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Method for delivering and setting self-piercing rivets

  • US 10,099,273 B2
  • Filed: 08/25/2017
  • Issued: 10/16/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for delivering and setting self-piercing rivets, the rivets being delivered from a plurality of containers to a rivet setting tool via a plurality of intermediate buffers for the temporary storage of rivets, each intermediate buffer being mounted on the rivet setting tool and having an outlet from which rivets are delivered to the tool, the method comprising the steps of:

  • moving the intermediate buffers from a position where each intermediate buffer is separated from an associated rivet delivery tube to a position in which each intermediate buffer is aligned with an associated rivet delivery tube to establish paths between the rivet delivery tubes and the associated intermediate buffers;

    selectively transporting rivets from the containers through the rivet delivery tubes and into the intermediate buffers, temporarily storing the rivets in the intermediate buffers;

    separating the intermediate buffers from the rivet delivery tubes;

    selectively releasing a rivet from an outlet of one of the intermediate buffers and delivering the released rivet to the tool;

    advancing a punch of the tool to insert the rivet into a workpiece such that the rivet is upset by a rivet upsetting die that is disposed opposite the tool.

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