Патент USA US2602968

July 15,1952
w. A. SPIERS
2,602,961
VULCANIZING APPARATUS FOR V-BELTS
Filed June 9, 1949
3 Sheets-Sheet 1
INVENTOR.
3i
5
1
WALTER A. SPIERS
July 15, 1952
w. A. SPIERS
2,602,961
VULCANIZING APPARATUS FOR V-BELTS
3 Sheets-Sheet 2
Filed June 9, 1949
Q) Q
07!} 8
|—_ +
[
5:17. 9
42
[r _
INVENTOR.
'
WALTERS A. smERs.
BY
6/ -- -
/
.
WM/9,%
6 a.
- 14 z‘ for-nely
July 15, 1952
J
‘
Filed June 9, 1949
I
w. A. ,SPIERS
2,602,961
VULCANIZING APPARATUS FOR V-BELTS
3 Sheets-Sheet 3
23c
Jig. 7
INVENTOR.
WALTER
A. SPI ERS
2,602,961
Patented July 15, 1952
gram‘ QFFICE
UNITE
2,602,961
VULOANIZING APPARATUS FOR V-BELTS
Walter ALSpiers, Akron, Ohio
Application June 9, 1949,>Serial.No.'97,979
22 Claims. (Cl. 18-4-17)
1
This invention relates to molding apparatus
*and especially but not exclusively to apparatus
for molding annular articles.
The speci?c embodiments shown in ‘the ac
2
Fig. 9 is a fragmentary face view of a part
shown in Fig. 3.
In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1v to 4 the
press comprises a stationary base It having a
companying drawings are especially adaptedfor
the molding and vulcanizing of power-transmit
central mold-supporting platform II, which can
forcing core or tensioning element of a V-belt,
hereinafter described, for'raising and lowering
automatically opening and closing successive
is opened and closed; to provide for the open
automatically stopping it at suitable positions
for the emptying and re?lling of the molds in
succession at a working position of convenient
vide compactness of apparatus, as by providing
is designated l6, Figs. 1 and 3.
a work-table structure adapted to serve also as
a means for con?ning air or steam for pressing
the work in the mold cavities and/or for pro
as aclamping plate for the beaded annular-up
per margin (Fig. 3) of an annular diaphragm
be of different height if a different number-of
double-faced mold members 12a to {2% are in
ting belts of the V or side-driving type.
stalled. The upper, movable member l3 oft-he
My chief objects are to provide economical
press .has secured to its lower face a mold mem
and rapid apparatus for molding a large num
ber of articles in each cycle of operations; to 10 ber M having a half-cavity in its lower face
only, and the lowermost mold membenl?, has
provide improved means for pressing all parts
a half-cavity in only its upper face.
of an annular article radially outward in an
Suitable means are provided, permissiblyas
annular mold cavity, as for tensioning the rein
for example; to provide improved means for 15 the upper press member l3, and preferably for
molds of a stack. of molds in a press as the press
height, at the top of a work-table and ?uid
ing or closing of the molds in succession as they
respectively pass a work-table structure; to pro 20 con?ning structure of which the top element
>
Y .
This member I6 servesas a table-topand-also
viding vulcanizing heat; to provide for the use 25 ll, clamping it .sealingly against thetop of the
crown of a hollow, hat-shaped fluid-con?ning
of a press of great height, for large capacity,
member 18, to the base of which the beaded
without requiring the ?lling and emptying of
lower margin of the annular diaphragm I] is
the molds at any inconvenient height; to pro
sealingly clamped by a ring I9 upon-which the
vide, in conjunction with other features, for
the use of a motor-driven press; and to provide 30 lowermost mold member, l5, comes to rest when
the press is closed.
.
other advantages that will be manifest.
The diaphragm ll preferably, but not neces
Of the accompanying drawings:
sarily, is reinforced with bias fabric, as in Fig.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, with parts sectioned and
9, so that its circumferential stretch Willbesub
broken away, of apparatus embodying my in
vention in its preferred form as applied to the 35 stantially uniform. To permit :the diaphragm
molding of annular articles such as V-belts.
Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
I‘! to shorten .inlieight, so that it can more
the molds are closely associated, taken at a .dif
ferent position, oircumferentially of the assem
the spring .65 for urging them apart.
_
The interior of the hollow member [8 can be
bly, from that at which the section shown in
Fig. 4 is taken.
