US3695338A

US3695338A - Molding machine

Info

Publication number: US3695338A
Application number: US59181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony S Masi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-29
Filing date: 1970-07-29
Publication date: 1972-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-03
Also published as: CA933326A; JPS5220418B2; JPS5081918A; JPS5114090B1; DE2119978A1

Abstract

An automatic flaskless match plate molding machine wherein a drag and a cope are successively filled and squeezed within the machine to form drag and cope mold halves; transferred to an exterior core setting station whereat the drag and cope are closed to form a completed mold and the completed mold stripped from the drag and cope; and retracted into the machine to repeat the molding cycle. The machine features a universal match-plate, an improved sand dispensing, sifting and compacting arrangement, and an improved pour opening former.

Description

United States Patent H 1 3,695,338 Masi Oct. 3, 1972 [541 MOLDING MACHINE 3,506,058 4/1970 Hunter 164/37 [72] Inventor: Anthony S Masi, 755 East 43 St" 3,5|7,728 6/]970 T8CCOIIC ..164/324 X Erie p 16504 3,589,433 6/1971 Hedburg .1640? x Filed: July 1970 Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser [21] Appl. No.: 59,181 Assistant Examiner-John E. Roethel Att0rney-Bean & Bean Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 775,711, Nov. [57] ABSTRACT 1968' abandoned An automatic flaskless match plate molding machine wherein a drag and a cope are successively filled and [52] US. Cl. ..l64/l8l, 164/29, 164/ 193, squeezed within the machine to f drag and cope [51] In Cl l64/22n7izlc6iflnzgl mold halves; transferred to an exterior core setting a I i p t i i t i s s i -a a [58] F|eliliofSearch....l64/27, 29, 37. 16 completed mold and the completed mold stripped 64/182 from the drag and cope; and retracted into the machine to repeat the molding cycle. The machine features a universal match-plate, an improved sand {56] References Cited dispensing, sifting and compacting arrangement, and

UNITED STATES PATENTS an improved p Opening former- 3,5 89,432 6/l97l Miller et a]. 164/182 24 Chins, 28 Drawing Figures J g :1 q/ .114 A 4 34 1311mm 122 "l'h', 130-"; m 25'! 13,-? &; r 1 25a :1 P Iii I a: i r. 105

PATENTEDUBT 3 I972 SHEEI 1 0F 8 I N VENTOR ANTHONY S. M/LSI PATENTED SHEET 2 0F 8 [NVEN ANTHONY PATENTEDHIIH I 2 3.695.338

sum 3 BF 8 I N VENTOR ANTHONYS AS ATTORNE XS ATENTEU I973 3.695.338

SHEET '4 OF 8 56 INVENTOR AN THONY 5. M/IS/ PATENTEUBBIQ I972 SHEET 5 OF 8 IN V EN TOR ANTHONY 5. M45/ Gila/ 4 4 @141, A T TORNEYS MOLDING momma REFERENCE TO IRIOR APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my prior patent application Ser. No. 775.7] I, filed Nov. l4. I968, now abandoned.

SUMMARY In my co-pending application Ser. No. 775,7l I, filed Nov. I4, 1968, there isdisclosed a match-plate molding machine wherein a drag and cope are formed as a permanent part of the machine and mold halves successively formed in the drag and cope within a molding station of the machine are moved to a convenient external core-setting and closing station, wherein the mold halves are joined and stripped from the drag and cope.

The present invention features several improvements in the basic construction of the molding machine disclosed by my above mentioned application, which adapts such machine for universal molding application.

More particularly, the present invention features an improved match-plate holder or frame. which permits multiple sizes of presently available match-plates to be employed in the present machine; an improved sand dispensing hopper support, which permits the volume of the molding sand charge to be readily adjusted in accordance with molding requirements; a sand rake device which serves to break up lumps which may be present in the charge simultaneously with the dispensing thereof into the drag or cope; an improved vibrating arrangement for settling sand against the pattern surfaces of the mold plate; and an improved pour basin forming head construction, which is carried by the squeeze head and serves to automatically form a pour basin in the cope mold half during squeezing thereof.

DRAWINGS The nature and mode of operation of the present invention is more fully described in the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a front elevational view of the present molding machine having parts broken away for purposes for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. I having parts broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cope and cope carrler;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drag and drag carrler',

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drag mounted on its carrier;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 in FIG. 6;

FIG I0 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIG. l;

FIG. I! isasectioml viewtakenalong line ll-ll in FIG. 10;

FIG. I2 is a sectional view taken along line l2-l2 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 13 and I4 are fragmentary side elevational views showing various stages in operation of the mold closing apparatus;

FIG. 15 is asectional view taken along line 15-15 in FIG. I;

FIGS. 16-28 illustrate various stages in machine operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION To facilitate description of the molding machine of the present invention. which is generally designated as It) in the drawings, it will be considered as broadly including a drag 12; a cope 13; a molding station 14 for successively completing mold halves l6 and I7 within the drag and cope. respectively; a closing station 18 for joining mold halves l6 and 17 to form a completed mold 20 and subsequently stripping or separating the completed mold from the drag and cope; and arrangements including drag and

cope carriages

22 and 23 for mounting the drag and cope for movement between the molding and closing station, during each cycle of machine operation.

The various operating elements of machine 10 are mounted on a machine frame 24, which is best shown in FIGS. I and 2 as having a pair of upstanding side walls 25 and 26; side wall connecting plates 27; and pairs of column supports or

standards

29 and 30, which upstand from side wall 25 and 26, respectively, and are braced adjacent their upper ends by bars 32 and 34.

Drag I2 is best shown in FIGS. I, 4 and 5 as being in the form of an open-ended box having trunnions 36, support brackets 38 and joiner brackets 40 arranged one adjacent each end thereof. Joiner brackets 40 each support a dowl pin 42 and define a down pin receiving opening 44.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 4-6 and 9, trunnions 36 each include roller bearings 46. which are freely received for both rotational and relative vertical movement between pairs of carriage mounted

guide plates

48, 49. Extending from one of trunnions 36 is a drive shank extension 50, which is cut away to define parallel drive surfaces 52 removably engageable with drive coupling 54 of carriage mounted reversable fluid motor 56. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, shank extension 50 is positioned vertically for alignment with drive coupling 54 by adjustable bolts 58 arranged intermediate each pair of

guide plates

48, 49 for supporting engagement with roller bearings 46.

By referring to FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 it will be understood that operation of motor 56 effects rotation of drag 12 through substantially between its molding orientation, which is shown in full line in FIG. 5 and determined by engagement of support brackets 38 with carriage mounted adjustable bolts 60, and its stripping orientation, which is shown in phantom line in FIG. 5 and determined by engagement of support brackets 38 with carriage mounted adjustable bolts 62.

Drag carriage 22 is supported by wheels 64 on column support mounted tracks 66 for reciprocating movement under the control of track mounted fluid cylinders 68 to and from its retracted position shown in FIG. 2. When carriage 22 is in its retracted position and drag I2 is in its molding orientation, the drag is considered to be in its molding position within molding station 14, whereas when carriage is extended to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2, and drag 12 is rotated into its stripping orientation. the drag is considered to be in its stripping or closing position within closing station 18.

Cope I3 is best shown in FIG. 3 as being in the form of an opemcnded box having adjacent each end thereof a pair of

support brackets

70, 72; and joiner brackets 74. Joiner brackets 74 each support a dowl pin 76 and define a dowl pin receiving opening 78; dowl pins 70 and openings 78 being dimensioned to cooperate with openings 44 and dowl pins 42 to removably lock drag I2 and cope 13 together when in closing position. Cope 13 is removably supported for relative vertical movement on carriage 23 by engagement of support brackets 70 with carriage mounted adjustable bolts 80 and by engagement of support brackets 72 with the bases 82 of carriage mounted adjustable guide pins 84, which are freely received with bracket apertures 86.

Cope carriage 23 is supported by wheels 90 on column support mounted tracks 92 for reciprocating movement under the control of

fluid cylinders

94, 96 between the retracted, molding and closing position indicated generally in FIGS. 16, 21 and 24, respectively. It will be understood that when carriage 23 is in its molding position, cope I3 is considered to be in its molding position within molding station 14, whereas when carriage 23 is in its closing position, cope 13 is considered to be in its closing position within closing station 18.

Molding station 14 is vertically bounded by column supports 28 and 30 and generally includes a mechanism 100 for forming and dispensing a charge of molding material or molding sand downwardly into drag l2 and cope 13 when in molding position therebeneath; a match-plate assembly 102; and an arrangement including pattern well I04 and squeeze head 106 for compressing a charge of sand dispensed into the drag and cope for completing mold halves I6 and 17 formed with mold surfaces determined by the match-plate assembly.

Mechanism I is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as including a molding material hopper 110, which is supported on a framework 112 having flanges I14 aperlured to receive the threaded upper ends of column supports 29, 30; a clam type valve I16 operated by framework mounted fluid cylinder 118 to permit gravity discharge of material from hopper I; a material discharge guide I20 fixed to upper frame bars 32, 34; and head assembly I22.

Head assembly I22 includes a valve head 124, which is mounted by frame affixed rails I26 for horizontal recipcating movement under the control of fluid cylinder I28 between the extended and retracted positions shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively. Valve head I24. when in extended position, serves both to close the lower end opening I30 of guide 120 and to operatively position squeeze head 106, which depends therefrom, within molding station 14.

As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 16 and 17.2: charge of sand to be employed in forming mold halves lo and I7 is formed, when vnlvc head I24 is in exlcllilnl position, by opening vnlvc I I6 to lill guide I20 with sand discharged from hopper 110. When guide is filled, valve "6 is closed and the charge subsequently dispensed downwardly through opening into either drag 12 or cope 13 when valve head 124 is moved-into its retracted position. In accordance with the present invention, the vertical spacing between valve 116 and valve head 124, and thus the volume of the charge, may be readily adjusted by merely adjusting clamp nuts 132, which are threaded onto the upper ends of column supports 29, 30 and serve to clampingly position flanges 114 of hopper supporting framework 112.

Valve head 124 is provided adjacent its forward end with a rake device 134, which is operable during retraction of the valve head to break up any lumps of sand which may be present in the charge. Rake device 134 is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 15 as including an inverted, generally L-shaped mounting bracket 136 to which are affixed a plurality of pin-like rake elements 138 and a plurality of vertically inclined plates 140, which serve to distribute the charge relation to elements 138. Preferably, bracket 136 is movably mounted on valve head 124 by resilient mounts 142, which permit vibrating movement to be imparted to bracket 136 by a suitable, pneumatically or electrically operated vibrator, generally designated as 144. As will be apparent from viewing FIG. 15, when valve head 124 is retracted to uncover guide opening 130 aind release the charge, any lumps present in the charge are broken upon striking one of elements 138 or plates 140 or due to the vibration set up within the charge.

