Mould opening and closing mechanism

A mould opening and closing mechanism for use in a glassware container manufacturing machine, the mechanism being operable to move a plurality of mould portions between mould open and mould closed positions thereof, each mould portion being mounted on a a mould portion carrier which is mounted for pivotal movement about a vertically-extending axis, the mechanism comprising a shaft associated with each mould portion carrier and mounted for turning movement about a vertically-extending longitudinal axis of the shaft, an arm fixed to and projecting from each shaft, a connection between each arm and its associated mould portion carrier such that, when the shaft is turned about its longitudinal axis, the mould portion carrier is pivoted about its axis, and turning means operable to turn the shafts about their respective axes, wherein the turning means comprises a horizontally-extending rod associated with each shaft, a piston fixed to a central region of each rod, a cylinder slidably mounted on each rod within which cylinder the piston fixed to the rod is received so that, when fluid under pressure is introduced into the cylinder, the cylinder is caused to slide along the rod, a second arm fixed to and projecting from the shaft, and a third arm pivotally connected to said second arm and the cylinder such that, when the cylinder slides along the rod, the shaft is caused to turn about its longitudinal axis.