Hydraulic shock absorbing mechanism for the ram of powder compacting presses and the like

In a press apparatus having a reciprocable ram, means for reciprocating said ram and means coupling said reciprocating means to said ram, an impact cushioning and shock absorbing device for said coupling means comprising a first intermediary member attached to said ram, a second intermediary member displaceable relative to said first intermediary member, a pair of abutment means each on one of said intermediary members limiting the travel of said first intermediary member away from said second intermediary member, means connecting said reciprocating means to said second intermediary member, a variable volume chamber between said intermediary members, means for introducing a non-compressible fluid in said variable volume chamber for normally holding said intermediary members away from each other and for holding said abutment means in engagement with each other, and means connected to said introducing means for pressurizing said noncompressible fluid, said pressurizing means comprising a first cylinder, a first piston reciprocably disposed in said first cylinder, means for introducing a compressible fluid on one side of said first piston, a rod attached to said first piston and reciprocable thereby, a second cylinder, a second piston disposed on the end of said rod and reciprocable in said second cylinder for pressurizing said noncompressible fluid in said second cylinder, wherein said first piston has an area relatively larger than the area of said second piston for transmitting the pressure of said compressible fluid to said noncompressible fluid with an amplification which is proportional to the ratio of the areas of the pistons.