Automated installation tool for blind fasteners

Claim 2

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, said pivotal arm being generally elongated and extending in a direction generally parallel to the line of travel of said reciprocable movement, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to pivot about an axis transverse to said line of travel to said load position and for causing relative reciprocal movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other.

Claim 3

The portable tool of claim 1 with said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said pivotal arm for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by pivotal movement of said pivotal arm away from said forward end of said nose assembly.

Claim 4

The portable tool of claim 2 with said catcher means comprising at least one catcher arm mounted for pivotal movement to a first position clamping the fastener and to a second position unclamping the fastener.

Claim 5

The portable tool of claim 3 with said catcher means comprising resilient means for normally urging said catcher arm to said first position and permitting movement of said catcher arm to said second position in response to a reaction force of the fastener on said catcher arm as said pivotal arm pivots away from said nose assembly after insertion of the fastener therein.

Claim 6

The portable tool of claim 2 with said catcher means comprising a pair of catcher arms mounted for pivotal movement towards each other to a first position clamping the fastener and for pivotal movement away from each other to a second position unclamping the fastener.

Claim 7

The portable tool claim 5 with said catcher means comprising resilient means for normally urging said catcher arms to said first position and permitting movement of said catcher arms to said second position in response to a reaction force of the fastener on said catcher arms as said pivotal arm pivots away from said nose assembly after insertion of the fastener therein.

Claim 8

The portable tool of claim 1 comprising housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means.

Claim 9

The portable tool of claim 7 with said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position.

Claim 10

The portable tool of claim 8 with said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, and further including circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston.

Claim 11

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, and further including circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said pull piston to install a fastener and to feed a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 12

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, and further including circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said pull piston to install a fastener and to feed a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 13

The portable tool of claim 7 further including circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being selectively actuable to provide energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener, said circuit means being responsive to the reciprocable movement of said installation means to a predetermined position to cause deactuation of said installation means.

Claim 14

The portable tool of claim 7 with said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means.

Claim 15

The portable tool of claim 12 with said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said loading means.

Claim 16

The portable tool of claim 13 with said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said pivotal arm can be pivoted to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly.

Claim 17

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, comprising housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction.

Claim 18

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, comprising housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction.

Claim 19

The portable tool of claim 15 with said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said loading means.

Claim 20

The portable tool of claim 16 with said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means; in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said pivotal arm can be pivoted to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly.

Claim 21

The portable tool of claim 15 further including circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to the reciprocable movement of said actuating piston to a preselected position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston.

Claim 22

The portable tool of claim 18 with said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said pull piston to install a fastener and to feed a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 23

The portable tool of claim 16 with said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position.

Claim 24

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position.

Claim 25

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position.

Claim 26

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means and to said actuating means, said circuit means being selectively actuable to provide energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to the fastener and being automatically simultaneously actuable to feed a fastener to said loading means.

Claim 27

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means and to said actuating means, said circuit means being selectively actuable to provide energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to the fastener and being automatically simultaneously actuable to feed a fastener to said loading means.

Claim 28

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means having an installation cycle for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation cycle comprising the period from the point of initiation of actuation of said installation means to apply the relative axial force to the point of the return of said installation means to a condition for installing another fastener, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end adapted to receive the fastener and to apply the relative axial force, fastener loading means having a fastener load cycle and being operable during said load cycle for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly of said installation means, actuating means responsive during and at a preselected portion of said installation cycle to initiate said fastener load cycle, said fastener loading means comprising a pivotal arm being actuable by said actuating means to position a fastener in front of said nose assembly, said actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for causing relative reciprocal movement therebetween whereby a fastener held by said loading means will move into said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said pivotal arm being generally elongated and extending in a direction generally parallel to the line of said reciprocal movement, said pivotal arm being supported to pivot about an axis transverse to the line of said reciprocal movement.

Claim 29

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means having an installation cycle for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation cycle comprising the period from the point of initiation of actuation of said installation means to apply the relative axial force to the point of the return of said installation means to a condition for installing another fastener, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end adapted to receive the fastener and to apply the relative axial force, fastener loading means having a fastener load cycle and being operable during said load cycle for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly of said installation means, actuating means responsive during and at a preselected portion of said installation cycle to initiate said fastener load cycle, said fastener loading means comprising a pivotal arm being actuable by said actuating means to position a fastener in front of said nose assembly, said actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for causing relative reciprocal movement therebetween whereby a fastener held by said loading means will move into said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said pivotal arm being generally elongated and extending in a direction generally parallel to the line of said reciprocal movement, said pivotal arm being supported to pivot about an axis transverse to the line of said reciprocal movement.

