Improvements' in and connected with Apparatus for Making Moulds for Casting.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1891-Accepted, 18th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements' in and connected with Apparatus for Making Moulds
for Casting.
We, JOHN ALEXANDER MACLELLAN, and STEPHEN ALLEY, of the Sentinel
Works, Polmadie, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers, do' hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
Our said invention has for its object to construct and arrange apparatus for
making moulds for casting in an improved manner, and so as to save labor and
time, our improvements being applicable in connection with the casting of both
large and small articles.
In carrying out our invention according to one modification the compression of
the sand or mould material is effected by the upward movement of the ram of an
hydraulic press; the pattern being on the upper side of a plate the part of which
about the pattern forms a parting surface. The flask or mould box is placed upon
the pattern plate, and after the sand has been put in, the plate and flask are forced
up against a resisting head. This resisting head is held by two side rods which
are centered on studs in the sides of the framing below the pattern plate; and the
rods are prolonged below the centre studs and have counterweights fixed to them,
to partly counterbalance the weight of the resisting head. The counterweights
are arranged so as to give the resisting head a tendency to move to one side when
a catch holding it in its middle operating position is let go; and when thus let go
the resisting head moves to one side until a part on it or the side rods engages with
another catch or stop arranged to retain it in its lateral position until it is moved
to its middle position again for the next operation. The moving of the resisting
head to one side, as described, allows of the sand being conveniently filled into the
flask from a bopper or otherwise.
The improved machines will, in general, be used in pairs, one for moulding in
the bottom flask of a pair of mould boxes, and the other for moulding in the top
flask; and a small railway with a number of trucks will be provided in connection
with one or more pairs of machines for conveniently conveying the mould boxes
to and fro' between the moulding machines and the place or places where the
casting operation takes place.
The pattern plate of the machine for moulding in the bottom flask of a pair is
made capable of turning 'over on a hinge at one side, so that it can turn over a
flask when rammed and deposit on a truck at the side. The flask is secured to
the pattern plate whilst being so turned over, by studs at its sides which engage
with spring latch catches which are jointed to the pattern plate, and which are
released when the flask has been deposited on the truck. The accurate position of
the flask on the pattern plate is secured by ordinary steady pins or other suitable
devices. An empty flask is lifted off a truck, turned over, and placed in the
moulding machine by the reverse movement of the pattern plate.
The pattern plate of the machine for moulding in the top flask is not arranged
to turn over; and the flask is shifted from the truck to the machine and back
again by means of a pair of forked levers which are fixed on a suitably centered
shaft, and engage with trunnions or studs projecting from the upper parts of the
sides of the flask, the transfer of which is effected without turning it over.
In the case of some patterns such for example as those for spurwheels, the
actual pattern is in one or more pieces separate from the parting plate and is
withdrawn through contour openings in the plate previously to the separating of
the plate from the flask.
When the article to be moulded is of moderate size or simple form a single

page_text: When
machine may be arranged to effect the moulding in both flasks simultaneously,
the upper flask being operated on partly as herein before described, whilst the
pattern for the lower flask is on the under side of the pattern plate, the flask
being placed below the plate. The ram or platen of the hydraulic press carries
up the bottom flask, and on that flask reaching the pattern plate the latter is
raised also with the top flask upon it, up to the resisting head above.
the patterns comprise parts which it is desirable to withdraw before separating
the flasks, there is substituted for the pattern plate a box with top and bottom
parting surfaces parallel to each other, and with sufficient space between, into
which space the parts can be withdrawn by any convenient devices. The pattern
plate or box is, in this modification by preference arranged to move to one side
on wheels running on rails, the flasks being first moved sufficiently asunder, the
upper one being retained by stops or catches whilst the other parts descend
further, and the lower one descending still further after the pattern plate or box
has reached the level of the rails. If preferred the pattern plate or box may
be made movable to one side on parallel levers or in any other convenient way,
instead of on rails.
