Mold clamping apparatus for molding machinery

Claim 2

Mold clamping apparatus for molding machinery, comprising a plurality of platens, a plurality of tie rods supporting one of said platens for movement relative to another thereof between a mold closed position and a mold open position, movable crosshead means, toggle linkage means connecting said crosshead means with said one of said platens for causing movement of said crosshead means to move said one of said platens relative to said another thereof, drive means connected to said crosshead means for causing driven movement of said crosshead means, a plurality of guide rods directly connected to said one of said platens for movement therewith, operatively associated with said crosshead means, and extending forwardly and rearwardly of said crosshead means, relative to said crosshead means movement, for guiding said crosshead means during its driven movement to prevent lateral displacement of said crosshead means during its said movement; and guide rod supporting means connected to said tie rods to permit movement of the rod supporting means with said movable platen, and means connecting said movable platen with said guide rod supporting means for conjoined movement by said toggle linkage means.

Claim 3

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 1, where in said guide rods are each connected at one end to said movable platen, said guide rod supporting means comprises supporting elements slidably associated with said tie rods, and further comprising connecting rod means interconnecting said movable platen and said supporting elements for conjoined movement by said toggle linkage means and stationary means slidably supporting the other ends of said guide rods.

Claim 4

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising knockout means for discharging a formed part from a mold between said platens, said knockout means comprising a knockout plate and knockout elements carried by said knockout plate, and said knockout plate being disposed intermediate said movable platen and said crosshead means.

Claim 5

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said crosshead means includes a pair of openings, and each of said openings slidably receives a corresponding said guide rod.

Claim 6

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 2, wherein there are four of said tie rods and two of said guide rods, each said supporting element includes openings slidably receiving a pair of said tie rods and another opening slidably receiving one of said guide rods, and each of said guide rods is between a pair of said tie rods.

Claim 7

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising cylinder means associated with said guide rods for moving said knockout plate relative to said movable platen.

Claim 8

Mold clamping apparatus for molding machinery, comprising a plurality of platens, means supporting one of said platens for movement relative to another thereof between a mold closed position and a mold open position, movable crosshead means, toggle linkage means connecting said crosshead means with said one of said platens for causing movement of said crosshead to move said one of said platens relative to said another thereof, drive means connected to said crosshead means for causing driven movement of said crosshead means, and guide means, connected to said one of said platens for movement therewith, operatively associated with said crosshead means for guiding said crosshead means during its driven movement to prevent lateral displacement of said crosshead means during its said movement; wherein said platen supporting means comprises a plurality of tie rods, and said guide means comprises a plurality of guide rods, and further comprising means supporting said guide rods on said tie rods; wherein aid guide rods are each connected at one said to said movable platen, said guide rod supporting means comprises supporting elements slidably associated with said tie rods, and further comprising connecting rod means interconnecting said movable platen and said supporting element for conjoined movement by said toggle linkage means and stationary means slidably supporting the other ends of said guide rods; further comprising knockout means for discharging a formed part from a mold between said platens, said knockout means comprising a knockout plate and knockout elements carried by said knockout plate, and said knockout plate being disposed intermediate said movable platen and said crosshead means; and further comprising cylinder means associated with said guide rods for moving said knockout plate relative to said movable platen; and wherein each of said cylinder means includes a housing connected to said knockout plate, coaxial with one of said guide rods and displaceable coaxially therewith, said housing defining with an annular projection carried by such guide rod two chambers for receiving hydraulic fluid, adapted to be alternatively supplied into said chambers for controlling the displacement of said housing and hence of the knockout plate relative to the guide rod.

Claim 9

Mold clamping apparatus for molding machinery, comprising a plurality of platens, means supporting one of said platens for movement relative to another thereof between a mold closed position and a mold open position, movable crosshead means, toggle linkage means connecting said crosshead means with said one of said platens for causing movement of said crosshead to move said one of said platens relative to said another thereof, drive means connected to said crosshead means for causing driven movement of said crosshead means, and guide means, connected to said one of said platens for movement therewith, operatively associated with said crosshead means for guiding said crosshead means during its driven movement to prevent lateral displacement of said crosshead means during its said movement; wherein said platen supporting means comprises a plurality of tie rods, and said guide means comprises a plurality of guide rods, and further comprising means supporting said guide rods on said tie rods; wherein aid guide rods are each connected at one said to said movable platen, said guide rod supporting means comprises supporting elements slidably associated with said tie rods, and further comprising connecting rod means interconnecting said movable platen and said supporting element for conjoined movement by said toggle linkage means and stationary means slidably supporting the other ends of said guide rods; further comprising knockout means for discharging a formed part from a mold between said platens, said knockout means comprising a knockout plate and knockout elements carried by said knockout plate, and said knockout plate being disposed intermediate said movable platen and said crosshead means; and further comprising cylinder means associated with said guide rods for moving said knockout plate relative to said movable platen; and wherein each of said cylinder means includes a housing connected to said knockout plate, coaxial with one of said guide rods and displaceable coaxially therewith, said housing defining with an annular projection carried by such guide rod two chambers for receiving hydraulic fluid, adapted to be alternatively supplied into said chambers for controlling the displacement of said housing and hence of the knockout plate relative to the guide rod.

Claim 10

Mold clamping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said annular projection is formed on a sleeve on the related said guide rod.