Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ll Back~round of l:he Invention
ll In a machine for molding a self-hardening material such as
concrete for successively producing elongated molded articles, it has
¦ been found desirable to incorporate an elongated mold box which carries
a removable liner or pallet and is movable between a vertical position
¦ for receiving the moldable material and a horizontal position where the
i¦ molded article is stripped along with the liner or pallet from the mold
!¦ box and moved onto a horizontal receiving platform or run-out table.
~¦ Such machines are disclosed in U. S. Patents No. 3, 303, 545 and No.
! 3 ~24 825 which issued to Applicant.
In th= former patent, the rnolded a~ticle i9 ejected with i s
Il .
,i
... , . ... . , ,,., .. ", .... .. .
:: : - i : :: .- . . :
. . ,, ; ,, : ,. .: .,.,, , : . : . ~ : .::
- . .: ::,: :: : :. :: ::, ,. : :: : :.,, : . ~ .. ,
':: ' :'-'~ : " '': ' ""' ' "' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
Docket 2377
1 108333~L
¦ liner from the mold box onto a receiving platform by means of a pusher
¦ plate which i6 pushed through the mold by the extension of the piston
¦ rod of a fluid cylinder supported adjacent the molding machine on the
¦ side opposite of the receiving platform. Similarly, in the molding
¦ machine disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2, 663, 063, a molded article is
ejected from a tilting mold box by first retracting a set of core members
from the article with a fluid cylinder and then using the core members
to push the molded article from the mold box onto a receiving platform
l or table. In Applicant's patent No. 3, 624, 8Z5, the tilting mold box of¦ the molding machine incorporates or carries with it a fluid cylinder
which is extended when it is desired to strip each molded article from
the mold box,
It has been found desirable to minimize the floor space required
by a molding machine or apparatus of the type disclosed in the above
patents. While~th`e machine disclosed in above mentioned patent No.
3, 624, 825 provides this desirable feature by incorporating a fluid
cylinder within the tiltable mold box for stripping each article, the
stripping cylinder i8 subjected to substantial vibration while the concrete
or material is being condensed within the mold box by vibrators mounted
on the mold box. As a result, additional maintenance is required by the
fluid cylinder which is not only difficult to maintain but is also difficult
to keep clean. Furthermore, when a mold box has substantial length,
the fluid stripping cylinder also has a corresponding length, However,
when a long piston rod is extended for stripping an article from the mol
box, the piston rod tends to wander as it is extended, resulting in
substantial bending forces being exerted on the extended piston rod.
~ Docket 2377
~ ~L083331
¦ Summary of the Invention
¦ The present invention is directed to an improved machine or
apparatus for molding articles of concrete or other self-hardening
l moldable material and which is particularly adapted for molding articles
having substantial length while minimi7ing the floor space~required by
the apparatus. The apparatus of the invention also eliminates the problems
mentioned above in connection with the molding machine disclosed in
patent No. 3, 6Z4, 82~ and is adapted to be operated over an extended
period of time with a minimum of maintenance. The apparatus of the
invention further provides for efficiently producing cored articles of
self-hardening material by incorporating improved means for supporting
a series of cores within the mold box and for releasing the cores to
simplify stripping of each molded article from the mold box.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent
from the following detailed descriptionl the accompanying drawings and
the appended claims.
Brief Descrlption of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevational view of
molding apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and
illustrating a pallet supported molded article after it is stripped from
the mold box and placed on a receiving platform;
FIG, 2 is also a somewhat schematic fragmentary plan view
of the receivlng platform as taken generally on the line 2-Z of FIG, 1,
and showing the stripping mechanism associated with the platform;
Z5 FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view on a somewhat larger scale
of the mold box forming part of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and with
portions broken away to show the internal core members;
Docket 2377 .
~08333~
FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken generally on the line 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG, 5 is a somewhat enlarged end view of the mold box and
tal~en generally on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the front or
outer end portion of the mold box and illustrating by broken lines the
core support members in their retracted positions;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the outer end
portion of the mold box as taken generally on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the receiving
table or platform as taken generally on line 8-8 of FIG. 2.
Descript~on of the Preferred Embodiment
The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is adapted for
successively producing or molding cored articles of concrete, but other
self-hardening material may also be used. The apparatus includes an
elongated:mold box 10 which is pivotally supported by trunnions 11 for
tilting movement between a generally vertical filling position, as illus-
trated In full lines in FIG. 1, and a generally horizontal stripping position,
as illustrated by the broken lines in FIG. 1. The mold box 10 is moved or
shifted between its filling and stripping posltions by actuation of a fluid
or hydraulic cylinder 12 having a piston rod pivotally connected to an arm
13 on the mold box by a pin 14.
When the mold box is tilted to its vertical filling position,
mixed concrete material is supplied to the upper or outer end of the mold
box by an endless feed conveyor 16 which extends hori~ontally under the
bottom outlet of a material supply hopper 18. The conveyor 16 and supply
Docket 2377
1 1083331
¦ hopper 18 are supported by a fabricated steel frame 20 and are sufficiently;¦ elevated so that the material falls by gravity from the conveyor 16 into
¦ the upper open end of the m old box 10. As also illustrated in the above
l mentioned patent No. 3, 6Z4, 825, a tamper assembly 22 is supported by
the frame 20 above the mold box 10 in a vertical alignment and includes
a fluid cylinder 24 connected to a tamper plate 26 for tamping or packing
the concrete material into the mold box 10.
