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:
- a fastener feed mechanism comprising multiple arms that rotate about a central axis to deliver fasteners to a chamber;
- and
- an alignment tool that is dimensioned to form a slip fit over an arm of the multiple arms, and that includes a section which protrudes from the arm and has an outer diameter corresponding with an inner diameter of the chamber.
A method comprising:
- slip-fitting an alignment tool onto an arm of a fastener feed mechanism;
- repositioning the arm into alignment with a chamber;
- and
- sliding the alignment tool into the chamber while the alignment tool is slip-fit onto the arm.
An apparatus comprising:
- an alignment tool comprising:
- a chamber fit section that extends in a lengthwise direction and has a diameter corresponding with a diameter of a chamber of a fastening device;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.