Abstract: A drive system including a bit with a bit end configured to provide targeted frictional engagement with a fastener. The bit end has an outer leading wall tapered with respect to the bit end longitudinal axis at a leading wall angle selected from leading wall angle values ranging within a leading wall angle tolerance band and the fastener has an inner recess wall tapered with respect to the fastener longitudinal axis at a recess wall angle selected from recess wall angle values ranging within a recess wall angle tolerance band, wherein the leading wall angle values within the leading wall angle tolerance band and the recess wall angles values within the recess wall angle tolerance band do not overlap when the outer leading wall contacts the inner pilot recess wall at a targeted focal area to achieve a desired level of frictional engagement between the pilot end and the fastener.

Abstract: A clinch fastener includes a shaft defining a central axis and a head having an outer periphery cooperating with the shaft. A plurality of ribs disposed under the head to engage a workpiece. The plurality of ribs extending radially outward in a direction from a displacement collar positioned proximate the central axis of the clinch fastener to the outer periphery of the head. Each of the plurality of ribs includes multiple sections forming at least a sidewall and a parametric profile for each rib. The clinch fastener includes a retaining ring cooperating with the shaft and a retaining groove cooperating with the shaft positioned between the displacement collar and retaining ring. The plurality of ribs and displacement collar are configured to radially displace workplace material into the retaining groove and diffuse stress within the workpiece material when the fastener is secured to the workpiece.

Abstract: A clinch fastener that includes a plurality of ribs disposed under a head of the clinch fastener, wherein the ribs are specifically configured to displace host material more evenly than conventional clinch fasteners. To that end, in cross section, along a line, arc, or combination, going from a central axis of the clinch fastener to an outer periphery of the head of the clinch fastener, each rib preferably provides a curved surface that is formed of multiple sections, wherein different radii define at least two of the sections. The configuration of the ribs allows for a vented escape of host material beyond the rib outside diameter and provides for radially focused material displacement, thereby releasing stress within the host material and reducing warping during clinching.

Abstract: A drive system including a bit with a bit end configured to provide targeted frictional engagement with a fastener. The bit end has an outer leading wall tapered with respect to the bit end longitudinal axis at a leading wall angle selected from leading wall angle values ranging within a leading wall angle tolerance band and the fastener has an inner recess wall tapered with respect to the fastener longitudinal axis at a recess wall angle selected from recess wall angle values ranging within a recess wall angle tolerance band, wherein the leading wall angle values within the leading wall angle tolerance band and the recess wall angles values within the recess wall angle tolerance band do not overlap when the outer leading wall contacts the inner pilot recess wall at a targeted focal area to achieve a desired level of frictional engagement between the pilot end and the fastener.

Abstract: A clinch fastener that includes a plurality of ribs disposed under a head of the clinch fastener, wherein the ribs are specifically configured to displace host material more evenly than conventional clinch fasteners. To that end, in cross section, along a line, arc, or combination, going from a central axis of the clinch fastener to an outer periphery of the head of the clinch fastener, each rib preferably provides a curved surface that is formed of multiple sections, wherein different radii define at least two of the sections. The configuration of the ribs allows for a vented escape of host material beyond the rib outside diameter and provides for radially focused material displacement, thereby releasing stress within the host material and reducing warping during clinching.

Abstract: An isolator assembly which may be used, for example, to secure a fuel rail to a cylinder head. The isolator assembly includes a bolt, washer and compressive elements. When using the isolator assembly to mount a fuel rail, preferably initially the washer and a first compressive element are retained on the bolt. A shaft end of the bolt is then inserted into a mounting boss of the fuel rail, and a second compressive element is engaged with both the fuel rail and a threaded portion of the bolt. The bolt is then threaded into the cylinder head, causing the second compressive element to come into contact with the cylinder head and compress, along with the first compressive element. When fully installed, the first compressive element isolates the fuel rail from the bolt itself (and the washer), and the second compressive element isolates the cylinder head from the fuel rail.

