Abstract: A male clinch fastener adapted to be secured to a sheet by cold-forming includes a generally cylindrical head having a threaded shaft extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of circumferentially distributed splines. Longitudinally extending portions of the splines are adapted to be displaced by cold-forming or a peeling action to form a laterally extending flange along a medial portion of the head. The clinch fastener also preferably includes a laterally extending flange at one end cooperating with the cold-formed flange to secure the fastener within a pilot, or collar, formed at an opening in the sheet to which the clinch bolt is secured. The splines adjacent the end flange are also secured within the pilot of the sheet and prevent rotation of the clinch fastener.

Abstract: A female clinch fastener adapted to be secured to a sheet by cold-forming includes a generally tubular body having a plurality of circumferentially distributed splines. Longitudinally extending portions of the splines are adapted to be displaced by cold-forming or a peeling action to form a laterally extending flange along a medial portion of the tubular body. The clinch fastener also preferably includes a laterally extending flange at one end cooperating with the cold-formed flange to secure the fastener within a pilot, or collar, formed at an opening in the sheet to which the clinch nut is secured. The splines adjacent the end flange are also secured within the pilot of the sheet and prevent rotation of the clinch fastener.

Abstract: A two piece fastener made up of a hex-on-hex nut and a diamond shaped steel plate with a countersink portion having a hex shaped hole to receive the reduced across flats portion of the hex-on-hex nut. The bottom of the nut sits above the thin metal bearing surface against which the steel plate is being clamped.

Abstract: A flanged nut is received by a cup washer which is slightly larger than the flanged nut to allow rotation of the nut relative to the washer. The cup washer is deformed (staked) to capture the nut about its flanged periphery. The nut is designed to rotate relative to the washer during assembly to assure two known, constant bearing surfaces regardless of the nature of the panel surface beneath the washer. The flanged nut has a large nut-to-washer bearing area capable of optimizing stress distribution at high loads.