Metal deforming – With means to drive tool – Including cam-actuated support
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-15
2004-11-02
Jones, David B. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
With means to drive tool
Including cam-actuated support
C072S452100, C072S429000, C074S110000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06810711
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to punching, crimping and clinching equipment, and more particularly, to a portable punching, crimping and clinching press which is lever actuated and capable of accepting dies and punches capable of clinching or toggle locking sheet metal and which is preferably pneumatically activated. The present invention represents a unique lightweight press system which performs punching, crimping and clinching of sheet metal or other materials when used with the proper punches and dies.
Clinching is the process of bonding sheet metal materials together with the use of special punches and dies which are manufactured by various manufacturers. The term toggle locking is generically used in the industry and more particularly refers to the use of industry standard Tog-L-Loc® punches and dies of the BTM Corporation of Marysville, Mich. During the clinching process, the punches and dies form an indented portion into overlapping sheet metal material which bulges at the base of the indent in order to bond the materials. No claim is made to the actual clinching or toggle locking punches and dies in this application. A typical system of punches and dies which may be used with the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,735 assigned to BTM Corporation. The system of the present art is directed to a press system which holds and actuates said clinching punches and dies and may also serve hole punching, crimping, and stenciling functions when used with alternate punch and die sets.
The art of the present invention allows for the use of any combination of punches and dies which provide for various functions such as hole punching, crimping, stenciling, etc. A unique aspect of this device is the lightweight and portable press system which is capable of using compressed air for operation. The invention utilizes an air stroke actuator which is capable of providing large forces in a small volume and is also capable of flexing in its plain of movement. This flexible plain of movement allows a cam or cam follower on the actuator to follow a cam on a first or second lever arm.
With conventional clinching and punching press systems, ram movement is typically actuated by a hydraulic piston which is either pneumatically pressurized or pressured via a hydraulic pump. This form of actuation typically creates a press which has a bulk and weight which prohibits the press from handheld and portable operation. It further adds to the cost of the press. The few clinching and punching press systems which are strictly pneumatic are of such size and weight that hand held portable operation is not possible. The preferred embodiment of the present art utilizes the substantial force provided by an air stroke actuator to actuate a lever arm which performs clinching, crimping, punching, or other operations.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lever actuated clinching, crimping, and punching press which provides sufficient force for clinching, crimping, punching, and other operations and which is also portable and capable of handheld use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved lever actuated clinching, crimping, and punching press which is capable of pneumatic operation with conventional compressed air and without hydraulic cylinders or hydraulic pumping equipment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved lever actuated clinching, crimping, and punching press which is capable of using various punches and dies to perform various operations on sheet metal or other materials.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved lever actuated clinching, crimping, and punching press which is manufactured from a minimum number of components and which is cost effective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this invention there is provided an improved lever actuated clinching, crimping and punching press for use in clinching, crimping, punching, piercing, and stenciling operations and also for holding materials. The system comprises a frame into which is mounted an air stroke actuator, typically a pneumatically operated air spring, having a cam or cam follower attached to a single end, a first lever arm having a first cam roller, a second lever arm having a second cam roller, in addition to the special punches and dies. Alternative embodiments may incorporate the second lever arm as the frame.
In the preferred embodiment, said frame comprises a preferably metallic frame with an opening for mounting said air stroke actuator near a first end and associated cam or cam follower components with said actuator. Preferably a pivot shaft is pivotably mounted through said frame and first and second lever arms. Onto the second ends of the lever arms is mounted the punches or dies. Also, each punch is preferably adjustably mounted within a hole in the second end of each lever arm. This allows for adjustment of the punch extension. In the preferred embodiments, opposite said punch is mounted a die onto the opposing lever arm second end. Each of the cam rollers have a housing which holds each cam roller at the first end. Each of said housings may be integral with one or more of the lever arms. Alternative embodiments may forego use of the cam or cam follower and place air stroke actuator directly between the lever arms.
For clinching operations, the punch typically comprises a ram bushing and stripper which are mounted with and onto an end of said punch. The stripper is typically comprised of a flexible yet durable hollow tube which is able to compress during punch use. The ram bushing has a through-hole through which the punch may protrude and is mounted within said stripper. This arrangement allows the sheet metal to be held between the ram and die by said bushing before the punch performs the clinching operation. The punch, stripper, ram bushing, and die components are uniquely adapted to the clinching, punching, crimping or stenciling operation function and are proprietary to the manufacturer of said components. No claim is made to said components apart from their operation and use with the press of the present invention.
In operation, the user installs the desired punch and die combination and places the piece or pieces of sheet metal or other material between said punch and die. Upon application of compressed air to the air stroke actuator, the cam or cam follower of said air stroke actuator is driven forward between the first and second cam rollers which are mounted with the first ends of the first and second lever arms respectively. The force placed upon and between said cam rollers by the cam or cam follower of the actuator causes the second ends of the lever arms to be forced together. The aforesaid movement of the lever arms causes the aforementioned punch and die to contact and compress the piece or pieces of sheet metal between said punch and die. The extension of the punch into the die is limited by the size of the cam or cam follower attached with said actuator, moment arm length between the lever arm first end and second end relative to the pivot shaft, and the punch adjustment within the mounting hole. The lever arms preferably return to an open rest position when the air pressure to the air stroke actuator is released via the action of the return spring. Preferably the pneumatic pressure is controlled via a pneumatic valve which pressurizes the air stroke actuator when pressed and then vents the actuator when released.
This press and its associated components may be manufactured of many types of materials including but not limited to plastic, composites, and various metals and their alloys as required by the application. In a preferred embodiment, the frame and housings are manufactured from an aluminum alloy, and the ram, rollers, and bolts from steel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2600860 (1952-06-01), Dupre
patent: 2865212 (1958-12-01), Fisher
patent: 3772907 (1973-11-01), Rider
patent: 3972218 (1976-08-0
Jones David B.
Klug Kevin L.
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