Back to results
US 8,146,494 B2Granted
Magnetic chase and graphic arts die assembly with selectively actuatable means for raising and supporting the die plate during alignment
AssigneeUniversal Engraving, Inc.
InventorsLarry Hutchison, Derek Smith, Todd E. Scholtz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A graphic arts die assembly and chase for use in a graphic arts press are disclosed for use in conjunction with a press. The die assembly includes a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and a chase with a plurality of magnet assemblies configured to provide a magnetic coupling force to selectively secure the die plate to the chase. The chase includes an actuatable releasing assembly to exert a disengagement force to separate the magnetic securement between the plates.
Claims64
A graphic arts die assembly for mounting on a graphic arts impression apparatus, said assembly comprising:
- a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and including a die;
- and
- a chase including a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along an engagement surface thereof,
- said die plate and magnet assemblies being configured to provide a magnetic coupling force for selectively securing the die plate to said engagement surface of the chase such that relative movement between the chase and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement,
- said chase including an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the chase when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said releasing assembly comprising a shiftable element with a die plate engaging portion operable to move between a recessed position, wherein the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element is below the engagement surface of the chase, and an extended position, wherein the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element extends above the engagement surface of the chase,
- said releasing assembly further including a drive system to move the shiftable element to the extended position,
- said disengagement force being exerted by the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element when moved to the extended position, with the die plate engaging portion pushing upwardly against the die plate to lift the plate,
- said shiftable element comprising a reciprocating piston, at least part of which defines the die plate engaging portion,
- said drive system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the chase to associate a pressurized fluid with the piston, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide an extension force that urges the piston into the extended position,
- said chase further including a plurality of alignment assemblies to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the chase in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin projects upwardly from the engagement surface of the chase, and a retracted position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin is below the engagement surface of the chase,
- each of said alignment assemblies including a pin stop disposed within the chase, such that contact between the stop and a corresponding portion of the pin defines an uppermost projecting position and restricts further upward movement of the pin,
- each of said alignment assemblies further including an activation spring to bias the pin toward the projecting position against the pin stop;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including the pressurized fluid manifold configured to associate pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position, whereby said manifold causes the pressurized fluid to simultaneously move the alignments pins downward to the retracted position and move the pistons upward to the extended position.
14 more elements
A graphic arts die assembly for mounting on a graphic arts impression apparatus, said assembly comprising:
- a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and including a die;
- a chase including a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along an engagement surface thereof,
- said die plate and magnet assemblies being configured to provide a magnetic coupling force for selectively securing the die plate to said engagement surface of the chase such that relative movement between the chase and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement,
- said chase including an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the chase when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said chase including a plurality of alignment assemblies to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the support in aligned registration,
- each of said alignment assemblies comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin projects upwardly from the engagement surface of the chase, and a retracted position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin is below the engagement surface of the chase,
- each of said alignment assemblies including a pin stop disposed within the chase, such that contact between the stop and a corresponding portion of the pin defines an uppermost projecting position and restricts further upward movement of the pin,
- each of said alignment assemblies further including an activation spring to bias the pin toward the projecting position against the pin stop;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the chase to associate a pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position.
8 more elements
A chase for supporting a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material in a graphic arts impression apparatus, said chase comprising:
- a body presenting an engagement surface configured to engage the die plate;
- a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along the engagement surface of the body, such that a magnetic coupling force is provided to selectively secure the die plate to the engagement surface of the body such that relative movement between the body and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement;
- an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the body when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said releasing assembly comprising a shiftable element with a die plate engaging portion operable to move between a recessed position, wherein the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element is below the engagement surface of the body, and an extended position, wherein the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element extends above the engagement surface of the body,
- said releasing assembly further including a drive system to move the shiftable element to the extended position,
- said disengagement force being exerted by the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element when moved to the extended position, with the die plate engaging portion configured to push upwardly against the die plate to lift the plate,
- said shiftable element comprising a reciprocating piston, at least part of which defines the die plate engaging portion,
- said drive system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the body to associate a pressurized fluid with the piston, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide an extension force that urges the piston into the extended position,
- said body further including a plurality of alignment assemblies operable to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the body in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin projects upwardly from the engagement surface of the body, and a retracted position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin is below the engagement surface of the body,
- each of said alignment assemblies including a pin stop disposed within the body, such that contact between the stop and a corresponding portion of the pin defines an uppermost projecting position and restricts further upward movement of the pin,
- each of said alignment assemblies further including an activation spring to bias the pin toward the projecting position against the pin stop;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including the pressurized fluid manifold configured to associate pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position, whereby said manifold causes the pressurized fluid to simultaneously move the alignments pins downward to the retracted position and move the pistons upward to the extended position.
