FOOT OPERATED RIVETER WITH CHANGEABLE FEED ASSEMBLIES AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
A foot operated riveter with changeable feed assembly and a method of use is disclosed. The riveter includes a slot which is shaped and configured to receive a complementary connector provided on one or more feed assemblies. Each feed assembly is provided to hold and supply a different type of fastener for securing workpieces together. The connector on the feed assembly also includes a locking member for locking the feed assembly to the riveter. The riveter also includes an enclosed linkage assembly which connects the foot pedal to a plunger which drives a fastener presented by the engaged feed assembly into one or more workpieces.
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1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to riveters. More particularly the invention is directed to a foot operated riveter. Specifically, the invention relates to a foot operated riveter and a method of using the same, where the riveter includes an enclosed linkage assembly, a detachable feed assembly, and rivet stop on the feed assembly which automatically feeds one rivet at a time to a location where the rivet may be deployed to secure two or more workpieces together.
2. Background Information
Riveters, including foot-operated riveters are known in the art. Typically, these machines include a linkage assembly which transfers motion from a foot pedal to a plunger which drives a rivet into workpieces that are to be secured together. The linkage assembly includes two or more linkage arms which pivot relative to each other when the foot pedal is depressed or when pressure on the foot pedal is released. When the foot pedal is depressed, the pivoting linkage arms project for a distance outwardly beyond a back region of the riveter. This makes it necessary for the machine to be positioned a distance away from walls or workbenches, for example, so that there is sufficient room for the movement of the linkage arms.
Additionally, presently known riveters typically include some type of feed mechanism that delivers rivets to a location where they are used to secure work pieces together. Only one rivet can be installed at a time and it is typically necessary for the operator to depress a button to move a rivet from a feed assembly to the appropriate location for deployment. The depression of the button requires the operator to take extra time and make a number of additional movements whenever a set of workpieces are joined together. Since the riveter will be used to secure a plurality of sets of workpieces together, the additional time and movements required for moving single rivets into position adds up, and increases the fabrication time and costs involved.
SUMMARYThere is therefore a need in the art for an improved riveter that addresses some of these issues.
The riveter disclosed herein includes a linkage assembly that is completely enclosed within the device. The riveter includes a base and a head which are connected together by a vertical post. The foot pedal extends outwardly from the post and is operatively engaged with a part of the linkage assembly that is entirely enclosed within the interior cavity of the post. The rest of the linkage assembly is enclosed in a cavity in the head of the riveter. Consequently, the riveter disclosed herein has the advantage that it may be positioned adjacent a wall or workbench or other structure. When the riveter is used, the lever arms of the linkage assembly pivot entirely within the post or head of the riveter and thus do not contact any surrounding structures. This configuration makes the riveter more suitable for use in smaller environments and helps make more efficient use of floor space on a shop floor.
Still further, the riveter disclosed herein is able to detachably engage one or more of a range of differently configured feed assemblies, each feed assembly being configured to hold and provide a different type of fastener or a different size of fastener for securing workpieces together. Each feed assembly includes a connector that is configured to engage a connection member on the riveter head. The connector is complementary to the connection member. A sample embodiment of a suitable connection member is a shaped slot provided on the riveter. The complementary connector that is provided on each of the different feed assemblies includes a first region that is interlockingly receivable into the shaped slot. A locking member secures the connector in the connection member. This arrangement enables the riveter disclosed herein to be used to secure workpieces together using a wide range of different fasteners, thus making the machine more versatile and therefore more cost effective to own.
Furthermore, a feed assembly is disclosed that has a rivet stop that is configured and positioned to automatically control the feed of rivets and other fasteners to a location where they are installed during operation of the riveter. The rivet stop thereby removes the need for the operator to depress buttons to move a single rivet into position prior to installation of the same. The provision of this rivet stop thus decreases the time required to join a number of different sets of workpieces and thus contributes to more efficient and less expensive production of joined workpieces.
