Cutting – Means to drive or to guide tool – With simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-17
2001-03-06
Rachuba, M. (Department: 3724)
Cutting
Means to drive or to guide tool
With simple rectilinear reciprocating motion only
C083S684000, C083S698910
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196103
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a punch guide assembly and, more particularly, a punch guide having an opening therein for insertion of a retaining clip for holding a stripper plate in place in the punch guide, the retaining clip being easily removable from the opening in the punch guide to release the stripper plate and allow removal thereof from the punch guide.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A punch unit for use in a punch press generally includes a punch driver connected with a punch. The punch driver includes a punch head at its back end. A preloaded compression means, such as a compression spring, is provided between the punch head and the punch guide. A punch guide receives and guides the punch. A stripper plate is positioned in the bottom of the punch guide. The stripper plate is a hardened plate having an opening with the same shape as that of the punch tip.
During a stroke of the punch, a ram presses down on the punch head forcing the punch tip to enter a workpiece. The preloaded compression means then forces the punch and punch driver out of the workpiece and back to their normal position. As the punch tip exits the workpiece, the stripper plate prevents the edges of the cut hole from following the punch tip.
The punch and stripper plate are often replaced due to wear or because a different shaped punch tip is required. Because the opening in the stripper must closely match the shape of the punch tip, when the punch is changed, it is also typically necessary to change the stripper plate.
Accordingly, the need exists to provide a punch guide assembly, i.e., a combined punch guide and stripper plate, wherein the stripper plate is quickly and easily removed from or inserted into the punch guide without the need for complete disassembly of the punch tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is a purpose of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and provide a punch guide assembly which permits a simpler and more rapid installation and removal of the stripper plate.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a punch guide assembly for use in a punch tool includes a punch guide having an open end and at least one opening in a sidewall. A stripper plate is insertable into the open end. A retaining clip is insertable into the opening in the sidewall from the exterior of the punch guide. The retaining clip engages the stripper plate when inserted into the punch guide to retain the stripper plate therein. The retaining clip is readily accessible from the exterior of the punch guide to allow removal of the retaining clip, thereby releasing the stripper plate from the punch guide. In a preferred embodiment, the retaining clip includes two side arms connected at ends thereof by a bar to form a C-shape. These two side arms frictionally engage a groove in opposite sidewalls of the stripper plate when the retaining clip is inserted into the opening in the wall of the punch guide.
The punch guide may include a groove in the interior sidewall which corresponds to the groove in the stripper plate. This groove is engaged by protrusions extending outward from the retaining clip to hold the stripper plate more securely in place in the punch guide.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a punch guide assembly in which the stripper plate may be removed and replaced without disassembly of the remaining portion of the punch tool.
It is another object of the invention to provide a punch guide assembly in which the stripper plate is easily removed from or inserted into the punch guide without the use of additional tools.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the detail description to follow.
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Berry David A.
Schneider Joseph Charles
Larson & Taylor PLC
Mate Precision Tooling Inc.
Rachuba M.
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