As is conventional, an upset assembly having a vertically extending through opening 152 is employed to guide the charge passing through guide opening 130 downwardly into drag l2 and cope 13 when in their molding position.

Now referring to FIGS. 1. 2, I0, 11 and 20, it will be seen that match-plate assembly 102 includes a generally rectangular match-plate 160, which is shown in FIG. 20 as having an oppositely facing first and second pattern surfaces 1600, 16%; a generally rectangular match-plate holding frame or jig 162, which is supported on

guide fixtures

164, 166 for rotation under the control of fixture mounted, reversible fluid motor 168 and for vertical reciprocating movement by table or sub-frame I70 mounted fluid cylinder 172. Table 170 is in turn mounted for vertical reciprocating movement relative to frame 24 by fluid cylinders I74 and serves to support pattern well I04.

In its preferred form, match-plate frame 162 includes a generally rectangular spacer plate I76 having a through opening I78 dimensioned to accommodate the largest size match-plate to be employed in the machine. As best shown in FIGS. 10 and Il, match-plate 160 may be releasably retained in a substantially co-planar relationship within opening 178 by pairs of coverplates I80 and I82, which are removably fixed, as by machine screws I84, to spacer plate 176 in a sandwiched relationship adjacent opposite ends thereof; and by set screws I86 threaded through connecting side bar portions 188 of spacer plate I76. While cover plates I80 and 182 may be joined by connecting portions, not shown, which extend lengthwise of side bar portions 188, it is preferable to form the cover plates separately and to affix pairs of cover discs 190 by screw devices I92 at spaced points lengthwise of the side bar portions. The provision of discs 190 improves packing of sand adjacent to side walls of the cope and drag.

By again referring to FIGS. and II, it will be seen that spacer plate 176 and cover

plates

180, 182 are provided with pairs of apertures 196 dimensioned to receive drag and cope dowl pins 42 206, 76 in order to insure proper orientation of match-plate 160 when placed in dowl with the cope and drag, as will be described. Preferably, apertures 196 are bounded by wear plates 198, which serve to prevent enlargement of the apertures during use.

Match-plate frame 162 is preferably removably fixed to fluid motor 168 and fixture mounted support bearing 200 by holders 202, which are best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, as including L-shaped flanges 204 and cover plates 206, which are removably clamped together by machine screws 208. To facilitate orientation of dowl pins 42, 76 within apertures 196, a loose connection is provided between holder 202 and match-plate frame I62 in the form of a flange supported pin 210, which is loosely received within frame opening 212.

As is conventional, pattern well I04 is dimensioned to support match-plate 160, it being evident that the depth of the pattern well must be such as to accommodate for the maximum dimensions of pattern surfaces I60a, 160b, when the matchplate is supported thereon. In a preferred form of the present invention, pattern well 104 is loosely supported on table 170 and has dependent therefrom a pneumatically or electrically operated vibrating device 216, shown only in FIG. I as being freely received within the table opening 218. Vibrator mounting plates 210 are engageable with the walls of table opening 218 to limit horizontal movement of pattern well 104 beyond that which would result in misalignment of the pattern well with matchplate I60 when a pattern surface of the latter is supported by the upper marginal supporting surface 222 of the pattern well. Vibrator 216 is employed to vibrate match-plate 160 only during the filling of drag 12 or cope 13 with sand.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, I2, 22 and 23, wherein squeeze head 106 is shown as being provided with a device 228 for automatically forming a pouring basin 230 in cope mold half I7 simultaneously with the compression or squeezing thereof. Fonning device 228 includes a generally frusto-conical shaped polyurethane head portion 232 having a stepped opening 234 extending axially therethrough. Opening 234 includes relatively small and large diameter end portions 234a and 234b, the latter being threaded to receive one end of a metal tube 236, which is freely received within squeeze head opening 238. The enlarged end of head 232 is provided with a deformable, marginally extending lip portion 240 adapted to be maintained in deformed, sealing engagement with the under surface of squeeze head 106 by nut 242 threaded onto the relatively upper end of tube 236. It will be understood by referring to FIGS. 22 and 23 that opening end portion 234a is dimensioned to receive the end of rod 244, which upstands for pattern surface 16% in order to form pouring basin 230 and a sprue 246 leading to the cope mold half cavity 248. Sand pushed into opening 234 may be subsequently dislodged therefrom by a pneumatic device, not shown.

Closing station 18 is shown in FIG. 2 as including a frame mounted pressure plate assembly 250 and a closing assembly 252. Pressure plate assembly 250 includes a pressure plate 254, which is supported by column support mounted linkage 256 for vertical pivotal movement under the control of fluid cylinder 258 between its retracted and operative positions shown in full and phantom line, respectively, in FIG. 1. For the purpose to be described, a pressure sensitive or limit switch 259 is associated with pressure plate 254.

