Patent Publication Number: US-11376648-B2

Title: Compact stock guide assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Applicant hereby claims the priority benefits under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 119, basing said claim of priority on related U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/813,848 filed Mar. 5, 2019, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to metal forming dies and the like, and in particular to a compact stock guide assembly and associated method incorporating a unique stock guide assembly. 
     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. 
     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, 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. 
     In metal forming machines, a die is typically mounted in a stamping press, and the material to be stamped (typically an elongated strip of metal) is fed into the die. The material can be fed by automated feed equipment meant to keep the material flowing straight through the die. Stock guides can guide the material (typically along the longitudinal axis of the material) to keep the material moving in a straight line through the die. 
     While such prior stock guides and methods have been proven to be generally successful, further improvements and enhancements to the same, as well as metal forming dies generally, would be advantageous and are described herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention is a stock guide assembly for a metal forming die in which stock is formed into at least one part. The stock guide assembly includes a stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a medial portion. The stock guide body has a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end portion of the stock guide body has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion of the stock guide body forming a first shoulder therebetween. The width of the inner end portion is less than the width of the medial portion forming a second shoulder therebetween. The die member has an aperture with at least a first portion and a second portion. A fastener is received through the centrally located aperture and the stock guide body and is coupled to the second portion of the aperture in the die member to couple the stock guide body to the die member. When the stock guide body is coupled to the die member, the inner end portion of the stock guide body is at least partially received in the first portion of the aperture in the die member. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a metal forming die member with a stock guide assembly for guiding a stock piece. The stock guide assembly includes a generally cylindrical stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, and a medial portion. The stock guide body has a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end of the stock guide body has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion, forming a first shoulder therebetween. The inner end portion of the stock guide body has a width which is less than the width of the medial portion forming a second shoulder therebetween. The die member has an aperture with a first portion sized to receive at least a part of the inner end portion of the stock guide body and a second portion. The stock guide assembly also includes a fastener that is received through the centrally located aperture in the stock guide body. The fastener is coupled to the second portion of the aperture in the die member. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of advancing stock strip through a metal forming die. The method includes forming a stock guide body with an outer end portion, an inner end portion, a medial portion, and a centrally located aperture extending through the stock guide body. The outer end portion has a width that is greater than the width of the medial portion, thereby forming a first shoulder therebetween. The inner end portion has a width that is less than the width of the medial portion thereby forming a second shoulder therebetween. The method includes forming an aperture in the die member with a first portion sized to receive the inner end portion of the stock guide body and a lower, more narrow threaded portion. The method includes placing the stock guide body over the aperture in the die member such that at least a portion of the inner end portion of the stock guide body is received in the first portion of the aperture in the die member. The method includes inserting a fastener through the centrally located aperture in the stock guide body and then coupling a threaded portion of the fastener to the more narrow threaded portion of the aperture in the die member. The method includes advancing a piece of stock strip by contacting the stock strip against the medial portion of the stock guide body. 
     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 specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a number of stock guide assemblies with a piece of stock strip position therebetween; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the stock guide utilizing bearings; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of the stock guide; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 2  coupled to a die member; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 3  coupled to a die member; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective vie of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of three stock guides as shown in  FIG. 3 , installed in a die member in sequence; 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of three stock guides, as shown in  FIG. 2 , installed in a die member in sequence; 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of two different sizes of the stock guide shown in 
         FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side-perspective view of two different sizes of the stock guide shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a stock guide installed on a die member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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. The “width” of generally cylindrical components is referred to as “width” or “diameter.” Similarly, the “width” of components that are a multi-faceted cylindrical shape is referred to as “width” or “diameter.” 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 the attached drawings, 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. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 12 , there is shown a stock guide assembly  104  for guiding a stock piece  2  in a metal forming die. The stock guide assembly  104  includes a stock guide body  105 . Stock guide body  105  has an outer end portion  106 , a medial portion  108 , and an inner end portion  110 . The width or diameter of the outer end portion  106  is greater than the width or diameter of the medial portion  108 , thereby forming a first shoulder  114  therebetween. The width or diameter of the inner end portion  110  is less than the width or diameter of the medial portion  108 , thereby forming a second shoulder  116 . A centrally located aperture  112  extends from the top surface  113  of the stock guide body  105  all the way through the stock guide body  105 . 
     The medial portion  108  consists of an inner race  118  and an outer race  120  between which bearings  122  are positioned. This permits the outer race  120  to rotate with respect to the inner race  118 . The inner race  118  is fixed with respect to the remainder of the stock guide body  105  thereby permitting the outer surface  123  of outer race  120  to rotate with respect to the remainder of the stock guide body  105 . 
     Stock guide assembly  104  also includes a fastener  30 . The fastener  30  has a head  32  and a threaded shaft  34 . The head  32  of fastener  30  can be actuated by drill, driver, or other mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the head  32  has a hexagonal shape for connecting to a similar-shaped driving mechanism. 
     A die member  40  includes an aperture  42 . The aperture  42  includes a first portion  44  that is sized to receive at least a part of the inner end portion  110  of the stock guide body  105 . The aperture  42  includes a lower, more-narrow threaded portion  46 . A pocket  48  can be formed in the die member  40  around the aperture  42 . The pocket  48  can be shaped to place a part of the medial portion  108  of the stock guide body  105  below the upper surface  49  of the die member  40 . In addition, the pocket  48  can be shaped to prevent or permit the rotation of the medial portion  108  of the stock guide body  105  when the stock guide body  105  is installed on the die member  40 . 
     In order to install the stock guide body  105  on the die member  40 , the fastener  30  is inserted through the centrally located aperture  112  in the stock guide body  105 . At least a portion of the inner end portion  110  of the stock guide body  105  is received within the first portion  44  of the aperture  42  in die member  40 . When the fastener  30  is advanced, the threaded shank portion  34  of the fastener  30  will couple with the second portion  46  of the aperture  42 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the stock piece  2  can be moved along the die member  40  by being guided by stock guide assemblies  104  that are located and spaced apart on opposite sides of the stock piece  2 . The stock piece  2  will contact the outer surface  123  of the outer race  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This permits the stock guide assemblies  104  to direct the stock piece  2  in the desired manner. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the outer end portion  106  of the stock guide body  105  can have a tapered or chamfered surface  117 . In the illustrated embodiments, the outer surface  123  of the outer race  120  is generally cylindrical, however, an outer race  120  with a multi-faceted exterior surface can be used. 
       FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 13  illustrate another embodiment of the stock guide assembly  4 . In this embodiment, the stock guide body  5  consists of a unitary piece. The stock guide  5  has an outer end  6 , a medial portion  8 , and an inner end portion  10 . The stock guide body  5  includes a centrally located aperture  12 . 
     The stock guide body  5  is coupled to the die member  40  by the insertion of at least a portion of the inner end portion  10  into the first portion  44  of the aperture  42  in die member  40 . A fastener  30  is inserted through the centrally located aperture  12  to engage the threaded second portion  46  of aperture  42  in die member  40  to couple the stock guide body  5  to the die member  40 . In the illustrated embodiments, the medial portion  8  includes a multi-faceted surface, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The medial portion  8  has a width that is less than the diameter of the outer end portion  6  thereby forming first shoulder  14  therebetween. The diameter of the inner end portion  10  is less than the width of the medial portion  8  thereby forming the second shoulder  16 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 9, 10, and 13 , the medial portion  8  has multiple facets which results in a generally cylindrical shape with multiple facets. Given that the stock guide body  5  is a unitary piece, the medial portion  8  will not rotate with respect to the remainder of the stock guide body  5 . Thus, when the stock guide body  5  is fully installed into die member  40 , the outer surface  23  of the medial portion  8  that contacts the stock piece  2  is stationary with respect to the die member  40 . 
     The pocket  48  formed on die member  40  can be shaped to prevent the rotation of the stock guide body  5  by having one or more wall(s) that engage one or more of the facets on the outer surface  23  of the medial portion  8  of the stock guide body  5 . 
     Another embodiment of the stock guide assembly  204  is shown in  FIG. 14 . In that embodiment, the stock guide body  205  has an outer end portion  206  and an inner end portion  210 . The inner end portion  210  is received within the aperture  42  in die member  40 . The threaded shank portion of fastener  40  couples with the second portion  46  of the aperture  42 . The outer end portion  206  includes a chamfered portion  227  and a lip  219 , which goes over the upper chamfered portion  217  of the bearing assembly  233 . The lower chamfered portion  229  of the bearing assembly is located below the upper surface  49  of the die member  40  based upon the depth of the pocket  48  in die member  40 . This allows the gap G between the top surface  49  of the die member  40  and surface  211  of the outer end portion  206  of the stock guide body  205  to be reduced. In this arrangement, the stock piece  2  will not contact a chamfered surface ( 217 ,  229 ) of the bearing assembly  233 . In addition, once the fastener  30  is secured to the top surface  209  of the stock guide body  205 , there will be a clearance  213  above the bearing assembly  233  and a clearance  235  below the bearing assembly  233 . 
     The stock guide assemblies ( 4 ,  104 ,  204 ) can be sized to accommodate different sized stock pieces  2  and different sized die members  4 . In the illustrated examples, the sizes are approximately 38 mm and 58 mm. Thus, diameter d 1  of the larger assembly in  FIG. 12  is approximately 58 mm, while d 2  is approximately 42 mm. The diameter d 5  of the smaller assembly in  FIG. 12  is approximately 38 mm and the diameter d 6  is approximately 28 mm. Similarly, the larger assembly in  FIG. 13  has a diameter d 3  of approximately 58 mm and a diameter d 4  of approximately 42 mm. The smaller assembly in  FIG. 13  has a diameter d 7  of approximately 38 mm and a diameter d 8  of approximately 28 mm. The exterior surface of the medial portion  8  in the larger assembly of  FIG. 13  has forty-two flats or facets. The exterior surface of the medial portion  8  in the smaller assembly of  FIG. 13  has twenty-eight flats or facets. 
     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. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the present disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” or “operably coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “connected” or “operably connected” (in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc.) generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that, unless otherwise described, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating positions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.