Abstract: A fastener for a pipe is able to prevent an end of a stud to which the fastener is attached from puncturing a fuel tank or breaking other parts of a car body and causing the fuel tank to rupture when a collision occurs. The fastener comprises a fastener main body and a protective member. The fastener main body has a base, pipe fastening portions connected to the base, and a stud engaging portion connected to at least one of the base and the pipe fastening portions to engage a stud extending from a support. The stud engaging portion has a stud receiving hole for receiving the stud. A protective member is attached to at least one of the stud engaging portion and the base to cover the end of a stud in the stud receiving hole and has sufficient rigidity to prevent the end of the stud from protruding out of the stud receiving hole.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lock keying system comprising: a lock cylinder comprising: a cylinder body; a plug assembly disposed in the cylinder body and comprising a plurality of pins and a one-to-one corresponding plurality of racks for relocating the plurality of pins; and a rack alignment tool receiving aperture defined by the lock cylinder; and a rack alignment tool comprising: a base plate; and a plurality of spaced elongated prongs, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a first longitudinal end adapted to engage a corresponding one of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs dimensioned lengthwise to relocate to a first predetermined position the corresponding one of the plurality of racks, the first predetermined position common to each of the plurality of racks, each prong from the plurality of prongs comprising a second longitudinal end connected to the base plate, wherein the rack alignment tool is adapted to restrain a carrie

Abstract: A dampened slide for a wedge assembly includes a slide housing having perimeter walls. First and second alignment members connect to the perimeter walls, each having a deflectable portion. The deflectable portions extend opposite to each other and transverse to a centerline of the housing.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to a three piece blind fastener comprising a mandrel 40, a tubular body portion of 10 and a radially extending flange 14, wherein the cylindrical body 10 is mounted on an elongate stem 42 of the mandrel so as to extend co-axially about a central axis of such blind fastener, and the mandrel having a mandrel head in operative engagement with a tail end of the body for transmitting force there to during setting of the fastener, wherein the radially extending flange is separate from and held in crimped engagement with the body portion at or towards a front end of the tubular body so as to be axially remote from the tail end of such body.

Abstract: A process and a system are proposed for short-time arc-welding elements, such as for example metal studs, on to components, such as for example metal sheets, wherein an element in the context of a welding operation is initially raised in relation to the component, a welding arc is formed between the element and the component, and the element is lowered again, the lifting height of the element in relation to the component being detected at least within a time segment between raising and lowering of the element. The initiation of the lowering operation and/or the lowering operation itself is controlled as a factor of the detected lifting height such that a previously specified total welding time is achieved.

Abstract: A workpiece movement sensing system can be used with an automated stud welding machine and/or process. The system includes a sensor measuring applied voltage relative to lift height utilized during the stud welding process. A workpiece movement detection module detects workpiece movement occurring during one or more welds. Upon detection, an operator can be notified, and/or automatic voltage compensation can be turned on.

Abstract: A joining system head (22) is proposed for fixation to a movable frame (12), in particular to a robot (12), having a holding means (66) for an element (36) to be joined to a part (38), a joining drive means (64) to move the holding means (66) along a joining direction (40) for joining, and a feeding means (44) for feeding elements (36) to the joining system head (22). Here a control means (42) to control the joining drive means (64) is arranged at the joining system head (22) spatially distanced from the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64), so that the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64) form a joining tool (32) of small dimensions, and means (68) are provided to pass on the elements (36) fed to a transfer station (46) of the feeding means (44) in each instance to the holding means (66) from in front.

Abstract: A blind rivet setting tool has a construction in which a tubular spring-biased handle gripped by an operator moves axially of the tool. An interlock between a trigger lever and the handle prevents operation of the tool until a rivet held by the tool is properly positioned in a hole of a workpiece.

Abstract: A garnish clip comprises a body attachment portion for attachment to a vehicle body and a garnish attachment portion for attachment to a garnish. The garnish attachment portion comprises a plate-shaped base with one end connected to the body attachment portion and a plate-shaped garnish engagement portion connected to the other end of the base by a U-shaped connection. The garnish engagement portion and the base are also connected by a thin breakable connector near the body attachment portion. Ribs on the garnish attachment portion provide rigidity to limit opening of the garnish engagement portion away from the body attachment portion when the airbag deploys and the thin connector breaks due to collision or roll-over forces.

