TOOL FOR REPEATEDLY FEEDING INDIVIDUAL FASTENING ELEMENTS FROM A SUPPLY OF A PLURALITY OF FASTENING ELEMENTS

Abstract

A tool for repeatedly feeding individual fasteners from a fastener supply includes a receiver, a guide, a flexible, linear thruster, an electric drive, an activator, and a feeder with a dispenser. The guide extends along a curved guide track from the receiver into the feeder and terminates at the dispenser. Along the guide track the guide has a substantially constant opening cross section radially defined by a guide element relative to the guide track to guide the fasteners directly adjacent to one another along the guide track. The thruster extends from the receiver into the guide and has an external cross section adapted to the opening cross section and configured to be moved in a guided manner by the drive in the guide along the guide track. The drive is coupled to the activator and moves the thruster in the direction of the dispenser when the activator is actuated.

Claims

1. A tool for repeatedly feeding individual fastening elements from a supply of a plurality of fastening elements, comprising: a receiving container a guide device, a flexible, linear thrust element, an electric drive, an activation element, and a feed element with a dispensing portion, wherein the guide device adjoins the receiving container and extends therefrom into the feed element and terminates at the dispensing portion, wherein the guide device runs at least in some sections along a curved guide track, wherein along the guide track, the guide device has a substantially constant opening cross section which is radially defined by at least one guide element relative to the guide track to guide a plurality of fastening elements directly adjacent to one another along the guide track, wherein the thrust element extends from the receiving container into the guide device and has an external cross section which is adapted to the opening cross section, and which is configured to be guided in the guide device along the guide track, wherein the electric drive is coupled to the thrust element and is configured to displace the thrust element incrementally along the guide track to urge the fastening elements arranged in the guide device to the dispensing portion, and wherein the drive is coupled to the activation element and is configured to move the thrust element by a predeterminable distance in a direction of the dispensing portion when the activation element is actuated.

2. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the thrust element is substantially incompressible.

3. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the thrust element is configured as a chain with a plurality of chain links which are connected together in an articulated manner.

4. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive has a stepper motor.

5. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the thrust element has a length which exceeds the length of the guide device.

6. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the receiving container is configured to receive the thrust element at least substantially entirely.

7. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive has an engagement element which is able to be brought into engagement with the thrust element.

8. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the electric drive is arranged on an internal end of the guide device which opposes the dispensing portion.

9. The tool according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting the thrust element, wherein the sensor is arranged on the feed element and is configured to output a signal which represents an exhausted supply of fastening elements when the thrust element is identified in the feed element.

10. The tool according to claim 9, wherein the thrust element has a magnet element, and wherein the sensor is a Hall sensor which is configured to output the signal when the magnet element is directly placed on the sensor.

11. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the drive is configured to move the thrust element entirely into the receiving container when the guide device is empty, and wherein at least the guide device is configured as a replaceable magazine.

12. The tool according to claim 11, wherein the guide device is arranged in a magazine housing which may be connected to the receiving container.

13. The tool according to claim 1, wherein the activation element has a manually actuatable switch button.

14. A fastening system, comprising: a tool according to claim 1, a plurality of connecting elements, and a plurality of fastening elements, wherein the connecting elements have a shank, the fastening elements being able to be pushed or positioned thereon, and wherein the fastening elements are arranged in the guide device of the tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The exemplary embodiments are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The views are schematic and not to scale. The same reference numerals refer to elements which are the same or similar. In the drawings:

[0031] FIGS. 1a to 1c show a schematic view, in addition to detailed views of a tool according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the working principle.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] FIG. 1a shows a tool 2 for repeatedly feeding individual fastening elements 4 from a supply of a plurality of fastening elements 4. The fastening elements 4 may be, for example, lock washers which may be positioned, in each case, on the shank of a lock washer bolt.

[0035] The tool 2 has a guide device 6 which runs in a first portion 8 along a curved guide track 10 such that a substantially helical structure results here. As a result, a long running length is provided, the fastening elements 4 being arranged in abutment with one another along the running length. The guide device 6 is partially encased by a magazine housing 12 and may be fastened therein. The combination of the guide device 10 and the magazine housing 12 forms a magazine which may be easily replaced.

[0036] The guide device 6 adjoins a receiving container 14 in which a thrust element 16 is located. The thrust element 16 is flexible and configured in a linear manner or linearly. The thrust element is designed such that it may be inserted into the guide device 6 and is movable therein in a linear manner along the guide track 10. The thrust element 16 could be configured as a chain which may be driven by means of a drive 18 which, in this case, comprises an engagement element 20 designed as a chain wheel. An activation element 22 could be provided, the activation element being configured to activate the drive 18 by actuation, in order to move the thrust element 16 and the fastening elements 4.

[0037] A feed element 24, as an elongated protruding arm, adjoins an end of the guide device 6 remote from the drive 18 and has a dispensing portion 26. The fastening elements 4 are conveyed in the guide device 6 along the feed element 24 toward the dispensing portion 26 where they may then be removed individually.

[0038] A fastening element 4 in the form of a lock washer which rests in the dispensing portion 26 is shown in the detail A. An internal opening 5 is accessible from the outside, such that when the fastening element 4 is presented it is able to be positioned onto a lock washer bolt 25 as a connecting element, as shown in FIG. 1a in detail, such that the tool 2 is moved away from the lock washer bolt after the fastening element has been positioned.

[0039] FIG. 1b shows by way of example the guide device 6 in a section perpendicular to the movement track 10, which is shown here in the center. The guide device 6 has an internal cross section 7 which is defined by guide elements 9, for example walls surrounding the internal cross section 7. As shown in FIG. 1c, an external cross section 17 of the thrust element 16 is adapted to the internal cross section 7 such that it may be easily moved therein. The thrust element 16 is shown here as a chain which comprises a plurality of chain links 15 which are connected together in an articulated manner.

[0040] It is schematically shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 how the thrust element 16 extends into the guide device 6 and conveys fastening elements 4 in the direction of the dispensing portion 26. The engagement element 20 is driven by the electric drive 18 and moves the thrust element 16 in the guide device 6, such that the fastening elements which are present in abutment therein are displaced. If the drive 18 is designed as a stepper motor, the movement may be controlled in a very accurate manner.

[0041] A sensor 28, which is designed here as a Hall sensor, is provided on an end of the magazine housing 12 facing the dispensing portion 26. It is conceivable to provide the thrust element 16 with a magnet 30 such that the sensor 28 may detect this magnet as soon as the thrust element reaches the sensor 28. As a result, a signal which displays that the supply of fastening elements 4 is almost used up may be initiated.

[0042] In addition, it should be mentioned that “comprising” or “having” does not exclude any other elements or steps and “one” or “a” does not exclude a plurality.

[0043] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0044] 2 Tool [0045] 4 Fastening element/lock washer [0046] 6 Guide device [0047] 7 Internal cross section [0048] 8 First portion [0049] 9 Guide element [0050] 10 Guide track [0051] 12 Magazine housing [0052] 14 Receiving container [0053] 15 Chain link [0054] 16 Thrust element [0055] 17 External cross section [0056] 18 Drive [0057] 20 Engagement element [0058] 22 Activation element [0059] 24 Feed element [0060] 25 Connecting element/lock washer bolt [0061] 26 Dispensing portion [0062] 28 Sensor [0063] 30 Magnet