Abstract: A self-piercing riveting die for a setting device, by which a self-piercing riveting connection in a plurality of components is establishable by forming a closing head. This self-piercing riveting die may include a main body with an upper side and a recess arranged rotationally symmetrically to the central axis of the self-piercing riveting die formed therein. In the cross-section of the self-piercing riveting die, the recess has a demolding inclination of the demolding section, which radially transitions via a step into a circular arc-shaped lowering of the annular channel section, wherein the circular arc-shaped lowering radially inwardly rises straight-lined or circular arc-shaped or curvilinearally to the die bottom.

Abstract: A die button for the punching in and fastening of a fastener element having a piercing section to a planar workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part. The die button includes a jacket. Also included is a die plunger movably arranged in the jacket. Further included is a biasing device for pressing the plunger against the workpiece when the workpiece is supported on the jacket with a pressing force made available by the biasing device and selected such that the die plunger first moves when a slug has been detached from the workpiece by the piercing section of the fastener element.

Abstract: A tool for processing a workpiece has a tool element for processing the workpiece and a control device. The control device is configured to evaluate a rotation angle, which is detected by a detection device, and with which the tool is arranged in space, after a processing operation of the workpiece has been carried out with the tool element. The control device is also configured to release the control of the tool in a manner dependent on whether the tool has been arranged in space with a predetermined rotation angle after the workpiece has been processed.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: A punch rivet for fastening individual components to one another of which at least one component is formed by a workpiece, with the punch rivet having a flange of larger diameter, a rivet section of smaller diameter and a ring-like component contact surface at the side of the flange adjacent the rivet section and surrounding the rivet section, with the rivet section having at its free end a ring surface for the piercing of the two workpieces which stands at least substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the punch rivet and an inner concave ring surface which forms the transition from the end of the punch rivet into the hollow internal space of the rivet section. Ribs extending parallel to the longitudinal axis are provided at the generally cylindrical outer surface of the rivet section and extend up to the free end face of the rivet section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely locating materials on a foundation includes an elongated survey rod, including a triggering surface, and fastener driver secured to the survey rod. The fastener driver includes a trigger. The triggering surface is located in a position to selectively activate the trigger when the fastener is located at a desired precise location on a foundation.

Abstract: A hand-held riveting tool is driven by a battery-powered electric motor, and comprises a hydraulically-actuated riveting head, and a reciprocating hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor. The tool includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic supply line from the pump to the riveting head being connected to the reservoir by a reservoir inlet valve which is normally open to allow hydraulic fluid to flow from the supply line into the reservoir. Operation of the tool-actuating trigger firstly closes the reservoir inlet valve, and then switches on the electric motor to operate the pump. Release of the tool-actuating trigger firstly switches off the electric motor to stop operation of the pump, and then opens the reservoir inlet valve. When the reservoir inlet valve is closed by operation of the trigger, it acts as a pressure-relief valve to relieve over-pressure of hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A grommet includes a first cylindrical portion for passing a member threthrough and a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion through an annular connection portion formed at an outer peripheral face of the first cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion has a fitting groove which formed in an outer peripheral face thereof for fitting on an inner peripheral edge of a through hole in a mounting plate. A first junction portion is formed between the annular connection portion and the first cylindrical portion. A second junction portion is formed between the annular connection portion and the second cylindrical portion. A form of the grommet changes between a first state in which an angle formed the annular connection portion with the first cylindrical portion in cross section is an acute angle and a second state in which an angle formed the annular connection portion with the first cylindrical portion in cross section is obtuse angle.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.

Abstract: The invention is a system for use in a single-anvil hydraulic press or compression system for automatically selecting and changing both the upper and lower tooling. The system is installed between the upper and lower compression anvils of a hydraulic press. The upper portion includes a set of holders for upper tools and adjacent orientation structures or jaws. The upper tool holders and jaws are mounted on a horizontal member that may be moved such that one of the upper tools is "selected" by being placed immediately below the upper anvil of the press. As part of this selection process, the anvil removes the tool from the selected holder, and holds it using pneumatic suction. Then the horizontal member shifts over so that the upper anvil is situated directly above the adjacent orientation structure for that tool. To switch to a different upper tool, the horizontal member again moves the (empty) holder below the upper anvil, whereupon the pneumatic suction is removed causing the tool to drop into the holder.

