Method of using a pierce nut insertion tool
AssigneeBTM Corporation
InventorsEdwin G. Sawdon, Stephen E. Sawdon, Steven J. Sprotberry, Brian D. Petit
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.
Claims22
A method of using a pierce nut insertion tool, the method comprising:
- a) applying fluid pressure to advance a piston toward a punch axis;
- b) feeding pierce nuts along a nut path, located on an opposite side of the piston from a moveable press platen, in response to the applying step;
- c) moving the nut path and the piston away from the platen by an actuator to assist in the feeding;
- d) allowing one of the nuts to be advanced and aligned with the punch axis;
- e) moving the nut path and the piston toward the platen, after the allowing step;
- f) creating a hole in a workpiece and clinching at least one of the pierce nuts in to the workpiece by a punch pushing the at least one of the pierce nuts against the workpiece;
- and
- g) controlling application of the fluid pressure with a programmable controller, and varying the timing of subsequent moving steps only by a change of input of the programmable controller.
A method of using a pierce nut insertion tool, the method comprising:
- a) applying fluid pressure to advance a piston in a first direction toward a punch axis;
- b) moving a pierce nut-feeder in a first direction in response to the applying step;
- c) advancing a pierce nut-insertion punch in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
- and
- d) varying the timing of subsequent feeder movement relative to subsequent punch advancing only by a change of input in a programmable controller.
A method of using a pierce nut insertion tool, the method comprising:
- a) advancing a string of temporarily attached pierce nuts toward a punch axis by use of a fluid powered pawl;
- b) moving a tool body at least partially containing the pawl and the pierce nuts away from a tool base to which a punch is mounted to allow alignment of one of the pierce nuts with the punch;
- c) moving the tool body toward the tool base to sever the one of the pierce nuts from the string of temporarily attached pierce nuts;
- d) using fluid actuation to move the tool body relative to the tool base in at least one of the moving step;
- and
- e) controlling application of the fluid pressure with a programmable controller, and varying the timing of subsequent moving steps only by changing settings of the programmable controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.