WO1991011279A1

WO1991011279A1 - Riveting device

Info

Publication number: WO1991011279A1
Application number: PCT/FI1991/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Krister Juntunen
Original assignee: Krister Juntunen
Priority date: 1990-02-01
Filing date: 1991-01-31
Publication date: 1991-08-08
Also published as: FI900524A; FI900524A0; FI84887B; FI84887C

Abstract

The invention relates to a riveting device for installing blind rivets. The riveting device is detachably attached to an electric drill. The apparatus comprises: an elongate body (2), a power transmission member (4) for rotatory motion, and a power transmission member (5) for linear motion, which power transmission members are arranged in connection with the body (2) in order to change the rotatory motion into linear pulling motion; a gripping member (10) in order to grip the mandrel (31) of the blind rivet (30) to be inserted through the cavity (3) provided in the body (2). The body (2) is at one end (2b) formed to be an open cavity (28) where the first (4) and second (5) power transmission members are located. The chuck (34) of the electric drill is while using the riveting device arranged in the cavity (28) and connected to the first power transmission member (4). The riveting device also includes a fastening member (22) for fastening the body (2) of the riveting device to the body of the rotating machine.

Description

RIVETING DEVICE

The invention relates to the riveting device defined in the introductory section of patent claim 1. In the prior art there is known, from the US patent 3,906,775 a similar type of riveting device which is detachably connectable to an electric drill.

The problem with the known device is that the power transmission member of rotatory motion is arranged to be operated in one direction of rotation only, and accordingly to transmit only the pulling motion onto the power transmission member of linear motion. The return¬ ing motion is realized by means of a spring. Such a construction is complicated and troublesome to manufac- ture. Moreover, the reliability and durability of the apparatus are doubtful owing to the said structure.

Yet another problem is that the apparatus is connected to the bit end of the electric drill, and the body of the apparatus is not supported in any way. Therefore the body of the apparatus must be manually held in order to prevent it from turning while install¬ ing the rivet. This makes the operation of the appara¬ tus cumbersome, particularly in closed quarters.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate, among others, the above described drawbacks.

A particular object of the invention is to offer a riveting device which is simple in structure, easy to operate and reliable in use, for installing rivets, particularly blind rivets. The apparatus of the invention is characterized by the novel features enlisted in the patent claim 1.

The riveting device of the invention, par¬ ticularly for installing blind rivets, which device is detachably connected to a rotating machine such as an electric drill, comprises an elongate body, the first end whereof is provided with a cavity; a first power transmission member, i.e. of rotatory motion; ^' a second power transmission member, i.e. of linear motion, which advantageously is an elongate, shaft-like piece; which first and second power transmission members are arranged in connection with the body and interconnected by means of threadings in order to change the rotatory motion into linear pulling motion; a gripping member, which is arranged in connection with the power transmission member for linear motion, for gripping the mandrel of the blind rivet to be inserted through the cavity in the body, and by means of which linear motion transmis¬ sion member and gripping member the blind rivet mandrel is drawn by a pulling motion, until it breaks, while the tubular shank part .of the blind rivet is inserted in a hole arranged in the structural elements such as plates to be fastened together by means of the rivet.

According to the invention, the body of the riveting device is at one end formed to be an open cavity, where the first and second power transmission members are fitted; and the rotatory elements of the rotating machine, such as the chuck of the electric drill, together with engaged bit are, while using the apparatus, fitted in the cavity of the body and con¬ nected to the first power transmission member; and the riveting device is provided with a fastening member in order to attach the body of the riveting device to the body of the rotating machine.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first power transmission member is formed of a collar and a nut, which collar is connected, while using the apparatus, to the chuck of the electric drill, andwhich first power transmission member is rotatably supported in between the body and the chuck of the elec¬ tric drill; and the second power transmission member is a transmission screw, which is movably installed in the nut of the first power transmission member.

In another preferred embodiment of the inven¬ tion, one end of the collar of the first power transmis- sion member is provided with a number of teeth which can be fitted in an engaging grip with the toothed ring in the chuck of the electric drill.

