US2018093317A1PendingUtilityA1

Stamping tool locking technology

37
Assignee: Wilson tool int incPriority: Sep 30, 2016Filed: Sep 30, 2016Published: Apr 5, 2018
Est. expirySep 30, 2036(~10.2 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Bryan L. RogersThomas S. DuppongBrian J. Lee
B21D 22/02B21D 22/20B21D 28/00B21D 37/04B21D 28/34
37
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Claims

Abstract

The invention provides a stamping tool retainer assembly comprising a retainer, a moveable lock body, and an automation actuator. The retainer has a tool-mount bore configured to receive a shank of a stamping tool. The moveable lock body has a locked position and an unlocked position. The stamping tool retainer assembly is configured such that the lock body moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to actuation of the automation actuator. The automation actuator is a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or an electric actuator.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stamping tool retainer assembly comprising a retainer, a moveable lock body, and an automation actuator, the retainer having a tool-mount bore configured to receive a shank of a stamping tool, the moveable lock body having a locked position and an unlocked position, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the lock body moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to actuation of the automation actuator, the automation actuator being a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or an electric actuator. 
     
     
         2 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the retainer is a block having generally parallel, opposed front and rear faces, the tool-mount bore is defined by the retainer and opens through the front face of the retainer. 
     
     
         3 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 2  wherein the tool-mount bore is a circular bore configured to snugly receive a cylindrical shank of a stamping tool. 
     
     
         4 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 2  wherein the retainer has a plurality of mount openings configured to receive a respective plurality of mounting bolts for bolting the retainer onto a die shoe, the retainer further including a plurality of dowel openings configured to receive a respective plurality of locating dowels to facilitate mounting the retainer onto the die shoe. 
     
     
         5 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 4  wherein the tool-mount bore, the mount openings, and the dowel openings all extend along longitudinal axes that are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 2  wherein the retainer has a major dimension of less than six inches and a height of less than four inches. 
     
     
         7 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lock body when in its locked position is spaced apart from any spring-based resilient biasing member of the stamping tool retainer assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the automation actuator is a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator comprising a piston, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the piston moves from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the automation actuator and the lock body is thereby pushed by the piston from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     
     
         9 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the automation actuator is a pneumatic actuator or a hydraulic actuator comprising a bladder, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the bladder expands in response to actuation of the automation actuator and the lock body is thereby pushed by the bladder from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     
     
         10 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the automation actuator is an electric actuator comprising an electric motor, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the lock body moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in response to operation of the electric motor. 
     
     
         11 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the automation actuator is an electric actuator comprising an electric motor and a cam body, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the electric motor moves the cam body in response to actuation of the automation actuator and the cam body thereby cams with the lock body so as to move the lock body from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     
     
         12 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the automation actuator comprises a guide body having a spiral track, the stamping tool retainer assembly configured such that the lock body moves along the spiral track of the guide body in response to actuation of the automation actuator such that the lock body thereby moves from the unlocked position to the locked position, and wherein the lock body is a ball. 
     
     
         13 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 3  wherein the cylindrical shank of the stamping tool is received in the circular tool-mount bore, the cylindrical shank of the stamping tool having formed therein a lock recess, the moveable lock body being in the locked position so as to project into the tool-mount bore and engage the lock recess. 
     
     
         14 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the stamping tool retainer assembly is mounted to a die shoe of a stamping press. 
     
     
         15 . The stamping tool retainer assembly of  claim 1  wherein the retainer has an intermediate opening in which the lock body is movably mounted, the intermediate opening being located between the tool-mount bore and the automation actuator. 
     
     
         16 . A stamping tool retainer assembly comprising a retainer and a moveable lock body, the retainer having a tool-mount bore configured to receive a shank of a stamping tool, the moveable lock body having a locked position and an unlocked position, the stamping tool retainer assembly further comprising a tool-shank detent adjacent to the tool-mount bore. 
     
     
         17 . The stamping tool retainer of  claim 16  wherein the tool-shank detent is positioned to engage the shank of the stamping tool when such shank is received in the tool-mount bore. 
     
     
         18 . The stamping tool retainer of  claim 16  wherein the tool-shank detent is configured to retain the shank of the stamping tool in the tool-mount bore when such shank is received in the elongated tool-mount opening and the lock body is in its unlocked position. 
     
     
         19 . The stamping tool retainer of  claim 16  wherein the tool-shank detent entirely surrounds the tool-mount bore. 
     
     
         20 . The stamping tool retainer of  claim 16  wherein the tool-shank detent comprises an O-ring.

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