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US 10,471,496 B2Granted
Indexing self-aligning hardware tool
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsMatthew P. Simonin, Robert N. Saje, Bhavesh Shah, Kevin Stang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The indexing self-aligning hardware tool can join components and includes a first tool section including a die carrier, one or more dies coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier. The indexing self-aligning hardware tool also includes a second tool section having a support body, one or more blankholders coupled to the support body, one or more punches movably disposed inside the blankholders, and a second locator coupled to the support body. The first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section.
Claims16
An indexing self-aligning hardware tool, comprising:
- a first tool section including a die carrier, a first die coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier, wherein the first tool section includes a second die and a third die, the first locator is a locating protrusion extending directly from the die carrier, and the locating protrusion has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape to minimize slippage;
- and
- a second tool section including a support body, a blankholder directly coupled to the support body, the blankholder is in direct contact with the support body, a first punch movably disposed inside the blankholder, and a second locator coupled to the support body, the second locator is discrete and separate from the blankholder, wherein the first locator and the second locator are configured to mate with a product feature locator of a first component to align the first tool section relative to the second tool section, the first component has a planar portion to facilitate contact with a second component, the second locator includes a locating body directly coupled to the support body, the second locator defines a locating recess formed in the locating body, the second tool section includes a second punch and a third punch, the product feature locator is not flat, the product feature locator is directly coupled to the planar portion, the product feature locator is in direct contact with the locating protrusion, and the product feature locator is in direct contact with the locating body of the second locator;
- and
- a fastener disposed inside the blankholder, wherein the blankholder defines an interior cavity, the fastener is disposed inside the interior cavity of the blankholder, and the first punch is in direct contact with the fastener.
2 more elements
A locating assembly, comprising:
- a first component including a product feature locator, wherein the product feature locator defines a first locator surface and a second locator surface opposite the first locator surface;
- a second component in contact with the first component, wherein the first component has a planar portion to facilitate contact with the second component, the product feature locator is not flat, the product feature locator is directly coupled to the planar portion;
- a first tool section including a die carrier, a first die coupled to the die carrier, and a first locator coupled to the die carrier, wherein the first tool section includes a second die and a third die, the first locator is a locating protrusion extending directly from the die carrier, the product feature locator is in direct contact with the locating protrusion, and the locating protrusion has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape to minimize slippage;
- a second tool section including a support body, a blankholder directly coupled to the support body, the blankholder is in direct contact with the support body, a first punch movably disposed inside the blankholder, a fastener movably disposed inside the blankholder, a second locator coupled to the second tool section, wherein the second tool section further includes a second punch and a third punch, the second locator includes a locating body directly coupled to the support body, the second locator defines a locating recess formed in the locating body, the product feature locator is in direct contact with the locating body of the second locator;
- and
- wherein the first component and the second component are disposed between the first tool section and the second tool section, and the first punch is configured to drive the fastener through the first component and the second component and into the first die to join the first component to the second component, the first locator of the first tool section and the second locator surface of the product feature locator are configured to mate with one another to locate the second tool section relative to the second tool section, and the second locator of the second tool section and the first locator surface of the product feature locator are configured to mate with one another to locate the first tool section relative to the second tool section, and the second locator is discrete and separate from the blankholder.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.