Abstract:
The present application is a molding service station for providing accessories utilized in the casting production which includes a sturdy weighted pedestal base, at least a first panel and second panel spaced apart for holding the various accessories and equipment. A column connects the panel to the pedestal base. The molding service station includes an electric power source, a compressed air source and natural gas source all used in the casting process. The panels are constructed in the form of a lattice allowing various hooks and other holding means to be easily attached and removed from various locations.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to a molding service station that enables a molder to safely, quickly and easily service the mold which is producing the castings. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Although permanent die cast molding constitutes a well-known art, there is a never-ending demand to develop new means of technology which if not directly involved with the molding process is ancillary thereto. The Maeder Pat., No. 4,170,307 discloses a service module having tool holding panels for electrical and compressed air supplies. The invention directs itself to service for bicycles and comprises a housing having outer plastic panels. U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,777 to Plunkett discloses a cart for transporting fluid actuated devices and having an axle rotatably supporting wheels on opposite ends thereof with the axle defining a fluid flow passage for supplying actuating fluid to the respective devices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,819 to Sutphen discloses a movable air stand for pneumatic tools having a supporting base and a vertical column supported by the base. Hangers are located on the column supporting one or more pneumatic tools when they are not in use. 
     Today and predictably into the future, the demand and concerns for efficient casting production include optimization of the process, reduction of costs in production and minimization of labor expended. It is noted in the prior art that the disclosed structures require additional labor, steps and procedures not evident in the present invention which more accurately meets the criteria of current and future times specifically enabling molded castings to be efficiently, safely and quickly produced in precise fashion. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a molding service station that enables the molder to safely, quickly and easily service molds in the molding machine and castings which are being produced. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide a molding service station that enables the molder to access compressed air for mold cooling, use with air powered tools, machine operation, spray gun operation and gas heater operation, all integral to the process of producing quality castings. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical power source which is close and convenient for miscellaneous devices and instruments used in the casting process via 110 volt outlets and for more heavy equipment, 200 volt hook-ups into disconnect boxes. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide gas outlets which serve the molder for heating applications of the molds and castings. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide the molder with a molding service station that is close and convenient to the molding operation. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to utilize a heat shield to protect all disconnect boxes, timers and outlets from heat produced by residual gas and electric heaters which are in close proximity to the casting operation. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a convenient holding station for locating large and small gas heaters, large and small electric heaters, thermal blankets, containers of mold coatings and a variety of other molding and casting accessories. 
     It is the further object of the present invention to provide a molding service station which safely locates electrical lines and cables, compressed air lines and hoses and gas lines and hoses which lead from above the casting operation directly to the molding service station making the workplace more safe, because all equipment, lines and hoses are off the floor area where workmen would be most likely to trip and fall over same. 
     More specifically, the present invention is a molding service station for providing accessories utilized in casting production, comprising a pedestal base; at a least a first panel and a second panel having spaced apart opposing sides; a column for supporting said panel; an electric power source; a compressed air source and a natural gas source. 
     These objects, as well as the other objects and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following description in reference to the illustrations appended hereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a molding service station located in close proximity to a molding machine providing the molder with all necessary electrical, pneumatic and other equipment and accessories. 
     FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the within invention illustrating a front view of a molding service station. 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the within invention illustrating a back view of a molding service station. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a crane runway indicating the electrical power source, gas power source and air power source which lead to the molding service station located below. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a molding service station  10  that enables a molder in almost any type of process to safely, quickly and easily service a mold  8  located in a molding machine  6  for production of a casting. Although molding service station  10  is shown in connection with a permanent mold casting method, it can be used in connection with any molding process of materials. In the permanent mold casting process, fluid metal  4  is poured by hand into mold  8 , whereby mold  8  is held together under pressure. 
     Molding service station  10  is used for holding and organizing various accessories utilized in the production of castings. Molding service station  10  consists of a pedestal base  12 , panel  14  and a column  20  connected to pedestal base  12  for holding panel  14 . The preferred embodiments of pedestal base  12  is a continuous-cast iron block which prevents tipping of molding service station  10 . Column  20  may be constructed of or fabricated from a variety of materials and in a variety of shapes, but the preferred embodiment of column  20  is a metal alloy designed with sufficient strength to hold panel  14  and all accessories located thereon. Molding service station  10  enables a molder to access electrical power, compressed air and natural gas which will be more specifically described herein. 
