Patent ID: 6286584
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B22D,B29C

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a first casting machine platen;a second casting machine platen arranged to move relative to said first platen to perform a casting operation;a number of tie bars arranged to guide movement of said second platen relative to said first platen during said casting operation, at least one of said tie bars passing through an opening defined through said first platen and having a nut threaded thereon;a mechanism coupled to said first platen, said mechanism including a first bearing member, a second bearing member, and an actuator aid actuator including a body and a rod selectively moveable relative to said body, said first bearing member being coupled to said body to move therewith and said second bearing member being coupled to said rod to move therewith; andwherein said rod has a first position relative to said body to correspondingly position both of said first and second bearing members in a first configuration to selectively bear against said nut threaded on said one of said tie bars, and said rod has a second position relative to said body to correspondingly position said first and second bearing members in a second configuration to permit withdrawal of said one of said tie bars through said opening with said nut threaded thereon.