Abstract: A guided keeper assembly for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face and a fastener aperture to mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. A guide pin having a central portion is closely received in the central guide aperture for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and the die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at one end which abuts the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at an opposite end with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the guide pin on the die pad. A fastener extends through the fastener aperture in the base to securely connect the same with the die shoe. Another fastener securely connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and related method includes a cylindrical base that mounts to a die member using a multi-piece, interlocking flange. The flanges have outer fastener holes and inner arcuate walls that matingly engage a complimentary profile on the outer surface of the base to axially interconnect the same. The flanges also have male and female end connectors which snap lock together around the base in an assembled condition. Mounting screws pass through the fastener holes in the flanges and are anchored in the die member to securely retain the guided keeper assembly in place. A retainer ring is mounted in an associated groove in the base over the heads of the screws to prevent unintentional unfastening of the screws from the die member.

Abstract: A gas spring mount and related method for metal forming dies includes a one-piece, generally U-shaped clamping band with an arcuate medial portion shaped to receive an associated gas spring body therein, and two enlarged ends with through apertures. Threaded mounting screws extend through the through apertures in the clamping band ends, and are anchored into threaded retainer holes in an associated die member. At least one of the mounting screws has a tapered head and is disposed laterally offset from the associated threaded retainer hole in the die, whereby tightening of the one screw shifts the related enlarged end of the mounting band laterally toward the opposite enlarged end to pull the clamping band constrictingly against the gas spring body to securely, yet detachably retain the same therein.

Abstract: A gas spring mount and related method for metal forming dies includes a one-piece, split clamping ring having a generally ovate plan shape with two spaced apart axes of symmetry. A generally circular clamping portion extends around the first axis, and is shaped to receive a gas spring body therein. A hook-shaped end extends around the second axis, and is shaped to receive a tapered head mounting member therein. A resilient free end is located operably between the clamping portion and the hook-shaped end portion, whereby tightening of the mounting member shifts the hook-shaped end outwardly and the free end inwardly to constrictingly pull the clamping ring securely against the gas spring body, and contemporaneously attach the assembly to an associated die member.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, a connector portion and a central aperture. A guide pin has a cylindrical center portion closely received in the central aperture of the base for reciprocation, an enlarged first end with an alignment member, and an outwardly opening circumferential groove. A retainer ring is removably mounted in and protrudes radially outwardly of the groove to securely, yet detachably, retain the base on the guide pin between the enlarged head and the retainer ring in an assembled condition to facilitate transport and mounting of the guided keeper assembly.

Abstract: A modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies includes a base shaped for detachable connection with an associated die plate, having a threaded central aperture, and an adjacent lock dowel aperture which extends through the threaded central aperture to form a window. A cylindrically-shaped spring retainer is configured to receive a spring therein, and has a threaded exterior portion which engages the threaded central aperture of the base, such that mutual rotation of the same adjusts the longitudinal position of the spring. A locking dowel is closely received in the lock dowel aperture in the base, and has an unthreaded exterior surface which protrudes through the window and abuttingly engages an adjacent portion of the threaded exterior surface of the spring retainer to securely, yet detachably, retain the spring member in a selected longitudinal position.

Abstract: A guided keeper and method for metal forming dies includes a base with a head portion and an opposite externally threaded mounting portion received in a mating die aperture. A scalloped shoulder portion with arc-shaped notches is located axially between the head and the mounting portions of the base, and a retainer ring groove is located axially between the head and the scalloped shoulder portion of the base. A cap screw is retained in the die, and has a cylindrical head received in one of the arc-shaped notches in the base to retain the base in place. A retainer ring is mounted in the ring groove in the base and retains the cap screw in place.

Abstract: A locking collar assembly for metal forming dies includes a disc-shaped locking collar with a cylindrical outer surface closely received in a collar bore in one face of a first die member. A circular recess in the outer face of the locking collar has an internal retainer ring groove. A counter bore shaped fastener hole extends through the collar and a part of the recess, and has shank, head and shoulder portions. A socket head cap screw is inserted in the fastener hole with a threaded end anchored in a threaded end aperture in one of the guide pins, with the head seated on the shoulder of the fastener hole. A retainer ring is mounted in the collar ring groove and overlies the cap screw head to positively prevent the cap screw from unintentionally unfastening from the guide pin.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, and a central guide aperture. A guide pin with a cylindrically shaped body portion is closely received in the central aperture of the base. A first end of the guide pin has an enlarged head to positively limit travel between the die shoe and die pad, and an opposite second end with a generally flat terminal shoulder configured for close reception in a blind hole in the die pad. The shoulder has a fastener aperture extending perpendicularly therethrough at a location spaced radially offset from the central axis of the guide pin.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A two-piece guide pin for metal forming dies includes a guide pin body formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having a cylindrical shape and a hard and smooth finished exterior surface with an outside diameter selected for close reception and reciprocal motion in an associated die bore. An alignment member is formed on a first end of the guide pin body. A guide pin head is formed from a cut length of an elongate, solid bar of stock having an outside diameter that is substantially greater than that of the guide pin body, and is rigidly connected with the second end of the guide pin body in a generally concentric relationship to define an enlarged head that positively limits travel between an associated die shoe and die pad.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a mounting face, a connector portion and a central aperture. A guide pin has a cylindrical center portion closely received in the central aperture of the base for reciprocation, an enlarged first end with an alignment member, and an outwardly opening circumferential groove. A retainer ring is removably mounted in and protrudes radially outwardly of the groove to securely, yet detachably, retain the base on the guide pin between the enlarged head and the retainer ring in an assembled condition to facilitate transport and mounting of the guided keeper assembly.

