Mold apparatus for casting molten metal

Claim 2

Mold apparatus for casting molten metal comprising side blocks mOvable toward and from each other, a plurality of inner blocks, including a bottom block, movable into and out of position at least partially within the projection of the side blocks, the side blocks when moved toward each other being capable of engaging the inner blocks on opposite sides thereof and together with the inner blocks when in engagement therewith forming a casting cavity, means for supporting the bottom block independently of the remaining blocks and for moving the bottom block together with a cast product which has been formed in the cavity out from between the side blocks for exposing the cast product for removal therefrom.

Claim 3

The mold apparatus set out in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the bottom block includes a car movable generally horizontally from the location of the engagement of the inner blocks for exposing the slab longitudinally beyond the side blocks.

Claim 4

The mold apparatus set out in claim 2 including tracks for accommodating the movable car, the tracks being inclined at the location of the engagement of the side blocks for positioning the car and the bottom block at an inclination and wherein the side blocks and the remaining inner blocks are respectively inclined at the inclination of the bottom block.

Claim 5

The mold apparatus set out in claim 1 wherein the inner blocks include a rear end block and a front end block, and the means for supporting the bottom block also supports the rear end block and the front end block ans is operative for transporting such three blocks together with the cast product from between the side block to a position exposing the cast product.

Claim 6

The mold apparatus set out in claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the bottom block includes a movable car said inner blocks include, in addition to said bottom block, a rear end block, a front end block and a top block, means is provided for supporting the top block independently of the other blocks, the car is operative for supporting the bottom block, the rear end block, and the front block, as well as the cast product, and the means for supporting the top block is capable of removing the top block from the assembled mold for enabling components supported by the car to be removed from the side blocks.

Claim 7

Mold apparatus set out in claim 1 wherein means is provided for supporting the side blocks in a downwardly hanging position.

Claim 8

The mold apparatus set out in claim 6 wherein the inner blocks include a top block, and means is provided for supporting the top block in a downwardly hanging position independently of the other blocks.

Claim 9

The mold apparatus set out in claim 6 wherein the means for supporting the side blocks include overhead tracks, and rollers secured to the side block and engaged with the overhead tracks for movement of the side blocks toward and from each other.

Claim 10

The mold apparatus set out in claim 8 including power means for moving the side blocks toward and away from each other.

Claim 11

The mold apparatus set out in claim 1 wherein means for supporting a bottom block is provided at opposite ends of the side blocks, and means being alternately movable between and withdrawn from the side blocks from the means opposite ends.

Claim 12

The invention set out in claim 1 wherein the support for the cast product is vertically movable, means is provided for lowering the bottom block and thereby lowering the cast product therewith, and means is provided below the side blocks for receiving the cast product and conveying it from the location of the side blocks.

Claim 13

The invention set out in claim 11 wherein the means below the side blocks for receiving the cast product includes a swingable member movable from an upper position in which the means receives the cast product, to a lowered position at right angles thereto and operative for lowering the cast product correspondingly to a horizontal position.

Claim 14

The invention set out in claim 1 wherein the bottom block is vertically movable, the means for supporting the bottom blocK is operative for lowering that block and the cast product thereon, means is provided below the side blocks including a fixed upright member and a second member swingable between an upright position and a lower horizontal position, gripping elements in each of the members, and those of the first member being for retaining the cast product in stable position against the swingable member as the swingable member is swung from upright position toward lower horizontal position.

Claim 15

The invention set out in claim 13 in conjunction with a supporting floor for the upright members, power means is provided for moving said support and bottom block, and power means is provided for swinging the swingable member between its opposite positions, said power means extending downwardly into trenches in the floor.

Claim 16

The invention set out in claim 11 wherein the means below the side blocks for receiving the cast product includes a swingable member movable from an upper position in which the means receives the cast product, to a lowered position at right angles thereto and operative for lowering the cast product correspondingly to a horizontal position, said swingable member includes a base member extendable into and retractable from a position in the vertical projection of the cast product, gripping members are provided operative for supporting the cast product in the absence of the bottom block, whereby to enable separation of the bottom block, from the cast product, gripping members are provided operative for supporting the cast product in the absence of the bottom block, whereby to enable separation of the bottom block from the cast product, and an extendable base in the swingable member for supporting the cast product upon release of the gripping action of said gripping elements.

Claim 17

The invention set out in claim 1 wherein the bottom block is vertically movable, the means for supporting the bottom block is operative for lowering that block and lowering the cast product thereon, means is provided below the side blocks including a fixed upright position and a lower horizontal position, said members including gripping elements in each of the members and those of the first member being extendable for retaining the cast product in stable position against the swingable member as the swingable member is swung from upright position toward lower horizontal position, the swingable member is provided with a plurality of rollers disposed for supporting the cast product when the swingable member is in its lowered position, means is provided for driving the rollers thereby forming conveyor means for conveying the cast product from the swingable member, and additional conveyor means is provided for receiving the cast product from the first conveyor means for further treatment of the cast product.

