No. 664,523. -N Patented Dec. 25, 1900.

G. C. AINS WORTH.
DE PUNCH. "
(Application filed Dec. 8, 1899,
(No Mode.)

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 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
GEORGE C. AINSWORTH, OF BROOKILINE, MASSACHUSETTS.
DI E-PUNCH.
SPECIFICATION-forming part of Letters Patent No. 664,523, dated December 25, 1900:
Application filed December 18, 1899, Serial No. 740,794, ~ (No model.)
To all, tuvho7n, it 7may concerºn: locking spring, the spring being showni in full
Be it known that I, GEORGE C. AINSWORTH, lines in its normal position and in dotted lines
a citizen of the United States, residing at in the position it occupies when the punch is 55
Brookline, in the county of Norfolk and State closed. » - 1

of Massachusetts, have invented certain new The punch shown in the drawings consists
and useful Improvements in Die - Punches; of two members a, a', pivoted together at b in
and I do hereby declare the following to be a the ordinary manner, said members a sa' hav
full, clear, and exact description of the inven ing grips or handles of the ordinary or any
tion, such as will enable others skilled in the preferred construction and having a male die
O art to which it appertains to make and use the member or plunger and a female die member
S86 or die-block at their respective forward ends.
My invention relates to hand-punches, and The - forward ends, or jaws c. c' of the said
more particularly to that class of punches punch i members a, al' are long, - slender, and
used by dentists in preparing the sheet-rub flexible, the object of this being twofold.
berdams used in certain dental operations and First, the lengthened forward ends c c'' of the
commonly known as “rubber-dam” punches. said punch members a a'admit of a perfora
It is with a view of improving upon the rub tion being made in the sheet of rubber or
ber-dam punches now in use that I have material to be punched or perforated at a
evolved the present invention, which I will distance somewhat removed from the edge of
2 OS now describe in detail, referring by letter to the material, as is sometimes necessary or de
the drawings accompanying and forming a sirable, without bunching or crowding - the
part of this specification and in which I have material between the jaws of the punch and
illustrated my invention, pointing out in the perhaps interfering with the ready operation 75
claims at the end of this description the novel of the same, (see Fig. 2,) and, second, the flexi
25 features which are of my invention. ble ends when the plunger and die-block car
While I have shown my invention as applied ried thereby are forced together will be flexed
to a rubber-dam punch and in the detailed de or sprung, (see dotted lines in Fig. 2,) so as
scription hereinafter shall describe a punch to allow the point of the rigid plunger to seat
of this type, I do not wish to be understood itself accurately in the die-opening e in the
as limiting my invention to this particular die-block e' and make a clean cut or perfora
type of punch, for it will be obvious that my tion through the material, as clearly shown
invention is applicable to punches designed in Fig. 4. I find that by making both of the
for other purposes with equally satisfactory jaws c c'' flexible the accurate seating or en
results. gagement of the die members is quickly and
35 In the drawings, in which like characters easily effected and that without exerting a
refer to corresponding parts in the several great amount of pressure on the punch, this
views, Figure 1 is a side view of a punch em being due to the fact that both of the jaws
bodying my improvements, said punch being c c'flexing slightly will cause the point of the 9o
shown in open position. Fig. 2 is a side view, male die member d to ride into and seat itself
partly in section, of the punch closed, the accurately and in complete cutting contact
male die member or plunger of the upper jaw with a die-hole in the die-block e' with much
engaging One of the said die-openings in the greater ease than where the flexure or bend
female die member, die-block, or disk carried ing is in one jaw only and without subjecting 95
by the lower jaw, a piece of sheet-rubber be the male plunger to undue strain, as is the
45 ing shown in position between the jaws. Fig. case where the male die member or plunger
3 is a plan view of the punch with the upper is sprung or flexed to bring it to proper posi
jaw broken away to show the relation of the tiom. The said plunger or male member d.
die-blockandits centering andlocking spring. of the cutting-die is of ordinary construction, OXO
Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view, on an en with the exception that its point d' is round
larged Scale, of the jaws and the dies thereon. or convex instead of cone-shaped, as usual,
Fig. 5 is a detail view in plan, on an enlarged the rounded end d' of the plunger d seating
scale, of the die-block and its centering and | itself more accurately and with less liability
 2 664,523
to mar or injure the die-holes in the die-block each other as to be readilly grasped and manip
than a cone-shaped plunger, it being obvious ulated. The free end if" of said spring f is
that since the plunger does not descend in a pointed or V-shaped, as shown, so as that 7 d.
