US PATENT SUBCLASS 72 / 381
.~ Embodying three or more coacting relatively movable tools (i.e., tool complex)

Current as of: June, 1999
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72 /   HD   METAL DEFORMING

380  DF  BY RELATIVELY MOVABLE OFFSET TOOL-FACES (E.G., FOR BENDING OR DRAWING) {4}
381.~ Embodying three or more coacting relatively movable tools (i.e., tool complex) {2}
382  DF  .~.~> Comprising yieldable tool or face portion
383  DF  .~.~> With concurrent actuation of tools

DEFINITION

Classification: 72/381

Embodying three or more co-acting relatively movable tools (i.e., tool complex):

(under subclass 380) Device which comprises a first and a second movable tool and a co-acting tool and means to move or guide said second movable tool into engagement with work along a different path and/or at a different time with respect to said first movable tool, in such manner that all said tools are in simultaneous contact with the same work at some instant during an operation of the class type.

(1) Note. This subclass relates to a tool complex*, which is distinguishable from a tool couple* by the presence and coaction of a third tool, and is distinguishable from plural tool couples (subclasses 384, and 404) by the condition that three or more tools are concurrently in contact with the same workpiece at some instant during the deforming operation. A tool-complex generally effect more elaborate or more extensive deformation than could be accomplished by the sequential action of plural tool couples.

(2) Note. The "second movable tool" of the above subclass definition may be (a) a distinct tool element, or (b) a yieldable or yieldably-mounted portion of the face of the first-named tool; in either case, the additional tool element or face portion must have motion relative to the first-named tool during the deforming operation. (The additional tool need not act as an offset face tool).

(3) Note. It is possible for a combination to meet the definition of this subclass even though the movable tools are

located at different tool stations, (as in a progressive punch press), provided that they concurrently engage integrally connected portions of the same work material (e.g., prior to the severance of discrete blanks or products from a strip).

(4) Note. Many combinations in preceding subclasses constitute tool complexes; a full search would therefore include subclasses 67+, Rotating or gyrating tool; 127+, Deflecting bodily moving work; 184+, Flying tool; 199+, Rolling; 278+, Wire drawing with plural tools; 293+, Work-clamp and relatively movable clamp, tool, or work forcer; and 343+, Closed die apparatus.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

67+, 127+, 184+, 199+, and 278+ (and particularly subclasses indented thereunder whose titles indicate the presence of three or more tools) for a tool complex arrangement is a specialized environment. 293+, particularly 296+ and 309 for tool complex wherein one or more of the tool elements has the form of a clamp.

348+, 350+ and 353.2+, for closed-die apparatus involving three or more relatively movable tools.

393, for three or more relatively receding tools.

394+, for three or more relatively movable opposed-face tools.