Abstract: A piston rod housing assembly for a gas spring includes a piston rod housing having an interior end, an exterior end axially spaced from the interior end, and an overtravel pressure relief passage extending through the piston rod housing and intersecting the exterior end.

Abstract: A piston rod housing assembly for a gas spring includes a piston rod housing having an interior end, an exterior end axially spaced from the interior end, and an overtravel pressure relief passage extending axially through the piston rod housing and intersecting the exterior end. The assembly also includes an overtravel pressure relief member carried in the overtravel pressure relief passage and having an exterior end that projects axially beyond the piston rod housing.

Abstract: Toe clamps generally shaped like hollow cylinder sectors or ring segments, methods of manufacturing such toe clamps, a toe clamping arrangement including such toe clamps, and a fixture for use in manufacturing such toe clamps.

Abstract: A guide and retention assembly for spaced apart confronting plates of a die set for guiding the plates for relative reciprocal movement toward and away from the other. The assembly includes a housing with a mounting flange and a sleeve with a through bore, and a rod extending through the bore and slidably received in at least one bushing in the sleeve.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a gas spring includes a casing having an inner surface defining in part a gas chamber, a piston rod and a seal. The piston rod is received at least partially in the casing for reciprocation along an axis between extended and retracted positions. The piston rod has an internal cavity defining a hollow space, a stop and a rod guide disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the casing to guide the reciprocation of the piston rod at least in part. The seal generally is provided between the piston rod and the casing to prevent gas leakage from the gas chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A guide and retention assembly for spaced apart confronting plates of a die set for guiding the plates for relative reciprocal movement toward and away from the other. The assembly includes a housing with a mounting flange and a sleeve with a through bore, and a rod extending through the bore and slidably received in at least one bushing in the sleeve.

Abstract: A pressure indicating device includes a case including a gas passage, and a movable indicator carried by the case. The indicator has an end in fluid communication with the gas passage and an indicator end projectable out of a portion of the case when pressure in the gas passage is at least a predetermined minimum pressure. A spring may retract the indicator when pressure in the gas passage is below the predetermined minimum pressure.

Abstract: A reaction device for forming equipment includes a base, a reaction member movably spaced therefrom by guides, and a return gas spring carried by the base and operatively engaged to the reaction member for yieldably biasing the reaction member away from the base. The base has a return gas spring passage and guide shaft passages spaced apart therefrom. A return gas spring is received in the return gas spring passage of the base, and has a piston rod with an end arranged for contact with the reaction member. The guides include guide shafts arranged for engagement with the reaction member and disposed in guide bushings, which are received in the guide shaft passages of the base and preferably project below the base for use in locating the reaction device on the forming equipment.

Abstract: A hydraulically-operated press-driven tool actuation system includes a press-driven hydraulic power device and/or a hydraulically-powered tool actuator. In the tool actuator, at least two pistons are carried by a housing, and at least one return device is carried by the housing laterally inboard of the pistons. In the power device, a pump includes a piston disposed in a pump cylinder for pressurizing hydraulic fluid therein. An accumulator is in fluid communication with the pump cylinder, and includes a piston disposed in an accumulator cylinder that houses hydraulic fluid on one side of the piston. A body supports the pump and accumulator thereon and is in fluid communication between the pump and accumulator cylinders. The body includes a pressure relief valve downstream of the pump cylinder and upstream of the accumulator cylinder, and a check valve downstream of the accumulator cylinder and upstream of the pump cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a cylinder including a piston rod and a chamber in which a working fluid is received to resist movement of the piston rod into the chamber, and an accumulator having a first chamber in communication with the cylinder chamber to receive fluid from the cylinder chamber upon movement of the piston rod into the cylinder chamber. The apparatus may also have a pressure controller having a fluid chamber where some of the working fluid may be received and an actuator operable to increase the volume of the fluid chamber when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder chamber to increase the total volume in which the working fluid may be received, wherein the increased volume of the fluid chamber may accommodate fluid movement in the assembly not caused by movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: A gas spring for providing a smooth and generally gradual load distribution between interrelated parts of a press has a casing defining at least in part a gas chamber. A housing is received at least in part in the casing. The housing has a through bore sized for receipt of the piston rod therein for reciprocation between extended and retracted positions. A piston retainer is attached for conjoint movement with the piston rod. An end of the housing flexes between a compressed position when the piston retainer abuts the housing as the piston rod moves toward its extended position and an uncompressed position when the piston retainer moves toward its retracted position and out of engagement with the housing.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a gas spring includes a casing having an inner surface defining in part a gas chamber, a piston rod and a seal. The piston rod is received at least partially in the casing for reciprocation along an axis between extended and retracted positions. The piston rod has an internal cavity defining a hollow space, a stop and a rod guide disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the casing to guide the reciprocation of the piston rod at least in part. The seal generally is provided between the piston rod and the casing to prevent gas leakage from the gas chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulically-operated press-driven tool actuation system includes a press-driven hydraulic power device and/or a hydraulically-powered tool actuator. In the tool actuator, at least two pistons are carried by a housing, and at least one return device is carried by the housing laterally inboard of the pistons. In the power device, a pump includes a piston disposed in a pump cylinder for pressurizing hydraulic fluid therein. An accumulator is in fluid communication with the pump cylinder, and includes a piston disposed in an accumulator cylinder that houses hydraulic fluid on one side of the piston. A body supports the pump and accumulator thereon and is in fluid communication between the pump and accumulator cylinders. The body includes a pressure relief valve downstream of the pump cylinder and upstream of the accumulator cylinder, and a check valve downstream of the accumulator cylinder and upstream of the pump cylinder.

