Lead delivery apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for delivering a predetermined volume of lead to a mould includes a housing defining a lead reservoir having a lead outlet defined in its base and in communication with the reservoir. A runway is provided beneath the base, spaced from the base and generally parallel thereto. A block is provided slidably mounted between the base and the runway and defining a through cavity having the predetermined volume for receiving lead from the outlet in a first position and for releasing the lead in a second position. A mechanism is provided for reciprocating the block between the first and second positions. A cast on strap machine is also disclosed. A lead delivery apparatus comprising a delivery chute is also disclosed.

1 . Apparatus for delivering a predetermined volume of lead to a mould including:
 a housing defining a lead reservoir having a lead outlet defined in its base and in communication with the reservoir;   a runway beneath the base, spaced from the base and generally parallel thereto;   a block slidably mounted between the base and the runway and defining a through cavity having the predetermined volume for receiving lead from the outlet in a first position and for releasing the lead in a second position; and   a mechanism for reciprocating the block between the first and second positions.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the cavity has an upper inlet alignable with the lead outlet in the first position and a lower deliver port which can deliver lead in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the runway stops short of or has an opening at the second position. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing defines a bleed opening aligned with the second position for allowing the ingress of gas to the upper part of the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing is provided with a cover to define an enclosed ullage above the reservoir and wherein the housing further includes an inlet for the provision of an inert gas to the ullage. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block includes a through hole for connecting the reservoir to a lead supply where the block is in the first position. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including a drive mechanism for reciprocating the block. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein facing surfaces of the block and the reservoir form a seal therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein facing surfaces of the block and runway form a seal. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including a constant head lead supply for supplying lead to the reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further including a chute defining a lead passageway for extending between the second position and a mould fill position. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the passageway includes a channel and a gap at the delivery position and the chute further includes a wall on the opposite side of the gap to the channel for directing lead downwardly as it debouches from the channel. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the channel is an open channel. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  including a movable support for supporting the chute for movement between a lead delivery position and a rest position. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  further including a carriage for the chute for moving the chute between a lead delivery position and a store position. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the block comprises a plurality of through cavities each arranged for delivering a predetermined volume of lead to a different section of a mould. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the runway further comprises blind hole which is aligned with the cavity when the block is in the first position. 
     
     
         18 . Lead delivery apparatus including a plurality of apparatuses as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . Lead delivery apparatus as claimed in  claim 18  wherein at least a pair of blocks are linked together to reciprocate together. 
     
     
         20 . A cast on strap machine including a mould comprising a mould block defining a plurality of mould recesses and an apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  for delivering a predetermined volume of lead for each recess. 
     
     
         21 . A machine as claimed in  claim 20  wherein at least a pair of blocks are linked together to reciprocate together. 
     
     
         22 . A lead delivery apparatus comprising a delivery chute which, in use, defines a passageway between a lead delivery device and a mould, wherein the chute is moveable between a lead delivery position in which at least a portion of the chute is positioned over the mould and a store position, in which the chute does not overlie the mould. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the store position is below the plane of the upper mould surface. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the chute is moved across the surface of the mould before being displaced in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the mould surface. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to any of  claims 22  wherein at least part of the movement of the chute is linked to the movement of a jig box which is arranged, in use, to bring a part into contact with the lead in the mould.