Abstract: A junction structure includes a first metallic material, a second material different in type from the first metallic material, and a welding wire as a third material similar to the first metallic material. The second material is stacked on the first material. The molten metal of the third metallic material is deposited by arc welding into the through part of the second material so as to form a flanged or tapered bead, so that the first and third metallic materials and the second material are fixed together.

Abstract: A method for fixing a plurality of workpieces via a hollow rivet element with an open setting end and a closed closing end. The method includes passing the rivet element through mutually aligned openings of the workpieces. The method also includes introducing a fluid, in particular air, under high pressure from the setting end of the rivet element in a hollow space of the rivet element. The method also includes plastically deforming and setting of the rivet element by the fluid at the closed closing end of the rivet element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a motor vehicle, and to a correspondingly manufactured motor vehicle having a modular construction in which a substructure and further body modules of the motor vehicle are manufactured independently of one another and are subsequently permanently connected to one another.

Abstract: A roller for image fixing, includes: a hollow cylindrical member; a shaft member inserted into one longitudinal end of the cylindrical member; a hole portion penetrating the cylindrical member and the shaft member; a first countersink formed at a circumference of one end of the hole portion in an outerside of the cylindrical member; a second countersink formed at a circumference of the other end of the hole portion in an outerside of the cylindrical member; and a pin inserted in the hole portion to fix the cylindrical member and the shaft member relative to each other. The one and the other end portions of the pin are deformed so as to be closely contacted to the first and second countersink portions, respectively.

Abstract: A fixture for fastening an attaching member to a mounting member includes a pin and a bushing, the bushing including a flange and a leg part. The leg part defines shaft-part receiving openings for receiving shaft parts of the pin, the shaft-part receiving openings being enclosed by an outer wall having a rectangular cross section. A pair of opposing elastic engagement claws are disposed at one pair of opposing outer wall portions of the outer wall. A leg center column is disposed between the shaft-part receiving openings. The leg center column connects the one pair of opposing outer wall portions with another pair of outer wall portions that are perpendicular to the one pair of outer wall portions.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion, a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, and at least one stopper protrusion protruded from a lower portion of the head portion.

Abstract: A link connecting structure of an operating pedal device for a vehicle includes a connecting pin used for at least one of connections of a connecting link to an operating pedal and to a pivot member, a disengagement-preventing portion formed by plastically deforming a tip portion of a shaft of the connecting pin passed through the connecting link and the operating pedal or the pivot member and a predetermined space formed between the connecting link with the operating pedal or the pivot member and the disengagement-preventing portion. The tip portion has a larger diameter locally than the initial diameter of the shaft. The predetermined space allows the connecting link and the operating pedal or the pivot member to be pivoted relative to each other.

Abstract: An elastic retaining assembly for matable components includes a first component having a first surface. Also included is a second component having a second surface and a third surface, wherein the second component is configured to be mated with the first component. Further included is a receiving feature formed proximate an engagement side of the second component and defining a pin perimeter surface. Yet further included is an elastically deformable pin operatively coupled to, and extending away from, the first surface, wherein the elastically deformable pin is formed of an elastically deformable material to elastically deform proximate the pin perimeter surface upon contact with the receiving feature.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion, and a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form.

Abstract: A button includes a button body that is placed over a first main surface of a sheet having the first main surface and a second main surface opposing to the first main surface, the button body having a hole over the first main surface; a fixing member including a base that is placed over the second main surface, and a shaft that projects from the base and passes through the hole from the second main surface towards the first main surface side, in which a distal portion of the shaft includes: a plate-like base portion provided over the button body and covering the hole; and a plurality of ribs integrally formed with the base portion and onto a surface of the base portion, and radially extending from a center to a circumference of the base portion.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion and a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, wherein a drive slot is formed to upper portion of the head portion.

Abstract: Fasteners for producing double blind joints where the fastener is not visible or accessible are provided. The fasteners comprise a shape memory polymer that may be used to fasten workpieces by heating the fasteners, inducing recovery of the original, permanent shape of the fasteners.

