Pre-molded seal cap installation tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016207182-A1
Application number	US-201514600088-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 20, 2015
Publication date	Jul 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus and method for applying pre-molded seal caps to fasteners. The apparatus includes an installation tool and a disposable cap holding fixture. The installation tool includes a body and a handle. A plunger can pass through the body and handle. A disposable cap holding fixture can be connected to an end of the body of the installation tool. The disposable cap holding fixture can grip a surface of a pre-molded seal cap. The pre-molded seal cap can then be placed on a fastener and the disposable cap holding fixture can be rotated to rotate the cap to cover the fastener with uncured sealant in the cap. The body and handle can be rotated by an operator or the body can rotate about the handle and actuation of the plunger can cause the body and the cap holding fixture to rotate. The plunger can then dislodge the cap from the fixture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for applying pre-molded seal caps, the apparatus comprising:
a body defining a first aperture between a proximal end and a distal end of the body; a handle arranged at the proximal end of the body, wherein the handle defines a second aperture that is substantially coaxial with the first aperture; a cap holding fixture attached to the distal end of the body, wherein the cap holding fixture defines a third aperture between a proximal end of the cap holding fixture and a distal end of the cap holding fixture, wherein the third aperture is substantially coaxial with the first and second apertures, and wherein the distal end of the cap holding fixture comprises a socket adapted to grip a pre-molded seal cap; a plunger arranged in the first and second apertures, wherein the plunger is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the plunger includes a proximal end that extends past the proximal end of the handle when the plunger is in the first position and a distal end that extends into a volume of the socket when the plunger is in the second position, wherein the plunger includes an elongate shaft arranged in the first aperture, wherein the elongate shaft includes at least one rifling channel on an outer surface, wherein the first aperture of the body includes a tab extending toward the elongate shaft and engaging the rifling channel such that movement of the plunger between the first and second positions causes the body to rotate about the handle and the plunger, wherein the plunger further comprises a button arranged on a proximal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the button includes a slotted channel, wherein the second aperture includes a tab extending into the slotted channel, and wherein the slotted channel and the tab prevent rotation of the button and elongate shaft relative to the handle; a bearing arranged between the handle and the body to enable the body and cap holding fixture to rotate about the handle and the plunger; and
a spring arranged to bias the plunger in the first position.

2 . An apparatus for applying pre-molded seal caps, the apparatus comprising:
a body defining a first aperture between a proximal end of the body and a distal end of the body, wherein the distal end includes a first attachment feature; a handle arranged at the proximal end of the body, wherein the handle defines a second aperture that is substantially coaxial with the first aperture; a first replaceable cap holding fixture, wherein a proximal end of the first replaceable cap holding fixture includes a second attachment feature adapted to mate with the first attachment feature to attach the first replaceable cap holding fixture to the body, wherein the first replaceable cap holding fixture defines a third aperture between the proximal end of the replaceable cap holding fixture and a distal end of the replaceable cap holding fixture, wherein the third aperture is substantially coaxial with the first and second apertures when the first replaceable cap holding fixture is attached to the body, and wherein the distal end of the first replaceable cap holding fixture comprises a socket adapted to grip a first pre-molded seal cap; and a plunger arranged in the first and second apertures, wherein the plunger is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the plunger includes a proximal end that extends past the proximal end of the handle when the plunger is in the first position, and wherein the plunger includes a distal end that extends into a volume of the socket when the second attachment feature is mated to the first attachment feature and the plunger is in the second position.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the body and the replaceable cap holding fixture can rotate about the handle and the plunger.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , further comprising a bearing arranged between the handle and the body.

5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the plunger includes an elongate shaft arranged in the first aperture, wherein the elongate shaft includes at least one rifling channel on an outer surface, wherein the first aperture of the body includes a tab extending toward the elongate shaft and engaging the rifling channel such that movement of the plunger between the first and second positions causes the body to rotate about the handle and the plunger.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising a button arranged on a proximal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the button includes a slotted channel, wherein the second aperture includes a tab extending into the slotted channel, and wherein the slotted channel and the tab prevent rotation of the button and elongate shaft relative to the handle.

7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein moving the plunger from the first position to the second position causes the body to rotate at least 720° about the handle and the plunger.

8 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a spring arranged to bias the plunger in the first position.

9 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the socket comprises a resilient material, wherein the volume of the socket defines a dimension that is smaller than an exterior dimension of a pre-molded seal cap such that the resilient material is displaced outwardly when the pre-molded seal cap is inserted into the volume, and wherein the pre-molded seal cap is gripped by the resilient material.

10 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first attachment feature comprises female threads, wherein the second attachment feature comprises male threads, and wherein the male threads are configured to threadingly engage the female threads.

11 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a second replaceable cap holding fixture, wherein a proximal end of the second replaceable cap holding fixture includes a second attachment feature adapted to mate with the first attachment feature to attach the second replaceable cap holding fixture to the body, wherein the second replaceable cap holding fixture defines a fourth aperture between the proximal end of the replaceable cap holding fixture and the distal end of the replaceable cap holding fixture, wherein the fourth aperture is substantially coaxial with the first and second apertures when the second replaceable cap holding fixture is attached to the body, wherein the distal end of the second replaceable cap holding fixture comprises a socket adapted to grip a second pre-molded seal cap, and wherein the socket of the second replaceable cap holding fixture is a different size than the socket of the first replaceable cap holding fixture.

12 . A disposable cap holding fixture for use with a pre-molded seal cap installation tool, the disposable cap holding fixture comprising:
a body including a proximal end and a distal end, the body comprising:
a first attachment feature arranged at the proximal end and adapted to mate with an installation tool attachment feature;
a cavity arranged at the distal end, wherein interior surfaces of the cavity include an inwardly curving profile, wherein interior surfaces of the cavity comprise a resilient material, and wherein an interior dimension of the cavity is selected based on a dimension of a pre-molded seal cap in order to adapt the cavity to receive the pre-molded seal cap; and
an aperture between the proximal end and the distal end.

13 . The disposable cap holding fixture of claim 12 , wherein the attachment feature comprises male threads configured to threadingly engage female threads of the installation tool.

14 . The disposable cap holding fixture of claim 12 , further comprising:
a tray; and

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Sprik Emily Anne
• Benes Matthew W

Classifications

• B25B11/007

  portable, e.g. handheld · CPC title

• F16B37/14 Primary

  Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps · CPC title

• F16B33/004

  Sealing; Insulation (by means of washers F16B43/001) · CPC title

• B23P19/08

  Machines for placing washers, circlips, or the like on bolts or other members · CPC title

• B25B27/0028 Primary

  Tools for removing or installing seals (B25B27/0092 takes precedence) · CPC title