Abstract: A ball lock punch retainer system, including a punch, with a ball receiving grooved seat therein, a punch retainer body, a backing plate, a spring hole located in the retainer body, a ball positioned within said spring hole, a spring located in said spring hole, said spring generally acting to bias said ball into a locking engagement with said punch, an access hole located in the retainer body and communicating with the ball located in the spring hole, an elongated gage member which can be moved into and out of said access hole, one end of said gage member having a ball contact surface thereon, said gage member having a indicating area thereon with an upper end, a middle part, and a lower end, and the gage member being operative to determine when the ball lock is in proper position.

Abstract: An automatic change-over ball lock punch retainer including a punch retainer having a punch, a retainer block, and an arm member in a sliding engagement retainer with the retainer housing block. The arm member having a camming means which interengages with an inclined surface of the punch retainer to move a punch into an active or inactive punch position.

Abstract: An improved punch retainer is disclosed in which a backing plate extends over a relatively large surface area to dissipate force from a punch. A punch retainer body and the tacking plate are permanently connected to each other and include passages which are finally ground after the two have been permanently connected. With this arrangement, it is ensured that passages within the backing plate and retainer body are all properly aligned during formation of the punch retainer. Since the backing plate dissipates force over a relatively large surface area, the punch retainer may be used in heavier applications than prior art punch retainers. A spring passage may be closed off by a seal received in the backing plate, allowing the use of standard springs. In a method according to the present invention, a dowel passage in the backing plate is finally ground such that it is centered on the center line of the punch within the retainer.

Abstract: An improved punch retainer is disclosed in which a backing plate extends over a relatively large surface area to dissipate force from a punch. A punch retainer body and the backing plate are permanently connected to each other and include passages which are finally ground after the two have been permanently connected. With this arrangement, it is ensured that passages within the backing plate and retainer body are all properly aligned during formation of the punch retainer. Since the backing plate dissipates force over a relatively large surface area, the punch retainer may be used in heavier applications than prior art punch retainers. A spring passage may be closed off by a seal received in the backing plate, allowing the use of standard springs. In a method according to the present invention, a dowel passage in the backing plate is finally ground such that it is centered on the center line of the punch within the retainer.

Abstract: An improved punch retainer is disclosed in which a backing plate extends over a relatively large surface area to dissipate force from a punch. A punch retainer body and the backing plate are permanently connected to each other and include passages which are finally ground after the two have been permanently connected. With this arrangement, it is ensured that passages within the backing plate and retainer body are all properly aligned during formation of the punch retainer. Since the backing plate dissipates force over a relatively large surface area, the punch retainer may be used in heavier applications than prior art punch retainers. A spring passage is closed off by a seal received in the backing plate, allowing the use of standard springs.