Alignment tool for fastener feed mechanism
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsKia Miriam Zivari, Zachary David Talus, Derek John Deans
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for aligning a fastener feed mechanism. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes an alignment tool that aligns a fastener feed mechanism with a chamber of a fastening device that receives fasteners. The alignment tool includes a tip section having a diameter less than a diameter of the chamber, a chamber fit section that extends from an end of the tip section in a lengthwise direction and has a diameter corresponding with the diameter of the chamber, a lip that protrudes radially from the chamber beyond the diameter of the chamber, and a fitting member that extends from the lip in the lengthwise direction.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- an alignment tool that aligns a fastener feed mechanism with a chamber of a fastening device that receives fasteners, the alignment tool comprising:
- a tip section having a diameter less than a diameter of the chamber;
- a chamber fit section that extends from an end of the tip section in a lengthwise direction and has a diameter corresponding with the diameter of the chamber;
- a lip that protrudes radially from the chamber beyond the diameter of the chamber;
- and
- a fitting member that extends from the lip in the lengthwise direction.
A method comprising:
- placing a fitting member of an alignment tool onto an arm of a fastener feed mechanism;
- loosening components of the fastener feed mechanism that control a position of the fastener feed mechanism;
- sliding the alignment tool into a chamber until a lip of the alignment tool prevents further insertion of the alignment tool into the chamber;
- and
- adjusting the components of the fastener feed mechanism to maintain a position of the arm determined during the alignment.
A system comprising:
- a fastener feed mechanism comprising:
- multiple arms that rotate about a central axis to deliver fasteners to a chamber of a fastening device that receives fasteners;
- an actuator that drives rotation of the arms about the central axis;
- and
- gripping tools that extend from each arm for holding fasteners being delivered to the chamber;
- and
- an alignment tool that aligns the fastener feed mechanism with the chamber of the fastening device, the alignment tool comprising:
- a tip section having a diameter less than a diameter of the chamber;
- a chamber fit section that extends from an end of the tip section in a lengthwise direction and has a diameter corresponding with the diameter of the chamber;
- a lip that protrudes radially from the chamber beyond the diameter of the chamber;
- and
- a fitting member that extends from the chamber in the lengthwise direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.