Fastener installation system with split tool head and actuation base
AssigneeGage Bilt, Inc.
InventorsTony P. Potts, Brian H. Leigh, Kyle R. Lang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fastener application device comprising an hydraulically-operated tool head held by an operator and having an actuator trigger, a base structure having an air-operated power cylinder operatively attached to an hydraulic cylinder to supply hydraulic pressure to the tool head in response to operation of the actuator trigger. The tool head and base structure are connected only by air and oil lines that are long enough to allow the base structure to be supported on, for example, a workbench, requiring the tool operator to support only the weight of the tool head during a fastener installation sequence.
Claims2
A method for installing fasteners using a hydraulic tool to execute pull and return movements comprising the steps of:
- providing a tool head adapted to receive and operate a hydraulic tool through pull and return movements wherein said tool head includes a handle and trigger connected to operate an air valve in the tool head;
- providing a power base vessel having a pressurized air inlet and containing a lower air chamber having a piston therein and an upper hydraulic reservoir having a piston therein, the air chamber and oil reservoir pistons being mechanically interconnected such that movements of the air chamber piston pressurized oil in the oil reservoir;
- providing a pair of air lines interconnecting the tool head air valve to the power base vessel;
- and
- providing a closed loop hydraulic circuit including a pair of hydraulic lines interconnecting the oil reservoir to the tool head to cause the tool head to cycle a tool in the tool head, when installed, through pull and return movements;
- lifting only the tool head into position to install a fastener;
- and
- operating the trigger to direct air to the air chamber to produce movements of the interconnected air chamber piston and oil reservoir piston thereby to operate a tool in the tool head, when installed, through said pull and return functions.
A method for installing fasteners with an operator-handled system for performing pull and return functions on a fastener comprising the steps of:
- Providing a tool head with a trigger-operated air valve;
- Providing a base vessel structurally separate from the tool head capable of resting independently on a support surface and having an air-operated hydraulic reservoir connected to the tool head by a pair of flexible oil lines forming a closed-loop hydraulic circuit with the tool head;
- Lifting the tool head into a fastener-applying position without simultaneously lifting the base vessel;
- and
- Operating the air valve with the tool head trigger to pressurize the oil lines in sequence to perform the pull and return functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.