Abstract: A pressure indicating device includes a case including a gas passage, and a movable indicator carried by the case. The indicator has an end in fluid communication with the gas passage and an indicator end projectable out of a portion of the case when pressure in the gas passage is at least a predetermined minimum pressure. A spring may retract the indicator when pressure in the gas passage is below the predetermined minimum pressure.

Abstract: A reaction device for forming equipment includes a housing having a mount adapted to be connected to a forming die and a casing carried by the mount. A lift rod is disposed at least partially on the housing for movement relative to the house between extended and retracted positions. The lift rod has a first end disposed in the housing, a second end and a passage extending through the lift rod between its ends. An adapter is connected to the lift rod within the passage and is adapted to be coupled to a lift bar of the forming equipment. A biasing member is disposed between the lift rod and the housing to yieldably bias the lift rod to its extended position.

Abstract: A tool to install a retaining ring into a groove in a cylinder has a handle lever which carries an adjustable gripper constructed to engage the cylinder and a compressing lever constructed to engage a portion of the retaining ring with the compressing lever pivotally and slidably connected to the handle lever permitting relative movement between the two levers. The connection between the handle lever and the compressing lever permits them to be separated and joined together in a fashion that facilitates engaging and compressing the retaining ring for insertion into the cylinder.

Abstract: A sleeve-type gas spring for a turret indexing press has an annular piston operably associated with a punch tool to reciprocate therewith and defining in part an annular gas chamber constructed to receive a gas under pressure. As the punch tool and piston are driven to their extended position by a press ram or some such other power device, the volume of the gas chamber decreases thereby increasing the pressure within the gas chamber such that when the ram is retracted, the pressure of the gas acting on the piston displaces the piston and the punch tool to their retracted positions. The force acting to retract the piston and the punch is dependent on the initial pressure of the gas within the gas chamber and the change in volume of the gas chamber as the punch tool and piston are extended.

Abstract: A tool to install a retaining ring into a groove in a cylinder has a handle lever which carries an adjustable gripper constructed to engage the cylinder and a compressing lever constructed to engage a portion of the retaining ring with the compressing lever pivotally and slidably connected to the handle lever permitting relative movement between the two levers. The connection between the handle lever and the compressing lever permits them to be separated and joined together in a fashion that facilitates engaging and compressing the retaining ring for insertion into the cylinder.

Abstract: A sleeve-type gas spring for a turret indexing press has an annular piston operably associated with a punch tool to reciprocate therewith and defining in part an annular gas chamber constructed to receive a gas under pressure. As the punch tool and piston are driven to their extended position by a press ram or some such other power device, the volume of the gas chamber decreases thereby increasing the pressure within the gas chamber such that when the ram is retracted, the pressure of the gas acting on the piston displaces the piston and the punch tool to their retracted positions. The force acting to retract the piston and the punch is dependent on the initial pressure of the gas within the gas chamber and the change in volume of the gas chamber as the punch tool and piston are extended.