US3686915A

US3686915A - Installation tool for fasteners requiring rotary and axial movements

Info

Publication number: US3686915A
Application number: US94626A
Authority: US
Inventors: Delmar S Miller; Kenneth V Cushman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Fairchild Industries Inc; Citicorp North America Inc; Shared Technologies Fairchild Telecom Inc
Priority date: 1970-12-02
Filing date: 1970-12-02
Publication date: 1972-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-08-29

Abstract

An installation tool for fasteners of the type wherein a nut part which is internally threaded is pulled axially to expand and/or clamp an extending sleeve part of the fastener to set it with respect to the material in which it is being used. The tool is power driven and imparts rotary motion initially to thread the nut part of the fastener into a threaded sleeve, and then to abruptly stop rotary motion and exert a strong axial pull for setting the fastener.

Description

United States Patent Miller et al. 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [54] INSTALL ATION TOOL FOR 2,437,191 3/1948 Gill ..72/1l4 FASTENERS REQUIRING ROTARY 2,583,733 1/1952 Fischer ..72/114 AND AXIAL MOVEMENTS 2,723,777 11/1955 Arntsberg ..72/ 114 {72] Inventors: Delmar Miller 918 Balboa, w 2,753,072 7/1956 M tchell ..72/391 p rt Be ch Kenneth Wing Cushman, 2138 Sana St" Santa 3,047,182 7/1962 Batten ..72/391 Ana, Calif. 92704 Primary ExaminerCharles W. Lanham Flled: 2, 1970 Assistant Examiner-Gene P. Crosby [21] Appl. No.: 94,626 Attorney-Albert M. Herzig et a1.

Related [1.8. Application Data 57 ABSTRACT Continuation-impart of 749,677, An installation tool for fasteners of the type wherein a 1963- nut part which is internally threaded is pulled axially to expand and/or clamp an extending sleeve part of U-S- h f t t t it p t t th t i l i [51] hit. Cl. ..B21d 9/05 which it is being used The tool is power driven and Fleld of Search l4, rotary motion to thread the nut p 56 R f Cted of the fastener into a threaded sleeve, and then to 1 e erences abruptly stop rotary motion and exert a strong axial UNITED STATES PATENTS pull for Setting the fastener. 2,423,956 7/ 1947 Amtsberg ..72/391 w 12 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures 36 11 u as a 4 61 46 m 57114 {a 1/ V V 60 I I 7z 7, 1M 4 412 90 A ,7 6 1: 4' [F 191 l ea 82 17594 I 102 INSTALLATION TOOL FOR FASTENERS REQUIRING ROTARY AND AXIAL MOVEMENTS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 749,677 filed Aug. 2, 1968.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the invention is a tool particularly adapted for the setting of fasteners of the type which require that initially rotational movement be imparted to a mandrel and then a strong axial pull. Fasteners of the type in question generally embody a tubular sleevelike part and a nut part that is drawn into the end of the other part for expanding and/or splitting it and clamping the split leaves against the material in which the fastener is being set. The fastener may initially be integral as between the two parts with the nut part shearing from the other part when the fastener is being set. The tool initially imparts rotation to the mandrel for threading into the nut part and then rotation is terminated and a strong axial pull is exerted to complete the setting of the fastener.

Tools of the general type referred to have been known in the prior art, but generally they have been subject to a particular deficiency. As pointed out, initially rotation is imparted to the mandrel for threading into the nut part of the tool. For actual setting of the fastener a strong axial pull is necessary without rotation. The deficiency attendant to tools of this type as previously known has been that the tool would continue to impart rotation to the fastener after the beginning of the axial pull. This is not acceptable in the setting of the fasteners for various reasons. The continued rotation tends to spiral the split leaves of the fastener sleeve that are being crimped and spoils the effectiveness and appearance of the fastener. Furthermore, this action results in the possibility of removing plating and scoring the top surface of the fastener.

In accordance with the foregoing the primary object of the invention is to provide a tool of the type described capable of producing the required axial pull without rotation after the initial period of the rotation of the mandrel.

Another object is to provide a tool of the type referred to embodying a clutch drive for the mandrel wherein relative axial movement of the mandrel is provided for to produce clutching and declutching.

Another object is to provide a tool of the type. referred to embodying a clutch having toothed circular elements with biasing means to insure that the elements will engage without the teeth points meeting and jamming.

Another object is to provide a tool of the type described having improved constructional arrangements to facilitate changing of mandrels in the tool from one size to another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an assembly of the type referred to, in a tool of this type adapted for use with tool components that have different types of drives such as pneumatic or electric motor drive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of a typical installation gun embodying the improvements of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the improved construction in a position of the parts wherein the anvil of the gun has engaged the fastener and the clutch has operated to stop rotation of the mandrel to begin the axial pull;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the position of the parts wherein the axial pull stroke has been completed;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view illustrating the position of the parts upon a reversal of the tool for unthreading the mandrel after the fastener has been set;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the tool in FIGS. 2 to 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view showing the detent which positions the transverse stem of the clutch mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded perspective view of a modified fonn of the clutch arrangement;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the clutch arrangement of FIG. 9;

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are views of a modified form of the invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views of a modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a typical form of installation gun at 10 embodying the improved construction of the invention. The gun itself includes the part 12 which is a non-rotating member embodying a spring clutch and/or a gear adapter. The improvements of the invention are embodied in the assembly designated at 14. The gun embodies a generally cylindrical upper part 16; a pistol grip part 18 and a trigger 20. The gun shown is a pneumatically operated one having a flexible air connection as shown at 22 and a typical fitting as shown at 24. Other types of guns might be utilized such as electrically or hydraulically driven ones. The assembly 14 is arranged to be adapted to any different type of gun, it being understood that the unit 12 is also interchangeable depending on the type of gun used. The assembly 14 is adaptable to any of these arrangements.

Preferably, the part 12 contains a torque sensing device or clutch which may be of a known conventional construction, but which can be manually set to release at a desired degree of torque. Thus, when a fastener has become set, this torque sensing device will release and power will no longer be applied to it. This type of operation is preferably to merely stalling the drive motor when a fastener is set. A type of torque sensing device used may be a type manufactured by the Hank Thorn Company of Norwalk, Calif. and known as the PERF-A-TORQ. This arrangement is superior to at- As may be seen in the figures, the structure or unit indicated at 12 is coupled to the gun by way of a coupling nut and to the assembly 14 by a similar coupling nut 32. The coupling nuts and the unit 12 have side flats adapting them to rotation by way of a wrench. The fastener to be set is shown'at 34 by way of example.

The assembly 14 comprises an adapter housing which is cylindrical, being threaded onto the coupling nut 32 and being threaded at the other end onto a cylindrical fitting 34 of slightly smaller diameter. The coupling nut 32 is internally threaded at one end as shown at 36 and externally threaded at the other end as shown at 38. The fitting 34 is externally threaded at both ends as shown at 44 and 46. The housing 40 is internally threaded at both ends as shown.

Numeral designates a cylindrical housing threaded onto the fitting 34 as shown. The fitting 34 has an internal web 52 having a central bore 54 as shown. The housing 50 has a threaded end bore 56 which receives the anvil member 58 which has a threaded end part 60 that threads into the bore 56 and it has a cylindrical body at the end of which is the anvil 62 as will be referred to more in detail presently.

Within the housing 40 is the driver unit 68 which is cylindrical being internally threaded at one end as shown at 70 and having a square drive extension 72 at the other end which is received within an adapter fitting 74 in the unit 12. Other forms of adapters could, of course, be utilized. Threaded into the end of the driver 68 is the drive nut 80, the end part of which bears against a thrust bearing 82. The drive nut is internally threaded as shown at 84 with a square thread and extending through it is the threaded drive screw 86. Numeral 88 designates a stop nut on the drive screw, the position of which can be set by set screw 90, the stop nut being positionable against the end of the drive nut 80. The drive screw 86 is on the end of a member or unit 92, the right-hand part of which is of enlarged cylindrical form as shown at 94 having a bore 96. The right hand of the member or unit 92 normally bears against the threaded end of the anvil member 58. The end part of the unit 92 as designated at 97 is a slightly smaller diameter, there being a square shoulder 99 between these parts. Unit 92 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5. In the end part 97 there is also an annular groove 101 which receives the snap ring 102. Numeral designates the mandrel member which comprises a threaded mandrel 1 12 extending from cylindrical body 114 that fits in bore 96. Unit 110 has a transverse bore that receives a pin 122. See FIG. 5. The pin 122 has a central annular groove 124 as may be seen more clearly in FIG. 8. The unit 110 has an axial bore as shown at 126 in which is a detent ball 130 that detents in the annular groove 124 as shown. The ball 130 is urged in detenting direction by coil spring 132 in the bore 126, the end of the bore being slightly enlarged and closed by set screw 134. See FIG. 8. I

The unit 110 has another radial bore in which is a coil spring 142 that bears'against a detenting ball 144 that can be engaged in semi-spherical recess in the inside, that is, in the wall of the bore 96 for purposes of holding the unit 110 in position as will be described hereinafter.

The member 94 has axial slots in its sidewalls, one of which may be seen at 152 to receive the end parts of the rod or pin 122. Thus, it may be seen that the unit 110 has limited axial movement within the bore 96 of the drive member.

Fitting onto the drive member 92 is a clutch member 160. The clutch member has a cylindrical body part 162 having a bore 164 with a short counterbore 166 at the opposite end forming a square shoulder which comes into engagement with the square shoulder 99 on the body 94. The clutch part has a flange 168 at one end and in this flange are diametrically opposed grooves-or

recesses

170 and 172. These grooves engage .or fit onto

splines

174 and 176 which are diametrically opposed within the housing 50. Thus, the clutch member 160 may have axial movement but is not free to rotate. It does not have freedom of axial movement on the member 92, being restrained by the square shoulder 99 and the retaining ring 102. The drive member 92 can rotate within the clutch member 160. On the end face of the clutch member 160 are provided two cam shoulders one of which may be seen at 180 in FIG. 5. These cam shoulders have a gradual rise 182 on one side and a square shoulder 184 on the other side.

The operation of the installation gun will next be described. As previously pointed out, an exemplary form of fastener is shown which is of the type wherein a mandrel .is first threaded into a nut part; the nut part being drawn inwardly relative to a sleeve for splitting, curling back and crimping the split leaves of the sleeve so that the fastener becomes set, after which the mandrel is threaded out of the set fastener.

For purpose of description the fastener is designated generally at comprising a nut part 192 which in the exemplary form is initially integral with a sleeve part 194 having an end flange 196. At the outset the fastener is placed in the hole where it is to be set as may be seen in FIG. 1. The threaded mandrel l 12 of the tool is threaded into the fastener and this is done automatically by pulling the trigger 20 causing the parts within the tool to rotate to thread into the nut 192. At this time the gun rotates the housing 68, the drive screw 86, the unit 92, and the mandrel 112. At this time the stop nut 88 is up against the drive nut 80. For purposes of this description, this rotation may be clockwise. When the anvil 62 at the end of the anvil member 58 contacts the fastener, that is, the flange 196, the forward movement of the tool is stopped; mandrel 112 is pulled out and the drive pin 122 is forced in a clockwise rotation axially forward, being guided in the slots as shown at 152. The drive pin 122 now engages the shoulders such as shown at 180 on the clutch member 160 so that rotation of the mandrel member 112 immediately is stopped. Ball 144 now detents into recess 150. This brings the square drive thread 86 into play. Since this threaded stem cannot now rotate, rotation of the drive nut 80 causes it to move axially, with the stop nut 88 moving away from the drive nut as may be seen in FIG. 3. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the action on the fastener of the axial movement of the mandrel 1 12. The nut part 192 shears from the sleeve part 194 and is drawn into it and the annular shoulder on the nut 192 splits the tapered end of the sleeve part into leaves and curls them back and crimps them against the material in which the fastener is being set. FIG. 2 illustrates the position of the parts after axial pull has started and the nut 192 has begun to move into the sleeve 194. FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the parts at the limit of axial pull on the mandrel 112 with the fastener completely set. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the parts when the direction of rotation has been reversed for unthreading the mandrel 112 from the set fastener. Upon reversal of the rotation drive stem 86 moves axially in the opposite direction until stop nut 88 engages drive nut 80, at which drive stem 86 turns and unit 92 turns; pin 122 engages the rises 182 on clutch member 160 to disengage the clutch allowing continuing rotation and unthreading of the mandrel, pin 122 moving in the slots such as shown at 152 into the position as in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified form of the invention embodying a slightly different type of clutch, parts that are the same being identified by the same reference numerals. In this form of the invention the clutch member 160' instead of having shoulders like the shoulders shown as 180, has on the skirt or cylindrical part 162 continuous saw teeth 163 around the end face of the member. Additional clutch member 161 is provided which is cylindrical as shown with continuous notches or teeth in the end face as shown at 165. The pin 122 goes through radial or transverse bores 123 in the member 161 as well as going through mandrel member 110.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is the same as, or very closely similar to the operation of the previous form of the invention. The sequence is the same as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 8. However, now when the anvil seats against the fastener, the member 110 and the clutch member 161 both move relatively to the right so that the clutch member 161 engages the clutch member 160' stopping rotation as previously described and beginning the axial pull movement which is the same as described in the foregoing. Upon completion of axial pull and reversal of rotation for unthreading clutch member 161 by engagement of its teeth with the oppositely angulated teeth on clutch member 100 to move itself and member 1 10 into disengaged position.

