Patent Application
20210402455
The present invention relates to metal forming dies and the like and, in particular, to a guide pin connection in a through hole using retaining ring(s).
Metal forming dies, such as stamping dies and the like are well known in the art. Progressive metal forming dies are unique, very sophisticated mechanisms which have multiple stations or progressions that are aligned longitudinally, and are designed to perform a specified operation at each station in a predetermined sequence to create a finished metal part. Progressive stamping dies are capable of forming complex metal parts at very high speeds, so as to minimize manufacturing costs.
Heretofore, the dies used in metal forming presses have typically been individually designed, one of a kind assemblies for a particular part, with each of the various components being handcrafted and custom mounted or fitted in an associated die set, which is in turn positioned in a stamping press. Not only are the punches and other forming tools in the die set individually designed and constructed, but the other parts of the die set, such as stock lifters, guides, end caps and keepers, cam returns, etc., are also custom designed and individually installed in the die set. Current die making processes require careful machining, precision holes and recesses in the die set for mounting the individual components, such that the same are quite labor intensive, and require substantial lead time to make, test and set up in a stamping press. Consequently, such metal forming dies are very expensive to design, manufacture and repair or modify.
Recently, some components for metal forming dies have been pre-constructed using a modular design that is installed in a die set as a complete unit, instead of custom making each of the component parts and assembling them in the die set. One such modular die component is Applicant's “Guided Keeper,” which is the subject of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,950,262, 8,074,486, and others, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and has met with substantial commercial success in reducing the overall cost of manufacturing metal forming dies. While such modular components are very advantageous, further improvements to reduce the manufacturing costs of metal forming dies generally, as well as such modular components, and improve quality and strength would clearly be advantageous. Hence, a guide pin assembly construction and associated method which simplifies the manufacturing process; simplifies the connection to die members, including rails, lifter bars, die plates, etc.; reduces the lead time and inventories; and minimizes manufacturing costs, as well as improved performance, would clearly be advantageous.
One aspect of the present invention is a guide pin assembly for attachment to a first die member in a metal forming die. The guide pin assembly includes a guide pin body having a generally cylindrical shape. The guide pin body has a first end portion configured for operable attachment with the first die member and a second end portion disposed generally opposite the first end portion. The guide pin body has a first groove that extends circumferentially about an exterior surface of the first end portion and a second groove also extends circumferentially about an exterior surface of the first end portion. The guide pin body includes a threaded central opening in a top surface of the first end portion. The guide pin assembly includes a first retainer ring closely received and retained in the first groove such that the first retainer ring contacts a first surface of the first die member. The guide pin assembly also includes a second retainer ring closely received and retained in the second groove that contacts the second surface of the first die member.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a guide pin assembly with a generally cylindrical guide pin body. The guide pin body includes a first end portion, a second end portion disposed generally opposite the first end portion, a first groove that extends circumferentially about an exterior surface of the first end portion, and a second groove that extends circumferentially about an exterior surface of the first end portion. The guide pin body includes a threaded opening in the top surface of the first end portion. The guide pin assembly includes a first retainer ring closely received and retained in the first groove for contacting a first surface of a first die member, and a second retainer ring closely received and retained in the second groove for contacting a second surface of the first die member.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of making a guide pin assembly for connecting to at least one die member. The method includes forming a guide pin body having a generally cylindrical shape. The guide pin body includes a first end portion configured for operable attachment to a first die member and a second end portion disposed generally opposite the first end portion. The guide pin body includes a first groove extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of the first end portion and a second groove spaced apart from the first groove extending circumferentially about the exterior surface of the first end portion. The guide pin body includes a threaded opening in the top surface of the first end portion. The method includes providing a second retainer ring to be closely received and retained in the second groove. The method includes coupling a threaded member to the threaded opening and moving the guide pin body into a first opening in the first die member until the second retainer ring contacts a second surface of the first die member. The method includes providing a first retainer ring to be closely received and retained in the first groove such that the first retainer ring contacts a first surface of the first die member. The method includes removing the threaded member from the threaded opening in the guide pin body.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the attached drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference numeral 2 (
The guide pin assembly 2 includes a guide pin body 10, as illustrated in
The guide pin body 10 includes an opening 20 in the top surface 26 of the guide pin body 10. The opening 20 includes a threaded surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 20 is located in the center of the top surface 26. However, the opening 20 could be offset. The opening 20 can couple with a fastener 90 as shown in
The guide pin assembly 2 includes a first retainer ring 30 that is received in the first groove 16 and a second retainer ring 32 that is received in the second groove 18 of the guide pin body 10. The first retainer ring 30 will contact a first surface 45 of the first die member 4, while the second retainer ring 32 will contact a second surface 46 of the first die member 4, as illustrated in
The guide pin body 10 can be of any length or width and is typically formed from a single piece of metal stock material, such as steel. Exemplary sizes of the guide pin body 10 are shown in
The first die member 4 has a first surface 45 and a second surface 46 that are approximately the same distance as the spacing between the first groove 16 and the second groove 18 in the guide pin body 10. A pocket 42 can be formed in the upper surface 44 of first die member 4. The pocket 42 can include an internal shoulder which acts as the first surface 45 of the first die member 4. An opening 40, which is shaped to receive the outer diameter of the guide pin body 10, extends between the first surface 45 and the second surface 46 of the first die member 4.
The method of assembling the guide pin body 10 to the first die member 4 is illustrated in
The clamping force C (
As described above, the guide pin assembly 2 can utilize a base 50 that can be used to couple the second end portion 14 of the guide pin body 10 to a second die component. The base 50 has an opening 52 that is shaped to receive the second end portion 14 of the guide pin body 10. The base 50 can permit the reciprocation of the guide pin body 10 within the opening 52 of the base 50. This reciprocation would allow the first die member 4 and second die member to converge and diverge with respect to each other. The fasteners 56 that are received in fastener openings 54 in base 50 can be received in corresponding fastener openings in the second die member. A bushing can be used within the opening 52 in base 50 to help guide the reciprocation of the guide pin body 10 with respect to the opening 52 in base 50. The guide pin body 10 and/or base 50 can be shaped or include an attachment(s) to positively limit the travel of the guide pin body 10 within opening 52 of base 50.
While the guide pin body 10 is shown as having an exterior surface with a generally uniform diameter, the exterior surface could include tiered diameters, tapered surfaces, and/or non-cylindrical portions.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operably coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operably connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Applicant hereby claims the priority benefits under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119, basing said claim of priority on related U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/045,456 filed Jun. 29, 2020, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63045456 | Jun 2020 | US |
