Fastener selection system

An automatic fastener selection apparatus for sensing the composite thickness of a plurality of workpieces, determining which one of a plurality fastener sizes is appropriate for joining the workpieces together, and generating a dispensing signal representing the appropriate fastener size. Sensing apparatus provides a signal which is a function of the composite thickness of the workpieces, and this signal is processed by a selection circuit. The selection circuit generates an output signal in response to the signal from the sensing apparatus, and this output signal represents only one of a plurality of different fastener sizes. A triggering circuit then receives the output signal and generates the dispensing signal in response thereto. The apparatus may include a switching mechanism associated with the sensing apparatus and cooperating with the triggering circuit to generally synchronize the updating of the output signal and the generation of the dispensing signal with the completion of a thickness sensing operation. The apparatus may further include circuitry for facilitating the calibration of the selection circuit and a visual display for indicating the output signal, and the selection circuit may include enabling circuitry responsive both to the switching mechanism and to a manually-operable switch for enabling the triggering circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to the automatic selection of appropriately-sized 
fasteners from a supply. 
Fastener selection apparatus has commonly been used in the prior art in 
combination with fastener installation equipment such as riveting 
machinery. The purpose of the selection apparatus in such a context is to 
control the delivery of individual fasteners from a supply to the 
installation equipment, and this delivery is usually automatic in response 
to the activation, by an operator, of the selection apparatus. 
In many commercial situations where automatic fastener-installation 
equipment such as riveting machines are used it is necessary to rivet 
workpieces of varying thickness. In such situations the rivet used for 
each individual riveting operation must be the proper length for that 
particular operation, and successive operations may require rivets of 
different lengths. Thus, a fastener selection apparatus which 
automatically senses the workpiece thickness for riveting operation and 
then automatically generates a dispensing signal representing the 
appropriate rivet length for that operation is required; and this fastener 
selection apparatus must also operate rapidly with high reliability and 
precision. 
In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,030,832 to A. E. Filangeri et al, a riveting machine 
is disclosed which automatically senses the aggregate thickness of 
materials to be joined together and selects and transports a rivet of 
proper length from a supply for each riveting operation. A sensing of the 
aggregate thickness and a determination of the proper rivet length are 
accomplished by a mechanical linkage which is responsive to the sensed 
thickness for bridging a particular set of electrical contacts 
representing a corresponding rivet size. Bridging the electrical contacts 
causes a rivet to be dispensed from the supply. 
Unfortunately, rivet selection apparatus such as the one disclosed in the 
Filangeri et al patent do not provide the degree of precision, versatility 
and reliability required in many modern applications. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastener 
selection apparatus which provides precise and reliable selection of 
fasteners according to size based on a sensed composite thickness of the 
workpieces to which each particular fastener is to be applied, the 
selected fastener size in each instance being embodied in the output 
signal of a selection circuit where the output signal is determined in 
response to a signal which is proportional to the sensed composite 
thickness. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a fastener selection 
apparatus wherein the generation of a dispensing signal representing a 
particular fastener size determined by a selection circuit as the result 
of a sensing operation is generally synchronized with the completion of 
the sensing operation. 
It is another object of the invention to provide a fastener selection 
apparatus which allows the selective manual triggering of a dispensing 
signal which represents the same size of fastener represented by the next 
preceding dispensing signal. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fastener 
selection apparatus which is easily calibrated for different numbers of 
selectable fastener sizes, and where each selectable fastener size may be 
provided in response to a corresponding range of sensed thicknesses which 
is infinitely adjustable between fixed limits. 
In accordance with the present invention, a fastener selection apparatus 
includes sensing means for sensing the composite thickness of workpieces 
to be fastened together and for generating a signal having a signal level 
proportional to said composite thickness, a selection circuit responsive 
to the signal from the sensing means for providing an output signal 
determined by the selection circuit as a function of the signal level and 
representing a particular size of fastener, and means responsive to the 
output signal for generating a dispensing signal for that particular size 
of rivet. 
In a fastener selection apparatus according to the invention, the selection 
circuit may include an analog to digital converter circuit responsive to 
an analog signal from the sensing means for generating a corresponding 
digital signal and a logic circuit for receiving the digital signal and 
generating an output signal representing a particular rivet size. The 
selection apparatus according to the invention may also include a 
triggering circuit which is responsive to both the output signal from the 
selection circuit and a switch associated with the sensing means for 
synchronizing the generation of a dispensing signal with the completion of 
the sensing operation. 
The novel features which are characteristic of the present invention, and 
other objects and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the 
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings which 
together disclose the presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The present invention may be utilized in a variety of environments where 
automatic selection of fasteners according to size is desired. However, 
the invention is especially well suited for use with an automatic riveting 
machine where workpieces of varying thickness are being fastened together; 
and the invention will therefore be described in that environment. 
The United States patent applications of Trethewy (Ser. No. 864,059, filed 
Dec. 23, 1977) and Caley et al (Ser. No. 869,966, filed Jan. 16, 1978) 
disclose a rivet dispensing apparatus and a rivet delivery and locating 
apparatus respectively. Since a description of the operation of the 
present invention will be facilitated by reference to the disclosures of 
these two earlier-filed applications, the Trethewy and Caley et al 
applications are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 comprises an automatic riveting system and 
may advantageously incorporate the present invention. The system performs 
a number of functions including storing of rivets segregated according to 
size, orienting the stored rivets and presenting them to a dispensing 
apparatus, sensing the composite workpiece thickness at the location where 
a riveting operation is to occur, triggering a dispensing signal to the 
dispensing apparatus to cause the dispensing of a single rivet of the 
selected size, conveying the individual rivet to the riveting machine, 
drilling a hole in the workpieces, locating the rivet with respect to the 
hole, and performing a heading operation on the located rivet. 
As shown in FIG. 1, rivets are stored in containers 10 of a rivet storage 
and dispensing module 12, and several modules 12 may be connected together 
for use with a single riveting machine. Rivets are fed in an orientated 
manner from containers 10 along tracks 14 to a dispensing mechanism 16. 
When an individual rivet is dispensed by mechanism 16, it is fed through a 
conduit 18 to the riveting machine 20 and placed between rivet-gripping 
fingers 22 for subsequent locaion with respect to a hole in the workpieces 
24a, 24b, and 24c (see FIG. 3). 
The workpieces are first inserted between upper and lower clamping members 
26 and 28 respectively, and the lower clamping member 28 moves upwardly to 
clamp the workpieces in place between the members. The riveting machine 
then performs a drilling operation on the workpieces as shown in FIG. 3 
while an individual rivet is being delivered from module 12 to the fingers 
22. Upon completion of the drilling operation the drilling mechanism 30 
moves upwardly, and a carriage 32 of machine 20 is moved forward by a 
pneumatic piston-cylinder device 34 so that the rivet-carrying fingers 22 
are positioned over the hole. An anvil 36 moves downwardly to hold the 
rivet in its hole, and a ram 38 (see FIG. 4) comes up from below the 
workpieces to complete a heading operation on the rivet. 
The dispensing mechanism is shown in detail in FIG. 2. The dispensing 
mechanism 16 includes a body portion 40 which defines a through-passageway 
42 communicating with the conduit 18. Compressed air from a compressed air 
source (not shown) enters passageway 42 through a line 44 and forces a 
rivet 45 in passageway 42 along conduit 18 to the fingers 22. The 
dispensing mechanism 16 also includes a plurality of gate members 46 which 
are individually movable by associated pneumatic piston-cylinder device 48 
from a normal position to an actuated position and automatically returned 
by associated springs 50 to the normal position. 
Each gate member 46 defines a first passageway 52 and a second passageway 
54 therethrough such that with the gate member in its normal position 
passageway 52 is aligned with an associated track 14 and passageway 54 is 
aligned with through-passageway 42. However, while a gate member is in its 
actuated position its passageway 52 will be aligned with 
through-passageway 42. Indexing means (not shown) are provided on each 
gate member 46 for insuring that each time a gate member returns to its 
normal position a single rivet 45 will be delivered from its associated 
track to the passageway 52. 
