Abstract:
A stock ejector assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a stock ejector with a large spring and a ring-style stripper. The ring-style stripper provides a larger surface area for contacting the stock. The large compression spring is preloaded and when a load is applied, the stripper retracts and the spring pressure increases. When the dies separate, the stock ejector pushes the part off flat surfaces, separating surfaces sealed by adhesion, including but not limited to oil or lubricant adhesion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Applicants hereby claim the priority benefits under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119, basing said claim of priority on related U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/985,834 filed Apr. 29, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to metal forming dies and the like, and in particular to a stock ejector assembly and associated method incorporating a unique stock ejector assembly. 
         [0003]    Metal forming dies, such as stamping dies and the like, are well known in the art. Progressive metal forming dies are unique, very sophisticated mechanisms which have multiple stations or progressions that are aligned longitudinally, and are designed to perform a specified operation at each station in a predetermined sequence to create a finished metal part. Progressive stamping dies are capable of forming complex metal parts at very high speeds, so as to minimize manufacturing costs. 
         [0004]    Heretofore, the dies used in metal forming presses have typically been individually designed, one-of-a-kind assemblies for a particular part, with each of the various components being handcrafted and custom mounted or fitted in an associated die set, which is in turn positioned in a stamping press. Not only are the punches and the other forming tools in the die set individually designed and constructed, but the other parts of the die set, such as stock lifters, guides, end caps and keepers, cam returns, etc., are also custom designed, and installed in the die set. Current die making processes require carefully machined, precision holes and recesses in the die set for mounting the individual components, such that the same are quite labor intensive, and require substantial lead time to make, test and set up in a stamping press. Consequently, such metal forming dies are very expensive to design, manufacture and repair or modify. 
         [0005]    A liquid, such as a lubricant, mill oil or water may be used on the stock and one or more of the die parts to decrease the wear on the die parts and/or damage to the stock. When a liquid is used on the stock or upper and/or lower die parts of a metal forming die, the stock has a tendency to stick to the die parts. Thus, something must be done to break the lubricant tension/adhesion on the stock so that it can be removed from that portion of the die. In addition, tension/adhesion can also exist between the stock and flat surfaces on the dies whether or not a liquid is used with the stock and/or dies. Such adhesion between flat surfaces also requires the breaking of the developed tension. One way of breaking the tension is to use a threaded spring plunger. This is a self-contained assembly that includes a very small diameter spring which is prone to fail quickly due to its size. When the threaded spring plunger fails, it is a hassle for stampers as they have to continuously replace the threaded spring plungers. Another problem is that the threaded spring plungers typically have a pointed tip that can leave a mark on the stock if the spring pressure is too great. 
         [0006]      FIGS. 18-21  illustrate two well-known prior art assemblies. For example,  FIG. 18  illustrates the upper die member  72  of a die set with spring plungers  140 . The spring plunger  140  includes a spring portion and a tip  146 . The spring is received in an aperture  142  in the die member  72  such that the threaded surface  144  of the aperture  142  corresponds to the contours of the spring plunger  140 . Such spring plungers  140  typically fail due to the small spring, which effects the overall lifespan of the spring plunger. The tip  146  has a small contact point that can mark the stock material. In addition, due to the small surface area of the tip  146 , the spring plunger  140  can have trouble breaking the lubricant tension/adhesion on the stock strip. As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the insertion of spring plunger  140  into die member  72  can be a difficult assembly, as the aperture  142  needs to be threaded  144  to correspond to the shape of the spring plunger  140 . 
         [0007]    Another example of the prior art includes ejector pin assemblies  148 , as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 . The ejector pins  148  include a pin  151  with a tip  152  that extends through a hole  157  in the bottom surface  161  of the die member  72 . Another hole  158  includes a threaded portion  156  that mates with a set screw  154  of the ejector assembly  148 . A spring  150  is received in hole  158  in between the set screw  154  and the head  160  of the pin  151 . The spring  150  pushes the head  160  of the pin  151  such that the tip  152  of the pin  151  can extend from the underside  161  of the die member  72 . Use of the ejector pins  148  requires costly machining as the die member  72  must receive several small parts. Small holes must be drilled for the pin  151  of the ejector pin assembly  148 . The die member  72  has to be counter-bored and tapped for the set screw  154 . In addition, the components of the ejector pin assemblies  148  are small components and require an immense amount of time to assemble. 