In one aspect, the invention may provide a riveter and a feed assembly in combination, wherein the feed assembly is adapted to hold and feed a plurality of a first fastener; and wherein the feed assembly is selectively detachably engageable with the riveter.
In another aspect, the invention may further provide a riveter, a first feed assembly which holds and provides a plurality of first fasteners and a second feed assembly which holds and provides a plurality of second fasteners; and wherein each of the first and second feed assemblies are selectively detachably engageable with the riveter.
In another aspect, the invention may provide a method of using a riveter to secure two separate workpieces together; said method comprising the steps of providing a riveter having a base adapted to rest on a floor surface, a post extending upwardly from the base, a foot pedal extending outwardly from the post, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within the head, and a linkage assembly operatively engaged with the foot pedal and the plunger; wherein movement of the foot pedal in a first direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a first manner; and movement of the foot pedal in a second direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a second manner; providing a first feed assembly which holds and delivers a type of first fastener for securement of the workpieces; engaging the first assembly with the riveter; and operating the riveter to drive one or more of the first fasteners into the workpieces to secure the workpieces together.
In yet another aspect, the invention may provide a method which further comprises providing a second feed assembly which holds and delivers a type of second fastener for securement of the workpieces; selecting one of the types of first or second fasteners to secure the two workpieces together; selecting the associated one of the first and second feed assemblies; engaging the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies with the riveter; and operating the riveter to drive one or more of the selected first or second fasteners into the workpieces to secure the workpieces together.
In yet another aspect, the invention may provide a feed assembly for a riveter comprising a tumbler including a feed chute with an opening into which the plurality of the first fasteners are adapted to be fed; a raceway extending downwardly from the tumbler and defining a feedslot therein which is adapted to receive first fasteners therein one at a time from the tumbler; a pair of opposed spring arms secured to the raceway; a guide block provided on each spring arm; a channel defined between the guide blocks of the two spring arms, the channel being adapted to receive a lowermost first fastener from the raceway therein; and wherein the plunger passes through the channel and is adapted to contact the lowermost first fastener; and a rivet stop provided on one of the spring arms; said rivet stop being adapted to selectively contact a second from lowermost first fastener in the raceway and prevent this second from lowermost first fastener from moving downwardly along the raceway.
In a further aspect, the invention may provide a riveter which includes a feed assembly that comprises a tumbler including a feed chute with an opening into which the plurality of the first fasteners are adapted to be fed; a raceway extending downwardly from the tumbler and defining a feedslot therein which is adapted to receive first fasteners therein one at a time from the tumbler; a pair of opposed spring arms secured to the raceway; a guide block provided on each spring arm; a channel defined between the guide blocks of the two spring arms, the channel being adapted to receive a lowermost first fastener from the raceway therein; and wherein the plunger passes through the channel and is adapted to contact the lowermost first fastener; and a rivet stop provided on one of the spring arms; said rivet stop being adapted to selectively contact a second from lowermost first fastener in the raceway and prevent this second from lowermost first fastener from moving downwardly along the raceway.
In a further aspect, the invention may provide a method of using a riveter to secure two separate workpieces together; said method comprising the steps of providing a riveter having a base adapted to rest on a floor surface, a post extending upwardly from the base, a foot pedal extending outwardly from the post, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within the head, and a linkage assembly operatively engaged with the foot pedal and the plunger; wherein movement of the foot pedal in a first direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a first manner; and movement of the foot pedal in a second direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a second manner; providing a feed assembly on the riveter which holds and delivers plurality of fasteners for securement of the workpieces; providing a rivet stop on the feed assembly to control the feed of fasteners through a raceway of the feed assembly; and operating the riveter to drive a lowermost one of the fasteners in the raceway into the workpieces to secure the workpieces together.
A sample embodiment of the invention is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to
Before proceeding with the description, a frame of reference is set out herein on
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Linkage assembly 22 further includes second arm 22b (
Housing 54 of head 18 comprises a plurality of sheets of a material, such as metal, which form first and second sides 54a, 54b and front/top/back 57 of housing 54. The sheets of material may be bolted together, such as by fasteners 55 and 56. Spacer blocks 53 (
Head 18 further includes a first mounting block 84 (
Block 84 defines a slot 86 therein and with which feed assembly 24 is detachably engaged by way of a connector that is at least partially complementary shaped to slot 86.
As shown in
The reciprocal vertical travel of plunger 36 through the hole in bushing 91 and parallel to axis “Y” is adjustable. To that end, housing 54 defines a further pair of aligned slots 100 therein with each slot 100 being defined in one of the side walls 54a, 54b of housing 54. A first slot 100 is illustrated in
Block 87 further defines a recess 116 in top face 87c thereof. A compression spring 118 anchored at a first end on second arm 22b of linkage assembly 22 has a second end that is received in recess 116. When second arm 22b moves in response to foot pedal 20 being depressed, as will be further described herein, plunger 36 is moved downwardly to cause a rivet 30 in raceway 32 to secure workpieces 38, 40 together. This downward motion of plunger 36 causes spring 118 to be compressed. When pressure on foot pedal 20 is released, compression spring 118 assists in moving plunger 36 and second arm 22b back to their at-rest position.
A third block 122 (
Feed assembly 24 is a detachable component that is selectively engaged with riveter 10. Feed assembly 24 comprises tumbler 28 and a raceway 32. A mounting block 130 (
The connector on feed assembly 24 also includes a locking member for locking feed assembly 24 to riveter 10 in a fixed position when feed assembly 24 is in this operational position. The locking member prevents relative motion between first region 132 of connector and slot 86 and thereby between feed assembly 24 and head 18. The locking member may comprise a thumbscrew 134 (
Referring to
Rivets fed into the opening in upper edge 136a of feed chute 136 drop through first section 28a into the rotating second section 28b and subsequently are fed one at a time through an opening (not shown) in tumbler 28 and into a feedslot 142 (
Referring to
A rivet stop 158 is secured to one or the other of spring arms 144, 146 and may particularly be secured to one or the other of guide blocks 150, 152 provided on spring arms 144, 146.
Hook 162 includes a projection 162A and has a curved upper edge 162a and a generally V-shaped tip 162b. Tip 162b extends for a distance outwardly beyond second side edge 159b of shaft 159. Tip 162b also includes a shoulder edge 162c disposed generally at right angles to second side edge 159b. Curved outer edge of head 162 intersects the shoulder edge at an acute angle. The acute angle is approximately 45 degrees.
As best seen in
Rivet stop 158 is positioned so that when rivets 30 are received in raceway 32 and spring arms 144, 146 are in an at-rest position (
15) and a shaft 30b of a second from lowermost rivet 30B. Tip 162b therefore separates rivet 30B from rivet 30A and substantially prevents rivet 30B and therefore the other rivets in feedslot 142 from sliding vertically downwardly in feedslot 142. This enables the riveter 10 to be used to install rivet 30A without rivet 30B accidentally sliding down raceway 32 and blocking the downward movement of tip 37. During installation of rivet 30a, tip 37 of plunger 36 moves through channel 156 and thereby causes spring arms 144, 146 to move from an at-rest position (
It will thus be understood that the configuration of the components at the lower end of raceway 32, and particularly the configuration and placement of rivet stop 158, enables riveter 10 to be automatically reloaded with rivets. This reloading may occur without the operator having to stop working and physically depress a button or make some other movement to cause a new rivet to be positioned for installation. Additionally, the movement of plunger 36 not only automatically reloads a rivet, such as rivet 30B, into the channel 156 between guide blocks 150, 152, the plunger 36 also causes rotation of tumbler 28 via lever assembly 26. The rotation of tumbler 28 in turn causes a new rivet to drop out of tumbler 28 and into the upper end 32a of raceway 32. Thus, the operator will only have to address the loading or reloading of rivets 30 when all the rivets rotating within tumbler 28 have been moved into raceway 32 and are beginning to be used up.
