Edward J Brzezniak, 771193 Lascombes, Bourbonnais, IL 60914

6634285, Oct 21, 2003

Nov 15, 2001

10/002731

Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
Matthew S. Peksa - Lockport IL
James Washington - Bellwood IL

Aida Engineering, Ltd. - Kanagawa

B30B 142

100214, 10026917, 384 50

A press system having at least one elongate column. A slide element is guided by the at least one column between a retracted position and an extended position. A first guide assembly acts between the slide element and the one column. The first guide assembly has a) a first bearing assembly consisting of a first bearing housing on one of the slide element and one column, a first carrier that is guidingly movable relative to the first bearing housing, and a first roller element that is movable guidingly relative to the first carrier and acts against a first surface on the other of the slide element and the one column to guide movement between the slide element and frame as the slide element is moved between the retracted and extended positions, and b) a second bearing assembly consisting of a second bearing housing on one of the slide element and the one column, a second carrier that is guidingly movable relative to the second bearing housing, and a second roller element that is movable guidingly relative to the second carrier and acts against a second surface that is i) on the slide element in the event that the second bearing housing is on the frame and ii) on the frame in the event that the second bearing housing is on the slide element.

6796158, Sep 28, 2004

Dec 16, 2002

10/320252

Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
James Washington - Bellwood IL

Aida Engineering, Ltd. - Kanagawa

B21J 1314

72345

A press system having a frame, a slide, a first die element on the slide, and a knockout assembly. The slide is movable guidingly relative to the frame in a predetermined path between a first position and a second position. The first die element has a forming surface against which a workpiece can be borne to conform the workpiece to the forming surface as the slide is moved from the first position towards the second position. The knockout assembly has an ejecting element that is movable selectively relative to the first die element between extended and retracted positions. The ejecting element causes a workpiece conformed to the forming surface to be separated from the forming surface as an incident of the ejecting element moving from its retracted position into its extended position. The knockout assembly further includes a knockout bar and at least a first knockout pin. The knockout bar is movable relative to the slide between a retracted position and an extended position and causes the ejecting element to move from its retracted position into its extended position as an incident of the knockout bar moving from its retracted position and into its extended position.

5722283, Mar 3, 1998

Mar 14, 1996

8/618451

Allen J. VanderZee - St. John IN
Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
Adam Schwarz - Orland Park IL

Verson, A Divison of Allied Products Corporation - Chicago IL

B21D 4305

724051

A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34). The cross bars (130, 132) may also be independently rotated relative to each other and the associated cross bar assembly (42) to accommodate specific dies (36, 34) and/or work pieces (22) which are best engaged by holding devices (268, 270) oriented with a specific polar rotation relative to the longitudinal axis (384) of the respective cross bar (130, 132).

5865058, Feb 2, 1999

Aug 5, 1997

8/906843

Allen J. VanderZee - St. John IN
Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
Adam Schwarz - Orland Park IL

Verson, a Division of Allied Products, Inc. - Chicago IL

B21D 4305

724051

A multiple station transfer press (20) is provided. The cross bar assemblies (42) transfer work pieces (22) between adjacent press stations (24) in transfer press (10). Movement of the cross bar assemblies (42) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (38) and (40) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (42) along transfer rails (38) and (40). Each cross bar assembly (42) can also be tilted and/or tipped relative to the transfer rails (38 and 40). Cross bar assemblies (42) are used to dynamically orient work pieces (22) during transfer between adjacent press stations (24). A portion of the motion of each cross bar assembly (42) occurs while upper dies (36) and lower dies (34) are separated by less than a maximum distance. The cross bar assemblies (42) preferably include at least two cross bars (130, 132) which may be rotated one hundred and eighty degrees to accommodate changing holding devices such as suction cups (268, 270) while changing dies (36, 34). The cross bars (130, 132) may also be independently rotated relative to each other and the associated cross bar assembly (42) to accommodate specific dies (36, 34) and/or work pieces (22) which are best engaged by holding devices (268, 270) oriented with a specific polar rotation relative to the longitudinal axis (384) of the respective cross bar (130, 132).

5782129, Jul 21, 1998

Feb 13, 1997

8/800038

Allen J. Vanderzee - St. John IN
Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
Adam Schwarz - Orland Park IL

Verson, A Division of Allied Products Corporation - Chicago IL

B21D 4305

724051

A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

5632181, May 27, 1997

Feb 23, 1995

8/393554

Allen J. Vanderzee - St. John IN
Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL
Adam Schwarz - Orland Park IL

Verson, A Division of Allied Products Corporation - Chicago IL

B21D 4305

724051

A multistation transfer press (10) is provided. Cross bar assemblies (28) transfer work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14) in transfer press ten (10). Each cross bar assembly (28) moves work pieces (12) between adjacent press stations (14). Motions of cross bar assemblies (28) is provided by raising and lowering transfer rails (22) and (24) along with reciprocating cross bar assemblies (28) along transfer rails (22) and (24). Cross bar assemblies (28) are operable to dynamically orient work pieces (12) during transfer between adjacent press stations (14). Additionally, a portion of the motion of cross bar assemblies (28) occurs while upper dies (20) and lower dies (18) are separated by less than a maximum distance.

5097695, Mar 24, 1992

Jan 22, 1991

7/643843

Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL

Verson A Division of Allied Products Corporation - Chicago IL

B21D 4305

72405

Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. Transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. A piston rod, which is secured to the transfer fingers, is retracted into an air cylinder which is attached to the transfer rail set of the bolster, causing the transfer fingers to move from the fixed bed to the bolster. The rails are separated and the bolster is moved to a remote location away from the press for replacement of the dies and related transfer fingers.

5121623, Jun 16, 1992

May 1, 1991

7/694371

Edward J. Brzezniak - Orland Park IL

Verson, A Division of Allied Products Corporation - Chicago IL

B21D 4310

72405

Shifting apparatus for use in a transfer press having moving die bolsters. The shifting apparatus includes transfer rail sets that are located on the bolster and on the fixed bed that are interconnected during the normal transfer of the work pieces between dies. Transfer fingers are carried by both transfer rail sets that serve to engage the work pieces and move the work pieces through the positions of the transfer press. The transfer finger shift apparatus extends between the two rail sets and includes a shaft carrying a shift base member which has transfer fingers connected thereto. An elevating device is provided on the fixed bed to raise the transfer fingers sufficiently to pass over the top of the transfer fingers located on the bolster. When it is desired to move the transfer fingers from the fixed bed to the bolster, the transfer rails are moved in the direction of the bolster moving the transfer fingers along the shaft and onto the bolster. A lock is provided which attaches the transfer fingers to the bolster and the rails are moved toward the fixed bed.