         [0008]    The need for an improved stock ejector thus stems from the issues that metal stamping producers and die shops have long had when creating an “oil breaker” setup in their dies. The improved stock ejector addresses two main items that are currently problematic: The first is that it utilizes a large spring, which provides a much longer product life than a traditional spring plunger. The large spring is on the “exterior” of the assembly and the other construction methods are internal. This design provides the ability for a large spring to be used while keeping the overall footprint of the assembly as small as possible. The second is the increase in surface area that makes contact with the stock. Typical plunger “point” style on spring plungers have very little surface area, and most commonly used are the points that are rounded/spherical. This provides very little contact with the stock and it can leave a “mark” if the spring pressure compared to the contact surface area on the stock are not proper. The improved stock ejector utilizes a “ring” style stripper, which provides more overall surface area in contact with the stock. This amount of contact surface area prevents the stock from being “marked” but is also not so high that the stock wants to stick to it. 
         [0009]    Thus, a product that solves these problems would be advantageous and is described herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    One aspect of the present invention is a stock ejector assembly that utilizes a large spring, thereby providing a longer product life. The spring is on the “exterior” of the assembly, allowing for a large spring to be used while keeping the overall footprint of the assembly as small as possible. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a stock ejector assembly that has an increased surface area that makes contact with the stock. Thus, the present invention includes a “ring” style stripper which provides a larger surface area to contact the stock. The increased contact surface area prevents the stock from being “marked” and prevents the stock from sticking to the ejector. 
         [0011]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is 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, along with an improved stock ejector assembly. The stock ejector assembly includes a stripper with an outer collar portion with an outer end surface oriented toward the stock strip, having a generally cylindrical first sidewall with a first outer diameter. The stripper also has an inner collar portion with an inner end surface oriented away from the stock strip, having a generally cylindrical second sidewall with a second outer diameter which is less than the first outer diameter of the first sidewall of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented shoulder therebetween. The outer collar portion of the stripper also has a first inner diameter, and the inner collar portion has a second inner diameter which is less than the first inner diameter of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented inner shoulder therebetween. A ring-shaped surface is formed on the stripper for contacting the stock strip. The stock ejector assembly includes a flange nut having a generally cylindrical outer end portion oriented toward the stock strip, an inner end portion that is oriented away from the stock strip, and a fastener aperture extending from the outer end portion through the inner end portion. The stock ejector assembly also has a spring member with a generally hollow interior that is received over the outer end portion of the flange nut and the inner collar portion of the stripper. The outer end of the spring member is oriented toward the stock strip and engages the radially oriented shoulder of the stripper. The opposite inner end of the spring member is oriented away from the stock strip and engages a surface of the inner end portion of the flange nut. A fastener secures the stock ejector assembly to one of the die members. 
         [0012]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a stock ejector assembly for metal forming dies that have least two mutually converging and diverging die members to form parts from the stock strip. The stock ejector assembly includes a stripper with an outer collar portion having an outer end surface oriented toward the stock strip with a generally cylindrical first sidewall with a first outer diameter. The stripper also has inner collar portion with an inner end surface oriented away from the stock strip, having a generally cylindrical second sidewall with a second outer diameter which is less than the first outer diameter of the first sidewall of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented shoulder therebetween. The outer collar portion of the stripper also has a first inner diameter, and the inner collar portion has a second inner diameter which is less than the first inner diameter of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented inner shoulder therebetween. A ring-shaped surface is formed on the stripper for contacting the stock strip. The stock ejector assembly includes a flange nut having a generally cylindrical outer end portion that is oriented toward the stock strip, an inner end portion that is oriented away from the stock strip, and a fastener aperture extending from the outer end portion through the inner end portion. The stock ejector assembly also includes a spring member having a generally hollow interior that is received over the outer end portion of the flange nut and the inner collar portion of the stripper. The spring member has an outer end oriented toward the stock strip that engages the radially oriented shoulder of the stripper, and an opposite inner end oriented away from the stock strip that engages a surface of the inner end portion of the flange nut. The stock ejector assembly includes a fastener that can be used to secure the stock ejector assembly to a die member. 
