Rotary device for a rivet setting machine

#The invention relates to a rotary device for a rivet setting machine for self-punching rivets having a rotatable pick up device.

#A pick up device for a setting machine has the function of picking up rivets in order to set them on a workpiece and fasten them there. With the aid of a C-bracket, which substantially has the shape of a large C and surrounds the workpiece, forces which act on the workpiece via a rivet during the setting process are absorbed on the opposite side of the workpiece. A feed tube is connected to the pick-up device and supplies the pick-up device with rivets.

#It is known in the prior art to provide setting machines with a rotatable C-bracket in order to avoid a collision of the space-filling C-bracket with the workpiece. An orientating pin was provided on the C-bracket for stopping the pick-up device of the rotary device. Such an orientation of a pick-up device which used orientation pins was possible only with the use of a separate or special tool. In order to achieve free rotation of the pick-up device of the setting machine the prior art required that the orientation pin first be pulled out, then the pick-up device had to be rotated and, lastly, the orientation pin had to be inserted again. The problem with this was that changing the position of the pick-up device was time-intensive and manual intervention was often necessary, in particular when there was a danger of the supply line, such as for example the feed tube, touching the workpiece.

#Further advantages and special configurations of the invention will be described using the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rotary device according to the present invention, illustrating the individual components thereof;

#FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the present invention illustrating the device in the open position;

#FIG. 1 shows a rotary device according to the present invention for a rivet Betting machine of the type shown in FIG. 4 having a rotatable pick-up device holder 15, an angle of rotation lock 2 and a headpiece 12, to which the rotatable pick-up device 1 is fastened. The angle of rotation lock 2 contains four balls 4, which, with the aid of four corresponding bolts 6 attached to a ring 7, are pressed by four springs 8 into cavities 5 in a pick-up device holder 15. The ring 7 can be moved along the grooves in the headpiece 12 and prevents rotation of the pick-up device holder 15 when the balls 4 are pressed into their respective cavities 5. The bolts 6 together with the balls 4 and the cavities 5 form latching means, by means of which the pick-up device holder 15 can be stopped at a predeterminable angle position in the headpiece 12. The cavities 5 are worked into the pick-up device holder 15, which is connected to the headpiece 12 with the aid of a groove nut 11. A feed tube 10 supplies the pick-up device 1 with rivets. By movement of the ring 7 the bolts 6 are pushed forward and back, so the balls 4 are pressed along their guides 16 into the cavities 5 or let out of the cavities 5. The guides 16 allow movement of the balls only in a plane substantially containing the axis of rotation D.

#FIG. 2 shows the rotary device according to the invention in the open state. The balls 4 are released from the bolts 6 attached to the ring 7, in that the ring 7 is moved in the direction of the arrow, so the balls 4 can leave their cavities 5. This allows rotation of the pick-up device 1 about its axis of rotation D. Movement of the ring 7 to open the angle of rotation lock 2 is possible only against the spring force of the springs 8.

#FIG. 3 shows the rotary device according to the invention according to FIG. 2 in the closed state. The springs 8 have pressed the ring 7 in the direction of the arrow and thus effected bolting of the balls 4 in their cavities 5 by the bolts 6. As the guides 16 allow movement of the balls only in a plane containing the axis of rotation, rotation of the pick-up device 1 about its axis of rotation is prevented. With the aid of the ring 7 manual, simple release of the angle of rotation lock is possible without enlisting the aid of further tools.