# US 12,109,606 B2 · Tapered transition pilot > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,606 B2 - Document ID: US12109606B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/226,470 - Filed: 2023-07-26 - Published: 2023-11-16 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-23 - Assignees: Standard Lifters, Inc. - Applicants: Standard Lifters, Inc. - Inventors: Scott M. Breen; Joel T. Pyper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109606B2 ## CPC - B21D 43/003: {Positioning devices (B21D28/04 and B21D28/265 take precedence; stops B21D43/26; centering moving strips B21D43/023)} - B21D 28/34: Perforating tools; Die holders - B21D 37/08: Dies with different parts for several steps in a process - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract A pilot assembly having a shaped portion and a shaped fastener relief for attachment to a die. The pilot assembly includes a fastener with a shaped washer that engages the shaped fastener relief to permit installation and removal of the pilot from the die. The shaped portion of the pilot assembly helps to locate and center the stock down the pilot assembly toward the die. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-station metal forming die having at least two mutually converging and diverging die members between which stock is shifted longitudinally to form parts from the stock, the improvement of a pilot assembly, comprising: a pilot operably supported on one of said die members and having an outer end oriented toward the stock, an oppositely disposed inner end oriented away from the stock, and a medial portion disposed axially between said outer and inner ends, and including: a shoulder portion disposed at said medial portion, having a first width; a body portion disposed at said inner end having a second width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a first shoulder therebetween; a generally tapered transition portion disposed at said outer end, including: an innermost portion disposed adjacent to said shoulder portion with a third width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a second shoulder therebetween for securing said pilot in an associated pilot mounting aperture in said one die member; and an outermost portion having a fourth width which is smaller than said third width; at least one fastener relief formed into said pilot; and at least one mounting fastener having an enlarged head portion that is at least partially received in said at least one fastener relief and a shank portion anchored in said one die member to securely mount said pilot on said one die member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shoulder portion disposed at said medial portion is cylindrical. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one fastener relief is two fastener reliefs that are formed on opposite sides of said pilot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pilot mounting aperture in said one die member includes a surface that engages said first shoulder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said innermost portion of said tapered transition portion includes a straight section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein said generally tapered transition portion includes a curved section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, including a shaped washer disposed on said at least one mounting fastener that engages a shaped portion of said at least one fastener relief. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 7, wherein said shaped portion of said at least one fastener relief is located on said body portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shank portion of said at least one mounting fastener is threaded. ### Claim 10 A pilot assembly for a metal forming die in which stock is formed into at least one part, comprising: a pilot operably supported on said metal forming die, having an outer end oriented toward the stock and an oppositely disposed inner end oriented away from the stock and a medial portion disposed axially between said outer and inner ends, and including: a shoulder portion disposed at said medial portion, having a first width; a body portion disposed at said inner end having a second width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a first shoulder therebetween; a generally tapered transition portion disposed at said outer end, including: an innermost portion disposed adjacent to said shoulder portion with a third width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a second shoulder therebetween for securing said pilot in an associated pilot mounting aperture in said one die member; and an outermost portion having a fourth width which is smaller than said third width; at least one shaped fastener relief formed into a portion of said body portion; at least one mounting fastener having an enlarged head portion that is anchored in said one die member to securely mount said pilot on said one die member; and at least one shaped washer that is received on said at least one mounting fastener, with a shaped surface that engages at least a portion of said shaped fastener relief. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 10, wherein the shaped surface of said shaped washer is curved. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 10, wherein said at least one shaped fastener relief is two fastener reliefs that are formed on opposite sides of said body portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 10, wherein said innermost portion of said generally tapered transition portion includes a straight section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 10, wherein said shoulder portion is generally cylindrical. ### Claim 15 A pilot assembly for engaging a hole in a stock, comprising: a pilot having an outer end oriented toward the stock, an oppositely disposed inner end oriented away from the stock, and a medial portion disposed axially between said outer and inner ends, and including: a shoulder portion disposed at said medial portion, having a first width; a body portion disposed at said inner end having a second width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a first shoulder therebetween; a transition portion disposed at said outer end, including: an innermost portion disposed adjacent to said shoulder portion with a third width that is less than said first width of said shoulder portion to define a second shoulder therebetween; and an outermost portion having a fourth width which is smaller than said third width; at least one fastener relief having a shaped portion formed into a portion of said pilot; and at least one mounting fastener with a shaped washer that engages said shaped portion of said at least one fastener relief. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least a portion of at least one fastener relief is formed into a portion of said body portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 15, wherein said at least one fastener relief is two fastener reliefs that are formed on opposite sides of said shoulder portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 15, wherein said generally cylindrical innermost portion of said transition portion includes a straight section. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 15, wherein said generally transition portion includes a curved section. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The metal forming die as set forth in claim 15, wherein said pilot is a single piece of material.