Feed device for feeding of assembly parts

A feeding device for feeding fasteners from a supply of fasteners to an installation head, said feeding device comprising:

• a nozzle connected to said supply of fasteners, said nozzle having a free end which is adapted to be connected to said installation head, and a continuous channel for the movement of said fasteners from said supply of fasteners to said installation head;
• a coupling device for positively coupling said nozzle to said installation head;
• a movable catch mechanism having a first position wherein said catch intersects said channel to block said fasteners from moving through said nozzle, and a second position wherein said catch is removed from said channel permitting passage of said fasteners through said channel, said catch is pivotably mounted to said nozzle and is adapted to pivot from said first position to said second position as said nozzle is inserted into an opening of said coupling device thereby opening said channel for the movement of fasteners into said installation head, said catch pivoting into said channel upon removal of said nozzle from said opening to prevent said fasteners from exiting said nozzle;
• biasing means for biasing said catch to said first position to normally block said fasteners from moving through said mouthpiece, said catch being urged to said second position against said biasing means as said nozzle is connected to said installation head to permit passage of said fasteners through said channel into said installation head;
• whereby said supply of fasteners can be interconnected to said installation head by coupling said nozzle to said installation head such that said supply of fasteners is automatically stopped when said nozzle is decoupled from said installation head and is automatically opened when said nozzle is coupled to said installation head.

A feeding device for feeding fasteners from a supply of fasteners to an installation head, said feeding device comprising:

• a nozzle connected to said supply of fasteners, said nozzle having a free end which is adapted to be connected to said installation head, and a continuous channel for the movement of said fasteners from said supply of fasteners to said installation head;
• a coupling device for positively coupling said nozzle to said installation head, said coupling device includes at least one lever mounted longitudinally along the side of said nozzle and adapted to fit within a mating groove formed in a guide element mounted to said installation head, said guide element defining an opening for receipt of the free end of said nozzle, said free end including a projection adapted to be inserted into said opening to facilitate the coupling of the feeding device into the installation head, said at least one lever having a closed position wherein said lever is adapted to positively contact said nozzle to said installation head and a release position where in said lever is adapted to release said nozzle from said installation head;
• a movable catch mechanism having a first position wherein said catch intersects said channel to block said fasteners from moving through said nozzle, and a second position wherein said catch is removed from said channel permitting passage of said fasteners through said channel;
• biasing means for biasing said catch to said first position to normally block said fasteners from moving through said nozzle, said catch being urged to said second position against said biasing means as said nozzle is connected to said installation head to permit passage of said fasteners through said channel into said installation head;
• a locking mechanism for locking said nozzle into said installation head by locking said at least one lever into said closed position to lock the lever in a coupled condition;
• whereby said supply of fasteners can be interconnected to said installation head by coupling said nozzle to said installation head such that said supply of fasteners is automatically stopped when said nozzle is decoupled frown said installation head and is automatically opened when said nozzle is coupled to said installation head.