Mold latch and mold assembly

Abstract

Mold latch and mold having mold latch. A mold latch having a latch rod and a runner is disclosed, the mold latch having two linear followers that are able to co-act with the latch rod to enable a mold plate to which the runner is attached to translate in one direction together with another mold plate to which the latch rod is attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to injection molding, and more specifically to a mold latch for a mold. Background Technology

[0002] Determining the timing for separating the mold plate is a challenge in many molding applications. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of this application provides a mold latch for mounting on a mold having a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, the second plate being located between the first plate and the third plate. The mold latch includes: a latch rod for attaching to the first plate; a housing for attaching to the third plate, the housing including a frame having two side walls and an opening through which the latch rod can pass; a slide for attaching to the second plate, the slide including two spaced-apart side walls received between the two side walls of the frame to receive the latch rod between the two side walls of the slide; and two... Two linear followers, each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider, each of which is capable of lateral translation relative to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider between an active position and an inactive position, wherein in the active position, the latch lever is capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along a first direction from the second plate toward the first plate, and in the inactive position, the latch lever is not capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along the first direction.

[0004] The latch lever may include two drive wedge surfaces, each of the two linear followers including a driven wedge surface, and the latch lever interacts with the two linear followers by contacting each of the two drive wedge surfaces with the driven wedge surface of a corresponding one of the two linear followers.

[0005] The latch lever may include two opposing transverse surfaces, with one of the two drive wedge surfaces located on the corresponding one of the two transverse surfaces.

[0006] The mold latch may include a rotary follower rotatably mounted to the frame, the rotary follower including two lateral side surfaces, each of the two lateral side surfaces for restricting a corresponding one of the two linear followers to the inactive position.

[0007] The rotary follower may include an arm having a rotary driven surface, and the latch bar includes a rotary driving surface for acting on the rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction to a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position.

[0008] The rotary follower may include another arm spaced at an angle from the first arm and having another rotary driven surface, and the latch bar includes another rotary driving surface for acting on the other rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction opposite to the angular direction.

[0009] The other arm may include the two lateral side surfaces of the rotary follower.

[0010] The latch lever may include a head and a neck, the neck being narrower than the head, the two drive wedge surfaces extending between the neck and the head, and each of the two sidewalls of the frame including an inner boundary surface having an inner boundary portion and an outer boundary portion, such that when the two linear followers act in conjunction with the latch lever to move together with the latch lever in the first direction, the two linear followers are laterally constrained between the inner boundary portion of the frame and the neck of the latch lever.

[0011] The latch lever may include a top surface defining an axially extending recess having a rotational drive surface inclined toward the top surface and distal end of the latch lever, the other rotational drive surface being opposite to the rotational drive surface and inclined toward the top surface and proximal end of the latch lever.

[0012] Each of the two sidewalls of the glider defines a slot that extends laterally through each corresponding sidewall of the two sidewalls of the glider. Each of the two linear followers is received within the slot of the corresponding sidewall of the two sidewalls of the glider and is translatable within the slot to cooperate with the latch lever in the active position or to be restricted in the inactive position.

[0013] When the rotary follower is ready to allow the rotary driving surface to act on the rotary driven surface, the arm of the rotary follower is received in the recess of the latch bar so that the rotary follower rotates along the angular direction to a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position.

[0014] The frame may include a drive wedge surface, one on each of the two sidewalls of the frame, the drive wedge surface being located between the inner boundary portion and the outer boundary portion, and each of the two linear followers including another driven wedge surface shaped to interact with the drive wedge surface of the frame to enable the linear follower to move from the outer boundary portion to the inner boundary portion when the latch bar translates along a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0015] The mold latch may include a buffer at the wall of the housing to limit the extent to which the slide can translate along the first direction.

[0016] The mold latch may include a brake to hold the rotary follower in a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention provides a mold assembly comprising: a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, the second plate being located between the first plate and the third plate; and a mold latch comprising: a latch rod attached to the first plate; a housing attached to the third plate, the housing including a frame having two sidewalls and an opening through which the latch rod can pass; a slide attached to the second plate, the slide including two spaced-apart sidewalls received between the two sidewalls of the frame to receive the latch rod between the two sidewalls of the slide; and two lines. The linear followers are each coupled to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the slide, and each of the two linear followers is capable of lateral translation relative to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the slide between an active position and an inactive position. In the active position, the latch lever is capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the slide along a first direction from the second plate toward the first plate, and in the inactive position, the latch lever is not capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the slide along the first direction. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The attached diagram is not drawn to scale.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a mold latch according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 It is cut along line 2-2. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a section taken through the latch axis of the mold latch. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the top of the mold latch.

