| 摘要 |
An automatic fastener emplacement mechanism for selectively applying fasteners, such as spring clips, to a work piece is provided. The mechanism preferably includes a vibratory hopper or other storage means for receiving the spring clips in bulk and properly orienting same on a track and an assembly tool having a nose piece for properly positioning the tool relative to the work piece and a ram for driving the fastener onto the work piece. Placement of the work piece properly within the nose piece will result in contact and/or displacement of an actuation member or trigger by the work piece which will cause a single fastener such as a spring clip to be fed, preferably by known means such as pneumatically through an escapement down a delivery tube, directly from the hopper track to the work piece. The clip is held in the nose piece against the work piece by the continued introduction of compressed air into the tube. Thus, the nose piece does not require a stop member or a catcher/holder mechanism. The actuation or trigger member is preferably located well within the nose piece, which will result in a clip normally being fed from the hopper only when a work piece is properly positioned within the nose piece. The actuation member is preferably located to resist intentional and/or unintentional contact by means other than a properly positioned work piece. As the nose piece is moved slightly away from the work piece, the actuation member will cease to be contacted and/or displaced by the work piece which will cause a ram to drive the spring clip onto the work piece and will terminate the provision of compressed air into the delivery tube. |
