Fastener with a tool guide tail

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the fastener include a pin having a head and a tail on the opposite side of the head. The tail includes a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top. The first top includes a surface on at least one side of the first top having a first profile. The second top includes a surface on at least one side of the second top having a second profile. The second profile is different from the first profile. The pitch between the peak of the first top and the peak of the second top is different from the pitch between the root of the first top and the root of the second top.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Various fasteners are useful for different applications. Some fasteners are installed by cold forming a portion of the fastener, such as a collar or sleeve of a fastener body located on a pin. A tool that grips the pin and applies tension to the pin provides the force for cold forming the fastener body. A typical tool has a plier having a set of tops and grooves that mate with tops and grooves on the tail of the pin.

[0002] If the tool is not properly aligned with the fastener pin, when the plier is closed onto the pin, the top of the plier may strike the top on the pin instead of being received within the groove on the pin. Such top-to-top engagement can cause damage to the pin, the tool, or both.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] An exemplary embodiment of a fastener includes a pin having a head and a tail on an opposite side of the head. The tail includes a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top. The first top includes a surface on at least one side of the first top having a first profile. The second top includes a surface on at least one side of the second top having a second profile. The second profile is different from the first profile. The pitch between the peak of the first top and the peak of the second top is different from the pitch between the root of the first top and the root of the second top.

[0004] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the surface on at least one side of the first top is inclined at a first angle with respect to the axis of the pin, and the surface on at least one side of the second top is inclined at a second angle with respect to the axis of the pin, and the second angle is different from the first angle.

[0005] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the surface on at least one side of the second top, or the surface on at least one side of the first top, is configured as a cam surface that biases the pulling tool towards the head or the tail when the top on the pulling tool contacts the surface.

[0006] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the surface on at least one side of the second top or the surface on at least one side of the first top includes a first segment starting at the peak of the top and a second segment between the first segment and the base of the top, and the first segment and the second segment are inclined at different angles with respect to the axis of the pin.

[0007] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the first top includes a first height defining a position on the first top that is radially most distal from the axis of the pin, the second top includes a second height defining a position on the second top that is radially most distal from the axis of the pin, and the second height is different from the first height.

[0008] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the pitch between the peaks of the first top and the second top is greater than the pitch between the bases of the first top and the second top.

[0009] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the assembly includes a fastener of any of the preceding paragraphs and a tool having a puller with a plurality of puller tops. One of the puller tops is positioned to be received in the groove between the first top and the second top when the puller is closed on the tail. That puller top is longer than at least one of the other puller tops. The groove between the first top and the second top is deeper than at least one other groove on the tail.

[0010] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the plier has an interior facing towards the pin, the interior of the plier has a hardness in the range of 53 - 70 HRC, and the pin has a hardness in the range of 32 - 52 HRC.

[0011] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the hardness of the interior of the plier is in the range of 60 - 70 HRC, and the hardness of the pin is in the range of 43 - 50 HRC.

[0012] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the method of installing the fastener described in any of the preceding paragraphs includes positioning the fastener body at a desired position relative to the structural component, positioning the plier portion of the tool near the tail, contracting the plier portion until the plier top contacts one of the first top or the second top, and caming the plier top along the surface on at least one side of one of the first top or the second top to direct the plier top into the groove between the first top and the second top.

[0013] In addition to, or alternatively to, one or more of the above features, the plier portion includes a plurality of plier tops, and by camming the plier tops along the surface on at least one side of one of the first top or the second top, the others of the plurality of plier tops are guided into the grooves between the corresponding others of the plurality of tops on the tail.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the assembly includes a fastener and a tool. The fastener has a pin and a fastener body, the pin has a head and a tail on the opposite side of the head, the tail includes at least one supporting surface, and the pin has a first hardness. The tool includes a plier having an interior configured to engage the supporting surface to bias at least the tail in a direction along the axis of the pin, and the metal on at least the interior of the plier has a second hardness that is harder than the first hardness.

[0015] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the above features, the first hardness is in the range of 32 to 52 HRC, and the second hardness is in the range of 53 to 70 HRC.