         [0013]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for making 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, with the improvement of at least one stock ejector assembly. The method includes forming a stripper with an outer collar portion with an outer end surface oriented toward the stock strip with a generally cylindrical first sidewall having a first outer diameter, an inner collar portion with an inner end surface oriented away from the stock strip with a generally cylindrical second sidewall having a second outer diameter which is less than the first outer diameter of the first sidewall of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented shoulder therebetween. The method includes forming the outer collar portion with a first inner diameter and the inner collar portion with a second inner diameter which is less than the first inner diameter of the outer collar portion to define an annularly shaped, radially oriented inner shoulder therebetween. The method includes forming an aperture in the inner collar portion of the stripper. The method includes selecting a flange nut with a generally cylindrical outer end portion that is oriented toward the stock strip, an inner end portion that is oriented away from the stock strip, and a fastener aperture extending from the outer end portion through the inner end portion. The method includes selecting a spring member with a generally hollow interior, an outer end oriented toward the stock strip with an opposite inner end oriented away from the stock strip. The method includes inserting the spring member over the outer end portion of the flange nut and the inner collar portion of the stripper such that the outer end of the spring member engages the radially oriented outer shoulder of the stripper and the inner end of the spring member engages a surface of the inner end portion of the flange nut. The method includes selecting a fastener with a head having an outer end portion oriented toward the stock strip and an inner end portion oriented away from the stock strip and a threaded shank portion that extends from the inner end portion of the head of the fastener. The method includes inserting the fastener through the fastener aperture in the flange nut, and securing the stock ejector assembly to one die member by securing the fastener into a threaded aperture formed in the one die member. 
         [0014]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written description, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the stock ejector assembly embodying the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the stock ejector assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a partially assembled stock ejector assembly, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock ejector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock ejector assembly with arrows showing the stripper in a raised position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock ejector assembly showing the stripper when a force F is applied. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock ejector assembly installed in a lower die member. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stock ejector assembly once force has been applied and the stock is touching the lower die member. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the stock ejector assembly prior to insertion into the lower die member. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tool used to install the stock ejector assembly into a die member. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the stock ejector assembly installed in an upper die member. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the stock ejector assembly installed in an upper die member as the stock is being separated from the upper die member. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the stock ejector assembly installed on a lower die member showing the stock being separated from the lower die member. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly embodying the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly embodying the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly embodying the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly embodying the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a schematic cross-sectional view of prior art spring plungers installed in a die member. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a prior art spring plunger. 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a schematic cross-sectional view of prior art ejector pin assemblies in a die member. 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a prior art ejector pin assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in the attached drawings. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in  FIGS. 1-17 , and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0037]    The reference numeral  2  ( FIGS. 1-13 ) generally designates a stock ejector assembly embodying an aspect of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , the stock ejector assembly  2  is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a multi-stage progressive metal forming die  70  having at least two mutually converging and diverging die members  72  and  74 , between which an elongated stock strip  30  is shifted longitudinally form parts from the stock strip. 
         [0038]    The stock ejector assembly  2  includes a stripper  4 , a spring member  32 , a flange nut  40 , a fastener  54 , and optionally a washer  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0039]    The stripper  4  has an outer collar portion  6  oriented toward the stock strip  30 , and an oppositely disposed inner collar portion  8  oriented away from the stock strip  30 . The outer collar portion  6  of the stripper  4  includes a generally ring-shaped outer end  10  that engages the stock strip  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-13 . 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the outer collar  6  of the stripper  4  has an outside diameter  14  (first outer diameter) and an inside diameter  16  (first inner diameter). In addition, the outer collar  6  can include a tapered surface  12  that tapers from the outer diameter  14  of the outer collar  6  to the ring-shaped outer end  10  of stripper  4 . The inner collar  8  of the stripper  4  has an outside diameter  20  (second outer diameter) and an inside diameter  22  (second inner diameter). The outer diameter  14  of the outer collar  6  is larger than the outer diameter  20  of the inner collar  8  forming an outer, annularly shaped, radially oriented shoulder  24 . The inside diameter  16  of the outer collar portion  6  of stripper  4  is greater than the inside diameter  22  of the inner collar  8  creating an inner, annularly shaped, radially oriented shoulder  26 . 
         [0041]    The spring member  32  includes a hollow interior  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The spring member  32  also has an outer end  36  that is oriented toward the stock strip  30  and an inner end  38  that is oriented away from the stock strip  30 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0042]    The flange nut  40  includes an outer collar  42  that is oriented toward the stock strip  30 , an inner collar  44  that is oriented away from the stock strip  30 , and a fastener aperture  46  extending through the center of the flange nut  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The fastener aperture  46  can include a threaded shank portion  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The inner collar  44  of flange nut  40  includes a generally flat outer surface  52  that is oriented toward the stock strip  30  and a generally flat surface  53  ( FIGS. 4 and 7 ) oriented away from the stock strip  30  that will engage a surface of one of the die members  72 ,  74 . 
         [0043]    The washer  50  is sized to be closely received within the inner diameter  16  of the outer collar  6  of stripper  4 . The washer  50  should be sized such that the washer  50  will engage both the inner, radially oriented shoulder  26  of stripper  4  as well as the outer end surface  47  of the outer collar  42  of flange nut  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0044]    The fastener  54  includes a head  56  having an outer end portion  58  oriented toward the stock strip  30  and an inner end portion  60  oriented away from the stock strip  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The head  56  includes a surface  62  that engages the surface  51  of the washer  50 . The fastener  54  also includes a socket  68  and a threaded shank portion  66 . The threaded shank portion  66  can include a self-locking nylon patch  64 . 
