US3680194A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for assembling fastener components in strip-like material
Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-21
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-09-21
Abstract
Abstract Fastener components having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks are fed one at a time to a pickup station, engaged by a reciprocal slide and carried to an assembly positioner and retained at the assembly positioner with the component head received in a socket and the component shank projecting properly oriented for a final assembly projecting through strip-like material. The retention at the assembly positioner may be by vacuum against the fastener component head within the socket or by grippers forming the socket and engaging the head. In one form of the apparatus, the fastener component is carried to the sheet-like material positioned over a pilot pin at an assembly station by the assembly positioner with the component shank projecting through the sheet-like material during withdrawal movement of the pilot pin, the assembly being automatically disengaged from the assembly positioner during the assembly operation for removal upon withdrawal of the assembly positioner. In another form of the apparatus, the assembly positioner is at the assembly station and the strip-like material is telescoped over the component shank, the component shank or strip-like material engaged by a reciprocal plunger to complete the assembly and the entire assembly moved away from the assembly station for disengagement from the assembly positioner while a next to be assembled fastener component is simultaneously fed to the assembly positioner.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Monaghan
- 👤 Walter W Mosher Jr
- 👤 Donald A Long
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:18
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23P; B23P19/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49828; Y10T29/49829; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/534; Y10T29/53478; Y10T29/53522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with striplike material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shAnks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies, the combination of: a main frame; a supply track on said main frame including a channel formed therein receiving and removably retaining a fastener component in a predetermined position at a pick-up station; a transfer mechanism on said main frame including a component engagement portion movable adjacent said pick-up station and to and from an assembly positioner on said main frame, said component engagement portion being aligned releasably engaging said component at said pick-up station and moving said component from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner into a predetermined position in said assembly positioner during said movement of said component engagement portion; said assembly positioner including a positioning mechanism aligned receiving said component from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism and retaining said component in a predetermined position during movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner and during relative movement between said positioning mechanism and strip-like material assembling a shank of said component projecting through said strip-like material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with striplike material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shAnks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies, the combination of: a main frame; a supply track on said main frame including a channel formed therein receiving and removably retaining a fastener component in a predetermined position at a pick-up station; a transfer mechanism on said main frame including a component engagement portion movable adjacent said pick-up station and to and from an assembly positioner on said main frame, said component engagement portion being aligned releasably engaging said component at said pick-up station and moving said component from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner into a predetermined position in said assembly positioner during said movement of said component engagement portion; said assembly positioner including a positioning mechanism aligned receiving said component from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism and retaining said component in a predetermined position during movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner and during relative movement between said positioning mechanism and strip-like material assembling a shank of said component projecting through said strip-like material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said supply track is elongated with said channel extending lengthwise thereof to said pick-up station, said channel receiving a plurality of consecutive fastener components therein and slidable along said supply track to said pick-up station; and in which a feed mechanism is mounted in said supply track spaced from said pick-up station normally retaining said plurality of fastener components spaced from said pick-up station, said feed mechanism including means releasing said fastener components one at a time for slidable movement along said supply track in said channel to said pick-up station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said supply track is elongated with said channel extending lengthwise therealong to said pick-up station, said supply track extending generally vertically and then arcuately into generally horizontally to said pick-up station, said channel receiving a plurality of consecutive fastener components therein slidable therealong to said pick-up station; in which a feed mechanism is mounted on said supply track spaced upwardly in a in a vertical portion of said supply track from said pick-up station, said feed mechanism including means normally retaining said fastener components in said supply track channel positioned consecutively above said feed mechanism, said means being movable for releasing said fastener components one at a time for slidable movement generally vertically downwardly and then generally horizontally by gravity to said pick-up station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said transfer mechanism includes said component engagement portion mounted on a reciprocal slide movable adjacent said pick-up station and to and from said assembly positioner on said main frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism having a fastener component socket formed therein at least partially longitudinally receiving said enlarged head of said fastener components with said fastener component shanks extending longitudinally therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism having a fastener component socket formed therein at least partially