Fastener attaching apparatus having multiple sources of fastener hardware
US5339984A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53783
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
First and second complementary articles of hardware are fed to a single attaching station by first and second reciprocating feed-in fingers, respectively. Different types of first articles are selected during initial retraction of the first feed-in finger for advancement to the attaching station along a first path during advancement of the finger. Different types of second articles are selected during initial retraction of the second feed-in finger for advancement along a second path to the attaching station during advancement of the finger. During its retraction, the first finger is diverted from its first path at least when it would engage the first selected article. If the second selected article is disposed so as to be engaged by the second finger during its retraction, the second finger has a cooperating surface to cause it to move from the second path beneath the second selected article.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.