US2729865A - Centrifugal casting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 10, 1956 P. J. KAVENY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1952 @1 ewa z INVENTOR PAUL J.KAvENY mm .wh

mm mm m %%N QM W ER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PAUL J KAVENY (Ix (I) E I W1 ials-Mimi 1; w

Jan. 10, 1956 P. J. KAVENY CENTRIFUGAI. CASTING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1952 KM m m m 9 i Jan. 10, P J KAVENY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 8, 1952 2 INVENTOR PAUL. J.KA\-'ENY wag,

fi d f llll J Jan. 10, 1956 P. J. KAVENY CENTRIFUGAL CASTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 8, 1952 INVENTOR M4 Q Q m Jan. 10, 1956 p, KAVENY 2,729,865

CENTRIFUGAL CASTING APPARATUS Filed July 8, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l i INVENTOR A PAUL JKAVENY United States Patet1tQ CENTRIFUGAL CASTING Ai PARATUs Application July 8, 1952, Serial No. 297,711

8 Claims. (Cl. 22--65) This invention relates to centrifugal casting apparatus and particularly to centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a rotatable flask and an operating member cooperable with the flask during a portion or portions of the cycle of operations and movable to inoperative position during another portion or other portions of the cycle of operations. The operating member may comprise a core holder and may serve to maintain mold forming material in the flask during a portion of the cycle.

For purposes of explanation and illustration the invention will be described as embodiedin centrifugal casting apparatus of the general type disclosed in UnitedStates Patent No. 2,449,900, the apparatus claimed herein being also largely disclosed in copending applications Serial Nos. 285,213 and 285,214, filed April 30, 1952. The apparatus comprises a support and a flask rotatably carried by the support. While the invention is applicable to apparatus having but a single flask the apparatus shown herein and in said copending applications comprises four flasks carried bya common support with the axes of the flasks generally parallel and generally coplanar.

The flask support may be mounted formovement between a position in which the axes of the flasks are generally horizontal and a position in which the axes of the flasks are generally upright. The operating members may serve as mold forming material retainers during a portion of the cycle and as core holders during another portion of the cycle, especially when they are employed in centrifugal casting apparatus having a flask support mounted for movement as just mentioned. Operating members which serve as mold forming material retainers during a portion of the cycle and as core holders during another portion of the cycle are disclosed in Patent No. 2,613,410, but the operating members of the present application are mounted and operated differently than the operating members shown in said application. Important advantages are realized through utilization of the means for mounting and operating the operating members as disclosed and claimed herein.

I provide centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, a flask rotatably carried by the support, pivot means whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier pivotally carried by the pivot means and an operating member carried by the carrier positioned substantially coaxially with the flask when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means and laterally offset from the axis of the flask when the carrier is in another angular position about the axis of the pivot means. When the operating member is laterally offset from the axis of the flask its axis may extend generally transversely of the flask axis.

The apparatus preferably includes means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask at an end thereof cooperating with the flask in forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, and the operating member is preferably posi- .tioned substantially coaxially with the flask at said end 2,729,865 Patented Jan. 10, 1956 thereof when the carrier carrying it is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means and laterally offset from the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in another angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

Means are preferably provided which are interposed between the carrier and the operating member for moving the operating member relatively to the carrier generally axially of the flask into and out of cooperative relationship with the end of the flask when the carrier is in appropriate angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

In a preferred form my apparatus comprises a support, a flask rotatably carried by the support positionable with its axis generally horizontal, pivot means whose axis extends generally horizontally generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier pivotally carried by the pivot means and an operating member carried by the carrier positioned substantially coaxially with the flask when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means and disposed generally above the axis of the flask with its axis generally upright when the carrier is in another angular position about the axis of the pivot means to adapt a core to be applied in a generally downward direction to the operating member when it is positioned with its axis generally upright.

Extensible and retractable means are preferably disposed about the means for moving the operating member relatively to the carrier to exclude mold forming material. The means for moving the operating member relatively to the carrier may comprise cylinder means carried by the carrier and piston means operable in the cylinder means generally parallel to the axis of the flask when the carrier is in appropriate angular position about the axis of the pivot means, the piston means carrying the operating member. In a preferred structure two generally parallel cylinders are carried by the carrier, pistons are respectively operable in the cylinders and a head spans the space between the pistons and is connected to both pistons, the operating member being carried by the head.

