US3878595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hole locator for automatic riveting machines
Assignee: General Dynamics Corp
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Filing: 1974-03-22
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Granted: 1975-04-22
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Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for locating a pilot hole and aligning it with the operating mechanism of an automatic riveting machine is disclosed. Automatic riveting machines typically position a pilot hole in the workpiece to be riveted, drill an appropriate hole, countersink one or both external surfaces, insert a rivet, then press to deform the rivet. The disclosed hole locator includes a pin movable into alignment with the metal working axis, which is the line along which the drilling, countersinking, rivet pressing, etc., tools move. The pin is moved into the pilot hole to align the pilot hole with the riveting machine. The machine is operated to clamp the workpiece with the pin still in position. Then the pin is withdrawn and the riveting cycle completed. This hole locator can also be advantageously used with drill presses or other similar devices.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A Boyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:11
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21J; B21J15/00; B21J15/10; B21J15/14; B21J15/142; B21J15/38; B21J15/44; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5199; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53039; Y10T29/53061; Y10T29/53065; Y10T29/53978; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/16; Y10T408/175; Y10T408/55; Y10T408/557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A pilot hole locating and aligning device which comprises: a head member adapted to be secured to an associated metalworking machine along a metalworking axis thereof; means permitting a workpiece having a pilot hole therethrough to be moved substantially parallel to one face of said head, across said metalworking axis; a bell crank located within said head; a pin having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pilot hole to be aligned, mounted on one arm of said bell crank and adapted to extend past said one face into contact with a workpiece located adjacent to said one face and into said pilot hole when said pilot hole is aligned with said pin; connecting means attached to the other arm of said bell crank to rotate said bell crank, to move said pin between a first position extending beyond said one face and a second retracted position within said head wherein said bell crank is away from said metalworking axis; extendable and retractable means to move said connecting means substantially longitudinally to move said bell crank between said two positions; and electrical switch means activated when said bell crank reaches said second position to allow the associated metalworking machine to commence metalworking functions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A pilot hole locating and aligning device which comprises: a head member adapted to be secured to an associated metalworking machine along a metalworking axis thereof; means permitting a workpiece having a pilot hole therethrough to be moved substantially parallel to one face of said head, across said metalworking axis; a bell crank located within said head; a pin having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pilot hole to be aligned, mounted on one arm of said bell crank and adapted to extend past said one face into contact with a workpiece located adjacent to said one face and into said pilot hole when said pilot hole is aligned with said pin; connecting means attached to the other arm of said bell crank to rotate said bell crank, to move said pin between a first position extending beyond said one face and a second retracted position within said head wherein said bell crank is away from said metalworking axis; extendable and retractable means to move said connecting means substantially longitudinally to move said bell crank between said two positions; and electrical switch means activated when said bell crank reaches said second position to allow the associated metalworking machine to commence metalworking functions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
205 words
A pilot hole locating and aligning device which comprises: a head member adapted to be secured to an associated metalworking machine along a metalworking axis thereof; means permitting a workpiece having a pilot hole therethrough to be moved substantially parallel to one face of said head, across said metalworking axis; a bell crank located within said head; a pin having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pilot hole to be aligned, mounted on one arm of said bell crank and adapted to extend past said one face into contact with a workpiece located adjacent to said one face and into said pilot hole when said pilot hole is aligned with said pin; connecting means attached to the other arm of said bell crank to rotate said bell crank, to move said pin between a first position extending beyond said one face and a second retracted position within said head wherein said bell crank is away from said metalworking axis; extendable and retractable means to move said connecting means substantially longitudinally to move said bell crank between said two positions; and electrical switch means activated when said bell crank reaches said second position to allow the associated metalworking machine to commence metalworking functions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
205 words
A pilot hole locating and aligning device which comprises: a head member adapted to be secured to an associated metalworking machine along a metalworking axis thereof; means permitting a workpiece having a pilot hole therethrough to be moved substantially parallel to one face of said head, across said metalworking axis; a bell crank located within said head; a pin having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the pilot hole to be aligned, mounted on one arm of said bell crank and adapted to extend past said one face into contact with a workpiece located adjacent to said one face and into said pilot hole when said pilot hole is aligned with said pin; connecting means attached to the other arm of said bell crank to rotate said bell crank, to move said pin between a first position extending beyond said one face and a second retracted position within said head wherein said bell crank is away from said metalworking axis; extendable and retractable means to move said connecting means substantially longitudinally to move said bell crank between said two positions; and electrical switch means activated when said bell crank reaches said second position to allow the associated metalworking machine to commence metalworking functions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises a bent push rod having substantially parallel but offset ends, wherein said pin is resiliently biased toWard said workpiece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said extendable and retractable means comprises an air cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said head is cut away along said metalworking axis to permit metalworking tools to be moved into and out of said head when said bell crank is in said second retracted position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |