US3818748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety apparatus for presses
Assignee: Ryerson and Haynes Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-15
•
Granted: 1974-06-25
•
Expires: 1992-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A safety press apparatus for repeated operation at full production speed and for the prevention of injuries to an operator thereof. The apparatus comprises a traveling bolster assembly incorporated on a power press. The bolster assembly includes a bolster plate movable between an operative position beneath said press ram and a control and loading station spaced sufficiently from the ram of said press to prevent injury to any part of the operator. A safety control feature prevents operation of the press until the bolster is in its operative position and automatically returns the bolster to its inoperative position if its movement is obstructed. In one embodiment, the assembly includes restraining means for automatically restraining pressure pins used in conjunction with drawing dies except when the bolster is in its operative position.
Inventors
- 👤 H Smit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:33
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16P; F16P3/00; F16P3/12; B; B21; B21D; B21D55/00; B21J; B21J13/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
In a power press of the type having an upper movable ram and a lower press bed; means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed; a bolster assembly for supporting a die on said bed beneath said ram; control means for controlling the operation of said ram, said control means including a manually actuated means; said press permitting an operator standing adjacent thereto to place work pieces on said die and operate said manually actuated control means; the improvement comprising: means for mounting said manually actuated means at a first position located a distance spaced horizontally from said ram whereby an operator standing in a position to actuate said manually actuated means cannot reach under said ram; means for movably supporting said bolster for movement from an operative position underneath said ram to a remote position adjacent said manually actuated means where the operator stands to operate said manually actuated means and vice versa; motive power meAns for moving said bolster between said positions; and additional control means for controlling the said motive power means whereby an operator standing at said manually actuated means remote from said ram can first place work pieces on said die and then actuate said manually actuated means for operation of said control means and additional control means to cause said die and work piece to move under said ram and said ram to perform a working operation on said work piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
In a power press of the type having an upper movable ram and a lower press bed; means for reciprocating said ram toward and away from said bed; a bolster assembly for supporting a die on said bed beneath said ram; control means for controlling the operation of said ram, said control means including a manually actuated means; said press permitting an operator standing adjacent thereto to place work pieces on said die and operate said manually actuated control means; the improvement comprising: means for mounting said manually actuated means at a first position located a distance spaced horizontally from said ram whereby an operator standing in a position to actuate said manually actuated means cannot reach under said ram; means for movably supporting said bolster for movement from an operative position underneath said ram to a remote position adjacent said manually actuated means where the operator stands to operate said manually actuated means and vice versa; motive power meAns for moving said bolster between said positions; and additional control means for controlling the said motive power means whereby an operator standing at said manually actuated means remote from said ram can first place work pieces on said die and then actuate said manually actuated means for operation of said control means and additional control means to cause said die and work piece to move under said ram and said ram to perform a working operation on said work piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes safety shielding means for shielding an operator from foreign objects accidentally impelled by said bolster.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said safety shielding means comprises a protective plate secured to a support rod, said plate and rod being mounted on said assembly between said remote position and said operator position; said rod being removably secured on said assembly by a spring-biased means which releases said rod and plate only when a force greater than a predetermined level is exerted on said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes cover means for shielding the internal mechanisms of said press and bolster from foreign objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said cover means comprise retractable curtains and said bolster has opposite ends facing said operative and remote positions respectively, said curtains fixed to said opposite ends of said bolster and mounted on retracting rollers adjacent each of said positions such that, as said bolster is moved between said remote and operative positions, said curtains are alternately extended and retracted to cover the areas between those positions and said bolster.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes support rails for said bolster; said bolster including a plurality of wheels for movement along said rails; said rails including positioning means comprising recesses formed below the normal supporting surface of said rail means in said operative position; said recesses having a bottom and end portions; said end portions being inclined between said normal supporting surface and said bottom portion such that said wheels are received in said recesses by rolling along said inclined end portions whereby said bolster is lowered onto and supported by said press bed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said motive power means comprises at least one fluid pressure cylinder including an extendable piston and piston rod; said piston and piston rod being extended in response to said control means in order to move said bolster between said remote and operative positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fluid pressure cylinder comprises a pneumatic cylinder, said piston and piston rod being extended with compressed air.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
A power press apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control means comprises circuit means and selection means for selective operation of said circuit means; said circuit means arranged to be activated only by an operator actuating said manually actuated means while standing at said operator position; said selection means comprising: first means for selecting coordinated low speed operation of both said bolster and press ram; second means for selecting coordinated high speed operation of both said bolster and said press ram; and third means for selecting the press ram operation alone when said bolster is in said operative position; said circuit means adapted to cause the movement of said bolster from said remote position to said operative position in a predetermined period of time; said circuit means also adapted to prevent further operation of said apparatus if said movement of said bolster in obstructed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said circuit means comprises fluid flow control valve means and electrical means for controlling said valve means; said electrical means and valve means adapted to cause said bolster movement between said remote and operative positions within sAid time period; said electrical means adapted to cause the automatic return of said bolster to said remote position when said bolster does not reach said operative position within said time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said control means further includes registry means for indicating the correct positioning of said bolster in said operative position and means cooperating with said registry means for activating the reciprocation of said ram in response to said indication of said correct position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said registry means includes at least one extendable pin, fluid pressure means for extending said pin, at least one electrical limit switch for controlling the activation of said fluid pressure means; said cooperating means comprising a plate mounted on said pin for engaging at least one electrical limit switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including energy absorbing means comprising at least one shock absorber mounted at said remote position and at least one shock absorber mounted at said operative position, said shock absorbers arranged such that they decelerate said bolster at said respective positions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said shock absorbers are adjustable in order to accommodate various dies having various masses which are supported and transported by said bolster.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
