A HAND-HELD RIVET SETTING TOOL AND METHOD

Abstract: A tool (10) for setting rivet nuts (45) in which then non-rotatable collet (23) moved by handles (11, 12) receives in threaded engagement the mandrel holder (29) so that the mandrel holder (29) is axially adjustable with respect to the collet (23). Mandrels (36) are readily inserted in, secured to and removed from the mandrel holder (29) so that a selected mandrel (36) can be used for each type of rivet to be set against selected anvils (18, 20 and 62), Tool (10) is adjustable in various ways to ease placing the rivet (45) on the mandrel (36), affecting adjustment of the position of the rivet nut (45) vis-a-vis the anvil (18, 20 and 62) for a proper and effective pulling stroke and adjusting the travel of the collet during the stroke.

Description: -i- Description A Hand-Held Rivet Setting Tool And Method Technical Field This invention relates to hand-held tools adapt¬ able for setting a plurality of different sized threaded tubular rivets nuts through ready substitution of mandrels and use of adjustment means for adjusting the stroke of the tool. Background Art Tools for setting threaded rivet nuts have been suggested which provide arrangements for employing a plurality of replacable mandrels in a single tool such as the tool of U.S. Patent No. 4,140,000 to Eh ann. Techniques for varying the amount of deformation of the rivet nut and varying the stroke of plier-type setting tools have also been proposed (see U.S. Patent No. 2,430,563 to Gill and U.S. Patent No. 4,192,163 to Martin. Strokes of such tool may also be varied by adjust¬ ing sleeves on the pulling element as shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,933,019 to Underland. Other developments in such tools are found in U.S. Patent No. 4,147,047 to Fluester. Summary of the Invention The present invention comprises a hand tool having a tubular handle-powered collet which collet receives in its bore threaded a mandrel holder, in turn, capable of readily receiving and holding a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel sized to set a particular threaded rivet nut. The mandrel holder is axially adjustable with respect to the tubular collet so that the rivet nut mounted on the mandrel may be selectively positioned prior to the begin¬ ning of the setting stroke. Adjustment of the mandrel holder permits easy withdrawal of the mandrel from the set rivet nut. The tool has a tool housing and handle design which permits facile conversion of the tool to a blind rivet puller. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the tool of this invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional side elevational view of the tool showing the tool positioned to begin setting of the rivet nut; Fig. 3 is also a partial sectional elevational view showing the tool positioned after setting of the rivet nut; Fig. 4 is a partial sectional elevational view showing the tool being withdrawn from the rivet, nut; Fig. 5 is a sectional view along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a modification of the invention in which the anvil is carried on the mandrel pulling stem; and Fig. 7 is a modification in operation in which a spacer anvil is not used. Detailed Description of A Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, tool 10 includes uppe handle 11, lower handle 12, handle pivot bolt 13, and handl spring 14 which biases handles 11 and 12 apart. Loop chain 16 functions to hold the handles in a closed position with handle 11 brought adjacent stop 25. Housing 17 carries a spacer anvil 18 threaded into housing anvil 20 cast into housing nose piece 19. Extra spacer anvils 21 are screwed into the underside of housing 17. Anvils are required because housing 17 is not made of a material of sufficient hardness to withstand the forces or pressure created during setting of the rivet nut. Turning to Fig. 2, housing cavity 22 is positioned and shaped so that internal parts can be readily substituted to convert housing 17 and handles 11 and 12 to other rivet setting uses. Housing cavity 22 receives for rivet nut set¬ ting uses a reciprocating tubular collet 23. Tubular collet 23 has handle indentations 24 on opposite sides for engaging handle cam portions 26 to permit handle action to move collet 23 back and forth in cavity 22 (see also Fig. 5) . The handles are fully opened when collet 23 hits bottom in cavity 22 or, in some uses, the top of anvil 18. The full range of movement of collet 23 is determined by the fully open and fully closed handle positions. Collet 23 has a bore 27 passing throughout its length with portions having thereon internal threads 28 (shown in Fig. 3) for receiving in threaded engagement ad¬ justable mandrel holder 29. Mandrel holder 29 has left hand threads 31 for threaded