Apparatus for assembling pairs of fastener elements

Abstract

A fastener assembling apparatus includes an arrangement for adjustably setting a clinching force to be applied to a pair of fastener elements as they are clinched together by and between a punch and a die, thereby assembling the fastener elements in properly clinched condition without damaging the same. The clinching-force setting arrangement includes a spring-loaded slider block disposed in a lower horizontal portion of a generally C-shaped frame and slidably movable in a horizontal direction. The slider block has a downwardly sloping upper surface and is urged by a spring to hold the sloping upper surface in abutting engagement with an upwardly sloping lower surface of a die holder which is vertically movably disposed in the lower frame portion. The clinching-force setting arrangement also includes an adjustment rod disposed horizontally in the lower frame portion for adjusting the force of the spring. The clinching-force setting arrangement may include a further spring disposed in a ram for urging the punch downwardly, the punch being upwardly movable relative to the ram against the force of the spring, and a further adjustment rod for adjusting the force of the last-named spring.