JOINING ELEMENT FEED DEVICE

• US 20160180624A1
• Filed: 12/18/2015
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Newfrey Llc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Newfrey Llc (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mller, Dirk, OHLY, Sascha, HAIN, Jochen, HETT, Uwe
• Application Number:
  US14/973,931
• Publication Number:
  US 20160180624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/32 Devices for inserting or holding rivets in position with or without feeding arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/006 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/20 Stud welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 9/206 with automatic stud supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A joining element feed device comprises a supply unit that supplies a joining process with joining elements from a container. The container includes a cover movable between a closed position and an open filling position. The joining element feed device includes an identification device able to identify joining elements that are to be poured into the container and/or a person who intends to pour the joining elements into the container. The identification device includes a reading device for reading an identification code on the joining elements or person and a control unit for verifying or recording the identification code. The joining element feed device further comprises a closing device actuated by the control unit for moving the cover to or locking the cover in the closed position.

Claims

1. A joining element feed device for feeding a joining element to a joining tool;

the joining element, a package containing joining elements, or the person who loads joining elements into the feed device bear an identification; and

the feed device comprises;

a cover defining an aperture;

a container for holding a plurality of joining elements and fillable with joining elements via the aperture;

a supply unit that moves the joining elements from the container toward the joining tool;

an identification device including a reading device in electronic communication with a control unit, the reading device operable for reading the identification, and the control unit operable for recording or verifying the identification read; and

a closing device operable by the control unit for preventing filling of the container via the aperture.

2. A joining element feed device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in a control unit housing fixed on one of an upper face of the cover or a lower face of the cover.

3. A joining element feed device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is one of fixed to the cover or movable relative to the cover and connected to the control unit by a flexible data link.

4. A joining element feed device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is a hand-held reading device that is connected to the control unit by a flexible connection.

5. A joining element feed device according to claim 1, wherein the closing device is arranged on a lower face of the cover.

6. A joining element feed device according to claim 1, and further comprising a filling flap operable between a filling position, wherein the aperture is open and joining elements may be loaded into the container, and a closed position, wherein the aperture is blocked and filling of the container via the aperture is not possible;

and the closing device is operable by the control unit to lock the filling flap in the closed position.

7. A joining element feed device according to claim 6 wherein the closing device includes a motor operable to lock the filing flap.

8. A joining element feeding device according to claim 7 wherein the motor is an electromagnetic solenoid.

9. An access control device fixable to a joining element feeder;

the feeder including;

a housing, a container within the housing for holding a plurality of joining elements, a supply unit that moves the joining elements from the container toward a joining tool, and the joining element, a package containing joining elements, or a person who loads joining elements into the feeder bear an identification; and

the access control device comprises;

a cover defining an aperture, the cover fixable to the housing such that the container is fillable only via the aperture;

an identification device including a reading device in electronic communication with a control unit, the reading device operable for reading the identification, and the control unit operable for recording or verifying the identification read; and

a closing device operable by the control unit for preventing filling of the container via the aperture.

10. An access control device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit is arranged in a control unit housing fixed on one of an upper face of the cover or a lower face of the cover.

11. An access control device according to claim 9, wherein the reading device is one of fixed to the cover or movable relative to the cover and connected to the control unit by a flexible data link.

12. An access control device according to claim 9, wherein the reading device is a hand-held reading device that is connected to the control unit by a flexible connection.

13. An access control device according to claim 9, wherein the closing device is arranged on a lower face of the cover.

14. An access control device according to claim 9, and further comprising a filling flap operable between a filling position, wherein the aperture is open and joining elements may be loaded into the container, and a closed position, wherein the aperture is blocked and filling of the container via the aperture is not possible;

and the closing device is operable by the control unit to lock the filling flap in the closed position

15. An access control device according to claim 14 wherein the closing device includes a motor operable to lock the filing flap.

16. An access control device according to claim 15 wherein the motor is an electromagnetic solenoid.