Abstract: An installation tool for a fastener of the “pull screw” type, comprising a breakable gripping element includes a body, a first sleeve movable axially and rotationally in the body that can drive the gripping element, a second sleeve movable axially in the body and immovable in rotation, and a driving device provided with a turning shaft. The shaft comprises a first free wheel for driving the first sleeve in rotation, a second free wheel, and a driving element positioned coaxially around the second free wheel. The driving element cooperates using a helical link with the second sleeve. The first free wheel drives the first sleeve in rotation in a first rotation direction of the shaft. The second free wheel brings the driving element in rotation in a second rotation direction of the shaft to move the second sleeve axially, allowing full setting in a single operating sequence.

Abstract: A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool includes a nose assembly, first and second cylinders, first and second pistons, and a yoke. The nose assembly is adapted to apply an axial load to a fastener along a longitudinal axis of the nose assembly. The first and second cylinders are diametrically opposed to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nose assembly. The first piston is disposed within the first cylinder and is movable along a longitudinal axis thereof. The second piston is disposed within the second cylinder and is movable along a longitudinal axis thereof. The yoke connects the first piston, the second piston, and the nose assembly such that motion of one of the pistons along its corresponding longitudinal axis causes motion of the other one of the pistons along its corresponding longitudinal axis and motion of at least a portion of the nose assembly along its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A blind rivet setting method enables a modified step approach to grip and pull multiple diameters of blind rivet mandrels to fracture, easily feed the remaining spent mandrel portion through a blind rivet tool, and collect and more efficiently dispose of substantially shortened spent mandrel portions when a blind rivet mandrel collection system is utilized.

Abstract: The device for reversibly gripping a rivet mandrel has a tension head with a mouthpiece sleeve and a clamping jaw sleeve axially movable in the mouthpiece sleeve and accommodating a plurality of clamping jaws. The clamping jaws reversibly grip the rivet mandrel during an axial displacement of the clamping jaw sleeve and the clamping jaws are furthermore held by an elastic holding element. The jaws are displaceable relative to one another independently of an actuation by the clamping jaw sleeve. This enables improved introduction and gripping of the rivet mandrel, especially for fully automated blind rivet operations, for example with blind rivet robots. Due to the elastic holding of the clamping jaws, wear on one side of the clamping jaws is avoided. Also, a controlled displacement of the clamping jaws independently of the clamping jaw sleeve is provided.

Abstract: A fastening device for preassembling structural members includes a hollow cylindrical body; a bearing ring provided at a proximal end of the hollow body and against which one of the structural members is intended to bear in a fastening position; a pulling threaded rod extending through the hollow body to be inserted into the structural members; a tightening means connected to the pulling threaded rod for maintaining the structural members against each other, the tightening means including a removable tubular end piece for mounting on a proximal threaded end of the pulling threaded rod that can be locally axially compacted under the action of a force applied on the pulling threaded rod in order to form a radial bead for sandwiching the structural members between the latter and the bearing ring; the fastening device including a sheath.

Abstract: A rivet gun has a barrel, a handle assembly, a cylinder and a seal ring assembly. The handle assembly is mounted under the barrel and has a hydraulic shaft and a handle mounted around the hydraulic shaft and having an annular shoulder. The cylinder has a top cover, an annular body and a bottom seat. The top cover is mounted under the handle and contacts the annular shoulder. A diameter of the top cover is larger than a diameter of the annular shoulder such that an outer periphery of the top cover protrudes radially out from an outer periphery of the annular shoulder instead of being covered by the annular shoulder. The annular body is mounted detachably on the top cover. The bottom seat is mounted detachably on the annular body. The rivet gun is allowed to change cylinders of different sizes or types.

Abstract: Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.

Abstract: A rotating adapter for joining an offset, right angle, or other pulling head to a pulling tool. The adapter allows one-handed positioning of a pulling head that is offset, oriented at an angle relative to the tool, or designed to fit into a relatively tight space. The pulling head can be rotated and/or repositioned repeatedly without changing the stroke length of the pulling tool.

Abstract: The invention provides a system configured to adjust a jaw gripping force of a pulling head. A locking nut is threadedly attached to the pulling head and defines an aperture which extends therethrough. A frame adaptor is at least partially positioned within the aperture of the locking nut. The frame adaptor further receives a portion of the pulling head and a piston of a power tool within an aperture thereof, with the portion and the piston engaging one another within the aperture of the frame adaptor. The portion of the pulling head is operatively associated with a jaw of the pulling head. An adjustment nut is threadedly attached to the frame adaptor. Rotation of the adjustment nut, with the locking nut in an unlocked position, causes the jaw gripping force of the pulling head to either be strengthened or weakened, depending on the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A die member is provided for a self-piercing riveting process, the die member comprising a die cavity having an axis and a plurality of sides positioned about the axis, wherein each side extends along a plane which includes a chord connecting two points along a circle centered on the axis.

Abstract: A method for crimping an insert to be clinched in a support by means of a placing apparatus having an anvil, in an area where the support comprises superposed first and second panels at a distance from one another, wherein the shank is inserted axially in the support and the anvil is brought up against the distal end of the shank, and the second section is then axially compressed against the anvil to create a securing edge, axial compression of the second section then being continued to create a crimping rim delineating an anchoring groove, in combination with the securing edge, surrounding the second panel, axial compression of the second section then being continued to bring about clamping of the support between the securing head and the securing edge in conjunction with clamping of the second panel between the securing edge and the crimping rim.

Abstract: An assembly of sheet materials in which a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are disposed in an overlapping relationship, with a plurality of joint portions being formed therebetween by drawing an overlapping part of the first and second sheets of materials at a plurality of positions. The plurality of joint portions includes at least one first joint portion in which the first sheet of material is laterally extruded into the second sheet of material and at least one second joint portion in which the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material are in contact with each other in a cup-like surface configuration.

Abstract: A swage collar and an internal sealing insert form a swage collar assembly used in combination with a structural fastener to prevent leakage through a connection of workpieces fastened together by the structural fastener. The swage collar has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body portion with a main central bore, and a base portion with an internal shoulder formed in the main central bore so as to form a seal receiving guide. The shaft of the fastener typically includes a threaded section and an unthreaded section, and the internal sealing insert interfaces with the threaded section and the unthreaded section of the shaft of the pin. In an alternate embodiment, the internal sealing insert interfaces with the unthreaded section of shaft of the pin.

Abstract: A universal offset pulling head assembly for exerting an axial pulling force on a fastener allows the same pulling head assembly to be utilized for a variety of different fastener sizes and types by exchanging a front plate assembly, where the front plate assembly may comprise variable nose pieces according to the type of fastener to be installed. Because the front plate assembly is subject to the most severe wear, other components of the pulling head assembly may continue to be utilized and the front plate assembly discarded. The disclosed pulling head assembly utilizes a stationary guiding member which prevents damage which might otherwise occur because of severe bending moments.

Abstract: A nose assembly for fitting onto a fastener installation tool for installing fasteners of the type in which a part of the fastener is broken off during the installation process, the nose being provided with a housing and a sleeve, the sleeve having a spring, and a collar which is movable within the housing against resistance of the spring, wherein plunger means are provided on the collar, and wherein the sleeve is threadably engaged with the collar, such that movement of the sleeve causes corresponding movement of the collar and plunger means, the plunger means being arranged to actuate a trigger thereby to open an air valve and allow a flow of compressed air through the tool, thereby to allow installation of the fastener into a workpiece.

Abstract: At least a portion of a first plate and at least a portion of a second plate are arranged to have an overlapping portion, a first deformation unit is formed at the overlapped portion, and a second deformation unit is formed in the first deformation unit. The first deformation unit and the second deformation unit protrude in opposite directions from each other, and the second deformation unit has a smaller cross-sectional width than the first deformation unit. Such a joining structure may be utilized to couple elements together in a display device, such as a plasma display device.

Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A blind rivet setting tool has a construction in which a tubular spring-biased handle gripped by an operator moves axially of the tool. An interlock between a trigger lever and the handle prevents operation of the tool until a rivet held by the tool is properly positioned in a hole of a workpiece.

Abstract: A driving anvil washer retaining apparatus (12) for a rivet gun (14) includes a magnetized element (21). The magnetized element (21) is coupled to the rivet gun (14) and retains an anvil washer (52) during installation of a rivet (82). A method of installing a rivet (82) includes inserting a stem (46) of a rivet assembly (80) into a rivet gun nose (22) having at least one magnetized portion (21). A rivet (82) of the rivet assembly (80) is inserted into at least one object. The stem (46) is removed from the rivet assembly (80). A driving anvil washer (52) is retained via the magnetized portion (21).

Abstract: A fastening tool draws a mandrel (5) to allow a caulking portion of the mandrel to deform a stem of a rivet (2) so that workpieces are fastened together. The fastening tool used in this process includes a nosepiece having a protrusion. During caulking, the protrusion of the nosepiece applies a force on a flange of the rivet to form a recess in the rivet flange and thereby peel a coating of the workpieces. As a result, electrical conductivity between the workpieces and the rivet is obtained.

Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening (44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).

Abstract: A hydraulic installation tool for installing fasteners is provided, that includes a housing having a first portion adapted to receive a drawbar and a second portion adapted to receive a piston, a gland and a retaining ring. A generally L-shaped drawbar is disposed in the first portion of the housing and a piston, a gland and a retaining ring is disposed in the second portion of the housing. The hydraulic installation tool is useful in securing lockbolt or swage type fasteners.

Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener with a pin and collar with pin having a shank with relatively wide lock grooves having a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank with a wall thickness of excess volume of material before swage greater than the volume of the lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank and diameter of lock groove crests being a minimum to reduce the compressive force for swaging the collar shank into the lock grooves with the excess volume providing partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage and with pin shank having a pull portion being a bore with helical grooves and an installation tool having a threaded mandrel to engage the pull grooves while moving into the collar shank to facilitate larger gap pull up between workpieces being secured.

Abstract: A tubular fastener element (34) is inserted into an opening(44) in a wall (W) until a flange (40) at the trailing end of the fastener element (34) is in contact with the wall (W). Then, an externally threaded end (32) of a rod (28) is inserted into a center opening (56) in the fastener element (34) from the flange side (42) of the wall (W) and is mated with internal threads (52) in the fastener element (34) beyond the second side (50) of the wall (W). A tubular mandrel (24) that surrounds the rod (28) is moved into contact with the entrance portion of the center opening (56) in the tubular fastener (34). The outside diameter of the mandrel (24) is larger than the inside diameter (58) of the center opening (56) in the fastener element (34). The rod (28) is retracted to cause a reduced thickness wall portion (46) of the fastener element (34) to collapse and form a second radial flange (60) on the second side (50) of the wall (W).

Abstract: Apparatus for setting retaining ring bolts. The apparatus includes having gripping jaws for drawing the bolt and a sleeve with an anvil for cold working the retaining ring. A supporting device is positioned projecting beyond the anvil from the device and being movable against the force of a spring element parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bolt in the direction of the device.

Abstract: A method of blind riveting to secure together a plurality of members (26, 27, 28) with aligned apertures, using a blind rivet comprising a tubular shell (11) with a head (13) and a stem (12) extending through the tubular shell. The method comprises the steps of: inserting the shell through the aligned apertures, from the near face of the near member, so that the remote end of the shell protrude beyond the remote face of the remote member and the nearest end of the shell is substantially level with the near face of the near member; supporting the near end of the shell while pulling the stem head to form a remote blind head; applying a force to the near member with respect to the stem, until any gap (28) between the members is taken up and deforming the now protruding portion of the shell to form a near-side head of the rivet. The invention also encompasses a blind riveting apparatus and blind rivets for carrying out the method described above.

Abstract: A fastening system including a two piece swage type fastener with a pin and collar with pin having a shank with relatively wide lock grooves having a generally smooth root contour with the collar having a shank with a wall thickness of excess volume of material before swage greater than the volume of the lock grooves and with the clearance between the inside diameter of the collar shank and diameter of lock groove crests being a minimum to reduce the compressive force for swaging the collar shank into the lock grooves with the excess volume providing partial fill of the lock grooves upon swage and with pin shank having a pull portion being a bore with helical grooves and an installation tool having a threaded mandrel to engage the pull grooves while moving into the collar shank to facilitate larger gap pull up between workpieces being secured.