Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10343205-B2
Application number	US-201816015244-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2018
Priority date	Jun 14, 2010
Publication date	Jul 9, 2019
Grant date	Jul 9, 2019

Abstract

A guided keeper assembly includes a base, at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, and a central guide aperture. A guide pin 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 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.

First claim

The invention as claimed is:

1. A method for making a metal forming die of the type having a die shoe, a die pad mounted a spaced apart distance from the die shoe for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, and a biasing member disposed between the die shoe and the die pad for biasing the same to the diverged position, comprising:
forming a base with a mounting face shaped to abut an adjacent face of the die shoe, at least one fastener aperture extending axially through a marginal portion of the base for detachably mounting the base to the die shoe, and a guide pin aperture extending axially through a portion of the base;
forming a guide pin with a first end portion having an enlarged head shaped to abut the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a body portion selected for close reception in the guide pin aperture of the base and a second end portion disposed opposite the first end portion with a generally flat, terminal shoulder;
forming a single fastener aperture perpendicularly through the terminal shoulder of the guide pin and into the second end portion thereof at a location spaced offset from the center of the body portion of the guide pin;
forming a hole in the die pad at a preselected location shaped for close reception of the terminal shoulder of the guide pin therein;
forming a single fastener aperture in the die pad at a preselected location which opens into the hole;
forming at least one fastener aperture in the die shoe at a preselected location;
inserting the body portion of the guide pin into the guide pin aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe;
inserting a first fastener through the fastener aperture in the base and engaging the same in the fastener aperture of the die shoe to securely, yet detachably, mount the base to the die shoe;
inserting the terminal shoulder on the second end portion of the guide pin into the hole in the die pad to precisely locate the second end portion of the guide pin in the die pad; and
inserting a second fastener through the fastener aperture in the die pad and engaging the same in the fastener aperture in the second end portion of the guide pin to securely, yet detachably connect the second end portion of the guide pin with the die pad.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
said guide pin forming step includes forming the second end portion of the guide pin with a completely flat, terminal end face that is disposed perpendicular with the central axis of the guide pin to define the shoulder.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
said hole forming step includes forming a blind hole with a completely flat bottom surface which is adapted to abut flush with the terminal shoulder of the guide pin; and
said terminal shoulder inserting step includes inserting the second end portion of the guide pin into the blind hole until the terminal shoulder of the guide pin abuts flush with the bottom of the blind hole.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 , wherein:
said blind hole forming step includes reaming the blind hole in the die pad to a precise shape and size.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 , wherein:
said guide pin forming step further includes forming the body portion to have a cylindrical shape with a uniform diameter.

6. In a metal forming die having a die shoe, a die pad mounted a spaced apart distance from said die shoe for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, and a biasing member disposed between said die shoe and said die pad for biasing the same to said diverged position, the improvement of a guided keeper, comprising:
a base with a mounting face shaped to abut an adjacent face of said die shoe, at least one fastener aperture extending axially through a marginal portion of said base for detachably mounting said base to said die shoe, and a guide pin aperture extending axially through a portion of said base;
a guide pin having a first end portion with an enlarged head shaped to abut said base to positively limit travel between said die shoe and said die pad, and a body portion selected for close reception in said guide pin aperture of said base and a second end portion disposed opposite said first end portion with a generally flat, terminal shoulder having a single fastener aperture extending perpendicularly through said terminal shoulder of said guide pin and into said second end portion thereof at a location spaced offset from the center of said body portion of said guide pin;
a hole disposed in said die pad at a preselected location and closely receiving therein the terminal shoulder of said guide pin for precisely locating the second end portion of the guide pin in the die pad;
at least one fastener aperture disposed in said die pad at a preselected location which opens into said hole;
at least one fastener aperture disposed in said die shoe at a preselected location;
a first fastener extending through said fastener aperture in said base and engaging the same in said fastener aperture of said die shoe to securely, yet detachably, mount said base to said die shoe; and
a second fastener extending through said fastener aperture in said die pad and engaging the same in said fastener aperture in said second end portion of said guide pin to securely, yet detachably connect said second end portion of said guide pin with said die pad.

7. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 6 , wherein:
said central portion of said base includes a bearing surface.

8. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said bearing surface is formed on the central portion of the base.

9. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said bearing surface is inserted into the central portion of the base.

10. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said bearing surface is plated onto said central portion of the base.

11. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said bearing surface extends the entire length of the central aperture.

12. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 7 , wherein:
said guide pin body has a cylindrical shape.

13. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 12 , wherein;
said guide pin includes first and second, circumferentially spaced apart fastener apertures extending perpendicularly through said terminal shoulder of said guide pin and into said second end thereof at locations spaced radially offset from said central axis of said body portion of said guide pin, and oriented parallel therewith; and
said die pad includes first and second fastener apertures in said die pad at preselected locations which align during assembly with said first and second fastener apertures in said second end portion of said guide pin.

14. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 6 , wherein:
said second end portion of said guide pin has a completely flat, terminal end face that is disposed perpendicular with said central axis of said guide pin to define said terminal shoulder.

15. A metal forming die as set forth in claim 14 , wherein:
said hole is a blind hole with a completely flat bottom surface which abuts flush with said terminal shoulder of the guide pin in a fully assembled condition.

16. A guided keeper for a metal forming die of the type having a die shoe, a die pad mounted a spaced apart distance from the die shoe for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, and a biasing member disposed between the die shoe and the die pad for biasing the same to the diverged position, comprising:
a base having a mounting fa

Assignees

• Standard Lifters Inc

Inventors

• Breen Scott M
• Pyper Joel T

Classifications

• Y10T29/49963

  Threaded fastener · CPC title

• B21D37/20

  Making tools by operations not covered by a single other subclass · CPC title

• B21D37/12 Primary

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

• B21D37/14

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

• B21D37/10

  Die sets; Pillar guides · CPC title