straight or right line, but moves in the arc said free end fº as it slides forward when the
of a circle, the center of which is the pivot of punch is closed will enter and engage one of
the two members a, al' of the punch, the vari a series of notehes or indentations e“, formed
ous - sized die-holes in the die - block, with in the periphery of the die-block or disk e',
which the plunger coacts, must be formed in and allow the punch to be closed and the 75
said die-block at different distances from its plunger d to seat itself in one of the die-holes
KO center to insure the perfect registry or cen e, said notches eº having outwardly-faring
tering of the point of the plunger with each sides. These notches or indentations eº are
of them, and such perfect registry and com preferably diametrically opposite the several
plete contact of the plunger-point with the die-holes e, and it is obvious that unless the
entire cutting edge of a die-hole are essential die-block e' be in such position that the de
I5 to insure a clean cut or perforation. When scending plunger d registers with some one of
a cone-shaped plunger is used, it is a matter the die-holes e the free end if" of the spring f
of some difficulty to accurately position the will strike against the periphery of the die
several die-holes of different diameters so as block and prevent closing of the punch, there 85
that the sharp cone-point will enter a die-hole by guarding against injury to the male or fe
accurately exactly in the center and in com male members of the die on account of inac
plete contact with the edge of the . die-hole curate registry of the parts. If, however,
and not mar or injure the cutting edge. By some one of the said die-holes e is in position
making the plunger d with a rounded or con beneath the plunger d, the end if" of said
vex point d', however, the several die-holes springf will enter the corresponding notch in
25 in the die-block may be made at substan the periphery of said disk e', center said disk,
tially the same distance from the center, for lock it effectually against movement in either
said rounded end dº will contact with the en direction, and allow the die members to : en
tire edge of a die-hole even though the die gage and perforate the material. It will be 95
hole ºbe not accurately centered beneath the seen, Fig. 5, that the V-shaped point of the
line of movement of said plunger d, and that free end fº" of said spring f projects far
without any danger of injuring the die-block enough into the noteches e“ of the die-bloek to
or straining and breaking the plunger. prevent the spinning or easy turning of the
The die-block or female member e' of the said block, so as that when a particular hole Od
cutting-die is in a general way similar to those in the die-block has been brought beneath
35 now in use, preferably being pivoted at eº to the plunger it will remain in such position
the lower jaw c' of the punch so as that it may until it is desirable to utilize one of the other
be rotated to bring any one of the several die die-holes, when the die-block e' may be turned,
holes e into position beneath the plunger dl, so as to cause the free end of the spring f to I o5
the said lower jaw having the usual opening ride over the intervening projections betweem
or clearer eº in its end beneath the die-holes. the notches eº and allow it to engage another
In order that the punch may not be closed notch. The flaring or rounded sides of the
except when some one of the several die said notches e+ admit of the ready turning of
holes e is in position to be entered by the the die-block e' , and at the same time will O
plunger d and to insure the proper centering cause the accurate positioning of said die
45 of a die-hole beneath the plunger, I provide block when the jaws are closed and the V
an automatic centering and locking device shaped point of the end if" of said spring fen
which consists in the present instance of a ters and centers itself in one of the a Otches
bow-spring f, secured at one emd to the i up e“, for if the die-block e' be slightly out of II 5
per jaw c by a screw or rivet, said spring f position the point of the spring striking the
curving back into the bite of the jaws a Ca' and faring side of the notch will throw the die
having a free end f", which bears against and block to a position of accurate adjustment
slides freely upon the immer face of the lower with a die-hole in perfect registry with the
jaw c' of the punch. Said spring tends to plunger. 2O
hold the jaw members c cº separated, and the It will be seen that the spring fis of suffi
55 said free end if" of the spring is provided with cient width to fill and cover - the rear end or
joint of the jaw-opening, being curved back
a slot f*, through which passes a headed screw
or pinfº, said pin forming a sliding connec so as to form a guard and prevent any possi
tion between the spring and jaw which not bility of the material being punched getting
only serves to keep the spring f in position caught in the joint of the jaws and cut or
between the jaws, but prevents said jaws c c’ multilated, an occurrence which would be es
from being swung wide open, it being appar pecially objectionable where a rubber sheet
ent that the cutting devices used need be for dental use was being punched.
separated but slightly for most classes of It is believed that the operation of the
work, and where the members of the punch punch will be apparent from the foregoing
are maintained in a substantially closed po description of its construetion, and it is there
sition, as by the spring f, the handles of the fore deemed um necessary to give a detailed
punch are always in such close relation to 4 rehearsal of its action.
 864,528
Í do not wish to be understood as limiting by the other jaw, and means independent of
myself to the exact construction and arrange said male member and actuated by the clos
ment of parts shown and described, since the ing of the jaws to automatically center said
construction may be varied to a considerable movable die-block in accurate position be
extent within the province of mechanical neath said male member, said centering, means
skill without departing from the spirit of my | serving also to lock said movable die-block
invention. . against movement in either direction.
