US3571895A

US3571895A - Assembly tool device

Info

Publication number: US3571895A
Application number: US733569A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert T Buttriss
Original assignee: Eaton Yale and Towne Inc
Current assignee: Eaton Corp
Priority date: 1968-05-31
Filing date: 1968-05-31
Publication date: 1971-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-23

Abstract

A pneumatic assembly tool device for the semiautomatic insertion of deformable-type fasteners into an apertured workpiece having a hollow housing adapted to receive and transmit fasteners from one end to a reciprocal nozzle mechanism at the other end. The nozzle mechanism includes a plurality of pivotal interior jawlike members operable to engageably position and hold a fastener in aligned relation for ejection from the nozzle mechanism and insertion into the workpiece, and a trigger mechanism acts to resiliently reciprocate the nozzle mechanism with respect to the housing for selective pivotal movement of the jawlike members.

Description

United States Patent Albert T. Buttriss Westlake, Ohio May 31,1968

Mar. 23, 1971 Eaton Yale & Towne lnc.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee ASSEMBLY TOOL DEVICE 20 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,540,552 2/1944 Mort] 227/112 2,540,572 2/1951 Engeln .1 221/278 2,695,096 1 l/ 1954 Gridley 279/57X 2,993,208 7/1961 Cast 227/11-2 3,199,182 8/1965 Harris 29/235 Primary Examiner-Robert C. Riordon Assistant ExaminerJ. C. Peters 1 Att0rneyTeare, Teare & Sammon PATENTED mes l97| SHEET 2 0F 2 MTHH INVENTOR. ALBERT T. BUTTRISS BY fi- W ATTORNEYS Assisi/lair "root nsvieu BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The assembly tool of the present invention is related to tools for selectively feeding and applying fasteners to a workpiece, and more particularly to tools arranged to apply resilient bodied fasteners to a workpiece, such as an aperture support panel.

ileretofore, many devices have been provided for feeding fasteners having solid or nondeformable rigid bodies. lnmany of these devices, the fasteners were engaged by and forced outwardly of the tool by an axially aligned plunger member. In most instances, the plunger member was arranged to rotate the fastener or otherwise manipulate the fastener for threaded engagement on a work piece. In addition, many' of these devices required separate, fastener feeding lines which made these devices quite cumbersome to use. in essence, these prior arrangements are not satisfactory for use in inserting resilient fasteners, such as of the headed plug types, in an apertured workpiece in a fast and efficient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Tll'le present invention contemplates the provision of a pneumatic assembly tool for selectively feeding and applying resilient bodied fasteners to a workpiece, such as an apertured support panel, comprising, an elongated body including a housing and a nozzle means which is connected adjacent one end of the housing for selective delivery of fasteners from the tool. The housing is provided .with a passageway which communicates with the nozzle means, and which is adapted to receive fasteners under fluid pressure. The nozzle means includes an axially extending bore which communicates with the passageway in the housing, and a holding means is provided in the bore which coacts with the nozzle means to selectively limit the movement of the fasteners through the bore. The holding means includes a plurality of radially spaced jawlike members which extend lengthwise in the bore for free pivotal movement andselective expansion and contraction upon generally axial movement of a fastener through the bore. An actuating means is provided having a first resilient means adapted for coaction'with the nozzle means and the housing to selectively move the nozzle means relative to the housing to enable the jawlike members to expand so as to enable a fastener to pass therebetween. The actuating means includes another resilient means acting with said first-mentioned resilient means to hold the nozzle means in resilient spaced relation to the housing. The nozzle means includes a nozzle member which is open at one end and which has a retention means to prevent the fastener from passing through said open end. Upon deactuation of the actuation means, the jawlike members are adapted to coact with the nozzle member to securely hold a fastener so that a generally uniform circumferential pressure may be applied to the fastener, and the fastener may be forced through the opening in the nozzle by the jawlike members and into the aperture in the support panel when the nozzle is urged against the panel.

As will be seen, the foregoing arrangement provides a semiautomatic tool which does not require a separate fastener delivery tube thereby facilitating handling of the tool. Furthermore, this arrangement enables a flexible resilient tubular fastener to be forced into an aperturein a support panel without severely deforming or otherwise damaging the fastener. Further, the tool provides a means by which resilient fasteners may be easily and quickly applied to a workpiece, one at a time, without the use of auxiliary plunger members or the like, particularly for assembly line applications.

BRlEF DESCRllFTlON OF THE DRAWING FllG.- 11 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section, of the assembly tool of the present invention;

FlG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in cross DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The assembly tool device of the present invention, illustrated generally at 2 in FIG. 1, comprises a hollow housing 4 adapted for delivering resilient deformable fasteners, such as at F, under fluid pressure from a supply source (not shown).

