WO2011060499A1

WO2011060499A1 - A tool for setting rivets

Info

Publication number: WO2011060499A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/001555
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Lister Tolver; Joseph Patrick Costello
Original assignee: Innovations (Global) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-20
Filing date: 2010-11-19
Publication date: 2011-05-26

Abstract

A tool for setting rivets, comprises: an engaging mechanism for engaging a rivet; a drilling mechanism for drilling an aperture by rotating the engaging mechanism; a setting mechanism for setting the rivet in the aperture by moving the engaging mechanism; and a drive mechanism for separately driving the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

Description

A TOOL FOR SETTING RIVETS

Fiejd

The present disclosure relates to a tool for setting rivets, the rivets being blind rivets which may be self-drilling rivets.

Background

Rivets are one type of fastener which can be used to bind two elements together. Rivets may comprise a rivet body and a mandrel. Rivets can be blind rivets, whereby the rivets are positioned in preformed apertures through the elements, and may be self-drilling rivets which include a piercing portion whereby rotation of the rivet (about its longitudinal axis) allows the self drilling rivet to penetrate the elements which they are to fasten together, without requiring a preformed aperture. Once in position, rivets are set by retracting the mandrel of the rivet relative to the rivet body, to clamp the elements between the rivet flange and a part of the mandrel which is spread by the retraction of the mandrel. The mandrel is then broken off, completing the process of fastening the two elements with the rivet.

Some rivets are self-tapping rivets which include a self-tapping screw threaded part, whereby they can be screwed into position through the elements. Self-tapping rivets may include a pointed or drill-like part of the rivet body, and for the purpose of this disclosure such self-tapping rivets will be regarded as a type of self-drilling rivet.

Most tools for setting blind rivets are not capable of performing all the actions required to position and set blind rivets. This is because an aperture through the elements has to be preformed for blind rivets. Typically, the use of an additional tool in the form of a drill is required to form this aperture. The need to repeatedly switch between tools reduces the efficiency of setting blind rivets.

Summary

The inventors have discerned that various efficiency and/or convenience improvements relating to use of rivets are possible, and the present disclosure relates to a number of such improvements.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tool for setting rivets, the tool comprising:

-an engaging mechanism for engaging a rivet;

-a drilling mechanism for drilling an aperture by rotating the engaging mechanism; -a setting mechanism for setting the rivet in the aperture by moving the engaging mechanism; and

-a drive mechanism for separately driving each of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, wherein the drive mechanism can be engaged with the drilling mechanism, for operation of the tool in a drilling mode, or with the setting mechanism for operation of the tool in a setting mode.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, both the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism are connected to the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the setting mechanism is located substantially within the drilling mechanism.

In an embodiment, engagement of the drive mechanism with the drilling mechanism enables rotation of the drilling mechanism to rotate the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the setting mechanism rotates with the rotation of the drilling mechanism.

In an embodiment, during operation of the setting mechanism, the drilling mechanism remains substantially stationary.

In an embodiment, the torque required by the setting mechanism is substantially higher than the torque required by the drilling mechanism.

In an embodiment, the setting mechanism comprises a gear reducer for substantially increasing the torque and decreasing the speed of rotation from the drive mechanism.

The drilling mechanism may also comprise a gear reducer.

In an embodiment, the gear reduction provided by the gear reducer of the setting mechanism is substantially greater than the gear reduction provided by the gear reducer of the drilling mechanism.

In an embodiment, the gear reducer of the setting mechanism comprises a worm gear.

In an embodiment, the engaging mechanism comprises a nozzle which defines the entry of the rivet to the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the engaging mechanism also comprises jaws for engaging the rivet.

In an embodiment, the engaging mechanism also comprises a piston, connected to the setting mechanism.

The piston may be moveable forwards and rearwards by the setting mechanism.

The piston may be slidable in a piston guide.

The piston guide may be provided by a cover, the piston being at least partially provided within the cover.

The piston may be provided with a cavity therein adapted to receive the jaws.

The piston may be generally cylindrical.

The piston may comprise an inclined or axially tapering inner wall surface at a forward part thereof.

The piston and jaws may be configured so that when the piston is moved rearwards, engagement of the piston with the jaws applies force to the jaws in a direction corresponding to tightening of the jaws.

In an embodiment, the engaging mechanism also comprises a spring.

The spring may bias the jaws against the axially tapering inner surface at the forward part of the piston. In an embodiment the engaging mechanism is arranged so that as the piston is moved rearwardly by the action of the setting mechanism the spring is compressed.

In an embodiment the engaging mechanism is arranged so that compression of the spring increases the force applied to the jaws by the piston in a direction corresponding to tightening of the jaws.

The jaws may be forced in an opening direction, when the piston is at its foremost position, by engagement with a rear surface of the nozzle.

The jaws may be provided with one or more protrusions, enagageable by one or more corresponding guide portions provided by the piston.

In an embodiment, action on the piston by the setting mechanism to move the piston opens and closes the jaws about a mandrel of the rivet.

In an embodiment, with the jaws engaging the mandrel of the rivet, the pulling force acting on the piston is transferred to pulling the mandrel in the same direction as the piston.

In an embodiment, the nozzle of the engaging mechanism provides an abutment portion for abutting a flange of a rivet when a mandrel of said rivet is engaged by the engagement mechanism.

In an embodiment, the pulling force on the mandrel, with the flange abutting the nozzle pulls the mandrel through the body of the rivet to set the rivet.

In an embodiment, the engaging mechanism also comprises a cover, which substantially encloses the^' jaws, the piston and the spring.

In an embodiment, the nozzle defines a forward end of the cover.

In an embodiment, the piston protrudes from a rearward end of the cover.

In an embodiment, the drilling mechanism comprises a rotatable body.

In an embodiment, the drilling mechanism also comprises a drilling gear, engageable by the drive mechanism to drive the drilling mechanism.

In an embodiment, the rotatable body is rotatable at one end thereof on at least one bearing and at the other end on the drilling gear.

In an embodiment, the drilling gear is a ring gear.

In an embodiment, the drilling gear has bearings.¹

In an embodiment, in the case of the ring gear, the bearings comprise a central disc.

In an embodiment, the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism are arranged so that when the drive mechanism is moved between engagement with the drilling mechanism and engagement with the setting mechanism, the drive mechanism disengages from the drilling mechanism prior to engagement with the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, parts of the drilling mechanism and of the setting mechanism which are engageable by the drive mechanism are arranged so that when the drive mechanism is moved between engagement with a first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, and a second of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, the drive mechanism disengages from the first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism prior to engagement with the second of the drilling · mechanism and the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, parts of the drilling mechanism and of the setting mechanism which are engageable by the drive mechanism are spaced apart so that when the drive mechanism is moved between engagement with a first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, and a second of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, the drive mechanism disengages from the first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism prior to engagement with the second of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, the rotatable body substantially encloses the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, the rotatable body connects to and further encloses a portion of the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the nozzle and a portion of the cover of the engaging mechanism extend from one end of the rotatable body.

In an embodiment, the nozzle and a portion of the cover of the engaging mechanism are connected to the rotatable body so as to be able to rotate therewith.

In an embodiment, the end wall of the rotatable body at which the drilling gear is located, has an aperture therethrough.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism is movable through the aperture to engage the setting mechanism inside the rotatable body.

In an embodiment, the tool also comprises an alignment mechanism for aligning the setting mechanism with the drive mechanism.

In an embodiment, the alignment mechanism also aligns the aperture with the drive mechanism.

The alignment mechanism may comprise an electromagnetic brake.

The electromagnetic brake may comprise an electromagnet, operable in use to attract an alignment part of the rotatable body in preference to adjacent parts of the rotatable body.

The alignment part of the rotatable body may comprise a magnetically attractable element.

The magnetically attractable element may be mounted on a part of the rotatable body which is less susceptible to magnetic attraction.

Alignment of the rotatable body may be achieved by the electromagnet attracting and retaining the alignment part of the rotatable body in a predetermined angular position of the rotatable body, thereby retaining the rotatable body in a predetermined angular position.

The alignment mechanism may be operable to lock the rotatable body in a predetermined orientation.

The alignment mechanism may be operable to lock the rotatable body in an orientation in which the aperture is aligned with the drive mechanism.

The alignment mechanism may be automatically operable in response to cessation of a drilling operation.

In one alternative embodiment, the alignment mechanism may comprise a locater pin adapted to lock the rotatable body in a predetermined orientation.

In an embodiment, the alignment mechanism comprises a locater pin is operable by an electric mechanism.

In an embodiment, the alignment mechanism comprises a locater pin and a corresponding slot in the rotatable body.

In an embodiment, location of the locater pin in the slot locks the rotatable body in a position in which the aperture is aligned with the drive mechanism.

In an embodiment, the locater pin is operable by a button external to the rotatable body.

In an embodiment, the setting mechanism comprises a setting gear which is engageable by the drive mechanism to drive the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, the alignment mechanism aligns the setting gear with the drive mechanism.

In an embodiment, the setting gear is connected to the worm gear.

In an embodiment, the worm gear comprises a worm and a cog.

In an embodiment, the setting gear connects to a shaft bearing the worm of the worm gear.^'

In an embodiment, the shaft bearing the worm rotates on bearings.

In an embodiment, the worm gear drives a cam.

In an embodiment, the worm drives the cam via the cog.

In an embodiment, the cam rotates eccentrically.

In an embodiment, the cam rotates eccentrically about a rotational axis of the cog.

In an embodiment, the setting mechanism further comprises a connecting member which connects the cam to the piston of the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, eccentric rotation of the cam moves the piston substantially linearly via the connecting member.

In an embodiment, engagement with the rivet by the engaging mechanism, setting of the rivet and readying the tool for a new rivet is completed by one revolution of the cam of the setting mechanism.

. In an embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a motor. The motor may be an electric motor. The electric motor may be of the type used in, or adapted from, an electric motor used in a conventional electric drill, preferably a cordless electric drill. Alternatively, the drive mechanism may be hydraulically or pneumatically operated. It will be appreciated that any suitable motor may be used.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a drive member which is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism The drive member may be a drive pinion.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism further comprises a slidable shaft to which the drive pinion is connected.

In an embodiment, sliding of the slidable shaft enables movement of the drive member between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

It will be appreciated that references herein to movement of the drive mechanism are intended to indicate movement of at least part of the drive mechanism. For example, in an embodiment the drive mechanism comprises a motor and a drive train, wherein part of the drive train is moveable to engage and drive either the drilling mechanism or the setting mechanism. In such a context reference herein to the drive mechanism being moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism should be taken to mean that at least part of the drive train is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism. The moveable part of the drive, train may be the drive member, which may for example be a pinion.

In an embodiment, when the drive mechanism engages the drilling mechanism, the tool is in drilling mode.

In an embodiment, when the drive mechanism engages the setting mechanism, the tool is in setting mode.

In an embodiment, the drive pinion engages the drilling gear when the drive mechanism is in drilling mode.

In an embodiment, the drive pinion engages the setting gear when the tool is in setting mode.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises a mode-setting mechanism for moving the drive mechanism between drilling mode and setting mode.

In an embodiment, the mode-setting mechanism is operable to move the drive pinion between engagement with the drilling gear and the setting gear.

In an embodiment, the mode-setting mechanism is operable to move the slidable shaft of the drive mechanism between drilling mode and setting mode.

In an embodiment, the mode-setting mechanism is electrically powered. In an embodiment the electrically powered mode-setting mechanism comprises a solenoid transducer.

In an embodiment the mode-setting mechanism is controllable such that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from setting mode to drilling mode in response to operation of the setting mechanism.

In an embodiment the mode-setting mechanism is controllable such that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from setting mode to drilling mode in response to the setting mechanism operating the engaging mechanism to grip a rivet mandrel.

In an embodiment the mode-setting mechanism is controllable so that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from drilling mode to setting mode in response to cessation of a drilling operation.

In an embodiment the mode-setting mechanism is controllable by a switch which is operated at one or more predetermined conditions or positions of the setting mechanism. The switch may be operated by part of the setting mechanism and/or by part of the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment the mode-setting mechanism is controllable by a mode locking switch to retain the drive mechanism in a drilling mode position.

The operation of the locking mode switch may override other control of the mode-setting mechanism.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism may comprise a member for manually moving the drive mechanism between drilling mode and setting mode.

In an embodiment, the member for manually moving the drive mechanism between drilling mode and setting mode allows manual movement of the drive pinion between engagement with the drilling gear and the setting gear.

In an embodiment, shifting the lever moves the slidable shaft between drilling mode and setting mode.

In an embodiment, the lever is connected to the slidable shaft.

In an embodiment, in setting mode, the slidable shaft extends through the aperture in the end wall of the rotatable body.

In an embodiment, the tool also comprises a trigger for turning the motor on and off.

In an embodiment, the tool further comprises a housing for substantially enclosing the engaging mechanism, the drilling mechanism, the setting mechanism and the drive mechanism.

In an embodiment, a portion of the cover and the nozzle of the engaging mechanism protrude from the front of the housing.

In an embodiment, the tool further comprises an adaptation device connectable to the engaging mechanism for adapting the tool to engage a drill bit for forming the aperture.

In an embodiment, the adaptation device is in the form of a removable chuck.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck comprises an engagement portion for engagement with a rotatably driven part of the tool driveable by the drive mechanism of the tool, so that the removable chuck can be rotatably driven by the drive mechanism of the tool.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck comprises a chuck head.

In an embodiment, the chuck head is connected to a mounting tube of the removable chuck.

In an embodiment the mounting tube is adapted to engage, and be rotationally driven by, a rotatably driven part of the tool, so that the removable chuck can be rotatably driven by the drive mechanism of the tool. In an embodiment, the mounting tube is adapted to fit over the cover of the engaging mechanism which protrudes from the housing. The cover may comprise said rotatably driven part of the tool.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck further comprises a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism may comprise a spring-loaded ball internal to the mounting tube.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck also comprises at least one locking bar internal to the mounting tube. Said at least one locking bar may comprise said engagement portion for engagement with a rotatably driven part of the tool

In an embodiment, the spring-loaded ball and the at least one locking bar are engageable with the cover of the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the at least one locking bar engages a portion of the cover so as to act against rotation of the adaptation device relative to the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the spring loaded ball engages an indentation in the cover to act against lateral movement of the adaptation device relative to the engaging mechanism.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck is readily attached to the engaging mechanism by pushing the mounting tube over the cover.

In an embodiment, the removable chuck is readily detached from the engaging mechanism by pulling the removable chuck relative to the cover.

In an embodiment, the tool comprises a mode locking mechanism for locking the tool in the drilling mode. This can be used when the adaptation device is in use to prevent operation of the setting mode.

In an embodiment, when the removable chuck is connected to the engaging mechanism, the tool is capable of any function of a conventional drill. Such functions may include drilling, screwing, polishing, sanding, grinding and wire brushing.

In an embodiment, the drive mechanism is operable in reverse rotation for removing screws using the removable chuck for example,

In an embodiment the tool is a hand held tool.

In an embodiment the tool is provided with a rivet loader attachable to the tool.

In an embodiment the rivet loader comprises a holding element for holding at least one rivet.

In an embodiment the holding element is attachable to the tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between a loading position in which it is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which it does not obstruct the front of the tool.

In an embodiment the holding element is attachable to the tool by at least one connection which allows movement of at least part of the holding element to insert a rivet into the tool by moving the rivet in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the rivet. In an embodiment the tool comprises a mandrel extractor comprising a magnet positionable to attract a rivet mandrel which is at least partially within the tool, to facilitate extraction of the rivet mandrel from the tool.

The mandrel extractor may be part of the rivet loading device.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an adaptation device for adapting a rivet drilling and setting tool to operatively engage a drill bit, the adaptation device comprising a removable chuck with an engagement portion for engagement with a rotatably driven part of the tool, so that the removable chuck can be rotatably driven by the drive mechanism of the tool.

In an embodiment, the adaptation device is for adapting a rivet drilling and setting tool in accordance with the first aspect to operatively engage a drill bit.

In embodiments, the adaptation device may have any one or more of the features of the adaptation device of the first aspect of the present disclosure.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a self drilling rivet comprising a rivet body and an elongate rivet mandrel, wherein retraction of the mandrel relative to the rivet body causes spreading of at least part of the rivet body, wherein at least part of the mandrel is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

Provision of a mandrel at least part of which is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section can facilitate engagement of the mandrel by a tool for rotating the self drilling rivet. This can reduce or eliminate rotational slip.

In an embodiment, a shaft part of the mandrel extends rearwardly from the rivet body, and at least part of the shaft part is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment, at least ten percent of the length of the shaft part is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment at least twenty percent of the length of the shaft part is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment at least fifty percent of the length of the shaft part is substantially non- circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment at least eighty percent of the length of the shaft part is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment substantially all of the length of the shaft part is substantially non- circular in transverse cross section.

In an embodiment at least some of length of the mandrel which is substantially non- circular in transverse cross section has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially in the form of a regglar polygon.

In an embodiment at least some of length of the mandrel which is substantially non- circular in transverse cross section has a transverse cross sectional shape selected from: substantially elliptical; substantially triangular; substantially quadrilateral; substantially pentagonal; substantially hexagonal.

In an embodiment the self drilling rivet is a self tapping rivet.

In an embodiment the self drilling rivet is not a self tapping rivet.

In an embodiment the self drilling rivet comprises a flange and a deformable rivet body portion, wherein retraction of the mandrel relative to the rivet body causes spreading of at least part of the deformable rivet body portion, so that, in use, one or more objects can be fastened between the spread deformable rivet body portion and the flange.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a tool for both drilling and setting of self drilling rivets, the tool comprising an engaging mechanism adapted to engage a portion of a mandrel of a rivet, wherein said portion has a non-circular transverse cross section.

In an embodiment the tool is a powered tool for both drilling and setting of self drilling blind rivets.

In an embodiment the engaging mechanism comprises a set of jaws.

In an embodiment the set of jaws comprises a pair of jaws.

In an embodiment, at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove with a groove surface for engaging the mandrel.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of the cross sectional shape of the rivet mandrel which it is adapted for use.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a polygon.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a regular polygon.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a square.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a hexagon.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a polygon.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a regular polygon.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a square.

In an embodiment at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a hexagon.

In an embodiment the set of jaws comprises two jaws.

In an embodiment each of the two jaws provides a groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a polygon.

In an embodiment each of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of the cross sectional shape of the rivet mandrel which it is adapted for use.

In an embodiment the tool is adapted for use with a self drilling rivet in accordance with the third aspect.

In an embodiment the tool further comprises a rivet loading device attachable to the tool.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a rivet loading device comprising a holding element for holding at least one rivet, wherein the holding element is attachable to a rivet drilling or rivet setting tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between a loading position in which it is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which it does not obstruct the front of the tool.

In an embodiment the holding element is attachable to the tool by at least one connection which allows movement of at least part of the holding element to insert a rivet into the tool by moving the rivet in the direction of a longitudinal axis thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mandrel extractor comprising a magnet positionable to attract a rivet mandrel which is at least partially within a tool, to facilitate extraction of the rivet mandrel from the tool, wherein the magnet is, in use, attached to the tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between an extraction position in which the magnet is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which the magnet does not obstruct the front of the tool.

In an embodiment the mandrel extractor comprises at least one magnet support member which supports the magnet, and in use the at least one magnet support member is attached to the tool by at least one pivotal connection so that the magnet can be moved between the extraction position and the passive position.

In an embodiment the magnet is attachable to the tool by at least one connection which allows movement of at the magnet to extract a rivet mandrel from the tool by moving the rivet mandrel in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the mandrel.

The magnet extractor may be provided as part of a rivet loader of a previous aspect.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of extracting a rivet mandrel of a set rivet from a rivet setting tool, comprising:

moving a magnet to a position in which it engages with the rivet mandrel, the rivet mandrel being at least partially within the rivet setting tool;

moving the magnet away from the tool to extract the rivet from the tool. The method may be performed using a mandrel extractor in accordance with the previous aspect.

It will be appreciated that various features described in relation to one or more of the above aspects may be incorporated in other aspects set out above. Such incorporation of features into other aspects should be considered part of the present disclosure unless clearly inappropriate or inconsistent with the detailed description set out below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cut-away side view of a tool for setting rivets according to embodiments of the present invention, the tool being arranged in a setting mode;

Figure 2 shows a cut-away partial side view of the tool of Figure 1 arranged in a drilling mode;

Figures 3a, 3b show, respectively, first and second perspective views, of a self-drilling rivet which has a mandrel which is substantially square in transverse cross section, and which may be set using the tool of Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4a to 4d, show, respectively, a side view, a plan view and first and second end views of the rivet of Fig.s 3a and 3b;

Figures 5a to 5f show respectively first and second perspective views, a side view, a plan view and first and second end views of a rivet similar to the rivet of Fig s 3a and 3b, but having a mandrel which is substantially hexagonal in transverse cross section;

Figure 6 shows an end view of a drilling mechanism of the tool of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7a shows an end view of a pair of jaws for the tool of Figures 1 and 2, configured to provide a square cross section channel for receiving a mandrel shaft with a square transverse cross section;

Figure 7b is a plan view of one of the jaws of Figure 7a;

Figure 8a shows an end view of a pair of jaws for the tool of Figures 1 and 2, configured to provide a hexagonal cross section channel for receiving a mandrel shaft with a hexagonal transverse cross section;

Figure 8b is a plan view of one of the jaws of Figure 8a;

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate the interaction of the jaws with an element of the tool of Fig.s 1 and 2;

