Lock mechanism for press shutheight adjustment

Abstract

A lock mechanism for shutheight adjustment in a press having a frame with a crown and bed, a slide mounted for reciprocation toward and away from the bed, and a drive mechanism comprising one or more crankshaft driven connection screws for reciprocating the slide. The shutheight for the press is adjusted by means of a pair of internally threaded nuts on the threaded end portion of each of the connection screws, the nuts being connected to and carrying the slide. The nuts are keyed together so that they rotate in unison and are rotated by means of a worm mechanism turned either manually or by means of a motor. As the nuts rotate on their respective connection screws, the slide will be raised or lowered relative to the ram and to the bed of the press thereby adjusting the shutheight opening between the slide and bed. The adjustment mechanism is locked by means of a wedge-shaped split ring disposed between the nuts. When the split ring is contracted by means of an operator actuated lock screw, the nuts will be urged in opposite directions so as to take up the running clearance of the double nut in its housing. Since the normal thread clearance for the lock screw will also be taken up, the entire adjustment mechanism will be locked against movement until the lock screw is released.