Abstract: The invention is a system for use in a single-anvil hydraulic press or compression system for automatically selecting and changing both the upper and lower tooling. The system is installed between the upper and lower compression anvils of a hydraulic press. The upper portion includes a set of holders for upper tools and adjacent orientation structures or jaws. The upper tool holders and jaws are mounted on a horizontal member that may be moved such that one of the upper tools is "selected" by being placed immediately below the upper anvil of the press. As part of this selection process, the anvil removes the tool from the selected holder, and holds it using pneumatic suction. Then the horizontal member shifts over so that the upper anvil is situated directly above the adjacent orientation structure for that tool. To switch to a different upper tool, the horizontal member again moves the (empty) holder below the upper anvil, whereupon the pneumatic suction is removed causing the tool to drop into the holder.

Abstract: A riveting pliers, which includes a casing having a rear end terminating in a hand grip, a sleeve mounted in the casing, a handle pivoted to the casing, a pressure bar pivoted to the casing, and links coupled between the pressure bar and the handle for enabling the pressure bar to be turned by the handle to lift the sleeve in the casing in achieving a riveting operation, wherein the pressure bar has a middle part pivoted to the inside of the casing by a pivot, a forked front end clamped on two recessed portions at the periphery of the sleeve at two opposite sides, a forked rear end mounted with a transverse pivot and a roller on the transverse pivot; the handle has a downward sloping flange stopped at the roller at the pressure bar for imparting a pressure to the pressure bar to lift the sleeve upon each operation of the handle.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting a fastener applicator on a positioning mechanism. The mounting mechanism incorporates fluid actuators for applying compensating forces and turning moments that counteract the effects of the applicator weight by bringing the forces and turning moments into substantial equilibrium or predetermined directional bias so that the applicator is movable by a minimal force. The fluid actuators thereby enabling final correction of the applicator position and orientation prior to fastener application by movement of the fastener applicator relative to the position mechanism as a result of contact between the applicator and the workpiece.

Abstract: A device for driving inserts into pieces of sheet metal includes a punch having a longitudinal axis of symmetry, a thrust surface and a through hole extending along its longitudinal axis which constitutes a supply duct for the inserts. The through hole extends through the thrust surface. A thrust rod applies a driving force to the inserts to move them into position in front of the thrust surface of the punch. The thrust surface drives the head of the insert into a piece of sheet metal through a hole while plastically deforming the periphery of the hole which interfaces with the head.

Abstract: Attachment members (28) are used for securing insulation panels (30) to structural components (31). Each attachment member (28) includes a nail (29) which is driven by a setting tool into the structural component. A connecting region (26a) on a guide tube (25) of the setting tool generates a frictional force with a counter-connecting region of a hollow shaft (28b) in the attachment member when the nail (29 is driven. Via the generated frictional force, it is possible to check if the attachment member is properly connected after the setting tool drives the nail. The frictional force between the guide tube (25) and the inside surface of the hollow shaft is greater than the frictional force between the hollow shaft (28b) and the insulation panel (30).

Abstract: A power tool for the setting of blind rivets has a reversible electric motor which can reciprocate a gripper for the mandrel of a blind rivet through a transmission employing a rotary nut driven by the motor and a spindle which reciprocates the gripper in response to rotation of the nut. The motor is permanently connected with the spindle, and hence with the gripper, and the ratio of the transmission including the nut and the spindle is not dependent upon the position of the gripper. Such construction enhances the comfort to the operator of the power tool. The electric circuit for the motor is designed in such a way that the motor is disconnected from a portable energy source and is braked prior to a reversal in the direction of rotation of its output element.

Abstract: A fastening tool inserts a self-penetrating fastener into workpieces and then sets the fastener in a manner similar to a blind riveting tool. The fastener has a stem, a mandrel connected to the stem, and a body surrounding a portion of the stem adjacent the mandrel. The body has an enlarged head at the end opposite the mandrel. The mandrel has a point for penetrating the workpieces. The fastening tool applies a force to the fastener, causing it to penetrate the workpiece. The fastening tool then pulls the stem in a direction away from the workpiece while restraining the body against movement relative to the workpiece. The mandrel expands the lower portion of the body radially as it is pulled into contact with the body, forming a second or blind head on the side of the workpiece opposite the fastening tool.

Abstract: A hand portable riveter includes a handle pivoted to a casing to move a pull shaft through a transmission mechanism, causing it to set a rivet or rivnut via a riveter tip assembly, wherein the transmission mechanism consists of a pressure bar pivoted about a pivot in the middle and having a front fork stopped around a neck portion on the pull shaft and a rear fork, and a roller mounted on the rear fork by a pin; turning the handle in one direction causes the pressure bar to press the pull shaft downwards; turning the handle in the reversed direction causes the roller turned along the casing to give a pressure to the pressure bar in lifting the pull shaft.

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 modular punch press station is provided for use with a punch press which has a vertically movable ram. The station is useful for inserting a rivet-like contact into an aperture in a carrier piece and it comprises a mounting plate for carrying components of the modular punch press station including a supply device such as a vibratory feeder. The mounting member also carries an insertion station which positions a single contact below the ram in a vertical orientation in the aperture in the carrier piece. Mechanism is provided for feeding the contacts from the supply device to the insertion station such that only a single contact is presented to the insertion station at a time.

Abstract: A nosepiece assembly for a blind pull-through riveting tool has long nosepiece jaws (11a, 11a) for access into deep, narrow cavities. The inside of the nosepiece assembly is provided with a device for locking the jaws together at least when a rivet is being installed. The locking device includes a frusto-conical locking face (35) on the front end of a tube (34) fixed to the tool barrel (18), co-operating with two half frusto-conical faces on the inside of the jaws. The locking faces are normally urged out of engagement by the spring (20) and are urged into locking engagement by the rearwards axial force exerted on the jaw anvil (25) by the head (33) of the rivet being installed. In a modification, the spring (20) normally urges the locking faces (35, 36) into engagement, and they are urged out of engagement by the next rivet being fed forwardly through the anvil parts (13, 13).

Abstract: For use in a robotically operated workstation, apparatus for installing fasteners, for example tubular blind rivets, comprises a pneumatically operated fastener installation tool 16. The tool 16 has a part in the form of a headed mandrel 22 which is loaded with and carries a finite supply of the fasteners, a gripping and pulling actuator 26 and a nose assembly 21 which provides an abutment 18 for supporting successive rivets while the mandrel is pulled to draw its head through and set the rivet. For reloading the tool with further fasteners, after use, the apparatus includes a nest 96b for detaching and receiving the mandrel 22, together with the nose assembly 21, from the actuator 26, and a similar nest 96a provided with another nose assembly and another mandrel fully loaded with fasteners which it presents and attaches to the actuator 26.

Abstract: A blind rivet feed belt for a continuous riveter wherein a series of supporting means for rivet rods is formed on a plastic channel, plastic belts or metallic chains, a series of driven means for advancing said belt and a series of blind rivets inserted in said feed belt.

Abstract: A fastener driving tool includes a pointing device permitting the tool to be positioned against a workpiece so that a fastener is driven precisely at a target point. The tool includes a body with a nose portion in which is a fastener drive track. A foot assembly moves from a rest position toward the tool body to a drive position when the tool is pressed against the workpiece. In the rest position, the pointing device is aligned with the drive track and is adjacent the workpiece. When the tool is moved to the drive position, the pointing device is retracted, the nose portion approaches the workpiece, a safety mechanism is operated and a fastener is driven into the selected target point.

