PRESS BRAKE SAFETY LATCH

Abstract

A press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece that includes an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch and a lower beam configured to hold a lower die. A safety latch is disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, and the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity. A pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, and the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin. The safety latch includes a cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

Claims

1. A latch assembly configured to mount an upper punch to an upper beam of a press brake for bending a workpiece, the latch assembly comprising: a safety latch disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, wherein the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam; a biasing member also disposed within the safety latch cavity; a pin extending from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, wherein the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin; the safety latch including a safety latch cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the safety latch cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a safety latch pocket disposed on the upper side of the safety latch and adjacent the safety latch cam, wherein the safety latch pocket is configured to hold one end of the biasing member; a biasing member pocket disposed within the upper die configured to hold another other end of biasing member.

3. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper punch includes a tongue disposed at the upper end of the upper punch, the tongue configured be inserted in the first cavity of the upper beam.

4. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the safety latch comprises a safety latch arm disposed outside of the first cavity of the upper beam.

5. The latch assembly of claim 4, wherein the safety latch rotates upon a force enacted on the safety latch arm such that the safety latch cam is to retracts within the upper punch tongue.

6. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the first upper beam cavity has a cross-section corresponding and complementary to the shape of the upper punch tongue such that the cross-sectional shape of the upper beam cavity is substantially similar to the shape of the tongue.

7. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein the tongue is configured to engage a clamping mechanism, wherein the clamping mechanism is located opposite of the safety latch cam relative to the tongue.

8. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein the safety latch cavity of the upper punch is open in the forward direction.

9. A press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece comprising: an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch; a lower beam configured to hold a lower die; the upper beam is configured to move towards the lower beam such that the upper punch bends the workpiece on the lower die; a safety latch disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, wherein the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam; a biasing member also disposed within the safety latch cavity; a pin extending from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, wherein the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin; the safety latch including a safety latch cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam, wherein the biasing member is configured to bias the safety latch cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

10. The press brake assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a safety latch pocket disposed on the upper side of the safety latch and adjacent the safety latch cam, wherein the safety latch pocket is configured to hold one end of the biasing member; a biasing member pocket disposed within the upper die configured to hold another other end of biasing member.

11. The press brake assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper punch includes a tongue disposed at the upper end of the upper punch, the tongue configured be inserted in the first cavity of the upper beam.

12. The press brake assembly of claim 11, wherein the safety latch comprises a safety latch arm disposed outside of the first cavity of the upper beam.

13. The press brake assembly of claim 12, wherein the safety latch rotates upon a force enacted on the safety latch arm such that the safety latch cam is to retracts within the upper punch tongue.

14. The press brake assembly of claim 11, wherein the first upper beam cavity having a cross-section corresponding and complementary to the shape of the upper punch tongue such that the cross-sectional shape of the upper beam cavity is substantially similar to the shape of the tongue.

15. The press brake assembly of claim 11, wherein the tongue is configured to engage a clamping mechanism, wherein the clamping mechanism is located opposite of the safety latch cam relative to the tongue.

16. The press brake assembly of claim 9, further comprising: a second safety latch disposed within a second safety latch cavity of the upper punch; wherein the second safety latch includes a second safety latch cam configured to engage the upper beam within the second cavity of the upper beam.

17. The press brake assembly of claim 9, wherein first cavity and second cavity extend along the entire length of the upper beam.

18. The press brake assembly of claim 9, wherein the safety latch cavity of the upper punch is open in the forward direction.

19. A latch assembly for a press brake upper punch, the latch assembly comprising: a safety latch disposed within the upper punch; a biasing member housed within the upper punch, the biasing member configured bias the safety latch in a forward direction; a pin extending through the upper punch and safety latch in a lateral direction, wherein the safety latch is configured to rotate around a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pin and the lateral direction; wherein the forward direction is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the safety latch and the lateral direction.

20. The press brake assembly of claim 19, wherein a force enacted on the safety latch rotates the safety latch about the rotation axis, wherein the force direction is relatively upwards relative to the die.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed deliver system will become apparent from the following description, and the accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary press brake.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary safety latch assembly utilized in the press brake shown in FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric disassembled view of the safety latch assembly.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the safety latch assembly.

[0017] FIG. 5a is an isometric view of the safety latch assembly in the assembled state.

[0018] FIG. 5b is a side view of the safety latch assembly in the assembled state.

[0019] FIG. 6a is a sectional side view of the safety latch assembly in an engaged state.

[0020] FIG. 6b is a sectional side view of the safety latch assembly in a disengaged state.

[0021] FIG. 7a shows an installation procedure of the safety latch assembly wherein a punch is inserted vertically into an upper beam of a press brake.

[0022] FIG. 7b shows an installation procedure of the safety latch assembly wherein a punch is inserted horizontally into an upper beam of a press brake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The press brake machine described herein may be structured, for example, in the manner of the press brake machine disclosed in application Ser. No. 16/541,021, filed on Aug. 14, 2019 (incorporated by reference herein in its entirety). An exemplary press brake machine may include a ram located above a bed. The machine may include one or more hydraulic cylinders that force the ram (and a connected punch) downward toward the bed (and a connected die). Alternatively, the force of hydraulic pressure may be used to force the bed upward. The press brake machine processes a workpiece (e.g., sheet metal) through bending the workpiece to a desired shape.

[0024] According to one disclosed embodiment a latch assembly configured to mount an upper punch to an upper beam of a press brake for bending a workpiece is provided. The latch assembly includes a safety latch disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, wherein the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity and a pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch. The safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin and includes a safety latch cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the safety latch cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

[0025] According to another disclosed embodiment, a press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece is provided. The press brake includes an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch and a lower beam configured to hold a lower die. The upper beam is configured to move towards the lower beam such that the upper punch bends the workpiece on the lower die. A safety latch is disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, and the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity and a pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, which is configured to rotate about the pin. The safety latch includes a safety latch cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the safety latch cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

[0026] According to another embodiment, a latch assembly for a press brake upper punch is provided. The latch assembly includes a safety latch disposed within the upper punch and a biasing member housed within the upper punch. The biasing member is configured to bias the safety latch in a forward direction. The assembly also includes a pin extending through the upper punch and safety latch in a lateral direction, wherein the safety latch is configured to rotate around a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the pin and the lateral direction. The forward direction is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the safety latch and the lateral direction.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary press brake machine 100. The press brake machine disclosed herein is used to bend or otherwise deform sheet-like workpieces, such as sheet metal workpieces (not shown). The press brake machine may include a controller 400 configured to operate the press brake either manually or autonomously. The controller 400 may also be used to control the movement of the workpiece and any tools associated with the press brake machine. Additional parts such as tooling systems, gauges, and measurements systems disclosed in U.S. application Ser. Nos. 15/814,158, 16/180,983, 16/541,060, 16/541,021, and 16/578,188 (all incorporated by reference herein in its entirety) may be utilized be the press brake machine 100. The press brake machine 100 has an upper beam or ram 110 and a lower beam or bed 120, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other. Preferably, the upper beam is movable vertically while the lower beam is fixed in a stationary position. As an example, a male forming punch and a female forming die may be mounted respectively on the upper and lower beams of a press brake. Although generally fixed, the position of the lower beam may be adjusted through use of crowning system to ensure consistent bending of longer workpieces.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an isolated sectioned close up ‘A’, as labeled in FIG. 1, of the upper beam 110 with the upper punch 130, lower die 140, and lower beam 120. The punch 115 projects downward into the die 125. The workpiece 300 is disposed above the die and below the punch 115. The punch 115 includes a workpiece deforming surface at the tip of punch 115. The configuration of this surface is dictated by the shape into which it is desired to deform a workpiece 300. The shape of the work piece is also dependent on the shape of the lower die 140, which can utilize different shapes. When the upper and lower beams 110/120 are brought together, the workpiece 300 located between them is pressed by the punch into the die to give the workpiece a desired deformation (e.g., a desired bend).

