Abstract:
A die holder for organizing and storing at least one die for use with a crimping tool comprises a body including a first surface and a second surface parallel to and spaced from the first surface, and a first bore extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The first bore terminates at a location that is spaced from the second surface. The die holder further comprises a die holding pin at least partially received within the first bore and having a first portion with a first outer dimension and a second portion with a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension. The die holding pin is movable between a die retaining position and a die releasing position. The die holder also comprises a spring configured to bias the die holding pin from the die releasing position toward the die retaining position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/331,771 filed on May 4, 2016, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to die holders or trees, and more particularly to quick connect mechanisms for die holders. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Crimping dies are typically used in conjunction with a hand held crimping tool for crimping electrical conductors. For conductors having different diameters, pairs of crimping dies corresponding to those diameters may be interchangeably used with the hand held crimping tool. Accordingly, one will often have a number of differently sized pairs of crimping dies for use with the hand held crimping tool. Because the dies are used in pairs, it is desirable to keep them organized together and by crimping diameter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides, in one aspect, a die holder for organizing and storing at least one die for use with a crimping tool. The die holder comprises a body including a first surface and a second surface parallel to and spaced from the first surface, and a first bore extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The first bore terminates at a location that is spaced from the second surface. The die holder further comprises a die holding pin at least partially received within the first bore, the die holding pin having a first portion with a first outer dimension and a second portion with a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension. The die holding pin is movable between a die retaining position and a die releasing position. The die holder further comprises a spring configured to bias the die holding pin from the die releasing position toward the die retaining position. 
         [0005]    The present invention provides, in another aspect, a die holder assembly comprising a die holder including a body having a first surface and a second surface parallel to and spaced from the first surface, and a first bore extending from the first surface toward the second surface. The first bore terminates at a location spaced from the second surface. The die holder body also includes a die holding pin at least partially received within the first bore, the die holding pin having a first portion with a first outer dimension and a second portion with a second outer dimension greater than the first outer dimension, the die holding pin movable between a die retaining position and a die releasing position. The die holder also includes a spring configured to bias the die holding pin from the die releasing position toward the die retaining position. The die holder assembly further comprises at least one die for use with a crimping tool. The die has a mounting portion defining an opening in which the second portion of the die holding pin is received when the die holding pin is in the die retaining position. The mounting portion further defines a gap adjacent the opening through which the first portion of the die holding pin is movable when the die holding pin is in the die releasing position and the die holder is moved relative to the die in a direction parallel to the first and second surfaces. 
         [0006]    Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a die holder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the die holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the die holder of  FIG. 1  through line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , shown with die holding pins each in a first, biased position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the die holder of  FIG. 1  through line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , shown with the die holding pins each in a second, depressed position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a die holding pin of the die holder of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the die holder of  FIG. 1  and a crimping die. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the die holder of  FIG. 1 , shown with pairs of differently sized crimping dies attached thereto. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the die holder of  FIG. 1 , shown with a die holding pin in the second, depressed position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the die holder of  FIG. 1 , shown with a die holding pin in the first, biased position. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a die tree or die holder  10  for storing and organizing crimping dies  14  of various sizes ( FIGS. 6-9 ). The die holder  10  includes a holder body  18  defining a longitudinal axis A and multiple die holding pins  22  received in corresponding die holding pin bores  26  defined in the holder body  18 . The die holding pins  22  are arranged in two corresponding rows of six die holding pins  22  on either side of the longitudinal axis A. In alternate embodiments there may be any number of die holding pins  22  arranged in any of a number of different manners on the body  18 . 
         [0018]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the holder body  18  has a top side  34 , a bottom side  38  ( FIG. 2 ), and opposite longitudinal sides  42  extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A between first and second ends  46 ,  50 . The holder body  18  also defines an opening  54  adjacent the first end  46 . The opening  54  may be used to hang the die holder  10  on a hook for storage. Alternatively, the opening  54  may receive a carabineer or other clip for a user to carry the die holder  10 . 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of the die holding pin bores  26  extends from the top side  34  of the holder body  18  to a spring seating surface  62 . The spring seating surface  62  is spaced from the bottom side  38  such that the die holding pin bore  26  does not extend through the bottom side  38 . A retaining pin bore  66  extends transverse to and through each of the die holding pin bores  26 . Each of the retaining pin bores  66  extends from the longitudinal side  42  nearest the corresponding die holding pin bore  26 . Each of the retaining pin bores  66  receives a corresponding retaining pin  68 . A vertical alignment bore  70  is defined in a boss  74  extending from the spring seating surface  62  within each of the die holding pin bores  26 . The vertical alignment bore  70  is concentric with the die holding pin bore  26 . 
         [0020]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each of the die holding pins  22  includes a head  78 , a first, small diameter portion  82 , and a second, large diameter portion  86 . The small diameter portion  82  extends between the head  78  and the large diameter portion  86  along a longitudinal axis B of the die holding pin  22 . The small diameter portion  82  has a first outer diameter or dimension  84 , and the large diameter portion  86  has a second outer diameter or dimension  88  greater than the first outer diameter. Accordingly, the first outer dimension  84  is less than the second outer dimension  88 . An elongated slot  90  ( FIG. 5 ) extends through the large diameter portion  86  transverse to the longitudinal axis B of the die holding pin  22 . The large diameter portion  86  is axially received within the die holding pin bore  26  such that the elongated slot  90  is aligned with the retaining pin bore  66  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The elongated slot  90  receives the retaining pin, which is also received within the retaining pin bore  66  in the body  18 , to retain the die holding pin  22  within the die holding pin bore  26 . The elongated slot  90  is elongated along the length of the die holding pin  22  to permit axial movement of the die holding pin  22  within the die holding pin bore  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, the small diameter portion  82  and the large diameter portion  86  have a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, at least one of the small diameter portion  82  or the large diameter portion  86  may have a non-circular cross-sectional shape (e.g., a rectangular cross-section). In such embodiments, the first and second outer dimensions  84 ,  88  may be equal to the major dimension of the small and large diameter portions  82 ,  86 . 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the head  78  of each of the die holding pins  22  defines a first groove  94  and a second groove  98 . The first groove  94  extends from an outer circumference of the head  78  through a center of the head  78  to the outer circumference. The second groove  98  extends from the center of the head  78  to the outer circumference of the head  78  perpendicular to the first groove  94 . 
         [0022]    Each of the die holding pins  22  further includes a vertical alignment pin  102  that extends from the large diameter portion  86  opposite the small diameter portion  82  along the longitudinal axis B. The vertical alignment pin  102  is received by the vertical alignment bore  70  to align and center the die holding pin  22  within the die holding pin bore  26 . 
         [0023]    A compression spring  106  is positioned within each of the die holding pin bores  26  between the large diameter portion  86  and the spring seating surface  62 . The compression spring  106  biases the die holding pin  22  into a first, biased, or die retaining position ( FIG. 3 ). The retaining pin extends through the elongated slot  90  to prevent the die holding pin  22  from being ejected from the die holding pin bore  26 . The die holding pin  22  may be depressed against the bias of the compression spring  106  into a second, depressed, or die releasing position ( FIG. 4 ). 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the large diameter portion  86  of each of the die holding pins  22  includes a notch  110  on each side of the longitudinal axis B that defines an inclined surface  114  on opposite sides of the large diameter portion  86  that faces in the direction of the longitudinal side  42  of the body  18  nearest the respective die holding pins  22 . And, each of the inclined surfaces  114  includes a lower end  118  and an upper end  122 . The notches  110  are cut from the large diameter portion  86  to define a narrow portion  126  having a width  128  that is nominally equal to the first outer dimension  84  of the small diameter portion  82 . 
         [0025]    The body  18  and die holding pins  22  may be made from any suitable rigid material, such a rigid thermoplastic or metallic material. The die holder  10  may be any suitable shape or size. For example, the die holder  10  may be a size and shape suitable for fitting within a carrying case for ease of transportation. 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the die holder  10  is intended to hold and organize crimping dies  14 . Each of the dies  14  includes a crimping portion  130  and a mounting portion  134 . The mounting portion  134  includes a pair of legs  138  that are spaced apart by a distance at least as wide as a width defined by the top and bottom sides  34 ,  38  of the holder body  18 . Each of the legs  138  has a pin receiving opening  142  bounded by inward snap projections  146 . The inward snap projections  146  define a gap  150  that extends into the pin receiving opening  142  from a distal end  154  of the mounting portion  134 . The pin receiving opening  142  has a diameter  144  that is nominally greater than the second outer dimension  88  of the large diameter portion  86  of the die holding pin  22 . The gap  150  has a width  152  that is greater than the first outer dimension  84  of the small diameter portion  82 , but less than the second outer dimension  88  of the large diameter portion  86 . 
