Staple setting tool

Abstract

Setting device (1) for clips (9) which serve to fasten underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in the form of a perforated plate, with a frame (2) which has a handle (3) at one end and is connected at its other end to a setting section (5), a magazine (7) for a plurality of clips (9), a feed section (8) by means of which the clamps (9) can be fed to the setting section (5), and a setting die for setting the brackets (9), wherein at least one guide pin (54) with a head (55) for positioning the setting device (1) on the substrate projects from the setting section (5), wherein the head (55) of the at least one guide pin (54) is movable relative to the setting section (5), characterized in that the magazine (7) has several magazine elements (71) which can be alternately connected to the feed section (8) and that the magazine elements (71) are rotatably mounted on the setting device (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a setting device for staples used to fasten underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in the form of a perforated plate, comprising a frame which carries a handle at one end and is connected at its other end to a setting section, a magazine for a plurality of staples, a feed section by means of which the staples can be fed to the setting section, and a setting punch for setting the staples, wherein at least one guide pin with a head for positioning the setting device on the substrate projects from the setting section. The invention further relates to a method for setting staples for fastening underfloor heating pipes to a substrate.

[0002] These types of setting tools are used when laying installation pipes, and especially when installing underfloor heating systems where heating pipes are laid on perforated plates or similar surfaces. First, pipe holders or clamps are fixed in the perforated plates, which then serve as holders for the heating pipes. The clamps are essentially U-shaped with the free ends of the legs pointing upwards. The horizontal connecting leg of the U-shaped clamp also features a downward-pointing retaining pin, which is pressed into the perforated plate to create a clamping or snap-fit ​​connection.Such clamps are positioned in large numbers at a predetermined distance and in a suitable pattern on the corresponding perforated plate, so that the heating pipes can then be attached to the perforated plate in a suitable loop guide at predetermined laying distances of the individual loops.

[0003] The corresponding U-shaped clips are inserted into the perforated plate one after the other using conventional setting tools, which is quite laborious and time-consuming due to the large number of clips required. Therefore, attempts have already been made to simplify this workflow.

[0004] An example of this can be found in EP 0 794 391 A1. The setting device disclosed therein has a feeder for the staples that also serves as a frame. A handle for the device is located at the top of the feeder, and a pressing mechanism for the staples is located at the bottom. The pressing mechanism is designed with a foot-operated setting plunger, which serves to press in the staples. The staples are fed individually and successively by gravity from the feeder, which acts as a magazine, to the setting plunger. After the setting device is positioned, the foot pedal presses the staples into the corresponding hole in the perforated plate. To ensure that the retaining pin on the staple aligns with the corresponding hole in the perforated plate, this known setting device has a guide pin in a front section of the frame.This guide pin is rigidly attached to the surface of the setting tool that faces the substrate and is positioned at a predetermined distance from the intended position of the staple. In use, this guide pin is inserted into a hole in the perforated plate adjacent to the desired staple position. Since the corresponding distance is determined by the geometry of the setting tool, the staple can then be pressed into the desired hole in the perforated plate by foot pedal operation.

[0005] This well-known setting tool has proven its worth in practice. However, it has become apparent that setting the staples still requires considerable effort. While the aiming mandrel appears convenient for positioning the setting tool itself, a significant amount of effort is simultaneously required to accurately insert the mandrel into the desired hole in the perforated plate. Despite the advantages of this well-known setting tool, setting staples with it remains a time-consuming task, especially since threading the aiming mandrel into the corresponding hole requires a certain degree of concentration. Furthermore, it has proven disadvantageous that even a slight twisting of the mandrel, despite its correct insertion, prevents the retaining pin of the respective staple from being inserted into the intended hole.

[0006] A device for driving staples is known from DE 299 21 762 U1. Such a device is commonly referred to as a stapler and is used to drive fastening nails in the construction of timber structures. The disclosed stapler has axially displaceable guide pins that act as feeler pins for the outer edge of a flat panel. This ensures that the nails to be driven in are equidistant from the outer edge of the wooden panel.

