Fluid actuated tool

A fluid activated tool for securing together sheet metal parts comprising

• a fluid actuated power pack,
• said power pack comprising a cylinder housing having an end wall and defining a piston chamber, said chamber having an open end portion,
• a closure for sealing said open end,
• a piston reciprocally mounted in said chamber,
• a piston rod connected at one end to said piston, said piston rod extending through an opening in said closure, and said piston rod having a bore extending longitudinally thereof,
• a port opening communicating said bore with the interior of said chamber,
• said port opening being disposed adjacent said piston,
• a ram having an inclined surface connected to the other end of said pisto rod,
• means defining a fluid inlet formed in said end wall,
• a valve means disposed in said end wall for controlling the flow of actuating fluid into and out of said chamber,
• said valve member including a valve body having a plurality port means,
• and a spool valve disposed in said valve body for sequentially valving said port means for controlling the flow of activating fluid on one side of said piston while exhausting the fluid on the other side of said piston,
• and a guide tube connecting said valve body in communication with said bore, said piston rod being in sliding communication with said guide tube,
• a jaw housing connected to said closure for receiving said ram,
• said jaw housing having a bifurcated end portion,
• and a pair of complementary jaw members each having an inner and outer end,
• a mounting plate, said pair of jaw members being each pivotally connected to said mounting plate at an intermediate point about an axis;
• and said mounting plate being secured to said bifurcated end portion,
• spring means for normally biasing said complementary jaw members in an open position,
• a cam follower connected to the inner end of each jaw member disposed adjacent said ram,
• and complementary work engaging means connected to the outer end of said jaw members, said work engaging means including a piercing nose connected to one jaw member,
• said piercing nose having opposed inclined edges and opposed parallel planar surfaces to define a flat pointed blade so that said blade is substantially rectangular in cross-section,
• one of said inclined edges being variably angled relative to the other edge, said flat pointed blade being arranged on said outer end of said jaw with the opposed parallel surfaces extending transverse to said axis about which said jaws pivot,
• and a complementary blade receiving portion connected to the other jaw member,
• said receiving portion defining a flat blade shot adapted to receive said blade when said jaw members are activated by said ram to a closed position to effect cutting and curling of the displaced material to define a positive mechanical connection,
• a coil spring means disposed about said flat blade and interposed between said blade and said blade slot for exerting a spring bias between said jaw members subsequent to a securing operation,
• and a handle means connected to the end wall of said cylinder housing.