US 9,751,166 B2 · Apparatus and methods for manipulating a fastener

Abstract

One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for manipulating a fastener, the apparatus comprising:

a chamber including a first location and a second location;
a first actuator movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location;
a second actuator movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location;
and
a third actuator movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with a fourth location, wherein the third location is at least partially outside the chamber and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

2 more elements

A method of manipulating a fastener, the method comprising:

delivering the fastener to a first location in a chamber;
moving the fastener from the first location to a second location in the chamber using a first actuator movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location;
moving the fastener from the second location to a third location using a second actuator movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with the third location;
and
moving the fastener from the third location to a fourth location using a third actuator movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location, wherein the third location is at least partially outside the chamber and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/326,613Filed 9 Jul 2014

Published

US 2016/0008933 A114 Jan 2016

Granted

5 Sep 2017

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B23P 19/002
Article feeders for assembling machines: orientating the articles
B21J 15/142
Specially adapted for riveting specific articles, e.g. brake lining machines: aerospace structures
B21J 15/32
Particular elements, e.g. supports; Suspension equipment specially adapted for portable riveters: devices for inserting or holding rivets in…
B23P 19/001
Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some…

Apparatus and methods for manipulating a fastener

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for manipulating a fastener

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20