Patent ID: 9289815
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: B21D,B21K

Claim Text:
1. In a multi-station progressive metal forming die having at least two mutually converging and diverging die members between which an elongate stock strip is shifted longitudinally to form parts from the stock strip, the improvement of a modular pilot assembly with self-contained stripper for precisely locating the stock strip in the die stations, comprising: a pilot sleeve operably supported on one of said die members and having a generally cylindrical shape with an outer end portion oriented toward the stock strip, an oppositely disposed inner end portion oriented away from the stock strip, and a central aperture extending through said outer and inner end portions, and wherein; a rigid pilot pin having at least a portion thereof shaped for close reception in said central aperture of said pilot sleeve in an assembled condition, and including a circularly shaped innermost collar portion disposed adjacent said flat outer end of said pilot sleeve when in said assembled condition and shaped for close reception in a pilot hole in the stock strip, a generally frusto-conically shaped outer portion configured to engage the pilot hole in the stock strip and guide the stock strip to a predetermined position in an associated die forming station, and a base portion positioned opposite said frusto-conically shaped outer portion; at least one rigid ejector pin slidingly received and retained in said ejector pin aperture in said outer end portion of said pilot sleeve, having an inner end oriented away from the stock strip and an outer end oriented toward the stock strip and protruding outwardly from said flat outer end of said outer end portion of said pilot sleeve when urged to an extended position to contact the stock strip and strip the same away from said pilot pin, and retracts toward said pilot sleeve when urged to a retracted position; a spring member having a generally hollow interior that is received onto and over said spring retainer collar on said inner end portion of said pilot sleeve, an outer end oriented toward the stock strip, received in said spring groove and operably engaging said inner end of said ejector pin to bias said ejector pin outwardly to said extended position, and an inner end oriented away from the stock strip and positioned adjacent to said base portion of said pilot pin in said assembled condition; and a mounting screw having an enlarged head portion with a circular plan shape that is at least partially, closely received in said fastener relief in said outer end portion of said pilot sleeve, an annularly shaped inner face oriented away from the stock strip and abuttingly engaging said relief end surface of said fastener relief in said outer end portion of said pilot sleeve, and a threaded shank portion anchored in said one die member to securely, yet detachably mount said pilot assembly on said one die member in a manner which causes said ejector pin to automatically reciprocate between said retracted and extended positions relative to said pilot sleeve during operation of said metal forming die to insure that the stock strip is consistently stripped away from said pilot pin.