Tool for Installing Swage-Type Hardware
A fastening tool has a centrally disposed rod with a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to the tool. A collar circumscribes the centrally disposed rod. A first end of the collar is adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminates in an outwardly extending flange. A compressible spring is disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar. This tool provides simplified installation of swage-type hardware into a stack of two or more panels by providing both a clamping force and a swaging operation in a single stroke.
N.A.
U.S. GOVERNMENT RIGHTSN.A.
BACKGROUND1. Field
This invention relates to a fastening tool. More particularly, clamping and swaging operations are integrated in a single tool.
2. Description of the Related Art
When hardware is to be attached to panels, such as printed wiring boards or sheet metal panels, using swage-type hardware, such as standoffs, it is necessary to clamp the hardware and panels tightly together during the swaging operation to eliminate looseness that could cause misalignment. Conventionally, separate clamping tools are used which are costly and must be aligned very precisely to be effective and to avoid damage to the parts being assembled.
Swaging is an assembly process to secure work pieces using hardware that is usually installed through a hole in a panel. A portion of the hardware extends through the hole and is deformed so that it cannot be withdrawn back through the hole. There are many types of swage-type hardware and tools available on the market. There are also many types of clamps and clamping devices available.
There remains, however, a need for a tool that integrates the clamping and swaging operations into a single tool. Such a tool would reduce to cost, complexity and risk of damage to parts that exist with conventional separate swage tools and clamps.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREDisclosed herein is a tool that provides simplified installation of swage-type hardware into a stack of two or more panels. More particularly, a single tool provides both a clamping force and a swaging operation in a single stroke.
In accordance with a first embodiment, there is provided a fastening tool that has a centrally disposed rod with a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to the tool. A collar circumscribes the centrally disposed rod. A first end of the collar is adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminates in an outwardly extending flange. A compressible spring is disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar.
In accordance with a second embodiment, the fastening tool of the first embodiment is used in combination with fastening hardware. This hardware has a body portion with a first outside diameter and a deformable shank with a second outside diameter where the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.
Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicated like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONWith reference to
With reference to
The compressible spring 16 is disposed between the second end 28 of the centrally disposed rod 12 and the outwardly extending flange 32 of the collar 14. The spring 16 is compressed during the swaging step and then expands back to its original configuration subsequent to swaging to remove the shaped tip 24 from the swaged hardware. A typical preload force value for the compressible spring is from 0 to several hundred pounds, depending on fastener size and material.
Alternatively, one or both of the through holes 42, 44 have a diameter slightly less, such as 0.005 inch less, than the outside diameter D1 of the deformable shank 26 so than when inserted, there is a press fit that prevents the swage hardware from rotating during installation or during a subsequent manufacturing step, such as when a screw is tightened into the bore 37. Another alternative is to include splines 48 projecting from exterior surfaces of the shank 26 as shown in cross-sectional representation in
As shown in
One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the shaped tip 24 may be such as to create other types of swage features such as elliptical deformation of the shank 26. Additionally, the shank 26 may include splines 48 to prevent rotation of the hardware 34 in the panels 39 and 40. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A fastening tool, comprising:
- a centrally disposed rod having a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to said tool;
- a collar circumscribing the centrally disposed rod, a first end of the collar being adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminating in an outwardly extending flange; and
- a compressible spring disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar.
2. The fastening tool of claim 1 wherein the collar has a first slot and a second slot extending through the collar on opposing sides thereof, the first slot and the second slot aligned with a through hole in the centrally disposed rod.
3. The fastening tool of claim 2 wherein a pin extends through the through hole and through both the first slot and the second slot.
4. The fastening tool of claim 3 wherein the pin has a diameter that is less than a length of at least one of the first slot and the second slot when the length is measured in a direction parallel to a direction of motion of the centrally disposed rod.
5. The fastening tool of claim 4 wherein the length and position of at least one of the first slot and the second slot defines a distance of travel of the centrally disposed rod.
6. A combination fastening tool and hardware for fastening, comprising:
- the fastening tool having a centrally disposed rod having a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to said tool; a collar circumscribing the centrally disposed rod, a first end of the collar being adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminating in an outwardly extending flange; and a compressible spring disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar; and
- the hardware having a body portion having a first outside diameter and a deformable shank having a second outside diameter wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.
7. The combination of claim 6 wherein an interface between the body portion and deformable shank of the hardware forms a shoulder.
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein an inside diameter of the collar is less than the first outside diameter but greater than the second outside diameter.
9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the deformable shank includes a bore effective to receive the shaped tip and be outwardly deformed therefrom.
10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the collar has a first slot and a second slot extending through the collar on opposing sides thereof, the first slot and the second slot aligned with a through hole in the centrally disposed rod and a pin extends through the through hole and through both the first slot and the second slot.
11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the length and position of at least one of the first slot and the second slot defines a distance of travel of the centrally disposed rod when the collar contacts the shoulder.
12. The combination of claim 11 further including a plurality of work pieces wherein each one of said plurality of work pieces includes a through hole having a diameter that is less than the first outside diameter and greater than the second outside diameter.
13. The combination of claim 11 further including a plurality of work pieces wherein one or more of said plurality of work pieces includes a through hole having a diameter equal to or less than the first outside diameter but greater than the second outside diameter.
14. The combination of claim 9 wherein the deformable shank has splines extending outwardly therefrom.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 19, 2015
Inventor: John S. Lamb (Bothell, WA)
Application Number: 13/967,394
International Classification: B21J 15/02 (20060101); B21J 15/42 (20060101); B21J 15/38 (20060101);