Abstract: A blind nut mountable in mounted members such as panels of a wide range of thicknesses. The blind nut includes an internal threading portion, a hollow tube-shaped portion adjacent to the threading portion, and an open flange formed in the tube-shaped portion on the end opposite the internal threading. The internal threading portion and the tube-shaped portion are inserted into a mounting hole in a mounted member, and a section of the tube-shaped portion is plastically deformed to enlarge the diameter in order to grip the mounted member between the deformed enlarged-diameter portion and the flange, and mount the blind nut in the mounted member. The tube-shaped portion has a tapered portion adjacent to the internal threading portion, and a cylindrical straight portion adjacent to the flange. The tapered portion and the straight portion are plastically deformed to widen their diameter and mount the blind nut on the mounted member.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus for fastening to a spherical stud affixed to a workpiece, the fastening apparatus removable from the stud with an unlatching tool, and the fastening apparatus comprises: an inner sleeve, which can splay out in the radial direction and can be slid over the stud; an outer sleeve axially slidable over the inner sleeve into a fastening position; and a latching device for releasably joining the outer sleeve to the inner sleeve in the fastening position, the latching device including a latching tongue which engages a latching shoulder in the fastening position, thus forming a latched connection; and wherein the fastening apparatus further comprises a tool access for insertion of the unlatching tool operable to disengage the latching tongue from the latching shoulder.

Abstract: A blind nut includes an internal threaded portion, a hollow tube-shaped portion adjacent to the internal threaded portion, and a flange with an opening provided at the opposite end of the internal threaded portion. The internal threaded portion and the tube-shaped portion are inserted into the mounting hole of a member. The tube-shaped portion includes a first tube-shaped portion adjacent to the internal threaded portion and having a thickness less than that of the internal threaded portion, and a second tube-shaped portion between the first tube-shaped portion and the flange having a thickness less than that of the first tube-shaped portion. A part of the second tube-shaped portion is plastically deformed so as to enlarge the diameter, the deformation of the second tube-shaped portion elastically deforms the first tube-shaped portion so as to enlarge the diameter, mounting the nut to the member.

Abstract: A fastener is fixed to a body panel by inserting a second portion of a clip and the body panel between a flange-shaped head and deformed bulge created by crimping a blind rivet inserted into a mounting hole in the body panel. Afterwards, when a fender panel is inserted between a first portion and the second portion of the clip, pressure is applied to the inserted fender panel from above and below by ribs and on the first and second portions, thereby clamping the fender panel between the first and second portions, and fixing the fastener to the fender panel. The fastener is positioned inside an anti-rotation depression in the body panel.

Abstract: A manually installed fastener includes a fastener body having parallel first and second plates, the second plate having an aperture. A bend member integrally joins the first and second plates. The bend member has an outer deflectable leg integrally connected to the first plate and an inner deflectable leg integrally connected to the second plate. A first barb is integrally connected to the first plate and extends through the aperture of the second plate. A second barb is integrally connected to the second plate and is oppositely oriented with respect to the first barb. The second barb and the second plate are elastically displaced with respect to the first barb and the first plate to change a clearance diameter between the first and second barbs.

Abstract: A clip for connecting at least two components that are provided with fastening through openings, the clip having a base body that includes a dished flange at one end and a fastening section at the opposite end, on the fastening section are located first elastic retaining fingers, which extend axially toward the flange, and second elastic retaining fingers, which extend axially away from the flange.

Abstract: A die for use in a self-piercing rivet fastening device comprising a die and a punch for driving a self-piercing rivet into fastened members arranged on top of the die, wherein the upper surface of the die defines a cavity formed for receiving portions of the fastened members thrust out by the self-piercing rivet driven by the punch, and the cavity is formed as a concave spherical surface having a single radius R centered on the central axis of the cavity.

Abstract: Joining method, in particular for connecting at least two workpieces, in which during a joining operation the profile (F) of a force exerted by a joining tool is recorded and compared with a reference force profile (FR) in order to be able to check the quality of the joined connection produced, the difference (?) between the force profile (F) and the reference force profile (FR) being formed, and at least one segment (A; B) of the difference profile (?F) thereby determined being mapped numerically onto a quality value (QW).

Abstract: A joining apparatus includes a joining tool on which a joining component is held and which moves the joining component in an axial direction to position a metal section of the joining component on a surface of the workpiece. A heating device is provided for heating the metal section of the joining component to integrally couple the metal section to the workpiece. A sensor is connected to the joining tool acting to determine a zero point defined when a joining surface of the metal section has reached the surface of the workpiece before the workpiece is axially deformed.

Abstract: A rivet stud has a rivet body with an elongated shank, a flange, and an axial bore in which is located a tension mandrel, which has a mandrel shank with a drawing end projecting out of a head end of the rivet body that is separable from the mandrel shank at a predetermined breaking point and which has a mandrel head that is supported on a foot end of the rivet body. The mandrel shank is provided with locking means that secure it in the rivet body after setting of the rivet stud, and the predetermined breaking point is located such that the breaking point lies inside the bore of the rivet body after setting of the rivet stud. Located on the mandrel head is a mounting stud that projects from the mandrel head on the side opposite the mandrel shank.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for securing a floor mat to a carpet in a vehicle includes a first fastener that is attached to the carpet, a knob that is attached to the first fastener, and a second fastener that is attached to a floor mat. A knob base is integrally provided in a first carpet grommet of the first fastener. The knob comprises a knob shank that is coupled to be able to turn about its axis inside the knob base between an unlocked position and a locked position. The knob base includes projections which fit into and mate with channels in knob coupling latching pawls of the knob base; thus, the knob holding force is enhanced, and a clicking sensation confirms completion of the attachment operation.

Abstract: A nut for fastening a first workpiece defining a through recess to a second workpiece including a bolt projecting in an axial direction through the recess, and the nut comprises an axially extending shank and flange at a first end of the shank, and the nut defines a bore extending axially through the flange and into the shank and further defines an opening to the bore proximate to the first end of the shank, and the nut further includes an elastic holding section radially outward of the opening, and the nut partially defines a depression radially outward of the holding section, so that the holding section can flex radially outward into the depression when the nut is jammed onto the bolt.

Abstract: A method for feeding a component to a component holder and for joining the component onto a work piece in a joining direction, the method comprising the steps of: turning the component holder to a transfer position in which the component holder is aligned with a feed channel, wherein it is turned about an axis that is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction; feeding the component, through the feed channel, into the component holder; turning the component holder to a joining position; and performing a joining operation, including moving a slide bearing the component holder in the joining direction.

Abstract: A stud welding apparatus comprising a power supply including power electronics operable for supplying a variable welding voltage together with one of a pilot current and a welding current that is much larger than the pilot current; and a current measuring circuit operable for measuring the electrical current to the weld head; and an input circuit electrically connected between the power electronics and the power supply output, the input circuit including a first inductance, a first resistance, and a switch operable to bridge the first inductance and the first resistance; and a welding circuit electrically connected between the power supply output and the weld stud, the welding circuit having a welding circuit resistance and a welding circuit inductance, and the welding circuit inductance is much smaller than the first inductance of the input circuit; and a voltage measuring device is operable for measuring a voltage across the welding circuit.