Rivet removal tool and method

• US 20040025321A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Asia Fastening (Us), Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Donovan, Steven P., Swedberg, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,028,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/566
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/025 Setting self-piercing rivets
• CPC Class Codes: B21J 15/50 Removing or cutting devices for rivets
• CPC Class Codes: B23B 47/284 Jigs for drilling rivets or bolts
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/02 for connecting objects by press fit or for detaching same B23P19/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/14 for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49718 Repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49721 with disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49815 Disassembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49821 by altering or destroying work part or connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49822 by applying force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5147 including composite tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5148 including severing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53796 Puller or pusher means, contained force multiplying operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53909 Means comprising hand manipulatable tool
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53943 Hand gripper for direct push or pull
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/03 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/559 Funnel like work-engaging surface cooperating with protuberance on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/564 Movable relative to Tool along tool-axis
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/5653 with means to bias Tool away from work

Abstract

A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Claims

1. A device for drilling into a button of a rivet installed on a work piece, device comprising:

means for clamping the work piece;

support structure connected to the clamping means; and

a drill bit disposed on said support structure, said drill bit configured such that said drill bit is drillable into the button of the rivet, said device configured to apply an end load to said drill bit.

2. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a depth adjuster member disposed on said drill bit.

3. A device as recited in claim 2, wherein said depth adjuster member comprises a collar disposed on said drill bit.

4. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said collar is slidable and adjustable along the drill bit.

5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises a first member, a second member, at least one pin having an enlarged end, said at least one pin extending from said first member through said second member, and a spring disposed on said at least one pin between said enlarged end and said second member, wherein said drill bit extends through said first and second members.

6. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said at least one pin is threadedly attached to said first member.

7. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said drill bit has a conical tip, and wherein the bottom has an indentation therein, whereby said conical bit assists in locating and centering said drill bit to the button of the rivet by being inserted into the indentation of the button of the rivet.

8. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said spring on said at least one pin provides a pre-load force to said drill bit to assist and maintain centering of said drill bit to the button of the rivet.

9. Tooling configured to engage a hand held device, said tooling comprising:

a first member;

a second member;

a pin having an enlarged end and extending from said first member through said second member;

a spring disposed on said pin between said second member and said enlarged end of said pin; and

a drill bit which extends through said first and second members, wherein said tooling is configured to apply an end load to said drill bit.

10. Tooling as recited in claim 9, further comprising a depth adjuster member disposed on said drill bit.

11. Tooling as recited in claim 10, wherein said depth adjuster member comprises a collar disposed on said drill bit.

12. Tooling as recited in claim 11, wherein said collar is slidable and adjustable along the drill bit.

13. A pair of bits for use with a compression tool to remove a rivet from a work piece, said pair of bits comprising:

a first bit having a first end configured to engage the compression tool and a second end providing a push out portion configured to push out the rivet; and

a second bit having a first end configured to engage the compression tool and a second end providing a recess for catching the rivet as the rivet is being pushed out by the push out portion of the first bit.

14. A compression tool for removing a rivet from a work piece, said compression tool comprising:

a push out portion configured to push the rivet out of the work piece; and

a recess disposed generally opposite said push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out by the push out portion.

15. A method of using a device having springs to drill into a button of a rivet installed on a work piece, said method comprising:

clamping the device onto the work piece;

engaging a drill with a drill bit of the device, the springs applying a pre-load force to said drill bit; and

operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to said drill bit and causing said drill bit to drill into the button of the rivet.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising drilling into the button such that a recess is formed therein.

17. A method as recited in claim 16, further comprising adjusting the device to adjust a depth of cut of said drill bit during operation of said drill.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising adjusting a depth adjuster member which is disposed on said drill bit.

19. A method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece, said method comprising:

clamping a hand held device onto the work piece;

engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device;

operating the drill, thereby causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet;

unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece; and

using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising drilling into the button such that a recess is formed, and engaging the compression tool with the recess to push the rivet out of the work piece.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising engaging a push out portion of the compression tool with the recess to push the rivet out of the work piece into a recess provided by the compression tool.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising adjusting the hand held device to adjust a depth of cut of the drill bit during operation of the drill.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, further comprising adjusting a depth adjuster member which is disposed on the drill bit.