EP3184193B1

EP3184193B1 - Fastener setting gun and loading device thereof

Info

Publication number: EP3184193B1
Application number: EP16182534.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cheng-Chi Sun
Original assignee: Lite On Electronics Guangzhou Co Ltd; Lite On Technology Corp
Current assignee: Lite On Electronics Guangzhou Co Ltd; Lite On Technology Corp
Priority date: 2015-12-23
Filing date: 2016-08-03
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-03
Also published as: EP3184193A1

Description

The invention relates to a fixing gun, and more particularly to a fixing gun including a loading device.
A conventional fixing gun is for manipulation of a fastener, such as a solid rivet or a blind rivet. After the manipulation of the fastener, a user needs to manually reload the conventional fixing gun with another fastener. Such operation is inconvenient and time-consuming. Additionally, the reloaded fastener may be inaccurately positioned in the conventional fixing gun due to the manual operation.
EP 0750954 , for example, discloses a riveting gun including a loading apparatus for loading rivets. The loading apparatus uses a pawl to be engaged and guided in the grooves, so as to control the movement of the pick-up element for loading rivets. However, when the pawl moves out from one of the grooves and moves into another one of the grooves, the pawl might get stuck in the connecting point between the grooves.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a fixing gun according to claim 1 is provided. The fixing gun includes a gun body and a loading device. The gun body is for manipulation of a fastener, and has a loading hole. The loading device is disposed on the gun body for moving the fastener into the loading hole, and includes a guide member and a linkage mechanism. The guide member is formed with a first guide groove and a second guide groove. The linkage mechanism includes a lower link, a slide member, and a clamp assembly for holding the fastener. The slide member is disposed movably on the guide member. The lower link is pivoted to the slide member and the clamp assembly. During movement of the slide member relative to the guide member for moving the fastener into the loading hole, the lower link is alternatively engaged to the first guide groove and the second guide groove.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a loading device according to claim 11 is provided. The loading device includes a guide member and a linkage mechanism. The guide member is formed with a first guide groove and a second guide groove. The linkage mechanism is movable relative to the guide member, and includes a lower link. The lower link includes a first pin and a second pin. The first and second pins are respectively and separably engageable with the first and second guide grooves. During movement of the linkage mechanism relative to the guide member, the second pin is separated from the second guide groove when the first pin engages the first guide groove, and the first pin is separated from the first guide groove when the second pin engages the second guide groove.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a fixing gun according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a partly exploded perspective view of the fixing gun shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating a gun body, a base seat, a guide member and a feed tube of the embodiment;
Figure 4 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating a drive unit and a linkage mechanism of the embodiment;
Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a lateral plate of the guide member and a second lower link section of a lower link of the embodiment;
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a clamp assembly of the embodiment;
Figure 7 is a front view illustrating the clamp assembly of the embodiment;
Figure 8 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage mechanism at an initial position;
Figure 9 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage mechanism at a first turning position;
Figure 10 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage mechanism at a first switch position;
Figure 11 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view illustrating a relationship between a first pin, a second pin, a first guide groove and a second guide groove when the linkage mechanism is at the first switch position;
Figure 12 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage mechanism at a second turning position;
Figure 13 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating a fastener being separated from the clamp assembly when the linkage mechanism is at the second turning position;
Figure 14 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the linkage mechanism at a second switch position;
Figure 15 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view illustrating a relationship between the first pin, the second pin, the first guide groove and the second guide groove when the linkage mechanism is at the second switch position;
Figure 16 is a schematic fragmentary side view illustrating the feed tube and the clamp assembly; and
Figure 17 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the embodiment.

Before the invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that where considered appropriate, reference numerals or terminal portions of reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements, which may optionally have similar characteristics.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side view and a partly exploded perspective view of a fixing gun 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment, the fixing gun 2 is for manipulation of a fastener 1 to fasten elements together by such as a solid rivet or a blind rivet. The fixing gun 2 includes a gun body 20, and a loading device 30 that is disposed on the gun body 20. The gun body 20 has a loading hole 211 that permits the fastener 1 to be inserted thereinto. The loading device 30 includes a feed tube 3, a base seat 40, a guide member 41, a drive unit 43 and a linkage mechanism 44.
Referring further to Figure 3, Figure 3 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating the gun body 20, the base seat 40, the guide member 41 and the feed tube 3 of the embodiment. The base seat 40 is disposed on the gun body 20. The guide member 41 is disposed on the base seat 40, and has two space-apart lateral plates 411 that are parallel to each other. Each of the lateral plates 411 is formed with a first guide groove 412 and a second guide groove 413 that are spaced apart from each other and that are not connected with each other. The first and second guide grooves 412, 413 are formed through the corresponding lateral plate 411. In one embodiment, the first and second guide grooves 412, 413 are machined by wire cutting.
Each of the first guide grooves 412 has a first horizontal groove portion 414, and a first inclined groove portion 415 that extends forwardly and upwardly from a front end of the first horizontal groove portion 414. Each of the second guide grooves 413 has a second horizontal groove portion 417, and a second inclined groove portion 418 that extends rearwardly and downwardly from a rear end of the second horizontal groove portion 417. The second horizontal groove portion 417 of each of the second guide grooves 413 is located above and spaced apart from the first inclined groove portion 415 of the corresponding first guide groove 412, and is parallel to the first horizontal groove portion 414 of the corresponding first guide groove 412. The first guide groove 412 has a first guide surface 416 that is formed and located at a distal end of the first inclined groove portion 415, and the corresponding second guide groove 413 has a second guide surface 419 that is formed and located at a distal end of the second inclined groove portion 418.
Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a partly exploded perspective view illustrating the drive unit 43 and the linkage mechanism 44 of the embodiment. The drive unit 43 is configured as a pneumatic cylinder, and includes a cylinder body 431 and a rod 432. The linkage mechanism 44 includes a pair of upper links 45, a pair of lower links 46, a slide member 48 and a clamp assembly 49. The upper links 45 are respectively located at two opposite lateral sides of the guide member 41. The lower links 46 are respectively located at the two opposite lateral sides of the guide member 41. Each of the lower links 46 is spaced apart from and located under the corresponding upper link 45, and is substantially parallel to the corresponding upper link 45. Each of the lower links 46 has a length greater than that of the corresponding upper links 45.
The slide member 48 is movably disposed on the lateral plates 411 of the guide member 41, and is connected to the rod 432 of the drive unit 43, such that the drive unit 43 is operable to move the slide member 48 in two opposite first and second directions (D1, D2) so as to drive movement of the linkage mechanism 44. The clamp assembly 49 includes a mount frame 490. Each of the upper links 45 is pivoted to the mount frame 490 and the slide member 48. Each of the lower links 46 is pivoted to the mount frame 490 and the slide member 48. The lower link 46 is divided into a first lower link section 461 and a second lower link section 462 by a pivot bolt 465 via which the lower link 46 is pivoted to the slide member 48. The first lower link section 461 of the lower link 46 is parallel to the corresponding upper link 45, and is identical to the corresponding upper link 45 in length. As such, each of the upper links 45 cooperates with the corresponding lower link 46, the slide member 48 and the mount frame 490 of the clamp assembly 49 to constitute a parallel four-bar linkage. The second lower link section 462 of the lower link 46 extends rearwardly from the first lower link section 461 of the corresponding lower link 46, and is formed with a first through hole 463 and a second through hole 464.
Referring further to Figure 5, Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the second lower link section 462 of the lower link 46 and the corresponding lateral plate 411 of the guide member 41. The lower link 46 has a connecting plate 467 that is disposed on the second lower link section 462 and that is formed with a first blind hole 473 and a second blind hole 474 for respectively retaining first and second resilient members 470, 471, and first and second pins 468, 469. In the embodiment, the first and second pins 468, 469 are respectively and partially retained in the first and second blind holes 473, 474, and respectively and movably extend through the first and second through holes 463, 464 of the second lower link section 462 of the lower link 46.