Closing assembly 252 is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, I3 and 14 as including a main supporting plate 260 carried on the rams, not shown, of cylinders 262, which are in turn supported by ram 264 of main cylinder 266. Cylinder 266 is fixed to frame 24 by mounting bracket 268. To prevent binding of the rams of

cylinders

262 and 266 and/or horizontal movement of plate 260, there is provided a suitable guide in the form of plate mounted guide rod 270 and bracket mounted bushing 272.

A drag mold supporting plate 274 is supported for vertical movement relative to plate 260 between closing and stripping positions, shown respectively in FIGS. 13 and 14, by a plurality of fluid expansible cushion devices 276. As will be apparent from viewing FIGS. 13 and 14, cushion devices 276 are freely positioned within plate openings 280 by plate mounted support brackets 282.

Plate 260 additionally mounts a plurality of drag mold supporting and/or stripping devices, in the form of threadably adjustable bolts 284 arranged to engage drag 12 only when plate 274 is moved into its stripping position.

The upper surface of plate 274 is shown in FIGS. 2, I3 and 14 as being grooved in order to facilitate sliding completed mold 20 therefrom in the manner indicated in FIG. 28.

Operation of machine 10 will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 16 through 28, which illustrate in sequence the operational steps thereof.

The operational cycle of machine 10 starts with the several machine elements being arranged in their relative positions shown in FIG. 16. Thus, drag I2 is supported by its carriage in molding position; cope 13 is supported by its carriage in retracted position; matchplate 160 is supported on pattern well 104 with pattern surface 160a arranged for association with the drag; and a fresh charge of sand is retained within guide by valve head 124.

In FIG. 17, cylinders 174 are shown as having lifted table 170, which carries pattern well 104 and thus matchplate 160, such that in succession match-plate 160 is positioned in association with drag l2; and drag I2 is lifted from its carriage and positioned in contact with upset I50. The charge of sand is now discharged from guide 120 into drag 12 through upset upon reciprocation of valve head 124 into its retracted position. As mentioned above, any lumps of sand present in the charge being discharged are broken up by the valve head mounted rake device, and the charge properly settled against pattern surface a by operation of the pattern well vibrator.

FIG. 18 shows valve head 124 and squeeze head 106 returned to their initial operative positions of FIG. 16; and cylinders 174 further extended to effect compression or squeezing of sand within drag 12 between sq ueeze head 106 and pattern surface 160a. During the squeezing operation, squeeze head 106 telescopes within upset 150.

After the squeezing operation, cylinders 174 reverse their travel and lower such that in succession drag 12, with complete mold half 16 therein, is removed from adjacent squeeze head 106 and repositioned on its carriage, pattern surface 160a stripped from mold half 16, and the pattern well 104 returned to its original FIG. 16 position, as generally indicated in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 illustrates the next series of operations, wherein in succession drag 12 is moved out of the molding station and rotated through 180 to assume its closing position, whereupon a desired core 290 may be manually set within the drag mold half. At the same time, match-plate 160 is raised by fluid cylinder 172 (FIG. 2), rotated through l80 by fluid motor 168 (FIGS. and 11) in order to expose cope pattern surface l60b, and again lowered into supporting engagement with pattern well 104. Also, at or slightly before this point in the operating cycle, hopper valve 116 is operated to place a new charge of sand in guide 120.

In FIG. 21, mold closing cylinders 262 have been raised to position mold supporting plate 274, when in closing position, in contact with the drag mold half; and cope mold I3 moved into the molding station.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 18, but showing cope 13 being lifted off its carriage and the previously deposited charge of sand being compressed therein to form cope mold half 17.

FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 19, but showing cope 13 being lowered and pattern surface [60b being stripped from mold half 17.

FIG. 24 shows cope 13 as having been moved forward by its carriage to position it in closing position in vertical registration with drag 12. At the same time, matchplate 160 is again raised, rotated and lowered onto pattern well 104; and pressure plate 254 pivoted downwardly to lie in vertical registration with the cope mold half. In FIG. 25, closing cylinder 266 is shown as having been extended, such that drag 12 has been lifted off its carriage, closed against cope 13 to form a completed mold, and cope elevated to position the cope mold half in engagement with pressure plate 254.

In FIG. 26, completed mold is shown as having been stripped from drag l2 and cope 13. This is effected by employing switch 259 to sense engagement of cope mold half 17 with pressure plate 254, such switch causing cushions 276 to deflate before movement of plate 260 towards the pressure plate has been arrested. Deflation of cushions 276 permits relative movement between

plates

260 and 270, with the result that bolts 284 become effective to supportingly engage drag l2 and lift both the drag and cope relative to completed mold 20 previously arrested by engagement with pressure plate 254.

In FIG. 27, mold 20 after having been securely closed is lowered by contraction of

cylinders

262, 266, and cope l3 and drag l2 successively returned to their original positions shown in FIG. 16 to complete the molding cycle.

FIG. 28 illustrates one manner in which completed molds 20 may be fed. as by pusher device 290 from machine 10 to a pouring station 300.

It will be understood that various types of electrical, pneumatic and/or hydraulic controls are susceptible for use in controlling the operation cycle of the molding machine of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate such controls in detail in order to permit one skilled in the art to understand the mode of operation of the present invention.

