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US 11,667,051 B2Granted
Punch assemblies and toolless systems thereof for tip retention and release
AssigneeWilson Tool International Inc.
InventorsJohn H. Morehead, Anthony David Schwartz, Kevin Andrew Johnston
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Punch assembly that enable selective securement and release of punch tips to a punch body (or holder) of the assemblies, wherein various retain/release systems can be used with the punch body, specifically relative to triggering mechanisms of such systems and their functioning and use with ancillary components relative to securing and releasing the punch tip, without adversely affecting long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the assemblies.
Claims28
A punch body comprising:
- a sidewall that defines a central cavity, the central cavity extending along a longitudinal extent of the punch body;
- and
- a retain/release system comprising a triggering mechanism, a coupling mechanism, and a resilient member, the triggering mechanism being accessible on the punch body sidewall and hand adjustable relative to the sidewall, the triggering mechanism coupling the punch body and the coupling mechanism, the resilient member within the punch body central cavity and positioned to resiliently oppose adjustment of the triggering mechanism;
- wherein with force being applied to the triggering mechanism, the coupling mechanism is correspondingly configured to shift from a first position within the punch body central cavity to a second position corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the punch body with respect to a punch tip;
- wherein the resilient member is configured to shift the coupling mechanism to the first position with removal of the force and the triggering mechanism back to a resiliently biased setting, said first position of the coupling mechanism corresponding to a locked configuration of the punch body with respect to the punch tip;
- and
- wherein the triggering mechanism is shaped as a lever and operably coupled to the sidewall via a pin, the triggering mechanism rotatable about the pin, wherein rotation of the triggering mechanism via the force corresponds with a pivoting of a protruding portion of the triggering mechanism relative to the coupling mechanism.
4 more elements
A punch body comprising:
- a sidewall that defines a central cavity, the central cavity extending along a longitudinal extent of the punch body;
- and
- a retain/release system comprising a triggering mechanism, a coupling mechanism, and a resilient member, the triggering mechanism being accessible on the punch body sidewall and hand adjustable relative to the sidewall, the triggering mechanism coupling the punch body and the coupling mechanism, the resilient member within the punch body central cavity underneath the coupling mechanism;
- wherein the triggering mechanism has an arm portion and a protruding portion, the arm portion configured to receive one or more forces, which when applied correspond with the protruding portion shifting the coupling mechanism;
- wherein the arm portion in a first position corresponds with the coupling mechanism being in a higher position within the punch body central cavity corresponding to a locked configuration of the punch body with respect to a punch tip;
- wherein the arm portion in a second position corresponds with the coupling mechanism being in a lower position within the punch body central cavity corresponding to an unlocked configuration of the punch body with respect to a punch tip;
- and
- wherein the triggering mechanism is shaped as a lever and operably coupled to the sidewall via a pin, the triggering mechanism rotatable about the pin, wherein rotation of the triggering mechanism via the force corresponds with a pivoting of a protruding portion of the triggering mechanism relative to the coupling mechanism.
5 more elements
A method of securing a punch tip with a punch body, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a punch body, the punch body having a sidewall that defines a central cavity extending along a longitudinal extent of the punch body, the punch body comprising a retain/release system including a triggering mechanism, a coupling mechanism, and a resilient member, the coupling mechanism seated within the punch body central cavity, the triggering mechanism coupling the punch body and the coupling mechanism;
- (b) readying the punch body so a punch tip can be joined thereto, the triggering mechanism being shaped as a lever and operably coupled to the sidewall via a pin, the triggering mechanism rotatable about the pin, wherein rotation of the triggering mechanism via the force corresponds with a pivoting of a protruding portion of the triggering mechanism relative to the coupling mechanism;
- and
- (c) shifting the coupling mechanism to a position corresponding to a locked configuration of the punch body.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.