Redraw blankholder positioning mechanism for cup-shaped article formers such as metallic can body formers and the like

Claim 2

In a redraw blankholder positioning mechanism for cup-shaped article formers such as metallic can body formers and the like; the article former being of the type wherein a hollow cylindrical blankholder is moved from a rearward article feed position axially forwardly into a rearwardly open end of a cup-shaped article to a forward article draWing position, said blankholder in said article drawing position locating said cup-shaped article centered directly rearwardly of a redraw die ring and maintaining said article in said location during forward axial movement of a reciprocal ram through said blankholder to engage and carry said cup-shaped article through said die ring, said blankholder being moved rearwardly to said article feed position at last during a portion of withdrawal of said ram; the improvements comprising: a blankholder mounting frame having said blankholder secured thereto, said blankholder mounting frame being operably connected to a main frame of said article former reciprocal forwardly and rearwardly moving said blankholder between said rearward article feed and said forward article drawing positions and maintaining said blankholder in said positions; a rotatable cam mounted on said former main frame having cam surface means for producing at least said blankholder mounting frame forward movement and positioning in said forward article drawing position at least during said ram carrying of said article through said redraw die ring; a cam follower engaged with and movable along said cam surface means at least during that part of said cam rotation producing said blankholder mounting frame movement and positioning; resiliently acting retention means for constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; and blankholder actuating means operably connected to said blankholer mounting frame for reciprocally moving said blankholder mounting frame between said rearward article feed and said forward article drawing positions and maintaining said blankholder in said positions including operable connection with said cam follower for movements exactly with said cam follower movements along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part.

Claim 3

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said retention means includes a fluid cylinder mounted actionable between said cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part.

Claim 4

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part.

Claim 5

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower thereon, said cam follower arm being operably connected to said blankholder mounting frame and translating movements of said cam follower into reciprocations and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame exactly with said cam follower movements at least during said cam rotation part.

Claim 6

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said cam follower arm spaced from said cam follower arm one end, said rod being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said cam follower arm translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into pivotal movements of said cam follower arm and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rod.

Claim 7

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said retention means includes a fluid cylinder actionable between said article former main frame and said cam follower constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said cam follower arm spaced from said cam follower arm one end, said rod being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said cam follower arm translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into pivotal movements of said cam follower arm and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rod.

Claim 8

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which gear means is operably connected to said cam for rotating said cam in an exact relative relationship to reciprocal movements of said article former ram.

Claim 9

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which gear means is operably connected to said cam for rotating said cam in an exact relative relationship to reciprocal movements of said article former ram; in which said retention means includes a fluid cylinder actionable between said article former main frame and said cam follower constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said cam follower arm spaced from said cam follower arm one end, said rod being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said cam follower arm translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into pivotal movements of said cam follower arm and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rod.

Claim 10

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal rod operably connected forwardly to said blankholder mounting frame and rearwardly to said cam follower translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through reciprocal movements and positioning of said rod by said cam follower operable connection.

Claim 11

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said second cam having cam surface means substantially identical to said first cam for producing said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower and a second cam follower is engaged with and movable along said second cam surface means at least during a part of said second cam rotation substantially identical to said first cam rotation part; in which said retention means is a first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means constantly retains said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means at least during said second cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder actuating means is between each of said first and second cam followers and said blankholder mounting frame for reciprocally moving said blankholder mounting frame exactly with said first and second cam follower movements along said first and second cam surface means to at least move said blankholder from said article feed to said drawing position and maintain said blankholder in said drawing position at least according to said first and second cam rotation parts.

Claim 12

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams each having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower, said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means and includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said first cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said first cam follower against said first cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first cam surface means during said first cam rotation; in which a second resiliently acting retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said second cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means during said second cam rotation; and in which said blankholder actuating means is between each of said first and second cam followers and said blankholder mounting frame for reciprocally moving said blankholder mounting frame exactly with said first and second cam follower movements along said first and second cam surface means to move said blankholder between said article feed and drawing positions and maintain said blankholder in said positions according to said first and second cam rotations.

Claim 13

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams each having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower, said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means, said first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means respectively constantly retaining said first and second cam follower against the respective of said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means throughout said first and second cam rotations; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower thereon, a second cam follower arm pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said second cam follower thereon, said first and second cam follower arms being operably connected to said blankholder mounting frame and translating movements of said first and second cam followers into reciprocations and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame exactly with said first and second cam follower movements.

