Abstract: An electrical grounding connector, electrical grounding connector assembly, and a method of attaching an electrical grounding connector and electrical grounding connector assembly to an electrically conductive panel is disclosed. The grounding connector assembly includes a grounding stud connector having a body portion disposed between, and integrally joining, a stud portion and a riveting portion. The body portion includes a flange extending generally radially from the body portion and the flange includes a panel engaging surface and a lug engaging surface. A protective nut is adapted to engage and substantially cover the stud portion of the grounding stud connector thereby protecting the stud portion from contaminants. Barbed elements are disclosed on various surfaces of the grounding connector thereby giving the grounding connector excellent electrically conductive properties when it is assembled to an electrically conductive panel.

Abstract: A nut and panel assembly useful for pierce, clinch and weld nuts used in automotive applications, wherein the nut bore must be masked or blocked during paint application, including electrodeposition coatings. A generally cylindrical polymeric plug or blocking member is press fitted into the nut bore preferably prior to attaching the nut to the metal panel. Following installation of the nut in the panel, the plug masks the nut bore during the later coating operation. The disclosed plug or blocking member includes an axial configured cavity and the plug may then be removed following coating by threading a bolt having an end protuberance configured to be received in the plug axial cavity into the nut bore. The plug is then retained on the bolt protuberance following removal from the threaded bore.

Abstract: A dual pawl, feed mechanism for feeding a strip of fasteners into an installation apparatus. The mechanism includes first and second pawls which are connected together and reciprocate in horizontal synchronism. The dual pawls enable a second strip of fasteners to be loaded into a chute before the first strip of fasteners is exhausted. This permits uninterrupted operation of the fastener installation apparatus irrespective of the transition between strips of fasteners. The dual feed pawl mechanism also prevents a partial feed condition from taking place.

Abstract: A pierce nut having a central pilot, a cylindrical flange portion surrounding the pilot and a groove in the flange portion having at least one inclined side wall and a bottom wall having a convex annular protuberance preferably comprising spaced arcuate protuberances extending around the pilot which deforms panel metal beneath the inclined side wall and providing anti-rotation means when the nut is attached to a metal panel. The outer groove side wall includes radial notches or grooves which receive panel metal to provide anti-torque means. The improved die button includes an annular lip having an inside piercing edge spaced from the end to pierce a smaller slug and an annular convex fillet which deforms more panel metal into the nut groove to form a secure mechanical interlock between the nut and panel.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus is adapted to attach a self-attaching fastener, such as a pierce or clinch nut or stud to a metal wall of an enclosed structure, such as a tube, from inside the structure. The method includes rigidly supporting the self-attaching fastener within the enclosed structure on an anvil with the fastening portion extending toward and located adjacent an inner surface of the wall. A die member is then driven against the outer surface of the wall to deform the wall into locking engagement with the self-attaching fastener. Where a pierce nut or stud is used, the nut simultaneously pierces the wall from inside the structure and clinches the wall as the die member is driven against the outer surface of the wall. The apparatus includes an expandable anvil assembly having opposed surfaces which conform generally to the opposed surfaces of the enclosed structure and a pocket which receives and rigidly supports the body portion of the self-attaching fastener.

Abstract: This invention is intended to provide a continuous parts feeder capable of continuously feeding parts to a metal mold installed in a pressure machine such as a press.An actual example of this invention consists of a parts transport pipe (40) that uses compressed air to feed parts, magazines (42, 44) that feed parts sequentially to this parts transfer pipe (40) with compressed air, and a coupling device (46) that can selectively switch the entrance of the parts transport pipe (40) between the outlets of at least two magazines (42, 44). It will also be equipped with an auxiliary compressed air supply device (57) that supplies auxiliary compressed air to the inside of the parts transport pipe according to information from the parts detector (56) which determines whether there are or are not parts inside the parts transport pipe (40), so that the transport of parts inside the parts transport pipe is performed smoothly. The coupling device (46) is automatically controlled by the automatic control device (48).

