Nosepiece/receiver for automated fastener system

In a nosepiece/receiver assembly having a housing for receiving a part, a removable jaw mechanism that is mounted for pivotable movement against a biasing spring. The jaw member has a contoured surface for holding a part received by the nosepiece/receiver assembly when the jaw member is in a part holding position. The jaw member includes channel at one end for enabling the jaw member to pivot about a securing member of the assembly to a part releasing position. The jaw member may consist of either two cooperating movable jaws or one separate jaw. The jaw mechanism also includes a resilient biasing device for urging the jaw member into a part holding position. The biasing device is in contact with both the housing of the nosepiece/receiver assembly and the jaw member, with at least a portion of the resilient biasing device being external to the jaw member to allow easy replacement of the biasing device. The biasing device is positioned to minimize the chance of breakage of the jaw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to automated fastener feed systems, 
and particularly to a nosepiece/receiver jaw and spring designed for ease 
of maintenance and for minimizing the chance of breakage. 
Automated fastener feed systems are well known and have numerous 
manufacturing applications. Such systems commonly consist of a bulk hopper 
storage, an elevate and orient device, an escape and blow device and a 
nosepiece/receiver. A typical escape and blow device is disclosed in U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,069,362 entitled "Escapement Manifold For Fastener Feeding 
Machines And The Like", which is assigned to the assignee of the present 
invention and incorporated herein by reference. Such an automated fastener 
feed system delivers oriented bolts, screws or other fasteners to a work 
station for subsequent assembly to a workpiece. Fasteners are typically 
delivered to the nosepiece/receiver through flexible urethane tubing via 
air pressure or occasionally by gravity. 
The same basic nosepiece/receiver technology has been utilized for years. A 
typical nosepiece/receiver includes one or two pivotable jaw members which 
receive a fastener supplied from the escape and blow device when the jaw 
member is in a closed part holding position. The jaw member is urged to a 
part holding position by a spring or springs disposed at the far end of 
the jaw member. The jaw member is subsequently pivoted to an open part 
releasing position. After the jaw member is pivoted to release the 
fastener, the springs urge the jaw member back to the initial closed 
position. 
While such assemblies exhibit time tested performance, there still remains 
areas where technological advancement would be desirable. For example, in 
a conventional nosepiece/receiver, internally mounted jaw member springs 
will eventually exhibit some spring fatigue after repeated opening and 
closing of the jaw. These internally mounted springs are typically mounted 
such that an Allen wrench or other similar tool is required to remove the 
jaw member to access and replace the springs. As such, relatively skilled 
labor and system down time are required to replace the fatigued springs. 
Also, if the nosepiece/receiver becomes jammed, a jaw member could break at 
its pivot point due to the additional outward rotational force applied to 
the jaw member. Such jaw members are costly to replace, and breakage could 
result in unwanted assembly down time. 
Further, commercially available jaw members in present nosepiece/receivers 
are typically biased by two springs located against the inner surface of 
the jaw member hinges. Also, the springs must be positioned some distance 
from the jaw pivot to be effective. As such, the nosepiece/receiver must 
be of a sufficient width and length to allow spring pockets to be formed 
in the jaw hinge inner surfaces to maintain the springs in proper 
position. This added width and length increases the cost, size and weight 
of the jaw members. 
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a nosepiece/receiver which 
allows easy access to jaw biasing springs, minimizes the possibility of 
jaw member breakage, and facilitates a minimal jaw member width and 
length. 
Accordingly, it is a principle objective of the present invention to 
provide a unique quick change nosepiece/receiver jaw that is designed for 
ease of replacement and maintenance of the jaw and the nosepiece/receiver 
springs. 
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a quick change 
nosepiece/receiver jaw that minimizes the possibility of jaw breakage. 
It is further objective of the present invention to provide a quick change 
nosepiece/receiver jaw that requires no tools in order to replace worn 
nosepiece/receiver springs. 
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a 
nosepiece/receiver for use in an automated fastener system in which the 
size of the jaw member is minimized, thus decreasing cost, size and 
weight. 
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a quick 
change nosepiece/receiver jaw that may be used as a retrofit replacement 
on existing nosepiece/receivers from a variety of manufacturers. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To achieve the foregoing objectives, the present invention provides a quick 
change jaw for receiving and holding a part and a biasing device for 
urging the jaw toward a part holding position. The quick change jaw is 
removably mounted to a nosepiece/receiver assembly for pivotable movement, 
and is pivotably removable from the pivot device upon removal of the 
biasing device. 
The quick change jaw includes at least one jaw member having a contoured 
surface for holding a part received by the nosepiece/receiver assembly 
when the jaw member is in a part holding position. The jaw member also 
includes a U-shaped channel at one end for enabling the jaw member to 
pivot about a securing member of the assembly to a part releasing 
position. 
The quick change jaw also includes a resilient biasing device for urging 
the jaw member into a part holding position. The biasing device is in 
contact with both the housing of the nosepiece/receiver assembly and the 
jaw member, with at least a portion of the resilient biasing device being 
external to the jaw. The biasing device minimizes the risk of breakage of 
the jaw as the biasing device, rather than the jaw, breaks if the jaw is 
pivoted too far outwardly. 
More particularly, the biasing device comprises a spring extending beneath 
the pivot point of the jaw, such as a leaf spring or round wire spring. 
The spring is deflectable between first and second positions corresponding 
to the open (part releasing) and closed (part holding) positions of the 
jaw. 
More particularly, the jaw includes a passageway for enabling the resilient 
biasing device to be inserted through a section of the jaw in order to 
contact the nosepiece/receiver housing. The biasing device comprises a 
spring which is readily accessible for maintenance purposes without 
requiring the assistance of tools and skilled maintenance personnel. 
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become 
more fully apparent from a reading of the detailed description of the 
preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary 
in nature and is no way intended to limit the invention or its application 
or uses. 
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a 
double jaw nosepiece/receiver generally at 10 of the type well-known in 
the art. The double jaw nosepiece/receiver 10 receives a fastener (not 
shown), such as a hex bolt, from a remote supply bin, positions the 
fastener, and then places or secures the fastener to a workpiece. Such a 
nosepiece/receiver is particularly suited for use in automobile assembly 
lines and other automated work station applications. 
The term "fastener" is used in this document to define a bolt, a screw, a 
nut, a dowel, a rivet, or any fed part delivered by air pressure or by 
gravity to a nosepiece/receiver. Also, it should be understood that a 
fastener supplied to the nosepiece/receiver of the present invention may 
be fastened to, place on, or pressed into a workpiece, depending upon the 
type of fastener used and the particular application. 
The nosepiece/receiver 10 is composed of three main subassemblies: a 
nosepiece/receiver body, shown generally at 12; a nosepiece/receiver 
entrance block, shown generally at 14; and a nosepiece/receiver jaw 
subassembly, shown generally at 16. The nosepiece/receiver body 12 
includes a main body 20 having a cylindrical bore 22 extending through its 
center. A drive mechanism extension, shown in part at 24, is controllably 
inserted through the bore 22, through manipulation of automated control 
circuitry (not shown), and includes either a bit or a socket or placement 
rod (not shown) to drive or place a fastener in a manner well-known to 
those skilled in the art. 
The term nosepiece/receiver is used throughout the specification in 
reference to the assembly shown generally at 10. However, it should be 
appreciated that the nosepiece/receiver is also commonly referred to as a 
nosepiece, a receiver, a chuck or a gun. 
The nosepiece/receiver entrance block 14 is operatively connected to the 
body 20 of the nosepiece/receiver body 12 by fastening mechanisms 25. The 
nosepiece/receiver entrance block includes an entry block 26 into which an 
entry tube 30 is operatively inserted. The entry block 26 and the entry 
tube 30 have communicating bores 32a and 32b. A fastener is fed into the 
entry tube 30 from a remote fastener storage bin (not shown) and through 
bores 32a and 32b. The bore 32a of the entry block 26 is in communication 
with the bore 22 of the nosepiece/receiver. Thus, a fastener that is fed 
into the entry tube 32a is channeled into the bore 22 and is subsequently 
received and positioned by the jaw subassembly 16. 