The movements of the various parts of each machine are all controlled or
effected by levers arranged so as to be conveniently manipulated by a single
worker. Some of the movements, especially in the case of machines for moulding
large articles are effected by means of hydraulic cylinders, or other power
apparatus or gearing; whilst any movements requiring little force may be effected
by the direct manipulation of hand levers, or otherwise, as may be most con-
venient.
Dated this Nineteenth day of September 1890.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Making Moulds
for Casting.
We, JOHN ALExander MacLELLAN, and STEPHEN ALLEY, of the Sentinel
Works, Polmadie, in the County of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-
Our said invention has for its object to construct and arrange apparatus for
making moulds for casting, in an improved manner, and so as to save labor and
time, our improvements being applicable in connection with the casting of both
large and small articles.
Examples of apparatus constructed according to our invention are shown on
four accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings which are hereinafter referred
to in describing the same.
One modification is shown on Sheets, 1, and 2, of the drawings Figure, 1, being
a sectional front elevation, Figure, 2, a plan of the pattern plate employed, and
Figure, 3, a sectional side elevation. The apparatus shown in Figures, 1, 2, and; 3,
is for moulding in a bottom flask which has to be turned over. Figures, 4, and 5,
on Sheet, 3, show modifications to be used when moulding in an upper flask or
one which has not to be turned over. Figures, 6, and, 7, on Sheet, 4, are sectional
side and front elevations of a modification of apparatus for moulding in upper
and lower flasks simultaneously. In these drawings the same reference numerals
are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out our invention the compression of the sand or mould material is
effected by the upward movement of the rain, 10, of an hydraulic press, 11, and
in the modification shown on Sheets, 1, and 2, of the drawings the pattern projects

page_text: on the upper side of a pattern or parting plate, 12, which may have the pattern
fixed on it, but which is by preference a plate with a contour opening through
which the pattern is projected and withdrawn. The flask or mould box, 13, is
placed upon the pattern or parting plate, 12, and after the sand has been put in,
the plate, 12, and flask, 13, are forced up against a resisting head, 14, by means of
a platen, 15, fixed on the ram, 10. The platen, 15, is guided by tubular legs, 16,
formed or fixed on it and moving on vertical guide bars, 17, fixed in the bed-
plate, 18, of the machine. The resisting head, 14, is held by two side rods, 19,
which are fixed on short shafts, 20, centered in bearings, 21, fixed on the bed-
plate, 18, and which are prolonged below the centres by levers, 22, fixed on the
outer ends of the shafts, 20, and having counter-weights, 23, fixed to their lower
end. One of the side rods, 19, is also formed with a short prolongation, 24, which
has jointed to it the rod, 25, of a double-acting oscillating hydraulic cylinder, 26,
by means of which the resisting head, 14, is moved into its operating position in
which it is shown in full lines, or into the position in which it is shown in dotted
lines in Figure, 3, in which latter position it is out of the way so as to allow of
sand being filled into the flask, 13, and of the flask being removed after being
rammed. The movement of the resisting head, 14, is limited by stops acting on
the lower counterweighted levers, 22. One stop, 27, at each side and fixed to the
bed plate, 18, determines the exact vertical position of the levers, 22, and side
rods, 19; and a rod 28, jointed to each stop, 27, and passing through a swivelling
eye, 29, on each lever, 22, has at its outer end a buffer stop, 30, which limits the
movement to the side.
The improved machines will, in general, be used in pairs, one of the kind shown
on Sheets, 1, and 2, of the drawings, for moulding in the bottom flask of a pair of
mould boxes, and the other for moulding in the top flask; and a small railway with
a number of trucks will be provided in connection with one or more pairs of
machines for conveniently conveying the mould boxes to and fro' between the
moulding machines and the place or places where the casting operation takes
place.
