The invention relates to a fastener (10) for the temporary assembly of structures (12, 13), comprising: a tubular body, extending between a first end and a second end comprising at least two longitudinal tabs (46); a hooking element, rotationally prevented and capable of sliding axially in the body, said fastening element comprising a tubular base and a plurality of elastic clips (62) connected to one end of said base, each clip comprising a hooking spur (74); a driving device for the fastening element; and a spreader (26) fixed relative to the body, the plurality of elastic clips being positioned around said spreader. The tubular base (60) comprises two longitudinal grooves in an outer surface; and the fastener is configured so that each tab (46) of the body is capable of sliding axially in one of said grooves.

A tool for use in installing and removing a cleco fastener. The tool includes a main body of the tool. The main body defines an elongated length. A grip pocket radially extends from the main body and is configured for receiving a shoulder extending from a cylindrical body of the cleco. A pusher surface is spaced-apart along the length of the main body from the grip pocket and also radially extends outwardly of the main body and configured for pushing a plunger extending from the cylinder body of the cleco. The pusher surface is configured for slidable movement along a portion of the length of main body. A handle is slidably received within the main body and coupled with the pusher surface to provide translation to the pusher surface to engage the plunger of the cleco to activate the cleco.

A grommet removal assembly includes a grommet and a grommet removal tool. The grommet includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, a plurality of arms extending from the body, the plurality of arms defining first engagement ramps, and a plurality of legs extending from the body. The grommet removal tool includes a shaft and a plurality of wings extending from the shaft and defining a plurality of second engagement ramps. The first engagement ramps of the wings are capable of engagement with the second engagement ramps along the plurality of arms to draw the arms inward, toward the longitudinal axis of the body.

Described herein is a retaining pin comprising a tubular outer shaft and a rotatable shaft disposed within the tubular outer shaft. The rotatable shaft is rotatably engaged with the tubular outer shaft. The rotatable shaft can comprise a locking protrusion fixed to an end of the rotatable shaft and that is operable to rotate with rotation of the rotatable shaft. An axis of the tubular outer shaft and an axis of the rotatable shaft are eccentric.

A tool for insertion and extraction of temporary fasteners that enables by a plurality of retractable elements, an automatic engagement of the tool on the head of the temporary fastener, without the need for any rotation of the tool with regard to the head, and by lockable grasping units, operated internally locking elements, a high retention and extraction force is achieved, favouring the elimination of the risk of the clamp detaching itself from the tool, enabling control of the entire insertion and extraction process of temporary fasteners. Rapid, effective automation of the use and procedure of the temporary fasteners can be achieved, improving economic profitability and the reliability of their use.

A fastener is provided herein. The fastener includes, in one example, a block fixedly coupled to an interior spindle and mated with a slot in a threaded retaining spindle as well as a drive nut is threadingly engaged with the threaded retaining spindle and an unthreaded collet is coupled to the threaded retaining spindle. The fastener further includes a body that circumferentially surrounds the block and the threaded retaining spindle and the block, body, and threaded retaining spindle of the fastener are configured to axially translate in relation to one another and are substantially prevented from rotation in relation to one another, during different stages of fastener operation.

Hole alignment tools, methods of making such tools, and methods for aligning holes in a plurality of work pieces are disclosed. The hole alignment tools may exert, when fully engaged with similarly sized, stacked holes, a substantially uniform force against the work piece surfaces that define the holes. The hole alignment tool includes a doweling body having a plurality of radially expandable legs, a housing, and a spreader element. The doweling body legs include a decreasing sectional thickness extending from the distal ends thereof towards the proximal end of the doweling body. Depending upon its state, the radial profile of a doweling body's legs may be converging or parallel for tool insertion and removal, or diverging for alignment purposes.

An indexing pin comprises a central axis. The indexing pin further comprises a threaded portion, extending along the central axis. The indexing pin also comprises a stem, extending along the central axis opposite the threaded portion. The indexing pin further comprises a cylindrical surface, extending along the central axis between the threaded portion and the stem. The indexing pin further comprises a tapered surface, extending between the threaded portion and the cylindrical surface. The indexing pin further comprises a flange, located between the stem and the cylindrical surface.

The present invention is concerned with improvements to removable fasteners and particularly relates to removable and re-usable fasteners with features that allow them to be gripped and handled positively. The present invention therefore provides a fastening system comprising a fastener and a tool, the tool being suitable for installing and removing the fastener from an aperture in a work-piece, wherein the fastener has a main body and a head at one end, and wherein the head of the fastener and the tool have grip features that allow the fastener to be releasably locked to the tool to prevent separation of the fastener and tool during installation and removal of the fastener. This allows the fastener to be handled positively without fear of the fastener becoming misaligned, or dropping off the tool.

A device for setting a temporary fastener. The temporary fastener includes a body with an expandable/retractable end and a rotary element capable of being driven in rotation so as to cause the expandable/retractable end to expand/retract. The device includes a support module that is able to house a temporary fastener and has a holder for holding the temporary fastening inside the module. The holder is movable between at least: a locking position in which the holder is deployed inside the module so as to cooperate with a temporary fastener placed in the module in order to prevent it from moving in translation inside the module, and a rest position in which the holder is retracted so as to allow a temporary fastener to pass through the module.