Abstract: A modular spring retainer and method for metal forming dies includes a base shaped for detachable connection with an associated die plate, having a threaded central aperture, and an adjacent lock dowel aperture which extends through the threaded central aperture to form a window. A cylindrically-shaped spring retainer is configured to receive a spring therein, and has a threaded exterior portion which engages the threaded central aperture of the base, such that mutual rotation of the same adjusts the longitudinal position of the spring. A locking dowel is closely received in the lock dowel aperture in the base, and has an unthreaded exterior surface which protrudes through the window and abuttingly engages an adjacent portion of the threaded exterior surface of the spring retainer to securely, yet detachably, retain the spring member in a selected longitudinal position.

Abstract: A guided keeper assembly and method for metal forming dies includes a base having a flat mounting face and at least one marginal fastener aperture to detachably mount the base to an associated die shoe, as well as a central guide aperture. The assembly also includes a guide pin having a central portion closely received in the central guide aperture of the base for precisely guiding reciprocal motion between the die pad and an associated die shoe. The guide pin has an enlarged head at a first end thereof which abuts the mounting face of the base to positively limit travel between the die shoe and the die pad, and a shoulder at the opposite or second end thereof with an alignment mechanism that precisely locates the second end of the guide pin on the die pad. A first fastener extends through the marginal fastener aperture in the base to securely, yet detachably, connect the same with the die shoe. A second fastener securely, yet detachably, connects the second end of the guide pin with the die pad.

Abstract: A self-contained stock lifter is particularly adapted for use in multiple station, progressive metal forming dies and the like, and includes a base plate with two vertical through holes adjacent opposite sides, and a vertical spring unit aperture located between the through holes. The stock lifter also includes a lifter bar having two vertical through holes in vertical registry with the base plate through holes. Two rigid guide shafts are mounted in the base plate through holes to permit the lifter bar to reciprocate in a manner which selectively lifts stock in the die to permit longitudinal shifting of the stock along the multiple die stations. A spring unit has a base retained in the spring unit aperture, and a reciprocating rod biased outwardly, with a free end abutting a central portion of the lifter bar to shift the lifter bar to an extended position, thereby defining a fully self-contained unit that can be readily mounted in and removed from the die to reduce manufacturing and repair costs.

Abstract: A self-contained stock lifter is particularly adapted for use in multiple station, progressive metal forming dies and the like, and includes a base plate with two vertical through holes adjacent opposite sides, and a vertical spring unit aperture located between the through holes. The stock lifter also includes a lifter bar having two vertical through holes in vertical registry with the base plate through holes. Two rigid guide shafts are mounted in the base plate through holes to permit the lifter bar to reciprocate in a manner which selectively lifts stock in the die to permit longitudinal shifting of the stock along the multiple die stations. A spring unit has a base retained in the spring unit aperture, and a reciprocating rod biased outwardly, with a free end abutting a central portion of the lifter bar to shift the lifter bar to an extended position, thereby defining a fully self-contained unit that can be readily mounted in and removed from the die to reduce manufacturing and repair costs.

Abstract: A self-contained stock lifter is particularly adapted for use in multiple station, progressive metal forming dies and the like, and includes a base plate with two vertical through holes adjacent opposite sides, and a vertical spring unit aperture located between the through holes. The stock lifter also includes a lifter bar having two vertical through holes in vertical registry with the base plate through holes. Two rigid guide shafts are mounted in the base plate through holes to permit the lifter bar to reciprocate in a manner which selectively lifts stock in the die to permit longitudinal shifting of the stock along the multiple die stations. A spring unit has a base retained in the spring unit aperture, and a reciprocating rod biased outwardly, with a free end abutting a central portion of the lifter bar to shift the lifter bar to an extended position, thereby defining a fully self-contained unit that can be readily mounted in and removed from the die to reduce manufacturing and repair costs.