GB1145158A - Improvements in or relating to tools adapted for use in blind riveting - Google Patents

Abstract

1,145,158. Blind riveting. GEORGE TUCKER EYELET CO. Ltd. 11 July, 1966 [12 July, 1965], No. 31004/66. Heading B3U. A blind riveting tool for setting tubular rivets by a break-off mandrel comprises a body, rivet-abutting members mounted at the forward end of the body and separable to allow the passage of a rivet between them, a mandrel pulling device mounted in the body and having a through passage and means whereby the pulling jaws and the rivet-abutting members can be opened to allow the passage forwardly therethrough of a fresh rivet after a previous rivet has been set and the broken mandrel ejected. The invention also relates to an apparatus for supplying blind rivet assemblies of the above type from a bulk supply to a flexible tube along which they are blown to a blind riveting tool and also including means for actuating the pulling device of the tool and means actuatable by the operator for effecting first a rivet setting operation and then the feeding of a fresh rivet assembly to the tool. Construction of setting tool.-The tool has a body 30, a grip 32 and a nose assembly 34. The body contains an hydraulically operated piston 52 which is connected to the mandrel pulling jaws 60 and through which passes a rivet feed tube 128. The rivet setting abutment comprises a pair of semicircular members 40, 42 which are pivotally mounted on pins 46, 48 and are held closed by an elastomeric band 44. The mandrel pulling jaws 60 are mounted on pivot pins 66 and have conical mandrel engaging portions 58. The jaws 60 are received in a cage 50 which is screwed on to an extension 56 of the piston rod 54 of the piston 52. The pins 66 are received in projections 72 of a tubular member 74 which is forwardly biased by a spring 76. Rivet feeding mechanism.-Rivet assemblies M from a bowl-feeder 22 pass down a raceway 134 and are released singly by a detent 138. The assemblies are inverted by a pin 142 and fall into a funnel 144 which leads into a flexible tube 146. Air is passed continuously into the tube and the assemblies are blown along until they are stopped by a spring-loaded catch 152. Operation.-Assuming that a rivet has just been set and the broken-off mandrel is still in the tool, the operator presses a thumb trigger 174 which energizes a double-acting cylinder (182) mounted on the tool, Figs. 1 and 3 (not shown) and moves a tube 68 into the tool from the rear, which cams open the jaws 60 and the members 40, 42. At the same time a short blast of air is admitted to the tube 146, the air bypasses a rivet held by the catch 152 and ejects the broken-off mandrel. A delay valve then operates and a spring-returned pneumatic piston raises the catch 152 and releases the rivet assembly there, which passes through the tube 68, between the jaws 60 and the members 40, 42 and is stopped by a rivet catch 86. When the operator releases the trigger 174 the tube 68 is retracted and the jaws 60 and the members 40, 42 close on to the rivet assembly. This allows the rivet catch 86 to move so that a large hole in it is aligned with the rivet assembly. Two leaf springs 78 maintain sufficient pressure on the jaws to prevent the assembly falling out. The operator next presses a trigger 94 which operates a pilot valve and causes air to be supplied to an air-hydraulic intensifier cylinder which supplies hydraulic fluid to the cylinder space 114. Operation of the trigger 94 also actuates the detent 138 to cause a fresh rivet assembly to be delivered to the tool.