Abstract: A tool for setting blind fasteners is disclosed. A stem of a fastener is engaged by a pulling head and its sleeve is also engaged by the pulling head. In an initial stage, a pump piston compresses fluid in a hydraulic pump, affecting movement of a drawbar and piston in relation to a stationary adaptor connected to the tool, pulling the stem in relation to the sleeve at a fast rate per pump. As the pulling force increases, pressure in the pump triggers a logic system to shift the tool into a high pressure mode, decreasing the effort to complete fastener installation. The logic system resets after each squeeze of the lever, minimizing the number of pumps necessary to complete the installation while keeping effort at a comfortable level. An adjustable pressure relief valve allows the fluid to return to the reservoir chamber, returning the tool to its initial condition.

Abstract: A tool for setting blind fasteners is disclosed. A stem of a fastener is engaged by a pulling head and its sleeve is also engaged by the pulling head. In an initial stage, a pump piston compresses fluid in a hydraulic pump, affecting movement of a drawbar and piston in relation to a stationary adaptor connected to the tool, pulling the stem in relation to the sleeve at a fast rate per pump. As the pulling force increases, pressure in the pump triggers a logic system to shift the tool into a high pressure mode, decreasing the effort to complete fastener installation. The logic system resets after each squeeze of the lever, minimizing the number of pumps necessary to complete the installation while keeping effort at a comfortable level. An adjustable pressure relief valve allows the fluid to return to the reservoir chamber, returning the tool to its initial condition.

Abstract: A load control mechanism for use with a pull type tool (also called a riveter), wherein the mechanism includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element, such as a polyurethane compression spring, which works to limit the ultimate load which is applied by the pull type tool during operation, such as during removal of a rivetless nut plate from a hole in parent material. Also provided is a method of removing a rivetless nut plate by using a pulling head which includes a shock absorber and load limiting device, a resetion cup and a mandrel. The load control mechanism provides that a riveter can be used to safely remove a rivetless nut plate without causing damage or undue wear on components of the tool. This load control mechanism also absorbs operating shocks, protecting expensive work parts (ex: aircraft structure) and the operator during operation, resulting in a safe and ergonomic operation.

Abstract: A universal offset pulling head assembly for exerting an axial pulling force on a fastener allows the same pulling head assembly to be utilized for a variety of different fastener sizes and types by exchanging a front plate assembly, where the front plate assembly may comprise variable nose pieces according to the type of fastener to be installed. Because the front plate assembly is subject to the most severe wear, other components of the pulling head assembly may continue to be utilized and the front plate assembly discarded. The disclosed pulling head assembly utilizes a stationary guiding member which prevents damage which might otherwise occur because of severe bending moments.

Abstract: A universal offset pulling head assembly for exerting an axial pulling force on a fastener allows the same pulling head assembly to be utilized for a variety of different fastener sizes and types by exchanging a front plate assembly, where the front plate assembly may comprise variable nose pieces according to the type of fastener to be installed. Because the front plate assembly is subject to the most severe wear, other components of the pulling head assembly may continue to be utilized and the front plate assembly discarded. The disclosed pulling head assembly utilizes a stationary guiding member which prevents damage which might otherwise occur because of severe bending moments.

Abstract: A pulling head having jaws that have a conical angle of at least forty-five degrees, and preferably sixty degrees, relative to a longitudinal axis about which the jaws are arranged. Another pulling head includes an elastic collet that has a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers includes an internal jaw area, and a back end of the elastic collet preferably contacts a bushing. Preferably, the bushing provides high and reliable push force and also acts as a shock absorber during operation. The fingers of the elastic collet are configured to open and close during tool operation, and are configured to grip a break stem of a fastener such that there is no side loading. The elastic collet is also configured such that the fingers stay accurately centered and positioned, eliminating any possibility of jaw damage caused by the jaws tumbling, being off-center, or being otherwise positioned incorrectly.

Abstract: A pulling head that can be used with a wide range of fasteners and power tools having different stroke lengths and/or power ratings. The pulling head has a set of internal jaws which has serrations that are configured to grip a wide range of fastener types and sizes. The effective stroke of the pulling head is determined by the power tool to which it is engaged, rather than by the structure and design of the pulling head. The pulling head preferably has two jaws and a jaw follower with a leading surface which provides two beveled surfaces. As a result, the trailing surface of the jaws need not be conical, thereby providing that the jaws need not be machined after they are cast, thereby providing a very low cost manufacturing solution.

