Tool assembly employing a flexible retainer
AssigneeBTM Corporation
InventorsEdwin G. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry, Stephen E. Sawdon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flexible retainer for retaining die blades in a tool assembly. The retainer comprises inner and outer walls with the inner wall being generally concentric with and radially spaced inward from the outer wall. The inner wall defines a central opening in the retainer which is configured and adapted to extend radially around the die blades so that the retainer retains the die blades in the die assembly while allowing radial movement of the die blades. The retainer may have at least one channel that extends axially between the inner and outer walls.
Claims37
A die blade retaining system comprising:
- a plurality of die blades;
- an annular flexible retainer having first and second walls radially spaced from one another with a channel therebetween, said retainer being configured to radially surround the plurality of die blades and bias the die blades in a generally radially inwardly direction with respect to an axially extending center axis of the retainer.
A die assembly for forming a joint between sheets of material, the die assembly comprising:
- an anvil;
- a plurality of die blades around said anvil;
- a substantially rigid stationary shield coaxially and radially surrounding said anvil;
- and
- an annular flexible retainer having radially spaced apart first and second walls with a channel therebetween, said retainer surrounding said die blades and biasing said die blades towards said anvil in a generally radially inwardly direction with respect to an axially extending center axis of said retainer.
A die assembly for forming a joint between sheets of material, said die assembly comprising:
- an anvil;
- multiple die blades located adjacent said anvil;
- and
- a flexible retainer generally U-shaped in cross-section, retainer having first and second radially spaced apart walls with a space therebetween, said retainer operably urging said die blades toward said anvil, and a radially innermost one of said walls being engaged with said die blades and having an axial length longer than an axial length of a radially outermost one of said walls.
A tool assembly comprising:
- a die assembly including an anvil, a shield, and a plurality of die blades surrounding said anvil, said shield being coaxial with and radially surrounding said anvil;
- a punch;
- a flexible annular retainer having radially spaced apart first and second walls with a cavity therebetween, said retainer surrounding and biasing said die blades towards said anvil in a generally radially inwardly direction with respect to an axially extending center axis of said retainer;
- and
- a clinch joint formed between said punch and said die assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.