Referring to FIG. 2, the jaw subassembly 16 of FIG. 1 is shown in more 
detail. The subassembly 16 includes fastener positioning jaws, which are 
shown both in a part holding position at 34a, 34b and also in phantom in a 
part releasing position at 34a', 34b'. The jaws 34a, 34b are each formed 
to include inner contoured surfaces 44a, 44b. The jaws 34a, 34b are biased 
to a default part holding position by internal coil springs 36a, 36b. The 
jaws 34a, 34b are pivotably connected to the body 20 by dowels 40a, 40b 
held in position in bores in the body 20 by set screws 42a, 42b. The inner 
contoured surfaces 44a, 44b receive and position the fastener to be 
secured to a workpiece by the drive mechanism 24. 
Referring briefly to FIG. 3, the jaw 34a is shown in detail, with it being 
understood that the jaw 34b is formed so as to be a mirror image of the 
jaw 34a. As shown, the jaw 34a includes a jaw hinge 46a having an aperture 
50a through which the dowel 40a is inserted for pivotably attaching the 
jaw 34a to the body 20 of the nosepiece/receiver. The jaw hinge further 
includes a spring bore 52 for receiving and positioning the internal 
spring 36a. 
In operation, the nosepiece/receiver 10 receives a fastener to be placed or 
fastened to a workpiece from a remote fastener storage supply bin (not 
shown) through the entry tube 30. The fastener is typically blown through 
the bores of the entry tube 30 and the entry block 26 into the bore 22 of 
the nosepiece/receiver body 12. The fastener is then channelled down the 
bore 22 to the jaw subassembly 16. Next, the fastener is correctly 
positioned within the contoured surfaces 44a, 44b. Once in position within 
the contoured surfaces 44a, 44b, the drive mechanism extension 24 is moved 
through the bore 22 until the drive bit or socket or placement rod is 
moved into contact with the fastener. The drive mechanism extension 24, 
upon the bit or socket or placement rod contacting the fastener, forces 
the jaws 34a, 34b outwardly, allowing the fastener to be released from the 
nosepiece/receiver subassembly and positioned into the particular 
workpiece. 
After the drive mechanism extension 24 (and associated bit or socket) 
places or secures the fastener on the workpiece, the components are 
withdrawn through the bore 22. Subsequent to the drive mechanism extension 
being withdrawn, the springs 36a, 36b apply an outward force to the jaw 
hinges 46a, 46b, thereby pivoting the jaw hinges 34a, 34b inwardly to a 
closed position for receiving and positioning a subsequently supplied 
fastener. 
As with the above-described double jaw nosepiece/receivers, the structure 
and operation of single jaw nosepiece/receiver systems are also well known 
in the art. Single jaw nosepiece/receivers are similar to double jaw 
nosepiece/receivers, with the exception being that the jaw subassembly 
includes only one jaw for receiving, positioning, and releasing a 
fastener. A typical jaw implemented in a single jaw nosepiece/receiver 
shown at 56 in FIG. 4. The single jaw includes a hinge portion 60 having 
spring bores 62 and 64. The spring bores 62 and 64 receive and position 
internal springs for biasing the jaw into a part holding position. The jaw 
56 also includes a dowel aperture 66 through which a dowel (not shown) is 
inserted to pivotably secure the jaw to the body of the 
nosepiece/receiver. The jaw 56 also includes a contoured surface 70 that, 
in cooperation with the nosepiece/receiver, receives and positions a 
fastener supplied from a remote fastener storage bin. All other aspects of 
the single jaw nosepiece/receiver are similar to those of the double jaw 
nosepiece/receiver. 
Turning now to FIG. 5, a single jaw nosepiece/receiver according to a 
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 110. 
The single jaw nosepiece/receiver, as with present single and double jaw 
nosepiece/receivers, includes three main subassemblies: a 
nosepiece/receiver body 112, a nosepiece/receiver entrance block 114 and a 
jaw subassembly 116. The nosepiece/receiver body 112 includes a body 120 
having a channel bore 122 extending through its length. A drive extension 
124 is positioned within the channel bore 122 and includes a bit (or 
socket) 124a to selectively engage a fastener 131 supplied to the system 
110 from a remotely located fastener storage bin 127. Alternatively, upon 
engagement of the bit 124a with the fastener, the driver extension 124 
drives, and thus tightens, the fastener to a workpiece (not shown). 
The nosepiece/receiver entrance block 114 includes an entry block 126 in 
communication with an entry tube 130. The entry block 126 includes a bore 
132a extending therethrough. The bore 132a is in communication with a bore 
132b extending through the length of the entry tube 130. The entry tube 
130 in turn is operatively connected to the remote fastener storage bin 
for receiving and supplying a fastener such as that shown at 131 to the 
system 110 in a manner that will be described in more detail below. The 
entry tube 130 is secured to the entry block 126 by a detent pin 133, such 
as a Carr Lane detent pin. The entry block 126 in turn is connected to the 
body 120 by a hinged arm 136 that includes a flange 138 for engaging a lip 
139 of the entry block. The hinged arm 136 is biased outwardly from the 
body for engagement with the lip 139 by a spring 140 extending through a 
pocket in the body 120. The entry block 126 is also locked to the body 120 
by a dowel 141. As shown in FIG. 5, the body 120 narrows in width below 
the intersection of the nosepiece/receiver entrance block and the body. 
The jaw subassembly 116 includes a single jaw shown at 142 in a part 
holding position and in phantom at 142' in a part releasing position. The 
jaw is moved to the part releasing position as the drive bit 124a engages 
the fastener positioned within the jaw and pushes the fastener downwardly 
toward the workpiece to which the fastener is to be attached. With 
reference to all preferred embodiments of the present invention, when 
positioned in the part releasing position, the jaw is typically rotated 
outwardly 30.degree.-45.degree., with 0.degree. representing the part 
holding position. However, the part releasing position of the jaw (or 
jaws) may vary according to the fastener size and the particular 
application. The jaw 142 includes a jaw hinge 143 that pivotably connects 
the jaw to the body 120 about a dowel 144 in a manner described in more 
detail below. The dowel 144 is secured in position by a set screw 145. The 
jaw 142 is biased into a part holding position by an external quick change 
jaw spring 146 having a lower portion 147 and an upper portion 148. 
Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the jaw 142 of the single jaw nosepiece/receiver 
110 is shown in detail. The jaw 142 represents a considerable advance over 
prior nosepiece/receiver jaws in that the unique jaw design is biased into 
a part holding position by the external quick change jaw spring 146. The 
external quick change jaw spring is accessible from the outside of the 
jaw. This accessibility eliminates the need in present nosepiece/receivers 
for entirely removing a jaw from a nosepiece/receiver body to access a jaw 
spring or springs, and the unique jaw design minimizes the possibility of 
breakage about the jaw pivot point. 
It should be appreciated at this point that the quick change jaws in all 
embodiments of the present invention are preferably formed from either 
steel or any other type of metal typically used for such an application. 
However, it should be appreciated that the jaws may also be formed from 
any number of different materials, including but not limited to high 
density plastic, plexiglass or ceramic material. 
The jaw 142 of the present invention also includes spring bores (or 
passageways if the jaw is formed from a material other than metal), shown 
generally at 150a and 150b, that receive and correctly position the 
external quick change jaw spring. The jaw spring bore 150a defines an 
inner aperture 152 through which an upper end of the spring extends and 
abuts an inner wall 153 of the body. Further, the spring bores 150a, 150b 
define an upper outer aperture 154 and a lower outer aperture 156, 
respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper spring portion 148 protrudes 
from the upper outer aperture 154 and the lower spring portion 147 is 
cantilevered in the spring bore 150b and protrudes from the lower outer 
aperture 156. The lower spring portion 147 is seated in a conical shaped 
seat 158 formed at the end of the lower part of the spring bore 150b. 