When it is necessary to change the mandrel 112 (unit disengaged 110), the housing 50 is unthreaded exposing pin 122 which is disengaged by way of a light tap it normally being held in position as described in connection with FIG. 8. Another mandrel unit is then simply substituted.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another modified form of the invention which is similar to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Similar or corresponding parts are identified by the same reference characters. The improvement in this form of the invention resides primarily in the helical biasing spring 200 which is associated with the clutch member 160 to act on it. Without this improvement, it is possible for the teeth 163 on the clutch member 160 and the teeth 165 on the clutch member 161 to be in the same phase relationship so that the tips of the teeth meet each other rather than engaging in clutching relationship. In these circumstances, the torque load is taken on the pin 122 at points on it spaced outwardly from its center and the load may be sufficient to bend or break this pin. The spring 200 overcomes this problem. The drive screw member or unit 92 has an end part in which there is an annular square shouldered groove 202 adjacent to an end flange 204. Inwardly from the annular groove is a part of reduced diameter 206 adjacent to a square shoulder 208. The parts when assembled are as shown in FIG. 11, the clutch member 160 fitting on the end of the drive screw member or unit 92 with the clutch member against the square shoulder 208. The clutch member 160 has a flange 210 with two diametrically opposed square notches in it as shown at 212 and 214. The inside of the flanged part is of enlarged diameter as shown at 216 forming a square shoulder 218 adjacent to the internal diameter of the body part 162. When the parts are assembled, they appear as shown in FIG. 11. The spring 200 is received in the annular groove 202 in the drive screw unit 92' in a position between the square shoulder formed by the counterbore 216 in the clutch member 160' and the flange 204 on the end of the drive screw unit 92. As can be seen therefore, spring 200 exerts an axial biasing force biasing the clutch member 160 toward the clutch member 161 and thereby eliminates the possibility of the ends of the teeth on the two clutch members meeting or matching each other and preventing engagement, and accordingly, the deficiency referred to in the foregoing is overcome.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an improved and preferred form of drive nut and stop 88. The drive nut 80' as in the previous embodiment is threaded into the end of the cylinder or drive unit 68' and has an annular end flange that comes up against the end of the unit 68 as designated at 230. It drives against the thrust bearing 82 as in the previous embodiment. It threads on the drive screw 86. At its left end is a tapered bore 232 which receives the stop nut 88' and the stop nut has a taper as shown complementary to the taper 232 in the drive nut 80. At the end of the stop nut 88', it has a short axial surface 234. It may be secured to the drive screw 86 by set screw 90 as in the previous embodiment. As may be seen, the tapered surfaces on the nuts comes into engagement to perform the clutching action rather than flat, radial surfaces. The operation is otherwise as in the previous embodiment.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe and understand the nature and construction of the invention, its operation and the manner in which it achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages set forth in the foregoing, as well as the many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An installation tool of the type for setting fasteners of the type wherein the fastener comprises parts requiring an initial rotary action for threading into a part followed by a straight axial pull for finally setting the fastener, in combination, a tool embodying a drive means and a threaded mandrel adapted to engage a part of the fastener in threaded relationship and to be threaded into said part whereby to draw the threaded part along the rotating mandrel, said drive means for the mandrel embodying a clutch operable to be actuated to prevent rotation of the mandrel, the said tool having a part engageable with the material being worked on by the tool whereby relative axial movement of the mandrel causes the clutch to operate to prevent further rotation of the mandrel, and said tool embodying means whereby upon operation of the clutch to discontinue rotation of the mandrel the drive means operates to exert a straight line axial force on the mandrel serving to complete the setting of the fastener, said mandrel being mounted to have axial movement relative to the drive means for engaging and disengaging the said clutch.

