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 series of related clinch joints as well as methods and apparatus for forming these joints are disclosed. All of the leak proof drawings are capable of being fabricated using a solid non-radially expandable die having a recessed cavity formed therein for cooperation with a corresponding punch having a solid punch projection. The clearance between the punch and the die recess are specifically sized relative to the material thickness to achieve optimum fastening characteristics. Several joint embodiments utilize variable clearance between the punch and the die to minimize strength variability resulting from changing material thickness. Alternative lance type and leak proof joints utilize a variable clearance between the punch and the die to achieve both high, shear and peel strength in a single joint design.

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 series of related clinch joints as well as methods and apparatus for forming these joints are disclosed. All of the leak proof drawings are capable of being fabricated using a solid non-radially expandable die having a recessed cavity formed therein for cooperation with a corresponding punch having a solid punch projection. The clearance between the punch and the die recess are specifically sized relative to the material thickness to achieve optimum fastening characteristics. Several joint embodiments utilize variable clearance between the punch and the die to minimize strength variability resulting from changing material thickness. Alternative lance type and leak proof joints utilize a variable clearance between the punch and the die to achieve both high, shear and peel strength in a single joint design.

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.

Abstract: Improvement in a punch, anvil and die set for spot clinching two or more materials together to form a spot clinch joint in which the anvil is arranged inside of the die and the punch and die move toward and away from each other and a lancing operation occurs on a workpart followed by a swaging operation in which the die spreads apart to accommodate the radial enlargement of the material of the workpart being swaged, the improvement comprising the die having a rigid base having an aperture therein, the anvil disposed in the aperture, an arrangement for adjusting the axial position of the anvil relative to the die to accommodate different thicknesses of workparts, the die having resilient fingers which upstand from the base, the die fingers, in themselves, providing both the strength to support the workpart to effect the lancing operation and the resiliency to separate from the front end of the anvil during the swaging operation, the die and anvil normally engaged at both their front and rear ends and spaced fr

Abstract: Spot clinch .Iadd.apparatus and .Iaddend.method for forming a spot clinch joint by lancing and swaging two or more materials together using one complete stroke of a .Iadd.ram driven by a .Iaddend.power source in a single station, .[.the power source having a power stroke and a retract stroke, said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.method utilizing an anvil, die and punch .Iadd.arranged in a tool body.Iaddend., .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.method comprising .[.moving either the punch or anvil.]. .Iadd.connecting the ram to the power source so that the ram is driven in a power stroke and a retract stroke, joining one of the punch and anvil to the ram and the other to the tool body, whereby one is made moveable .Iaddend.while .[.maintaining.]. the other .Iadd.is maintained .Iaddend.stationary .Iadd.in respect to the tool body .Iaddend.during the complete stroke of the .[.power source.]. .Iadd.ram.Iaddend., .[.moving.]. .Iadd.