         [0045]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the stock ejector assembly  2  is assembled by placing the spring member  32  over the outer collar  42  of flange nut  40  such that the inner end  38  of the spring member  32  engages surface  52  of the flange nut  40 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The hollow interior  34  also extends over the inner collar  8  of stripper  4  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , such that the outer end  36  of spring member  32  engages the outer radially oriented shoulder  24  of stripper  4 . Washer  50  is inserted into the interior of the stripper  4  to engage the inner radially oriented shoulder  26  of stripper  4  as well as the outer end surface  47  of the flange nut  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The fastener  54  is inserted through the washer  50  such that the surface  62  of the head  56  of the fastener  54  engages the surface  51  of the washer  50  while the fastener  54  extends through the aperture  28  in the inner collar  8  of stripper  4 . The threaded shank portion  66  of the fastener  54  engages the threaded portion  48  on the inside of the flange nut  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0046]    When the stock ejector assembly  2  is fully assembled, the spring member  32  is preloaded, as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 . When a load is applied, as shown by the arrows F in  FIG. 6 , the stripper  4  retracts and the pressure in the spring member  32  increases. The stripper  4  travels a distance T, as the spring member  32  is compressed due to the load. 
         [0047]    The stock ejector assembly  2  can be assembled to one of the die member  72 ,  74  of the metal forming die  70 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , an aperture  76  can be formed in the lower die member  74  to receive the stock ejector assembly  2 . The generally flat surface  53  of flange nut  40  contacts a surface  55  of the aperture  76  when the stock ejector assembly  2  is inserted into the aperture  76 . A threaded fastener aperture  78  is also machined, tapped, or otherwise formed in the die member  74 . The fastener  54  is used to secure the stock ejector assembly  2  to the die member  74  by insertion of the fastener  54  into the fastener aperture  78 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the stock ejector assembly  2  can also be used in the upper die member  72  of a die set  70 . 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a standard hex tool  80  with a hex head  82  can be used to install the stock ejector assembly  2  into the die member  74 . Also as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a window mount  84  may be used to facilitate the installation of the stock ejector assembly  2  into the die member  74 . The window mount  84  can have an aperture  86  that closely receives the stock ejector assembly  2 , while the fastener  54  extends into a threaded aperture  88  in the die member  74 . The window mount  84  may be fastened to the die member by the use of fasteners (not shown). 
         [0049]    The stock strip  30  is received between the die members  72  and  74  when the die members  72 ,  74 , converge, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . When the die members converge, the spring member  32  is compressed. As shown in  FIG. 12 , when the die members  72 ,  74  diverge, the spring member  32  decompresses and pushes the stock strip  30  off of the surface of the die member  72 . When the stock ejector assembly  2  is installed on the lower die member  74 , the stock ejector assembly  2  not only breaks the oil or lubricant adhesion between the die member  74  and the stock strip  30 , it also lifts the stock strip  30  for progression within a multi-station progressive metal forming die and/or removal of the finished part form the die assembly. 
         [0050]      FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly  2 B. In this illustrated embodiment, no flange nut is used. A shoulder screw  96  engages the internal shoulder  26 B of the stripper  4 B. The outer portion  36 B of the spring member  32 B engages the outer shoulder  24 B of the stripper  4 B and the inner surface  38 B engages a surface of the die member or under mount (not shown). The shoulder screw  96  has a flat surface  100  that will also engage the same surface that the inner surface  38 B of the spring member  32 B engages. The shoulder screw  96  has a threaded portion  102  that will be received in a corresponding threaded aperture in the die member or window mount. 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  illustrates another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly  2 C. In this illustrated embodiment, the stripper  92  has a shorter inner collar portion  93  than the stripper shown in  FIGS. 1-13 . A fastener housing  104  has an outer portion  114  oriented toward the stock strip, and an inner portion  116  that is oriented away from the stock strip. These portions,  114  and  116 , may be tapered, as shown in  FIG. 15 . A spring member  32 C has an outer portion  36 C that engages the outer shoulder  24 C of the stripper  92 . The fastener housing  104  has a groove  94  that retains a C-ring  90 . The C-ring  90  will engage the inner shoulder  26 C of the stripper  92 . The fastener housing  104  has a fastener aperture  110 . A fastener  54  is used to secure the stock ejector assembly  2 C to a die member. When the stock ejector assembly  2 C is installed, a surface  111  of the fastener housing  104  will engage a surface of the die member or window mount. 
