US3685341A

US3685341A - Ram head and adjustable connector combination

Info

Publication number: US3685341A
Application number: US46750A
Authority: US
Inventors: George D Karsnak
Original assignee: U S ENG CO Inc
Current assignee: USEM ACQUISITION Inc A CORP OF IN; U S ENG CO Inc
Priority date: 1970-06-16
Filing date: 1970-06-16
Publication date: 1972-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-22
Also published as: GB1360027A

Abstract

A ram head mounted on a machine bed for reciprocal movement along a line of force axis in a forward direction for mechanical action, e.g., forming, punching, stamping, etc., and in a return direction and activated by a cam operated toggle lever. An adjustable wedge is provided to transmit forces from the toggle lever to the head along the line of force axis for moving the head in the forward and return directions.

Description

United States Patent 1151 3,685,341 Karsnak {4 1 Aug. 22, 1972 [54] RAM HEAD AND ADJUSTABLE 1,727,698 9/1929 Clouse ..72/45l CONNECTOR COMBINATION 1,920,302 8/1933 Grotnes ..72/45l 3 122 033 2/1964 Riemenschneider ..72/452 72 I t Geo D. K 1 rge mnak Muncle Ind 3,557,599 1/1971 Eickenhorst ..72/450 [73] Assignee: U.S. Engineering Company, Inc.,

Muncle, Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham 22 Filed: June 1 1970 Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby [21] A l N 46 750 Attorney-Robert E. lsner and Peter J. Franco [57] ABSTRACT (g! ..72/4ggijl A ram head mounted on a machine bed for reciprocal movement l g a li f force i a f d [58] Field of Searc2h..... .72/45O, 451, 452, 446, 427, direction for mechanical action, cg forming, 7 I44 10/15 H H l R punching, stamping, etc., and in a return direction and activated by a cam operated toggle lever. An adjusta- [56] References and ble wedge is provided to transmit forces from the tog- UNITED STATES PATENTS gle lever to the head along the line of force axis for 335 280 M1886 G1 10/15 moving the head in the forward and return directions.

over 1,581,632 4/ 1926 De Fries ..72/452 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDwszzmn 3.685.841

SHEET 3 BF 3 IN OR ATTORNEY GEORGE KARSNAK RAM HEAD AND ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR COMBINATION This invention relates to a head assembly for a metal working machine, and more particularly to a combination of a ram head and adjustable connector mountable for reciprocal movement on a metal working machine along a line of force axis for maximum tonnage mechanical action.

Metal working machines embodying adjustable ram head assemblies mounted for movement to achieve mechanical action are known, but these are limited by the particular design to comparatively low tonnage use in order to avoid damage to the head, adjustment screws and connecting parts. Such adjustment screws must be readily accessible to the operator for prompt and effective adjustments of the head and connecting parts as needed and this factor has restricted the type of adjustable head construction arrangements which have been so far provided.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome previous drawbacks and constructional limitations and to provide an adjustable head assembly adapted to be mounted on a metal working machine for maximum tonnage forward movement along a line of force axis for optimum mechanical action and positive return movement along such axis, without undue stress on the working parts and without damage to the adjustment elements thereof by reason of the high tonnage forces employed for the metal working.

It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable head assembly of the foregoing type in which the various adjustment elements are readily accessible to the operator yet in which such adjustment elements are constructed and arranged in the overall assembly so as to avoid undue stresses thereon as well as damage by reason of the use of high tonnage working forces.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an assembly of the foregoing type which is simple and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and essentially durable in use despite the high tonnage forces exerted on the various assembly parts.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the within specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view partially in section, taken along the line 11 of FIG. 2, of an adjustable ram head assembly, according to one embodiment of the invention, reciprocally mounted on a machine tool bed and operated by means of a force transmission linkage including a cam operated toggle lever assembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 showing the disposition of the various parts;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line of 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic transverse sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG 2, illustrating constructional details regarding the wedge construction;

FIG. 5 is a schematic end view, partially in section, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, indicating the disposition of the retaining collar and force transmission lever associated with the assembly; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a portion of a machine tool bed on which the adjustable ram head assembly according to the invention is reciprocally mounted, illustrating the arrangement of parts and their spatial relationships.

