Abstract: The apparatus of this invention, which performs the method described, includes a die member having a generally rectangular opening having a width between the opposed end walls, which receive the end walls of the nut pilot, less than the width of the nut, and arcuate corners, which shear and deform the pilot end walls and corners, forming the bearing panel support abutments described. The die member includes upstanding elongated clinching lips on opposed sides of the die opening. The clinching lips perferably are truncated, including a flat top portion, tapered side walls and tapered inner walls, which deform the pierced panel edges into the groove openings in sealing engagement, as described. The preferred die member also includes upstanding spanking lips adjacent the end walls of the die opening. The height of the spanking lips can be the same as or less than the height of the clinching lips and the length of the spanking lips is less than the die opening.

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 metal fastener, such as a stud-bolt, to a panel. The fastener includes a self-piercing annular projecting wall defining a recess having a bottom wall and an inner side wall defined by the annular wall. The method includes locating the fastener adjacent a panel with the self-piercing end portion facing the panel opposite a die member. The fastener is then forced toward the die member, such that the annular wall pierces a slug from the panel into the central recess and against the bottom wall. The die member simultaneously deforms the distal end of the annular wall outwardly and the pierced panel edge is deformed from the plane of the panel against the external surface of the annular wall, interlocking the panel and fastener.

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 simplified reliable fastener installation apparatus or head assembly particularly suitable for installing self-attaching pierce or clinch nuts. The head assembly includes a stationary base plate for attachment to a die shoe and a mating relatively moveable member. The moveable member, which may be formed from a single block of metal, includes intersecting transverse passages, including a first passage receiving fasteners for installation and a plunger passage. The head portion of a T-shaped plunger is retained by the base plate and the plunger leg portion is telescopically received in the plunger passage of the moveable member. The moveable member is retained to the stationary member, stabilized and guided by guide bolts which are threadably attached to the base member and parallel to and spaced equidistant from the plunger.

Abstract: The disclosed method and apparatus is adapted to form a low pressure fluid sealed nut and panel assembly for a flush mounted self-piercing bearing nut having a rectangular piercing pilot, panel bearing flanges on opposed sides of the nut and grooves in the flanges, adjacent the pilot, retaining the pierced panel edges. The improved method includes simultaneously shearing and deforming the nonflanged top edges and corners of the nut pilot beneath the panel to form a panel bearing surface on all four sides of the pilot and deforming the pierced panel edges into the grooves and against the grooved bottom walls and inner pilot walls, spaced from the bottom walls of the grooves, to form a sealed nut and panel assembly. The apparatus includes a clinch die having an opening configured to deform the pilot, as described, and clinching lips forming the panel in the nut grooves in sealed relation.

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 self-piercing fastener, such as a stud bolt, for attachment to a panel or the like. The fastener includes a fastener portion, such as a threaded shank, and a self-piercing and riveting end portion. The end portion includes a central recess enclosed by a self-piercing and riveting wall on at least opposed sides of the recess. The wall has an internal surface terminating in a sharp piercing edge at its distal end which is adapted to pierce an opening in the panel. The recess terminates in a bottom wall which is preferably spaced from the piercing edge of the wall a distance greater than the thickness of the panel.

Abstract: A nut installation apparatus or head and controls for installing self-attaching nuts, such as pierce nuts, in a panel, without the requirement of a large forming die press assembly. The apparatus includes a nut anchor, which holds the first or end nut stationary, a relatively movable die member, opposite the nut anchor, which supports the panel and a resiliently supported nut guide having a passage receiving nuts in bulk or strip form. The panel is biased into contact with the end nut in the nut guide, by the movable die, to install the nut in a panel. The moveable die is impelled toward the nut anchor by means of a two stage piston assembly having a first stage which supplies pressure limited to the elastic limit of the panel, and a second stage which supplies sufficient pressure to pierce the panel with the end nut. A sensor and switching mechanism is integrated with the apparatus controls to assure proper installation of the nut and prevent damage to the apparatus.

Abstract: The fastener installation head and bolster assembly of this invention is particularly adapted to assure constant installation pressure for fasteners installed in a reciprocating press die, such as pierce and clinch nuts. The fastener installation head includes a plunger supported on one die platen, a movable housing member which receives the fasteners to be installed, reciprocably supported on the plunger, and a die member supported on the opposed die platen, opposite the movable housing plunger passage. The bolster assembly includes a fluid pressure ram operably supporting the plunger between the plunger and the die platen having a source of constant fluid pressure and a plunger release which permits the plunger to recede when the press tonage exceeds the preferred fastener installation force.

