Patent ID: 8376215

Claim:
A multiple punch and die assembly adapted to be placed in a punch press having a punch ram for imparting movement to the punch assembly for carrying out a punching or forming operation comprising, a punch assembly having a punch guide with a plurality of selectively operable punches mounted therein for independent axial reciprocating movement in the guide such that each punch thus selected engages a workpiece when in an operating position, a punch carrier for holding a plurality of the punches which are yieldably supported on the punch guide, the punches being positioned to be struck selectively by the ram such that one punch is driven through the punch guide to an operating position when at least one other punch is inactive, each of the punches having a resilient workpiece protector element for yieldably elevating each such punch above the punch carrier, each such workpiece protector element being operatively associated with a punch to thereby support each such inactive punch at an elevation preventing each inactive punch from making a workpiece during a punching operation, wherein each punch is operatively engaged by a resilient workpiece protector element so as to elevate each inactive punch above an operating position, and each inactive punch is thereby supported by a workpiece protector element located when each active punch moves toward an operating position as the ram drives the active punch through the punch guide; wherein each workpiece protector element comprises at least one compression spring connected between each such punch and a part of the punch guide located beneath a lower end of each workpiece compression spring, and wherein each workpiece protector element provides resilient support for one such punch while maintaining an upper end thereof suspended above an upper surface of the punch carrier.