Press having tilt out feature

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6612148
  • Patent Number
    6,612,148
  • Date Filed
    Monday, December 3, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, September 2, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A mechanical press includes an easy load tilt out loading position that improves operator visibility when loading parts onto operation specific tooling, and which also increases the speed of which such parts can be loaded (and unloaded), and finally reduces the chance of operator error. The mechanical press includes a frame having a press head, a base pivotable between a load position and a working position, and a tie rod coupling the press head and the base. The press head is configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis, responsive to an operator input such as pulling or rotating a handle. The press head and the base each include features configured to allow respective attachment of a first tool and a second tool, and whose specific configuration depends on the operation being performed by the press (i.e., shaping, assembly requiring pressure, etc.) The press head, when in the first position, is operative via the tie rod to place the base in the load position. The press head, when in a second position that is away from the first position and axially toward the base, is operative via the tie rod to place the base in the working position. The press head further includes a third position away from the second position and also axially nearer the base, is configured to actuate the first and second tools with respect to a workpiece so as to effect the operation. The press head includes a cylinder having a piston disposed therein configured to reciprocate along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The spring may be disposed in the cylinder, or outside around the tie rod end.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates generally to a mechanical press used in manual production processes to assemble a plurality of parts, and, more particularly, to a press having a tilt out feature to facilitate ease of loading such parts.




2. Description of the Background Art




Manually-operated mechanical presses are known generally in the art for use in a variety of assembly processes such as, for example, to shape a part, and/or putting together multiple parts that must be assembled using force.




One known type of mechanical press is a so-called rack-and-pinion type press. A rack-and-pinion press includes a frame having a base configured to receive operation specific tooling. The frame further carries a head unit configured for up and down movement by actuation of a hand lever coupled to the rack-and-pinion arrangement. The head unit on such a conventional mechanical press generally includes a mechanism for installing operation specific tooling on the head unit, which may be complementary with the operation specific tooling installed in the base. In such a conventional arrangement, the base slides out horizontally to a load position, wherein the operator loads the tooling with the parts to be assembled. The base (including the tooling now loaded with the parts) is then slid back in to a working position and locked down.




The above-described conventional approach, however, is characterized by poor visibility of the tooling from the point of view of the operator. That is, to load parts, and to ensure that the parts are loaded correctly, the operator must look straight down onto the tooling, which is difficult. The difficulties described above result in increased operator errors, and slower load and unload times.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,018 issued to Sloat et al entitled “MECHANICAL PRESS WITH CAM DRIVE” disclose a mechanical press that has a ram carried by a frame and movable to advanced and retracted positions by a ball screw assembly.




In view of the foregoing, there is therefore a need for an improved mechanical press that minimizes or eliminates one or more of the problems set forth above.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




One object of the present invention is to provide a solution to one or more of the problems set forth above.




One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a part loading position where the tooling is tilted out to improve the visibility of the tooling to the operator, as well as easing the loading and unloading of the part(s). Another advantage of the present invention is that, due to the foregoing improvements, fewer operator errors are made, thereby improving the overall quality of the product. Still another advantage of the present invention is its flexibility, which allows for the use of any type tooling. Still another advantage is that the tilt out easy load feature requires less operator input and loads faster than any known alternative designs. Still yet another advantage is that the tilt out easy load feature allows for a very short press stroke. This, in turn, allows for the use of smaller, less costly presses and thus reduces non-value added motion.




According to the invention, a mechanical press is provided that includes a frame having a press head, a base, and a linkage member coupling the press head and the base. The press head is configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis (e.g., up and down). The base is pivotable between a load position and a working position. The press head and the base each include features configured to allow respective attachment of a first tool and a second tool. The press head, when in a first position (e.g., start position) is operative via the linkage member to place the base in the load position. According to the invention, when in the load position, the main axis of the tool is tilted relative to the first longitudinal axis along which the press head moves, thereby providing improved visibility for the operator, as well as eased loading and unloading of workpieces. The press head, when in the second position that is moved away from the first position and is axially towards (i.e., closer to the base), is operative via the linkage member to place the base in the working position. The second tool associated with the base has a main axis associated therewith.




In a preferred embodiment, the linkage member comprises a tie-rod, and the press head includes a cylinder having a piston located therein, which is also configured to reciprocate along a second longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis. A first end of the tie rod is rotatably coupled to the piston, and the opposing end of the tie rod is rotatably coupled to the base. A spring is further included and is configured to operate in first and second phases such that (i) the first end of the tie rod moves with the motion of the press head between the first position (i.e., corresponding to a load position of the base) and the second position (i.e., corresponding to the working position of the base), and (ii) allows movement of the press head independent of the first end of the tie rod between the second position of the press head (i.e., corresponding to the working position of the base) and a third position moving toward the base. The first phase causes the base to pivot with the movement of the press head. The second phase allows the presswork to occur. Other features, objects; and advantages will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description illustrating features of the invention by way of example, but not by way of limitation.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a simplified, side view of a first embodiment of the mechanical press according to the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a simplified, partial side view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing an alternative spring design.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals are used to identify identical components in the various views,

FIG. 1

is a simplified side view of a mechanical press


10


according to the present invention.

