Mechanism for maintaining alignment between two relatively movable members

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a mechanism for maintaining alignment between two relatively movable members, specifically platens or supports for retreading molds, although not limited thereto, and includes a pair of generally parallel screws .Iadd.having a common feed mechanism, the screws being fixed to the members against axial movement relative to each other .Iaddend.with .[.means for axially shifting.]. one of the screws .Iadd.being shiftable .Iaddend.relative to the .[.other.]. .Iadd.feed mechanism .Iaddend.to maintain alignment between the two platens or supports.

I claim: .[.1. A mechanism for maintaining alignment between two relatively movable members comprising a pair of relatively movable members, a pair of screw means for moving said members relative to each other, and means for axially shifting said pair of screw means relative to each other whereby 
     
        misalignment between said members can be readily compensated..]. 2. The mechanism as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein said pair 
     
     
        of screw means are in generally parallel relationship to each other. 3. The mechanism as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein said relatively movable members carry cooperative means for defining a mold which is closed when said relatively movable members are adjacent each other. .[.4. The mechanism as defined in claim 1 including means rotatably carried by said pair of screw means for moving said movable members relative to each other..]. .[.5. The mechanism as defined in claim 1 including means rotatably carried by said pair of screw means and movable in unison therealong for moving said movable members relative to 
     
     
        each other..]. 6. The mechanism as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein said axially shifting means is a nut carried by 
     
     
        .Iadd.said .Iaddend.one of said pair of screw means. 7. The mechanism as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.wherein said axially shifting means is a nut fixedly carried by .Iadd.said .Iaddend.one of said pair of 
     
     
        screw means. 8. The mechanism as defined in claim .[.1.]. .Iadd.17 .Iaddend.including a stationary support, and said axially shifting means .[.axially.].  .Iadd.rotationally .Iaddend.shifts .[.at least.]. .Iadd.said .Iaddend.one of said pair of screw means relative to said 
     
     
        stationary support. 9. The mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said pair of screw means are in generally parallel relationship to each other. 
     
     
         0. The mechanism as defined in claim 9 wherein said axially shifting 
     
     
        means is a nut carried by one of said pair of screw means. 11. The mechanism as defined in claim 10 including means for securing said nut to 
     
     
        said stationary support. 12. The mechanism as defined in claim 10 including means for adjustably securing said nut to said stationary 
     
     
        support. 13. The mechanism as defined in claim 11 wherein said securing means is a plate member secured to said nut, and means for angularly 
     
     
        adjustably securing said plate to said stationary support. 14. The mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said securing means is a plate member secured to said nut, and means for angularly adjustably securing 
     
     
        said plate to said stationary support. 15. The mechanism as defined in claim 13 wherein said securing means is an aperture in said plate defined 
     
     
        by an edge embracing said nut. 16. The mechanism as defined in claim 14 wherein said securing means is an aperture in said plate defined by an edge embracing said nut. .Iadd. 17. A mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable members, a pair of screw means extending between and connected to said members for moving said members relative to each other, means fixing said screw means against axial movement relative to one of said members, feed means carried by said screw means for actuation in unison to effect movement of the other of said members between parallel positions, and means for axially shifting one only of said screw means relative to its respective feed means for varying the angular relationship between said members, while said one screw means remains fixed against axial movement. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The mechanism as defined in claim 17 wherein said means fixing said screw means against axial movement relative to said one member includes means mounting said one screw means for rotation relative to said one member. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. The mechanism of claim 18 together with means connected to said one screw means for changing and fixing said one screw means rotationally about its axis. .Iaddend.