Progressive die apparatus having resilient tool support means

In a press for performing a variety of operations for forming and making an easy open can end from stcok sheet material said press including a stationary press bed;

• a tooling base mounted upon said stationary press bed;
• a lower tooling member mounted upon said tooling base;
• a press ram overlying said stationary press bed;
• an upper tooling member suspended beneath said press ram, wherein said stationary press bed, said tooling base, and said upper and lower tooling members are in vertically alignment with one another, so that said operation may be performed upon an easy open can end by said press ram exerting a downward force on said upper tooling member, the improvement comprising a metallic resilent tool support means positioned between and secured to said press ram and said upper tooling member, said metallic resilient tool support means yielding to absorb any excess downward force of said press ram on said easy open can end, said tool support means includes a central bore and a positive stop mounted within the central bore of said resilient tool support means, said positive stop permitting said resilient tool support means to yield until maximum deflection is achieved and to prevent further yielding past maximum deflection.