It has been found in accordance with the present invention that an adjustable ram head assembly in the form of a ram head and adjustable connector combination may now be provided which is capable of use under high tonnage forces without damage, especially of the head assembly adjustment elements.

Generally, the combination comprises a ram head adapted to be moved along a line of force axis for mechanical action, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face positioned at a positioning seat on the head operatively along such axis with the contact face facing the head and retained by an axially adjustable retainer on the head at a selective axial position and against axial displacement away from the head, and transversely adjustable wedge having a complemental oblique abutment face interposed at such axis operatively between the head and connector for compressive engagement with the oblique contact face at the selective axial position of the connector to transmit safely therethrough high tonnage forces acting on the connector to the head along'the line of force axis.

A force transmission lever articulatedly connected to the connector remote from the contact face thereof is used to transmit the high tonnage forces for moving the head along the line of force axis in a forward working direction and also to transmit the opposing forces for insuring positive return of the head in a rearward recovery direction in accordance with the reciprocal orientation of the arrangement, e.g., on a machine tool bed. Such force transmission lever is preferably operatively connected to a cam operated toggle lever assembly or the like which supplies the forces necessary to carry out the sequential reciprocal motion of the various head assembly parts.

Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 1 to 3 show the head assembly and a portion of the machine tool bed on which it is reciprocally mounted. Specifically, ram head 1 is slidably disposed in a retaining groove on base 2 (see FIG. 4) in the conventional manner for reciprocal movement along a line of force axis in a forward direction to the left as viewed in the drawing for mechanical action and in a rearward direction to the right as viewed in the drawing for recovery or return to the original position, as indicated by the double-headed arrow A. Base 2 is carried by machine tool bed or platform 3 and fixed against displacement in the forward and rearward directions in the well known manner by the presence of lateral ribs 4, only one of which is shown for simplicity. Each rib 4 fits tightly in the corresponding upper lateral recess 5 in base 2 and in the counterpart lower lateral recess 6 in bed 3, such recess 6 being in communication with a lateral locking well 6a for receiving locking means 7 for locking rib 4 and base 2 to bed 3.

By means of recess 5, base 2 may be adjusted laterally for selective alignment or positioning of the reciprocal path or line of force axis of ram head 1, whereupon locking means 7 may be utilized to fix base 2 and in turn ram head 1 against further lateral displacement, the presence of such ribs 4 inherently fixing base 2 against displacement in the forward and rearward directions as aforesaid. It will be realized that locking means 7 also-fix base 2 against displacement out of its normal, e. g., horizontal, plane and that in turn the retaining groove in the upper surface of base 2 (see FIG. 4) maintains ram head 1 in its normal, e.g., horizontal plane as well.

Even though the actual working face 8 on the forward or front end of ram head 1 is axially offset in upward direction from the line of force axis depicted by arrow A, it is disposed in the same, e.g., vertical, plane as such axis and represents a stable translocation of the line of force in question. Therefore, no undue stresses will act on the retaining groove sliding connection between base 2 and ram head 1 to cause displacement of either of these parts out of their normal, e.g., horizontal, plane.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that other means than those discussed above may be employed to achieve the same fixed and reciprocally slidable disposition of parts and their lateral or planar adjustment.

In regard to one particular feature of the invention, a positioning seat, for example an axial bore 9 in the rearward end of ram head 1, is provided, in which a force transmission connector, for example a bar 10, having an oblique contact face 11, is operatively received and/or positioned along the line of force axis of the ram head, such that the oblique contact face 11 faces the head 1, i.e., faces the forward or front end thereof. An axially adjustable retainer, shown in the form of a retaining collar 28 having a central opening 29, screwed onto the rearward end of head 1 at the outer portion of axial bore 9 via axial threaded connection 30, is provided for abutment with the rearward face 31 of bar 10 to retain bar 10 at a selective axial position in bore 9 and against axial displacement away, i.e., rearwardly, from the head 1.

Coacting therewith is the transversely, e.g., vertically, adjustable wedge 12 having a complemental oblique abutment face 13 as well as a corresponding reverse oblique abutment face 24. Wedge 12 is interposed at the line of force axis operatively between head 1 and the connector or bar 10 for compressive engagement of oblique abutment face 13 with oblique contact face 11 which represents a rearward limiting wall for wedge 12 at the selective axial position of bar 10.

Counter wedge or support block 25 having a corresponding complemental reverse oblique support face 26 is situated in abutment with the interior transverse wall 27 of axial bore 9 so that reverse oblique support face 26 faces the reverse oblique abutment face 24 of wedge 12 to provide a forward limiting wall for similar compressive engagement with wedge 12.

In this way, forces acting on bar 10 in the forward direction via force transmission lever 32 will be transmitted through wedge 12 to head 1 via support block 25 along the line of force axis to cause head 1 to move in the forward direction and in turn working face 8to carry out in the usual way any desired mechanical action such as metal forming, punching, stamping, etc.

The value of the oblique angle of the plane of interface at the meeting of oblique contact face 11 and oblique abutment face 13 with respect to the line of force axis and/or to the horizontal may be selected by appropriate conjoint selection of the complementary oblique angles of

faces

11 and 13 themselves. This angle will determine the degree of axial adjustment of bar 10 with respect to bore 9 and/or the degree of transverse adjustment of wedge 12 with respect to bore 9 which will be necessary to achieve the desired positioning and stroke amplitude of ram head 1 for reciprocal movement thereof. Such angle may be for example 5 to 10 degrees with respect to the vertical. Thus, by appropriate rotation of collar 28, bar 10 can be axially displaced in dependence upon the transverse position of wedge 12 whereby to permit precise adjustment of the forward position of working face 8 at maximum forward stroke of ram head 1 when head 1 is forwardly urged as described below.

To permit wedge 12 to be displaced transversely with respect-to bore 9, and in turn with respect to the line of force axis in question, the wedge lower end or apex 14 terminates a significant distance from the opposing inner wall portion of bore 9 thereat when the wedge is oriented such that its upper end or base 15 is adjacent the counterpart opposing inner wall portion of bore 9 (see FIG. 4). A wedge slot 16, extending'more or less coaxially with the line of force axis, is defined in the upper end or base 15 of the wedge which communicates with a more or less similarly extending wider wedge groove 17 radially inwardly thereof, so as to receive the narrower diameter lower end 18 of transversely adjustable bolt 19 slidably within slot 16 and the wider diameter flange stop 20 at the bottom of bolt 19 correspondingly slidably within wider groove 17.

Bolt 19 is operatively positioned in transverse head bore 21 and transversely adjustable with respect to head 1 by reason of the transverse bore threaded connection 22. Lock nut 23 serves to fix releasably bore 19 from rotational and transverse displacement once the bolt has been selectively adjusted in transverse position to adjust in turn the selective transverse position of wedge 12 in bore 9 in dependence upon the selective axial position of bar 10 and the desired flush contact interfacial disposition of oblique faces 1 l and 13.

It will be clear from the foregoing that bolt 19 in effect carries wedge 12 via the interconnection provided between wider flange stop 20 and wedge groove 17 as radially outwardly limited by narrower wedge slot 16 (see FIG. 4). Thus, by suitable rotational displacement of bolt 19, wedge 12 can be displaced transversely toward and away from the inner wall portion of bore 9 opposite wedge apex 14 in dependence upon the axial position of bar 10 and specifically oblique contact face 1 1 By reason of the arrangement of flange stop 20 and wedge groove 17, forces acting along the line of force axis will not be exerted radially against bolt 19, and thus no undue stress or damage to bolt 19 can occur. Nevertheless, bolt 19 will resist effectively forces exerted axially thereon via wedge 12 due to the presence of the extended threaded connection 22 thereat.

