Abstract: A screw magazine having a loading end for receiving a collated strip of screws. The magazine includes a pusher that urges screws of a collated strip toward a discharge end of the magazine. A bit opening at a top and at the discharge end of the magazine is configured to receive a drive bit for driving the at least one screw through a discharge opening at a bottom of the magazine body. Also provided is a collated scrip of screws including a plurality of screws coupled to a rigid support configured to be held in a hand of a single user to allow driving of the screws with the other hand.

Abstract: A feeder for a swage gun comprises a collar magazine and a guide-block assembly. The guide-block assembly comprises a guide block that comprises a slot, configured to receive the lock collar from the collar magazine at a first guide-block position along the slot. The guide-block assembly also comprises an actuator, operable to move the lock collar along the slot from the first guide-block position to a second guide-block position. Feeder further comprises a feed tunnel, coupled with the guide-block assembly, and a dispensing bulkhead, coupled with the feed tunnel. Feeder also comprises a gripping assembly, coupled with the dispensing bulkhead.

Abstract: A lockbolt collar feeder employing a resilient holder coupled to a linear actuator via a positioning arm, where the resilient holder can receive a lockbolt collar from a collar dispensing mechanism while disposed in a first position, and then when the linear actuator is extended the positioning arm extends and rotates the resilient holder to a second position in which the resilient holder can facilitate positioning the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt for subsequent swaging. The linear actuator of the lockbolt collar feeder is configured to be coupled to a swaging tool, and thereby facilitates a method of positioning a lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt using the swaging tool.

Abstract: A joining apparatus magazine temporarily stores a plurality of joining elements loaded from a loading station and feeds the joining elements to a joining head connected to an assembly line robot. The magazine comprises a housing connectable to the joining head; a drive motor; and a rotary body rotatable about an axis by the drive motor. The rotary body includes a plurality of chambers for temporarily storing joining elements. The magazine further comprises a loading arrangement operable for loading joining elements into the chambers; and an unloading arrangement operable for discharging a joining element from the chamber toward the joining head. The loading arrangement and the unloading arrangement are coupled together such that either a chamber can be loaded or a chamber can be unloaded.

Abstract: The method and device provided herein relates to the field of screwed joints for panels and, in particular, for sandwich panels used in aerospace applications. It relates to a method for attaching a headless rivet nut to a wall of such a panel. The method comprises: injecting a predetermined quantity of adhesive into a blind hole made in the wall of the panel; fitting the headless rivet nut onto a rivet nut setting tool, the rivet nut setting tool comprising a pierced anvil and a mandrel passing through the anvil, the mandrel being screwed into the rivet nut so as to press the rivet nut onto the anvil; positioning the headless rivet nut in the blind hole, the anvil coming to press against the wall of the panel; setting the rivet nut so as to squeeze the wall of the panel between the anvil and a flange formed by deformation of the rivet nut.

Abstract: A conventional blind rivet tool with modified nose housing, i.e., a rivet gun with replaceable and interchangeable nosepieces, facilitates feeding and setting of multiple diameters of blind rivets with substantially shortened exposed mandrel portions extending beyond the head flange of the rivet, all while maintaining blind rivet performance and reducing total installed blind rivet costs. A rivet with a reduced exposed mandrel protrusion relative to conventional and standardized mandrels can be enabled and more easily fed through the tool.

Abstract: A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool is provided. The method includes delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator and staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool. The staging begins prior to receiving a request for another fastener of the first type from the operator. The staging includes retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.

Abstract: Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.

Abstract: A method for crimping an insert to be clinched in a support by means of a placing apparatus having an anvil, in an area where the support comprises superposed first and second panels at a distance from one another, wherein the shank is inserted axially in the support and the anvil is brought up against the distal end of the shank, and the second section is then axially compressed against the anvil to create a securing edge, axial compression of the second section then being continued to create a crimping rim delineating an anchoring groove, in combination with the securing edge, surrounding the second panel, axial compression of the second section then being continued to bring about clamping of the support between the securing head and the securing edge in conjunction with clamping of the second panel between the securing edge and the crimping rim.

