Stripper plate retention system

A punch guide assembly for removably carrying a stripper plate, the assembly comprising a punch guide and a stripper plate guide movable axially with respect to the punch guide, the stripper plate guide having a locked position wherein the stripper plate is secured to the punch guide assembly and an unlocked position wherein the stripper plate can be readily removed from the punch guide assembly, wherein the stripper plate guide when in its locked position is restrained against axial movement relative to the punch guide by a lock mechanism comprising a catch extending between the punch guide and the stripper plate guide, and wherein the stripper plate guide is resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position by at least one spring bearing against the stripper plate guide.

A punch guide assembly for removably carrying a stripper plate, the assembly comprising a punch guide and a stripper plate guide movable axially with respect to the punch guide, the stripper plate guide having a locked position wherein the stripper plate is secured to the punch guide assembly and an unlocked position wherein the stripper plate can be readily removed from the punch guide assembly, wherein the stripper plate guide when in its locked position is restrained against axial movement relative to the punch guide by a lock mechanism comprising a spring-loaded button that is extendable from the stripper plate guide into, and hence engageable with, an opening in the punch guide, and wherein the stripper plate guide is resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position by at least one spring bearing against the stripper plate guide.

A punch guide assembly for removably carrying a stripper plate, the assembly comprising a punch guide and a stripper plate guide movable axially with respect to the punch guide, the stripper plate guide having a locked position wherein the stripper plate is secured to the punch guide assembly and is restrained against axial movement relative to the punch guide, the stripper plate guide having an unlocked position wherein the stripper plate can be readily removed from the punch guide assembly, the stripper plate guide being resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position by a plurality of springs extending between the stripper plate guide and the punch guide, wherein the springs are disposed within a substantially-concealed enclosure whether the stripper plate guide is in its locked position or its unlocked position.

The assembly of claim 34 wherein the extent of said overlap is greatest when the stripper plate guide is in its locked position and least when the stripper plate guide is in its unlocked position.