Patent ID: 6895849

Claim:
A punch guide assembly for removably carrying a stripper plate, the assembly comprising a punch guide and a stripper plate guide movable axially with respect to the punch guide, the stripper plate guide having a locked position wherein the stripper plate is secured to the punch guide assembly and an unlocked position wherein the stripper plate can be readily removed from the punch guide assembly, wherein the stripper plate guide is resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position yet is restrained against axial movement relative to the punch guide when in its locked position, the stripper plate guide being resiliently biased axially toward its unlocked position by at least one spring bearing against the stripper plate guide, wherein the assembly includes a lock mechanism that restrains the stripper plate guide when in the locked position, the lock mechanism comprising a catch extending between the stripper plate guide and the punch guide, wherein the catch either extends from the stripper plate guide and can be selectively engaged with the punch guide or extends from the punch guide and can be selectively engaged with the stripper plate guide.