In another preferred embodiment of the inven- tion, the riveting device comprises a first and second release and return member, whereby the transmission screw and nut are released from their mutual engagement and respectively returned to their mutual engagement at the end of the- pulling motion and respectively at the end of the returning motion of the transmission screw. In another preferred embodiment of the inven¬ tion, the first and second release and return members are provided with an unthreaded area on both sides of the threaded sections of the transmission screw; a catch member for essentially stopping the transmission screw at the end of its pulling and returning motions respec¬ tively; and a spring member for returning the transmis¬ sion screw and nut in threaded engagement with each other, at the end of the pulling and returning motions respectively.

^"ϊn another preferred embodiment of the inven¬ tion, the catch member of each release and return member is provided in connection with the transmission screw, and the unthreaded areas are arranged in between each catch member and threaded section; and both of the spring members are arranged in between the nut and- tranε ission screw.

In another .preferred mbodiment of the inven¬ tion, the catch member of each release member isprovided in connection with the transmission screw, and the unthreaded areas are arranged in between each catch member and threaded section; and the first spring member is arranged in between the first and second power trans¬ mission members, and the second spring member belongs to the gripping member as an element thereof.

In another ^"preferred embodiment of the inven¬ tion, the widths of the. unthreaded areas in the trans- mission screw are at least roughly equal in size, and correspond to at least the width of the threaded section in the nut.

In another preferred embodiment of the inven- tion, a the end of the screw there is arranged a cavity for the bit engaged in the chuck of the electric drill. In another preferred embodiment of the inven¬ tion, the fastening member includes a clamp member, such as a clamp collar, and the other end of the body of the riveting machine is advantageously provided with at least one split.

An advantage of the invention is that the body of the riveting device is easily attachable to the body of the rotating machine, and together they form a uni- form entity. Thus the riveting device can be used for instance in conjunction with the electric drill, simply in similar fashion as the drill itself.

Another advantage of the invention is that a bit can be continuously kept engaged in the clutch of the electric drill. This does not in any way hinder the use of the riveting device. Thus the electric drill can be used for driling immediately after detaching the riveting device. Respectively the riveting device can be installed in the electric drill without disengag- ing the bit.

Another advantage of the invention is that the riveting device is rapidly connectable to an electric drill provided with a bit, and respectively detachable therefrom. Thus for instance the holes required for the rivets in the desired spots, such as plate seams, can be quickly drilled, and the installation of the rivets can be carried out immediately thereafter.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that the power transmission member of rotatory motion in the riveting machine works in both rotating directions, and depending on the rotating direction in question, the rotatory motion is changed into the pulling and return- ing motion of the power transmission member of linear motion, and of the gripping _t member, simultaneously. Thus the mechanism for changing rotatory direction that is provided in conventional electric drills can be utilized in the apparatus of the present invention.

Moreover, in the apparatus of the invention, owing to the release and return members, at both ends of the allowed trajectory of the power transmission member of linear motion, and at the same time at both ends of the trajectory of the gripping member, the .power transmission member of rotatory motion is simply re¬ leased from engagement with the power transmission member of linear motion. Thus the rotation of the rotating machine, such as an electric drill, does not have to be limited, and excessive rotating causes neit¬ her damage to the device nor difficulties to the opera¬ tion thereof.

Moreover, owing to the invention the rivets can be installed even in closed quarters. Yet another advantage of the invention is its simple structure. Hence its production costs remain moderate.

Yet another advantage of the invention is its reliability in operation. Furthermore, it can be used for installing both small and large rivets.

