Press and safety latch therefor

摘要

A press mechanism that is powered by hydraulic, electrical and/or pneumatic means is provided with an improved ratchet and pawl machine which acts as a fail-safe device should any of the power means fail to lock the press parts in place. The fail-safe device includes a ratchet in the form of a circular or arcuate segment mounted with its circular center substantially coaxial with one of the turning parts of the mechanism or press, a pawl having a single tooth and a circular arcuate peripheral part that acts as a journal bearing and which in turn is supported by a pawl bearing which in turn is secured to a stationary part of the mechanism and has an arcuate journal which receives and supports the pawl therein. Tremendous load carrying capacity is thus achieved because of the large bearing area provided by the pawl bearing and the positioning of the respective ratchet and pawl teeth to employ a surface rather than point contact. An advantage of this structure is that the ratchet does not have to be backed off in order to move or continue moving one part of the mechanism.