Foot operated rivet riveter 10 is used in the following manner. The operator positions two workpieces 38, 40 to be secured together above spreader screw 28 on platform 34. The operator depresses foot pedal 20, moving pedal 20 downwardly in the direction of arrow “D” (
Additionally, because spring arms 144, 146 have separated from each other because of the movement of plunger tip 37 therethrough, rivet stop 158 is moved out its arresting position shown in
If it is decided to change the type of component that is to be used to fasten workpieces together, feed assembly 24 is removed by simply rotating the thumbscrew 134 in the appropriate direction to release pressure on first region 132. Feed assembly 24 is then separated from riveter 10 as indicated by the arrow in
A second feed assembly 224 (
In order to use second feed assembly 224, it may be necessary to change the tip 37 of plunger 36 so that it is suitably configured to install the second fasteners 230. The operator will release rotate handle 39 in the second direction, pull tip 37 out of a recess (not shown) in the second end 36b of plunger 36 and will replace it with a new tip 237 that is configured to suitable engage and secure second fasteners 230. Once tip 237 is inserted into the recess in plunger 36, handle 39 is rotated in the first direction to lock tip 237 to plunger 237. Similarly, it may be necessary to also replace spreader screw 128 with a differently configured spreader screw 328 so that second fasteners 230 may be installed in the workpieces to be joined. In order to replace spreader screw 128, the bolt at the lower end of spreader screw 128 is disengaged and the spreader screw 128 is threadably disengaged from the through-hole 126 (
Second feed assembly 224 is engaged with riveter 10 in the exact same manner as is feed assembly 24. Thus, the first region 332 of the connector on second feed assembly 224 is introduced into the opening to slot 86 in first face 84a of block 84. Second feed assembly 224 will be moved along slot 86 until the connector engages stop 88. At this point assembly, second feed assembly 224 is in the operational position. Locking member 334 of the connector is then moved from an unlocked position to a locked position by rotating the locking member 334 in the appropriate direction. The tip 237 of plunger 36 will extend through a channel (not numbered but similar to channel 156) in guide blocks 250, 252 of the second feed assembly 224 in the same manner as feed assembly 24 is engaged by tip 37 of plunger 36. Plunger 36 is used in the same manner as plunger 36 to drive a lowermost one of the second fasteners 230 into two or more workpieces in order to join the workpieces to each other.
Second feed assembly 224 is also provided with a rivet stop 358 that is substantially identical in structure and function to rivet stop 58.
Thus, riveter 10 may be set up to use one or the other of feed assemblies 24 or 224 depending on which of the fasteners 30 or second fasteners 230 are required for joining workpieces, such as 38 and 40, together. In each instance, because of the enclosed linkage assembly 22 in post 16, the riveter 10 may be positioned directly adjacent vertical structures such as walls without interfering with the functioning of the riveter 10. Furthermore, the provision of rivet stops 158, 358 on the respective feed assemblies 24, 224 ensures automatic feeding of fasteners 30 or 230 during use of the riveter 10.
Riveter 10 is used to secure two separate workpieces 38, 40 together by the method of:
-
- providing a first feed assembly 24 which holds and delivers a type of first fastener 30 for securement of workpieces 38, 40;
- engaging first assembly 24 with riveter 10; and
- operating riveter 10 to drive one or more of first fasteners 30 into workpieces 38, 40 to secure the workpieces together.
The method may also comprise:
-
- providing a second feed assembly 224 which holds and delivers a type of second fastener 230 for securement of workpieces 38, 40;
- selecting one of the types of first or second fasteners 30 or 230 to secure two workpieces 38, 40 together;
- selecting the associated one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224;
- engaging the selected one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 with riveter 10; and
- operating riveter 10 to drive one or more of the selected first or second fasteners 30 or 230 into workpieces 38, 40 to secure the workpieces together.
