Rivet Tool with Interchangeable Forming Dies and Alignment Pins

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools for attaching rivet elements, such as snap fasteners and decorative rivets, to flexible or limp surface materials like clothing and plastics are cumbersome, requiring multiple steps and precise alignment, and often limit the ability to place rivets at any desired location.

Innovation Solution

A tool comprising an anvil and a stamp with positioning means, allowing for easy alignment and a single operation to fix rivet elements to a surface, using interchangeable forming tools for various sizes and shapes, and optionally including a piercing tool for hole creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tool parts are used to attach rivet elements, then the attachment function is achieved, but the alignment and positioning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment functionVSAvoidalignment and positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple tool parts (anvil, stamp, positioning means) into a single integrated tool assembly. The positioning means are integrated into the stamp structure, and the anvil includes built-in positioning features, eliminating the need for separate alignment tools and simplifying the attachment process to a single operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces positioning means as intermediary elements that mediate between the stamp and anvil. These positioning means include positioning pins, guide holes, and alignment features that automatically align the tool parts during operation, reducing the skill requirement and alignment difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional multi-step riveting tools are used, then rivet attachment is achieved, but the number of work steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverivet attachment capabilityVSAvoidnumber of work steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple work steps into a single operation by integrating the piercing function and flanging function into one tool assembly. The stamp can perform both piercing and flanging in one action, and the anvil provides both support and positioning, reducing the process from multiple steps to a single riveting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool assembly is designed with universal functionality to handle different rivet types and materials. The stamp can be used for both piercing and flanging operations, and the anvil accommodates various rivet configurations, allowing a single tool to perform multiple functions that previously required separate tools and steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If fixed tool design is used for riveting, then tool structure is simple, but the ability to process various sizes and shapes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structureVSAvoidprocessing various sizes and shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components into the tool design. The stamp can be replaced or adjusted to accommodate different rivet sizes and shapes, and the anvil includes adjustable positioning features. This dynamic design allows the tool to adapt to various rivet configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is divided into separable components (stamp, anvil, positioning means) that can be independently adjusted or replaced. This segmentation allows different combinations of components to be used for different rivet types, enabling the processing of various sizes and shapes without requiring a completely different tool for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and precise attachment of diverse rivet elements at any point on a surface with minimal effort, reducing the complexity of previous methods and allowing for efficient processing of different sizes and shapes with a single tool.

Implementation Method 1

to attach eyelets, decorative rivets, other decorative elements or the like to a surface element made of a surface material such as leather, imitation leather, textile material, plastic or the like by cold forming, in particular by flanging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCold forming: Cold-forming

Data Source

PatentEP2853167B1Tool for applying rivet elements to a surface element and fastening system for the same
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 PRYM
  • EP2853167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2853167B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2853167B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool (10) for attaching rivet elements (840), such as snap fasteners, snap fastener parts, eyelets, decorative rivets, fastening rivets, buttons, or the like, to a surface element (50) made of a flat, flexible and/or pliable material, such as textile material, leather, imitation leather, plastic, or the like, by cold forming, in particular by crimping. For this purpose, an anvil (20) is provided, which can be arranged below the surface element (50), and a punch (30), which can be arranged above the top surface (51) of the surface element (50). The punch can be brought into operative contact with the anvil (20) by interposing the surface element (50). An actuating surface (31) is provided on the punch (30), which, by applying force, for example with a hammer, can bring the punch (30) into operative contact with the anvil (20).The lower part (42) of the rivet element (40) can be arranged in the anvil (20), and the upper part (41) of the rivet element (40) can be arranged in or on the punch (30). The anvil (20) and the punch (30) are designed as two structurally separate or separable parts. The invention proposes that the punch (30) can be inserted into a frame (11) which has positioning means (12) that can be brought into operative contact with one or more counter-positioning means (21) of the anvil (20) in order to align the anvil (20) and the punch (30) relative to each other. When positioning the anvil (20) and punch (30) relative to each other, the rivet element (40) can be fixed in place by applying a force to the actuating surface (31) on the surface element (50).For the punch (30), an upper forming tool (33) is provided, and/or for the anvil (20), a lower forming tool (23) is provided, both of which are detachable and adapted to the shape of the rivet element (40) and/or to its upper part (41) and/or to its lower part (42). These forming tools (23, 33) serve for the cold forming of the rivet element (40) or its parts (41, 42). Furthermore, a fastening system for rivet elements (40), snap fasteners, snap fastener parts, eyelets, decorative rivets, fastening rivets, buttons, or the like is provided on a surface element (50), which comprises at least one tool (10) according to the invention as well as several sets of upper (41) and lower forming tools (42). (Fig. 10).