Figure 10 shows a partial side view of an adaptation device, in the form of a removable chuck, attached to the tool of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 11a illustrates a front, cover, part, of the tool of Fig. s 1 and 2 illustrating parts for engagement by the removable chuck; Fig. 11b shows a partial side view of the removable chuck of Figure 10 showing internal components of a mounting tube of the removable chuck engaging the cover of Fig 11a;

Figure 12 shows a partia) cross section of the removable chuck of Figure 10, showing a spring loaded b

Figure 13 shows an end view of the removable chuck of Figure 0;

Figure 14 shows a side view of an embodiment of a tool in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 15 shows a side view of an embodiment of a tool in accordance with the present disclosure, with a rivet loading device attached thereto; and

Figure 16 is a cut-away side view of an alternative embodiment of a tool for setting rivets.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, a tool 10 for setting rivets according to an embodiment comprises an engaging mechanism in the forrn of a engaging part 11 of the tool, a drilling mechanism which is in the form of a drilling part 12 of the tool, a setting mechanism which is in the form of a setting part 13 of the tool, and a drive mechanism which is in the form of a drive part 14 of the tool. The engaging part 11 may engage a rivet, such as for example the self drilling rivet 15 shown in Figures 3 to 5. The drive part 14 is moveable between engagement with the drilling part 12 and the setting part 13, thus enabling the drive part 14 to separately drive either the drilling part 12 or the setting part 13.

The drilling part 12 when driven by the drive part 14 rotates the engaging part 11 thus enabling drilling of an aperture in which the rivet is to be set. The setting part 13 when driven by the drive part 14 moves part of the engaging part 11 towards the rear of the tool thus enabling setting of the rivet.

The engaging part 11 comprises a nozzle 20 which defines the entry of a rivet to the engaging part 11. The engaging part 11 also comprises jaws 21 , a piston 22 and a spring 23. The piston 22 may be in the form of a somewhat hollow cylinder within which the jaws are provided, and which has an inclined or axially tapering inner surface at a forward part thereof.

Action on the piston 22 to move it towards the front or rear of the tool results in force being transferred to the jaws to open and close the jaws 21 about the mandrel of a rivet 15. This forward or rearward movement of the piston 22 is created by the connection of the setting part 13 to the piston 22. The spring 23 biases the jaws 21 against the axially tapering inner surface at the forward part of the piston 22. As the piston 22 is moved rearwardly by the action of the setting part the spring is compressed, increasing the inwardly directed force applied to the jaws 21 by the forward part of the piston 22. The jaws may be forced open when the piston is at its foremost position, by a shaped (generally frustoconical) rearmost surface 20a of the nozzle 20. Rivet setting tools in which jaws are arranged to be forced radially inwardly (in order to grip a rivet mandrel) by rearward axial displacement of a cylindrical piston member which has an inclined inner surface in abutting engagement with inclined surfaces of the jaws are known, and examples of such jaw arrangements can be found, for example, in the commercially available Rivetec RT2 rivet setting tool, and in the disclosures of GB 2,248,574, US 3,768,297 and US 3,328,985, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Suitable structure of relevant parts of the engaging part will be apparent to the skilled addressee, although particular features will be described in due course.

The engaging part 11 also comprises a cover 24, which substantially encloses the jaws 21 , the piston 22 and the spring 23, with the nozzle 20 defining one end of the cover 24 and the piston 22 protruding from the opposing end of the cover 24. It will be appreciated that, the nozzle 20 may be removably attached to the cover 24 (for example by screw threaded connection) and that a selection of nozzles of different sizes may be provided in order to facilitate use of the tool with different sizes of rivet. Provision of different sizes of nozzle (sometimes referred to as "nose pieces") is an option which is known, per se, and included in some earlier rivet setting tools.

The drilling part 12 comprises a rotatable body 30, which rotates at a front end on bearings 31 and at a rear end on a drilling gear 32 and the drilling gear's bearings. The drilling gear 32 is engageable by the drive part 14 to drive the drilling part 12, in a drilling mode of the tool 10, as shown in Figure 2. The drilling gear 32 shown in the Figures is a ring gear, but in an alternative embodiment may be a cog. The rotatable body 30 encloses the setting part 13 and a portion of the engaging part 11 , with the nozzle 20 and a portion of the cover 24· protruding from one end of the rotatable body 30. The nozzle 20 and cover 24 rotate with the rotatable body 30 (when the tool is in a drilling mode).

Referring also to Figure 6, the end wall of the rotatable body 30 at which the drilling gear

32 is located has an aperture 33 therethrough to enable the drive part 14 to engage the setting part 13 inside the rotatable body 30. Further details of this will be explained further on in the specification.

The arrangement of the drilling part 12 and setting part 13 may provide a clearance spacing 37 (see Fig.s 1 and 2) between the drilling gear 32 and the rotatable body 30 for avoiding the clashing of gears when the drive part 14 is moved between engagement with the drilling part 12 and the setting part 13. (However, it should be appreciated that the distance between the drilling gear 32 and the setting gear 40 is shown somewhat exaggerated, for clarity, in Fig.s 1 and 2, and that depiction of the movement and positions of the slidable shaft 52 is somewhat schematic in Fig.s 1 and 2 since the slidable shaft 52 is not illustrated as being of the same length in both drawings.)

The tool 10 also comprises an alignment mechanism in the form of an electromagnet 34 which can be operated to attract a magnetically attractable part 35 mounted to the rotatable body 30. ^' Apart from the magnetically attractable part 35, the parts of the rotatable body 30 which are in the vicinity of the electromagnet 34 are formed from a material which is not magnetically attractable (or which is substantially less magnetically attractable than the magnetically attractable part 35. The magnetically attractable-part 35 may be an element made of a ferrous material. The magnetically attractable part 35 extends over an angularly small amount of the rotatable body 30 and is positioned on the rotatable body 30 so that the electromagnet 34, when operated, attracts and retains the magnetically attractable part 35, thereby halting rotation of the rotatable body 30 and retaining or locking the rotatable body (and hence the drilling part 12) in a predetermined orientation. This aligns the aperture 33 with the drive part 14, so that the drive part can extend through the aperture 33 (ie through the end wall of the rotatable body 30) to engage the setting part 13. The electromagnet 34 may comprise a coil with an iron core. The electromagnet 34 and magnetically attractable part 35 thus provide an electromagnetic brake. This provides an embodiment of an alignment mechanism. In the described embodiment the magnetic brake is also operable and releasable automatically during the drilling/setting process, as will be described in more detail in due course. If desired, some constant resistance to the rotation of the rotatable body may be provided in order to assist slowing of the rotatable body when it ceases to be driven. The resistance may be provided by a pad (not shown), for example a pad made of felt, which engages the rotatable body.

Alternatively, or additionally, a manually operable mechanical alignment mechanism may be provided, as will be described in due course with reference to Figure 16.

The setting part 13 comprises a setting gear 40 which is engagable by the drive part 14 to drive the setting part 13. The setting part 13 also comprises a worm 41 , bearings 42, a cog 43, a cam 44 and a connecting rod 45. The worm 1 and cog 43 act as a worm gear. The setting gear 40 connects to a shaft bearing the worm 41 , which is rotatable on the bearings 42. The worm 41 engages and rotates the cog 43 which in turn rotates the cam 44. The cam 44 is mounted eccentrically on the cog 43, and therefore rotates eccentrically. The cam 44 is connected to the piston 22 of the engaging part 11 by the connecting rod 45 such that the piston 22 is moved in a substantially reciprocating motion in the forwards and rearwards direction of the tool.

