Abstract:
A numbering device is disclosed for marking molded cast parts, the device including a plurality of concentric cylinders having indicia disposed on an end thereof, the cylinders being rotatingly indexable to cause the indicia to move as desired to form the desired mark, the mark is then impressed into a sand mold and subsequently reproduced on the cast part.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a numbering device and more particularly a numbering device for marking molded cast parts wherein a mark is disposed on a sand mold and subsequently reproduced on the cast part.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     It is the practice in the metal casting industry to mark or label each casting to identify the casting for quality control purposes and to aid in obtaining an accurate production count. The identification marks generally contain such information as the hour of the day or the shift during which the casting was made. Proper identification requires the mark to be changed periodically in order to be accurate.  
         [0003]     Although other information may also be included, the present invention concerns itself with a portion of the mark which requires updating for each casting.  
         [0004]     A convenient method of displaying information is by a series of reference marks located about the circumference of a circle and an indicator mark located within the circle and pointing to a desired reference mark. An example of this technique is the face of a clock. When a foundry desires to indicate the hour during which a casting was made, this information is displayed on the surface of the casting as a series of reference marks located in equal intervals about the circumference of a circle and serving as the hour marks. A pointer mark located within the circle acts as an hour hand. Thus, the hour hand mark would point to the two-hour mark for castings made between 2 and 3 o&#39;clock. At 3 o&#39;clock the position of the hour hand mark would be changed. In a similar fashion other information such as the day of the week or the shift during which the casting was produced might be displayed.  
         [0005]     A preferred method for producing a lasting mark upon the surface of a casting is to incorporate a marker or series of markers in a pattern as part of its mold-forming surface. As the pattern is employed to form the green sand or other suitable material into the mold, the image of the markers is impressed into the mold surface. The mark is then cast as part of the surface of the metal.  
         [0006]     Typically, changing or updating the mark is difficult. Using one method, an operator is required to enter a molding machine in order to reach the pattern surface and manually change the marker. This procedure is not only time consuming, but requires elaborate safety precautions to protect the operator while inside the machine. However, development of a numbering or marking device allowing the operator to change the mark from outside the molding machine has been hampered because of the durable construction necessary to withstand the tremendous jolts and pressure of the mold-forming operations.  
         [0007]     It would be desirable to produce a numbering device which facilitates a changing of a mark as desired and maximizes production efficiency.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a numbering device which facilitates a changing of a mark as desired and maximizes production efficiency, has surprisingly been discovered.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the mold for sand casting of engine cylinder blocks comprises a main body having indicia disposed thereon; a marking assembly disposed in the main body and having a plurality of movable markers formed thereon for marking a surface, the markers cooperating with the indicia of the main body to provide identifying information; and an indexing assembly adapted to be connected to an actuator which causes a movement of the indexing assembly, the indexing assembly being operatively engaged with the marking assembly whereby the movement of the indexing assembly causes a movement of at least one of the markers of the marking assembly.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, the mold comprises a main body having a first end and a second end, the first end having indicia disposed thereon; a marking assembly disposed in the main body, the marking assembly including a plurality of concentric rotatable cylinders, each of the cylinders having a marker formed thereon for marking the molded part, whereby a rotation of the cylinders causes a corresponding movement of the markers, the markers of the cylinders cooperating with the indicia of the main body to provide identifying information for the molded part; an indexing assembly disposed in the main body adjacent the marking assembly, the indexing assembly including a piston and an indexing member, the indexing assembly being operatively engaged with the marking assembly whereby a movement of the indexing assembly causes a movement of at least one of the cylinders of the marking assembly; and a cap adapted to be in selective communication with a source of pressure fluid which causes the piston to be reciprocated to cause the indexing member to rotate the at least one of the cylinders.  
