Ram for metal can shaper

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a two-piece can comprising: a cylindrical housing, the cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end; a first round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in the first end; a second round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in the second end; a substantially rectangular ram which slides in the longitudinal rectangular bore of the first round bushing and the longitudinal rectangular bore of the second round bushing; a spring interposed between the first round bushing and the second round bushing and surrounding the substantially rectangular ram.

1 . An apparatus for forming a two-piece can, said apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end;   a first round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in said first end of said cylindrical housing;   a second round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in said second end of cylindrical housing;   a substantially rectangular ram which slides in said longitudinal rectangular bore of said first round bushing and said longitudinal rectangular bore of said second round bushing;   a spring interposed between said first round bushing and said second round bushing and surrounding said substantially rectangular ram.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one integral attachment means, wherein said integral attachment means is along the outside of at least one of said first end and said second end. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said substantially rectangular ram is an octagonal ram. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a common groove formed in said substantially rectangular ram. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising an opening in a top portion of said generally cylindrical housing. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one washer surrounding said substantially rectangular ram and in communication with said spring. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retaining means substantially surrounding said substantially rectangular ram. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first round bushing and said second round bushing is integrally formed from said cylindrical housing. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein each corner of said substantially rectangular ram is removed to provide a cornerless substantially rectangular ram. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for forming a two-piece can, said apparatus comprising:
 a cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end;   a first round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in said first end;   a second round bushing having a longitudinal rectangular bore and received in said second end;   a cylindrical cavity formed between said first round bushing and said second round bushing and surrounded by said cylindrical housing;   a cornerless substantially rectangular ram which slides in said longitudinal rectangular bore of said first round bushing, said longitudinal rectangular bore of said second round bushing and said cylindrical cavity;   a spring in said cylindrical cavity and between said first round bushing and said second round bushing and surrounding said substantially rectangular ram; and   a retaining means in communication with said spring for maintaining said spring in a portion of said cylindrical cavity.   
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one integral attachment means, wherein said integral attachment means is along the outside of at least one of said first end and said second end. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as in  claim 10 , wherein said substantially rectangular ram is an octagonal ram. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a common groove formed in said substantially rectangular ram. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising an opening in a top portion of said generally cylindrical housing. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one washer surrounding said substantially rectangular ram and in communication with said spring. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one retaining means substantially surrounding said substantially rectangular ram. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first round bushing and said second round bushing is integrally formed from said cylindrical housing.