Claim 30

The portable tool of claim 23 comprising circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating means to initiate and effectuate said fastener load cycle, said circuit means being responsive to a signal from said installation means after the fastener has been set to initiate and effectuate said fastener load cycle.

Claim 31

The portable tool of claim 24 with said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said installation means to set the fastener and to effectuate feeding a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 32

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means having an installation cycle for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation cycle comprising the period from the point of initiation of actuation of said installation means to apply the relative axial force to the point of the return of said installation means to a condition for installing another fastener, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end adapted to receive the fastener and to apply the relative axial force, fastener loading means having a fastener load cycle and being operable during said load cycle for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly of said installation means, actuating means responsive during and at a preselected portion of said installation cycle to initiate said fastener load cycle, said fastener loading means comprising a pivotal arm being actuable by said actuating means to position a fastener in front of said nose assembly, said actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for causing relative reciprocal movement therebetween whereby a fastener held by said loading means will move into said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating means to initiate said fastener load cycle, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said installation means to set the fastener and to effectuate feeding a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 33

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means having an installation cycle for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation cycle comprising the period from the point of initiation of actuation of said installation means to apply the relative axial force to the point of the return of said installation means to a condition for installing another fastener, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end adapted to receive the fastener and to apply the relative axial force, fastener loading means having a fastener load cycle and being operable during said load cycle for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly of said installation means, actuating means responsive during and at a preselected portion of said installation cycle to initiate said fastener load cycle, said fastener loading means comprising a pivotal arm being actuable by said actuating means to position a fastener in front of said nose assembly, said actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for causing relative reciprocal movement therebetween whereby a fastener held by said loading means will move into said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating means to initiate said fastener load cycle, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said installation means to set the fastener and to effectuate feeding a fastener to said fastener loading means.

Claim 34

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said pivotal arm for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by pivotal movement of said pivotal arm away from said forward end of said nose assembly, said catcher means comprising at least one catcher arm mounted for pivotal movement to a first position clamping the fastener and to a second position unclamping the fastener, said catcher means comprising resilient means for normally urging said catcher arm to said first position and permitting movement of said catcher arm to said second position in response to a reaction force of the fastener on said catcher arm as said pivotal arm pivots away from said nose assembly after insertion of the fastener therein, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said can arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said pull piston to install a fastener and to feed a fastener to said fastener loading means, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said pivotal arm can be pivoted to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction, said valve means comprising a valve member slidably supported within said actuating piston.

Claim 35

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising a pivotal arm pivotably actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said pivotal arm to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said pivotal arm for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by pivotal movement of said pivotal arm away from said forward end of said nose assembly, said catcher means comprising at least one catcher arm mounted for pivotal movement to a first position clamping the fastener and to a second position unclamping the fastener, said catcher means comprising resilient means for normally urging said catcher arm to said first position and permitting movement of said catcher arm to said second position in response to a reaction force of the fastener on said catcher arm as said pivotal arm pivots away from said nose assembly after insertion of the fastener therein, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movement of said can arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said circuit means being actuable to substantially simultaneously provide energy to said pull piston to install a fastener and to feed a fastener to said fastener loading means, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said pivotal arm can be pivoted to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction, said valve means comprising a valve member slidably supported within said actuating piston.

Claim 36

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising an arm member actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said arm member to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said arm member for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by movement of said arm member away from said forward end of said nose assembly, said catcher means comprising at least one catcher arm mounted for movement to a first position clamping the fastener and to a second position unclamping the fastener, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movememt of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said arm member can be moved to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction.

Claim 37

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising an arm member actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said arm member to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said arm member for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by movement of said arm member away from said forward end of said nose assembly, said catcher means comprising at least one catcher arm mounted for movement to a first position clamping the fastener and to a second position unclamping the fastener, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said fastener loading means comprising a cam arm mounted for reciprocable movement with said installation means by said actuating piston, said fastener loading means further comprising a cam follower connected with said pivotal arm and actuable in response to the reciprocable movememt of said cam arm for pivoting said pivotal arm to said load position, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said cam arm to a predetermined position to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said arm member can be moved to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means connected with said pull piston for actuating said valve means to said first valve position in response to movement of said pull piston in said pull direction.

Claim 38

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising an arm member actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said arm member to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said arm member for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by movement of said arm member away from said forward end of said nose assembly, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said actuating piston to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said arm member can be moved to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means operatively connected with said installation means for actuating said valve means to said first valve position a predetermined interval after the fastener has been set.

Claim 39

In a portable tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said tool comprising: fastener installation means actuable for applying the relative axial force between the pin and sleeve, said installation means including a nose assembly having an open, forward end and adapted to receive the fastener at said forward end and to apply the relative axial force to the fastener, fastener loading means operable for automatically loading fasteners into said nose assembly and comprising an arm member actuable to a load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, and actuating means operatively connected with said fastener loading means and said installation means for actuating said arm member to said load position and for causing relative reciprocable movement between said loading means and said installation means whereby the fastener held by said loading means will be inserted into said open end of said nose assembly as said nose assembly and said loading means are moved towards each other, said fastener loading means including catcher means located on said arm member for releasably holding the fastener such that after insertion of the fastener into said nose assembly the fastener will be released from said catcher means by movement of said arm member away from said forward end of said nose assembly, housing means for supporting said installation means for reciprocable movement, said actuating means supported by said housing means and including a reciprocable actuating piston connected to said installation means for causing the reciprocable movement of said installation means with said housing and relative to said loading means, said installation means including a pull piston mounted for reciprocable movement in a pull direction for providing the relative axial force for setting the fastener and in a return direction in preparation for setting the next fastener, circuit means actuable for providing energy to said pull piston of said installation means for applying the relative axial force to set the fastener and to said actuating piston of said actuating means, said circuit means being responsive to reciprocable movement of said actuating piston to release the energy for installation of the fastener to said pull piston, said actuating means including valve means actuable to a first valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means away from said loading means, said valve means being actuable to a second valve position for actuating said actuating piston to move said installation means towards said fastener loading means, said valve means being actuated to its second valve position in response to said actuating piston moving said installation means to a preselected clearance position away from said loading means, in said preselected clearance position said forward end of said nose assembly being spaced in clearance away from said load position of said loading means such that said arm member can be moved to said load position locating the fastener at said forward end of said nose assembly, valve actuating means operatively connected with said installation means for actuating said valve means to said first valve position a predetermined interval after the fastener has been set.

Claim 40

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position.

Claim 41

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position.

Claim 42

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position, actuating means responsive to the fastener being set for actuating said piston-valve section means to move said installation section means to said clearance position, said actuating means being responsive to said installation section means being at said clearance position for actuating said piston-valve section to move said installation section means back to said fastener setting position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being at a preselected position away from said fastener setting position for moving the next fastener from a position out of line from said nose assembly to said load position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being in a position for receiving the next fastener for moving from said load position to said out of line position.

Claim 43

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position, actuating means responsive to the fastener being set for actuating said piston-valve section means to move said installation section means to said clearance position, said actuating means being responsive to said installation section means being at said clearance position for actuating said piston-valve section to move said installation section means back to said fastener setting position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being at a preselected position away from said fastener setting position for moving the next fastener from a position out of line from said nose assembly to said load position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being in a position for receiving the next fastener for moving from said load position to said out of line position.

Claim 44

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position, actuating means responsive to the fastener being set for actuating said piston-valve section means to move said installation section means to said clearance position, said actuating means being responsive to said installation section means being at said clearance position for actuating said piston-valve section to move said installation section means back to said fastener setting position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being at a preselected position away from said fastener setting position for moving the next fastener from a position out of line from said nose assembly to said load position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being in a position for receiving the next fastener for moving from said load position to said out of line position, fastener feed means for feeding a next fastener to said fastener loading section means while in said out of line position, and means for actuating said installation section means to set the fastener and substantially simultaneously actuating said fastener feed means to feed the next fastener to said fastener loading section.

Claim 45

A portable installation tool for setting blind fasteners including a pin and a sleeve by applying a relative axial force between the pin and sleeve comprising installation section means actuable for setting the blind fastener, said installation section means including a nose assembly having an open forward end adapted to receive the blind fastener prior to setting, said installation section means supported for movement from a clearance position permitting loading of the next fastener and to a fastener setting position at which the fastener is set, fastener loading section means for automatically front loading the fastener into said nose assembly of said installation section means and piston-valve section means for reciprocating said installation section means from said fastener setting position after a fastener has been set to said clearance position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to movement of said installation section means away from said fastener setting position to locate the next fastener to a load position in front of said nose assembly, said piston-valve section means being responsive after movement of said installation section means to said clearance position for returning said installation section means to said fastener setting position, said nose assembly receiving the next fastener into said open forward end from said fastener loading section means as said installation section means moves to said fastener setting position, actuating means responsive to the fastener being set for actuating said piston-valve section means to move said installation section means to said clearance position, said actuating means being responsive to said installation section means being at said clearance position for actuating said piston-valve section to move said installation section means back to said fastener setting position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being at a preselected position away from said fastener setting position for moving the next fastener from a position out of line from said nose assembly to said load position, said fastener loading section means being responsive to said installation section means being in a position for receiving the next fastener for moving from said load position to said out of line position, fastener feed means for feeding a next fastener to said fastener loading section means while in said out of line position, and means for actuating said installation section means to set the fastener and substantially simultaneously actuating said fastener feed means to feed the next fastener to said fastener loading section.