         [0052]      FIG. 16  illustrates another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly  2 D. In this illustrated embodiment, an integral fastener/fastener housing  120  is used. The inner end  124  of the integral housing  120  is oriented toward the stock strip, while the outer end  126  is oriented away from the stock strip. One or more of the ends,  124  and  126 , may be tapered. The integral housing  120  has a threaded shank portion  132  and a socket portion  130 . The spring member  32 D is received over the integral housing  120 , and the outside shoulder  24 D of the stripper  92 . In the illustrated embodiment, the integral housing  120  has a groove  94  that receives a C-ring  90  that engages the inner shoulder of the stripper  92 . when the stock ejector assembly  2 D is installed, a surface  134  of the integral housing  120  will engage a surface of the die member or window mount. The threaded shank portion  132  of the integral housing  120  can be received in a corresponding threaded aperture in the die member. 
         [0053]      FIG. 17  illustrates another embodiment of the stock ejector assembly  2 E. In this illustrated embodiment, a fastener housing  119  is used with a LH/RH threaded stud  118 . the fastener housing  119  has a threaded portion  112  for receiving the LH/RH threaded stud  118 . The spring member  32 E engages a surface  113  of the fastener housing  119  and the outer shoulder of the stripper  92 . The fastener housing  119  has a groove  94  that receives a C-ring  90  that engages the inner shoulder of the stripper  92 . When the stock ejector assembly  2 E is installed, a surface  134  of the integral housing  120  will engage a surface of the die member or window mount. The threaded shank portion  132  of the integral portion  120  can be received in a corresponding threaded aperture in the die member. 
         [0054]      FIG. 17  illustrates another embodiment of a stock ejector assembly  2 E. In this illustrated embodiment, a fastener housing  119  is used with a LH/RH threaded stud  118 . The fastener housing  119  has a threaded portion  112  for receiving the LH/RH threaded stud  118 . The spring member  32 E engages a surface  113  of the fastener housing  119  and the outer shoulder of the stripper  92 . The fastener housing  119  has a groove  94  that receives a C-ring  90  that engages the inner shoulder of the stripper  92 . When the stock ejector assembly  2 E is installed, a surface  115  of the fastener housing  119  will engage a surface of the die member or window mount, while a portion of the LH/RH threaded stud  118  is received in a corresponding threaded aperture in the die member. 
         [0055]    In the illustrated embodiments ( FIGS. 15-17 ) utilizing the C-ring  90 , the C-ring  90  will engage the inner shoulder  24  of the stripper  92  when there is no force applied to the stripper  92 . When the die members converge and a force is applied to the stripper  92  and the spring member  32  is compressed, the stripper  92  will move toward the die member and the C-ring  90  will not engage the inner shoulder  24  of the stripper  92 . The tapered surface of the housing ( 104 ,  120 , and  119 ) will help reseat the stripper  92  on the C-ring  90  when the die members diverge and the spring member  32  decompresses. While these illustrated embodiments show a C-ring  90 , any other suitable ring can be used, such as an O-ring, that is received by the groove  94 . 
         [0056]    The term “die member” as used herein refers to any portion of a metal forming die or die set, including, but not limited to, an upper die member or a die shoe, a lower die member or a die shoe, and other die components, whether stationary or reciprocating, including a reciprocating pressure pad, and the like. In the illustrated examples, the stock ejector assembly  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E can be mounted in any die member. The stock ejector assemblies  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E can be mounted in other types of die members and/or components and in a variety of different positions and orientations, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In addition, the stock ejector assemblies  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E can be used in a single stage die assembly. 
         [0057]    Stock ejector assemblies  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E have an uncomplicated construction with relatively few components and are therefore quite durable and economical to manufacture. Multiple components of the stock ejector assembly  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E may be formed from a single piece of rigid material. For example, the stripper  4 ,  92  may have a one-piece construction made from a solid bar of material, such as steel. The fasteners and optional window mount attachment of the stock ejector assemblies to an associated die member provides quick and easy installation and removal of the stock ejector assemblies. The spring member  32  and the stock ejector assemblies  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E are backed up or axially supported by the die member itself for greater strength and convenience. Stock ejector assemblies  2 ,  2 B,  2 C,  2 D, and  2 E positively separate the stock strip from the die during operation of the metal forming die, and provide a very compact, low-profile shape that can be used at various locations and orientations on various die members. The installation of the stock ejector assemblies can be achieved with simple machining so as to reduce the installation time and cost. The shape of the assemblies can be configured so as to accommodate many different applications and users. 
         [0058]    In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.