Patent ID: 6305253
Filing Date: 2001-10-23
Classification: B23P,B25B

Abstract:
An automatic fastener system for engaging a fastener to a mating fastener at a work piece, the fastener being provided to the system via a fastener feeder which orients the fastener and provides said fastener system with a fastener in an appropriate orientation for engagement by said fastener system, said automatic fastener system comprising:a movable drive tool member for driving the fastener to a mating fastener, said movable drive tool member being movable to align with a mating fastener; anda fastener acceptor which comprises a passageway having a fastening end and a fastener entry opening to said passageway, said fastener acceptor being adapted to receive a fastener from the fastener feeder via said fastener entry opening in said fastener acceptor and at least initially slidably support the fastener along said passageway, said movable drive tool member being slidable along said passageway to engage the fastener and drive the fastener along said passageway onto a mating fastener at said fastening end of said passageway, said fastener acceptor further having at least one retaining arm, said at least one retaining arm being positionable along said passageway to retain the fastener in the appropriate orientation until the fastener is at least partially engaged with the mating fastener by said movable drive tool member, wherein said at least one retaining arm slidably engages said fastener acceptor such that said at least one retaining arm slides toward said fastening end of said passageway and simultaneously slides radially outwardly from said passageway and outwardly from the fastener to release the fastener after the fastener engages the mating fastener.