Claim 18

The invention set out in claim 1 wherein means is provided for moving the side blocks also in longitudinal direction for removing them from the assembly location whereby to expose them for other treatments at positions remote from the assembly location.

Claim 19

The invention set out in claim 17 wherein the inner blocks include, in addition to the bottom block, end blocks and a top block means is provided for suspending the top block in downwardly hanging position, means is provided for supporting the end blocks in vertical zones extending longitudinally of the side blocks and not materially greater than the thickness of the end blocks in direction between the side blocks, whereby to enable removal of the side blocks in longitudinal direction beyond the end blocks and the supporting means therefor, and wherein the combination also includes a treating station longitudinally beyond one of the end-block supporting means and disposed in said zone whereby the side blocks in being moved to said remote position straddle said treating station, and means is provided in said treating station for treating the opposed inner surfaces of the side blocks as the side blocks are moved thereby.

Claim 20

In an article casting apparatus, a plurality of upper mold elements, a bottom mold element on which the cast article is adapted to rest on completion of the casting operation, a carriage for supporting said bottom mold element, supporting and guiding means for the carriage constructed to allow the carriage to move in a longitudinal direction towards and away from said upper mold elements, and means for effecting said movement of said carriage.

Claim 21

In an article casting apparatus, a plurality of upper mold elements, a bottom mold element on which the cast article is adapted to rest on completion of the casting operation, a carriage for supporting said bottom mold element, supporting and guiding means for the carriage constructed to allow the carriage to move in a longitudinal direction towards and away from said upper mold elements, and means for effecting said movement of said carriage.

Claim 22

A mold construction comprising: main side blocks; means for mounting the main side blocks for movement toward and away from each other; a plurality of inner blocks including a front end block, a rear end block, a bottom block, and a top block, positioned between and engaged by the main side blocks in an operative position and together with the main side blocks defining a longitudinal casting cavity in the shape of a slab disposed on edge; means for supporting the top block from above and lowering and raising the top block into and out of operative position relative to the main side blocks; a car supporting the bottom block and having standards supporting the front end block and the rear end block against longitudinal displacement, said car being movable into a position in which the bottom and end blocks carried thereby are in operative casting position in relation to the main side blocks, and movable from said operative position with a casting formed in the mold.

Claim 23

A mold construction comprising: main side blocks; means for mounting the main side blocks for movement toward and away from each other; a plurality of inner blocks including a front end block, a rear end block, a bottom block, and a top block, positioned between and engaged by the main side blocks in an operative position and together with the main side blocks defining a longitudinal casting cavity in the shape of a slab disposed on edge; means for supporting the top block from above and lowering and raising the top block into and out of operative position relative to the main side blocks; a car supporting the bottom block and having standards supporting the front end block and the rear end block against longitudinal displacement, said car being movable into a position in which the bottom and end blocks carried thereby are in operative casting position in relation to the main side blocks, and movable from said operative position with a casting formed in the mold.

Claim 24

Mold apparatus for casting molten metal comprising a mold having a bottom mold element and a plurality of upper mold elements including opposed side mold elements extending in a given direction, said bottom mold element being mounted independent of said opposed side mold elements and intermediate said opposed side mold elements, said upper mold elements and said bottom mold element defining a cavity for a cast article, said cast article being supported by said bottom mold element, and means for moving said bottom mold element together with a cast article which has been formed in said cavity away from said opposed side mold elements.

Claim 25

Mold apparatus for casting molten metal comprising a mold having a bottom mold element and a plurality of upper mold elements including opposed side mold elements extending in a given direction, said bottom mold element being mounted independent of said opposed side mold elements and intermediate said opposed side mold elements, said upper mold elements and said bottom mold element defining a cavity for a cast article, said cast article being supported by said bottom mold element, and means for moving said bottom mold element together with a cast article which has been formed in said cavity away from said opposed side mold elements.

Claim 26

Mold apparatus according to claim 21 including support means to engage and hold said cast article during movement away from said opposed side mold elements in substantially the same position the cast article assumed during casting.

Claim 27

Mold apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means comprise spaced rails extending in the direction of said opposed side mold elements and away from said upper mold elements, a car supporting said bottom mold element and said cast article, and wheels on said car engaging said rails for movement of said car to and from said opposed side mold elements.

Claim 28

Mold apparatus according to claim 23 including a carriage for moving said cast article away from said rails, said carriage being movable in a direction normal to the travel of said car.

Claim 29

Mold apparatus according to claim 24 including holding means mounted on said carriage to engage and hold said cast article in substantially the same position the cast article assumes when it is moved from said opposed side mold element on said car.