As mentioned above, a plurality of flasks may be ro tatably carried by the support. In such case the flasks preferably have their axes generally parallel and generally coplanar and the pivot means preferably has its axis extending generally parallel to the plane of the flask axes and generally transversely of the flask axes. In centrifugal casting apparatus employing a plurality of flasks there are as many operating members as there are flasks, the oper ating members being carried by the carrier and each preferably being provided with means for moving it relatively to the carrier into and out of cooperative relationship with its flask.

In the apparatus shown herein the pivot means are carried by the support which carries the flasks and that support is shown as being mounted for movement between a position in which the axes of the flasks are generally horizontal and a position in which the axes of the flasks are generally upright. That apparatus has important ad vantages in use as will be brought out hereinafter.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a present preferred embodiment of the invention in which Figure 1 is a plan view of centrifugal casting apparatus of the type shown in my said copending applications Serial Nos. 285,213 and 285,214, the lower half of the apparatus as shown in that figure being adapted for the casting of single hub pipe and the upper half being adapted for the casting of double hub pipe, the flasks being shown in position with their axes generally hori- 3 26am and the core holders being shown in position respectively coaxial with the flasks;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus adapted for the casting of double hub pipe with the parts as: shown in the upper half of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view to enlarged scale showing the apparatus with the flasks in position with their axes generally upright and with the core holders for the ends of the flasks which are disposed downward turned relatively to the axes of the flasks so that their axes are disposed respectively transversely of the axes of the flasks, this being the position of the parts during ejecting of cast articles from the flasks;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view to enlarged scale partly in plan and partly in horizontal cross section of a portion of the apparatus with the parts positioned as shown in Figures 1 and 2;

- Figure is a fragmentary side elevational view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail view in horizontal cross section and to enlarged scale of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 4.

A portion of the apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 having to do with the casting of double hub pipe is not herein claimed but is shown as part of a complete operat ive apparatus; That is the portion of the apparatus at the extreme left in those figures, and because it does not constitute the present invention it will not hereinafter be described in full detail.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the apparatus is mounted upon a base 2 and comprises a flask cradle 'or support 3 having coaxial trunnions 4 mounted for turning movement in bearings 5 so that the cradle 3 is mounted for turning movement in a vertical plane perpendicula'r to the common axis of the trunnions 4.

The cradle 3 may carry any desired number of rotatable flasks in side-by-side relationship with their axes generally parallel and generally coplanar. In the structure shown the cradle 3 carries four flasks 6. Each of the flasks 6 has its own driving motor 7 mounted in the cradle beneath the flask, each of the driving motors driving its flask through a suitable driving connection such for example as a series of V-belts trained about pulleys on the flask and motor shaft'respectively.

Connected with the cradle are two brackets 8 to each of which is pivoted at 9 a piston rod 10 carrying a piston operable within a cylinder 11 pivoted at 12 to a bracket 13 carried by the base 2. Means are provided for admitting fluid under pressure to the cylinders 11' selectively at opposite sides of the pistons therein for swinging the cradle 3 between a position as shown in Figures 1, 2, '4, Sand 6 in which the axes of the flasks are generally horizontal and a position turned clockwise from the position of Figure 2 through generally a right angle in which the axes of the flasks are generally upright as shown in Figure 3; The base 2 carries two pedestals 28 respectively cooperating with positioning members 29 carried by the cradle 3 to accurately position the cradle in the position in which it isshown in Figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 with the axes of the flasks generally horizontal. When the cradle is swung to the position in which the axes of the flasks are generally vertical as shown in Figure 3 two pads on the cradle engage stop members 31 on the base 2 to limit turning movement of the cradle and positron it at a desired angle.