Having described my invention, I claim and 7. In a die-punch, the combination with two
desire to secure by Letters Patent— pivoted members having jaw portions, of a 75
O 1. A die - punch comprising two pivoted movable female die-block carried by one of
members, having comparatively longjaw por said jaws; a rigid male member or plunger
tions, a female die carried by one of said jaws, carried by the other jaw, said jaws being flexi
and a male die member or plunger carried by ble to allow accurate seating and complete
the other jaw, both of said jaws being flexi cutting contact of said die members, and
I 5 ble to allow said male die member or plunger means independent of said male die member
to seat itself accurately and in complete cut to automatically center and lock said mov
ting contact. able die-block in accurate position beneath
2. A die - punch comprising two pivoted said male member by the closing of the jaws.
members having comparatively longjaw por | 8. Ina die-punch, the combination with two
2 CO tions, a rotatable female die-block having a pivoted members having jaw portions, of a
plurality of die-holes therein carried by one movable female - die-block carried by one of
jaw, and a rigid male die member or plunger said jaws and provided with a plurality of
carried by the other jaw, said jaws being die-holes, a male die member or plunger car
flexible to allow Said male die member to seat ried by the other jaw, and a spring actuated
25 itself accurately and in complete cutting con by the closing of the jaws to engage said mov
tact with a die-hole in said female die-block. able die-block and automatically center it be
3. In a die-punch, the combination with two neath said male member or plunger, said
pivoted members having jaw portions, of a spring serving also to lock said movable die
movable female die-block having a plurality block against movement in either direction. 95
of die-holes carried by one of said jaws; a 9. In a die-punch, the combination with two
male member or plunger carried by the other pivoted members having jaw portions, of a
jaw, and means actuated by the closing of movable female die-block carried by one of
the jaws and coöperating with said female said jaws and provided with a plurality of
die-block to prevent complete closing of said | die-holes, a male die member or plunger car Ioo
35 jaws and contact of said die members until ried by the other jaw, and means independ
the movable die-blockis in position to receive ent of said male die member and actuated
the male member in one of its die-holes. by the closing of the jaws to automatically
4. In a die-punch, the combination with two engage andi center said movable die-block in
pivoted members having jaw portions, of a | accurate position beneath the male die mem
rotatable female die-block having a plurality ber, said means serving also to both lock said
of die-holes carried by one of said jaws; a movable die-block against movement in either
male member or plunger carried by the other direction and to prevent complete closing of
jaw, and means actuated by the closing of | the jaws and contact of said die members
the jaws and coöperating with said female when the die members are out of register O
45 die-block to prevent complete closing of said with each other.
jaws and contact of said die members until 10. In a die-punch, the combination with
the said rotatable die-block is in position to re two pivoted members having jaw portions, of
ceive the male member in one of its die-holes. a movable female die-block carried by one
5. In a die-punch, the combination with two of said jaws and provided with a plurality of II 5
pivoted members having jaw portions, of a die-holes, a male die member or plunger car
rotatable female die-block having a plurality ried by the other jaw, and a spring between
of die-holes carried by one of said jaws; a said jaws and actuated by the closing of the
rigid male member carried by the other jaw, jaws to automatically engage and center said
said jaws being flexible to allow accurate seat movable die-block in accurate position be 20
55 ing and complete cutting contact of said die neath the male die member or plunger, said
members, and means actuated by the closing spring serving also to both lock said movable
of the jaws and coöperating with said female die-block against movement in either direc
die-block to prevent complete closing of the | tion and to prevent complete closing of the
jaws and contact of said die members until jaws and contact of the die member when I 25
the said rotatable die-block is in position to said die members are out of register with each
receive the male member in one of its die - other.
holes. 11. In a die-punch, the combination with
6. In a die-punch, the combination with two two pivoted members having jaw portions, of
pivoted members having jaw i portions, of a a rotatable female die member pivoted to one
65 movable female die-block carried by one of of said jaws and provided with a plurality of
said jaws, a male member or plunger carried die-holes, a rigid male member carried by the
 4 664,528
other jaw, a spring lying between said jaws block in accurate position beneath said male
and secured at one end to the male-die-sup member.
porting jaw, its other end sliding freely on 13. In a die-punch, the combination with
the other jaw and engaging one of a series of two pivoted members having jaw portions, of
notches or indentations in the periphery of a rotatable female die-block carried by one of
said die-block om closing the punch, to lock said jaws, a male die member or plunger car
25
said die-block in accurate position beneath ried by the other jaw, a spring lying between
said male member. said jaws and secured at one end to the male
12. In a die-punch, the combination with die-supporting jaw, and means for securing
O two pivoted members having jaw portions, of said spring to the other jaw so that it may
a rotatable female die-block pivoted on one have a limited movement thereon, said spring
of said jaws and provided with a plurality of serving to center and lock said rotatable die
die-holes, a rigid male member carried by the block in äccurate position beneath said male
other jaw, a spring lying between said jaws die member. *
i 5 and secured at one end to the male-die-sup In testimony whereof I affix my signature 35
porting jaw, its other end sliding freely on the in presence of two witnesses. - .
other jaw and engaging one of a series of GEORGE C. AINSWORTH.
faring notches or indentations in the periph Witnesses:
ery of said die-block on closing the punch, FRANK A. DEL ABARRE,
2 O to automatically center and lock said die WILLIAM F. KNOWLES.