Patent Description:
It is well known that blind rivets come in different shapes and sizes. In order for blind rivet setting tools to accommodate different varieties of blind rivets the nosepiece of such tools can be changed depending on the rivet to be set. <CIT> discloses a blind rivet setting tool to which different nosepieces can be selectively attached via a threaded engagement. In practice it is typical for a wrench to be used to rotatably drive a selected nosepiece in order to achieve a tight connection.

TWI751773B relates to a mandrel collector of a rivet setting tool, wherein the nose piece storage unit is removably attached to the back of said mandrel collector.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided the blind rivet setting tool of claim <NUM>; optional features thereof are defined by the dependent claims <NUM> to <NUM>. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided the method of claim <NUM>; optional steps thereof are defined in dependent claim <NUM>.

Various aspects and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

<FIG> illustrates a blind rivet setting tool <NUM>. The tool <NUM> is a battery powered cordless tool, wherein the battery <NUM> is connected at the base of the handle <NUM>. To use the tool <NUM> a user inserts the mandrel of a blind rivet into the nose <NUM> of the tool <NUM> and pulls the trigger <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> operation of the tool <NUM> is electronically controlled by a controller <NUM>. In response to the controller <NUM> receiving input indicative that the trigger <NUM> is pulled by a user holding the handle <NUM> the controller <NUM> actuates a motor <NUM> located in the handle <NUM>, thereby causing rotation of the motor output shaft <NUM>. Torque from the motor shaft <NUM> is transferred via a transmission <NUM> to a first bevel gear <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> comprises series of planetary gear arrangements for reducing output speed while increasing torque, whereby the first bevel gear <NUM> rotates at a lower speed than the motor output shaft <NUM> however with increased torque relative to the output shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, transmission <NUM> and bevel gear <NUM> are aligned along an axis <NUM> which extends along the length of the handle <NUM>. By additionally locating the battery <NUM> on the same axis <NUM> weight distribution of the tool <NUM> is optimised. The battery <NUM> is releasably attached to the base of the handle <NUM>, in particular to a battery attachment feature of the tool <NUM> whereby such attachment features are known; the battery <NUM> is not shown in <FIG> and so it has been separated from the battery attachment feature of the tool <NUM>.

A second bevel gear <NUM> is provided on the end face of a driving sleeve <NUM>. The driving sleeve <NUM> is rotationally fixed relative to an input sleeve <NUM> of a ball screw arrangement. The driving sleeve <NUM> and input sleeve <NUM> can be rotationally fixed relative to each other due to a friction fit arrangement, however alternatively they could be rotationally fixed due to an interlocking arrangement such as a spline fit arrangement or other male and female interlocking-type arrangement.

An internal surface of the input sleeve <NUM> defines a threaded surface. The outer surface of the input sleeve <NUM> is supported by bearings <NUM> which enable rotation of the input sleeve <NUM>. The outer surface of a screw <NUM> extending through the input sleeve <NUM> is provided with a threaded surface. A plurality of balls <NUM> one of which is denoted in <FIG>, such as metal balls, ride in the opposing threaded surfaces of the input sleeve <NUM> and screw <NUM>, thereby defining a ball screw arrangement. As a result, when the input sleeve <NUM> is rotatably driven by the driving sleeve <NUM> this causes axial movement of the screw <NUM>. In other words torque from the motor <NUM> is transferred through the transmission <NUM>, bevel gears <NUM>, <NUM> and driving sleeve <NUM> to the input sleeve <NUM>, whereby rotation thereof causes axial movement of the screw <NUM>. The screw is supported so that it can only move axially along an axis. Rotating the input sleeve <NUM> in opposite directions causes the screw <NUM> to move in opposite directions along the axis <NUM>.

Now referring to <FIG> a connecting sleeve <NUM> is threadably attached to a distal end of the screw <NUM>. A pull back hull <NUM> is threadably attached to the connecting sleeve <NUM>. Axial movement of the screw <NUM> causes axial movement of the pull back hull <NUM>. A plurality of circumferentially arranged jaws <NUM> are located in the pull back hull <NUM>. Each of the jaws <NUM> has a ramped outer surface <NUM> for engaging a conical inner surface <NUM> defined by the pullback hull <NUM>. A separator sleeve <NUM> is forced by a spring <NUM> against the jaws <NUM>. More specifically a ramped front surface <NUM> of the separator sleeve <NUM> is forced against a ramped rear surface <NUM> of the jaws <NUM>.

A nosepiece <NUM> is releasably attached at the opening to the nose <NUM> of the tool. In use a mandrel of a blind rivet is inserted through the nose piece <NUM> such that the mandrel extends between the jaws <NUM>. Upon pulling the trigger <NUM> the controller <NUM> causes the screw <NUM> to be moved axially such that it retracts into the tool (moves to the right in <FIG> along the axis <NUM>), whereby the pullback hull <NUM> moves with the screw <NUM>. Due to engagement of the opposing ramped surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> the jaws <NUM> are caused to move radially inwards, for gripping the mandrel, and also backwards for pulling the mandrel. Accordingly the blind rivet is pulled against the nose piece such that it deforms for setting the blind rivet. When the mandrel of the blind rivet is pulled far enough its mandrel snaps. The blind rivet will thus be set in place, however, yet to do is to dispose of the broken mandrel.

During a reset operation of the tool <NUM> the controller <NUM> causes the screw <NUM> to be moved axially such that it moves in the opposition direction (moves to the left in <FIG> along the axis <NUM>), whereby the pullback hull <NUM> moves with the screw <NUM>. The front of each jaw <NUM> defines a front ramped surface <NUM> which is configured to cooperate with an annular ramped surface <NUM> of the nose piece <NUM>. In particular when the pullback hull <NUM> has been moved far enough in the reset direction (to the left in <FIG>) the front ramped surface <NUM> of the jaws <NUM> will engage the annular ramped surface <NUM> of the nose piece <NUM>. Due to the separator sleeve <NUM> being forced against the jaws <NUM> by the spring <NUM> the front ramped surfaces <NUM> of the jaws <NUM> will ride along the annular ramped surface <NUM> of the nose piece <NUM> and the rear surfaces <NUM> of the jaws <NUM> will ride along the ramped front surface <NUM> of the separator sleeve <NUM>; whereby the jaws <NUM> move radially outwards for releasing the snapped mandrel.

The released snapped mandrel can then be caused to fall under gravity along an internal path <NUM> in the direction of a collection chamber <NUM>. The internal path <NUM> is defined by aligned openings extending through components between the jaws <NUM> and the collection chamber <NUM>, including a channel <NUM> extending through the screw <NUM> along the axis <NUM> and a channel <NUM> through a guidance sleeve <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> the guidance sleeve <NUM> has two axially displaced circumferential projections <NUM> which receive a housing feature of the tool between them (best shown in <FIG>) for maintaining the position of the guidance sleeve <NUM>. During manufacturing the guidance sleeve <NUM> can be snap fitted into place by pushing it against a housing feature of the tool which flexes and subsequently snaps into place between the circumferential projections <NUM>. As for the aforementioned channel <NUM> extending through the screw <NUM>, this is defined by a sleeve extension <NUM> protruding from the separator sleeve <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>). The separator sleeve <NUM> and sleeve extension <NUM> are a single part. The sleeve extension <NUM> is connected to, and extends from, a rear side of the separator sleeve <NUM> and extends into the opening through the screw <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> when the jaws <NUM> are at their home position the sleeve extension <NUM> extends into the guidance sleeve <NUM> to a first extent (see <FIG>), whereas when the jaws <NUM> are pulled back during use of the tool <NUM> the separator sleeve <NUM> also moves back and thus causes the sleeve extension <NUM> to extend further into the guidance sleeve <NUM>. In other words during backwards and forwards movement of the jaws <NUM> in use the sleeve extension <NUM> is caused to move backwards and forwards within the channel <NUM> through the guidance sleeve <NUM>. It will thus be understood how alignment of the openings extending through the separator sleeve <NUM>, the sleeve extension <NUM> and the guidance sleeve <NUM> enable a snapped mandrel to be moved into the collection chamber <NUM>.

How a user of the tool can change the nosepiece <NUM> will now be explained.