Abstract: A hydropnuematic riveter system is described, having features that allow for a reduction in size and weight over traditional rivet squeezers and rivet pullers. The riveter system also provides for greater versatility by permitting the operator to connect different rivet forming heads to the pressure intensifier portion, via a single flexible conduit with fluid-tight quick disconnect fittings.

Abstract: A blind fastener installation tool comprises a structural housing which features a mechanism for securing a fastener installation assembly in position relative to the structural housing during the blind installation of a fastener; and a mechanism for reciprocating the fastener installation assembly relative to the structural housing at the conclusion of blind installation. The blind fastener installation tool also comprises a fastener installation assembly. This assembly comprises (1) a pull rod assembly comprising a mechanism for pulling a first portion of a fastener; (2) an annular, piston-actuated, piston-decoupled pull rod actuation assembly to translate the pull rod assembly; and (3) a nose assembly comprising a fastener receptacle for securing the position of a fastener; and one or more optional pull rod translation dampening assemblies to smoothly and effectually dampen the sudden translation of said pull rod assembly after pintail break.

Abstract: A workpiece supplying device for spacing a number of workpieces includes a transportation plate and a spacing block. The transportation plate includes a first end and an opposite second end, a feed track extending from the first end to the second end, and a guiding slot communicating with the feed track. The feed track feeds the number of workpieces from the first end to the second end in sequence. The spacing block is slidable along the guiding slot to space every two neighboring workpieces in the feed track.

Abstract: The blind fastener installation tool also comprises an optional fastener delivery assembly, said optional fastener delivery assembly constituting: (1) a clip-fed fastener delivery system; or (2) a blowline-fed fastener delivery system.

Abstract: A rivet fastening air tool for rivets includes a supplying actuator, an implanting actuator, and a switching valve. The supply actuator receives a rivet row, tears off a fragile portion of a front-row rivet, and supplies it in a loaded position. The implanting actuator retains a head portion of the rivet supplied in the loaded position, and moves the rivet in a direction of being pulled out of a communicating bore of the rivet. The switching valve is provided in an air supply route which reaches the supplying actuator. When the head portion of the rivet is moved in the direction of being pulled out, the switching valve is switched by the implanting actuator so that the supplying actuator is returned.

Abstract: A rivet delivery apparatus and method which is configured to drop a rivet into a position such that the rivet can be threaded onto a guide wire and shot along the guide wire, such as to a rivet tool for broaching. Preferably, the rivet delivery apparatus includes a means to clamp the guide wire at two positions—a first position before a rivet is threaded onto the guide wire, and a second position after the rivet has been threaded onto the guide wire. Specifically, preferably the guide wire is clamped in a first position, and the rivet delivery apparatus includes a plate which shifts, causing a single rivet to fall in place for threading onto the guide wire. Then, the guide wire is unclamped, moved to the second position such that the rivet threads onto the guide wire, and the guide wire is clamped. Then, the rivet is shot along the guide wire, the guide wire is unclamped, moved to the first position, and clamped again so that a new rivet can be received and threaded onto the guide wire.

Abstract: A rivet table connected to the nosepiece of a rivet setting apparatus. The rivet table includes an outer sleeve which controllably slides back and forth within the nosepiece and supports opposing jaws pivotally connected to the outer sleeve about spaced transverse pivot axes. The jaws pivot between a closed position and an open position, biased toward the closed position and define a flat transverse distal rivet head receiving surface, and a central mandrel-receiving aperture therebetween to slidably receive a rivet mandrel and to support the rivet head against said rivet head receiving surface during rivet setting. The jaws are momentarily forced into the open position by the mandrel moving laterally into the aperture and being carried on a flexible strip. The exposed surface of the rivet head is thereby substantially free of tool marks after being set.