[0016] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the above features, the first hardness is in the range of 43 to 50 HRC, and the second hardness is in the range of 60 to 70 HRC.

[0017] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the above features, the tail includes a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top, at least one support surface includes a plurality of support surfaces, each of the support surfaces is on at least one side of a corresponding one of the tops, the support surface of the first top has a first profile, the support surface of the second top has a second profile, and the second profile is different from the first profile.

[0018] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the above features, the surface on at least one side of the first top is inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the axis of the pin, the surface on at least one side of the second top is inclined at a second inclination angle with respect to the axis of the pin, and the second inclination angle is different from the first inclination angle.

[0019] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the above features, the surface on at least one side of the second top, or the surface on at least one side of the first top, is configured as a cam surface that biases the pulling tool toward the head when the top on the pulling tool contacts the surface.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of a fastener installation tool includes a tool body and a nose portion near one end of the tool body, the nose portion being configured to be at least partially received over a first type of fastener and a second different type of fastener, each type of fastener including a fastener pin having at least one support surface on a tail of the fastener pin, the nose portion, a plunger at least partially supported within the nose portion and movable relative to the tool body for contacting at least one support surface on a tail of any type of fastener and biasing at least the tail of the fastener in a direction along an axis of the fastener pin.

[0021] In addition to or alternatively to one or more of the above features, the tail of the fastener pin includes a plurality of tops including a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top, the at least one support surface includes a plurality of support surfaces, each of the support surfaces being on at least one side of a corresponding one of the tops, the support surface of the first top has a first profile, the support surface of the second top has a second profile, and the second profile is different from the first profile.

[0022] In addition to or alternatively to one or more of the above features, the support surface on at least one side of the second top or the support surface on at least one side of the first top is configured as a cam surface that biases the plunger toward the head when the top on the plunger contacts the support surface.

[0023] The various features and advantages of at least one of the disclosed exemplary embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Figure 1 shows a plurality of different types of fasteners 20 useful in different situations. One of the fasteners can be called a blind - type fastener and includes a pin 22 having a head 24 near one end and a tail 26 opposite the head 24. In this example, a fastener body 28 including a collar and a sleeve is received over a portion of the pin 22 between the head 24 and the tail 26. The tail 26 includes a plurality of tops 30 and has grooves 32 between adjacent tops 30.

[0026] The other fastener illustrated in Figure 1, which may be called a lock bolt, includes a pin 34. A head 36 is located near one end of the pin 34 and a tail 38 is on the opposite side of the head 36. In this example, a fastener body 40 which is a collar is received over a portion of the pin 34 between the head 36 and the tail 38. The tail 38 includes a plurality of tops 42 and has grooves 44 between adjacent tops.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the exemplified fastener types. For example, in some embodiments, the fastener includes a sleeve and a collar incorporated into a single fastener body, while in other embodiments, the fastener includes a collar and a sleeve that are separate components.

[0028] The fastener installation tool 50 includes a nose assembly 52 configured to be compatible with the tail 26 of a blind type fastener and the tail 38 of a lock bolt type fastener. The configuration of the nose assembly 52 enables the tool 50 to be used with various fastener types, including those illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0029] The pliers 54 of the nose assembly 52 are configured to be compatible with the tops 30, 42 and grooves 32, 44 on each type of fastener. The versatility of the nose assembly 52 is unique compared to conventional tools designed for use with one type of fastener. By having a nose assembly 52 useful for various fastener types, efficiency is provided by reducing operator time for tool changes and reducing tool inventory.

[0030] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a portion of the fastener 20 and a portion of the tool 50. For purposes of discussion, the pin 22 and tail 26 of a blind type fastener are shown in FIGS. 2-5. The features and functions illustrated and described are equally applicable to other types of fasteners, such as a lock bolt including a pin 34 and tail 38.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the nose assembly 52 of the tool is positioned relative to the fastener 20 such that at least a portion of the tail 26 is received within the pliers 54. The state shown in FIG. 2 includes the pliers 54 in an extended or open state such that the pliers 54 and the pin 22 can move relative to each other.

[0032] In this example, the tail 26 includes a plurality of tops 30 having a first profile. One of the tops 30' has a second profile that differs from the first profile at at least one point. The interior of the plier 54 includes a plurality of tops 56 configured to be received within a groove 32 between the tops 30 on the tail 26. The interior of the plier 54 includes a groove 58 between the tops 56. The groove 58 is configured to receive the tops 30 on the tail 26 when the plier 54 engages the tail 26. Since the top 56' is intended to engage the top 30' on the tail 26 having the second profile, one of the tops 56' on the interior of the plier has a different configuration from the other tops 56.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, when the plier 54 and the tail 26 are disposed, the plier 54 can be closed to the position shown in FIG. 3, which corresponds to a desired or proper engagement between the plier 54 and the tail 26 of the pin 22. In this position, then, at least a portion of the fastener body 28 is cold formed so that the plier 54 can apply an axial force to the tail 26 to fix the fastener body 28 in a desired position relative to the structural component or workpiece.

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a different alignment of the plier 54 and the tail 26. In this alignment position or relative position, when the plier 54 closes and engages the pin 26, the tops 56 inside the plier 54 contact the tops 30 of the tail 26 directly. Such an engagement between the tops between a typical pin and tool does not allow the plier to engage properly with the tail for the purpose of installing the fastener. Under some conditions, the engagement between the tops can cause damage to the tool, the pin, or both.

[0035] The illustrated exemplary embodiment includes at least one feature that reduces or eliminates the possibility that the tool and the tail remain in an undesirable alignment between the tops. The second profile of the top 30' of the tail 26 facilitates achieving a proper desired engagement between the plier 54 and the tail 26 by moving the plier 54 from the undesirable position shown in FIG. 4 toward the position shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] As can be understood from FIG. 5, each of the tops 30 includes a support surface 60 on a side of the top that faces the head 24 of the fastener (i.e., faces left as per the drawing). The support surface 60 is inclined at a first oblique angle A with respect to the axis 62 of the pin 22. The oblique angle can vary along the support surface 60. For example, some embodiments include a curve along at least a portion of the support surface 60. The oblique angle of such a curved surface corresponds to the orientation of the tangent at a selected reference point on the curve. Depending on the position along the support surface 60 used as the reference point, the angle will be different with respect to the axis 62 of the pin.

[0037] A second different profile of the top 30' includes a support surface 64 that faces the head 24 and is different from the support surface 60 at at least one point. In this embodiment, the second profile includes the configuration of the support surface 64. The illustrated support surface 64 includes a first segment 66 that begins at the peak of the top 30' and a second segment 68 between the first segment 66 and the root of the top 30' (which is the location where the groove 32' adjacent to the top 30' intersects). At least the first segment 66 is inclined with respect to the pin axis 62 at a second oblique angle B.

[0038] As can be understood from FIG. 5, the first oblique angle A is steeper than the second oblique angle B. The second profile of the surface 64 of the top 30' acts as a cam surface. As shown in FIG. 5, the force applied by the anvil or anvil insert of the nose assembly 52 and the tool 50 closes the plier 54 onto the tail 26, biases the top 56' along the surface 64, and moves the plier 54 toward the head 24 of the pin 22 (i.e., left as per the drawing). The second different profile of the top 30' facilitates moving the plier 54 with respect to the pin 22 from the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the position shown in FIG. 3. As the top 56' follows along the support surface 64, the plier 54 moves not to remain in alignment between the tops but to the desired engagement with the tail 26.

[0039] Having at least one top 30' with a profile different from that of at least one other top 30 minimizes or eliminates the possibility that the plier 54 remains aligned with the top of the tail 26 when the plier 54 is closed over the tail 26. The second profile of the surface 64 is provided at the top 30' closest to the end of the tail 26 in the illustrated example, but a second different profile need not be at the top that is furthest distal from the head 24 or closest to the end of the tail 26. Other exemplary embodiments include a second different profile on the top 30 adjacent to the last top on the tail 26. For example, the top 30' would be in the position of the top 30 shown to the left of the top 30' in FIG. 5.