Referring to FIG. 8, the mold box 10 is constructed to form an
elongated and generally flat concrete slab 30 having a plurality of parallel
spaced and longitudinally extending core openings 31. However, it is to
be understood that the mold box 10 may be constructed to provide for
forming or molding other articles of concrete or self-hardening material.
As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the mold box 10 includes a pair of longitudinally
extending side frame channels or members 34 which are rigidly secured
to a fabricated steel base 36 which includes a plurality of parallel spaced
beams 37 sandwiched between upper and lower metal plates 38. The
mold box 10 also includes an upper flat wall 39 (FIG. 4) which is rigidly
secured to a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross beams 41 rigidly
connecting the slde frame members 34. The cross beams 41 are rein-
forced by corresponding ribs 43 to provide the upper wall 39 with sub-
stantial strength.
The mold box 10 is adapted to receive a rectangular pallet 45
(FIGS. 4 and 5) which is preferably constructed of formed interfitting
sheet metal sections. The pallet 45 is supported within the mold bo~ by
a series of parallel spaced rails 46 which are mounted on the base 36.
A series of guide rollers 48 are mounted on each of the side frame
members 34 at longitudinally spaced intervals for guidlng the pallet 45
~ . ,. ,. .~ , . ........ . . . .
Docket 2377
1~8333~L
i~to and out of the mold box. These guide rollers may have resilient outer
surfaces and be driven to facilitate moving the pallets in and out of the
mold box. A set of chamfer forming rails or elements 51 (FIG, 8) are
secured to the top surface of the pallet 45 and are positioned to abut a
corresponding pair of longitudinally extending edge form members 52
which are removably secured to the side frame members 34 of the mold
box 10 by a set of screws.
In addition to a pallet 45, the mold box 10 is adapted to receive
a flat rectangular liner plate 55 (FIG. 8) which corresponds in size to the
pallet 45. The liner plate 55 is positioned ac]jacent the upper wall 39 of
the mold box by the edge formed members 5Z which also abut a set of
longitudinally extending chamfer forming rails or elements 56 secured to
the liner plate 55. The liner plate 55 cooperates with the edge form
members 52 and the pallet 45 to define a cavity 57 (FIG. 4) having an
open upper end for receiving the concrete material from the feed conveyor
16. The lower end of the cavlty is closed by an ejector or push plate 58
(FIG. 4) which is rigidly secured to one end portion of an elongated mold
box arm 60.
¦ The arm 60 cxtoncls longiLudinally wlthin the base 36 of the
20 ~1 mold box 10 undor the pallet 45 and is slidably supportod by a pair of
parallel spaced ~:racks 62 (l~'IG. 5) which slidably receive corresponding
rails 63 projecting outwardly from the arm 60. A set of brackets 66
(FIG. 'L) reinforce the push plate 5~ which is provided with a series of
l circular holes for receiving a corresponcling scries of elongatecl core
2~ j members or tubes 68 which extend longitudinally within the mold box
¦¦ cavity 7. The inner ends of the core tubes 68 are supporLed by ~ crOtt
beam or member 71 (FIG. 4) which i6 rigidly connected to the sicle fraie
-6-
11 1
Docket 2377
1083331
members 34. The outer or upper ends of the core tube 68 are supported
by a corresponding series of core support arms 72 which are rigidly
secured to a cross support tube 74 (FIG, 7) in parallel spaced relation.
Each of the core support arms 72 includes a projecting tapered stud 76
(FIG. 7) which is adapted to be receive'd within a mating hole 77 formed
within the center of a plug member 78 inserted into the outer end portion
of the corresponding core tube 68.
The core support arms 72 and their connecting cross support
tube 74 are pivotally supported by a set of trunnions 82 (FIGS. 5-7)
which are rotatably supported within corresponding bearings 83 secured
to the side frame members 34. A crank arm 86 (FIG. 6) is secured to the
outer end portion of one of the trunnions 82 and is pivotally connected to
the piston rod of a fluid or hydraulic cylinder 88 pivotally supported by the
corresponding side frame member 34. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7,
actuation of the cylinder 88 is effective to shift the core support arms 72
as a unit between core supporting positions (FIG. 7) and retracted
positions illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 6. The mold box 10 also
carrles a set of electrically actuated vibrators 90 which function to
consolidate the concrete received within the cavity 57 and to eliminate
voids within the concrete.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, an elongated generally horizontal
run-out table or platform- 95 is positioned adjacent the mold box lO in its
stripping position to receive each pallet supported article or slab formed
within the box. The table or platform 95 includes a series of longitudinally
spaced support legs 96 which are rigidly connected by longitudinally
extending side frame plates or members 98 and laterally extending cross-
frame members 99 (FIG. 8). A series of longltudinally spaced pairs of
~ ~¦ Docket 2377
108333~
~ rollers lOZ (FIG. 8) are supported by the cross frame members 99, and
.¦ the rollers 102 are adapted to engzge the bottom surface of a pallet 45
l as the pallet is removed from the mold box 10 with a partially set concrete
i slab 30. The table legs 96 also support a series of longitudinally spaced
pairs of opposing guide rollers 104 (FIG. 8) which also engage and guide .
each pallet 45 as it is removed from the mold box so that the pallet is
confined to a precise linear path as the pallet is shifted from the mold .
box 10 on the run-out table or platform 95. The support rollers 102 and/or
the guide rollers loa~ may be power driven to provide for feeding an empty
pallet 45 into the mold box 10, as will be explained later.
A pulling or coupling member 108 (.FIGS. 2 and 6 ) is supported
for horizontal linear movement along the run-out platform 95 by a pair
of longitudinally extending guide tracks 110 which have opposing slots for
slldably receiving a pair of rails 111 projecting laterally from opposite sides
I of the coupling member 108. The tracks 110 in the run-out platform 95
align with the corresponding tracks 62 within the base 36 of the mold box
10, but are sufficiently.spaced to allow arm 60 to pass vertically between
the.tracks 110.
As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling member 108 has a vertically
extending hole 114 which is adapted to receive a connecting pin 116 project-
ing downwardly from an extending outer end portion 117 of the mold box
arm 60. When the mold box 10 is tilted from its filling position to its
stripping position, the pin 116 moves into the hole 114.of the coupling
member 108. A ~et of stop elements 118 are secured by 6crews to the arm
60 and may be adjustably positioned along the length of the arm to limit the
movement of the arm 60 into the mold box according to the length of the
article being molded. The coupling member 108 i3 shifted horizontally along
the run-out table or platform 95 within the tracks 110 by an elongated fluid
or hydraulic cylinder 125 (FIG. 2) which is supported by a set of the cross
-8-
Docket 2377
~083331
frame members 99. The cylinder 125 has a piston rod 126 which is
connected to the coupling member 108.
A set of vertical fluid cylinders or hydraulic jacks 128 (F~G. 1)
are positioned under the run-out platform 95 and include corresponding
piston rods which support lifting pads 129. The hydraulic jacks 128
provide for elevating a pallet 45 and its supported concrete slab 30 above
the eleva.tion of the support rollers 102 and the legs 96 when the hydraulic
j acks are actuated together.
After an article or concrete slab 30 is formed within the mold
box 10 in its vertical position and the concrete is conolidated by actuation
of the vibrators 90, the mold box 10 is tilted to its horiY;ontal position by
actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 12. Before the mold box 10 is tilted,
the piston rod 126 of the fluid cylinder 125 is extended so that the pin 116
lowers into the hold 114 of the extended coupling member 108, as mentioned
above. The core support arms 72 are then retracted by sxtension of the
fluid cylinder 88, and the fluid cylinder 125 is actuated to retract the
piston rod 126 so that the coupling member 108 pulls the mold box arm
60 from the rnold box 10 onto the run-out platform 95. As the arm 60 is
pulled out of the mold box 10, the arm and push plate 58 pull or strip the
molded concrete article or slab 30 from the mold box cavity 57 along
with its supporting pallet 45 and its overlying liner plate 55.
After the pallet 45, top liner plate 55 and a formed slab 30
are stripped from the mold box 10, the pallet, top liner plate 55 and slab
are rolled along the run^out platform 95 onto a conveyor or another roller
table which forms an extension of the run-out platform 9S and extends to
. . :
I Docket 2377
~08333~
a final curing area. The pallet 45 and the supported concrete slab 30 may
also be elevated by actuation of the hydraulic jacks 128 so that the pallet
and the slab may be picked up by a fork lift truck or other transport
s ys tem .
From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent
that apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention,
provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the construction
and cooperation of the mold box 10 and of the run-out platform 95 provide
for precisely stripping each partially set-up article from the mold box
and depositing the artlcle and its supporting pallet onto the run-out
platform. That is, not only is the mold box arm 60 guided along a precise
linear path by the tracks 62 as each pallet and molded article are
stripped from the mold box, the pallet 45 is also precisely guided by the
guide rollers 48 and 104. This assures that each molded article is stripped
from the edge form members 52 and the core tubes 68 without any dis-
tortion or cracks developing in the molded article. As another important
feature, the pulling or stripping cylinder 125 is removed from operating
within the mold box 10 and is located in a cleaner environment to minimize
servicing of the cylinder 125. In addition, the long piston rod 126 of the
cylinder 125 is being retracted during the stripping operation, thercby
placing the piston rod 126 in tension. This not only provides for minimizing
maintenance and servicing of the cylinder 125, but also assures precision
linear movement and stripping of each molded article from the mold box
10.
While the form of molding apparatus herein described constitutes
a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the
_ I o
~ Docket 2377
1 108333
I
I invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that
¦ changes may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit
¦ of.t~ Invention as defined in the appended claims.
