(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fluid operated column presses using pneumatic rams, either single-acting or double-acting.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Air-operated column presses are known and can be advantageously used for many industrial applications. They have an advantage over mechanical presses in that the speed of operation is easily adjustable by regulating the volume of air admitted into the air cylinder and the working force of the piston rod is easily adjustable by regulating the pressure of the volume of air admitted into the air cylinder.
It is an object of this invention to improve on such known air-operated column presses by combining such presses with a novel lever arrangement to thereby multiply the force exerted by the piston rod by a desired lever ratio. In this manner, relatively small presses can exert large forces. The press provides economy of operation, occupies less space, and requires smaller air compressors.
It is another object of the invention to provide an air-operated press having a novel lever force multiplier arrangement and an air cylinder mounted relative to the column support so that no bending torque is exerted on the column by the reciprocating piston rod.