Fastening tool with an adjusting tool and fastening system

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening tool (1) for applying fastening elements (2, 3, 4) to a workpiece, comprising a striking tool (5) configured to convey one fastening element at a time along a striking axis (6) from a loading position (7) within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool is configured to receive a magazine (8) in which a plurality of fastening elements are arranged one after the other along a loading track (9) in a conveying direction (10) towards the loading position, comprising an adjusting tool (11) having at least one adjusting surface (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e) which is guided movably against the conveying direction of the fastening elements such that it engages in the loading track, wherein at least one adjusting surface is configured toThe invention relates to the application of force to a fastening element to move it into a target position (14) against the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and / or to hold it in a target position. The invention further relates to an adjustment tool, a magazine, a fastening system, and a method for conveying fastening elements arranged one behind the other within a magazine (8) of a fastening tool (1). The invention is intended to make the processing of fastening elements faster and more trouble-free.

Description

[0001] The invention lies in the field of mechanical engineering and manufacturing and assembly technology. It is particularly advantageous for use in assembly processes in automotive engineering.

[0002] A variety of fasteners of various designs are known for fastening or connecting various components or structural elements. Some of these can be applied manually in individual applications, but many can also be applied by automated production machines. Many fasteners hold components together by frictional engagement, while others by positive engagement. Examples of fasteners include wire pins and clamps.

[0003] A particular challenge is the fastest possible application of several fastening elements one after the other using a tool, whereby the fastening elements are usually arranged one after the other in a magazine and fed automatically.

[0004] For example, US patent US 7,111,767 B2 discloses a fastening tool that combines fasteners in the form of angled plates with nails. These are automatically conveyed to a position from which they are fastened to a component using a striking element. On the conveyor path in the tool's magazine, the fasteners are held individually by a locking element before reaching this position until the path to the striking element is clear.

[0005] Against the background of the prior art, the present invention is based on the object of creating a fastening tool, an adjustment tool and a fastening system which enable rapid processing of fastening elements one after the other and ensure that the fastening elements can be used reliably and without problems.

[0006] The problem is solved with the features of the invention according to the independent patent claims. The dependent patent claims present possible implementations of the invention.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention relates to a fastening tool for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, comprising an impact tool which is designed to convey one fastening element at a time along an impact axis from a loading position within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool is designed to receive a magazine in which a plurality of fastening elements are arranged one behind the other along a loading track in a conveying direction towards the loading position, wherein an adjusting tool having at least one adjusting surface is provided which is guided so as to be movable counter to the conveying direction of the fastening elements that it engages in the loading track, wherein at least one adjusting surface is designed toby applying force to a fastening element, to move it into a desired position and / or to hold it in a desired position against the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0008] The loading track refers to the area that the fastening elements travel on their way to the target position. The loading track can be straight or curved and, in the area of ​​the target position, always runs parallel to the conveying direction. The loading track can be defined by one or more rails on which the fastening elements are mounted so that they can be moved one behind the other, as well as by the space that the fastening elements pass through or occupy during their movement on a rail. The rails can be dimensioned and positioned such that the fastening elements are guided in the rail(s) but can move to a limited extent perpendicular to their conveying direction in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances that lead to varying sizes of the fastening elements.

[0009] The fasteners can be conveyed along the loading track, for example, by the force of a spring located at the end of the loading track. The target position can be located on the loading track in front of the loading position, so that after adjustment, when the adjustment tool is moved to the release position, one fastener at a time is conveyed from the target position to the loading position.While the fastening elements can lie directly against one another during their conveyance to the target position in a magazine and without any gaps, it can be provided that the fastening element in the target position is in this position slightly spaced apart from the fastening element in the loading position in the conveying direction, so that the fastening element hit by the impact tool and the impact tool itself do not collide with or generally interact with the second-to-last fastening element located in the target position before the loading position. For this reason, it can be provided that after each actuation of the impact tool, the fastening elements are moved forward in the conveying direction and then the second-to-last fastening element is pushed back a little way against the conveying direction by the adjusting element to space it away from the loading position.

