Static molds – Providing substitution of alternatively used parts – Part having intelligence
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-10-30
Nguyen, Nam (Department: 1722)
Static molds
Providing substitution of alternatively used parts
Part having intelligence
C249S104000, C425S577000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308929
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insert for a mold for affecting a hardenable material in a mold and more particularly to a rotatable insert capable of controlling flow of the hardenable material or imprinting an indicia into the hardenable material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is common for molds of all kinds to be equipped with multiple mold cavities to increase production. However, not all of the cavities are needed at all times. Thus, a mechanism is needed which can selectively direct flow to one or more cavities or none of the cavities, if desired.
One such mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,053 and consists of three pieces, a retainer, a core pin and an outer casing. Unfortunately, no provision is disclosed for removing the core pin without knocking out the entire mechanism by inserting a pin or screwdriver through a bore in the backside of the mold against the retainer. Such a process is time consuming which, in turn, increases mold down time, which is very costly. Moreover, only four core pin positions are disclosed, limiting the number of flow options available. Finally, the mechanism is of no use in throttling flow to a particular cavity. When the core pin is disposed in one position, a pin disposed between the retainer and core pin prevents rotation of the core pin. To rotate the core pin to redirect flow, the pin must be pushed into the retainer which is time consuming and difficult. Such an insert is also ill-suited for imprinting an indicia, such as the date, time and material type into the hardenable material.
What is needed, therefore, is a rotatable mold insert that can be quickly and easily removed or inserted. What is further needed is an insert that can be quickly, easily, and precisely indexed. What is also needed is an insert that can accommodate any kind of insert including, for example, flow-directing inserts and indicia-imprinting inserts. What is still further needed is an insert that is versatile and capable of different functions. What is still further needed is an insert that can be carried by or mounted to one end of an ejector pin.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An insert for a mold for diverting flow of a hardenable material or imprinting an indicia into the hardenable material wherein the insert comprises a plug that is rotatable and which can be quickly and easily removed, when needed, and replaced, if desired. In operation, while the mold halves are separated, the plug can be rotated using a tool, such as a screwdriver, to the desired setting. During mold operation, the plug has an insert face that can have, for example, one or more flow directing channels or an indicia that is imprinted into the hardenable material.
The plug has an outer axial face that is in contact with the hardenable material. The plug has a body that preferably is generally cylindrical, includes a larger head carrying the insert face, and which is received in a receiver that preferably comprises pocket formed by a sidewall. The pocket preferably is formed in one of the mold halves, an ejector pin, another mold component, or a removable cup. A rotating mechanism operably cooperates with the plug and the receiver such that the plug is rotatable and preferably indexable.
In one preferred embodiment, one of the plug and the receiver has a groove that receives a guide that extends from the other of the plug and the receiver so as to facilitate rotation of the plug while opposing withdrawal of the plug. The guide is a protrusion that preferably comprises a pin or a ball.
The guide is a locator that is urged toward the groove. For example, the guide can be urged radially toward the groove by a pin, a finger, or a spring. The finger preferably comprises a leaf spring or beam spring anchored by a fastener. The finger preferably is a coil spring retained by a screw or bolt. The spring can comprise a spring plunger or the like.
In one preferred embodiment, the groove extends about the circumference of the plug and is contoured so as to accept the guide. The groove has a transverse portion and an entranceway that is inclined relative to the transverse portion. The entranceway is constructed and arranged to accept the guide to facilitate fast and easy insertion of the plug into the receiver and removal of the plug from the receiver.
In its preferred embodiment, the groove is comprised of a single transverse portion and a single entranceway. The transverse portion extends no more than about one revolution about the plug and the entranceway extends less than one revolution about the plug. Preferably, the entranceway is inclined at an acute angle relative to the transverse groove portion. In one preferred groove embodiment, the groove is at least about 0.040 inches wide, preferably at least 0.070 inches wide, and at least about 0.020 inches deep, its transverse portion extends between about 250° and about 330° around the plug body, and its entranceway is inclined at an angle of between about 20° and about 40°. Preferably, the entranceway extends between about 40° and about 60° around the plug body. Preferably, the entranceway and transverse portion extend at least about two-thirds of a revolution about the body and no more than about 300° about the body.
So that the plug can be rotated to one of a number of predetermined positions, the head of the plug has a shoulder, formed where the plug diametrically necks down to the body, that cooperates with a detent assembly. The detent assembly preferably comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches in an axial surface of the shoulder that cooperate with one or more detents in the pocket. The detent preferably is a pin or a ball that can be resiliently biased toward the shoulder to facilitate ease of rotation and indexing.
To rotate or remove the plug from the pocket, a tool, such as a blade of a screwdriver, engages the face of the plug head to rotate the plug. To remove the plug, the plug is rotated in one direction until the guide reaches the entranceway. Further rotation in the one direction causes the guide to ride further along the entranceway until it reaches the mouth or opening of the entranceway thereby freeing the plug completely from the pocket. As the guide rides along the entranceway, the angle of the entranceway displaces the plug such that its face is no longer flush with the mold, cup or ejector pin carrying the plug so that it can be manually removed.
In inserting the plug, the plug is dropped into the pocket and rotated in the opposite direction until the guide enters the mouth of the entranceway. Further rotation causes the guide to ride along the entranceway until the plug completely retracts into the pocket such that the face is flush with the mold, the ejector pin, or the cup carrying the plug. Further rotation causes the guide to traverse from the entranceway to the transverse portion.
In another preferred embodiment, the plug has a protrusion that registers with a groove in the inner sidewall that forms the pocket. Preferably, the protrusion is a ball that is biased outwardly from the plug body by a wad received within a hollow in the body. The wad preferably is comprised of an elastomeric material or another resilient synthetic or natural material. A cap or core at one end of the plug body engages the body to retain the wad within the plug. In its preferred embodiment, the cap is a screw or bolt.
The head of the plug is received in a complimentary recess in the pocket. Preferably, the recess is configured so as to receive the head such that the outer axial face of the head is substantially flush with the surrounding mold or cup.
So that the plug can be selectively indexed, a detent mechanism or assembly cooperates with the plug. The detent mechanism comprises a detent carried by the mold, the pin or the cup that cooperates with at least one of a plurality of detent notches in the axial end of the plug body. In its preferred form, the detent comprises a pin or ball that extends generally radially inwardly into the pocket.
To facilitate removal of the plug,
Boyle Fredrickson Newholm Stein & Gratz S.C.
Luk Emmanuel S.
Nguyen Nam
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