PRE-INSERTED RIVET BELT FASTENER AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLICATION THEREOF

摘要

A fastener (10) for splicing ends (30) of conveyor belts (28) together is provided having a rivet (12) that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet (12) is held in an aperture (18) of the upper plate (14) by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion (24) of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions (26) or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture (18). The remainder of the shaft (22) can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture (18). An applicator machine tool (32) is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners (12) to a belt end (30) in a fast and efficient manner. The tool (32) uses operating members (86) to first drive pilot nails (40) through the belt lower surface (90) into registry with the rivets (12), and thereafter the rivets (12) are driven coordinated with the pilot nails (40) that are withdrawn back through the belt (28). The pilot nails (40) stop at a predetermined position and the rivets (12) continue to be driven for forming the upset heads (54) at the bottom of the rivet (12).