     FIG. 2 specifically depicts a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of molding service station  10  showing front panel face surface  16 A, front panel rear surface  16 B, rear panel space surface  18 A and rear panel rear surface  18 B connected to connecting column  20 . Front panel face surface  16 A and front panel rear surface  16 B are shown constructed in the form of lattice grid  22 , and likewise, rear panel face surface  18 A and rear panel rear surface  18 B are shown constructed in lattice grid  24 . Electrical control panel  26  is shown located on front panel face surface  16 A and is constructed to be heat resistant to shield all accessories and equipment located on panel  14  from heat produced by residual gas and electrical heaters like electrical heater  70  shown in FIG.  3  and located on rear panel face surface  18 A. Front panel rear surface  16 B is separated from rear panel rear surface  18 B by a plurality of bands. Upper band tab  28 A, middle band tab  28 B and lower band tab  28 C are shown in FIG. 2 as separating front panel rear surface  16 B from rear panel rear surface  18 B and also serve to attach and secure front panel rear surface  16 B to rear panel rear surface  18 B. 
     Molding service station  10  as shown in FIG. 2 specifically holds electrical components including first disconnector  30 A, second disconnector  30 B which act as switches that isolate circuits or various electrical apparatus after an interruption of current. Other electrical components held by molding service station  10  include circuit breaker  32 , electrical outlet  34 , contactor  36  which serve as a heavy-duty relay for use in controlling the various electric power circuits. Molding service station  10  also holds other various electrical components including first timer  38 A, second timer  38 B, first electrical switch  40 A, second electrical switch  40 B. 
     Molding service station  10  serves to hold various pneumatic equipment, including compressed air supply inlet  42 , pressure regulator gauge  44 , moisture separator  46 , outlet piping  48  leading to molding machine  6 , outlet piping for mold cooling and hand tools  50 , and outlet piping  52  leading to spray gun  64 . 
     Natural gas is accessed on molding service station  10  as seen by first outlet pipe  54  providing an air source to gas heater  82 , second outlet pipe  56  utilized for maintaining a specified temperature within mold  8 . 
     Molding service station  10  has a plurality of holding means including first hose hook  58 A, second hose hook  58 B and third hose hook  58 C utilized to hold a variety of hoses and lines to avoid laying same on the floor area where a worker would be most likely to trip and incur injury. A first mold coating container  62 A and a second mold coating container  62 B are shown held by first container holding means  60 A and second container holding means  60 B in their preferred embodiment constructed in the form of straps connecting to front panel face surface  16 A, although they may be constructed of a variety of materials and in a variety of shapes. Mold coating is used as part of the casting operation whereby mold coating contained in first mold coating container  62 A and second mold coating container  62 B are used to coat the inside of mold  8  for most commonly ejection and surface finish reasons. 
     Spray gun  64  is mounted to front panel face surface  16 A by spray gun holding means  66  which in its preferred embodiment is a heavy-duty hook. Spray gun  64  is kept near the mold coatings and is utilized to spray the mold coatings. 
     Mold  8  must be preheated before the first casting is poured. Thus, molding service station  10  as shown in FIG. 3 at rear panel face surface  18 A contains electric heater  70 , electric heater hose  72  whereby electric heater  70  is held by electric heater holding means  74  being preferably a heavy-duty hook, but may be constructed in a variety of shapes and from a variety of materials. Gas heater  82  is likewise located on rear panel face surface  18 A having a first gas heater holding means  76 A and a second gas heater holding means  76 B consisting of preferably a heavy-duty hook. First electric cable holding means  78 A and second electric cable holding means  78 B are also in their preferred embodiment in the shape of heavy-duty hooks for holding various electric cables. 
     Gas heater feed line  80 A and gas heater feed line  80 B are located in their preferred embodiment on rear panel face surface  18 A and provides a gas source to gas heater  82 , as well as other gas fueled accessories. Other gas lines, including gas pipe line  84  are shown. 
     FIG. 4 shows electric conduit  86 , outside main air pipe supply line  88  and outside main gas supply line  90  supported in the upper structure of a shop by structural support  102  and other like structural supports. Also shown in FIG. 4 are electric junction box  92 , flexible electrical conduit  94  leading to molding service station  10 , various other components including T-reducer  96 A and T-reducer  96 B. Piping for compressed air  98 A and piping for gas  98 B are also shown supported by structural support  102 . Air hose  100 A leads to molding service station  10  below, and gas hose  100 B leads to various gas supply components below, all located on molding service station  10 .