Frames for presses

Claim 2

A press frame comprising: a. a plurality of platelike subframes each with a frame opening defined by a first pair of opposing subframe members and a second pair of opposing subframe members extending substantially transversely to said first pair, said subframes being disposed in substantially parallel relationship with said frame openings in register; b. two platens which extend through said registering frame openings in facing spaced parallel relationship, said platens being secured respectively to said first pair of subframe members of each said subframe; and c. plate means providing slide surfaces along inner edges of each said second pair of subframe members, said slide surface plate means being located substantially at right angles to said platens and each said plate means being secured across corresponding subframe member edges of at least two adjoining subframes so as to span said corresponding subframe member edges.

Claim 3

A press frame comprising: a. a plurality of platelike subframes each with a frame opening defined by a first pair of opposing subframe members and a second pair of opposing subframe members extending substantially transversely to said first pair, said subframes being disposed in substantially parallel relationship with said frame openings in register; b. two Platens which extend through said registering frame openings in facing spaced parallel relationship, said platens being secured respectively to said first pair of subframe members of each said subframe; c. plate means providing a slide surface along an inner edge of each said second pair of subframe members, said slide surfaces being located substantially at right angles to said platens; and d. wherein each subframe member provided with a slide surface plate means has a rebated inner edge at each end of said slide surface, thereby to offset inwardly of said frame openings neutral axes of said rebated members in the vicinity of said slide surfaces to minimize transverse deflection of said slide surfaces and the press frame under load.

Claim 4

A press frame comprising: a. a plurality of platelike subframes each with a frame opening defined by a first pair of opposing subframe members and a second pair of opposing subframe members extending substantially transversely to said first pair, said subframes being disposed in substantially parallel relationship with said frame openings in register; b. two Platens which extend through said registering frame openings in facing spaced parallel relationship, said platens being secured respectively to said first pair of subframe members of each said subframe; c. plate means providing a slide surface along an inner edge of each said second pair of subframe members, said slide surfaces being located substantially at right angles to said platens; and d. wherein each subframe member provided with a slide surface plate means has a rebated inner edge at each end of said slide surface, thereby to offset inwardly of said frame openings neutral axes of said rebated members in the vicinity of said slide surfaces to minimize transverse deflection of said slide surfaces and the press frame under load.

Claim 5

A press frame according to claim 2, wherein each said plate means is secured across corresponding subframe member edges of at least two adjoining subframes, and in which end portions of each said plate means have reduced dimensions to minimize the effect on stress concentrations in the press frame due to the attachment of said plate means to the respective subframes.

Claim 6

A press frame according to claim 2 in which the thickness of individual subframes and spacing between adjoining subframes is selected to minimize bending moments in the press frame at right angles to said subframes, when the press frame is loaded.

Claim 7

A press frame according to claim 4 in which said rebated edges on said members of a subframe provided with slide surface plate means merge at the four corners of the frame opening into the edges of the subframe to which the platens are secured, through smooth notches formed with relatively large radii and designed to minimize maximum operative stresses in the press frame.

Claim 8

A press frame according to claim 2, in which platen supports are formed on each said subframe, said platen supports cooperating to support said platens in said press frame.

Claim 9

A press frame according to claim 2 further comprising a press cylinder with at least one open end detachably secured at said one open end to one of said platens, and a disc sealably fitted inside said one open end of said cylinder and secured to said one platen.

Claim 10

A press frame according to claim 2, wherein each sub-frame is prestressed to cause localized yielding in regions of the sub-frame of highest stress concentration.

Claim 11

A press frame according to claim 2, wherein the interconnected subframes are prestressed between the platens to an extent which is in excess of normal press frame working load, thereby providing a press frame subject to localized yielding in regions of the highest stress concentration.