Abstract: A machine and method for continuously orienting and tapping fasteners such as pierce nuts with the nuts being advanced in face-to-face manner aligned on the machine feed path. The machine is operable in one mode, in combination with nut collection means, to receive strips of the nuts from the feed path in side-to-side array for delivery in installation-ready coiled strips to an installation assembly or the like. One embodiment of the collection means includes apparatus for collecting and dispensing the nuts in unconnected linear stacks. Tapping of the nuts is performed by the machine in a "reverse flow" or deferred manner just prior to the nuts being dispensed from the feed path with the tapped nuts maintained in face-to-face spaced array. The machine reverse flow tapping provides for burr clearance between the spaced nuts to thereby assure that tapping burrs will not improperly position the nuts obviating machine jamming and thread obstruction by such burrs.

Abstract: A machine and method for continuously orienting and tapping fasteners such as pierce nuts with the nuts being advanced in face-to-face manner aligned on the machine feed path. The machine is operable in one mode, in combination with nut collection means, to receive strips of the nuts from the feed path in side-to-side array for delivery in installation-ready coiled strips to an installation assembly or the like. One embodiment of the collection means includes apparatus for collecting and dispensing the nuts in unconnected linear stacks. Tapping of the nuts is performed by the machine in a "reverse flow" or deferred manner just prior to the nuts being dispensed from the feed path with the tapped nuts maintained in face-to-face spaced array. The machine reverse flow tapping provides for burr clearance between the spaced nuts to thereby assure that tapping burrs will not improperly position the nuts obviating machine jamming and thread obstruction by such burrs.

Abstract: A linear accelerator system for linearly advancing an electrically conductive, elongate workpiece, such as tubing, along its longitudinal axis toward a cutoff station or the like includes a helically configured electrical coils concentrically disposed around the workpiece for inducing an electromagnetic field which imposes an axial force on the workpiece. An adjustable stop assembly engages one end of the workpiece to allow selection of the length to be cut. A switch operated by the stop assembly produces a first control signal for controlling a relay which deenergizes the coil; the relay reenergizes the coil in response to a second control signal produced by another switch which senses the completion of the cutoff operation. Sleeves removably mounted on the coil to accommodate workpieces having various diameters. In lieu of the stop assembly, a length encoder may be optionally employed in combination with the accelerator or a separate retarding device to control feed length.

Abstract: A machine and method for continuously orienting and tapping fasteners such as pierce nuts with the nuts being advanced in face-to-face manner aligned on the machine feed path. The machine is operable in one mode, in combination with nut collection means, to receive strips of the nuts from the feed path in side-to-side array for delivery in installation-ready coiled strips to an installation assembly or the like. One embodiment of the collection means includes apparatus for collecting and dispensing the nuts in unconnected linear stacks. Tapping of the nuts is performed by the machine in a "reverse flow" or deferred manner just prior to the nuts being dispensed from the feed path with the tapped nuts maintained in face-to-face spaced array. The machine reverse flow tapping provides for burr clearance between the spaced nuts to thereby assure that tapping burrs will not improperly position the nuts obviating machine jamming and thread obstruction by such burrs.

Abstract: An explosion relief for a nut installation head or apparatus, such as used to install pierce or pierce-clinch nuts having a rectangular piercing pilot and opposed elongated flange portions on opposite sides of the pilot. The flanges are separated from the pilot portion by panel receiving grooves. The improved explosion relief comprises aligned channels extending from opposed sides of the rectangular nut plunger passage which receive the nut flanges at the passage opening. One side wall of the channel is aligned with a wall of the passage and the opposed side channel wall is off-set inwardly from the passage wall to define corners in the plunger passage which catch and rotate the elongated nut flanges in the event that a nut is fractured during installation. The elongated nut flanges are thus guided outwardly through the explosion relief channels without jamming the nut installation head.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a nut and panel assembly and method wherein the panel is pierced into a nut chamber and the bolt threadably engages the panel. The disclosed nut includes a circular chamber which receives the pierced portion of the panel for threaded engagement by the bolt and a coaxially aligned smooth cylindrical passage which threadably receives the bolt.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a fastener receiving passage, a transverse plunger passage having a reciprocating plunger therein, a feed means feeding fasteners from the fastener passage beneath the plunger and a restrictor means preventing a fastener located ready for installation from withdrawing into the fastener passage. The restrictor means includes an arm pivotally connected to the fastener installation head having a finger resiliently biased into the fastener receiving passage, normally blocking withdrawal of a fastener from the ready location. The stop finger includes a camming face facing fasteners entering the plunger passage, whereby a fastener may enter the plunger passage upon actuation of the feed means but is prevented from withdrawing into the fastener passage.

