Articulating frame press

Abstract

A press for forming complementary parts including mold parts and metal stampings having an articulating frame is disclosed. The press of the present invention comprises a first bolster plate and a second bolster plate which in a first position are spaced apart in a parallel opposed manner. The frame may be articulated from the first position to a second position wherein the bolster plates are in a non parallel, non opposed arrangement. The frame comprises a first pair of spaced apart frame supports pivotally connected at their ends to the first and second bolster plates, and a second pair of spaced apart frame supports having a length less than the first pair of frame supports pivotally connected at their ends to the first and second bolster plates in a spaced apart manner. The pairs of spaced apart frame supports having unequal length, and the bolster plate to which the frames supports are pivoted form a four bar linkage mechanism which allows the bolsters to rotate relative to one another as the frame supports are articulated. A fixed platen and a movable platen are associated with the spaced apart bolster plates with the parts of a separable mold or die affixed to the platen in a complementary manner when the frame is in the first position. Swinging the press frame to the second position allows the lower half of the separated mold or die to be assembled to the platen without an overhead obstruction. In the second position the upper platen is also accessible from overhead without obstruction.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.