Apparatus for automatically applying equilized pressure to a rotary cutting die

An apparatus for applying pressure in a press, and for spanning between a first frame upright and a second frame upright in the press, the apparatus comprising:

• an elongated bar including a first end and a second end;
• a hydraulic first actuator connected to said bar proximate said first end of said bar, and including a first cylinder and a first piston movably connected to said first cylinder;
• a hydraulic second actuator connected to said bar proximate said second end of said bar, and including a second cylinder and a second piston movably connected to said second cylinder;
• a flow-path placing said first actuator in fluid communication with said second actuator;
• and
• a hydraulic pump in fluid communication with said flow-path,
• wherein said first cylinder is connected to said bar,
• wherein said second cylinder is connected to said bar,
• wherein said first actuator is characterized by
• said first cylinder defining a first cylinder bore therethrough, wherein said first cylinder bore extends generally perpendicular to said length of said bar,
• said first piston being movably situated within said first cylinder bore, and
• said first piston defining a threaded first piston bore therethrough, wherein said first piston bore extends generally perpendicular to said length of said bar, and
• wherein said second actuator is characterized by
• said second cylinder defining a second cylinder bore therethrough, wherein said second cylinder bore extends generally perpendicular to said length of said bar,
• said second piston being movably situated within said second cylinder bore, and
• said second piston defining a threaded second piston bore therethrough, wherein said second piston bore extends generally perpendicular to said length of said bar,
• a first roller,
• a second roller,
• wherein said first actuator and said second actuator are positioned to exert pressure on said first roller and said second roller.

In combination:

• a press frame including a first upright and a second upright;
• an elongated upper roller extending longitudinally between, and movably connected to, said first upright and said second upright;
• an elongated lower roller extending longitudinally between, and connected to, said first upright and said second upright;
• an elongated upper bar extending longitudinally between, and connected to, said first upright and said second upright;
• an elongated lower bar disposed below said upper bar and extending longitudinally between, and movably connected to, said first upright and said second upright;
• a force applying first linkage including
• a first segment of said upper bar, wherein said first segment of said upper bar is proximate to said first upright and interposed between said first upright and said second upright,
• a first segment of said lower bar, wherein said first segment of said lower bar is proximate to said first upright and interposed between said first upright and said second upright, and
• an elongated first rod member proximate to said first upright, interposed between said first upright and said second upright, extending vertically, and between said first segment of said upper bar and said first segment of said lower bar said first rod member being movable in a vertical direction, and
• a first roller proximate to said first upright, interposed between said first upright and said second upright, rotatably depending from said first segment of said lower bar, and rotatably contacting said upper roller;
• a force applying second linkage including
• a second segment of said upper bar, wherein said second segment of said upper bar is proximate to said second upright and interposed between said first upright and said second upright,
• a second segment of said lower bar, wherein said second segment of said lower bar is proximate to said second upright and interposed between said first upright and said second upright,
• an elongated second rod member proximate to said second upright, interposed between said first upright and said second upright, extending vertically, and between said second segment of said upper bar and second segment of said lower bar, said second rod member being movable in a vertical direction, and
• a second roller proximate to said second upright, interposed between said first upright and said second upright, rotatably depending from said second segment of said lower bar, and rotatably contacting said upper roller;
• an equalizing system including
• a hydraulic first actuator interposed within said first linkage,
• a hydraulic second actuator interposed within said second linkage, and
• a flow-path placing said first actuator in fluid communication with said second actuator, wherein said first actuator and said second actuator are constructed and arranged in a manner that seeks to maintain said first force equivalent to said second force,
• wherein said first actuator is connected to said first segment of said upper bar and is interposed between said upper bar and said first rod member to provide relative movement between said first rod member and said upper bar, and
• wherein said second actuator is connected to said second segment of said upper bar and is interposed between said upper bar and said second rod member to provide relative movement between said second rod member and said upper bar.