The worm gear 41 , 43 provides a large gear reduction from the drive part 14. This enables the same drive part 14 which provides a high number of revolutions per minute for the drilling part 12 to also provide the significantly lower number of revolutions per minute to the cam 44, and to provide a high torque required for the setting part 13 to set a rivet.

The drive part 14 comprises a motor 50 which drives a drive pinion 51 via any number linkages and gear reductions as required for the motor 50, and the desired configuration and speed/torque/force output of the tool. The motor 50 may be adapted, for example, from the electric motor used in a conventional electric drill, and especially a cordless electric drill. In such an

embodiment the tool 10 may have many similarities in construction, power supply etc. to a conventional mains powered electric drill or a cordless electric drill. However, any suitable motor may be used and a pneumatically powered tool may be of particular value.

The drive part 14 also comprises a slidable shaft 52 to which the drive pinion 51 is connected. The slidable shaft 52 enables the drive pinion 51 to be moved between a setting mode as shown in Figure 1 , where the slidable shaft 52 is extended through the aperture 33 so that the drive pinion 51 engages the setting gear 40 of the setting part 13 and a drilling mode as shown in Figure 2, where the slidable shaft 52 is retracted so that the drive pinion 51 engages the drilling gear 32 of the drilling part 12.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 the slidable shaft 52 is retracted or extended by a solenoid transducer 53, which can be activated to retract or extend the slidable shaft 52. Although it is possible to provide a tool requiring manual operation of the solenoid transducer (eg by use of a manually operable switch, not shown) each time a change between operating modes is required, it is considered to enhance convenience of operation of the tool by at least partially automating the change of modes during use of the tool. To this end a switch 57 is provided within the rotatable body 30. The switch 57 is operated by operation of the setting mechanism, and in this embodiment by rearward or forward movement of the connecting rod 45. The switch 57 is able to operate the solenoid transducer 53 and the electromagnet 34, and is also able to cut (and restore) power to the motor 50. Further the switch is able to operate an indicator which indicates to a user when the tool is able to receive a new rivet. Such an indicator is useful because since the jaws will typically not be visible to a user of the tool during use, and without such an indicator the state of the jaws (ie whether they are open or closed) might not be evident to a user. In the described embodiment the indicator is in the form of an LED 58 visible to a user of the tool. The switch 57 may be connected to the various mentioned components by any suitable circuitry (not shown), which will be discemable by the addressee. It will be appreciated that the switch must provide a signal from the inside of the rotatable body to the components outside the rotatable body 30, and that any suitable connection may be used, for example a connection which allows a sliding electrical contact could be provided by a conductive ring (in electrical connection with the switch) provided on the outside of the rotatable body and a conductive brush in sliding connection with the ring. Details of the operation of the switch 57 will be evident from its function, as will be described in due course.

As foreshadowed above, it is possible to provide a tool requiring manual operation of the solenoid transducer 53 (eg by use of a manually operable switch, not shown) each time a change between operating modes is required. Alternatively (or additionally to either or both electrically operated options) reconfiguration between operating modes may be performed by manual operation of a switch which is mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism in order to move it between engagement with the setting mechanism and the drilling mechanism: an embodiment including such an arrangement will be described in due course with reference to Figure 16.

The tool 10 also comprises a trigger 54 to turn the motor 50 on and off.

The engaging part 11, the drilling part 12, the setting part 13 and the drive part 14 are substantially enclosed in a housing 55 having a handle 56 for convenient use of the tool 10. A portion of the cover 24 and the nozzle 20 of the engaging part 11 however, protrude from the front of the housing 55 to allow for engagement of a rivet by the engaging part 11 , and hence operation of the tool 10.

The tool 10 is suitable for drilling and setting self-drilling rivets such as the rivet 15 shown in Figures 3a to 4d. The rivet 15 comprises a mandrel 60, a rivet main body 61 through which the mandrel 60 extends, a rivet flange 62 and a drilling head 63. The mandrel 60 is attached to the drilling head 63 such that retraction of the mandrel 60 relative to the rivet main body 61 (eg during setting of the rivet) causes the drilling head 63 to deform at least some of the mandrel main body 61 , so that at least one object can be fastened (and clamped) between the deformed part of the rivet main body and the flange 62. The structure and operation of a self drilling blind rivet will be readily understood by the skilled addressee. Although the tool may be adapted for use with known self drilling rivets which have mandrels which are substantially circular in transverse cross section, the rivet 15 has a mandrel which is non-circular in transverse cross section. In the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 the mandrel 60 is substantially square in transverse cross section, at least in a region which will be gripped by the jaws 21 of the tool. Other cross sectional shapes, such as (but not limited to) generally triangular, generally pentagonal or generally hexagonal may be used, and a rivet 15a with a mandrel 60a with substantially hexagonal transverse cross section (but which is in other respects similar to the rivet 15) is shown in Figures 5a to 5f.

With reference to Figures 7a to 8b jaws 21 of the tool may be shaped so as to provide a channel which conforms in transverse cross sectional shape to the transverse cross sectional shape of a rivet with which the tool is to be used.

Figure 7a illustrates jaws (which may be jaws 21) being a first jaw 80, and a second jaw 81 , which in a closed configuration provide a channel 82 which is generally square in transverse cross section, in order to accommodate, grip and support a rivet mandrel which is generally square in transverse cross section. As shown in Figure 7b, a jaw 80 is provided with a groove 83 which has a transverse cross sectional shape which is substantially half a square.

Figure 8a illustrates jaws (which may be jaws 21) being a first jaw 84, and a second jaw 85, which in a closed configuration provide a channel 86 which is generally hexagonal in transverse cross section, in order to accommodate, grip and support a rivet mandrel which is generally hexagonal in transverse cross section. As shown in Figure 8b a jaw 84 is provided with a groove 87 which has a transverse cross sectional shape which is substantially half a hexagon. The surfaces of the grooves 83, 87 may be provided with shallow transverse indentations (as indicated by the transverse lines in Figures 7b and 8b), roughened or otherwise textured to enhance grip.

The jaws 80, 81 , 84, 85 have tapered external surfaces and each of the jaws 80, 81 , 84, 85 is provided with a lug 88a, 88b, 89a, 89b, which may be at or adjacent the wider, rear, end of the jaw.

As illustrated in Fig.s 9a and 9b, in use, the each lug (e.g. lugs 88a, 88b) are retained in, and can slide along, respective longitudinally extending slots or grooves 22c of the piston 22.

Engagement of the jaw lugs 88a, 88b (or 89a, 89b) in guide grooves 22c provided in the piston assists in retaining the jaws in a fixed orientation relative to the piston 22, which helps prevent undesirable rotation of the jaws due to torque imparted against a rivet mandrel. The tapered external surfaces of the jaws 80, 81 , 84, 85 can engage tapered internal surfaces 22a, 22b, at the forward end of the piston 22, and as illustrated schematically, the wedging action of the piston 22 on the jaws (e.g. 80, 81) causes the jaws to be forced together when the jaws are forced forwards relative to the piston (or when the piston is forced rearwards relative to the jaws) but allows the jaws to be opened when the jaws are positioned more rearwards relative to the piston.

As can be seen from Figures 7a and 8a, the overall transverse cross section of the set of jaws is non-circular. This non-circular cross section assists in retaining the jaws in a fixed orientation relative to the piston 22, which helps prevent undesirable rotation of the jaws due to torque imparted against a rivet mandrel.

Prevention of rotation of the jaws relative to the piston 22 can assist in: enabling the jaws to grip (clamp) a rivet mandrel forcefully, evenly and with minimal play; enabling the jaws to provide torque to a rivet without undue play; and, avoiding undue wear of the jaws and/or piston.

Use of a mandrel which has a transverse cross sectional shape which is substantially non-circular, and jaws with a suitably shaped mandrel engaging surface can help prevent rotational slip of the mandrel, relative to the jaws, during drilling. Use of one or more jaws with a mandrel engaging surface which is complementary to the substantially non-circular cross sectional shape of the mandrel, such as, for example, is provided by a groove conforming to the shape of the non-circular cross section mandrel, further assists in reducing or eliminating rotational slip between the mandrel and the jaws, and can also allow the jaw to support the mandrel and thereby reduce the likelihood of deformation of the mandrel due to the torque applied. Reduction or prevention of rotational slip between the mandrel and the jaws can assist in reducing jaw wear.

The process of drilling and setting the rivet 15 is described below. Although a rivet having a mandrel with circular cross section could be used, it is currently considered beneficial to use rivets having mandrels which are non-circular (eg square, pentagonal or hexagonal) in transverse cross- section, to enhance grip of the jaws 21 on the mandrel 60 during the drilling stage.

For the purpose of this description the process of drilling and setting the rivet 15 is considered to begin with the jaws 21 of the engaging part 11 open ready to receive a rivet 15. At this stage, which for convenience will be referred to as the 'starting condition' the tool 10 in setting mode, with the electromagnetic brake maintaining the rotatable body 30 in the orientation in which the drive part can extend through the aperture 33 and the slidable shaft 52 extending through the aperture 33 so that the drive pinion 51 engages the setting gear 40. The LED is illuminated to indicate to a user that the tool is ready to receive a rivet. The rivet is received by the engaging part 11 by passing the mandrel 60 through the nozzle 20 and the jaws 21.

The trigger 54 is pressed to activate the motor 50 to drive the setting part 13 via the drive pinion 51. The drive pinion 51 drives the setting gear, thus driving the cam 44 via the worm gear 41 , 43. Due to the eccentric motion of the cam 44 of the setting part 13, the connecting rod 45 and the piston 22 of the engaging part 11 are moved rearwardiy, away from the nozzle 20, thus closing the jaws 21 to engage and grip the mandrel 60 of the rivet.

As the connecting rod 45 moves rearwardiy, it activates switch 57 at the point when the jaws 21 have moved sufficiently far rearwardiy to engage and grip the mandrel 60. This turns off the LED 58 and activates the solenoid transducer 53, which moves the slidable shaft 52 rearwardly, to disengage the drive pinion 51 from the setting gear 40, subsequently retracting the slidable shaft 52 and the drive pinion 51 through the aperture 33 and switches off the electromagnet 34. Continued retraction of the slidable shaft 52 by the solenoid transducer moves the drive pinion 51 rearwardly to engage the drilling gear 32. The tool 10 is thus set into drilling mode, with the drive pinion 51 engaging the drilling gear 32 and the motor 50 driving the drilling part 12 to rotate the engaging part 11 and the rivet 15 engaged therein. The self-drilling rivet 15 is rotated so that it can drill a hole in a work piece (typically two elements which are to be riveted together). The tool 10 can thus be moved into position relative to two elements which the rivet 15 is to fasten together, for drilling of the rivet 15 by pressing the trigger 54 to activate the motor 50. It will be appreciated that operation of the tool in setting mode to move the jaws to grip the mandrel of a rivet inserted into the nozzle, transition from setting mode to drilling mode, and rotation of the rivet to allow drilling, can be performed by a single operation of pressing of the trigger. Thus it is convenient to insert a rivet into the tool, move the tool to a position at or close to the final intended position of the rivet (where the drilling operation is to be performed) and only then to pull the trigger to cause the tool to both grip the rivet and rotate it for drilling.

Once the rivet 15 has been drilled into position, the trigger 54 is released to stop the motor 50. The release of the trigger also activates the electromagnet 34, aligning the aperture 33 in the rotatable body 30 with the drive pinion 51 , and activating the solenoid transducer 53 to move the slidable shaft 52 and the drive pinion 51 through the aperture 33 to engage the setting gear 40. The tool 10 is thus automatically switched back to setting mode by releasing the trigger when drilling is completed. With the tool 10 now in setting mode, setting of the rivet 15 may commence by pressing the ^' trigger 54 to activate the motor 50 so that the pinion drives the setting gear, thus driving the cam 44 via the worm gear 41, 3.

The eccentric motion of the cam 44 continues to pull the piston 22 away from the nozzle 20. With the jaws engaging the mandrel 60, this pulling force is transferred to pulling the mandrel 60 rearwardly, in the same direction as the piston 22. With the flange 62 of the rivet 15 abutting the nozzle 20, the mandrel 60 is thus puljed through the rivet body 61 , spreading part of the rivet body so that the work piece (eg two elements being fastened by the rivet 15) is clamped between the spread part of the rivet body and the flange 62. At this point, the continuing torque on the mandrel 60 causes it to snap off, thus completing setting of the rivet 15.

The trigger 54 remains pressed so that the cam 44 completes one revolution, pushing the connecting rod and piston 22 forwards to its initial position, consequently opening the jaws 21 so that the snapped off mandrel is released and can be removed from the engaging part 11. As the connecting rod is moved forwards it operates the switch 57. This cuts power to the motor 50, so that operation of the tool temporarily ceases, with the jaws in their most open position. Operation of the switch also turns on the LED 58 indicating to a user the tool is ready to have the spent mandrel removed and a new rivet inserted into the nozzle. The tool is thus returned to the starting condition referred to above.

Whilst this process is suitable for drilling and setting a self-drilling rivet, for blind rivets, an aperture through the elements which the rivet is to fasten together must be preformed. Referring now to Figures 10 to 13, in a preferred embodiment, the tool 10 therefore also comprises an adaptation device 70 connectable to the engaging part 11 , for adapting the tool 10 to engage a drill bit. The adaptation device 70 may be in the form of a removable chuck. Allowing the tool 10 to engage a drill bit, may be useful for forming the aperture in which a blind rivet may be set, or it may otherwise be desired to use the tool as a drill.

The removable chuck 70 comprises a chuck head 71 connected to a mounting tube 72. The mounting tube 72 is adapted to fit over the portion of the cover 24 of the engaging part 11 which protrudes from the housing 55. The removable chuck 70 also comprises a spring loaded ball 74 (although any suitable detent arrangement could be used instead) and at least one (but preferably two as shown) locking bar 75 internal to the mounting tube 72. The spring loaded ball 74 engages an indentation 76 in the cover 24 to resist inadvertent movement of the removable chuck 70 relative to the engaging part 11. The front part of the cover 24, which protrudes from the housing 55 is noncircular, and provides one or more engagement parts, in this embodiment in the form of flat portions 77 (Fig. s 11a and 11b), for engagement with the removable chuck so that the removable chuck can be rotationally driven by rotation of the cover 24. In the illustrated embodiment the or each locking bar 75 engages a flat portion 77 of the cover 24 to act against rotation of the removable chuck 70 relative to the cover 24 and engaging part.

The cover 24 rotates with the rotatable body 30 of the tool, which forces the locking bars 75, and thus the mounting tube 72 drive parts of the rotatable chuck, to rotate.