FIG. 1

shows a frame


12


, a press head


14


configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis


16


, a base


18


pivotable between a load position (designated


18




LOAD


) and a working position (designated


18




WORKING


) and a linkage member, such as a tie rod


20


, configured to couple press head


14


and base


18


. As further shown in

FIG. 1

, press head


14


includes a feature


22


configured to allow attachment of a first tool


26


, and base


18


includes a feature


24


, such as a T-slot


24


, configured to allow attachment of a second tool, designated


28


.




In the illustrated embodiment, press


10


builds upon a conventional, and commercially available rack-and-pinion press such as, for example, model no.


3-6


SCHMIDT® Rack-and-Pinion press, available from Schmidt Feintechnik Corporation, USA-Cranberry Township, Pa., USA. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the commercially available press includes frame


12


, and original-equipment head unit


30


including a rack-and-pinion arrangement


32


that is capable of being actuated by way of, for example, a hand lever (not shown) rotating an input gear in the direction designated


34


in FIG.


1


. Head unit


30


includes a feature to allow attachment of operation-specific tooling, and, according to the invention, a press head assembly


36


is attached to head unit


30


by way of a connecting member


38


, in combination with fasteners, such as conventional set screws.




Thus, movement of head unit


30


is operative to move press head assembly


36


in a reciprocating fashion relative to longitudinal axis


16


.




Likewise, the conventional press, referred to above, comes equipped with a feature, such as feature


40


(e.g., a T-slot) shown in

FIG. 1

, to allow attachment of operation-specific tooling. It should be understood, however, that although the embodiment of

FIG. 1

is shown as being an extension of and improvement upon a commercially available and conventional rack-and-pinion mechanical press, that such an arrangement is not necessary for the present invention. In particular, it is specifically contemplated that an integrated design may be employed and remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention (i.e., integrate head unit


30


, and press head assembly


36


into a single, integrated press head; and, integrate base


18


with the tool attachment surface of frame


12


).




With continued reference to

FIG. 1

, press head assembly


36


includes a cylinder


44


having a piston


46


disposed therein configured to reciprocate along a second longitudinal axis


48


that is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis


16


. A first end of tie-rod


20


is rotatably coupled to piston


46


by way of pivot


50


.

FIG. 1

further shows, in a first embodiment, a spring


52


located in cylinder


44


, and retained in cylinder


44


by way of conventional means, such as cap


54


threadably engaging an inside diameter surface of cylinder


44


.




The spring


52


provides the following functionality with respect to press head assembly


36


and base


18


. Press head assembly


36


is shown in solid-line format in a first position


36


A, and may be moved away from the first position to a second position that is axially toward (i.e., closer to) base


18


, the second position being designated


36




B


(and shown in phantom-line format). The press head assembly


36


may be still further moved to a third position, designated


36




C


, that is away from the second position


36




B


, and is axially towards (or closer to) base


18


. The spring


52


is configured to operate in a couple of phases such that (i) the first end of tie rod


20


that is connected to piston


46


moves with the press head assembly


36


between the first position


36




A


and the second position


36




B


, and (ii) allows movement of the press head assembly


36


independent of the first end of the tie rod


20


between the second position


36




B


and the third position of the press head


36




C


. The first phase causes the base to pivot with the movement of the press head. The second phase allows the presswork to occur.





FIG. 2

shows a second embodiment, designated generally


10




a


, in a partial, side view. Tie rod


20




a


has associated therewith spring bearing members


56


, and


58


, and between which spring


52




a


is located. Spring


52




a


performs the same functions as described for spring


52


shown in

FIG. 1

but is located on the outside of tie rod


20


.




With continued reference to

FIG. 1

, base


18


includes a main bearing or pivot


60


, and a stop surface


62


. Also shown in

FIG. 1

is a stop block


64


coupled as part of base


18


, but need not be so according to the invention. Operation-specific tooling


28


has a main axis


66


associated therewith.




In operation, press head assembly


36


assumes its uppermost, first position


36




A


. The first position, by way of tie rod


20


, places base


18


in its load position, designated


18




LOAD


. In turn, the operation specific tooling


28


is in the load position, designated


28




LOAD


. The initial, load position positions of the various referred-to components are all shown in solid-line format. In the load position, main axis


66


is tilted relative to first longitudinal axis


16


along which press head assembly


36


reciprocates. The tilt angle


68


provides for improved visibility for an operator inasmuch as an operator's line of sight, designated


70


in

FIG. 1

, is more closely parallel to the main axis


66


of the tooling


28


. The invention is in contrast to the conventional art, wherein the tooling


28


would be brought out on a slide or the like and parts loaded onto the tooling. In such conventional arrangements, the operator's line of sight


70


can only be aligned with the main axis of the tooling


28


, if at all, with great difficulty. The illustrated embodiment shows suitable tooling for the assembly of an automotive ignition coil; however, it should be understood that the application of the present invention may be made to a variety of fields of endeavor, limited only by the configuration of the tooling parts


26


, and


28


. As an example, the tooling may be used to fit component parts of a coil winding spool of an ignition coil.




