Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090193865 | Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies - A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, a connector portion and a central aperture. A guide pin has a cylindrical center portion closely received in the central aperture of the base for reciprocation, an enlarged first end with an alignment member, and an outwardly opening circumferential groove. A retainer ring is removably mounted in and protrudes radially outwardly of the groove to securely, yet detachably, retain the base on the guide pin between the enlarged head and the retainer ring in an assembled condition to facilitate transport and mounting of the guided keeper assembly. | 08-06-2009 |
20090193951 | Modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies and the like - A modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies includes a base shaped for detachable connection with an associated die plate, having a threaded central aperture, and an adjacent lock dowel aperture which extends through the threaded central aperture to form a window. A cylindrically-shaped spring retainer is configured to receive a spring therein, and has a threaded exterior portion which engages the threaded central aperture of the base, such that mutual rotation of the same adjusts the longitudinal position of the spring. A locking dowel is closely received in the lock dowel aperture in the base, and has an unthreaded exterior surface which protrudes through the window and abuttingly engages an adjacent portion of the threaded exterior surface of the spring retainer to securely, yet detachably, retain the spring member in a selected longitudinal position. | 08-06-2009 |
20100199743 | GUIDED KEEPER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad. | 08-12-2010 |
20110296893 | TWO-PIECE GUIDE PIN AND METHOD - A two-piece guide pin for metal forming dies includes a guide pin body formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface with an outside diameter selected for close reception and reciprocal motion in an associated die bore. An alignment member is formed on a first end of the guide pin body. A guide pin head is formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having an outside diameter that is substantially greater than that of the guide pin body, and is rigidly connected with the second end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define an enlarged head that positively limits travel between an associated die shoe and die pad. | 12-08-2011 |
20110302988 | GUIDED KEEPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, and a central guide aperture. A guide pin with a cylindrically shaped body portion is closely received in the central aperture of the base. A first end of the guide pin has an enlarged head to positively limit travel between the die shoe and die pad, and an opposite second end with a generally flat terminal shoulder configured for close reception in a blind hole in the die pad. The shoulder has a fastener aperture extending perpendicularly therethrough at a location spaced radially offset from the central axis of the guide pin. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the die pad and engages in the fastener aperture in the second end of the guide pin to securely, yet detachably, connect the second end portion of the guide pin with the die pad and positively prevent the guide pin from rotating axially relative to the die pad. | 12-15-2011 |
20120055224 | GUIDED KEEPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper and method for metal forming dies includes a base with a head portion and an opposite externally threaded mounting portion received in a mating die aperture. A scalloped shoulder portion with arc-shaped notches is located axially between the head and the mounting portions of the base, and a retainer ring groove is located axially between the head and the scalloped shoulder portion of the base. A cap screw is retained in the die, and has a cylindrical head received in one of the arc-shaped notches in the base to retain the base in place. A retainer ring is mounted in the ring groove in the base and retains the cap screw in place. | 03-08-2012 |
20120055226 | GUIDED KEEPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A locking collar assembly for metal forming dies includes a disc-shaped locking collar with a cylindrical outer surface closely received in a collar bore in one face of a first die member. A circular recess in the outer face of the locking collar has an internal retainer ring groove. A counter bore shaped fastener hole extends through the collar and a part of the recess, and has shank, head and shoulder portions. A socket head cap screw is inserted in the fastener hole with a threaded end anchored in a threaded end aperture in one of the guide pins, with the head seated on the shoulder of the fastener hole. A retainer ring is mounted in the collar ring groove and overlies the cap screw head to positively prevent the cap screw from unintentionally unfastening from the guide pin. | 03-08-2012 |
20120151984 | GAS SPRING MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A gas spring mount and related method for metal forming dies includes a one-piece, generally U-shaped clamping band with an arcuate medial portion shaped to receive an associated gas spring body therein, and two enlarged ends with through apertures. Threaded mounting screws extend through the through apertures in the clamping band ends, and are anchored into threaded retainer holes in an associated die member. At least one of the mounting screws has a tapered head and is disposed laterally offset from the associated threaded retainer hole in the die, whereby tightening of the one screw shifts the related enlarged end of the mounting band laterally toward the opposite enlarged end to pull the clamping band constrictingly against the gas spring body to securely, yet detachably retain the same therein. | 06-21-2012 |
20120151985 | GAS SPRING MOUNTING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A gas spring mount and related method for metal forming dies includes a one-piece, split clamping ring having a generally ovate plan shape with two spaced apart axes of symmetry. A generally circular clamping portion extends around the first axis, and is shaped to receive a gas spring body therein. A hook-shaped end extends around the second axis, and is shaped to receive a tapered head mounting member therein. A resilient free end is located operably between the clamping portion and the hook-shaped end portion, whereby tightening of the mounting member shifts the hook-shaped end outwardly and the free end inwardly to constrictingly pull the clamping ring securely against the gas spring body, and contemporaneously attach the assembly to an associated die member. | 06-21-2012 |
20120210766 | GUIDED KEEPER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper assembly and related method includes a cylindrical base that mounts to a die member using a multi-piece, interlocking flange. The flanges have outer fastener holes and inner arcuate walls that matingly engage a complimentary profile on the outer surface of the base to axially interconnect the same. The flanges also have male and female end connectors which snap lock together around the base in an assembled condition. Mounting screws pass through the fastener holes in the flanges and are anchored in the die member to securely retain the guided keeper assembly in place. A retainer ring is mounted in an associated groove in the base over the heads of the screws to prevent unintentional unfastening of the screws from the die member. | 08-23-2012 |