The step of engaging the selected one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 with riveter 10 includes:
-
- inserting a first region 132 or 332 of a connector on the selected one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 into a slot 86 on a head 18 of riveter 10;
- moving first region 132 of the connector along slot 86 in a first direction.
The step of engaging further includes:
-
- contacting an assembly stop 88 on head 18 of riveter 10 with a first end of first region 132 or 332 of the connector; and
- engaging a locking member 134 or 334 to prevent further motion of first region 132 or 332 of the connector along slot 86.
The step of engaging locking member 134 or 334 includes:
-
- rotating locking member 134 or 334 in a first direction;
- applying pressure on first region 132 or 332 of the connector; and
- urging first region 132 or 332 of the connector into frictional engagement with a wall of riveter 10 which defines slot 86 within which first region 132 or 332 of the connector is received.
The method may further comprise:
-
- depressing foot pedal 20 in a first direction “D” (
FIG. 1 ); - moving plunger 36 downwardly to drive a lowermost of the selected one of first and second fasteners 30 or 230 disposed in the selected one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 through workpieces 38, 40;
- joining workpieces 38, 40 together;
- releasing foot pedal 20 so that foot pedal 20 moves in a second direction (opposite to direction “D”);
- moving plunger 36 upwardly away from workpieces 38, 40; and
- removing joined workpieces 38, 40 from riveter 10.
- depressing foot pedal 20 in a first direction “D” (
The method may further comprise:
-
- sliding a plurality of the selected one of first and second fasteners 30 or 230 along a feedslot 142, 342 in the selected one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224;
- positioning the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners, such as rivet 30A, in a position to be engaged by plunger 36 when plunger 36 moves downwardly (in the direction “E”-
FIG. 15 ).
The method may further comprise:
-
- positioning workpieces 38, 40 to be joined above a spreader 128 or 328 on riveter 10;
- depressing foot pedal 20 to move plunger 36 downwardly toward spreader 128 or 328;
- contacting the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners, such as rivet 30A, with a tip 37 or 237 of the plunger;
- driving the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners, such as rivet 30A, downwardly and into workpieces 38, 40 to be jointed;
- spreading a shaft 30b of the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of first and second fasteners, such as 30A, using spreader 128 or 328.
The method may further comprise:
-
- selecting new workpieces to be joined together above spreader 128 or 328.
The method may further comprise:
-
- selecting the other of first and second fasteners 30 or 230 to join the new workpieces together;
- changing a tip 37 or 237 of plunger 36 to be complementary to the selected other of first and second fasteners 30 or 230; and
- changing spreader 128 or 328 to be complementary to the selected other of first and second fasteners 30 or 230.
The method may further comprise:
-
- rotating locking member 134 or 334 in a second direction; releasing pressure on first region 132 or 332 of the connector;
- moving first region 132 or 332 of the connector along slot 86 in a second direction until first region 132 or 332 of the connector moves out of an opening to the slot 86; and
- engaging the other of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 with riveter 10.
The method may further comprise:
-
- inserting a first region 132 or 332 of a connector on the selected other of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 into the opening to slot 86;
- moving first region 132 or 332 of the connector of the selected other of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 along slot 86 in the first direction;
- contacting assembly stop 88 with first region 132 or 332 of the connector of the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 to halt further movement thereof in the first direction; and
- engaging a locking member 134 or 334 on the selected other of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 to lock the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies to riveter 10.
The method may further comprise:
-
- depressing foot pedal 20 of riveted 0 in a first direction “D” (
FIG. 1 ); - moving plunger 36 downwardly to drive one of the selected other of first and second fasteners 30 or 230 disposed in the selected other one of first and second feed assemblies 24 or 224 through new workpieces 38, 40 to be joined;
- joining new workpieces 38, 40 together;
- releasing foot pedal 20 so that the foot pedal moves in a second direction;
- moving plunger 36 upwardly away from the joined new workpieces 38, 40; and
- removing the joined new workpieces 38, 40 from riveter 10.
