GB2111891A - A punching and/or forming tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for use with a punch and die set has a rigid body 19 with spaced upper and lower limbs, 21,20 the lower limb carrying a bed 22 for the die, and the upper limb having a column guided in it for carrying the punch. The bed has a first aperture or recess 24 in it, aligned with the column and punch, to receive without radial play a spigot depending at the underside of the die, thereby to locate the die automatically in alignment with the punch without need for adjustment. The bed has one or more further apertures or recesses, 25, radially spaced from the first aperture or recess, each to receive a locating and/or securing means, such as a plain or a threaded pin, depending from the die. An actuating lever 31 for the punch may also operate a guillotine or other cutting or forming tool mounted on the upper face of the arm 21. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A punching and/or forming tool This invention relates to a tool of particular use in the punching and/or forming of sheet materials, and especially of sheet metal.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved tool having features which permit it to receive, in a particularly simple and rapid manner, any selected one of a plurality of die and punch sets, with the elements of the set automatically accurately located with respect to each other.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool which may be readily adapted both for securing to a support such as workbench, and for being held in the jaws of a vice.

A still further object is to provide such a tool having ancillary material-working means such as a guillotine.

According to the present invention a tool, for cooperation with a die and punch set, comprises a rigid body structure having an upper portion overlying and spaced from a lower portion, a bed on the lower portion, and a column guided and movable in the upper portion for longitudinal movement towards and away from the bed, the bed including a circular first aperture or recess aligned with the column to receive a locating spigot of a member of the die and punch set to be seated on the bed, the bed including at least one further aperture or recess spaced radially from the first aperture to receive a locating and/or securing means depending from the member of the die and punch set for holding said member in a desired position on the bed, e.g. about the axis of the spigot, relative to the other member of the die and punch set to be carried by the column.

In a preferred construction, the column is at least part-circular in cross-section, and the first aperture or recess of the bed has its axis coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the column.

The bed advantageously has four said further apertures or recesses disposed symmetrically about the axis of the first aperture or recess, e.g. at the corners of a rectangle or square having its centre coincident with the axis of the first aperture or recess.

The or each said further aperture or recess may be threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locating and/or securing means of the die set member.

In a preferred arrangement there are provided in combination a tool as set forth hereinabove, and a die and punch set, the internal periphery of the first aperture or recess being cylindrical and the external periphery of the spigot being cylindrical, the respective diameters of both said peripheries being such that the spigot may enter without radial play in the first aperture or recess.

In a preferred arrangement, the rigid body structure is a substantially C-shaped structure which may be of solid construction or may be composed of plates secured in spaced parallel positions. Advantageously, the body has parallel plane lateral outer surface portions adapted to be received between the jaws of a vice, whereby the tool as a whole may be readily mounted in that manner. The body structure may include means for the securing of holding brackets to the lower portion, e.g. holes to receive bolts or screws for such brackets.

The bed is advantageously removably secured to the lower portion of the body.

The column may have a central bore opening at its lower end to receive a stem on the punch portion of the punch and die set.

The body structure may include a further bed disposed on its upper portion to receive a die plate adapted to cooperate with a guillotine or other ancillary shaping, forming or cutting element movably mounted on the body portion.

The tool advantageously comprises an actuating handle pivotably mounted on the body and coupled to the column, and also to the guillotine or other ancillary means, where provided.

In order that the nature of the invention may be readily ascertained, some embodiments of tool in accordance therewith are hereinafter particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective elevation of a second embodiment; Figure 3a is a perspective elevation of a third embodiment, including a punch and die set for producing louvre holes in sheet material; Figure 3b is a perspective view of a punch and die set, for use on the tool of Figure 3a, for producing ventilator slots in sheet material; Figures 4a, 4,0, 4c and 4d are respectively a plan view, a long edge elevation, and a short edge elevation of a die for notching sheet material, and a side elevation of a punch associated with the die;; Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, Stand 5e are respectively a side elevation, and end elevation, a plan view and a section at A-A of a punch, and an end elevation of a die, for a bending set; Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are respectively a plan view and an edge elevation of a die, and an elevation of a punch, of a louvre-forming set.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings there is shown a multi-purpose tool having a C-shaped frame 1 with an upper limb 2 and a lower limb 3.