Yet another advantage of the invention is that in principle it can be connected to any kind of rotating machine, advantageously to a drill and particularly to an electric drill. The invention is described in more detail below, with reference to the appended drawings where figure 1 illustrates the riveting device of the inven¬ tion, as attached to an electric drill, in partial lengthwise cross-section; figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of figure l in cross- section along the line I-I; figure 3 illustrates the apparatus of figure l in cross- section along the line II-II; and figure 4 illustrates the_. power transmission member of the linear motion in partial lengthwise cross-section. The apparatus of the invention is used for installing rivets, i.e. blind rivets 30 (cf. fig. 1), which can particularly be installed in the desired target from one side thereof. Such rivet 30 constitutes a mandrel 31, at one end whereof there is an expansion 31a, and a tubular shank 32, at the other end whereof there is a flange 33, and through which shank the man¬ drel 31 is arranged to pass. In diameter the expansion 31a is larger than the aperture of the shank 32, and it is arranged in the first end of the shank, which is opposite to the flange 32. In addition to this, the mandrel 31 is provided with a narrow portion 31b.

Plates 50, or in general elements made of some plate-like material, can be attached together by means of blind rivets 30. This is carried out for example by suitably drilling holes 50a through the plates to be attached, and by inserting in the holes 50a blind rivets 30 with matching diameters, with the expansion 31a first through the plates, so that the rivet is pressed through as far as the flange 33, whereafter the mandrel 31 isforcefully pulled out of the shank 32 of the rivet. Nowthe first end of the rivet is expanded owing to the influence of the expansion 31a, and the plates 50 are pressed together in between the flange 33 and first end of the rivet. At a certain stage the mandrel 31 breaks at the narrow portion 31b, and the rivet joint is ready. In figure 1, the riveting device of the inven¬ tion comprises an elongate body .2. At the first end 2a of the body there is provided a support piece 25. At the second end 2b of the body there is the fastening member 22, whereby the riveting machine 1 is attached to the electric drill 27.

At the free or first end 2a of the body there is arranged a cavity 3. This is advantageously located in a removable nose 26, which is detachably fitted in the support member 25 -of the body, on its axis A-A. Advantageously there are several noses 26, each piecebe- ing provided with a cavity 3 with a different diame- ter. A suitable nose 26 is chosen according to the size of the employed blind rivets 30; the diameter of the cavity 3 in the nose essentially corresponds to the diameter of the mandrel 31 of the blind rivet.

The body 2 is provided with a cavity 28 paral- lei to the axis A-A. At the first end 2a of the body 2, there is provided an aperture 29 leading to thecavity 28. In addition to this, the second end 2b of the body is advantageously provided with two splits 24 located at 180° from each other. In this case the fastening member 22 comprises a clamp member 23, such -as a clamp collar, threaded pin 47 and lever 48, so that by turning the said lever 48 the pin 47 presses the member 23, and thus the body 2 is pressed around the body 27a of the electric drill 27. The splits 24 make the fastening easier.

Inside the body 2, in the cavity 28, there is fitted the first power transmission member 4 of rotatory motion, and the second power transmission member 5 of linear motion. The first power transmission member 4 comprises a rotatable collar member 19 and a nut member 20. The first end 19a of the collar 19 is connected tothe nut member 20, and the second _'en 19b is connected to the rotatable members of the electric drill 27. The nut 20 is provided with a cavity with internal threadings 6.

The second power transmission member 5 is a transmission screw. It,is provided with external threa¬ dings 7, which are arranged in the threaded section 7a. The threadings 6, 7 of the first 4 and second 5 power transmission members are compatible. By inter¬ mediation of these threadings, the first 4 and second 5 power transmission members are coaxially interconnected on the axis A - A. By means of the first 4 and second 5 power transmission members, the rotatory motion of the first power transmission member is transmitted into linear motion parallel to the axis A - A. At the end of the second power transmission member 5, i.e. the transmission screw, there is provided a gripping member 10. By means of this gripping member 10, the mandrel 31 of the blind rivet 30, to be inserted through the cavity 3 in the body 2, is gripped. In the embodiment of the drawings, the rivet¬ ing machine comprises first and second release and return members 11, 12. Each member is provided with an unthreaded area 13, 14 on both sides of the threaded section 7a of the transmission screw 5; a catch member 15, 16 for essentially stopping the transmission screw at the end of the pulling motion, and respectively at the end of the returning motion; and a spring member 17, 18 for returning the nut member 20 and the transmis¬ sion screw 5 to threaded engagement with each other by the threadings 6, 7 at the end of the pulling motion and respectively at the end of the returning motion.