Mounted on each end of the cradle 3 is a bracket 14. The two brackets 14 are alike and extend generally longitudinally of the apparatus toward the right viewing Figures l, 2 and 4. Pivoted to the brackets 14 at 15 is a carrier 16 which carries eight cylinders 17. Pistons 17a operating in the cylinders 17 are connectedtogether in pairs by crossheads 18, each of the crossheads 18 carry- 1 ing an operating member 19 rotatably mounted on the 4 crosshead. The operating members 19 are respectively normally disposed with their axes in the same longitudinal vertical planes as the axes of the flasks 6. The operating members 19, as indicated above and as will appear more fully below, serve during a portion of the cycle as mold forming material retainers and during a portion of the cycle as core holders. For convenience they will hereinafter be referred to as core holders.

Mounted atop each of the brackets 14 and pivoted thereto at 20 is a cylinder 21 within which operates a piston whose piston rod 22 is pivoted at 23 to a projection 24 carried by the carrier 16. Means are provided for admitting fluid under pressure within the cylinders 21 to turn the carrier 16 about the common axis of the pivots 15 between a position in which the core holders 19 are coaxial with the flasks 6 and a position in which the core,

holders 19 are swung out of coaxial relationship with the flasks as indicated in chain lines in Figure 2 and as shown in Figure 3. Fluid under pressure is admitted within the cylinders 17 to move the core holders 19 into and out of the ends of the flasks 6 when the core holders are coaxial with the flasks. When the core holders are swung up to the chain line position indicated at 25 in Figure 2 when the flasks are positioned with their axes generally horizontal the core holders and the carrier 16 carrying them clear the ends of the flasks to permit entry thereinto of mandrels presently to be described whose function is to form and compact in the flasks mold forming material, such; for example, as sand, to make in the flasks molds for the centrifugal casting of articles such as lengths of pipe; Such positioning of the core holders 19 relatively to the flasks also provides for ejecting cast articles from the flasks when the parts are in the position of Figure 3, the ejected articles passing downwardly generally between the closed ends of the cylinders 17 Extensible and retractable means are connected with the cylinders 17 and disposed about the piston rods to exclude mold forming material. The extensible and retractable means comprise two sleeves 17b and 17c applied to each cylinder and the portion of the corresponding crosshead 18 in alignment therewith, Each sleeve 17b is bolted to the crosshead at 17d and has an inward flange, 17s at its extremity remote from the crosshead. Each sleeve is of smaller diameter than the cooperating sleeve 17b and has an outwardly projecting flange 17 at its extremity. Each sleeve 170 is applied telescopically over the corresponding cylinder 17. Thus as the pistons 17a operate in the cylinders 17 the sleeves 17b and 170 telescope one over the other and over the cylinder to' exclude mold forming material. The outer extremity of the flange 17] engages the inner surface of the sleeve 17b and the inner extremity of the flange '17:: engages the outer surface of the sleeve 170 so that a seal between the two sleeves is maintained. The sleeve 170 has a snug sliding fit over the cylinder 17.

Pivoted to the. cradle 3 about a common axis 26 are mold stainpers 2 7, one for cooperation with each of the four flasks, for stamping in the mold formed in the flask data to be cast in the pipes, the Stampers and their operating mechanism being covered in copending zuiplication Serial No. 206,690, filed January 18, 1951.

Similarly tothe apparatus of Patent No. 2,449,900, the cradle is swung to position the flasks with their axes generally upright with the bottoms of the flasks closed by thecore holders 19 but without any cores on the core holders while the flasks are being filled with 'mold forming material. The core holders are moved into and held in position against the ends of the flasks to close the ends of the flasks and retain mold forming material therein by admitting fluid under pressure to the right of the pistons 17a viewing Figures 4 and 7 when the carrier 16 is in the angular position relatively 4 to the cradle 3 shown in Figures 4 and 5. After the is turned to position the flasks with their axes generally horizontal as shown in the drawings and the flasks are rotated to cause the mold forming material by centrifugal action to be somewhat consolidated against the inner walls of the flasks, forming within each incipient mold a generally central longitudinal opening through which a mandrel presently to be described is inserted to further compact the mold forming material and shape the mold.

