GB2505466B

GB2505466B - Installation tool

Info

Publication number: GB2505466B
Application number: GB1215508.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gill Neil; R Norris Douglas; Casarin Andrea
Original assignee: EV IP LP
Current assignee: EV IP LP
Priority date: 2012-08-31
Filing date: 2012-08-31
Publication date: 2019-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-31
Also published as: GB2505466A; GB201215508D0

Description

INSTALLATION TOOL

The present invention relates to an installation tool and particularly to an installation tool for expandable blind fasteners of the types described in EP 0804688.

The installation of such fasteners involves the rotation of a threaded fastener relative to a slotted sleeve. As described with reference to figure 6 of EP 0804688, such rotation may be achieved by the connection of a ratchet drive tool and socket to the head of the threaded fastener and a C-spanner to a head of the slotted sleeve. It will be appreciated that this is a two handed operation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an installation tool for an expandable blind fastener, the tool having a clamp for connecting the tool to a powered driver and a fastener holder operable to temporarily retain an expandable blind fastener, wherein the fastener holder is provided with a formation which prevents the rotation of a portion of the expandable blind fastener relative to the fastener holder, and the fastener holder is pivotable though a limited arc relative to the clamp.

The fastener holder may includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having the rotation preventing formation, wherein the first portion is pivotable through a limited arc relative to the second portion, and the second portion is rotationally fixed relative to the clamp.

The fastener holder may be movable axially towards and away from the clamp.

The formation which prevents the rotation of a portion of the expandable blind fastener relative to the fastener holder may be a recess of the fastener holder which conforms at least partially to the outer shape of a portion of the expandable blind fastener. In a preferred embodiment the recess may be a through aperture of the fastener holder.

The fastener holder preferably includes a surface intended to abut a workpiece to which the expandable blind fastener is intended to be fitted. The surface may be provided with a covering which is intended to prevent marking or scratching of the workpiece by the fastener holder. The covering may be replaceable.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided the combination of an installation tool as hereinbefore described and a powered driver.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing an expandable blind fastener using an installation tool and powered driver combination hereinbefore described, the method including the steps of; mounting an expandable blind fastener to the fastener holder; inserting the expandable blind fastener into a fastener receiving aperture; operating the powered driver to expand the fastener; and disenaging the expandable blind fastener from the fastener holder.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an installation tool according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a partially exploded view of the tool of figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a further partially exploded view of the tool of figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an expandable blind fastener;

Figure 5 shows an exploded view of the fastener of figure 4;

Figure 6a shows a perspective view of an installation tool and expandable blind fastener fitted to a battery powered driver;

Figure 6b shows an alternative perspective view of the installation tool, expandable blind fastener and battery powered driver of figure 6a;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a fastener holder of an installation tool according to an alternative embodiment;

Figure 8 shows a further perspective view of the fastener holder of figure 7;

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the fastener holder of figures 7 and 8; and

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a clamp of an installation tool according to an alternative embodiment.

Looking firstly at figures 1 to 3 there is shown an installation tool for an expandable blind fastener generally designated 10. The tool 10 includes a clamp 12 which permits the tool 10 to be releasably attached to a powered driver. This functionality is described in greater detail below. The tool 10 further includes a fastener holder 14 which, in use, is configured to temporarily retain an expandable blind fastener. The clamp 12 and fastener holder 14 are connected to one another by a pair of threaded rods 16.

The clamp 12 comprises first and second clamp sections 18,20. The clamp sections 18,20 are connected to one another a pair of nuts and bolts 22 which extend through aligned apertures of the clamp sections 18,20. The first and second clamp sections 18,20 are provided with respective clamping surfaces 24,26 which face one another. In the embodiment shown each clamp surface 24,26 is part circular. The individual clamp surfaces 24,26 thus co-operate to define a substantially continuous, substantially circular clamp surface around an aperture 28 of the clamp 12. As will be described in greater detail below, the clamp surface is shaped so as to conform to a complementarity circular portion of a powered driver. It will be appreciated that the clamp sections 18,20, and correspondingly the clamp surfaces 24,26, can be moved towards one another by tightening the nuts and bolts 22.

The second clamp section 20 is further provided with a pair of through apertures which are positioned on opposing sides of the clamp surface 26. The apertures have a diameter which is sized to receive each of the threaded rods 16 with a sliding fit. Each rod 16 is secured against axial movement by the provision of lock nuts 30 positioned on opposing sides of the clamp section 20. It will be understood that the spacing of the fastener holder 14 relative to the clamp 12 can be varied by manipulation of the lock nuts 30.

