Back to results
US 5,206,982 AGranted
Die transfer structure and method
OwnerDonald H. Browninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
OwnerDonald H. Browninventor
Estimating the term…
Structure for and method of die transfer. The structure comprises low friction bearing structures set into elongated T-slot bars secured in parallel, transverse spaced apart relation on a bolster plate and a die transfer truck table top actuable in response to the table top being raised to the level of the top of the T-slot bars with the table adjacent the bolster plate to raise a die positional on either the truck or bolster plate and facilitate universal movement of the die in a plane parallel to the top of the bolster plate. V-block and pin structure for centering the die on the bolster plate and die clamping structure including a washer having one straight edge and which moves axially of a bolt with a nut are also part of the die transfer structure. The method comprises providing T-slots on a bolster plate with the elongated T-slot bars centering the die on the bolster plate with the V-block and pin structure and selectively actuating a plurality of the low friction die pads simultaneously to permit universal, substantially friction free movement of a die in a plane parallel to the top of the bolster plate in response to arrival of the top of the table top at the top of the bolster plate.
Die transfer structure for transferring a die into and off of a press bolster plate, comprising multiple T-slot bar means, separate from and secured to the bolster plate, defining T-slots in conjunction with the bolster plate, low friction bearing means including a plurality of separate bearing structures which facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die positioned between the defined T-slots in spaced apart relation in the T-slot bar means on the bolster plate and means for actuating the bearing structures to facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die on top of the bolster plate, centering means operable between the die and T-slot bar means for exactly centering the die on the bolster plate, and clamp means operable between the die and T-slot bar means for securing the die in a position on the bolster plate.
The method of transferring a die between a die transfer truck having a table top and a press bolster plate, comprising providing the truck table top and bolster plate with T-slots in the top thereof, providing bearing structures between the T-slots which facilitate universal movement of the die in two dimensions in the truck table top and the bolster plate, placing the truck next to the bolster plate, aligning the top of the truck table and the top of the bolster plate, activating the bearing structures in the truck and bolster plate to raise the bearing structures above the top of the truck table and bolster plate and facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die from the truck to the bolster plate and centering of the die on the bolster plate, centering the die on the bolster plate, deactivating the bearing structures and clamping the die in its centered position on the bolster plate.
Die transfer structure for transferring a die onto and off of a press bolster plate, comprising multiple T-slot bar means, separate from and secured to the bolster plate, defining T-slots in conjunction with the bolster plate including a plurality of elongated T-slot bars having a T shaped cross section and means for securing the T-slot bars to the top of the bolster plate in parallel positions spaced apart a distance equal to the dimension of the defined T-slots, low friction bearing means including a plurality of separate bearing structures which facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die positioned between the defined T-slots in spaced apart relation on the bolster plate, each bearing structure comprising a bearing pad, a bearing support plate beneath the bearing pad, a diaphragm beneath the support plate, and a bottom plate securing the diaphragm in position beneath the support plate and providing a fluid chamber beneath the support plate and diaphragm, and means for actuating the bearing structure including structure for selectively passing actuating fluid into or out of the chamber between the diaphragm and bottom plate to facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die on top of the bolster plate, centering means operable between the die and bolster plate for exactly centering the die on the bolster plate, and clamp means operable between the die and bolster plate securing the die in a position on the bolster plate.
The method of transferring a die between a die transfer truck having a table top and a press bolster plate, comprising providing the bolster plate with T-slots by securing elongated members having a T-shaped cross section in parallel rows on the bolster plate spaced apart by a dimensional equal to a desired dimension of the stem of the T-slots, providing bearing structures which facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die in the truck table top and the elongated members, placing the truck next to the bolster plate, aligning the top of the truck table and the top of the elongated members, activating the bearing structures to raise the bearing structures above the top of the truck table and elongated members to facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die from the truck to the bolster plate by providing operating fluid between a bottom plate and a diaphragm in the bearing structures to deform the diaphragms and move supporting plates in the bearings structures into engagement with bearing pads in the bearing structure to move the bearing pads above the surface of the elongated members, centering the die on the bolster plate, deactivating the bearing structures and clamping the die in a centered position on the bolster plate.
Die transfer structure for transferring a die onto and off of a press bolster plate comprising multiple T-slot bar means, separate from and secured to the bolster plate, defining T-slots in conjunction with the bolster plate, low friction bearing means including a plurality of separate bearing structures which when activated facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die on the top of the bolster plate positioned between the defined T-slots in spaced apart relation in the T-slot bar means and means for actuating the bearing structures.
The method of transferring a die between a die transfer truck having a table top and a press bolster plate, comprising providing the truck table top and the bolster plate with T-slots in the top thereof, providing bearing structures in the truck table top and the bolster table top between the T-slots operable on actuation to facilitate two dimensional universal movement of the die from the truck to the bolster plate, placing the truck next to the bolster plate, aligning the top of the truck table and the top of the bolster plate, actuating the bearing structures in the truck and bolster plate to raise the baring structures above the top of the truck table and bolster plate, moving a die from the truck table to the top of the bolster plate, centering the die on the bolster plate, deactuating the bearing structures and clamping the die in position on the bolster plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.