The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 26, 2009
Marshall A. Klingensmith, New Kensington, PA (US);
Mark A. Ripepi, Harrison City, PA (US);
Rabindra K. Bhattacharyya, Export, PA (US);
James T. Burg, Verona, PA (US);
Marshall A. Klingensmith, New Kensington, PA (US);
Mark A. Ripepi, Harrison City, PA (US);
Rabindra K. Bhattacharyya, Export, PA (US);
James T. Burg, Verona, PA (US);
Automotive Casting Technology, Inc., Franklin, IN (US);
Abstract
A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.