Iclaim:

l. A molding machine comprising:

a drag;

a cope;

a molding station;

a closing station spaced from said molding station;

and

mounting means to mount said drag and said cope for movement in succession through said molding and closing stations during each cycle of machine operation, said molding station includes means to complete in succession mold halves in said drag and said cope when disposed therewith whereby said mold half is completed in said cope after said drag with its associated completed mold half is moved into said closing station, and said closing station includes means to join said mold halves to form a completed mold when both said drag and said cope are moved into said closing station and to strip said completed mold from said drag and cope.

2. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station means includes a pressure plate supported for vertical pivotal movement downwardly into vertical registration with said cope mold half after, said drag and said cope are moved into said closing station, means to engage said drag mold half, means to engage said drag, and means to move said drag mold halt engaging means relative to said pressure plate for joining said mold halves therebetween to form said completed mold and to thereafter move said drag engaging means relative to said pressure plate for stripping said completed mold from said drag and said cope.

3. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station means includes a pressure plate movable into vertical registration with said cope and drag after said cope and drag are moved into said closing station, a drag supporting device, a mold supporting device, fluid expansible means for mounting said mold supporting device on said drag supporting device for relative vertical movement between closing and stripping positions, pressure responsive means, and means for mounting said drag supporting device for vertical movement towards said pressure plate when said drag and said cope are in closing position thereof, vertical upward movement of said drag supporting device when said mold supporting device is in said closing position thereof bringing said mold supporting device into engagement with said drag mold half, whereby said drag is moved vertically into mold completion engagement with said cope and said en gaged drag and cope are moved vertically to position said cope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressure plate, said pressure responsive means being responsive to engagement of said cope mold half with said pressure plate for deflating said fluid expansible means thereby to move said mold supporting device into said stripping position thereof subsequent to engagement of said cope mold half with said pressure plate and before completion of said vertical upward movement, whereby said drag supporting device is engaged with said drag and said drag and said cope are moved vertically relative to said completed mold to effect stripping thereof.

4. A molding machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a cope;

means to mount said cope on said frame for movement successively between horizontally spaced retracted, molding and closing positions during each cycle of machine operation;

a drag;

means to mount said drag on said frame for movement successively between horizontally spaced molding and closing positions before movement of said cope from said retracted position thereof during each cycle of machine operation;

means carried on said frame to complete in succession mold halves in said drag and said cope when in said molding positions thereof; and

means to join said mold halves to form a completed mold when both said cope and said drag are in said closing positions thereof and to strip said completed mold therefrom.

5. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said mold half completing means includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces;

means carried on said frame to successively position said first and second pattern surfaces for association with said drag and said cope when in said molding position thereof;

means carried on said frame for successively dispensing molding material into said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces are associated therewith; and

means carried by said frame for bringing said positioned pattern surfaces into association and for compressing molding material dispensed into said drag and said cope. 6. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing means includes a molding material hopper having valve means operable to permit gravity discharge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame and guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding material from said guide means through said opening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing between said head means and said hopper valve means; and means to mount said hopper on said frame in fixed horizontal position for vertical adjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may be adjustably controlled.

7. A molding machine according to claim 6, wherein said head means is mounted on said frame for reciprocation between guide means opening closed and open positions, said head means including rake means arranged for engagement by said charge when said head means is reciprocated into said open position.

8. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing means includes means fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding material downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said molding position thereof; and head means mounted on said frame for reciprocation between opening closed and open positions, said head means including rake means arranged for engagement by said molding material during discharge thereof through said opening when said head means is reciprocated into said open position.

9. A molding machine according to claim 8, wherein said rack means includes a mounting plate arranged to extend transversely of the path of reciprocation of said head means, resilient means to mount said plate on said head means, pin means fixed to said plate and extending in a direction lengthwise of said path of reciprocation, means fixed to said plate for guiding said charge into association with said pin means, and means to vibrate said plate relative to said head means.

10. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said means defining said first and second pattern surfaces includes a generally rectangular matchplate having said pattern surfaces carried on oppositely facing surfaces thereof, and a generally rectangular match-plate holder, said holder including a generally rectangular spacer plate having an opening therein dimensioned to accommodate said match-plate in substantially co-planar relationship and means to releasably retain said match-plate within said opening, said holder being carried by said surface positioning means.

ll. A molding machine according to claim 10, wherein said means to releasably retain said matchplate includes cover plates removably fixed to said spacer plate in a sandwiched relationship at least adjacent opposite ends of said spacer plate, facing edge portions of said cover plate extending inwardly of said plate opening in overlying relationship to end portions of said match-plate.

12. A molding machine according to claim 11, wherein disc members are fixed in a sandwiched relationship to said spacer plate at spaced points along sides thereof extending between said opposite ends, said disc members have a thickness substantially equal to said cover plates.

13. A molding machine according to claim 12, wherein said retainer means additionally includes set screw devices carried by said spacer plate and extending inwardly of said plate opening for releasably locking engagement with said match-plate.

14. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said means for mounting said cope includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement, said cope carriage having means to support said cope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means for mounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement independently of said cope carriage, said drag carriage having means to support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotal movement relative thereto, said drag when in said molding position being in a first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in a second pivotal position arranged from said first pivotal position, said vertical pivotal movement of said drag occurring about an axis extending transversely of the path of reciprocating movement of said drag carriage.

15. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said mold half completion means includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces; means carried on said frame to successively position said first and second pattern surfaces for association with relatively lower surfaces of said drag and said cope when in said molding position thereof; means carried on said frame for successively dispensing molding material vertically downwardly into said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces are associated therewith; and means for associating said pattern surfaces and for compressing said dispensed molding material to complete in succession mold halves within said drag and said cope.

16. A molding machine according to claim 15, wherein said associating and compressing means includes a squeeze head; and means operable in succession to move said positioned pattern surfaces vertically upwardly into association with said drag and said cope, and to move said drag and said cope when'said pattern surfaces are associated therewith vertically upwardly relative to said carriages and said squeeze head, whereby said dispensed molding material is compressed within said drag and said cope between said associated pattern surfaces and said squeeze head.

17. A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said means defining said first and second pattern surfaces includes a match-plate having said surfaces carried on oppositely facing surfaces thereof, and said means for moving said positioned pattern surfaces means includes a pattern well arranged for supporting said match-plate peripherally of said pattern surfaces; a plate member for supporting said pattern well; and fluid cylinder means for vertically reciprocating said plate member, said plate member having a vertically extending through opening, and said pattern well having fixed thereto a vibrating device extending downwardly through said plate member opening.

18, A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said dispensing means includes a molding material hopper horizontally fixed relative to said frame, said hopper having valve means operable to permit gravity discharge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame and said guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding material through said opening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing between said head means and said hopper valve means, said squeeze head being carried by said head means for movement therewith; and means to mount said hopper on said frame for vertical adjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may be adjustably controlled.

1). A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said squeeze head is provided with a vertically extending bore opening and a forming device is fixed within said bore opening, said forming device comprising a generally frustoconical plastic forming head having a stepped opening extending axially therethrough, a relatively small diameter end portion of said stepped opening having a smooth wall surface opening through a relatively small end of said forming head, a relatively large diameter end portion of said stepped opening having a threaded wall surface opening through a relatively large end of said forming head, said relatively large end having a deformed lip portion extending marginally thereof; a tube member freely extending vertically through said bore opening, said tube being externally threaded at least adjacent upper and lower ends thereof, said lower end being threadably received within said relatively large end portion of said stepped opening, said tube having an internal diameter substantially equal to or larger than said relatively small end portion of said stepped opening; and nut means threadably received on said upper end of said tube and cooperating with said squeeze head to maintain said lip portion in deformed, tight sealing engagement with said squeeze head.

20. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said closing means includes a pressure plate pivotally supported on said frame for movement into vertical registration with said cope and drag when in said closing position thereof;

a supporting platform;

a drag engaging device fixed to said platform;

a drag mold half supporting plate;

fluid expansible cushion means for mounting said supporting plate on said platform for vertical movement relative to said engaging device between extended closing and contracted stripping positions, said cushion means being deflatable to move said plate form said closing to said stripping position thereof;

means for vertically reciprocating said platform towards said pressure plate; and

means operable during reciprocation of said platform to deflate said cushion means, said supporting plate when in said closing position thereof and said platform is reciprocated being engageable with said drag mold half whereby said drag is lifted from said drag carrier into mold completed engagement with said cope and said engaged drag and cope are lifted relative to said cope carriage to position said cope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressure plate, and said operable means includes switch means responsive to engagement of said completed mold with said pressure plate, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said device engages said drag to effect stripping of said completed mold from said engaged drag and cope.

21. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes plural vertical standards, said means for mounting said cope includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standards, said cope carriage having means to support said cope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means for mounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standards vertically below said cope rail devices, said drag carriage having means to support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotal movement relative thereto, said drag when said molding position being in a first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in a second pivotal position arranged 180 from said first pivotal position, and said mold half completion means includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces; support means; means to position said pattern means in supporting engagement with said support means whereby to alternatively support said first and second pattern surfaces in an upwardly facing position on said support means; molding material dispensing means fixed to said standards vertically above said rail devices, said dispensing means includes a squeeze head mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement between molding material dispensing and molding compression positions, said squeeze head when in molding compression position being arranged in vertical registration with said support means; said carriages positioning said drag and said cope in vertical registration with said support means when in said molding position thereof; and means to effect vertical reciprocation of said support means when said drag or said cope and said squeeze head are in vertical registration, whereby in succession an upwardly facing pattern surface supported by said support means is moved vertically into association with one of said drag and said cope and said drag or said cope with which said upwardly facing pattern surface is associated is moved vertically from its carriage towards said squeeze head, to effect compression of molding material between said squeeze head and said upwardly facing pattern surface.

22. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold form a joined drag and cope, the improvement comprising in combination:

a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold, a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said mold; a drag supporting device; fluid expansible cushion means for supporting said supporting plate on said supporting device for relative movement between extended closing and contracted stripping positions when said supporting plate is in engagement with said drag half and said pressure plate is in engagement with said cope half to clampingly engage said completed mold, said cushion means being deflatable to move said supporting plate relatively towards said supporting device into said stripping position; and

means to effect movement of said support device relatively towards said pressure plate when said completed mold is clampingly engaged as aforesaid and into engagement with said drag to effect stripping of said drag and said cope from said completed mold.

23. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold from a joined drag and cope, the improvement comprising in combination:

a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold;

a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said completed mold;

a drag supporting device;

fluid expansible cushion means for supporting said s rtin lat on said su rti device for relatii tove n ntbetween ex ded closmg and contracted stripping positions;

means responsive to engagement of said supporting plate with said drag half and said pressure plate with said cope half to clamp said completed mold therebetween for deflating said cushion means, said cushion means when deflated permitting movement of said supporting plate relatively towards said supporting device into said stripping position; and

means to effect relative movement of said supporting device and said pressure plate relatively towards one another when said completed mold is clamped as aforesaid, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said support device is engaged with said drag to effect stripping of said drag and said cope from said completed mold.

24. The improvement according to claim 23, wherein said responsive means is a pressure responsive switch.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3 695, 338 Dated October 3 1972 Inventor(s) Anthony S. Masi It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 7, "42 206" should read 42 and line 9, after "in "dowl' should read association Column 12, line 36, "form" should read from Column 13, line 34, "form" should read from Signed and sealed this let day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 50376-P59 FORM PO-XOBO (10-69) a u s sov ERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: was o-ass-su.

Claims

1. A molding machine comprising: a drag; a cope; a molding station; a closing Station spaced from said molding station; and mounting means to mount said drag and said cope for movement in succession through said molding and closing stations during each cycle of machine operation, said molding station includes means to complete in succession mold halves in said drag and said cope when disposed therewith whereby said mold half is completed in said cope after said drag with its associated completed mold half is moved into said closing station, and said closing station includes means to join said mold halves to form a completed mold when both said drag and said cope are moved into said closing station and to strip said completed mold from said drag and cope.

2. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station means includes a pressure plate supported for vertical pivotal movement downwardly into vertical registration with said cope mold half after said drag and said cope are moved into said closing station, means to engage said drag mold half, means to engage said drag, and means to move said drag mold half engaging means relative to said pressure plate for joining said mold halves therebetween to form said completed mold and to thereafter move said drag engaging means relative to said pressure plate for stripping said completed mold from said drag and said cope.

3. A molding machine according to claim 1, wherein said closing station means includes a pressure plate movable into vertical registration with said cope and drag after said cope and drag are moved into said closing station, a drag supporting device, a mold supporting device, fluid expansible means for mounting said mold supporting device on said drag supporting device for relative vertical movement between closing and stripping positions, pressure responsive means, and means for mounting said drag supporting device for vertical movement towards said pressure plate when said drag and said cope are in closing position thereof, vertical upward movement of said drag supporting device when said mold supporting device is in said closing position thereof bringing said mold supporting device into engagement with said drag mold half, whereby said drag is moved vertically into mold completion engagement with said cope and said engaged drag and cope are moved vertically to position said cope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressure plate, said pressure responsive means being responsive to engagement of said cope mold half with said pressure plate for deflating said fluid expansible means thereby to move said mold supporting device into said stripping position thereof subsequent to engagement of said cope mold half with said pressure plate and before completion of said vertical upward movement, whereby said drag supporting device is engaged with said drag and said drag and said cope are moved vertically relative to said completed mold to effect stripping thereof.

4. A molding machine comprising in combination: a frame; a cope; means to mount said cope on said frame for movement successively between horizontally spaced retracted, molding and closing positions during each cycle of machine operation; a drag; means to mount said drag on said frame for movement successively between horizontally spaced molding and closing positions before movement of said cope from said retracted position thereof during each cycle of machine operation; means carried on said frame to complete in succession mold halves in said drag and said cope when in said molding positions thereof; and means to join said mold halves to form a completed mold when both said cope and said drag are in said closing positions thereof and to strip said completed mold therefrom.

5. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said mold half completing means includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces; means carried on said frame to successively position said first and second pattern surfaces for association with said drag and said cope when in said molding position thereof; means carried on said frame for successively dispensing molding material into said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces are associated therewith; and means carried by said frame for bringing said positioned pattern surfaces into association and for compressing molding material dispensed into said drag and said cope.

6. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said dispensing means includes a molding material hopper having valve means operable to permit gravity discharge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame and guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding material from said guide means through said opening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing between said head means and said hopper valve means; and means to mount said hopper on said frame in fixed horizontal position for vertical adjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may be adjustably controlled.

11. A molding machine according to claim 10, wherein said means to releasably retain said match-plate includes cover plates removably fixed to said spacer plate in a sandwiched relationship at least adjacent opposite ends of said spacer plate, facing edge portions of said cover plate extending inwardly of said plate opening in overlying relationship to end portions of said match-plate.

14. A molding machine according to claim 4, wherein said means for mounting said cope includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement, said cope carriage having means to support said cope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means for mounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement independently of said cope carriage, said drag carriage having means to support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotal movement relative thereto, said drag when in said molding position being in a first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in a second pivotal position arranged 180* from said first pivotal position, said vertical pivotal movement of said drag occurring about an axis extending transversely of the path of reciprocating movement of said drag carriage.

16. A molding machine according to claim 15, wherein said associating and compressing means includes a squeeze head; and means operable in succession to move said positioned pattern surfaces vertically upwardly into association with said drag and said cope, and to move said drag and said cope when said pattern surfaces are associated therewith vertically upwardly relative to said carriages and said squeeze head, whereby said dispensed molding material is compressed within said drag and said cope between said associated pattern surfaces and said squeeze head.

