David W Frantz

US Patent:

43835716, May 17, 1983

Filed:

Mar 16, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/244253

Inventors:

David W. Frantz - Allen Park MI
Louis Lazaretti - Badden PA

Assignee:

Gladwin Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B22D 1108

US Classification:

164446

Abstract:

An elongated dummy bar has one end secured to a closure plug arranged within an open ended, continuous casting mold for supporting the plug within the mold and for endwise movement for removing the plug from the mold and guiding it along a curved path away from the mold. Molten metal cast in the mold forms a continuous cast strand whose lead end joins to the closure plug so that endwise movement of the bar and plug guides the cast strand along the curved path. The bar is formed of parallel rows, of rigid links which are arranged end to end. Pivot pins transversely extend across all the rows between the adjacent ends of the links. The pins are pivotally journalled within opposing sockets formed in the facing ends of adjacent links in each row. Flexible cables are arranged between and parallel to the rows of links and pass through openings extending diametrically through the pins. The flexible cables are tightly secured to the opposite ends of the dummy bar under sufficient tension to apply a compressive force upon the rows of links.