Carried by the base 2 are parallel longitudinal rails 32 which project somewhat to the right of the base 2 viewing Figures 1 and 2 and have their ends supported at 33. Mounted for movement along the rails 32 is a carriage 34 having wheels 35 riding atop the rails 32 and rollers 36 engaging the inner faces of the rails to accurately position the carriage transversely of the rails. The carriage 34 is moved along the rails by a piston operating in a cylinder 37, the piston rod 38 being connected by a pin 39 to a bracket 40 connected with the under side of the carriage. The cylinder 37 is supported by a supporting structure 41. Forward movement of the carriage, i. e., movement toward the left viewing Figures 1 and 2, is limited by adjustable stops 42. Rearward movement of the carriage, i. e., movement toward the right viewing Figures 1 and 2, is limited by the piston in the cylinder 37 reaching the end of its stroke.

Mounted on the carriage 34 for shifting movement transversely thereof is a mandrel support 43. At each end the mandrel support 43 has two horizontal parallel projecting pins 44 entering sockets 45 carried by the carriage. The four pins 44 operating in the respective sockets 45 insure controlled transverse movement of the mandrel support 43 while the mandrels presently to be described which are carried by the support are maintained at all times with desired orientation. The carriage 34 carries an adjustable stop member 46 shown as being in the form of a bolt which is maintained in its adjusted position by nuts 47. The mandrel support 43 is urged toward the stop 46 by a compression coil spring 48. The stop member 46 is adjusted so that when the mandrel support is in position thereagainst as shown in Figure 1 the mandrels now to be described have their axes respectively in the vertical planes containing the axes of the flasks 6.

The mandrel support 43 has four sets of aligned bearfogs 49 in each of which is rotatably supported a mandrel 50. Each mandrel 50 has a rearward portion 51 disposed within the bearings by which the mandrel is rotatably supported and an enlargement or hub 52 for forming in the mold at one end of the flask an enlargement wherein a hub at one end of the pipe length cast in the mold is formed.

The forward end of each mandrel 50 is designed to selectively accommodate means for use when single hub pipe is being cast and means for use when double hub pipe is being cast. Such means do not constitute the present invention and will not be described. The following description does, however, contemplate that double hub pipe is to be cast.

The base 2 carries adjacent the left-hand ends of the flasks viewing Figures 1 and 2 parallel rails 66 on which is mounted for movement generally parallel to the axes of the flasks when in generally horizontal position a carriage 67. The carriage 67 has wheels 68 riding atop the rails 66 and rollers 69 engaging the inner faces of the rails to position the carriage transversely of the rails for accurate movement therealong.

Carried by the base 2 substantially at the longitudinal center line thereof is a cylinder 70 arranged with its axis generally horizontal and generally parallel to the length of the apparatus in which operates a piston whose piston rod 71 is connected at 72 to a downwardly projecting bracket 73 carried by the carriage 67. Thus operation of the piston in the cylinder 70 causes movement of the carriage 67 along the rails 66. Movement 2 is limited by a pair of adjustable stop members 74 which engage portions of the base 2. Movement of the carriage 67 in the opposite direction is limited by the piston in the cylinder 70 reaching the end of its stroke.

The carriage 67 has mounted therein a carrier turnable about a transverse axis to selectively present to the left-hand ends of the flasks 6 viewing Figures 1 and 2 when the flasks are positioned with their axes generally horizontal mold forming portions 85a and core holders 85b and also shiftable in the direction of that axis or parallel to the direction of transverse shifting of the mandrel support 43. The portions 85a cooperate with the ends of the mandrels 50 to form molds for casting double hub pipe. That structure does not constitute the present invention and hence is not described in detail. It is described in detail in copending applications Serial Nos. 285,213 and 285,214.

I shall now describe a cycle of operations of my centrifugal casting apparatus. Initially the mandrel support 43 is in its extreme right-hand position viewing Figure 1 and the carriage 67 carrying the carrier 85 is in its extreme left-hand position viewing Figure 1 so as to permit the cradle 3 carrying the four flasks 6 to be turned about the common axis of the trunnions 4 to the position in which the flasks are generally upright. The core holders 19 are moved against the lower ends of the flasks to close the flasks at their bottoms and prevent mold forming material introduced into the upper ends thereof from falling out. Mold forming material is introduced into the upper ends of the flasks. The flasks are rotated about their respective axes and the cradle 3 is turned about the common axis of the trunnions 4 to the position of Figures 1 and 2 in which the axes of the flasks are generally horizontal. The rotation of the flasks causes the mold forming material therein to be somewhat compacted or consolidated by centrifugal action against the inside walls of the flasks, thereby forming through the mold forming material in each flask a generally central passage.

The core holders 1& are withdrawn from the flasks by fluid pressure operating in the cylinders 17. Thereupon through fluid pressure operating in the cylinders 21 the carrier 16 is turned about the common axis of the pivots 15 to the position in which the core holders are disposed as indicated in chain lines in Figure 2 so as to clear the flasks for entry thereinto of the mandrels 56.

Through fluid pressure acting in the cylinder 37 and with the mandrels maintained axially of the flasks by the spring 48 the mandrel support 43 carrying the mandrels is moved toward the left viewing Figures 1 and 2 so that the mandrels enter the openings in the partially consolidated mold forming material in the flasks.

With the carrier 85 oriented as-shown in Figure 2 the carriage 67 is moved toward the right viewing Figures 1 and 2 by the operation of fluid under pressure in the cylinder 70. The movement of the carriage 67 to the right is limited by engagement of the stop members 74 with the above mentioned portions of the base 2. At the same time the movement of the mandrel support 43 toward the left is limited by the adjustable stop members 42. As the mandrels 5d and portions 85a approach each other the extremity of each mandrel enters the corresponding portion 850. While the respective mandrels and portions 85a are thus being introduced into the flasks and into co operative relationship with each other the flasks are preferably rotating. After the mandrels and portions 85a reach fully cooperative position rotation of the flasks is continued, or, if the flasks have not been rotating, is commenced, and the mandrel support 43 and the carrier 85 are shifted transversely by means not constituting the present invention. Such transverse shifting of the mandrels and portions 35a compacts the mold forming material in the flasks and forms the molds therein. While the molds are being thus formed the mandrels and the portions 85a ti'ii 'ri thliu-g h their engagement Wifli the mold foith-itig" material. Such turni is promoted by mounting of the mand'rels and the'por pas 85a on a'ritifriction bearings.

After the mewsuave been formed as just described carrier 85 and mandrel Support 43' are shifted transversely back to their normal positions in which the respective mandreis and portions 85a are coaxial with the flasks. Thereupon the mandiel support 43 is moved back toward the right viewing Figures 1 and 2 to its original inopera tive position'and the carriage 67 is moved back toward the left to its original inoperative position.

With the core holders 19 and 85b disposed with their axes generally upright cores are applied thereto by downward movement ther'eover. The carrier 85 is turned to the right viewing Figure 2 through an angle of 90 to position the cores on the core holders 85b for entry into the left hand ends of the flasks 6; The carrier 16 is swung back about the axis of the pivot means to the position shown in Figure 1 with the cores on the core holders 19 positioned for entry into the right-hand ends of the flasks 6; The carriage 67 is moved toward the right viewing Figures 1 and 2 to position the cores on the core holders 85b in the left-hand ends of the flasks. The cores on the core holders 19 are moved toward the left viewing Figures 1 and2 by admission of fluid under pressure to the right of the pistons 17a in the cylinders 17 viewing Figure 3 to position those cores in the right-hand ends of the flasks.

Pouring boots are introduced through the core holders 85b and molten material, such, for example, as iron or steel, to be cast into lengths of pipe is flowed into the molds through the pouring boots, the flasks at the same time being rotated at speeds such as to cause the molten material to form hollow articles such as lengths of pipe against the molds in the flasks. Rotation of the flasks is continued until the molten material has sufficiently solidified. Thereupon the core holders 19 and 85b are withdrawn, the cradle 3 is tilted to generally upright position, the carrier 16 is turned to the position of Figure 3 and the pipe lengths formed in the flasks are ejected downwardly through the lower ends of the flasks by exerting pressure against the upper ends thereof.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask cooperating with the flask in forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried by the pivot means in fixed transverse location and having outwardl'y extending arms and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the arms adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the'mold forming means with the arms disposed alongside the path of the mold forming means and means for moving said member generally axially of theflask into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

2. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, a plurality of open-ended flasks rotatably carried by the support in generally side-by-side relationship, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flasks into and out of the flasks cooperating with the flasks in forming therein molds of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally trans ver'sely of thaxes of the flasks, ac arrier carried by the pivot means fixed transverse location and having outwardly extending arms and members adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with open ends of the flasks carried by the arms, one such member for each flask, adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flasks in the paths of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said members laterally of the paths of the mold forming means with the arms disposed alongside the paths of the mold forming means and means for moving said members generally axially of the flasks into and o'ut of juxtaposition with said open ends of the flasks when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

3. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support positionable with its axis generally horizontal, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask cooperating with the flask in forming therein a moldof finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally horizontally generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried by the pivot means in fixed transverse location and having outwardly extending arms and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the arms adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path, of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with said member disposed with its axis generally upright so that a core may be applied thereto in a generally downward direction with the arms disposed alongside the path of the mold forming means and means for moving said member generally axially of the flask into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounted for movement generally, axially of the flask into and out of the flask cooperating with the flaskin forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carriedby the pivot means in fixed transverse location, outwardly extending cylinder means carried by the carrier, piston means operable in the cylinder means and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the piston means adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, and means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with the cylinder means out of the path of the mold forming means, said member being movable into and out of juxtaposition with said open end'of the flask upon operation of the piston means in the cylinder means when the carrier is j in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

5. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask cooperating with the flask in formingtherein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried bythe pivot means in fixed transverse location, azpairof outwardly extending cylinders carried bythe carrier, pistons operable in the cylinders, a head spanping the space between the pistons and connected to both thereof and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the head adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, and means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with the cylinders out of the path of the mold forming means, said member being movable into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask upon operation of the pistons in the cylinders when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

6. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask cooperating with the flask in forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means carried by the support and whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried by the pivot means in fixed transverse location and having outwardly extending arms and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the arms adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with the arms disposed alongside the path of the mold forming means and means for moving said member generally axially of the flask into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

7. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounting the support for movement of the support between a position in which the axis of the flask is generally horizontal and a position in which the axis of the flask is generally upright, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask when the support is in the first mentioned position cooperating with the flask in forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried by the pivot means in fixed transverse location and having outwardly extending arms and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the arms adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the support is in the first mentioned position and the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with the arms disposed alongside the path of the mold forming means and means for moving said member generally axially of the flask into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask when the support is in the first mentioned position and the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

8. Centrifugal casting apparatus comprising a support, an open-ended flask rotatably carried by the support, means mounting the support for movement of the support between a position in which the axis of the flask is generally horizontal and a position in which the axis of the flask is generally upright, means mounted for movement generally axially of the flask into and out of the flask when the support is in the first mentioned position cooperating with the flask in forming therein a mold of finely divided mold forming material, pivot means carried by the support and whose axis extends generally transversely of the axis of the flask, a carrier carried by the pivot means in fixed transverse location and having outwardly extending arms and a member adapted to be moved into juxtaposition with an open end of the flask carried by the arms adapted to be positioned substantially coaxially with the flask in the path of the mold forming means when the carrier is in one angular position about the axis of the pivot means, means for moving the carrier about the pivot means to position said member laterally of the path of the mold forming means with the arms disposed alongside the path of the mold forming means and means for moving said member generally axially of the flask into and out of juxtaposition with said open end of the flask when the carrier is in said first mentioned angular position about the axis of the pivot means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 955,838 Allenson Apr. 19, 1910 1,567,488 Burchartz Dec. 29, 1925 1,735,969 Hurst et al Nov. 19, 1929 1,756,602 Morris et al. Apr. 29, 1930 2,193,537 Nelson Mar. 12, 1940 2,340,262 Crawford Jan. 25, 1944 2,449,900 Johnston Sept. 21, 1948 2,613,410 Johnston Oct. 14, 1952

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