High frequency vibration insertion apparatus

Claim 2

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus for inserting an element into a body comprising: a guide having an axial bore; feed means for feeding an element into said bore toward a body engaging end of said guide; means disposed in said bore for retaining an element fed from said feed means in said bore and in proximity to said body engaging end; a resonator dimensioned to be resonant as a half wavelength resonator at a predetermined high frequency disposed for reciprocating motion within said bore and to engage with one end surface thereof an element fed into said bore and retained therein; electroacoustic converter means coupled to the other end surface of said resonator for causing, when said converter means is energized, said resonator to be resonant, and force means coupled for causing an element retained in said bore to be forced out of said bore and driven into a body disposed opposite said body engaging end responsive to said resonator being resonant and said one resonator end surface being in forced engagement with such element.

Claim 3

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, and means coupled to said guide for reciprocating said guide between a first position where said body engaging end is adapted for physical contact with a body disposed opposite said end and a second position where said end is spaced from such body.

Claim 4

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 2, said means for reciprocating causing said guide to move relative to said resonator and along the axis of said bore.

Claim 5

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said feed means adapted to feed elements seriatim.

Claim 6

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said resonator being dimensioned to be resonant at a predetermined high frequency in the range between 16 kHz and 100 kHz.

Claim 7

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said force means comprising fluid pressure means.

Claim 8

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said means for retaining an element comprising resilient means shaped for frictionally contacting the element.

Claim 9

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 7 said means for retaining an element comprising a collet having resilient fingers for engaging the outer surface of the element.

Claim 10

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said bore being of cylindrical shape and including a generally radially oriented aperture for receiving therein a conduit feeding an element from said feed means to said bore of said guide.

Claim 11

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus as set forth in claim 9, said conduit received in said aperture being mounted for pivotal motion, means for reciprocatingly moving said guide toward and away from a body disposed opposite said body engaging end of said guide coupled to said guide, and means coacting between said guide and conduit for moving said conduit responsive to said motion of said guide.

Claim 12

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus for inserting an element into a body comprising; a base having a post upstanding therefrom; an elongated guide hving an axial bore supported by said post and distanced therefrom; feed means coupled for feeding an element into said bore toward a body engaging end of said guide; motion means coupled to said guide for reciprocating said guide toward and away from a body disposed on said base; means disposed in said bore for retaining an element fed from said feed means in said bore and in proximity to said body engaging end; a resonator dimensioned to be resonant as a half wavelength resonator at a predetermined high frequency disposed for reciprocating motion within said bore and to engage with one end surface thereof an element fed into said bore and retained therein; electroacoustic converter means adjustably supported along said post coupled to the other end surface of said resonator for causing, when said converter means is energized, said resonator to be resonant, and force means coupled to said resonator for causing an element retained in said bore to be forced out of said bore and driven into a body disposed on said base responsive to said resonator being resonant and said force means acting upon said resonator.

Claim 13

A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus for inserting an element into a body comprising; a base having a post upstanding therefrom; an elongated guide hving an axial bore supported by said post and distanced therefrom; feed means coupled for feeding an element into said bore toward a body engaging end of said guide; motion means coupled to said guide for reciprocating said guide toward and away from a body disposed on said base; means disposed in said bore for retaining an element fed from said feed means in said bore and in proximity to said body engaging end; a resonator dimensioned to be resonant as a half wavelength resonator at a predetermined high frequency disposed for reciprocating motion within said bore and to engage with one end surface thereof an element fed into said bore and retained therein; electroacoustic converter means adjustably supported along said post coupled to the other end surface of said resonator for causing, when said converter means is energized, said resonator to be resonant, and force means coupled to said resonator for causing an element retained in said bore to be forced out of said bore and driven into a body disposed on said base responsive to said resonator being resonant and said force means acting upon said resonator.