US 6,322,059 B1 · Low contact force spring

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface which is disposed in and is fixedly connected with said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston being pressed against said stop surface under the influence of a first force applied against said head end portion of said piston by fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber with a second force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said second force having a magnitude which is at least as great as thirty-five percent (35%) of the magnitude of said first force.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure of between seven hundred and two thousand seven hundred pounds per square inch (700 and 2,700 psi) which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35 to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, said rigid tubular portion has a cylindrical configuration, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a tubular configuration and is disposed in a coaxial relationship with said rigid tubular portion, said body of elastomeric material expands in an axial direction during the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a cylindrical outer side surface which has a first diameter and a first axial extent when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said outer side surface of said body of elastomeric material having a second diameter which is smaller than said first diameter when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said outer side surface of said body of elastomeric material has a second axial extent which is greater than said first axial extent when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has an annular cross sectional configuration as viewed in a plane extending perpendicular to a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston, said body of elastomeric material having an inside diameter which is the same when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition as when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having an outside diameter which is greater when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition than when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a cylindrical inner side surface which faces toward said rod portion of said piston and a cylindrical outer side surface which faces away from said rod portion of said piston, one of said cylindrical side surfaces has a first diameter when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition and a second diameter when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said first diameter being different than said second diameter.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length being at least twenty percent (20%) greater than said second length.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length being at least thirty-five percent (35%) greater than said second length.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length exceeds said second length by thirty-five to forty-five percent (35 to 45%) of said first length.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a length of between 0.600 inches and 1.500 inches as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a length of between 0.400 inches and 1.000 inches as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second m ember for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude which is at least as great as thirty-five percent (35%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude which is less than eighty percent (80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35% to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said d rive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under a pressure of between seven hundred and two thousand seven hundred pounds per square inch (700 and 2,700 psi) which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35% to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length being at least twenty percent (20%) greater than said second length, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length being at least thirty-five percent (35%) greater than said second length, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material has a first length as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a second length as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said first length exceeds said second length by thirty-five to forty-five percent (35 to 45%) of said second length, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material has a length of between 0.600 inches and 1.500 inches as measured along a longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material having a length of between 0.400 inches and 1.000 inches as measured along the longitudinal central axis of said rod portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop surface which is disposed in and is fixedly connected with said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston being pressed against said stop surface under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force which is at least as great as thirty-five percent (35%) of the magnitude of the first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop surface which is disposed in and is fixedly connected with said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston being pressed against said stop surface under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35 to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure of between seven hundred and two thousand seven hundred pounds per square inch (700 and 2,700 psi) which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop surface which is disposed in and is fixedly connected with said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston being pressed against said stop surface under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35 to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, a force transmitting member extends around said rigid tubular portion, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said force transmitting member is disposed between said head end portion of said piston and said body of elastomeric material, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said force transmitting member being effective to transmit force from said body of elastomeric material to said head end portion of said piston during the initial portion of operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, a stop surface which is disposed on said rigid tubular portion and is engaged by said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and a force transmitting member which is pressed against said head end portion of said piston by said body of elastomeric material when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said head end portion of said piston being spaced from said stop surface and said force transmitting member when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material has a Bayshore rebound percentage in excess of forty percent (40%), said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface fixedly connected with said one end of said cylinder and across which force is transmitted between said one end of said cylinder and said piston to limit movement of said piston in a direction toward said one end of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, a body of elastomeric material connected with said one end of said cylinder, and a force transmitting member disposed between said head end portion of said piston and said body of elastomeric material, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said stop surface being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said force transmitting member being effective to transmit force from said body of elastomeric material to said head end portion of said piston during the initial portion of operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface fixedly connected with said one end of said cylinder and across which force is transmitted between said one end of said cylinder and said piston to limit movement of said piston in a direction toward said one end of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material connected with said one end of said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material has a Bayshore rebound percentage in excess of forty percent (40%), said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said stop surface being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface fixedly connected with said one end of said cylinder and across which force is transmitted between said one end of said cylinder and said piston to limit movement of said piston in a direction toward said one end of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, and a body of elastomeric material connected with said one end of said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said stop surface being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material has a cylindrical outer side surface which has a first diameter and a first axial extent when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said outer side surface of said body of elastomeric material having a second diameter which is smaller than said first diameter when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition, said outer side surface of said body of elastomeric material has a second axial extent which is greater than said first axial extent when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface fixedly connected with said one end of said cylinder and across which force is transmitted between said one end of said cylinder and said piston to limit movement of said piston in a direction toward said one end of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said stop surface is engaged by a first area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a body of elastomeric material connected with said one end of said cylinder, and a force transmitting member which is pressed against a second area on said head end portion of said piston by said body of elastomeric material when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said stop surface being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said head end portion of said piston being spaced from said stop surface and said force transmitting member when said cushion assembly is in the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop surface fixedly connected with said one end of said cylinder and across which force is transmitted between said one end of said cylinder and said piston to limit movement of said piston in a direction toward said one end of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, a force transmitting member which is disposed in and is movable relative to said cylinder, said force transmitting member being disposed in engagement with said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a body of elastomeric material connected with said one end of said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material being effective to press said force transmitting member against said head end portion of said piston to urge said force transmitting member and said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said stop surface being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material during operation of said cushion assembly from the retracted condition to the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said head end portion of said piston and said force transmitting member being movable together in a direction away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, and a motion limiting device connected with said cylinder to block movement of said force transmitting member with said head end portion of said piston upon completion of the initial portion of operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a force transmitting member which is disposed in and is movable relative to said cylinder, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said force transmitting member being pressed against said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston by said biasing means during a portion of movement of said head end portion of said piston away from said one end portion of said cylinder during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition to the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a force transmitting member which is disposed in and is movable relative to said cylinder, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said force transmitting member being pressed against said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston by said biasing means when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said force transmitting member being engagable with said stop to limit movement of said force transmitting member relative to said cylinder, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means includes a body of elastomeric material disposed between said head end portion of said piston and said one end of said cylinder, and a force transmitting member disposed between said body of elastomeric material and said head end portion of said piston, said force transmitting member being effective to transmit force from said body of elastomeric material to said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force which is at least as great as thirty-five percent (35%) of the magnitude of the first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A press assembly operable from an open condition to a closed condition to deform a workpiece and operable from the closed condition to the open condition to facilitate removal of the workpiece from said press assembly, said press assembly comprising a first member for engaging a first side of the workpiece, a second member for engaging a second side of the workpiece, drive means for moving said first member toward said second member during operation of said press assembly from the open condition to the closed condition and for moving said first member away from said second member during operation of said press assembly from the closed condition to the open condition, and a cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of the operation of the press assembly from the open condition toward the closed condition, said cushion assembly including a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which is connected to said head end portion and extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, a stop which is disposed in said cylinder and is fixedly connected with one end of said cylinder and extends away from said one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston having a first surface area which is disposed in engagement with and is pressed against a stop surface disposed on one end of said stop under the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, and biasing means for urging said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied to a second surface area on said head end portion of said piston adjacent to said first surface area on said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to provide force which is applied against at least said second surface area on said head end portion of said piston and which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being ineffective to provide force which assists force transmitted from said drive means to said cushion assembly after said cushion assembly has been operated through the initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said biasing means being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35 to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude which is at least as great as thirty-five percent (35%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude which is less than eighty percent (80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said chamber holds fluid under pressure which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35% to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said chamber holds fluid under a pressure of between seven hundred and two thousand seven hundred pounds per square inch (700 and 2,700 psi) which is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston toward said one end of said cylinder with a first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder with a second force having a magnitude of thirty-five to eighty percent (35% to 80%) of the magnitude of said first force when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber during at least three percent (3%) of the movement of said head end portion of said piston during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition to the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber during less than fifty percent (50%) of the movement of said head end portion of said piston during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition to the retracted condition.

