Device, system, and method for providing connection elements

Abstract

A device provides connection elements such as rivets or the like from a storage unit via at least one outlet for at least one connection element application, and a connection element is provided at an inlet by a further device for providing connection elements, to pass through to the outlet.

1 . A device for providing connection elements, comprising a connection element storage unit providing connection elements via at least one connection element outlet for at least one connection element application; at least one connection element inlet; and a further device for providing connection elements and configured so that a connection element provided at said inlet by said further device is passed through to said outlet. 
     
     
         2 . A device for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said storage unit has at least two stacked cartridges each having at least one output flange for dispensing connection elements; further comprising a transfer carriage with at least one connection element control for receiving and further transporting the connection elements and moveable along said cartridges in a stacking direction to orient a connection element control unit of the control to the cartridge to transfer the connection element from a respective one of the cartridges to a respective one of the control units. 
     
     
         3 . A device for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least two stacked cartridges are replaceable. 
     
     
         4 . A device for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said transfer carriage is moveable into a pass-through position to pass the connection element through from said inlet to said outlet so that the connection element is passed through said transfer carriage. 
     
     
         5 . A device for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said pass-through position is different from transfer positions, in which the control unit is oriented toward the cartridge to transfer the connection element from a respective one of said cartridges to a respective one of said control units. 
     
     
         6 . A device for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one pass-through flange assigned to said at least one inlet, so that said at least one control unit situated in a pass-through position is oriented toward said least one pass-through flange to transfer the connection elements. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising at least two devices for providing connection elements according to  claim 1 , including a downstream device for providing connection elements and an upstream device for providing connection elements and arranged so that said inlet of said downstream device is connected to said outlet of said upstream device. 
     
     
         8 . A system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said inlets of said downstream device are connected with said outlets of said upstream device. 
     
     
         9 . A system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the system is configured so that the connection elements are passed through by said at least one downstream device for providing connection elements. 
     
     
         10 . A system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one downstream device for providing connection elements is simultaneously an upstream device for providing connection elements. 
     
     
         11 . A system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the system includes at least two devices for providing connection elements, selected from the group consisting of at least two upstream devices for providing connection elements, at least two downstream devices for providing connection elements, and both. 
     
     
         12 . A method for operating the system including at least two devices for providing connection elements as defined in  claim 7 , comprising the steps of transporting a connection element by the outlet of said upstream device for providing connection elements to said inlet of said downstream device for providing connection elements; and passing by the connection element the downstream device for providing connection elements through said outlet of said downstream device for providing connection elements. 
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 12 ; further comprising moving the transfer carriage into a pass-through position for passing through the connection element in the downstream device for providing connection elements; and transferring the connection element to be passed through to the transfer carriage.