- depressing foot pedal 20 of riveted 0 in a first direction “D” (
In accordance with another aspect, the invention may provide a method of using a riveter 10 to secure two separate workpieces 38, 40 together; said method comprising:
-
- providing a feed assembly 24 on riveter 10 which holds and delivers plurality of fasteners 30 for securement of workpieces 38, 40;
- providing a rivet stop 158 on feed assembly 24 to control the feed of fasteners 30 through a raceway 32 of feed assembly 24; and
- operating riveter 10 to drive a lowermost one of fasteners 30A in raceway 32 into workpieces 38, 40 to secure the workpieces together.
The method may further comprise:
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- inserting a rivet stop 158 between the lowermost of the plurality of fasteners 30A and the second from lowermost of the plurality of fasteners 30B.
The method may further comprise:
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- inserting a tip 162b of rivet stop 158 between the lowermost of the plurality of fasteners 30A and the second from lowermost of the plurality of fasteners 30B;
The method may further comprise:
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- flexing spring arms 144, 146 of feed assembly 24 away from each other (in the direction of arrows “F”-
FIG. 16 ); - breaking contact between rivet stop 158 and the second from lowermost plurality of fasteners 30B.
- flexing spring arms 144, 146 of feed assembly 24 away from each other (in the direction of arrows “F”-
The method may further comprise:
-
- inserting a tip 37 of plunger 36 into a channel 156 between guide blocks 150, 152 on spring arms 144, 146;
- contacting head 30a of the lowermost fastener 30A with tip 37 of plunger 36;
- moving plunger 36 downwardly;
- driving a shaft 30b of lowermost fastener 30A into two workpieces 38, 40; and
- joining two workpieces 38, 40 together.
The method may further comprise:
-
- moving plunger 36 upwardly;
- moving the second from lowermost fasteners 30B into channel 156 between guide blocks 150, 152;
- moving spring arms 144, 146 toward each other;
- bringing a curved outermost edge 162a of rivet stop 158 into contact with a shaft 30b of a third from lowermost fastener 30C; and
- halting movement of the third from lowermost fasteners 30C down raceway 32.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of an embodiment of the invention is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims
1. A riveter and a feed assembly in combination, wherein the feed assembly is adapted to hold and feed a plurality of a first fastener; and wherein the feed assembly is selectively detachably engageable with the riveter.
2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the riveter includes a head which defines a slot therein; wherein the slot is of a first cross-sectional shape; and the feed assembly includes a connector having a first region complementary in configuration to the first cross-sectional shape, and when the feed assembly is engaged with the riveter, the first region is received within the slot.
3. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the first region dovetails with the slot.
4. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the slot has an opening thereto defined in a face of a head of the riveter; and wherein the first region of the connector is insertable into the opening to the slot and moves along the slot to an operational position.
5. The combination as defined in claim 4, wherein the slot is horizontally oriented.
6. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the connector further includes a locking member configured to retain the feed assembly in the slot in a fixed position.
7. The combination as defined in claim 6, wherein the locking member comprises a thumbscrew that is rotatable in a first direction and into a locking position thereby preventing relative motion between the first region and the slot; and the thumbscrew is rotatable in a second direction to an unlocked position where relative motion between the first region and the slot is possible.
8. The combination as defined in claim 2, further comprising an assembly stop provided on the head a distance inwardly from the face of the head which defines the opening to the slot; said assembly stop limiting inward travel of the first region of the engaged feed assembly in a direction away from the face.
9. The combination as defined in claim 8, wherein the assembly stop comprises a projection extending outwardly into the slot from a wall which defines the slot therein.
10. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein the riveter is a foot-operated riveter.