Claim 14

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in whiCh said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said second cam having cam surface means substantially identical to said first cam for producing said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower and a second cam follower is engaged with and movable along said second cam surface means at least during a part of said second cam rotation substantially identical to said first cam rotation part; in which said retention means is a first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means constantly retains said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means at least during said second cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a second cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said second cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said first cam follower arm spaced from said first cam follower arm one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said second cam follower arm spaced from said second cam follower arm one end, said rods being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said first and second cam follower arms translating movements of said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means at least during said first and second cam rotation parts into pivotal movements of said first and second cam follower arms and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rods.

Claim 15

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said second cam having cam surface means substantially identical to said first cam for producing said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which gear means is operably connected to each of said first and second cams for rotating said cams in an exact relative relationship to reciprocal movements of said article former ram; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower and a second cam follower is engaged with and movable along said second cam surface means at least during a part of said second cam rotation substantially identical to said first cam rotation part; in which said retention means is a first retention means and includes a fluid cylinder actionable between said article former main frame and said first cam follower constantly retaining said first cam follower against said first cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first cam surface means at least during said first cam rotation part, in which a second retention means includes a fluid cylinder actionable between said article former main frame and said said second cam follower constantly retaining said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means at least during said second cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a second cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said second cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said first cam follower arm spaced from said first cam follower arm one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said second cAm follower arm spaced from said second cam follower arm one end, said rods being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said first and second cam follower arms translating movements of said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means at least during said first and second cam rotation parts into pivotal movements of said first and second cam follower arms and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rods.

Claim 16

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; in which a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame and parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams each having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower, said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means, said first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means constantly retaining the respective of said first and second cam followers against the respective of said first and second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first and second cam surface means throughout said cam rotations; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal rod operably connected forwardly to said blankholder mounting frame and rearwardly to said first cam follower, a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal rod operably connected forwardly to said blankholder mounting frame and rearwardly to said second cam follower, said rods translating movements of said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through reciprocal movements and positioning of said rods by said first and second cam follower operably connections.

Claim 17

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and is mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; in which a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame and parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means and includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said first cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said first cam follower against said first cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first cam surface means throughout said first cam rotation; in which a second retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said second cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means throughout said second cam rotation; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower mounted thEreon spaced from said one end, a second cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said second cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said one cam follower arm spaced from said one cam follower arm one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said second cam follower arm spaced from said second cam follower arm one end, said rods being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said first and second cam follower arms translating movements of said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations into pivotal movements of said first and second cam follower arms and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rods.

Claim 18

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said cam is a first cam and is mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; in which a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame and parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower, said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means and includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said first cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said first cam follower against said first cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first cam surface means during said first cam rotation; in which a second retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said second cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means during said second cam rotation; and in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a second cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said second cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a pair of rigid rods pivotally connected to said first cam follower arm spaced from said first cam follower arm one end, a pair of rigid rods pivotally connected to said second cam follower arm spaced from said second cam follower arm one end, said pairs of rods being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said first and second cam follower arms translating movements and said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations into pivotal movements of said first and second cam follower arms and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said pairs of rods.

Claim 19

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which said blankholder mounting frame includes rearward compressible means therEon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said rearward compressible means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 20

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes rearward compressible means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said rearward compressible means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably associated with certain of said rearward compressible means and said blankholder for limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said rearward compressible means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 21

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which said blankholder mounting means includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 22

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably associated with certain of said blankholder moUnting frame air cylinder means and said blankholder for limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said air cylinder means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 23

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably connected with said blankholder mounting frame air cylinder means for limiting forward expansion of said air cylinder means and thereby limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said air cylinder means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 24

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is positioned stationary with said die ring for engagement by surface means operably connected to said blankholder limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said air cylinder means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 25

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; and in which said blankholder mounting frame includes aiR cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 26

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said cam follower arm spaced from said cam follower arm one end, said rod being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said cam follower arm translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into pivotal movements of said cam follower arm and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rod; and in which said blankholder mounting frame includes rearward compressible means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said rearward compressible means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 27