The lower limb 3 comprises spaced plates on which are secured removable brackets 4 which may serve for attaching the tool to a bench or the like.

When it is desired to mount the tool as a whole in the jaws of a vice (not shown) the brackets 4 may be removed so that the lower limb 3 then presents parallel flat side faces for abutment by the jaws of the vice.

On the lower limb 3 there is mounted a bed 5 which is secured in removable manner by a knurled screw 6. The bed 5 serves to support a lower die 7 of a die set composed of a punch 8 and the die 7. At positions indicated at 9, the bed 5 has holes which serve to receive locating pins (not shown) which project downwardly from the underside of the die 7.

The underside of the die is extended downwardly by a concentric spigot (not shown) which seats without radial play into a central aperture of the bed 5. The die 7 is thus located with respect to the bed 5, by the central spigot resting in a corresponding central aperture of the bed 5, and the locating pins prevent relative rotation of the die and bed. The die 7 is apertured centrally at 9.

The punch 8 is mounted on the lower end of a column 10 which is slidabie in a corresponding guideway in the upper limb 2 of the frame, the column 10 and the guideway being of at least partly non-circular cross-section so that the column is keyed against rotation about its longitudinal axis.

The column 10 is linked to an actuating handle 11 which is pivoted on the frame 1 for vertical pivoting movement to drive the punch 8 into and out of engagement with the die 7.

Carried on the upper limb 2 of the frame 1 there is a bedplate 12 having an interchangeable bed 13 adapted to cooperate with a guillotine cutter 14 pivoted at 15 on the upper limb 2 of the frame. The cutter 14 is linked bya linkage 16 to the actuating handle 11. On a fixed pair of bars 17 there are provided respective pivoted stays 18 which can be moved downwards into a vertical position to abut against a sheet of material placed on the bed 13, thereby to prevent the sheet of material from being drawn upwardly when the cutter 14 rises after making a cut. The guillotine of this Figure can be mounted at "A" in the constructions of Figures 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown another embodiment of tool having a C-shaped frame 19 with a lower limb 20 and an upper limb 21. The lower limb has plane parallel side surfaces, to permit the limb to be clamped in the jaws of a vice. On the lower limb there is mounted a removable bed 22 secured by a knurled screw 23. In the bed 22 there are provided a large central aperture 24, and a set of four smaller locating holes 25 arranged symmetrically about the central aperture. The aperture may receive a spigot of a lower element of a die set, for the purpose of locating it on the bed 22.

In the upper limb 21 of the frame there is provided a guideway for a vertically movable column 26 to which the upper element (not shown) of a suitable die set can be secured by means of a set screw 27.

The column 26 is secured to a drive element 28 which is coupled by a lug 29 and linkage 30 to an actuating arm 31 which is pivoted on the frame at 32 for vertical pivoting movement to drive the column 26 in a vertical reciprocating movement.

Referring to Figures 3a and 3b there is shown a third embodiment of tool having a C-shaped frame 33 with a lower limb 34 and an upper limb 35, the whole being of solid cast construction. The lower limb has parallel flat side faces, enabling the tool to be clamped in the jaws of a vice if desired. For bench mounting, the tool may be provided with brackets 36 which can be bolted onto the side faces. The lower limb 34 carries a bed 37 secured thereon. The bed has a central aperture, and four smaller symmetrical locating holes (not shown in this Figure) which are similar to those indicated at 24 and 25 in Figure 2.

On the bed 37 there is disposed a lower element 38 of a punch and die set, the element 38 having at its underside a larger cylindrical spigot (not shown) to engage without radial play into the iarger central aperture, and four depending studs (not shown) to engage into the four smaller locating holes. The element 38 is thereby correctly located relative to the axis of a column 39 which is movable vertically in a guideway of the upper limb 35. The column has a rack tooth formation 40 which is meshed with a pinion (not shown) mounted on a shaft (not shown) journalled in the limb 35 and rotable by means of an actuating handle 41. The column 39 has a keyway 42 into which a key 43 engages to prevent rotation of the column about its axis, whilst permitting it to ride vertically. An adjustable stop 44 is secured by a screw 45.

