Locking apparatus for common plate stem actuator
AssigneeCaco Pacific Corporation
InventorMartel B. Geibel, JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking apparatus for a machine having multiple stems which axially reciprocate with respect to a stationary unit by linkage with a reciprocating common plate. The locking apparatus includes: (a) a first locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the common plate; and (b) a second locking assembly capable of alternatively locking and unlocking one of the stems to the stationary unit. The second locking mechanism is configured so that, when the first locking assembly locks a stem to the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically unlocks that stem from the stationary unit, and when the first locking assembly is unlocked from the common plate, the second locking mechanism automatically locks that stem to the stationary unit.
Claims17
A locking apparatus useful in a machine having multiple stems which axially reciprocate with respect to a stationary unit, the stems being caused to axially reciprocate in unison by linkage with a reciprocating common plate, the locking apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first locking assembly capable of alternatively assuming (i) a first locking assembly engaged position wherein at least one of the reciprocating stems is affixed to the common plate, and (ii) a first locking assembly non-engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating stem is not affixed to the common plate;
- and
- (b) a second locking assembly is capable of alternatively assuming (i) a second locking assembly engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating stem is affixed to the stationary unit, and (ii) a second locking assembly non-engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating stem is not affixed to the stationary unit;
- wherein the first locking assembly, the second locking assembly and the at least one reciprocating stem are configured so that, when the first locking assembly is placed in the first locking assembly engaged position, the second locking assembly is automatically placed in the second locking assembly non-engaged position and, when the first locking assembly is placed in the first locking assembly non-engaged position, the second locking assembly is automatically placed in the second locking assembly engaged position.
A mold having a hot runner actuation system with multiple valve stems which axially reciprocate with respect to a stationary unit, the valve stems being caused to axially reciprocate in unison by linkage with a reciprocating common plate, the mold further comprising a plurality of locking apparatuses, each controlling one of the valve stems, each locking apparatus comprising:
- (a) a first locking assembly capable of alternatively assuming (i) a first locking assembly engaged position wherein at least one of the reciprocating valve stems is affixed to the common plate, and (ii) a first locking assembly non-engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating valve stem is not affixed to the common plate;
- and
- (b) a second locking assembly is capable of alternatively assuming (i) a second locking assembly engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating valve stem is affixed to the stationary unit, and (ii) a second locking assembly non-engaged position wherein the at least one reciprocating valve stem is not affixed to the stationary unit;
- wherein the first locking assembly, the second locking assembly and the at least one valve stem are configured so that, when the first locking assembly is placed in the first locking assembly engaged position, the second locking assembly is automatically placed in the second locking assembly non-engaged position and, when the first locking assembly is placed in the first locking assembly non-engaged position, the second locking assembly is automatically placed in the second locking assembly engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.