Automated floating insertion tool for push-in fasteners
AssigneeDoben Limited
InventorsSimon Britton, Larry Koscielski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of installing a push-in fastener includes the steps homing a floating tool assembly to a home position, the floating tool assembly carries a locating pin and a punch, releasing the floating tool assembly, positioning a workpiece at a target position, retrieving a fastener with the punch, engaging the workpiece with the locating pin which causes the floating tool assembly to move to a desired working position with respect to the workpiece, locking the floating tool assembly in the desired working position, retracting the locating pin, and advancing the punch to install the fastener in the workpiece.
Claims20
A method of installing a push-in fastener comprising the steps of:
- homing a floating tool assembly to a home position, the floating tool assembly carrying a locating pin and a punch;
- releasing the floating tool assembly;
- positioning a workpiece at a target position;
- retrieving a fastener with the punch;
- engaging the workpiece with the locating pin causing the floating tool assembly to move to a desired working position with respect to the workpiece;
- locking the floating tool assembly in the desired working position;
- retracting the locating pin;
- and
- advancing the punch to install the fastener in the workpiece.
A fastener insertion tool for inserting a push-in fastener into a hole in a workpiece, comprising:
- a fixed structure;
- a floating tool assembly movably supported on the fixed structure and configured to move between a home position and a desired working position;
- a homing assembly configured to locate the floating assembly relative to the fixed structure in the home position;
- a brake assembly configured to move between locked and unlocked positions, the floating tool assembly permitted to move relative to the fixed structure in the locked position, and the floating tool assembly affixed to the fixed structure in the locked position with the floating tool assembly in the desired working position;
- and
- a slide assembly movable between first and second positions, the slide assembly supporting:
- a locating pin movable between retracted and extended positions, the extended position corresponding to the locating pin being received in the hole in the workpiece with the slide assembly in the first position, the locating pin being received in the hole urges the floating assembly to move to the desired working position;
- and
- a punch movable between retracted and extended positions, the punch configured to support the push-in fastener, the extended position corresponding to the push-in fastener being received in the hole in the workpiece with the slide assembly in the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.