18. A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said dispensing means includes a molding material hopper horizontally fixed relative to said frame, said hopper having valve means operable to permit gravity discharge of molding material therefrom; guide means horizontally fixed relative to said frame for guiding molding material discharged from said hopper downwardly through a lower end opening thereof into said drag and cope when in said molding position thereof; head means for normally closing said lower end opening and movable relative to said frame and said guide means to permit discharge of a charge of molding material through said opening, said charge being determined by the vertical spacing between said head means and said hopper valve means, said squeeze head being carried by said head means for movement therewith; and means to mount said hopper on said frame for vertical adjustment, whereby said vertical spacing and thus the volume of said charge may be adjustably controlled.

19. A molding machine according to claim 16, wherein said squeeze head is provided with a vertically extending bore opening and A forming device is fixed within said bore opening, said forming device comprising a generally frustoconical plastic forming head having a stepped opening extending axially therethrough, a relatively small diameter end portion of said stepped opening having a smooth wall surface opening through a relatively small end of said forming head, a relatively large diameter end portion of said stepped opening having a threaded wall surface opening through a relatively large end of said forming head, said relatively large end having a deformed lip portion extending marginally thereof; a tube member freely extending vertically through said bore opening, said tube being externally threaded at least adjacent upper and lower ends thereof, said lower end being threadably received within said relatively large end portion of said stepped opening, said tube having an internal diameter substantially equal to or larger than said relatively small end portion of said stepped opening; and nut means threadably received on said upper end of said tube and cooperating with said squeeze head to maintain said lip portion in deformed, tight sealing engagement with said squeeze head.

20. A molding machine according to claim 14, wherein said closing means includes a pressure plate pivotally supported on said frame for movement into vertical registration with said cope and drag when in said closing position thereof; a supporting platform; a drag engaging device fixed to said platform; a drag mold half supporting plate; fluid expansible cushion means for mounting said supporting plate on said platform for vertical movement relative to said engaging device between extended closing and contracted stripping positions, said cushion means being deflatable to move said plate form said closing to said stripping position thereof; means for vertically reciprocating said platform towards said pressure plate; and means operable during reciprocation of said platform to deflate said cushion means, said supporting plate when in said closing position thereof and said platform is reciprocated being engageable with said drag mold half whereby said drag is lifted from said drag carrier into mold completed engagement with said cope and said engaged drag and cope are lifted relative to said cope carriage to position said cope mold half of said completed mold in engagement with said pressure plate, and said operable means includes switch means responsive to engagement of said completed mold with said pressure plate, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said device engages said drag to effect stripping of said completed mold from said engaged drag and cope.

21. A molding machine according to claim 5, wherein said frame includes plural vertical standards, said means for mounting said cope includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standards, said cope carriage having means to support said cope for vertical movement relative thereto, said means for mounting said drag includes a carriage mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement on rail devices carried by said standards vertically below said cope rail devices, said drag carriage having means to support said drag alternatively for vertical and vertical pivotal movement relative thereto, said drag when said molding position being in a first pivotal position and when in said closing position being in a second pivotal position arranged 180* from said first pivotal position, and said mold half completion means includes means defining first and second pattern surfaces; support means; means to position said pattern means in supporting engagement with said support means whereby to alternatively support said first and second pattern surfaces in an upwardly facing position on said support means; molding material dispensing means fixed to said standards vertically above said rail devices, said dispensing means includes a squeeze head mounted for horizontal reciprocating movement between Molding material dispensing and molding compression positions, said squeeze head when in molding compression position being arranged in vertical registration with said support means; said carriages positioning said drag and said cope in vertical registration with said support means when in said molding position thereof; and means to effect vertical reciprocation of said support means when said drag or said cope and said squeeze head are in vertical registration, whereby in succession an upwardly facing pattern surface supported by said support means is moved vertically into association with one of said drag and said cope and said drag or said cope with which said upwardly facing pattern surface is associated is moved vertically from its carriage towards said squeeze head, to effect compression of molding material between said squeeze head and said upwardly facing pattern surface.

22. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold form a joined drag and cope, the improvement comprising in combination: a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold, a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said mold; a drag supporting device; fluid expansible cushion means for supporting said supporting plate on said supporting device for relative movement between extended closing and contracted stripping positions when said supporting plate is in engagement with said drag half and said pressure plate is in engagement with said cope half to clampingly engage said completed mold, said cushion means being deflatable to move said supporting plate relatively towards said supporting device into said stripping position; and means to effect movement of said support device relatively towards said pressure plate when said completed mold is clampingly engaged as aforesaid and into engagement with said drag to effect stripping of said drag and said cope from said completed mold.

23. In an apparatus for separating a completed mold from a joined drag and cope, the improvement comprising in combination: a pressure plate engageable with a cope half of said completed mold; a mold supporting plate engageable with a drag half of said completed mold; a drag supporting device; fluid expansible cushion means for supporting said supporting plate on said supporting device for relative movement between extended closing and contracted stripping positions; means responsive to engagement of said supporting plate with said drag half and said pressure plate with said cope half to clamp said completed mold therebetween for deflating said cushion means, said cushion means when deflated permitting movement of said supporting plate relatively towards said supporting device into said stripping position; and means to effect relative movement of said supporting device and said pressure plate relatively towards one another when said completed mold is clamped as aforesaid, whereby upon deflation of said cushion means said support device is engaged with said drag to effect stripping of said drag and said cope from said completed mold.