11. The combination as defined in claim 10, wherein the foot-operated riveter comprises:
- a base adapted to rest on a floor surface;
- a post extending upwardly from the base; wherein the head of the riveter is mounted on the post a distance from the base;
- a foot pedal extending outwardly from the post;
- a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within the head, said plunger being positioned to engage a part of the feed assembly and to contact a fastener retained by that part; and
- a linkage assembly engaged with the foot pedal and the plunger;
- wherein movement of the foot pedal in a first direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a first manner; and
- movement of the foot pedal in a second direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a second manner.
12. The combination as defined in claim 11, wherein the post defines a bore therein and the portion of the linkage assembly not in the head is retained entirely within the bore of the post.
13. The combination as defined in claim 11, wherein the feed assembly comprises:
- a tumbler including a feed chute with an opening into which the plurality of the first fasteners are adapted to be fed;
- a raceway extending downwardly from the tumbler and defining a feedslot therein which is adapted to receive first fasteners therein one at a time from the tumbler;
- a pair of opposed spring arms secured to the raceway;
- a guide block provided on each spring arm;
- a channel defined between the guide blocks of the two spring arms, the channel being adapted to receive a lowermost first fastener from the raceway therein; and wherein the plunger passes through the channel and is adapted to contact the lowermost first fastener.
14. The combination as defined in claim 13, wherein the feed assembly further comprises a lever arm operatively engaged with a rotatable section of the tumbler and with the plunger; said lever arm being movable by the plunger between a first position and a second position.
15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein the feed assembly further includes a spring extending between the lever arm and the tumbler; and the spring returns the lever arm from the second position to the first position.
16. The combination as defined in claim 13, further comprising a rivet stop provided on one of the spring arms; said rivet stop being adapted to selectively contact the second from lowermost first fastener and prevent this second from lowermost first fastener from moving downwardly along the raceway.
17. The combination as defined in claim 16, wherein the spring arms are spaced a first distance from each other adjacent the stop when the plunger extends through the channel; and the spring arms are spaced a second distance from each other adjacent the rivet stop when the plunger does not extend through the channel; and the first distance is greater than the second distance.
18. The combination as defined in claim 17, wherein the rivet stop is adapted to prevent downward movement of the second from lowermost first fastener when the spring arms are spaced the second distance from each other; and
- the rivet stop does not prevent downward movement of the second from lowermost fastener when the spring arms are spaced the first distance from each other.
19. The combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one second feed assembly that is selectively detachably engaged with the riveter when the feed assembly is disengaged from the riveter; wherein the at least one second feed assembly is adapted to provide second fasteners for the securement of workpieces.
20. The combination as defined in claim 19, wherein the second feed assembly includes a connector having a first region that is complementary to the cross-sectional shape of a slot in the riveter.
21. The combination as defined in claim 20, wherein the at least one second feed assembly includes a locking member provided on the connector thereof, said locking member being moved between a locked and unlocked position; and when the locking member is in the locked position, the at least one second feed assembly is secured to the riveter; and when the locking member is in the unlocked position, the at least one second feed assembly is detachable from the riveter.
22. A method of using a riveter to secure two separate workpieces together; said method comprising:
- providing a riveter having a base adapted to rest on a floor surface, a post extending upwardly from the base, a foot pedal extending outwardly from the post, a plunger mounted for reciprocal movement within the head, and a linkage assembly operatively engaged with the foot pedal and the plunger; wherein movement of the foot pedal in a first direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a first manner; and movement of the foot pedal in a second direction causes the linkage assembly to move the plunger within the head in a second manner;
- providing a first feed assembly which holds and delivers a type of first fastener for securement of the workpieces;
- engaging the first assembly with the riveter; and
- operating the riveter to drive one or more of the first fasteners into the workpieces to secure the workpieces together.
23. The method as defined in claim 22, further comprising:
- providing a second feed assembly which holds and delivers a type of second fastener for securement of the workpieces;
- selecting one of the types of first or second fasteners to secure the two workpieces together;
- selecting the associated one of the first and second feed assemblies;
- engaging the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies with the riveter; and
- operating the riveter to drive one or more of the selected first or second fasteners into the workpieces to secure the workpieces together.
24. The method as defined in claim 23, wherein the step of engaging the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies with the riveter includes:
- inserting a first region of a connector on the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies into a slot on a head of the riveter;
- moving the first region of the connector along the slot in a first direction.
25. The method as defined in claim 24, wherein the step of engaging further includes:
- contacting an assembly stop on the head of the riveter with a first end of the first region of the connector; and
- engaging a locking member to prevent further motion of the first region of the connector along the slot.
26. The method as defined in claim 25, wherein the step of engaging the locking member includes:
- rotating the locking member in a first direction;
- applying pressure on the first region of the connector; and
- urging the first region of the connector into frictional engagement with a wall of the riveter which defines the slot within which the first region of the connector is received.
27. The method as defined in claim 26, further comprising:
- depressing the foot pedal in a first direction;
- moving the plunger downwardly to drive a lowermost of the selected one of the first and second fasteners disposed in the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies through the workpieces;
- joining the workpieces together;
- releasing the foot pedal so that the foot pedal moves in a second direction;
- moving the plunger upwardly away from the workpieces; and
- removing the joined workpieces from the riveter.
28. The method as defined in claim 27, further comprising:
- sliding a plurality of the selected one of the first and second fasteners along a feedslot in the selected one of the first and second feed assemblies;
- positioning the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners in a position to be engaged by the plunger when the plunger moves downwardly.
29. The method as defined in claim 28, further comprising:
- positioning workpieces to be joined above a spreader on the riveter;
- depressing the foot pedal to move the plunger downwardly toward the spreader;
- contacting the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners with a tip of the plunger;
- driving the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners downwardly and into the workpieces to be jointed;
- spreading a shaft of the lowermost of the plurality of the selected ones of the first and second fasteners using the spreader.
30. The method as defined in claim 29, further comprising:
- selecting new workpieces to be joined together above the spreader.
31. The method as defined in claim 30, further comprising the step of selecting the other of the first and second fasteners to join the new workpieces together.
32. The method as defined in claim 31, further comprising:
- changing a tip of the plunger to be complementary to the selected other of the first and second fasteners.
33. The method as defined in claim 32, further comprising:
- changing the spreader to be complementary to the selected other of the first and second fasteners.
34. The method as defined in claim 33, further comprising:
- rotating the locking member in a second direction;
- releasing pressure on the first region of the connector;
- moving the first region of the connector along the slot in a second direction until the first region of the connector moves out of an opening to the slot; and
- engaging the other of the first and second feed assemblies with the riveter.
35. The method as defined in claim 34, wherein the step of engaging the other of the first and second feed assemblies includes:
- inserting a first region of a connector on the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies into the opening to the slot;
- moving the first region of the connector of the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies along the slot in the first direction;
- contacting the assembly stop with the first region of the connector of the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies to halt further movement thereof in the first direction; and
- engaging a locking member on the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies to lock the selected other of the first and second feed assemblies to the riveter.
36. The method as defined in claim 35, further comprising:
- depressing the foot pedal of the riveter in a first direction;
- moving the plunger downwardly to drive one of the selected other of the first and second fasteners disposed in the selected other one of the first and second feed assemblies through the new workpieces to be joined;
- joining the new workpieces together;
- releasing the foot pedal so that the foot pedal moves in a second direction;
- moving the plunger upwardly away from the joined new workpieces; and
- removing the joined new workpieces from the riveter.
Type: Application
Filed: May 20, 2014
Publication Date: Nov 26, 2015
Applicant: Weaver Leather, LLC (Mt. Hope, OH)
Inventor: Steven K. Sindlinger (Apple Creek, OH)
Application Number: 14/282,687