Abstract: A rivet table connected to the nosepiece of a rivet setting apparatus. The rivet table includes an outer sleeve which controllably slides back and forth within the nosepiece and supports opposing jaws pivotally connected to the outer sleeve about spaced transverse pivot axes. The jaws pivot between a closed position and an open position, biased toward the closed position and define a flat transverse distal rivet head receiving surface, and a central mandrel-receiving aperture therebetween to slidably receive a rivet mandrel and to support the rivet head against said rivet head receiving surface during rivet setting. The jaws are momentarily forced into the open position by the mandrel moving laterally into the aperture and being carried on a flexible strip. The exposed surface of the rivet head is thereby substantially free of tool marks after being set.

Abstract: A feeding unit for feeding an element to a treatment unit of a machine tool, in particular for feeding a rivet to a riveting unit, has a gripping element provided for the fastening element for the automatic take-up of the fastening element from a supply unit and automatic feed to the treatment unit. The gripping element is disposed on a rotary element rotatable about an axial direction, and at least one electromagnet is provided which is configured in such a way that a torque acting on the rotary element is generated by a magnetic force.

Abstract: An automatic rivet loading module which includes a pusher mechanism, a gripper mechanism, a mandrel receptacle, mechanisms for moving mandrels in the mandrel receptacle, and a tool activation device. The gripper mechanism receives a rivet, and a mandrel is moved through the rivet such that the rivet threads onto the mandrel. The gripper mechanism moves out of the way while the pusher mechanism pushes the mandrel down. The pusher mechanism then retracts, and the gripper mechanism closes and is ready to receive another rivet. This process is repeated until the mandrel is full of rivets. The mandrel receptacle is rotatable such that the loaded mandrel swings to a position under the tool activation device to be loaded into a rivet tool. As the loaded mandrel is swung under the tool activation block, a new mandrel is swung under the gripper mechanism, in position for loading with rivets.

Abstract: A rivet body is formed with cutting teeth in a forward edge of the rivet body. A mandrel is formed at a forward end with an enlarged head having a drill point thereon. A plurality of the rivet bodies are stacked on the mandrel, with the drill point. The rivet body is rotated and, through rotative coupling, the mandrel is also rotated. The rotating drill point forms pilot holes in workpieces, and the rotating cutting teeth enlarge the pilot holes to form holes for receipt of a cylindrical portion of the lead rivet body.

Abstract: An elongated rivet bag holding a quantity of blind rivets ready for use in an automatic rivet setting tool. The rivets are connected along an elongated flexible rivet carrying strip by having a distal portion of each mandrel inserted or pierced through the carrying strip and positioned and stored in a random orientation within the rivet bag which is openable at an upper end thereof to render the rivets and strip ready for use. A blind rivet feed device for feeding the rivet-loaded strip into the nose of the automatic rivet setting tool is also provided along with a rivet strip collection bag for the empty strip.

Abstract: A nosepiece for use with a riveter for installing a blind bolt. The nosepiece has an active area which is annular and effectively matched to the dimensions of the locking collar of the blind bolt. No tapered surface interferes with the sleeve during installation of the blind bolt. Instead, the active area includes a protrusion which intersects a support surface generally at a ninety degree angle. Providing a minimum or no transition fillet radius from the active area to the support area allows for a minimum length of the active area, providing maximum reinforcement to the active area. It also concentrates the operating stresses in a known area, dispersing them from the critical, working surface of the active area, providing an expected failure mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for loading a rivet module (10), which can be vertically displaced between a lower placement position and an upper loading position, with blind rivet nuts (100) using a rivet feed (22). The invention is characterized in that next to the rivet placement head (12), a cup (24) for accommodating blind rivet nuts is laterally arranged such that it can be displaced between a position underneath the rivet feed (22) and a position underneath the rivet module (10) that is located in the loading position, whereby the cup (24) is provided with a clamping cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous riveter capable of firing blind rivets in succession to caulk sheet metal or the like. A seal member 71 located on the oil chamber 6 side and a seal member 72 located on the air chamber 4 side are provided in an oil cylinder 1 where an oil piston 2 separates the oil chamber 6 of the oil cylinder 1 from the air chamber 4 of an air cylinder 3, and a portion of the oil cylinder 1 which is between seal members 71 and 72 is provided with an air vent 19; and a seal member 74, 76 located on the oil chamber 16 side and a seal member 73, 77 located on the air chamber 14, 15 side are provided in a jaw case piston 20 and in a nose piston 28, the seal members 74, 76 and 73, 77 sealing an area between the oil chamber 16 and the air chamber 14, 15, and the pistons 20 and 28 between the seal members 74, 76 and 73, 77 are each provided with an air vent 75, 78.

Abstract: A nail spacing verification assembly is provided which enables the spacing between nails contained in a collated nail strip, the collated nail strip advancing down a nail loading assembly of a nail gun, to be verified before the nail is allowed to advance. A first and second probe are operationally coupled with each other. If nail spacing is correct, the first probe engages the second probe causing both probes to rotate and the nail to pass. If spacing is incorrect, the first probe does not engage the second probe and the nail is hindered from advancing down a nail loading assembly.

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatically operated repetition riveting tool, which tool includes a gripping means for releasably gripping an elongated mandrel at a position remote from the mandrel head, which gripping means comprises a housing with an internal taper, and a plurality of mandrel-gripping jaws which are urged into contact with the mandrel by means of the internal taper; hydraulic retraction means for retracting the mandrel, thereby to pull the head of the mandrel through a rivet on the mandrel and adjacent the head, thereby to place the rivet; return means for returning the mandrel forwardly again after placing a rivet; and rivet feeding means for feeding rivets forwardly towards the mandrel head; in which the return means is pneumatically powered; and in which the housing of the gripping means comprises a first part and a second part, spring means for urging the first and second parts relatively apart from each other, and limiting means for limiting the movement apart of the first and second parts under the urging

Abstract: An autofeed speed rivet tool and method which does not require a mandrel to be constantly withdrawn and re-stocked, is very efficient and can be used in a flow line application without requiring the line to be stopped to re-load the tool with rivets. A flexible tube carries rivets to a tool, along a guide wire. A flexible, inner tube may carry the rivets, and nylon balls may be provided on an outer tube where the nylon balls work as joints, and allow the outer tube to compress without shortening the center line. The tool may incorporate a plurality of inventive concepts, such as spoons with pivotable blades which grip the mandrel very much forward of the end of the mandrel, a transfer mechanism, rivet centering mechanisms and a mechanism for longitudinally managing the mandrel.

Abstract: An automatic rivet loading module which includes a pusher mechanism, a gripper mechanism, a mandrel receptacle, mechanisms for moving mandrels in the mandrel receptacle, and a tool activation device. The gripper mechanism receives a rivet, and a mandrel is moved through the rivet such that the rivet threads onto the mandrel. The gripper mechanism moves out of the way while the pusher mechanism pushes the mandrel down. The pusher mechanism then retracts, and the gripper mechanism closes and is ready to receive another rivet. This process is repeated until the mandrel is full of rivets. The mandrel receptacle is rotatable such that the loaded mandrel swings to a position under the tool activation device to be loaded into a rivet tool. As the loaded mandrel is swung under the tool activation block, a new mandrel is swung under the gripper mechanism, in position for loading with rivets.

Abstract: An automatic rivet loading module which includes a pusher mechanism, a gripper mechanism, a mandrel receptacle, mechanisms for moving mandrels in the mandrel receptacle, and a tool activation device. The gripper mechanism receives a rivet, and a mandrel is moved through the rivet such that the rivet threads onto the mandrel. The gripper mechanism moves out of the way while the pusher mechanism pushes the mandrel down. The pusher mechanism then retracts, and the gripper mechanism closes and is ready to receive another rivet. This process is repeated until the mandrel is full of rivets. The mandrel receptacle is rotatable such that the loaded mandrel swings to a position under the tool activation device to be loaded into a rivet tool. As the loaded mandrel is swung under the tool activation block, a new mandrel is swung under the gripper mechanism, in position for loading with rivets.

