Abstract: An apparatus for forming a clinch joint in overlapping sheets of deformable material and the related method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a die assembly which cooperates with a punch. The die assembly includes an elongated mandrel having an anvil projecting axially from one end for deforming the sheets of material squeezed between the anvil and the punch. The mandrel is larger than the anvil to define a shoulder thereabout generally perpendicular to the die axis. An expandable die button is coaxially aligned upon the mandrel and is provided with a base ring encircling the mandrel and a plurality of die segments. The die segments each have a head portion and a leaf portion extending between the head and the base ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a clinch joint in overlapping sheets of deformable material and the related method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a die assembly which cooperates with a punch. The die assembly includes an elongated mandrel having an anvil projecting axially from one end for deforming the sheets of material squeezed between the anvil and the punch. The mandrel is larger than the anvil to define a shoulder thereabout generally perpendicular to the die axis. An expandable die button is coaxially aligned upon the mandrel and is provided with a base ring encircling the mandrel and a plurality of die segments. The die segments each have a head portion and a leaf portion extending between the head and the base ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a clinch joint in overlapping sheets of deformable material and the related method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a die assembly which cooperates with a punch. The die assembly includes an elongated mandrel having an anvil projecting axially from one end for deforming the sheets of material squeezed between the anvil and the punch. The mandrel is larger than the anvil to define a shoulder thereabout generally perpendicular to the die axis. An expandable die button is coaxially aligned upon the mandrel and is provided with a base ring encircling the mandrel and a plurality of die segments. The die segments each have a head portion and a leaf portion extending between the head and the base ring.

Abstract: A clinch joint of the leak proof type and method and apparatus for forming several joint embodiments is disclosed. The joint retains overlapping sheets of deformable material together by simultaneously drawing nested cup-shaped cavities formed out of the plane of the sheets having a central spot and a continuous wall region extending from the spot to the cavity periphery. The region of the sheets adjacent the cavity periphery is pinched together causing the cavity walls to inwardly radially deform, securely interlocking the sheets firmly together. Alternative embodiments of the joint additionally squeeze the cavity spots together outwardly radially deforming the spot material to further interlock the nested cavities.

Abstract: A clinch joint of the leak proof type and method and apparatus for forming several joint embodiments is disclosed. The joint retains overlapping sheets of deformable material together by simultaneously drawing nested cup-shaped cavities formed out of the plane of the sheets having a central spot and a continuous wall region extending from the spot to the cavity periphery. The region of the sheets adjacent the cavity periphery is pinched together causing the cavity walls to inwardly radially deform, securely interlocking the sheets firmly together. Alternative embodiments of the joint additionally squeeze the cavity spots together outwardly radially deforming the spot material to further interlock the nested cavities.