Button key

Abstract

A die button assembly includes a die button body and a key body that retains the die button body in a die member. The key body includes a fastener that is coupled to the key body by an expanded C-ring that is received in grooves on the key body and the fastener. The key body contracts a shoulder on the die button body to hold the die button when the fastener is secured in a die member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A die button assembly for attachment to a first die member in a metal forming die, comprising:
 a die button body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 an opening in said top surface; 
 a shoulder formed on said at least one outer wall; 
   a key body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 a fastener opening extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said fastener opening having a first width in said top surface, and a second larger width in said bottom surface; 
 a groove extending circumferentially in said fastener opening, said groove being in a portion of said fastener opening having said first width; 
   a fastener having a head section and a threaded shank, including:
 a first groove extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of said head section; 
 a second groove extending circumferentially about the exterior surface of said head section, said second groove having a smaller depth than said first groove; 
 wherein said first groove is positioned adjacent to said second groove and said first groove is closer to said threaded shank; 
   a retainer ring closely received and retained in said second groove on said fastener and said groove on said fastener opening in said key body when said fastener is coupled to said fastener opening in said key body; and   wherein a portion of said bottom surface of said key body contacts said shoulder on said die button body.   
     
     
         2 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said portion of said bottom surface of said key body is adjacent to a flat section of said at least one outer wall of said key body. 
     
     
         3 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said head section of said fastener includes a hexagonal shaped opening in an upper surface of said head section. 
     
     
         4 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said die button body has a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , including a die member with a die button body aperture and a key body aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein said die button body aperture and said key body aperture are adjacent each other. 
     
     
         7 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , including a threaded fastener aperture in the bottom of said key body aperture. 
     
     
         8 . A die button assembly, comprising:
 a die button body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 an opening in said top surface; 
 a shoulder formed on said at least one outer wall; 
   a key body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 a fastener opening extending from said top surface to said bottom surface, said fastener opening having a first width in said top surface, and a second larger width in said bottom surface that tapers to said first width; 
 a groove extending circumferentially in said fastener opening, said groove being in a portion of said fastener opening having said first width; 
   a fastener having a head section and a threaded shank, including:
 a first groove extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of said head section; 
 a second groove extending circumferentially about the exterior surface of said head section, said second groove having a smaller depth than said first groove; 
 wherein said first groove is positioned adjacent to said second groove and said first groove is closer to said threaded shank; 
   a retainer ring closely received and retained in said second groove on said fastener and said groove on said fastener opening in said key body when said fastener is coupled to said fastener opening in said key body; and   wherein a portion of said bottom surface of said key body contacts said shoulder on said die button body.   
     
     
         9 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said portion of said bottom surface of said key body is adjacent to a flat section of said at least one outer wall of said key body. 
     
     
         10 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said head section of said fastener includes a hexagonal shaped opening in an upper surface of said head section. 
     
     
         11 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said die button body has a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         12 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , including a die member with a die button body aperture and a key body aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said die button body aperture and said key body aperture are adjacent each other. 
     
     
         14 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , including a threaded fastener aperture in the bottom of said key body aperture. 
     
     
         15 . A die button assembly for attachment to a first die member in a metal forming die, comprising:
 a die button body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 an opening in said top surface; 
 a shoulder formed on said at least one outer wall; 
   a key body having a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one outer wall extending between said top surface and said bottom surface, including:
 a fastener opening extending from said top surface to said bottom surface; 
 a first groove extending circumferentially in said fastener opening, said first groove having said first width; 
 a second groove extending circumferentially in said fastener opening, said second groove having a second width that is smaller than said first width; 
 wherein said second groove is positioned adjacent to said first groove and said second groove is closer to said bottom surface of said key body; 
   a fastener having a head section and a threaded shank, and a groove extending circumferentially about an exterior surface of said head section;   a retainer ring closely received and retained in said groove on said fastener and said second groove on said fastener opening in said key body when said fastener is coupled to said fastener opening in said key body; and   wherein a portion of said bottom surface of said key body contacts said shoulder on said die button body.   
     
     
         16 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said portion of said bottom surface of said key body is adjacent to a flat section of said at least one outer wall of said key body. 
     
     
         17 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said head section of said fastener includes a hexagonal shaped opening in an upper surface of said head section. 
     
     
         18 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said die button body has a generally cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , including a die member with a die button body aperture and a key body aperture. 
     
     
         20 . The die button assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said die button body aperture and said key body aperture are adjacent each other.