Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10265757-B2
Application number	US-201514953591-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2015
Priority date	Sep 1, 2006
Publication date	Apr 23, 2019
Grant date	Apr 23, 2019

Abstract

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. In a metal forming die having first and second die members mounted a spaced apart distance for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, the improvement of a guided keeper assembly, comprising:
a base having:
a mounting face abutting an adjacent face of said first die member;
at least one first fastener aperture extending axially through a marginal portion of said base for detachably mounting said base to said first die member; and
a central aperture extending axially through a central portion of said base;

a guide pin having:
a cylindrically-shaped central portion closely received in said base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between said first and second die members;
wherein said central portion of said guide pin comprises a body having a circular lateral cross-sectional shape;
a first end having an enlarged head shaped to abut said base to positively limit travel between said first and second die members; and
a second end, positioned opposite said first end, and having a shoulder with a center post protruding outwardly therefrom to precisely locate said second end of said guide pin on said second die member, and an annularly shaped portion that includes a second fastener aperture located a radially spaced apart distance from said center post, and oriented parallel with said center post;
wherein said center post is removably supported on said shoulder of said guide pin;

a first fastener extending through said first fastener aperture in said base and securely, yet detachably, connecting said base with said first die member;
a second fastener extending into and anchored in said second fastener aperture in said guide pin and securely, yet detachably, connecting said second end of said guide pin with said second die member;
a resilient washer disposed on said guide pin between said enlarged head and said base to absorb and dampen impact therebetween; and
wherein said first die member includes an opening disposed in an aligned relationship with said base and sized larger than the size of said enlarged head of said guide pin to permit reciprocation of said enlarged head therein.

2. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said base includes an integrally formed bearing surface.

3. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
said base is constructed from an antifriction material.

4. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 3 , wherein:
said base is constructed from a material comprising bronze.

5. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said central aperture of said base is coated with an antifriction material.

6. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said second die member includes a first face oriented toward said second end of said guide pin, and a second face oriented opposite said first face; and including
a metal forming tool mounted on said second face of said second die member.

7. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 6 , wherein:
said first die member comprises an upper die shoe disposed vertically above and aligned with said second die member.

8. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said shoulder on said guide pin includes a plurality of said second fastener apertures arranged in a circumferentially spaced apart relationship.

9. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said base is a single piece.

10. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 9 , wherein:
said base is constructed from a single piece of material.

11. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 1 , including:
a bushing that is received in the central aperture of the base.

12. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 11 , wherein:
said bushing is received in a portion of said central aperture.

13. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 11 , wherein:
the inside diameter of said bushing is larger than the outside diameter of said central portion of said guide pin.

14. A guided keeper assembly for a metal forming die having first and second die members mounted a spaced apart distance for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, comprising:
a base having:
a mounting surface shaped to abut an adjacent face of the first die member; and
a central aperture extending axially through a central portion of said base;

a guide pin having:
a cylindrically-shaped central portion closely received in said base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the first and second die members;
a first end having an enlarged head shaped to abut said base to positively limit travel between the first and second die members; and
a second end, positioned opposite said first end, and having a shoulder with a center post protruding outwardly therefrom to precisely locate said second end of said guide pin on the second die member, and an annularly shaped portion that includes a fastener aperture located a radially spaced apart distance from said center post;

a first threaded fastener securely, yet detachably, connecting said base with the first die member;
a second threaded fastener extending into and anchored in said fastener aperture in said guide pin and securely, yet detachably, connecting said second end of said guide pin with the second die member; and
wherein the shanks of said first and second threaded fasteners are only partially threaded.

15. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , including:
a bushing that is mounted in the central aperture of the base.

16. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
said base is a single piece.

17. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
said base is constructed from a single piece of material.

18. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
said central aperture of said base is coated with an antifriction material.

19. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
said central aperture is plated with an antifriction material.

20. A guided keeper assembly as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
multiple first and second threaded fasteners are used in said guided keeper assembly.

Assignees

• Standard Lifters Inc

Inventors

• Pyper Joel T
• Breen Scott M
• Chaisson Gordon L
• Yoder Jeremie J
• Mcintyre Theodore A

Classifications

• B21D37/04

  Movable or exchangeable mountings for tools · CPC title

• B21D37/08 Primary

  Dies with different parts for several steps in a process · CPC title

• B21D37/12 Primary

  Particular guiding equipment, {e.g. pliers}; Special arrangements for interconnection or cooperation of dies · CPC title

• B21D37/10

  Die sets; Pillar guides · CPC title

• B21D37/14

  Particular arrangements for handling and holding in place complete dies · CPC title