[0010] The fastener may accommodate a magazine for the fasteners or directly contain a magazine that can be filled with fasteners.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention can provide that the adjusting tool is arranged pivotably between an adjusting position and a release position, wherein the adjusting tool in the adjusting position is in engagement with the displaced and / or in the desired position to be held fastening element and wherein the adjusting tool in the release position releases the movement of the fastening elements along the loading track towards the loading position.

[0012] The adjustment tool can be moved, in particular pushed, into the adjustment position by the movement of the impact tool as it conveys a fastener to a workpiece. A part of the impact tool or a part mechanically connected or coupled to it can act directly on the adjustment tool and displace it.

[0013] When the impact tool moves back from the workpiece, it can release the adjustment tool again so that it is moved into the release position, for example by a spring drive.

[0014] An adjustment tool in the form of a fixed, pivoting lever is particularly suitable for pivoting into and out of the loading track, counter to the conveying direction. The lever / adjustment tool can be pivoted into the adjustment position, i.e., into the loading track, by a spring force, and out of it by a drive, or vice versa. The impact tool can be blocked by a mechanical lock until the adjustment tool has been moved into the adjustment position. The impact tool can then be released in this position.

[0015] It can also be provided that the adjustment tool has one or more adjustment surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces, which are designed to interact with parts of a fastening element and to exert a displacement force on them perpendicular to the conveying direction. One or more of the inclined surfaces of the adjustment tool can be oriented such that, when the adjustment tool is displaced counter to the conveying direction, they engage with a region of a fastening element and, through a wedge effect, displace the fastening element in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. All inclined surfaces of the adjustment tool can be designed at least partially as flat surfaces, but also at least partially as curved surfaces.

[0016] It can also be provided that the fastening tool is configured to process fastening elements having a base and two legs attached to the base, wherein the adjusting tool has at least two adjusting surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces that are oriented opposite one another such that one of the inclined surfaces comes into contact with a respective leg of a fastening element. For example, at least two adjusting surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces can be oriented relative to one another such that they or their imaginary extensions intersect in a line that runs perpendicular to the conveying direction in the adjusting position of the adjusting tool.

[0017] If the fastening tool is used to process fastening elements that have two legs attached to a base, for example, metal or wire staples or sheet metal staples, two lateral inclined surfaces on the adjustment tool can be oriented such that, when the adjustment tool is moved into the adjustment position, they slide into the intermediate area between the legs of the next fastening element and, from this area, act on the legs and center the respective fastening element. If only two such inclined surfaces are provided opposite one another, centering can occur along an axis that runs transversely to the conveying direction, for example, perpendicular to the conveying direction.In many cases, the fastening elements move within a rail and rest on the rail due to gravity, so adjustment is primarily necessary perpendicular to the direction of gravity. However, in many cases, adjustment in several directions perpendicular to the conveying direction can also be useful.

[0018] To implement the two aforementioned inclined surfaces, it can be provided, for example, that at least two adjustment surfaces, when the adjustment tool is in the adjustment position, are arranged in the form of lateral inclined surfaces mirror-symmetrically to a symmetrical surface in which both the impact axis and the conveying direction run. The lateral inclined surfaces can be oriented to one another like the slopes of a gable roof, with the upper edge of the roof cut off. However, the inclined surfaces can also be oriented skew to one another in order to not only center the fastening elements but also generate a resulting contact force on the fastening elements in the direction of a support surface on which the fastening elements rest on the rail.

[0019] A further embodiment can provide that the adjustment tool has an adjustment pyramid, which is designed in particular as a truncated pyramid, further in particular as a 5-sided truncated pyramid, and is delimited by adjustment surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces. In the adjustment position of the adjustment tool, the adjustment pyramid faces the desired position of the fastening elements. In this case, in addition to two lateral inclined surfaces, two adjustment surfaces in the form of two upper inclined surfaces can be provided as boundary surfaces of the pyramid, which converge towards each other in the shape of a ship's bow and, in the area where they adjoin one another, form an edge of the pyramid that faces the free, pivotable end of the adjustment tool.In the release position of the adjustment tool, this edge faces the last adjusted fastener in its target position. This fastener is moved from the target position to the loading position in the release position of the adjustment tool and is further guided during this movement by the upper bevels. Opposite this edge, the adjustment pyramid can be defined by another surface adjacent to the two lateral bevels.

[0020] In principle, instead of an adjustment pyramid, the adjustment tool can have a raised portion that, in the adjustment position of the adjustment tool, faces the target position of the fastening elements and has various beveled surfaces with different orientations. The beveled surfaces can be rounded, but they can also advantageously have flat beveled surface areas or be designed as completely flat beveled surfaces that interact with areas of a fastening element to be adjusted.

[0021] The invention can be further advantageously implemented in that the adjusting tool has at least one adjusting surface in the form of a stop surface which, in the adjusting position of the adjusting tool in which the latter is engaged with a fastening element to be displaced in its desired position, is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction and which is designed such that it abuts a surface or edge of the fastening element which is oriented in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0022] The stop surface thus serves to push the fastening element closest to the adjustment tool back a little way against the conveying direction and / or to hold it in a position spaced from the loading position.

[0023] It can also be provided that the adjusting tool has the shape of a pivotable lever and tapers in the region of the stop surface towards its free end, in particular in its projection onto a surface which is perpendicular to the conveying direction in the adjusting position of the adjusting tool.

[0024] This lever can be pivotally mounted on a pivot axis that is spaced from the loading track and runs transversely to the conveying direction, in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction, and it can then be pivoted into the loading track from outside the loading track in such a way that its movement in the area immediately before reaching the adjustment position runs completely or approximately parallel to the conveying direction. In this adjustment position, the adjustment tool is in the way of the fastening elements and can move the next fastening element into a desired position both laterally and in the conveying direction. From this adjusted position, one fastening element at a time can then be moved into the loading position as soon as the adjustment tool clears the way by pivoting back.In this release position, the inclined surfaces can still, in particular exclusively, protrude into the loading track, so that in particular the upper inclined surfaces, but also possibly the lateral inclined surfaces, can lead to a movement of a fastening element in the direction of the loading position, so that the adjustment in the directions perpendicular to the conveying direction is maintained.

[0025] The fastening tool can, for example, be configured to process fastening elements having a base and two legs attached to the base, wherein the longitudinal extension directions of the legs of a fastening element enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees, in particular less than 135 degrees, more particularly less than 90 degrees. Often, the legs of a fastening element, or at least their longitudinal extension directions, viewed in the conveying direction, run parallel to one another or approximately parallel to one another, or enclose only an acute angle with one another, particularly when the fastening elements are designed as fastening clamps.

[0026] The fastening tool can also be configured to process fastening elements having a base and two legs attached to the base, wherein both the base and the legs are each formed by metal sheets which extend in the conveying direction in the desired position of the fastening elements.

[0027] The largest longitudinal extension of the sheets or the longest side can be oriented parallel to the conveying direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, in which they consist of bent or angled metal sheets, the fastening elements can also have a partially punched sheet metal tongue in the area of ​​each leg, which is bent out of the leg toward the other leg. These sheet metal tongues can each form stop surfaces, which, together with a stop surface of the adjustment tool, serve to adjust the fastening element in the conveying direction.

[0029] The invention relates not only to a fastening tool of the type described above but also to an adjusting tool for a fastening tool for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool has an impact tool which is designed to convey a fastening element along an impact axis from a loading position within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein in the fastening tool at least one fastening element is displaceable in a conveying direction towards the loading position and wherein the adjusting tool has a plurality of adjusting surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces for adjusting a fastening element and / or the adjusting tool has at least one adjusting surface in the form of a stop surface which, in the adjusting position of the adjusting tool in which it is engaged with a fastening element to be displaced,a movement of the fastening element in the conveying direction is limited.,

[0030] The adjustment tool can be movable, in particular pivotable, in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. In an adjustment position of the adjustment tool, the inclined surfaces of the adjustment tool can serve to adjust a fastening element in one or more directions perpendicular to the conveying direction. Furthermore, the adjustment tool can be designed as a pivotable lever which, on a side surface facing the fastening elements, has an elevation, in particular in the shape of a pyramid, in particular a five-sided pyramid or a truncated pyramid, which is delimited by adjustment surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces. In the position of the adjustment tool in which it is engaged with a fastening element, two lateral inclined surfaces of the elevation are oriented mirror-symmetrically to one another such that their surface normals run horizontally in the adjustment position of the adjustment tool.

[0031] When the adjustment tool is engaged with a fastener, two upper inclined surfaces of the raised portion are oriented so that their surface normals extend upward at an acute angle to the conveying direction, so that the two upper inclined surfaces form the shape of a ship's bow. This ship's bow can point upward in the adjustment position and toward the target position of the fasteners in the release position.

[0032] In a release position, the adjustment tool can release the movement of a fastener from an adjustment position to a loading position. The raised portion on the side surface of the adjustment tool can still extend into the fastener's path of movement and guide its movement toward the loading position, so that at least the adjustment in directions perpendicular to the conveying direction is maintained.

[0033] In addition to a fastening tool and an adjusting tool, the invention also relates to a magazine for a fastening tool for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, which magazine has an impact tool which is designed to convey a fastening element along an impact axis from a loading position within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein a plurality of fastening elements are arranged one behind the other in the magazine so as to be displaceable in a conveying direction towards the loading position and wherein the magazine is designed to cooperate with an adjusting tool of the type described above in such a way that the adjusting tool holds a fastening element in a desired position in front of the loading position and releases it in the course of a pivoting movement for conveyance into the loading position.

[0034] The invention also relates to a fastening system comprising a fastening tool of the type described above and comprising a plurality of fastening elements which are designed to be displaced one after the other in a conveying direction towards the loading position.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for conveying fastening elements arranged one behind the other within a magazine of a fastening tool in the conveying direction to a loading position, from which one fastening element can be conveyed to a workpiece using an impact tool, wherein a force is exerted on the fastening elements in the direction of the loading position by means of a drive element and wherein a fastening element located immediately in front of the loading position is displaced into a desired position parallel to the conveying direction for adjustment or is held in a desired position by an adjusting tool which moves counter to the conveying direction and is adjusted in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction by at least one adjusting surface in the form of an inclined surface.

[0036] In the following, the invention is shown and explained using exemplary embodiments in figures of a drawing. Fig. 1 a perspective view of a fastening tool, Fig. 2 a perspective view of an impact tool as well as a rail and fastening elements, Fig. 3 in perspective view a detail of the impact tool and a fastening element, Fig. 4 in a sectional view a part of an impact tool with a fastening tool, Fig. 5 a fastening element in the fastening position, Fig. 6 an adjustment tool in a side view, Fig. 7 the adjustment tool from Figure 6in a front view, Fig. 8 the adjustment tool in a perspective view, Figs. 9, 10, 11 in a side view several fastening elements and an adjustment element in different positions during operation, Fig. 12 in a view in the conveying direction of the fastening elements a fastening element before adjustment, Fig. 13 in a representation as in Figure 12 a fastening element after adjustment, as well as Fig. 14 in a representation as in the Figures 12 and 13 a fastener in the release position of the adjusting element.

[0037] In Figure 1 A fastening tool 1 is shown in perspective view. This has a handle 1a and a magazine 8 in which fastening elements are stored, which are conveyed in the conveying direction 10 to an impact position. The impact tool is in Figure 1 not recognizable, but in Figure 2shown in more detail. The fastening tool conveys fasteners to a workpiece by means of the impact tool in the direction of the impact axis 6. The magazine 8 can be replaceable as a whole, so that a new magazine equipped with fasteners can be attached to the fastening tool 1. However, it can also be provided that the magazine 8 is refilled each time the fasteners are used up.

[0038] In Figure 2 An impact tool 5 is shown, the tip 5a of which is designed in such a way that it interacts with the fastening elements 2, 3, 4. The fastening elements 2, 3, 4 are shown one after the other in the conveying direction 10 in an exploded view and are conveyed one after the other into a loading position below the tip 5a of the impact tool 5. The impact tool can then convey one fastening element at a time in the direction of the impact axis 6 to a workpiece. Figure 2a rail 16 is shown, the cross-section of which is designed such that the fastening elements 2, 3, 4 can be arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction 10 and are displaced in the conveying direction 10 by a drive to the loading position, i.e., in the direction of the impact tool 5. A drive element 15 is only symbolically shown at the end of the rail 16 opposite the impact tool 5 and can, for example, contain a compression spring that conveys the fastening elements in the direction of the impact tool 5.

[0039] In Figure 3 A percussion tool 5 is shown in perspective, which is moved by a drive of the fastening tool (not shown in detail) in the direction of the impact axis 6 towards a fastening element 2 in order to move it to a workpiece 21 and anchor it there. Figure 3Details of the fastening element 2 are shown. This consists of a bent sheet metal with a base 2a and two legs 2b, 2c extending from the base, wherein the legs together with the base form a U-shape in cross-section. The legs can run approximately parallel to one another, or at least their longitudinal directions can run parallel to one another or at an acute angle to one another. For reasons of stability and to enable a positive connection to a workpiece 21, the legs 2b, 2c are not straight, but are bent into a profile in cross-section. In addition, sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e are punched out of the individual legs 2b, 2c, which are bent inwards towards the space between the legs.The sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e each form, as will be explained in more detail below, counter surfaces for a stop surface of an adjusting tool for positioning the fastening element in the conveying direction 10.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of part of an impact tool 5 and a fastening element 2. In this view, the legs 2b, 2c and the sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e can be seen.

[0041] Figure 5 individually represents a fastening element 2 in the fastening position on a workpiece 21, wherein the fastening element is inserted in the direction of the impact axis 6. After one or more fastening elements are fastened to a workpiece, they can be used to connect the workpiece to another component.

[0042] In the Figures 6, 7 and 8An adjustment tool 11 is shown in various views with its details. The function of the adjustment tool is then explained below using the Figures 9 to 14 explained in more detail.

[0043] The adjustment tool 11 is designed as a lever that can be pivoted about an axis 17 on the fastening tool. A longitudinal axis of the adjustment tool 11 is designated by 18. The adjustment tool 11 has a drive arm 19 that extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 18 and to which a pivot drive is attached. On a front side surface, the adjustment tool 11 has a raised portion 11f in the shape of a truncated pyramid, on which various adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged. The adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, designed as inclined surfaces, are each designed as flat surfaces that are inclined relative to one another. In another embodiment, these surfaces can also be partially rounded and, if necessary, have flat partial surfaces.Among the adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d designed as inclined surfaces, the inclined surfaces 11a, 11b are referred to here as lateral inclined surfaces, while the inclined surfaces 11c, 11d are referred to in this text as upper inclined surfaces.

[0044] In the area of ​​the free end 20 of the adjustment tool 11, as can be seen in Figure 7, the tool tapers to a point defined by the bevels 20a, 20b. It will be explained further below that this taper in the release position of the adjustment tool 11 enables the fastening elements to be conveyed past the adjustment tool to the loading position.

[0045] In the area of ​​the taper at the free end 20 of the adjustment tool, on its front side surface, where the elevation 11f is also located, an adjustment surface 11e is also provided. This adjustment surface is designed as a stop surface and, in the adjustment position of the adjustment tool 11, interacts with the inwardly bent sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e of the fastening elements. The two lateral inclined surfaces 11a, 11b are arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis 18, as are the upper inclined surfaces 11c, 11d, which extend toward each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18 and form the shape of a ship's bow.

