# US 2025/0144701 A1 · Autoloading rivet installer with debris collection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0144701 A1 - Document ID: US20250144701A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/501,759 - Filed: 2023-11-03 - Published: 2025-05-08 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-03 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Shalini Bahurudeen; Gerald Garten - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250144701A1 ## CPC - B21J 15/326: {Broken-off mandrel collection} - B21J 15/043: {by pulling a mandrel} - B21J 15/105: {Portable riveters (pliers for riveting B21J15/386)} - B21J 15/32: Devices for inserting or holding rivets in position with or without feeding arrangements - B21J: FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES (rolling of metal B21B; making particular products by forging or pressing B21K; cladding or plating B23K; finishing surfaces by hammering B23P9/04; compacting surfaces by blasting with particulate material B24C1/10; general features of presses, presses for consolidating scrap B30B; furnaces in general F27) ## Abstract Tools and methods are disclosed for automatically capturing debris generated during rivet installation using an autoloading rivet gun. In some examples, an autoloading rivet installation device includes a hand-held rivet gun and an automatic loader which uses a first actuator having a shaft oriented parallel to a longitudinal plane of the rivet gun. A second actuator is coupled to the rivet gun and has an orientation orthogonal to the first actuator, such that the second actuator is configured to transition a magnet laterally between a plurality of positions relative to the longitudinal plane to capture ferromagnetic debris. The magnet may, for example, be disposed on a load arm of the loader, and the second actuator may be configured to translate the loader's first actuator from side to side. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An autoloading rivet installation device, comprising: a hand-held rivet gun; an automatic loader configured to load rivets into an end of the rivet gun using a first actuator having a shaft oriented parallel to a longitudinal plane of the rivet gun; and a second actuator coupled to the rivet gun and having an orientation orthogonal to the first actuator, wherein the second actuator is configured to transition a magnet laterally between a plurality of positions relative to the longitudinal plane to capture ferromagnetic debris. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein each of the rivets loaded into the end of the rivet gun includes a driving anvil washer, and the ferromagnetic debris comprises one or more of the driving anvil washers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the automatic loader comprises an arm coupled to the shaft of the first actuator, and the magnet is coupled to the arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 3, wherein the arm extends orthogonal to the shaft and is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation defined by the shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator is configured to rotate the shaft while extending and retracting. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the second actuator is configured to translate the first actuator toward and away from the longitudinal plane of the rivet gun. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the rivet gun is configured to capture a severed stem of each rivet using an integral vacuum system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The autoloading rivet installation device of claim 1, wherein the rivet gun further comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect the ferromagnetic debris. ### Claim 10 A method for installing rivets using a rivet gun, the method comprising: retrieving a rivet from an onboard rivet dispenser using a load arm coupled to a first actuator of a rivet gun; loading the rivet into an end of the rivet gun using the load arm and the first actuator; transitioning the load arm to a position away from the end of the rivet gun using the first actuator; and in response to installation of the rivet by the rivet gun, retrieving an item of ferromagnetic debris using a magnet coupled to the load arm, wherein retrieving the item includes automatically repositioning the load arm in a lateral direction using a second actuator oriented orthogonal to the first actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein loading the rivet into the end of the rivet gun includes transitioning the load arm in a direction parallel to a longitudinal plane of the rivet gun. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first actuator comprises a cylinder and the load arm is coupled to a shaft of the cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein loading the rivet into the end of the rivet gun further includes rotating the load arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the shaft of the cylinder of the first actuator defines an axis of rotation of the load arm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the load arm comprises using a cam and cam follower. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the load arm extends orthogonally from the shaft of the cylinder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising controlling the first and second actuators using an electronic controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein each of the rivets loaded into the end of the rivet gun includes a driving anvil washer, and the item of ferromagnetic debris comprises the driving anvil washer. ### Claim 19 An autoloading rivet installation device comprising: a rivet gun defining a longitudinal plane; a loading arm coupled to a first actuator, wherein the loading arm is configured to load rivets into a nose of the rivet gun, wherein the first actuator is configured to extend and retract the loading arm parallel to the longitudinal plane; and a second actuator coupled to the rivet gun, wherein the second actuator is configured to translate the first actuator in directions orthogonal to the longitudinal plane. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19, wherein the loading arm comprises a magnetic portion configured to attract ferromagnetic debris generated by the rivet installation device.