapted for passing successively along said mold support means; first conveyor means moving said mold bodies stepwise along said mold support means and returning them from the discharge end of said mold support means to the feeding end thereof; a plurality of covers respectively engageable with said mold bodies; second conveyor means, located above said first conveyor means, for removing said covers from said mold bodies at the discharge end of said mold support means and returning them for placement on said mold bodies at the feeding end of said mold support means; a metal supplying pot intermediate the ends of said mold support means; control means for said pot for intermittently supplying molten metal into the cavities of said mold bodies; means secured near the discharge end of said mold support means for shearing the sprue from the cast articles at a point spaced from said pot; knock-out mechanism, cooperable with said first conveyor means, for removing cast articles from said mold bodies, and sprue knock-out means, cooperable with said second conveyor means, for removing sprues from said covers; a cam frame comprising at least one elongated member pivoted at one end thereof and extending substantially the full length of said frame, and adapted for limited vertical movement around the point of said pivoting; ,connectors actuating the knock-out mechanism, the sprue shearing means and the sprue knock-out means in re sponse to movement of said cam frame; and means, acting against said cam frame and operable simultaneously with movement of said molds, for effecting actuation of said cam frame.

4. An apparatus for molding metal articles, including the combination: a pair of endless conveyors movable along parallel, adjacent paths; a series of mold parts mounted on each said conveyor, said parts being arranged in mating pairs as they move along said paths; means for introducing molding material into the mold cavities in said mated pairs of mold parts, and means for varying the amounts of molding material introduced into successive molds; means for applying a cooling fluid to the external surface of said mated mold parts as they continue to move along said paths past said material introducing means; means for operating said cooling fluid applying means in sequence with the operation of said material introducing means and said conveyors; means, operating in sequence with said molding material amount varying means, for varying the amount of cooling fluid applied to said molds so that the amount of cooling fluid applied to said molds is approximately proportional to the amount of molding material therein.

5. An apparatus for molding articles, including the combination: a frame; a pair of simultaneously and intermittently movable conveyors, each of said conveyors being movable through a closed path; a series of mold parts mounted on each of said conveyors, the mold parts on one conveyor being mated with the mold parts on the other conveyor to form mold cavities during a substantial portion of their movement with said conveyors through said closed path; means for depositing molding material into successive mold cavities as said mold parts move through said substantial portion of said path; means for severing the sprue from the molded articles at a point spaced from said depositing means; means for ejecting the molded article from one of said mating mold parts after said mating mold parts have separated; unitary means for actuating said material depositing means, said sprue severing means and said ejecting means in timed relationship with each other and with the intermittent operation of said conveyors, said unitary means including a rotating shaft, having cam means mounted thereon and controlling said material depositing means; a cam frame pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement through a vertical plane, said sprue severing means and said ejecting means being mounted on said cam frame for actuation in response to movement thereof, and said cam means being connected to said cam frame for causing pivotal movement of said frame.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said severed sprue is retained in the other of said mating mold parts,

and including sprue knock-out means to discharge the sprue fromsaid other mold part; means mounted on said cam frame to actuate said sprue knock-out means in response to movement of said cam frame; and means to return said ejecting means to a non-ejecting position, said return means being actuated by means mounted on said cam frame.

7. The apparatusdefined in claim 5, wherein said ejecting means includes a first plate having a series of ejection pins thereon, said pins extending through said mold bodies into the mold cavity therewithin; compressible means resiliently supporting said first plate on said mold body; a second plate movable into contact with said first plateg'a third plate, and compressible means resiliently supporting said second plate on said third plate; and means for moving said third plate vertically to force said second plate into engagement with said first plate.