Therefore, while gate members 46 are in their normal positions each one 
will have only a single rivet within its passageway 52, and when a gate 
member moves to its actuated position it will deposit that rivet into 
through-passageway 42 for delivery to the riveting machine. Since the 
first gate member receives only rivets having a first length, the second 
gate member receives only rivets of a second length, and so on, the length 
of the rivet dispensed to the riveting machine for any given riveting 
operation will be determined by which gate member is actuated for that 
particular operation. The gate members are individually actuated by 
compressed air from an electromagnetic relay 56 (see FIG. 4) which is 
controlled by dispensing signals from a triggering circuit. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, it wil be seen that sensing means in the form of a 
linear displacement device 58 includes a movable portion 60 which is 
fastened to, and moves with, the lower clamping member 28 so that the 
linear displacement device senses the position of lower clamping member 28 
at all times. The linear displacement device is preferably a linear 
displacement variable transducer which generates an output signal which is 
an analog voltage signal proportional to the displacement of arm 60. The 
analog signal may be either directly or inversely proportional to the 
displacement depending on the particular circuitry being used. The linear 
displacement device may be powered by an electrical power supply 62. 
The sensing means may also include a limit switch 64 having an actuator arm 
66. A cam surface 68 is provided on movable portion 60 of the linear 
displacement device, and a cam follower 70 carried by the end of arm 66 
cooperates with cam surface 68 to operate switch 64 in response to the 
position of lower clamping member 28. 
A fastener selection and triggering circuit 72 receives power from power 
supply 62 and is responsive to both the analog voltage signal from the 
transducer 58 and a signal from switch 64 for providing dispensing signals 
to relay 56. As best seen in FIG. 1, the fastener selection and triggering 
circuitry 72 and the power supply 62 can both be conveniently located in a 
control console 74 mounted on the dispensing module 12, and connections 
between the console and the riveting machine can be made through 
conductors contained in a conduit 76. 
A circuit schematic for fastener selection and triggering circuit 72 is 
shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. As seen in FIG. 5A, the analog voltage signal 
from linear displacement device 58 is provided to the fastener selection 
circuit at an input 78. The signal is received by a gain adjustment 
circuit 80 which may take the form of a band width amplifier; and, after 
being scaled by the circuit 80, the signal is provided to the input 82 of 
an analog-to-digital converter circuit 84. The gain adjustment circuit may 
be utilized to invert the analog signal from the linear displacement 
device, and although the gain adjustment circuit is not an essential 
component of the selection circuit it makes the selection circuit 
adaptable to a variety of different linear displacement devices. 
The analog-to-digital converter circuit 84 as shown comprises twelve 
different voltage level sensing operational amplifiers 86. The analog 
signal from gain adjustment circuit 80 is applied to the non-inverting 
input 86a of each operational amplifier 86, and an adjustable reference 
voltage is applied to each of the inverting inputs 86b. The reference 
voltages applied to the inputs 86b are individually adjustable, and only 
those amplifiers seeing a reference voltage less than or equal to the 
analog signal will generate an output signal. Therefore, the analog signal 
provided at input 82 is converted to a digital signal comprising all 
twelve converter outputs 86c. 
A level converting amplifier 88 may be connected to each individual output 
of the converter circuit 84. The function of these level converting 
amplifiers is to convert the 12 VDC CMOS signals from the converter 
circuit to 5 VDC TTL compatible signals. The TTL compatible signals at 
outputs 88a of the amplifiers 88 are then provided to a logic circuit 90 
in the form of a TTL compatible digital signal. 
The logic circuit 90 may comprise a priority latch circuit in the form of a 
laddered arrangement of latches. For example, twelve rivet selection 
latches may be provided by three SN74278 priority encoders 92a, 92b, and 
92c. In such an arrangement each individual latch is responsive to a 
different one of the amplifier 88 outputs, and a latch may be set only in 
the presence of a signal from output 88a of its associated amplifier 88. 
Only one of the twelve priority latches may be set at any given time, and 
the latch which sets is the one closest to the top of the priority ladder. 
Once a latch is set it will remain set until the entire priority latch 
circuit is reset. As shown, each of the priority encoders 92 includes four 
individual priority latches, and each latch has both an input from an 
associated amplifier 88 and a corresponding output. 
The priority latch outputs are identified in FIG. 5B by the numbers 101 to 
112, and the one having the highest priority its output 112. The priority 
encoders are connected together by conductors 94 and 96 and function in 
such a way that all latches below the highest priority latch receiving an 
input signal from an output 88a will be disabled. An output signal will be 
generated only from the output for the latch which was set, and this 
output signal will be a continuous signal maintained until the logic 
circuit 90 is reset. Such a reset occurs only in response to a reset 
signal provided to each of the individual encoders 92 from a conductor 98. 