The quick change jaw of the present invention also includes a jaw flange 
162 at its upper end. The jaw flange 162, together in combination with the 
jaw hinge 143, defines a U-shaped slot 164 that receives the dowel 140, 
thereby pivotably connecting the jaw with the body of the 
nosepiece/receiver 12. This design enables the quick change jaw 142, upon 
removal of the quick change jaw spring 148, to be pivoted outwardly around 
the dowel to a position extending above the horizontal. In a preferred 
embodiment of the present invention, the jaw is capable of pivoting almost 
completely around the dowel. However, in order to remove the jaw 142 from 
the body 120, the jaw need only be pivoted/rotated a degree or two beyond 
90.degree. where 0.degree. represents the jaw closed position. 
Nevertheless, it should be appreciated that the U-shaped end of the jaw 
could be modified such that fewer, or more, degrees of rotation would be 
needed to remove the jaw from the body. 
Referring to FIG. 9, a single jaw nosepiece/receiver according to another 
preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 110'. 
The nosepiece/receiver includes a single jaw 142' and associated jaw 
spring 146' similar to the jaw 142 and jaw spring 146' shown in FIG. 5. As 
with jaws in conventional single jaw nosepiece/receiver systems, the jaw 
142' is movable between a closed, part holding position and an open, part 
releasing position. When the jaw is moved into a part holding position, 
the jaw defines a contoured part holding inner surface 186. The part 
holding inner surface 186 holds a fastener 187, supplied from a remote 
fastener supply (not shown), for positioning to and/or fastening to a 
workpiece. In addition, the nosepiece/receiver 110' also includes a 
permanent magnet 188 mounted within a bore 190 in the jaw 142' or 
otherwise positioned in close proximity with the contoured surface 186. 
The magnet interacts with a supplied metal fastener (through the 
attraction of a magnetic field) to correctly orient the fastener before 
the fastener is released and positioned to or fastened to a workpiece. 
While other types of devices may be employed to exert an attractive force 
(or repelling force from the opposite direction), a permanent magnet 
provides a simple, inexpensive and highly effective technique for this 
application. 
The nosepiece/receiver 110' represents a significant improvement over prior 
art single jaw nosepiece/receivers in that the positioning magnet 188 
permits the assembly to be oriented horizontally, as shown in FIG. 9, as 
well as vertically, for correct positioning of a supplied fastener. When 
single jaw nosepiece/receivers are applied horizontally, design 
restrictions sometimes require the jaw to open in a vertical or near 
vertical upward direction or motion. It is difficult to orient 
conventional single jaw fastener assemblies horizontally due to the fact 
that gravity causes the protruding fastener end to be projected 
downwardly. This downward projection of the fastener subsequently hinders 
correct positioning of the fastener to a workpiece, as the fastener must 
typically be inserted into a substantially horizontally-oriented bore 
formed in the workpiece. It is contemplated that, due to the positioning 
magnet 188, the nosepiece/receiver 110' may also be oriented in positions 
other than the horizontal or vertical, depending upon the particular 
application and the particular type of fastener supply system used. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, two alternative embodiments of the quick 
change jaw spring implemented in the present invention are shown at 146 
and 146'. In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a quick change 
jaw spring is shown that is generally rectangular in cross-section. In a 
second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a quick change spring 146' is 
shown that is thinner in diameter than the spring 146. In both 
embodiments, the spring is preferably formed from spring steel that is 
heat tempered at 1850.degree. F. and oil quenched. The steel is then drawn 
to a desired temperature according to the particular parameters desired of 
the spring. 
In addition to the above described embodiments, it should be appreciated 
that the quick change jaw springs may be flat leaf springs or round wire 
springs. The quick change jaw springs of the present invention may also be 
of various widths, thicknesses or diameters according to the particular 
application. It should also be appreciated that a fatigued spring is 
preferably removed from a quick change jaw by use of the replacement 
spring as the spring removal tool. 
The spring, when positioned within the spring bores 150a, 150b as shown in 
FIG. 5, is deflectable between a first part holding jaw position and a 
second part releasing jaw position. If the jaw is pivoted too far 
outwardly, the quick change jaw spring of the present invention deforms 
and/or breaks. After the spring deforms or breaks, the jaw is capable of 
pivoting further outwardly around the dowel 144. 
Jaws in conventional nosepiece/receivers, such as those shown in FIGS. 1-4, 
are more subject to damage because the jaw connection around the dowel or 
dowels permits only restrictive outward pivoting of the jaws in 
circumstances such as when a fastener becomes jammed in the 
nosepiece/receiver. Once the jaw reaches a certain minimal outward pivot 
distance, the jaw breaks at or near its pivot point or is damaged by 
further outward movement. The jaw flange 162 and the U-shaped slot 164 of 
the quick change jaw of the present invention allow a greater outward 
pivoting of the jaw, thereby subjecting the quick change jaw spring, and 
not the quick change jaw, to damage. This represents a considerable 
improvement in that the quick change jaw spring is far less expensive to 
replace than the quick change jaw itself. 
Further, the quick change jaw of the present invention provides an 
advantage over prior nosepiece/receiver jaws in that when the jaw spring 
becomes fatigued, the quick change jaw itself need not be removed from the 
nosepiece/receiver in order to replace the spring. Rather, the spring 142, 
which is externally accessible, may be manually removed from the spring 
bores 150a, 150b and easily replaced with a new spring. Replacement of 
internal springs requires skilled labor and can result in significant tool 
downtime in presently available nosepiece/receivers because a jaw must be 
completely removed from the body in order to gain access to the internally 
located springs. 
In addition, the size of the quick change jaw 142 of the present invention 
is minimized, as the need for spring bores located at the top of the jaw 
hinge is eliminated. Present jaw hinges must be thick enough to permit 
spring bores to be formed near the pivot point of the hinge. This 
requisite thickness causes the jaws to be larger and heavier. Because the 
need for spring bores near the top of the jaw hinge is eliminated in the 
quick change jaw of the present invention, the thickness, and therefore 
the weight of the jaw itself, is reduced. 
It should also be appreciated that the quick change jaw of the present 
invention is designed to be retrofit on existing single jaw 
nosepiece/receivers. Therefore, the benefits and advantages associated 
with the present invention may be implemented in present 
nosepiece/receivers to provide the aforementioned advantages without the 
need to implement an entirely new nosepiece/receiver. 
Turning now to FIG. 14, a double jaw nosepiece/receiver according to a 
second preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 
210. The structure and operation of the nosepiece/receiver body 212 and 
the nosepiece/receiver entrance block 214 (FIG. 15) are similar to the 
single jaw nosepiece/receiver 110 of the present invention. The jaw 
subassembly 216 is also similar in structure and operation to the single 
jaw subassembly 116. However, the jaw subassembly 216 incorporates two 
quick change jaws 242a, 242b instead of the single jaw 142. Each jaw 242a, 
242b includes a hinge 243a, 243b pivotably connected about dowels 244a, 
244b. The dowels 244a, 244b are secured in bores in the body 220 by set 
screws 245a, 245b. Quick change jaw springs 246a, 246b are identical in 
structure and function to the single quick change jaw spring 146 of the 
single jaw fastener feed system 110. 
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, it should be appreciated that the spring 
bores 250a, 250b and 251a, 251b are formed identically to the bores 150a, 
150b. As shown in the quick change jaw 242b in FIG. 15, the spring bore 
250a includes an inner aperture 252, and an upper outer aperture 254, 
while the spring bore 250b includes a lower outer aperture 256. The spring 
bore 250b also defines a spring seat 260 at its inner end. The spring 
bores 250b, 251b are formed in an identical, albeit mirror image, fashion. 
As shown on the quick change jaw 242a, a recessed channel 257 may also be 
formed on the inner surface of either jaw in addition to the inner 
aperture 252. The channel 257 allows the spring 246a to be deformed within 
the channel during outward pivotal movement of the jaw. Therefore, the jaw 
242a may be pivoted further outwardly than the jaw 242b, which includes 
only the aperture 252, with the deformed spring only minimally hindering 
such rotation due to its seating within the recessed channel 257. 
It should be appreciated that the jaws 242a, 242b are also pivotably 
connected to the body 220 in a manner identical to that of the single 
quick change jaw 142. Each jaw hinge 243a, 243b includes a jaw flange 
262a, 262b. Jaw flanges 262a, 262b, in combination with the uppermost end 
of the jaw hinges 243a, 243b define U-shaped slots or channels 264a, 264b. 
Slots 264a, 264b pivotably receive the dowels 244a, 244b, thus allowing 
the jaws 242a, 242b to be pivotably mounted to the system body 220. The 
dowels 244a, 244b are inserted through bores 271, 272 in the jaw body 220 
and are secured in place by the respective set screws 245a, 245b 
threadably inserted through threaded bores 275, 276. It is important to 
note that the jaw flanges 262a, 262b extend only slightly beyond the pivot 
point, so as to avoid interference as the jaws pivot about the dowels 
244a, 244b. In this regard, the extent of the jaw flanges 262a, 262b need 
only be long enough to provide solid mechanical integrity for the hinge 
design. 
It should be appreciated that the nosepiece/receiver according to the 
preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 14-15 
provides the same benefits and advantages as does the above-described 
single jaw nosepiece/receiver. That is, the externally accessible jaw 
springs 246a, 246b allow for ease of spring replacement and maintenance. 
Further, the quick change jaw springs minimize the possibility of jaw 
member breakage when one, or both, of the jaws are over-pivoted in an 
outward direction, such as when a fastener becomes jammed in the 
nosepiece/receiver. In addition, neither tools nor skilled labor is 
required to replace worn quick change jaw springs, as the jaws need not be 
removed from the body for spring replacement. Further, the size of the 
quick change jaws 242a, 242b is substantially reduced in comparison to 
present quick change jaws, as the need for spring bores near the jaw hinge 
pivot point is eliminated. Thus, cost, size and weight of the jaws are 
reduced. In addition, as with the single quick change jaw, the quick 
change jaws 242a, 242b may be retrofit onto present double jaw 
nosepiece/receivers. 
FIG. 16 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the jaw implemented in 
the double jaw nosepiece/receiver of the present invention generally at 
342a. The jaw 342a differs from the jaw 242a in that the jaw 342a (with it 
being understood that the quick change jaw 342b has an identical, albeit 
mirror image construction), includes channels 350a, 350b and corresponding 
spring detentes 351a, 351b. The channel 350a is defined by a lower channel 
wall 352a and an upper channel wall 354a, while the channel 350b is 
defined by a lower channel wall 352b and an upper channel wall 354b. The 
upper channel walls 354a, 354b wrap around the periphery of the U-shaped 
slot 364a to define respective grooves 356a, 356b. Each corresponding set 
of channels 350a, 350b and spring detentes 351a, 351b receive quick change 
jaw springs such as those shown in FIGS. 10-13. Thus, in operation, as the 
jaw 342a is pivoted to a part releasing position and possibly even further 
outwardly, springs seated within the channels 350a, 350b and corresponding 
spring detentes 351a, 351b are deformed within the jaw channels 350a, 350b 
and within the grooves 356a, 356b around the pivot point of the U-shaped 
slot 364a, thereby allowing the jaw to pivot outwardly without the springs 
hindering such rotation. 
Thus, it should be appreciated that the quick change jaw springs in the 
above-described embodiments may be retained within spring bores in any 
number of configurations without departing from the scope of the present 
invention, as long as the quick change jaw springs remain accessible and 
easily exchangeable from the exterior of the jaw or jaws. 
While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments of the 
present invention, it should be appreciated that the present invention may 
be modified without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the 
accompanying claims. Various other advantages of the present invention 
will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit 
of studying the foregoing text and drawings taken in conjunction with the 
following claims.