Abstract: A die member for joining a fastener to a panel includes a generally rectangular opening defined by two spaced apart opposed end walls, which receive the end walls of a pilot portion of a fastener. The end walls of the opening terminate into arcuate corners and are adapted to sheer and deform the pilot end walls of the fastener thereby forming bearing panel support abutments capable of providing a liquid tight seal between the panel and the fastener. The die member also includes clinching lips on opposed sides of the die opening. The clinching lips preferably include a top portion and tapered wall which deform the panel edges into grooved openings in the fastener thereby providing a liquid tight seal. The die opening is surrounded by a generally planar surface having an outer generally rectangular perimeter having generally arcuate corners. The generally arcuate corners form arcuate depressions within the panel when the die member operates on the fastener to attach it to the panel.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastening element, such as a nut fastener, having a body portion and an integral annular riveting barrel portion. The body portion includes axial grooves and, in the preferred embodiment of the nut-type fastener, the body portion includes a radial flange and the grooves extend radially from the body portion into the flange portion. In the most preferred embodiment, the body portion is polygonal and the axial grooves are located in the juncture of adjacent flat surfaces. The method of attaching the self-attaching fastening element of this invention to a panel includes forming an opening in the panel coaxially aligned with the barrel portion having a diameter less than the barrel portion, driving the barrel portion into the panel, thereby drawing a cone-shaped portion in the panel receiving the body portion, driving the body portion into the cone-shaped panel portion, deforming the panel portion into the body portion and the axial grooves.

Abstract: A die member for joining a fastener to a panel includes a generally rectangular opening defined by two spaced apart opposed end walls, which receive the end walls of a pilot portion of a fastener. The end walls of the opening terminate into arcuate corners and are adapted to sheer and deform the pilot end walls of the fastener thereby forming bearing panel support abutments capable of providing a liquid tight seal between the panel and the fastener. The die member also includes clinching lips on opposed sides of the die opening. The clinching lips preferably include a top portion and tapered wall which deform the panel edges into grooved openings in the fastener thereby providing a liquid tight seal. The die opening is surrounded by a generally planar surface having an outer generally rectangular perimeter having generally arcuate corners. The generally arcuate corners form arcuate depressions within the panel when the die member operates on the fastener to attach it to the panel.

Abstract: An electrical grounding connector, electrical grounding connector assembly, and a method of attaching an electrical grounding connector and electrical grounding connector assembly to an electrically conductive panel is disclosed. The grounding connector assembly includes a grounding stud connector having a body portion disposed between, and integrally joining, a stud portion and a riveting portion. The body portion includes a flange extending generally radially from the body portion and the flange includes a panel engaging surface and a lug engaging surface. A protective nut is adapted to engage in substantially cover the stud portion of the grounding stud connector thereby protecting the stud portion from contaminants. Barbed elements are disclosed on various surfaces of the grounding connector thereby giving the grounding connector excellent electrically conductive properties when it is assembled to an electrically conductive panel.

Abstract: An installation apparatus for use in attaching fasteners to a panel is provided having a magazine plate, plunger, fastener holder and retainer. The fastener holder is comprised of an elastically expanding body and includes generally inwardly sloping internal sidewalls defining a conically shaped passage therethrough and wall members which are slit therethrough. The installation apparatus is of particular use in fastener dispensing and installation devices which require the fastener to maintain a precise orientation during delivery and fastening.

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the barrel portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes driving a plurality of staking projections into said slug, thereby pinching said slug between the projections and a barrel side wall. This pinching action causes the slug to deform outwardly and lodge between the side walls of said fastener. The staking projections are preferably arranged around the perimeter of the die post, and in a most preferred embodiment, the projections have a canted side wall proximal the wall, forcing a portion of said slug toward the barrel side wall, when said slug is pinched between said canted side wall and a bottom wall of said fastener.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: A method of attaching a female element having an annular riveting portion to a panel and the installation apparatus. The method includes driving a punch through the female element into a panel supported on a die member forming an unsupported cone-shaped panel portion in the cavity of the die member. The punch includes an axially extending piercing end which pierces a small opening in the cone-shaped panel portion and an arcuate drawing portion which is driven against and through the panel opening, enlarging the panel opening. The annular riveting portion of the female element is then driven into the cone-shaped panel portion and through the panel opening, drawing the panel portion into a tubular shape engaging the external surface of the riveting portion. Finally, the riveting portion is driven against a center post of the die member, radially outwardly deforming the free end of the riveting portion and forming a mechanical interlock with the tubular panel portion.

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the tubular riveting portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes shearing integral ribbons from the inside surface of the tubular barrel portion as the barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly in an annular die cavity of the die member. The integral ribbons are then preferably deformed radially inwardly in semicircular staking cavities defined through the free end of the central die post. In the most preferred method, radial tabs are simultaneously formed in the panel slug, which are deformed against an inside surface of the barrel portion, securely staking the slug in the tubular barrel portion and preventing inadvertent removal of the slug.

Abstract: A method of attaching a female element having an annular riveting portion to a panel and the installation apparatus. The method includes driving a punch through the female element into a panel supported on a die member forming an unsupported cone-shaped panel portion in the cavity of the die member. The punch includes an axially extending piercing end which pierces a small opening in the cone-shaped panel portion and an arcuate drawing portion which is driven against and through the panel opening, enlarging the panel opening. The annular riveting portion of the female element is then driven into the cone-shaped panel portion and through the panel opening, drawing the panel portion into a tubular shape engaging the external surface of the riveting portion. Finally, the riveting portion is driven against a center post of the die member, radially outwardly deforming the free end of the riveting portion and forming a mechanical interlock with the tubular panel portion.

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the barrel portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes driving a plurality of staking projections into said slug, thereby pinching said slug between the projections and a barrel side wall. This pinching action causes the slug to deform outwardly and lodge between the side walls of said fastener. The staking projections are preferably arranged around the perimeter of the die post, and in a most preferred embodiment, the projections have a canted side wall proximal the wall, forcing a portion of said slug toward the barrel side wall, when said slug is pinched between said canted side wall and a bottom wall of said fastener.

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the tubular riveting portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes shearing integral ribbons from the inside surface of the tubular barrel portion as the barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly in an annular die cavity of the die member. The integral ribbons are then preferably deformed radially inwardly in semicircular staking cavities defined through the free end of the central die post. In the most preferred method, radial tabs are simultaneously formed in the panel slug, which are deformed against an inside surface of the barrel portion, securely staking the slug in the tubular barrel portion and preventing inadvertent removal of the slug.

Abstract: A riveting fastener and panel assembly having improved torque resistance. The riveting fastener includes a tubular riveting barrel portion having a free end and a body portion having a diameter greater than the barrel portion. The tubular barrel portion is received through an opening in a panel and preferably deformed radially outwardly, and the body portion is driven into the panel adjacent the panel opening deforming the panel. The improvement comprises a plurality of spaced cavities in the body portion preferably having an arcuate inside surface opening radially outwardly with the opening to the cavities having an area greater than the inside surface area of the cavity. The panel is permanently deformed into the cavities as the body portion is driven into the panel, thereby forming a mechanical interlock between the body portion and the panel preventing relative rotation of the riveting fastener in the panel assembly.

Abstract: An installation head for attaching self-attaching fastening elements, including self-clinching, self-riveting and self-piercing fasteners. The installation head of this invention includes a self-cleaning means built into the installation head for cleaning the fastener sensing means, such as a conventional proximity switch, each time a fastener is installed by the installation head. The installation head may be a conventional installation head, including a first passage receiving the fastening elements, a second passage intersecting the first passage through which a plunger reciprocates to install the fasteners and a fastener sensor means, such as a proximity switch, in the second passage opposite the first passage to sense the presence of a self-attaching fastening element ready for installation beneath the free end of the plunger.