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: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

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: 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: A method of attaching a self-attaching element, including a self-piercing element, to a panel in a die member. The self-attaching element includes a tubular barrel portion having a free open end and may include a piercing surface at the free end of the barrel portion. The die member includes an annular concave die cavity which surrounds a center die post. The method includes coating at least the tubular barrel portion with a fluorocarbon coating, such as polymerized tetrafluoroethylene, prior to the installation of the fastening element to the panel. The tubular barrel portion is then driven through an opening formed in the panel generally coaxially aligned with the die member center post. The opening may be preformed or more preferably pierced by the piercing surface of the barrel portion.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: A riveting or self-fastening element such as a stud for permanent attachment to a panel preferably having a preformed panel opening, including the method of attachment and the panel assembly. The self-attaching element includes an annular barrel portion having a conical external surface which is press fitted in the panel opening to deform the panel opening and form a mating conical internal surface preventing further penetration of the fastening element into the panel. The free end of the barrel portion, which is preferably cylindrical, is simultaneously deformed outwardly in a die member having an annular die cavity, forming an annular rim which is U or hook-shaped in cross section, wherein the free end is biased against the panel preventing pull-out of the fastening element. The fastening element, method of attachment and panel assembly is particularly adapted for relatively thick metal panels, including panels having a thickness greater than 0.1 inches.

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: 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 die set for attaching a self-attaching fastener having an annular barrel portion to a panel. The die set includes a driving member and a die member having a concave annular die cavity which is generally hemispherical in cross-section and which surrounds a center die post which projects from the bottom surface of the die cavity. The die post includes a conical side surface, adajcent the top face, which is inclined outwardly from the axis of the post. The top face of the die post preferably includes an annular top surface, adjacent the conical side surface, which defines a piercing edge, and a conical top surface, adjacent the axis of the post. The driving surface aligns the barrel portion of the self-attaching element with the center post of the die cavity and drives the free end of the annular barrel portion into engagement with the panel and through the opening in the panel to first engage the conical side surface of the post.

Abstract: To attach a nut to a plate-shaped workpiece, especially to a metal sheet, in such a way that it has self-locking properties without additional aids or parts, the force fastening the nut and acting on a free thrust surface of the nut is divided into at least two effective components generating a shearing stress in the nut material, transverse deformation of a part of the nut facing away from the workpiece being produced, and the thread diameter in the thread region deformed for self-locking purposes being reduced, while at the same time the thread pitches are inclined towards the center axis. A nut which can be used either as a locking nut or as a non-locking nut is characterized by a force-deflecting design of the thrust surface.

Abstract: A riveting or self-fastening element such as a stud for permanent attachment to a panel preferably having a preformed panel opening, including the method of attachment and the panel assembly. The self-attaching element includes an annular barrel portion having a conical external surface which is press fitted in the panel opening to deform the panel opening and form a mating conical internal surface preventing further penetration of the fastening element into the panel. The free end of the barrel portion, which is preferably cylindrical, is simultaneously deformed outwardly in a die member having an annular die cavity, forming an annular rim which is U or hook-shaped in cross section, wherein the free end is biased against the panel preventing pull-out of the fastening element. The fastening element, method of attachment and panel assembly is particularly adapted for relatively thick metal panels, including panels having a thickness greater than 0.1 inches.

Abstract: A preceding or forward running former passing through a female fastener element during the attaching operation is proposed for a plunger and/or plunger/punch assembly which ensures that female fastener elements, especially nuts which are preferably of the self-piercing type, can be attached even to relatively thin sheets without any additional waste.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: A quick disconnect system for use in rapidly changing die shoes in a press. The system is adapted for use with a fastener installation head. The system includes a receptacle connected to a supply of fasteners and a power outlet connected to a power means, both mounted in the press, and a fastener plug and power inlet connected to the installation head and mounted in the die shoe. The die shoe is adapted to be mounted adjacent the receptacle and inlet. Upon engagement, fasteners and power are supplied to the installation head. In the preferred embodiment, there are several receptacles located in the press to accommodate any number and location of plugs. In this manner, the die shoes act as a unit and, by fastening a die shoe to the press, fastener supply and power supply are automatically connected to the installation head regardless of the position of the installation heads.

Abstract: A machine and method for continuously orienting and tapping fasteners such as pierce nuts with the nuts being advanced in face-to-face manner aligned on the machine feed path. The machine is operable in one mode, in combination with nut collection means, to receive strips of the nuts from the feed path in side-to-side array for delivery in installation-ready coiled strips to an installation assembly or the like. One embodiment of the collection means includes apparatus for collecting and dispensing the nuts in unconnected linear stacks. Tapping of the nuts is performed by the machine in a "reverse flow" or deferred manner just prior to the nuts being dispensed from the feed path with the tapped nuts maintained in face-to-face spaced array. The machine reverse flow tapping provides for burr clearance between the spaced nuts to thereby assure that tapping burrs will not improperly position the nuts obviating machine jamming and thread obstruction by such burrs.

Abstract: A quick action fastener suitable for fastening panels or the like in face-to-face contact, including a pierce nut adapted to be secured within one of the panels and a male stud inserted through the other panel and into a through-hole in the nut. The nut includes a central, pilot portion which is diepunched through the panel and a pair of undercut grooves on opposites sides of the pilot portion, into which edges of the panel are deformed in order to securely hold the nut on the panel. The nut includes a locking element extending across the through-hole which is received within and contacts with a spiral cam slot in the stud upon partial rotation of the stud to lock the stud in the nut and thereby securely fasten the panels together. In one embodiment, the stud is axially biased from the locking element by a spring captured between the head of the stud and one of the panels while another embodiment employs a pair of wire loops forming a spring support for the locking element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic verification probe for verifying the proper installation of a fastener to a workpiece. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of probes are used in a single press to test each fastener for proper installation. The probe has a fluid-operated extensible member mounted to the ram or base of the press. By extension of the member, each fastener is tested individually to verify proper location, absence of material in the thread cylinder and minimum retention capability.

Abstract: To attach a nut to a plate-shaped workpiece, especially to a metal sheet, in such a way that it has self-locking properties without additional aids or parts, the force fastening the nut and acting on a free thrust surface of the nut is divided into at least two effective components generating a shearing stress in the nut material, transverse deformation of a part of the nut facing away from the workpiece being produced, and the thread diameter in the thread region deformed for self-locking purposes being reduced, while at the same time the thread pitches are inclined towards the center axis. A nut which can be used either as a locking nut or as a non-locking nut is characterized by a force-deflecting design of the thrust surface.

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.