Fig. 4 is a section corresponding to that of
Fig. 3 except that it is taken at a differentposi
tion circumferentially of the assembly and
shows a central fluid chamber in elevation in
stead of in section.
put in communication, through a pipe 20 cou
pled to ahole in its floor, with a source of pres
sure fluid,.and the annular wall of the member
I8 is formed with holes 2|, 2| for conducting
the fluid to the inner face of the-diaphragm,-to
expand it, when the molds are all fully closed.
For transmitting the force of the diaphragm
to the belts, 22, 22, each belt has interposed
between it and the diaphragm a vulcanized-rub
freely stretch in .circumference, the hat-shaped
structure preferably is madein two parts which
Fig. 3 is a radial, fragmentary section of
are guidingly telescoped with each other ‘at :64
stacked and fully closed annular molds, the Work
therein, and parts of the apparatus with which 40 and provided with compression springs such as
Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of a set of
articulated molds representing a modi?cation.
Fig. (3 is a radial, fragmentary section illus
ber molding ring 23 adapted to be stretchedby
expansion of the diaphragm and thus to be
trating a modi?cation of work-pressing elements.
pressed against the inner peripheral face of the
Fig. '7 is a similar section illustrating another
55 belt, each molding ring 23 being, slidably
alternative provision for pressing the work.
.llig. 8 is a diagram of the motor, switches and
wiring.
mounted in an annular guideway de?ned byj-par
.allel flat faces of the adjacent mold members.
2,602,961
3
4
Thus the rubber rings 23, 23 are adapted to
put the belts and their cores, 22a, 22a, in the
tensioned condition in which, for known reasons;
it is desirable that they be held during vul
respective sprocket-chains 39, 39 with respective
canization. As the belts are made with such
precision as to closely approximate the size and
sprockets secured upon the output shaft 40 of
a speed reducer 4| driven by a reversible motor
42, both mounted on the member 13.
At three circumferentially spaced positions the
mold members are connected each to the next
by a series of toggles of which each comprises
an arm 43 hinged at 44 to a bracket projecting
from the next higher mold member, and a pair
width by the pressure of the molding rings, the
rings cause the belts to ?ll out at their side 10 of arms 45, 45 hinged at 46 to a bracket project
ing from the next lower mold member, the elbow
walls against the converging walls of the mold
of the toggle being at 41. Each arm 43 projects
cavity even though the molding rings press the
beyond the elbow of the toggle and at its outer
belts from the narrow inner part toward the
end is provided with a pin 43 which projects
wider outer part of the mold cavity. Prefer
horizontally from each of the arm's side faces
ably the unvulcanized belts, as put into the molds,
and is thus adapted to abut the outer edge faces
are of such cross-sectional size and shape as
of the arms 45, 45 to limit the straightening
to permit the molds to close fully, before the
movement of the toggle and thus to hold the lower
outward pressing by the rubber molding rings
one of the two mold members, against gravity,
begins, so that little or no mold ?n or ?ash
will occur at the parting plane of the molds, 20 at a determinate distance from the upper one, as
the molds are successively opened.
on the back ofthe belt, and so that there will
The projecting end portions of the pins 49 also
be enough deforming of the belts by the rubber
are adapted to enter, in their downward move
molding rings to put the belt cores 22a, 22a un
ment, respective guide grooves, such as the
der high tension.
For suitably heating the molds for vulcanizing 25 groove shown on the inner side faces of a chan
nel shaped post 5| secured to and extending
the belts any suitable provisions can be made, as
upward from the base l0.
by forming the mold members with respective
Each guide groove has at its upper end a ?ared
steam chambers 24, 24 and providing the as
open mouth 55‘1 for receiving the pin; next to
sembly with suitable ?exible steam pipes 25, 25,
that an oblique cam reach 50b for controlling the
26, 26, for circulating steam through the series
action of the toggle as the two mold sections
of molds.
close and for exerting closing force upon them;
The sliding ?t of the molding rings 23 in their
and below that a long vertical reach 50° for con
guideways prevents the forming of ?ash and as
tinuing to steady and guide the series of closed
the molding rings project a substantial distance
molds as they descend to rest upon the clamping
inward from the inner peripheries of the molds
ring 19 as in Fig. 3.
the diaphragm is not required to bulge into the
In order that the three pins 49 may not have
guideways.
to sustain the weight of all of the closed molds
Means is provided for raising and lowering the
while they are being lowered and the pins are
upper press member I3, and for ?nally forcing
it downwardly, but with a yielding pressure, for 40 elfecting the closing of successive molds, three
sets of pick-up counterweights are provided, at
holding the molds of the stack ?rmly closed.
three respective circumferentially spaced posi
Such means, in the embodiment here shown, Fig.
tions.
1, comprises a pair of guide posts 21, 21 secured
In each set (Fig. 1), the counter-weights are
to and extending upward from the base IE,
through respective guide sleeves 28, 28 secured 45 of successively less diameters from the highest
one, 523, to the lowest one, 53, but each is of such
to and extending downward from the upper press
vertical dimension that the three of each diam
member [3.
eter-size are in weight equal to or almost equal
Near their upper ends the posts 21 are con
to the weight of one of the mold members I2“,
nected by a bridge piece 29 slidably mounted
upon them and having secured to its upper face 50 I21’, etc., except that the three lowermost weights,
of which the weight 53 is one, are equal or almost
an arch-like bracket or yoke 38 which is drawn
equal in weight to the lowermost, single-cavitied
against the ceiling 3| of the room by screws 32,
mold member 15.
32. Compression springs 33, 33, are mounted be
Each set of counterweights, 52'”L to 53, is slid~
tween the upper face of the bridge piece 29 and
ably strung on a cable 54 which extends through
respective nuts 33a, 33s, on the upper ends of 65 holes at their centers and has a retaining head
the posts, and can be put under suitable compres
55 on its lower end, abutting the lower face of
sion by tightening of the nuts.
the lowermost counterweight 53.
This construction provides for cushioning of
Each cable 54 extends upward from the
vibration by the springs 33, in conjunction with
weights, over two overhead pulleys in tandem,
60
strong holding of the posts 21 accurately in ver
one of which pulleys is shown at 55, Fig. 1, and
tical position, and adaptation of the apparatus
from the second pulley the cable extends down
to the ceiling height. The threading of the posts
ward to an anchorage lug 51 (Fig. 2) projecting
extends from their upper ends to a position far
from the lowermost mold member l5. For clarity
below the bridge member 29 and screwed upon
of illustration the cables 54 are shown in Fig. 2
them, below the bridge piece 29, are respective 65 as being out Of their true vertical positions.
swivel nuts 34, 34 each formed as a sprocket
Each set of counterweights is mounted inside
wheel. Each swivel nut is provided with a thrust
of a hollow post 58 standing up from the base I!)
bearing, 35 between it and the top reach of a
and internally formed with a succession of shoul
hold-down arch bracket 36 secured to and ex
ders or ledges, such as the ledges 59, 533, but of
70
tending upward from the upper press member [3,
successively smaller diameters in downward se
and with a thrust bearing 31 between the swivel
quence. These ledges are so spaced apart verti
nut and a compression spring 38 surrounding the
cally as to be adapted to stop and support in suc
post 21 and seated upon the upper face of the
cession the series of counterweights as the latter
member I3.
are lowered by the lifting of the stack of unopened
The swivel-nut sprockets 34 are connected by 76 molds to bring the molds in succession to, and
shape of the mold cavities, and are deformable
to a condition of increased inner-peripheral
$2,602,961
55
i-successively » open .them at, :approximately ‘ the
:erations are analogous to, and ‘will be manifest
level of the work table l6.
Thus the counterweights'areadapted ltoyalmost
fully counterbalance, at :all ‘times, only ~.-the ~m‘old
from, those just described.
When all ‘of the molds "have been ?lled and
.closedand lowered until the weight of all of them
bears upon the member I9, the 'motor is further
driven .just long‘enough to [compress the springs
‘members that are below the :moldéopening and .
moldaclcsing position, so'thatthe wall of the cam
‘portions 59‘) of thezguide grooves-El! will have to
act :against the pin ~49 with only sufiicient force
.to ‘augment the upward pull of the toggles .as- a
:mold-opening force ‘or ‘to augment the .force of
the counterweight-ls in the~closing of the‘molds
'38 adequately .for putting appropriate iyielding
pressure-on the molds to hold them?rmlyclosed.
