Related Application (Priority Oaim)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application

Serial No. 60/680,152, filed May 12, 2005, and U.S. patent application Serial

No. 11/337,785, filed January 23, 2006.

Background

The present invention generally relates to C-frames which are used in

association with rivet setting machines to join a component to a workpiece or

two or more workpieces together using a self-piercing rivet or similar fastener.

The present invention more specifically relates to a C-frame which is

configured such that it can be used as a suspended C-frame or as a pedestal

mounted C-frame.

The present invention pertains to the process of joining a component to a

workpiece or two or more workpieces together using a fastener, such as a self-

piercing rivet. When a self-piercing rivet is used, the process is generally

performed using a rivet setting machine, and such rivet setting machines are

generally known in the art. A portion of a typical rivet setting machine is

illustrated in Figure 1. As shown, a typical rivet setting machine 20 is

hydraulically powered and has a generally C-shaped frame 22. The C-frame 22

shown in Figure 1 is a suspended C-frame, which is generally used when the

parts to be worked on are large and heavy. In this case, the C-frame 22 is

brought to the work. In contrast, when the parts are smaller and light, it is often

easier to keep the tool stationary and bring the work to the tool. In this case, a

pedestal mounted C-frame is used. Regardless, as shown in Figure 1 , a typical

C-frame 22 has a carrier head 24 which holds the rivets 26 therein prior to their

being attached to the workpieces 28, 30. Above the carrier head 24 is a driver

32 which drives the rivets 26 from the carrier head 24 into the workpieces 28,

30. At the opposite end of the C-shaped frame 22, an anvil 34 is attached

thereto in alignment with the carrier head. 24. The anvil 34 is used to support

the workpieces 28, 30 during the riveting process and has a cavity (not shown

in Figure 1) therein which allows for the accommodation of the deformation of

the rivet 26 and the workpieces 28, 30 during the riveting process. Specifically,

the rivet 26 pierces the first workpiece 28 and the anvil 34 deforms the rivet 26

and accommodates deformation of the second workpiece 30 so that while the

rivet 26 is spread to hold the workpieces 28, 30 together in clamped

engagement, the rivet 26 does not pierce the second workpiece 30 and, in

effect, becomes encapsulated. As a result, the two workpieces 28, 30 become

secured together. This process is well known in art and is described, for

example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,546,613, which is hereby incorporated herein by

reference in its entirety.

As discussed above, usually a suspended C-frame is used when the parts

are large and heavy. In this case, the frame is brought to the work. In contrast,

when the parts are smaller and light, it is often easier to keep the tool stationary

and bring the work to the tool. In this case, a pedestal mounted C-frame is

used.

Currently, if there is a need for a suspended C-frame and a pedestal

mounted C-frame, one would have to buy two different machines - one for each

type of application. Specifically, one would have to buy a machine that has a

C-frame that is designed to be suspended; and another machine that has a C-

frame that is designed to be mounted on a pedestal. Not only can buying both

machines prove to be expensive, but the machines together consume a lot of

space.

Objects and Summary

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a C-

frame design which can be used by people that have a need for both a pedestal

mounted and suspended C-frame system.

Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a

C-frame design which provides that one can buy one C-frame system and get

the benefits of two - a suspended C-frame system and a pedestal mounted C-

frame system.

Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a C-frame for

use in association with a fastener setting machine, such as a rivet setting

machine. The C-frame is configured such that it can be used as a suspended C-

frame or as a pedestal mounted C-frame. Specifically, the C-frame is

configured such that it can be easily mechanically mounted on and electrically

connected to a pedestal. The pedestal has a docking mechanism and the C-

frame has corresponding structure which mates with the docking station to

mechanically mount the C-frame to the pedestal. In addition, the pedestal

includes an electrical connector which connects to, or mates with, a

corresponding electrical connector on the C-frame. Preferably, buttons are

provided on both the C-frame and the pedestal and docking the C-frame on the

pedestal works to effectively transfer control of the rivet setting machine from

the buttons on the C-frame to the buttons on the pedestal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the

invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be

understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with

the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like

elements in which:

Figure 1 shows a portion of a typical rivet setting machine, specifically

the C-frame thereof;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a C-frame which is in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 2 shows a user using the

C-frame as a suspended C-frame and Figure 3 shows a user using the C-frame

as a pedestal mounted C-frame;

Figure 4 shows the C-frame mounted on the pedestal;

Figure 5 is a front view of a portion of the C-frame and a portion of the

pedestal, wherein said portions generally correspond to each other and allow

the C-frame to be mechanically mounted on, and electrically connected to, the

pedestal; and

Figure 6 shows a circuit block diagram relating to the C-frame and

pedestal.

Description

While the present invention may be susceptible to embodiment in

different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in

detail, an embodiment thereof with the understanding that the present

description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the

invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and

described herein.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a C-frame 40 like that

which is shown in Figure 1 (i.e., C-frame 40, like C-frame 22, includes a carrier

head 24, a driver 32, and an anvil 34 as shown in Figure 1), but which is

configured such that it can be used as a suspended C-frame 40 or as a pedestal

mounted C-frame 40. More specifically, the C-frame 40 is effectively part of a

rivet setting machine 42, wherein the C-frame 40 is suspended from above.

However, the C-frame 40 is also configured such that it can be docked to

pedestal 44, therefore transferring control of the rivet setting machine 42 from

controls 46 on the C-frame 40 to controls 48 on the pedestal 44. As such, the

C-frame 40 can be used by people that have a need for both a pedestal mounted

and suspended C-frame 40 system. In other words, the C-frame design provides

that one can buy one C-frame system and get the benefits of two - a suspended

C-frame system and a pedestal mounted C-frame system.

A C-frame 40 which is in accordance with an embodiment of the present

invention is illustrated in Figures 2-4. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the C-

frame 40 is part of a rivet setting machine 42 and is suspended from a balancer

50. The C-frame 40 includes controls 46, such as thumb buttons for operating

the rivet setting machine 42 and an E-stop button for stopping the rivet setting

machine 42 in case of an emergency. As shown in Figure 6, the controls 46 on

the C-frame 40 are electrically connected to a control circuit 52 of the rivet

setting machine 42, which in turn is operably connected to, and controls, the

mechanics 54 of the rivet setting machine 42 which effects the rivet installation

process. In normal use, the operator 55 moves the C-frame 40 from point to

point and operates the controls 46 on the C-frame 40 to set fasteners.

When the work piece is too small to move the C-frame 40 around it, the

operator 55 can convert the system into a pedestal system. As shown in Figure

4, on the bottom of the C-frame 40 is a recess 56, and an electrical connector 58

is disposed in the recess 56. Wiring (not shown) in the recess 56 electrically

connects the electrical connector 58 to the control circuit 52 of the rivet setting

machine 42, as shown in Figure 6. As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the

electrical connector 58 of the C-frame 40 is configured to electrically connect

with a corresponding electrical connector 60 which is mounted on the pedestal

44. The control circuit 52 (see Figure 6) is configured such that when the

electrical connector 58 of the C-frame 40 connects with the electrical connector

60 of the pedestal 44, control of the rivet setting machine 42 is effectively

transferred from the C-frame mounted controls 46 (i.e., the thumb buttons and

an E-stop button) to pedestal mounted controls 48, which preferably consists of

similar control buttons, such as two palm buttons and an emergency stop

button.

With regard to the pedestal 44, preferably the pedestal 44 is mounted to

the side of a power pack/feed unit 62, and is of a height which is determined on

project by project basis, but where the goal is to put the work surface at an

ergonomic height.

In addition to the electrical connectors 58, 60 as described above, there

is also means for mechanically mounting the C-frame 40 to the pedestal 44.

Specifically, the top of the pedestal 44 includes a docking mechanism 64, such

as a receptacle, that is configured to receive the C-frame 40. Preferably, the

interface between the C-frame 40 and the pedestal 44 is configured in such a

way as to allow the operator 55 to insert the C-frame 40 into the pedestal 44

with one hand.

The interface mechanism 64 between the C-frame 40 and pedestal 44

consists of two parts, the C-frame portion 66 and the pedestal portion 68. The

pedestal portion 68 consists of a U-shaped receiver block 70 that has the

electrical connector 60, described above, mounted in the bottom 71 of the "U."

The inside, upper edges 72 of the receiver block 70 are chamfered to give the

C-frame 40 a lead-in to the mounting slot 73. There are two grooves 74

machined into the side of the receiver block 70 that are used to help align the

connectors 58, 60, fore and aft. A spring loaded pin 78 is mounted in one side

79 of the receiver block 70. The pin 78 is used to lock the C-frame 40 to the

pedestal 44. The C-frame portion 66 has two lugs 80, 82 mounted on both

sides of the C-frame 40. One of the lugs 82 has a hole 84 that is sized to accept

the locking pin 78.

In use, the operator 55 uses the suspended system as he or she normally

would, as illustrated in Figure 2, wherein the C-frame 40 is suspended and the

operator 55 moves the C-frame 40 from point to point and presses the thumb

buttons (i.e., controls 46) to set fasteners.

When the work piece is too small to move the C-frame 40 around it, the

operator 55 can convert the system into a pedestal system as illustrated in

Figure 3. To convert over to the pedestal system, the operator 55 moves the C-

frame system over the pedestal 44 and lowers it down into the receiver block

70. As the C-frame 40 is lowered down into the receiver block 70, the lead-ins

72 guide the C-frame 40 side to side over the connectors 58, 60. The locking

lugs 80, 82 align with the receiving grooves 74 to center the connectors 58, 60,

fore and aft. As the C-frame 40 is lowered into the receiver block 70, part of

the alignment lug 82 pushes the locking pin 78 out of the way until the C-frame

40 is seated and the electrical connectors 58, 60 are engaged. At this time, the

W

pin 78 (under spring load) falls into the locking hole 84. After the C-frame 40

is locked in place, the control of the system is transferred from the C-frame

mounted controls 46 to the pedestal mounted controls 48 (see Figure 6). Once

the conversion is made, the operator 55 places the work piece, as shown in

Figure 3, and operates controls 48 (such as palm buttons) to set the fastener.

As such, the C-frame 40 is configured such that it can be used as a

suspended C-frame or as a pedestal mounted C-frame, and can be used by

people that have a need for both a pedestal mounted and suspended C-frame

system. In other words, the C-frame design provides that one can buy one C-

frame system and get the benefits of two - a suspended C-frame system and a

pedestal mounted C-frame system.

While an embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it

is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of

the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the

disclosure.