<FIG> illustrate a nosepiece <NUM>. The nosepiece defines a channel <NUM> through which the mandrel of a blind rivet can be inserted. The nosepiece has an annular wall <NUM> which defines a first surface <NUM> in a plane orthogonal to the axis <NUM> through the channel <NUM> (in use the axis <NUM> aligns with the axis <NUM> already mentioned). The annular wall <NUM> also defines a second surface <NUM>, also in a plane orthogonal to the axis <NUM> through the channel <NUM>, however on the opposite side of the wall <NUM> to the first surface <NUM>. Also illustrated in <FIG> is the annular ramped surface <NUM> of the nose piece <NUM> which has already been mentioned. A front planar surface portion <NUM> is defined by the front side of the nosepiece <NUM>. Additionally a ball <NUM>, such as a metal ball, is received in a recess <NUM> of the nosepiece <NUM>. The recess <NUM> defines a conical section with a hole in communication with the channel <NUM> which is wide enough to let the ball <NUM> partially extend through the opening into the channel <NUM>. Under bias of an elastic ring <NUM> the ball <NUM> is caused to partially protrude into the channel <NUM>, whereby a mandrel extending through the nosepiece <NUM> can be gripped by the ball <NUM>. In use this prevent blind rivets falling from the tool <NUM> under their own weight, which improves safety especially when a user is working at height.

Referring to <FIG> the nose piece <NUM> is held in place by clamping means <NUM>.

A first part of the clamping means <NUM> is a housing part of the tool <NUM>, in particular the jaw housing <NUM> which embodies part of the nose <NUM> of the tool <NUM>. A distal end of the jaw housing <NUM> is provided with a treaded portion <NUM> around its outer surface and an abutment portion <NUM> which defines a flat annular surface portion <NUM> in a plane orthogonal to the aforementioned axis <NUM>. The abutment portion <NUM> defines a nosepiece receiving opening <NUM> which extends along the axis <NUM>. <FIG> clearly illustrates these features of the jaw housing <NUM>. When a nosepiece <NUM> is mounted to the tool <NUM> the end thereof which embodies the annular ramped surface <NUM> extends through the nosepiece receiving opening <NUM> of the jaw housing <NUM>.

A second part of the clamping means <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> has a first portion <NUM> which is cylindrical and defines a threaded internal surface <NUM>. The cap <NUM> has a second portion <NUM> which is substantially conical and has an internal cross-section which decreases in diameter in a direction away from the internal threaded surface <NUM>. The cap <NUM> has a third portion <NUM> provided with an inwardly extending annual lip <NUM>, whereby the annual lip <NUM> defines a nosepiece receiving opening <NUM>. When the threaded internal surface <NUM> of the cap <NUM> is threaded onto the treaded portion <NUM> of the jaw housing <NUM> the inwardly extending annular lip <NUM> urges against the second surface <NUM> of the nosepiece <NUM>, whereby the first surface <NUM> of the nosepiece <NUM> is brought into engagement with the flat annular surface <NUM> of the jaw housing <NUM>.

In other words the nosepiece <NUM> is clamped between the cap <NUM> and the jaw housing <NUM> when the cap <NUM> is threaded onto the jaw housing <NUM>.

In order for the tool <NUM> to be able to accommodate different sizes of blind rivets the nosepiece <NUM> can be replaced with a nosepiece suitable to accommodate the blind rivet to be set. In other words a plurality of nosepieces are provided each having generally the same shape as the nosepiece <NUM> in <FIG>, however, the specific dimensions of one or more features differ. For example in other nosepieces the diameter of the channel <NUM> may be wider or narrower to accommodate blind rivets having wider or shorter mandrels respectively. In other nosepieces the thickness of the wall <NUM> between the first and second surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be wider or narrower.

In other nosepieces the length of the nosepiece extending from the first surface <NUM> to the ramped annular surface <NUM> may be longer or shorter. In other nosepieces the ball/elastic band safety mechanism may not be provided. Persons skilled in the art will understand how other nosepieces may differ relative to the nosepiece <NUM> in order to enable the tool <NUM> to accommodate blind rivets of different varieties.