The fastener holder 14 is comprised of a base plate 32 and a holding plate 34. In the embodiment shown the base plate 32 is substantially diamond shaped when viewed in plan. The base plate 32 is provided with a circular central aperture 36 through which, in use, a drive member of a powered driver extends. The base plate 32 further includes a pair of threaded apertures 38 within which the threaded rods 16 are received. The threaded rods 16 are secured to the threaded apertures by the use of respective lock nuts 40. The portions of the threaded rods 16 which are received in the threaded apertures 38 may be further secured by a thread locking compound. The base plate 32 is further provided with three arcuate apertures 42. The apertures 42 are arranged on a concentric pitch with respect to the centre of the central aperture 36. As will be described below the arcuate apertures 42 enable the holding plate 34 to be rotated relative to the base plate 32 through a limited arc.

The holding plate 34 is provided with three threaded apertures 44 and a holding aperture 46 which align with the base plate arcuate apertures 42 and central aperture 36 respectively. The holding plate 34 is connected to the base plate 32 by threaded fasteners 48 which extend through the arcuate apertures 42 and into the threaded apertures 44. In the embodiment shown the threaded fasteners 48 are each provided with a washer 50 which is disposed between the holding plate 34 and the base plate 32. The fasteners 48 are connected to the holding plate 34 such that the holding plate 34 is pivotable relative to the base plate 32 as indicated by arrow 52. The holding plate 34 may, for example, be pivotable through an arc of between 25 and 60 degrees. It will be appreciated that other arrangements may be provided so as to enable the holding plate 34 to be retained to the base plate 32 and be pivotable through a desired arc. For example, two as opposed to three arcuate apertures 42 may be provided in the base plate 32.

The holding aperture 46 is sized and shaped so as to accommodate the head of the slotted sleeve of an expandable blind fastener while preventing rotation of the sleeve head relative to the holding plate 34. It will thus be appreciated that the holding aperture 46 conforms substantially to the shape of the sleeve head with sufficient clearance to permit the sleeve head to be inserted to and removed from the holding aperture 46. In the embodiment shown the holding aperture 46 is provided with a pair of opposed flat surfaces 54 which lie substantially parallel to one another. These flat surfaces 54, in use, face correspondingly arranged flat surfaces of the sleeve head and thus prevent rotation of the sleeve head relative to the holding plate 34. It will be appreciate that other shapes for both the sleeve head and holding aperture 46 are possible.

In the embodiment shown, the holding plate 34 has a thickness that is greater than that of the sleeve head. The presence of the base plate 32 behind the holding plate 34 limits the depth to which an expandable blind fastener can be inserted into the holding aperture 46. The holding plate 34 is further provided with an extension or lever 56 which permits a user to manually pivot the holding plate 34 relative to base plate 32. As will be described in greater detail below, a user may need to manipulate the holding plate 34 in this manner to correctly align the holding aperture 46 with the drive bit of a powered driver to which the tool 10 is attached. In the embodiment shown the holding plate 34 has a shape that is similar to the Spade of a playing card suit when viewed in plan.

The face 58 of the holding plate 34 that faces away from the base plate 32, that is to say the face 58 of the holding plate 34 that is distal to the clamp 12, may be provided with a covering which prevents the holding plate 34 from contacting a work surface, in use. For example, the face 58 of the holding plate 34 may be at least partially covered with an adhesive backed plastic material.

Figures 4 and 5 show an expandable blind fastener, generally designated 60, of the type that the tool 10 is intended for use with. The expandable blind fastener 60 comprises a slotted sleeve 62 having an integral sleeve head 64, a threaded fastener 66 and a conical nut 68. The threaded fastener 66 has a countersunk head 70 which is received in a complementarily tapered recess of the sleeve head 64 such that the fastener head 70, in use, lies flush with the sleeve head 64. The fastener head 70 is provided with a drive formation such as, for example, a hexagonal recess. The sleeve head 64 is provided with opposed flat surfaces 72 which, in use, align with the corresponding flat surfaces 54 of the holding aperture 46. A detailed description of this type of expandable blind fastener may be found in EP 0804688, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Figures 6a and 6b show the tool 10 fitted to a powered driver generally designated 74. In the embodiment shown the powered driver 74 takes the form of a cordless drill having a handle 76, a chuck 78, and a battery pack 80. It will be understood that the tool 10 may alternatively be fitted to a corded drill. An expandable blind fastener 60 of the type described above is fitted to the holding aperture 46 of the holder 14. The clamp 12 of the tool 10 is fitted to a cylindrical portion 82 of the drill surrounding the shaft to which the chuck 78 is fitted. The drill chuck 78 is provided with an appropriately configured drive bit 79, for example a hex bit. The fastener holder 14 is spaced from the clamp 12 on the threaded rods 16 such that the drive bit 79 extends through the central aperture 36 of the base plate 32 and into the holding aperture 46 of the holding plate 34.

In use, an expandable blind fastener 60 is introduced into the holding aperture 46 such that the drive bit 79 is received in a corresponding drive formation of the fastener 60. The axial position of the drive bit 79 relative to the holder 14 is set such that when the drive bit 79 is received in the drive formation of the fastener 60, the underside 65 of the sleeve head 64 is aligned substantially flush with the face 58 of the holding plate 34. Taking the example of a hex drive bit and a corresponding hex drive formation, it will be understood that the hex drive formation of the fastener 60 may be aligned with hex drive bit upon insertion of the fastener 60 in the holding aperture 46. It will equally be understood that the hex drive bit and hex drive formation may be misaligned upon insertion of the fastener 60 in the holding aperture 46. In the latter situation, and with a fastener 60 partially received in the holding aperture, a user may rotate the holding plate 34 relative to the base plate 32 via the lever 56 in order to align the fastener with the hex drive bit.

Once the hex drive bit has been located in the hex drive formation of the fastener 60, the tool 10 can be manipulated to temporarily retain the fastener. This can be achieved by either moving the holding plate 34 relative to the base plate 32 so as to rotate the fastener sleeve 62 relative to the threaded fastener 66, or briefly operating the powered driver 74 to rotate the threaded fastener 66 relative to the fastener sleeve 62. In both instances the conical nut 68 advances slightly on the thread of the threaded fastener 66. This in turn produces a slight resistive torque in the blind fastener 60 that urges the flat surfaces 72 of the sleeve head 64 against the flat surfaces 54 of the holding aperture 46. This resistive torque is sufficient to retain the blind fastener 60 in the holding aperture 46 such that it does not fall out. A user can then insert the blind fastener 60 held by the tool 10 on the powered driver 74 into a fastener receiving aperture and then operate the powered driver to expand the fastener 60. The tool 10 and powered driver 74 can then be withdrawn leaving the expanded fastener 60 in the fastener receiving aperture. It will be appreciated that once the blind fastener 60 has been retained in the holding aperture 46, the subsequent insertion and expansion of the fastener 60 can be achieved singlehandedly by a user holding the handle 76 of the powered driver 74. The powered driver 74 may advantageously be provided with a means to limit the torque applied to the fastener 60, for example a clutch that slips once a predetermined tightening torque has been achieved.

The provision of the threaded rods 16 which separate the fastener holder 14 from the clamp 12 enable a user to access the chuck 78 to, for example, change the drive bit.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the fastener holder generally designated 84. Features common to the previously described fastener holder 14 are identified with like reference numerals. The fastener holder 84 differs in that the mounting plate 34 is retained to the base plate 32 by countersunk bolts 86 and nuts 88 which extend though the aligned apertures 42,44 of the plates 32,34. As can be seen from figure 9, the nuts 88 are provided with shoulders 89 which are received in the arcuate apertures 42 of the base plate 32. In use, the shoulders 89 abut the rear face 91 of the holding plate 34.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a clamp generally designated 90. Features common to the previously described clamp 12 are identified with like reference numerals. The clamp 90 differs in that the clamp aperture 28 has a different shape and that the upper clamp section 18 is provided with an aperture 92 for the attachment of a lanyard, hanging hook or the like.

Further adaptions of the installation tool according to the present invention may be contemplated without departing from the essence of the present invention. For example, the fastener holder may be provided with additional means with which to temporarily retain an expandable blind fastener in the holding plate aperture. The holding plate and/or the base plate of the fastener holder may be provided with at least one magnet for temporarily retaining a fastener to the fastener holder.

Claims

1. An installation tool for an expandable blind fastener, the tool having a clamp for connecting the tool to a powered driver and a fastener holder operable to temporarily retain an expandable blind fastener, wherein the fastener holder is provided with a formation which prevents the rotation of a portion of the expandable blind fastener relative to the fastener holder, and the fastener holder is pivotable though a limited arc relative to the clamp.

2. An installation tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastener holder includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion having the rotation preventing formation, wherein the first portion is pivotable through a limited arc relative to the second portion, and the second portion is rotationally fixed relative to the clamp.

3. An installation tool as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fastener holder is movable axially towards and away from the clamp.

4. An installation tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the formation which prevents the rotation of a portion of the expandable blind fastener relative to the fastener holder is a recess of the fastener holder which conforms at least partially to the outer shape of a portion of the expandable blind fastener.

5. An installation tool as claimed in claim 4 wherein the recess is a through aperture of the fastener holder.

6. An installation tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein fastener holder includes a surface intended to abut a workpiece to which the expandable blind fastener is intended to be fitted.

7. An installation tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein said surface is provided with a covering which is intended to prevent marking or scratching of the workpiece by the fastener holder.

8. An installation tool as claimed in clam 7 wherein said covering is replaceable.

9. The combination of an installation tool as claimed in any preceding claim and a powered driver.

10. A method of installing an expandable blind fastener using an installation tool and powered driver combination hereinbefore described, the method including the steps of; mounting an expandable blind fastener to the fastener holder; inserting the expandable blind fastener into a fastener receiving aperture; operating the powered driver to expand the fastener; and disenaging the expandable blind fastener from the fastener holder.