Rivet removal tool and method

• US 7,028,380 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asia Fastening (Us), Inc. (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Donovan, Steven P., Gross, David C., Swedberg, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jimenez, Marc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cozart, Jermie E.
• Application Number:
  US10/637,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 294/264, 294/020.1, 294/020.3, 294/020.6, 294/261, 294/265, 292/39, 292/68, 292/84, 408/1.R, 408/84
• US Class Current: 29/402.01
• 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 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;

spring biasing a drill bit of the hand held device against the rivet while the hand held device is clamped onto the work piece;

engaging a drill with a the 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.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising drilling into the butt on such that a recess is formed, and engaging the compression tool with the recess to push the rivet out of the work piece.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, 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.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising adjusting the hand held device to adjust a depth of cut of the drill bit during operation of the drill.

5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising adjusting a depth adjuster member which is disposed on the drill bit.