Abstract: A portable device (1) for inserting into predefined seats in a body, such as an item of furniture, fixing and/or support elements (8) for load-bearing members associated with said body such as furniture support feet, said device (1) comprising a casing (2) with an expulsion unit (7) for said elements (8) to which a pressurized fluid is fed and which has an element (14) subjected to said fluid and movable between two working positions, in one of which it is retracted into said unit and in the other of which it cooperates with sad elements (8) for their expulsion from an exit mouth (10) of said unit (7), said elements (8) originating from a magazine (9) associated with said casing (2). When in the expulsion position, the movable member (14) emerges from the exit mouth (10) of the expulsion unit (7), said position being attained on connecting the device (1) to the fluid source.

Abstract: A new tooling for use in a progressive die machine for the installation of self-clinching fasteners onto a sheet of material is provided. It is a complete tool easily mounted into the die during its construction and easily removed for service. Its compact size provides a minimal space between working stations on the die, and its height and stroke are minimized so as not to interfere with other operations on the die. It may be easily configured to allow for insertion of fasteners from either the top or the bottom, and is capable of correctly providing a fastener for insertion upon every cycle of the press. This is accomplished by use of a special bisected bushing which securely holds and positions each fastener in place prior to and during insertion. A replaceable force-limiting material is incorporated in the tooling above the anvil in order not to disrupt the progressive die press should fasteners or materials of excessive thickness be encountered.

Abstract: The installation head of the present invention has a pivoting driver which pivots from the fastener loading position to the installation position. By pivoting the driver to the load position, fasteners can be loaded into the driver in proper orientation for installation, the installation head can be used to install fasteners at any orientation, and the installation head is more compact. The head includes a fastener feed that receives fasteners and delivers them to the driver when the driver has been rotated to the load position. The fastener feed and the driver cooperate to provide simultaneous alignment and control of the fastener. The feed includes jaws that open slightly to orient the fastener for initial loading and then open wider to avoid obstructing the fastener as it is finally pushed into the driver. Once the fastener is fully pushed into the driver, the driver pivots to the installation position for installing the fastener into a workpiece.

Abstract: A technique of attaching a thermally conductive metal plate or sheet to a flat surface of wood holders in a process of fabricating modular unit radiation panels for mounting in a floor or a wall of a room of a building heated by a hydronic heating system that pumps hot water through tubing that is held by said modular units for RFH or RWH, respectively, wherein the modular unit is an assembly of the thermally conductive metal plate or sheet having length, width and thickness and the wood holders are two fiat wood boards evenly spaced apart to provide a slot in which said tubing is inserted and held against said metal plate or sheet, using a tool having a base and a point so configured that, the tool point thrust into the modular unit through the metal plate or sheet into the holder makes a hole in the holder and cuts a tab of the metal from the sheet that is embedded into the hole, the free end of the tab being wider than the end thereof attached to the metal plate or sheet and the free end of the tab being w

Abstract: An inexpensive hand press for attaching fasteners to a fabric or web comprises a pair of A-shaped legs made of molded plastic and joined by a living hinge at their wider ends. The narrower ends are adapted to carry the fastener parts which are to be secured together by folding the legs toward each other on opposite sides of the fabric and then striking one of the ends with a hammer while supporting the corresponding end of the other leg on a suitable support.

Abstract: A setting head for the installation of fastener elements having a head and shaft into a pre-apertured workpiece. The setting head has at least three holding fingers, with each holding finger initially centering, aligning, and positioning the element in the setting direction, both at the head and also at a distance from the head along the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system which includes a method and apparatus for the removal of carton bundles from where they are stacked, such as on pallets, re-positions the carton bundles relative to a carton holding structure such as a hopper, removes the restraining strap(s) from each bundle and feeds the bundle or cartons onto a hopper.

Abstract: An installation tool, fastener, and method for installing the fastener are disclosed. The installation tool has control fingers which control the position of the fastener with respect to the plunger and workpiece to which the fastener is to be attached during the entire travel of the fastener from the entry into the installation tool to installation in the workpiece. The fingers are pivotally mounted to the plunger and travel with the plunger throughout the installation path. The fingers are adapted to engage the fastener in a displaced area on the fastener so that the fingers can control the fastener through installation of the fastener into the workpiece. The displaced area is positioned between the top and bottom of the fastener so that the fingers can maintain control throughout installation.

Abstract: A fastener apparatus, which attaches a first article to a second article at a setting station, includes a plate-like support, a feed in finger for receiving and engaging a first article at a first predetermined position, and a lever pivotally mounted on the support and pivotally connected to the feed in finger. A spring continuously urges the lever to pivot to move the feed in finger along a substantially horizontal predetermined path from the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position at the setting station. A cam surface of a cam element, which is vertically movable in response to vertical movement of a ram housing, acts on a roller on the lever for rendering the spring ineffective and for moving the feed in finger from the second predetermined position to the first predetermined position.

Abstract: A gantry press adjustment apparatus for vertically adjusting a parallel gantry press (10) with respect to a work surface (77). The gantry press has a rigid frame with a first side frame portion (12) and a second side frame portion (14), and a press roller (16) mounted therebetween. Each side frame portion has first and second generally parallel vertical members (28, 30). The adjustment apparatus has first and second planar members (40) which are adapted to receive and support the axle (60) of the press roller. The planar members are slidably mounted along a vertical axis of the frame portions. First vertical adjustment members (100, 200) are connected to the first side frame portion and to the first planar member, and second vertical adjustment members (300, 400) are connected to the second side frame portion and to the second planar member. A drive (134) is connected with each of the adjustment members to adjust each member at a substantially equivalent rate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling a truss are described. In one embodiment, the truss table apparatus includes a truss table and a roller assembly. The truss table includes two guides and a worksurface which supports the truss members as nailing plates are pressed into the truss members. The guides are coupled to opposing sides of the truss table and are substantially C-shaped. The roller assembly is movably coupled to the truss table guides and includes a roller for pressing the nailing plates into the truss members. The roller assembly also includes a plurality of drive wheels that rest on the truss table guides to move the roller assembly relative to the truss table. The roller assembly further includes a plurality of pressure wheels rotatably coupled to the truss table to maintain the proper spacing between the roller and the truss table worksurface during pressing of the nailing plates.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an installation for fastening a connecting elem (1), specifically a U-shaped one, to the end (9) of a conveyor belt (10) with a peg-shaped fastening element (7). The fastening element is pushed through entry openings in the connecting element and through the conveyor belt, and is deformed at least in the area of its preceding end by a ram (36) that has a deforming contour, and is located in a tool (16). According to the invention, there follows also a secondary deformation of this area by a pressure bar (38), which is brought into contact with the tool containing the ram and the deformed end of the fastening element, after the contour of the fastening element had been already deformed.

Abstract: Picture hangers having prongs become automatically inserted into a picture backing material. An insertion apparatus feeds a strip of preformed blanks to an anvil which severs the blanks and presses them into the backing material. At the same time that the apparatus severs the first blank of the strip, a prong forming tool, attached to the anvil, bends the prongs of the next blank. A feed rod advances the strip of blanks through the apparatus, one blank at a time. A pair of paws, attached to the anvil, carry the severed hanger to the picture backing, and releases the hanger as the hanger becomes inserted into the backing. The apparatus includes a resilient structure which enables the device to operate efficiently with picture backings having varying thicknesses. One can also use the invention to insert hangers into picture frames, mirrors, plaques, signs, or the like.

Abstract: A device, for use in a press, for feeding fasteners, especially nuts, and attaching the fasteners in workpieces by pressing with a punching head. Joining and pressing of the fasteners in the workpieces takes place, with an infeed and loading means on a tool or press part, and on a rigid feed, which together with a punching head can be attached to one of two antagonistic tool or press parts. A first conveyor section for the fasteners is located between the punching head and the loading means, and forms the fasteners. Each of the fasteners is supplied individually to a loading position of the loading means and each is moved by an infeed element from the loading position into a subsequent first conveyor section, forming a row which extends into the punching head, in which the fasteners tightly abut one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a clinched joint between at least two panels with a rivet or slug by driving the rivet or slug into the at least two panels thereby outwardly deforming at least the inner end of the slug or rivet. Rings or components forming parts of the joint can be secured to the panels wherein the rings or components are acting as the dies for forming the joint.