receiving said transversely enlarged head of said fastener components longitudinally therein and with said fastener component shanks extending longitudinally therefrom, means including onE of a vacuum force and pivotal grippers actionable on said positioning mechanism removably retaining said fastener components in said predetermined position during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner and during said assembly relative movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes a reciprocal plunger having said positioning mechanism formed on an end portion thereof, said reciprocal plunger being movable toward and away from an assembly station with said positioning mechanism carrying said fastener components one at a time to said assembly station, said strip-like material being positioned at said assembly station during said assembly of a fastener component therewith, said plunger moving said fastener components into assembled position with said fastener component shank projecting through said strip-like material upon movement of said plunger to said assembly station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism mounted stationary on said main frame aligned receiving said fastener component from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism and retaining said component in said predetermined position during movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner, said strip-like material being telescoped over said component shank during said assembly; and in which an axially movable assembly plunger is mounted on said main frame reciprocally movable toward and away from said stationary positioning mechanism of said assembly positioner during said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said assembly plunger being aligned engaging one of said fastener component and said strip-like material during said assembly thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
151 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism mounted stationary on said main frame at an assembly station aligned receiving said fastener component from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism and retaining said component in said predetermined position during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner and during said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said strip-like material being movable telescoping over said fastener component shank during said assembly thereof; and in which assembly release mechanism is mounted on said main frame associated with said assembly positioner at said assembly station having means thereon movable after said fastener component and said strip-like material assembly for moving said assembly away from said positioning mechanism of said assembly positioner and spaced from said assembly station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism mounted stationary on said main frame at an assembly station aligned receiving said fastener component from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism and retaining said component in said predetermined position during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner at said assembly station and during said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said strip-like material being movable telescoping over said fastener component shank during said assembly thereof; in which an axially movable assembly plunger is mounted on said main frame reciprocally movable toward and away from said stationary positioning mechanism of said assembly positionEr at said assembly station during said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said assembly plunger being aligned engaging one of said fastener component and said strip-like material during said assembly thereof; and in which assembly release mechanism is mounted on said main frame associated with said assembly positioner at said assembly station having means thereon movable after said fastener component and said strip-like material assembly for moving said assembly away from said positioning mechanism of said assembly positioner and spaced from said assembly station.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said supply track is elongated with said channel extending lengthwise thereof to said pick-up station, said channel receiving a plurality of consecutive fastener components therein and slidable along said supply track to said pick-up station; in which a feed mechanism is mounted in said supply track spaced from said pick-up station normally retaining said plurality of fastener components spaced from said pick-up station, said feed mechanism including means releasing said fastener components one at a time for slidable movement along said supply track in said channel to said pick-up station; and in which said transfer mechanism includes said component engagement portion mounted on a reciprocal slide movable adjacent said pick-up station and to and from said assembly positioner on said main frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said transfer mechanism includes said component engagement portion mounted on a reciprocal slide movable adjacent said pick-up station and to and from said assembly positioner on said main frame; and in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism having a fastener component socket formed therein at least partially receiving said transversely enlarged head of said fastener components longitudinally therein and with said fastener component shanks extending longitudinally therefrom, means including a vacuum force actionable on said positioning mechanism removably retaining said fastener components in said predetermined position during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner and during said assembly relative movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
259 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener componets with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes a reciprocal plunger having a fastener component socket formed on an end portion thereof and opening axially of said plunger end portion, said plunger socket at least partially receiving said transversely enlarged heads of said fastener components longitudinally therein and with said fastener component shanks extending axially outwardly therefrom, means including a vacuum force actionable on said positioning mechanism removably retaining said fastener components in said predetermined position during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner, said reciprocal plunger being movable toward and away from an assembly station with said positioning mechanism vacuum retaining and carrying said fastener components one at a time to said assembly station, said strip-like material being positioned at said assembly station during said assembly of a fastener component therewith, said plunger moving said fastener component into assembled position with said fastener component shank projecting through said strip-like material upon movement of said plunger to said assembly station; and in which a reciprocal pilot pin is mounted on said main frame extending from said assembly station axially aligned with said assembly positioner plunger and said plunger socket, said strip-like material being positioned over said pilot pin during said plunger movement of said fastener components into said assembled position, said pilot pin including means mounting said pilot pin for removal thereof from said strip-like material during said assembly of said fastener component shank projecting through said strip-like material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
259 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 1 in which said assembly positioner includes said positioning mechanism mounted stationary on said main frame at an assembly station having an upwardly opening fastener component socket formed therein aligned receiving said fastener components from said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism, said fastener component socket at least partially receiving said transversely enlarged heads of said fastener components longitudinally therein and with said fastener component shanks extending longitudinally upwardly therefrom, means including one of a vacuum force and pivotal grippers actionable on said positioning mechanism removably retaining said fastener components in said socket during said movement of said component engagement portion of said transfer mechanism away from said assembly positioner at said assembly station and during said assembly, said strip-like material being telescoped over said component shank during said assembly; in which an axially movable assembly plunger is mounted on said main frame reciprocally movable downwardly to and upwardly away from said stationary positioning mechanism of said assembly positioner at said assembly station during said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said assembly plunger being aligned engaging one of said fastener component and said strip-like material during said assembly thereof; and in which assembly release mechanism is mounted on said main frame associated with said assembly positioner at said assembly station having means thereon movable after said fastener component and said strip-like material assembly for moving said assembly away from said positioning mechanism of said assembly positioner and spaced from said assembly station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assembly, the combination of: an assembly positioner including a positioning surface conforming to at least a part of a side of a transversely enlarged head of a fastener component longitudinally opposite a side of said component head from which a component shank extends longitudinally, at least one vacuum conduit through said positioning surface opening against said component head connected to vacuum supply means for vacuum retaining said component head against said positioning surface with said component shank extending therefrom during relative movement between said positioning surface and strip-like material to assemble said component shank projecting through said strip-like material; transfer means for transferring fastener components one at a time to said positioning surface of said assembly positioner and into said vacuum retainment against said positioner surface particularly positioned ready for said strip-like material assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
168 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assembly, the combination of: an assembly positioner including a positioning surface conforming to at least a part of a side of a transversely enlarged head of a fastener component longitudinally opposite a side of said component head from which a component shank extends longitudinally, at least one vacuum conduit through said positioning surface opening against said component head connected to vacuum supply means for vacuum retaining said component head against said positioning surface with said component shank extending therefrom during relative movement between said positioning surface and strip-like material to assemble said component shank projecting through said strip-like material; transfer means for transferring fastener components one at a time to said positioning surface of said assembly positioner and into said vacuum retainment against said positioner surface particularly positioned ready for said strip-like material assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 15 in which said positioning surface of said assembly positioner includes a socket formed therein at least partially receiving said transversely enlarged head of said fastener component with said fastener component shank extending longitudinally therefrom, said vacuum conduit opening through said positioning surface within said socket, said socket transversely peripherally surrounding a portion of said fastener component head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for assembly fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 15 in which said assembly positioner includes a reciprocal plunger movable from a transfer station to an assembly sTation, said plunger having said positioning surface formed on an end thereof with said positioning surface movable between said transfer and assembly stations, said positioning surface being formed at least partially by a socket opening axially of said plunger end and said vacuum conduit opening through said positioning surface within said socket, said socket receiving said fastener components one at a time therein retained by said vacuum supply means from said transfer means at said transfer station and transversely peripherally surrounding at least a part of said component head with said component shank extending therefrom axially from said plunger end, said plunger carrying each of said fastener components to said assembly station positioning said component shank projecting through said strip-like material at said assembly station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
242 words
Apparatus for assembly fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 15 in which said assembly positioner includes a reciprocal plunger movable from a transfer station to an assembly station, said plunger having said positioning surface formed on an end thereof with said positioning surface movable between said transfer and assembly stations, said positioning surface being formed at least partially by a socket opening axially of said plunger end and said vacuum conduit opening through said positioning surface within said socket, said socket receiving said fastener components one at a time therein retained by said vacuum supply means from said transfer means at said transfer station and transversely peripherally surrounding at least a part of said component head with said component shank extending therefrom axially from said plunger end, said plunger carrying each of said fastener components to said assembly station positioning said component shank projecting through said strip-like material at said assembly station; and in which a reciprocal pilot pin is mounted at said assembly station normally projecting toward said plunger end of said assembly positioner, said strip-like material being telescoped over said pilot pin aligned for assembly with said component shank during movement of said component by said plunger of said assembly positioner toward said assembly station, said pilot pin having means mounting the same for movement out of said strip-like material telescoping as said plunger of said assembly positioner moves said component shank into said strip-like material assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 15 in which said assembly positioner is mounted stationary at an assembly station and includes a socket formed therein, said positioning surface being formed at least partially by surfaces of said socket, said vacuum conduit opening through said positioning surface within said socket, said socket receiving said fastener component therein from said transfer means and peripherally surrounding at least a part of said fastener component head with said component shank extending therefrom to vacuum retain said component during movement of said strip-like material over said component shank during said assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 15 in which said assembly positioner is mounted stationary at an assembly station and includes a socket formed therein, said positioning surface being formed at least partially by surfaces of said socket, said vacuum conduit opening through said positioning surface within said socket, said socket receiving said fastener component therein from said transfer means and peripherally surrounding at least a part of said fastener component head with said component shank extending therefrom to vacuum retain said component during movement of said strip-like material over said component shank during said assembly; and in which reciprocal release mechanism is mounted at said assembly station adjacent said assembly positioner normally retracted permitting said asSembly positioner socket vacuum retention of said fastener component and said strip-like material movement telescoped over said component shank during said assembly, said release mechanism including means extending said release mechanism spaced away from said positioning surface and said socket of said assembly positioner upon completion of said fastener component and said strip-like material assembly engaging portions of said assembly and forcing said assembly away from retention by said socket vacuum retention of said assembly positioner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
228 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies, the combination of: an assembly positioner including a positioning mechanism having a positioning surface conforming to at least a part of a side of a transversely enlarged head of a fastener component longitudinally opposite a side of said component head from which a component shank extends longitudinally, retainment means for retaining said component head against said positioning surface with said component shank extending therefrom during movement of strip-like material telescoped over said component shank and assembled therewith; a release mechanism associated with said assembly positioner including release surfaces normally positioned adjacent said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism and movable away from said positioning surface in a direction of said component shank extenstion, said release surfaces being aligned engaging a component and strip-like material assembly and forcing said assembly from said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism an retainment by said retainment means during said movement of said release surfaces away from said positioning surface, release surface movement means operably connected to said release surfaces for moving said release surfaces and thereby said component and strip-like material assembly away from said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism and retainment by said retainment means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
228 words
In apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies, the combination of: an assembly positioner including a positioning mechanism having a positioning surface conforming to at least a part of a side of a transversely enlarged head of a fastener component longitudinally opposite a side of said component head from which a component shank extends longitudinally, retainment means for retaining said component head against said positioning surface with said component shank extending therefrom during movement of strip-like material telescoped over said component shank and assembled therewith; a release mechanism associated with said assembly positioner including release surfaces normally positioned adjacent said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism and movable away from said positioning surface in a direction of said component shank extenstion, said release surfaces being aligned engaging a component and strip-like material assembly and forcing said assembly from said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism an retainment by said retainment means during said movement of said release surfaces away from said positioning surface, release surface movement means operably connected to said release surfaces for moving said release surfaces and thereby said component and strip-like material assembly away from said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism and retainment by said retainment means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 21 in which said release surfaces of said release mechanism are positioned relative to said assembly positioner transversely outwardly of at least two sides of said fastener component head during retainment of said fastener component and assembly of said fastener component with said strip-like material, said release surfaces engaging said strip-like material transversely outwardly of said component head during movement to said extended position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 21 in which said assembly positioner is mounted at an assembly station with said positioning surface of said positioning mechanism located at said assembly station; in which a reciprocal plunger is movable toward and away from said assembly station engageable with certain of said fastener components and said strip-like material during movement to said assembly station and aiding in completing said assembly of said fastener component and said strip-like material, said plunger being moved to said assembly station after retainment of said fastener component by said assembly positioner and positioning of said strip-like material ready for completion of said assembly and being moved from said assembly station prior to operation of said release surface movement means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 21 in which said assembly positioner is mounted at an assembly station and includes a socket forming at least part of said positioning surface receiving said component head therein transversely peripherally surrounding at least a part thereof with said component shank extending from said socket, said retainment means incluDing a vacuum conduit opening into said socket connected to vacuum supply means for applying a vacuum force against said component head for retaining said component head against said positioning surface; in which said release surfaces of said release mechanism in a retracted position of said release mechanism are positioned transversely outwardly of at least two sides of said assembly positioner socket and engage said strip-like material of a fastener component and strip-like material assembly after said assembly forcing said fastener component head out of vacuum retainment by said assembly positioner socket and said assembly away from said assembly station; and in which a reciprocal plunger is mounted movable toward and away from said assembly station engageable with parts of said fastener component and strip-like material assembly during said assembly thereof, said plunger including means moving said plunger to said assembly station during said fastener component and strip-like material assembly while said release mechanism is in retracted position and moving said plunger away from said assembly station prior to movement of said release mechanism to extended position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assembly; the steps of: feeding components to a pick-up station and positioning said components in a predetermined position at said pick-up station ready for transfer one at a time to an assembly positioner; transferring said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner; retaining said components one at a time at said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a component shank; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank by relative motion between said sheet-like material and said component shank and while retaining said component with said assembly positioner; and releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
143 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assembly; the steps of: feeding components to a pick-up station and positioning said components in a predetermined position at said pick-up station ready for transfer one at a time to an assembly positioner; transferring said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner; retaining said components one at a time at said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a component shank; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank by relative motion between said sheet-like material and said component shank and while retaining said component with said assembly positioner; and releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of feeding said components to said pick-up station includes retaining a plurality of said components in a supply track arranged in consecutive order, releasing said components one at a time for feeding along said supply track to said pick-up station.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of feeding said components to said pick-up station includes retaining a plurality of said components in a supply track aligned in consecutive order, releasing said components one at a time for feeding to said pick-up station, feeding each of said released components along said supply track to said pick-up station by gravity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes moving a transfer mechanism through said pick-up station and to said assembly positioner, engaging a component at said pick-up station and moving said component to said assembly positioner during said transfer mechanism movement, depositing said component at said assembly positioner with said transfer mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly positioned by use of a gripper.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
106 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner normally located at a transfer station remote from an assembly station; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the moving of said assembly positioner and thereby said component from said transfer station to said assembly station and engaging said component shank through said sheet-like material positioned at said assembly station.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
122 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner located at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time stationary at said assembly station by said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
169 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner located at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time stationary at said assembly station by said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank; and in which said step of releasing said assembly includes said releasing of said assembly from said assembly positioner by engaging said assembly with movable surfaces at said assembly station and moving said assembly by said movable surfaces away from said assembly station and said assembly positioner.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
121 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the moving of transfer mechanism through said pick-up station to and from said assembly positioner, engaging said components one at a time at said pick-up station by said transfer mechanism and moving said components with said transfer mechanism to said assembly positioner, depositing said components into said retainment at said assembly positioner with said transfer mechanism; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes said retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly positioner by retainment forces applied at said assembly positioner.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
151 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said retaining of said components at said assembly positioner includes the positioning of said assembly positioner at a transfer station, applying vacuum forces to said components at said transfer station through said assembly positioner retaining said components one at a time at said assembly positioner oriented ready for said telescopic assembly of said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the moving of said components one at a time by movement of said assembly positioner from said transfer station to an assembly station spaced from said transfer station and while said comPonents are vacuum retained by said assembly positioner, moving said component shanks through said sheet-like material at said assembly station to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shanks.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