         [0011]     The invention also provides methods of sequentially marking a series of molded parts. One method comprises the steps of providing a marking device comprising a main body having indicia disposed thereon; a marking assembly disposed in the main body and having a plurality of movable markers formed thereon for marking the molded part, the markers cooperating with the indicia of the main body to provide sequential identifying information; and an indexing assembly adapted to be connected to an actuator which causes a movement of the indexing assembly, the indexing assembly being operatively engaged with the marking assembly whereby the movement of the indexing assembly causes a movement of at least one of the markers of the marking assembly; causing the indicia and the markers to be impressed into a sand mold; molding a part with the sand mold to include the impression of the indicia and markers thereon; causing movement of at least one of the markers to a next sequential position; and repeating as desired the steps of causing the indicia and the markers to be impressed into a sand mold; molding a part with the sand mold to include the impression of the indicia and markers thereon; and causing movement of at least one of the markers to a next sequential position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a numbering device according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing the numbering device assembled;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A showing a first rotatable cylinder, a second rotatable cylinder, and a third rotatable cylinder in a first position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1 A showing the first rotatable cylinder, the second rotatable cylinder, and the third rotatable cylinder in a second position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and taken along line  4 - 4 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball immediately prior to contact with a cam lobe and prior to incrementally moving of the second rotatable cylinder;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball during contact with a cam lobe and during incrementally moving of the second rotatable cylinder;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball immediately after contact with a cam lobe;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball shifted radially outwardly and out of contact with the second rotatable cylinder;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball traversing an outer race;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball immediately prior to contact with a cam lobe and prior to incrementally moving the second rotatable cylinder and the third rotatable cylinder;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball during contact with a cam lobe and during incrementally moving of both the second rotatable cylinder and the third rotatable cylinder;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the numbering device illustrated in  FIG. 4  showing a ball immediately after contact with a cam lobe and prior to being shifted radially outwardly;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of an idler member illustrated in  FIG. 1  taken along line  13 - 13 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14  is a top end view of the first rotatable cylinder, the second rotatable cylinder, and the third rotatable cylinder illustrated in  FIG. 1  and shown assembled;  
         [0028]      FIG. 15  is an elevational view of an idler member, an indexing member, and a piston member illustrated in  FIG. 1  and shown in an expanded position; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is an elevational view of the idler member, the indexing member, and the piston member illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 15  and shown in a compressed position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a numbering device  10  according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The numbering device  10  includes a hollow main body  12 . The main body  12  has a circular cross section in the embodiment shown. A first end  14  includes a radially inwardly extending lip  16 . A plurality of spaced apart protuberances or indicia  18  is formed on an outer surface of the lip  16 . As clearly illustrated in FIGS.  2  and  3 , the protuberances  18  form a pattern representing numbered positions about the lip  16 . A template T is shown overlaying the protuberances  18  and showing the numbered positions. A protuberance  18  is not formed at the location designated ‘ 0 ’ in order to assist in determining the proper orientation of the numbering system. It is understood that other markers instead of numerals could be used such as letters, for example, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Additionally, more or fewer protuberances  18  can be used as desired. The protuberances  18  can also be replaced by other locating indicia as desired, such as indentations, for example. The purpose of the protuberances  18  or other locating indicia is merely to assist in properly locating and orienting the template T and to obtain an accurate count, which is further explained herein. A channel  20  is formed on an inner wall  22  of the main body  12  adjacent the first end  14 . A cam lobe  24  is formed in the channel  20  as clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 4-12 . A through hole  26  is formed adjacent a second end  28  of the main body  12  and is adapted to receive a locking pin  30  therein.  
         [0031]     A first hollow rotatable cylinder  32  is adapted to be rotatably received in the hollow portion of the main body  12 . A shoulder portion  34  is formed on a first end  36  of the first cylinder  32 . The shoulder  34  is adapted to be rotatingly received by the lip  16  of the main body  12 . A protuberance or marker  38  is formed on an outer surface of the first end  36 . It is understood that indentations or other markers  38  can be used in place of the protuberance  38 . A ball or driving member  40  is received in an aperture  42  formed in an outer wall  44  of the first cylinder  32 . Driving members  40  other than those having a spherical shape can be used as desired. An annular array of teeth  46  is formed on a second end  48  of the first cylinder  32 , as clearly indicated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0032]     A second hollow rotatable cylinder  50  is adapted to be rotatably received in the hollow portion of the first cylinder  32 . A shoulder portion  52  is formed on a first end  54  of the second cylinder  50 . The shoulder  52  is adapted to be rotatingly received adjacent a radial inner surface of the shoulder  34  of the first cylinder  32 . A protuberance or marker  56  is formed on an outer surface of the first end  54 . It is understood that indentations or other markers  56  can be used in place of the protuberance  56 . A ball or driving member  58  is received in an aperture  60  formed in an outer wall  62  of the second cylinder  50 . Driving members  58  other than those having a spherical shape can be used as desired. A plurality of spaced apart indentations  64  are formed in the outer wall  62  and a second end  66  of the second cylinder  50 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0033]     A third rotatable cylinder  68  is adapted to be rotatably received in the hollow portion of the second cylinder  50 . A shoulder portion  70  is formed on a first end  72  of the third cylinder  68 . The shoulder  70  is adapted to be rotatingly received adjacent a radial inner surface of the shoulder  70  of the second cylinder  50 . A protuberance or marker  74  is formed on an outer surface of the first end  72 . It is understood that indentations or other markers can be used in place of the protuberance  74 . A plurality of spaced apart indentations  76  are formed in an outer wall  78  and a second end  80  of the third cylinder  68 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . A central aperture  82  is formed in the second end  80  of the third cylinder  68 . Together, the first cylinder  32 , the second cylinder  50 , and the third cylinder  68  form a marking assembly  83 .  
         [0034]     A disc shaped idler member  84  having a central aperture  85  abuts the second ends  48 ,  66 ,  80  of the cylinders  32 ,  50 ,  68  and is received in the main body  12 . A first slot  86  is formed in an outer surface  88  of the idler member  84 . A second slot  90  spaced from the first slot  86  is formed in the outer surface  88 . A pair of through holes  92  are formed to extend from a first end  94  to a second end  96  of the idler member  84 . The through holes  92  are adapted to receive one end of a pin  98  therein. Three stop holes  100  are formed to extend from the first end  94  to the second end  96 . A plug  102  is received in each of the stop holes  100 . A stop spring  104  is inserted in the stop holes  100  to be interposed between the plug  102  and a stop ball  106  to urge the stop ball  106  towards the first end  94  of the idler member  84 . The orientation of the plugs  102 , the stop springs  104 , and the stop balls  106  is clearly illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The radial inner two stop holes  100  are aligned with corresponding indentations  64 ,  76  formed in the second cylinder  50  and the third cylinder  68 . The stop balls  106  of the radial inner two stop holes  100  are received in the corresponding indentations  64 ,  76 . The radial outermost stop hole  100  is aligned with the teeth  46  formed in the first cylinder  32  and glide over the teeth  46  to come to rest in the valleys formed therebetween. It is understood that other structures can be used in place of the stop balls  106  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. These structures may include pins or pistons having a conically shaped end to abut the indentations  64 ,  76  and the teeth  46 , for example.  
         [0035]     One end of a shaft  108  extends through a central aperture  110  formed in an indexing member  112  to extend through the aperture  85  formed in the idler member  84  and be received in the aperture  82  formed in the third cylinder  68 . An arm  114  extends radially outwardly from diametrically opposed sides of an outer surface  116  of the indexing member  112 . A sleeve  118  extends axially outwardly from the indexing member  112  and is received in the aperture  85  of the idler member  84 . An indexing arm  120  extends in an axial direction from a protuberant portion  122  of the indexing member  112 . The indexing arm  120  extends through the first slot  86  of the idler member  84 . A distal end  124  of the indexing arm  120  abuts and operatively engages the teeth  46  of the first cylinder  32 .  
         [0036]     A spring  126  surrounds the shaft  108 . One end of the spring  126  abuts the indexing member  112 . The other end of the spring  126  abuts a piston  128 . The piston  128  receives the shaft  108  in a central aperture (not shown). A pair of diametrically opposed fins  130  extend axially outwardly from the piston  128  towards the idler member  84 . Each of the fins  130  has a camming slot  132  formed therein. The camming slots  132  are sloped with respect to an axial direction of the piston  128 . Each camming slot  132  is adapted to slidingly receive one of the arms  114  therein. A circumferential channel  134  is formed in the piston  128  at the end opposite the fins  130  and is adapted to receive an o-ring  136  therein which sealing engages the inner wall  22  of the main body  12 . A pair of diametrically opposed apertures  138  formed adjacent the fins  130  receive the end of the pins  98  therein. Together, the idler member  84 , the indexing member  112 , and the piston  128  form an indexing assembly  139 . It is understood that other indexing assemblies  139  could be used instead of the idler member  84 , the indexing member  112 , and the piston  128  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Such indexing assemblies can include a hinged flap gate actuated with an indexing arm formed thereon to contact the teeth  46  of the first cylinder  32 , for example.  
         [0037]     A hollow end cap  140  is received in the hollow portion of the main body  12 . A circumferential channel  142  is formed at a first end  144  and receives an o-ring  146  therein which sealing engages the inner wall  22  of the main body  12 . A lip  148  formed at a second end  150  of the cap  140  abuts the second end  28  of the main body  12 . The hollow interior formed by the interior wall  152  of the cap is adapted to receive an actuator (not shown) such as a mechanical device or a source of pressure fluid such as compressed air or hydraulic system, for example. An aperture  154  is formed in the outer wall of the cap  140  and is aligned with the hole  26  to receive the locking pin  30  therein. The numbering device is shown assembled in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0038]     In operation, the actuator is connected to the cap  140 . When it is desired to incrementally move the numbering device  10 , the actuator causes a force to be exerted on the piston  128 . The piston  128  is caused to move against the force of the spring  126  from the extended position illustrated in  FIG. 15  to the compressed position illustrated in  FIG. 16 . As the piston  128  is compressed, each of the arms  114  is caused to begin to slide in the respective camming slot  132 . The movement of the arms  114  cause the indexing member  112  to begin to rotate on the shaft  108 . As the indexing member  112  rotates, the indexing arm  120  is caused to slide along the first slot  86 . The distal end  124  of the indexing arm  120  engages one of the teeth  46  of the first cylinder  32  to cause the first cylinder  32  to rotate.  
         [0039]     Once the piston  128  reaches the compressed position shown in  FIG. 16 , the arm  114  has reached the end of the camming slot and the indexing arm  120  has reached the end of the first slot  86 . The actuator relieves the pressure exerted on the piston  128  and the spring  126  causes the piston  128  to return to the extended position illustrated in  FIG. 15 . This causes the arms  114  to slide within the camming slots  132 , the indexing member  112  to rotate back to its original position, and the indexing arm  120  to return to the position shown in  FIG. 15 . The distal end  124  of the indexing arm  120  slides back along the surface of the teeth  46  of the first cylinder  32  without causing the first cylinder  32  to rotate.  
         [0040]     The actuator causes the numbering device  10  to be incrementally moved or indexed one position, or to add one unit to the count. Thus, the protuberance illustrated in  FIG. 2  will have been incrementally moved one position to that indicated in  FIG. 3 . The incremental movement of the first cylinder  32 , and consequently, the protuberance  38 , is controlled by the balls  40 ,  58  and the stop balls  106 . As indicated, the pulse of air causes first cylinder  32  to incrementally rotate due to the engagement of the distal end  124  of the indexing arm  120 . At rest, the radially outermost stop ball  106  is seated between a pair of teeth  46 , thus militating against rotational movement of the first cylinder  32 . When the first cylinder is incrementally moved by the distal end  124  of the indexing arm  120 , the stop ball  106  is moved against the forced of the stop spring  104  and over the end of one of the teeth  46 , until the stop ball  106  comes to rest between the next set of teeth  46 . The stop ball  106  militates against the first cylinder  32  rotating when the indexing arm  120  is returned to the position shown in  FIG. 15 . The process is repeated each time the actuator applies a force to the piston  128  of the numbering device  10 . The two radially innermost stop balls  106  operate in a similar manner by cooperating with the indentations  64 ,  76 , thus militating against undesirable movement of the second cylinder  50  and the third cylinder  68 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows the ball  40  in the channel  20  formed in the main housing  12  at the ninth position. In  FIGS. 5-8 , the ball  20  is shown being moved from position  9  to position  0 , and making contact with the cam lobe  24  as the first cylinder  32  is incrementally moved. The ball  40  is caused to move through the aperture  42  and into the indentation  64  by the cam lobe  24 . The cam lobe  24  holds the ball  40  in the indentation  64  while the first cylinder  32  is being incrementally moved and causing the ball  40  to be moved from position  9  to position  0 . Thus the second cylinder  50  is caused to rotate one position when the ball  40  is in contact with the cam lobe  24 . Once the ball  40  has been incrementally moved past the cam lobe  24 , the ball  40  moves outwardly into the channel  20  and continues to traverse the channel  20  each time the first cylinder  32  is incrementally moved, as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0042]     Once both the ball  40  and the ball  58  have been incrementally moved to position  9 , the third cylinder  68  will be incrementally moved.  FIGS. 10-12  show the incremental movement of the third cylinder  68 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the ball  40  is caused to contact the cam lobe  24 , the ball is caused to move through the aperture  42  and into contact with the ball  58 . The ball  58  is then caused to move into the indentation  76 , thus the first cylinder  32 , the second cylinder  50 , and the third cylinder  68  are all simultaneously incrementally moved. Once the ball  40  has cleared the cam lobe  24 , the ball  40  moves outwardly into the channel  20  and the ball  58  moves out of the indentation  76 . The ball  40  is free to continue to traverse the channel  20  each time the first cylinder  32  is incrementally moved.  
         [0043]     In the embodiment described herein, the numbering device is used to sequentially number castings to identify a production time, order, and the like. In casting operations, it may be necessary to identify and segregate a group of castings due to quality or other issues. While current practice involves the use of a date mark, a shift mark, an hour mark, or a combination of these marks, the need exists for a mark which aids in the identification of the specific casting order. Additionally, the date, shift, and hours marks typically require manual manipulation to change, resulting in productivity losses.  
         [0044]     The numbering device  10  as disclosed herein facilitates a counting of castings from 0 to 999. Using a template T having the cross-lines and numerals as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the positions of the protuberances  38 ,  56 ,  74  can be used to represent the current count. Each time the first cylinder  32  is incrementally moved as described herein, the protuberance  38  is also incrementally moved. Thus, the protuberance  38  represents the numbers 0-9. Each time the protuberance  38  makes a complete revolution, the second cylinder is incrementally moved, causing the protuberance  56  to be incrementally moved once. Thus, the protuberance  56  represents the numbers 0x, 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 7x, 8x, and 9x. Each time the protuberance  56  makes a complete revolution, the third cylinder  68  is caused to be incrementally moved once. Therefore, the protuberance  74  represents the numbers 0xx, 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx, 6xx, 7xx, 8xx, and 9xx. For example, in  FIG. 2 , the protuberances  38 ,  56 ,  74  are in a position represented by ‘000’. In  FIG. 3 , the protuberances  38 ,  56 ,  74  are in a position represented by ‘741’.  
         [0045]     In a casting operation, the numbering device  10  can be mounted in a mold or foundry pattern. The face created by the first end  14 ,  36 ,  54 ,  72  of the main body  12 , the first cylinder  32 , the second cylinder  50 , and the third cylinder  68 , respectively, leaves an imprint of the position of the protuberances  18 ,  38 ,  56 ,  74  in the casting, which can later be observed using the template T to accurately determine the appropriate count. As discussed, the numbering device  10  can be used to directly imprint a part, as opposed to imprinting a sand mold. However, in order to obtain the same marking which indexes in a clockwise fashion, the indicator pattern and direction of motion must be reversed from that described herein.  
         [0046]     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.