Cushion construction including snubber

• US 4,796,460 A
• Filed: 05/29/1987
• Issued: 01/10/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smedberg Kenneth L As Trustee Under Declaration of Trust Dated JAN 5 1990
• Original Assignee: Kenneth L. Smedberg
• Inventors: Smedberg, Kenneth L., Bozich, George J., Kotynski, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, DAVID B
• Application Number:
  US07/055,687
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 72/350, 72/344, 72/453.13, 72/465, 72/344, 72/456, 72/455, 72/347, 267/199, 267/122, 267/130, 100/214, 100/259, 100/267
• US Class Current: 72/453.13
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 24/02 Die-cushions

Abstract

A die cushion construction for use in a press is the subject matter of the present invention. The instant die cushion construction includes a fixed plate connected to the press. A resilient cushion actuator has one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate. The resilient cushion actuator has an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate. The movable plate is adapted for connection to a portion of a die mounted in the press. A resilient snubber actuator has one end fixed relative to the fixed plate. The snubber actuator has an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate and a portion of the die. The snubber actuator is connected to means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate moves toward the snubber actuator.

Claims

1. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubbr actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, a plurality of rods connecting the movable plate with the movable end of the snubber actuator, and means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator.

2. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, a plurality of rods, each of said rods having one end connected to the movable plate, each of said rods having an opposite end connected to the movable end of the snubber actuator, selected rods of the plurality of rods each having adjustment means for adjusting selectively the length of each of the selected rods to adjust the spatial relationship between the movable plate and the movable end of the snubber actuator, and means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator.

3. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, a volume reducer mounted within the snubber actuator and connected to the fixed plate for increasing the rate of reduction of volume within the snubber actuator as the movable end of the snubber actuator moves toward the fixed end, and means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator.

4. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, and a volume reducer mounted within the snubber actuator and connected to the fixed plate, said volume reducer limiting movement of the movable end of the snubber actuator toward the fixed plate and increasing the rate of reduction of volume within the snubber actuator as the movable end of the snubber actuator moves toward the fixed end.

5. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, a plurality of rods connecting the movable plate with the movable end of the snubber actuator, and means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator moving the movable end of the snubber toward the fixed end of the snubber actuator.

6. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cusion moves toward the snubber actuator, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator, and a surge tank having one end fixed to the fixed plate and the opposite end fixed to the fixed end of the snubber actuator, said surge tank being connected to the resilient actuator of the cushion to receive fluid from the resilient actuator of the cushion.

7. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, a plurality of rods connecting the cushion movable plate with the movable end of the snubber actuator, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator, and adjustable valve means for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

8. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, a plurality of rods, each of said rods having one end connected to the cushion movable plate, each of said rods having an opposite end connected to the movable end of the snubber actuator, selected rods of the plurality of rods each having adjustment means for adjusting selectively the length of each of the selected rods to adjust the spatial relationship between the cushion movable plate and the movable end of the snubber actuator;

means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator; and

adjustable valve means for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

9. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, a surge tank having one end fixed to the fixed plate and an opposite end fixed to the fixed end of the snubber actuator, said surge tank being connected to the cushion actuator allowing fluid to flow between the surge tank and the interior of the cushion actuator, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator, and adjustable valve means for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

10. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator includes a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, a plurality of rods connecting the cushion movable plate with the movable end of the snubber actuator, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator, and selectively adjustable valve means for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

11. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator includes a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator;

a plurality of rods, each of said rods having one end connected to the cushion movable plate, each of said rods having an opposite end connected to the movable end of the snubber actuator, selected rods of the plurality of rods each having adjustment means for adjusting selectively the length of each of the selected rods to adjust the spatial relationship between the cushion movable plate and the movable end of the snubber actuator; and

adjustable valve means for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

12. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator, valve means for selectively controlling the rate of flow of fluid out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator including a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, and a volume reducer mounted within the snubber actuator and connected to the fixed plate, said volume reducer limiting movement of the movable end of the snubber actuator toward the fixed plate and increasing the rate of reduction of volume within the snubber actuator as the movable end of the snubber actuator moves toward the fixed end.

13. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator includes a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, a surge tank having one end fixed to the fixed plate and an opposite end fixed to the fixed end of the snubber actuator, said surge tank connected to the resilient cushion actuator to allow fluid to flow between the cushion actuator and the surge tank;

means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator; and

a selectively adjustable valve for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

14. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator includes a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, a surge tank having one end fixed to the fixed plate and an opposite end fixed to the fixed end of the snubber actuator, said surge tank being connected to the cushion actuator to allow fluid to flow between the cushion actuator and the surge tank;

a plurality of elongated rods, each of said rods having one end connected to the cushion movable plate, each of said rods having an opposite end connected to the movable end of the snubber actuator, selected rods of the plurality of rods each having adjustment means for adjusting selectively the length of each of the selected rods to adjust the spatial relationship between the plate and the movable end of the snubber actuator;

means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator; and

an adjustable valve for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.

15. A die cushion construction for use in a press, said cushion construction having a fixed plate connected to a base of the press, a resilient actuator having one end sealingly connected to the fixed plate, said actuator having an opposite end sealingly connected to a movable plate, said movable plate connected to a portion of a die in the press, the improvement comprising;

a resilient snubber actuator having one end fixed relative to the fixed plate, said snubber actuator having an opposite movable end connected to the movable plate for affecting the rate of movement of the movable plate, means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator when the movable plate of the cushion moves toward the snubber actuator, said means for allowing fluid to flow into the snubber actuator includes a one-way valve allowing fluid to enter the snubber actuator through the one-way valve but not leave the snubber actuator through the one-way valve, a surge tank having one end fixed to the fixed plate and an opposite end fixed to the fixed end of the snubber actuator, said surge tank being connected to the cushion actuator to allow fluid to flow between the cushion actuator and the surge tank;

a pluarlity of elongated rods, each of said rods having one end connected to the cushion movable plate, each of said rods having an opposite end connected to the movable end of the snubber actuator, selected rods of the plurality of rods each having adjustment means for adjusting selectively the length of each of the selected rods to adjust the spatial relationship between the plate and the movable end of the snubber actuator;

a volume reducer mounted within the snubber actuator and connected to the fixed plate, said volume reducer limiting movement of the movable end of the snubber actuator toward the fixed plate and increasing the rate of reduction of volume within the snubber actuator as the movable end of the snubber actuator moves toward the fixed end;

means for allowing fluid to flow out of the snubber actuator when the cushion movable plate moves away from the snubber actuator; and

an adjustable valve for selectively controlling the rate of fluid flow out of the snubber actuator to regulate selectively the rate of movement of the cushion movable plate away from the snubber actuator.