Abstract: An actuatable punch assembly forms a hole within an article. The actuatable punch assembly comprises a base plate coupled to the actuator. At least one segment block is adjustably coupled to the base plate. At least one cutting device for forming the hole within the article is coupled to the segment block. The segment block is adjustable relative to the base plate. The cutting device is adjustable relative to the segment block. As such, the cutting device is adjustable relative to the base plate for varying a position of the cutting device relative to the article to vary a size of the hole formed in the article.

Abstract: A cutting punch sleeve including a bore with a first diameter at a first end and a second diameter, larger than the first diameter, at a second end, opposite the first end, and an outer surface with an indent. The bore is for receiving a cutting punch, the sleeve is locatable in a ball-lock assembly, and the indent is for engaging a ball in a ball-lock assembly to fix the sleeve in the ball-lock assembly. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface is matingly engageable with a surface for a recess in the ball-lock assembly. In another embodiment, a portion of the bore proximate the second end is shaped to matingly engage a head for the cutting punch.

Abstract: A punch assembly for punching a plurality of consecutive sheets each having a first edge and a second edge generally opposite the first edge includes a punch and a transport assembly having a feeding path for feeding the first edge of a sheet in a feeding direction relative to the punch for punching thereof, and a removal path different from the feeding path for removing the sheet from the punch in a removal direction generally opposite to the feeding direction relative to the punch such that the second edge becomes a leading edge.

Abstract: An attachment for a reciprocating tool that enables quicker and simpler exchanging of tool bits. The attachment may have a screw that grips onto, or passes through a hole in, a tool bit, thereby fixedly holding the tool bit to the attachment. Alternatively, the attachment may have a spring-loaded, pivoting arm that grips onto, or passes through a hole in, a tool bit. In such an embodiment, a see-saw shaped lever may be pressed to decompress the spring and thereby release the tool bit. The attachment also is capable of providing a standard tool bit connection, so as to receive and secure ordinary tool bits.

Abstract: A knife-like die for cutting a thermoformed plastic article from a sheet of thermoformable plastic. The die includes a die build up plate that is mounted to a first platen and a striker plate that is mounted to a second platen. The die further includes a die board having a knife element mounted thereto. A heating element heats the knife to a temperature that allows for easy cutting of the thermoformable plastic. The die board also includes a die travel stop which prevents the die from being forced into the striker plate thus damaging the knife element and a die location pilot that engages a feature on the sheet of thermoformable plastic to align the article with the die.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sizing window coverings slidably extendable from a bay into an aisle of a retail outlet. The method includes the steps of locating the center of the window covering relative to a cutting station utilizing a half scale for removing a portion of the window covering from each of its ends.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A compensating blister die cutter apparatus is disclosed which has the purpose of cutting a sheet of blisters which have been formed on a sheet of plastic material in individual blisters which are generally symmetrical in configuration. The apparatus includes at least first and second blister die cutter units supported by a base member. Each of the blister die cutter units comprises a supporting member which includes a bottom board, a backup plate positioned on the bottom board, and a top board positioned on the backup plate. A rule slot is provided in the top board and a steel rule is located in the rule slot and has a cutting edge. A cavity is formed in the central portion of the bottom board, backup plate and top board as assembled to accommodate the blister shape during the cutting operation. A threaded member connects the bottom board, backup plate and top board together to move as a unit.

Abstract: An arrangement for clamping a saw blade (12) includes a retaining member (6) on which a blade (12) for clamping can be mounted. The retaining member (6) is lockable in at least two positions such that each of the two positions clamps the blade (12) at a predetermined angle relative to a shaft (2) which drives the saw blade (12).

Abstract: A blade holder and adapter for a scroll saw includes a slider within a slot in a scroll saw arm, with a retainer on the slider for receiving a scroll saw blade holder. An adjuster on the slider allows the slider to move within the slot and may be tightened to retain the slider in a fixed position. Moving the slider within the slot changes the angle of the blade relative to the table of the scroll saw.