The widths al, a2 of the unthreaded areas 13, 14 in the transmission screw 5 are at least as large as the width of the nut member 20 of the power transmission member 4, or at least as large as the width b of its threaded section 6. In practice the width of the nut 20 is equal to the width b of the threaded section. The widths al, a2 of the unthreaded areas may be larger than the width b of the threaded section 6, because on these areas^' there is located for instance a thrust bearing 36 and the spring members 17, 18, which take up a certain amount of space. These measures ensure that the release and return members 11, 12 can be simple in structure. Each catch member 15, 16 is arranged in conjuc- tion with the transmission screw 5. The catchmembers 15, 16 are in this case formed of flange-like members, which are attached to opposite ends of the transmission screw 5. The unthreaded sections 13, 14 are arranged in between each catch member 15, ^' 16 and the threaded section 7a. Both of the spring members 17, 18 are in this case realized as annular spring plates, which are arranged around the second power transmission member, i.e. that of the linear motion, in between the catch members 15, 16 and the nut 20 of the power transmission member 4 of rotatory motion. In order to prevent the rotation of the trans¬ mission screw 5, the riveting device is provided with members including at least one guide 8 and a follower 9. One of these is arranged in connection with the body 2, and the second in connection with the trans- mission screw 5.

In this case the members for preventing rota¬ tory motion include a guide 8, which is made of two elongate shaft-like members 8a,. 8b, and a follower 9, which is respectively formed as grooves 9a, 9b arranged on the outer circumference of the flange-like catch member 15.^" The shaft-like members 8a, 8b of the guide 8 are fitted in the cavity 25a provided inside the support piece 25, at 180° from each other, parallel to the axis A - A. The grooves 9a, 9b of the follower are respectively arranged on the circumference of the catch member 15, in positions corresponding to the guides 8. -

At one end 19b of the collar member 19 of the first power transmission member, there is arranged a number of teeth 21, which are advantageously conical or wedge-like in shape. They are provided on the circum¬ ference of the collar 19, and they are matched in the toothed ring 35 of the clutch 34 of the electric drill, when the riveting machine is connected to the drill. The first end 19a of the collar of the first power transmission member 4 rests inside the cavity 28 of the body 2, against .the body and in this case also against the support piece 25. In between the end 19b of the collar and the support piece 25, there is ar¬ ranged the thrust bearing 36, whereby the transmission member 4 of rotatory motion is supported against the body during the pulling of the blind rivet.

The gripping member 10 is arranged at the first end of the transmission screw 5. The gripping member 10 comprises a cavity 38 arranged along the axis A - A, which cavity is advantageously cylindrical in shape. The cavity 38 is provided with a conical aperture 39, and in the said aperture there are fitted the gripping jaws 40. The jaws 40 are formed of two parts 40a, 40b, in between which parts the mandrel 31 of the blind rivet

30 is arranged to pass. In the cavity 38, behind the jaws 40, there is arranged a piece 41 provided with a wedge-like head portion 42. The head portion 42 is arranged in contact with the jaws 40a, 40b. In the same cavity 38, behind the piece 41, there is provided a spring member 43, advantageously a spiral spring. The spring member 43 urges the piece 41, and particular¬ ly its head 42, against the gripping jaws 40, and pushes the jaws outward in the conical aperture 39, so that the gripping jaws 40a, 40b are pressed together.

When a force is directed towards the gripping jaws 40, which force urges them to the cavity 38 inside the transmission screw 5, the jaws 40 are opened by means of the head 42 of the piece 41, and simultaneously the aperture 44 in between them is opened. The mandrel

31 of the blind rivet is inserted in this aperture 44. Advantageously the aperture 44 extends through the head

42 further to the piece 41.

Inside the piece 41, in the aperture 44, there also is arranged a movable pin 45, and therebehind a spring 46. At the end of the ejecting motion, thethread 31 of the rivet is ejected from the aperture 44 by means of the pin 45 and the spring 46.

