Guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies

摘要

A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

主权项

1. In a metal forming die having first and second die members mounted a spaced apart distance for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, the improvement of a guided keeper assembly, comprising:
a base having:
a mounting face abutting an adjacent face of said first die member;at least one first fastener aperture extending axially through a marginal portion of said base for detachably mounting said base to said first die member;a central aperture extending axially through a central portion of said base; anda bearing surface in said central aperture of said base; a guide pin having:
a cylindrically-shaped central portion closely received in said bearing surface in said base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between said first and second die members;wherein said central portion of said guide pin comprises a solid body bar having a circular lateral cross-sectional shape;a first end having an enlarged head shaped to abut said base to positively limit travel between said first and second die members; anda second end, positioned opposite said first end, and having a shoulder with a rigid center post protruding outwardly therefrom to precisely locate said second end of said guide pin on said second die member, and an annularly shaped portion that includes a second fastener aperture located a radially spaced apart distance from said center post, and oriented parallel with said center post;wherein said center post is removably supported on said shoulder of said guide pin; a first fastener extending through said first fastener aperture in said base and securely, yet detachably, connecting said base with said first die member; a second fastener extending into and anchored in said second fastener aperture in said guide pin and securely, yet detachably, connecting said second end of said guide pin with said second die member; a resilient washer disposed on said guide pin between said enlarged head and said base to absorb and dampen impact therebetween; and wherein said first die member includes an opening disposed in an aligned relationship with said base and sized larger than the size of said enlarged head of said guide pin to permit reciprocation of said enlarged head therein.