Where bar 10 has been axially prepositioned, wedge 12 may be displaced by inward movement of bolt 19 until oblique abutment face 13 of wedge 12 is in flush compressive contact with oblique contact face 11 of bar 10. During this time the relative alignment of bolt 19 and wedge 12 will be adjusted by appropriate sliding movement of the wedge with respect to flange stop 20 and bolt lower end 18 along wedge groove 17 and wedge slot 16 in view of the guidance afforded by support face 26 of support block 25, so that abutment face 24 of wedge 12 will be maintained in flush compressive contact as well with said support face 26.

By looking nut 23 when wedge 12 is compressively positioned with respect to bar and support block 25, flange stop will prevent undesired outward transverse displacement of the wedge, i.e., in a direction away from the inner wall portion of bore 9 opposite wedge apex 14, even when ram head 1 is subjected to high tonnage operating forces. While flange stop 20 will also prevent to some extent further inward transverse displacement of the wedge, i.e., in a direction towards the inner wall portion of bore 9 opposite wedge apex 14, this role is performed more completely and more positively by the flush positioning of both oblique contact face 11 of prepositioned bar 10 and reverse oblique support face 26 of support block against oblique abutment face 13 and reverse oblique abutment face 24, respectively, of the wedge.

Of course, as the artisan will appreciate, the reverse concept is equally applicable in which the wedge 12 is prepositioned transversely by bolt 19 along support block 25 and then bar 10 adjusted axially via collar 28 to reach the flush positioned of

oblique faces

11 and 13 while maintaining the corresponding flush positioning of reverse

oblique faces

26 and 24.

While a separate support block 25 is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, it will be realized that such block 25 can be integral with head 1, e.g., with both parts being one piece, whereupon the interior transverse wall 27 is omitted and instead reverse oblique supportface 26 serves as both the interior transverse wall of .axial bore 9 and the reverse oblique support face.

Furthermore, while support block 25 and wedge 12 are shown with complemental reverse

oblique faces

26 and 24, respectively, these parts can be formed such that faces 26 and 24 extend transversely at an angle of 90 with respect to the line of force axis and/or the horizontal, i.e., are normal to the line of force axis, since the significant adjustment of wedge 12 and bar 10 is governed by the appropriate oblique angle of

faces

11 and 13 in connection with the positional relationship of the axially displaceable bar and the transversely displaceable wedge.

Nevertheless, with such modification, the oblique angle of

faces

11 and 13, i.e., of the corresponding plane of interface thereat, is preferably more pronounced than that shown in the drawing, e.g., l220, so that for a given linear distance of transverse movement of wedge 12 a correspondingly greater linear distance of axial adjustment of bar 10 will be required than in the case of the FIG. 1 embodiment for flush abutment of

faces

11 and 13, or stated another way, greater axial adjustment increments of bar 10 and smaller transverse adjustment increments of wedge 12 will be used than for the FIG. 1 embodiment, considering the relatively confined area and range of displacement of these parts in the spatial disposition shown.

Since in accordance with this modification, wedge 12 will not be displaced with respect to bolt 19 along the line of force axis, as the artisan will appreciate, slot 16 and groove 17 as well as flange stop 20 can be modified to provide a simple connection therebetween permitting positive transverse displacement of wedge 12 in the manner described and releasable fixing against further transverse displacement of wedge 12 in bore 9 when operating the assembly under high tonnage forces.

Bar 10 is provided with a rearward axial recess, for example in the form of a rectangular bar slot 33, to receive operatively the leading end of force transmission lever 32, preferably with the inner transverse wall of slot 33 and the leading end of lever 32 being in abutting relation to absorb more efficiently forces exerted by lever 32 on bar 10.

Pivot buttons

34,35 are inserted laterally into the coaxially aligned

lateral lever bores

50,51 on the respective sides of lever 32 such that the heads of the pivot buttons are received more or less flushly within the corresponding coaxially aligned, e. g., round shaped, cross holes or

hollow recesses

48,49 laterally extending into the sides of bar 10 thercat.

Hollow recesses

48,49 preferably open into bar slot 33 for a closer fit of the various parts, and if desired

lateral bores

50,51 in lever 32 can openly register with each other by providing them in the form of a common continuous bore.

Pivot buttons

34,35 are retained in position, by reason of the close adjacency of the confining interior wall portions of axial bore 9 to the outermost surfaces of the heads of these buttons, and thus articulatedly lock together lever 32 and bar 10 between wedge 12 and collar 28.

Preferably, the inner transverse wall of bar slot 33 is concavely curved about the common lateral axis of but- I

tons

34,35 and

bores

50,51 and the leading edge of lever 32 is convexly curved about such axis, with the same radius of curvature for both such parts, to permit bar 10 and lever 32 to execute slight relative articulation therebetween about such lateral axis within the limits of the confining bar slot 33 (see FIG. 5). In this way, high tonnage forces acting on lever 32 may be transmitted to bar 10 for the desired purposes without undue stresses on the interconnected parts as would occur with a rigid connection between bar 10 and lever 32 or with a pivotal connection not so constructionally confined as to pivot range.

Such forces are supplied to lever 32 by toggle lever 41 supported on bed 3 via pivot mounting 42 and connected articulatedly to the trailing end of the force transmission lever 32 via lateral end cap pivots-36,37.

End cap pivots

36,37 are affixed by

pins

38,39 to the adjacent portion of toggle lever 41 through the intermediately positioned appropriately concavely curved bushing 40 which articulatedly abuts the complementally convexly curved trailing edge of lever 32. Conveniently, the common lateral axis of

buttons

34,35 and bores 50,51, the axis of pivot mounting 42 and the common axis of

lateral pivots

36,37 are all parallel to one another.

By such an arrangement of parts, high tonnage forces can be readily transmitted from toggle lever 41 through bushing 40 and lateral pivots 36,37 to force transmission lever 32 and

buttons

34,35, and in turn to bar 10, wedge 12 and head 1, with limited articulation of the interlinked parts to relieve stresses otherwise exerted during the forward and rearward limited pivoting of toggle lever 41 about pivot mounting 42.

The operation of toggle lever 41 is carried out in the conventional manner by timed rotation of drive shaft 45 mounted at the rear of bed 3 so that the

appropriate cams

43 and 44 engage, respectively, the

cam follower rollers

46 and 47 situated on the arms of the toggle lever in a correspondingly timed, predetermined sequence. This causes toggle lever 41 to be rocked alternately in forward and rearward direction for reciprocal displacement of head 1 via the limited articulation connections of interposed bar and lever 32. Not only can high tonnage forces be transmitted effectively and without undue stresses by such a linkage of parts to head 1 for forward displacement thereof but also positive return of the head can be carried out without undue stresses as well.

It can be appreciated from FIG. 4 that wedge 12 in the embodiment shown is more or less oval shaped in cross-section yet has opposed lateral pointed portions due to the foreshortening of the wedge within the interior of axial bore 9.

While bore 9 and wedge 12 are shown correspondingly as circular and oval in cross-section, other complemental cross-sectional shapes for these parts may be used if desired so long as the lower end or apex 14 of wedge 12 is spaced from the opposed interior wall portion of bore 9 thereat when the upper end or base 15 of the wedge is in abutment with the opposed interior wall portion of bore 9 adjacent the inner end of transverse bore 21 and so long as wedge 12 can be transversely displaced in the desired manner.

Such space below apex 14 is necessary of course to permit transverse displacement of wedge 12 in accord with the axial adjustment of bar 10 to achieve proper 1 positioning of head 1 in terms of the reciprocal stroke amplitude of toggle lever 41.

FIG. 4 also shows clearly the outwardly flared underside of head 1 suitably retained in the axially extending groove in the upper surface of base 2 for reciprocal sliding movement of head 1 with respect to stationary base 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates the spatial relationship of lever 32 and collar 28 and the clearance therebetween at collar opening 29. Adjustment of the axial position of collar 28 may be made readily by rotation thereof using a simple too] since the arrangement of parts does not obstruct collar 28 or prevent free access thereto. Because of the particular constructional arrangement, no high tonnage forces are exerted on collar 28, and thus, like bolt 19, collar 28 is not subject to undue stress which might cause damage thereof. Even so, by reason of threaded connection 30, positive rearward displacement forces can readily be accommodated by collar 28.

