Mold pivoting mechanism

Claim 1

A continuously moving molding apparatus having provision for pivoting the molding members thereof to inclined position for venting purposes, comprising: endless track means, carriage means trained for travel along said track means, and means for advancing said carriage means continuously along said track means; a mold assembly on said carriage means, said assembly comprising pivotally joined upper and lower mold holding portions and complementary mold head and mold base, respectively, supported therein for movement between open and closed relation, and means mounting said mold assembly for pivotal movement as a whole relative to its carriage; lever means on said upper mold holding portion for pivoting it relative to said lower portion and for simultaneously latching said portions in closed relation; a movable support disposed laterally of and movable parallel to a predetermined portion of said endless track means for reciprocation between the limits of said predetermined portion, said support having means for causing it to travel together with said carriage means as it advances continuously along said predetermined portion of said track and, upon reaching the forward limit of said track portion, for causing it to return to the rearward limit thereof; a mold assembly operating mechanism, fixed to said movable support, for both closing and automatically locking said mold holding assembly and also for tilting it to inclinded position relative to its carriage, said operating mechanism comprising a pivoting cylinder and piston rod movable between retracted and extended positions in said cylinder, and having means at its free end for engaging said lever of said upper mold holding portion; means causing said free end of said piston rod to engage said lever means when said mold holding portions are in open position and for pivoting them to and laching them in closed position on extension of said piston rod, and subsequently tilting said mold assembly as a whole relative to its carriage upon retraction of said piston rod, whereby to orient the mold assembly in inclined position for venting; means for engaging and disengaging the free end of said piston rod from said upper mold holding portion lever; and means for retaining said mold assembly in inclined position as said carriage advances continuously along said predetermined portion of said endless track after disengagement of said piston rod from said lever, whereby to allow venting of the mold to occur.