The output signal generated at one of the outputs 101-112 is received by a 
corresponding one of a plurality of NAND gates 114 and by a display 
circuit 116. Each NAND gate 114 has a corresponding solid state relay or 
triac 118 electrically connected thereto, and the display circuit includes 
a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED's) 120 with one such LED 
associated with each output of the priority latch circuit. The LED 120 
associated with the active latch circuit output will be turned on to 
indicate the presence of an output signal at its associated output. The 
triac 118 associated with the active latch circuit output is responsive to 
a dispensing signal from its associated NAND gate 114 for effecting a 
dispensing operation by the dispensing mechanism 16. A dispensing signal 
is defined, relative to the disclosed circuit, as an OVDC signal at the 
output 114c of the NAND gate associated with the active latch circuit 
output. 
Referring now once again to FIG. 4 and also to FIG. 5A, leads 122, 124, and 
126 of the selection circuit are connected to limit switch 64. Lead 124 is 
common, lead 122 provides a 12 VDC signal from switch 64 when the swicth 
is closed, and lead 126 provides a 12 VDC signal from switch 64 when the 
switch is open. Portion 60 of the linear displacement device 58 will move 
upwardly from a retracted position as the workpieces 24 are being clamped 
between clamping members 26 and 28; and this upward movement will cease 
with portion 60 in a set position when the workpieces, having a composite 
thickness t, are clamped together as shown in FIG. 4. As the portion 60 
moves in the sensing direction from its retracted position towards its set 
or thickness sensing position it passes through a trip position which 
corresponds to the position at which switch 64 is closed by the movement 
of arm 66 in response to follower 70 moving outwardly along surface 68. 
The set position of the sensing apparatus will vary depending on the 
composite thickness t of the workpieces being sensed, but the trip 
position will always be at the same position for each sensing operation. 
Of course the trip position could be made manually adjustable if necessary 
to accommodate large variations in composite thicknesses t by making the 
position of arm 64 or the position of surface 68 adjustable. In any event, 
switch 64 provides a 12 VDC signal from power supply 62 at lead 122 when 
and only when movable portion 60 is between the trip and set positions and 
provides a 12 VDC signal at lead 126 when and only when portion 60 is 
between the retracted and trip positions. 
Leads 122, 124, and 126 are connected to a latch circuit 128 including NAND 
gates 130 and 132, and the function of the latch is to stabilize the 
transition between open and closed positions of switch 64. Thus, for 
example, with a 12 VDC signal at lead 122 and a OVDC signal at lead 126 
the signal at output 134 of the latch 128 will be positive, and with a 12 
VDC signal at lead 126 and a OVDC signal at lead 122 the signal at output 
134 will be negative. 
The output 134 is connected to a pulsing circuit 136 which includes a 
timing circuit 138 and a pulse-generating circuit 140. The timing circuit 
138 provides a pulse after a 200 millisecond delay in response to a 
positive signal from output 134. The pulse-generating circuit 140 will, in 
response to the pulse from timing circuit 138, immediately generate a 
pulse at its output 142. The output 142 is connected to the priority 
encoders of logic circuit 90 through an OR gate 144 and a level converting 
amplifier 146, and the pulse at output 142 is a one microsecond strobe 
signal which sets the latch circuit according to the digital signal from 
outputs 88a at that instant. The level converting amplifier 146 may be 
identical to amplifiers 88 and serves the same purpose. 
The output 142 is also connected to an enabling circuit 148 which responds 
to the one microsecond strobe signal by generating a signal of 300 
milliseconds duration at its output 150. Output 150 is connected, as shown 
in FIG. 5A, to the series connected combination of an AND gate 152, 
another level converting amplifier 154, and a driver 156. Output 150 is 
connected to input 152a of AND gate 152, and output 158 of driver 156 is 
in turn connected to an input of each of the NAND gates 114. 
A manually-operable switch 160 is connected to a second latch circuit 162 
which operates in a manner similar to the latch circuit 128. In a first 
position, as shown in FIG. 5A, input 164a of NAND gate 164 sees a OVDC 
signal, and input 166a of NAND gate 166 sees a 12VDC signal. When the 
switch 160 is operated to its second position input 164a sees a 12VDC 
signal and input 166a sees a OVDC signal. The output 166c of NAND gate 164 
will therefore be negative when switch 160 is in its first position (as 
shown) and will become positive when the switch is operated to its second 
position. The output 166c is connected to an input of enabling circuit 
148, and a positive signal at output 166c will have the same effect on 
circuit 148 as a pulse at output 142. 
An oscillator circuit 168 comprising a free running oscillator 170 has an 
output 170a connected to one input 172a of an AND gate 172. The output 
172c of AND gate 172 is connected to input 144b of OR gate 144, and input 
172b of AND gate 172 is connected to a calibrate mode switch 174. The 
calibrate switch is also connected to input 152b of the AND gate 152. With 
the calibrate switch 174 in the "operate" position (as shown) a negative 
signal will be present at input 172b and a positive signal will be present 
at input 152b. When the calibrate switch is operated to its "calibrate" 
position input 172b will see a positive signal and input 152b will see a 
negative signal. Thus the calibrate switch serves, when in the operating 
position, to couple the enable circuit 148 to NAND gates 114, and, in its 
calibrate position, to couple the oscillator circuit to the priority 
encoders. While the calibrate switch is in its calibrate position the 
oscillator circuit will continuously reset the priority latches so that 
the signals at outputs 101-112 will continuously reflect any changes in 
the analog signal from the sensing means. 
In the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein the components of the 
selection and triggering circuit on the input side of the level converting 
amplifiers 88, 146 and 154 are all of the CMOS type and are powered by 12 
volt direct current (12VDC) from the power supply 62. The circuit 
components on the output side of the level converting amplifiers are of 
the TTL type and are powered by 5 volt direct current also supplied by 
power supply 62. The level converting amplifiers may be CD4050 integrated 
circuits. The power supply of the disclosed embodiment also provides 30 
volt direct current to power the transducer and 12 volt direct current to 
switch 64. The power supply may be of any suitable type capable of 
providing the required current and voltage levels. As shown in FIGS. 5A 
and 5B a plurality of 10 microfarad capacitors 176 are provided to help 
eliminate line spikes. 
The timing circuit 138, the pulse generating circuit 140, and the enabling 
circuit 148 may each include an SN74C221 integrated circuit; and the 
oscillator circuit 168 may utilize a SN72555 integrated circuit. The NAND 
gates 130, 132, 164, and 166 may each comprise an SN74C00 integrated 
circuit; and the NAND gates 144 may be SN7438 integrated circuits. 
The gain adjustment circuit 80 may utilize a LM324 circuit chip or may be 
of any other suitable type. According to the circuit disclosed herein the 
level of the analog signal delivered to the gain adjustment circuit 80 is 
directly proportional to the composite thickness t sensed by the 
transducer, and the circuit 80 acts as an inverter so that the analog 
signal provided to analog-to-digital converter circuit 84 is inversely 
proportional to the sensed thickness t. 
The electro-pneumatic relay 56 is well within the present state of the art 
and will not be described in detail. It merely directs compressed air 
received at an input 56a to a selected output in response to the actuation 
of a corresponding one of solid state relays 118 by a dispensing signal. 
The relays 118 switch 110 volt AC power to operate pneumatic valves in 
response to low voltage dispensing signals from a triggering circuit 
comprising gating circuit 113, enabling circuit 148, and the AND gate 152. 
The procedure for calibrating the selection circuit will now be described. 
Each level sensing amplifier 86 is connected to an associated 
potentiometer 176, and the adjustment of each potentiometer 176 determines 
the level of the reference signal seen by that particular amplifier. 
Therefore, in order to calibrate the selection circuit each potentiometer 
176 is first adjusted so that the reference signals are all set at their 
maximum voltage levels. With all reference signal levels thus set at 
maximum, all twelve outputs of the converter circuit 84 will show 0 volts. 
The calibrate switch 174 is then operated from the operate to the calibrate 
position. With the switch 174 in the calibrate position the signal at 
input 152a of AND gate 152 is held negative, and therefore one input for 
each of the NAND gates 114 of gating circuit 113 sees a negative signal 
also. Thus while the calibrate switch is in the calibrate position no 
dispensing signals can be generated by the triggering circuit. In 
addition, while the calibrate switch is in the calibrate mode input 172b 
of AND gate 172 will see a positive signal, and pulses from oscillator 170 
will be coupled by AND gate 172 through OR gate 144 and level converting 
amplifier 146 to the logic circuit 90. These pulses from the oscillator 
continuously reset the latches of the priority encoders 92 and thus cause 
the logic circuit to continuously sample the digital output of converter 
circuit 84 and update the output signal being generated by the logic 
circuit at any given time. Of course the particular output of logic 
circuit 90 generating an output signal at any given time is indicated 
visually by an associated LED 120 of display circuit 116. 
A first template is then selected which has a thickness equal to the 
maximum allowable composite thickness of workpieces to be riveted using 
the longest selectable rivet. With the drilling mechanism of the riveting 
machine disabled this template is clamped between the upper and lower 
clamping members, and the potentiometer associated with the amplifier 86 
connected to the lowest priority latch is then adjusted until its 
associated LED just comes on. The first template is then removed and a 
second template representing the minimum allowable composite thickness for 
which the longest selected rivet can be used is clamped into place. The 
potentiometer associated with the amplifier 86 connected to the next 
higher priority latch is then adjusted until the first LED goes out and 
the next LED just comes on. This defines the range of composite 
thicknesses for which the longest selectable rivet will be selected. The 
same procedure is then repeated using templates representing the maximum 
and minimum composite thicknesses respectively for which the next shorter 
selectable rivet is appropriate, and the procedure is repeated again and 
again until the selection circuit has been calibrated for all of the 
different selectable rivet lengths. With the specific circuit shown, up to 
twelve different thickness ranges corresponding to twelve different rivet 
lengths may be selectable; and if fewer than twelve choices are desired, 
the unneeded priority latches are simply disabled by adjusting the 
reference signals for their associated level sensing amplifiers to maximum 
levels. Each of the unneeded priority latches will therefore remain unable 
to generate an output signal since the analog signal levels at the inputs 
86a of those amplifiers associated with the unneeded latches will never 
exceed the reference signal levels at the inputs 86b of those amplifiers. 
Once the selection circuit has thus been calibrated the drilling mechanism 
is enabled, and the calibrate switch is operated back to its operate 
position. This results in a negative signal at input 172b of AND gate 172 
and a positive signal at input 152a of AND gate 152. The OR gate 144 is 
therefore rendered unresponsive to pulses generated by the oscillator 
circuit 168, and gating circuit 113 becomes once again responsive to 
signals from output 150 of the enabling circuit 148. 
Once the selection circuit has been calibrated for a series of riveting 
operations utilizing, for example, eight different rivet lengths the 
operation of a riveting system including the present invention will be 
generally as follows. 
The operator first positions the workpieces between clamping members 26 and 
28 with the spot to be riveted directly below the drill as shown in FIG. 
4. A switch, which may be located on the riveting machine, is operated to 
effect an upward movement of the lower clamping member 28; and the lower 
clamping member responds by moving upwardly until the workpieces are 
clamped in position for the riveting operation. The level of the analog 
signal generated by the sensing means increases as the lower clamping 
member moves upwardly toward the workpieces until, with the workpieces 
clamped in place, the signal reaches a level representing the composite 
thickness t. 
If we assume, for purposes of illustration, that the signal level 
representing thickness t in this case is higher than the reference signal 
levels at inputs 86a of the first seven level sensing amplifiers 86 
(counting up from the bottom in FIG. 5B) but not as high as the reference 
signal level inputs to the remaining five level sensing amplifiers, then 
the digital signal output from converter circuit 84 will comprise a 
positive signal at each output 86c of the first seven amplifiers 86 and no 
signals from the remaining five amplifiers 86. This digital signal is then 
received by logic circuit 90 so that the priority latches corresponding to 
outputs 101-107 each see a positive signal while the priority latches 
corresponding to outputs 108-112 see a zero level signal. 
As the lower clamping member 26 approaches its clamped position, the 
movable portion 60 of the sensing means passes through its trip position, 
thereby causing latch circuit 128 to generate a positive signal received 
by the pulsing circuit 136. Within the pulsing circuit, timing circuit 138 
provides a 200 millisecond delay, and pulse generating circuit 140 then 
generates a strobe pulse which is received by both the enabling circuit 
148 and the OR gate 144. 
The strobe pulse to OR gate 144 is coupled to the priority latches of logic 
circuit 90 and causes one of the priority latches, in this case the 
priority latch associated with output 107, to set. The priority latch 
associated with output 107 is the one to set in this case because at the 
time the pulse from the pulsing circuit is received by the priority 
latches it is the highest priority latch seeing a positive signal from 
converter circuit 84. Thus, upon the setting of the priority latch circuit 
of logic circuit 90 in response to the signal from pulsing circuit 136 an 
output signal is generated at output 107 while the remaining outputs 
(101-106 and 108-112) generate no output signal. The output signal at 
output 107 is received by both the LED 120 and the NAND gate 114 which are 
associated with output 107, so that the LED is illuminated and a positive 
signal is seen at input 114a of the NAND gate while the priority latch 
remains set. 
The strobe pulse to the enabling circuit 148 causes the enabling circuit to 
generate a signal at output 150 having a duration of 300 milliseconds. 
This signal is coupled through AND gate 152 to the inputs 114b of the NAND 
gates 114, so the the NAND gate 114 associated with logic circuit output 
107 will trigger a dispensing signal generated at output 114c. This 
dispensing signal at output 114c will in turn actuate, for 300 
milliseconds, the relay 118 connected to the NAND gate 114 providing the 
dispensing signal. Of course only a single dispensing signal will be 
provided since only one NAND gate 114 sees a positive signal at its input 
114a. 
Actuation of the one relay 118 causes its corresponding pneumatic valve to 
open briefly to operate its corresponding gate member 46 of dispensing 
mechanism 16. This causes a single rivet of the proper length to be 
delivered through conduit 18 to the riveting machine. A drilling operation 
is performed on the workpieces as soon as the workpieces are clamped in 
place. Thus the drilling operation occurs while the rivet selection and 
delivery operations are taking place. If for some reason a rivet is not 
properly delivered as a result of the normal operations just described, 
the operator simply operates switch 160 to its second position. This 
causes gate 162 to present a positive signal at output 166c and in turn 
cause enabling circuit 148 to generate another 300 millisecond signal. 
Since the logic circuit has not been reset in the interim this signal will 
effect a second dispensing signal identical to the first. 
Once the heading oepration on the rivet is complete the operator causes the 
lower clamping member to move downwardly and release the workpieces. As 
the lower clamping member moves downwardly the movable portion 60 of the 
sensing means moves towards its retracted position, and as it passes the 
trip position the switch 64 causes latch circuit 128 to eliminate the 
positive signal at output 134. The operator can then begin another 
riveting operation by positioning other workpieces or other parts of the 
same workpieces and clamping them in place. 
The invention as disclosed herein provides a number of very significant 
advantages including precision, reliability, and speed in the selection of 
individual fasteners according to size. The manual triggering feature 
allows the dispensing of additional fasteners of the size previously 
determine by the sensing means to be optimum without the necessity of 
re-clamping the workpieces or performing another drilling operation. This 
feature, in effect, provides the selection apparatus with a memory so that 
a second fastener of appropriate size may be dispensed in cases where for 
some reason the first fastener to be dispensed was not properly delivered 
or installed. 
The invention also provides a very versatile fastener selection system in 
that the selection circuit could be constructed with virtually any number 
of priority latches so that any desired number of different fastener sizes 
could be accommodated. Of course, any unneeded priority latches are easily 
disabled. In addition, as previously indicated the analog-to-digital 
converter circuit is easily calibrated so that each priority latch may 
represent as broad or as narrow a range of thicknesses as is desired, and 
the calibration switch will disable the triggering circuit while enabling 
the coupling of clock pulses to the priority latch circuit during a 
calibration mode. 
By coupling both the selection circuit and the triggering circuit to the 
sensing means the disclosed system according to the invention facilitates 
an efficient automatic selection and triggering of a fastener dispensing 
operation in response to the clamping of workpieces for a fastening 
operation. The gain adjustment circuit and the adjustability of the time 
delay provided by the timing circuit both make the selection apparatus 
adaptable to a variety of different types of fastener dispensing and 
installation equipment, and the visual display circuit assists the 
operator both during normal operation of the selection circuit and while 
the apparatus is in a calibrate mode. 
While only the presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been 
disclosed herein, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that one or 
more of the features included in this preferred embodiment could be 
deleted without sacrificing the advantages afforded by the basic 
invention. For example, in the sensing means the switch 64 associated with 
the linear displacement device could be eliminated and a manually-operable 
switch substituted therefore, or the manual triggering switch 160 and its 
associated circuitry could be eliminated. However, the preferred 
embodiment of the invention as described and without substantial 
modification will be well suited for many applications. 
Thus the foregoing description of my invention discloses a preferred 
embodiment thereof, and various changes in form or detail may be made 
within the scope of the invention which is defined and limited only by the 
following claims.