US3738569A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Punch press
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-30
•
Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1990-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A punch press is provided, wherein the punch cylinder head carries a plurality of punches, such that, as the cylinder head is moved downwardly toward the workplate or table, to engage the work, all of the punches descend with the cylinder head, but with only one of the punches being normally actuated to perform a punching operation, with the remaining punches carried by the cylinder head being retractable upon engaging the workpiece. A solenoid may be used to actuate a punch that is to work, by moving a ''''key'''' or ''''gag'''' into position behind the punch that is to be used. The punch that is to be fixed against retraction may be automatically operated, as by being programmed from a computer, which selects a given punch to perform a given operation, depending upon cards or tapes that are programmed into the computer to control the same, with the computer or similar control device also controlling the movement of the workpiece, and by controlling the movement of the worktable or workplate. For more complex operations, in which many different types of holes would be desired in a given workpiece for example, a plurality of cylinder heads (for example six or more), may be utilized in a bank, each with a plurality of punches carried thereby and operated in the manner discussed above. However, this latter system generally utilizes a two-stage selection device, whereby one selection is operative by actuating hydraulic valves or the like for controlling the downward movement of one of the six or more cylinder heads, with the other stage comprising the actuation of one of the punches carried by the cylinder head to be utilized, by moving a ''''key'''' or ''''gag'''' behind the punch as aforesaid. In the two-stage device of this invention, the computer will usually effect both selections, as well as the workplate motion, generally based upon such parameters as minimizing workpiece motion and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 J Killaly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:43
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D28/00; B21D28/24; B21D28/246; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/162; Y10T83/166; Y10T83/169; Y10T83/173; Y10T83/175; Y10T83/808; Y10T83/825; Y10T83/869; Y10T83/8759; Y10T83/8821; Y10T83/8828; Y10T83/8831
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a cylinder head, means mounting the cylinder head above said workplate for relative vertical movement with respect thereto, and means for driving the cylinder head in a downward vertical direction and facilitating the upward retraction thereof, with said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and selectively operable means for fixing one of said protruding punches against vertical upward movement relative to said cylinder head whilE permitting at least another said punch to remain free for upward movement relative to said cylinder head, including means for automatically adjusting the lateral position of a workpiece carried by said workplate in response to the position of a selected punch, and means for selectively actuating said fixing means to lock a selected said punch against vertical upward movement relative to its cylinder head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a cylinder head, means mounting the cylinder head above said workplate for relative vertical movement with respect thereto, and means for driving the cylinder head in a downward vertical direction and facilitating the upward retraction thereof, with said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and selectively operable means for fixing one of said protruding punches against vertical upward movement relative to said cylinder head whilE permitting at least another said punch to remain free for upward movement relative to said cylinder head, including means for automatically adjusting the lateral position of a workpiece carried by said workplate in response to the position of a selected punch, and means for selectively actuating said fixing means to lock a selected said punch against vertical upward movement relative to its cylinder head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprises a laterally movable stop, mounted in said cylinder head for movement transverse to the path of upward movement of a punch within its cylinder head, for blocking upward movement of the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein activation means are provided as components of said fixing means, with one said activation means being provided for each said punch, and with each said activation means being operably connected to a said laterally movable stop for an associated said punch, for selective fixing of a said punch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each said activation means comprises an electromagnetic or solenoid device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuating means includes electronic control means for sensing the lateral position of a workpiece on said workplate relative to the lateral position of said punches, and activation means for said fixing means associated with each said punch, with said control means being connected to said activation means for controlled operation of said actuation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fixing means comprises a laterally movable stop, mounted in said cylinder head for movement transverse to the path of upward movement of a punch within its cylinder head, for blocking upward movement of the same, and wherein each said punch is provided with its own said stop and with an activation means being provided for each punch as part of said actuation means, with each said activation means being mounted on said cylinder head for movement therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6, including a spring-biased holddown carried by said cylinder head for engaging and maintaining position of the workpiece during a punching operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
182 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a cylinder head, means mounting the cylinder head above said workplate for relative vertical movement with respect thereto, and means for driving the cylinder head in a downward vertical direction and facilitating the upward retraction thereof, with said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and selectively operable means for fixing one of said protruding punches against vertical upward movement relative to said cylinder head while permitting at least another said punch to remain free for upward movement relative to said cylinder head, including means for adjusting the lateral position of a workpiece carried by the workplate, and means for selectively actuating said fixing means to lock a selected said punch against vertical upward movement relative to its cylinder head, and including means, connecting said selective actuating means and workpiece position-adjusting means for automatic operation of at least one of said selective actuating means and workpiece position-adjusting means in response to the relative positions of punches and workpiece.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a cylinder head, means mounting the cylinder head above said workplate for relative vertical movement with respect thereto, and means for driving the cylinder head in a downward vertical direction and facilitating the upward retraction thereof, with said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and selectively operable means for fixing one of said protruding punches against vertical upward movement relative to said cylinder head while permitting at least another said punch to remain free for upward movement relative to said cylinder head, including means for adjusting the lateral position of a workpiece carried by the workplate, and means for selectively actuating said fixing means to lock a selected said punch against vertical upward movement relative to its cylinder head, and including means, connecting said selective actuating means and workpiece position-adjusting means for automatic operation of at least one of said selective actuating means and workpiece position-adjusting means in response to the relative positions of punches and workpiece.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a plurality of cylinder heads mounted above the workplate for vertically downward movement theretoward, means for driving any of said cylinder heads downwardly toward said workpiece and for facilitating upward retraction thereof, with each said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and means for fixing one of said protruding punches relative to its cylinder head against vertical upward movement relativE thereto, including two-stage selection means for selecting a given said cylinder head and actuating its said driving means, and for selecting a punch of said selected cylinder head and actuating its said fixing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A punch press comprising a workplate, a plurality of cylinder heads mounted above the workplate for vertically downward movement theretoward, means for driving any of said cylinder heads downwardly toward said workpiece and for facilitating upward retraction thereof, with each said cylinder head having a plurality of punches carried thereby and protruding downwardly therefrom, but mounted in said cylinder head for vertical upward movement relative thereto, and means for fixing one of said protruding punches relative to its cylinder head against vertical upward movement relativE thereto, including two-stage selection means for selecting a given said cylinder head and actuating its said driving means, and for selecting a punch of said selected cylinder head and actuating its said fixing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said two-stage selection means includes control means for automatically actuating said two-stage selection means in response to the lateral position of a workpiece relative to the lateral positions of the punches in accordance with a predetermined sequence.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9, including drive means for said workpiece, for lateral positioning thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11, including control means for automatically controlling the sequence of operation of said workpiece drive means and both stages of said two-stage selection means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said driving means includes cylinders with fluid-actuated pistons and fluid supply lines therefor, with said pistons being connected to said cylinder heads by piston rods, and with valves in said fluid supply lines being adapted for selective actuation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said fixing means includes a laterally movable stop associated with each punch and movable between a first retracted position in which the associated punch is free to move vertically upwardly relative to its associated cylinder head and a second position traversing the path of upward movement of the punch in the head and in which the punch is blocked against upward movement relative to its associated said cylinder head, with each said fixing means also including activation means therefor, mounted on and carried by an associated said cylinder, said activation means each comprising an electrically operable solenoid device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |