Tool Inside Hollow Fastener Patents (Class 72/391.4)
  • Patent number: 8904612
    Abstract: A rivet gun has a barrel, a handle, an annular flange, a pneumatic cylinder and a piston assembly. The handle protrudes downward from the barrel. The annular flange protrudes radially from the bottom end of the handle and has a bottom surface and a rotational angle alignment slot defined eccentrically in the bottom surface. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted under the handle and the annular flange and has a body and a top cover mounted on a top opening of the body and having a rotational angle alignment element mounted eccentrically on a top of the top cover and detachably engaging the rotational angle alignment slot of the annular flange. The piston assembly is mounted in the pneumatic cylinder. The rotational angle alignment slot and the rotational angle alignment element are both at least partially exposed to be visually observed from an appearance of the fully assembled rivet gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Tang Lin
  • Patent number: 8776338
    Abstract: A single handle pulling riveting gun is disclosed. The single handle pulling riveting gun includes a body, a handle, a pulling rod, a grabbing mechanism, a riveting regulating mechanism, a first pin shaft, a second pin shaft, a third pin shaft and a moving piece. The riveting regulating mechanism cooperates with a front end of the body, the grabbing mechanism is set on a chamber of the riveting regulating mechanism; a rear end of the grabbing mechanism cooperates with the pulling rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Jianming Yuan
  • Patent number: 8689419
    Abstract: A rivet gun has a barrel, a handle, a pneumatic cylinder and a two-step pressing assembly. The handle has a valve-mounting hole, a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole being cylindrical and defined in a bottom end of the handle. The pneumatic cylinder has an inlet bushing, an inner bushing and a control valve assembly respectively mounted in the aforementioned holes. The two-step pressing assembly is mounted on the handle and allows the rivet gun to be operated by two steps. The handle is structurally simple and has a low manufacturing cost. The bushings and control valve assembly are easily mounted in and detached from the handle so that assembling of the rivet gun is efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8677588
    Abstract: A rivet setter has a holder for holding a blind rivet prior to said rivet being set by means of the setter. The holder has a central cylindrical passage, the diameter of which is somewhat greater than the diameter of the mandrel. At least two, preferably three clamping jaws, which are guided in radial slots so as to be radially and axially displaceable, act on the mandrel. The width of the slot is smaller than the diameter of the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Wuerth International AG
    Inventor: Daniel Soller
  • Publication number: 20140026632
    Abstract: Connection element and connection element setting device and system. Connection element includes a set head and a stem, including a wall surrounding a longitudinal channel, connecting to the set head. The wall has at least one longitudinal slot located between the set head and an end section facing away from the set head, and the end section is smooth on an inside facing the longitudinal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GESIPA BLINDNIETTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas BAMBERGER, Christoph DUMPE, Richard GAERTNER, Lothar WILLE, Hans-Ulrich HARDER
  • Patent number: 8561275
    Abstract: Setting device with a variable setting stroke adjustment and method of setting the setting stroke of setting device. Setting device includes a housing, a pulling rod structured and arranged for movement in an axial direction, an adjustably positionable stop element structured and arranged to adjustably limit a setting stroke of the pulling rod, and a locking element movable between a closed position and an adjustment position. The stop element has at least one region with a polygonal contour, and, in the closed position, the locking element engages in a path of motion of edges of the polygonal contour and, in the adjustment position, releases the path of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Gesipa Blindniettechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Wille
  • Patent number: 8474119
    Abstract: A blind-rivet gun includes a gun header, a cylinder, a piston, and an air saving device. The cylinder is separated from the gun header. The piston and an inner surface of the cylinder form a seal to divide the cylinder into a first air chamber and a second air chamber. The air saving device includes a switch circuit. The switch circuit turns on a first connection between the air inlet pipe and the first air outlet pipe or turns on a second connection between the air inlet pipe, the second air outlet pipe and the third air outlet pipe. The piston slides in the cylinder to generate inner high pressure by alternatively supplying high pressure air to the first air chamber or the second air chamber. The blind-rivet is pulled in and is pushed out of the blind-rivet ejecting pipe by the inner high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Lv, Yi-Lun Gan, Shang-Jun Li, Wen-Huan Liu
  • Patent number: 8468669
    Abstract: A handle assembly for a rivet gun has a handle, a trigger and a control valve. The handle has an annular shoulder, an air inlet channel, an airflow passageway, an inlet hole, a mounting hole, a communication hole and an exhaust hole. The trigger is mounted in the handle and controls the communication between the air inlet channel and airflow passageway. The control valve is mounted in the mounting hole of the handle and has a stopper, a casing and a valve shaft. The control valve is controlled by high pressure without additional springs such that the fabrication and structure of the handle assembly are simplified and the fabricating and manufacturing cost is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8402806
    Abstract: Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glenn, Jonathan M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8387436
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8365375
    Abstract: A rivet gun has a barrel, a shaft, a handle and a pneumatic cylinder assembly. The shaft is mounted under the barrel. The handle is mounted around the shaft. The pneumatic cylinder assembly is mounted under the handle and has a top cover, a fastener, an annular cylinder and a bottom base. The top cover, fastener, annular cylinder and bottom base are detachably assembled so can be replaced easily without changing the whole pneumatic cylinder assembly. The maintenance costs of the rivet gun are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8353193
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8307525
    Abstract: A hand-operated rivet setting tool, having an upper handle, a lower handle, a housing which is connected to the lower handle at its first end and houses a pump assembly and a flexible reservoir, the pump assembly, connected to a flexible reservoir, the front assembly for setting a rivet, having a nose tube connected to a hydraulic cylinder of the pump assembly, a lever assembly, wherein the lever assembly and at least one of the handles are operationally connected to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to advance the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to set the rivet when the lever of the lever assembly is in a first position, and wherein the pump assembly is sufficiently designed to open a passage for oil to return into the flexible reservoir and the hydraulic cylinder with the nose tube to retrieve toward the housing when the lever of the lever assembly is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Gregory
  • Patent number: 8302448
    Abstract: A method for cold expansion of a hole formed in a work piece. The method comprises providing a body comprising at least a cylindrically shaped part having an inner hole in axial direction of the body. The body further comprises along its circumferential direction a plurality of members which are movable in radial direction of the body, such that the outer diameter of the cylindrical part of the body can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Piet Woelcken, Eggert D. Reese, Timothy G. B. Jones
  • Patent number: 8256104
    Abstract: A blind fastener installation tool comprises a structural housing which features a mechanism for securing a fastener installation assembly in position relative to the structural housing during the blind installation of a fastener; and a mechanism for reciprocating the fastener installation assembly relative to the structural housing at the conclusion of blind installation. The blind fastener installation tool also comprises a fastener installation assembly. This assembly comprises (1) a pull rod assembly comprising a mechanism for pulling a first portion of a fastener; (2) an annular, piston-actuated, piston-decoupled pull rod actuation assembly to translate the pull rod assembly; and (3) a nose assembly comprising a fastener receptacle for securing the position of a fastener; and one or more optional pull rod translation dampening assemblies to smoothly and effectually dampen the sudden translation of said pull rod assembly after pintail break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: David J. Fulbright
  • Patent number: 8191395
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8151423
    Abstract: A fastener installation tool for installing breakstem fasteners, wherein a part of the fastener is broken off during installation and ejected into a collector bottle, provided with a safety disabling means, comprising a valve located in series with and between the tool trigger and main operating valve, wherein removal of the collector bottle causes the valve to close to prevent operation of the main operating valve, thereby to prevent use of the tool with the connector bottle disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Aiden Dear, Angraj Kumar Seewraj, Simon Andrew
  • Patent number: 8117885
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8109123
    Abstract: A riveting unit is assembled with an electric rivet gun, including a transmission unit, a clamping jaw having a locating portion driven by the transmission unit to be moveable between a first position and a second position, a first sensor detecting whether the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the first position, and a second sensor detecting whether the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the second position. When the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the first position, a blind rivet can be installed in the clamping jaw, and when the locating portion of the clamping jaw is located at the second position, the blind rivet can be ejected, and meanwhile the second sensor can allow the transmission unit to stop the movement of the clamping jaw, thereby preventing the clamping jaw from moving backwards excessively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tranmax Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8099846
    Abstract: A container (12) for use with a tool (2) for installing fasteners of the type in which a part of the fastener is broken off during installation, the tool (2) having a body, the container (12) being for collecting broken-off fastener parts during operation of the tool, the container (12) comprising: attachment means (20, 21) for removably attaching the container (12) to the body (8) of the tool, the attachment means (20, 21) being resiliently biased into attachment with the body (8) by resilient biasing means; and one or more contact region (22, 23) for receiving manual pressure from a user, at least one of the said one or more contact regions (22, 23) being coupled to the attachment means (20, 21); wherein the resilient biasing means are such that the attachment means (20, 21) can be detached from the body of the tool by the user applying manual pressure on the said one or more contact regions (22, 23) thereby detaching the container (12) from the body of the tool (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Richard Paul King, Marc Gaussin
  • Patent number: 8069699
    Abstract: Installation/processing tools may be used to install one or more expandable structures in a workpiece. An installation/processing tool may include an expansion mandrel, a processing tool, and an expansion assembly having an expansion jaw movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. An expandable portion of the expansion jaw is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member. When the mandrel is moved through the expansion assembly, the expansion jaw is moved between the collapsed and expanded configurations to cause expansion of the expandable member. The installation/processing tool can also be used to cold work a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Glenn, Jonathan M. Shafer
  • Patent number: 8061178
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 8015699
    Abstract: The blind fastener installation tool also comprises an optional fastener delivery assembly, said optional fastener delivery assembly constituting: (1) a clip-fed fastener delivery system; or (2) a blowline-fed fastener delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Inventor: David J. Fulbright
  • Publication number: 20110209518
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7958766
    Abstract: Self-aligning tools may be used to install and reposition an expandable structure in a workpiece. A self-aligning installation system may include an expansion mandrel, self-aligning nose cap assembly, and an installation tool for driving the mandrel. The expansion mandrel is sized to fit within a passageway of an expandable member such that the expandable member radially expands when the expansion mandrel is moved through the passageway. The self-aligning nose cap assembly moves relative to the installation tool and mandrel. A self-aligning seating system can be used to move the installed expandable member. The self-aligning seating system includes a seat backing, a seat base, and a pull rod coupled to the seat backing and extending through the seat base. The seat backing slidably engages the seat base to permit rotation of the pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7930810
    Abstract: A rivet fastening air tool for rivets includes a supplying actuator, an implanting actuator, and a switching valve. The supply actuator receives a rivet row, tears off a fragile portion of a front-row rivet, and supplies it in a loaded position. The implanting actuator retains a head portion of the rivet supplied in the loaded position, and moves the rivet in a direction of being pulled out of a communicating bore of the rivet. The switching valve is provided in an air supply route which reaches the supplying actuator. When the head portion of the rivet is moved in the direction of being pulled out, the switching valve is switched by the implanting actuator so that the supplying actuator is returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Mitomi
  • Patent number: 7926157
    Abstract: A breakstem rivet placing tool conventionally includes a flow restrictions for hydraulic fluid used to drive the tool in a stem pulling direction. This serves to prevent recoil of the tool due to rapid acceleration of an internal piston when the stem of the breakstem rivet breaks. Prior art flow restrictions create a jet of high velocity hydraulic fluid into the tool which may damage components by erosion. A revised fluid damper valve deflects and/or diffuses the fluid flow to avoid damage by erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventors: Angraj Kumar Seewraj, Terence Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7926318
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7926319
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7878041
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for verification of the quality of placing of blind rivets. The verification method involves successively carrying out, during the application of traction force to a stem, initial measurements in an initial state of the application of the traction force to obtain an initial traction force and an initial displacement of the rivet stem relative to the rivet body, intermediate measurements in an intermediate stage of the application of the traction force to obtain an intermediate traction force and an intermediate displacement, and terminal measurements in a terminal stage of the application of the traction force to obtain a terminal traction force and a terminal displacement. The obtained values are compared to acceptable values in an assignment table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Operations, S.L.
