Fastening tool with adjusting tool and fastening system

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening tool (1) for applying fastening elements (2, 3, 4) to a workpiece, having an impact tool (5) which is arranged to transfer one fastening element at a time from a loading position (7) in the fastening tool to the workpiece along an impact axis (6), the fastening tool being arranged to receive a storage cartridge (8) in which the fastening element is loaded in the loading position (7). A plurality of fastening elements are arranged displaceably one behind the other in a transport direction (10) along a loading path (9) in the direction of the loading position, having an adjustment tool (11), which has at least one adjustment surface, is movably guided counter to the transport direction of the fastening elements in such a way that they engage in the loading path, wherein the at least one adjustment surface is arranged to displace the fastening element into a desired position (14) against the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and / or to hold the fastening element in the desired position by forcefully acting on the fastening element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of mechanical engineering and the technical field of manufacturing and assembly. The invention can be used particularly advantageously in assembly processes in automotive engineering. Background Art

[0002] A large number of fastening elements of different shapes are known for fastening or connecting different components or structural elements, some of which can be attached by hand in individual applications, but many of which can also be attached by automated production machines. Many fastening elements hold the components together by force fit, others by form fit. For example, fastening elements with wire pins and clamps are known.

[0003] A particular challenge in this regard is to use several fastening elements behind one another as quickly as possible by means of a tool, wherein the fastening elements are usually arranged behind one another in a magazine and are automatically transported.

[0004] For example, US Pat. No. 7,111,767 B2 discloses a fastening tool with which fastening elements in the form of angle plates are combined with nails. These fastening elements are automatically transported to a position from which they are fastened to a component using an impact element. On the transport path in the tool storage magazine, the fastening elements are each individually held by a fixing element before reaching the position until the path to the impact element is clear. Summary of the invention

[0005] Against the background of the prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing a fastening tool, an adjusting tool and a fastening system which allow fastening elements to be processed quickly one behind the other and ensure that the fastening elements can be used reliably and without interference.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of the invention according to the independent claim. The dependent claims give possible embodiments of the invention.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a fastening tool for applying a fastening element to a workpiece, the fastening tool having an impact tool, which is configured to transfer one fastening element at a time from a loading position in the fastening tool to the workpiece along an impact axis, wherein the fastening tool is configured to accommodate a storage magazine in which a plurality of fastening elements are arranged displaceably one behind the other along a loading path in a conveying direction toward the loading position, wherein an adjustment tool having at least one adjustment surface is provided and is movably guided counter to the conveying direction of the fastening element so that the adjustment tool engages in the loading path, wherein the at least one adjustment surface is configured to shift the fastening element into a desired position counter to the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and / or to hold the fastening element in the desired position by acting forcefully on the fastening element.

[0008] The loading path refers to the area covered by the fastening elements on the way to the desired position. The loading path may be straight or curved and extends parallel to the conveying direction in the area of ​​the desired position. The loading path may be defined by one or more tracks on which the fastening elements are mounted so that they can be displaced one behind the other, and the loading path may be defined by the space that the fastening elements pass through or occupy during their movement on the tracks. The tracks may be sized and positioned so that the fastening elements are guided in the tracks but can be limitedly moved perpendicular to their conveying direction in order to allow for manufacturing tolerances resulting in different sizes of the fastening elements.

[0009] The fastening element can be transmitted along the loading path, for example, by the force of a spring arranged at the end of the loading path. The desired position can be arranged on the loading path upstream of the loading position, so that after adjustment, when the adjustment tool moves to the release position, the fastening element is transmitted from the desired position to the loading position. Although the fastening elements can directly abut each other and there is no gap in the storage box when the fastening elements are transmitted to the desired position, it can be provided that the fastening elements in the desired position move slightly away from the fastening elements in the loading position in the transmission direction in this position, so that the fastening elements impacted by the impact tool and the impact tool itself do not collide or roughly interact with the second-to-last fastening element in the desired position upstream of the loading position. Therefore, it can be provided that the fastening element is allowed to move in the transmission direction after each actuation of the impact tool, and then the second-to-last fastening element is slightly pushed back against the transmission direction by the adjustment element to space the second-to-last fastening element from the loading position.

[0010] The fastening element can accommodate a magazine for the fastening elements or directly contain a magazine which can be filled with the fastening elements.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention can provide that the adjustment tool is pivotably arranged between an adjustment position and a release position, wherein in the adjustment position the adjustment tool engages with fastening elements that have been displaced and / or are to be held in the desired position, and wherein in the release position the adjustment tool releases the movement of these fastening elements along the loading path 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 when the impact tool transfers the fastening element to the workpiece. A part of the impact tool or a part mechanically connected or coupled thereto can directly act on the adjustment tool and move it.

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

[0014] An adjusting tool in the form of a fixed, pivotably mounted lever is particularly suitable for pivoting into and out of the loading path counter to the conveying direction. For example, the lever / adjusting tool can be swung into an adjustment position, i.e. into the loading path, for example, by a spring force and swung out of the adjustment position by a drive, or vice versa. The impact tool can be blocked by a mechanical lock until the adjusting tool has been brought 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 arranged to interact with parts of the fastening element and to exert a displacement force on the fastening element perpendicular to the conveying direction. One or more of the inclined surfaces of the adjustment tool can be oriented so that they engage with areas of the fastening element when the adjustment tool is displaced against the conveying direction and displace the fastening element in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by a wedge effect. All inclined surfaces of the adjustment tool can be designed at least partially as flat surfaces, but can also be designed at least partially as curved surfaces.

[0016] It can also be provided that the fastening tool is arranged to handle a fastening element having a base and two legs fastened to the base, wherein the adjustment tool has at least two adjustment surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces which are oriented relative to one another such that in each case one of the inclined surfaces is in contact with the legs of the fastening element. For example, the at least two adjustment surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces can be oriented relative to one another such that when the adjustment tool is in the adjustment position, they or their imaginary extensions intersect in a line extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

[0017] In the case of a fastening tool for handling a fastening element, which has two legs fastened to a base, such as a metal clip or a wire clip or a sheet metal clip, the two lateral inclined surfaces on the adjustment tool can be oriented so that when the adjustment tool is brought into the adjustment position, the two lateral inclined surfaces slide into the middle area between the legs of the next fastening element and act on these legs from this area and center the corresponding fastening element. If only two such inclined surfaces relative to each other are provided, centering can be performed along an axis extending transversely to the conveying direction (e.g. perpendicular to the conveying direction). In many cases, the fastening elements move within the track and rest on the track due to gravity, so that it is mainly necessary to adjust perpendicular to the direction of gravity. However, in many cases, adjustment in multiple directions perpendicular to the conveying direction is also useful.

[0018] In order to realize the above-mentioned two inclined surfaces, it can be provided, for example, that when the adjustment tool is in the adjustment position, at least two adjustment surfaces are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a symmetric surface in the form of lateral inclined surfaces, in which both the impact axis and the conveying direction extend. The lateral inclined surfaces can be oriented toward each other like the roof slope of a pitched roof, in which the upper edge of the roof is cut off. However, the inclined surfaces can also be oriented at an angle to each other in order to produce not only centering but also the resulting contact pressure on the fastening element in the direction of the contact surface of the fastening element resting on the rail.

[0019] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the adjustment tool has an adjustment pyramid, which is particularly designed as a truncated pyramid, further particularly designed as a 5-sided truncated pyramid and is defined by an adjustment surface in the form of an inclined surface. When the adjustment tool is in the adjustment position, the adjustment pyramid faces the desired position of the fastening element. In addition to the 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 extend toward each other in the form of a bow and form an edge of the pyramid in the area where they are adjacent to each other, and the edge faces the free pivotable end of the adjustment tool. In the release position of the adjustment tool, the edge faces the last adjusted fastening element in its desired position, and when the adjustment tool is in the release position, the fastening element moves from the desired position to the loading position and is further guided by the upper inclined surface during this movement. Opposite to the edge, the adjustment pyramid can be defined by another surface adjacent to the two lateral inclined surfaces.

[0020] In principle, instead of an adjustment pyramid, the adjustment tool can have a protrusion which, when the adjustment tool is in the adjustment position, faces the desired position of the fastening element and has various inclined surfaces oriented differently. The inclined surfaces can be rounded, but they can also advantageously have a flat inclined surface area or a completely flat inclined surface designed to interact with the area of ​​the fastening element to be adjusted.