The fasteners F are preferably of a tubular construction having a hollow, tapered shank portion 5 which has an endless deformable flange portion d at one end thereof. The fasteners in the invention are preferably made from a resilient deformable material, such as plastic, rubber, metal or the like. A noztion;

zle means 7 is connected to and adapted to receive fasteners delivered from one end of the housing 4. A resilient actuatable trigger mechanism 8 is disposed for operable coaction between the housing 4 and the nozzle means 7 for selective reciprocal movement of the nozzle means 7 with respect to the housing d. The nozzle means 7 includes a holding and ejecting mechanism 9 for releasably holding a fastener F received in the nozzle means 7. The holding and ejecting mechanism 9 is arranged for pivotal movement upon forward axial movement of the nozzle means 7 permittingthe fastener F to pass forwardly beyond the holding and ejecting means 9. A retention means W is disposed adjacent the outlet end of the nozzle means 7 and arranged to releasably engage the head end 6 of the fastener F so that the shank end 5 thereof projects forwardly beyond the outlet end of the nozzle means 7 for simul: taneously positioning the fastener Fin axial alignment with the holding and ejecting means 9. The noule means 7' is further arranged to coact with the holding and ejecting means 9 to compressibly hold the head end 6 of the fastener F therebetween upon release of the trigger mechanism 8. A resilient means 67 is provided for coacting resilient engagement between the nozzle and the housing enabling forward movement of the housing d relative to the nozzle means 7 so that the holding and ejecting means 9 may be urged forwardly with respect to the nozzle means 7 to deformingly force the head end of the fastener F beyond the retention means and into seated insertion in the aperture A of the panel P, as seen in Fig. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and s of the drawings, the housing 4 comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical body l2 which may be made of any suitable substantially rigid material, such as metal, plastic or the like, and which includes a generally axially extending bore 13 therethrough. A cylindrical sleeve member, such as at lid, may be disposed circumferentially about the exterior of the body H, such as by squeeze fit or the like, to provide a handgrip surface for holding the body H2. The body 12 may be turned down, as at 115, to form an abutment or shoulder in (HQ. t3) against which the sleeve M may be disposed in abutting engagement to prevent any forward movement of the sleeve lid with respect to the body 12. The bore 13 is preferably counterbored adjacent the front end, as at 17, and adjacent the rear end, as at lid. A cylindrical tubular member 19, which includes an axially extending passageway 2@ may be disposed as by press fit or the like, in the bore E3. The tubular member 19 may extend forwardly into the counterbore i7 and rearv/ardly into the counterbore ill. The rear counterbore it may be adapted for threaded engagement with one end of the flexible delivery tube 21 by means of a coupling assembly, illustrated generally at 23, so that the tube 21 is disposed in fluid communication with the passageway Zll in the tubular member 19. The opposite end of the delivery tube 21 may be connected to a suitable source of fasteners F, such as a cartridge or the like (not shown), which may be forced through the delivery tube 21 under fluid pressure, such as compressed air, through the passageway and into the nozzie means 7.

The nozzle means 7 may be connected to the forward end of the body 12 by means of a hollow, cylindrical shaft member 24 which extends inwardly into the counterbore 17, as by press fit or the like, and which is held against rotation within the bore 17 by a set screw 25. The set screw 25 is threadably inserted through the body 12 adjacent the bore 17 and is adapted for abutting engagement with a flat key surface 26 (FIG. 6) disposed adjacent the end of the shaft 24. The opposite end of the shaft 24 is provided with an annular flange 27 and an axially aligned cylindrical extension or stud portion 28 of reduced diameter. The extension 28 is provided with an annular flange 29 having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the flange 27, and which together with the flange 27 defines an annular recess 36. The shaft 24 and extension 28 have a common axially extending bore 30 which is disposed in fluid communication with the passageway 20 to receive fasteners F being delivered from the housing 4.

The nozzle means 7 comprises a cylindrical sleeve member 31 (FIG. 6) which is disposed in telescoping relation circumferentially about the shaft 24. The sleeve 31 is provided with a reduced bore 32 at the end adjacent the housing 4 which is defined by an endless wall 33 adapted for sliding engagement on the shaft 24. An intermediate bore 34 is provided adjacent the bore 32 being defined by an endless wall 35 which is adapted for sliding engagement with the flange 27. The sleeve 31 may also be provided with an annular flange 37 disposed adjacent the end remote from the housing 4. The flange 37 is preferably provided with an enlarged bore 38 defined by the wall 39 which is adapted to receive a nose member 40 therein.

The nose member 40 is preferably generally cylindrical in configuration at the end adjacent the sleeve member 31 and generally frustoconical in configuration adjacent the opposite or front end. Preferably, the nose member 40 is positioned in the bore 38 so that the marginal end 41 (FIG. 6) is disposed in abutting engagement with the shoulder 42 (FIG. 6) formed by the juncture of the enlarged bore 38 and the intermediate bore 34 of the sleeve member 31 to prevent rearward movement of the nose member 40 with respect to the sleeve member 31. The nose member 40 may be inserted into the bore 38 by means of a press fit or the like, and may be locked against rotation by means of a set screw 43 which extends through the flange 37 into abutting engagement against a flat key surface 45 provided adjacent the end of the nose member 40. The nose member 40 preferably includes an enlarged bore 47 adjacent the connection end, a reduced bore 48 adjacent the opposite or front end, and an intermediate bore 49 which extends between the enlarged bore 47 and the reduced bore 48. The

bores

47, 48 and 49 are disposed in substantially axial alignment which are defined by the

endless walls

50, 51 and 52, respectively. The nose member 40 is provided with a circular outlet opening 54 adjacent the front end which is defined by an endless edge 55. The opening 54 is axially aligned with the reduced bore 48 and provides an outlet for the nose member 40.

