Patent ID: 7367893
Filing Date: 2008-05-06
Classification: B21H,B21K

Abstract:
1. A method of continuously manufacturing pierce nuts having a predetermined width from a metal rod with a groove disposed therealong, comprising the steps of: providing an articulating die having a piercing station for piercing an aperture through said rod and a cutting station for cutting individual pierce nuts from said rod; advancing the rod through said articulating die and cutting a plurality of pierce nuts, each pierce nut having an aperture pierced therethrough; said step of cutting individual pierce nuts from said rod being defined by spacing a reciprocable cutting member of said cutting station from a distal end of said rod, a distance equal to generally said predetermined width of said pierce nut; driving said reciprocable cutting member against said rod, simultaneously cutting two pierce nuts from said rod, including a first pierce nut at said distal end of said rod and a second pierce nut beneath said reciprocable cutting member; said cutting member driving said second pierce nut from a plane of said rod; said cutting station resiliently supporting said second pierce nut beneath said reciprocable member, then returning said second pierce nut to said plane of said rod; then transferring said first and second pierce nuts in sequence in a common plane to a further station; and affixing a wire to said pierce nuts forming a continuous strip of fasteners while maintaining said fasteners in a continuous line.