Abstract: A clinch nut having a projecting rectangular pilot and opposed laterally extending flanges. The side edges of the pilot are inclined inwardly from the pilot end face and the flanges have opposed projecting abutment portions extending laterally from the inclined pilot faces to an edge spaced from the side faces of the flanges. The method includes punching a rectangular opening in a panel to receive the nut pilot and ramming the nut abutment portions against the panel to deform the panel beneath the inclined pilot side faces. The nut and nut ram-die are configured to fully seat the nut and fill the spaces beneath the pilot side faces.

Abstract: A nut installation apparatus or head for installing self-attaching nuts, such as pierce nuts, in a panel, without the requirement of a large forming die press assembly. The apparatus includes a nut anchor, which holds the first or end nut stationary, a relatively movable die member, opposite the nut anchor, which supports the panel and a resiliently supported nut guide having a passage receiving nuts in bulk or strip form. The panel is biased into contact with the end nut and nut guide, by the movable die, to install the nut in a panel. Where the nuts are in strip form, the apparatus first severs the end nut from the strip and then attaches the nut in the panel, in a separate step. A unique sensor is provided to assure proper installation.

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: An explosion relief for a nut installation head or apparatus, such as used to install pierce or pierce-clinch nuts having a rectangular piercing pilot and opposed elongated flange portions on opposite sides of the pilot. The flanges are separated from the pilot portion by panel receiving grooves. The improved explosion relief comprises aligned channels extending from opposed sides of the rectangular nut plunger passage which receive the nut flanges at the passage opening. One side wall of the channel is aligned with a wall of the passage and the opposed side channel wall is off-set inwardly from the passage wall to define corners in the plunger passage which catch and rotate the elongated nut flanges in the event that a nut is fractured during installation. The elongated nut flanges are thus guided outwardly through the explosion relief channels without jamming the nut installation head.

Abstract: In a nut installation head having a nut passage receiving a plurality of nuts in side by side relation, a transverse plunger passage communicating with said nut passage, a plunger reciprocating in said plunger passage to install a nut received in said plunger passage, a reciprocal feed for feeding a nut successively into said plunger passage, said head having an apertured nose with said plunger passage extending through said nose and said nut passage extending into said nose and said plunger moving through said nose. The improvement comprises a nut guide for said head, including a cylindrical slot formed in said nose, parallel to and displaced laterally of said plunger passage. A resilient retainer is nested within said slot having an upright recess. A hardened steel dowel of cylindrical shape is positioned within said slot and laterally and guidably nested partly within the retainer recess with a portion of the dowel extending into the plunger passage to guidably support a nut therein.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a nut and panel assembly and method wherein the panel is pierced into a nut chamber and the bolt threadably engages the panel. The disclosed nut includes a circular chamber which receives the pierced portion of the panel for threaded engagement by the bolt and a coaxially aligned smooth cylindrical passage which threadably receives the bolt.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a fastener receiving passage, a transverse plunger passage having a reciprocating plunger therein, a feed means feeding fasteners from the fastener passage beneath the plunger and a restrictor means preventing a fastener located ready for installation from withdrawing into the fastener passage. The restrictor means includes an arm pivotally connected to the fastener installation head having a finger resiliently biased into the fastener receiving passage, normally blocking withdrawal of a fastener from the ready location. The stop finger includes a camming face facing fasteners entering the plunger passage, whereby a fastener may enter the plunger passage upon actuation of the feed means but is prevented from withdrawing into the fastener passage.

Abstract: A fastener installation head having a reciprocating plunger receiving fasteners through a transverse fastener passage from a feed means. The feed means comprising a drive link pivotally connected to a stationary housing component, a guide means translating the arcuate motion of the drive link free end into linear motion relative to a relatively movable housing component, a driven link pivotally connected to the movable housing component and a pawl means reciprocating in the fastener passage feeding fasteners to the plunger.

Abstract: The disclosed self-fastening nut includes a rectangular flat end face which is received against the panel, a smooth cylindrical central bore perpendicular to the end face and a pair of linear grooves equally spaced from the bore and dividing the end face into a central pilot and a pair of flanges. The nut is assembled on a cylindrical punch which extends through the nut bore, beyond the end face and punches a hole in the panel in registry with the nut bore. The panel is supported on a die having two upstanding clinching lips which deform the panel into the nut grooves and the panel is simultaneously urged against the nut to lie flat against the end face.

Abstract: A nut for installation on a metal panel includes an end mounting face and a centrally located circular bore through said face for threadedly receiving a bolt. The nut further includes a counterbore concentric with the circular bore and axially terminating in an annular surface having a plurality of equally spaced points projecting toward the mounting face. The points define a crown-shaped indent having a valley between each pair of adjacent points for receiving panel material to stabilize the nut during a threading operation against rotational and axial displacement.The method for installing the nut on the panel includes positioning the nut mounting face against a metal panel and piercing the panel in alignment with the nut bore axis to deflect the panel material circumscribed by the counterbore into said counterbore indent.