[0021] The invention can also advantageously be implemented in that the adjusting tool has at least one adjusting surface in the form of a stop surface which, when the adjusting tool is in an adjustment position in which the adjusting tool engages with a fastening element to be displaced into its desired position, is oriented perpendicularly to the conveying direction and is arranged such that the stop surface strikes a surface or edge of the fastening element which is oriented particularly perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

[0022] The stop surface thus serves to push the fastening element closest to the adjusting tool slightly back against the conveying direction and / or to hold the fastening element in a position at a distance from the loading position.

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

[0024] The lever can be pivotably mounted on a pivot axis which is spaced apart from the loading path and which extends transversely to the conveying direction, in particular perpendicularly to the conveying direction, and the lever can then be pivoted from the outside of the loading path into the loading path so that the movement of the lever in the area immediately before reaching the adjustment position extends completely or approximately parallel to the conveying direction. In this adjustment position, the adjustment tool blocks the fastening element and can bring the next fastening element not only laterally but also in the conveying direction into the desired position. As soon as the adjustment tool leaves the path by pivoting backwards, the fastening element can be moved from the adjustment position into the loading position. In this release position, the inclined surface can still in particular only protrude into the loading path so that in particular the upper inclined surface and optionally the lateral inclined surface can guide the movement of the fastening element in the direction of the loading position so that the adjustment in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is maintained.

[0025] The fastening tool can be arranged, for example, to process a fastening element having a base and two legs fastened to the base, wherein the longitudinal extension directions of the legs of the fastening element enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees, in particular less than 135 degrees, further in particular less than 90 degrees. Typically, the legs of the fastening element, or at least their longitudinal extension directions, will extend parallel to or approximately parallel to each other when viewed in the transport direction, or will only enclose an acute angle to each other, in particular when the fastening element is designed as a fastening clip.

[0026] The fastening tool can also be arranged to process a fastening element having a base and two legs fastened to the base, wherein the base and the legs are in each case formed from a metal sheet extending in the conveying direction in the desired position of the fastening element.

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

[0028] In the embodiment in which the fastening element consists of metal sheets bent or connected at an angle to one another, the fastening element can also have a sheet metal tongue partially stamped out of the metal sheet in the region of each leg, which is bent out of the leg in the direction of the other leg. These sheet metal tongues can each form a stop surface which, together with the stop surface of the adjustment tool, serves to adjust the fastening element in the conveying direction.

[0029] In addition to the above-mentioned type of fastening tool, the present invention also relates to an adjustment tool of a fastening tool for applying a fastening element to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool has an impact tool, which is designed to transfer the fastening element from a loading position in the fastening tool to the workpiece along an impact axis, wherein at least one fastening element can be shifted in the fastening tool along the transfer direction toward the loading position, and wherein the adjustment tool has a plurality of adjustment surfaces in the form of inclined surfaces for adjusting the fastening elements, and / or the adjustment tool has at least one adjustment surface in the form of a stop surface, and when the adjustment tool is in an adjustment position in which the adjustment tool engages with the fastening element to be shifted, the stop surface limits the movement of the fastening element along the transfer direction.

[0030] The adjusting tool can be moved, in particular pivoted, in a direction counter to the conveying direction. When the adjusting tool is in the adjusting position, the inclined surface of the adjusting tool can be used to adjust the fastening element in one or more directions perpendicular to the conveying direction. In addition, the adjusting tool can be designed as a pivotable lever, which has a protrusion, in particular a protrusion in the form of a pyramid, in particular a pentagonal pyramid or a truncated pyramid, on the side surface facing the fastening element, which is delimited by an adjusting surface in the form of an inclined surface. In the position in which the adjusting tool engages with the fastening element, the two lateral inclined surfaces of the protrusion are oriented mirror-symmetrically with respect to each other, so that when the adjusting tool is in the adjusting position, their surface normals extend horizontally.

[0031] In the position in which the adjustment tool engages the fastening element, the two upper inclined surfaces of the projection are oriented so that their surface normals extend obliquely upwards at an acute angle relative to the conveying direction, so that the two upper inclined surfaces form a bow shape. The bow can point upwards in the adjustment position and towards the desired position of the fastening element in the release position.