Abstract: A backing fixture is arranged for use with a pull gun to crimp eyelet type inserts under extemporaneous field conditions. When the desired crimping force is less than the force output of the pull gun, the backing fixture is modified with a spring to limit the crimping force. By compressing the spring prior to crimping operations, its size is decreased and by incorporating means for varying the magnitude of pre-crimp spring compression, the crimping force is made adjustable.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: A hand-held manually-operable tool is disclosed for installing a two-piece expandable plastic fastener (including an expandable body and an insertable pin) in a panel hole. The tool comprises a hand-held housing having a hollow barrel from which a spring-biased hollow plastic sleeve projects. A pushrod within the hollow sleeve is movable with the housing. The sleeve tip releasably engages and supports either the body or pin of a fastener manually mounted thereon and aligns the pin with the pushrod which subsequently forces the pin into the body to effect expansion. The sleeve tip end has either resiliently flexible legs to engage the body or resiliently flexible compressible foam rubber strips to engage the pin. In use, the tool directs the body into the panel hole and is pressed to cause the sleeve to retract so that the pushrod can force the pin into the body to effect body expansion.

Abstract: A nosepiece for temporarily supporting a fastener in front of a fastener installation tool is disclosed. The nosepiece comprises a split support provided by a plurality of support members which define between them a cavity which receives the fastener. The fastener is supported peripherally by the support members which can move to allow a fastener to move through said members in a forwards direction, from the back to the front of the nosepiece to allow installation of the fastener. The support members also restrain undesired movement of the fastener in the cavity in the reverse direction (i.e. from the front to the back of the nosepiece) as well as undesired movement in the forwards direction.

Abstract: A hollow sheet metal steel fastener for joining wood and/or wood product assemblies subjected to high shear and bending stress loadings. The fastener comprises an elongated, equilateral triangular tubular shaft with continuous stiffening ribs along the centerlines of the three sides to effect and approximate a six pointed star form when viewed in cross section providing a uniquely rigid shaft to withstand lateral shear forces across the transverse section and longitudinal bending stresses. The fastener further comprises three integral, uniquely formed flanges at opposite ends of the shaft with three driving head flanges at one end so formed as to mate with a specially designed driving tool to enable mechanically powered driving, said tool having a rounded, concave driving head as required to resistance drive the fastener into a lesser diameter lead hole in the host materials.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: A method of attaching a metal fastener, such as a stud-bolt, to a panel. The fastener includes a self-piercing annular projecting wall defining a recess having a bottom wall and an inner side wall defined by the annular wall. The method includes locating the fastener adjacent a panel with the self-piercing end portion facing the panel opposite a die member. The fastener is then forced toward the die member, such that the annular wall pierces a slug from the panel into the central recess and against the bottom wall. The die member simultaneously deforms the distal end of the annular wall outwardly and the pierced panel edge is deformed from the plane of the panel against the external surface of the annular wall, interlocking the panel and fastener.

Abstract: A semi-automatic hand-held pneumatic gun for installing plastic rivets. The gun includes a handle equipped with a manual trigger, and an associated magazine which serially feeds a plurality of stored rivets. Repetitive semi-automatic cycling of the gun is established by cooperation between a triggered air system, an intermediate pneumatic system, and a pneumatic barrel assembly. The trigger valve establishes a plurality of pneumatic pathways between it a manifold and the intermediate pneumatic system, activating first and second intermediate valves disposed within the intermediate valve pneumatic chamber. The barrel chamber includes an elongated ram and an associated piston. When the trigger valve is in a rest position, a pneumatic path is established whereby the first intermediate valve is biased to a rest position establishing another pneumatic path biasing the piston to a rest position.

Abstract: Setting tool for setting fasteners by driving a pin into an opening of each fastener, comprising a split collet having a central opening through which the pin is driven, the abutting faces of the collet segments being functionally convex and the leading ends of their exterior surfaces defining outwardly opposed jaws. An O-ring encircling the collet urges the following ends of the collet segments together, thereby urging the jaws apart. A fastener can be inserted over the jaws to locate it for being set by the pin. In the illustrated structure at least a portion of the central opening of the collet is smaller than the shaft of the setting pin, so when the pin is thrust through the collet it spreads the segments apart, thereby more tightly engaging the interior wall of the fastener.

