US4184357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastening with two-piece fasteners
Assignee: Potomac Applied Mechanics Inc
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Filing: 1978-01-31
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Granted: 1980-01-22
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Expires: 1998-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A powered impacting device including relativly movable concentric first and second pistons, the second piston providing a cylinder wall for guiding movement of the first piston. A spring is disposed between the pistons for exerting a biasing force maintaining the pistons in an initial relative position. A single impacting force is applied to the pistons, at first resulting in coincident movement thereof until the second piston drives an outer fastener component through workpieces to be fastened together, and then is stopped. The mass of the first piston is great enough to provide continued movement of the first piston, relative to the second piston against the bias of the spring, to drive an inner component of the fastener through the work to be assembled, deforming the outer component of the fastener so that the material pieces are held together.
Inventors
- 👤 James H. Stubbings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:15
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21J; B21J15/00; B21J15/10; B21J15/105; B21J15/02; B21J15/04; B21J15/041; B21J15/30; B21J15/32; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53478; Y10T29/53487; Y10T29/53709; Y10T29/53717; Y10T29/53726
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, piston; a second, outer, piston, concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; biasing means between said first and second pistons exerting a force in a direction opposite said given axial direction for biasing said first piston to a particular relative position with respect to said second piston; means for receipt of a self-piercing two-piece fastener, having concentric inner and outer components, in operative relationship with said pistons so that said outer component is driven by said second piston to pierce a workpiece, and said inner component is driven by said first piston to effect locking of said outer component with said workpiece, said means comprising a cylinder for guiding movement of said second piston in the axial direction; said cylinder having an end face for operatively stopping axial movement of said second piston; means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement between said first and second pistons, and from between said cylinder and said second piston upon relative movement therebetween; and said first piston being massive enough so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial given direction against the bias of said biasing means with sufficient force to drive said inner component into desired final operative position with respect to said outer component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, piston; a second, outer, piston, concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; biasing means between said first and second pistons exerting a force in a direction opposite said given axial direction for biasing said first piston to a particular relative position with respect to said second piston; means for receipt of a self-piercing two-piece fastener, having concentric inner and outer components, in operative relationship with said pistons so that said outer component is driven by said second piston to pierce a workpiece, and said inner component is driven by said first piston to effect locking of said outer component with said workpiece, said means comprising a cylinder for guiding movement of said second piston in the axial direction; said cylinder having an end face for operatively stopping axial movement of said second piston; means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement between said first and second pistons, and from between said cylinder and said second piston upon relative movement therebetween; and said first piston being massive enough so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial given direction against the bias of said biasing means with sufficient force to drive said inner component into desired final operative position with respect to said outer component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said gas venting means comprise an annular groove formed in said cylinder end face, and at least one bleed hole formed in said second piston end face cooperating with said annular groove when said second piston abuts said cylinder, said bleed hole allowing passage of gas from between said pistons to said groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for biasing said second piston with respect to said cylinder so that said end faces thereof normally do not abut.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said biasing means acting between said second piston and cylinder comprises means for supplying low pressure gas to the area between said second piston and cylinder end faces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for venting gas between said second piston and cylinder comprises a vent passage leading from the area therebetween with a check valve therein for allowing passage of gas through said vent passageway only out from between said second piston and cylinder
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a third piston in abutting engagement with said second piston, and for abutting said first piston, and means for supplying high pressure fluid to said third piston for driving said first and second pistons, said first piston being relatively axially movable with respect to said third piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as recited in claim 7 wherein said third piston includes a vent passageway therein for allowing gas to flow between and from between said first and third pistons upon relative axial movement therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, piston; a second, outer piston concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; biasing means for biasing said first piston in a direction opposite said given axial direction to a particular relative position with respect to said second piston; said first piston being massive enough so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial direction against the bias of said biasing means until positively stopped; a cylinder for guiding movement of said second piston in the axial direction; means for venting gas from between said cylinder and said second piston upon relative movement therebetween; and means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
172 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, piston; a second, outer piston concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; biasing means for biasing said first piston in a direction opposite said given axial direction to a particular relative position with respect to said second piston; said first piston being massive enough so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial direction against the bias of said biasing means until positively stopped; a cylinder for guiding movement of said second piston in the axial direction; means for venting gas from between said cylinder and said second piston upon relative movement therebetween; and means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said gas venting means for venting gas between said second piston and said cylinder comprises an annular groove formed in said cylinder end face; and wherein said means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons comprises at least one bleed hole formed in the end face of said second piston, said bleed hole allowing passage of gas from between said pistons to said groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as recited in claim 10 wherein said cylinder comprises means for receipt of a self-piercing two-piece fastener having concentric inner and outer components in operative relationship with said pistons so that said outer component is driven by said second piston to pierce a workpiece, and said inner component is driven by said first piston to effect locking of said outer component with said workpiece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons comprises at least one bleed hole formed in an end face of said second piston.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as recited in claim 12 wherein said means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons further comprises a groove formed in an end face of said cylinder, said at least one bleed hole formed in the end face of said second piston allowing passage of gas from between said pistons to said groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
A device as recited in claim 9 wherein said first piston includes a circular cylindrical extension and wherein said second piston has an end face which includes a concentric opening therein for receipt of said first piston cylindrical extension, and wherein said second piston further includes a tubular extension extending outwardly from said second piston surrounding said concentric opening, said first piston cylindrical extension being long enough to pass completely through said second piston tubular extension upon relative movement between said first and second piston.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as recited in claim 14 wherein said means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons comprises at least one bleed hole formed in the end face of said second piston and spaced from said concentric opening in said second piston end face.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as recited in claim 15 wherein said means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons further comprises a groove formed in an end face of said cylinder, said at least one bleed hole allowing passage of gas from between said pistons to said groove.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
197 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, pistons, and having a cylindrical extension concentric therewith and extending from one end thereof; a second, outer piston concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston, said second piston including a concentric opening in an end face thereof receiving said first piston cylindrical extension, and having a tubular extension concentric with said opening and extending therefrom; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; said first piston being massive enough, and said cylindrical extension thereof being long enough, so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial direction until positively stopped, and said cylindrical extension will extend completely through said tubular extension of said second piston; and means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement therebetween, said means including at least one bleed opening formed in said second piston end face and spaced from said concentric opening.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
197 words
A powered impacting device comprising a massive first, inner, pistons, and having a cylindrical extension concentric therewith and extending from one end thereof; a second, outer piston concentric with said first piston and forming a cylinder wall for guiding movement of said first piston, said first piston being relatively movable with respect to said second piston, said second piston including a concentric opening in an end face thereof receiving said first piston cylindrical extension, and having a tubular extension concentric with said opening and extending therefrom; means for supplying actuating fluid so that said pistons move in a given axial direction; said first piston being massive enough, and said cylindrical extension thereof being long enough, so that upon termination of movement of said second piston under the influence of the actuating fluid said first piston will continue movement in said axial direction until positively stopped, and said cylindrical extension will extend completely through said tubular extension of said second piston; and means for venting gas from between said first and second pistons upon relative movement therebetween, said means including at least one bleed opening formed in said second piston end face and spaced from said concentric opening.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device as recited in claim 17 wherein said first piston further comprises a bore formed therein concentric with said cylindrical extension, and wherein said device further comprises spring means disposed in said bore and surrounding said cylindrical extension and abutting said first piston and said end face of said second piston for biasing said first piston in a direction opposite said given axial direction to a particular relative position with respect to said second piston.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
A device as recited in claim 17 further comprising a stop member for stopping movement of said second piston under the influence of said actuating fluid, said stop member having an opening formed therein for receiving said second piston tubular extension, and said second piston tubular extension being long enough to extend completely through said stop member opening when said stop member stops said second piston.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device as recited in claim 19 wherein said stop member includes a groove formed therein for operative communication with said at least one bleed hole formed in said second piston end face, so that gas from between said pistons may pass through said bleed hole into said groove.
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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) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |