Patent ID: 8074486

Claim:
In a metal forming die having a die shoe, a die pad mounted a spaced apart distance from said die shoe for reciprocation between converged and diverged positions, and a biasing member disposed between said die shoe and said die pad for biasing the same to said diverged position, the improvement of a guided keeper assembly, comprising: a base having: a generally flat mounting face abutting an adjacent face of said die shoe; at least one fastener aperture extending axially through a marginal portion of said base for detachably mounting said base to said die shoe; a central aperture extending axially through a central portion of said base; and a bushing mounted in said central aperture of said base; a guide pin having: a cylindrically-shaped central portion closely received in said bushing in said base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between said die pad and said die shoe; a first end having an enlarged head shaped to abut said base to positively limit travel between said die shoe and said die pad; and a second end, positioned opposite said first end, and having a shoulder with a rigid center post protruding outwardly therefrom to precisely locate said second end of said guide pin in said die pad; a first fastener extending through said fastener aperture in said base and securely, yet detachably, connecting said base with said die shoe; and a second fastener securely, yet detachably, connecting said second end of said guide pin with said die pad.