Riveting Tool Yoke

The present disclosure relates to tools for fastening components together in general, and to riveting tools for fastening components in a limited space environment in particular.

Components used in the aerospace industry are often assemblies that include two or more parts that are joined together. In some applications, rivets may be used to mechanically fasten two or more parts together during the formation of the component. It is known to use a riveting device that includes an actuator and a C-shaped or U-shaped yoke. In some applications, the space in which the riveting is desired is space limited. Conventional C-shaped or U-shaped yokes very often cannot be disposed in the limited space thereby making riveting either difficult or impossible. What is needed is a riveting tool yoke that is an improvement over existing riveting tool yokes.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a riveting yoke is provided that includes a body, an anvil segment, and a cavity. The body has a height extending between a base side surface and a top side surface, a width extending between a first end surface and a second end surface, and a thickness extending between a first lateral side surface and a second lateral side surface. The anvil segment (AS) has an AS top surface and an AS base surface. The cavity is disposed in the first end surface, and is defined by a cavity base surface, a cavity inner surface, a gusset surface, and the AS base surface. The gusset surface extends from the cavity inner surface to the AS base surface. The cavity base surface is opposite the AS base surface and a distance between the cavity base surface and the AS base surface defines an opening of the cavity.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the anvil segment has an AS width, and the AS width may be less than the width of the body.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the anvil segment may have an AS inner lateral surface and an AS outer lateral surface, and the AS inner lateral surface and the AS outer lateral surface may extend between the AS top surface and the AS base surface, and the AS outer lateral surface may be co-planar with the first lateral side surface of the body.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the AS top surface may be separated from the top side surface of the body.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the top side surface of the body may be spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a first distance, and the AS top surface may be spaced apart from the base side surface of the body by a second distance, and the second distance may be greater than the first distance.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the body may include an actuator ram aperture extending from the base side surface of the body to the AS base surface.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the actuator ram aperture may extend along a central axis and the central axis may be aligned with the anvil segment.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first lateral side (FLS) surface of the body may have a stepped configuration that includes a first FLS surface and a second FLS surface.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the second lateral side surface may be planar.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first FLS surface may extend in a height wise direction from the top side surface of the body to the second FLS surface, and the second FLS surface may extend in the height wise direction from the base side surface of the body to the first FLS surface.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the thickness of the body may include a first thickness extending between the first FLS surface to the second lateral side surface, and a second thickness extending between the second FLS surface to the second lateral side surface, and the first thickness may be greater than the second thickness.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the anvil segment may have an AS width, and the AS width may be less than the width of the body, and the anvil segment may have an AS inner lateral surface and an AS outer lateral surface, and the AS inner lateral surface and the AS outer lateral surface may extend between the AS top surface and the AS base surface, and the AS outer lateral surface may be co-planar with the first FLS surface.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the yoke body may be rectangularly shaped.

In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the body may include a plurality of fastener apertures extending between the first lateral side surface and the second lateral side surface.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a riveting yoke is provided that includes a body, an anvil segment, and a cavity. The body has a height extending between a base side and a top side, a width extending between a first end and a second end, and a thickness extending between a first lateral side and a second lateral side. The anvil segment (AS) is disposed proximate to the top side and the first end, and the anvil segment has an AS width, and the AS width is less than the width of the body. The cavity is disposed in the first end surface and is defined by a cavity base surface, a cavity inner surface, a gusset surface, and the anvil segment. The gusset surface extends from the cavity inner surface to the anvil segment, and the cavity base surface is opposite the anvil segment.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. For example, aspects and/or embodiments of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features or elements disclosed above and/or below alone or in any combination thereof. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

The present disclosure is directed to a riveting tool yokethat is configured for use with an actuator. The actuatorincludes a ramthat may be actuated along a linear travel path between a plurality of extended positions and a plurality of retracted positions. The actuatormay be manually powered, or fluidically powered (e.g., pneumatically, hydraulically, or the like), or electromechanically powered, or the like. The actuatoris configured to permit attachment of the yoketo the actuatoras will be described herein. In some embodiments, the rammay be configured to engage with a ram capthat is configured to mate with the contour of the rivet; e.g., if the ramis to be engaged with the rivet head, and the rivet head is arcuately shaped, the ram capmay be contoured to mate with the arcuate rivet head. The ram capmay be removable to permit differently configured ram capsto be used for different rivet configurations.diagrammatically illustrates a pneumatically powered actuatorincluding a present disclosure yoke. The pneumatically powered actuatoris configured to use pneumatic power to linearly traverse the ram for engagement with and deformation of the rivet. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular actuator, including the example actuatorshown in.

