Robert J Rader

US Patent:

45834377, Apr 22, 1986

Filed:

Apr 2, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/596142

Inventors:

Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
David Yanik - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B23D 2500

US Classification:

83304

Abstract:

A machine for cutting a continuous web into successive individual battery plates has a rigid frame on which a cylindrical rotary anvil is journalled. A rotary knife drum is fixed on a shaft journalled on a pair of laterally spaced upright plates mounted for vertical sliding movement on the frame of the machine. A toggle linkage is utilized to shift the drum mounting plates vertically between operative and inoperative positions. The knife drum shaft is journalled on one of the mounting plates such that the plate can be disengaged from the shaft and tilted laterally outwardly by simply removing a nut threaded on the end of the shaft.

US Patent:

44150164, Nov 15, 1983

Filed:

May 20, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/380056

Inventors:

Jack E. McLane - Port Huron MI
Raymond L. Schenk - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
John W. Wirtz - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B22D 1110

US Classification:

164429

Abstract:

A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it is advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

US Patent:

45344043, Aug 13, 1985

Filed:

Nov 8, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/669520

Inventors:

Jack E. McLane - Port Huron MI
Raymond L. Schenk - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
John W. Wirtz - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B22D 1110

US Classification:

164429

Abstract:

A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

US Patent:

45095817, Apr 9, 1985

Filed:

Jul 27, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/517668

Inventors:

Jack E. McLane - Port Huron MI
Raymond L. Schenk - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
John W. Wirtz - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B22D 1110

US Classification:

164479

Abstract:

A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

US Patent:

54942624, Feb 27, 1996

Filed:

Feb 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/383460

Inventors:

Jack E. McLane - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

C21B 712

US Classification:

266 45

Abstract:

Apparatus for delivering molten metal such as lead to a receiver comprising a variable speed pump and a delivery pipe leading from the pump. The delivery pipe has an upwardly extending portion which leads to a discharge orifice from which molten metal may be discharged. A variable speed motor drives the pump. A controller causes the motor to drive the pump selectively at a first speed sufficient to raise molten metal and maintain it at a predetermined level in the upwardly extending portion of the delivery pump and at a second speed sufficient to force molten metal in the delivery pipe from the discharge orifice.

US Patent:

39385850, Feb 17, 1976

Filed:

Jan 4, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/430887

Inventors:

Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B22D 1722
B22D 2900

US Classification:

164347

Abstract:

A mechanism for opening and closing the mold of a battery grid casting machine which includes a reciprocable slide to which the movable mold half is directly connected for movement in unison therewith. A cam mounted on and movable with the slide is arranged to engage a cam follower within the first three-quarters of the slide stroke. The cam follower is operatively connected with knock-out pins on the stationary mold half to eject the cast grid during the opening stroke of the movable mold half.

US Patent:

45440140, Oct 1, 1985

Filed:

Nov 8, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/669383

Inventors:

Jack E. McLane - Port Huron MI
Raymond L. Schenk - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
John W. Wirtz - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B22D 1110

US Classification:

164429

Abstract:

A machine for casting battery grids in a continuous manner includes a rotary cylindrical drum in the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is machined as a cavity. A shoe is arranged against an arcuate segment of the peripheral surface of the drum. An orifice slot in the shoe has an opening at the peripheral surface of the drum. Molten lead under superatmospheric pressure is directed into the orifice slot in an amount in excess of that required to fill the grid cavity on the drum through the opening in the orifice slot as the drum rotates. Means are provided in the shoe for maintaining the molten lead in the orifice slot in a highly fluid condition and for causing the lead filling the grid cavity to solidify rapidly as it advanced beyond the opening of the orifice slot.

US Patent:

49732188, Nov 27, 1990

Filed:

Jun 16, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/367020

Inventors:

John W. Wirtz - Port Huron MI
David Yanik - Port Huron MI
Robert R. Rader - Port Huron MI
Roel Mendoza - Port Huron MI
Dennis E. Essig - Port Huron MI

Assignee:

Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Port Huron MI

International Classification:

B65G 5714

US Classification:

4147911

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for piling in stacks a plurality of successive individual battery plates moving at a high rate of speed. Synchronized plates are transferred to a carrier conveyor which advances them into work stations with the leading edge of each plate raised generally vertically above its trailing edge. Sequentially in one and another of the stations, each plate is rapidly stopped so that a plurality of succeeding synchronized plates are each disengaged from the carrier and deposited in a stack on an elevator underlying each station. The elevator is retracted as each plate is deposited so that the next plate can be received on the stack. Periodically, the depositing of plates is switched from one station to another and stacks of plates are removed from the elevator associated with each station so that another stack can be formed on the elevator.