Patent ID: 6796158
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
A press system comprising:a frame; a slide that is movable guidingly relative to the frame in a predetermined path between a first position and a second position; a first die element on the slide and having a forming surface against which a workpiece can be borne to conform the workpiece to the forming surface as the slide is moved from the first position towards the second position; and a knockout assembly comprising an ejecting element that is movable selectively relative to the first die element between extended and retracted positions, the ejecting element causing a workpiece conformed to the forming surface to be separated from the forming surface as an incident of the ejecting element moving from the retracted position into the extended position, the knockout assembly further comprising a knockout bar and at least a first knockout pin, the knockout bar movable relative to the slide between a retracted position and an extended position and causing the ejecting element to move from its retracted position into its extended position as an incident of the knockout bar moving from its retracted position into its extended position, the at least first knockout pin causing the knockout bar to be moved from its retracted position into its extended position as an incident of the slide moving from the second position into the first position, the first knockout pin and the knockout bar having an operative relationship that is variable from a location remote from the first knockout pin, wherein the knockout bar is movable guidingly relative to the slide between its extended and retracted positions, wherein the at least first knockout pin has a first surface, with the knockout bar in its retracted position and the slide in the second position the first surface is spaced from the knockout bar a first distance, and the operative relationship between the first knockout pin and the knockout bar is variable by changing the first distance.