Abstract: A pulling head having jaws that have a conical angle of at least forty-five degrees, and preferably sixty degrees, relative to a longitudinal axis about which the jaws are arranged. Another pulling head includes an elastic collet that has a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers includes an internal jaw area, and a back end of the elastic collet preferably contacts a bushing. Preferably, the bushing provides high and reliable push force and also acts as a shock absorber during operation. The fingers of the elastic collet are configured to open and close during tool operation, and are configured to grip a break stem of a fastener such that there is no side loading. The elastic collet is also configured such that the fingers stay accurately centered and positioned, eliminating any possibility of jaw damage caused by the jaws tumbling, being off-center, or being otherwise positioned incorrectly.

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: A load control mechanism for use with a pull type tool, wherein the mechanism includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element, such as a polyurethane compression spring, which works to limit the ultimate load which is applied by the pull type tool during operation, such as during removal of a rivetless nut plate from a hole in parent material. Also provided is a method of removing a rivetless nut plate by using a pulling head which includes a telescopic housing and a compressible element. The load control mechanism provides that a riveter can be used to remove a rivetless nut plate without breaking a mandrel, causing undue wear on components of the tool, or damaging the parent material.

Abstract: A pulling head that can be used with a wide range of fasteners and power tools having different stroke lengths and/or power ratings. The pulling head has a set of internal jaws which has serrations that are configured to grip a wide range of fastener types and sizes. The effective stroke of the pulling head is determined by the power tool to which it is engaged, rather than by the structure and design of the pulling head. The pulling head preferably has two jaws and a jaw follower with a leading surface which provides two beveled surfaces. As a result, the trailing surface of the jaws need not be conical, thereby providing that the jaws need not be machined after they are cast, thereby providing a very low cost manufacturing solution.

Abstract: An improved machine for performing a swaging operation includes a mandrel and an expandable collet that are mounted to an actuator such as a conventional pneumatic gun. The mandrel includes a plurality of ramped planar engagement surfaces that are slidably engageable with a plurality of planar reaction surfaces on deflectable segments of the collet. The planar nature of the engagement surfaces and the reaction surfaces avoids unwanted deflection of the segments that would otherwise turn the segments into cutting tools, such as would occur if the surfaces were of certain other shapes. The mandrel is rotatably mounted to the pneumatic gun whereby the engagement surfaces are self-aligning with the reaction surfaces during an initial stage of a swaging operation.

Abstract: An improved fastener driving machine includes a driver, a support, a gear mechanism, an indexing apparatus, and a head. The head is movable among a plurality of positions with respect to the driver. The machine is advantageously structured to provide a substantially constant level of torque to a delivery point on the head independent of the position of the head with respect to the driver. The gear mechanism and the indexing apparatus are both disposed on the support, with the result that the mechanical operations of the gear mechanism are separate from the mechanical operations of the indexing apparatus. The indexing apparatus includes a number of tapered first teeth and a number of tapered second teeth that are securable to one another in a number of configurations to permit the head to be movably indexed to a number of positions with respect to the driver.

Abstract: An improved fastener driving machine includes a driver, a support, a gear mechanism, an indexing apparatus, and a head. The head is movable among a plurality of positions with respect to the driver. The machine is advantageously structured to provide a substantially constant level of torque to a delivery point on the head independent of the position of the head with respect to the driver. The gear mechanism and the indexing apparatus are both disposed on the support, with the result that the mechanical operations of the gear mechanism are separate from the mechanical operations of the indexing apparatus. The indexing apparatus includes a number of tapered first teeth and a number of tapered second teeth that are securable to one another in a number of configurations to permit the head to be movably indexed to a number of positions with respect to the driver.

Abstract: A fastener having a bolt and a threaded swageable collar. The bolt includes a head portion, a flange portion, and a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels. The shank portion includes a threaded gripping portion and a locking groove adjacent to the gripping portion. The collar is cylindrical having an internally threaded section and a swaging section whereby the collar is fastened to the bolt by threading the threaded section of the collar onto the threaded gripping section of the bolt and swaging the swage portion of the collar into the locking groove of the bolt.

Abstract: A fastener having a bolt and a threaded swageable collar. The bolt includes a head portion, a flange portion, and a shank portion which extends through two aligned apertures formed in adjacent panels. The shank portion includes a threaded gripping portion and a locking groove adjacent to the gripping portion. The collar is cylindrical having an internally threaded section and a swaging section whereby the collar is fastened to the bolt by threading the threaded section of the collar onto the threaded gripping section of the bolt and swaging the swage portion of the collar into the locking groove of the bolt.