177 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; fluid cylinders on either side of said bolster means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said support means including bearing means for anti-friction movable support of said bolster means and means for removing any support forces from said bearing means when said bolster means is in said second position; manual means for actuating said control means spaced a distance from the press ram whereby an operator of said assembly on a press cannot reach under said ram; and means on either side of said bolster means for housing said cylinders, at least a portion of said control means, and said deceleration means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
177 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; fluid cylinders on either side of said bolster means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said support means including bearing means for anti-friction movable support of said bolster means and means for removing any support forces from said bearing means when said bolster means is in said second position; manual means for actuating said control means spaced a distance from the press ram whereby an operator of said assembly on a press cannot reach under said ram; and means on either side of said bolster means for housing said cylinders, at least a portion of said control means, and said deceleration means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
110 words
A traveling bolster assembly as described in claim 15 wherein said bolster means comprises a bolster plate for supporting a die; said plate including a plurality of supporting wheels comprising said bearing means; said support means including a pair of elongated rails spaced horizontally apart and parallel to one another; said means for removing any support forces from said bearing means including depressions formed in said rails at said second position such that, in said second position, said wheels are received in said depressions, thereby vertically displacing said bolster plate and causing said bolster plate to be supported by a portion of a press operated in conjunction with said assembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
186 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said control means including: fluid flow control valve means; electrical means for controlling said valve means; said electrical means including timing means; and selection means for selective operation of said electrical means; said electrical means and fluid flow control valve means adapted to cauSe the movement of said bolster means from said first position to said second position within a predetermined time period set on said timing means; said electrical means and fluid flow control valve adapted to cause the automatic return of said bolster means to said first position when said bolster does not reach said second position within said period.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
186 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said control means including: fluid flow control valve means; electrical means for controlling said valve means; said electrical means including timing means; and selection means for selective operation of said electrical means; said electrical means and fluid flow control valve means adapted to cauSe the movement of said bolster means from said first position to said second position within a predetermined time period set on said timing means; said electrical means and fluid flow control valve adapted to cause the automatic return of said bolster means to said first position when said bolster does not reach said second position within said period.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
A traveling bolster assembly as described in claim 17 wherein said control means further includes registry means for indicating the correct positioning of said bolster plate in said second position and cooperating means for activating a subsequent operation of a press used in conjunction with said assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said deceleration means including at least one shock absorber mounted in each of said first and second positions, said shock absorbers adapted to stop said bolster means in said respective positions in a certain distance from a predetermined speed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
124 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said deceleration means including at least one shock absorber mounted in each of said first and second positions, said shock absorbers adapted to stop said bolster means in said respective positions in a certain distance from a predetermined speed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
108 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for cntrolled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said assembly further including a releasable safety shield maintained in a spring-biased mounting immediately adjacent one of said positions of said bolster means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
108 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press including a press ram; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for cntrolled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said assembly further including a releasable safety shield maintained in a spring-biased mounting immediately adjacent one of said positions of said bolster means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
A traveling bolster assembly as described in claim 15 wherein said assembly further includes a retractable cover curtain, said curtain mounted on spring-biased rollers and secured to the opposite ends of said bolster means adjacent said first and second positions such that said curtain alternately covers the areas between said bolster means and said respective positions as said bolster means is moved.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
125 words
A movable bolster assembly for mounting on a power press including at least two fluid cylinders for moving said bolster between at least two horizontal positions with respect to said power press; said fluid cylinders being mounted at positions spaced laterally of the opposite lateral sides of said bolster means; press control means for preventing operation of the press in all positions except one of said horizontal positions of said bolster; energy absorbing means for repeatedly stopping said bolster in said respective positions from a high rate of speed such that the overall production speed of said bolster and press is maintained; and means defining housings for said cylinders, said housing means also including said energy absorbing means and a portion of said control means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
125 words
A movable bolster assembly for mounting on a power press including at least two fluid cylinders for moving said bolster between at least two horizontal positions with respect to said power press; said fluid cylinders being mounted at positions spaced laterally of the opposite lateral sides of said bolster means; press control means for preventing operation of the press in all positions except one of said horizontal positions of said bolster; energy absorbing means for repeatedly stopping said bolster in said respective positions from a high rate of speed such that the overall production speed of said bolster and press is maintained; and means defining housings for said cylinders, said housing means also including said energy absorbing means and a portion of said control means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
A movable bolster as described in claim 22 wherein said energy absorbing means comprise at least one shock absorber mounted adjacent each of said positions such that a portion of said bolster is contacted, thereby stopping the entire bolster in said positions with said shock absorbers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
143 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said control means including means for actuating said motive power means to cause the movement of said bolster means between said first and second positions in a predetermined period of time, and means for preventing further operation of said assembly and any associated power press if said movement of said bolster means between said positions is not completed in said predetermined period.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
143 words
A traveling bolster assembly for a power press; said assembly adapted to prevent injuries to operators of such presses during the repeated production usage of such presses; said assembly comprising in combination a movable bolster means; support means for said bolster means; motive power means for moving said bolster means between at least a first and second positions; control means for controlled movement of said bolster means between said positions; and deceleration means for said bolster means at said respective positions; said control means including means for actuating said motive power means to cause the movement of said bolster means between said first and second positions in a predetermined period of time, and means for preventing further operation of said assembly and any associated power press if said movement of said bolster means between said positions is not completed in said predetermined period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US737427A
Cited
DE678935C
Cited
US3002479A
Cited
US3111100A
Cited
US2908405A
Cited
US2988234A
Cited
US2940384A
Cited
US3225686A
Cited
US3213739A
Cited
US3273490A
Cited
US3455141A
Cited
US3673849A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-24 | 1977-12-24 | 1978-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-24 | 1981-12-24 | 1982-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-24 | 1985-12-24 | 1986-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |