Fastener Delivery System Having an Insertion Device
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsJoseph Brian Harriman, JR., Edward Ray Duncan, Joshua Allen Halbritter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system to deliver a fastener to a workpiece. The system includes a delivery device configured to hold the fastener. An insertion device receives the fastener from the delivery device. The insertion device includes jaws that are pivotally connected together and an insertion member engaged with the jaws with the insertion member movable relative to the jaws between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the insertion member positions the jaws at a closed position to prevent the fastener from being released from the jaws. In the extended position the insertion member positions the jaws in an open position to release the fastener from the jaws.
Claims22
A device to deliver a fastener to a workpiece, the device comprising:
- an insertion device that receives the fastener, the insertion device comprising:
- jaws that are pivotally connected together;
- a track positioned in the jaws and comprising a length with a non-linear shape;
- an insertion member positioned within and engaged with the jaws and comprising a first end that contacts against the fastener, the insertion member movable relative to the jaws between a retracted position and an extended position, the insertion member further comprising a pin that extends into and moves along the length of the track to cause the jaws to move;
- wherein in the retracted position the insertion member positions the jaws at a closed position to prevent the fastener from being released from the jaws;
- and
- wherein in the extended position the insertion member positions the jaws in an open position to release the fastener from the jaws.
(canceled)
A device to deliver a fastener to a workpiece, the device comprising:
- a body;
- jaws pivotally mounted to the body and comprising edges to grip the fastener, the jaws movable between a closed position and an open position;
- a track that extends along the jaws, the track having a non-linear shape along a length that extends between a first end and a second end, the track being aligned along a movement axis;
- an insertion member positioned at the jaws and movable along the movement axis between a retracted position and an extended position, the insertion member comprising an engagement end configured to contact against the fastener and a pin that is engaged with the track;
- and
- wherein movement of the pin within the track positions the jaws with the jaws in the closed position and the pin at the first end of the track with the insertion member in the retracted position and with the jaws in the open position and the pin at the second end of the track with the insertion member in the extended position.
A method of delivering a fastener to a workpiece, the method comprising:
- moving the fastener between jaws and grasping the fastener with the jaws;
- moving an insertion member in a first direction and moving the fastener forward along the jaws;
- while moving the insertion member, moving a pin of the insertion member in the first direction along different sections of a track and simultaneously opening the jaws with the different sections of the track comprising one or more different shapes and angular orientations and contacting the pin with both a first one of the jaws and a second one of the jaws while moving the pin along the track;
- moving the fastener with the insertion member in an outward direction beyond a tip of the jaws;
- and
- moving the insertion member in an opposing second direction and moving the pin along the track in the second direction and simultaneously closing the jaws.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.