Tool for Installing Swage-Type Hardware

Abstract

A fastening tool has a centrally disposed rod with a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to the tool. A collar circumscribes the centrally disposed rod. A first end of the collar is adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminates in an outwardly extending flange. A compressible spring is disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar. This tool provides simplified installation of swage-type hardware into a stack of two or more panels by providing both a clamping force and a swaging operation in a single stroke.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastening tool, comprising:
 a centrally disposed rod having a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to said tool;   a collar circumscribing the centrally disposed rod, a first end of the collar being adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminating in an outwardly extending flange; and   a compressible spring disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening tool of  claim 1  wherein the collar has a first slot and a second slot extending through the collar on opposing sides thereof, the first slot and the second slot aligned with a through hole in the centrally disposed rod. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening tool of  claim 2  wherein a pin extends through the through hole and through both the first slot and the second slot. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening tool of  claim 3  wherein the pin has a diameter that is less than a length of at least one of the first slot and the second slot when the length is measured in a direction parallel to a direction of motion of the centrally disposed rod. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening tool of  claim 4  wherein the length and position of at least one of the first slot and the second slot defines a distance of travel of the centrally disposed rod. 
     
     
         6 . A combination fastening tool and hardware for fastening, comprising:
 the fastening tool having a centrally disposed rod having a shaped tip at a first end thereof and an enlarged second end effective to transfer force from an external source to said tool; a collar circumscribing the centrally disposed rod, a first end of the collar being adjacent to the shaped tip and an opposing second end of the collar terminating in an outwardly extending flange; and a compressible spring disposed between the enlarged second end of the centrally disposed rod and the outwardly extending flange of the collar; and   the hardware having a body portion having a first outside diameter and a deformable shank having a second outside diameter wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.   
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein an interface between the body portion and deformable shank of the hardware forms a shoulder. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 7  wherein an inside diameter of the collar is less than the first outside diameter but greater than the second outside diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the deformable shank includes a bore effective to receive the shaped tip and be outwardly deformed therefrom. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein the collar has a first slot and a second slot extending through the collar on opposing sides thereof, the first slot and the second slot aligned with a through hole in the centrally disposed rod and a pin extends through the through hole and through both the first slot and the second slot. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein the length and position of at least one of the first slot and the second slot defines a distance of travel of the centrally disposed rod when the collar contacts the shoulder. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 11  further including a plurality of work pieces wherein each one of said plurality of work pieces includes a through hole having a diameter that is less than the first outside diameter and greater than the second outside diameter. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 11  further including a plurality of work pieces wherein one or more of said plurality of work pieces includes a through hole having a diameter equal to or less than the first outside diameter but greater than the second outside diameter. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 9  wherein the deformable shank has splines extending outwardly therefrom.