For the sake of brevity, only one of the lower links 46 and the corresponding lateral plate 411 of the guide member 41 are described in the following paragraphs. In one embodiment, the first and second pins 468, 469 of the lower link 46 are respectively and separably engageable with the first and second guide grooves 412, 413 formed in the lateral plate 411. During operation of the linkage mechanism 44, the first and second pins 468, 469 of the lower link 46 will be alternatively engaged with the corresponding first and second guide grooves 412, 413 of the lateral plate 411. For example, when the linkage mechanism 44 is in a state shown in Figure 5, the first pin 468 is aligned with the first guide groove 412 and the second pin 469 is not aligned with the second guide groove 413. At this time, the first pin 468 is biased by the first resilient member 470 to engage the first guide groove 412 such that the lower link 46 is engaged to the first guide groove 412 via the first pin 468. Since the second pin 469 is not aligned with the second guide groove 413, the second pin 469 is biased by the second resilient member 471 to abut against a side surface of the lateral plate 411.
Referring further to Figures 6 and 7, Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp assembly 49, and Figure 7 is a front view of the clamp assembly 49. The clamp assembly 49 further includes a seat member 491, two claw members 492 and two resilient members 493. The seat member 491 is fixed to the mount frame 490 by a bolt 494. The claw members 492 are pivoted to the seat member 491. Each of the claw members 492 has a clamping surface 495 at an end portion thereof. The clamping surfaces 495 of the claw members 492 cooperatively define a polygonal clamping space 496 therebetween for partially retaining the fastener 1. Each of the resilient members 493 is disposed between the seat member 491 and a respective one of the claw members 492, and resiliently biases another end portion of the corresponding claw member 492 opposite to the clamping surface 495, such that the clamping surfaces 495 of the claw members 492 are moved toward each other.
The operation of the linkage mechanism 44 of the fixing gun 2 is described as follows.
Figure 8 illustrates the linkage mechanism 44 at an initial position. Figure 9 illustrates the linkage mechanism 44 at a first turning position. Figure 10 illustrates the linkage mechanism 44 at a first switch position. Figure 12 illustrates the linkage mechanism 44 at a second turning position. Figure 14 illustrates the linkage mechanism 44 at a second switch position.
Referring to Figure 8, when the linkage mechanism 44 is at the initial position, the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is aligned with the first guide groove 412, and the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is not aligned with the second guide groove 413. The first pin 468 engages the first horizontal groove portion 414 of the first guide groove 412 such that the lower link 46 is connected to the guide member 41 via the first pin 468. When the linkage mechanism 44 is at the initial position, the feed tube 3 conveys a fastener 1 (see Figure 2) into the clamp assembly 49 so that the fastener 1 is held by the clamp assembly 49. Then, the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to move the slide member 48 in the first direction (D1). Since the first pin 468 engages the first horizontal groove portion 414 of the first guide groove 412, the movement of the first pin 468 is limited by the first horizontal groove portion 414. Therefore, when the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to move the slide member 48 in the first direction (D1), the linkage mechanism 44 as a whole moves horizontally relative to the guide member 41 along the first horizontal groove portion 414 (i.e., in the first direction (D1)).
Referring to Figure 9, when the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is moved to the intersection of the first horizontal groove portion 414 and the first inclined groove portion 415 of the first guide groove 412, the linkage mechanism is at the first turning position. The rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to further move the slide member 48 in the first direction (D1), so that the first pin 468 enters and engages the first inclined groove portion 415 of the first guide groove 412 and moves forwardly and upwardly along the first inclined groove portion 415. During the movement of the first pin 468 within the first inclined groove portion 415, the lower link 46 is rotated relative the slide member 48 about the pivot bolt 465 in a first rotational direction (Rl), such that the clamp assembly 49 is moved downwardly relative to the guide member 41.
Referring to Figure 10, when the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is moved to the distal end of the first inclined groove portion 415 of the first guide groove 412 and is pushed by the first guide surface 416 (see Figure 11) to be disengaged from the first guide groove 412, the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is aligned with the second guide groove 413, and engages the second horizontal groove portion 417 of the second guide groove 413. At this time, the linkage mechanism 44 is at the first switch position, where the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is not engaged with the first guide groove 412, and the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is engaged with the second guide groove 413. In other words, the lower link 46 is switched to connect to the guide member 41 via the second pin 469. In addition, when the linkage mechanism 44 is at the first switch position, the fastener 1 held by the clamp assembly 49 is aligned with the loading hole 211 of the gun body 20.
Referring to Figure 11, Figure 11 illustrates a relationship between the first pin 468, the second pin 469, the first guide groove 412 and the second guide groove 413 when the linkage mechanism 44 is at the first switch position. When the first pin 468 is moved to the distal end of the first inclined groove portion 415 of the first guide groove 412, the first pin 468 is pushed by the first guide surface 416 to be disengaged from the first guide groove 412, and is biased by the first resilient member 470 to abut against the side surface of the lateral plate 411. At the same time, the second pin 469 is aligned with the second guide groove 413, and is biased be the second resilient member 471 to engage the second horizontal groove portion 417 of the second guide groove 413.
Referring further to Figure 12, after the linkage mechanism 44 is moved to the first switch position such that the lower link 46 is engaged to the second guide groove 413 via the second pin 469, the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to move the slide member 48 in the second direction (D2). Since the second pin 469 engages the second horizontal groove portion 417 of the second guide groove 413, the movement of the second pin 469 is limited by the second horizontal groove portion 417. Therefore, when the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to move the slide member 48 in the second direction (D2), the linkage mechanism 44 as a whole moves horizontally relative to the guide member 41 along the second horizontal groove portion 417 (i.e., in the second direction (D2)), so that the clamp assembly 49 gradually inserts the fastener 1 into the loading hole 211 of the gun body 20.
When the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is moved to the intersection of the second horizontal groove portion 417 and the second inclined groove portion 418 of the second guide groove 413, the linkage mechanism 44 is at the second turning position, and the fastener 1 is partially inserted into the loading hole 211. Then, the fastener 1 is further drawn into the loading hole 211 by a suction force generated inside the loading hole 211, and is separated from the clamp assembly 49 (see Figure 13).
When the linkage mechanism 44 is at the second turning position and when the fastener 1 is separated from the clamp assembly 49, the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to further move the slide member 48 in the second direction (D2), so that the second pin 469 enters and engages the second inclined groove portion 418 of the second guide groove 413 and moves rearwardly and downwardly along the second inclined groove portion 418. During the movement of the second pin 469 within the second inclined groove portion 418, the lower link 46 is rotated relative to the slide member 48 about the pivot bolt 465 in a second rotational direction (R2), such that the clamp assembly 49 is moved upwardly relative to the guide member 41.
Referring to Figure 14, when the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is moved to the distal end of the second inclined groove portion 418 of the second guide groove 413 and is pushed by the second guide surface 419 (see Figure 15) to be disengaged from the second guide groove 413, the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is aligned with the first guide groove 412, and engages the first horizontal groove portion 414 of the first guide groove 412. At this time, the linkage mechanism 44 is at the second switch position, where the first pin 468 of the lower link 46 is engaged with the first guide groove 412, and the second pin 469 of the lower link 46 is not engaged with the second guide groove 413. In other words, the lower link 46 is switched to connect to the guide member 41 via the first pin 468.
Referring to Figure 15, Figure 15 illustrates a relationship between the first pin 468, the second pin 469, the first guide groove 412 and the second guide groove 413 when the linkage mechanism is at the second switch position. When the second pin 469 is moved to the distal end of the second inclined groove portion 418 of the second guide groove 413, the second pin 469 is pushed by the second guide surface 419 to be disengaged from the second guide groove 413, and is biased by the second resilient member 471 to abut against the side surface of the lateral plate 411. At the same time, the first pin 468 is aligned with the first guide groove 412, and is biased by the first resilient member 470 to engage the first horizontal groove portion 414 of the first guide groove 412.
After the linkage mechanism 44 is moved to the second switch position such that the lower link 46 is engaged to the first guide groove 412 via the first pin 468, the rod 432 of the drive unit 43 is operated to further move the slide member 48 in the second direction (D2), so as to move the linkage mechanism 44 back to the initial position, as shown in Figure 8, for holding another fastener 1. A user is permitted to manipulate the fastener 1 with the gun body 20 after the linkage mechanism 44 is moved back to the initial position.
In one embodiment of the disclosure, the lateral plates 411 of the guide member 41 are machined by wire cutting and polishing, so that the side surface of each of the lateral pates 411 of the guide member 41 has a relatively low surface roughness so as to lower the abrasion of the first and second pins 468, 469, and to lengthen the service lives of the first and second pins 468, 469. In addition, since the first and second guide grooves 412, 413 are configured as through grooves, the first and second guide grooves 412, 413 can be machined simply by wire cutting without other complex machining processes, so as to reduce the cost and time for the machining operation thereof.
Referring to Figure 16, Figure 16 illustrates the feed tube 3 and the clamp assembly 49. The feed tube 3 includes a front tubular body 31 that has an inner surrounding surface 315 defining a convergent through hole 314. The convergent through hole 314 has opposite inlet and outlet openings 311, 312. The inlet opening 311 has a diameter greater than that of the outlet opening 312. The convergent through hole 314 converges from the inlet opening 311 toward the outlet opening 312. As such, during the movement of the fastener 1 in the convergent through hole 314 from the inlet opening 311 to the outlet opening 312, the fastener 1 is guided by the inner surrounding surface 315 to be accurately aligned with the clamping space 496 defined by the clamp assembly 49. In one embodiment, the fastener 1 is conveyed within the feed tube 3 by compressed air generated by a pneumatic mechanism (not shown), so as to be moved toward the clamp assembly 49.
Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, according to one embodiment of this disclosure, the fixing gun 2 further includes an outer shield 6 that is fixed to the base seat 40. The outer shield 6 has a retaining ring 63 for connection with a pulley 7. The fixing gun 2 is hanged on the pulley 7 by a rope 71 that extends through the retaining ring 63 of the outer shield 6, so as to be unlaboriously operated by a user.
Referring to Figure 17, Figure 17 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit 8 of the fixing gun 2. The control unit 8 includes a controller 81, a reload button 82, an optical sensor 83 and a cleaning button 84. The controller 81 is configured as a programmable logic controller that is electrically connected to the drive unit 43 of the loading device 30 for controlling the operation of the drive unit 43. The reload button 82 is electrically connected to the controller 81, such that the controller 81 is configured to activate the drive unit 43 to drive movement of the linkage mechanism 44 so as to load the gun body 20 with the fastener 1 upon depression of the reload button 82. The cleaning button 84 is electrically connected to the controller 81, such that the controller 81 is configured to activate the drive unit 43 to move the linkage mechanism 44 to a cleaning position for obviating unusual incidents during the operation of the loading device 30 upon depression of the cleaning button 84. In one embodiment, the controller 81 activates the drive unit 43 to move the linkage mechanism 44 to the first switch position (see Figure 10) upon depression of the cleaning button 84, so that a major portion of the linkage mechanism 44 is exposed out of the outer shield 6 so as to facilitate obviation of unusual incidents during the operation of the loading device 30.
Referring to Figures 1 and 17, in one embodiment, the optical sensor 83 is electrically connected to the controller 81, and is disposed on the outer shield 6. The optical sensor 83 is for detecting if the moving path of the linkage mechanism 44 is obstructed by any object. In detail, the optical sensor 83 detects the presence of objects along a sensing path (P), and the loading hole 211 of the gun body 20 extends along an extending axis (A1). The sensing path (P) and the extending axis (A1) cooperatively form an angle (A) that is configured as an acute angle.
When the optical sensor 83 detects that there is no object located within a certain range (i.e., the moving path of the linkage mechanism 44), the optical sensor 83 generates a first sensing signal. The controller 81 permits the operation of the drive unit 43 upon reception of the first sensing signal from the optical sensor 83. When the optical sensor 83 detects an object located within the certain range, the optical sensor 83 generates a second sensing signal. The controller 81 prohibits the operation of the drive unit 43 upon reception of the second sensing signal from the optical sensor 83. As such, the linkage mechanism 44 is prevented from collision during the operation of the loading device 30.
To sum up, by virtue of the loading device 30 of the disclosure, the fastener 1 can be rapidly and accurately loaded in the gun body 20. By virtue of the configuration of the convergent through hole 314, the fastener 1 is guided to be accurately aligned with the clamping space 496 defined by the clamp assembly 49 during the transportation thereof within the feed tube 3, so as to allow the clamp assembly 49 to hold the fastener 1 adequately. By virtue of the optical sensor 83, the linkage mechanism 44 is prevented from collision during the operation of the loading device 30. By virtue of the cleaning button 84, the linkage mechanism 44 can be rapidly moved to an adequate position for obviation of unusual incidents during the operation of the loading device 30.

Claims

A fixing gun (2) including:
a gun body (20) adapted for manipulation of a fastener (1), said gun body (20) having a loading hole (211); and

a loading device (30) disposed on said gun body (20) and adapted for moving the fastener (1) into said loading hole (211), said loading device (30) including

a guide member (41) that is formed with a first guide groove (412) and a second guide groove (413), and

a linkage mechanism (44) that includes a lower link (46), a slide member (48), and a clamp assembly (49) adapted for holding the fastener (1), said slide member (48) being disposed movably on said guide member (41), said lower link (46) being pivotable to said slide member (48) and said clamp assembly (49);

said fixing gun (2) being characterized in that said lower link (46) includes a first pin (468) and a second pin (469), and in that means are provided for said first and second pins (468, 469) to be respectively and separably engageable with said first and second guide grooves (412, 413), whereby during the movement of said slide member (48) relative to said guide member (41) for moving the fastener (1) into said loading hole (211), said lower link (46) is alternatively engaged to said first guide groove (412) via said first pin (468) and engaged to said second guide groove (413) via said second pin (469).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each of said first and second guide grooves (412, 413) is formed through said guide member (41), and said first and second guide grooves (412, 413) are not connected with each other.
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that when said slide member (48) is moved relative to said guide member (41) in a first direction (D1), said lower link (46) is engaged to said first guide groove (412) via said first pin (468) and separated from said second guide groove (413); and when said slide member (48) is moved relative to said guide member (41) in a second direction (D2), said lower link (46) is engaged to said second guide groove (413) via said second pin (469) and separated from said first guide groove (412).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that when said slide member (48) is moved relative to said guide member (41) in a first direction (D1), said lower link (46) is engaged to said first guide groove (412) via said first pin (468), and said second pin (469) is separated from said second guide groove (413); and when said slide member (48) is moved relative to said guide member (41) in a second direction (D2), said lower link (46) is engaged to said second guide groove (413) via said second pin (469), and said first pin (468) is separated from said first guide groove (412).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said lower link (46) is formed with a first through hole (463) and a second through hole (464), and a connecting plate (467) is disposed on said lower link (46) and is formed with a first blind hole (473) and a second blind hole (474), wherein said first and second pins (468, 469) are respectively and partially retained in said first and second blind holes (473, 474), and are respectively extended through said first and second through holes (463, 464).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, further characterized in that said first guide groove (412) has a first guide surface (416) that is located at a distal end of said first guide groove (412) for pushing said first pin (468) so as to separate said first pin (468) from said first guide groove (412), and said second guide groove (413) has a second guide surface (419) that is located at a distal end of said second guide groove (413) for pushing said second pin (469) so as to separate said second pin (469) from said second guide groove (413).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said loading device (30) further includes a feed tube (3), and said feed tube (3) has a convergent through hole (314) that has opposite inlet and outlet openings (311, 312), said inlet opening (311) having a diameter greater than that of said outlet opening (312).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by an optical sensor (83) for detecting the presence of an object located within a moving path of said linkage mechanism (44).
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said loading hole (211) extends along an extending axis (A1), and said optical sensor (83) detects objects along a sensing path (P), wherein the extending axis (A1) and the sensing path (P) cooperatively form an acute angle.
The fixing gun (2) as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by a cleaning button (84), and said linkage mechanism (44) is moved to a cleaning position upon depression of said cleaning button (84).
A fastener loading device (30) adapted to be disposed on a gun body (20) of a fixing gun (2) and adapted for moving a fastener into a loading hole (211) of the gun body (20), including:
a guide member (41) formed with a first guide groove (412) and a second guide groove (413); and

a linkage mechanism (44) movable relative to said guide member (41), and including a lower link (46), said fastener loading device (30) being characterized in that said lower link (46) includes a first pin (468) and a second pin (469), and in that means are provided for said first and second pins (468, 469) to be respectively and separably engageable with said first and second guide grooves (412, 413), whereby during the movement of said linkage mechanism (44) relative to said guide member (41) from a first switch position to a second switch position, said second pin (469) is separated from said second guide groove (413) when said first pin (468) engages said first guide groove (412) at the second switch position, and said first pin (468) is separated from said first guide groove (412) when said second pin (469) engages said second guide groove (413) at the first switch position.
The loading device (30) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that each of said first and second guide grooves (412, 413) is formed through said guide member (41), and said first and second guide grooves (412, 413) are not connected with each other.
The loading device (30) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said first guide groove (412) has a first guide surface (416) that is located at a distal end of said first guide groove (412) for pushing said first pin (468) so as to separate said first pin (468) from said first guide groove (412), and said second guide groove (413) has a second guide surface (419) that is located at a distal end of said second guide groove (413) for pushing said second pin (469) so as to separate said second pin (469) from said second guide groove (413).
The loading device (30) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said lower link (46) is formed with a first through hole (463) and a second through hole (464), and a connecting plate (467) is disposed on said lower link (46) and is formed with a first blind hole (473) and a second blind hole (474), wherein said first and second pins (468, 469) are respectively and partially retained in said first and second blind holes (473, 474), and are respectively extended through said first and second through holes (463, 464).
The loading device (30) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said linkage mechanism (44) further includes a clamp assembly (49) adapted to hold a fastener (1), and said loading device (30) further comprising a feed tube (3) adapted to convey the fastener (1) toward said clamp assembly (49), wherein said feed tube (3) has a convergent through hole (314) that has opposite inlet and outlet openings (311, 312), and said inlet opening (311) having a diameter greater than that of said outlet opening (312).