Referring to, the yokeincludes a bodyhaving a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a first end side, a second end side, a base side, and a top side. The top sideis defined by a top side surfaceand the base sideis defined by a base side surface. The first end sideis defined in part by a first end side surfaceand the second end sideis defined by a second end side surface. The first and second lateral sides,are opposite one another defining a thickness (“T”) of the yoke, extending between the first and second lateral side surfaces,(e.g., along a Z-axis). The first and second end sides,are opposite one another defining a width (“W”) of the yoke, extending between the first and second end sides,(e.g., extending along an X-axis). The base and top sides,are opposite one another defining a height (“H”) of the yoke, extending between the base and top sides,(e.g., extending along a Y-axis). The yoke bodyhas a generally rectangular shape defined by the first and second end side surfaces,and the base and top side surfaces,.is a diagrammatic planar side view of a present disclosure yokeembodiment showing the first lateral side.is a diagrammatic planar end view of the yokeembodiment shown in.is a diagrammatic planar side view of a present disclosure yokeembodiment showing the second lateral side. As will be detailed herein, embodiments of the present disclosure yokemay have an asymmetric configuration, and those embodiments may be configured as opposite hands of one another; e.g., mirror configurations, which may also be referred to as left hand and right hand configurations.illustrates the left and right hand yokeembodiments side by side.

In the embodiment shown in, the yokeembodiment includes a first lateral side surface(FLS) having a stepped configuration that includes a first FLS surfaceA and a second FLS surfaceB, and a planar second lateral sidedefined by the second lateral side surface. The first FLS surfaceA extends in a height wise direction from the top side surfaceof the bodyto the second FLS surfaceB and the second FLS surfaceB extends in the height wise direction from the base side surfaceof the bodyto the first FLS surfaceA. The first and second FLS surfacesA,B are spaced apart from one another by a step distance (“SD”—see). The present disclosure does not require a stepped lateral side configuration. As indicated above, embodiments of the present disclosure yokemay have an asymmetric configuration. The stepped configuration is an example of a feature that creates an asymmetric configuration. As shown in, in those embodiments wherein versions of the yokeare opposite hands of one another, a first yokeA and second yokeB of an opposite hand pair may include the stepped configuration on opposite sides of the body.

In the yokeembodiment shown in, the yokeembodiment includes a pair of actuator fastener apertures. The number of actuator fastener aperturesmay be chosen to comport with the attachment configuration of the actuator. The actuator fastener aperturesmay be configured to permit a fastener to pass through, or they may be configured for threaded engagement with a fastener, or the like.

The yokeincludes an anvil segmentdisposed proximate to the intersection of the top sideand the first end side. The anvil segment(AS) is defined by an AS top surfaceA, an AS base surfaceB, an AS inner lateral surfaceC, and an AS outer lateral surfaceD. In the embodiment shown in, the AS outer lateral surfaceD is flush with the first lateral side surface; e.g., flush with the first FLS surfaceA. The thickness (“AST”—see) of the anvil segmentis the distance between the AS inner and outer lateral surfacesC,D. As can be seen in, a portion of the anvil segmentadjacent to the second lateral side surfaceof the yokeis removed. Hence, the thickness (“AST”) of the anvil segmentis less than the thickness (“T”) of the yoke. As will be detailed herein, the decreased thickness of the anvil segmentprovides clearance for a portion of a nut plate. The anvil segmentextends outwardly a distance (“AS1”) from the top side surface; i.e., the AS top surface and the top side surfaceare spaced apart from one another by the distance AS1 (e.g., see). An arcuate transition surface may extend between the AS top surfaceA and the top side surface. As will be detailed herein, the distance (AS1) that the AS top surfaceA and the top side surfaceare spaced apart from one another may be chosen based on the riveting application at hand.

The anvil segmenthaving a lesser thickness than the thickness of the body, and having the AS outer lateral surfaceD flush/co-planar with the first lateral side surfaceis another example of a feature that creates an asymmetric configuration. As shown in, in those embodiments wherein versions of the yokeare opposite hands of one another, the first yokeA and the second yokeB of an opposite hand pair may include anvil segmentsdisposed on opposite thickness-wise sides of the respective yoke bodies.

Referring to, in some embodiments the anvil segmentmay include a rivet capthat is mounted to the anvil segment. The rivet capmay be contoured to cause a preferential rivet deformation shape; e.g., an arcuate button, or the like. The rivet capmay be removable to permit differently configured rivet capsto be used for different rivet deformation configurations.

Referring to, the yokeincludes a cavityextending into the first end side. The cavityis defined by a cavity base surfaceA, an inner surfaceB, a gusset surfaceC, and the AS base surfaceB. The cavitymay be described as having a depth (“CD”) extending from the inner surfaceB to the opening of the cavity, and a height (“CH”) that extends between the cavity base surfaceA and the AS base surfaceB; e.g., see. As can be seen in, the intersection of the gusset surfaceC with the inner surfaceB may occur one-third of the distance or more of the distance between the cavity base surfaceA and the AS base surfaceB and the intersection of the gusset surfaceC and the AS base surfaceB may be closer to the first end side surfacethan the transition surface between the AS top surfaceA and the top side surface.

In the yokeembodiment shown in, the yokeembodiment includes an actuator ram aperturethat extends along a central axisthrough the yokebetween the base side surfaceand the cavity base surfaceA. The actuator ram apertureis configured to permit the actuator ramto move linearly within the actuator ram aperture. In some embodiments, the inner diameter surface of the actuator ram aperturemay be configured as a bearing surface to guide the actuator ram. The actuator ram aperturemay be positioned so that the actuator ramis aligned with the anvil segment.

The present disclosure yokeprovides considerable utility for riveting in space limited applications where a conventional “C’ or “U” shaped riveting yoke cannot be inserted for the riveting process.diagrammatically illustrate a bafflethat includes a nut plateattached by rivets in a space-limiting region. The bafflemay be described as having an first panelA and a second panelB. The first panelA (FP) includes an FP inner radial flange, an FP outer radial flange, and an FP shoulder sectionthat extends between the FP inner and outering radial flanges. The FP outer flange includes a plurality of nut plate aperture patterns. Each nut plate aperture patternincludes a center fastener apertureA disposed between a pair of rivet aperturesB. The second panelB (SP) includes a SP inner radial flange, a SP outer radial flange, and a SP shoulder sectionthat extends between the SP inner and outering radial flanges,. The SP outer radial flangeincludes a rim sectionthat extends substantially perpendicular to the SP outer radial flange. The first and second panelsA,B may each be formed from a thin metallic substrate; e.g., in the thickness range of sheet metal—about 0.02 inches to about 0.25 inches. After the first and second panelsA,B are joined to one another, the distal end(se) of the SP outer radial flange rim sectionis separated from the FP outer radial flangeby a gap (“G”). Also after the first and second panelsA,B are joined to one another, the combined structure may be subject to a heat treating process at an elevated temperature. The heat treatment elevated temperature may be above a high temperature limit for the nut plate. Consequently, the nut platemust be attached to the FP outer radial flangeafter the first and second panelsA,B are joined together (and subjected to the heat treatment), and access to the FP outer radial flangeis limited by the gap (“G”). As stated above, a conventional “C’ or “U” shaped riveting yoke cannot be used due to the space limitations between the FP outer radial flangeand the SP outer radial flange, and the gap “G”. The present disclosure yokeis configured to permit the riveting process and thereby provides a solution to the space limitations.

To be clear, the exemplary baffle structure described above is provided as an example of a structure with which the present disclosure yokeprovides considerable utility. The present disclosure is not limited to use therewith.

Referring to, a nut plateis shown that includes a base paneland a fastener nut. The fastener nutis attached to the base panelby a pair of attachment flangesthat extend out from the base paneland are crimped over to secure the fastener nutto base panel. In the nut plateembodiment shown in, the base panelincludes a centrally located fastener apertureand a rivet aperturedisposed on each side of the fastener aperture. In the nut plateembodiment shown in, the base panelincludes a centrally located fastener apertureand a rivet aperturethat includes a pair of angled tabson opposing sides.is a sectional view to facilitate the view of the tabsthat accompany the rivet aperture. In both of the nut plateexamples shown in, the fastener nutis aligned with fastener apertureto allow a fastener to extend through the fastener aperturefor access to the fastener nut. The present disclosure is not limited to any particular nut plateconfiguration. Moreover, the present disclosure yokemay be used to rivet components other than a nut plate.

Referring to, a portion of a present disclosure yokeis shown disposed between the FP outer radial flangeand the SP outer radial flange. As can be seen in, the anvil segmentextends through the gap (“G”) disposed between the FP outer radial flangeand the distal endof the SP outer radial flange rim section, and is aligned with the nut plate. In, the actuator ramcan be seen extending through the actuator ram aperturedisposed within the yokeand the ramis disposed in a partially extended position (or conversely a partially retracted position). In, the actuator ramcan be seen extending through the actuator ram aperturedisposed within the yokeand is disposed in a fully extended position. In, the anvil segmentis disposed on the opposite side of the fastener nut; i.e., the fastener nutpartially obscures the anvil segment.diagrammatically illustrates the left hand version of the yoke,A disposed on one side of the fastener nut, with the anvil segmentaligned with the rivet aperture(e.g., see) of the nut plate, the right hand version of the yoke,B disposed on the opposite side of the fastener nut, with the anvil segmentaligned with the opposite rivet aperture. In, the second panelB is removed to facilitate the view of the anvil segmentsrelative to the nut plateand the first panelA. As can be seen in, the asymmetric anvil segmentconfiguration (with the portion of the anvil segmentadjacent the first lateral sideof the yokeremoved) provides clearance for the fastener nut.

During the riveting process, the actuator rammay be actuated linearly until it engages the first panelA (and a rivet disposed in a rivet aperture) and the anvil segmentis in contact with the distal end of the rivet. Force applied by the actuatorwill decrease the separation distance between the ramand the anvil segment; i.e., the anvil segmentwill be drawn towards the ram. The ramtravel causes the rivet segment engaged with the anvil segment(i.e., the distal end of the rivet and a portion of the rivet adjacent thereto) to deform and thereby secure the nut plateto the first panelA. The amount of force required to deform the rivet may depend on the configuration of the rivet and/or the material of the rivet. In many instances, the force required to deform the rivet is substantial. As a result, the yokeis subject to significant force. For example, in a conventional C-shaped or U-shaped yoke, the force applied by the actuatormay cause the C-shaped or U-shaped yoke to elastically (or plastically) deform by increasing the opening of the “C’ or the “U”. The present disclosure yokeis advantageously configured to substantially mitigate or avoid any elastic deflection in most applications. As can be seen in, the depth of the cavity(“CD”) of the present disclosure yokemay be chosen based on the application at hand (e.g., only as deep as required) and the remainder of the yokeis substantial and solid (in contrast to a C-shaped or U-shaped yoke). For example, embodiments of the present disclosure yokemay have a width (“W”) that is equal to or greater than twice the depth of the cavity; i.e., W≥2CD. In addition, the cavityincludes a substantial gusset portion (e.g., see the gusset surfaceC extending between the AS base surfaceB and the cavity inner surfaceB) that adds substantially mechanical integrity to the yoke. Still further, the anvil segmentmay be configured so that the AS top surfaceA extends above the top side surfaceof the yokeby the distance (“AS1”) to further increase the mechanical integrity of the yoke.

diagrammatically illustrates the nut plateembodiment shown inwith a rivethaving a tapered head. In, the riveting process is complete with the distal end of the rivet deformed to secure the nut plateto the first panelA. The angled tabsof the rivet apertureprovide a void that allows the tapered head of the rivetto deform a portion of the first plateA surrounding the rivet apertureinwardly into the void, thereby leaving a flush mounted rivet head. As indicated herein, the nut plateand rivet configuration examples shown in the Figures and described herein are provided to illustrate the utility of the present disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.

The present disclosure yokeis described herein as being utilized with an actuatorhaving a single ram. It is contemplated that an actuatormay be configured to permit attachment of both the left and right hand versions of the present disclosure yoke(e.g., as diagrammatically shown in) and utilize a single ramto deform both rivets, or include a first ram positioned to engage one of the rivets and a second ram positioned to engage the other rivet.

diagrammatically illustrates a retainer platethat may be utilized with the present disclosure yoke. The retainer plateincludes a fastener aperturethat allows the retainer plateto be fastened to the fastener nut of the nut plate. The retainer plateis disposed on the side of the FP outer radial flangeopposite the nut plate. The fastener extends through the retainer plateand is threadedly engaged with the fastener nutof the nut plate. The retainer plateis configured to cover the rivets disposed within the rivet aperturesdisposed within the FP outer radial flangeprior to being deformed. Hence, the retainer plateis configured to hold the rivets in place prior to being deformed using the actuatorand yoke, thereby facilitating the nut plateinstallation process.

While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.

It is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a block diagram, etc. Although any one of these structures may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one or more than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “comprising a specimen” includes single or plural specimens and is considered equivalent to the phrase “comprising at least one specimen.” The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, “comprises” means “includes.” Thus, “comprising A or B,” means “including A or B, or A and B,” without excluding additional elements.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the present description and drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option.

No element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. For example, in the exemplary embodiments described above within the Detailed Description portion of the present specification, elements may be described as individual units and shown as independent of one another to facilitate the description. In alternative embodiments, such elements may be configured as combined elements. It is further noted that various method or process steps for embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. The description may present method and/or process steps as a particular sequence. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the description should not be construed as a limitation.