Removable spring-loaded platen rollers

A roller assembly for a molding press, said assembly permitting the mold to be easily moved over the roller to its desired location, comprising:

• a platen having a plurality of cylindrical apertures formed therein, each of said cylindrical apertures including a recessed portion formed along a portion of said cylindrical aperture;
• a roller;
• an axle supporting said roller;
• an upper axle support having first and second arms for supporting the axle therebetween, said axle extending beyond said arms into a portion of said recessed portion formed along a portion of said cylindrical aperture;
• said roller having a radial passage extending from the circumference of said roller to said axle;
• sealing means disposed in said radial passage;
• a lower support;
• a compression spring disposed between said upper axle support and said lower support;
• and
• a bolt connecting said upper axle support and said lower supports and adjusting the compression of said spring.

A mold-supporting arrangement for a press comprising:

• a platen having a plurality of spaced seating holes formed in an upper surface thereof;
• said seating holes each having an axle-retaining portion formed therein along the wall thereof;
• a plurality of load-bearing units seated in a selected number of said seating holes;
• each of said load-bearing units including an axle and a roller mounted on said axle;
• said roller having a roller aperture therethrough and extending to said axle;
• first sealing means operatively associated with said roller and said axle to protect said roller from dirt and grease;
• second sealing means disposed in said roller aperture for limiting the movement of lubrication through said roller aperture;
• and
• said axle extending across the entire diameter of said seating hole into said axle-retaining portion for limiting the rotation of said load-bearing unit in said seating hole.

A roller support apparatus comprising:

• a first support means having a plurality of seating holes formed therein;
• a plurality of load-bearing units seated in said plurality of seating holes;
• each of said plurality of load-bearing units comprising:
• a roller having:
• an axial passage therethrough to receive an axle;
• a cylindrical peripheral roller surface;
• a transverse passage extending from said cylindrical peripheral roller surface to said axial passage;
• an axle in said axial passage to support said roller;
• a roller support body having a second and a third support means;
• said second support means supporting said axle in said axial passage;
• said third support means positioning said roller support body in said seating holes;
• and
• spacing means to adjust the space between said second and third support means;
• and
• sealing means for said transverse passage in said roller extending from said cylindrical peripheral roller surface to said axial passage, said sealing means adapted to contain lubricant in said transverse passage to lubricate said axial passage and said axle in said axial passage.