Abstract: A self-piercing rivet installation apparatus includes a rigid C-frame and a drive spindle translatable along a rivet installation axis through a first jaw of the rigid C-frame. An installation head has an installation head mounting end mountable to a leading end of the drive spindle. A mounting post having a mounting post root end is matingly engaged with a jaw socket defined coaxially with the rivet installation axis in a second jaw of the rigid C-frame. A coupling tube has a coupling tube mounting end. A riveting anvil is removably mounted to the coupling tube to form an anvil mounting assembly. The anvil mounting assembly is alternatively mountable on the drive spindle and the mounting post. The installation head is alternatively mountable on the mounting post and the drive spindle opposite the anvil mounting assembly.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener includes a substantially polyhedral head portion defining a longitudinal axis. The head portion is circumscribable by a first cylinder having a head diameter. The first cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis. A central pilot portion substantially defines a pilot polyhedron extending from the head portion along the longitudinal axis. The central pilot portion is circumscribable by a second cylinder having a pilot diameter smaller than the head diameter. The second cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis. The central pilot portion has a perimetric wall with rectangular faces of the pilot polyhedron. The rectangular faces are defined in respective planes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis. A planar panel support surface is defined on the head portion. The planar panel support surface defines a closed substantially polygonal planar margin at a perimeter of the planar panel support surface.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet installation apparatus includes a rigid C-frame and a drive spindle translatable along a rivet installation axis through a first jaw of the rigid C-frame. An installation head has an installation head mounting end mountable to a leading end of the drive spindle. A mounting post having a mounting post root end is matingly engaged with a jaw socket defined coaxially with the rivet installation axis in a second jaw of the rigid C-frame. A coupling tube has a coupling tube mounting end. A riveting anvil is removably mounted to the coupling tube to form an anvil mounting assembly. The anvil mounting assembly is alternatively mountable on the drive spindle and the mounting post. The installation head is alternatively mountable on the mounting post and the drive spindle opposite the anvil mounting assembly.

Abstract: A feed apparatus for feeding fasteners to a fastener installation head includes a chute to support and guide a strip of fasteners from a chute inlet to the fastener installation head. The strip of fasteners includes a plurality of fasteners selectably releasably attached to a carrier ribbon, wherein the feed apparatus is to separate the fasteners from the carrier ribbon and present the fasteners to the fastener installation head for installation. An idler wheel is to peel the carrier ribbon from the fasteners as the fasteners pass through the chute. A tensioner is to advance the carrier ribbon and apply tension to the carrier ribbon to advance the fasteners in the chute. An actuator is to urge the tensioner to advance the carrier ribbon.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener includes a substantially polyhedral head portion defining a longitudinal axis. The head portion is circumscribable by a first cylinder having a head diameter. The first cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis. A central pilot portion substantially defines a pilot polyhedron extending from the head portion along the longitudinal axis. The central pilot portion is circumscribable by a second cylinder having a pilot diameter smaller than the head diameter. The second cylinder is coaxial to the longitudinal axis. The central pilot portion has a perimetric wall with rectangular faces of the pilot polyhedron. The rectangular faces are defined in respective planes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis. A planar panel support surface is defined on the head portion. The planar panel support surface defines a closed substantially polygonal planar margin at a perimeter of the planar panel support surface.

Abstract: A system for monitoring clinched joints performed by an apparatus that moves a punch relative to a die. The system determines acceptability of a clinched joint by correlating the amount of punch advancement toward the die in the formation of the joint and the diameter of a button formed by the joint.

Abstract: A cage nut assembly for a drain pan includes a nut having a barrel with a barrel end and a distal end opposed thereto. A flange at the distal end has a flange face abutting the drain pan inner surface. A threaded bore is defined along a central axis through the barrel and flange. At least one channel is defined in the flange face and allows substantially complete drainage of a fluid from a sump through a single drain aperture. A cage having a plate with a central aperture receives the barrel with substantial clearance to an edge of the central aperture. Leg(s) extend substantially orthogonally from the plate. An attachment projection on the leg(s) attaches the assembly to the drain pan. The assembly accepts a flange bolt removably installed through the single drain aperture. The flange bolt removably compresses a seal around a periphery of the single drain aperture.

Abstract: A cage nut assembly for a drain pan includes a nut having a barrel with a barrel end and a distal end opposed thereto. A flange at the distal end has a flange face abutting the drain pan inner surface. A threaded bore is defined along a central axis through the barrel and flange. At least one channel is defined in the flange face and allows substantially complete drainage of a fluid from a sump through a single drain aperture. A cage having a plate with a central aperture receives the barrel with substantial clearance to an edge of the central aperture. Leg(s) extend substantially orthogonally from the plate. An attachment projection on the leg(s) attaches the assembly to the drain pan. The assembly accepts a flange bolt removably installed through the single drain aperture. The flange bolt removably compresses a seal around a periphery of the single drain aperture.

Abstract: A system for monitoring clinched joints performed by an apparatus that moves a punch relative to a die. The system determines acceptability of a clinched joint by correlating the amount of punch advancement toward the die in the formation of the joint and the diameter of a button formed by the joint.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring clinched joints senses lateral displacement of die segments during formation of a joint, which depends on joint button diameter. The system determines whether a joint is acceptable by correlating acceptable button diameter with acceptable amount of punch advancement. A predetermined number of unacceptable joints indicates excessive punch and/or die wear.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of a fastening system includes a self-piercing fastener having a thread-like pattern. In another aspect of the present invention, a fastener insertion machine employs an electromagnetic actuator without fluid actuation. A further aspect of the present invention uses a rotary-to-linear transmission within the machine to advance the fastener. In still another aspect of the present invention a self-piercing fastener is a clinch nut or a clinch stud.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of a fastening system includes a self-piercing fastener having a thread-like pattern. In another aspect of the present invention, a fastener insertion machine employs an electromagnetic actuator without fluid actuation. A further aspect of the present invention uses a rotary-to-linear transmission within the machine to advance the fastener. In still another aspect of the present invention a self-piercing fastener is a clinch nut or a clinch stud.