Abstract: A joining method head is proposed for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot, having a holding means for an element to be joined to a part, a joining drive means to move the holding means along a joining direction for joining, and a feeding means for feeding elements to the joining method head. Here a control means to control the joining drive means is arranged at the joining method head spatially distanced from the holding means and the joining drive means, so that the holding means and the joining drive means form a joining tool of small dimensions, and means are provided to pass on the elements fed to a transfer station of the feeding means in each instance to the holding means from in front.

Abstract: A resilient clip for engaging a structure and having a body portion with a pair of top flanges and a pair of abutting coupling flanges. Each of the abutting flanges has an engagement surface and an engagement member, which engages the mounting structure. The elastic abutting flanges also have a base portion and a transition portion. A ramped surface of the engagement feature extends above the base portion. A substantially flat peripheral surface of the engagement feature in the transition portion is adapted to engage the panel to provide resistance to removal of the fastener from the mounting aperture. To manufacture a clip, a punch is used to apply a force to displace material of the elastic abutting flange portion into a die cavity to form the engagement. The elastic abutting flange portion is bent at a location passing through the engagement feature.

Abstract: A die (18) for use in a self-piercing rivet setting apparatus comprises a cavity (25) for receiving therein a protruded workpiece zone consisting of respective portions of the workpieces (2, 3) to be protrudingly deformed toward the die through the pressure of the self-piercing rivet (1). The cavity has a bottom surface provided with a central raised portion (29) protruding from the center of the bottom surface toward a punch. The central raised portion of the cavity has a vertical angle in the range of 90 to 160 degrees. Preferably, the central raised portion has a top formed in a spherical shape. The cavity has an approximately cylindrical outer wall (27) in the periphery thereof. The cavity has a curved inner surface extending from the top of the central raised portion to the lower end (33) of the outer wall through the bottom (35) of the cavity.

Abstract: A two component line clip for fixing a line therein includes a body defining an aperture. The body is formed from a material having a first hardness. The aperture is defined in part by a rib. An insert is secured within the aperture. The insert is formed from a material having a second hardness less than the first hardness. The insert includes a feature that cooperates with the rib to secure the insert within the aperture. The insert is adapted to fix the line therein.

Abstract: A process and a system are proposed for short-time arc-welding elements, such as for example metal studs, on to components, such as for example metal sheets, wherein an element in the context of a welding operation is initially raised in relation to the component, a welding arc is formed between the element and the component, and the element is lowered again, the lifting height of the element in relation to the component being detected at least within a time segment between raising and lowering of the element. The initiation of the lowering operation and/or the lowering operation itself is controlled as a factor of the detected lifting height such that a previously specified total welding time is achieved.

Abstract: A resilient clip is provided for engaging a dog house coupling feature of a trim component. The resilient clip has a mating member for engaging a hole defined in a body panel. The resilient clip includes a triangular mating feature that is positioned relative to the coupling region. The triangular mating feature contacts at least one surface of the dog house structure to minimize rotation of the resilient clip with respect the to the dog house. This reduces rotation of the resilient clip with respect to the hole defined in the body panel.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a curtain-shield airbag to a body panel of a vehicle comprises a bushing and a pin. The bushing has a flange with a leg extending therefrom. A bore extends through the flange and into the leg for receiving the pin. Outer surfaces of the leg have engagement pieces with shoulders for coupling the bushing to edge regions of a body panel hole into which the leg is inserted. The pin and the bushing are capable of being coupled in a provisionally fixed condition or a permanently fixed condition. When the pin is partially inserted into the bore, the engagement pieces are permitted to flex inwardly of the bore, but when the pin is fully inserted, such inward flexing is prevented. The flange has a wall that provides a partition between the main airbag unit and the entrance hole of the bore in the flange.

Abstract: A feed device for fastening elements with low length-to-diameter ratio has a hollow clamp into which individual fastening elements are inserted through a feed channel. The clamp has an internal pocket for pre-positioning a fastening element. A piston moves through the feed channel to engage the fastening element and to open the clamp to release the fastening element for further movement by the piston.