# US 2015/0147423 A1 · Positioning device for a mold > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0147423 A1 - Document ID: US20150147423A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/409,905 - Filed: 2013-10-30 - Published: 2015-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-30 - Assignees: Extreme Components L.P. - Applicants: Extreme Components LP - Inventors: Michael S. Bokich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150147423A1 ## CPC - B29C 33/22: by rectilinear movement - B29C 33/20: Opening, closing or clamping - B29C 45/2606: {Guiding or centering means} - B29C 2045/2604: {Latching means for successive opening or closing of mould plates} - B29C 2045/4078: {using stripping means} - B29L 2031/757: {Moulds, cores, dies} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A positioning device aligns first and second mold segments moving from an opened position to a closed position. The device includes a female member for connecting to one of the mold segments and for receiving a male member connected to the other of the mold segments. A bearing mechanism is coupled to the female member for receiving the male member and reducing friction between the male member and the female member. One of the female member and the bearing mechanism includes a post extending transversely to the alignment axis and the other of the female member and the bearing mechanism defines a groove receiving the post as the bearing mechanism moves relative to the female member. The engagement between the groove and the post retains the bearing mechanism in the female member when the first and second mold segments move between the opened and closed positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A positioning device for aligning first and second mold segments as the first and second mold segments move from an opened position to a closed position, said positioning device comprising: a female member for connecting to one of the first and second mold segments and for receiving a male member connected to the other of the first and second mold segments; a bearing mechanism coupled to said female member and configured to move relative to said female member along an alignment axis for receiving the male member and reducing friction between the male member and said female member; one of said female member and said bearing mechanism including a post extending transversely to said alignment axis and the other of said female member and said bearing mechanism defining a groove receiving said post as said bearing mechanism moves relative to said female member; said groove extending in parallel with said alignment axis and extending between and terminating at first and second ends spaced along said alignment axis for retaining said post between said first and second ends to retain said bearing mechanism in said female member when the first and second mold segments move between the opened and closed positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The positioning device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bearing mechanism moves relative to said female member along said alignment axis between a first position and a second position and wherein said post abuts said first end in said first position and abuts said second end in said second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The positioning device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bearing mechanism includes a cage and a plurality of bearings supported by said cage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The positioning device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cage defines said groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The positioning device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said female member includes a back and two sides spaced from each other and extending from said back defining a channel extending along said alignment axis that receives said bearing mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The positioning device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said post extends from said back. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The positioning device as set forth in claim 5 wherein one of said female member and said bearing mechanism defines a slot extending from said channel along said alignment axis and wherein the other of said female member and said bearing mechanism presents a wing that engages said slot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The positioning device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said female member includes a back and two sides spaced from each other and extending from said back defining a channel extending along said alignment axis that receives said bearing mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The positioning device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said post extends from said back. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The positioning device as set forth in claim 8 wherein one of said female member and said bearing mechanism defines a slot extending from said channel along said alignment axis and wherein the other of said female member and said bearing mechanism presents a wing that engages said slot. ### Claim 11 A positioning device for aligning first and second mold segments as the first and second mold segments move from an opened position to a closed position, said positioning device comprising: a first member for connecting to one of the first and second mold segments; a second member for connecting to the other of said first and second mold segments, said first member and said second member being configured to mate with each other and move relative to each other along an alignment axis; a bearing mechanism coupled to said first member for reducing friction when said first member and said second member move relative to each other; one of said first member and said bearing mechanism including a post extending transversely to the alignment axis and the other of said first member and said bearing mechanism defining a groove receiving said post as said bearing mechanism moves relative to said first member; said groove extending in parallel with said alignment axis and extending between and terminating at first and second ends spaced along said alignment axis for retaining said post between said first and second ends to retain said bearing mechanism in said first member when the first and second mold segments move between the opened and closed positions. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The positioning device as set forth in claim 11 wherein one of said first and second members includes a female member and the other of said first and second members includes a male portion received by said female member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The positioning device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said bearing mechanism moves relative to said first member along said alignment axis between first position and a second position and wherein said post abuts said first end in said first position and abuts said second end in said second position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The positioning device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said bearing mechanism includes a cage and a plurality of bearings supported by said cage. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The positioning device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said cage defines said groove. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The positioning device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first member includes a back and two sides spaced from each other and extending from said back to define a channel extending along said alignment axis that receives said bearing mechanism. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The positioning device as set forth in claim 16 wherein said post extends from said back. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The positioning device as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of said first member and said bearing mechanism defines a slot extending from said channel along said alignment axis and wherein the other of said first member and said bearing mechanism presents a wing that engages said slot. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The positioning device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first member includes a back and two sides spaced from each other and extending from said back defining a channel extending along said alignment axis that receives said bearing mechanism, said post extending from said back. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The positioning device as set forth in claim 19 wherein one of said first member and said bearing mechanism defines a slot extending from said channel along said alignment axis and wherein the other of said first member and said bearing mechanism presents a wing that engages said slot.