Patent ID: 7258539

Claim:
In a molding press adapted to produce a plastic part and including a stationary platen and a movable platen disposed in parallel spaced relation, and a first mold section and a second mold section cooperating to define at least one mold cavity therebetween, a quick-change mounting system for said first mold section and said second mold section, comprising a plurality of spaced quick-change locking couplers connecting said first mold section to said stationary platen and a plurality of spaced quick-change locking couplers connecting said second mold section to said movable platen, all of said locking couplers having parallel spaced axes, each of said locking couplers including a cylinder having peripherally spaced holes supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced balls for corresponding radial movement, a plurality of axially projecting studs connected to each of said mold sections and having enlarged head portions projecting into corresponding said cylinders, a cup-shaped piston surrounding each said cylinder and having a recess for receiving said balls in a released position, a spring urging each said piston axially to a locked position with said balls engaging said head portion of the corresponding said stud, each of said couplers further including a housing supporting the corresponding said piston for axial movement, each of said pistons being movable axially against the corresponding said spring to said released position where said balls are received within said recess to release said studs and permit removal of said mold sections from the corresponding said platens, at least one of said studs is rigidly connected to the corresponding said mold section, and at least one of said studs is connected to the same said mold section for slight lateral movement.