Importance

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Abstract

An improved ball-type punch retainer for holding and releasing the shank of a punch or a die includes a retainer body with a shank-receiving opening which extends into the body, and a locking ball is movable by a spring in an inclined hole in the retainer body into locking engagement with a tear-dropped shaped recess formed in the side of the shank. A tool access ball releasing slot is formed through a side wall of the retainer body and extends into the ball hole, to permit a tool to be inserted through the slot and into engagement with the locking ball, at a position between the center of the ball and the lower face of the retainer body. In one embodiment, the ball release access slot extends transversely through the body so that a tool may be inserted through either end of the slot into engagement with the locking ball and is operable to lift the ball against a biasing spring and to dislodge a jammed ball. A tool in the form of a rectangular bar has an inclined or tapered nose at one end, forming a ball-lifting surface, and has an upper ball-retaining surface on its upper end whereby the tool may be inserted and allowed to remain in place hands free while holding the ball in the released position. The ball access slot is positioned in non-intersecting relation to the three ball contact positions between the ball, the punch shank, and the retainer body.

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First Claim