Fastener dispenser and presentation via removable magazine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10828754-B2
Application number	US-201816140208-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 24, 2018
Priority date	Sep 24, 2018
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

A fastener dispenser tool for kitting and dispensing a plurality of fasteners comprises a retention section, a presentation section extending from the retention section, and a retention slot extending along the retention section and the presentation section. The retention slot is operable to retain the plurality of fasteners for dispensing therefore. A presentation slot extends along the presentation section and is sized to receive a tool bit engageable with a lead fastener. The retention slot and presentation slot are sized, such that the plurality of fasteners are each slidable through the retention slot along the presentation section to facilitate dispensing of the lead fastener from the presentation section. The presentation section can be formed at a curve relative to the retention section, to provide clearance of retained fasteners from hardware being fastened by the lead fastener. Associated systems and methods are provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener dispenser tool, comprising:
a retention section;
a presentation section extending from the retention section;
a retention slot extending along the retention section and the presentation section, the retention slot operable to retain a plurality of fasteners; and
a presentation slot extending along the presentation section and in open communication with the retention slot, the presentation slot sized to receive a tool bit engageable with a lead fastener of the plurality of fasteners;
a fastener ejection portion that extends outwardly from the presentation section for supporting the lead fastener, the fastener ejection portion comprising first and second side walls that define an ejection opening in fluid communication with the retention slot, the first and second side walls being configured to grip and position the lead fastener while being engaged to a structure,
wherein the retention slot and presentation slot are configured, such that the plurality of fasteners are slidable through the retention slot along the presentation section to facilitate dispensing of the lead fastener from the presentation section.

2. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , further comprising a support handle integrally formed with the retention section, such that the fastener dispenser tool is formed from a single, unitary piece of material.

3. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , further comprising first and second retention devices supported by the retention section for retaining the plurality of fasteners.

4. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein the retention slot defines a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the presentation slot defines a second longitudinal axis that extends transverse the first longitudinal axis.

5. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the retention slot extends in substantially the same direction as a portion of the presentation slot.

6. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein the presentation slot and the retention slot are formed on opposing sides of the presentation section.

7. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein the retention slot comprises a head retention portion and a shaft pass-through portion, the head retention portion sized to receive and support heads of the plurality of fasteners, and the shaft pass-through portion sized to receive threaded ends of the plurality of fasteners.

8. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the presentation section comprises a curved profile.

9. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , wherein the presentation section comprises a dispensing tip formed such that the retention slot and the presentation slot are exposed proximate the dispensing tip for dispensing of the lead fastener.

10. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 1 , further comprising a support handle configured to be held by an individual, wherein the retention section and the presentation section define a fastener dispenser magazine, wherein the fastener dispenser magazine is removably coupleable to support handle.

11. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 10 , wherein the support handle comprises a thread protection portion configured to surround threads of the plurality of fasteners when the fastener dispenser magazine is coupled to the support handle.

12. The fastener dispenser tool of claim 10 , wherein the support handle comprises a magazine retention device for removably coupling the fastener dispenser magazine to the support handle.

13. A fastener dispensing system, comprising:
a support handle configured to be held by an individual;
a fastener dispenser magazine coupled to the support handle, and comprising a retention slot and a presentation slot the fastener dispenser magazine further comprising a retention section and a presentation section that extends from the retention section, the presentation section comprising the presentation slot formed on an opposing side from the retention slot;
a plurality of fasteners supported by the fastener dispenser magazine within the retention slot; and
a fastening tool comprising a tool bit engageable through the presentation slot and with a lead fastener of the plurality of fasteners;
wherein the plurality of fasteners are slidable through the retention slot along the presentation section to facilitate dispensing of the lead fastener from the fastener dispenser magazine, and
wherein the presentation section comprises a curved profile section that extends from the retention section, such that the lead fastener is moveable to a dispensing position proximate a tip of the fastener dispenser magazine for engagement with a structure, whereby the curved profile section facilitates clearance of remaining fasteners in the fastener dispenser magazine away from the structure.

14. The fastener dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the fastener dispenser magazine comprises first and second retention devices for retaining the plurality of fasteners, and wherein the support handle comprises a magazine retention device for removably coupling to the fastener dispenser magazine.

15. The fastener dispensing system of claim 13 , wherein the fastening tool is unattached to the support handle and the fastener dispenser magazine, and wherein the plurality of fasteners are unattached to each other.

16. A method for making a fastener dispenser tool, comprising:
forming a support handle configured to be held by an individual; and
forming a fastener dispenser magazine removably coupleable to the support handle, the fastener dispenser magazine comprising a retention section having a retention slot for retaining a plurality of fasteners, and a presentation section that extends from the retention section, the presentation section sized and configured to facilitate the sliding of the plurality of fasteners through the retention slot along the presentation section to facilitate dispensing of a lead fastener from the fastener dispenser magazine,
wherein the presentation section comprises a curved profile section that extends from the retention section, such that the lead fastener is moveable to a dispensing position proximate a tip of the presentation section for engagement with a structure, whereby the curved profile section facilitates clearance of remaining fasteners of the plurality of fasteners in the retention slot away from the structure.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising forming first and second retention devices of the fastener dispenser magazine for retaining the plurality of fasteners.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein forming the fastener dispenser magazine comprising forming a retention section comprising the retention slot, and forming a presentation section comprising the presentation slot and formed transverse relative to the retention section, such that the presentation slot is formed through an opposing side of the fastener dispenser magazine from a portion of the presentation slot.

19. A fastener dispenser tool, comprising:
a retention section;
a presentation section extending from the retention section;
a retention slot extending along the retention section and the presentation section, the retention slot operable to retain a plurality of fasteners; and
a presentation slot extending along the presentation section and in open communication with the retention slot, the presentation slot sized to receive a tool bit engageable with a lead fastener of the plurality of fasteners,
wherein the retention slot and presentation slot are configured, such

Assignees

• Raytheon Co

Inventors

• Wymore Jacob L
• Bartlett Brian

Classifications

• B23P19/006

  Holding or positioning the article in front of the applying tool · CPC title

• F16B27/00

  Bolts, screws, or nuts formed in integral series but easily separable, particularly for use in automatic machines {(arrangements for feeding screws or nuts in spanners, wrenches or screw-drivers with built-in magazines B25B23/06)} · CPC title

• B25B23/06 Primary

  using built-in magazine (B25B23/045 takes precedence) · CPC title