Mold cavity locking apparatus

Claim 2

Molding apparatus adapted to receive first and second mating mold members, comprising a frame having means for supporting the second mold member, means mounted on said frame for supporting the first mold members for movement in a first direction between open and closed positions relative to the second mold member, means for moving the first mold member between said open and closed positions, first wedge means connected to said supporting means for the first mold member, second wedge means positioned in alignment with said first wedge means, means mounted on said frame and supporting said second wedge means for movement in a second direction generally normal to said first direction between a released position and a locked position engaging said first wedge means to effect pressing of the first mold member against the second mold member, said supporting means for said second wedge means also providing for movement of said second wedge means in a third direction laterally to both said first and second directions to an offset out-of-alignment position relative to said first wedge means to provide for quickly moving the first mold member to its open posiTion, and means for moving said second wedge means between said locked and offset positions through said released position.

Claim 3

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first wedge means comprise a first set of spaced wedge elements, said second wedge means comprise a second set of spaced wedge elements, and said second set of wedge elements are movable into interfitting relation with said first set of wedge elements when the first mold member is moved to said open position.

Claim 4

Molding apparatus adapted to receive first and second mating mold members, comprising a frame including a head member and a base member in substantially parallel spaced relation, a plurality of parallel tie members rigidly connecting said head and base members, said head member being adapted to receive the second mold member, a mold platen positioned between said head and base members in substantially parallel spaced relation, a base platen positioned between said mold platen and said base member in substantially parallel spaced relation, a first set of spaced wedge elements secured to said mold platen, a carriage plate supported for movement by said base platen, a second set of spaced wedge elements supported by said carriage plate and positioned in alignment with said first set of wedge elements, means for moving said carriage platen laterally and generally parallel to said base platen to provide for movement of said second set of wedge elements between locked and released positions relative to said first set of wedge elements, toggle linkage means connecting said base member and said base platen, and means for actuating said toggle linkage means to effect rapid movement of said base platen between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said base member to provide for quickly opening and closing the mold members.

Claim 5

Molding apparatus adapted to receive first and second mating mold members, comprising a frame including a head member and a base member in substantially parallel spaced relation, a plurality of parallel tie members rigidly connecting said head and base members, said head member being adapted to receive the second mold member, a mold platen positioned between said head and base members in substantially parallel spaced relation, a base platen positioned between said mold platen and said base member in substantially parallel spaced relation, a first set of spaced wedge elements secured to said mold platen, a carriage plate supported for movement by said base platen, a second set of spaced wedge elements supported by said carriage plate and positioned in alignment with said first set of wedge elements, means for moving said carriage platen laterally and generally parallel to said base platen to provide for movement of said second set of wedge elements between locked and released positions relative to said first set of wedge elements, toggle linkage means connecting said base member and said base platen, and means for actuating said toggle linkage means to effect rapid movement of said base platen between an extended position and a retracted position relative to said base member to provide for quickly opening and closing the mold members.

Claim 6

Molding apparatus adapted to receive first and second mating mold members, comprising a frame having means for supporting the second mold member, means mounted on said frame for supporting the first mold member for movement in a first direction between open and closed positions relative to the second mold member, a first set of spaced wedge elements connected to said supporting means for the first mold member, a second set of spaced wedge elements positioned in alignment with said first set of wedge elements, means connected to said frame and supporting said second set of wedge elements for movement in a second direction generally normal to said first direction between a released position and a locked position engaging said first set of wedge elements to effect pressing of the first mold member against the second mold member, said latter supporting means also being effective to provide for movement of said second set of wedge elements in a third direction laterally to both said first and second directions to positions in offset out-of-alignment relation with said first set of wedge elements, said sets of wedge elements being movable into interfitting relation when the first mold member is moved to said open position, and means for moving said supporting means for said second set of wedge elements.

Claim 7

Molding apparatus adapted to receive first and second mating mold members, comprising a frame having means for supporting the second mold member, means mounted on said frame for supporting the first mold member for movement in a first direction between open and closed positions relative to the second mold member, a first set of spaced wedge elements connected to said supporting means for the first mold member, a second set of spaced wedge elements positioned in alignment with said first set of wedge elements, means connected to said frame and supporting said second set of wedge elements for movement in a second direction generally normal to said first direction between a released position and a locked position engaging said first set of wedge elements to effect pressing of the first mold member against the second mold member, said latter supporting means also being effective to provide for movement of said second set of wedge elements in a third direction laterally to both said first and second directions to positions in offset out-of-alignment relation with said first set of wedge elements, said sets of wedge elements being movable into interfitting relation when the first mold member is moved to said open position, and means for moving said supporting means for said second set of wedge elements.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said first set of wedge elements comprise a pair of parallel spaced wedge plates, said second set of wedge elements comprise a corresponding pair of parallel spaced wedge plates, and said supporting means for said latter pair of wedge plates is effective to provide for longitudinal movement of said wedge plates between said released and locked positions and lateral movement of said wedge plates between said released and offset positions.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said means supporting the first mold member comprise a platen, and said first and second sets of wedge plates extend laterally across a substantial portion of said platen.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said frame includes a head plate and a base plate in parallel spaced relation, a plurality of parallel tie members riGidly connecting said head and base plates, said head plate being adapted to receive the second mold member, said means for supporting the first mold member including a platen positioned between said head and base plates in parallel spaced relation, said supporting means for said second set of wedge elements includes a carriage plate supported by said base plate for movement in one direction, and said second set of wedge plates being supported by means mounted on said carriage plate for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to said one direction.

Claim 11

Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for moving said second set of wedge elements, include a first fluid cylinder connected to move said carriage plate, and a second fluid cylinder connected to move said means supporting said second set of wedge elements.

Claim 12

Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a third fluid cylinder mounted on said base plate and having a piston rod connected to said platen for moving the first mold member between said open and closed positions, and said carriage plate defines an opening for receiving said piston rod.