For engagement onto the lower end of the column 39 there is provided a punch 46 having a stem 47 which can be engaged into a bore in the lower end of the column and secured by a grub screw (not shown).

In Figure 3a the element 38 and the punch 46 are designed for cooperation to produce louvre openings 48 in a sheet of metal 49 or other material placed on the lower element 38. For this purpose the lower element 38 has a shaped opening 50 to receive a rib 51 on the punch 46.

In Figure 3b, the die element 38b has a central block 52 provided with a recess 53 to receive a projection 54 on a punch 55, for the formation of ventilator slots 56 in a piece of sheet metal 57.

The frame of the tools of any one of Figures 1 to 3, may have a flat top secured or formed thereon to provide a working surface.

Referring now to Figures 4a to 4d, there is shown a further die and punch set suitable for use on the tool of any one of Figures 1 to 3, for use as a notching tool.

A lower die element 56 (seen inverted in Figure 4b) has openings 57 to receive a set of four locating pins which can be inserted through the element 56 to engage into the four smaller locating holes of the bed of any of Figures 1 to 3, (see the locating holes 25 in Figure 2).

On the upper face of the element 56 are provided two bars 58, 59 disposed each at 450 to a median line 60, and thus placed at 900 to each other. The bars 58, 59, are secured to the element 56 by screws 61, and pins 62 are used to locate the bars on the element 56.

Figure 4d shows a punch 63 mounted on a shank 64 which can be engaged with the column of the tool of any one of Figures 1 to 3. The punch 63 is shaped to coooperate with the angled bars 58, 59.

Referring now to Figures 5a to Se, there is shown a further die and punch set suitable for use on the tool of any one of Figures 1 to 3, for forming bends in sheet material. The lower element 65 has four depending pins 66 arranged symmetrically for engagement into the four locating holes, such as holes 25 of Figure 2, of the bed of the tool. In its upper surface the element 65 has a V-shaped elongated recess 67. A punch 68 to cooperate with the lower element 65 has inserts 69 of different lengths, according to need, inserted in a recess 70 in the underside of the punch and each secured in position by respective set screw 71. The punch has a stem 72 which can be engaged into the lower end of the column of the tool.

Referring to Figures 6a to 6cthere is shown a punch and die set for producing lourvre openings in sheet material. The lower element 72 has four openings 73 arranged symmetrically and adapted to receive locating pins (not shown) which can engage into locating openings, such as openings 25 of Figure 2, of the bed of any of the tools shown in Figures 1 to 3. On the upper surface of the element 72 there is disposed a die plate 74 secured by screws 75. The die plate has a recess 76 which matches the shaping of a projection 77 formed on a punch 78 having a stem 79 for engagement with the column of the tool.

The locating holes 25 (Figure 3) and the locating pins for openings 57, or for openings 73, may be threaded for securing the die on the bed.

Claims (7)

1. A tool, for cooperating with a die and punch set, comprising a rigid body structure having an upper portion overlying and spaced from a lower portion, a bed on the lower portion, and a column guided and movable in the upper portion for longitudinal movement towards and away from the bed, the bed including a circular first aperture or recess aligned with the column to receive a locating spigot of a member of the die and punch set to be seated on the bed, the bed including at least one further aperture or recess spaced radially from the first aperture to receive a locating and/or securing means depending from the member of the die and punch set for holding said member in a desired position on the bed relative to the other member of the die and punch set to be carried by the column.

2. A tool, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the column is at least part-cirnular in cross-section, and the first aperture or recess of the bed has its axis coaxial with the central longitudinal axis of the column.

3. A tool, as claimed in either of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the bed has four said further apertures or recesses disposed symmetrically about the axis of the first aperture or recess.

4. A tool, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each said further aperture or recess is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locating and/or securing means.

5. In combination, a tool as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, and a die and punch set, the internal periphery of said first aperture or recess being cylindrical and the external periphery of said spigot being cylindrical, the respective diameters of said peripheries being such that the spigot may enter without radial play in said first aperture or recess.

6. A tool, for cooperation with a die and punch set, substantially as described herein with reference to any one of the Figures 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. The combination of tool and die and punch set substantially as described herein with reference to any of the Figures of the accompanying drawings.