2. A tool as in claim 1, wherein said clutch has a part engaged with the body of the tool so as to not rotate with the mandrel, and the said mandrel having means engageable with the said clutch part to prevent rotation of the mandrel when the mandrel is moved axially relative to the clutch part.

3. A tool as in claim 2, wherein said clutch part has engagement with a tool body allowing axial movement thereof relative to the tool body whereby after rotational movement of the mandrel has been terminated axial movement may be imparted to the mandrel relative to the tool body.

4. A tool as in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a rotary member and a threaded stem connected to said mandrel associated with said rotary member, means whereby said rotary member is secured to said threaded stem for rotating the mandrel and for releasing from said threaded stem when rotation of the mandrel is prevented whereby the rotary member rotates relative to the threaded stem and by way of the thread transmits axial pull to it.

5. An installation tool of the type for setting fasteners of the type wherein the fastener comprises parts requiring an initial rotary action for threading into a part followed by a straight axial pull for finally setting the fastener, in combination, a tool embodying drive means and a threaded mandrel adapted to engage part of the fastener in threaded relationship and to be threaded into said part whereby to draw the threaded part along the rotating mandrel, said drive means comprising threaded stem means having a drive nut and a stopnut thereon, rotary drive means engaging the stem in threaded relationship, the threaded stem means having engagement with the mandrel whereby the drive means normally can rotate the threaded stem and mandrel, and means whereby after rotation of the mandrel continued rotation of the threaded stem and mandrel is prevented whereby the drive means rotates relatively to the threaded stem imparting axial movement to the threaded stem and mandrel, said stopnut being adjustably positionable on said threaded stem with the threaded stem in adjustable positions relative to the drive nut whereby the length of stroke imparted to the stem in an initial point is adjustable.

6. A tool as in claim 5, embodying a clutch device operable to terminate rotation of the threaded stem and mandrel in response to a relatively small 'axial movement of the mandrel.

7. A tool as in claim 6, wherein said means for terminating rotation of the threaded stem comprises a clutch having a part which is mounted in said tool so as to not be rotatable, a clutch member engageable and disen ageable with said part said clutch member being axial y movable relative to the part by an axial movement of the threaded mandrel relative to the tool.

8. A tool as in claim 7 including releaseable detent means for holding said clutch part and said clutch member in engagement.

9. An installation tool of the type for setting fasteners of the type wherein a fastener comprises parts requiring an initial rotary action for threading into a part followed by a straight axial pull for finally setting the fastener, in combination, a tool embodying drive means and a threaded rotatable mandrel adapted to engage part of the fastener in threaded relationship and to be threaded into said part whereby to draw the threaded part along the rotating mandrel, said drive means comprising threaded stem means, a rotary drive means engaging the stem in threaded relationship, means whereby the drive means can either rotate the threaded stem or can impart a linear axial stroke to it which is adjustable in length, said last means comrpisng said drive means having a drive nut engaging said threaded stem and means comprising an adjustable stop nut adjustably positionable on said threaded stem with the threaded stem in adjustable positions relative to the drive nut whereby the length of stroke imparted to the stem from an initial point is adjustable.

10. An installation tool as in claim 5, wherein the drive means has a socket to receive the mandrel and means for holding the mandrel in'position.

11. An installation tool as in claim 9, including an anvil member at the end of the tool through which the mandrel extends, said anvil member being threaded and being adjustable relative to the tool to adjust the position at which the anvil and fastener come into engagement.

12. An installation tool as in claim 1, wherein said clutch embodies clutch members and biasing means urging one member toward the other.

Claims

6. A tool as in claim 5, embodying a clutch device operable to terminate rotation of the threaded stem and mandrel in response to a relatively small axial movement of the mandrel.

7. A tool as in claim 6, wherein said means for terminating rotation of the threaded stem comprises a clutch having a part which is mounted in said tool so as to not be rotatable, a clutch member engageable and disengageable with said part, said clutch member being axially movable relative to the part by an axial movement of the threaded mandrel relative to the tool.

10. An installation tool as in claim 5, wherein the drive means has a socket to receive the mandrel and means for holding the mandrel in position.