Abstract: A mold mechanism for opening and closing a split mold is described wherein a single air cylinder moves one half of the mold in a linear direction and simultaneously, through a plurality of interconnected pivotal links, rotates the other half of the mold through an arc of at least 90 degrees so as to open and close the mold halves upon actuation of the air cylinder.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the transfer of mold rings in a centrifugal casting process. One type of forming process for the funnel portions of color television picture tube envelopes utilizes a centrifugal casting process for the glass. This process requires a main mold body. An indexing mechanism moves from a station at which the mold ring is deposited on the main mold to a station where the mold ring is removed from the main mold after completion of the casting process. A movable shuttle member is connected to pivotally mounted pairs of support fingers for the mold rings through connecting rods. An external drive motor operates a single actuator at each machine cycle. This single actuator causes the entire shuttle to shift and a mold ring to be deposited at one station and a second mold ring to be simultaneously picked up at another station. Because of the mechanical linkage design, one pair of support fingers always opens while all the others close when the single actuator is operated.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass containers wherein the glass is expanded to its final shape in a blow mold. A blowhead is brought onto vertical registry with the blow mold cavity. In the conventional Hartford I.S. forming machine, the mechanism for moving the blowhead onto and out of registry with the blow mold is pneumatically operated. The blowhead and the arm that supports the blowhead or blowheads is of considerable mass, and when an operator is required to change blow molds, or in some instances repair mechanisms which are at the blow mold location, it is necessary to maintain the blowhead in its up position. Air lockout systems have been used in the past but have not been foolproof. Accidents may occur. The present invention utilizes a mechanical lockout arrangement which locks the piston rod in its elevated position to avoid any possibility of the blowhead dropping.