Abstract: A riveting apparatus is described, including a body having an abutment means (19,32) mounted at one end thereof, and stop means (52,53) mounted at a position remote therefrom, so that a mandrel (30) inserted through the abutment means (19,32) has it end remote from the head located axially by the stop means (52,53) in predetermined axial relationship to the body, characterized in that the abutment means (19,32) is adjustable with respect to the body in the direction along the mandrel axis, thereby to provide adjustment of the relative positions of the abutment (19,32) and the mandrel head (33). A pneumatic piston means for use in the rivet feeding means (55) in the riveting apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A continuous riveter is provided, which can make a rivet distance in a blind rivet holder small since an available continuous riveter having a linear guide plate elongated from a rivet supply section could not reduce the rivet distance while avoiding the interference with a vertically movable cylinder. A guide plate (43) elongated from an accommodation case (40) of a rivet supply section C is provided with a bent section (43b) inclined at a predetermined angle &agr; with respect to a linear feed section (43a). An axis of a cylinder (31) is disposed on a shank R1 of a blind rivet held by an upper tab T4 of a blind rivet holder T immediately after the rivet holder T has passed through the linear feed section (43a) and bent.

Abstract: Automatic feeding blind rivet guns and method facilitating rapid installation of blind rivets with good freedom of movement of the operator. The blind rivet guns receive a carrier holding a substantial plurality of blind rivets in close side by side proximity and automatically sequentially loads and sets the blind rivets in response to operator control. The blind rivets are preferably supplied on an inexpensive disposable plastic carrier ready for use with the rivet installation gun. The installation gun itself is pneumatically powered, though other sources of power, such as electrical power, could be used.

Abstract: A die assembly (20) for riveting includes an upper die (200), a base die (230), a pair of clamps (270), and a pair of springs (280). The upper die includes a fixing block (202), and a pair of pressing protrusion (204) at opposite sides of the fixing block and having first slanted surfaces (206). The base die includes a sizing block (232) to position a workpiece. Two supporting blocks (234) are formed at opposite sides of the sizing block, each defining a through hole for accommodating the clamp. Two positioning blocks (240) are at opposite sides of the supporting blocks. Each clamp includes an end block (276) having a second slanted surface (278) corresponding to the first slanted surface of the pressing protrusion, and a connecting portion (272) slidable in the through hole of the supporting block. The springs connect the clamps to the positioning blocks.

Abstract: An automatic pull pin fastening apparatus, it is comprised at least a feeding unit, a delivering device, a positioning board, a transporting device and a stretching device mounted on a machine. Wherein, the delivering device is installed between the feeding unit and the positioning board. The transporting device is mounted between the positioning board and the stretching device, and can be displaced to and fro therebetween. The delivering device sends fast by pushing a predetermined amount of pull pins to the positioning board at one time by using compressed air for taking and placing the pins by the transporting device and transporting to the stretching device, thus the stretching device pulls the predetermined amount of pull pins to combine a plurality of plates at one time to complete operation of pull pin fastening by automation processing. In this way, efficiency of production can be increased, while cost of production can be lowered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rivet setting device comprising a rivet setting means and a drive which actuates the rivet setting means, as well as a magazine-strip pulling means which comprises a roll in operative communication with the drive. According to the invention, in order to be able to operate rivet setting devices of such a type also in a pneumatic and/or hydraulic manner, the drive comprises a pneumatic and/or hydraulic linear drive including a piston-cylinder means and a gearing is provided for translating a linear movement of the piston-cylinder means into a rotational movement of the roll at least temporarily.