Abstract: A machine for driving inserts into pieces of sheet metal includes a punch and a die movable relative to one another along an axis along which the inserts are to be driven. The punch and die define a driving zone therebetween, in which a hole in the piece in which an insert is to be driven is positioned. The axis along which the inserts are to be driven is substantially horizontal and the pieces are held in a substantially vertical plane by an automatic handling device.

Abstract: A method and tool (15) for securing V-shaped, open connector elements (14) o belt ends (1) in a manual operation use staples (8) that are driven by hammer blows applied to a punch held by the tool. Each connector element (14) has at least two shanks (11, 12) and at least one eye loop (13) interconnecting the shanks. The staples (8) are initially held in place for the driving by one shank (11) of the connector elements (14). The securing elements (8) first penetrate holes in one shank (11), then the belt end (1), and then holes in the shank (12), whereupon the free end pieces (53, 54) of the staples (8) are bent over in the tool provided with a die (29) for this purpose. The connecting elements (14) have downwardly projecting shanks (12) which extend initially away from the belt end. These shanks (12) are first pressed against the belt end (1) with a manually produced force increased with the aid of a tool mechanism providing a mechanical advantage.

Abstract: I achieve positive, accurate placement of Z-pins in resin composite parts using a tool to guide the pins from the foam preform into the part. The tool has a reciprocating piston for crushing the foam to insert the pins and uses a positive stop to control penetration depth and positioning of the Z-pins. The tool also includes a plurality of bores for guiding the individual pins from the foam preform to the part while separating the part from the foam preform.

Abstract: A sorting device for supplying small parts to a processing machine has a container with a fill opening for receiving the small parts. A drum-shaped rotating sorter for sorting the small parts is laterally connected to the container. The container has a lateral passage opening into the sorter for transferring the small parts from the container to the sorter. The container has a pivot axle for pivoting the container relative to the sorter in order to empty the container.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A gantry press adjustment apparatus for adjusting a vertical orientation of a parallel gantry press with respect to a work surface. The gantry press has a rigid frame with a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion. Each side frame portion has a first and a second generally parallel vertical members. The first and the second side frame portions are spaced sufficiently apart to accept a press roller. The adjustment apparatus has a first and a second planar member which are adapted to receive and support the axle of the roller press. The planar members are slidably mounted along a vertical axis of the frame portions. A first vertical adjustment member is connected to the first side frame portion and to the first planar member. A second vertical adjustment member is connected to the second side frame portion and to the second planar member.

