USRE050812USUSPTO Grant XML

Fastener handling devices for fastener setting machines, and related methods

An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Patent

Brief

Patent brief

Problem

How can vibration in electric motors and rotors be reduced?

Novelty

The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener cond...

Uses

Patent review

Assignee

Atlas Copco IAS UK Limited

Published

Mar 10, 2026

Inventors

Wojciech Gostylla, Stuart Edmond Blacket

Domain

Electromechanical systems

Plain-English summary

Problem

How can vibration in electric motors and rotors be reduced?

Solution

in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space.

Key novelty

The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Applications

Patent review

Relevant search intents

dd8c8ee3e24a

Claims preview

1 . An in-line fastener selection device comprising fastener conduit having a first fastener conduit portion and a second fastener conduit portion, and an escapement mechanism located between the first and second fastener conduit portions; wherein the escapement mechanism has: a first configuration in which a first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to block the passage of a leading fastener from a first section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first fastener conduit portion; a second configuration in which the first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to permit the passage of the leading fastener from the first section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first fastener conduit portion, and a second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to block the passage of a trailing fastener from a second section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first section of the second fastener conduit portion; and a third configuration in which the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to permit the passage of the trailing fastener from the second section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first section of the second fastener conduit portion, and wherein, either: in the third configuration the first or second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to block the passage of the trailing fastener from the first section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first fastener conduit portion , and the escapement mechanism has a fourth configuration in which the first barrier portion and/or the second barrier portion are configured to hold the leading fastener or trailing fastener within the escapement mechanism such that the leading fastener or trailing fastener is not free to exit the escapement mechanism; or in the third configuration the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to block the passage of the trailing fastener from the first section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first fastener conduit portion . 2 . The in-line fastener selection device according to claim 1 , wherein in the first configuration the first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is located in a first position and the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a second position; and in the second configuration the first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a third position, and the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a fourth position; and wherein the device is configured such that the first barrier portion is actuable from the first position to the third position coupled with the second barrier portion being actuated from the second position to the fourth position. 3 . The in-line fastener selection device according to claim 1 , wherein in the second configuration the first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a third position, and the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a fourth position; and in the third configuration the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is configured to block the passage of the trailing fastener from the first section of the second fastener conduit portion to the first fastener conduit portion, and the second barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a fifth position, and the first barrier portion of the escapement mechanism is in a sixth position, wherein the device is configured such that the first barrier portion is actuable from the third position to the sixth position coupled with the second barrier portion being actuated from the fourth position to the fifth position.

Fastener handling devices for fastener setting machines, and related methods

Plain-English summary

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