US3882588A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for handling tie rods on an injection molding machine
Assignee: Deacon Machinery Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing and re-installing tie rods on an injection molding machine. To remove a given tie rod, the ends thereof are disconnected from the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate and a releasable clamp is secured tightly onto the tie rod on the side of the movable platen facing the cylinder base plate, whereupon the movable platen is moved toward the cylinder base plate, pushing the clamp which in turn carries the tie rod with it. If this procedure does not move the tie rod enough to provide sufficient clearance into the space between the platens, a clamp is then secured on the tie rod on the side of the cylinder base plate opposite from the platens and the movable platen is then slid along the given tie rod back toward the stationary platen, after which the above described procedure is repeated for moving the tie rod an additional amount away from the stationary platen. To re-install the rods, the procedure is reversed except that when re-installing, the tie rod is clamped on the sides of the cylinder base plate and of the moving platen facing toward the stationary platen. A hydraulic torque wrench may be used for proper torquing and detorquing of the nuts connecting the tie rod ends to the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick M Mcfalls
- 👤 David W Mccarty
- 👤 Robert B Hare
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:14
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/1748; B29C2045/175; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49815; Y10T29/49822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of moving a tie rod longitudinally along its axis in an injection molding apparatus of the type including a stationary platen and a movable platen carrying mating mold halves, a stationary cylinder base plate on the side of the movable platen opposite from the stationary platen, a plurality of tie rods extending between the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate with the movable platen movably mountd on said tie rods, coupling means fixedly connecting the tie rods against movement relative to the cylinder base plate and the stationary platen, and a power means for moving the movable platen along the tie rods towards and away from the stationary platen to close and open the mold halves, comprising the steps of: securing a releasable clamp onto a tie rod adjacent the movable platen, on the side thereof facing the cylinder base plate, disconnecting the tie rod at the stationary platen so as to permit movement of the tie rod in a direction from the stationary platen towards the cylinder base plate, and moving the movable platen longitudinally towards the cylinder base plate to move it against the clamp to thus move the clamp which in turn moves the tie rod longitudinally with it.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of moving a tie rod longitudinally along its axis in an injection molding apparatus of the type including a stationary platen and a movable platen carrying mating mold halves, a stationary cylinder base plate on the side of the movable platen opposite from the stationary platen, a plurality of tie rods extending between the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate with the movable platen movably mountd on said tie rods, coupling means fixedly connecting the tie rods against movement relative to the cylinder base plate and the stationary platen, and a power means for moving the movable platen along the tie rods towards and away from the stationary platen to close and open the mold halves, comprising the steps of: securing a releasable clamp onto a tie rod adjacent the movable platen, on the side thereof facing the cylinder base plate, disconnecting the tie rod at the stationary platen so as to permit movement of the tie rod in a direction from the stationary platen towards the cylinder base plate, and moving the movable platen longitudinally towards the cylinder base plate to move it against the clamp to thus move the clamp which in turn moves the tie rod longitudinally with it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
158 words
The method of claim 1, including, following the said moving step: securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod adjacent the cylinder base plate on the side thereof facing away from the platens, and then moving the movable platen towards the stationary platen wherein the movable platen moves along the tie rod which is prevented from moving in that direction longitudinally by the engagement of the last said clamp secured onto the tie rod at the cylinder base plate, and then again securing aa releasable a onto the tie rod adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the cylinder base plate, this being a point on the tie rod closer to the said end of the tie rod then during the first said securing step, and then again moving the movable platen towards the cylinder base plate to move the tie rod longitudinally therewith to move the said end thereof fArther away from the stationary platen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 2, including repeating all of the above said securing and moving steps until the said end of the tie rod has reached the movable platen, thereby providing maximum access to the space between the movable and the stationary platen for insertion and removal of mold halves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 1, including, positioning the movable platen, prior to said securing step, to a position closest to the stationary platen whereat the mold halves are substantially closed upon each other, said securing step including securing the releasable clamp onto the tie rod immediately adjacent the movable platen while it is at said position, and said moving step including operating the power means for moving the movable platen for its full stroke towards the cylinder base plate, the movable platen thus moving the tie rod longitudinally with it for a distance equal to the said full stroke of the power means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
176 words
