Lock apparatus for the base portion of a blow mold

A locking assembly for use in holding the bottom mold portion of a blow mold against separation from the top mold portion of the mold during formation of a hollow article within the mold, said assembly comprising:

• a lock ring comprising a pair of opposed lock ring halves each having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolt holes therein for use in attaching the lock ring to the top mold portion,
• each of said lock ring halves being provided with at least one upwardly facing support ledge positioned between a pair of said bolt holes;
• and
• a support ring for the bottom mold portion,
• said support ring including a support surface disposed for underlying the bottom mold portion and at least a pair of radially outwardly projecting lugs adapted to project between respective pairs of bolt holes and to overlie corresponding ledges of the lock ring halves.

A support ring for use with a lock ring in holding the bottom mold portion of a blow mold against separation from the top mold portion of the mold during formation of a hollow article within the mold, said support ring comprising:

• an annular body for supporting the bottom mold portion having an upper end surface and an upright exterior surface intersecting at least a portion of said upper end surface,
• said body further having a lower end surface that is spaced axially below said upper end surface
• said body further having at least a pair of radially outwardly projecting lugs,
• each of said lugs having a bottom surface that is spaced axially above said lower end surface,
• at least a portion of said upright exterior surface being spaced axially below each of said lugs, such that each of said lugs overhangs at least a portion of said upright exterior surface.