Post Mounting Assembly and Method for Molten Metal Pump

Abstract

A molten metal pump apparatus that includes a base member, at least two (2) support members or posts, and a post socket. The lower end of each post is mounted to a mounting bore of the base member and forms a cement-less pump joint. The upper end of the post is connected to the post socket to form a cement-less pump joint. The post socket is defined by a first half and a second half that have an open or separated position for receiving the upper end of the post and a closed or joined position for securing the upper end of the post.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A post mounting assembly for a molten metal pump, said post mounting assembly comprising:
 a pump base to be submerged in molten metal,   a post socket assembly including a plate member supported above a level of the molten metal by at least two (2) vertical support posts, each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts having a longitudinal length that extends from said pump base to said post socket assembly,   wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include an upper end for connecting to said post socket assembly and a lower end for connecting to said pump base,   wherein said pump base includes at least two (2) mounting bores that each define a void that extends completely through the pump base, said void having a length, and wherein each of said mounting bores configured for receiving said lower end of said post and having a substantially circular configuration and including at least one (1) tab member that defines a flat surface and a lower edge, said at least one (1) tab member having a vertical length, and wherein said length is greater than said vertical length, and wherein each mounting bore further defines a first distance that equals the diameter of the mounting bore at a point that includes the at least one (1) tab member, and a second distance that equals the diameter of the mounting bore below the lower edge that does not include the at least one (1) tab member, and   wherein said lower end includes at least one (1) flat surface configured to mate with said flat surface of said at least one (1) tab member, and said lower end further includes a stop and a ledge,   said upper end is sized for receipt within an interior of a housing of said post socket assembly and wherein said plate member and housing are defined by a first half and a second half that have an open or separated position and a closed or joined position.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a protective sleeve configured for protecting a defined mid-section of each of said posts. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a first groove that horizontally extends around said post and is disposed within said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a second groove that horizontally extends around a lower portion of said defined mid-section, and wherein said first groove horizontally extends around an upper portion of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include at least one (1) groove that vertically extends an approximate length of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a plurality of notches that include a first notch disposed at a lower portion of said defined mid-section and a second notch disposed at an upper portion of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         7 . A post mounting assembly for a molten metal pump, said post mounting assembly comprising:
 a pump base,   a post socket assembly that includes a plate member and a housing, said plate member configured for attaching to a pump's motor mounting plate, and   at least two (2) vertical support posts, each of said posts having a longitudinal length that extends from said pump base to said post socket assembly,   wherein said pump base includes at least two (2) mounting bores that define a void, and wherein said void having a length, and said bores including at least one (1) tab member that defines a flat surface and a lower edge, and wherein said tab member having a vertical length, and wherein said length is greater than said vertical length, and wherein each mounting bore defines a first distance that equals the diameter of the mounting bore at a point that includes the at least one (1) tab member, and a second distance that equals the diameter of the mounting bore below the lower edge that does not include the at least one (1) tab member, and   wherein a lower end of each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include at least one (1) flat surface configured to mate with said flat surface of said tab member, said lower end further includes a stop and a ledge, and   wherein an upper end of each of said two (2) vertical support posts is sized for receipt within an interior of said housing, and wherein said plate member and housing are defined by a first half and a second half that have an open or separated position and a closed or joined position.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a defined mid-section, and includes a protection sleeve that substantially covers said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts further include a first groove that horizontally extends around said post and is disposed within said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a second groove that horizontally extends around a lower portion of said defined mid-section, and wherein said first groove horizontally extends around an upper portion of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include at least one (1) groove that vertically extends an approximate length of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of said at least two (2) vertical support posts include a plurality of notches that include a first notch disposed at a lower portion of said defined mid-section and a second notch disposed at an upper portion of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         13 . A method for assembling a post mounted assembly for a molten metal pump comprising the steps:
 aligning at least one (1) flat surface of a support post's lower end with a flat surface of a mounting bore disposed in a pump base,   inserting said lower end in said mounting bore until a stop on said lower end is in abutting contact with a top surface of said pump base,   rotating said lower end within said mounting bore until said support post is in locking engagement with said pump base,   attaching a first half of a post socket to a pump's motor mounting plate,   positioning an upper end of said support post within a defined interior portion of said first half,   aligning a first aperture in said first half with an aperture in said upper end of said support post,   inserting a pin member through said first aperture and partially through said aperture of said upper end,   positioning a second half of said post socket with said upper end of said post and with said first half aligning a second aperture in said second half with said aperture in said upper end,   urging said pin member through said aperture in said upper end and through said second aperture,   securing said pin member with a retainer, and   attaching said second half to the pump's motor mounting plate.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , including the step of pouring a fill composition into a mold between a side of the mold and a defined mid-section of said support post. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said support post includes a first groove that horizontally extends around said support post and is disposed within said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said support post includes a second groove that horizontally extends around a lower portion of said defined mid-section, and wherein said first groove extends around an upper portion of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said support post includes at least one (1) groove that vertically extends an approximate length of said defined mid-section. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said support post includes a plurality of notches that includes a first notch disposed at a lower portion of said defined mid-section and second notch disposed at an upper portion of said defined mid-section.