Patent ID: 8955364
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: B21D,B23P

Abstract:
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 body 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 pilot insert having at least a portion thereof shaped for press fit reception in said central aperture of said pilot body in an assembled condition, and including a circularly shaped innermost collar portion disposed adjacent said outer end surface of said pilot body when in said assembled condition and shaped for close reception in a pilot hole in the stock strip, a generally tapered 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 tapered outer portion; at least one rigid ejector pin slidingly received and retained in said ejector pin aperture in said pilot body, having an inner end oriented away from the stock strip and an outer end oriented toward the stock strip and protruding outwardly from said outer end surface of said outer end portion of said pilot body when urged to an extended position to contact the stock strip and strip the same away from said pilot insert, and retracting inwardly toward said pilot body 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 body, an outer end oriented toward the stock strip 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 insert in said assembled condition; a retainer operably connected with said base portion of said pilot insert, and engaging said inner end of said spring member to retain said spring member in a pre-tensed condition on said spring retainer collar when in said assembled condition to resiliently urge said ejector pin to said extended position; 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 body, 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 body, 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 body during operation of said metal forming die to insure that the stock strip is consistently stripped away from said pilot insert.