[0040] The terms "first" and "second" used in this description to refer to tops or profiles are intended to identify them for purposes of discussion without imposing a limitation on the relative position of the tops along the length of the tail 26 or the axis 62.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes a first pitch C between the peaks of the tops 56 and 56' on the plier 54. The tops 30 having the first profile may also have a pitch C between the peaks of the tops 30, although the spacing may be different for some fasteners. The pitch C also defines the distance between the positions where the base of each top 30 intersects the adjacent groove 32. The dimensional relationship ensures that when the plier and the tail are properly engaged (as shown in FIG. 3, for example), the peaks of the tops 56 and 56' on the plier are received in the desired positions within the corresponding grooves 32.

[0042] The second profile on the top 30' on the tail 26 results in a pitch or spacing D between the peak of the top 30' and the peak of the top 30 adjacent thereto. The pitch D is greater than the pitch C. This greater spacing or increased pitch D establishes a mismatch between the peak of the top 30' and the corresponding peak of the top 56' on the platter 56 even when the remainder of the top 30 is in direct alignment with the top 56 on the platter. Thus, the second profile and the different pitch D facilitate the movement of the top 56' on the platter 54 along the support (and cam) surface 64 when the platter 54 closes onto the tail 26.

[0043] The top 56' on the platter 54 has an engagement surface configured to be received by a second segment 68 of the support surface 64 when the platter is in the closed engagement position as shown in FIG. 3. The contour of the surface is set to provide sufficient engagement between the support surfaces on each of the tops 30, 30' of the tail 26 and the corresponding tops 56, 56' of the platter 54.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes another feature that contributes to minimizing or eliminating the possibility that the platter 54 remains misaligned with the tops of the tail 26. In this embodiment, the height H1 of the top 30 including the first profile is greater than the height H2 of the top 30'. The height in this context corresponds to the radial distance from the pin axis 62 to the peak of the tops 30, 30' at the position farthest from the axis 62. The top 56' on the platter 54 has a greater height H3 compared to the height H4 of the other tops 56 on the platter 54. The heights H3 and H4 correspond to different lengths of the tops, and in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the top 56' is longer than the other tops 56.

[0045] The greater height, or longer length, of the top 56' ensures that the top 56' engages the top 30' before or at least simultaneously with the possibility that the top 56 engages the top 30. This difference in the heights of the various tops facilitates the movement of the top 56' along the surface 64 in the case of misalignment of the platter 54 and the pin 26, as described above.

[0046] The grooves each have a varying depth in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The groove adjacent to the top 30' has a depth D1 that is greater than at least one other depth D2 of the grooves. In this embodiment, most of the grooves have the same depth D2. The different groove depths accommodate different heights H3 and H4 of the tops 56' and 56 respectively on the plier 54.

[0047] Another exemplary embodiment includes a top 30' having a greater height than another top 30 on the tail 26. When the top 30' has a greater height, it will first be engaged by the plier 54 when the tail 26 and the plier 54 are aligned so that top-to-top engagement can occur.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart 70 summarizing a method of overcoming an initial top-to-top misalignment during installation of a fastener having a tail 26 configured similar to that shown in FIGS. 2-5. At step 72, the collar of the fastener is positioned at a desired position relative to the structural component, such as being placed within a hole. The tool 50 is positioned relative to the fastener at step 74 to position the plier 54 near the tail 26 of the fastener. At step 76, the plier is contracted until the plier top contacts the top on the tail of the fastener. At step 78, the plier top is cammed along the surface of the top on the tail, directing the plier top into the groove between two tops on the tail. The camming action that occurs at step 78 biases the plier 54 into the desired alignment with the tail 26, such as that shown in FIG. 3.

[0049] The process summarized in FIG. 7 overcomes misalignment between the tops. The illustrated exemplary plier 54 may be in an initial axial alignment with a tail that does not cause a risk of top-to-top engagement. For example, tops 56 and 56' may be directly aligned with groove 32 intended to receive the tops on plier 54, and the plier can close without contacting the surface on the top. Another possible alignment can result in top 56 contacting the surface on the top facing towards the end of the tail when plier 54 closes. A feature of the disclosed exemplary embodiments ensures that plier 54 can fully close in either a pin alignment with those pliers that include undesirable misalignment between the tops.

[0050] Another feature of the exemplary embodiments is that at least the interior of plier 54 is hardened to be harder than any of the fasteners installed using plier 54. In one exemplary embodiment, plier 54 is subjected to a gas nitriding hardening treatment. The gas nitrided metal of plier 54 is extremely hard. The hardness of at least the interior of plier 54 resulting from the gas nitriding of the exemplary embodiments is 53 - 70 (i.e., 53 - 70 HRC) according to the Rockwell hardness scale. In some embodiments, the hardness of at least the interior of plier 54 is 60 - 70 HRC.

[0051] By having a gas nitrided plier, it becomes possible to use pin 22 that is harder than many conventional pins. In some exemplary embodiments, the hardness of the pin is 32 - 52 according to the Rockwell hardness scale. In some embodiments, the hardness of the pin is 43 - 50 HRC. Having pins with such hardness has structural advantages. The gas nitrided plier can withstand the forces associated with the contact between plier 54 and tail 26 even when there is top-to-top engagement for at least a portion of the fastener installation process. If plier 54 is not harder than pin 22, plier 54 and tool 50 may be damaged in the case of top-to-top engagement between plier 54 and pin 22.

[0052] In some exemplary embodiments, the gas nitriding treatment applied to the plier 54 results in a gas nitrided hard metal that at least partially extends into the plier component on at least the inner surface of the plier 54. In some embodiments, the entire plier structure shown in FIGS. 2-5 has a hardness resulting from the gas nitriding treatment. In other words, the gas nitriding treatment extends through the entire metal of at least the portion of the plier 54 shown in FIGS. 2-5.

[0053] A fastener tail having a top including at least one top having a profile different from at least one other top profile and a corresponding difference in pitch between the top peak and the top root reduces or eliminates the possibility that the plier and the tail remain in top-to-top engagement during the fastener installation process. Exemplary top configurations include a plurality of features that facilitate ensuring the desired engagement between the plier and the fastener tail. At least one of these features may be used in one embodiment to achieve the benefits provided by the disclosed exemplary embodiments. A sub-combination less than all of those features may be used, and one of ordinary skill in the art having the advantages of this description will be able to select which features are useful in a particular implementation.

[0054] Features such as having at least one top with a different profile and a gas nitrided plier each contribute to better wear durability and reduction of fastener and plier fatigue. Avoiding top-to-top engagement reduces the wear and fatigue that the plier experiences over time. Using a harder plier allows for the use of a harder fastener pin, which contributes to improved fastener durability during and after installation.

[0055] Multiple embodiments are disclosed above. Any feature of each disclosed embodiment may be combined with at least one feature of another disclosed embodiment to realize further embodiments. Various combinations that are not specifically described above or illustrated in the drawings are possible and are within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, not all features of each disclosed embodiment are required in all implementations.

[0056] The foregoing description is illustrative rather than restrictive in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the essence of the present invention. The scope of legal protection given to the present invention can be determined only by considering the following claims.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising a pin including a head and a tail on the opposite side of the head, wherein the tail includes a plurality of tops including a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top, wherein the first top includes a surface on at least one side of the first top having a first profile, wherein the second top includes a surface on at least one side of the second top having a second profile, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile, wherein a pitch between a peak of the first top and a peak of the second top is different from a pitch between a root of the first top and a root of the second top.

2. wherein the surface on the at least one side of the first top is inclined at a first oblique angle with respect to an axis of the pin, wherein the surface on the at least one side of the second top is inclined at a second oblique angle with respect to the axis of the pin, The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the second oblique angle is different from the first oblique angle.

3. The fastener according to claim 2, wherein the surface on the at least one side of the second top or the surface on the at least one side of the first top is configured as a cam surface that biases the pulling tool toward the head or the tail when a top on the pulling tool contacts the surface.