A cushion assembly operable from an extended condition toward a retracted condition to provide a yieldable force during at least a portion of operation of a press assembly from an open condition toward a closed condition, said cushion assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, said piston having a head end portion which is disposed in said cylinder and a rod end portion which extends from said head end portion through one end of said cylinder, said head end portion of said piston cooperates with said cylinder to at least partially define a chamber which holds fluid under pressure, a rigid tubular portion which is fixedly connected to said one end of said cylinder, said rigid tubular portion extends around said rod end portion of said piston, and a body of elastomeric material disposed in said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material extends around said rigid tubular portion and is disposed between said rigid tubular portion and said cylinder, said body of elastomeric material is compressed by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said rigid tubular portion being effective to limit compression of said body of elastomeric material by force transmitted from said head end portion of said piston when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber when said cushion assembly is in the extended condition, said piston being movable against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber under the influence of force transmitted to said cushion assembly during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material being effective to provide force which assists force transmitted to said cushion assembly during an initial portion of the operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition toward the retracted condition, said body of elastomeric material is effective to urge said head end portion of said piston away from said one end of said cylinder against the influence of fluid pressure in said chamber during between three and fifty percent (3% and 50%) of the movement of said head end portion of said piston during operation of said cushion assembly from the extended condition to the retracted condition.

Low contact force spring

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims496

Low contact force spring

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims496