Die locking mechanism for a molding apparatus

A molding apparatus including a die locking mechanism, a stationary frame structure, a stationary die assembly fixed with respect to the frame structure and a movable die assembly movable with respect to the frame structure toward and away from the stationary die assembly said die locking mechanism comprising

• (a) an elongated first locking member movable back and forth with respect to said stationary frame structure in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said movable die assembly with respect to the frame structure, and
• (b) a second locking member rockable between first and second angular positions about a pivot axis fixed with respect to said stationary frame structure and having a generally arcuate cam lobe portion pivotable about said pivot axis and engageable with said first locking member, the cam lobe portion being disengaged from said first locking member when the second locking member is in the first angular position and being engaged with the first locking member when the second locking member is in the second angular position,
• said cam lobe portion having a cross-section that is arcuately curved with a radius of curvature which continuously varies about said pivot axis such that as said second locking member is rocked from said first angular position toward said second angular position about said pivot axis, the cam lobe portion is gradually brought into sliding contact and thereafter surface-to-surface pressing contact with said first locking member with a force which continuously increases as the second locking member is rocked closer to said second angular position.

A molding apparatus including a stationary frame structure, a stationary die assembly fixed with respect to the frame structure, a movable die assembly movable with respect to the frame structure toward and away from the stationary die assembly, safety closure means movable with respect to frame structure in a first direction into and in a second direction out of a predetermined position at which the safety closure means prohibits access to the stationary and movable die assemblies, and a die locking mechanism responsive to movement of said safety closure means in each of the first and the second directions, said die locking mechanism comprising

• (a) an elongated first locking member movable back and forth with respect to said stationary frame structure in a direction substantially parallel with the direction of movement of said movable die assembly with respect to the frame structure, and
• (b) a second locking member rockable between first and second angular positions about a pivot axis fixed with respect to said stationary frame structure and having a generally arcuate cam lobe portion pivotable about said pivot axis and slidable on said first locking member,
• said cam lobe portion of the second locking member being disengaged from said first locking member when the second locking member is in the first angular position and being directly locked with the first locking member irrespective of the position of the first locking member relative to the second locking member when the second locking member is in said second angular position,
• said second locking member being responsive to the movement of said safety closure means into and out of said predetermined position thereof for moving towardsaid first angular position in response to movement of the safety closure means in said first direction and for moving toward said second angular position in response to movement of the safety closure means in said second direction.

A molding apparatus including a die locking mechanism, a stationary frame structure, a stationary die assembly fixed with respect to the frame structure and a movable die assembly movable with respect to the frame structure toward and away from the stationary die assembly, said die locking mechanism comprising

• (a) an elongated first locking member movable back and forth with respect to said stationary frame structure in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said movable die assembly with respect to the frame structure,
• (b) a second locking member which is rockable between first and second angular positions about a pivot axis fixed with respect to said stationary frame structure and which has a generally arcuate cam lobe portion pivotable about said pivot axis and engageable with said first locking member, said cam lobe portion being disengaged from said first locking member when the second locking member is in the first angular position and being engaged with said first locking member when the second locking member is in the second angular position, and
• (c) actuator means movable in opposite first and second directions with respect to said stationary frame structure and engageable with said second locking member for driving the second locking member toward said first angular position when moved in the first direction, said actuator means being disengageable from said second locking member for allowing said second locking member to rock toward said second angular position when the actuator means is moved in the second direction.