The removable chuck 70 is readily attached and detached from the engaging part 11 by pushing the mounting tube 72 over the cover 24 to engage the removable chuck 70 and by pulling the removable chuck relative to the cover 24 to disengage the removable chuck 70.

With the removable chuck 70 attached, the chuck head 71 may engage a drill bit.(not shown) and the tool 10 used as a drill, for example to form the aperture in which a blind rivet may be positioned. It will be appreciated that when the tool is to be used for drilling, any switching between drilling mode and setting mode is undesirable. The tool 10 is therefore provided with a mode locking switch 59 which can be operated to lock the tool in drilling mode. The mode locking switch 59 can be operated to allow both drilling and setting operation of the tool, or to lock the tool in drilling mode. When operated to lock the tool in drilling mode, the mode locking switch 59 controls the solenoid transducer to retain the sliding shaft in (or move the sliding shaft to, and then retain the sliding shaft in) the drilling mode position.

When used to form the aperture in which a blind rivet may be positioned, once the desired aperture has been formed, the removable chuck 70 may be detached, the tool 10 switched to drilling/setting operation as described above, and the blind rivet subsequently set in position using the tool 10.

Thus, with the removable chuck 70, a single tool may be used to drill and set blind rivets,' the tool 10 being also capable of drilling and setting self-tapping rivets. Furthermore, the same tool 10 may be used for any other function that a conventional drill can be used for (such as drilling, screwing, polishing, sanding, grinding and wire brushing) by attaching the removable chuck 70 and arranging the tool 10 in drilling mode including operation of the drive part 14 in reverse rotation in order to remove screws for example.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of a tool 10A having similarities in form to a cordless (rechargeable battery operated) electric drill. Reference numerals corresponding to those used for the tool 10 are used. Tool 10A includes a rechargeable battery pack 69. In an embodiment an 18 Volt battery pack is used, as this is considered more appropriate for the power requirements and likely usage of the tool than a lower voltage battery pack.

Figure 15 illustrates the tool 10A, with a rivet loading device 90 attached thereto to facilitate loading of rivets into the tool 10A and withdrawal of spent rivet mandrels from the tool 10A.

The rivet loading device 90 comprises a support arm 91 which can be pivotally connected to the tool 10A via a suitable mounting such as a bolt 92, and a rivet cartridge 93. The rivet cartridge 93 is pivotally attached to the support arm 91 via a suitable connector 94 (such as a nut and bolt). The rivet cartridge 93 is able to move along the support arm 91 , in the direction of elongation of the support arm, via a suitable connection, which in this embodiment is provided by an elongate aperture 95 provided in the support arm 91 , within which the connector can travel.

The rivet cartridge 93 is thus supported relative to the tool so that it can be manually raised to a position in which it is at a distal end of the support arm 91 and a rivet 96 is directly in front of the nozzle 20, a position designated A in Figure 15. The rivet cartridge 93 can then be moved in the longitudinal direction of the support arm 91 (along the aperture 95) to a position designated B in Figure 15, in which a rivet is inserted into the nozzle 20. The rivet cartridge 93 can then be swung clear of the front of the tool 10A, by pivotal movement of the support arm 91 relative to the tool 10A, and, optionally, pivotal movement of the rivet cartridge 93 relative to the support arm 91 , to a position in which it does not obstruct drilling or setting operations to be performed using the tool 10A, eg the position designated B in Figure 15. Drilling and setting operations can then be performed. The rivet cartridge 93 can then moved back to the position designated A to assist insertion of the next rivet into the tool. The rivet cartridge 93 may be provided with a magnet 97 thereon to assist removal of spent mandrels from the tool 10A. The magnet may be provided in any suitable position in which it does not unduly interfere with the other functions of the tool or rivet loading mechanism. Provision of a magnet to assist in retrieval of spent mandrels from the tool is considered beneficial, since in the absence of a magnet an operator of the tool may tend to allow spent mandrels to merely fall upon the ground, requiring a potentially time consuming (and thus expensive) subsequent operation of clearing up the spent mandrels. Use of a retrieval device, and in this embodiment a magnet, provided on the rivet loading device 90, facilitates gathering of the spent mandrels by the operator, who can then easily move them to a suitable storage location prior to disposal. The storage location may conveniently be a bag or other suitable container worn by, or attached to the operator, for example by attachment to the operator's belt. It will be appreciated that the tool 10 and rivet loading device 90 can be configured so that the rivet loading device 90 can be mounted on either side of the tool, in order to allow convenient use by right- or left- handed operators.

The described embodiment therefore provides a single tool for carrying out the operations of drilling and setting so that the self-drilling rivets can be set quickly and efficiently, and overcomes potential difficulties in providing such a tool which arise due to the different actions required: rotational movement to drill the self-drilling rivet through elements to be fixed, and linear movement to retract the mandrel in order to set the rivet.

It will be appreciated that many variations are possible. For example, as described above, the tool 10 comprises an alignment mechanism in the form of an electromagnetic brake.

However, alternatively, or additionally, a manually operable mechanical alignment mechanism may be provided.

Figure 16 illustrates schematically an alternative embodiment in the form of a tool 110, which has many similarities with the tool 10, and only functionally different features will be described in detail.

Tool 110 comprises a manually operable alignment mechanism which may be provided as an alternative to (or in addition to) the electrically operated alignment mechanism of the tool 10. As illustrated in Figure 16 the manually operable alignment mechanism comprises a locater pin 134 having a button 135 external to rotatable body 130 and a corresponding slot 136 in the rotatable body 30 for receiving the locater pin 134. The slot 136 Is positioned in the rotatable body 130 so that when the button 135 is depressed, the locater pin 134 locates and slots into the slot 36 to lock the rotatable body 130 (and hence drilling part 112 and setting part 113) in a predetermined orientation. In this predetermined orientation the setting part 113 and an aperture (not shown, but corresponding generally to aperture 33 of tool 10) through the end wall of the rotatable body 130 are oriented in a predetermined position so that the drive part 114 can extend through the aperture 133 to engage the setting part 113. That is, the aperture 133 is aligned with the drive part 114, so that the drive part can extend through the aperture (ie through the end wall of the rotatable body 130) to engage setting gear 140 of the setting part 113.

As mentioned above, tool 10 provides electrically operated solenoid transducer 53 for reconfiguration of the tool 10 between setting and drilling modes, but in an alternative embodiment such reconfiguration may be performed by manual operation of a switch which is mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism in order to move it between engagement with the setting mechanism and the drilling mechanism. Tool 110, depicted in Figure 16, illustrates one possible arrangement in which a switch 153 is connected to slidable shaft 152 such that manual movement of the switch 153 in the forward/rearward direction of the tool 110, causes corresponding forward or reaward movement of the slidabie shaft 152, and thus allows manual switching of the drive part 114 between the setting and drilling modes.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of.the invention.

Claims

1. A tool for setting rivets, the tool comprising:

-an engaging mechanism for engaging a rivet;

-a drilling mechanism for drilling an aperture by rotating the engaging mechanism;

-a setting mechanism for setting the rivet in the aperture by moving the engaging mechanism; and

2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

3. A tool according to either preceding claim, wherein both the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism are connected to the engaging mechanism.

4. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein engagement of the drive mechanism with the drilling mechanism enables rotation of the drilling mechanism to rotate the engaging mechanism.

5. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the setting mechanism is located substantially within the drilling mechanism and rotates with rotation of the drilling mechanism.

6. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging mechanism comprises jaws for engaging the rivet.

7. A tool according to claim 6, wherein the engaging mechanism further comprises a piston, connected to the setting mechanism, the piston being moveable forwards and rearwards by the setting mechanism.

8. A tool according to claim 7, wherein the jaws are provided with one or more protrusions, enagageable by one or more corresponding guide portions provided by the piston.

9. A tool according to either of claims 7 or 8, wherein the engaging mechanism further comprises a cover, the jaws and the piston being provided at least partially within the cover.

10. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the drilling mechanism comprises a rotatable body which substantially encloses the setting mechanism.

11. A tool according to claim 10 when dependent upon claim 9, wherein a nozzle for receiving a rivet mandrel and a portion of the cover of the engaging mechanism are connected to the rotatable body so as to be able to rotate therewith.

12. A tool according to either of claims 10 or 11 , wherein an end wall of the rotatable body has an aperture therethrough and the drive mechanism is movable through the aperture to engage the setting mechanism inside the rotatable body.

13. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool further comprises an alignment mechanism for aligning the setting mechanism with the drive mechanism. .

14. A tool according to claim 13, wherein the alignment mechanism comprises an electromagnetic brake.

15. A tool according to claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic brake comprises: an electromagnet which is substantially fixed with respect to the tool, and a rotatable alignment part which is substantially fixed with respect to the setting mechanism and is attractable by the electromagnet,

and wherein alignment of the setting mechanism with the drive mechanism may be achieved by the electromagnet attracting and retaining the alignment part in a predetermined position, thereby retaining the setting mechanism in a predetermined position.

16. A tool according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the alignment mechanism is automatically operated in response to cessation of a drilling operation.

17. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein parts of the drilling mechanism and of the setting mechanism which are engageable by the drive mechanism are arranged so that when the drive mechanism is moved between engagement with a first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, and a second of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism, the drive mechanism disengages from the first of the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism prior to engagement with the second of the drilling mechanism arid the setting mechanism.

18. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a gear reduction provided by a gear reducer of the setting mechanism is substantially greater than a gear reduction provided by a gear reducer of the drilling mechanism.

19. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein a gear reducer of the setting mechanism comprises a worm gear.

20. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the setting mechanism comprises a cam, and wherein the operations of:

operating the engaging mechanism, from a configuration in which a rivet mandrel may be inserted, into a position in which the rivet mandrel is forcibly gripped by the engaging mechanism, operating the setting mechanism for setting of the rivet, and

returning the engaging mechanism to a configuration in which a rivet mandrel may be inserted to ready the tool for a new rivet,

are completed by one revolution of the cam.

21. A tool according to claim 20 when dependent upon claim 20, wherein the worm gear drives the cam.

22. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a drive member which is moveable between engagement with the drilling mechanism and the setting mechanism.

23. A tool according to claim 22, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a mode- setting, mechanism for moving the drive mechanism between a drilling mode and a setting mode by moving the drive member between engagement with the drilling mechanism and engagement with the setting mechanism.

24. A tool according to claim 23, wherein the mode-setting mechanism is controllable such that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from setting mode to drilling mode in response to a predetermined operation of the setting mechanism.

25. A tool according to claim 24, wherein the mode-setting mechanism is controllable such that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from setting mode to drilling mode in response to the setting mechanism operating the engaging mechanism to grip a rivet mandrel.

26. A tool according to any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the mode-setting mechanism is controllable so that it automatically moves the drive mechanism from drilling mode to setting mode in response to cessation of a drilling operation.

27. A tool according to any of claims 23 to 26, wherein the mode-setting mechanism is controllable by a switch which is operated at one or more predetermined conditions or positions of the setting mechanism.

28. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool is provided with a rivet loader attachable to the tool, the rivet loader comprising a holding element for holding at least one rivet, the holding element being attachable to the tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between a loading position in which it is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which it does not obstruct the front of the tool.

29. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool comprises a mandrel extractor comprising a magnet positionable to attract a rivet mandrel which is at least partially within the tool, to facilitate extraction of the rivet mandrel from the tool.

30. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool is also in accordance with any one of claims 35 to 47.

31. An adaptation device for adapting a rivet drilling and setting tool to operatively engage a drill bit, the adaptation device comprising a removable chuck.

32. A self drilling rivet comprising a rivet body and an elongate rivet mandrel, wherein retraction of the mandrel relative to the rivet body causes spreading of at least part of the rivet body, and wherein at least part of the mandrel is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section.

33. A self drilling rivet as claimed in claim 32 wherein at least some of length of the mandrel which is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially in the form of a regular polygon.

34. A self drilling rivet as claimed in claim 33 wherein at ^"least some of length of the mandrel which is substantially non-circular in transverse cross section has a transverse cross sectional shape selected from: substantially elliptical; substantially triangular; substantially quadrilateral;

substantially pentagonal; substantially hexagonal.

35. A tool for both drilling and setting of self drilling rivets, the tool comprising an engaging mechanism adapted to engage a portion of a mandrel of a rivet, wherein said portion has a non-circular transverse cross section.

36. A tool according to claim 35, wherein the tool is a powered tool for both drilling and setting of self drilling blind rivets.

37. A tool according to either of claims 35 or 36, wherein the engaging mechanism comprises a set of jaws.

38. A tool according to claims 37, wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove with a groove surface for engaging the mandrel, providing an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape which is not part circular.

39. A tool according to any of claims 37 to 38, wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a regular polygon.

40. A tool according to claim 39, wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to: part of a square or part of a hexagon.

41. A tool according to claim 38, wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a polygon.

42. A tool according to claim 41 , wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a regular polygon.

43. A tool according to any of claim 42, wherein at least one of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a square or half of a hexagon.

44. A tool according to any of claims 37 to 43, wherein the set of jaws comprises two and only two jaws.

45. A tool according to claims 44, wherein each of the two jaws provides a groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of a polygon.

46. A tool according to claims 44, wherein each of the two jaws provides a groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to half of a polygon.

47. A tool according to any of claims 37 to 46, wherein each of the jaws provides an elongate groove which has a transverse cross sectional shape substantially corresponding to part of the cross sectional shape of the rivet mandrel which it is adapted for use.

48. A tool according to any of claims 35 to 47, wherein the tool is also in accordance with any of claims 1 to 29.

49. A rivet loading device comprising a holding element for holding at least one rivet, wherein the holding element is attachable to a rivet drilling or rivet setting tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between a loading position in which it is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which it does not obstruct the front of the tool.

50. A mandrel extractor for extracting a rivet mandrel of a set rivet from a rivet setting tool, the mandrel extractor comprising a magnet positionable to attract a rivet mandrel which is at least partially within a tool, to facilitate extraction of the rivet mandrel from the tool, wherein the magnet is, in use, attached to the tool by at least one pivotal connection so that it can be moved between an extraction position in which the magnet is located substantially at a front of the tool, and a passive position in which the magnet does not obstruct the front of the tool.

51. A method of extracting a rivet mandrel of a set rivet from a rivet setting tool, comprising:

moving a magnet to a position in which it engages with the rivet mandrel, the rivet mandrel being at least partially within the rivet setting tool; and

moving the magnet away from the tool to extract the rivet from the tool.