Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut for attachment to a panel including a central pilot portion having a generally cylindrical outer surface, a flange portion surrounding the outer surface of the pilot portion including an annular groove surrounding the pilot portion having a substantially V-shaped bottom wall and a generally planar panel support surface surrounding the annular groove. The panel support surface includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs extending into the annular groove, but spaced from the outer surface of the pilot portion. The grooves may be convex or concave or a combination of convex and concave grooves. In one embodiment, the nuts are rectangular and the back face include two pair of transverse linear grooves for interconnection by frangible wires in side to side relation.

Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.

Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.

Abstract: A clinch element including a body portion having an annular lip portion projecting from an end face of the body portion including an arcuate free end and a frustoconical outer surface. One embodiment includes an annular lip projecting from both end faces of the body portion. A method of attaching the clinch element to one or two panels which includes driving the free end of the lip portion against an outwardly inclined frustoconical chamfered face of a die cavity, deforming the annular lip over the panel and a die member having a projecting piloting point and an annular die cavity surrounding the piloting point.

Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.

Abstract: A locator stud including a shank and a flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the shank and a bearing surface between the shank and the flange portion, a method of installation in a panel, including forming an opening in the panel, inserting the flange portion into the panel opening and driving a plunger having an opening receiving the shank, a first annular die surface deforming the bearing surface radially outwardly and a second projecting annular die surface deforming the panel radially inwardly into a concave outer surface of the flange portion and wherein the panel of the locator stud and panel assembly includes a V-shaped depression surrounding the locator stud.