The pattern or parting plate, 12, of the machine for moulding in the bottom
flask, 13, (Sheets, 1 and 2,) is made capable of turning over on a hinge, 31, which
secures it at one side to a plate, 72, so that it can turn over a flask when rammed
and deposit it as indicated by dotted lines in Figure, 3, on a truck, 32, at the side.
The flask, 13, is secured to the pattern or parting plate, 12, whilst being so turned
over, by means of studs, 33, at its sides which engage with spring latch catches or
hooks, 34, jointed to the pattern or parting plate, 12. Each hook, 34, has jointed
to it a spring link, 35, made in two parts connected by a sliding coupling and
spring, and connected to a lever, 36, on a rocking spindle, 37, held in bearings on
the plate, 12. One of the levers, 36, is elongated and when pressed into contact
with the edge of the plate, 12, puts the line of strain of the spring link, 35, slightly
below the axis of the spindle, 37, so that the strain tends to hold the levers, 36,
securely in that position. When however, as for example on the flask, 13, being
deposited on the truck, 32, the elongated lever, 36, is moved a little sufficiently to
put the line of strain to the other side of the axis of the spindle, 37, the spring
links, 35, and the hooks, 34, become released, and the flask, 13, becomes detached
from the pattern or parting plate, 12. For turning over the pattern or parting
plate, 12, it has jointed to it at a corner opposite to the hinges, 31, a bar, 38, which
has connected to it a rope, 39, passing over upper guide pulleys, 40, and thence
down to tackle pulleys arranged in connection with an hydraulic cylinder, 41. The
rope, 39, pulls up from a point directly over the hinges, 31, of the pattern or
parting plate, 12, and being allowed to go down again just as the plate reaches the
vertical position the swinging motion of the plate carries it over the centre so that
it descends on the other side of the hinges and thus turns over. When the flask, 13,
has been deposited on the truck, 32, and released from the plate, 12, a fresh
flask (13) is brought under and hooked to the plate, which is then turned over back
again by the pulling followed by the slackening of the rope, 39.

page_text: The valves for the various hydraulic cylinders, 11, 26, and 41, are in valve
boxes, 42, arranged near together, with pipes connecting them to the cylinders,
there being two in the case of the cylinder, 26, which is double acting; and
the valves are worked by means of rods, 43, passing up to bellcrank hand levers, 44,
fitted on a frame, 45, in a convenient position for being manipulated.
When the plate, 12, is a parting plate having a contour opening for the pattern,
the pattern is formed or fixed on a block, 73, fixed on the plate, 15. In Figures, 1,
and 3, the parts are shown in the positions in which they are after a compressing
operation has been effected and when the flask, 13. and plates, 12, and, 72, have
descended to their lowest positions but before the pattern block, 73, has been
withdrawn. The plate, 72, to which the parting plate, 12, is hinged, rests by
guiding palms, 74, recessed on their undersides, upon the tops of the fixed guide
bars, 17, the striking of the plate, 72, on the bars, 17, serving to loosen the mould
from the pattern. At the same time the platen, 15, rests for a moment by legs
fixed to its underside (but not seen in the drawings) upon the sides of a block, 48,
indicated by dotted lines in Figure, 3, and which is of a horse shoe form in plan.
The block, 48, is withdrawn by means of a foot lever, 46, connected to it by a
rod, 47, and then the platen, 15, descends so as to withdraw the pattern from the
plate, 12. These parts and the action relating to the withdrawal of the pattern
from the plate, 12, are substantially the same as what is described in our earlier
Patent Specifications No. 3294 of 1887 and No. 10,182 of 1888.