[0029] The upper punch 130 includes an upper punch tongue 131 punch holder clamping mechanism 132, upper punch safety latch cam 135. The upper punch tongue 131 sits within the upper beam 110 within a first upper beam cavity 111. The punch holder clamping mechanism 132 holds the upper punch 130 to the upper beam 110. The punch holder clamping mechanism 132 may utilize different systems in order to hold the upper punch 130 via clamping pressure (i.e. pushing the upper punch) such as a biasing member or an actuator. The first upper beam cavity has a cross-section corresponding and complementary to the shape of the upper punch tongue 131 such that the cross-sectional shape of the upper beam cavity 111 is substantially similar to the shape of the tongue 131. The upper punch 130 houses an upper punch safety latch 134 with a safety latch cam 135 and safety latch arm 136. The upper beam additionally includes a second upper beam cavity 112. Both the first upper beam cavity 111 and second upper beam cavity 112 may run along the entire length of the beam.

[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 shows an isolated view of the upper punch 130. The upper punch 130 also includes a safety latch cavity 137 configured to house the safety latch 134 and a biasing spring 138 housed within the tongue 131. The safety latch 134 sits within the cavity 137 and the biasing spring 138 is disposed between the safety latch 134 and the punch 130 at the cam portion 135. The assembly is configured to allow the safety latch 134 to fit within the first safety latch cavity 137 without fully enclosing it, thus preventing accumulation of contaminants to gather and remain unobservable within the safety latch cavity 137. A pin 139 is disposed in a punch pin aperture 140, where the pin is configured to be inserted at a lateral side of the upper punch 130 and extends through the safety latch cavity 137. The pin 139 also extends through a safety latch pin aperture 141 and supports the safety latch 135. The pin 139 acts as a fulcrum in which the safety latch 135 rotates about. The punch pin aperture 140 and the safety latch pin aperture 141 are coaxial in the assembled state so that the pin can slide through. This configuration allows ease of inspection and cleaning of potential contaminants that may reside in the assembly.

[0031] FIG. 5a shows the upper punch 130 in an assembled state with the upper beam omitted. The upper die 130 may further include a biasing spring pocket 142, configured to partially hold the biasing spring 138 within the safety latch 137. Similarly, the safety latch may also include a safety latch pocket 143 configured to hold the opposite end of the biasing spring 138. FIG. 5b shows a side view of the assembled state.

[0032] FIGS. 6a and 6b shows two states of the assembly with the safety latch actuated. The force ‘S’ enacted on the safety latch 134 from the biasing spring 138 will always push the safety latch cam 135 outwards (i.e. towards the upper beam first cavity 111) which is shown in FIG. 6a. This biasing force ‘S’ will prevent the upper punch 130 from falling and to stay within the upper beam 110 via the safety latch 134. An external force ‘F’ is required in order to rotate the safety latch 134 around the pin 139 to oppose the force ‘S’, such that the safety latch cam 135 retracts into the safety latch cavity 137 (i.e. away from the upper beam first cavity 111). When the safety latch 134 is actuated, the upper punch 130 may be inserted into the upper beam 110 either from the bottom (i.e. vertically) or from the sides (i.e. horizontally) of the upper beam as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The embodiment shown is not exclusive to a single safety latch design. Multiple safety latches may be disposed along the length of the punch 130 for longer and heavier upper punches. The direction of force ‘S’ may be perpendicular to the rotation axis ‘R’ about the pin 139. The rotation axis ‘R’ is coaxial and congruent with the longitudinal axis of the pin.

[0033] With this configuration shown in the figures and described above, in the event of a failure of any components within the assembly such as the safety latch 134 or pin 139, the biasing spring 138 is configured to maintain pressure against the safety latch in order to prevent the tool from falling if clamping pressure from the clamping mechanism 132 is released from the upper punch tongue 131. The safety latch 134 may be utilized in a variety of punch shapes and sizes, the punch 130 shown and described herein are merely exemplary. Additionally, different variations of the safety latch shape may be utilized in order to accommodate to different punch holders (e.g. upper beam members). Cavities and pockets described herein may be created via machining or milling.

[0034] As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0035] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

[0036] The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.

[0037] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0038] It is important to note that the vehicle network system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.