138 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner stationary at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly station in said assembly positioner by the application of vacuum forces; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank while said component is vacuum retained at said assembly station by said assembly positioner to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
182 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner stationary at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly station in said assembly positioner by the application of vacuum forces; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank while said component is vacuum retained at said assembly station by said assembly positioner to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the releasing of said assembly from said assembly positioner at said assembly station by interrupting said vacuum forces between said assembly positioner and that particular of said components of said assembly.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
187 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner stationary at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly station in said assembly positioner by the application of vacuum forces; in which said step of telescopically assembling said like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank while said component is vacuum retained at said assembly station by said assembly positioner to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the releasing of said assembly from said assembly positioner at said assembly station by movement of said assembly away from said assembly positioner and said assembly station to interrupt said vacuum forces of said assembly positioner.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
230 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 25 in which said step of transferring said components from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner stationary at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retainIng of said components one at a time at said assembly station in said assembly positioner by the application of vacuum forces; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank while said component is vacuum retained at said assembly station by said assembly positioner to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the releasing of said assembly from said assembly positioner at said assembly station by movement of said assembly away from said assembly positioner and said assembly station to interrupt said vacuum forces of said assembly positioner, performing said step of transferring said components one at a time from said pick-up station to said assembly positioner to transfer a next component to said assembly positioner simultaneously with said movement of said assembly from said assembly positioner and said assembly station.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies; the steps of: transferring fastener components one at a time to an assembly positioner; retaining said components one at a time at said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a component shank by applying vacuum to a side of a transversely enlarged head of each of said components opposite a side of said component head from which said component shank extends longitudinally; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank by relative motion between said sheet-like material and said component shank and while vacuum retaining said component with said assembly positioner; and releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner through reduction of effect of said vacuum application.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies; the steps of: transferring fastener components one at a time to an assembly positioner; retaining said components one at a time at said assembly positioner oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a component shank by applying vacuum to a side of a transversely enlarged head of each of said components opposite a side of said component head from which said component shank extends longitudinally; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank by relative motion between said sheet-like material and said component shank and while vacuum retaining said component with said assembly positioner; and releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner through reduction of effect of said vacuum application.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
112 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 39 in which said step of transferring said fastener components to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said fastener components one at a time to a movable assembly positioner during location of said assembly positioner at a transfer station; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the moving of said assembly positioner from said transfer station to an assembly station while retaining said components at said assembly positioner, moving said component shank through said sheet-like material at said assembly station while still vacuum retaining said component with said assembly position.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 39 in which said transferring of said fastener components to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said fastener components one at a time to a stationary assembly positioner at an assembly station; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the releasing of said assembly from said stationary assembly positioner at said assembly station by movement of said assembly away from said assembly station to reduce said effect of said vacuum application by said assembly movement.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
141 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 39 in which said step of transferring said fastener components to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said fastener components one at a time to a stationary assembly positioner at an assembly station; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank during said vacuum retention of said comPonent at said assembly station by said assembly positioner to telescopically assemble said like material with said component shank; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the engaging of said sheet-like material of said assembly adjacent said assembly component with movable surfaces and moving said assembly away from said assembly station and said assembly positioner vacuum retainment.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
