US4064927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Standardized investment mold assembly
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1976-11-11
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Granted: 1977-12-27
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Expires: 1996-11-11
Abstract
Abstract A mold assembly for casting articles by the investment molding process. The assembly may include a wax center sprue element through which extends a center support. First and second wax end sprue elements are mounted in spaced relationship on the center support by means of expendable supports embedded in the sprue elements. A wax riser element extends between the spaced end sprue elements and carries wax patterns of articles to be investment cast by means of the mold. An expendable riser support may be embedded in the wax riser element and secured at spaced portions thereof to the end sprue element supports. A plurality of such wax risers may be provided in circumferentially spaced relationship to the center support, each of which may carry wax patterns. The wax riser elements may be provided with longitudinal, outwardly opening parallel grooves with the wax patterns being secured to the riser elements in the grooves.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Ostrowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:16
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22C; B22C7/00; B22C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An investment mold comprising: a wax main sprue element; a carrier extending through said main sprue element; a first wax end sprue element; a second wax end sprue element; a first expendable end sprue element support embedded in said first end sprue element and having a mounting portion mounted to said carrier; a second expendable end sprue element support embedded in said second end sprue element and having a mounting portion mounted to said carrier in spaced relationship to said first sprue element support whereby said end sprue elements extend laterally outwardly from said main sprue element in spaced relationship; and a wax riser element extending between said end sprue elements and carrying wax patterns of articles to be investment cast by means of said mold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An investment mold comprising: a wax main sprue element; a carrier extending through said main sprue element; a first wax end sprue element; a second wax end sprue element; a first expendable end sprue element support embedded in said first end sprue element and having a mounting portion mounted to said carrier; a second expendable end sprue element support embedded in said second end sprue element and having a mounting portion mounted to said carrier in spaced relationship to said first sprue element support whereby said end sprue elements extend laterally outwardly from said main sprue element in spaced relationship; and a wax riser element extending between said end sprue elements and carrying wax patterns of articles to be investment cast by means of said mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein an expendable riser support is embedded in said riser and is secured at spaced portions thereof to said end sprue element supports.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein a plurality of wax risers are provided in circumferentially spaced relationship about said main sprue element, each extending between said end sprue elements and carrying wax patterns of articles to be investment cast by means of said mold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The investment mold of claim 3 wherein said end sprue elements define a center portion connected to said main sprue element, and radiating arm portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The investment mold of claim 3 wherein said end sprue elements define a center portion connected to said main sprue element, and equiangular spaced radiating arm portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein said expendable sprue supports are formed of a thermally decomposable synthetic resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein an expendable riser support formed of a decomposable synthetic resin is embedded in said riser and is secured at spaced portions thereof to said end sprue element supports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein said carrier comprises a metal shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein said riser element is provided with longitudinal outwardly opening parallel grooves and said wax patterns are secured to said riser element in said grooves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein said carrier defines spaced shoulders and said sprue element supports engage said shoulders to have accurate spaced relationship as determined by the spacing of said shoulders.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The investment mold of claim 1 wherein said carrier defines spaced shoulders and said end sprue element supports are secured against said shoulders to have accurate spaced relationship as determined by the spacing of said shoulders.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rigidified investment casting wax mold comprising: a first wax sprue forming means; thermally decomposable reinforcing means embedded within said sprue forming means, the strength of the material forming said reinforcing means being substantially greater than that of the sprue forming wax at ambient temperatures thereby causing the reinforced sprue forming means to be rigid; a second wax sprue forming means; second thermally decomposable reinforcing means embedded within said second sprue forming means, said first and second reinforcing means defining interfitted connecting portions for causing the first and second sprue forming means to define a continuous sprue former; and a plurality of wax patterns secured directly to said first wax sprue forming means in substantially spaced relationship to said reinforcing means thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
122 words
A rigidified investment casting wax mold comprising: a first wax sprue forming means; thermally decomposable reinforcing means embedded within said sprue forming means, the strength of the material forming said reinforcing means being substantially greater than that of the sprue forming wax at ambient temperatures thereby causing the reinforced sprue forming means to be rigid; a second wax sprue forming means; second thermally decomposable reinforcing means embedded within said second sprue forming means, said first and second reinforcing means defining interfitted connecting portions for causing the first and second sprue forming means to define a continuous sprue former; and a plurality of wax patterns secured directly to said first wax sprue forming means in substantially spaced relationship to said reinforcing means thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The investment casting mold of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing means is formed of a synthetic resin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The investment casting mold of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing means is formed of a polystyrene synthetic resin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The investment casting mold of claim 12 further including a main sprue forming means connected to said second sprue forming means and having a removable metal support extending therethrough for use in carrying the mold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The investment casting mold of claim 12 wherein said first and second sprue forming means comprise sprue forming elements retaining in connected association by said interfitted reinforcing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The investment casting mold of claim 16 wherein said wax sprue forming means comprise runner and riser elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The investment casting mold of claim 12 wherein said reinforcing means is formed of a polyurethane synthetic resin.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |