US 2022/0274153 A1Published application

Modular guided keeper base

AssigneeStandard Lifters, Inc.

InventorsSCOTT M. BREEN, Joel T. Pyper

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Abstract

A modular guided keeper base, guided keeper assembly, and related method includes a modular guided keeper base that mounts to a die member. The guided keeper base has an integrated stop for guide pin retention. The guided keeper base can also accommodate a variety of bushings within the base. The guided keeper base is attached to a die member using a mounting flange(s). Mounting fasteners pass through the fastener holes in the mounting flanges and are anchored in the die member to securely retain the guided keeper assembly in place. A retainer ring is mounted in an associated groove in the base over the heads of the mounting fasteners to prevent unintentional unfastening of the fasteners from the die member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A guided keeper assembly for a metal forming die having first and second die members mounted a spaced apart distance for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, comprising:

a base having:
a generally cylindrical first portion with a first outside diameter, a generally cylindrical second portion with a second outside diameter which is less than said first outside diameter creating an external shoulder where said first portion and said second portion intersect;
a tapered retainer ring groove on the exterior surface of said second portion;
and
an aperture with a generally uniform first diameter and a smaller generally uniform second diameter forming an internal shoulder at the bottom of the aperture, said aperture extending axially into a portion of said base with an internal shoulder;
at least one bushing with a first end portion and a second end portion positioned within said aperture;
a guide pin having:
a cylindrically shaped central portion closely received within said at least one bushing, said bushing having an external diameter that is larger than said second diameter of said aperture in said base;
a first end having an enlarged head to abut said base adjacent to said internal shoulder of said aperture to positively limit travel between the first and second die members;
and
a second end that couples to one of the die members;
a mounting flange member that includes at least one fastener opening, said mounting flange member abutting at least a portion of said external shoulder of said base;
at least one fastener that is received through said at least one fastener opening in said mounting flange to couple said base to the other die member;
and
a retainer ring detachably received and securely retained in said retainer ring groove, said retainer ring having an interior face disposed over at least a portion of said at least one fastener to positively prevent said at least one fastener from unintentionally unfastening from said other die member.

12 more elements

A guided keeper assembly, comprising:

a base having:
a generally cylindrical first portion with a first outside diameter, a generally cylindrical second portion with a second outside diameter that is less than said first outside diameter creating a first external shoulder on said base;
a tapered retainer ring groove on the exterior surface of said second portion, said taper in the groove including a portion that tapers toward said first portion of said base, and said groove includes a generally cylindrical portion;
and
an aperture with a generally uniform first diameter and a smaller generally uniform second diameter forming an internal shoulder at the bottom of the aperture, said aperture extending into a portion of said base;
a bushing member with a first end portion and a second end portion position in said aperture in said base;
a guide pin having:
a cylindrically shaped central portion closely received inside said bushing member, said bushing having an external diameter that is larger than said second diameter of said aperture in said base;
a first end having an enlarged head to abut said base adjacent to said internal shoulder of said aperture;
and
a second end positioned opposite said first end;
a mounting flange member that includes at least one fastener opening, said mounting flange member abutting at least a portion of said first external shoulder on said base;
at least one fastener that is received through said at least one fastener opening in said mounting flange member;
and
a retainer ring detachably received in said retainer ring groove such that said retainer ring is disposed over said at least one fastener.

12 more elements

A method of making a guided keeper assembly, comprising:

forming a base with a generally cylindrical first portion with a first outside diameter, a generally cylindrical second portion with a second outside diameter which is less than said first outside diameter creating an external shoulder where said first portion and said second portion intersect;
forming an aperture with a generally uniform first diameter and a smaller generally uniform second diameter forming an internal shoulder at the bottom of the aperture, said aperture being formed in a portion of said base;
forming a tapered retainer ring groove on the exterior surface of said second portion of said base;
inserting at least one bushing into said aperture in said base;
forming a guide pin with a cylindrically shaped central portion that is closely received in said at least one bushing, said bushing having an external diameter that is larger than said second diameter of said aperture in said base, said guide pin having a first end with an enlarged head to abut said base adjacent to said internal shoulder of said aperture, and a second end;
inserting said guide pin into said at least one bushing;
positioning a mounting flange member having at least one fastener opening against said external shoulder;
positioning at least one fastener in said at least one fastener opening in said mounting flange;
and
inserting a retainer ring into said retainer ring groove to be disposed over said at least one fastener.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/749,216Filed 20 May 2022
Priority: 5 Sep 2019
Published: 1 Sep 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

B21D 37/02
Tools as parts of machines covered by this subclass: die constructions enabling assembly of the die parts in different ways
B21D 37/12
Die sets; Pillar guides: particular guiding equipment, e.g. pliers; Special arrangements for interconnection or cooperation of dies
F16C 2322/14
Apparatus used in shaping articles: stamping, deep-drawing or punching, e.g. die sets
B21D
Working or processing of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles

Family

Application62/896,281Us provisional application · filed 5 Sep 2019
Application17/009,186Continuation · filed 1 Sep 2020
Application17/749,216Continuation
US 11,344,943 B2Related patent
US 11,571,730 B2Related patent
US 2021/0069769 A1Published application
US 2022/0274153 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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