Abstract: The cutting plate of a press for shaping sheets of paper or cardboard comprises a bottom beam receiving a support plate (1) on which a metal cutting plate (7) is placed, the support plate (1) has means for adjusting its position in a horizontal plane and means for fixing the cutting plate (7). The support plate (1), on a first side thereof, has at least one moving stirrup (15, 16), the said moving stirrup being adapted to take up a clamping position where it prevents the cutting plate (7) from sliding on the support plate (1) and an inoperative position where it enables the cutting plate (7) to slide on the support plate (1). The side opposite the first side and one of the adjacent sides are provided with at least one fixed stirrup (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) disposed so that portions of the edge of the cutting plate (7) can be slid into the said fixed stirrups and be gripped under the moving stirrups in the clamping position.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes a rigid outer frame, an inner grid comprised of a plurality of lengthwise and crosswise extending bars, and a plurality of clamp devices attaching the bars to the outer frame. Each clamp device includes an upright plate member in which is formed a substantially U-shaped upper cavity. A wedge is disposed within the cavity for sliding movement between clamped and released positions to rigidly hold the ends of the bars of the inner grid to the outer frame. In an alternate embodiment, the clamp has an upper and lower cavity together with upper and lower wedges which are simultaneously moved between clamped and released positions.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a lower blanking tool of a carton die cutting machine. The frame assembly includes an outer frame comprised of a pair of opposite longitudinally extending side rails and a pair of opposite cross rails extending crosswise between the side rails. Each of the cross rails has a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its inner surface, and each of the side rails have a T-shaped slot formed therein opening to its upper surface. Each slot extends downwardly at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. A plurality of corner pieces rigidly interconnect the rails together with fasteners extending into the T-shaped slots of adjacent side and cross rails so that when tightened, the corner pieces function like clamps to rigidly interconnect the rails together.

Abstract: A punching apparatus is provided capable of punching a non-circular hole at a predetermined position on a work even when the rotatable range of the work setting is restricted. In the punching apparatus for punching a non-circular hole at a predetermined position of the work, said punch and said die are constituted such that said punch supported by the punch supporting portion is relatively rotatable and stoppable for said punch supporting portion about the central axis line of the punching direction; and, similar to said punch, said die is rotatable and stoppable about the central axis line of the punching direction in the identical rotational phase with said punch.

Abstract: A punch tool including a punch driver and a punch element. The punch element can include a punch secured to a punch holder, with the punch holder and punch slidably disposed within a punch guide. The effective length of the punch tool can be increased by rotating the punch driver about threads relative to the punch element. The punch tool includes a latch mechanism for preventing rotation of the punch driver relative to the punch element when the latch is in a locked position, but allowing such rotation when the latch is in an unlocked position, thereby controlling unwanted free rotation of the punch driver relative to the remainder of the punch tool. During punching operation, the punch driver, punch holder, and punch are forced slidably relative to the outer punch guide. When a length adjustment is desired, the punch driver can be rotated relative to the punch, punch holder, and punch guide, which typically do not rotate. A locking disk can be rotatably secured to the punch driver.

Abstract: An improved floating punch-holder for a punching apparatus comprising an assembly of a chuck having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the chuck is provided to be securely attached to the punching apparatus. The chuck is provided to hold a shank having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the shank being held by the chuck and the lower portion of said shank is connected to a punch. The punch is adapted to cooperate with a die located below the punch and centered with the punch. A centering assembly is adapted to accommodate the upper portion of the shank and is provided to facilitate a precise alignment and centering of the punch with the die. Centering assembly is detachably mounted to the lower portion of the chuck and is adapted to retain the position of the shank centered, even when the shank is removed for servicing. A locking assembly is adapted to immobily lock the upper portion of the shank to the lower portion of the chuck.

Abstract: A paper punch includes a base having two lugs on a top of the base and a push arm is pivotally connected between the two lugs. A support plate is connected to the base and a plurality of punching assemblies are connected to the support plate. The base has holes defined through the top thereof and a flange extends from an underside of the top of the base and encloses each of the holes. The top of the base is reinforced by the flanges so as to avoid from being deformed.

Abstract: Cast metal parts are created for use in making machinery. When these parts are formed, unwanted material remains in the openings of the parts. This material, called flash, must be removed. In the method of the present invention, the cast parts are placed on a platen of a trim press that has multi-part punches attached thereto that are configured to self-align with the openings in the cast part and operative to evenly remove the flash. The invention also relates to a punch that initially breaks through the flash with a stationary punch that removes a majority of the flash inside the opening of the cast part. Next, a moving or self-centering punch self-aligns to the opening in the cast part and operates to remove the remaining flash. The inventive punch may also include a mounting base for attachment of the multi-part punches to the plate or platen of the press.

Abstract: A slicing device using yarn includes at least two yard-guide cylinders on which the yarn is wound and by which the yarn can be moved with a reciprocating or continuous motion pressed against a piece to be sliced fixed on a supporting table. The yarn is wound on the yarn-guide so as to form at least two layers of yarn intersecting with one or several non-null intersecting angles (&bgr;) and so as to pass in a straight line from one cylinder to the other. The angle of inclination between the moving direction of the piece to be sliced and a line perpendicular to the plane of the yarn cylinder axes is adjustable so as to obtain strictly parallel slices. The intersection of the yarn layers improves the quality of slices obtained by facilitating the subsequent mechanical treatment operations of surfaces with crossed faults. Moreover, the angle of the yarn layers reduces the shearing and torsional stresses on the support of the piece to be sliced when the slices are being cut.

Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product and a second mini-blind product. Each of the mini-blind products include a head rail, a plurality of slats, and a bottom rail having a different geometry and or material composition. A die assembly is movable from a first position to a second position includes a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. A blade carrier assembly includes at least two blade carriers and permits permit independent translation of the blade carriers to accommodate the different sized mini-blind products.

Abstract: A movable upper tool for separating blanks comprises a base plate with apertures and on a lower side is provided with punches. The tool cooperates with a lower tool having separating bars for the separation of the blanks. The apertures of the upper tool are arranged along two orthogonal axes in an area, and one of these orthogonal axes consists of a line slanting with regard to one of the edges of the base plate of the movable tool, and at least one of the lateral sides of each of the cross sections of the punches is tangential to one of the apertures so that the space between the punches determines the total pressure identical to the punches on the blanks to be separated in the neighborhood of the separating bar, regardless of the position of the separating bar of the lower tool.

Abstract: A tensive cutting assembly includes a tensionable cutting member formed of a strip of material, typically metal, which is formed having a serpentine configuration. The tensionable cutting member is removably mounted on a tensive cutting head. The tensive cutting head includes an aperture formed through its cross section for passage of food product during the cutting process. The cutting head also includes a first set of returns adjustably opposing a second set of returns, the distance between which is adjustable and which may be driven apart by a cutting member tensioning device. The tensive cutting assembly may also include a breakage detecting device for detecting breakage during use of the tensive cutting assembly.

Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product and a second mini-blind product. Each of the mini-blind products include a head rail, a plurality of slats, and a bottom rail having a different geometry and or material composition. A die assembly is movable from a first position to a second position includes a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. A blade carrier assembly includes at least two blade carriers and permits permit independent translation of the blade carriers to accommodate the different sized mini-blind products.

Abstract: A mini-blind cutter for selective manual in-store sizing of a first mini-blind product and a second mini-blind product. Each of the mini-blind products include a head rail, a plurality of slats, and a bottom rail having a different geometry and or material composition. A die assembly is movable from a first position to a second position includes a first and second region to receive the first and second mini-blind products. A blade carrier assembly includes at least two blade carriers and permits permit independent translation of the blade carriers to accommodate the different sized mini-blind products.