[0023] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of the bottom of the mold latch.

[0024] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the first stage of its installation on the mold and its positioning in its operating sequence.

[0025] Figure 6A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 6 Cross-sectional view.

[0026] Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the second stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0027] Figure 7A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 7 Cross-sectional view.

[0028] Figure 8 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the third stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0029] Figure 8A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 8 Cross-sectional view.

[0030] Figure 9 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the fourth stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0031] Figure 9A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 9 Cross-sectional view.

[0032] Figure 10 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the fifth stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0033] Figure 10A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 10 Cross-sectional view.

[0034] Figure 11 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the sixth stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0035] Figure 11A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 11 Cross-sectional view.

[0036] Figure 12 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the seventh stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0037] Figure 12A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 12 Cross-sectional view.

[0038] Figure 13 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch, taken by line XX, is shown as the eighth stage installed on the mold and positioned in its operating sequence.

[0039] Figure 13A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 13 Cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Specific embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like or functionally similar elements. The following detailed description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this application or its application and uses. As used herein, the term "axial" means longitudinally aligned or parallel to the opening and closing axis of the molding machine, and the term "lateral" means a direction perpendicular to the opening and closing axis of the molding machine. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theory set forth in the foregoing technical field, background art, summary of the invention, or the following detailed description.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a mold latch 100 according to an embodiment of the present application, shown as being positioned relative to a mold 101 during operation. The mold 101 includes a first mold plate 104, a second mold plate 106, and a third mold plate 108. The second mold plate 106 is located between the first mold plate 104 and the third mold plate 108. The mold latch 100 is attached to the mold 101 such that the latch axis A of the mold latch 100 is... L Opening and closing axis A parallel to mold 101 MThe mold latch 100 is used to control the separation sequence and stroke length of mold plates 104, 106, and 108 in molding applications such as three-plate molding, two-step parting, two-stage injection, and cavity side ejection. (Continue to refer to...) Figure 1 And refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ,in, Figure 2 It is cut along line 2-2. Figure 1 Cross-sectional view, Figure 3 It passes through the latch axis A L and mold axis A M Cut off Figure 1 A cross-sectional view. The mold latch 100 includes a latch bar 110, a housing 112, and a slide 114. The proximal end 115 of the latch bar 110 is attached to a first mold plate 104, the slide 114 is attached to a second mold plate 106, and the proximal end 116 of the housing 112 is attached to a third mold plate 108.

[0042] As used herein, the phrase "first direction" refers to the relative axial movement between the latch lever 110, the housing 112, and the slide 114, which causes the latch lever 110 to move away from the housing 112 (or in a direction from the second mold plate 106 toward the first mold plate 104). Conversely, the phrase "second direction" refers to the relative axial movement between the latch lever 110, the housing 112, and the slide 114, which causes the latch lever 110 to move into the housing 112.

[0043] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 And refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 ,in, Figure 4 This is an exploded top view of the mold latch 100. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded bottom view of the mold latch 100, the slide 114 is axially translatable within the housing 112, and includes a base 118 and a sidewall 120 projecting from the base 118 and away from the mold 101. Figure 2 As shown, the sidewalls 120 are spaced apart to allow the latching bar 110 to pass through therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the base 118 is received in a closely sized recess 121 in the second mold plate 106, as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, to align the slide 114 with the mold axis A M Alignment. The base 118 includes a hole 122 through which a fastener (not shown) can be mounted to attach the slide 114 to the second mold plate 106. As shown, the base 118 protrudes laterally beyond the sidewall 120.

[0044] The latch 110 includes a body 125, a neck 126, and a head 127. The width Wl of the neck 126 (see...) Figure 2 Narrower than body 125 and head 127. First drive wedge surface 130 (see...) Figure 2 and Figure 5 It extends between the neck 126 and the head 127. The first drive wedge surface 130 is relative to the latch axis A. L The latch lever 110 is laterally outwardly inclined toward its distal end 132. The latch lever 110 further includes an axial recess 133 on its top side 134 (see...). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The distal end of the axial recess 133 is inclined toward the top side 134 and distal end 132 of the latch lever 110 to define the first rotary drive surface 135 (see...). Figure 3 At its distal end 132, the latch lever 110 includes a second rotary drive surface 136 (see [reference]). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second rotary drive surface is opposite to the first rotary drive surface 135 and is inclined toward the top side 134 and the proximal end 115.

[0045] The latching lever 110 is attached to the first mold plate 104 via a laterally extending mounting block 138 at its proximal end 115. The mounting block 138 is received in a closely sized recess 139 in the first mold plate 104 (see [link]). Figure 3 The recess connects the latch rod 110 with the latch axis A. L Alignment. Mounting block 138 is secured in recess 139 by fasteners (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, mounting block 138 and latch bar 110 are separate components, attached together by, for example, fastener 140. Alternatively, latch bar 110 and mounting block 138 may be an integral component (not shown). Alternatively, mounting block 138 may be omitted, and latch bar 110 may be secured to the first mold plate by fasteners (not shown) extending through latch bar body 125.

[0046] The housing 112 includes a frame 142 and a rotational follower 144. The frame 142 includes a pair of sidewalls 145 (see...). Figure 5 Each sidewall 145 has a facing latch axis A L The boundary surface 146. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the housing 112 includes a covering wall 148 extending between the sidewalls 145 (see...). Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the cover wall 148 includes a window 149 through which the rotation follower 144 can be seen.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 The boundary surface 146 includes a portion of the latch axis A.L The inner boundary portions 150 and outer boundary portions 151 are longitudinally aligned. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing between opposing inner boundary portions 150 is shorter than the spacing between opposing outer boundary portions 151. The inner boundary portions 150 are spaced apart to tightly receive the glider sidewall 120 therebetween. The boundary surface 146 further includes a second drive wedge surface 152 extending between the inner boundary portions 150 and the outer boundary portions 151. The second drive wedge surface 152 faces the latch axis A. L The proximal end 116 of the outer casing 112 is inclined inward.

[0048] At its distal end 154, the housing 112 includes a distal opening 155 (see [reference]). Figure 5 As the latch lever 110 is withdrawn from and inserted into the housing 112 during relative axial movement therebetween, the latch lever 110 passes through the distal opening 155. As shown, the housing 112 also includes a proximal opening 156 at its proximal end 116 (see Figure 155). Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the mold plates 104, 106, and 108 are abutted together, the latch bar 110 can travel through the proximal opening 156. However, depending on the length of the latch bar 110, if the latch bar 110 does not need to travel through the proximal opening 156, the proximal opening 156 can be omitted.

[0049] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the housing 112 includes a hole 157 at its proximal end 116, corresponding to a fastener 158 (see [link]). Figure 2 It can be installed through hole 157 to attach housing 112 to third mold plate 108. (e.g.) Figure 4 As shown, hole 157 is sized to receive a corresponding tubular pin 160, which can also be received in the third mold plate 108 to connect housing 112 to latch axis A. L Alignment. The tubular pin 160 is optional and can be omitted if not needed. Alternatively, the housing 112 can be attached to the third mold plate 108 via a mounting block (not shown) similar to the mounting block 138 of the latch bar 110 described above.

[0050] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4The slide 114 includes a slot 162 extending laterally through the slide sidewall 120, and a linear follower 163 is received in the slot 162. To facilitate handling of the slide 114, for example, when assembling the mold latch 100 into the mold 101, a retainer 164 (e.g., a spring pin) extends axially through the sidewall 120 into the transverse slot 162 and is received in an axial opening 165 in the linear follower 163. However, depending on the application, the retainer 164 and the axial opening 165 may be omitted. (As shown, there are two sidewalls 120, two linear followers 163, and two slots 162; however, for simplicity, this application will primarily use singular references to describe these features.)

[0051] The linear follower 163 can move within the slot 162 to the following position (see Figure 2 ) and inactive locations (see Figure 9 Laterally translate between ) . In its active position (see Figure 2 The linear follower 163 is laterally confined between the inner boundary portion 150 and the neck 126 (see...). Figure 2 Furthermore, the latch lever 110 can cooperate with the linear follower 163 to allow the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 to translate together in a first direction (i.e., from the second mold plate 106 toward the first mold plate 104). In its active position, the linear follower 163 engages the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 such that when the latch lever 110 moves in the first direction and the first wedge-shaped drive surface 130 abuts against the first wedge-shaped follower surface 168, the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 move together. In its inactive position (see...), Figure 9 In this configuration, the linear follower 163 is laterally constrained between the second drive wedge surface 152 and the two opposing lateral surfaces 166 of the rotary follower 144, thereby disengaging the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 (i.e., the latch lever 110 cannot cooperate with the linear follower 163 to allow the latch lever 110 to translate together with the slider 144 in the first direction).

