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US 5,562,935 AGranted
Quick change system for mold bases
AssigneeMaster Unit Die Products, Inc.
InventorRoger G. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick change system for standard mold bases in a molding machine includes an adapter frame mounted on the face of each platen of the press, each adapter frame having a U-shaped guide channel, and a support plate for supporting a mold base half for slideably engaging the channel. A coolant hookup manifold including first connectors is mounted on the adapter frame, and a second coolant hookup manifold including second connectors is mounted on the support plate. The first and second connectors are configured to automatically sealingly engage as the support plate and mold slide into engagement with the adapter frame.
Claims16
A quick change apparatus for mold bases including coolant lines, comprising:
- an adapter frame for attachment to each platen in a press, said adapter frame comprising:
- a base plate assembly including a base plate having a plurality of apertures therein for attaching said base plate to a platen;
- a pair of spaced guide rails on said base plate, each of said guide rails having a stepped edge including a narrow portion and a wider portion, each guide rail being positioned along opposite edges of said base plate with said narrow edge portion attached to said base plate and with the wider edge portion of each of said guide rails facing inwardly and spaced from said base plate to define a guide channel on the face of said base plate;
- said base plate assembly including a stop along one edge extending between and closing said guide channel defined by said guide rails;
- and
- an ear plate for attachment to each half of a mold base, said ear plate being configured to fit within the guide channel on each adapter frame, said ear plate including a first coolant hookup manifold for connection to the coolant lines extending from the mold base;
- and
- a second coolant hookup manifold configured to mateably engage said first coolant hookup manifold and attached to said pair of spaced guide rails.
5 more elements
A quick change apparatus for a mold base used in a press comprising:
- an ear plate for attachment to the back of each half of a mold base, said ear plate including, first coolant hookup passageways operably connected to said mold base for communicating coolant thereto;
- an adapter frame for attachment to each platen of a press, said adapter frame including a pair of guide channels for receiving and supporting said ear plate, a stop for engaging said ear plate to limit the travel of said ear plate into said pair of guide channels, and second coolant hookup passageways for connection to a supply of coolant;
- and
- mating connectors operably connected to said first and second coolant hookup passageways and configured to automatically interconnect when said ear plate is installed in said adapter frame.
1 more element
A quick change apparatus for mold bases including coolant lines, comprising:
- an adapter frame for attachment to each platen in a press, said adapter frame comprising:
- a base plate assembly including a base plate having a plurality of apertures therein for attaching said base plate to a platen;
- a pair of spaced guide rails on said base plate, each of said guide rails having a stepped edge including a narrow portion and a wider portion, each guide rail being in positioned along opposite edges of said base plate with said narrow edge portion attached to said base plate and with the wider edge portion of each of said guide rails facing inwardly and spaced from said base plate to define a guide channel on the face of said base plate;
- said base plate assembly including a stop along one edge extending between and closing said guide channel defined by said guide rails;
- and
- an ear plate for attachment to each half of a mold base, said ear plate being configured to fit within the guide channel on each adapter frame, said ear plate including a first coolant hookup manifold for connection to the coolant lines extending from the mold base;
- a second coolant hookup manifold attached to said pair of spaced guide rails, said second coolant hookup manifold comprising said stop;
- said first and second coolant hookup manifolds including mating connectors that are aligned for engagement as said ear plate slideably engages said guide channels on said base plate assembly, said mating connectors being adapted to automatically connect as said ear plate is installed on said base plate assembly;
- said first coolant hookup plate defining an offset passageway for operably connecting to said second coolant hookup plate, said first coolant hookup plate being constructed to permit attachment of an elongated mold base having a portion that overhangs said second coolant hookup plate when said first and second coolant hookup plates are operably engaged;
- and
- said second coolant hookup plate including tabs at each end that interlockingly engage corresponding notches in said guide rails to provide structural support for said second coolant hookup plate.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.