Abstract: A method of sealing a bore, such as the threaded bore of a fastener, wherein the sealing element is preferably formed in place. The preferred sealing element is formed of a heat softenable plastically deformable material, such as a thermo-plastic resin, which is heated and deformed radially in the bore into a mechanical interlock with the bore inside the surface, such as thread. In the preferred method, a plunger or ram is driven into the sealing element which is supported on a die element in the bore. In the most preferred method, the ram simultaneously heats and deforms the sealing element, sealing the bore opening. The preferred female fastener element includes a generally tubular body portion having an axial bore which may be threaded adjacent one end. The sealing element seals the opening to the bore and the opposite end may be sealed with a disk spaced from the threads and forming a chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a molded part having a sheet metal portion and at lease one fastener coupled to the sheet metal portion. The fastener has a body portion and an annular barrel portion which extends from the body portion. The body portion has a free open end and a bore extending therethrough in generally coaxial alignment with the opening in the barrel portion. The barrel portion free end is driven into the sheet metal to pierce the sheet metal and form a slug from the sheet metal. The barrel is also deformed radially outwardly in mechanical interlocking relation with the panel. The slug which is formed is wedged into the opening of the barrel portion to seal the barrel portion. The sheet metal and barrel portion can then be surrounded with molding material with the slug preventing the molding material from flowing into the bore.

Abstract: A method of riveting a plurality of panels utilizing a fastener which may then be used to attach a further element to the panel assembly and wherein the fastener is first permanently attached to a first panel for a later attachment to a second or plurality of panels to form the fastener and panel assembly. The fastener is attached to the first panel by piercing a tubular barrel portion through the panel and affixing the first panel in an annular groove in a flange portion surrounding the barrel portion. The groove includes radial ribs preventing rotation of the fastener in the first panel and a radial rib is deformed in an outer surface of the barrel portion preventing pull-out of the fastener. The second and further panels are pre-pierced with a conical lip surrounding the panel opening and received on the barrel portion of the fastener with the conical lip facing the first panel.

Abstract: A method of riveting a plurality of panels utilizing a fastener which may then be used to attach a further element to the panel assembly and wherein the fastener is first permanently attached to a first panel for a later attachment to a second or plurality of panels to form the fastener and panel assembly. The fastener is attached to the first panel by piercing a tubular barrel portion through the panel and affixing the first panel in an annular groove in a flange portion surrounding the barrel portion. The groove includes radial ribs preventing rotation of the fastener in the first panel and a radial rib is deformed in an outer surface of the barrel portion preventing pull-out of the fastener. The second and further panels are pre-pierced with a conical lip surrounding the panel opening and received on the barrel portion of the fastener with the conical lip facing the first panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: A riveting or self-fastening element such as a stud for permanent attachment to a panel preferably having a preformed panel opening, including the method of attachment and the panel assembly. The self-attaching element includes an annular barrel portion having a conical external surface which is press fitted in the panel opening to deform the panel opening and form a mating conical internal surface preventing further penetration of the fastening element into the panel. The free end of the barrel portion, which is preferably cylindrical, is simultaneously deformed outwardly in a die member having an annular die cavity, forming an annular rim which is U or hook-shaped in cross section, wherein the free end is biased against the panel preventing pull-out of the fastening element. The fastening element, method of attachment and panel assembly is particularly adapted for relatively thick metal panels, including panels having a thickness greater than 0.1 inches.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: A die set for attaching a self-attaching fastener having an annular barrel portion to a panel. The die set includes a driving member and a die member having a concave annular die cavity which is generally hemispherical in cross-section and which surrounds a center die post which projects from the bottom surface of the die cavity. The die post includes a conical side surface, adajcent the top face, which is inclined outwardly from the axis of the post. The top face of the die post preferably includes an annular top surface, adjacent the conical side surface, which defines a piercing edge, and a conical top surface, adjacent the axis of the post. The driving surface aligns the barrel portion of the self-attaching element with the center post of the die cavity and drives the free end of the annular barrel portion into engagement with the panel and through the opening in the panel to first engage the conical side surface of the post.

Abstract: To attach a nut to a plate-shaped workpiece, especially to a metal sheet, in such a way that it has self-locking properties without additional aids or parts, the force fastening the nut and acting on a free thrust surface of the nut is divided into at least two effective components generating a shearing stress in the nut material, transverse deformation of a part of the nut facing away from the workpiece being produced, and the thread diameter in the thread region deformed for self-locking purposes being reduced, while at the same time the thread pitches are inclined towards the center axis. A nut which can be used either as a locking nut or as a non-locking nut is characterized by a force-deflecting design of the thrust surface.

Abstract: A riveting or self-fastening element such as a stud for permanent attachment to a panel preferably having a preformed panel opening, including the method of attachment and the panel assembly. The self-attaching element includes an annular barrel portion having a conical external surface which is press fitted in the panel opening to deform the panel opening and form a mating conical internal surface preventing further penetration of the fastening element into the panel. The free end of the barrel portion, which is preferably cylindrical, is simultaneously deformed outwardly in a die member having an annular die cavity, forming an annular rim which is U or hook-shaped in cross section, wherein the free end is biased against the panel preventing pull-out of the fastening element. The fastening element, method of attachment and panel assembly is particularly adapted for relatively thick metal panels, including panels having a thickness greater than 0.1 inches.

Abstract: A preceding or forward running former passing through a female fastener element during the attaching operation is proposed for a plunger and/or plunger/punch assembly which ensures that female fastener elements, especially nuts which are preferably of the self-piercing type, can be attached even to relatively thin sheets without any additional waste.

Abstract: An installation apparatus and method of attaching a female element, such as a nut, to a panel, wherein the panel is pierced and the female element is permanently installed in the pierced panel opening in a continuous operation. The female element includes a body portion and an annular barrel portion. In one of the methods disclosed, the panel is pierced by the free end of the barrel portion and the panel slug is disposed in the barrel portion as the nut is installed in the panel. In the presently preferred method, the panel is pierced by a punch received through the body and barrel portions, prior to driving the female element into a mechanical interlock with the panel. In the preferred installation, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed into a hook-shaped end portion, opening toward the body portion, and the panel is simultaneously driven into the hook-shaped barrel end portion, forming a very secure mechanical interlock.

Abstract: To attach a nut to a plate-shaped workpiece, especially to a metal sheet, in such a way that it has self-locking properties without additional aids or parts, the force fastening the nut and acting on a free thrust surface of the nut is divided into at least two effective components generating a shearing stress in the nut material, transverse deformation of a part of the nut facing away from the workpiece being produced, and the thread diameter in the thread region deformed for self-locking purposes being reduced, while at the same time the thread pitches are inclined towards the center axis. A nut which can be used either as a locking nut or as a non-locking nut is characterized by a force-deflecting design of the thrust surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to self-piercing fasteners, such as studs, bolts or nuts, the method of attaching such fasteners to a panel and fastener installation apparatus, including the installation head and die button. The fastener includes a self-piercing and riveting annular wall which is driven into a panel supported against a die member by the installation head. The die member includes an annular die cavity surrounding a central projecting die portion which is telescopically receivable in the free open end of the fastener annular wall. The free end of the fastener annular wall includes a piercing surface which mates with a piercing surface at the outer edge of the projecting die portion to pierce a slug from the panel.