[0032] In the release position, the adjustment tool can release the movement of the fastening element from the adjustment position to the loading position. The protrusion on the side surface of the adjustment tool can also extend into the movement path of the fastening element and guide the movement of the fastening element towards the loading position, so that at least the adjustment in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is maintained.

[0033] In addition to a fastening tool and an adjusting tool, the present invention also relates to a storage magazine for fastening tools for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, the storage magazine having an impact tool, which is arranged to transfer one fastening element at a time along an impact axis from a loading position in the fastening tool to the workpiece, wherein a plurality of fastening elements are arranged in the storage magazine so as to be displaceable forwards and backwards relative to each other in a conveying direction toward the loading position, and wherein the storage magazine is arranged to interact with an adjusting tool of the above-mentioned type, so that the adjusting tool holds the fastening element in a desired position upstream of the loading position and releases the fastening element during a pivoting movement during conveyance into the loading position.

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

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for conveying fastening elements which are arranged one behind the other in a storage magazine of a fastening tool along a conveying direction to a loading position, from which the fastening elements can be conveyed to a workpiece by means of an impact tool, wherein a force is applied to the fastening elements in the direction of the loading position by means of a drive element, and wherein a fastening element located directly upstream of the loading position is shifted into a desired position or maintained in a desired position by means of an adjusting tool which moves against the conveying direction for adjustment parallel to the conveying direction and which is adjusted in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction by means of at least one adjustment surface in the form of an inclined surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the following, the invention is illustrated based on exemplary embodiments in the drawings and explained below. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastening tool,

[0038] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the impact tool and the rail and fastening elements,

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view of details of the impact tool and the fastening element,

[0040] Figure 4 A section view showing a portion of an impact tool and a fastening tool,

[0041] Figure 5 shows the fastening element in a fastened position,

[0042] Figure 6 is a side view of the adjustment tool,

[0043] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Front view of the adjustment tool,

[0044] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the adjustment tool,

[0045] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 A side view showing a plurality of fastening elements and adjusting elements in various positions during operation,

[0046] Fig.12 The fastening element before adjustment is shown in a view along the conveying direction of the fastening element,

[0047] Fig.13 As Fig.12 The representation shows the fastening element after adjustment, and

[0048] Fig.14 As Fig.12 and Fig.13 The representation shows the fastening element in the released position of the adjusting element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a tightening tool 1. The tightening tool has a handle 1a and a storage magazine 8 in which tightening elements are stored and are transported in a transport direction 10 to an impact position. Figure 1 Not visible in , but in Figure 2 The fastening tool transfers the fasteners to the workpiece in the direction of the impact axis 6 by means of an impact tool. The magazine 8 can be replaced as a whole, so that a new magazine with fasteners can be attached to the fastening tool 1. However, it can also be provided that the magazine 8 is refilled after the fastening elements have been used up.

[0050] Figure 2 An impact tool 5 is shown, the head 5a of which is designed to interact with fastening elements 2, 3, 4. The fastening elements 2, 3, 4 are shown one behind the other in the exploded view in the transport direction 10 and are transported one behind the other into a loading position below the head 5a of the impact tool 5. The impact tool can then transport one fastening element at a time onto the workpiece in the direction of the impact axis 6. Figure 2Also shown is a rail 16, the cross section of which is designed so that the fastening elements 2, 3, 4 can be arranged in the rail one behind the other in the conveying direction 10 and displaced into a loading position by a drive in the conveying direction 10, i.e. in the direction of the impact tool 5. The drive element 15 is only shown symbolically at the end of the rail 16 opposite the impact tool 5 and can, for example, contain a compression spring which conveys the fastening elements in the direction of the impact tool 5.

[0051] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of an impact tool 5 which is moved by a drive of the fastening tool (not shown in detail) in the direction of the impact axis 6 toward the fastening element 2 in order to move it onto the workpiece 21 and anchor it there. Figure 3 The details of the fastening element 2 are shown. The fastening element is composed of a bent sheet metal with a base 2a and two legs 2b, 2c extending from the base, wherein the legs form a U-shaped cross section together with the base. The legs can extend roughly parallel to each other, or at least their longitudinal extension directions can extend parallel to each other or extend at an acute angle to each other. The legs 2b, 2c are bent in the cross section to form a profile for reasons of stability and in order to be able to enter the workpiece 21 in a profile fit rather than extending straightly. In addition, sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e are stamped out from each leg 2b, 2c and they bend inwardly toward the gap between the legs. As will be explained in more detail below, the sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e form the opposite surfaces of the stop surfaces of the adjustment tool for positioning the fastening element along the conveying direction 10, respectively.

[0052] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the impact tool 5 and the fastening element 2. The figure shows the legs 2b, 2c and the sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e.

[0053] Figure 5 A single fastening element 2 is shown in a fastening position on a workpiece 21, wherein the fastening element is inserted in the direction of the impact axis 6. Once one or more fastening elements have been fastened to a workpiece, they can be used to connect the workpiece to another component.

[0054] Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The adjustment tool 11 and its details are shown in various views. Figures 9 to 14 Explain the functionality of the tuning tool in more detail.

[0055] The adjusting tool 11 is designed as a lever that can pivot around an axis 17 on the tightening tool. The longitudinal axis of the adjusting tool 11 is marked as 18. The adjusting tool 11 has a drive arm 19, which extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 18 and to which a pivot drive is attached. The adjusting tool 11 has a protrusion 11f in the form of a truncated pyramid on the front side surface, on which various adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are arranged. The adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d formed as inclined surfaces are each designed as a flat surface inclined toward each other. In another embodiment, these surfaces can also be partially rounded and optionally have a flat partial surface. Among the adjustment surfaces 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d designed as inclined surfaces, the inclined surfaces 11a, 11b are referred to as lateral inclined surfaces here, and the inclined surfaces 11c, 11d are referred to as upper inclined surfaces in this article.

[0056] like Figure 7 As can be seen in the figure, in the region of the free end 20 of the adjusting tool 11, the adjusting tool extends in a cone defined by chamfers 20a, 20b. As described below, this cone allows the fastening element to be conveyed past the adjusting tool to the loading position when the adjusting tool 11 is in the release position.

[0057] In the region of the cone at the free end 20 of the adjusting tool, an adjusting surface 11e is also provided on the front side surface of the adjusting tool, on which a projection 11f is also arranged, which adjusting surface is designed as a stop surface and interacts with the inwardly bent sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e of the fastening element when the adjusting tool is in the adjustment position 11. The two lateral inclined surfaces 11a, 11b are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis 18, as are the upper inclined surfaces 11c, 11d, which extend towards each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 18 and form the shape of a bow.

[0058] Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.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 in the conveying direction 10 which has not yet been conveyed into its desired position in the loading position are shown.

[0059] Fig. 9 It is shown that the Figure 21 and 10. The rail 16 shown in FIG. 1 shows a plurality of fastening elements 2, 3 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction 10. The fastening elements 2, 3 can, for example, be arranged directly one behind the other without any spacing and pressed in the conveying direction 10 by a spring-like drive element 15 toward a loading position 7, which is located at the height of the impact axis 6 along the moving direction / conveying direction of the fastening elements. In the loading position 7, the fastening elements located there can then be fastened by means of a spring-like drive element 15. Fig. 9 The impact tool (not shown) is conveyed to the workpiece in the direction of the impact axis 6. In order to enable the impact tool to act on the fastening element located in the loading position 7 without interference, the other fastening elements (in Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 2 and 3) should be spaced apart from the loading position 7 or at least be kept in a defined position relative to the loading position 7. For this purpose, the penultimate fastening element 2 can be brought into the desired position by the adjusting tool 11.

[0060] exist Fig. 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting tool 11 is pivoted into a release position in which the longitudinal axis 18 of the adjusting tool 11 assumes an almost horizontal position. In this position of the adjusting tool, the fastening element can be moved under the adjusting tool in the conveying direction 10 into a loading position. The chamfers 20a, 20b allow the fastening element to be moved under the adjusting tool 11 without having to bring the adjusting tool into a completely horizontal position.

[0061] In this way, the adjusting tool 11 can also be pivoted past the fastening element which has reached the loading position 7 towards the penultimate fastening element 2 which is to be held in the desired position.

[0062] The fastening elements 2, 3 moving along the track in the conveying direction 10 in the magazine 8 pass through a space called the loading path 9. An adjustment tool 11 partially engages in this space, i.e. in the loading path 9, in order to enable adjustment of the fastening elements 2, 3 in the conveying direction 10 and perpendicularly thereto.

[0063] For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 , the last fastening element located in the region of the striking axis 6 is not shown for reasons of clarity.

[0064] Fig.10The position of the adjusting tool 11 is shown in which the adjusting tool is slightly pivoted against the conveying direction 10 towards the fastening element 2. This movement of the adjusting tool 11 against the conveying direction 10 of the fastening element into its adjustment position can be achieved, for example, by the impact tool directly driving the adjusting tool or by means of a mechanical coupling element (not shown) during the downward movement of the adjusting tool. Then, for example, after the impact tool has moved back, the adjusting tool 11 can be pivoted back into its release position by a spring drive attached to the drive arm 19 of the adjusting tool 11.

[0065] Fig.11 The 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 the desired position, wherein the stop surface 11e strikes the inwardly bent sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e of the legs 2b, 2c of the fastening element 2. The driving force acting on the adjustment tool 11 is sufficient to push the fastening element 2 back slightly against the conveying direction 10 and to space it from the last fastening element in the loading position 7, which is not shown. Then, in this position, the fastening element in the loading position can be conveyed to the workpiece by means of an impact tool.

[0066] Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 The fastening element 2 and the adjusting tool 11 are respectively shown in different positions when viewed in the conveying direction 10 . Fig.12 and Fig.13 The front side surface of the adjustment tool 11 where the adjustment pyramid 11f is located is shown respectively.

[0067] Fig.12 The situation in which the fastening element 2 is located in the track 16 at an unadjusted angle is shown. In this position, the adjustment tool 11 and in particular the adjustment pyramid 11f have not yet adjusted the engagement with the fastening element 2. The different fastening elements arranged one behind the other along the track can vary slightly in size and shape, and the track 16 is designed so that it provides enough space for the different shapes and size variations of the fastening elements. This means that certain tolerances can be allowed when manufacturing the fastening elements. On the other hand, the fastening elements are therefore not completely fixed in their lateral positions in the track 16, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 10. In order to achieve sufficient adjustment when the fastening elements are moved into the loading position 7, they should be adjusted to the desired position 14 by means of the adjustment tool 11 not only in the conveying direction 10 but also in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0068] exist Fig.13 In the figure, the adjustment tool 11 is shown in a position in which the adjustment tool is almost vertical (eg Fig.112 (also shown in FIG. 1 ) and engage with the legs 2a, 2b of the fastening element 2. The lateral inclined surfaces 11a, 11b contact the legs 2b, 2c of the fastening element 2 and thereby center the fastening element 2. Furthermore, the stop surface 11e strikes the sheet metal tongues 2d, 2e and thereby adjusts the fastening element 2 in the conveying direction 10. In this illustration, the adjusting tool 11 is in its adjustment position, while the fastening element 2 is in its desired position.

[0069] Fig.14 The position of the adjusting tool 11 is shown in which the adjusting tool is mostly pivoted out of the loading path 9 and the longitudinal axis 18 of the adjusting tool 11 is horizontal. Only the adjusting pyramid 11f still protrudes into the movement path, wherein 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 protrude between the legs of the fastening element 2 and further guide them during the movement into the loading position, so that the fastening element 2 remains adjusted into the loading position 7. Once the fastening element 2 is in the loading position 7, the adjusting tool 11 pivots back and brings the penultimate fastening element (e.g. fastening element 3) located behind the fastening element 2 into its desired position.

[0070] With the described design of the fastening tool and the adjusting tool and the storage magazine for the fastening tool, it is possible to easily realize a rapid handling of the fastening elements one behind the other, wherein the fastening elements are respectively adjusted in the desired form for using the impact tool in the loading position. The described design largely prevents incorrect positioning and thus interference when the fastening element is moved forward, which could block the fastening tool.

Claims

1. A fastening tool (1) for applying a fastening element (2, 3, 4) to a workpiece, The fastening tool comprises an impact tool (5) which is arranged to transfer one fastening element at a time along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) in the fastening tool to a workpiece, wherein the fastening tool is arranged to receive a storage magazine (8) in which a plurality of fastening elements are arranged displaceably one behind the other in a transport direction (10) along a loading path (9) towards the loading position, Features An adjusting tool (11) having at least one adjusting surface (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e), which is movably guided against the conveying direction of the fastening element so that the adjusting tool engages in the loading path, wherein at least one adjusting surface is arranged to shift the fastening element against the conveying direction and / or in at least one direction perpendicular to the conveying direction into a desired position (14) and / or to hold the fastening element in the desired position by acting forcefully on the fastening element.

2. The fastening tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting tool (11) is pivotably arranged between an adjusting position (12) and a releasing position (13), wherein in the adjusting position the adjusting tool engages with a fastening element (2, 3, 4) which has been displaced and / or is to be held in the desired position (14), and wherein in the releasing position the adjusting tool releases the movement of the fastening element along the loading path (9) towards the loading position (7).

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

4. A fastening tool according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fastening tool is arranged for processing a fastening element (2, 3, 4) having a base (2a) and two legs (2b, 2c) fastened to the base, characterized in that The adjustment tool (11) has at least two adjustment surfaces in the form of lateral inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) which are oriented relative to one another so that in each case one of the inclined surfaces is in contact with a leg of the fastening element.

5. The fastening tool according to claim 4, characterized in that: At least two adjustment surfaces in the form of laterally inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) are oriented relative to each other such that they or their imaginary extensions intersect in a line extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction (10) when the adjustment tool (11) is in the adjustment position (12).

6. The fastening tool according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: When the adjustment tool (11) is in the adjustment position (12), at least two adjustment surfaces are arranged in the form of laterally inclined surfaces (11a, 11b) mirror-symmetrically with respect to a symmetry surface in which the impact axis (6) and the conveying direction (10) extend.

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

8. The fastening tool according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The adjusting tool (11) has at least one adjusting surface in the form of a stop surface (11e) which, when the adjusting tool is in the adjusting position (12) in which the adjusting tool engages with a fastening element (2, 3, 4) to be displaced into its desired position (14), is oriented perpendicularly to the conveying direction (10) and is arranged such that the stop surface strikes a surface or edge of the fastening element which is oriented in particular perpendicularly to the conveying direction.

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

10. A fastening tool according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, wherein the fastening tool is configured to process a fastening element (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 the fastening element enclose an angle of less than 180 degrees, in particular less than 135 degrees, further in particular less than 90 degrees.

11. A fastening tool according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, wherein the fastening tool is configured to process a fastening element (2, 3, 4) having a base (2a) and two legs (2b, 2c) fastened to the base, wherein the base and the legs are in each case formed by a metal sheet extending in the conveying direction (10) in the desired position (14) of the fastening element.

12. An 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 transfer the fastening elements along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) in the fastening tool to the workpiece, and wherein at least one fastening element can be displaced in the fastening tool along a transfer 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 the fastening element and / or the adjusting tool has at least one adjusting surface (11e) in the form of a stop surface which limits the movement of the fastening element along the conveying direction when the adjusting tool is in the adjusting position (12) in which the adjusting tool engages with the fastening element to be displaced.

13. A magazine (8) for a fastening tool for applying fastening elements to a workpiece, the magazine having an impact tool (5) which is arranged to transfer one fastening element (2, 3, 4) at a time along an impact axis (6) from a loading position (7) in the fastening tool to the workpiece, wherein a plurality of fastening elements are arranged in the magazine so as to be displaceable forward and backward relative to each other along a conveying direction (10) towards the loading position, characterised in that The magazine is arranged to interact with an adjusting tool (11) according to claim 12, so that the adjusting tool holds the fastening element in a desired position (14) upstream of the loading position and releases the fastening element during a pivoting movement for transfer into the loading position.

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

15. A method for conveying fastening elements arranged one behind the other in a storage magazine (8) of a fastening tool (1) in a conveying direction (10) to a loading position (7), the fastening elements (2, 3, 4) being transferable from the loading position to a workpiece by means of an impact tool (5), wherein a force is exerted on the fastening elements by means of a drive element (15) in the direction of the loading position, It is characterized in that In each case, a fastening element located directly upstream of the loading position is shifted into a desired position (14) or held in a desired position by means of an adjustment tool (11), which is moved counter to the conveying direction for adjustment parallel to the conveying direction and by means of at least one adjustment surface (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) in the form of an inclined surface, in particular perpendicular to the conveying direction.

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