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Automated dimpling apparatus

  • US 5,673,585 A
  • Filed: 07/14/1995
  • Issued: 10/07/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for modifying the surface of a sheet blank, the apparatus comprising,dimple stamping means for stamping a dimple in a portion of said blank, said dimple stamping means including a stamping tool, and a support tool for mating with said stamping tool and engaging and supporting said portion of said blank during stamping,support means for supporting said dimple stamping means comprising a pair first and second parallel spaced elongate members,said stamping tool slidably mounted on said first elongate member and including a stamping die, first tool drive means activatable to selectively move said stamping tool along said first elongate member and first die drive means,said support tool slidably mounted on said second elongate member and including a support die, second tool drive means activatable to move said support tool along said second elongate member to a position wherein said support die is axially aligned with said stamping die to support said portion of said blank during stamping operation, and second die drive means,conveyor means for conveying said blank in a first direction between said first and second elongate members, said conveyor means maintaining said blank in an orientation permitting substantially unhindered movement of said stamping tool and said support tool thereacross during punching or stamping operation,said first die drive means being activatable to advance said stamping die in an axial direction normal to said first direction into contact with said blank,said second die drive means being activatable to retract said support die in said axial direction away from said blank to a position spaced from said dimple, andsaid conveyor means for moving said blank in said first direction to a position wherein said first and second tool drive means are movable along the respective first and second elongate members into axial alignment with the portion of the blank to be stamped.

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