The clearance between lever 32 and the upper and lower faces of rectangular slot 33 in the rear end of bar 10 is also shown in FIG. 5. The clearance between lever 32 and the upper and lower faces of slot 33, of course, determines the limits of articulation between lever 32 and bar 10 and provides for the safe containment of the forces exerted thereat along the line of force axis.

FIG. 6 shows the location of head 1 in the overall arrangement of a conventional metal working machine and particularly the ready access of the operator to bolt 19 and nut 23 as well as to collar 28 (see also FIG. 2) for unobstructed adjustment as desired. Also shown in an overhead brace 52 for the machine which connects the force transmission side containing head 1 with the force receiving side containing the platen 53. Platen 53 in the illustrated embodiment holds a female die 54 in opposed relation to the male die 55 carried by working face 8 for desired high tonnage force working of metal stock (not shown) in the conventional manner along the line of force axis, i.e., offset upwardly therefrom but in the same vertical plane.

By way of the construction of the present invention, therefore, unobstructed access is provided to bolt 19 and collar 28 for easy adjustment of the head with respect to the force transmission lever linkage. Consequently, precise adjustment of the amplitude of the reciprocal stroke of such head can be accomplished readily, yet the head assembly is able to withstand the high tonnage forces exerted thereon for forward displacement thereof while also being able to undertake positive return displacement without damage to the adjustment elements, and especially to bolt 19 and collar 28, during such forward and return displacement.

It will be appreciated that the instant specification and drawings are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Ram head and adjustable connector combination which comprises a ram head adapted to be moved along a line of force axis for mechanical action, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face, a positioning seat on said head positioning said connector operatively along said axis with said contact face facing said head, an axially adjustable retainer on said head to retain said connector at a selective axial position and against axial displacement away from said head, and a transversely adjustable wedge having a complemental oblique abutment face interposed at said axis operatively between said head and said connector for compressive engagement with said oblique contact face at the selective axial position of said connector to transmit therethrough forces acting on said connector to said head along said line of force axis.

2..Combination according to claim 1 wherein a force transmission lever is articulatedly connected to said connector remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis, and said force lever is pivotally connected with direct drive means to positively reciprocate said head both in its advance and retractive displacements along said line of force action.

3. Combination according to claim 2 wherein said direct drive means comprises a cam operated toggle lever and said toggle lever is operatively connected to said force lever to transmit forces to said force lever for transmission in turn to said connector and head to move said head in a positive forward mechanical action direction and to retract said head in a corresponding positive return direction.

4. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on a machine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to said bed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateral movement with respect thereto, and a transversely adjustable stop is provided on the top portion of said head which is operatively connected to said wedge to locate selectively and hold said wedge in said compressive engagement with the oblique contact face of said connector and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge.

5. Combination according to claim 1 wherein an opposing support block having a reverse oblique support face is stationarily disposed operatively between said head and said wedge at said axis to provide a wedge shaped space between said support face and the contact face of said connector, and said wedge is provided with a complemental reverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, with said abutment faces com plementally inwardly converging toward each other and dimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon the selective axial position of said connector and the position of transverse adjustment of said wedge.

6. Combination according to claim 5 wherein a transversely adjustable stop is provided on said head operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedge in abutting contact with said support face and with said contact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge.

7. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head has a forward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion, said positioning seat is in the form of an axial bore in said rearward portion, said connector is dimensioned cross-sectionally to provide axially extending seating surface portions for axially slidable operative seating engagement with corresponding adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said bore, said retainer is in the form of a collar having an opening defined therethrough and said collar is dimensioned for axially adjustable attachment to the outer end portion of said bore in rearward retaining abutment with the adjacent portion of said connector, and said wedge is operatively positioned in said bore between the inner end portion thereof and the contact face of said connector, wherein a transversely adjustable stop is providedon said head which extends into said bore and which is operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedge between said end portion and contact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge, and wherein a force transmission lever extends inwardly through the opening of said collar and is articulatedly connected to said connector at the end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis.

8. Combination according to claim 7 wherein said bore, said connector, said wedge and said collar are of complemental circular cross-sectional configuration with respect to said axis, wherein said collar is attached by a threaded connection to said bore, wherein said transversely adjustable stop is a bolt inserted through a threaded connection with said head into said bore and attached at its inner end to the wider base portion of said wedge, and wherein said force transmission lever is connected to said connector by a pair of lateral pins coaxially journalled in said connector and is operatively connected with direct drive means remote from said connector to move said head in a positive forward mechanical action direction and to retract said head in a corresponding positive return direction.

9. Ram head apparatus which comprises a machine bed, a ram head having a forward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion mounted on said bed for reciprocal movement with respect to said bed along a line of force axis in a forward mechanical action direction and in a return direction while being fixed against lateral movement with respect to said bed, an axial bore in said rearward portion forming a positioning seat along said axis, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face portion operatively within said bore along said axis in at least partial axially slidable peripheral operative seating engagement with the adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said bore and with said contact face facing the forward ram portion, a retaining collar having an opening defined therethrough mounted axially adjustably in the outer end portion of said bore rearwardly of said connector to retain said connector at a selective axial position and against rearward axial displacement with respect to said head, an opposing support block having a reverse oblique support face stationarily disposed operatively at said axis within said bore against the inner end portion thereof with said support face facing said contact face to provide a wedge shaped space between said support face and said contact face, a transversely adjustable wedge interposed at said axis in said bore operatively betweensaid connector and said support block and having a complemental oblique abutment face adjacent said contact face and a complemental reverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, said abutment faces complementally inwardly converging toward each other from the base portion of said wedge to the apex portion thereof and said wedge being dimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon the selective axial position of said connector and the position of transverse adjustment of said wedge to transmit therethrough forces acting on said connector to said support block and in turn said head along said line of force axis, a transversely adjustable stop mounted on said rearward portion extending into said bore and operatively connected to the base portion of said wedge to hold said wedge in abutting contact with said support face and contact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge, a cam operated toggle lever mounted on said bed, and a force transmission lever having one end operatively connected to said toggle lever and the other end extending inwardly through the opening of said collar and articulatedly connected to said connector at the end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said con-. nector for moving said head along said line of force axis in said forward and return directions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a retaining groove is defined in the base portion of said wedge extending in the direction of said line of force axis, said transversely adjustable stop is in the form of a bolt mounted by a threaded connection in a transverse bore in said head communicating with said axial bore, with the inner end of said bolt extending into said axial bore adjacent said base portion and terminating in a flange stop operatively retained in said retaining groove for slidable displacement of said wedge along said retaining groove with respect to said bolt at said flange stop in the direction of said line of force axis, and releasable locking means are associated with said bolt at said head to fix releasably said bolt from rotational and transverse displacement in any position of transverse adjustment of said bolt.

ll. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said wedge consists of a unitary element displaceable over a full range of adjustment.

12. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on a machine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to said bed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateral movement with respect thereto, and said wedge has an abutment face which is positioned so as to provide a line of intersection with a substantially horizontal plane through the lineof force axis, which line of intersection is substantially parallel to the machine bed and substantially normal to said line of force axis, and so as to provide a line of intersection with a substantially vertical plane through the line of force axis, which last-mentioned line of intersection is inclined relative to the machine bed.

13. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge is captively disposed within said head with the so-inclined abutment face of said wedge positioned in operative engagement with the oblique contact face of said connector.

14. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge consists of a unitary element displaceable in substantially vertical direction over a full range of adjustment, and a substantially vertically adjustable stop is mounted at the top portion of said head and operatively connected to said wedge to locate selectively the height of said wedge with respect to said line of force axis so as to control the length of the stroke of said head and to hold said wedge in abutting contact with the oblique contact face of said connector and prevent vertical displaccmcnt of said wedge.

Claims

2. Combination according to claim 1 wherein a force transmission lever is articulatedly connected to said connector remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis, and said force lever is pivotally connected with direct drive means to positively reciprocate said head both in its advance and retractive displacements along said line of force action.

