US2981977A

US2981977A - Mold locking ring

Info

Publication number: US2981977A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Fannen
Original assignee: Super Mold Corp of California
Current assignee: Super Mold Corp of California
Priority date: 1959-03-23
Filing date: 1959-03-23
Publication date: 1961-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1978-05-02
Also published as: DE1190649B; SE301228B; DK104078C; DK106123C; BE588898A; GB907515A; GB869107A

Description

May 2, 1961 J. J. FANNEN MOLD LOCKING RING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 23, 1959 INVENTOR. Jain: J Pan]? en HTTYS May 2, 1961 J. J. FANNEN 2,981,977

MOLD LOCKING RING Filed March 23, 1959 S Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

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May 2, 1961 J. .1. FANNEN MOLD LOCKING RING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed. March 25, 1959 R o T QM N N R w N a N Q & S. 3 WN mm R Q Q v Q 8 R N\ W M w John .1 Fannen nited States 1 MOLD LOCKING RING John J. Fannen, Lodi, Calif., assiguor to Super Mold Corporation of California, a corporation of California Filed Mar. 23, 1959, so. No. 8015174 10 Claims. (Cl. 18-43) cuate sections hinged together at adjacent ends, except" at one point where such ends are free.

-A major object of the present invention is to provide an improved latch for the free ends of the ring, which enables a cinching-up or clamping action, to any extent desired, to be imparted to the ring after the latch is engaged between said free ends.

The latch includes actuating handles, and in order to prevent accidental or inadvertent manual movement of the handles in a latch releasing direction, an automatically functioning safety device is provided to prevent such handle movement except when intended; the provision of such important feature being another object of the invention.

The clamping action produced by the latch tends to Wedge the ring on the "mold so that said ring is not readily released even when the latch is disengaged. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide means mounted in part in connection with the latch which will impart a break-away or unwed'ging action to the adjacent sections of the ring after the latch is disengaged; such means being actuated at the will of the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide breakaway means for the ring sections at their hinged ends so that-upon outward or opening movement of the sections-they will be released from wedging engagement with the mold adjacent said hinged ends.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a mold locking ring which is'designed for ease and economy of manufacture, and convenience of use.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a practical, reliable, and durable mold locking ring, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed, v

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings: v is Fig. 1 is'a plan view of the improved mold locking ring, shown in its locked position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged plan view of the ring, shown in :1 released position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, partly broken out and in section, showing the action of the break-away levers.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the ring, mainly in section, and showing the same in the locked position of Fig. 1. w s

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation 'of the ring in its locked position.

atent ICC Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 66 of Fig. 4.,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional plan of one of the ring hinges, showing the break-away lever mounted in connection therewith. l v d Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross section on line 8--8 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,

certain features which will be described in detail later.

Trunnions 7 are secured to, and project outwardly from,

sections

4 and 5;-said trunnions being in alinement diametrally of the ring 2 when the latter is closed about the mold and being for the purpose recited in the aforementioned application for patent. v I

The ring latching and release or break-away mechanism, which forms the subject matter of this invention, is constructed as follows: r v

Secured on and projecting radially out from ring section 4 adjacent its free end are transversely spacedjear's 8 between which a lever, indicated generally at 9, is pivoted nearone end, as at 10. v s I H Such lever 9, which normally extends tangentially of the ring section 4, includes a cam portion 11 at said one end thereof, a hollow elongated shank 1 2 rigid with said portion 11 and longitudinally alined therewith, a pin 13 slidable but non-turnable in the shank and projecting some distance beyond the outer end thereof, and a handle 14. The outer portion of the pin is threaded, as at 15 while the outer portion of the handle is tapped, asat 16, and engages the threaded portion of. the pin, as shown -F s- The inner portion of the handle -1 4 is formed as a skirt '17 which overlies the outer portion of the shank 12 in t'urnable relation thereto; a thrust washer 18 being seated in the handle and engaging the outer end of the shank.

The pin 13 is prevented from rotating in the shank 1 2 by means of a cross pin 19 projecting through the pinparallel to the axis of the ring 2, and through elongated slots 20 in the upper and lower facesof said shank. At its ends the cross pin 19 supports the adjacent ends of I links 21, which are of a length to extend beyond the cam end of the lever 9 and are connected at their ends opposite the cross pin 19 by a fixed latch pin 22, so that the links 21 and said pin 22 form a rigid latch unit. The spacing between the links 21 is such that they not only straddle- 1 the shank 12, but the ears 8 as well.

The latch pin 22 is adapted, when the rings 4 and'S are" in a closed position about the mold, to 'releasably engage in a retaining notch 23 which faces outwardly relative to ring section 5. This notch is cut in the adjacent endof a lever 24 which normally extends tangentially of ring section 5 in a direction away from lever 9. Lever 24'is pivoted near its notched end, as at 25, between ears 26 mounted on and projecting outwardly from ring section 5 adjacent its free end. At its outer end lever 24 is formed as a handle 27.

With the above arrangement, it will be seen that with the lever 9 disposed in a certain angular relation to lever 24, the latch pin 22 may be swung toward lever 24 to enter notch 23, as indicated in Fig. 2. Upon the lever 9 being then swung toward the ring section 4, and,v so that the

pins

19 and 22 are beyond a dead-center position relative to the lever pivot 10, the

ring sections

4 and 5 will be moved to and held in a locked position. If it is found that said

ring sections

4 and 5 do not then have the desired firm clamping action about the moldyit Patented May 2, 1961 is only necessary to rotate the handle 14 in a direction to relatively retract the pin 13 through the handle, which actually moves the shank 12 in the opposite direction or toward lever 24 so as to bring the free ends ofthe ring sections closer together. Rotation of the handle 14 inthe opposite direction will facilitate the releasing of the latch unit, as will be obvious.

When manipulating the ring-clamped mold, there is at times a tendency on the part of the Operators to grab and pull out on the lever handles, and this action-with an inflated tire in the mold-would release the moldlocking ring, with possibly disastrous consequences.

To prevent such accidental and undesired release of the ring, a simple safety device is provided. Such device comprises a free swinging bar 28 pivoted on the outer side of the shank 12 at a point between the lever pivot 10 and the pin 19, as shown at 29., The bar 28 when in a normal depending position overlaps the outer edges of both links 21, as shown in Fig. 5, and thus prevents the lever 9 froin being swung out to the latch unit releasing position of Fig. 2. The bar 28 is, however, of a lesser width than the depth of the shank 12 or the spacing between the links 21, and is provided on its lower or free end with an outwardly projecting thumb piece 30. This enables the operator, when one hand of such opera'tor is grasping the handle 14, to engage the thumb'piece 30 with the thumb of said hand and lift and hold the bar 28 in a horizontal position, alined with the shank and between the links 21, while the lever 9 is being swung out to a latch unit releasing position, as indicated in Fig. 2. The bar 28 will then remain in this position, being held up by the lower link 21, until the latch unit is again moved to a locking position. 1

The

ring sections

3, 4, and are of flaring channel form in section, as shown in Fig. 8, and when tightly clamped about the mold tend to wedge on the mating, circumferential ribs 31 of the matrix halves 1, and which the locking ring 2 engages.

' In order to readily break the ring sections loose from these ribs, should it be necessary when unlocking and withdrawing the ring from about the mold, the following arrangement is provided:

other.

similar finger 44 is mounted on the hinged end of ring section 5.

In order to limit the opening movement of the

ring sections

4 and 5 relative to ring section 3, each hinge pin 42 is engaged, between the cooperating male and female ears 41 of said hinge, by a spring clip 45 having outwardly extending fingers 46 diverging relative to each An adjustable set screw 47 is mounted in one finger 46 and projects toward the other finger. The fingers project through an opening 48 formed between the cross plates 49 which connect the corresponding hinge ears outwardly of the hinge pin 42. Thus, when the 9 adjacent ends of the cross plates approach each other as that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice of the invetnion, as set forth such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

Disposed between the ears 8 between the'adjacent portion of the lever 9 and the ring section 4 is a short curvededge' lever 32 which extends generally tangentially of said section. This lever 32 is pivoted at its end farthest (from the free end of said section on the ears 8. as at 33; the ring section 4 having a longitudinal slot 34 through which the lever 32 may project. The edge of the adjacent end portion of the lever 9 which faces lever 32 is formed as a cam surface 35. Upon outward swinging of lever 9 through an are greater than that merely necessary to release the latch unit, the lever 32 will be engaged by said cam surface 35 and swung about its pivot 33 so as to press firmly against the periphery of the mold ribs 31, as shown in Fig. 3, and thus breaks the ring section 4 loose from said ribs.

A similar lever 36 is pivoted at one end, as at 37, between the ears 26 and projects through a slot 38 in the ring section 5. The adjacent face of the lever 24, opposite the notch 23, is formed as a cam surface 39 for engagement with the free end of lever 36. An outward pull on handle 27 will cause lever 36 to be pressed against the periphery of the mold ribs 31 to break the ring section 5 away from said ribs.

- 'To break the back ring section 3 away from the mold ribs when the ring section 4 is swung outwardly about its hinge 6, a rigid finger 40 is fixed on the hinged end of the section 4 between the spaced ears 41 of hinge 6; the hinge pin 42 being radially outward of the ring sections and finger. Said finger projects beyond the adjacent end of ring section 4 and through a slot 43 in the adjacent end in ring section 3 for pressing engagement with the periphery of the ribs 31 upon any material opening-out movement being imparted to ring section 4. A.

1. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each'other at one end with such ends normally dispoesd in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, and manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof; said latch means comprising a member mounted on one ring section adjacent said free end thereof and having a notch facing radially out from said section, a lever pivoted adjacent one end on the other ring section adjacent the free end thereof with the pivotal axis parallel to the axis of the ring, a latch unit mounted on the lever and including a link pivoted at one end on the lever at a point between the pivot of the lever and the outer end thereof, and a pin onthe link at the other end thereof arranged to enter the notch when the lever is swung outwardly from said other ring section to a predetermined angular position relative thereto; the link being arranged to extend along and overlie the lever when the pin is engaged in the notch and the lever is swung toward said other ring section from said angular position, and means functioning automatically when the link overlies the lever and the ring is disposed with its axis vertical to then prevent outward swinging of the lever and the resultant release of the latch unit, said last named means comprising a bar on the outer side of the lever and pivoted thereon at a point between the lever pivot and the pivotal connection of the link with said lever, the bar normally swinging free and depending from the lever and overlying the outer side edge of the link and being arranged so that when swung upwardly to lie alongside the lever, it will clear the link.

2. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each other at one end with such ends normally disposed in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, and manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof; said latch means comprising a member mounted on one ring section adjacent said free end thereof and having a notch facing radially out from said section, a lever pivoted adjacent one end on the other ring section adjacent the free end thereof with the pivotal axis parallel to the axis of the ring, a latch unit mounted on the lever and including a link pivoted at one end on the lever at a point between the pivot of the lever and the outer end thereof and a cross pin on the link at the other end thereof arranged to enter the notch when the lever is swung outwardly from'said other ring section to a predetermined angular position relative thereto, the lever including a rotatable handle at its outer end, and means connecting the handle and link pivot to adjust said pivot lengthwise of the lever upon rotation of the handle; the central portion of the lever being longitudinally hollow to its outer end, said last named means comprising a pin non-turnably slidable in said central portion, the link pivot being mounted in said pin transversely thereof and projecting through longitudinal slots in the hollow lever portion; the pin projecting beyond said central portion and into the handle and having relative turnable threaded connection therewith, the handle bearing against the outer end of said hollow portion of the lever.

3. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each other at one end with such ends normally disposed in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof, said means including a control lever pivoted adjacent one end on one section adjacent the free end thereof and radiallyout therefrom. the lever pivot being parallel to the axis of the ring, and means mounted on said one ring section and actuated upon outward swinging of the lever a predetermined amount from said section, to exert a break-away pressure against the periphery of a mold embraced by the ring.

4. A structure, as in claim 3, in which said last named means comprises another lever pivotally supported at one end from said one ring section and extending generally tangentially thereof in a position between the control lever pivot and said section, the latter being slotted along the other lever for engagement thereof with the periphery of the mold, and a cam surface on the edge of the control lever adjacent the pivoted end thereof to engage said other lever and urge the same against the periphery of the mold with such outward swinging of said control lever.

5. A locking ring to surround a full-circle mold in clamping relation with the periphery thereof comprising separate arcuate ring sections, a hinge connecting the sections at one end thereof for outward swinging of one section relative to the other, and means mounted on one section adjacent the hinge and functioning upon outward swinging of said section relative to the mold to move both sections at said end radially out from the mold.

6. A structure, as in claim 5, in which said means comprises a rigid finger secured on the periphery of said one section and projecting beyond the hinged end thereof for engagement of the projecting end of said finger with the periphery of the mold.

7. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each other at one end with such ends normally disposed in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, and manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof; said latch means comprising opposed hand levers pivotally mounted on the ring sections adjacent said free ends, the levers normally extending generally tangentially of the ring, an over-dead-center latch unit releasably connecting the levers and normally clamping the ring about the mold, said latch unit being releasable upon outward swinging of one lever, and means between said levers and the mold operative to forcefully disengage the ring sections from the mold upon outward swinging of both levers, said one lever then being swung outward beyond its latch releasing position.

8. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each other at one end with such ends normally disposed in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof, said latch means including levers pivotally mounted on the ring sections adjacent said free ends, and means between said levers and the mold operative to forcefully disengage the ring sections from the mold upon swinging of both levers, the initial swinging of one lever releasing the latch unit.

9. A locking ring to surround a full-circle mold in clamping relation with the periphery thereof comprising separate arcuate ring sections, a hinge connecting the sections at one end thereof for outward swinging of one section relative to the other, said hinge comprising a pair of spaced ears on each section, the pairs of ears being arranged in cooperating overlapping relation, a. transverse hinge pin supported by and connecting the ears, cross plates connecting the ears outwardly of the pin and leaving a relatively wide opening therebetween in which the pin is exposed, a spring clip on the pin between the ears including fingers projecting outwardly through the opening in normally diverging relation to each other and in clearance relation to the adjacent transverse edges of the plates, and an adjustable set screw mounted in one finger in projecting relation toward the other finger and terminating in spaced relation thereto.

10. In a locking ring to surround a full-circle tire mold, a pair of opposed arcuate ring sections initially free of each other at one end with such ends normally disposed in adjacent and facing relation when the ring is engaged about the mold, and manually operable latch means to releasably connect the sections at such free ends thereof; said latch means comprising a lever pivoted adjacent one end on one ring section adjacent said free end thereof and having an outwardly facing notch at the end of the lever nearest the other ring section, another lever pivoted adjacent one end on the other ring section adjacent the free end thereof, the pivots of said levers being parallel to the axis of the ring, latch means releasably connecting the levers and including a link mounted at one end on said other lever and having a pin on the other end for engagement with the notch, the levers being substantially tangent to the ring and extending in opposite directions when the link is engaged and the ring sections are in clamping engagement with the mold, members movably mounted on the ring sections adjacent and radially inward of the respective lever pivots in position to engage the periphery of the mold upon movement of said members from a predetermined retracted position, and elements on the levers for engagement with the members to move the same upon outward swinging of the levers from said tangential position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 484,235 Plunkett Oct. 11, 1892 491,645 Hart Feb. 14, 1893 689,201 Kolster Dec. 17, 1901 1,455,625 Langenaw May 15, 1923 1,462,286 Jepson July 17, 1923 2,035,844 Stachow Mar. 31, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS 549,989 France Apr. 10, 1922 481,883 Great Britain Mar. 18, 1938 551,457 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1943 664,608 Great Britain Jan. 9, 1949