Abstract: A self-piercing rivet escapement mechanism for a rivet setting machine includes a self-piercing rivet track in which self-piercing rivets are receivable. A first resiliently biased jaw is biased towards a closed configuration in which the first resiliently biased jaw retains self-piercing rivets in the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is moveable to an open configuration in which a self-piercing rivet can escape the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is configured to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon exertion of a load upon the first resiliently biased jaw.

Abstract: An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Abstract: An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet escapement mechanism for a rivet setting machine includes a self-piercing rivet track in which self-piercing rivets are receivable. A first resiliently biased jaw is biased towards a closed configuration in which the first resiliently biased jaw retains self-piercing rivets in the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is moveable to an open configuration in which a self-piercing rivet can escape the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is configured to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon exertion of a load upon the first resiliently biased jaw.

Abstract: An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Abstract: A nose arrangement for a fastener setting tool having a punch for setting fasteners comprises a support that receives the punch and a nosepiece for guiding the punch and a fastener during a fastener setting operation. The nose arrangement defines first and second fastener transfer areas where wait to be transferred under the punch. A transfer mechanism transfers the fasteners from the first and second fastener transfer areas under the punch and comprises a movable member that can be moved between first and second configurations. In the first configuration the movable member holds a first fastener in a stand-by position under the punch while it collects a second fastener from the first fastener transfer area. In the second configuration, the movable member holds the second fastener in the stand-by position while it collects a third fastener from the second fastener transfer area.

Abstract: A nose arrangement for a fastener setting tool having a punch for setting fasteners comprises a support that receives the punch and a nosepiece for guiding the punch and a fastener during a fastener setting operation. The nose arrangement defines first and second fastener transfer areas where wait to be transferred under the punch. A transfer mechanism transfers the fasteners from the first and second fastener transfer areas under the punch and comprises a movable member that can be moved between first and second configurations. In the first configuration the movable member holds a first fastener in a stand-by position under the punch while it collects a second fastener from the first fastener transfer area. In the second configuration, the movable member holds the second fastener in the stand-by position while it collects a third fastener from the second fastener transfer area.

Abstract: An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Abstract: A fastening method comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.

Abstract: A fastening method comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.

Abstract: A fastening method comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.

Abstract: A fastening method and apparatus (9) comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.

Abstract: A rivet capable of self-piercing at least one sheet of material and becoming embedded in one of such sheets, generally consisting of a head section and a shank section formed integrally with the head section, wherein the head section includes an upwardly and outwardly curved side wall surface extending from the shank section to an upper portion of the head section, and the shank section includes a recess in a lower end thereof, with the lower end of the shank section having a peripheral cutting edge sufficient to penetrate such material.

Abstract: A rivet capable of self-piercing at least one sheet of material and becoming embedded in one of such sheets, generally consisting of a head section and a shank section formed integrally with the head section, wherein the head section includes an upwardly and outwardly curved side wall surface extending from the shank section to an upper portion of the head section, and the shank section includes a recess in a lower end thereof, with the lower end of the shank section having a peripheral cutting edge sufficient to penetrate such material.

Abstract: The self-penetrating fastening device proposed consists of a rivet (3), acted on by a punch (13), and a die (15), the rivet consisting of a head (4) and a shank (6) with a central cavity (8) whose open end partly penetrates a metal sheet (1) in which it is held. At the end of the rivet shank (6) remote from the rivet head (4), the cavity (8) is essentially conical in shape, the angle of the aperture being &agr;. In addition, the transition zone between the rivet shaft (6) and the underneath (11) of the rivet head (4) is essentially rounded (R1). A rivet joint produced using this device is sufficiently strong to meet severe requirements, and the surface of the metal sheet in the region of the rivet is not affected by the perforation process.

Abstract: A rivet capable of self-piercing at least one sheet of material and becoming embedded in one of such sheets, generally consisting of a head section and a shank section formed integrally with the head section, wherein the head section includes an upwardly and outwardly curved side wall surface extending from the shank section to an upper portion of the head section, and the shank section includes a recess in a lower end thereof, with the lower end of the shank section having a peripheral cutting edge sufficient to penetrate such material.

Abstract: A method of riveting comprises inserting a self-piercing rivet into sheet material without full penetration such that the deformed end of the rivet remains encapsulated by an upset annulus of the sheet material. The sheet material is clamped with a substantial force during the riveting operation in the region around the rivet insertion location. The clamping force is maintained constant throughout at least the major part of the riveting operation and has a magnitude of up to 1.5 tonnes. A riveting machine for carrying out the method comprises a punch, means for feeding rivets successively to the punch for insertion into sheet material to be riveted, a die aligned with the punch for deforming the rivet inserted thereby, and clamping means for clamping the sheet material with a substantial force during the riveting operation in the region around the rivet insertion location.