Methods and apparatus for delivering fasteners
First Claim
1. A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool, said method comprising:
- delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator;
staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool, said staging beginning prior to receiving a request from the operator for another fastener of the first type, and said staging comprising;
retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location; and
transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool is provided. The method includes delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator and staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool. The staging begins prior to receiving a request for another fastener of the first type from the operator. The staging includes retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool, said method comprising:
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delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator; staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool, said staging beginning prior to receiving a request from the operator for another fastener of the first type, and said staging comprising; retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location; and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool, said apparatus comprising:
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a delivery tube coupleable to the remote installation tool; a delivery guide coupled to said delivery tube; a storage location configured to store a plurality of fasteners; an extraction device operable to transfer a fastener of the plurality of fasteners from said storage location to said delivery guide; a staging mechanism coupled to said delivery guide, said staging mechanism configured to selectively retain the fastener of the plurality of fasteners in said delivery guide or permit the fastener of the plurality of fasteners to pass through said delivery guide to said delivery tube; and a processor configured to; deliver a first fastener of a first type to the remote installation tool via said delivery guide and said delivery tube in response to receiving a request for the first fastener of the first type from an operator; and stage a second fastener of the first type in said delivery guide by transferring the second fastener of the first type from said storage location to said delivery guide, and selectively retaining the second fastener of the first type in said delivery guide using said staging mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fastener delivery and installation system comprising:
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a storage system configured to store a plurality of fasteners; an extractor configured to extract a fastener of the plurality of fasteners from said storage system; a delivery system comprising; a delivery guide configured to receive the fastener of the plurality of fasteners from said extractor; a delivery tube coupled to said delivery guide, said delivery tube configured to deliver the fastener of the plurality of fasteners to a remote installation tool; and a staging mechanism coupled to said delivery guide, said staging mechanism configured to selectively retain the fastener of the plurality of fasteners in said delivery guide or selectively permit the fastener of the plurality of fasteners to pass through said delivery guide to said delivery tube; and a processor configured to; operate said extractor to transfer the fastener of the plurality of fasteners from said storage system to said delivery system; and selectively operate said staging mechanism to retain the fastener of the plurality of fasteners in said delivery guide or permit the fastener of the plurality of fasteners to pass through said delivery guide to said delivery tube. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool, said apparatus comprising:
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a delivery tube coupleable to the remote installation tool; a delivery guide coupled to said delivery tube; a storage location configured to store a fastener; an extraction device configured to transfer the fastener from said storage location to said delivery guide; and a staging mechanism coupled to said delivery guide, said staging mechanism comprising a plurality of pins selectively extendable through said delivery guide to retain the fastener in said delivery guide or selectively retractable from said delivery guide to permit the fastener to pass through said delivery guide to said delivery tube.
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20. A fastener delivery and installation system comprising:
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a storage system configured to store a fastener; an extractor configured to extract the fastener from said storage system; and a delivery system comprising; a delivery guide configured to receive the fastener from said extractor; a delivery tube coupled to said delivery guide, said delivery tube configured to deliver the fastener to the remote installation tool; and a staging mechanism coupled to said delivery guide, said staging mechanism comprising a plurality of pins selectively extendable through said delivery guide to retain the fastener in said delivery guide or selectively retractable from said delivery guide to permit the fastener to pass through said delivery guide to said delivery tube.
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Specification