5. Combination according to claim 1 wherein an opposing support block having a reverse oBlique support face is stationarily disposed operatively between said head and said wedge at said axis to provide a wedge shaped space between said support face and the contact face of said connector, and said wedge is provided with a complemental reverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, with said abutment faces complementally inwardly converging toward each other and dimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon the selective axial position of said connector and the position of transverse adjustment of said wedge.

7. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head has a forward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion, said positioning seat is in the form of an axial bore in said rearward portion, said connector is dimensioned cross-sectionally to provide axially extending seating surface portions for axially slidable operative seating engagement with corresponding adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said bore, said retainer is in the form of a collar having an opening defined therethrough and said collar is dimensioned for axially adjustable attachment to the outer end portion of said bore in rearward retaining abutment with the adjacent portion of said connector, and said wedge is operatively positioned in said bore between the inner end portion thereof and the contact face of said connector, wherein a transversely adjustable stop is provided on said head which extends into said bore and which is operatively connected to said wedge to hold said wedge between said end portion and contact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge, and wherein a force transmission lever extends inwardly through the opening of said collar and is articulatedly connected to said connector at the end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis.

9. Ram head apparatus which comprises a machine bed, a ram head having a forward ram portion and a rearward force receiving portion mounted on said bed for reciprocal movement with respect to said bed along a line of force axis in a forward mechanical action direction and in a return direction while being fixed against lateral movement with respect to said bed, an axial bore in said rearward portion forming a positioning seat along said axis, a force transmission connector having an oblique contact face portion operatively within said bore along said axis in at least partial axially slidable peripheral operative seating engagement with the adjacent axially extending interior wall portions of said bore and with said contact face facing the forward ram portion, a retaining collar having an opening defined therethrough mounted axially adjustably in the outer end portion of said bore rearwardly of said connector to retain said connector at a selective axial position and against rearward axial displacement with respEct to said head, an opposing support block having a reverse oblique support face stationarily disposed operatively at said axis within said bore against the inner end portion thereof with said support face facing said contact face to provide a wedge shaped space between said support face and said contact face, a transversely adjustable wedge interposed at said axis in said bore operatively between said connector and said support block and having a complemental oblique abutment face adjacent said contact face and a complemental reverse oblique abutment face adjacent said support face, said abutment faces complementally inwardly converging toward each other from the base portion of said wedge to the apex portion thereof and said wedge being dimensioned to occupy said wedge shaped space in dependence upon the selective axial position of said connector and the position of transverse adjustment of said wedge to transmit therethrough forces acting on said connector to said support block and in turn said head along said line of force axis, a transversely adjustable stop mounted on said rearward portion extending into said bore and operatively connected to the base portion of said wedge to hold said wedge in abutting contact with said support face and contact face and prevent transverse displacement of said wedge, a cam operated toggle lever mounted on said bed, and a force transmission lever having one end operatively connected to said toggle lever and the other end extending inwardly through the opening of said collar and articulatedly connected to said connector at the end portion thereof remote from said contact face to transmit forces to said connector for moving said head along said line of force axis in said forward and return directions.

11. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said wedge consists of a unitary element displaceable over a full range of adjustment.

12. Combination according to claim 1 wherein said head is mounted on a machine bed for substantially horizontal movement with respect to said bed along said line of force axis while being fixed against lateral movement with respect thereto, and said wedge has an abutment face which is positioned so as to provide a line of intersection with a substantially horizontal plane through the line of force axis, which line of intersection is substantially parallel to the machine bed and substantially normal to said line of force axis, and so as to provide a line of intersection with a substantially vertical plane through the line of force axis, which last-mentioned line of intersection is inclined relative to the machine bed.

14. Combination according to claim 12 wherein said wedge consists of a unitary element displaceable in substantially vertical direction over a full range of adjustment, and a substantially vertically adjustable stop is mounted at the top portion of said head and operatively connected to said wedge to locate selectivelY the height of said wedge with respect to said line of force axis so as to control the length of the stroke of said head and to hold said wedge in abutting contact with the oblique contact face of said connector and prevent vertical displacement of said wedge.