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US 10,646,913 B2Granted
Punch assembly with replaceable punch tip
AssigneeMate Precision Tooling, Inc.
InventorsLarry Villeneuve, Darius Teichroew
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A punch system or assembly includes a punch body and a punch tip or insert with a working end and a stem configured for selective engagement and disengagement within a cavity in the punch body. A latch mechanism which can be operated without tools is configured to engage the punch tip stem within the axial cavity in a closed position, and to disengage the punch tip from the punch body in an open position.
Claims19
A punch system comprising:
- a punch body having a cavity therein;
- a punch tip comprising a punch tip stem and a working end opposite the punch tip stem along an axis of the punch tip, the punch tip stem being configured for selective engagement and disengagement within the cavity of the punch body;
- and
- a latch mechanism comprising a latch and a pivot, the pivot aligned with a longitudinal axis of the punch body;
- wherein the latch comprises a free end opposite the pivot and a hinged end opposite the free end, the hinged end being in pivoting engagement with the punch body at the pivot, the latch configured to pivot about the hinged end for engagement within a receiving slot defined in the punch tip stem with the latch mechanism in a closed position, and for disengagement from within the receiving slot with the latch mechanism in an open position;
- wherein the free end of the latch is configured to pivot transverse to the longitudinal axis of the punch body at least partially outward of an outer circumference of the punch body with the latch mechanism in the open position, and into conforming relation within the outer circumference of the punch body with the latch mechanism in the closed position;
- wherein the free end of the latch is configured to be constrained against motion of the latch mechanism from the closed position to the open position by an inner surface of a punch guide or bushing, when the punch body is disposed therein;
- wherein the receiving slot comprises a channel oriented transverse to the axis of the punch tip to engage a complementary inner portion of the latch with the latch mechanism in the closed position, the latch being oriented transverse to the axis of the punch tip, wherein a compressive load path defined between the punch tip and the punch body extends circumferentially around the axial cavity in which the punch tip stem is engaged during a punching operation of the punch system;
- wherein the latch is generally D-shaped and the punch tip stem has an arcuate generally D-shaped receiving slot which accepts the generally D-shaped latch into the conforming relation within the outer circumference of the punch body and secures the punch tip to the punch body;
- wherein the punch tip stem is isolated from the compressive load path;
- wherein the channel is oriented on one side of the punch tip stem with surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the punch tip to engage the complementary inner portion of the latch;
- and
- wherein tolerance of the receiving slot with respect to the complementary inner portion of the latch provides for angular alignment of the punch tip with respect to the punch body.
10 more elements
A punch assembly comprising:
- a punch body configured for operation in a punch press, the punch body having an axial cavity therein;
- a punch tip having a working end configured for actuation in the punch press and a stem end opposite the working end, the stem end configured for selective engagement and disengagement within the axial cavity of the punch body;
- and
- a latch mechanism coupled to the punch body, the latch mechanism comprising a latch and a pivot, the latch having a free end opposite the pivot and a hinged end opposite the free end, the hinged end in pivoting engagement with the punch body at the pivot, the pivot aligned with a longitudinal axis of the punch body;
- wherein the latch is configured to pivot transverse to the longitudinal axis of the punch body about the hinged end for engagement within a receiving slot defined in the punch tip stem end with the latch mechanism in a closed position, and for disengagement from within the receiving slot with the latch mechanism in an open position;
- wherein the free end of the latch is disposed in conforming relation within an outer circumference of the punch body, with the latch mechanism in the closed position;
- wherein the free end of the latch is constrained against motion of the latch mechanism from the closed position to the open position by an inner surface of a punch guide or bushing, when the punch body is disposed therein;
- wherein the latch is oriented transverse to the axis of the punch tip, wherein a compressive load path defined between the punch tip and the punch body extends circumferentially around the axial cavity in which the punch tip stem is engaged during a punching operation of the punch assembly;
- wherein the punch tip stem has an arcuate generally D-shaped slot and the latch is generally D-shaped, the generally D-shaped latch being engaged within the slot on the punch tip stem into the conforming relation within the outer circumference of the punch body, with the latch mechanism selectively engaged in the closed position;
- wherein the punch tip stem is isolated from the compressive load path;
- wherein the generally D-shaped slot defines a channel oriented on one side of the punch tip stem with surfaces extending perpendicular to the axis of the punch tip to engage a complementary inner portion of the generally D-shaped latch;
- wherein tolerance of the generally D-shaped slot with respect to the complementary inner portion of the generally D-shaped latch provides for angular alignment of the punch tip with respect to the punch body.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.