12 more elements
A chase for supporting a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material in a graphic arts impression apparatus, said chase comprising:
- a body presenting an engagement surface configured to engage the die plate;
- a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along the engagement surface of the body, such that a magnetic coupling force is provided to selectively secure the die plate to the engagement surface of the body such that relative movement between the body and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement;
- and
- an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the body when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said body including a plurality of alignment assemblies operable to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the support in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin projects upwardly from the engagement surface of the body, and a retracted position, wherein the die plate aligning portion of the pin is below the engagement surface of the body,
- each of said alignment assemblies including a pin stop disposed within the body, such that contact between the stop and a corresponding portion of the pin defines an uppermost projecting position and restricts further upward movement of the pin,
- each of said alignment assemblies further including an activation spring to bias the pin toward the projecting position against the pin stop;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the body to associate a pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position.
8 more elements
A graphic arts die assembly for mounting on a graphic arts impression apparatus, said assembly comprising:
- a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and including a die;
- a chase including a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along an engagement surface thereof,
- said die plate and magnet assemblies being configured to provide a magnetic coupling force for selectively securing the die plate to said engagement surface of the chase such that relative movement between the chase and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement,
- said chase including an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the chase when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said releasing assembly comprising a shiftable element with a die plate engaging portion operable to move between a recessed position and an extended position,
- said disengagement force being exerted by the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element when moved to the extended position, with the die plate engaging portion pushing upwardly against the die plate to lift the plate,
- said chase further including a plurality of alignment assemblies to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the chase in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position and a retracted position;
- and
- a pressurized fluid system operably coupled with the releasing and alignment assemblies to control shifting of the shiftable element and movement of the reciprocating pins.
7 more elements
A graphic arts die assembly for mounting on a graphic arts impression apparatus, said assembly comprising:
- a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material and including a die;
- a chase including a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along an engagement surface thereof,
- said die plate and magnet assemblies being configured to provide a magnetic coupling force for selectively securing the die plate to said engagement surface of the chase such that relative movement between the chase and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement,
- said chase including an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the chase when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said chase including a plurality of alignment assemblies to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the support in aligned registration,
- each of said alignment assemblies comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position and a retracted position;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the chase to associate a pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position.
6 more elements
A chase for supporting a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material in a graphic arts impression apparatus, said chase comprising:
- a body presenting an engagement surface configured to engage the die plate;
- a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along the engagement surface of the body, such that a magnetic coupling force is provided to selectively secure the die plate to the engagement surface of the body such that relative movement between the body and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement;
- an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the body when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said releasing assembly comprising a shiftable element with a die plate engaging portion operable to move between a recessed position and an extended position,
- said disengagement force being exerted by the die plate engaging portion of the shiftable element when moved to the extended position, with the die plate engaging portion pushing upwardly against the die plate to lift the plate,
- said body further including a plurality of alignment assemblies operable to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the body in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position and a retracted position;
- and
- a pressurized fluid system operably coupled with the releasing and alignment assemblies to control shifting of the shiftable element and movement of the reciprocating pins.
6 more elements
A chase for supporting a die plate formed at least partially of ferromagnetic material in a graphic arts impression apparatus, said chase comprising:
- a body presenting an engagement surface configured to engage the die plate;
- a plurality of magnet assemblies disposed along the engagement surface of the body, such that a magnetic coupling force is provided to selectively secure the die plate to the engagement surface of the body such that relative movement between the body and the die plate is restricted during such magnetic securement;
- an actuatable releasing assembly operable to exert a disengagement force in opposition to the magnetic coupling force so as to selectively lift the die plate from the body when the releasing assembly is actuated, thereby releasing the magnetic securement between the chase and the die plate and facilitating relative movement between the plates,
- said body including a plurality of alignment assemblies operable to facilitate disposition of the die plate on the support in aligned registration,
- each alignment assembly comprising a reciprocating pin with a die plate aligning portion operable to move between a projecting position and a retracted position;
- and
- an actuatable return system to move the pin to the retracted position,
- said return system including a pressurized fluid manifold within the body to associate a pressurized fluid with at least a portion of the pin, such that the pressurized fluid is caused to provide a retracting force that urges the pin into the retracted position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.