Locating Ring and Method for Positioning Parts
AssigneeAnthony Cernilia
InventorAnthony Cerniglia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A locating ring has a metal body with a ring shape and having a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a center axis defined by the body, a mounting face, and a locating face spaced from and facing opposite the mounting face along the axis. The locating ring has a guard connected to the body and made of a material that is softer than the metal body. The guard is sized to be radially within the perimeter wall and to project axially beyond the locating face.
Claims26
A locating ring for positioning machine parts or tools relative to one another, the locating ring comprising:
- a body formed of a metal material and having a ring shape with a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a center axis defined by the body, a mounting face, and a locating face spaced from and facing opposite the mounting face along the axis;
- and
- a guard connected to the body and formed of a material that is softer than the metal material of the body, the guard being sized to be radially within the perimeter surface and to project axially beyond the locating face.
A mold tool comprising:
- a first mold part having a first side forming a first surface;
- a nozzle exposed on the first side of the first mold part;
- and
- a locating ring mounted to the first mold part and having a body formed of a metal material and a guard formed of a material softer than the metal material of the body, the body having a ring shape, a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a central opening concentric with a center axis, a mounting face, and a locating face opposite the mounting face, the guard being connected to the body radially within the perimeter surface and projecting axially beyond the locating face,
- wherein the locating ring surrounds and exposes the nozzle.
A method of aligning parts of a molding machine, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a locating ring having a metal body and a guard formed of a material softer than the metal of the body, the metal body having a ring shape, a perimeter surface facing radially outward, a center axis, a mounting face, and a locating face opposite the mounting face, the guard connected to the body radially within the perimeter surface and projecting axially beyond the locating face;
- mounting the locating ring to a first side of a first mold part, the first mold part having a first surface on the first side;
- arranging a second mold part and the first mold part in proximity to one another, the second mold part having a second surface with a locating hole therein;
- moving the first and second surfaces of the first and second mold parts toward one another until the guard contacts the second surface or enters the locating hole;
- repositioning the first and second mold parts relative to one another as needed until the guard and the perimeter wall align with the locating hole;
- and
- further moving the first and second mold parts toward one another until the locating ring seats in the locating hole and the first and second surfaces engage one another.
A method of retrofitting a locating ring with a guard for positioning machine parts or tools relative to one another, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a locating ring to be retrofit, the locating ring having a body made of metal, the body including a perimeter wall, a mounting face, and an opposite locating face;
- selecting a guard configured to connect to the body of the locating ring and made of a material softer than the metal of the body;
- and
- connecting the guard to the body so that part of the guard protrudes axially beyond the locating face and is radially within the perimeter wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.