In the form shown, the diameter of the opening 54 is preferably less than the diameter of the reduced bore 48 to provide a radially inwardly extending annular lip 56. The lip 56 (FIG. 6) includes a beveled inner surface 57 which extends between the edge and the wall 51 of the bore 48. The beveled surface 57 is angularly disposed with respect to the wall 51 and is uniformly tapered forwardly and inwardly therefrom. The maximum transverse diameter of the opening 54 is larger than the shank 5 of the fastener F, but less than the head 6 so that the fastener shank 5 will pass freely through the opening 54 while the head 6 will engage the lip 56. The beveled surface 57 provides an angular guide surface which enables the head to be deformably compressed and slid easily beyond the lip 56 through the opening 54, as will be discussed hereinafter.

The trigger mechanism 8 (FIGS. 1 & 2) is provided to selectively impart a reciprocating movement to the nozzle means 7 relative to the housing 4. As shown, the trigger mechanism 8 comprises a resilient member 59, such as a helical spring or the like, which is disposed circumferentially about the shaft 24 and within the intermediate bore 34 of the sleeve member 31. The spring 59 is biased at one end by the flange 27 and at the other end by a shoulder 60 formed by the juncture of the reduced bore 32 and the intermediate bore 34 of the sleeve member 31.

A resilient lever mechanism 61 is mounted on the shaft 24 between the sleeve 31 and the body 12. The lever mechanism 61 is preferably made of a generally flat material, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and preferably includes a base portion 62 which is disposed generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal central axis of the shaft 24 between the sleeve 31 and the body 12, and a finger grip portion 63 which extends outwardly from the base portion 62 and angularly rearwardly in spaced apart relation along side the housing 4. Depressing the finger grip portion 63 causes the forward surface 65 of the base portion 62 remote from the finger grip portion 63 to push against the sleeve 31, and simultaneously causes the rear surface 66 of the base portion 62-adjacent the finger grip portion 63 to push against the body 12 forcing the sleeve 31 forwardly against the force of the spring 59 along the shaft 24 in a direction away from the body 12. Upon release of the lever mechanism 61, the spring 59 will force the sleeve 31 rearwardly along the shaft 24 to reposition the nozzle means 7 in the nonactuated rearward position. A resilient member 67, such as a leaf spring, may be provided to bias the nozzle forwardly away from the housing. The spring 67 may be mounted on the shaft between the lever mechanism 61 and the body 12 to enable the housing to be moved forwardly toward the nozzle member upon application of a forward axial force on the housing 4.

Referring again to FIG. I, a holding and ejecting mechanism 9 is disposed within the nose member 40 to releasably hold the fastener F for selective ejection from the nozzle means 7. The novel holding and ejecting mechanism 9 of the present invention comprises a plurality of elongated, fingerlike elements 69 which extend generally axially through the nose member 40. The elements 69 are pivotally adjacent one end to the extension 28 and are unattached adjacent the opposite end for free radial movement in a manner as will be discussed hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6, each of the finger elements 69 is essentially identical in construction so that like portions of the respective fingers are designated by like numerals. Each of the finger elements 69 preferably includes an enlarged head portion 70 and an elongated stem portion 71 which projects generally axially forwardly from the head 70. The end of the stem 71 remote from the head 70 is provided with a tumed-in or toothlike portion 72. Preferably, the head 70 is generally arcuate in configuration when viewed in transverse cross section (FIG. 5), and is provided with a generally arcuate-shaped slot 73 (FIGS. 2 and 6) which is adapted to receive a portion of the flange 29 therein. The slot 73 is defined by flat generally parallel sidewalls 74 and 75 and a curved bottom wall 76. The slot 73 is spaced inwardly from the end of the head 70 to fonn a radially inwardly extending flange 77 adjacent the end of thehead remote from the stem 71 which is adapted to project into the annular recess 36 defined by the

flanges

27 and 29. Preferably, the width of the slot 73 and the recess 36 is greater than the thickness of the

flanges

29 and 77, respectively, while the depth of the recess 36 is preferably greater than the depth of the slot 73 so that a loose pivotal connection for rockinglike pivotal movement of the finger elements 69 about the flange 29' is provided.

To hold the finger elements 69 in place on the extension 28 while permitting the free end of the finger elements 69 to pivot about the flange 29 when the tool is in the assembled condition, the respective heads 70 of the finger elements 69 are each provided with a curved outer surface 79 (FIGS. 2 and 5) which is tapered generally radially outwardly in an axial direction away from the free ends commencing in a leading edge 80 and terminating in an apex edge, as at 81. The apex edge till defines a circle having a maximum transverse diameter which is less than the diameter of the bore d7 defined by the wall .56" when the finger elements ss are in the installed position. in addition, the difference between the radius of the circles defined by the apex edge hi and the bore 47 is less than the radial length of the flange 77 so that the flange 77 will be maintained in interlocked engagement in the recess 36 even when edge hi is in engagement with the wall 5ft. Furthermore, the tapered outer surface 79 provides a clearance between the head 7% and the wall Silt during the radial movement of the free ends of the finger elements 6). As shown in H6. 2, the diameter of the intermediate bore 34 of the sleeve 3i is substantially equal to the diameter of the enlarged bore 37 of the nose memberl ll so that the wall 35 defining the bore 34 will act to prevent outward movement of the respective heads 70 away from interlocked engagement with the flange 27 when the nozzle 40 is moved forwardly away from the housing 4, and the head 76 in position in the bore 34.

in the installed position, the stem portions 71 of the respective elements as extend generally axially forwardly from the head 76) through the intermediate bore 49 terminating within the reduced bore 38 so that the teeth 72 are disposed adjacent the outlet opening 54. Each of the stem portions are preferably arcuate in configuration when viewed in transverse cross section, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and are defined by a convex outer surface $3 and a concave inner surface d4. When the nozzle means 7 is in the nonactuated rearward position, the convex surface 83 is arranged to engage the wall 51 of the bore 4% (H6. 1) so that the convex surface 83 is disposed in generally parallel spaced apart relation to the wall 52 of the bore 39. in addition, the leading edge d of the surface 79 is preferably positioned rearwardly with respect to the shoulder 85 formed by juncture of the enlarged bore 47 and the intermediate bore 4%, and the outer surface '79 is positioned radially inwardly of the leading edge fill of the surface 79 so that a clearance is provided between the wall 52 and the end of the stem 71 adjacent the head 7h. The inner concave surfaces lid of each of the elements as are preferably spaced apart so that they define an imaginary tubular passageway having a diameter which is greater than the maximum trans verse dimension of the fastener F and which enables the fastener to pass freely between the respective finger members 65' into engagement with the teeth 72.

The teeth 72 preferably project radially inwardly toward one another and angularly forwardly in a direction away from the head portions 7%. Preferably, each tooth 72 is tapered (H68. 3 @L ti) and includes an angularly disposed front surface 57 and an inner surface 3% which is adapted for abutting sliding engagement with the fastener. The surfaces 87 andii converge toward one another in a direction away from the stem 71 terminating in a blunt tip d9. When the respective finger elements 69 are disposed within the reduced bore 48, the tips 89 define an opening having a maximum transverse dimension which is less than the minimum diameter of the fastener F, and therefore, prevent the fastener F from passing therebetween. Preferably, the length of the bore $8 is less than the length of the forward travel of the nose member 40 so that free ends of the finger elements may be withdrawn from within the bore 48 and rearwardly of the shoulder Sill formed by the juncture of the reduced bore 48 and intermediate bore 49, and enabling the finger elements 69 to pivot radially outwardly into engagement with the wall 52 of the bore W. The diameter of the bore 49 is preferably made sufficiently large so that, when the finger elements engage the wall 52, the tips if? of the respective teeth 72 define an opening therebetween having a greater transverse dimension than the maximum transverse dimension of the fastener F, and therefore, enable the fasteners to pass between the tips d9 into engagement with the lip 56.

To firmly hold the fastener F in the nose member so that the fastener shank 5 may be inserted or pushed into the aperture A of the support panel P, the finger elements an preferably extend forwardly so that the tooth front surface 87 is disposed in substantially parallel confronting relation to the beveled surface 57 of the lip 565. in the nonactuated condition, the front surface ll of the flange 27 is arranged to provide an abutment for the front sidewall 74 of the slot 73 to limit rearward axial movement of the finger elements 69 and maintain the

surfaces

87 and 57 in slightly spaced apart relation. Preferably, the maximum transverse distance between the

surfaces

87 and 57 is less than the thickness of the fastener head s so that the head will be compressibly held between the lip 56 and the teeth 72 when the tool is in the deactuated condition.

in a typical operation of the tool 2, fasteners such as F, may be delivered one at a time under pressure, such as by compressed air through the delivery tube Zll into the housing from a suitable source (not shown). The fastener F will be forced through the passageway 20 in the body 12 and then through the shaft 2 1 into the nose member 40. When the nozzle 7 is in the rearward nonactuated position, the free ends of the finger elements 69 are positioned within the bore 4% of the nose member 40. The pressure of the compressed air will tend to force the free ends of the finger elements 69 radially apart from one another, but such movement is restricted by the wall 5ll of the bore 48 which is adapted to engage the upper convex surface d3 of the finger elements 69. When in this nonactuated position, the tips 8% of the teeth 72 provide an opening therebetween which is less than the transverse dimension of the fastener shank 5 so that a fastener will pass shanlt first between the inner concave surfaces 84 of the finger elements 69 into engagement with the angularly disposed inner surface 88 of the teeth 72. Because of the angular disposition of the surface 88, the force of the fastener shank 5 against the surface 88 will also tend to force the finger elements apart, but engagement of the upper surface 83 of the finger elements 69 with the wall 5ll of the bore 48 will still prevent such movement. To actuate the tool, the lever mechanism bl is drawn by means of the finger grip portion 63 toward the housing 4. As the lever mechanism til is moved toward the housing 4, the front surface 65 remote from the finger grip portion 63 acts to apply a force to the sleeve 3ll while the rear surface 66 adjacent the finger grip portion 63 acts to apply a force against the body l2 causing the sleeve member 31, and thus, the nose member 40 to move away from the housing t against the force of the spring 59. As the nose member ill moves forwardly, the finger elements as are withdrawn from within the bore 48. The nose member if) is moved forwardly a sufficient distance so that the shoulder is moved forwardly of the free ends of the finger elements 69. At this time, the finger elements 69 will be forced by the force of the fastener F and compressed air in the system to pivot radially about the flange 27 of the extension Zfl. As the inner surfacesiili of the teeth 72 are angularly disposed, the fastener F will slidably advance along the surface 853 as the finger elements 6% move apart, and enable the fastener F to pass therebetween. After the fastener F has passed beyond the teeth 72, the fluid pressure continues to force the fastener forwardly through the nose member dil into engagement with the lip 56. As the diameter of the opening 54 in the lip 56 is larger than the transverse dimension of the shank 5, the shank 5 will pass through the opening 5 3 and project outwardly of the nose member dill, but as the diameter of the opening 54 is less than the maximum transverse dimension of the fastener head 6, the lip 56 will engage the head a and prevent the fastener F from passing out of the nose member ill. To grip the fastener for ejection, the lever mechanism of is then released causing the spring 59 to expand and urge the sleeve 31 and nose member 4% rearwardly toward the housing 2. When the nose member 40 moves rearwardly, the finger elements 69 will be moved forwardly relative to the nose member db into the bore 43, as a result of the front surface 27 engaging the front wall 74 of the slot 73. During the forward movement of the finger elements 69 through the intermediate bore 49, the angularly disposed front surface @7 of the teeth 72 engage the shoulder f ll causing the free ends of the finger elements 69 to be slidingly deflected radially inwardly toward one another. At the completion of the rearward movement of the nose member 40, the front surface 87 of the teeth 72 will engage the rear end of the fastener head 6 thereby holding the head 6 compressibly against the beveled surface 57 At this time, the shank may then be inserted by force into the aperture A compressibly deforming the shank 5 in gripping relation therein. The nose member 40 is then forced against the panel so that the housing 4 is moved axially forwardly toward the sleeve 31 resiliently deforming the spring 67 and causing the finger members 6 to be forced against the fastener head. As the front surface 37 of the teeth 72 and the inner surface of the lip are disposed at substantially the same angle, the finger elements 69 will be deflected radially inward and forwardly into the opening 54 forcing the fastener beyond the lip 56 and out of the tool (FIG. 3).

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and descriptions of excluding any equivalents of any of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for feeding and applying fasteners to a work piece comprising:

a body;

said body including a housing and a nozzle means moveably mounted in telescoping relation adjacent one end thereof adapted for movement toward and away from said housmg;

resilient means coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle means with respect to said housing in the nonactuated position of said tool; said housing including a passageway disposed therein being adapted at one end to receive fasteners under pressure,

said nozzle means including a lengthwise extending bore communicating at one end with said passageway and having an opening adjacent the opposite end adapted to discharge fasteners from said tool;

a plurality of elongated holding members pivotally mounted within said bore and radially spaced with respect to the central axis thereof to enable fasteners to pass therebetween;

each of said holding members being relatively free adjacent one end for radial expansion and contraction with respect to the central axis of said bore for selectively engaging and limiting the passage of fasteners through said bore;

abutment means carried by said nozzle means and disengageably abutting the free ends of said holding members to limit the transverse distance therebetween to a distance less than the maximum corresponding transverse dimension of said fasteners;

actuation means operably coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means with respect to said housing for disengaging said abutment means from said free ends; and

the free ends of said holding members being cammed radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal central axis of said bore by said fasteners by the force of pressurized fluid thereon in the actuated position of said tool to enable said fasteners to pass forwardly through said bore and beyond said holding members for discharge from said tool.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said face ends of said holding members are unattached to enable substantially-free movement about said pivotal mounting.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1, including guide means surrounding said discharge opening for engaging said fasteners upon passing beyond the free ends of said holding members.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein said guide means includes a cam surface adapted for camming coacting engagement with the free ends of said holding members to forcibly disengage said fasteners from said guide means for discharge from said tool.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said resilient means coacts between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle means in two opposite directions with respect to said housing; and

movement of said housing with respect to said nozzle means in one direction causes disengagement of the free ends of said holding members from said abutment means and movement in the opposite direction causes camming coacting engagement of the free ends of said holding members with said cam surface for discharging said fasteners from said tool.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuation means includes a lever mechanism mounted between said housing and said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing to actuate said tool. 7

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said resilient means includes a resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to bias said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing; and

said housing moveable in the direction towards said nozzle means against the force of said resilient member to discharge said fasteners from said tool.

8. A device in accordance with claim I, wherein:

said resilient means includes a first resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to urge said nozzle means in a direction toward said housing, and a second resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to urge said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing; and

said nozzle means moveably in a direction away from said housing against the force of said first resilient member to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a workpiece, and said housing moveable in a direction toward said nozzle means against the force of said second resilient member to discharge a fastener from said tool.

9. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim l, wherein said holding members comprise jawlike elements mounted for rockinglike movement adjacent said mounted end.

10. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for selectively feeding and applying fasteners to a workpiece comprising;

an elongated body;

said body including a housing and a nozzle means connected adjacent one end of said housing and adapted to selectively deliver fasteners from said tool;

said housing having a passageway disposed therein and communicating with said nozzle means;

means connected adjacent one end of said body remote from said nozzle means to deliver fasteners under pressure through said passageway and to said nozzle means;

actuation means supported by said body and coacting with said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means relative to said housing to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a workpiece;

said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing;

resilient means disposed for coacting engagement with said shaft member and said nozzle means;

a lever mechanism coacting with said housing and said nozzle means to resiliently urge said nozzle means away from said housing;

said nozzle means includes a sleeve member mounted on said shaft member adapted for sliding engagement therewith; and

said shaft and said sleeve members including an abutment means disposed thereon, and each disposed in engagement with the opposite sides of said resilient means to compress said resilient m mm to move said nozzle means in one direction upon actuation of said lever mechanism and to move said nozzle means in the opposite direction upon release of said lever mechanism.

Fill. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for selectively feeding and applying fasteners-to a workpiece comprising:

an elongated body;

said body including a housing and'a nozzle means connected adjacent one end of said housing and adapted to selectively deliver fasteners from said tool;

actuation means supported by said body and coacting with said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means relative to said housing to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a work piece;

said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing;

said shaft member includes a stud portion having an annular flange;

holding means comprising jawlke members having recessed portions adjacent one end thereof adapted to receive said flange; and

said recesses being larger than said flange to enable rockinglike pivotal movement of said jawlike members on said stud portion.

12. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim l, wherein said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing;

resilient means disposed for coacting engagement with said shaft member and said nozzle means; and

a lever mechanism coacting with said housing and said nozzle means to resiliently urge said nozzle means away from said housing.

l3. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim l, wherein said nozzle means comprises a nozzle member including a counter bore having a diameter greater than said firstmentioned bore, and the free ends of said holding members are disposed in abutting engagement with the walls of said first-mentioned bore in the nonactuated position of said tool, and said nozzle member being moveable with respect to said holding members upon actuation of said tool to disengage the free ends of said holding members from said walls to position the free ends of said holding members within. said counter bore to enable radial expansion thereof.

M. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said nozzle means includes a sleeve member mounted on said shaft adapted for sliding engagement therewith; and

said shaft and said sleeve member including an abutment means disposed thereon, and each disposed in engagemerit with the opposite sides of said resilient means to compress said resilient means to move said nozzle means in one direction upon actuation of said actuation means and to move said nozzle means in the opposite direction upon release of said actuation means.

H. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9,

wherein:

said shaft member includes a stud portion having an annular flange;

said holding members including recess portions adjacent their connected end adapted to receive said flange; and

said recesses being larger then said flange to enable free rockinglike pivotal movement of said holding members on said stud portion.

l6. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim l, wherein:

said actuation means includes a lever mechanism having a lever portion and a base portion; and

said base portion including a resilient springlike raised portion biasing said housing in a direction away from said nozzle means.

l7. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mounted ends of said holding members are tapered radially outwardly away from said free end to enable relatively free radial movement of said free end within said bore.

l8. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9. wherein:

said jawlike elements include recessed portions spaced inwardly from said mounted end defining inwardly projecting flanges: and

transverse distance between said bore and said mounted end being less than the length of said flanges to prevent disengagement of said jawlike element when in the assembled position.

19. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9. wherein said jawlike elements include tooth portions adjacent the free ends thereof extending inwardly toward one another being adapted to abuttingly engage a respective one of said fasteners to limit movement of said fasteners through said bore in the nonactuated position of said tool.

20. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for feeding and applying fasteners having a shank portion and an enlarged, relatively resilient head portion to a work piece comprising:

an elongated body;

said body including a housing and a nozzle means movably mounted in telescoping relation adjacent one end thereof adapted for movement toward and away from said housmg,

resilient means coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle with respect to said housing in the nonactuated position of said tool;

said housing including a passageway disposed therein and communicating with said nozzle means being adapted at one end to receive fasteners under pressure;

said nozzle means including an axially extending bore having abutment means adjacent one end and communicating at the opposite end with said passageway to enable fasteners to pass from said passageway into said bore;

said one end of said bore including an opening having a diameter greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said shank and less than the maximum transverse dimension of said head adapted for discharging fasteners from said tool;

a plurality of elongated holding members extending lengthwise within said bore being radially spaced from one another to enable fasteners to pass therebetween;

said holding members being pivotally connected at one end and unattached adjacent their opposite ends for free pivotal movement of the free ends to enable expanding and contracting movement relative to the longitudinal central axis of said bore for selectively engaging a respective one of said fasteners to limit movement of said fasteners through said bore;

said abutment means disengageably abutting the unattached ends of said holding members in the nonactuated position of said tool to limit the transverse distance between said unattached ends thereof to a distance less than the maximum corresponding dimension of the shank of said fasteners said resilient means including one resilient member biasing said nozzle means in a direction toward said housing to position the free ends of said holding member adjacent said abutment means in the nonactuated position of said tool and another resilient member biasing said housing in a direction away from said nozzle means to enable movement of said housing toward said nozzle means to discharge fasteners from said tool;

actuation means including a one actuating member coacting between said housing and said nozzle means against the force of one of said resilient members for selectively moving said nozzle means with respect to said housing to disengage the unattached ends of said holding members from said abutment means to enable the same to pivot radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal central axis of said bore; i

said bore having an increased width portion adjacent said abutment means and said free ends being disposed in said increased width portions in the activated positions of-said tool to enable said one fastener by the force of said pressurized fluid thereon to cammingly coact with the unattached ends of said holding member to cause said unattached ends to pivot outwardly enabling said one fastener to pass between and beyond the free ends of said holding members for discharge from said tool;

guide means surrounding said discharge opening adapted for engagement with said one fastener upon said one fastener passing beyond the unattached ends of said holding members;

said guide means including a cam surface adapted to engage the head of said one fastener and for camming coacting engagement with the unattached ends of said holding members to discharge fasteners from said tool; and

said holding members operably connected to said housing to move the free ends thereof against the force of the other of said resilient members into coacting camming engagement with said cam surface;

another actuating member operably connected to said housing to move said housing toward said nozzle means to move said unattached ends of said holding members toward said cam surface to position said fastener head in engagement therewith to force said fastener head against said cam surface to deform the former and force the fastener through said discharge opening.

Claims

1. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for feeding and applying fasteners to a work piece comprising: a body; said body including a housing and a nozzle means moveably mounted in telescoping relation adjacent one end thereof adapted for movement toward and away from said housing; resilient means coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle means with respect to said housing in the nonactuated position of said tool; said housing including a passageway disposed therein being adapted at one end to receive fasteners under pressure, said nozzle means including a lengthwise extending bore communicating at one end with said passageway and having an opening adjacent the opposite end adapted to discharge fasteners from said tool; a plurality of elongated holding members pivotally mounted within said bore and radially spaced with respect to the central axis thereof to enable fasteners to pass therebetween; each of said holding members being relatively free adjacent one end for radial expansion and contraction with respect to the central axis of said bore for selectively engaging and limiting the passage of fasteners through said bore; abutment means carried by said nozzle means and disengageably abutting the free ends of said holding members to limit the transverse distance therebetween to a distance less than the maximum corresponding transverse dimension of said fasteners; actuation means operably coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means with respect to said housing for disengaging said abutment means from said free ends; and the free ends of said holding members being cammed radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal central axis of said bore by said fasteners by the force of pressurized fluid thereon in the actuated position of said tool to enable said fasteners to pass forwardly through said bore and beyond said holding members for discharge from said tool.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said face ends of said holding members are unattached to enable substantially free movement about said pivotal mounting.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said resilient means coacts between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle means in two opposite directions with respect to said housing; and movement of said housing with respect to said nozzle means in one direction causes disengagement of the free ends of said holding members from said abutment means and movement in the opposite direction causes camming coacting engagement of the free ends of said holding members with said cam surface for discharging said fasteners from said tool.

6. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuation means includes a lever mechanism mounted between said housing and said nozzle means for moving said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing to actuate said tool.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said resilient means includes a resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to bias said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing; and said housing moveable in the direction towards said nozzle means against the force of said resilient member to discharge said fasteners from said tool.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said resilient means includes a first resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to urge said nozzle means in a direction toWard said housing, and a second resilient member mounted between said nozzle means and said housing to urge said nozzle means in a direction away from said housing; and said nozzle means moveably in a direction away from said housing against the force of said first resilient member to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a workpiece, and said housing moveable in a direction toward said nozzle means against the force of said second resilient member to discharge a fastener from said tool.

9. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said holding members comprise jawlike elements mounted for rockinglike movement adjacent said mounted end.

10. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for selectively feeding and applying fasteners to a workpiece comprising; an elongated body; said body including a housing and a nozzle means connected adjacent one end of said housing and adapted to selectively deliver fasteners from said tool; said housing having a passageway disposed therein and communicating with said nozzle means; means connected adjacent one end of said body remote from said nozzle means to deliver fasteners under pressure through said passageway and to said nozzle means; actuation means supported by said body and coacting with said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means relative to said housing to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a workpiece; said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing; resilient means disposed for coacting engagement with said shaft member and said nozzle means; a lever mechanism coacting with said housing and said nozzle means to resiliently urge said nozzle means away from said housing; said nozzle means includes a sleeve member mounted on said shaft member adapted for sliding engagement therewith; and said shaft and said sleeve members including an abutment means disposed thereon, and each disposed in engagement with the opposite sides of said resilient means to compress said resilient means to move said nozzle means in one direction upon actuation of said lever mechanism and to move said nozzle means in the opposite direction upon release of said lever mechanism.

11. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for selectively feeding and applying fasteners to a workpiece comprising: an elongated body; said body including a housing and a nozzle means connected adjacent one end of said housing and adapted to selectively deliver fasteners from said tool; said housing having a passageway disposed therein and communicating with said nozzle means; means connected adjacent one end of said body remote from said nozzle means to deliver fasteners under pressure through said passageway and to said nozzle means; actuation means supported by said body and coacting with said housing and said nozzle means for selectively moving said nozzle means relative to said housing to position a fastener in said nozzle means for application to a workpiece; said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing; resilient means disposed for coacting engagement with said shaft member and said nozzle means; a lever mechanism coacting with said housing and said nozzle means to resiliently urge said nozzle means away from said housing; said shaft member includes a stud portion having an annular flange; holding means comprising jawlke members having recessed portions adjacent one end thereof adapted to receive said flange; and said recesses being larger than said flange to enable rockinglike pivotal movement of said jawlike members on said stud portion.

12. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said actuation means comprises a shaft member supported by said housing; resilient means disposed for coacting engagement with said shaft member and said nozzle means; and a lever mechanism coacting with said housing aNd said nozzle means to resiliently urge said nozzle means away from said housing.

13. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said nozzle means comprises a nozzle member including a counter bore having a diameter greater than said first-mentioned bore, and the free ends of said holding members are disposed in abutting engagement with the walls of said first-mentioned bore in the nonactuated position of said tool, and said nozzle member being moveable with respect to said holding members upon actuation of said tool to disengage the free ends of said holding members from said walls to position the free ends of said holding members within said counter bore to enable radial expansion thereof.

14. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said nozzle means includes a sleeve member mounted on said shaft adapted for sliding engagement therewith; and said shaft and said sleeve member including an abutment means disposed thereon, and each disposed in engagement with the opposite sides of said resilient means to compress said resilient means to move said nozzle means in one direction upon actuation of said actuation means and to move said nozzle means in the opposite direction upon release of said actuation means.

15. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said shaft member includes a stud portion having an annular flange; said holding members including recess portions adjacent their connected end adapted to receive said flange; and said recesses being larger then said flange to enable free rockinglike pivotal movement of said holding members on said stud portion.

16. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said actuation means includes a lever mechanism having a lever portion and a base portion; and said base portion including a resilient springlike raised portion biasing said housing in a direction away from said nozzle means.

17. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the mounted ends of said holding members are tapered radially outwardly away from said free end to enable relatively free radial movement of said free end within said bore.

18. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said jawlike elements include recessed portions spaced inwardly from said mounted end defining inwardly projecting flanges: and transverse distance between said bore and said mounted end being less than the length of said flanges to prevent disengagement of said jawlike element when in the assembled position.

19. An assembly tool device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said jawlike elements include tooth portions adjacent the free ends thereof extending inwardly toward one another being adapted to abuttingly engage a respective one of said fasteners to limit movement of said fasteners through said bore in the nonactuated position of said tool.

20. A fluid pressure assembly tool device for feeding and applying fasteners having a shank portion and an enlarged, relatively resilient head portion to a work piece comprising: an elongated body; said body including a housing and a nozzle means movably mounted in telescoping relation adjacent one end thereof adapted for movement toward and away from said housing, resilient means coacting between said housing and said nozzle means for biasing said nozzle with respect to said housing in the nonactuated position of said tool; said housing including a passageway disposed therein and communicating with said nozzle means being adapted at one end to receive fasteners under pressure; said nozzle means including an axially extending bore having abutment means adjacent one end and communicating at the opposite end with said passageway to enable fasteners to pass from said passageway into said bore; said one end of said bore including an opening having a diameter greater than the maximum transverse dimension of said shank and less than the maximum tranSverse dimension of said head adapted for discharging fasteners from said tool; a plurality of elongated holding members extending lengthwise within said bore being radially spaced from one another to enable fasteners to pass therebetween; said holding members being pivotally connected at one end and unattached adjacent their opposite ends for free pivotal movement of the free ends to enable expanding and contracting movement relative to the longitudinal central axis of said bore for selectively engaging a respective one of said fasteners to limit movement of said fasteners through said bore; said abutment means disengageably abutting the unattached ends of said holding members in the nonactuated position of said tool to limit the transverse distance between said unattached ends thereof to a distance less than the maximum corresponding dimension of the shank of said fasteners said resilient means including one resilient member biasing said nozzle means in a direction toward said housing to position the free ends of said holding member adjacent said abutment means in the nonactuated position of said tool and another resilient member biasing said housing in a direction away from said nozzle means to enable movement of said housing toward said nozzle means to discharge fasteners from said tool; actuation means including a one actuating member coacting between said housing and said nozzle means against the force of one of said resilient members for selectively moving said nozzle means with respect to said housing to disengage the unattached ends of said holding members from said abutment means to enable the same to pivot radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal central axis of said bore; said bore having an increased width portion adjacent said abutment means and said free ends being disposed in said increased width portions in the activated positions of said tool to enable said one fastener by the force of said pressurized fluid thereon to cammingly coact with the unattached ends of said holding member to cause said unattached ends to pivot outwardly enabling said one fastener to pass between and beyond the free ends of said holding members for discharge from said tool; guide means surrounding said discharge opening adapted for engagement with said one fastener upon said one fastener passing beyond the unattached ends of said holding members; said guide means including a cam surface adapted to engage the head of said one fastener and for camming coacting engagement with the unattached ends of said holding members to discharge fasteners from said tool; and said holding members operably connected to said housing to move the free ends thereof against the force of the other of said resilient members into coacting camming engagement with said cam surface; another actuating member operably connected to said housing to move said housing toward said nozzle means to move said unattached ends of said holding members toward said cam surface to position said fastener head in engagement therewith to force said fastener head against said cam surface to deform the former and force the fastener through said discharge opening.