[0052] Continue to refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The linear follower 163 includes a first driven wedge surface 168 and a second driven wedge surface 169. The first driven wedge surface 168 is shaped to interact with the first drive wedge surface 130 of the latch lever 110, such that when the mold latch 100 translates along a first direction, the first drive wedge surface 130 moves away from the latch axis A. LThe first driven wedge surface 168 is contacted in the direction of the mold latch 100, and a lateral force is applied to the first driven wedge surface, which pushes the linear follower 163 from its active position to its inactive position. The second driven wedge surface 169 is shaped to cooperate with the second drive wedge surface 152 of the housing 112, such that when the mold latch 100 translates in the second direction, the second drive wedge surface 152 is aligned with the latch axis A. L A lateral force is applied to the second driven wedge surface 169 in the direction of the linear follower 163, which pushes the linear follower 163 from its inactive position to its active position.

[0053] In its active position, the linear follower 163 connects the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 such that when the latch lever 110 moves in a first direction and the first wedge-shaped drive surface 130 abuts against the first wedge-shaped driven surface 168, the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 move together. With the linear follower 163 in its active position, when the latch lever 110 translates in the first direction and the first drive wedge surface 130 pulls on the first driven wedge surface 168, the latch lever 110 and the slider 114 move in unison. Although the first drive wedge surface 130 applies a lateral force on the first driven wedge surface 168, the inner boundary portion 150 constrains the outward lateral movement of the linear follower 163. The coordinated movement of latch lever 110 and slider 114 continues until the lateral movement of linear follower 163 is no longer constrained by inner boundary portion 150, and the first drive wedge surface 130 acts on the first driven wedge surface 168 to push linear follower 163 laterally outward to its second position, in which latch lever 110 and slider 114 disengage. Upon disengagement, linear follower 163 is briefly confined between second drive wedge surface 152 and latch lever head 127 until latch lever 110 moves past linear follower 163, at which point linear follower 163 is confined between second drive wedge surface 152 and lateral surface 166 of rotary follower 144. Once slider 114 disengages from latch lever 110, slider 114 is held by distal wall 170 of housing 112 (see...). Figure 2 The distal wall 170 acts as a first directional movement boundary for the glider 114, constraining it and preventing it from continuing in the first direction. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the housing 112 further includes a buffer 172 coupled to the distal wall 170. The buffer 172 is made of a compressible material that absorbs the impact when the glider 114 reaches its first axial translational boundary. Alternatively, the buffer 172 may be coupled to the glider 114 facing the distal wall 170 (not shown), or the buffer 172 may be omitted.

[0054] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5When the latch lever 110 disengages from the slide 114, the rotary follower 144 holds the linear follower 163 in its inactive position. This arrangement allows the latch lever 110 to pass between the slide walls 120 as the mold latch 100 translates along the second direction. The rotary follower 144 is coupled to the housing 112 to enable it to rotate about an axis of rotation A extending laterally between the side walls 145. R (See) Figure 3 and Figure 5 Rotation. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the rotatable connection between the rotary follower 144 and the housing 112 is achieved via an axle 174, which is received in an axle bore 175 in the housing sidewall 145 and extends through a hub 176 of the rotary follower 144 (see [link]). Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

[0055] Rotary follower 144 includes a follower from rotation axis A R The first arm 177 extends outward, and from the axis of rotation A R A second arm 178 extends outward and is angularly spaced from the first arm 177. (See reference) Figure 3 The first arm 177 includes a first rotationally driven surface 180 facing the second arm 178, and the second arm 178 includes a second rotationally driven surface 181 facing the first arm 177. The width of the first arm 177 is dimensioned to be received in a recess 133. As shown in the illustrated embodiment herein, the first arm 177 and the second arm 178 can be described as having an arcuate cross-sectional shape. (In the illustrated embodiment, a transverse surface 166 is located on the second arm 178.)

[0056] Rotary follower 144 can be in an inactive position (see Figure 3 , Figure 6A and Figure 13A ) and event location (see Figures 8 to 10A Rotation between ) When the rotation follower 144 is in its inactive position, the second arm 178 is not axially aligned with the latch bar 110, and the first rotation driven surface 180 is axially aligned with the first rotation driving surface 135, such that as the mold latch 110 translates along the first direction, the latch bar 110 acts on the first arm 177 instead of the second arm 178.

[0057] When the rotary follower 144 is in its active position, the second arm 178 holds the linear follower 163 in its inactive position. One way to achieve this is to dimension the width W2 of the second arm 178 to be equal to or greater than the width W3 of the latch head 127 (see [reference]). Figure 4This allows the latch lever 110 to pass through the slide wall 120 as the mold latch 100 translates along the second direction. When the rotary follower 144 is in its active position, the first arm 177 is not aligned with the latch lever 110, and the second rotary driven surface 181 is axially aligned with the second rotary drive surface 136, such that when the mold latch 110 translates along the second direction, the latch lever 110 acts on the second arm 178 instead of the first arm 177. When the mold latch 100 translates along the first direction, the first rotary drive surface 135 of the latch lever 110 acts on the first rotary driven surface 180 to rotate the rotary follower 144 along the first angular direction from its inactive position to its active position, as... Figure 6A As indicated by the arrows in the diagram. Conversely, when the mold latch 100 translates along the second direction, the second rotational drive surface 136 of the latch lever 110 acts on the second rotationally driven surface 181 to rotate the rotationally driven member 144 along the second angular direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, from its active position to its inactive position, as shown in the diagram. Figure 10A As indicated by arrow B. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, between its active and inactive positions, latch lever 110 causes rotary follower 144 to rotate about axis A. R Rotate by approximately 90 degrees.

[0058] The housing 112 includes a brake 182 that presses against a rotary follower 144 to hold the rotary follower 144 in its active and inactive positions. In the illustrated embodiment shown herein, the brake 182 is a ball plunger fixed in a brake bore 184, which extends laterally through a housing sidewall 145 and is adjacent to a wheel axle bore 175. The ball portion 185 of the ball plunger is pressed down by a second arm 178 to generate a retaining force on a lateral surface 166 that holds the rotary follower 144 in place when it is in its active and inactive positions.

[0059] Now for reference Figures 6 to 13 and the corresponding Figures 6A to 13A These figures depict the operating sequence of the mold latch 100 used to control the opening and closing sequence of the mold 101.

[0060] Figure 6 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the first stage of the mold 101 being mounted and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 6A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 6A cross-sectional view. Mold plates 104, 106, and 108 abut together. In this configuration, the mold latch 100 can be described as being in a contracted configuration. The linear follower 163 is in its active position between the inner boundary portion 150 and the neck 126. The first driving wedge surface 130 of the latch lever 110 opposes the first driven wedge surface 168 of the linear follower 163. In this configuration, when the first mold plate 104 is removed from the third mold plate 108, the second mold plate 106 moves accordingly. Figure 6A As shown, the rotary follower 144 is held in its inactive position by being pressed against the second arm 178 by the brake 182.

[0061] Figure 7 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the second stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 7A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 7 Cross-sectional view. The first and second mold plates 104 and 106 are removed from the third mold plate 108. After passing the inner boundary portion 150, the first drive wedge surface 130 pushes the linear follower 163 toward the outer boundary portion 151 away from the latch axis A. L This disengages the latch lever 110 from the slide 114. Once disengaged, the first mold plate 104 separates from the second mold plate 106. Figure 7A As shown, the first rotary drive surface 135 of the latch lever 110 begins to contact the first rotary driven surface 180 of the rotary follower 144.

[0062] Figure 8 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the third stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 8A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 8 A cross-sectional view. The first driven wedge surface 168 disengages from the first drive wedge surface 130 of the latch lever 110, releasing the first mold plate 104 for further separation from the second mold plate 106. The rotary follower 144 is in its active position, thereby holding the linear follower 163 in its inactive position between the transverse surface 166 of the rotary follower 144 and the second drive wedge surface 152. The glider 114 abuts against the buffer 172, which prevents further axial movement of the glider 114 and the second mold plate 106. Figure 8AAs shown, the first rotary drive surface 135 further acts on the first rotary driven surface 180 to move the rotary follower 144 to its active position, wherein the linear follower 163 is held in its inactive position by the second arm 178. The rotary follower 144 is held in its active position by the brake 182 pressing against the second arm 178.

[0063] Figure 9 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the fourth stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 9A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 9 Cross-sectional view. Mold plates 104, 106, and 108 are completely separated; latch lever 110 and slide 114 disengage, and latch lever 110 is pulled out through distal opening 155 at distal end 154 of housing 112. Figure 9A As shown, the rotary follower 144 is held in its active position by being pressed against the second arm 178 by the brake 182.

[0064] Figure 10 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the fifth stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 10A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 10 The cross-sectional view shows that the first mold plate 104 has begun to move toward the second mold plate 106, and the head 127 of the latching bar 110 has entered the distal opening 155. Figure 10A As shown, the rotary follower 144 is held in its active position by being pressed against the second arm 178 by the brake 182.

[0065] Figure 11 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the sixth stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 11A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 11 The cross-sectional view. The first mold plate 104 moves further toward the second mold plate 106. The second rotary drive surface 136 of the latch bar 110 has acted on the second rotary driven surface 181 to remove the rotary follower 144 from its active position, and the linear follower 163 is held in its inactive position by the head 127 of the latch bar 110.

[0066] Figure 12 It is along Figure 1The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the seventh stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 12A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 12 The cross-sectional view. Further movement of the first mold plate 104 toward the second mold plate 106 causes the head 127 of the latch lever 110 to move beyond the linear follower 163. The second drive wedge surface 152 has acted on the second driven wedge surface 169 to push the linear follower 163 toward the neck 126. Once the first mold plate 104 abuts against the second mold plate 106, the first and second mold plates 104, 106 move in unison, and the second drive wedge surface 152 further acts on the second driven wedge surface 169 to push the linear follower 163 to its active position. Figure 12A As shown, the second rotary drive surface 136 of the latch lever 110 continues to act on the second rotary drive surface 181 of the second arm 178 to move the rotary follower 144 further toward its inactive position.

[0067] Figure 13 It is along Figure 1 The top partial cross-sectional view of the mold latch 100, taken by line XX, is shown as the eighth stage mounted on the mold 101 and positioned in its operating sequence. Figure 13A It is intercepted along line AA. Figure 13 The cross-sectional view shows the second mold plate 106 being pushed against the third mold plate 108 by the first mold plate 104. The second driving wedge surface 152 has acted on the second driven wedge surface 169 to move the linear follower 163 to its active position. Figure 13A As shown, the second rotary drive surface 136 of the latch lever 110 acts on the second rotary driven surface 181 to rotate the rotary follower 144, causing the first arm 177 to be in the axial recess 133, thereby placing the rotary follower 144 in its inactive position. The rotary follower 144 is held in its inactive position by being pressed against the second arm 178 by the brake 182.

[0068] As shown, the mold latch 100 is mounted to the top side of the mold 101; however, the mold latch 100 may also be mounted to the bottom side or the lateral side of the mold 101. Although only one mold latch 110 is shown mounted to the mold 101, mold latches 100 are typically mounted to the mold 101 in pairs, with one of the mold latches 100 mounted on one side of the mold 101 and the other mold latch 100 mounted on the opposite side of the mold 101.

Claims

1. A mold latch for mounting on a mold having a first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, the second plate being located between the first plate and the third plate, the mold latch comprising: A latching lever for attaching to the first plate; A housing for attachment to the third plate, the housing including a frame having two side walls and an opening through which the latch bar can pass; A slide, the slide for attaching to the second plate, the slide including two sidewalls received between and spaced apart from two sidewalls of the frame to receive the latch bar between the two sidewalls of the slide; as well as Two linear followers, each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider, each of which is capable of lateral translation relative to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider between an active position and an inactive position, wherein in the active position, the latch lever is capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along a first direction from the second plate toward the first plate, and in the inactive position, the latch lever is not capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along the first direction; The latching bar includes two driving wedge surfaces, each of the two linear followers includes a driven wedge surface, and the latching bar interacts with the two linear followers by contacting each of the two driving wedge surfaces with the driven wedge surface of the corresponding one of the two linear followers. The latch bar includes two opposing transverse surfaces, and one of the two driving wedge surfaces is located on the corresponding one of the two opposing transverse surfaces; The mold latch further includes a rotary follower rotatably mounted to the frame, the rotary follower including two lateral side surfaces, each of the two lateral side surfaces being used to restrict a corresponding one of the two linear followers to the inactive position; The rotary follower includes an arm having a rotary driven surface, and the latching bar includes a rotary driving surface for acting on the rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction to a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position. The rotary follower includes another arm that is angularly spaced from the first arm, and the second arm has another rotary driven surface. The latch bar includes another rotary driving surface for acting on the other rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction opposite to the angular direction.

2. The mold latch according to claim 1, wherein, The other arm includes the two lateral side surfaces of the rotary follower.

3. The mold latch according to claim 2, wherein, The latch bar includes a head and a neck, the neck being narrower than the head, and two drive wedge surfaces extending between the neck and the head. Each of the two sidewalls of the frame includes an inner boundary surface having an inner boundary portion and an outer boundary portion, such that when the two linear followers act in conjunction with the latch bar to move together with the latch bar in the first direction, the two linear followers are laterally constrained between the inner boundary portion of the frame and the neck of the latch bar.

4. The mold latch according to claim 3, wherein, The latch bar includes a top surface defining an axially extending recess having a rotational drive surface inclined toward the top surface and distal end of the latch bar, the other rotational drive surface being opposite to the rotational drive surface and inclined toward the top surface and proximal end of the latch bar.

5. The mold latch according to claim 4, wherein, Each of the two sidewalls of the glider defines a slot, the slot extending laterally through each corresponding sidewall of the two sidewalls of the glider, each of the two linear followers being received within the slot of the corresponding sidewall of the two sidewalls of the glider and being able to translate within the slot to cooperate with the latch lever in the active position, or to be restricted in the inactive position.

6. The mold latch according to claim 5, wherein, When the rotary follower is ready to enable the rotary drive surface to act on the rotary driven surface, the arm of the rotary follower is received in the recess of the latch bar so that the rotary follower rotates along the angular direction to a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position.

7. The mold latch according to claim 6, wherein, The frame includes a drive wedge surface on each of the two sidewalls of the frame, the drive wedge surface being located between the inner boundary portion and the outer boundary portion. Each of the two linear followers includes another driven wedge surface, the other driven wedge surface being shaped to interact with the drive wedge surface of the frame to enable the linear follower to move from the outer boundary portion to the inner boundary portion when the latch bar translates along a second direction opposite to the first direction.

8. The mold latch of claim 7, further comprising a buffer at the wall of the housing to limit the extent to which the slide can translate along the first direction.

9. The mold latch of claim 8, further comprising a brake to hold the rotary follower in a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position.

10. A mold assembly, comprising: A first plate, a second plate, and a third plate, wherein the second plate is located between the first plate and the third plate; as well as A mold latch, the mold latch comprising: A latch rod, which is attached to the first plate; The housing is attached to the third plate, and the housing includes a frame having two side walls and an opening through which the latch bar can pass; A slide, attached to the second plate, the slide including two spaced-apart sidewalls received between and spaced apart from two sidewalls of the frame to receive the latch rod between the two sidewalls of the slide; and Two linear followers, each of which is coupled to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider, each of which is capable of lateral translation relative to a corresponding one of the two sidewalls of the glider between an active position and an inactive position, wherein in the active position, the latch lever is capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along a first direction from the second plate toward the first plate, and in the inactive position, the latch lever is not capable of cooperating with the two linear followers to allow the latch lever to translate together with the glider along the first direction; The latching bar includes two driving wedge surfaces, each of the two linear followers includes a driven wedge surface, and the latching bar interacts with the two linear followers by contacting each of the two driving wedge surfaces with the driven wedge surface of the corresponding one of the two linear followers. The latch bar includes two opposing transverse surfaces, and one of the two driving wedge surfaces is located on the corresponding one of the two opposing transverse surfaces; The mold latch further includes a rotary follower rotatably mounted to the frame, the rotary follower including two lateral side surfaces, each of the two lateral side surfaces being used to restrict a corresponding one of the two linear followers to the inactive position; The rotary follower includes an arm having a rotary driven surface, and the latching bar includes a rotary driving surface for acting on the rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction to a position that restricts the two linear followers to the inactive position. The rotary follower includes another arm that is angularly spaced from the first arm, and the second arm has another rotary driven surface. The latch bar includes another rotary driving surface for acting on the other rotary driven surface to rotate the rotary follower in an angular direction opposite to the angular direction.

Images