The pattern or parting plate, 50, (shown on Sheet, 3, of the drawings) of the
machine for moulding in the top flask, 51, is not arranged to turn over, and the
flask is shifted from the truck to the machine and back again by means of a pair of
levers, 52, fixed on a shaft, 53, centered hinge-like in lugs on the plate 50. These
levers, 52, are made of thin steel and so as to be capable of springing, and they
have fixed on them palms, 54, made with sockets in their inner faces to engage upon
studs, 55, fixed to the sides of the flask, 51. The studs, 55, are a little above the
centre of gravity of the flask which consequently keeps the same position without
turning when suspended by them. A rope, 39, is used as in the machine hereinbéfore
described for turning over the levers, 52; and this rope has its end fixed to one
lever, whence it crosses to a swivelling pulley, 56, on the other lever, and the strain
on the rope when turning over the levers pulls the levers towards each other and
prevents them from separating and releasing the flask, 51, whilst in transit. The
other parts of the machine are the same as the corresponding parts of the machine
shown on Sheets, 1, and 2, and herein before described.
In the case of some patterns such for example as those for handwheels or
spurwheels or other articles of moderate size or simple form a single machine such
as is shown on Sheet, 4, of the drawings may be used to effect the moulding in both
flasks simultaneously. In this machine the upper flask, 51, is operated on partly
as hereinbefore described, whilst the pattern for the lower flask, 13, is on the under
side of the pattern plate, 50, the flask, 13, being placed below the plate, 50. The
ram, 10, with platen, 15, of the hydraulic press, 11, carries up the bottom flask, 13,
and on that flask reaching the pattern plate, 50, the latter is raised also with the top
flask, 51, upon it up to the resisting head, 14, above, which head is stationary in
this case.
On the platen, 15, approaching the pattern plate, 50, guide rods, 60,
fixed to and projecting down from the latter enter holes in the former and thereby
insure the parts being accurately in position relatively to each other. The pattern
plate, 50, is, in this modification arranged to move to one side on wheels running on
rails, 61, formed on the upper edges of brackets, 62. Pins, 63, manipulated by
means of levers, 64, are fitted to the pattern plate, 50, and are entered into sockets
formed for them in the rails, 61, to fix the plate accurately in its inner or outer
position. After a pair of flasks have been rammed the upper one, 51, is temporarily
secured by spring hooks, 65, to the resisting head, 14, and the ram, 10, is then
lowered. The pattern plate, 50, descends until its wheels reach the rails, 61, but
the bottom flask, 13, descends further, and the pattern plate, 50, can then 'be
withdrawn horizontally. The ram, 10, is next made to raise the bottom flask, 13,

page_text: up into contact with the top flask, 51, which latter is then released from the
head, 14, after which the two flasks are lowered together and removed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The combination of parts constituting as a whole the improved apparatus for
making moulds for casting substantially as shown on Sheets, 1, and 2, of the
accompanying drawings and herein before described.
2. The combination of parts claimed in the first claim but modified as regards
some details in the manner shown on Sheet, 3, of the accompanying drawings and
hereinbefore described.
3. In moulding apparatus in which the mould material is compressed by
means of an hydraulic cylinder the ram of which moves the pattern or parting plate
and flask up against a movable resisting head, the combination with the head of one
or more hydraulic cylinders arranged to move it into and out of position
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4. In apparatus for moulding in a bottom flask upon the upper side of a pattern
or parting plate the hinging of the pattern or parting plate at one side, and the
attachment to the other side of a rope or connection arranged by a raising,
swinging, and lowering movement to turn over the pattern or parting plate
and flask and deposit the flask on a truck or other receptacle substantially as
hereinbefore described.
5. The improved spring latch catches or hooks (34, 35) for attaching the bottom
flask to the pattern or parting plate, as herein before described.
6. The combination of parts for transferring an upper flask without turning it
over from the moulding machine to a truck or other receptacle substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures, 4, and, 5, of the accompanying
drawings.
7. The combination of parts constituting as a whole the improved machine shown
on Sheet, 4, of the accompanying drawings for simultaneously moulding in a pair of
flasks, substantially as hereinbefore described.
8. In apparatus for simultaneously moulding in a pair of flasks, fitting the pattern
plate on wheels and providing rails on which to move it into and out of position and
locking appliances substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Seventeenth day of June 1891.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.