Abstract: An operator-tended machine, e.g., a machine for applying snap fasteners, rivets or the like to workpieces, has an upper tool which moves against a lower tool acting as an anvil for it. A fingerguard moves ahead of the upper tool to protect the fingers of an operator. A workpiece support, with reference to which the prescribed safety distance of the fingerguard is calculated, can move downwardly and yield to the upper tool against a biasing force.

Abstract: A puncher-riveter has a fixed lower part having an upper surface and a vertically displaceable upper part above the lower part and having a lower surface. A hydraulic motor vertically displaces the upper part toward and away from the lower part. A punch having a lower punch end is vertically displaceable on the upper part between an upper rest position with the lower end above the lower surface of the upper part and a lower working position with the lower end below this lower surface. A die is provided on the lower part in vertical alignment with the punch so that the lower punch end can engage in the die when the punch is in the lower working position and the upper part is displaced down toward the lower part.

Abstract: In a blind riveting machine, in which a mandrel having a head is pulled downwardly by reciprocable and openable pulling jaws to draw the mandrel head through the bore of a tubular rivet supported at a setting station by normally closed, openable nose jaws, the nose jaws have yieldable detent means for resisting upward movement of the mandrel, and a reciprocable tube concentric with the mandrel for lifting further rivets along the mandrel, past the opened pulling jaws and nose jaws, to the setting station, has a spring detent which becomes frictionally engaged with the mandrel whereby the mandrel after being lifted with the rivets can be pulled downwardly again so that its head abuts the rivet at the setting station, thereby accurately adjusting the position of the mandrel relative to the pulling jaws, before the pulling jaws again grip the mandrel, in dependence upon the actual size of the rivet next to be set.

Abstract: A plurality of two-piece fasteners are connected together by frangible plastic and are automatically fed past moveable wall portions to an area where they are in operative position to be acted upon by impacting pistons. A first inner and a second, outer, concentric pistons are provided, the second piston driving the outer component of the two-piece fastener through metal sheets to be connected together, and the first piston driving the inner fastener component. A common actuating piston may be provided for driving the first and second pistons, with the magazine for the fasteners connected up to the low pressure side of the common piston. It is not possible to fire the impacting device until a handle thereof has been rotated against spring pressure and the bottom thereof is in contact with the work.

Abstract: An apparatus and method particularly adapted for use in continuously setting blind rivets having elongated mandrels in suitably apertured material.

Abstract: An electric resistance heating element for use in appliances such as dishwashers includes a mounting grommet having a resilient body portion sized to be forcibly urged through an aperture formed in a bulkhead of the appliance. A neck portion formed integral with the resilient body portion has an axial extent substantially equal to the thickness of the bulkhead receiving the grommet and a width to substantially fill the aperture. A head portion formed integral with the neck portion overlies the aperture on the side opposite that of the resilient body portion. A passage is formed axially through the body portion, neck portion and head portion to receive the end of a heating element therethrough. A flared tubular ferrule or conical tubular ferrule is provided at the end of the body portion to receive sealing cement for permanently securing the mounting grommet to the heating element inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A tubular rivet is picked up by a rivet engaging pin supported on a support which is releasably coupled to means for urging the pin into a position in which it can engage with a rivet. Control means allow the urging means to move the pin into the position at a first station. The rivet is moved to a second station at which a force bypassing the pin is applied to the support to break the coupling to cause the pin to move to an inoperative position to avoid permanent deformation of the pin. The control means causes the reconnection of the coupling as the pin is moved from the second station to the first station.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.

Abstract: A floor grommet for use in building and office structures supplied with air conditioning via under floor plenum. Directed flow of conditioned air is optimized by limiting the escape of air from the plenum into the space above the floor by leakage through floor openings provided for power cables, data cables and the like. Specialized floor grommets installed in the cable openings are comprised of a surrounding frame mounting sealing elements comprised of thin, flexible elements which are anchored at one end in the grommet frame and extend toward the center of the opening, from each side, to effectively close the opening against significant flow of conditioned air from the plenum below. Cables passing through the grommet opening cause minimal deflection of the flexible elements to limit the escape of conditioned air. Preferably, the resilient, flexible elements are filamentary in nature.