Metal deforming – By plural tool-couples – With means to feed work between plural tool stations
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-14
2001-12-11
Crane, Daniel C. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By plural tool-couples
With means to feed work between plural tool stations
C072S405010, C198S621100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327888
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to transfer assemblies and, more particularly, to transfer assemblies used in progressive die type punch presses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Workpiece transfer assemblies used in progressive die type punch presses are well known in the prior art. Such transfer assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,138,128, U.S. Pat. 3,421,637, U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,845, U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,199, U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,602, and U.S. Pat. 4,833,908.
A typical transfer apparatus includes a first motive means for reciprocating a finger bar laterally into and out of engagement with workpieces at die stations and upwardly and downwardly with respect to the die stations, and a second motive means for reciprocating the finger bar longitudinally for transferring workpieces between successive die stations. The first motive means causes the finger bar to move laterally into engagement with workpieces at their respective die station and then lift such workpieces above the die stations. In entering into engagement and then lifting the workpieces, the finger bar negotiates a sharp 90° turn. The finger bar then negotiates a further sharp 90° turn while the workpieces are indexed between successive die stations. These abrupt changes in velocity causes undesirable stresses to component parts of the transfer apparatus, eventually causing misalignment of such components and thereby compromising the efficiency of transfer operations performed thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a broad aspect, of the present invention, there is provided a transfer apparatus for transferring workpieces between die stations. The transfer apparatus including a press ram, a striker cam operatively driven by the press ram, a rotary gear adapted to be rotated in response to movement of the striker cam, a drive shaft, and a finger bar. The drive shaft extends from the rotary gear and is characterized by a distal end. The finger bar is coupled to the distal end of the drive shaft and is pivotally mounted to assume arcuate travel above the die stations in response to rotation of the rotary gear.
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Crane Daniel C.
Technologies 2000 (Kitchener) Ltd.
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