Abstract: The disclosed self-fastening nut includes a rectangular flat end face which is received against the panel, a smooth cylindrical central bore perpendicular to the end face and a pair of linear grooves equally spaced from the bore and dividing the end face into a central pilot and a pair of flanges. The nut is assembled on a cylindrical punch which extends through the nut bore, beyond the end face and punches a hole in the panel in registry with the nut bore. The panel is supported on a die having two upstanding clinching lips which deform the panel into the nut grooves and the panel is simultaneously urged against the nut to lie flat against the end face.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a reciprocating plunger receiving fasteners through a transverse fastener passage from a feed means. The feed means comprising a drive link pivotally connected to a stationary housing component, a guide means translating the arcuate motion of the drive link free end into linear motion relative to a relatively movable housing component, a driven link pivotally connected to the movable housing component and a pawl means reciprocating in the fastener passage feeding fasteners to the plunger.

Abstract: A nut for installation on a metal panel includes an end mounting face and a centrally located circular bore through said face for threadedly receiving a bolt. The nut further includes a counterbore concentric with the circular bore and axially terminating in an annular surface having a plurality of equally spaced points projecting toward the mounting face. The points define a crown-shaped indent having a valley between each pair of adjacent points for receiving panel material to stabilize the nut during a threading operation against rotational and axial displacement.The method for installing the nut on the panel includes positioning the nut mounting face against a metal panel and piercing the panel in alignment with the nut bore axis to deflect the panel material circumscribed by the counterbore into said counterbore indent.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a reciprocating plunger receiving fasteners through a transverse fastener passage from a feed means and a fastener sensor means located within the fastener passage sensing the presence or absence of fasteners in the fastener passage ready for installation. The fastener sensor means includes an electrical switch which may be interconnected to the plunger activation circuit, opening the circuit and stopping the plunger when a fastener is not ready for installation.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a nut receiving passage, a transverse plunger passage having a reciprocating plunger therein, a feed means feeding nuts from the nut passage to the plunger passage and a stop means preventing nuts from entering the plunger passage except upon actuation of the feed means. The stop means comprising two parallel cylindrical posts located on opposite sides of the nut passage at the intersection of the passages. The cylindrical posts being resiliently biased into the fastener receiving passage and normally preventing fasteners from entering the plunger passage except upon actuation of the feed means.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a nut receiving passage, a transverse plunger passage, a plunger reciprocating in the plunger passage through the intersection of the passages and a guide means for the nuts in the plunger passage. The guide means includes a pair of parallel rails generally in the plane of the nut supporting surface of the nut passage, supporting a nut beneath the plunger. The rails are resiliently biased to support the nut until impact by the plunger. Further, a resilient pad parallel to the reciprocating axis of the plunger is provided to guide the nut through the plunger passage.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a first passage receiving fasteners, a second transverse passage having a reciprocating plunger, a feed means feeding fasteners from the first passage to the second passage, beneath the plunger, during each downward stroke of the plunger and a stop means preventing a fastener from being fed into the second plunger passage except during the downward stroke of the plunger. The stop means comprising a stop lever pivotally connected to the housing within the plunger passage and the plunger having camming surfaces rotating the stop lever into and out of blocking engagement with the first fastener receiving passage. In the disclosed embodiment, a nut entering the plunger passage will cam the stop out of blocking relation upon actuation of the plunger.