'The construction and arrangement as de
:10 scribed .are :such that at all :times, in both the
‘upward and the downward operation, all of the
molds that :are not being "wholly. or chiefly sup
as each moldmember is loweredlonto :the'stack
of previously .closedanolds.
;ported .by the upward pull of toggles, will ‘be
~
‘:When teach,v cable 514 .is trained over. two ‘tandem
overhead pulleys, as abovedescribed, .both ‘the
.on-running and the offerunning \reachesof the
cable can be verticalealthough one .or more of the
sets of counterweights maybe ata sui‘n‘cientdis
tance from the stackof molds to provide good
access .to the molds for:?lling.and emptying them.
.If desired, the-electric circuit of the motorcan
.include a cam-actuated switch 61 , Fig.‘ 4,.mounted
upon a side wallof one‘of the-.channellposts-l'il
and having an actuating stem formed-with-a two
faced cam head .52 extending into the path of
the pins 59 and adapted to be crowded by each
.closely . counterbalanced, so that the strain .on
the pinsid? isnotexcessive.
.
When the ?lled and .closedmoldsare iniplac
.npon-themember l 9, .randlthussurround- the/dia
phragm all, the :belts are vulcanized byrheatI-from
steam circulated in the chambers 24 whileiiuid
.20 pressure, provided by the pipe 29, is maintained
within the annular diaphragm to urge ‘the
stretchable rubber molding’ rings 23 constantly
outward toimold the innerxperipheralfaces of-the
belts, to stretch the belt cores 22a, and to com
peleach belt to take the shapeofits moldicav
ity at -.its outer peripheral face and at its two
diverging side faces.
When the .mold-vulcanizing operation is .?n
,ished the mold-opening, emptying and re?lling
pin for opening the motor circuit asLeachpin
passes the stem v62, .in either .direction of move
ment, ‘for automatically stopping the upward or
downward movement of the upper press mem 30 operations are performed as above described.
In those operations the, dome-like diaphragm
ber l3 as each successive mold member arrives
clamping assembly provides a convenient table to
at the'loading and unloadingposition. ‘Suitable
facilitate the handling of the belts as they are
taken from oruput into the molds.
The modi?cation illustrated in ‘Fig. 5 'di?fers
from that of Figs. '1 to 4 only ‘in that the coun
switch circuits for this ‘purpose are known to
those skilled in‘the art. ‘As :one ‘expedient, ‘a
three-way ratchet ‘switch ‘61 'as‘sh'own'and fa ;
manually actuated three-way switch ‘?le, ‘Fig.
terweight system and the cam-action posts 5!
are omitted,‘ which permits each'mold toopenLat
8, can be mounted "in series in ‘the motor cir
cuit, the two having structural features "and the
any elevation, whenever it sustains 'su?icient
weight of .molds below‘it to effect its opening. [In
relationship of switches commonly employed-re
spectively at the top and‘bo'ttom of istairways,
this case ‘stationary, single-face cam 'members
‘for turning the stair‘light on or off ‘from either
the top or the vbottom ‘of "the stairs.
such as‘the'member 63 can be mounted ‘at about
the .level of the top ‘of the work table, to make
vIn the operation of ‘this apparatusQFigs. "l to
4, assuming that ‘the parts are ‘in ‘the-positions
sure that the molds will open at that position
in which they are shown in Fig.1, and that, an 45 although too ?rmly "stuck: to‘ be'opened by grav
ity, ‘and a switch dla, corresponding to the "switch
unloading of the ‘stack of molds 'isiin‘progress,
the motor is started manually to raise the press
head I3 to lift the mold member l2b'from the
‘next lower mold memberxIF-andspace "it there
from the distance permitted ‘by-the "straig'hten- ,
ing of the'toggles between mold-[2b and mold'l2c,
SI of Fig. 4, can be employed'for automatically
stopping the motor.
'
In the modification shown in "Fig. "6, each'rdb
ber molding ring,:-'23a, 523a, is ‘formed with aipair
‘of sealing lips 23b,~'23b sealing against ‘the-‘re
spective adjacent mold tfaces under the force .of
and to lift the mold |2° to the positionforn‘le'rly
?uid pressure in the annular space between“ the
-molds ‘and "an ‘imperfora'te dome portion of a
occupied by 12b.
