Orientation maintained fastener delivery system and method
US6264063A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23P19/002
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orientation maintained fastener delivery system (10) includes an escapement (14), a transfer system (16), and an injector (18). The escapement (14) regulates the flow of fasteners (20) through the orientation maintained fastener delivery system (10). The escapement (14) also delivers fasteners (20) in a desired orientation to the transfer system (16). The transfer system (16) includes a plurality of tubes (26,30) and a distributor (28). The tubes (26,30) maintain the desired orientation of the fasteners (20) as the fasteners (20) are transported to the injector (18). The distributor (28) aligns a tube (26) coupled to the escapement (14) with a tube (30) coupled to the injector (18). The injector (18) receives fasteners (20) from the transfer system (16) in the desired orientation and delivers the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation to an installation device (22).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.