    Inventor: Desiderio Sánchez-Brunete Álvarez
  • Patent number: 7818859
    Abstract: A rivet body is formed with cutting teeth in a forward edge of the rivet body. A mandrel is formed at a forward end with an enlarged head having a drill point thereon. A plurality of the rivet bodies are stacked on the mandrel, with the drill point. The rivet body is rotated and, through rotative coupling, the mandrel is also rotated. The rotating drill point forms pilot holes in workpieces, and the rotating cutting teeth enlarge the pilot holes to form holes for receipt of a cylindrical portion of the lead rivet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Pearce, Daniel R. Smith, Robert M. Stanko
  • Patent number: 7788780
    Abstract: A fastener placing tool (11) for placing fasteners of the breakstem blind rivet type incorporates a force/stroke monitoring device (22) which comprises an assembly body (24) detachably mounted on the tool between the latter and the anvil (18), a load-cell sensor (33) carried by the assembly body (24) for sensing the force applied by the hydraulic piston (16) to the jaw assembly 17 with respect to the anvil (18), and a non-contact stroke-sensor (35) carried by the assembly body (24) for sensing the position of the jaw assembly (17) relative to the anvil (18). The stroke-sensor (35) operates without physical contact with the jaw assembly (17) or any part of the tool moving therewith. To this end the jaw assembly (17) is connected to the hydraulic piston (16) by means of an adaptor tube (23) which has a conical tapering outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventor: Richard Paul King
  • Patent number: 7647680
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Avdel UK Limited
    Inventor: Aiden Dear
  • Patent number: 7617712
    Abstract: An alignment device is located on a mandrel of an installation tool and is used to align a structural member in an opening of a workpiece while seating a radial flange of the structural member against a first surface of the workpiece. The alignment device comprises a disk-shaped device having an outer surface, an inner surface forming an opening through the alignment device, and where the opening is sized to be at least slightly smaller than a major diameter of an expansion portion of the mandrel. In one embodiment, the alignment is nylon to allow the inner surface of the alignment device to be repeatedly, radially expanded and yet the opening formed by the inner surface returns to its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Glenn
  • Patent number: 7565726
    Abstract: A two-handled blind riveting tool with a spent mandrel collecting device has a rivet setting assembly and a driving handle and a spent mandrel collecting device being separately mounted on a housing of the rivet setting assembly. A stationary handle of the spent mandrel collecting device has an elongated hole, a guider of the spent mandrel collecting device is mounted between the housing and the stationary handle, and a guiding tube of the spent mandrel collecting device is mounted in the housing. Snapped mandrels slide along the guiding tube and the guider and then drop into the stationary handle. Therefore, the snapped mandrels do not hurt an operator for improved safety and are recycled to keep working areas clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Karat Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Philey Ko
  • Patent number: 7536764
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the setting operation for a blind fastener comprising the step of measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of the load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation and, from which, determining a mandrel entry load and associated mandrel entry time from this measured signal and an associated setting time, subsequently determining the time difference between the mandrel entry time and the setting time and comparing this time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with that particular fastener type to determine whether the set fastener complies with predetermined acceptable setting procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Weeks, Darren Hull, Steve Godwin, Guy Jackson
  • Patent number: 7526939
    Abstract: A pulling head having jaws that have a conical angle of at least forty-five degrees, and preferably sixty degrees, relative to a longitudinal axis about which the jaws are arranged. Another pulling head includes an elastic collet that has a plurality of fingers. Each of the fingers includes an internal jaw area, and a back end of the elastic collet preferably contacts a bushing. Preferably, the bushing provides high and reliable push force and also acts as a shock absorber during operation. The fingers of the elastic collet are configured to open and close during tool operation, and are configured to grip a break stem of a fastener such that there is no side loading. The elastic collet is also configured such that the fingers stay accurately centered and positioned, eliminating any possibility of jaw damage caused by the jaws tumbling, being off-center, or being otherwise positioned incorrectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru, Izya Lurye
  • Patent number: 7503196
    Abstract: A rivet monitoring system is provided which has a micro-strain or micro fluid pressure sensor that measures strains or pressures within a tool component. These measured signals are compared to a number of tolerance bands formed about median strain or pressure versus time curve. Various techniques are provided to analyze the measured data with respect to the tolerance bands to determine if a particular rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J. Chitty, Brian M. Taylor, Peter C. Thomas, Daniel P. Vigliotti, Geoffrey Weeks
  • Patent number: 7377017
    Abstract: A hand-operated rivet setting tool for setting blind rivets in tight access spaces. The tool has a long and slender slim-line profile which allows a user installing a vehicle bumper to set blind rivets in the space between the tire and the vehicle's wheel well without removing the tire. The tool is also characterized by a simple single pivot lever actuating mechanism for the handles that avoids the need for more complicated linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Jan Manak
  • Patent number: 7346971
    Abstract: A rivet set quality monitoring system is disclosed. A supply pressure sensor monitors the supply pressure to the tool. The tool has a second sensor which monitors strains or loads associated with a rivet set event. A processor evaluates outputs from the pressure sensor to apply a scaling factor to the output of the second sensor which is a function of the output of the pressure sensor. This modified data is analyzed to determine if the rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Eymard J Chitty