[0007] A setting device of this type is known from EP 2 604 391 A1.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of improving a setting device of the generic type in such a way that the setting process for clips for underfloor heating systems is even more efficient and can be carried out with less effort. Furthermore, the invention aims to create an improved method for setting clips for fastening underfloor heating pipes.

[0009] This problem is solved by a setting device with the features of claim 1, wherein the head of the at least one guide pin is movable relative to the setting section.

[0010] This movable design of the head significantly facilitates its insertion into the corresponding hole in the perforated plate or similar, as it automatically engages there as soon as it enters the area of ​​a hole. This occurs, if necessary, through a relative movement with respect to the insertion section, making the insertion process considerably easier. This relative movement of the head is based on an elastic, spring-like, or mechanical deflection of the at least one guide pin.

[0011] According to the invention, it has now been recognized that a movable design of the head of the at least one guide pin is by no means problematic with regard to the accuracy of positioning the setting device. Since the guide pin, by design, enters the perforated plate or the like on the substrate up to its coupling point on the setting section, the range of motion of the guide pin ultimately decreases with increasing penetration depth. Even if the head of the guide pin can thus perform relatively large threading movements, it still guides the setting device reliably to the desired position along the shaft of the guide pin.

[0012] Furthermore, the movable design of the head of at least one guide pin makes it possible to effectively counteract any dimensional deviations in the spacing of the holes in the substrate, so that, regardless of the given tolerances, the retaining pin can be inserted into the substrate with pinpoint accuracy.

[0013] The measures according to the invention thus create a setting device that significantly simplifies the setting of clamps for underfloor heating pipes or the like. At the same time, the process can also be carried out at a considerably higher processing speed. Accordingly, working time can be saved, which leads to reduced costs.

[0014] According to the invention, the magazine has several magazine elements which can be alternately connected to the feed section.

[0015] This allows a particularly large number of staples to be stored in the magazine, so refilling is only necessary at very long intervals. This further simplifies the workflow, as the user can set a large number of staples gradually over extended periods without interruption. Practical trials have shown that the use of four magazine elements is particularly suitable for daily work processes.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, the magazine elements are rotatably mounted on the setting device. This makes it possible to connect them alternately to the feed section with minimal effort. This allows for a quick change from one magazine element to the next, making the work process even more efficient.

[0017] Advantageous further developments of the setting device according to the invention are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0018] The shaft of at least one guide pin can be designed to be elastic. This allows the head of the guide pin to be movable with very simple design means. The setting device according to the invention can therefore be designed to be very robust, has only a few components, and can be produced cost-effectively.

[0019] A further advantage is that at least one guide pin is movably mounted in the setting section. As an alternative or supplement to an elastically designed shaft on the guide pin, this allows for a very practical degree of movement of the guide pin and, in particular, its head, which further simplifies the threading process into a corresponding hole in the substrate.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the shaft of the at least one guide pin to be axially displaceable within the setting section, and for the head of the at least one guide pin to be resiliently pre-tensioned against a base surface of the setting section. This further facilitates the insertion process of the at least one guide pin into the substrate. The head of the at least one guide pin can then not only deflect transversely to the insertion direction into the perforated plate or the like, but also, to a certain extent, in the insertion direction, thereby considerably simplifying the positioning process.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, at least two guide pins protrude from the setting section, their spacing and arrangement being adapted to a grid in the substrate. Although in the prior art even the insertion of a single target mandrel, i.e., a guide pin into the corresponding hole of the perforated plate or the like, was quite problematic, the invention now provides, in a variant embodiment, for the first time to use at least two guide pins. At first glance, this appears to be a disadvantage, as it seemingly doubles the problem of threading the guide pins. However, this is addressed according to the invention by the fact that the heads of the at least two guide pins are not rigidly attached to the setting section, but are movable.This movable design of the heads significantly facilitates their insertion into the corresponding hole in the perforated plate or similar, for the reasons already explained above. Furthermore, it has been shown that, despite the heads' mobility, the use of at least two guide pins allows for very precise positioning of the setting tool due to its fixed position at at least two points. This enables the tool to be positioned very quickly and reliably to accurately secure a staple to the substrate. Moreover, the movable design of the heads of the at least two guide pins makes it particularly easy to compensate for any dimensional variations in the spacing of the holes in the substrate, ensuring precise insertion of the guide pins into the substrate regardless of tolerances.A further advantage of the setting device according to the invention lies in the fact that the at least two guide pins effectively prevent the setting device from rotating relative to the substrate. This reliably prevents a situation, unlike in the prior art, where the guide pins are positioned in a corresponding hole in the substrate, but the desired hole for the staple's retaining pin is not located due to rotation of the setting device. In a preferred embodiment, three guide pins protrude from the setting section. Practical tests have shown that this achieves the greatest accuracy in positioning the staple's retaining pin over the corresponding hole in the substrate. This allows the setting process to be carried out at a particularly high processing speed and with very little effort.

[0022] A further advantage is that the setting plunger can be operated from the handle, with the handle preferably interacting with an actuating rod that is axially displaceable on the frame in the direction of the setting plunger. This eliminates the need for the user to bend over or operate the foot pedal, etc., to set the staples. The user can thus perform the setting process while standing stably with very little physical strain. This further simplifies the setting of the staples.

[0023] If the operating rod is spring-loaded against the frame in the opposite direction to the direction of operation, it automatically returns to its rest position after each setting operation, eliminating the need for any manual operation by the user. The user simply inserts each clip by pressing down on the handle with the operating rod towards the surface, resulting in highly efficient workflows.

[0024] According to a further aspect of the present invention, claim 9 provides a method for setting clips for fastening underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in the form of a perforated plate, which is carried out using the setting device according to the invention. This method comprises the steps of: filling the magazine with a plurality of clips, positioning the setting device on the substrate using at least one guide pin, the head of which is movable relative to the setting section, so that the head of the at least one guide pin is inserted into a hole or a recess in the substrate, and setting a clip by actuating the setting plunger.

[0025] This method achieves the advantageous effects in the workflow already explained above using the setting device. In particular, it makes it possible to attach a very large number of clips for underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in a surprisingly short time and with minimal effort.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 the setting device according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective under-view of the setting device; Fig. 3 a perspective detail view of the setting device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a clamp that can be set by the setting device according to the invention.

[0027] According to the representation in Fig. 1 A setting device 1 has a frame 2. This frame contains a longitudinal strut 21 and a transverse strut 22. Furthermore, a magazine holder 23 is arranged on the frame.

[0028] The setting tool 1 has a handle 3 which interacts with an actuating rod 4 that terminates in a setting section 5. A compression spring 6 pre-tensions the actuating rod 4 to its rest position, in which the setting tool 1 is ready to drive in a staple.

[0029] The setting device 1 further comprises a magazine 7 and a feed section 8. A large number of clamps 9, which serve as pipe holders, can be held in the magazine 7 and are fed individually and successively into the setting section 5 via the feed section 8.

[0030] The setting section 5 has a receiving chamber 51, which is particularly in Fig. 2 is recognizable. The clips 9 are inserted individually one after the other into this receiving chamber 51 so that they can then be pressed out of the setting section 5 into a predetermined hole in a substrate by a setting plunger (not shown) on the actuating rod 4. The setting plunger is formed here by the lower end of the actuating rod 4. The substrate is not shown here; however, it is designed in a conventional manner, such as a perforated plate or the like.

[0031] The setting section 5 further comprises a support plate 52, which rests on the surface of the substrate during use. In the illustrated embodiment, this plate has three fixing arms 53a, 53b, and 53c, which, by means of guide pins 54 mounted on them, enable correct positioning of the setting device 1 on the substrate. The guide pins 54 each have a head 55, which is conically shaped to facilitate threading into holes in the substrate. A shaft 56 of the guide pins 54 is axially displaceable on the setting section 5, with each guide pin 54 being pre-tensioned by a spring 57 to its stop such that, in the rest state, their heads 55 project a maximum distance beyond the support plate 52 of the setting section 5.

[0032] The guide pins 54 are positioned at a predetermined distance and in such a way that they can be inserted into three diagonally oriented holes in the substrate. This automatically results in the correct positioning of the clamp 9, which is pushed out of the receiving chamber 51 for insertion by means of the actuating rod 4, over the desired hole in the substrate.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the magazine 7 has four magazine elements 71, which are rotatably arranged about a guide rod 72. The guide rod 72 connects the handle 3 to the magazine holder 23. Furthermore, a stop 73 is arranged on the guide rod 72 in the area of ​​the handle 3, which limits the travel of the guide rod 72 as well as the actuating rod 4 when the staples 9 are pressed in.

[0034] Magazine 7 also features a magazine plate 74, which is described in more detail in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the magazine plate 74 is fixedly arranged on the magazine holder 23 and has a plate recess 75 at which a connection can be made between a magazine element 71 and a feed arch 81 of the feed section 8. In the Fig. In the position shown in Figure 3, these two elements are not locked together in order to better illustrate the design of the elements. The magazine plate 74 also has three holes 76 in an analogous arrangement to the magazine elements 71, of which in Fig. 3 only one can be seen.

[0035] To create this connection between a magazine element 71 and the feed sheet 81, the latter has a recess 82 in which a projection 77 on the respective magazine element 71 can be inserted in a form-fitting manner. This situation is described in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The projections 77 on the other magazine elements 71 then come to rest in the holes 76, so that a stepless connection is formed between the selected magazine element 71 and the feed arch 81. As can be seen here, the four coupled magazine elements 71 of the magazine 7 are lifted slightly and then rotated to change the magazine element 71.

[0036] As in Fig. As indicated in Figure 3, the clips 9 are positively locked to the magazine elements 71. An example of a clip 9 on a magazine element 71 is shown here. At the start of operations, all magazine elements 71 are completely filled with clips 9.

[0037] In Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows such a clamp 9. This clamp has a locking section 91 for underfloor heating pipes, which also serves to hold the clamp to the magazine elements 71 in the magazine 7. Furthermore, the clamp 9 includes a retaining pin 92, which is pressed into a hole in a substrate and fixes the clamp 9 there.

[0038] In operation, the magazine 7 of the setting device 1 is usually first completely filled with staples 9. The staples 9 present on the selected magazine element 71, which is connected to the feed arch 81, then slide down the feed arch 81 into the receiving chamber 51 due to gravity, so that the foremost staple 9 comes to rest under the setting punch on the actuating rod 4.

[0039] The setting device 1 is then moved to the desired location on the substrate and positioned there using the three guide pins 54. The guide pins 54 are inserted into three selected holes in the substrate. Since the heads 55 of the guide pins 54 are movably held on the setting section 5, the guide pins 54 can be easily inserted into the corresponding holes in the substrate. The guide pins 54 thread themselves into the corresponding holes and, if necessary, perform slight elastic or spring-like movements to facilitate the threading process. For this purpose, the guide pins 54 are not rigidly arranged in the respective through-holes on the support plate 52, but with a certain amount of play, so that not only is axial displacement of the guide pins 54 possible, but also lateral movements within a certain range.

[0040] Once the setting tool 1 is correctly positioned on the substrate, the handle 3 is pushed towards the substrate. The clamp 9, located in the receiving chamber 51, is then pressed into the substrate via the operating rod 4. The clamp 9 is then reliably fixed to the substrate by the barbs on the retaining pin 92.

[0041] After pressure is applied to the handle 3, it automatically returns to its home position due to the spring tension of the compression spring 6. The next staple 9 then slides along the feed arch 81 to the predetermined position in the receiving chamber 51. The setting device 1 is then lifted from the substrate, with the guide pins 54 emerging from their corresponding holes in the substrate. The setting device 1 is then moved to the next location where a staple 9 is to be positioned. The setting process is then repeated as described above.

[0042] In addition to the embodiment described, the invention allows for further design approaches.

[0043] It is also possible for the magazine 7 to have a different number of magazine elements 71 instead of four. In very simple embodiments, only a single magazine element may be provided, so that the connection between the single magazine element 71 and the feed sheet 81 does not necessarily have to be detachable. In other variants, it is also conceivable that two or three magazine elements 71 are provided. However, to increase the efficiency of setting such staples 9, it is often desirable to have as many magazine elements 71 as possible so that work does not have to be interrupted to refill the magazine 7. Therefore, magazines 7 with five or six magazine elements 71 represent advantageous alternatives.

[0044] Furthermore, it is also possible that the shaft 56 of the guide pins 54 is elastically designed, thus further improving the mobility of the heads 55 of the guide pins 54. This variant can also be provided for guide pins rigidly connected to the support plate 52, in order to achieve the advantages of the invention with a simple design.

[0045] Furthermore, it is also possible to forgo axial displacement of the shaft 56 of the guide pins 54 at the setting section 5.

[0046] The number of guide pins 54 is also not limited to three. In a simplified embodiment, it is perfectly sufficient to provide only one or two guide pins 54. In principle, it would also be possible to use more than three guide pins 54, but this generally offers no further advantages in terms of processing.

[0047] To operate the setting device 1, it is not absolutely necessary to have an axially displaceable actuating rod 4. Rather, it would also be possible for the handle 3 to have an actuating element, for example in the form of a lever, which is connected to the setting section 5 via a cable or other mechanism and can trigger the setting plunger there. Accordingly, the setting plunger does not have to be located at the lower end of the actuating rod; it can also be a separate part that is mounted in the setting section 5 and actuated by the actuating rod or another triggering mechanism.

[0048] The shape of the brackets can vary from the one in Fig. The 4 shown differ; in principle, all bracket shapes subject to this system, available in many variations on the market, can be used here.

[0049] In addition, the clamps 9 can also be used to fix installation pipes other than underfloor heating pipes.

Claims

[1] Setting device (1) for clips (9) which serve to fasten underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in the form of a perforated plate, with a frame (2) which has a handle (3) at one end and is connected at its other end to a setting section (5), a magazine (7) for a plurality of clips (9), a feed section (8) by means of which the clamps (9) can be fed to the setting section (5), and a setting stamp for setting the brackets (9), wherein at least one guide pin (54) with a head (55) for positioning the setting device (1) on the substrate projects from the setting section (5), wherein the head (55) of the at least one guide pin (54) is movable relative to the setting section (5), characterized by, that the magazine (7) has several magazine elements (71) which can be alternately connected to the feed section (8) and that the magazine elements (71) are rotatably mounted on the setting device (1). [2] Setting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a shaft (56) of the at least one guide pin (54) is elastically designed. [3] Setting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one guide pin (54) is movably mounted in the setting section (5). [4] Setting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a shaft (56) of the at least one guide pin (54) is axially displaceable in the setting section (5), and that the head (55) of the at least one guide pin (54) is resiliently preloaded against a base surface of the setting section (5). [5] Setting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that at least two guide pins (54), in particular three guide pins (54), protrude from the setting section (5), their spacing and arrangement being adapted to a grid in the substrate. [6] Setting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the setting punch can be actuated from the handle (3), wherein the handle (3) preferably cooperates with an actuating rod (4) which is mounted axially displaceable on the frame (2) in the direction of the setting punch. [7] Setting device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the actuating rod (4) is spring-loaded against an actuating direction on the frame (2). [8] Setting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the magazine (7) has four magazine elements (71). [9] Method for setting clips (9) for fastening underfloor heating pipes to a substrate in the form of a perforated plate, using the setting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps: Filling the magazine (7) with a plurality of staples (9), positioning the setting device (1) on the substrate using at least one guide pin (54) whose head (55) is movable relative to the setting section (5) so that the head (55) of the at least one guide pin (54) is inserted into a hole or recess in the substrate, and setting a staple (9) by actuating the setting punch.

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