engagement with compatible threads 28 of collet bore 27. Mandrel holder 29 in turn has a threaded passageway 32, knurled adjusting knob 33 and lock¬ ing screw 34. Rivet nut pulling mandrel 36 with mandrel threads 35 is insertable from the bottom of the tool through housing nose 19, collet bore 27 and finally into mandrel-receiving passageway 32 for threaded engagement with mandrel holder threads (not shown) . Mandrel 36 includes upper mandrel stem portion 39 having threads 35 and a flat-surface recess 41 for positioning the mandrel in and securing it to mandrel OM -29 using locking screw 34. Mandrel 36 also includes lower mandrel stem portion 42 for threaded engagement within rivet nut 45 using lower stem threads 44. To set rivet nuts of varying diameter and size, a plurality of mandrels 36 are used. Each has the same upper stem portion 39 to accom¬ modate the mandrel holder 29 while the lower stem portions 42 are designed to fit the various rivet nuts contemplated to be set with the tool. Referring further to Figs. 2 and 5, tubular collet 23 is held against rotation in cavity 22 by handle cams 26. Mandrel holder 29 engages the collet 23 using left hand threads. The clockwise direction, as used herein, is viewed from above the tool in Fig. 2 looking down at the tool. Therefore, with respect to Fig. 2, locking screw 34 would move away from the viewer as clockwise movement of adjust¬ ment knob 33 is begun. Such clockwise movement would cause adjustment knob 33 to move upwardly and out of collet 23. On the other hand, the mandrel 36 is secured to the mandrel holder 29 using right hand threads so that when the adjust¬ ment knob 33 is stationary clockwise rotation of the mandrel 36 causes mandrel 36 to move downwardly. Fig. 5 shows pivot bolt 13 having integrally forme stem 57, outer head portion 58, and inner rectangular head portion 60. Inner head portion 60 fits in rectangular openi 63 in housing 17 to prevent turning of the bolt. Stem 57 passes through housing 17, a rectangular plate 65 in a secon rectangular -opening 66 and is secured at the end opposite head 58 with washer 64 and removable clip 59. Bolt 13 can be readily withdrawn, handle 11 pulled out and the substitu¬ tion of internal parts affected for other uses of the tool housing, handles and pivot bolt combination. Fiσ. 6 shows a modification of the invention in which a mandrel 36 carries longitudinal groove 61 on the side of lower stem portion 42. A floating ring anvil 62 surrounds stem portion 42. The travel of ring 62 along stem 42 is limited by a set screw 63 whose interior end rides in groove 61. Ring anvil 62, as positioned against housing anvil 20, serves as the anvil against which the rivet nut is pulled during setting. Fig. 7 shows the alternative use of the tool where rivet nut 45 is pulled directly against housing anvil 20 wit no other anvil being used. Before discussing the operation, it is contemplated that this tool will be used with a set of mandrels 36 having lower stems 42 of varying length and diameter for use with the various sizes and types of rivet nuts. Rivet nuts will be selected foruse depending on thickness and nature of the workpiece 47 (which may involve a plurality of layers) , the diameter of the workpiece aperture 49 and other consideratio Turning to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and operation of the too the following sequence is preferred: Upon selecting the riv nut to be set, the person operating the tool then selects th mandrel 36 designed for setting the selected rivet nut. Next the tool handles are closed and preferably held together using loop chain 16. Adjustment knob 33 is turned counterclockwise moving it toward tool housing 17 and, preferably until seating knob surface 53 comes against house- ing 17. The upper stem portion 39 of the selected mandrel 36 is threaded into mandrel holder 29 with the stem end flush with upper knob surface 51. The locking screw 34 is then turned to secure mandrel 36 and holder 29 together. A spacer anvil 21, selected from the anvils stored in threaded holes in the underside of housing 17, is then screwed into housing anvil 20. Spacer anvils 21 have differing diameter holes for use with the differing diameters of the lower stems 42 of mandrel 36. OMP The selected rivet nut is then screwed on flush with lower end of mandrel stem 42. Since adjustment knob 33 is down and has a left hand thread the knob 33 will not move during the screwing of the rivet nut on stem 42. After the rivet nut is on the stem, the adjustment knob 33 is then rotated clockwise until the rivet nut flange 54 contacts housing anvil 20, spacer anvil 18 or other anvil used. The tool handles are now released and the adjustment knob 33 further turned until the rivet nut flange 54 is again flush against the anvil being used. The tool with the rivet nut on mandrel stem 42 is oriented to place the rivet nut in proper position in the workpiece 47 and, finally, the handles are pressed toward one another to set the rivet. If a tighter clinch is required, the handles are released slightly and knob 33 rotated clockwise (to move knob 33 toward housing 17) about one (1) turn. The handles are then clinched again for additional setting of the rivet. After setting, knob 33 is rotated counterclockwise moving the knob 33 toward housing 17 and causing the mandrel 36 to rotate counterclockwise to withdraw it from the now stationary rivet nut in its set position. The above operation provides a procedure whereby the pulling stroke is applied in the proper way for each selected rivet nut. Since the deformation of rivet nut is dependent on the application, as well as, the length of the pulling stroke, each nut is properly set using the present tool as described. The above operation may be varied to suit the convenience of the user. For example, adjustment knob 33 need not be initially adjusted down against the housing if the user wishes to hold knob 33 to prevent rota¬ tion during threading the rivet nut on the stem. The present tool has the further ■ advantage of being readily converted to a blind rivet setting tool by removing the tubular collet from open cavity 22 and replac¬ ing it with pulling unit having jaws for gripping the blind rivet mandrel.

Claims: Claims : g 1. A hand-held tool adapted for setting a plura¬ lity of differing rivet nuts comprising a) a housing including an anvil; b) a reciprocated non-rotatable puller means mounted in the housing; 1f) c) a first handle fixed to the housing; d) a second handle slidably engageable with the puller means and pivotably mounted on the housing to move the puller means reci¬ procally in the housing over a fixed range 15 by manipulation of the'handles toward and away from one enother; e) an internal bore throughout the length of the puller means; f) a mandrel holder threadedly engageable in „_ the bore of the puller means so that the mandrel holder is movable axially further in and axially further out of the puller means; g) a threaded passageway in the mandrel holder; __ h) a mandrel having an αoper stem portion for 25 positioning in the threaded passageway of the mandrel holder and a lower threaded stem portion extending from the housing for threadedengagement with the rivet nut to be 30 i) releasable means for securing the mandrel holder and mandrel in fixed relationship during the operation of the tool and for readily releasing the mandrel from its holde b ( - for removal after operation; whereby the distance -between the anvil and the rivet nut may be varied by (1) inserting and securing in the tool mandrels of selected length and (2) adjusting the mandrel holder axially in the puller means to in turn vary the position of the rivet nut carrying mandrel with respect to the anvil. 2. The tool of claim 1 in which the puller means and the mandrel holder are engaged through left hand threads such that counterclockwise rotation the mandrel holder causes it to move axially further into the puller means and in which the upper stem portion of the mandrel and the mandrel holder are engaged with right hand threads. 3. The tool of claim 1 in which the mandrel holder is threadedly adjustable toward the housing to bring the handles closer together so that during the setting stroke the reciprocating movement of the puller means is less than its full range. 4. he tool of claim 1 in which the anvil is inte¬ grally formed in the housing. 5. The tool of claim 1 in which the anvil is detachable from the housing. 6. The tool of claim 1 in which the anvil is a ring means slidably mounted on the mandrel in a position so that the ring means is urged against the housing during setting of the rivet nut. 7. The tool of claim 1 in which a plurality of mandrels are used having different lengths and differing lower stem diameters to accommodate differing sizes and types of rivet nuts. 8. A method of setting a rivet nut using a tool having handles which are squeezed to pull and deform a rivet nut against an anvil on the tool in which the position of the handles of the setting tool are predetermined prior to the setting stroke comprising a) moving the handles toward one another and holding them in a closed position; b) adjusting the distance the mandrel extends from the tool until the rivet nut is adjacent the anvil; c) opening the handles to create a space between the rivet nut and the anvil; and d) thereafter adjusting the mandrel to again bring the rivet nut adjacent the anvil.

Inventors: TODISCO JOSEPH
Applicants: MARSON CORP, TODISCO JOSEPH
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B21J15
IPC codes: B21J15, B25B27