It is pointed out that the spring member 18 of the first release and return member 12 can be left out and replaced by the already existing spring member 43 of the gripping member *lθ. When the gripping member 10 is pressed against the nose 26, the spring member 43 tends to urge the transmission screw 5 to the opposite direction, and to return the threaded sections 7a, 6a to engagement in the same fashion as the spring member 18.

In principle the apparatus of the invention is operated as follows. Let us suppose that the electric drill 27 has been used for drilling a hole 50a in the plates 50 by means of the bit 49, and the blind rivet 30 should now be installed in the created hole. Without removing the bit 49, the riveting device 1 of the inven- tion is now attached to the electric drill by pushing the rotating members of the drill, i.e. the chuck 34 and the tooth rim 35, into the cavity 28 provided in the body 2. Consequently the second end 19b of the collar 19 of the first power transmission member 4 of rotatory motion, together with connected teeth 21, is engaged in the grooves 35a on the tooth rim 35. There¬ after the second end 2b of the body 2 is urged, by means of the clamp member 23a, to around the stationary body 27a of the electric drill 27. The riveting device 1 is now ready for operation.

By rotating the chuck 34 of the electric drill 27 in the first direction B, the power transmission member 4 of rotatory motion provided in the riveting device 1 is made to rotate in the same direction, i.e. the first direction B. Respectively, by rotating the chuck 34 in the second direction C, the power transmis¬ sion member 4 of the riveting device 1 is made to rotate in the second direction C. The first power transmission member 4 remains essentially in place while rotating. By means of the threadings 6, 7, the rotating motion of the first power transmission member 4 is changed into linear motion, i.e. motion in the direction of the axis A - A, of the second power transmission member 5, i.e. the transmission screw 5..

The motion. of the transmission screw 5 is formed of the returning motion D, where the transmission secrew 5 is shifted to the first end 2a of the body 2, to the vicinity of the cavity 3, and of the pulling motion E, where the transmission screw 5 is shifted in the opposite direction with respect to the returning motion, and at the same time the blind rivet is inserte in the hole 50a.

By rotating the first power transmission member 4 in the two directions B, C, the second power transmis¬ sion member, i.e. the transmission screw 5, ishitched in linear sequences in two opposite directions, i.e. from the returning motion D to the pulling motion E, and vice versa.

The catch members 15, 16 of the transmission screw 5, and the nut member 20 of the first power trans¬ mission member 4, respectively, move closer to each other at the end of the pulling motion E and the return¬ ing motion D. Now the spring members 17, 18 provided in between the catch members 15, 16 and the nut member 20, are at least partly compressed, and the spring forces of the spring members affect as counterforces opposing to the pulling and respectively returning mo¬ tions of the transmission screw 5. Simultaneously the threaded sections 7a, 6 of the transmission screw 5 and the nut 20 are disenganged, and the rotatory motion B, C of the first power transmission member 4 is not trans- mitted, by means of the threadings 6, 7, into the linear returning or pulling motion D, E of the transmission screw 5. However, the spring members 17, 18 return the transmission screw gradually in hitches, a short dis¬ tance at a time, in the opposite direction with respect to the returning or pulling motion, and respectively they return the threaded section 7a of the transmission screw 5 to engagement with the threadings 6 of the nut 20.

The above described operation of the spring members 17, 18 is repeated, and the transmission screw

5 remains virtually in place, irrespective of the rota- tion of the nut 20 of the first power transmission member 4.

