Fastener installation apparatus
US5653368A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 7, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 7, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/5377
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Fastener installation apparatus for operating cyclically so as to instal successively a plurality of fasteners includes a fastener installation head (11) having an aperture (35) in which part of a fastener is inserted, and a vacuum generator (20) for creating an airflow in through the aperture (35), along a pipe (31) and into a receptacle (15) for broken-off fastener parts. The presence of a fastener in the aperture (35) causes a change in the level of vacuum in the pipe (31) and receptacle (15). The level of vacuum is sensed by vacuum level detection means (45), which gives an electrical signal to the apparatus control unit (14a, 14b). The control unit allows the installation apparatus to continue its cyclical operation only upon the presence or absence of fastener in the aperture (35) at the appropriate points in the cycle of operation of the apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.