Patent ID: 6578258
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B23P,Y10T

Abstract:
A pierce nut installation head for use in a die press between an upper and a lower die for installing pierce nuts onto a panel, comprising:a base assembly affixed to the upper die including a base forming a first counter-bore forming a radial surface between two diameter sections of the first counter-bore, and a second bore; a nut plunger having an elongated shank having a tip for contacting and pressing a pierce nut against the panel, and having a mounting base received within the base first counter-bore, the nut plunger mounting base having a shoulder and a base section having a diameter smaller than the shoulder with the base shoulder contacting and seating against the radial surface whereby compression forces exerted on the nut plunger during installation of the pierce nut onto the panel are primarily restrained by the base at the radial surface; and a lower assembly having a nut track for receiving a strip of the pierce nuts, a shank received by the base second bore for allowing the lower assembly to stroke vertically relative to the base assembly, and a slide assembly for stroking horizontally during the vertical stroking of the lower assembly relative to the base assembly for advancing the pierce nut strip during operating cycles of the head.