Power press

• US 4,845,826 A
• Filed: 05/05/1988
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bares Group
• Original Assignee: Bares Group
• Inventors: Daniels, Charles M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Watson, Robert C.
• Application Number:
  US07/190,344
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 29/252, 29/751, 29/243.56, 269/20, 269/23, 269/224, 254/93 R, 72/409, 72/410, 81/355, 81/362, 81/361, 81/467, 81/479, 81/478, 81/356, 81/363, 91/358 R, 91/361
• US Class Current: 29/252
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/061 with fluid drive B25B5/087, B25B5/122 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 5/16 Details, e.g. jaws, jaw attachments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5383 having fluid operator

Abstract

A fluid actuated tool for pressing work pieces with a controlled force and dwell time is provided. The tool includes a fixed jaw and a movable jaw which is movable toward and away from the fixed jaw which arrangement allows a work piece to be squeezed between the jaws. A fluid actuated cylinder is provided which is connected to the movable jaw. The connection includes a coil spring and link and slot arrangement wherein force is transmitted to the work piece between the jaws by compression of the coil spring independent of the fluid force, and the link and slot arrangement allows limited movement of the piston independent of the movable jaw when the jaw meets the resistance of the work piece. The spring thus allows for a dwell time as well as a force independent of the fluid pressure.

Claims

1. A fluid actuated pressing device comprising, a fluid actuated cylinder having a piston reciprocally mounted therein movable between an actuated position and a retracted position,

a piston rod connected to said piston and movable therewith,

first jaw means fixedly carried by said device;

second jaw means and connection means connecting said second jaw means to said piston rod for coaction with said first jaw means when said piston is moved to its actuated position;

fluid control means operably connected to said cylinder to selectively move said piston in either direction between said actuated position and said retracted position to cause pressing action between said jaws and a work piece;

said connection means including spring means interposed between said piston rod and said second jaw means and including means to permit movement of the piston a selected distance with respect to said second jaw means by compressing said spring when movement of said second jaw means is prevented;

means operatively connected to said second jaw means and operable by said piston rod to cause the control means to return the piston to its retracted position after the piston has moved said selected distance with respect to said second jaw;

whereby the force applied to a work piece by the jaws is a function of the spring rate and independent of the fluid pressure, and the time the force is applied by the jaws is a function of the flow rate of the fluid.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein means provided to selectively control the rate of movement of the piston in a direction which moves the second jaw toward the first jaw.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said means to control the rate of movement of the piston includes flow control means to control the rate of flow of fluid to or from the cylinder.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said piston rod includes a collar member and an extension member extending from said collar, and wherein the spring means is interposed between said collar and said second jaw;

and wherein said connection includes a pin and slot interconnection between said second jaw and said extension member to allow limited movement of said extension with respect to said second jaw.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4, wherein the pin and slot interconnection provides the driving force to move the second jaw responsive to movement of the piston rod to the retracted position.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the fluid actuated device is air actuated.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6, wherein the fluid control means includes operator actuated valve means to actuate said cylinder to move the piston from said retracted position to said actuated position.