Abstract: This invention describes a retaining device for holding, guiding and self-actuated releasing of assembly and auxiliary assembly parts, such as nuts, bolts, and rivets, in a device for pressing or attaching the parts to sheet metal, illustrated here with nuts as an example. The retaining device is used to hold the nuts in a definite, stable position during their transport from a starting position to the working position. It consists of two retaining catches that are pivotably mounted to the plunger so that they can be pivoted between a closed position in which they hold the nuts against the plunger, and an open position in which they release the nuts. A restricted guidance element for the retaining catches ensures that during an outward thrust movement of the plunger, the retaining catches remain in their closed position and will only be released to pivot into the open position after the plunger has reached the working position.

Abstract: Closer comprises a cylindrical housing defined by a front end and a rear end, the housing being formed with an axial bore having an enlargement in the front end. An air-driven cylinder is fixedly mounted in the bore and has an axial drive shaft reciprocable therein extending toward the front end and terminating in an impact head normally in an inward position. Reciprocably disposed in the enlargement is an annular trigger loosely surrounding the impact head and normally in an outward position extending down beyond the front end of the housing and movable to an inward position when the housing is lightly depressed over the fastener. An actuator in the housing is moved by the trigger as it approaches its inward position to activate the cylinder and slam the impact head downward to close the fastener. In a modification the cylinder is replaced by a solenoid.

Abstract: A device for mounting parts has an upper tool with an upper stamp and a lower tool with a lower stamp. A drive unit for driving the upper and lower tools is provided. A feeding device for feeding parts to the upper and lower tools is present. A gear arrangement connects the upper and lower tools to the drive unit such that the upper and lower tools are movable in a reciprocating manner toward one another. The gear arrangement has an eccentric disk and a drive lever connected to the eccentric disk. A rocker arm is provided having a swivel axis about which the rocker arm swivels. The rocker arm pivotably connected with a first end to the drive lever and with a second end to the lower tool. A control rod is connected to the rocker arm and the drive lever, wherein a plurality of points of attachment are provided for the control rod.

Abstract: Attaching machine has readily removable upper and lower tool assembly which can be slid out of the machine frame when tools need to be changed. Tool assembly drive means is automatically connected as the new tool assembly is slid into final position.

Abstract: A snap attaching tool for attaching stud and socket type snap assemblies to an edge or intermediate location of a fabric or other carrier material. Separable base, stabilizer and top elements respectively carrying a seat recess with a convex floor, a guide opening and an assembling punch are normally aligned by a base mounted rectangular spindle. The spindle permits relative vertical adjustment of the elements and is removable to allow for attaching snaps at locations distant from the edge of the material. The oblong shape of the elements with arcuate aligned sides promotes easy holding of the tool end distant from the location for striking with a hammer during use.

Abstract: A space (32) is formed between an inner end of a fitting hole (31) formed in a piston (21) and a piston rod (22) and is positioned radially inside a sealing member (24). By circulating a cooling fluid through the space, the majority of heat which is transmitted to the piston rod (22) can be absorbed, preventing transmission of heat to the sealing member. The temperature of the sealing member is kept lower and its deterioration can be inhibited.

Abstract: Fastening apparatus and method for forming a rivet-type fastener are disclosed for joining two pieces together that is particularly suitable for use in constructing a building. The fastening apparatus utilizes an actuating rod preferably driven by a hydraulic cylinder with the rod being inserted through a fastening section and holes in pieces to be fastened. A set of dies has one fixed and one pulled by the rod through the holes to form at least one rolled flange or two rolled flanges to form a hollow fastener that secures the pieces together. The rod is automatically returned to an extended position to be ready for the next operation. The fastener has a relatively large inside diameter in relation to the thicknesses of the pieces being fastened to avoid shear of the piece and prevent having the flange deform under load.

Abstract: A backing plate retainer is disclosed for retaining a backing plate for clamping engagement with a fastening element such as a hook and eye fastener. The retainer includes an adapter strip of a given width which is remotely attached to at least one of its longitudinal edges. The retainer has magnetic members adapted to attract and hold the adapter strip in place with respect to the retainer.

Abstract: A button applicator with a one-rotation clutch linked to a foot pedal and is released by a disconnecting and connecting mechanism. A safety member is provided between a punch and a die and urged upward. A swing lever is linked to the safety member at its one end and linked to an operation rod connected to the foot pedal at its substantial center and swings about another end of the swing lever. A means for shutting off the clutch is provided between the operation rod and the swing lever. A means for allowing the rotation of the clutch is provided between the operation rod and the connecting and disconnecting mechanism.

Abstract: A two prong symmetrical shaped element is connected to a non-symmetrical shaped element on opposite sides of a material by disposing the two prongs in two holes in the non-symmetrical shaped element, which is a hook or an eye. The non-symmetrical shaped element is supplied from a hopper through a feed chute to a guide channel in which it is advanced to a setting station where it is attached to the two prong element by cooperation of an anvil and a ram. When the non-symmetrical shaped element is a hook, its orientation is changed by a rotatable transport stop disposed betwen two portions of the feed chute during advancement of the hook through the feed chute. When the non-symmetrical shaped element is an eye, its orientation is changed during its advancement through the guide channel prior to its disposition at the setting station.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus accurately and efficiently fasten roofing materials to a roof. A first stroke of a piston both separates a single roofing screw from a roofing screw magazine and delivers it to a premounting position and separates a metal bracket from a metal bracket magazine and delivers it to a metal bracket premounting position. The second or return stroke places the screw and the metal bracket into respective mounting positions. A power screwdriver screws the screw through the metal bracket and the roofing materials placed on the roof and into the ceiling structure. The apparatus is mounted on a mobile frame to allow easy movement of the apparatus from fastening position to fastening position on the roof.

Abstract: In an automatic fastener assembling apparatus, a device for actuating a drive to initiate the lowering of a punch includes a pivotable actuating lever having at its front end portion a lower sloping edge and at its rear end portion a projection the front end portion being normally urged upwardly by an extension spring. A safety cover is connected to the lever by a leaf spring normally defining with the sloping edge a triangular space. At the first stage of double-stage stepping of a foot pedal, the front end portion of the lever is lowered against the bias of the extension spring until the safety cover rests on a die. At the second stage, the front end portion is further lowered against the bias of both the extension and leaf springs to reduce the triangular space, thus causing the projection to depress a plunger of a microswitch for the drive.

Abstract: In an automatic fastener assembling machine, an automatic lower-fastener-element supply apparatus includes a guide member horizontally reciprocable in timed relation to vertical movement of a punch, and a die supported by the guide member and movable, in response to reciprocating movement of the guide member, between a fastener transfer position in which the die is contiguous to the lower end of a chute to receive a lower fastener element therefrom, and a fastener joining position in which the die is vertically aligned with the punch.

Abstract: A domed cap button collet and the method and apparatus for the manufacture of same by deforming a flat domed button collet having an elastic body including: a shank; a radially extending plate-like flange located one end of the shank; and, a cap formed of malleable material overlying the outer surface of the flange and crimped to the peripheral portion of the flange. Pressure is simultaneously applied to bend the flange and cap member into a substantially convex dome shape. Upon removal of the pressure, the cap member retains its dome shape and the flange member reverts to its original plate-like configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two elements of a fastener element together with a sheet of compliant material sandwiched therebetween includes an apertured member whose opening is shaped to accept one of the fastener elements. The remote end of the fastener element has a recess therein with the material stretched taut across the opening to the recess. A prong member pierces the material and seats itself in the recess with the material immediately surrounding the recess lying in a wrinkle free condition.

Abstract: A fixture for use with a pull tool to form the parts of a grommet about an opening in material to reinforce the material opening.

Abstract: A fastener assembling apparatus has a safety device including a vertical elongate rod vertically movably supported by a reciprocable ram and having a feeler disposed adjacent to the path of movement of a punch carried on the ram, the rod being normally urged downwardly toward a lowermost position in which the feeler is disposed adjacent to a die of the apparatus, and an actuator operatively connected with a sensor and a ram-driving mechanism for activating the ram-driving mechanism only when the arrival of the rod at the lowermost position is detected by the sensor, thus avoiding any accident should the operator's finger be inadvertently jammed between the punch and die.

Abstract: A riveting press wherein the female component of a composite button, knob or a like article of hardware is introduced between the jaws of first tongs below a sheet of textile material whose marked side faces upwardly, and wherein the male component of the article is introduced between the jaws of second tongs at a level above the sheet. The first tongs deposit the female component on a stationary anvil while the second tongs descend toward the upper side of the sheet to place the male component into the path of movement of a descending ram which causes a deformable part of the male component to penetrate through the sheet and to be deformed into permanent engagement with the female component by a centering stud which is provided on the anvil. The mechanism which moves the first tongs up and down derives motion from the mechanism which moves the second tongs and the ram.

Abstract: The machine according to the invention comprises a device for feeding at least a continuous belt from a coil, a punching unit provided with at least a punch for punching holes into the belt; a cutter for cutting the continuous belt in segments of the desired length and a unit for applying and shaping the hooks to the belt. The unit includes a feeder for feeding and positioning the locking bushings relative to the belt holes, an inserter for inserting the hooks into the holes provided in the locking bushings and into the holes punched in the belt and a closer for closing the locking bushing about one hook end and for simultaneously shaping the other hook end.

Abstract: In a garment-fastener-assembling apparatus, a drive mechanism for moving an upper or punch unit toward and away from a lower or die unit includes an air cylinder having a piston rod, and a toggle joint for transferring reciprocating motion from the piston rod to a punch of the upper unit as the toggle joint is contracted and extended. A contact member is mounted on the toggle joint so as to actuate a limit switch when the toggle joint is fully extended to a predetermined extent. The limit switch, upon actuation, produces an electrical signal for de-energizing the air cylinder to terminate the extension of the piston rod.

Abstract: An apparatus, for assembling a pair of fastener elements of a garment fastener, including a lower or die unit having a retainer which is disposed immediately upstream of a die and which is vertically movable between a retracted position in which an upper end portion of the retainer is retracted below a top of the die to allow one fastener element to be supplied onto the die, and a projected position in which the upper end portion of the retainer projects from the top of the die to engage a peripheral edge of the head of the fastener element to thereby prevent the latter from being displaced on the die.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a fastener such as a snap closure composed of a first fastener member and a second fastener member to be combined together through a web-like material such as a fabric therebetween, includes a lower pocket mechanism for supporting the second fastener member thereon, a punch mechanism movable toward the lower pocket mechanism for fixing the first fastener member to the second fastener member with the web-like material interposed therebetween, and an upper pocket mechanism for supporting the first fastener member, the upper pocket mechanism being movable toward the lower pocket mechanism and having means for centering the first fastener member in alignment with the second fastener member. A safety mechanism is operatively coupled with the upper pocket mechanism for actuating the punch mechanism only when the upper pocket mechanism reaches a predetermined position with respect to the lower pocket mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of fastener elements onto a garment fabric comprising a cooperating pair of an upper die unit and a lower die unit, a stationary anvil mounted in the lower unit, a plunger reciprocably mounted in the upper unit, a punch movable relative to the plunger along a path of movement toward and away from the lower unit, and a pair of clamping jaws operatively associated with the upper die unit for releasably clamping one of the fastener elements. A means is provided for holding one fastener element in proper position against displacement for aligned engagement with the other mating element. The apparatus further includes means for manually releasing the fastener element which has been trapped in the event of failure of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of fastener elements onto a garment includes a gripping mechanism for temporarily holding one fastener element and for releasing the latter immediately before a reciprocally punch arrives at the predetermined lowermost position in which the one fastener element is clinched to the other fastener element supported on a die with the garment sandwiched between the fastener elements. The apparatus may comprises a guide mechanism including a chute having a guide track for the passage of the one fastener element, and a speed reducing device disposed in the chute for slowing down the movement of the one fastener element prior to the arrival of the latter at a retaining portion of the gripping mechanism. An overturning device may be provided in the chute for turning over the one fastener element as the latter slides along the guide track.

Abstract: An instrument, method and two-piece plastic-like fastener for surgically fastening tissue by:(A) placing the tissue between: (1) a retainer of an absorbable material, that is located distally of the tissue and that has a hole which extends longitudinally through it; (2) an elongated rigid piercing member that is located proximally of the tissue, that extends longitudinally, and that has means on its distal end for piercing the tissue; and (3) a fastener of an absorbable material, that is also located proximally of the tissue and that has a distally extending prong which, during distal movement of the fastener, can (a) move distally through an opening pierced in the tissue by the piercing member and (b) then move distally into the retainer hole to hold the retainer and fastener together;(B) then moving the piercing member distally so that its distal end pierces the tissue; and(C) then moving the fastener distally so that its prong moves through the opening pierced in the tissue and into the retainer hole to ho

Abstract: In apparatus for applying a two-part surgical fastener including a fastener part having at least one prong and a retainer part having an aperture for receiving and retaining the distal end of the prong, the retainer part is initially held securely to the apparatus by contact with a lug extending into the aperture. The lug is connected to the structure which supports the retainer part of the fastener by a frangible member. When the two parts of the fastener are forced together, the distal end of the prong pushes the lug out of the aperture, thereby breaking the frangible member and releasing the retainer part from the apparatus. The breaking of the frangible member preferably provides the operator of the apparatus with an indication that the two parts of the fastener have interlocked. This indication may be either tactile or audible or both.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for locking and dispensing self-lockable fasteners, comprising a pair of a socket holder and an inserting-part holder. The socket holder comprises a groove for holding sockets of a plurality of fasteners in a series arrangement and a pusher for forcing the plurality of series arranged sockets to an opening at the forward end of the socket holder, and the inserting-part holder similarly comprises a groove for holding inserting parts of the same plurality of fasteners in the same series arrangement as in the socket holder and a pusher for forcing the plurality of series arranged inserting parts toward an opening at the forward end of the inserting-part holder. The apparatus includes also a pressing means operable to press the inserting part of a fastener into the socket of the same fastener, at the corresponding forward end portions of the socket holder and the inserting-part holder.

Abstract: An upper jaw and tool assembly for a machine for attaching snap fastener components to fabric is operable to safely receive and advance upper fastener component halves for the assembly thereof with lower component halves. A stationary housing of the assembly is mountable on an attaching machine so that the lower end of the housing is spaced only slightly above the guide plate of the machine to minimize operator risks from internal moving components of the assembly. Fingers mounted on the housing receive and position successively fed upper component halves therein and an upper tool continuously advances the halves downwardly to assemble them with lower component halves. The assembly operates without conventional vertically reciprocating jaw components and hence can be operated with a minimum of operator risks.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of fastener elements onto a garment comprising a plunger reciprocably mounted in a bored head for movement along a path toward and away from a stationary die mounted on a table in opposite relation to the bored head, the plunger having a punch for coacting with the die to attach the pair of fastener elements onto the garment from opposite sides thereof, and first and second means mounted respectively on the bored head and on the die for releasably holding the fastener elements in the path in front of the punch and the die. The first means is actuatable by the punch for releasing the one element. The second means is responsive to coaction with the first means for releasing the other element.

Abstract: A surgical fastener of plastic or plastic-like material includes initially separate fastener and retainer members. The fastener member has at least two parallel prongs, each of which fits into a respective one of at least two apertures in the retainer member. The prongs twist as they enter the apertures. Then the prongs return to their initial orientation in which they interlock with the retainer member to form a finished fastener. The fastener is applied by forcing the fastener member prongs through the tissue to be fastened with the aid of metal pins contiguous with each prong. The pins are automatically withdrawn from the tissue after the prongs interlock with the retainer member and before the fastened tissue is removed from the fastener applying apparatus.

Abstract: A positioning tool for use in attaching the cover panels to support members in a prefabricated building system using self-drilling and self-tapping fasteners and a locking member which includes locating means for positioning the locking member behind the overlapped cover panels and guide means for locating the fastener against the support member opposite the locking member so that the fastener is aligned with the locking member and, as the fastener is installed by self-drilling and self-tapping its way through the juxtaposed support member and cover panels, the locking member will be threadedly engaged by the fastener to hold the cover panels against the support member between the head of the fastener and the locking member.

Abstract: A novel device is disclosed for driving nail-like fasteners with associated washers into a workpiece. The device comprises a pneumatic driver apparatus, preferably one substantially the same as the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,554, in association with a washer dispenser apparatus capable of semiautomatically deploying washers from a washer magazine so that the washers are fixed to the workpiece by the heads of the fasteners. The pneumatic driver and washer dispenser are attached together as a discrete assembly which is mounted on a hanger assembly so as to appear substantially weightless to a tool operator, and the driver and dispenser are adapted to be activated by a remotely positioned trigger device.

Abstract: A machine for inserting quilting or tufting buttons of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,701,174, has male and female button drive mechanisms similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,889, driven by a foot powered lever arrangement for rapidly tufting a pad or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying a snap fastener to a sheet of material, wherein the snap fastener includes a cap member having fastening means extending outwardly thereof and further includes a fastener member that is formed to receive the fastening means for interlocking said cap and fastener members on opposite sides of the sheet material, the apparatus including an annular flexible member that is movable into engaging relation with the sheet material as the fastening means of the cap member are penetrated therethrough, the annular flexible member circumscribing the area of sheet material through which the prongs are inserted and radially stretching the circumscribed area as said prongs are penetrated through the material so as to prevent wrinkling of the material after the application of the snap fastener thereto.

Abstract: A device for holding male and female mating snap members in alignment during a snap attaching operation has an elongated rigid barrel with a pin resiliently retractable into the leading end thereof. The pin is used as a centering means while the leading end of the barrel provides a driving device when the pin is retracted and the tool is struck at the opposite end of the barrel. The leading end of the barrel comprises a rim adapted to engage standard sized male and female mating snap members near their peripheries and the pin is adapted for maintenance of proper alignment of these members during attachment.