Now referring to <FIG>, a user can quickly and easily exchange the nosepiece <NUM> with another nosepiece. The user simply removes the cap <NUM> by twisting it. The nosepiece <NUM> is then ejected due to the spring <NUM> pushing the separator sleeve <NUM> and thereby the jaws <NUM> against the nosepiece. A selected nosepiece can then be inserted into the nosepiece receiving opening <NUM> of the jaw housing <NUM> as heretofore described. Finally the cap <NUM> is re-attached by twisting it back into threaded engagement with the jaw housing <NUM>. As a result the newly selected nosepiece is clamped in place ready for use.

To help users carry around multiple nosepieces the tool <NUM> is provided with a nosepiece storage unit <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be releasably connected to the tool <NUM>. With reference to <FIG> a rear housing part <NUM> of the tool <NUM> is provided with a first part of a two-part connection mechanism. The nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is provided with the second part of the two-part connection mechanism. The nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool <NUM> by engaging and disengaging respectively the two-part engagement mechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment the first part of the two-part engagement mechanism is defined by four evenly circumferentially displaced projections <NUM> (only three of which are visible in <FIG>) which inwardly protrude from the rear housing part <NUM>. The projections <NUM> themselves are not exactly circumferentially extending and are slightly offset to a plane which is orthogonal to the heretofore described axis <NUM>, wherein a first end 112a of each projection <NUM> is closer to a distal annular surface <NUM> of the rear housing part <NUM> than the other end 112b of each projection <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG> the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and defines at its centre a mandrel receiving opening <NUM> which will be described later. An axis <NUM> extending through the mandrel receiving opening <NUM> aligns with the axis <NUM> of the tool <NUM> when the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is mounted to the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool. The second part of the two-part engagement mechanism is defined by four evenly circumferentially displaced fingers <NUM>, each carrying an outwardly protruding projection <NUM>. The fingers <NUM> extend in a front-side direction of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM>. Like the projections <NUM> described in the previous paragraph the projections <NUM> are not exactly circumferentially extending and are slightly offset to a plane which is orthogonal to the axis <NUM>, wherein for each projection <NUM> a first end 116a thereof is closer to a distal end of the finger on which it is provided than the other end 116b of the projection <NUM>.

The nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be attached to the tool <NUM> by interlocking the outwardly protruding projections <NUM> of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> with the inwardly protruding projections <NUM> of the rear housing part <NUM>. The ramped nature of the projections <NUM>, <NUM> provides a bayonet-type attachment mechanism whereby the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and rear housing part <NUM> to be drawn towards each other upon twisting the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> in order to engage the two sets of projections <NUM>, <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG> the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> has a planar surface portion <NUM> which is configured to be orthogonal to the aforementioned axis <NUM>; meaning that the planar surface portion <NUM> is orthogonal to the axis <NUM> when the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is mounted to the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool <NUM>. The mandrel receiving opening <NUM> extends through the planar surface portion <NUM>. An annular lip <NUM> is provided on the front-side of the planar surface portion <NUM> and extends around the mandrel receiving opening <NUM> for cooperating with the guidance sleeve <NUM> of the tool (see <FIG>) to provide an extension to the channel <NUM>. In other words when the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is mounted to the rear housing part <NUM>, a snapped mandrel exiting the channel <NUM> defined by the guidance sleeve <NUM> passes through the lip <NUM> and thereby the mandrel receiving opening <NUM>.

Nosepiece receiving portions <NUM> are distributed around the mandrel receiving opening <NUM>. Each nosepiece receiving portion <NUM> has an annular recess <NUM> which extends into the planar surface portion <NUM> from the front-side of the planar surface portion <NUM>. Furthermore an opening <NUM> extends through the depressed surface portion <NUM>, whereby the annular recess <NUM> can also be termed a depressed annular portion <NUM>. Each nosepiece receiving portion <NUM>, on the rear side thereof, is provided with a plurality of evenly circumferentially distributed fingers <NUM>. The fingers <NUM> are each provided with a hook portion <NUM> which is configured to snap-fit with a nosepiece. Referring back to <FIG>, nosepieces are provided with a circumferential depression <NUM>. Now referring to <FIG>, to mount a nosepiece in a nosepiece receiving portion <NUM> of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> the end of the nosepiece embodying the annular ramped surface <NUM> is pushed through the opening <NUM> of the nosepiece receiving potion <NUM> from the front-side thereof. Such action causes the fingers <NUM> to flex, whereby the hooks <NUM> thereof snap-fit with the circumferential depression <NUM> of the nosepiece and the first surface <NUM> of the nosepiece <NUM> engages the depressed annular portion <NUM> of the nosepiece receiving potion <NUM>. To remove a mounted nosepiece it will be appreciated that a user simply needs to pull on the nosepiece which will causes flexing of the fingers <NUM> in order to release the nosepiece. The nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be formed of plastic or other material capable of fulfilling the described functionality.

Although the illustrated nosepiece storage unit <NUM> has three nosepiece receiving portions <NUM> for releasably holding nosepieces of different dimensions, it will be appreciated that the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be provided with more or fewer than three such nosepiece receiving portions <NUM>. Persons skilled in the art have freedom to provide as many or as few nosepiece receiving portions <NUM> as needed within the space limitations of the planar surface portion <NUM>. Weight distribution of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> can be optimised by evenly circumferentially arranging the nosepiece receiving portions <NUM> but this is not necessary.

It is hereby pointed out that the provision of the annual recesses <NUM> of the respective nosepiece receiving portions <NUM> decreases the length of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> compared to an arrangement in which the annual recesses <NUM> are not provided and the first surface <NUM> of nosepieces <NUM> housed in the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> engage the planar surface portion <NUM> directly. Looking at <FIG> the annular recesses <NUM> are located a distance L beneath the planar surface portion <NUM>, whereas in the absence of such annular recesses <NUM> the nosepiece storage unit <NUM>, in particular the fingers <NUM> thereof, would need be longer by a distance L in order to have the same functionality of enabling nosepieces to be stored between the planar surface <NUM> and rear housing part <NUM> of the tool.

With reference to <FIG> the rear-side of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is provided with attachment means corresponding to the aforementioned first part of the two-part engagement mechanism. In particular the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is provided with four evenly circumferentially displaced inwardly extending projections <NUM> (only three of which are visible in <FIG>). The projections <NUM> themselves are not exactly circumferentially extending and are slightly offset to a plane which is orthogonal to the aforementioned axis <NUM>, wherein a first end 130a of each projection <NUM> is closer to a rear distal annular surface <NUM> of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> than the other end 130b of each projection <NUM>. The purpose of this rear-side attachment means will now be explained.

As already mentioned the tool <NUM> has a collection chamber <NUM> for storing snapped mandrels. When the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is mounted to the rear housing part <NUM> in the manner heretofore described the collection chamber <NUM> is connected to the nosepiece storage unit <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> the collection chamber <NUM> is provided with attachment means that is capable of engaging the first part of the two-part engagement mechanism (defined by either the circumferentially displaced projections <NUM> of the rear housing part <NUM> or the circumferentially displaced projections <NUM> of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM>). The attachment means of the collection chamber <NUM> is defined by two outwardly protruding projections <NUM>. The projections <NUM> themselves are not exactly circumferentially extending and are slightly offset to a plane which is orthogonal to a major axis <NUM> of the collection chamber <NUM>, wherein the major axis <NUM> aligns with the aforementioned axis <NUM> when the collection chamber <NUM> is mounted to the tool <NUM>. Wherein a first end 132a of each projection <NUM> is closer to a front end <NUM> of the collection chamber <NUM> than the other end 132b of each projection <NUM>. The collection chamber <NUM> can be attached to either the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool or the rear-side of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> by interlocking the outwardly protruding projections <NUM> of the collection chamber <NUM> with either the inwardly protruding projections <NUM> of the rear housing part <NUM> or the inwardly protruding projections <NUM> of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM>. The ramped nature of the projections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provides a bayonet-type attachment mechanism whereby the collection chamber <NUM> is drawn towards the component to which it is attached upon twisting the collection chamber <NUM> in order to engage the aforementioned sets of projections.

<FIG> shows the blind rivet setting tool <NUM> with the collection chamber <NUM> mounted to the rear housing part <NUM>; wherein the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is absent. The battery <NUM> is not shown in <FIG> and so it has been separated from the battery attachment feature of the tool <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the blind rivet setting tool <NUM> with the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> mounted to the rear housing part <NUM>; wherein the collection chamber <NUM> is absent. The battery <NUM> is not shown in <FIG> and so it has been separated from the battery attachment feature of the tool <NUM>.

A user has freedom to use the blind rivet setting tool <NUM> with both the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and collection chamber <NUM> as in <FIG>, however if space restrictions are tight the user may decide to remove the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and attach the collection chamber <NUM> to the rear housing part <NUM> as in <FIG>, wherein the length of the tool is shorted compared to the length of the tool in <FIG>. Alternatively if space restrictions are tight a user may remove the collection chamber <NUM> and use the tool with the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> attached to the rear housing part <NUM> as in <FIG>, or with no collection chamber <NUM> or nosepiece storage unit <NUM>.

When the collection chamber is removed there is some probability of a broken mandrel being ejected from the rear of the tool <NUM> in an uncontrolled manner. In particular if a broken mandrel remains within the tool while a subsequent rivet is being set, upon breaking the mandrel and impulse may be imparted to the first mandrel remaining in the tool which could propel the mandrel out of the rear of the tool in an uncontrolled manner.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG> the aforementioned guidance sleeve <NUM> is provided with a slow-down feature <NUM>. More specifically a recess <NUM> is provided in the guidance sleeve <NUM> which cooperates with the channel <NUM>. A ball <NUM>, such as a metal ball, is received in the recess <NUM>. The recess <NUM> defines a conical section with a hole in communication with the channel <NUM> which is wide enough to let the ball <NUM> partially extend through the hole into the channel <NUM>. Under bias of an elastic ring <NUM> the ball <NUM> is caused to partially protrude into the channel <NUM>. In order for a snapped mandrel to pass through the channel <NUM> in a direction of the collection chamber <NUM> it must urge the ball <NUM> out of the way against the bias of the elastic ring <NUM> as shown in <FIG> where the snapped mandrel section <NUM> is shown moving past the slow-down feature <NUM>. As a result if a broken mandrel is caused to be propelled along the channel <NUM> as heretofore described the slow-down feature will at least reduce its velocity.

It is envisaged that after a blind rivet has been set the mandrel thereof will be pushed along the internal path <NUM> by the subsequent blind rivet to be set, wherein upon its mandrel being inserted into the tool <NUM> it will push the former broken mandrel in a direction of the collection chamber <NUM>. In this manner broken mandrels can be pushed past the slow-down feature <NUM> described in the previous paragraph.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In some embodiments the slow-down feature <NUM> of the guidance sleeve <NUM> may comprise more than one metal ball <NUM>. <FIG> show an embodiment in which three evenly circumferentially displaced recesses <NUM> are provided around a guidance sleeve <NUM>, each for receiving a metal ball <NUM>, whereby the balls <NUM> are inwardly biased by a single elastic ring <NUM>.

In some embodiments at least one of the cap <NUM>, nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and collection chamber <NUM> is provided with grip means to increase grip with a users fingers in order to enable the user to twist it more easily. Looking at <FIG> for instance the outer surface of the cap <NUM> has a series of ribs for increasing the degree of friction between the cap <NUM> and a user's fingers to facilitate turning of the cap <NUM>. Looking at <FIG> as another example the outer surface of the collection chamber <NUM> has a series of ribs for increasing the degree of friction between the collection chamber <NUM> and a user's fingers to facilitate turning of the collection chamber <NUM>. The outer surface of the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> may similarly be provided with a series of ribs to facilitate turning thereof in use. It will be appreciated that a series of ribs is just one example of suitable grip means and persons skilled in the art will be able to envisage other suitable grip means such as a series of bumps instead of ribs; or a surface layer of increased friction such as a rubber layer applied to at least one of the cap <NUM>, nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and collection chamber <NUM> in an overmoulding process.

The blind rivet setting tool <NUM> has been described as having a ball screw mechanism for causing movement of the pullback hull <NUM> and thereby the jaws <NUM>. However it will be appreciated that this is simply exemplary and other driving mechanisms for causing movement of the pullback hull <NUM> and thereby the jaws <NUM> could be used instead. For example <CIT> describes an arrangement whereby torque from an electric motor is transferred to axial pulling force via a cam feature, wherein this technology could be adapted to cause axial movement of the pullback hull <NUM> and jaws <NUM> in the heretofore described blind rivet setting tool <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> the cap <NUM> is described as being threadaly attachable to the jaw housing <NUM> for clamping a nosepiece in place. However this is merely exemplary and other suitable attachment means will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. More generally the cap <NUM> may be provided with a first part of a two-part releasable connection mechanism and the jaw housing <NUM> may be provided with a second part of the two-part releasable connection mechanism, whereby the cap <NUM> can be releasably attached to the jaw housing <NUM> for clamping a nosepiece in place by engaging the two-part releasable connection mechanism. For example the cap <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of circumferentially distributed fingers each provided with a hook feature, wherein the hook features can be caused to snap-fit into circumferentially arranged hook receiving portions provided on the jaw housing <NUM>. Naturally such features could be reversed wherein the fingers are provided on the jaw housing <NUM> and hook receiving openings are provided on the cap <NUM>.

In some embodiments the cap <NUM> may be hingedly connected to the jaw housing <NUM>. In other words a hinge connection can be provided between the cap <NUM> and the jaw housing <NUM>. On the opposite side of the cap <NUM> to the hinge connection a first part of a two-part releasable connection mechanism is provided such as a finger provided with a hook feature or a first latch part. To clamp a nosepiece in place the cap <NUM> is pivoted around the hinge connection towards the jaw housing <NUM>, thereby causing the first part of the two-part releasable connection mechanism to engage the second part of the two-part releasable connection mechanism provided on the jaw housing such as a hook receiving portion or second latch part; it will be understood that the mentioned hook feature snap-fits with the hook receiving opening.

In some embodiments the cap <NUM> can be releasably coupled to the jaw housing <NUM> for clamping a nosepiece in place via a bayonet-type attachment mechanism.

The illustrated embodiment is provided with a bayonet-type attachment mechanism for coupling the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and collection chamber <NUM> to each other and to the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool <NUM>. It will be appreciated however that this is simply exemplary and any attachment means suitable to enable such features to be releasably attached could be used instead. For example in some embodiments the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> and collection chamber <NUM> could alternatively be threadably attached to each other and to the rear housing part <NUM> of the tool <NUM>, whereby instead of bayonet-type attachment features threaded portions are provided instead to enable releasable threaded connection of such features.

In some embodiments the tool <NUM> described in connection with the drawings may not be provided with the clamping means <NUM> for clamping a nosepiece <NUM> in place. It is known for nosepieces to embody a threaded portion and for such nosepieces to be threadably attach to the nose of a blind rivet setting tool. As such with reference to <FIG> in some embodiments the tool <NUM> omits a cap <NUM> and the jaw housing <NUM> omits an externally threaded portion <NUM>. Instead the abutment portion <NUM> is provided with an internal threaded portion, whereby a nosepiece can be theadably attached to the tool <NUM> by engaging the thread of the nosepiece with the internal threaded portion of the abutment portion <NUM>. To facilitate rotational driving of a nosepiece, in order to ensure a tight connection and to make it easier to remove a nosepiece, a user typically uses a wrench, wherein the wrench engages with facets of the nosepiece in order to enable rotational driving of the nosepiece via the wrench. Referring to <FIG> in some embodiments the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> is provided with a wrench feature <NUM> for rotatably driving nosepieces. The wrench <NUM> is basically a modified version of the heretofore described annular lip <NUM>, wherein instead of the lip being essentially cylindrical the inner surface defined by the lip has facets for cooperating with facets of a nosepiece to enable torque to be transferred from the nosepiece storage unit <NUM> to the nosepiece. This removes the need for a user to carry with them a separate wrench.

Claim 1:
A blind rivet setting tool comprising: gripping means for pulling a mandrel of a blind rivet in use; driving means for causing the gripping means to grip and pull the mandrel of the rivet to be set in use; nosepiece attachment means for releasably retaining a nosepiece in place such that in use the blind rivet to be set can bear against the nosepiece while the mandrel thereof is pulled; an exit opening through which the broken mandrel of a set rivet can be moved; and a nosepiece storage unit removably attached to a housing feature of the tool, wherein the nose piece storage unit is configured to hold a plurality of nosepieces and defines a mandrel receiving opening which aligns with the exit opening such that the broken mandrel of a set rivet can be moved through the mandrel receiving opening in use.