Patent Application
20190084262
The present invention relates to punch presses and, particularly, to punch retainers used with punch presses.
Punch operations often produce particulate matter or other fine waste product and gravity causes the waste product to accumulate on and in the punch retainer 10. Excess accumulation interferes with various aspects of use. For example, excess accumulation of waste product in the quick release feature 18 interferes with its actuation. Similar problems arise concerning the mounting features 16. Restoring access to the mounting features 16 and quick release feature 18 requires cleaning, necessitating undesirable work stoppage and maintenance hassles.
A punch retainer cover comprises a pliable casing configured as a jacket for a punch retainer having a defined physical envelope. The pliable casing has a substantially planar top side and a skirt extending downward from a perimeter of the top side of the pliable casing. The top side and skirt define an open interior volume shaped to match the defined physical envelope of the punch retainer and sized for stretchably jacketing the punch retainer. Further, the punch retainer cover includes an aperture or slot in the top side that, when the punch retainer cover is mounted on the punch retainer, aligns with a punch receptacle of the punch retainer. The aperture or slot is sized for stretchably surrounding a punch mounted in the punch receptacle and projecting upwardly through the aperture or slot.
Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.
Broadly, the form factor and dimensions of the punch retainer cover 20 in any particular application correspond to the form factor and dimensions of the punch retainer targeted by the application. Correspondingly, the punch retainer cover 20 comprises a pliable casing configured as a jacket for the targeted punch retainer 10, which has a defined physical envelope. According to example details, the pliable casing has a substantially planar top side 22 and a skirt 24 extending downward from a perimeter of the top side 22 of the pliable casing. The top side covers the substantially planar upper surface of the punch retainer 10 and the skirt envelopes and grips the exterior side surfaces of the punch retainer 10.
Together, the top side 22 and skirt 24 define an open interior volume—detailed in a later illustration—that is shaped to match the defined physical envelope of the punch retainer 10 and sized for stretchably jacketing the punch retainer 10. Further features of the punch retainer cover 20 in at least some embodiments include one or more ridges 26 that serve as pinch points that facilitate gripping the punch retainer cover 20. In
The perspective view offered in
Further example features visible in
In at least one embodiment of the punch retainer cover 20, the top side 22 of the pliable casing includes a further aperture or slot 34. When the punch retainer cover 20 is mounted on the punch retainer 10, the further aperture or slot 34 vertically aligns with a quick release feature 18 of the punch retainer 10, thereby providing access to the quick release feature 18. Hence, an operator can actuate the quick release feature 18 of the punch retainer 10 for removal of a punch 12 seated in the punch receptacle 14 of the punch retainer 10, without having to remove the punch retainer cover 20. Forming this access feature as a slot—e.g., a cross-cut slot—offers advantages as compared to an open aperture, concerning resisting the infiltration of particulate matter.
The composition of the punch retainer cover 20 at least broadly matches its contemplated usage and includes at least a suitable degree of elasticity for the contemplated jacketed fitment of the punch retainer cover 20 over the targeted punch retainer 10. At least some embodiments, however, involve more detailed formulations targeting one or more operating requirements, such as temperature range, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance. In at least one such embodiment, the pliable casing comprising the punch retainer cover 20 is a urethane rubber. In another embodiment, the pliable casing is a thermoplastic elastomer.
Notably, modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed invention(s) will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention(s) is/are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