Abstract: A riveting structure includes a first workpiece defining a first fixing hole, a second workpiece defining a second fixing hole, a first riveting member and a second riveting member. The first riveting member includes a first head portion and a first riveting portion, the first riveting member defines a riveting hole on the first riveting portion, the first riveting portion extends into the second fixing hole and the first fixing hole. The second riveting member includes a second head portion and a second riveting portion. The second riveting portion extends into the riveting hole of the first riveting member in an interference fit, such that the first workpiece and the second workpiece are fixed together, a receiving chamber is formed between the second head portion and the first riveting portion. The present invention further discloses a riveting method thereof.

Abstract: A rivet, in particular a solid rivet, for riveting components, which has a primary head for bearing on a component to be riveted and a rivet shank, which is plastically deformable to form a closing head, joined to the primary head so as to constitute a single piece therewith. The primary head has a greater hardness than the rivet shank. Owing to the greater hardness of the primary head, the rivet joint can be produced in a reliable and cost effective manner, even in the case of a rivet header bearing only partially on the primary head.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion and a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, wherein a drive slot is formed to upper portion of the head portion.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion, a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form, and at least one stopper protrusion protruded from a lower portion of the head portion.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapping each other. The self-piercing rivet includes a head portion, a shank portion integrally connected with the head portion, and a plurality of ribs formed to an external circumferential surface of the shank portion along a length direction of the shank portion in a spiral form.

Abstract: A connecting element for forming a punch-riveted connection of at least two component sections is proposed, wherein a foot section has at its free end a foot base with a basic shape which is cylindrical or at least approximated to the cylindrical shape. According to the invention, an annular circumferential elevated portion is formed in the foot section between the foot base and the shaft section.

Abstract: A novel one piece integrated fastener is provided which includes a deformable sleeve for receiving a pin where the pin has an elongated pin shank, terminating at a first pin end in a pin head and terminating at a second pin end in an externally threaded portion, and a transitional section integrally connected between the first pin end and the second pin end. The deformable sleeve may include a hollow tubular shank terminating at a first sleeve end in a sleeve head having an opening for receiving the pin and terminating at a second sleeve end having an internal sleeve head surface for engagement with the external pin head side surface when in an assembled position. The sleeve includes a first sleeve section, a second sleeve section and a third sleeve section having an internal surface for engaging the externally threaded portion of the pin upon installation.

Abstract: The invention refers to a family of fastening devices including at least two fastening elements (101, 121), each one of said elements including a shaped end portion (105), a frontal face (106) of the shaped end portion (105) having a cavity (107) extending as far as a bottom (108), the fastening elements having different maximum grips (Gmax), the family being configured so that the distance (109?) between the bottom (108) of the cavity (107) and the limit (170) between the body and the shaped end portion is identical for all the fastening elements (101, 121). The invention refers moreover to a unit (100) including such a family of fastening devices and a check gauge (150), as well as a method for checking of the choice of the length of a fastening element (101, 121), by means of the check gauge (150).

Abstract: A rivet, in particular a solid rivet, for riveting components, which has a primary head for bearing on a component to be riveted and a rivet shank, which is plastically deformable to form a closing head, joined to the primary head so as to constitute a single piece therewith. The primary head has a greater hardness than the rivet shank. Owing to the greater hardness of the primary head, the rivet joint can be produced in a reliable and cost effective manner, even in the case of a rivet header bearing only partially on the primary head.

Abstract: A saw chain rivet is provided including a flange, and a hub extending from a side of the flange. A shoulder defined by a junction between the hub and the flange has properties optimized to resist shear forces. The hub may be optimized for ease of rivet head formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid rivet having a die head (5) and a shaft (6) which is aligned axially with the die head (5) wherein the maximum diameter of the die head is larger than the outer diameter of the shaft (6). In order to enable a solid and reliable connection even of FRP component parts with one another without this signifying increased manufacturing expense it is proposed according to the invention that the shaft (6) has at least one end section (11), an intermediate section (10) and a head section (9) wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section (10) is smaller than the outer diameter of the end section (11).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing bush (1) comprising an essentially cylindrical bush section (1a) and at least one radial flange (1b) arranged on an axial end of said cylindrical bush section (1a). The bearing bush according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one flange (1b) has a mushroom shaped cross section so as to allow axial and radial tolerance compensation in a bearing assembly. Furthermore the invention relates to a bearing assembly and a forming tool for producing a bearing bush.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of connecting elements for fastening CFK components and metal components in an aircraft or spacecraft, wherein a CFK component and a metal component can be connected to each other via at least one connecting element. The connecting element in this case is produced from an electrically non-conducting material, or has a shank and is produced from an electrically conducting or non-conducting material, wherein the shank is provided with a sleeve consisting of an electrically non-conducting material.