At the beginning of the pulling motion E, the gripping member 10 is arranged to grip the mandrel 31 of the blind rivet, as was described above, for install- ing the rivet by means of the puling motion. At the end of the returning motion D, the gripping member 10 is arranged to open, and to eject the broken mandrel 31 ofthe blind rivet from the riveting device by means of themembers 45, 46 fitted in the aperture 44.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A riveting device (l) particularly for blind rivets, which riveting device is detachably at- tached to a rotating machine such as a drill, the said device comprising

- an elongate body (2), the first end (2a) thereof being provided with a cavity (3) ;

- a first power transmission member (4) of rotatory motion;

- a second power transmission member (5) of linear motion, which advantageously is an elongate, shaft-like member;

- the said first (4) and second (5) power transmission members being arranged in connection with the body (2) and interconnected by means of threadings (6, 7) in order to change rotatory motion into linear pulling motion;

- a gripping member (10) , which is arranged in connec- tion with the power transmission member (5) of linear motion, in order to grip the mandrel (31) of the blind rivet (30) to be inserted through the cavity (3) pro¬ vided in the-body, by means of which linear motion transmission member (5) and gripping member (10) the mandrel of the blind rivet is pulled until it breaks, while the shank member of the blind rivet is inserted in a hole provided in the elements such as plates to be united; c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that

- the body (2) of the riveting device is at one end (2b) formed εts an open cavity (28) wherein the first and second power transmission members (4, 5) are ar¬ ranged;

- the rotatable members of the rotating machine, such as the chuck (34) of the electric drill, together with engaged bit, are fitted in the cavity (28) of the body (2) while using the riveting device, and connected to the first power transmission member (4) ; and that - the riveting device (1) comprises a fastening member (22) for fastening the body (2) of the riveting device to the body of the rotating machine.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, c h a r a σ - t e r i z e d in that the first power transmission member (4) comprises a collar member (19) and a nut member (20) , the second end (19b) of which collar member is connected, while the device is being used, to the chuck (34) of the electric drill, and which first power transmission member (4) is rotatably supported in bet¬ ween the body (2) and the chuck (34) of the drill; and that the second power transmission member (5) of linear motion advantageously is a transmission screw, which is movably fitted in the nut member (20) of the first power transmission member (4) .

3. The apparatus of claim 2, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that at the second end (19b) of the collar member (19) of the first power transmission member (4) of rotatory motion there is provided a number of teeth (21) which can be engaged with the tooth rim (35) of the chuck (34).

4. The apparatus of claim 3, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i z e d in that the riveting device (1) includes first and second release and return members (11, 12), whereby the transmission screw (5) and the nut (20) are released from mutual engagement and respectively re¬ turned to mutual engagement at the end of the pulling motion (E) and respectively at the end of the returning motion (D) of the transmission screw.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the first and second release and return members (11, 12) are provided with unthreaded areas (13, 14) on both sides of the threaded section (7a) of the transmission screw; a catch member (15, 16) for essentially stopping the transmission screw at the end of the pulling motion and respectively at the end of the returning motion; and a. spring member (17, 18) for returning the threadings (6, 7) of the transmission screw and the nut to mutual engagement at the end of the pulling motion and respectively at the end of the returning motion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the catch member (15, 16) of each release and return member (11, 12) is arranged in con¬ nection with the transmission screw (5) , and that the unthreaded areas (13, 14) are arranged in between each catch member (15, 16) and the threaded section (7a); - and that both of the spring members (17, 18) are ar¬ ranged in between the nut (20) and the transmission screw (5) .

7. The apparatus of claim 5, c h a r a c - t e r i z e d in that the catch member (18) of both release members (11, 12) is provided in connection with the transmission screw (5) , and that the unthreaded areas (13, 14) are arranged in between each catch member

(15, 16) and the threaded section (7a) ; and that the first spring member (17) is arranged in between the nut

(20) and the transmission screw (5) , and the second spring member (18a) belongs to the gripping member (10) as an element thereof.

8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims 4 - 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the widths (al, a2) of the unthreaded areas (13, 14) of the transmission screw (5) are at least roughly equal, andat least correspond to the width (b) of the threaded sec¬ tion (6a) of the nut member (20) .

9. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the end of the transmission screw (5) is provided with a cavity (37) for the bit (49) engaged in the chuck (34) of the drill.

10. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the fasten¬ ing member (22) includes a clamp member (23) such as a clamp collar, and that the second end (2b) of the boyd (2) is advantageously provided with at least one split (24).