Patent ID: 6058598
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: B21J,B23P,Y10T

Abstract:
An assembly tool for installing a fastener element, said assembly tool comprising:a fastener element transfer device including a moving body and a fastener element holding member attached thereto, said fastener element transfer device being constructed and arranged to receive a fastener element from a fastener source, hold the fastener element in said fastener element holding member, and move the fastener element from a receiving position to a transfer position as said moving body moves from a first position to a second position;a fastener element installing mechanism including structure constructed and arranged to capture a fastener element moved to said transfer position by said fastener element transfer device and to install the fastener element on a work piece, said fastener element installing mechanism being moveable between (1) a fastener element receiving configuration permitting said fastener element transfer device to move the fastener element from said receiving position to said transfer position as said moving body moves from said first position to said second position, (2) a fastener element capture configuration in which said fastener element installing mechanism removes the fastener element from said fastener element holding member as said moving body moves from said second position to said first position, and (3) a fastener element installing configuration in which said fastener element installing mechanism installs the fastener element on the work piece; andone or more status indicators associated with said fastener element transfer device and constructed and arranged with respect to said fastener element transfer device to indicate if said moving body is in said first or second position and to indicate if a fastener element is disposed in said fastener element holding member when said moving body is in said first position, said one or more status indicators associated with said fastener element transfer device include first and second optical sensor switches, each comprising an emitter-receiver pair, wherein the emitter and the receiver of each of said first and second optical sensor switches are disposed on opposite sides of said fastener element transfer device and said fastener element transfer device includes a first aperture formed through said moving body and a second aperture formed through said fastener element holding member, the emitter and the receiver of said first optical sensor switch being aligned with said first aperture and the emitter and the receiver of said second optical sensor switch being aligned with said second aperture when said moving body is in said first position, and the emitter and the receiver of said second optical sensor switch being aligned with said first aperture when said moving body is in said second position.