Patent ID: 6085625
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: B26F,Y10T

Abstract:
A steel rule die comprising:(a) an upper, dimensionally-stable plate which has been laser cut in a series of primary main kerfs;(b) an intermediate plate of a synthetic plastic material having the property of elastic deformability, said intermediate plate having been laser cut in a series of secondary main kerfs, said series of secondary main kerfs being originally identical to said series of primary main kerfs, but, in addition, including, in at least one of said secondary main kerfs, at least one region which includes an interference kerf, said interference kerf being of substantially the same width as said secondary main kerf but being laterally-offset from a longitudinally-extending axis of said secondary main kerf, and being in direct communication with said secondary main kerf, said intermediate plate also including a relief kerf, said relief kerf being disposed alongside said interference kerf, and being spaced a predetermined distance from the closer outer edge of said secondary main kerf, said laterally-offset distance between said interference kerf and said secondary main kerf being substantially equal to the width of said secondary main kerf, the length of said relief kerf being substantially equal to, but slightly longer than, the length of said interference kerf;(c) a lower, dimensionally-stable plate which has been laser cut in a series of tertiary main kerfs which is identical to said series of primary main kerfs;(d) a plurality of steel rules each of which extend downwardly through an associated one of said series of primary main kerfs and each of which extend downwardly through, and are selectively-releasably-secured within an associated one of said series of secondary main kerfs in said intermediate plate and extend into, and repose within, an associated one of said series of tertiary main kerfs in said lower plate; and(e) means rigidly securing said upper, dimensionally-stable plate, said intermediate synthetic plastic plate and said lower dimensionally-stable plate together in a dimensionally-stable manner, thereby to provide a monolithic unit.