Method for setting self-tapping rivets
AssigneeAbeo, LLC
InventorA. L. Pepper Aasgaard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rivet setting device for setting a self-tapping rivet in a work piece includes a rotatable head for rotating a self-tapping rivet to form a hole in the work piece and a shank retracting assembly for compressing and spreading the hollow body of the self-tapping rivet, allowing the head of the self-tapping rivet to detach from the shank upon application of a predetermined tensile force. The rotatable head comprises a clutch having a body enclosing a plurality of bearings circumferentially located around the shank, for gripping the shank. The clutch is formed with a plurality of tapered channels for urging the bearings into engagement with the shank upon rotation of the clutch.
Claims3
A method for setting a self-tapping rivet of the type having a hollow rivet body and a mandrel disposed longitudinally within the hollow rivet body, the mandrel including a self-tapping head for forming a hole in a work piece and radially compressing and spreading the rivet body as the mandrel is retracted rearward relative to the rivet body and a shank having an area of reduced diameter for allowing the head to detach from the shank upon application of predetermined tensile force applied to the shank, the method comprising:
- receiving the shank of the self-tapping rivet;
- gripping and turning the shank for rotating self-tapping head to form a hole in a workpiece;
- and
- retracting the mandrel rearward relative to the rivet body for compressing and spreading the rivet body and thereafter separating the shank at the area of reduced diameter,
- wherein the self-tapping rivet is set in the work piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.