US 5,673,585 AGranted

Automated dimpling apparatus

OwnerBob Bishopinventor

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Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed having one or more punching or stamping tools and a corresponding number of support tools for mating with each punching or stamping tool. The apparatus is adapted to form dimples, impressions, cuts, apertures or otherwise similarly modify the surface of a sheet metal blank, and in which the punching and support tools are both movably provided along a supporting structure formed from two elongated and parallel spaced beam members. Each beam member supports one of the punching tool, or stamping tool, and the support tool in a spaced relationship whereby the tools may be aligned and activated in punching or stamping operation to punch or stamp a portion of a blank positioned therebetween. A conveyer is provided to move the blank between the tools so that the portion of the blank to be modified is moved to a position intersecting the path of movement of the punching or stamping tool and the supporting tool. The advancement of the blank on the conveyor and/or the movement of the punching or stamping tool and the support tool along the supporting structure is controlled so that dimples, apertures, and the like may be formed at any desired portion of the blank.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for modifying the surface of a sheet blank, the apparatus comprising,

dimple stamping means for stamping a dimple in a portion of said blank, said dimple stamping means including a stamping tool, and a support tool for mating with said stamping tool and engaging and supporting said portion of said blank during stamping,
support means for supporting said dimple stamping means comprising a pair first and second parallel spaced elongate members,
said stamping tool slidably mounted on said first elongate member and including a stamping die, first tool drive means activatable to selectively move said stamping tool along said first elongate member and first die drive means,
said support tool slidably mounted on said second elongate member and including a support die, second tool drive means activatable to move said support tool along said second elongate member to a position wherein said support die is axially aligned with said stamping die to support said portion of said blank during stamping operation, and second die drive means,
conveyor means for conveying said blank in a first direction between said first and second elongate members, said conveyor means maintaining said blank in an orientation permitting substantially unhindered movement of said stamping tool and said support tool thereacross during punching or stamping operation,
said first die drive means being activatable to advance said stamping die in an axial direction normal to said first direction into contact with said blank,
said second die drive means being activatable to retract said support die in said axial direction away from said blank to a position spaced from said dimple, and
said conveyor means for moving said blank in said first direction to a position wherein said first and second tool drive means are movable along the respective first and second elongate members into axial alignment with the portion of the blank to be stamped.

5 more elements

A dimpling apparatus for modifying the surface of a tailored blank, the apparatus comprising,

press means for dimpling first and second portions of a blank to be modified, said press means including first and second stamping tools and first and second support tools for mating with said first and second stamping tools respectively,
supporting means for supporting said press means comprising a pair of first and second horizontal parallel spaced elongate members,
magnetic conveyor means for conveying said blank in indexed movement in a first direction between said first and second elongate members, said magnetic conveyor means maintaining said blank in an orientation permitting substantially unhindered movement of said first and second stamping tools and said first and second support tools thereacross during stamping operation,
said first stamping tool for dimpling said first portion of said blank and being slidably mounted on said first elongate member, said first stamping tool including a first stamping die and a first stamping tool drive means activatable to selectively move said first stamping tool along a first section of said first elongate member,
said second stamping tool for dimpling said second portion of said blank and being slidably mounted on said first elongate member, said second stamping tool including a second stamping die and a second stamping tool drive means activatable to selectively move said second stamping tool along a second section of said first elongate member,
said first support tool slidingly mounted on said second elongate member and including a first support die and a first support drive means activatable to selectively move said first support tool along a first section of said second elongate member, said first section of said second elongate member being substantially coterminous with said first section of said first elongate member wherein said first support die is movable to a position axially aligned with said first stamping die to support said first portion of said blank during stamping operation,
said magnetic conveyor moving said blank in said first direction to a position wherein said first stamping tool and said first support tool are movable along said respective first sections of said first and second elongate members into alignment with said first portion of said blank,
said second support tool slidably mounted on said second elongate member and including a second support die and a second support drive means activatable to selectively move said second support tool along a second section of said second elongate member, said second section of said second elongate member being substantially coterminous with said second section of said first elongate member wherein said second support die is movable to a position axially aligned with said second stamping die to support said second portion of said blank during stamping operation,
said first stamping tool including first stamping die drive means activatable to advance said first stamping die in a first vertical direction into contact with said first portion of said blank,
said second stamping tool including second stamping die drive means activatable to advance said second stamping die in a vertical direction into contact with said second portion of said blank, and
wherein said first support tool further includes first support die drive means activatable to retract said first support die in a vertical direction to a position spaced from said first portion of said blank, and second support tool includes second support die drive means activatable to retract said second support die in a vertical direction to a position spaced from said second portion of said blank.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.