8. An apparatus for casting metal articles, including the combination: a pair of conveyors movable through closed paths, a portion of one path being above, and adjacent to, a portion of the other path; a series of mold covers mounted on one of said conveyors and a series of mold bodies mounted on the other of said conveyors, each mold cover mating with a mold body during move ment through said portions of said paths; a metal supplying pot intermediate the ends of said portions; control means for controlling the supply of molten metal to the mold cavities; sprue separating means positioned near the end of said portions of said paths for separating the sprue from the cast article; ejection mechanism for removing the cast articles from the mold parts; means for actuating said sprue separating means, said ejection mechanism and said control means in timed relationship to each other, said last-mentioned means including a plurality of vertically movable elements; means for moving said elements vertically in timed relationship with each other, said sprue separating means including one of said vertically movable elements, said one element: having a cam surface thereon; means, including a bar, extending laterally of the paths of said conveyors and positioned above said mold covers in said portions of said paths; spring means normally urging said bar in one direction, said cam surface being adapted to urge said bar in the opposite direction; a plate secured to said bar and adapted for engagement with successive mold covers as they move stepwise for moving said mold covers laterally with respect to their associated mold bodies in response to urging by said cam surface.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8, including, also, sprue knock-out mechanism positioned above the path traced by said mold covers, said sprue knock-out mechanism including pins extendable through said mold covers; and means, including a vertically movable element for moving said sprue knock-out mechanism into, and out of, said mold covers, said last-mentioned, vertically movable element being movable in timed relationship to the movement of the other vertically movable elements.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 8, including a rod secured to said one conveyor, adjacent each mold cover and extending laterally of the path of said mold cover; means slidably supporting the mold cover on said rod; and spring means yieldably urging said rod in said one direction.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 8, including interengaging means for each associated mold cover and mold body, said interengaging means including a set of pins secured to one of said mold bodies and mold covers, a set of co-operating recesses on the other of said mold bodies and mold covers, said recesses being elongated in a direction laterally of the path of the mold bodies and mold covers.

12. In a mold construction for use in an automatic metal casting assembly having an intermittently moving conveyor and support rails adjacent thereto, the combina tion comprising: a mold body having a cavity in its upper 2,843,894 15 surface; sidewardly extending portions on both sides of References Cited in the file of this patent said mold body, adapted in both mold-filling position and mold knock-out position for riding on said support- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing rails, the rearward ends of said portions each having 620,240 Holmboe Feb. 28, 1899 a rearwardly opening slot therein and the forward ends 5 647,319 Nash Apr. 10, 1900 of said portions each having a downwardly opening slot 1,183,105 Nocheck May 16, 1916 therein; and driving pins on said conveyor adapted for 1,248,453 Carr Dec. 4, 1917 slidably removable reception into said slots, whereby said 1,272,887 Ayers July 16, 1918 mold body may be removed from said conveyor by rais- 1,316,471 Acton et a1 Sept. 16, 1919 ing the forward end of said mold body with respect to 0 1,394,246 Bolling Oct. 18, 1921 said pins and then moving said mold body forwardly 1,493,469 Candler May 13, 1924 with respect to said conveyor. 1,516,049 Luetscher Nov. 18, 1924 13. A mold construction for usev in a metal casting 1,533,803 Keithley Apr. 14, 1925 machine having an intermittently moving conveyor, in- 1,582,252 Dodson Apr. 27, 1926 eluding: a mold body having a cavity inits upper sur- 15 1,615,696 Gutierrez Jan. 25, 1927 face and having side walls positioned between the sides 1,817,483 Goad et al. Aug. 4, 1931 of said conveyor, the rearward ends of said side walls 1,898,722 Ford Feb. 21, 1933 each having a rearwardly opening slot therein and the 1,951,932 Henry et al. Mar. 20, 1934 forward ends of said sidewalls each having a downwardly 2,113,033 Poole et al. Apr. 5, 1938 opening slot therein; and driving pins on said conveyor 20 2,278,815 Winkel Apr. 7, 1942 slidably and removably received into said slots, whereby 2,290,286 Leckie et al. July 21, 1942 said mold body may be removed from said conveyor by 2,316,298 Strunk Apr. 13, 1943 raising the forward end of said mold body with respect 2,535,335 Thevenin Dec. 26, 1950 to said pins and then moving said mold body forwardly 2,569,083 Wilhelm Sept. 25, 1951 with respect to said conveyor. 25 2,635,310 Morgan Apr. 21, 1953

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