180 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 39 in which said step of transferring said fastener components to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said fastener components one at a time to a stationary assembly positioner at an assembly station; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank and during said vacuum retention of said component by said assembly positioner; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the moving of said assembly away from said assembly positioner and said assembly station to reduce said effect of said vacuum application on said assembly component and release said assembly from said assembly positioner, and simultaneously with said movement of said assembly from said assembly station, transferring a next fastener component for a next component and sheet-like material assembly to said assembly station and vacuum retaining said next component by said assembly positioner.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
240 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 39 in which said step of transferring fastener components to said assembly positioner includes the transferring of said fastener components one at a time to a stationary assembly positioner located at an assembly station; in which said step of retaining said components at said assembly positioner includes the retaining of said components one at a time at said assembly station by said assembly positioner; in which said step of telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank includes the movement of said sheet-like material over said component shank while said component shank is vacuum retained by said assembly positioner at said assembly station to telescopically assemble said sheet-like material with said component shank; in which said step of releasing said assembly from said assembly positioner includes the releasing of said assembly from said assembly positioner at said assembly station by engagement of said sheet-like material of said assembly adjacent said component of said assembly with movable surfaces and moving said assembly away from said assembly positioner and said assembly station by movement of said surfaces, and simultaneously with the movement of said assembly away from said assembly positioner and said assembly station by said surface movement, transferring a next fastener component for a next component and sheet-like material assembly to said assembly positioner at said assembly station and retaining said next component by said assembly positioner.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies; the steps of: transferring a fastener component to an assembly station; retaining said fastener component at said assembly station oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a shank of said component; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank while retaining said component at said assembly station; moving said assembly to a position spaced away from said assembly station while said component of said assembly remains generally aliGned in a predetermined path from said assembly station; and during said movement of said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station, transferring a next fastener component to said assembly station and into said oriented retainment at said assembly station.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material, said fastener components being of the type having transversely enlarged heads and longitudinally extending shanks with said shanks projecting through said strip-like material in said assemblies; the steps of: transferring a fastener component to an assembly station; retaining said fastener component at said assembly station oriented ready for telescopic assembly of sheet-like material with a shank of said component; telescopically assembling said sheet-like material with said component shank while retaining said component at said assembly station; moving said assembly to a position spaced away from said assembly station while said component of said assembly remains generally aliGned in a predetermined path from said assembly station; and during said movement of said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station, transferring a next fastener component to said assembly station and into said oriented retainment at said assembly station.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 45 in which said step of moving said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly stationed includes the moving of said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station by engagement of said assembly sheet-like material adjacent said assembly component with said assembly component remaining generally aligned in said predetermined path from said assembly station throughout said engagement moving.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
129 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 45 in which said step of retaining said fastener component at said assembly station includes the retaining of said fastener component at said assembly station through vacuum application and by said vacuum application maintaining said component oriented ready for said telescopic assembly of said sheet-like material with said shank of said component; in which said step of moving said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station includes the reducing of the effects of said vacuum application at said assembly station by moving said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station but while said component of said assembly remains in said general alignment in said predetermined path from said assembly station.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
164 words
A method of assembling fastener components with strip-like material as defined in claim 45 in which said step of retaining said fastener component at said assembly station includes the application of vacuum forces to said component at said assembly station to retain said component at said assembly station in said orientation ready for said telescopic assembly of said sheet-like material with said shank of said component; in which said step of moving said assembly to said position spaced away from said assembly station includes the engaging of said assembly sheet-like material adjacent said assembly component and raising said assembly from said assembly station to reduce said vacuum application and interrupt said vacuum retainment; and in which said step of transferring said next fastener component to said assembly station includes the transferring of said next fastener component to said assembly station and into said vacuum retained oriented retainment at said assembly station beneath said upward moved assembly and during said upward movement of said assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3556743A
Cited
US3583451A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |