Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed... – By conveying randomly faced items and turning items to...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-26
2003-07-08
Dillon, Joseph A. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed...
By conveying randomly faced items and turning items to...
C198S374000, C198S438000, C198S463400, C406S072000, C406S076000, C406S148000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06588576
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods of and a device for feeding fastening elements, and particularly relates to methods of and a device for feeding rivets from a supply location to a junction location.
In the course of rising automation in manufacturing procedures, devices have been developed by which fastening elements are automatically assembled with at least one structure. Such fastening elements are designed preferably asymmetrically with respect to a central plane, and can be, for example, rivets, screws, nails or the like.
Known methods, and related devices, for feeding such fastening elements successively are described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,779,127 and 5,964,393, where each fastening element is formed with a shaft and a head. Each fastening element can be fed in a single direction, and in a single orientation, to a position where a hammer or a punch of a fastening machine is axially aligned with, and facing, the head of the positioned fastening element. When the fastening machine is operated, the hammer is moved toward and engages the head of the fastening element, to move the element in such a direction that a free end of the shaft becomes the forward or front end of the moving fastening element, and a free end of the head becomes the trailing end of the fastening element.
Fastening machines, such as those described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,964,393 and 5,779,127, include feed devices which are designed for feeding each fastening element to the fastening machine at the same orientation where, for example, the head of the fastening element is always positioned for ultimate engagement with the hammer or the punch. Feed devices of this type provide for the placement of the fastening device in a single orientation only, immediately prior to assembly of the fastening element with the structure. Such feed devices do not provide facility for selectively positioning the fastening element in either of two orientations in preparation for assembly of the fastening with the structure.
Thus, there is a need for methods of and a device for feeding successive fastening elements into position so that the fastening elements can be selectively fed in either of two orientations for subsequent assembly with a structure.
Further, there is a need for methods of and a device for feeding successive fastening elements of different structure into a position so that the fastening elements can be selectively fed in either of two orientations, depending on the structure of each element, for subsequent assembly of each element with an associated structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide methods of feeding fastening elements into a position for ultimate feeding of the elements so that the elements can be positioned in either of two orientations.
Another object of this invention to provide a device for feeding fastening elements into a position for ultimate feeding of the elements so that the elements can be positioned in either of two orientations.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a method and a device for feeding a fastening element of a first design, and a fastening element of a second design different from the first design, into a location from which each of the fastening elements can be selectively moved to a respective one of two orientations.
With these and other objects in mind, this invention contemplates a method for feeding a fastening element, formed with a first end and a second end. The method includes the steps of transporting the fastening element from a feed track to a junction point within a feed passage formed by a first feed opening and a second feed opening which is in communication with the first feed opening. The fastening element is arranged in a given orientation at the junction point such that the first end of the fastening element is a front end thereof when the fastening element is to be moved through the first feed opening and the second end of the fastening element is a front end thereof when the fastening element is to be moved through the second feed opening.
This invention further contemplates a device for feeding a fastening element, formed with a first end and a second end, toward a downstream point, and includes a feed track, a first feed opening, and a second feed opening in communication with the first feed opening. The first feed opening and the second feed opening form a feed passage, with a junction point located within the feed passage. Each of the first and second feed openings extend toward a downstream point. Means are provided for transporting the fastening element from the feed track toward the junction point. Further, means are provided for arranging the fastening element in a given orientation at the junction point such that the first end of the fastening element is a front end thereof when the fastening element is to be moved through the first feed opening and the second end of the fastening element is a front end thereof when the fastening element is to be moved through the second feed opening.
Still further, this invention contemplates the feeding of fastening elements having a first end and a second end, which could be rivets, preferably blind rivets, to a fastening device. A method according to the present invention provides that at least one fastening element is transported to a junction point at a given orientation through and from a feed track. The fastening element preferably is moved from the junction point with the first end in front by way of a first feed opening or with the second end in front by way of a second feed opening.
By using the method according to the present invention, fastening devices can be supplied with fastening elements that require a feed of fastening elements with differing orientations.
According to an advantageous development of the method, the fastening elements are transported singly to the junction point. This enables the process to run without interruption.
According to yet another advantageous development of the method, following a lead fastening element, a further fastening element can be supplied to the junction point when the lead fastening element has been moved from the junction point. This enables selective feed of fastening elements to the fastening devices.
According to yet another advantageous development of the method, the fastening elements are moved from the feed track to a junction point through a feed chamber. In particular, the fastening elements are moved into the junction point over an inclined surface adjacent to the junction point. This has the advantage that the fastening elements arrive in the junction point automatically.
To remove each fastening element from the junction point, depending on the desired transport direction, a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, could be applied to the first or the second feed openings so that the fastening element is transported out of the junction point through the first or the second feed openings.
To prevent the fastening elements, which are situated in the feed track from being disrupted when the pressure medium is applied to the junction point, according to yet another advantageous development of the method, at least the feed track is closed off at least during the pressure application.
The feed of fastening elements to the junction point is effected preferably by means of a movable ram.
Preferably, the ram is movable between two end positions. In particular, it is proposed that in a first end position it opens the feed track so the ram can receive a fastening element. In a second end position the ram preferably has a sealing effect, so at least the feed track is closed and sealed.
Further, according to this invention, a device for feeding fastening elements with a first and a second end, in particular rivets, preferably blind rivets, has a feed track and at least one junction point located in the feed passage. The feed passage is formed by a first feed opening and a second feed opening, which are in communication. The fir
Dillon Joseph A.
Murphy Edward D.
Newfrey LLC
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