Automatic podiatric control molder

A molding press for molding a thermoplastic sheet material to a desired contour, said press comprising a base and a rigid generally hollow housing overlying said base and movable vertically with respect thereto, said housing having an opening facing said base and a flexible sheet-like diaphragm covering said opening to from a fluid-tight chamber;

• means for pressurizing said housing with a fluid to cause said flexible diaphragm to apply molding force to a sheet of softened thermoplastic material covering a mold positioned on said base to cause said sheet to assume the contours of said mold;
• said press including mechanical interlock means for interlocking said housing with said base and electrical control means for controlling the application of fluid pressure to said housing, said mechanical and electrical means being interrelated to prevent application of fluid pressure except when said housing and said base are interlocked,
• said mechanical interlock means comprising one or more vertical cleats attached to said housing and arranged to project into said base when said press is closed,
• a horizontal plate carried in said base and rotatable about a vertical axis, and
• one or more horizontal lock blades outwardly extending from said lock plate, each of said blades being adapted to interlock with a corresponding one of said cleats on rotation of said lock plate to prevent separation of said housing from said base;
• said electrical control means comprising an electrical circuit including in series:
• a power source,
• an electrically acutated pneumatic control valve for regulating the application of pneumatic pressure to said chamber, and
• at least one electrical switch actuated by said mechanical means,
• whereby pneumatic pressure cannot be applied to said housing except when said housing and said base are interlocked.