Metal founding – Means to shape metallic material – Plural independent molds
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-31
2001-07-24
Dunn, Tom (Department: 1722)
Metal founding
Means to shape metallic material
Plural independent molds
C164S323000, C164S329000, C164S193000, C164S182000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263952
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to conveyors and more particularly relates to sand mold handling systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many metal castings are typically manufactured through a process wherein molten metal is poured into compressed sand molds, the metal cools and hardens, and the sand is broken away to retrieve the metal casting. In the context of automated foundries, a machine is typically provided wherein the sand molds are manufactured and carried via conveyors to a pouring station wherein the molten metal is introduced into the sand mold, and then the mold is traversed through various types of cooling conveyors until such time that the metal is hardened and the sand can be broken away.
Prior art systems for this purpose are well known, and disclosed in Hunter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,738 for “Automotive Matchplate Molding Machine”; Hunter U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,058 for “Method of Matchplate Molding”; Hunter U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,348 for “Fill Cartridges for Automatic Matchplate Molding Machines”; Hunter U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,450 for “Foundry Machine and Method and Foundry Mold Made Thereby”; and Hunter U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,512 for “Automatic Matchplate Molding System; the disclosure of each of which is expressly incorporated by reference.
In an effort to increase production, many foundries have found it advantageous to provide multiple mold making machines which simultaneously produce sand molds. Additional pouring stations can then be added to accommodate the increased number of molds. However, adding additional pouring stations necessarily increases capital investment costs, and some foundries therefore direct all of the sand molds from multiple mold making machines to a single mold handling line which can then direct the molds to the pouring station. Since the molds on the main mold handling conveyor are continuously advancing, mechanisms need to be provided to coordinate the transfer of the molds from the feed lines out of the mold making machines to the main mold handling line. Given the timing, weight, size and frequency of the molds, such mechanisms are currently complex, unreliable, and expensive.
This objective is complicated by the fact that the molds typically need to be aligned in end-to-end fashion on the main mold handling line. As a result, some foundries have employed the usage of turntables which rotate the molds after exiting the mold making machine, and prior to being placed on the main mold handling line. However, such turntables add substantial costs and complexity to the overall mold handling system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified mold handling system for transferring sand molds from multiple inputs to a single mold handling line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mold handling system with high productivity in that multiple molds are being made at the same time, while avoiding excessive capital investment in the multiple pouring stations, and associated hardware.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a mold handling system to transfer molds from various input feed lines parallel to a main mold handling line, without rotation.
In accordance with these objects, it is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a transfer conveyor capable of selectively positioning molds carried on the transfer conveyor in a first direction onto a main conveyor traveling in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The transfer conveyor comprises a first end adapted to receive molds to be transferred, and a second end linearly opposite the first end, intersecting the transfer conveyor. The vertical position of the second end is selectively adjustable between a first position below the main conveyor such that the transfer conveyor has no effect on molds carried on the main conveyor, and a second position above the main conveyor such that a mold position on the second end is transferred to the main conveyor upon movement of the second end from the second position to the first position.
It is another feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a mechanism for raising and lowering a transfer conveyor orthogonally disposed relative to a main conveyor wherein the mechanism includes a bellows actuator connected to the main conveyor and the transfer conveyor, and a loose-fitting hinge connecting the transfer conveyor to the main conveyor. Activation of bellows through introduction of air pressure causes the transfer conveyor to rise above the main conveyor, while deactivation of the bellows through release of air pressure causes the bellows to contract and the transfer conveyor to lower due to gravity. The hinge has a predetermined amount of play enabling the transfer conveyor to raise and lower relative to the main conveyor while maintaining proper lateral alignment of the transfer conveyor.
It is a still further feature of the present invention to provide the aforementioned hinge in the form of downwardly depending guide rods attached to the transfer conveyor, and apertured brackets attached to the main conveyor. The downwardly depending guide rods are matingly received into the apertures of the bracket with the diameter of the guide rods being less than that of the bracket apertures. Therefore, upon activation of the bellows actuator, the transfer conveyor is able to rise in an arc allowed by the play or give of the loose-fitting hinge.
These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3406738 (1968-10-01), Hunter
patent: 3506058 (1970-04-01), Hunter
patent: 3520348 (1970-07-01), Hunter
patent: 3612159 (1971-10-01), Galinsky
patent: 4156450 (1979-05-01), Hunter
patent: 5022512 (1991-06-01), Hunter
patent: 5062465 (1991-11-01), Mortensen
Dunn Tom
Hunter Automated Machinery Corporation
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Lin I.-H.
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