  • Patent number: 7343764
    Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided to provide improved monitoring of riveted connections during rivet setting. The rivet setting tool includes a head piece for holding a rivet, a device for gripping a rivet pin, a pulling apparatus connected to the device for gripping a rivet pin, and a device for measuring the tension of the pulling apparatus. Using the setting implement according to the invention, a cause of a fault can be determined by means of a comparison between measured values and stored values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: MS Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventor: Antonin Solfronk
  • Patent number: 7331205
    Abstract: A rivet monitoring system is provided which has a micro-strain or micro fluid pressure sensor that measures strains or pressures within a tool component. These measured signals are compared to a number of tolerance bands formed about median strain or pressure versus time curve. Various techniques are provided to analyze the measured data with respect to the tolerance bands to determine if a particular rivet set is acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Eymard J Chitty, Brian M Taylor, Peter C Thomas, Daniel P Vigliotti, Geoffrey Weeks
  • Patent number: 7290317
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignees: Newfrey LLC, Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toyoshi Kato, Yoshiharu Kawasaki, Seidou Murai
  • Patent number: 7263753
    Abstract: A pulling head includes a sleeve which threadably engages a sleeve adapter. A collet is threadably engaged with a drawbar adapter, and the collet and drawbar adapter are disposed and slidable in the sleeve. A set of jaws is disposed in the collet, and a jaw follower is disposed in the collet and contacts the jaws. A spring retainer is disposed in the collet, and engages two springs. Specifically, a first spring is disposed between the drawbar adapter and the spring retainer, and a second spring is disposed between the spring retainer and the jaw follower. The first spring has a higher rating than does the second spring. While the first spring is configured to accommodate inertia loading, the second spring is configured to urge the jaws closed yet be relatively easily overcome by the insertion of mandrels of different diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ahmed A. El Dessouky
  • Patent number: 7178213
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wayne Haas, John Perniciaro, Gregory Benfer
  • Patent number: 7146698
    Abstract: A hand-held riveting tool includes a body, a tube passing through the body, a drive shaft passing through the inside of the tube, a clamping connection between an interchangeable mandrel and the drive shaft, and a hand operated pressure mechanism. The pressure mechanism comprises a pressure mandrel slidingly positioned on the tube. The pressure mandrel has an outer shoulder into which the shaped ends of two controlling levers are fitted, which levers are fastened on pins positioned in the body and have handles. A front nozzle having an interchangeable extension is supported on an extension of the pressure mandrel, the outwardly protruding interchangeable mandrel freely passing through the interchangeable extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Masterfix Products B.V.
    Inventor: Martin Kovar
  • Patent number: 7082658
    Abstract: An intake control valve assembly of a rivet-nut gun comprises mainly a handle and a pressure accumulator; the top of the pressure accumulator is furnished with a valve cylinder, in which an intake control valve assembly is loaded; by means of a trigger, the pressure air can be guided to flow via the intake control valve assembly and into the pressure accumulator so as to push a piston in the pressure accumulator to move up; by means of the piston rod moving in the hydraulic chamber, a hydraulic pressure is generated to facilitate a pull rod to perform riveting work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 7062843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a straight type riveting gun, which comprises a gun body having a pipe body and a tube body, a front gun pipe, and a back cover, wherein the front gun pipe is locked to front end of the pipe body and the back cover is locked to the tail end of the tube body. The tube body is provided for receiving a rivet-ejecting adaptor of an oil pressure rod. A trigger is mounted at the tail end of the pipe body for pushing a trigger ejector rod. The trigger ejector rod moves a valve to allow the exterior gas to enter a gas-collecting room for forcing a pneumatic piston to perform movement by use of air pressure. The oil pressure rod pushes the oil liquid to allow the riveting rod to generate powerful pulling force instantaneously thereby completing the riveting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Yu-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 7051411
    Abstract: A riveter apparatus includes a body, a handle part and a pulling part. The body further includes a base and a front tube. The base interior has a column with an adjustable groove that has a greater diameter in the front end than the back end. The base also has a slot through the adjustable groove into the front end connects to the column. The handle part that connects to two ends of the base includes a pair of outside-arms, inside-arms, holders and push-arms with a perforation in the middle. The pulling part which is extends through the base and the front tube of the body includes an adjustable nut, an adjustable shaft and a rod. The adjustable nut is axially displaceable and secured against rotation. The adjustable shaft extends through the middle perforation of the push-arms and the adjustable nut, with a front thread which is screwed to the thread of the adjustable nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Pao-Fang Liu
  • Patent number: 7024746
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the setting operation for a blind fastener comprising the step of measuring, as a function of time, an electronic signal indicative of the load being applied to the fastener during the setting operation and, from which, determining a mandrel entry load and associated mandrel entry time from this measured signal and an associated setting time, subsequently determining the time difference between the mandrel entry time and the setting time and comparing this time difference against a predetermined reference time difference associated with that particular fastener type to determine whether the set fastener complies with predetermined acceptable setting procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Weeks, Darren Hull, Stephen Godwin, Guy Jackson