AUTOMATIC FASTENER LOADER

Abstract

An automatic fastener loader includes a support member and a feed tube having an end. The feed tube is mounted to the support member. In an exemplary embodiment, a pivotable frame is mounted for oscillation on the support member between a receiving position and a loading position. The frame includes a receiver for receiving a fastener. A holster is mounted to the support member for receiving a fastener driver to load a fastener onto a bit of the fastener driver when the frame is in the loading position. An actuator is mounted to the support member and is operatively connected to the pivotable frame for actuating the frame to index the frame between the receiving position and the loading position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an automatic fastener loader in accordance with the present invention illustrating automatic loading of a fastener onto a fastener driver;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an automatic fastener loader similar to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the automatic fastener loader of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the loader in a fastener receiving position; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the loader in a tool loading position.

Claims

1. An automatic fastener loader comprising: a support member;a feed tube having an end, the feed tube being mounted to the support member;a movable frame mounted on the support member for indexing between a receiving position and a loading position, the frame including a receiver for receiving a fastener;a holster mounted to the support member for receiving a fastener driver to load a fastener onto a bit of the fastener driver when the frame is in the loading position; andan actuator mounted to the support member and operatively connected to the pivotable frame for actuating the frame to index the frame between the receiving position and the loading position.

2. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 including a proximity sensor mounted to the holster for detecting the presence of a fastener driver in the holster.

3. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 including a proximity sensor mounted on the pivotable frame for detecting the presence of a fastener in the receiver.

4. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 including a tube end fitting connected to the end of the feed tube, the end fitting mounting the tube to the support member.

5. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 wherein the actuator is one of an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, and a pneumatic cylinder.

6. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 including a housing, wherein the support member forms a wall of the housing.

7. The automatic fastener loader of claim 6 wherein the housing includes at least one mounting member for mounting the housing to a separate support device.

8. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 including a controller in communication with the actuator for operating the actuator to index the frame between the receiving position and the loading position.

9. The automatic fastener loader of claim 1 wherein the moveable frame is pivotable for oscillation on the support member.

10. A method of automatically loading a fastener comprising the steps of: providing: a support member;a feed tube having an end, the feed tube being mounted to the support member;a moveable frame mounted on the support member for indexing between a receiving position and a loading position, the frame including a receiver for receiving a fastener;a holster mounted to the support member for receiving a fastener driver to load a fastener onto a bit of the fastener driver when the frame is in the loading position; andan actuator mounted to the support member and operatively connected to the pivotable frame for actuating the frame to index the frame between the receiving position and the loading position;indexing the frame to the receiving position in which the receiver is aligned with the tube;feeding a fastener through the tube to the receiver;inserting a fastener driver having a magnetic bit into the holster;indexing the frame to the loading position in which the fastener held in the receiver is aligned with the magnetic bit; andoperating the fastener driver to engage the fastener with the magnetic bit.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the moveable frame is pivotable for oscillation on the support member.

12. The method of claim 10 including the step of providing a tube end fitting connected to the end of the feed tube, the end fitting mounting the tube to the support member.

13. The method of claim 10 including the step of providing a proximity sensor mounted to the holster for detecting the presence of a fastener driver in the holster, and a proximity sensor mounted on the pivotable frame for detecting the presence of a fastener in the receiver.

14. The method of claim 13 including the step of operating the actuator to index the frame from the receiving position to the loading position when the proximity sensor mounted to the holster detects the presence of a fastener driver in the holster and the proximity sensor mounted on the pivotable frame detects the presence of a fastener in the receiver.

15. The method of claim 13 including the step of operating the actuator to index the frame from the loading position to the receiving position when the proximity sensor mounted to the holster detects the absence of a fastener driver in the holster and the proximity sensor mounted on the pivotable frame detects the absence of a fastener in the receiver.

16. The method of claim 10 including the step of providing a controller in communication with the actuator for operating the actuator to index the frame between the receiving position and the loading position.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of providing an actuator includes providing an actuator that is one of an electromechanical actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, and a pneumatic cylinder.