Abstract: A method of connecting a metallic bolt to a plastic work piece is shown and described. The object to provide a method which makes possible a reliable connection between metal workpieces on the one hand and plastic workpieces on the other hand is achieved in that a first plastic work piece and a metallic bolt are provided, and in that the bolt is pressed into a surface of the first plastic workpiece, the bolt being rotated during the pressing-in, and the rotational speed of the bolt being selected in such a way that the first plastic workpiece is plasticized, so that the bolt is anchored in the first plastic workpiece in a positive-locking manner after the rotation is stopped.

Abstract: A saw chain rivet is provided including a flange, and a hub extending from a side of the flange. A shoulder defined by a junction between the hub and the flange has properties optimized to resist shear forces. The hub may be optimized for ease of rivet head formation.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a system of joined structures that includes a first structure having a first aperture in a composite material. The first aperture has a first interior surface and a first minimum radial extent. The system further includes a second structure having a second aperture in a metallic material. The second aperture has a second interior surface and a second minimum radial extent at least approximately the same as the first minimum radial extent. The system still further includes a coupling device having a first shank section extending through the first aperture and a second shank section extending through the second aperture. The portion of the second shank section applies a first radial force to the second interior surface and the first shank section applies at least approximately no radial force to the first interior surface. The composite material proximate to the first aperture is undamaged.

Abstract: A fastener is used to connect a first link to a second link in a vehicle seat assembly. The fastener has a head portion and a body portion extending outwardly from the head portion and defining an external diameter. The body portion is generally cylindrical and has a central bore with an internal diameter that is less than the external diameter. The method for connecting the first link to the second link with the fastener includes the steps of inserting the central body portion through aligned apertures in the links to form a subassembly and holding the subassembly fixed while a tooling member applies a linear load to the distal end of the body portion. The tooling member is inserted into the central bore and deforms the body portion for engagement with the first and second links to allow relative rotational movement between the links while eliminating relative linear movement therebetween.

Abstract: Bolt element (10) having a shaft part (12) which is designed at a first end (14) for a rivet connection (16) to a panel element (18), in particular to a sheet metal part, is characterized in that the shaft part (12) has a spherical formation (22) at its other end (20) the ball diameter (D) of which is larger than that of the shaft part (12). In this manner a bolt element with a spherical head can be manufactured in an extremely favourable manner price-wise and it can be ensured that the spherical head has no burr which would lead to the wearing of the socket provided in operation which slides on the spherical head.

Abstract: A stud (1) for mounting a pulley (2) to a plate (3) by a cold forming process has a large diameter head (5), a cylindrical shank (6) which acts as the stub shaft for the pulley (2), the end of the shank remote from the head being connected to a smaller diameter shank (7) via a shoulder (9) (which may include an annual grove (10) into which the plate (3) is deformed), and, beyond the smaller diameter shank, an e.g. threaded shaft (8). To resist rotation after the stud (1) is cold formed to the plate (3), the stud (1) has ribs or studs or flat facets on the shoulder or on the narrow shank (7) against which the plate is cold formed.

Abstract: When connecting two elements that are moveable with respect to one another, someamount of clearance, i.e., spacing between the elements, is included to minimize friction between the elements. The present invention is directed to setting the clearance within a desired range, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the two elements. In particular, the present invention is directed to power cutting tools wherein it is necessary to set the clearance between one or more reciprocating blades and a blade support member.

Abstract: A punching, stamping rivet has a frustum-shaped rivet head and a shank following thereafter. In order to create a rivet connection between two adjoining structural parts, the shank is punched through the structural parts forming a punched hole, and a groove is coined thereafter around the shank end in that structural part. In order to be able to process structural parts having varied thicknesses, several shank grooves are arranged on the shank, into which shank grooves material penetrates under plastic deformation during the coining of the groove.

Abstract: A stress-free method and apparatus are provided for forming assemblies having thin substrates whereby a permanent non-interference fit low stress stud is positioned and secured evenly into a shallow hole of a thin substrate or host material without introducing uneven stress forces to maintain a flat surface on both sides of the thin substrate. The forces of inserting the stud are applied inward, towards a head portion of the tapered stud by a crimping tool adapted to move the substrate material inward and form a flange over the angled edges of the tapered head portion of the stud to secure the stud to the thin substrate. In doing so, the forces are absorbed by the strong tapered head portion of the stud which is able to withstand the crimping forces and will not be distorted by the inward crimping forces, thus maintaining flat surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides the driving fit rivet made of aluminum, whereof, when driving in the rivet to caulk and joint without making a prepared hole on aluminum plates, no crack, no buckling, no seizure, and the like are caused, it is possible to caulk and joint aluminum plates with high operation efficiency and certainly, and it is superior in recycling, additionally it is possible to lighten products. The rivet is made of JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) 6000 series aluminum alloy, and has a head and a shank, wherein surface hardness of said shank is Hv 135 or more.

Abstract: A pin for Z-pinning at least two composite material layers to each other which comprises generally circular first and second ends of first and second diameters, respectively. Extending between the first and second ends is a central portion defining at least two radially extending flange sections which are each of a diameter exceeding the larger of the first and second diameters. In an alternative embodiment, the pin comprises generally circular first and second ends which are of first and second diameters, respectively. Extending between the first and second ends in the second embodiment is a central portion defining a generally hyperboloidal outer surface having a maximum diameter which does not exceed the smaller of the first and second diameters.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening and joining sections of composite material together is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical core component and substantially cylindrical hollow sleeve component, one or both of which are pre-coated with a curable organic coating, and methods of fastening aircraft components together using such fasteners.

Abstract: A fastener for fastening and joining sections of composite material together is disclosed comprising a substantially cylindrical core component and substantially cylindrical hollow sleeve component, one or both of which are pre-coated with a curable organic coating, and methods of fastening aircraft components together using such fasteners.

Abstract: A punching, stamping rivet has a frustrum-shaped rivet head and a shank with a shank groove following thereafter. In order to create a riveted joint between two sheets, the sheets are punched through by the shank. A groove is subsequently stamped around the shank end in the lower sheet, thus pressing material of the lower sheet into the groove. In order to increase the strength of the riveted joint, the shank groove is concavely constructed, whereby the section of the groove, which section is adjacent the rivet head, extends at an angle with respect to the shank axis, which angle is less than an angle at which the section adjacent the shank end extends with respect to the shank axis.

Abstract: Device for attaching together parts of a household electric appliance, one of which parts is a metal assembling part in the form of a sheet or plate having opposed first and second major faces, the device being composed of an assembling and retaining element having a base and a projecting portion which projects beyond the first major face of the assembling part, the assembling and retaining element being integral with, and formed from, said assembling part, wherein the base of the assembling and retaining element is constituted by a portion of the assembling part and extends to a plane containing the second major face of the assembling part, the projecting portion is formed by displacement of material of the assembling part to effect a local reduction of the thickness of the assembling part around the assembling and retaining element, and the projecting portion has a volume corresponding substantially to the volume of the material which is displaced to form the projecting portion.

Abstract: Round spring wire (20) FIG. (1) formed into concave tri-elliptic wire (22) FIG. (2-A) and processed to include reversing wave crests (24) FIG. (3-A) having not opposed crest contact (28) FIG. (3-B) requires forming into ring or shape and heat treated as completed elastic form of locking ring device. Unique featured locking of joints and locking of standard fasteners is provided by continuous elastic internal beaming in combination with proportional penetration of joint surfaces by a multitude of relatively sharp reversing wave crests, which are always erect. Useful form is readily shaped and size configured in flat plane such as essentially round form of locking ring device (34) FIG. (4). The locking ring device is used for locking joint by curl formed flange (47b) FIG. (5-B), for plural use in locking of joint by single formed rivet (59) FIG. (6-B), for plural locking of joint by single screw thread fastener such as socket cap screw (78a) FIG.

Abstract: A fastener body comprises a head and a shank fabricated from a composite material. The head has at least one side which extends beyond the side of the shank and has two other sides coplanar with the shank.A fastener for engaging a liner has perpendicular lengthwise and widthwise reference axes and a head and a shank, with the shank extending in a first lengthwise direction away from the head, the head further having at least one extension that extends in the widthwise direction beyond the shank for engaging the liner, wherein substantially all lengthwise directed load components transmitted from the liner to the head are transmitted through the extension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rivet for joining surface treated objects. The rivet is designed for decreasing the stress and damage that may occur on the surface treated object or frame during the riveting process. The rivet includes a shaft and a head including an upper limit surface and a contact surface. The contact surface consists of an outer partial surface and an inner partial surface, the outer partial surface adjoining the inner partial surface at an intersection spaced from the shaft. The outer partial surface extends from the intersection in a direction away from the shaft and the inner partial surface. During the riveting process, the rivet deforms so that the entire contact surface contacts the surface treated object or frame.

Abstract: A fastener for use in connecting first and second structural members together. The first and second members have aligned bores defining a fastener receiving hole including a countersink portion extending from an outer surface of the first member and a through portion extending from an inner end of the countersink portion to an inner surface of the first member. The through portion has a mouth at its intersection with the countersink portion. The fastener comprises a head having a shape which is different than the shape of the countersink portion when the head is in an undeformed condition. A shank extends from the head and is dimensioned to be received through the through portion of the fastener receiving hole and to extend outwardly from the bore of the second member when the head is in contact with the first member in the countersink portion.

Abstract: A means for fastening a first part of a gas bag module of a vehicle occupant restraint system to a second part of the gas bag module is provided. The first part is provided with a holding opening, and the second part is provided with an insertion opening whose diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the holding opening. The means comprises a metallic fastening sleeve which extends through the holding opening and the insertion opening and has a first axial end associated with the first part, a second axial end associated with the second part, and a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a joint includes a stud joined to a plate. The stud includes a shank portion and a stem portion which extends from one end of the shank portion. The stem portion has a multi-lobular configuration thereon which is formed from a plurality of rounded lobes, each pair of lobes being interconnected to each other by a rounded flute. The plate has an aperture therethrough which has a multi-lobular configuration thereon which corresponds in shape to the multi-lobular configuration of the stem portion. To form the joint, the stem portion is inserted through the aperture such that a portion of the stem portion extends beyond the upper surface of the plate. The extending portion is then riveted to the plate to cause the extending portion to deform and uniformly expand to form a bloom or head and to secure the stud to the plate. The stem portion expands within the aperture to fully fill the aperture when the extending portion is being deformed.

Abstract: A self-coining fastener which may be used to join at least two sheets of metal together without leaving a coining mark on one side thereof. The present self-coining fastener therefore produces an entirely flush surface on one side of the joined layers. The fastener comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a larger diameter than the bottom surface. A groove is formed around a perimeter of the fastener in order to transition between the two diameter surfaces. Because the top surface of the fastener has a larger diameter, no coining ring is required in the upper die which installs the fastener. The larger diameter head acts as a self-coining manner to push the metal in the joined layers into the central groove. The result is an installed fastener in which the larger diameter top surface is entirely flush with the top surface of the joined metals, without the presence of a coining mark.

Abstract: A locating feature comprises a plate and a protrusion extending outwardly from the plate. The protrusion includes a substantially linear portion extending from the plate and a dome shaped portion extending from the linear portion.

Abstract: A rivet which has a flat crown that extends from the head of a rivet. The rivet is typically installed into a workpiece hole which has a countersink. The head has a frusto-conical section that extends from a rivet shank and a cylindrical section that extends from the frusto-conical section. The frusto-conical section sits within a countersink of the workpiece hole. Extending from a top surface of the head is a crown which has a flat end face and a tapered portion that extends from the end face to the top head surface. The crown has a diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the head. The flat end face is approximately 0.5 times the diameter of the shank. The crown has a diameter that is approximately 1.25 times the shank diameter. The rivet is deformed by a hammer and an anvil so that the crown becomes flat and the rivet fills the hole of the workpiece.

Abstract: A linkage lock device is provided for fastening objects having either regular or irregular shapes. The lock is composed of a plurality of identical arcuate bars having opposing ends of each bar pivotally connected to an end of another one of the bars to form a chain. One of a pair of free ends is formed to receive a lock mechanism which releasably secures the other free end to form a closed loop to encompass the object being secured against theft. Each pivotal coupling is formed by a pin secured through hardened washers into which the ends of the pin are received.