The method according to claim 4, including, after the said moving step, securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod immediately adjacent the cylinder base plate on the side thereof facing away from the platens, and then operating the power means to move the movable platen the full stroke of the power means towards the stationary platen until the mold closes, wherein the movable platen moves along the tie rod which is prevented from moving in that direction longtudinally by the engagement of the last said clamp secured onto the tie rod at the cylinder base plate, and then again securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod immediately adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the cylinder base plate, this being a point on the tie rod closer to the said end of the tie rod then during the first securing step, and then again moving the movable platen towards the cylinder base plate to move the tie rod longitudinally therewith to move the said end thereof farther away from the stationary platen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said disconnecting step includes engaging the nut at a end of the tie rod located at the stationary platen by engaging the nut with a hydraulic torque wrench, the opposed ends of which wrench react at one end against the nut and at the other end against a fixed bracket plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 including returning the said end of the tie rod towards the stationary platen by securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod on the side of the movable platen towards the stationary platen and moving the platen toward the stationary platen, wherein the movable platen engages the clamp which in turn moves the tie longitudinally with it.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of returning to its operative position a tie rod which has been removed longitudinally therefrom by moving the tie rod longitudinally along its axis in an injection molding apparatus of the type including a stationary platen and a movable platen carrying mating mold halves, a stationary cylinder base plate on the side of the movable platen opposite from the stationary plate, a plurality of the rods extending between the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate with the movable platen movably mounted on said tie rods, coupling means adapted to fixedly connect the tie rods against movement relative to the cylinder base plate and the stationary platen in their operative position, and a power means for moving the movable platen along the tie rods towards and away from the stationary platen to close and open the mold halves, comprising the steps of: securing a clamp onto the removed tie rod adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the stationary platen, moving the movable platen towards the stationary platen to engage the clamp which in turn moves the tie rod longitudinally with it, and connecting the coupling means to fix the tie rod against movement relative to the stationary platen.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of returning to its operative position a tie rod which has been removed longitudinally therefrom by moving the tie rod longitudinally along its axis in an injection molding apparatus of the type including a stationary platen and a movable platen carrying mating mold halves, a stationary cylinder base plate on the side of the movable platen opposite from the stationary plate, a plurality of the rods extending between the stationary platen and the cylinder base plate with the movable platen movably mounted on said tie rods, coupling means adapted to fixedly connect the tie rods against movement relative to the cylinder base plate and the stationary platen in their operative position, and a power means for moving the movable platen along the tie rods towards and away from the stationary platen to close and open the mold halves, comprising the steps of: securing a clamp onto the removed tie rod adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the stationary platen, moving the movable platen towards the stationary platen to engage the clamp which in turn moves the tie rod longitudinally with it, and connecting the coupling means to fix the tie rod against movement relative to the stationary platen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
158 words
The method of claim 8, including, after the said moving step and before said conNecting step, securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod adjacent the cylinder base plate on the side thereof facing the platens, and then moving the movable platen toward the cylinder base plate wherein the movable platen moves along the tie rod which is prevented from moving in that direction longitudinally by the engagement of the last said clamp secured onto the tie rod at the cylinder base plate, and then again securing a clamp onto the tie rod adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the stationary platen, this being a point on the tie rod farther from the said end of the tie rod then during the first said securing step, and then again moving the movable platen towards the stationary platen to move the tie rod longitudinally therewith to move the said end thereof closer to th stationary platen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 9, including repeating all of the above said securing and moving steps until the said end of the tie rod has reached and passed through the stationary platen,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of connecting the end of the tie rod at the stationary platen includes engaging said end with a nut and tightening the nut to a controlled torque with a hydraulic torque wrench, the opposed end of which wrench reacts at one end against the nut and at the other end against a fixed bracket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 8, operating said power means to move the movable platen for the full stroke of said power means towards the stationary platen to engage the clamp which in turn moves the tie rod longitudinally for said full stroke of the power means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
169 words
The method according to claim 12, including, after the said moving step, securing a releasable clamp onto the tie rod immediately adjacent the cylinder base plate on the side thereof facing towards the platens, and then operating the power means to move the movable platen for the full stroke of the power means towards the cylinder base plate wherein the movable platen moves along the tie rod which is prevented from moving in that direction by the engagement of the last said clamp secured onto the tie rod at the cylinder base plate, and then again securing a clamp onto the tie rod immediately adjacent the movable platen on the side thereof facing the stationary platen, this being a point on the tie rod farther from the said end of the tie rod then during the first said securing step, and then again moving the movable platen towards the stationary platen to move the tie rod longitudinally therewith to move the said end thereof closer to the stationary platen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |