Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/02—Riveting procedures
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/36—Rivet sets, i.e. tools for forming heads; Mandrels for expanding parts of hollow rivets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/16—Drives for riveting machines; Transmission means therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/30—Particular elements, e.g. supports; Suspension equipment specially adapted for portable riveters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
  • B21J—FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES
  • B21J15/00—Riveting
  • B21J15/10—Riveting machines
  • B21J15/14—Riveting machines specially adapted for riveting specific articles, e.g. brake lining machines

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates to tools for fastening components together in general, and to riveting tools for fastening components in a limited space environment in particular.
• rivets may be used to mechanically fasten two or more parts together during the formation of the component. It is known to use a riveting device that includes an actuator and a C-shaped or U-shaped yoke. In some applications, the space in which the riveting is desired is space limited. Conventional C-shaped or U-shaped yokes very often cannot be disposed in the limited space thereby making riveting either difficult or impossible. What is needed is a riveting tool yoke that is an improvement over existing riveting tool yokes.
• a riveting yoke includes a body, an anvil segment, and a cavity.
• the body has a height extending between a base side surface and a top side surface, a width extending between a first end surface and a second end surface, and a thickness extending between a first lateral side surface and a second lateral side surface.
• the anvil segment (AS) has an AS top surface and an AS base surface.
• the cavity is disposed in the first end surface, and is defined by a cavity base surface, a cavity inner surface, a gusset surface, and the AS base surface.
• the gusset surface extends from the cavity inner surface to the AS base surface.
• the cavity base surface is opposite the AS base surface and a distance between the cavity base surface and the AS base surface defines an opening of the cavity.
• the anvil segment has an AS width, and the AS width may be less than the width of the body.
• the anvil segment may have an AS inner lateral surface and an AS outer lateral surface, and the AS inner lateral surface and the AS outer lateral surface may extend between the AS top surface and the AS base surface, and the AS outer lateral surface may be co-planar with the first lateral side surface of the body.
• the AS top surface may be separated from the top side surface of the body.
• the top side surface of the body may be spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a first distance
• the AS top surface may be spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a second distance
• the second distance may be greater than the first distance
• the body may include an actuator ram aperture extending from the base side surface of the body to the AS base surface.
• the actuator ram aperture may extend along a central axis and the central axis may be aligned with the anvil segment.
• the first lateral side (FLS) surface of the body may have a stepped configuration that includes a first FLS surface and a second FLS surface.
• the second lateral side surface may be planar.
• the first FLS surface may extend in a height wise direction from the top side surface of the body to the second FLS surface
• the second FLS surface may extend in the height wise direction from the base side surface of the body to the first FLS surface
• the yoke body may be rectangularly shaped.
• the anvil segment has an AS inner lateral surface and an AS outer lateral surface, and the AS inner lateral surface and the AS outer lateral surface extend between an AS top surface and an AS base surface, and the AS outer lateral surface is co-planar with the first lateral side surface of the body.
• the top side surface of the body is spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a first distance
• the AS top surface is spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a second distance
• the second distance is greater than the first distance
• the body includes an actuator ram aperture extending from the base side surface of the body to the AS base surface.
• the actuator ram aperture extends along a central axis and the central axis is aligned with the anvil segment.
• the first lateral side (FLS) surface of the body is a stepped configuration that includes a first FLS surface and a second FLS surface.
• the first FLS surface extends in a height wise direction from the top side surface of the body to the second FLS surface
• the second FLS surface extends in the height wise direction from the base side surface of the body to the first FLS surface.
• the thickness of the body includes a first thickness extending between the first FLS surface to the second lateral side surface, and a second thickness extending between the second FLS surface to the second lateral side surface, and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
• the present disclosure is directed to a riveting tool yoke 20 that is configured for use with an actuator 22.
• the actuator 22 includes a ram 24 that may be actuated along a linear travel path between a plurality of extended positions and a plurality of retracted positions.
• the actuator 22 may be manually powered, or fluidically powered (e.g., pneumatically, hydraulically, or the like), or electromechanically powered, or the like.
• the actuator 22 is configured to permit attachment of the yoke 20 to the actuator 22 as will be described herein.
• the ram 24 may be configured to engage with a ram cap 26 that is configured to mate with the contour of the rivet; e.g., if the ram 24 is to be engaged with the rivet head, and the rivet head is arcuately shaped, the ram cap 26 may be contoured to mate with the arcuate rivet head.
• the ram cap 26 may be removable to permit differently configured ram caps 26 to be used for different rivet configurations.
• FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a pneumatically powered actuator 22 including a present disclosure yoke 20.
• the pneumatically powered actuator 22 is configured to use pneumatic power to linearly traverse the ram for engagement with and deformation of the rivet.
• the present disclosure is not limited to any particular actuator 22, including the example actuator 22 shown in FIG. 1 .
• the yoke 20 includes a body 28 having a first lateral side 30, a second lateral side 32, a first end side 34, a second end side 36, a base side 38, and a top side 40.
• the top side 40 is defined by a top side surface 42 and the base side 38 is defined by a base side surface 44.
• the first end side 34 is defined in part by a first end side surface 46 and the second end side 36 is defined by a second end side surface 48.
• the first and second lateral sides 30, 32 are opposite one another defining a thickness ("T") of the yoke 20, extending between the first and second lateral side surfaces 50, 52 (e.g., along a Z-axis).
• the first and second end sides 34, 36 are opposite one another defining a width ("W") of the yoke 20, extending between the first and second end sides 34, 36 (e.g., extending along an X-axis).
• the base and top sides 38, 40 are opposite one another defining a height ("H") of the yoke 20, extending between the base and top sides 38, 40 (e.g., extending along a Y-axis).
• the yoke body 28 has a generally rectangular shape defined by the first and second end side surfaces 46, 48 and the base and top side surfaces 44, 42.
• FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic planar side view of a present disclosure yoke 20 embodiment showing the first lateral side 30.
• FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic planar end view of the yoke 20 embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic planar side view of a present disclosure yoke 20 embodiment showing the second lateral side 32.
• embodiments of the present disclosure yoke 20 may have an asymmetric configuration, and those embodiments may be configured as opposite hands of one another; e.g., mirror configurations, which may also be referred to as left hand and right hand configurations.
• FIG. 4 illustrates the left and right hand yoke 20 embodiments side by side.
• the yoke 20 embodiment includes a first lateral side surface 50 (FLS) having a stepped configuration that includes a first FLS surface 50A and a second FLS surface 50B, and a planar second lateral side 32 defined by the second lateral side surface 52.
• the first FLS surface 50A extends in a height wise direction from the top side surface 42 of the body 28 to the second FLS surface 50B and the second FLS surface 50B extends in the height wise direction from the base side surface 44 of the body 28 to the first FLS surface 50A.
• the first and second FLS surfaces 50A, 50B are spaced apart from one another by a step distance ("SD" - see FIG. 2A ).
• yoke 20 may have an asymmetric configuration.
• the stepped configuration is an example of a feature that creates an asymmetric configuration.
• a first yoke 20A and second yoke 20B of an opposite hand pair may include the stepped configuration on opposite sides of the body 28.
• the yoke 20 embodiment includes a pair of actuator fastener apertures 54.
• the number of actuator fastener apertures 54 may be chosen to comport with the attachment configuration of the actuator 22.
• the actuator fastener apertures 54 may be configured to permit a fastener to pass through, or they may be configured for threaded engagement with a fastener, or the like.
• the yoke 20 includes an anvil segment 56 disposed proximate to the intersection of the top side 40 and the first end side 34.
• the anvil segment 56 (AS) is defined by an AS top surface 56A, an AS base surface 56B, an AS inner lateral surface 56C, and an AS outer lateral surface 56D.
• AS is defined by an AS top surface 56A, an AS base surface 56B, an AS inner lateral surface 56C, and an AS outer lateral surface 56D.
• the AS outer lateral surface 56D is flush with the first lateral side surface 50; e.g., flush with the first FLS surface 50A.
• the thickness (“AST" - see FIG. 6 ) of the anvil segment 56 is the distance between the AS inner and outer lateral surfaces 56C, 56D. As can be seen in FIG.
• the thickness ("AST") of the anvil segment 56 is less than the thickness ("T") of the yoke 20.
• the decreased thickness of the anvil segment 56 provides clearance for a portion of a nut plate 68.
• the anvil segment 56 extends outwardly a distance ("AS1") from the top side surface 42; i.e., the AS top surface and the top side surface 42 are spaced apart from one another by the distance AS1 (e.g., see FIG. 3 ).
• An arcuate transition surface may extend between the AS top surface 56A and the top side surface 42.
• the distance (AS1) that the AS top surface 56A and the top side surface 42 are spaced apart from one another may be chosen based on the riveting application at hand.
• the anvil segment 56 having a lesser thickness than the thickness of the body 28, and having the AS outer lateral surface 56D flush / co-planar with the first lateral side surface 50 is another example of a feature that creates an asymmetric configuration.
• the first yoke 20A and the second yoke 20B of an opposite hand pair may include anvil segments 56 disposed on opposite thickness-wise sides of the respective yoke bodies 28.
• the anvil segment 56 may include a rivet cap 58 that is mounted to the anvil segment 56.
• the rivet cap 58 may be contoured to cause a preferential rivet deformation shape; e.g., an arcuate button, or the like.
• the rivet cap 58 may be removable to permit differently configured rivet caps 58 to be used for different rivet deformation configurations.
• the yoke 20 includes a cavity 60 extending into the first end side.
• the cavity 60 is defined by a cavity base surface 60A, an inner surface 60B, a gusset surface 60C, and the AS base surface 56B.
• the cavity 60 may be described as having a depth ("CD") extending from the inner surface 60B to the opening of the cavity 60, and a height (“CH”) that extends between the cavity base surface 60A and the AS base surface 56B; e.g., see FIG. 3 .
• CD depth
• CH height
• the intersection of the gusset surface 60C with the inner surface 60B may occur one-third of the distance or more of the distance between the cavity base surface 60A and the AS base surface 56B and the intersection of the gusset surface 60C and the AS base surface 56B may be closer to the first end side surface 46 than the transition surface between the AS top surface 56A and the top side surface 42.
• the yoke 20 embodiment includes an actuator ram aperture 62 that extends along a central axis 64 through the yoke 20 between the base side surface 44 and the cavity base surface 60A.
• the actuator ram aperture 62 is configured to permit the actuator ram 24 to move linearly within the actuator ram aperture 62.
• the inner diameter surface of the actuator ram aperture 62 may be configured as a bearing surface to guide the actuator ram 24.
• the actuator ram aperture 62 may be positioned so that the actuator ram 24 is aligned with the anvil segment 56.
• FIGS. 7-9 diagrammatically illustrate a baffle 66 that includes a nut plate 68 attached by rivets in a space-limiting region.
• the baffle 66 may be described as having an first panel 66A and a second panel 66B.
• the first panel 66A (FP) includes an FP inner radial flange 70, an FP outer radial flange 72, and an FP shoulder section 74 that extends between the FP inner and outering radial flanges.
• the FP outer flange includes a plurality of nut plate aperture patterns 76.
• the first and second panels 66A, 66B may each be formed from a thin metallic substrate; e.g., in the thickness range of sheet metal - about 0.02 inches (0.508mm) to about 0.25 inches (6.35mm).
• the distal end 86 (se FIG. 7 ) of the SP outer radial flange rim section 84 is separated from the FP outer radial flange 72 by a gap ("G").
• the combined structure may be subject to a heat treating process at an elevated temperature.
• the heat treatment elevated temperature may be above a high temperature limit for the nut plate 68.
• the nut plate 68 must be attached to the FP outer radial flange 72 after the first and second panels 66A, 66B are joined together (and subjected to the heat treatment), and access to the FP outer radial flange 72 is limited by the gap ("G").
• a conventional "C' or "U” shaped riveting yoke cannot be used due to the space limitations between the FP outer radial flange 72 and the SP outer radial flange 80, and the gap "G".
• the present disclosure yoke 20 is configured to permit the riveting process and thereby provides a solution to the space limitations.
• the exemplary baffle structure described above is provided as an example of a structure with which the present disclosure yoke 20 provides considerable utility.
• the present disclosure is not limited to use therewith.
• a nut plate 68 that includes a base panel 88 and a fastener nut 90.
• the fastener nut 90 is attached to the base panel 88 by a pair of attachment flanges 92 that extend out from the base panel 88 and are crimped over to secure the fastener nut 90 to base panel 88.
• the base panel 88 includes a centrally located fastener aperture 94 and a rivet aperture 96 disposed on each side of the fastener aperture 94.
• the base panel 88 includes a centrally located fastener aperture 94 and a rivet aperture 96 that includes a pair of angled tabs 98 on opposing sides.
• FIG. 10B is a sectional view to facilitate the view of the tabs 98 that accompany the rivet aperture 96.
• the fastener nut 90 is aligned with fastener aperture 94 to allow a fastener to extend through the fastener aperture 94 for access to the fastener nut 90.
• the present disclosure is not limited to any particular nut plate 68 configuration.
• the present disclosure yoke 20 may be used to rivet components other than a nut plate 68.
• a portion of a present disclosure yoke 20 is shown disposed between the FP outer radial flange 72 and the SP outer radial flange 80.
• the anvil segment 56 extends through the gap ("G") disposed between the FP outer radial flange 72 and the distal end 86 of the SP outer radial flange rim section 84, and is aligned with the nut plate 68.
• the actuator ram 24 can be seen extending through the actuator ram aperture 62 disposed within the yoke 20 and the ram 24 is disposed in a partially extended position (or conversely a partially retracted position).
• FIG. 11A the actuator ram 24 can be seen extending through the actuator ram aperture 62 disposed within the yoke 20 and is disposed in a fully extended position.
• the anvil segment 56 is disposed on the opposite side of the fastener nut 90; i.e., the fastener nut 90 partially obscures the anvil segment 56.
• FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates the left hand version of the yoke 20, 20A disposed on one side of the fastener nut 90, with the anvil segment 56 aligned with the rivet aperture 96 (e.g., see FIG.
• the second panel 66B is removed to facilitate the view of the anvil segments 56 relative to the nut plate 68 and the first panel 66A.
• the asymmetric anvil segment 56 configuration (with the portion of the anvil segment 56 adjacent the first lateral side 50 of the yoke 20 removed) provides clearance for the fastener nut 90.
• the actuator ram 24 may be actuated linearly until it engages the first panel 66A (and a rivet disposed in a rivet aperture 96) and the anvil segment 56 is in contact with the distal end of the rivet. Force applied by the actuator 22 will decrease the separation distance between the ram 24 and the anvil segment 56; i.e., the anvil segment 56 will be drawn towards the ram 24. The ram 24 travel causes the rivet segment engaged with the anvil segment 56 (i.e., the distal end of the rivet and a portion of the rivet adjacent thereto) to deform and thereby secure the nut plate 68 to the first panel 66A.
• the amount of force required to deform the rivet may depend on the configuration of the rivet and/or the material of the rivet. In many instances, the force required to deform the rivet is substantial. As a result, the yoke 20 is subject to significant force. For example, in a conventional C-shaped or U-shaped yoke, the force applied by the actuator 22 may cause the C-shaped or U-shaped yoke to elastically (or plastically) deform by increasing the opening of the "C' or the "U".
• the present disclosure yoke 20 is advantageously configured to substantially mitigate or avoid any elastic deflection in most applications. As can be seen in FIGS.
• the depth of the cavity 60 ("CD") of the present disclosure yoke 20 may be chosen based on the application at hand (e.g., only as deep as required) and the remainder of the yoke 20 is substantial and solid (in contrast to a C-shaped or U-shaped yoke).
• embodiments of the present disclosure yoke 20 may have a width ("W") that is equal to or greater than twice the depth of the cavity 60; i.e., W ⁇ 2CD.
• the cavity 60 includes a substantial gusset portion (e.g., see the gusset surface 60C extending between the AS base surface 56B and the cavity inner surface 60B) that adds substantially mechanical integrity to the yoke 20.
• the anvil segment 56 may be configured so that the AS top surface 56A extends above the top side surface 42 of the yoke 20 by the distance (“AS1") to further increase the mechanical integrity of the yoke 20.
• FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates the nut plate 68 embodiment shown in FIG. 10B with a rivet 100 having a tapered head.
• the riveting process is complete with the distal end of the rivet deformed to secure the nut plate 68 to the first panel 66A.
• the angled tabs 98 of the rivet aperture 96 provide a void that allows the tapered head of the rivet 100 to deform a portion of the first plate 66A surrounding the rivet aperture 96 inwardly into the void, thereby leaving a flush mounted rivet head.
• the nut plate 68 and rivet configuration examples shown in the Figures and described herein are provided to illustrate the utility of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.
• the present disclosure yoke 20 is described herein as being utilized with an actuator 22 having a single ram 24. It is contemplated that an actuator 22 may be configured to permit attachment of both the left and right hand versions of the present disclosure yoke 20 (e.g., as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 12 ) and utilize a single ram 24 to deform both rivets, or include a first ram positioned to engage one of the rivets and a second ram positioned to engage the other rivet.
• FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates a retainer plate 102 that may be utilized with the present disclosure yoke 20.
• the retainer plate 102 includes a fastener aperture 104 that allows the retainer plate 102 to be fastened to the fastener nut of the nut plate 68.
• the retainer plate 102 is disposed on the side of the FP outer radial flange 72 opposite the nut plate 68.
• the fastener extends through the retainer plate 102 and is threadedly engaged with the fastener nut 90 of the nut plate 68.
• the retainer plate 102 is configured to cover the rivets disposed within the rivet apertures 96 disposed within the FP outer radial flange 72 prior to being deformed.
• the retainer plate 102 is configured to hold the rivets in place prior to being deformed using the actuator 22 and yoke 20, thereby facilitating the nut plate 68 installation process.
• any one of these structures may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently.
• the order of the operations may be rearranged.
• a process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Insertion Pins And Rivets (AREA)
• Connection Of Plates (AREA)
• Revetment (AREA)

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Publications (1)

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ID=95153923

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Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-01 US US18/623,673 patent/US20250303463A1/en active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-03-28 CA CA3269140A patent/CA3269140A1/fr active Pending
  • 2025-04-01 EP EP25167831.4A patent/EP4635648A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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