         [0027]    In the illustrated embodiment, the crimping dies  14  are “X” type dies. Other types of dies (e.g., “W” type dies) may also be supported by the die holder  10 . The crimping dies  14  shown in  FIGS. 6-9  are merely illustrative of one type of die that may be supported by the die holder  10 . 
         [0028]    During assembly of the die holder  10 , the compression spring  106  is inserted into each of the die holding pin bores  26  followed by the die holding pin  22 . The compression spring  106  is compressed between the large diameter portion  86  of the die holding pin  22  and the spring seating surface  62 . The die holding pin  22  is then rotated within the die holding pin bore  26  until the first groove  94  defined in the head  78  is aligned parallel with the longitudinal axis A of the holder body  18  and the second groove  98  is directed at and aligned perpendicular with the nearest longitudinal side  42  of the holder body  18 . Accordingly, the die holding pin  22  is oriented such that the elongated slot  90  is aligned with the retaining pin bore  66  and the inclined surfaces  114  of the die holding pin  22  face away from the longitudinal axis A of the die holder  10  (i.e., toward the longitudinal side  42  nearest the die holding pin  22 ). Once properly oriented, a retaining pin  68  is inserted through the retaining pin bore  66  and the elongated slot  90  of the die holding pin  22  to retain the die holding pin  22  within the die holding pin bore  26 . The retaining pin  68  may be interference fit within the retaining pin bore  66  to prevent the retaining pin  68  from falling out of the retaining pin bore  66 . 
         [0029]    In order to attach the crimping die  14  to one of the die holding pins  22  of the holder  10 , one simply slides the die  14  laterally onto the holder body  18 , such that each of the mounting portions  134  of the die  14  slides adjacent and parallel to a corresponding one of the top and bottom sides  34 ,  38  of the holder body  18 . The die  14  is then slid into a position, in which the narrow portion  126  of the die holding pin  22  is received in the gap  150  between the inward snap projections  146 , such that each of the inward snap projections  146  contact the lower end  118  of one of inclined surfaces  114 . The die  14  is then moved laterally along the top and bottom sides  34 ,  38  of the holder body  18  toward the longitudinal axis A of the holder body  18 , causing the inward snap projections  146  to slide along the inclined surfaces  114 , which then urges the die holding pin  22  to move toward the depressed position ( FIG. 4 ) against the bias of the compression spring  106 . Once the inward snap projections  146  pass the upper ends  122  of the inclined surfaces  114 , the die holding pin  22  is returned to the biased position ( FIG. 3 ) by the compression spring  106 , such that the large diameter portion  86  is received within the pin receiving opening  142  of the die  14  ( FIG. 7 ) to retain the die  14  relative to the holder body  18 . The die  14  is retained on the die holder  10  by the inward snap projections  146 , as the large diameter portion  86  is unable to pass through the gap  150 . 
         [0030]    To remove the die  14  from the die holder  10 , the die holding pin  22  is simply manually depressed into the depressed position ( FIGS. 4 and 8 ). Once the die holding pin  22  is in the depressed position, the die  14  may be slid laterally off the holder body  18  such that each of the mounting portions  134  of the die  14  slide adjacent and parallel to a corresponding one of the top and bottom sides  34 ,  38 , passing the small diameter portion  82  of the die holding pin  22  through the gap  150 . 
         [0031]    Alternatively, the die holding pin  22  may be manually moved to the depressed position ( FIGS. 4 and 8 ). While depressed, the die  14  may be laterally slid onto the holder body  18 , such that the small diameter portion  82  passes through the gap  150  and is received by the pin receiving opening  142 . The die holding pin  22  may then be released, allowing the compression spring  106  to bias the die holding pin  22  to return to the biased position, such that the large diameter portion  86  is received within the pin receiving opening  142  of the die  14  ( FIGS. 3 and 9 ). Due to the second outer dimension  88  of the large diameter portion  86  being larger than the gap  150 , the die  14  is retained on the holder by the inward snap projections  146 . The die  14  may be removed from the die holder  10  in a similar manner as described above. 
         [0032]    Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.