When themold ‘12° has reached the-unloading
position, and has been thus opened, the-motor vis
stopped, either by manually opening a motor
work-table member [8a, the pressurebeing-sup
switch or automatically by the adjacent pin 49
acting as steam against the switch stem*62 and
changing the setting .of the three-way ratchet
switch 6!. 'Themold-vulcanized belt is then re (ill
moved .from the mold member, the motor is
again started for repetition of the described op
plied through a piped be coupled to a holethrough
the base ?ange of-the member its. .Thexdia
phragm is omitted and the central space of the
uppermost mold member, --I lie, is closedand sealed
by a. plate [Se-carried by the upper .press mem
ber, and lip-sealing rings 17%|‘!x are .mounted
in grooves in the upper face of the base I?ange
of the member I88“ and are adapted to seal against
the lower face of the lowermost moldmember.
emptied, at which time ‘the lowermost, single 65 In this embodiment the rubber molding ‘rings
232" are shown as being shaped to mold the‘inner
cavitied, mold member, IE, will be at the unload
peripheral faces of the belts to concave shape.
ing position, and all of the 'counterweights ‘529
In this case the‘m'old’s steam ‘chambers, 2411.24“,
to 52% will ‘have ‘come to rest successively,~at ap
*propriate times, on their respective ledges, while ' are open to the annular space ‘above mentioned,
and the same bodyof steam can be used for both
‘the lowermost mold member, 1'5, will still ‘be
eration for emptying the mold member [2“, and
so on until ‘all of the vmold members have been
counterbalan'ced ‘by the lowermost ‘counterweight,
53, still bearing its full weight-on ‘the cable
'head :55.
The motor is then reversed for ‘re?lling ‘and
reclosing ~ of the molds ;in succession. ‘The start
virig': andgstopping :of' the motor and ‘the :other- op
heating and pressing the belts.
-
'
'Intheembodiment shown in ‘Fig. "7, rubber
molding Jrin'gs,v 723“, “23°, are “shown of‘ such‘ ‘cross
sectional form‘ and in 'such' relationshipiras lto :ef
feet the stretching - and pressing l of ‘the belts v:by
75 being zaxially. compressed “and .thus: radially thick
2,602,961
7
ened by being squeezed between the two adjacent
in pressure contact with the radially inner face
mold members as the latter are forced together.
Preferably each rubber ring 23° is seated in a
groove in the lower one of the two mold members,
as shown, and is adapted for its upper annular
margin to be received in a similar groove in the
lower face of the upper one of the two mold
members, as is also shown. The proportions
of the molding rings.
6. Molding apparatus comprising a pair of
aligned press-head members and means for mov
ing one of the same toward and from the other,
the said members and means constituting the
primary elements of a press, a set of aligned
annular mold-cavity members mounted in series
preferably are such that the rubber molding ring
in the press and adapted to be brought together
will undergo most of its deformation after the 10 by it to de?ne a plurality of annular molding
mold members are almost completely closed, and
cavities in series and a central space in com
before the belt (usually fabric covered) has de
munication with the said cavities collectively
veloped such pressure of its back against the
for applying to the contents of said cavities the
radially outer mold-cavity walls' as to cause ex
force of pressure ?uid contained in said central
cessive pinching of cover fabric or extrusion of 15 space, and tension spacer means for limiting
movement of each mold member away from the
Other modi?cations are possible without de
next mold member of the series, each spacer
stock at the parting plane.
parture from the scope of the invention as de
?ned in the appended claims.
I claim:
1. Apparatus for concurrently molding a plu
rality of annular V belts, said apparatus compris
ing a plurality of pairs of steam-jacket, mating
annular mold sections adapted to be stacked and
means being attached, at the respective ends of
said spacer means, to two of the mold mem
bers, the spacer means thus directly connecting
the mold members in series, said spacer means
being collapsible for permitting closing relative
movement of the mold members.
7. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 6 in which
thus to de?ne a plurality of annular molding cavi 25 each of the recited spacer means is a toggle.
ties each of which is of V-belt tapered shape
8. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 6 in which
from its radially outer side to its radially inner
each of the recited spacer means is a toggle and
side and has, in direct, uninterrupted continua
in which the assembly includes means for stop
tion of said cavity, at its radially inner side,
ping the straightening action of the toggles short
and open to the inner-peripheral external faces 30 of a fully straightened condition in the open
of the mold sections, an annular guide space for
ing relative movement of the mold members.
a molding ring, an unattached, stretchable mold
9. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 6 in which
ing ring in each of said guide spaces, and means
each of the recited spacer means is a toggle,
for locally exerting the force of a single body
and in which the assembly includes means on
of pressure ?uid against the external faces of ~ the respective toggles for stopping the straighten
the plurality of molding rings that are farthest
ing action of the toggles short of a fully straight
inward, toward the center of the assembly from
ened condition in the opening relative move
the molding cavities, said means so con?ning said
ment of the mold members.
?uid that it exerts radial ?uid pressure against
10. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 6 in which
said rings uniformly throughout the circleof the 40 each of the de?ned spacer means comprises a
assembly, for forcing the molding rings radially
toggle and in which the assembly includes cam
outward in said guide spaces.
means for urging a toggle toward straightened
2. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 1 in which the
condition, as an incident of press-opening rela
molding rings seal against the guide-space-de
tive movement of the press-head members, for
?ning faces of the mold sections and in which
assuring separation of the two mold members
the means for applying the force of pressure
that the toggle connects.
?uid con?nes the ?uid in contact with the radial
ly inner faces of the molding rings.
3. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 1 in which
the molding rings seal against the guide-space
de?ning faces of the mold sections and in which
the means for applying the force of pressure
?uid con?nes the ?uid in contact with the radial
ly inner faces of the molding rings and in which
each mold member is formed with a steam
jacket cavity in communication with the ?uid
containing space de?ned by the said means.
4. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 1 in which
each molding ring is formed with a pair of an
11. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which
each of the de?ned spacer means comprises a
toggle and in which the assembly includes cam
means for urging a toggle toward collapsed con
dition, as an incident of press-closing relative
movement of the press-head members, for assur
ing closing of the two mold members that the
toggle connects.
12. Molding apparatus comprising a vertical
press having an upper press head and a lower
press head of which the upper head is vertically
movable, means for raising and lowering said
upper head, and a set of mold—cavitated mem
60
nular sealing lips and thus seals against the
bers adapted to be stacked in succession upon
guide-space-de?ning faces of the mold sections
the lower press head by the lowering of the upper
and in which the means for applying the force
press head to de?ne a plurality of mold cavities,
of pressure ?uid con?nes the fluid in contact
the uppermost mold member being connected to
with the radially inner faces of the molding
65 the upper press head to be raised and lowered
rings.
5. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 1 in which
each of the recited rings is accessible by rea
son of its guide space being open as recited in
claim 1, in which the inner periphery of each
ring is approximately at the radially inner mouth
of its guide space, and in which the means for
exerting the force of pressure ?uid as recited
comprises an annular diaphragm separate from
thereby and each mold member being directly
connected to the next one below it by tension
spacer means for limiting opening relative move
ment of the two, and collapsible for permitting
their closing movement, and the lowermost mold
member being free to rise from the lower press
head in response to upward pull of the tension
spacer means.
13. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 12 and in
the molding rings and adapted to be expanded 75 cluding means for counterweighting such of the
2,602,961
10
mold members as are, at a given time, below a
cited comprising a contact-actuated member and
determinate elevation.
contact means on the respective mold members
for successively actuating it.
_
14. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 12 and in
cluding means for counterweighting such of the
20. Apparatus for concurrently molding a
mold members as are, at a given time, below a Ci plurality of annular articles, said apparatus com
counterweighting
prising a plurality of annular mold members
means comprising a plurality of counterweights
individual to a plurality of the mold members
respectively and lost-motion means for causing‘
each mold member to have its respective counter
weight made effective as the mold member de
scends past a determinate position and made in
adapted to be brought together, each against
the next, in series, and each, with the next, de
?ning an annular molding cavity in communica
determinate
elevation,
the
tion with the central space de?ned by the an
nular mold members, means for closing the ends
of said space to form a pressure-fluid chamber,
e?'ective as the mold member ascends past a
and means for conducting pressure ?uid into
determinate position.
said chamber, the assembly including deform
15. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 12 and in
cluding means for counterweighting such of the
mold members as are, at a given time, below a
determinate
elevation,
the
counterweighting
means comprising a lowermost counterweight for
the lowermost mold member, ?exible means and
guiding means therefor constituting the opera
tive connection of the said mold member and
able means, adapted to con?ne the pressure ?uid
by sealing against two adjacent ones of the
mold members, for exerting, against an article
in the molding cavity de?ned by them, the force
of the pressure ?uid in the said chamber.
21. Apparatus for molding an annular article,
20
said apparatus comprising means de?ning an
annular molding cavity communicating at one
of its peripheries with an annular guide space
for a molding ring, a deformable molding ring
its counterweight, respective counterweights in
dividual to others of the mold members, and
adapted to be picked up in succession by the 25 in said guide space, and means for so deforming
the molding ring as to cause it to press against
said lowermost counterweight as it is raised by
an article to be molded in the cavity, the cavity
descent by the lowermost mold member, and
de?ning means comprising a pair of mold mem
means for receiving and supporting the said
bers each de?ning an annular part of the cavity
respective counterweights in succession at de
terminate positions as the lowermost counter 30 when they are brought together and the said
members and the molding ring being shaped and
weight is lowered by ascent of the lowermost
mold member.
proportioned for radial thickening of the ring by
'
axial pressure of the mold members as they are
16. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 12 and in
cluding means for counterweighting such of the
brought together.
22. Apparatus for concurrently molding a
plurality of annular articles, said apparatus
comprising a plurality of annular mold members
adapted to be brought together, each against the
next, in series, and each, with the next, de?ning
mold members as are, at a given time, below a
determinate elevation, the assembly including a
work table in position to facilitate the manipula
tion of the work in relation to the mold mem
bers in succession at substantially the said eleva
tion.
17. Apparatus for concurrently molding a
an annular molding cavity in communication
with the central space de?ned by the annular
mold members, means for closing the ends of
plurality of annular articles, said apparatus
said space to form a pressure-?uid chamber,
and means for conducting pressure ?uid into said
aligned annular mold members adapted to be
chamber, each of the mold members being formed
stacked in said press to de?ne a plurality of
with a steam-jacket cavity in communication
annular molding cavities open at their radially
with the said central space.
inner sides, means at the open inner sides of
the cavities, when the molds are so stacked, for
WALTER A. SPIERS.
exerting the force of ?uid pressure concurrently
REFERENCES CITED
against the radially inner faces of articles to
be molded in the respective cavities, said means
The following references are of record in the
comprising a ?uid-retaining and work-table
?le of this patent:
structure in the central space de?ned by the
UNITED STATES PATENTS
stacked annular mold members, and means for
Name
Date
bringing the mold members successively to and 55 Number
260,368
Buzzell ___________ __ July 4, 1882
stopping them approximately at the level of the
294,318
Hawley __________ __ Feb. 26, 1884
top of said structure.
601,825
Conners ___________ __ Apr. 5, 1898
18. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 1'7 in which
652,813
Seiberling _________ __ July 3, 1900
the upper press-head is the movable press-head,
660,638
Holbrook et al ____ __ Oct. 30, 1900
the uppermost mold member is secured to it, and
comprising a vertical press, a set of axially
each mold member is connected to the one next
below it by tension spacer means for limiting
opening relative movement of the two and col
lapsible for permitting their closing relative 65
movement.
19. Apparatus as de?ned in claim 17 in which
the upper press-head is the movable press-head,
the uppermost mold member is secured to it, and
each mold member is connected to the one next 70
below it by tension spacer means for limiting
opening relative movement of the two and col—
lapsible for permitting their closing relative
movement, and in which the assembly includes
means for stopping the mold members as re
75
890,409
1,172,783
Cox _____________ __ June 9, 1908
French _________ __ Feb. 22', 1916
1,296,291
1,354,595
1,414,507
1,482,185
2,054,572
James et a1. ______ __ Mar. 4,
Borman __________ __ Oct. 5,
Gammeter _________ __ May 2,
Egerton _________ __ Jan. 29,
McKenna _______ __ Sept. 15,
2,101,508
2,172,243
Pryale et al. ______ __ Dec. 7, 1937
Goodnow et a1 _____ __ Sept. 5, 1939
2,253,792
2,342,378
Leavenworth _____ __ Aug. 26, 1941
Smith ___________ __ Feb. 22, 1944
2,420,813
Camerota ________ __ May 20, 1947
2,518,137
Gorecki __________ __ Aug. 8, 1950
1919
1920
1922
1924
1936