20120304728 | GUIDED KEEPER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad. | 12-06-2012 |
20130091920 | MODULAR PILOT ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-CONTAINED STRIPPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot body with a tapered outer end, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved side wall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot. A spring has its outer end mounted in the groove in the outer body end, and an inner end attached to the inner body end in a pre-tensed condition. A cap screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot in an associated die member. | 04-18-2013 |
20130167612 | MODULAR PILOT ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-CONTAINED STRIPPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot sleeve with an apertured outer end in which a separate pilot pin is received, a grooved inner end, and a central portion with at least one inwardly curved sidewall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot pin. A spring has its outer end mounted in the sleeve groove, and an inner end captured in a die pocket in a pretensed condition. A mounting screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot sleeve in the die. | 07-04-2013 |
20130180308 | RETRACTABLE STOCK GUIDE AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A retractable stock guide has a stationary guide rail on which a retractable guide cap is operably supported. The guide rail and cap have two through holes at opposite ends through which two mounting studs extend to attach the stock guide to an associated die member. The holes in the guide cap are ovate, and the heads of the mounting studs are tapered, whereby tightening of the mounting stud shifts the guide cap relative to the guide rail from an aligned, retracted load/unload condition, to an inwardly protruding, extended run condition, wherein the stock strip is slidingly captured between two like stock guides and the mounting surface of the die. Two ball bearing guides can be substituted for the stationary guide rail. | 07-18-2013 |
20140013816 | GUIDE PIN ASSEMBLY FOR METAL FORMING DIES AND METHOD - A guide pin assembly for metal forming dies includes a cylindrical guide pin body with an external retainer groove adjacent one end thereof in which a retainer ring is received. An annular guide pin ring with an outside diameter greater than the pin body, has a counterbore adjacent the outside end thereof and a retainer groove in a medial portion thereof which receives the outer portion of the retainer ring to securely interconnect the pin body and the ring and thereby form an enlarged head at one end of the pin body which positively limits reciprocal motion between two associated die members. A circular guide pin head cap covers the outer end of the head ring, and includes a support collar that is closely received in the counterbore of the ring, and engages the retainer ring to securely hold the same in place. | 01-16-2014 |
20140047894 | LOW PROFILE PILOT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot. | 02-20-2014 |
20140076107 | TWO-PIECE GUIDE PIN AND METHOD - A two-piece guide pin for metal forming dies includes a guide pin body formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface with an outside diameter selected for close reception and reciprocal motion in an associated die bore. An alignment member is formed on a first end of the guide pin body. A guide pin head is formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having an outside diameter that is substantially greater than that of the guide pin body, and is rigidly connected with the second end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define an enlarged head that positively limits travel between an associated die shoe and die pad. | 03-20-2014 |
20140144202 | SHOULDER PILOT ASSEMBLY WITH SELF-CONTAINED STRIPPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly with a self-contained stripper and method for metal forming dies has a cylindrical pilot with internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the body of the pilot to strip stock from the pilot. The pilot assembly is secured to the die by a window mount such that one or more surfaces of the pilot abut surfaces on the window mount and die to secure the pilot to the die and window mount when the window mount is secured, via a fastener, to the die. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts an end of the ejector pins to force the pins to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. The assembly can be made without the locating pilot surface to provide a stripper assembly for stripping the stock from the associated die. | 05-29-2014 |
20140157857 | PILOT ASSEMBLY WITH PRESS FIT INSERT/BODY CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly and method has a cylindrical pilot body with a pilot insert having tapered outer end. The pilot assembly has at least one inwardly curved sidewall relief, as well as internally mounted reciprocating ejector pins with outer ends that protrude through holes in the outer body end to strip stock from the pilot. A spring has its outer end mounted in the groove in the pilot body, and an inner end attached to the inner end of the pilot insert in a pre-tensed condition. A cap screw has an enlarged head that has at least a portion thereof fit into the pilot sidewall relief, and a threaded shank that anchors the pilot in an associated die member. | 06-12-2014 |
20150033818 | GUIDED KEEPER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad. | 02-05-2015 |
20150052965 | LOW PROFILE PILOT ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A pilot assembly and method for metal forming dies has a generally cylindrical pilot with a stripper that strips stock from the pilot when metal forming dies diverge. The pilot assembly is secured to one die member by a fastener by itself or in combination with a window mount. A spring within the pilot assembly contacts the stripper to force the stripper to reciprocate when the dies are pulled apart. Thus, the pilot assembly helps locate the stock within the metal forming die while also having a stripper to help strip the stock from the pilot. | 02-26-2015 |
20150068269 | GUIDED KEEPER AND METHOD FOR METAL FORMING DIES - A locking collar assembly for metal forming dies includes a disc-shaped locking collar with a cylindrical outer surface closely received in a collar bore in one face of a first die member. A circular recess in the outer face of the locking collar has an internal retainer ring groove. A counterbored shaped fastener hole extends through the collar and a part of the recess, and has shank, head and shoulder portions. A socket head cap screw is inserted in the fastener hole with a threaded end anchored in a threaded end aperture in one of the guide pins, with the head seated on the shoulder of the fastener hole. A retainer ring is mounted in the collar ring groove and overlies the cap screw head to positively prevent the cap screw from unintentionally unfastening from the guide pin. | 03-12-2015 |