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said cam follower against said cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part; in which said blankholder actuating means includes a cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said cam follower arm spaced from said cam follower arm one end, said rod being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said cam follower arm translating movements of said cam follower along said cam surface means at least during said cam rotation part into pivotal movements of said cam follower arm and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through sAid rod; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably connected to said rearward compressible means for limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said rearward compressible means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 28

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said cam is a first cam and a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said second cam having cam surface means substantially identical to said first cam for producing said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower and a second cam follower is engaged with and movable along said second cam surface means at least during a part of said second cam rotation substantially identical to said first cam rotation part; in which said retention means is a first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means constantly retains said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means at least during said second cam rotation part; in which said blankholder actuating means is between each of said first and second cam followers and said blankholder mounting frame for reciprocally moving said blankholder mounting frame exactly with said first and second cam follower movements along said first and second cam surface means to at least move said blankholder from said article feed to said drawing position and maintain said blankholder in said drawing position at least according to said first and second cam rotation parts; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes rearward compressible means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said rearward compressible means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably associated with certain of said rearward compressible means and said blankholder for limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said rearward compressible means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 29

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement wiTh said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said cam is a first cam and is mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; in which a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame and parallel to an aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams each having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which said cam follower is a first cam follower, said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations in which said retention means is a first retention means, said first retention means and a second resiliently acting retention means constantly retaining the respective of said first and second cam followers against the respective of said first and second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first and second cam surface means throughout said cam rotations; in which said blankholder actuating means includes a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal rod operably connected forwardly to said blankholder mounting frame and rearwardly to said first cam follower translating movements of said first cam follower along said first cam surface means during said first cam rotation into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through reciprocal movements and positioning of said rod by said first cam follower operably connection, a forwardly and rearwardly reciprocal rod operably connected forwardly to said blankholder mounting frame and rearward to said second cam follower translating movements of said second cam follower along said second cam surface means during said second cam rotation into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through reciprocal movements and positioning of said rod by said second cam follower operably connection; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and exerting a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably connected to said air cylinder means for limiting forward expansion of said air cylinder means and thereby limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said air cylinder means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.

Claim 30

A redraw blankholder positioning mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said article former is of the type wherein said blankholder in said article drawing position engages said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring and maintains said article engagement with said die ring during said forward axial movement of said ram and until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; in which said cam is a first cam and is mounted on said article former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame; in which a second rotatable cam is mounted on said former main frame spaced rearwardly of said blankholder mounting frame and parallel to and aligned with said first cam, said first and second cams having cam surface means for producing all of said blankholder mounting frame movements and positioning; in which Said cam follower is a first cam follower said first cam follower and a second cam follower each being engaged with and movable along the respective of said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations; in which said retention means is a first retention means and includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said first cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said first cam follower against said first cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said first cam surface means throughout said first cam rotation; in which a second resiliently acting retention means includes an air cylinder mounted actionable between said second cam follower and said article former main frame constantly retaining said second cam follower against said second cam surface means and constantly movable exactly along said second cam surface means throughout said second cam rotation; in which said blankholder actuating means includes a first cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said first cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a second cam follower arm having one end pivotally connected to said article former main frame and having said cam follower mounted thereon spaced from said one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said first cam follower arm spaced from said first cam follower arm one end, a rigid rod pivotally connected to said second cam follower arm spaced from said second cam follower arm one end, said rods being positioned forwardly and rearwardly reciprocally on said article former main frame and being secured to said blankholder mounting frame, said first and second cam follower arms translating movements of said first and second cam followers along said first and second cam surface means during said first and second cam rotations into pivotal movements of said first and second cam follower arms and into reciprocal movements and positioning of said blankholder mounting frame through said rods; in which said blankholder mounting frame includes air cylinder means thereon for mounting said blankholder in limited forward and rearward movement relative thereto, said air cylinder means rearwardly compressing during said blankholder engagement of said cup-shaped article forwardly with said redraw die ring in said blankholder article drawing position and forwardly expanding to exert a forward expansive force between said blankholder and said article and between said article and said redraw die ring until said article has been carried from said blankholder through said die ring; and in which motion limiting means is operably connected to said air cylinder means of said blankholder mounting frame for limiting forward expansion of said air cylinder means and thereby limiting forward movement of said blankholder in said forward article drawing position spaced rearwardly at a predetermined distance from said redraw die ring despite said air cylinder means forward expansion and said ram carrying of said article from said blankholder through said die ring.