[0046] In the Figures 9, 10 and 11 In particular, the function of the adjustment tool 11 during the separation of the fastening elements 2, 3, 4 in the conveying direction 10 and the adjustment of the last fastening element not yet conveyed into the loading position in its desired position in the conveying direction 10 is to be shown.

[0047] In Figure 9several fastening elements 2, 3 are shown arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction 10, which are located in a rail 16, as they are shown for example in Figure 2 The fastening elements 2, 3 can, for example, be arranged directly one behind the other without any spacing and can be pressed by a drive element 15 in the form of a spring in the conveying direction 10 to a loading position 7, which lies along the direction of movement / conveying direction of the fastening elements at the height of the impact axis 6. In the loading position 7, the fastening element located there can then be Figure 9 not shown impact tool in the direction of the impact axis 6 to a workpiece. In order for the impact tool to act on the fastening element located in the loading position 7 without interference, the other fastening elements (in the Figures 9, 10, 11designated 2 and 3) are spaced somewhat apart from the loading position 7 or at least held in a defined position relative to the loading position 7. For this purpose, the penultimate fastening element 2 can be brought into a desired position by the adjusting tool 11.

[0048] In Figure 9The adjustment tool 11 is pivoted into a release position in which the longitudinal axis 18 of the adjustment tool 11 assumes a nearly horizontal position. In this position of the adjustment tool, a fastening element can be moved beneath the adjustment tool in the conveying direction 10 to the loading position. The bevels 20a, 20b enable movement of the fastening elements beneath the adjustment tool 11 without the latter having to be brought into a completely horizontal position. In this way, the adjustment tool 11 can also be pivoted through the fastening element that has arrived in the loading position 7 to the penultimate fastening element 2, which is to be held in a desired position.

[0049] The fastening elements 2, 3, which move in the conveying direction 10 along the aforementioned rail in a magazine 8, pass through a space referred to as the loading track 9. The adjustment tool 11 partially engages in this space, i.e., the loading track 9, in order to achieve an adjustment of the fastening elements 2, 3 in the conveying direction 10 and perpendicular to the conveying direction 10.

[0050] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that in the Figures 9, 10, 11 the last fastening element, which is located in the area of ​​the impact axis 6, is not shown for reasons of clarity.

[0051] In Figure 10A position of the adjusting tool 11 is shown in which it is pivoted slightly counter to the conveying direction 10 toward the fastening element 2. This movement of the adjusting tool 11 counter to the conveying direction 10 of the fastening elements into its adjusting position can be brought about, for example, by the impact tool driving the adjusting tool directly during its downward movement or by means of a mechanical coupling element (not shown). The pivoting back of the adjusting tool 11 into its release position can then take place, for example, after the backward movement of the impact tool, by a spring drive attached to the drive arm 19 of the adjusting tool 11.

[0052] In Figure 11the adjustment position of the adjustment tool 11 is shown, in which the longitudinal axis 18 of the adjustment tool is oriented completely or almost vertically. In this adjustment position, the adjustment tool 11 holds the fastening element 2 in a desired position by the stop surface 11e striking the inwardly bent sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e of the legs 2b, 2c of the fastening element 2. The drive force acting on the adjustment tool 11 is sufficient to push the fastening element 2 back a short distance against the conveying direction 10 and to space it from the last fastening element located in the loading position 7 and not shown. In this position, the fastening element located in the loading position can then be conveyed to a workpiece by means of the impact tool.

[0053] In the Figures 12, 13 and 14A fastening element 2 and an adjusting tool 11 are shown in different positions, viewed in the conveying direction 10. In the Figures 12 and 13 the front side surface of the adjustment tool 11 is shown, on which the adjustment pyramid 11f is located.

[0054] In Figure 12a situation is shown in which the fastening element 2 lies unadjusted and oblique in the rail 16. The adjusting tool 11 and in particular the adjusting pyramid 11f are not yet in adjusting engagement with the fastening element 2 in this position. The various fastening elements arranged one behind the other along the rail can vary slightly in size and shape, and the rail 16 is designed such that it offers sufficient space for the various shape and size variations of the fastening elements. This allows certain tolerances to be permitted during manufacture of the fastening elements. On the other hand, the fastening elements are therefore not completely fixed in their lateral position in the rail 16, i.e. in the directions perpendicular to the conveying direction 10.In order to achieve sufficient adjustment when moving the fastening elements into the loading position 7, they should be adjusted in the target position 14 by means of the adjustment tool 11 both in the conveying direction 10 and in the directions perpendicular to this conveying direction.

[0055] In Figure 13 The adjusting tool 11 is shown in a position in which it, as in Figure 11 shown, is almost vertical and is in engagement with the legs 2a, 2b of the fastening element 2. The lateral inclined surfaces 11a, 11b touch the legs 2b, 2c of the fastening element 2 and thus center the fastening element 2. In addition, the stop surface 11e strikes the sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e and thus adjusts the fastening element 2 in the conveying direction 10. The adjusting tool 11 is in its adjustment position in this illustration, while the fastening element 2 is in its target position.

[0056] In Figure 14a position of the adjusting tool 11 is shown in which it has been largely pivoted out of the loading track 9 and the longitudinal axis 18 of the adjusting tool 11 is horizontal. Only the adjusting pyramid 11f still projects into the movement path, although the fastening element 2 can be moved past the adjusting pyramid 11f in the conveying direction. The upper inclined surfaces 11c, 11d of the adjusting pyramid act in such a way that they project between the legs of the fastening element 2 and guide them further during the movement into the loading position, so that the fastening element 2 remains adjusted up to the loading position 7. As soon as the fastening element 2 is in the loading position 7, the adjusting tool 11 pivots back and brings the penultimate fastening element, which is located behind the fastening element 2, for example the fastening element 3, into its desired position.

[0057] The described design of the fastening tool and adjustment tool, as well as the magazine suitable for the fastening tool, allows for the rapid, trouble-free processing of fasteners one after the other, with the fasteners each being adjusted in a desired shape for the application of an impact tool in a loading position. The described design largely prevents incorrect positioning and thus disruptions when moving the fasteners forward, which could block the fastening tool.

Claims

1. Fastening tool (1) for applying fastening elements (2, 3, 4) to a workpiece, with an impact tool (5) which is designed to convey a fastening element along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool is designed to receive a magazine (8) in which a plurality of fastening elements are arranged one behind the other along a loading track (9) in a conveying direction (10) so as to be displaceable towards the loading position, characterized byan adjusting tool (11) having at least one adjusting surface (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e) which is guided to be movable counter to the conveying direction of the fastening elements in such a way that it engages in the loading track, wherein at least one adjusting surface is designed to move a fastening element counter to the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction into a desired position (14) and / or to hold it in a desired position.

2. Fastening tool according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe adjusting tool (11) is arranged to be pivotable between an adjusting position (12) and a release position (13), wherein the adjusting tool is in engagement in the adjusting position with the fastening element (2, 3, 4) which is to be displaced and / or held in the desired position (14), and wherein the adjusting tool, in the release position, releases the movement of the fastening elements along the loading track (9) towards the loading position (7).

3. Fastening tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting tool (11) has one or more adjusting surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) in the form of inclined surfaces which are designed to interact with parts of a fastening element (2, 3, 4) and to exert a displacement force on them perpendicular to the conveying direction (10).

4. Fastening tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fastening tool is designed to process fastening elements (2, 3, 4) having a base (2a) and two legs (2b, 2c) attached to the base, characterized in that the adjusting tool (11) has at least two adjusting surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) which are oriented opposite one another in such a way that one of the inclined surfaces comes into contact with a respective leg of a fastening element.

5. Fastening tool according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two adjusting surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) are oriented relative to one another in such a way that they or their imaginary extensions intersect in a line which, in the adjusting position (12) of the adjusting tool (11), runs perpendicular to the conveying direction (10).

6. Fastening tool according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in thatat least two adjusting surfaces, when the adjusting tool (11) is in the adjusting position (12), are arranged in the form of lateral inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) mirror-symmetrically to a symmetry surface in which both the impact axis (6) and the conveying direction (10) run.

7. Fastening tool according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the adjusting tool (11) has an adjusting pyramid (11f) which is designed in particular as a truncated pyramid, further in particular as a 5-sided truncated pyramid and is delimited by adjusting surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d).

8. Fastening tool according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthe adjusting tool (11) has at least one adjusting surface in the form of a stop surface (11e) which, in the adjusting position (12) of the adjusting tool, in which the latter is in engagement with a fastening element (2, 3, 4) to be displaced in its desired position (14), is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction (10) and which is designed such that it abuts against a surface or edge of the fastening element which is oriented in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction.

9. Fastening tool according to claim 8, characterized in that the adjusting tool (11) has the shape of a pivotable lever and tapers in the region of the stop surface towards its free end (11g), in particular in its projection onto a surface which, in the adjusting position (12) of the adjusting tool, is perpendicular to the conveying direction (10).

10. Fastening tool according to claim 1 or one of the following, wherein the fastening tool is designed to process fastening elements (2, 3, 4) having a base (2a) and two legs (2b, 2c) fastened to the base, wherein the longitudinal extension directions of the legs of a fastening element enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees, in particular less than 135 degrees, further in particular less than 90 degrees.

11. Fastening tool according to claim 1 or one of the following, wherein the fastening tool is designed to process fastening elements (2, 3, 4) having a base (2a) and two legs (2b, 2c) fastened to the base, wherein both the base and the legs are each formed by metal sheets which extend in the desired position (14) of the fastening elements in the conveying direction (10).

12. Adjustment tool (11) for a fastening tool for applying fastening elements (2, 3, 4) to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool has an impact tool (5) which is designed to convey a fastening element along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) within the fastening tool to a workpiece, and wherein in the fastening tool at least one fastening element is displaceable in a conveying direction (10) towards the loading position, characterized in that the adjusting tool has a plurality of adjusting surfaces (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) in the form of inclined surfaces for adjusting a fastening element and / or that the adjusting tool has at least one adjusting surface (11e) in the form of a stop surface which, in the adjusting position (12) of the adjusting tool in which it is in engagement with a fastening element to be displaced, limits a movement of the fastening element in the conveying direction.

13. Magazine (8) for a fastening tool for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, which has an impact tool (5) which is designed to convey a fastening element (2, 3, 4) along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) within the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein a plurality of fastening elements are arranged one behind the other in the magazine in a conveying direction (10) so as to be displaceable towards the loading position, characterized in that the magazine is designed to cooperate with an adjusting tool (11) according to claim 12 in such a way that the adjusting tool holds a fastening element in a desired position (14) in front of the loading position and releases it in the course of a pivoting movement for conveyance into the loading position.

14. Fastening system with a fastening tool according to one of claims 1 to 12 and with a plurality of fastening elements (2, 3, 4) which are designed to be displaced one behind the other in a conveying direction (10) in the direction of the loading position (7).

15. Method for conveying fastening elements arranged one behind the other within a magazine (8) of a fastening tool (1) in the conveying direction (10) to a loading position (7), from which a fastening element (2, 3, 4) can be conveyed to a workpiece using an impact tool (5), wherein a force is exerted on the fastening elements in the direction of the loading position by means of a drive element (15), characterized in thatin each case a fastening element located immediately in front of the loading position is displaced into a desired position (14) by an adjusting tool (11) which moves counter to the conveying direction for adjustment parallel to the conveying direction or is held in a desired position and is adjusted in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction by at least one adjusting surface (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) in the form of an inclined surface.