4. wherein the surface on the at least one side of the second top or the surface on the at least one side of the first top includes a first segment starting from a peak of the top and a second segment between the first segment and a root of the top, The fastener according to claim 2, wherein the first segment and the second segment are inclined at different oblique angles with respect to the axis of the pin.

5. wherein the first top includes a first height defining a position on the first top that is radially most distal from an axis of the pin, wherein the second top includes a second height defining a position on the second top that is radially most distal from the axis of the pin, The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the second height is different from the first height.

6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the pitch between the peak of the first top and the peak of the second top is greater than the pitch between the root of the first top and the root of the second top.

7. An assembly comprising the fastener according to claim 1 and a tool having a plurality of plier tops, wherein: One of the plier tops is positioned to be received in the groove between the first top and the second top when the plier is closed on the tail; One of the plier tops is longer than at least one other of the plier tops; The groove between the first top and the second top is deeper than at least one other groove on the tail.

8. The plier has an interior facing towards the pin; The interior of the plier has a hardness in the range of 53 - 70 HRC; The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the pin has a hardness in the range of 32 - 52 HRC.

9. The hardness of the interior of the plier is in the range of 60 - 70 HRC; The assembly according to claim 8, wherein the hardness of the pin is in the range of 43 - 50 HRC.

10. A method of installing the fastener according to claim 1, comprising: Positioning the fastener body at a desired position relative to a structural component; Positioning the plier portion of the tool near the tail; Shrinking the plier portion until the plier top contacts one of the first top or the second top; Camming the plier top along the surface on at least one side of the one of the first top or the second top to direct the plier top into the groove between the first top and the second top. A method as described above.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the plier portion includes a plurality of plier tops, and camming the plier tops along the surface on at least one side of the one of the first top or the second top guides the other of the plurality of plier tops into the grooves between the corresponding others of the plurality of tops on the tail.

12. A fastener comprising a pin and a fastener body, wherein the pin has a head and a tail opposite the head, the tail includes at least one support surface, and the pin has a first hardness. A tool including a plunger having an interior configured to engage a support surface for biasing at least the tail in a direction along the axis of the pin, wherein at least the interior of the plunger comprises a metal having a second hardness harder than the first hardness, the tool, and an assembly comprising the same.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first hardness ranges from 32 to 52 HRC and the second hardness ranges from 53 to 70 HRC.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first hardness ranges from 43 to 50 HRC and the second hardness ranges from 60 to 70 HRC.

15. The tail includes a plurality of tops including a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top, The at least one support surface includes a plurality of support surfaces, Each of the support surfaces is on at least one side of a corresponding one of the tops, The support surface of the first top has a first profile, The support surface of the second top has a second profile, The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile.

16. The surface on at least one side of the first top is inclined at a first angle with respect to the axis of the pin, The surface on at least one side of the second top is inclined at a second angle with respect to the axis of the pin, The fastener according to claim 15, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle.

17. The assembly according to claim 16, wherein the surface on at least one side of the second top or the surface on at least one side of the first top is configured as a cam surface that biases the pulling tool toward the head when a top on the pulling tool contacts the surface.

18. A tool body, A nose portion near one end of the tool body, the nose portion being configured to be at least partially received on a first type of fastener and a second different type of fastener, each type of fastener including the fastener pin having at least one support surface on the tail of the fastener pin, the nose portion. A fastener installation tool comprising a plunger that is at least partially supported within the nose portion so as to be movable relative to the tool body for contacting at least one support surface on the tail of any type of fastener and biasing at least the tail of the fastener in a direction along the axis of the fastener pin.

19. The tail of the fastener pin includes a plurality of tops including a first top, a second top, and a groove between the first top and the second top, The at least one support surface includes a plurality of support surfaces, Each of the support surfaces is on at least one side of a corresponding one of the tops, The support surface of the first top has a first profile, The support surface of the second top has a second profile, The fastener installation tool according to claim 18, wherein the second profile is different from the first profile.

20. The fastener installation tool according to claim 19, wherein the support surface on at least one side of the second top or the support surface on at least one side of the first top is configured as a cam surface that biases the plunger toward the head when the top on the plunger contacts the support surface.

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