Lead extrusion device with means for removing a die member without inactivating the material feed means

Claim 1

An extrusion device for extruding a jacket around an elongated tube comprising a die block body, a longitudinal passageway extending completely through said die block body, a female die in said passageway, a male die assembly in said passageway disposed adjacent said female die and slightly spaced therefrom, said male die assembly including a die insert facing said female die, an extrusion die tip removably engaged to said die insert and projecting therefrom disposed adjacent said female die, feed means for feeding jacket making material around said die insert and between said extrusion die tip and said female die whereby a tube may pass through said die block body and have a jacket extruded thereon, the downstream edge of said die insert being disposed sufficiently close to said female die to act as a male die when said die tip is removed therefrom, the opening in said female die being at least substantially the same size as the opening in said die insert left when said die tip is removed therefrom, said device having a longitudinal passage exposed at the upstream end of saidi device remote from said female die and of a size sufficient for said extrusion die tip to be movable therein, removal means for completely removing said extrusion die tip through said passage by manipulation externally of said device without inactivating said means for feeding said jacket making material and without interrupting the flow of material around said die insert, said removal means including a temporary tool locking member connected to said extrusion die tip for joint movement and for temporarily having a manipulating tool locked thereto, said tool locking member being wholly within said passage and terminating remote from the open upstream end of said device, said tool locking member having tool reception means at its rear edge remote from said open end of said device whereby said extrusion die tip may be manipulated externally of said device by insertion of a manipulating tool into said passage for engagement with said tool locking member to disengage said extrusion die tip from said die insert and to withdraw said extrusion die tip from said passage, and said tool locking member having means to hold it in place against axial movement within said passage when the manipulating tool is disengaged therefrom.