Method for installing a fastener in a through-orifice of a box-type structure open at at least one end, and tooling for carrying out the method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12290912-B2
Application number	US-202217684646-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 2, 2022
Priority date	Mar 5, 2021
Publication date	May 6, 2025
Grant date	May 6, 2025

Abstract

A method for installing a screw in at least one through-orifice of a box-type structure, including inserting a body of a first tool into the through-orifice from an external region of the box-type structure, moving the body in an internal region of the box-type structure, towards an end of the box-type structure, securing the screw to the body, the first tool comprising a link connected to the body which remains accessible from the external region during the inserting, moving and securing steps, pulling on the link from the external region until the shank of the screw is positioned in the through-orifice, and separating the body from the screw.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for installing a fastener in at least one through-orifice of a box-type structure, the fastener comprising at least first and second parts, the first part comprising a shank that extends between first and second ends and a head secured to the first end of the shank, the second part cooperating with the second end of the shank when in an assembled state, the through-orifice being provided in a wall of the box-type structure separating an internal region from an external region, the internal region opening at at least one end of the box-type structure; the method comprising:
inserting a body of a first tool into the through-orifice from the external region to position the body in the internal region,
moving the body of the first tool towards the at least one end of the box-type structure, as far as a position that makes it accessible from the at least one end of the box-type structure,
securing the first part of the fastener to the body, the first tool comprising a link connected to the body which remains accessible from the external region during the inserting, moving and securing steps, the link being flexible or semi-rigid to be able to bend elastically to slide into the internal region as far as the at least one end of the box-type structure,
pulling on the link from the external region to move the body and the first part of the fastener towards the first through-orifice until the shank of the first part of the fastener is positioned in the through-orifice,
separating the body from the first part of the fastener,
wherein, during the moving step, a second tool comprising a rigid shaft and a system for grasping the body, the system being attached to one end of the shaft, is manipulated from the at least one end of the box-type structure to move the body of the first tool towards the at least one end of the box-type structure.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the body of the first tool is cylindrical and comprises a first end to which the link is connected, and a second end comprising a tip that is configured to temporarily secure the second end of the shank of the first part of the fastener.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, during the securing step, the tip is inserted into a hole provided at the second end of the shank of the first part of the fastener.

4. A method for assembling an added-on element and a box-type structure, comprising:
the steps of the method for installing a fastener in a through-orifice of the box-type structure as claimed in claim 1 ,
mounting the added-on element to the wall of the box-type structure at the through-orifice, then
installing the second part of the fastener on the shank to obtain the assembled state.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Sas

Inventors

• Albert Brice
• Trarieux Benjamin
• Daure Stéphane
• Bigot Julien
• Battistella Damien

Classifications

• Y10T29/49948

  Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut] · CPC title

• B25G1/04

  telescopic; extensible; sectional · CPC title

• B25B23/0021

  Prolongations interposed between handle and tool · CPC title

• B25B11/002

  Magnetic work holders · CPC title

• B25B23/08

  for holding or positioning screw or nut prior to or during its rotation · CPC title