The Boeing Company
Blind fastener tool with pulling fingers

Abstract:

A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.