Abstract: A method of riveting comprises inserting a self-piercing rivet into sheet material without full penetration such that the deformed end of the rivet remains encapsulated by an upset annulus of the sheet material. The sheet material is clamped with a substantial force during the riveting operation in the region around the rivet insertion location. The clamping force is maintained constant throughout at least the major part of the riveting operation and has a magnitude of up to 1.5 tonnes. A riveting machine for carrying out the method comprises a punch, means for feeding rivets successively to the punch for insertion into sheet material to be riveted, a die aligned with the punch for deforming the rivet inserted thereby, and clamping means for clamping the sheet material with a substantial force during the riveting operation in the region around the rivet insertion location.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically fixing the self-piercing nuts has a striking punch (2) for causing the end face of each nut (N) to pierce a metallic panel (P) laid on a caulking die (1) and to be fixed to the panel, and also has a mechanism for intermittently feeding the nuts. The mechanism is composed of a rigid frame (6) to which a slide guide (3) is fixed and a movable chute (8) having a distal opening (8a) communicating with a feeding aperture (5) opened in the slide guide and a proximal opening (8b) communicating with a flexible chute (7). The movable chute (8) held in and connected to the rigid frame (6) is driven by an actuator (22) mounted on the frame so as to swing between an operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: A method of assembling a furniture box spring frame comprises the steps of:providing at least two truss-assembled side panels comprising the steps of providing a top beam, a bottom beam, a first end piece, a second end piece and a plurality of connector plates;positioning the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates on a template; and assembling the top beam, the bottom beam, the first end piece, the second piece and the plurality of connector plates into a panel by compressing the pieces together;providing a plurality of connecting members and a plurality of slats;interconnecting the at least two sides panels with the plurality of connecting members such that the at least two sides panels are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other, andattaching the plurality of slats in notches across a top surface of the at least two sides panels which define a plurality of notches with diverging sides, to form a generally planar surface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a punch (3) for striking the self-piercing nut `N` to one side of a metal panel `W`, a piercing-caulking die (5) facing the punch and located on the other side of the panel, and a nut holder (4) having formed in it a guide passage (10) slidable relative to and fitting on the punch. The nut holder further has a nut-feeding aperture (11) opened perpendicular to the passage (10), and the punch (3) is connected by a back plate (7) to a base (8), with the die (5) being driven towards and away from the punch. A cylinder (20) fixed on the back plate drives the nut holder (4) fore and aft along the punch, so that the nut is fed through the aperture (11) into an area located near and ahead of the punch's end when the nut holder is retracted. The punch's end will be located in flush with or slightly protruding ahead of the passage's end opening when the holder is extended.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a U-shaped clip to the end of a belt with a staple has a die having a seat shaped to fit a belt end over which is fitted the clip, a presser head displaceable transversely toward and away from the die and having a passage holding the staple, and a plunger displaceable toward and away from the die in the passage of the presser head. Respective piston-cylinder units connected to the presser head and plunger and are pressurizable to displace same toward the die. A hydraulic pump supplies fluid under pressure to a multiport valve connected to the piston-cylinder units for first pressurizing the presser unit to compress the clip on the belt end and then for pressurizing the plunger unit for forcing the staple through the belt end and clip.

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: In order to achieve a disturbance-free and accurate supply of elements to be conveyed to a metal sheet and/or panel, with a minimum mounting height, a device is disclosed for a tool mounted in a press for fastening bolt-shaped elements, in particular screws, on a metal sheet or panel. The device has a punching head, a fixed member for supplying the elements arranged in opposite rows to the punching head, and a rigid connection between the tappet channel of the punching head and the concatenating station (loading device). A loading bushing acts as a loading device, taking up the elements individually in a fixed orientation and then concatenating them in the head station.

Abstract: A machine for inserting a Tee-nut into a workpiece of the type having a Tee-nut supplying source and a power cylinder assembly, the power cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder having an upper end headplate and a lower end headplate, openings provided on the cylinder for admitting and venting compressed air, a piston moveable within the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston, the lower end of the piston rod extending through the lower end headplate and adapted to engage and drive a Tee-nut into a workpiece, the upper end of the piston rod extending through the upper end headplate, and a kinetic energy storage unit removably mounted to the upper end of the piston rod, thereby providing a mass on the piston which is accelerated by gravity and air pressure during a downward stroke and is sufficient to drive a Tee-nut into a workpiece with a very low shock effect and to a precise depth.

Abstract: A nail flattening apparatus for use primarily in re-furbishing wooden pallet components, comprising a loading station and an operating station interconnected by a conveyor. Boards having nail stubble protruding from opposite sides are placed onto the conveyor in the loading station and transferred to the operating station, whereupon a reciprocating hammer and stationary anvil disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor cooperate to substantially flatten all nail stubble in a single operation. In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor controls a plurality of hydraulic cylinders which automatically move each board into the proper operating position, lift each board off of the surface of the conveyor, move the hammer to compress substantially all nail stubble, release the hammer to its retracted position, return the board to the conveyor for transfer out of the operating station, and move the next board from the loading station into the operating station.

Abstract: The invention describes a feed device that feeds assembly parts such as nuts, bolts, and rivets, from a sorting unit to the feed channel of a processing device for pressing or mounting of assembly parts to sheet metal. The feed device consists of a nozzle with a nozzle channel through it connected on one end to a feed line coming from the sorting unit. A protrusion of the nozzle can deploy into a recess opening of a guide piece of the processing device so that the nozzle channel will open laterally into the feed channel of the device. To connect the nozzle to the guide piece, two levers linked to the nozzle are used; they are pretensioned by springs in a closed position surrounding the guide piece and can be moved manually, possibly with the assistance of a tool, into an open position. In this manner the feed device can be easily connected to the processing device and then detached from it.

Abstract: A machine for setting and forming a Tee-nut, of the type having a threaded sleeve and an open lower end on the sleeve, in a workpiece, and having a cylindrical body having an upper opening and a stop, a pin member slidably received within the body and having a top end die portion defining a forming surface, a first resilient device for urging the pin member in an upper normal position, and a second resilient device disposed concentrically around the pin member.

Abstract: A pivotal hold down arm for holding boards as they are being nailed by nailing guns to form a pallet. The nailing guns are carried on a movable gantry. Rollers are carried by the gantry for limiting the downward movement of the nailing guns.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing trusses is provided for pressing truss plates into a plurality of wood pieces positioned on a platform and for facilitating easy removal of the truss from the platform. The apparatus includes a pair of guide tracks extending along the platform and having separate end portions adjacent the removal end of the platform. A gantry frame is supported on the guide tracks and carries a roller above the platform for pressing the truss plates into the wood pieces. The apparatus includes lifting means for lifting the end portions of the guide tracks and the gantry frame supported thereon. Accordingly, the truss can be easily removed from the platform by passing it under the roller. In addition, wheels are disclosed for facilitating movement of the apparatus away from the platform to allow maintenance thereof. An associated method of manufacturing trusses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A press machine having a frame with a central channel projecting along a length thereof. The channel slidably guides a piece of lumber along a processing path. Press wheels are mounted to longitudinal supports extending along opposite sides of the central channel. One of the longitudinal supports is pivotally mounted at one end to the frame with a corresponding press wheel rotatably mounted at an intermediate point along the support. The press wheels are oriented to rotate about parallel axes and in opposite directions with adjacent sides thereof overlapping opposite sides of the processing path. The press wheels are spaced apart from one another such that adjacent arcuate portions of each press wheel are located immediately adjacent the processing path to frictionally engage a leading end of a piece of lumber conveyed along the processing path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for permanently attaching to fabric in a right-side up orientation decorative objects such as rhinestones or nailheads using conventional setting hardware such as tiffany settings and/or rim settings and nail heads. The apparatus employs an upper die having a bore filled with a viscous material that extends into a lower groove of the upper die and a pressure closure to permit maintaining the amount of viscous material in the groove.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing fasteners in a panel and automatically sensing and compensating for certain error conditions which commonly arise in the installation process. The system includes monitoring the load exerted during the installation process and comparing the exerted load to nominal load values. If an error results between the two load values, appropriate corrective action is taken. If there is no corrective action which can be initiated to rectify the error condition, the system is halted.

Abstract: A clip-mounting machine secure a clip by at least one rivet to a belt end. The clip has front and back legs each formed with a throughgoing hole and adapted to embrace the belt end with each leg engaging the respective belt face and a U-shaped bight interconnecting the legs. The rivet has one end formed as a head with an outwardly directed end face and an opposite free end formed with an oppositely directed end face centrally formed with a generally conical recess. The machine has a front jaw formed with at least one guide passage adapted to hold the rivet, a holder on the front jaw for retaining the front leg of the clip thereon with the respective hole aligned with the passage, and a back jaw displaceable between a closed position relatively close to and engaging the back leg of the clip whose front leg is in the holder to compress the belt end between the legs and an open position spaced from and not engaging the clip in the holder.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing and positioning the spikes and plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically causing the end face of a self-piercing nut (N) to function as a punch for piercing a metallic panel (P) laid on a caulking die (1) so that the nut is fixed to the panel. The apparatus has a pair of gripping fingers (31, 32) attached to the opposite sides of the lower end of a striking punch (2), and has a workpiece butting leg member (25) extending in parallel with a vertical bore (4) formed through a slide guide (3). The leg member (25) is attached to and depends from the bottom surface of the slide guide (3), so that the punch (2) holding the nut (N) by means of the gripping fingers (31, 32) will penetrate the slide guide (3) and then descend along the leg member (25), until the nut punches and is secured to the metal panel (P). Thus, the self-piecing nut (N) can be fixed to any bent bottom of or any narrow recess in the metal panel (P).

Abstract: Improvements relating to tools for cold flow forming of assembly points in sheet metal. The tools comprise first tool (1) with a punch (6) and a blank holder (5) and a second tool (10) with a guiding surface (16) from which extends a finger (14) terminated by an anvil (15), a die (20) formed by at least two shells (18), each of said shells (18) having a shoulder (21) slidingly mounted on the guiding surface (16) and in contact with the lateral surface of the finger (14) through resilient means (26), the guiding means of the sections (18) being provided together with a stop restricting the separation of the shells (18) during cold flow. The improvements are characterized in that the stop consists of two half sections (30) elastically secured to the second tool (10).

Abstract: A pierce nut having a central pilot, a cylindrical flange portion surrounding the pilot and a groove in the flange portion having at least one inclined side wall and a bottom wall having a convex annular protuberance preferably comprising spaced arcuate protuberances extending around the pilot which deforms panel metal beneath the inclined side wall and providing anti-rotation means when the nut is attached to a metal panel. The outer groove side wall includes radial notches or grooves which receive panel metal to provide anti-torque means. The improved die button includes an annular lip having an inside piercing edge spaced from the end to pierce a smaller slug and an annular convex fillet which deforms more panel metal into the nut groove to form a secure mechanical interlock between the nut and panel.

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: An automatic grommeting machine for high speed, large volume insertion and setting of eyelets, grommets, etc., and their mating washers, without requiring pre-punching of a hole. Dual cams are connected to a series of linkages which control the movement of a top set, a bottom set and a clamper, as well as controlling the withdrawal and insertion of grommet and washer roadway slides in synchrony with the top and bottom sets. The grommeting machine is fully automatic, i.e., the operator simply inserts a piece of material into the machine and activates the machine by pressing a single pedal to insert and set a grommet or eyelet and its corresponding washer in the material.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for installing fasteners in a panel and automatically sensing and compensating for certain error conditions which commonly arise in the installation process. The system includes monitoring the load exerted during the installation process and comparing the exerted load to nominal load values. If an error results between the two load values, appropriate corrective action is taken. If there is no corrective action which can be initiated to rectify the error condition, the system is halted.

Abstract: A belt fastener assembly attachment apparatus attaches belt fastener assemblies to the end of a belt with rivets and with a non-manually powered rivet assembly driving tool. A guide template having a plurality of guide apertures is alignable with the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate. Each guide aperture receives and aligns the rivet assembly dispensing barrel of the non-manually powered rivet assembly drive tool to the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate and rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener. Guide pins carried by the guide template and received within guide apertures of the anvil die plate maintain the guide template apertures in registration with the anvil die apertures of the anvil die plate and the rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener.

Abstract: A magnetic Tee-nut holder for use in a Tee-nut setting machine having a f guide channel for feeding and guiding Tee-nuts towards the end of the channel in registration with a rod for driving the endmost Tee-nut into a workpiece. The magnetic Tee-nut holder is positioned at the end of the channel for magnetically holding the endmost Tee-nut in a position in registration with the driving rod. Also disclosed is a method of magnetically holding a Tee-nut at the end of a feed guide channel of a Tee-nut setting machine, for driving by a driving rod.

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: 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: 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.