Patent ID: 6490905
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for installing a hollow threaded insert into a hole in a substrate having first and second surfaces where the insert has a hollow shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and second end portion, the insert having a front flange at the first end portion for engaging the first surface of the substrate around the hole, the second end portion having an internal thread, said intermediate portion comprising a gripping means that engages the second surface when a force is applied that pushes the second end portion toward the first end portion;said apparatus comprising: a frame; a slide; a screw head adapted to screw into said threaded portion of the insert; a nose retainer for holding said screw head; a drive; a drive shaft sliding coupling means interconnecting said drive shaft and said drive so that said drive can turn said drive shaft to screw said screw head into said threaded portion; a piston having a central bore, and a front surface facing the screw head, said drive shaft passing through and being retained by said central bore so that longitudinal movement of the piston moves the drive shaft while permitting the drive shaft to rotate within said bore; a cylinder housing said piston, said cylinder being rigidly connected to the drive and slidably connected to the frame by means of the slide so that the cylinder can slide relative to the frame but cannot rotate relative to the frame; a nose retainer means interconnected to the cylinder for engaging the flange of the insert and holding it against the first surface of the substrate; a spring biasing the piston in a direction toward the screw head; a fluid inlet means into said cylinder for permitting fluid under pressure to enter the cylinder and contact the front face of the piston to push the piston and retained drive shaft in a direction toward said drive means and to cause the drive shaft to slide within said coupling; a fluid outlet means to permit fluid to be released from the cylinder; and control means for activating said drive for causing said screw head to screw into said threaded portion, for stopping said drive, for causing the cylinder to move in the slide relative to the frame along with the attached drive means, slide coupling, drive shaft, screw head, piston, nose retainer and insert held on the screw head to insert the shaft of the insert into the hole, for closing the outlet, for causing fluid under pressure to enter the cylinder through the inlet means to force the screw head attached to the drive shaft toward the drive and to cause the gripping means of the insert to engage the rear surface of the substrate, for stopping fluid inlet into the cylinder, for unscrewing the screw head from an installed insert, for opening said outlet and for causing the cylinder, drive, slide coupling, drive shaft, screw head, piston, cylinder and nose retainer to move relative to the frame in a direction away from the installed insert.