Once the operator has loaded the parts on the tooling


28


, the operator initiates the movement of the press head by actuating the racket pinion arrangement


32


, for example, by pulling downward on a press handle (not shown) to rotate the gear in direction


34


. As the press head


14


, including press head assembly


36


, moves axially toward base


18


along axis


16


, tie rod


20


presses downward on base


18


, causing the base


18


to rotate or pivot on bearing


60


until stop surface


62


abuts stop block


64


. This places the base in a working position, designated


18




WORKING


, shown in phantom-line format. The tooling


28


is also rotated into a working position, designated


28




WORKING


. The working position of the base (and tooling


28


) corresponds to a second position of press head


14


, particularly press head assembly at the second position


36




B


(shown in phantom-line format). Further rotation by the operator in direction


34


causes further, axial movement of press head assembly


36


away from the second position


36




B


toward base


18


, shown in exemplary fashion at a third position


36




C


. At this point, such movement (i.e., movement past the second position


36




B


) causes the piston


46


to begin to compress spring


52


, and the presswork of the tools


28


, and


26


relative to a workpiece commences. Generally, the force of the spring (i.e., more properly the force required to compress the spring) is selected so that the initial downward movement of press head assembly


36


will not compress the spring


52


, but rather will cause the base


18


to be rotated downward to engage stop block


64


. It is only after the stop surface


62


hits the stop block


64


, that the force becomes sufficient to begin to compress the spring


52


allow movement of press head assembly


36


independent of the first end of the tie rod


20


.




When the press head assembly


36


reaches the end of a stroke, the presswork is completed and the press head may be returned to its starting position


36




A


. As the press head assembly


36


returns to its initial, first position


36




A


, the tie rod


20


will move the base up to the load position


18




LOAD


, inasmuch as the piston


46


will run out of travel at some point, thereby allowing for a direct upward pull via the tie rod


20


.




The spring arrangement in

FIG. 2

operates in essentially the same manner as the spring arrangement shown in FIG.


1


. Initial downward movement of press head assembly


36




a


will directly couple via the tie rod


20




a


to move the base


18


away from its load position to its working position. However, once the base


18


, particularly the stop surface


62


thereof, hits the stop block


64


, further downward movement of press head assembly


36


a will cause the spring


52




a


to be compressed, wherein the presswork of the workpieces is accomplished. It should be noted that in both embodiments, in the working position, main axis


66


is substantially congruent with main axis


16


.




Additionally, the above-described commercially-available rack-and-pinion press, such as that offered from the Schmidt Company, provides the variety of error proofing features, such as features that ensure that the full stroke is performed before allowing a further cycle (i.e, a press return stroke lock will be activated and not allow the press head to return to its up position, and internally locks the parts in the press until a secondary operation is performed that satisfies the stroke length requirement). Such error proofing features can be retained in accordance with the present invention inasmuch as, in the illustrated embodiment, the various components are in the nature of an “add-on” to the commercially available press. It bears emphasizing, however, that such an “add-on” approach is not required for the present invention, which are limited only by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A mechanical press comprising:a frame having a press head configured to reciprocate along a first longitudinal axis; a base pivotable between a load position and a working position; a linkage member coupling said press head and said base; wherein said press head and said base each include features configured to allow respective attachment of a first tool and a second tool, said press head in a first position being operative via said linkage member to place said base in said load position, said press head in a second position away from said first position and axially toward said base being operative via said linkage member to place said base in said working position; second wherein said press head further includes a third position away from said second position and axially toward said base configured to actuate said first and second tools with respect to a workpiece so as to effect an operation; wherein said linkage member comprises a tie-rod; wherein said press head includes a cylinder having a piston disposed therein configured to reciprocate along a second longitudinal axis parallel to said first longitudinal axis, a first end of said tie rod being rotatable coupled to said piston.
  • 2. The press of claim 1, wherein said press head includes a rack and pinion arrangement for allowing said press head to reciprocate.
  • 3. The press of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured such that (i) said first end of said tie rod moves with said press head between said first position and said second position of said press head and (ii) allows movement of said press head independent of said first end of said tie rod between said second position and said third position of said press head.
  • 4. The press of claim 3, wherein said spring is located in said cylinder.
  • 5. The press of claim 3, wherein said spring is located outside of said press head and disposed in relation to said tie rod so as to bear against said press head when said press head is moved to said second position.
  • 6. The press of claim 1, wherein said tie rod includes a second end opposite said first end rotatably coupled to said base.
  • 7. The press of claim 1, further including a stop block, said base including a stop surface configured to abut said stop block when said base is placed in said working position.
  • 8. The press of claim 1, wherein said second tool includes a main axis, said main axis being tilted relative to said first longitudinal axis of said press head to thereby facilitate placement of said workpiece.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Number Name Date Kind
530162 Cuenot Dec 1894 A
1040396 Paal Oct 1912 A
3885466 Cerniglia May 1975 A
3942431 Goff Mar 1976 A
4168661 Wigdahl Sep 1979 A
4413499 Diemer et al. Nov 1983 A
5947018 Sloat et al. Sep 1999 A
6189444 Babiel et al. Feb 2001 B1