Abstract: A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may also include a frangible pintail, wherein the multi-lobular threaded portion is disposed between the head portion of the bolt and the frangible pintail.

Abstract: A lockbolt which includes a head portion and a shaft which extends from the head portion. The shaft includes at least a portion which is threaded and has a multi-lobular profile. A collar is swageable onto the multi-lobular threaded portion, and thereafter the lobes provide that the collar does not tend to vibrate loose from the threading. The fact that the section which has a multi-lobular profile is also threaded provides that the collar (or a conventional threaded nut) can be selectively rotatably removed and re-installed on the lockbolt. Before swaging, the collar may initially include a cylindrical bore, or a bore which is multi-faceted, preferably generally corresponding to the profile of the multi-lobular portion of the lockbolt. The lockbolt may or may not include a frangible pintail.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: Design software that is relatively easy to use and provides that a user need not be skilled at reading stress plots. The design software takes design requirements into account and indicates whether the proposed design meets the design requirements. The design software provides numerical output values for comparison to numerical design requirement input values so the user can readily see whether, and how, the design is unacceptable or is over-designed.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: A device and method of removing a rivet which has been installed on a work piece. The method includes clamping a hand held device having springs onto the work piece, engaging a drill with a drill bit of the hand held device, the springs applying a pre-load force to the drill bit, operating the drill, thereby causing the springs to apply an increased load force to the drill bit and causing the drill bit to drill into a button of the rivet, unclamping and removing the hand held device from the work piece, and using a compression tool to remove the rivet from the work piece. The compression tool includes a push out portion configured to push out the rivet, and a recess is disposed generally opposite the push out portion for catching the rivet as the rivet is pushed out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel anvil for a rivet setting machine configured to drive a rivet into a workpiece within a riveting process. The anvil has a cavity therein configured to accommodate a deformation of the rivet and the workpiece during the riveting process. The cavity is defined by a main portion configured to support the workpiece during the riveting process and a relief portion that is proximate to the main portion. The relief portion is configured to provide an area into which the workpiece and the rivet deform during the riveting process. The relief portion includes at least one relief pocket configured to maintain an area which remains unoccupied by the workpiece and the rivet throughout the entire riveting process. The relief portion does not substantially hinder the workpiece and rivet during the riveting process and allows the workpiece and rivet to freely deform during the riveting process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel anvil for a rivet setting machine configured to drive a rivet into a workpiece within a riveting process. The anvil has a cavity therein configured to accommodate a deformation of the rivet and the workpiece during the riveting process. The cavity is defined by a main portion configured to support the workpiece during the riveting process and a relief portion that is proximate to the main portion. The relief portion is configured to provide an area into which the workpiece and the rivet deform during the riveting process. The relief portion includes at least one relief pocket configured to maintain an area which remains unoccupied by the workpiece and the rivet throughout the entire riveting process. The relief portion does not substantially hinder the workpiece and rivet during the riveting process and allows the workpiece and rivet to freely deform during the riveting process.

Abstract: Design software that is relatively easy to use and provides that a user need not be skilled at reading stress plots. The design software takes design requirements into account and indicates whether the proposed design meets the design requirements. The design software provides numerical output values for comparison to numerical design requirement input values so the user can readily see whether, and how, the design is unacceptable or is over-designed.

Abstract: A novel fastener member and a novel method of assembly are provided for engagement of the fastener member with a female member having an internally threaded bore. The fastener member includes a threaded shank portion and a novel point at a work entering end thereof. The point includes a radiused portion which is engaged within the female member threaded bore to start engagement of the fastener member therewith. In certain embodiments, the point further includes an unthreaded portion, which has a diameter that is slightly less than a minor diameter of the shank portion, connecting the radiused portion and the threaded portion. The radiused portion has a maximum diameter which is slightly less than a minor diameter of the threaded bore. The radiused portion may take many forms and, for example, may be spherical; partially spherical; or formed from a predetermined number of radiused portions integrally formed with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fastener member, stud, or other threaded member, for engagement with a female member, and the method of assembly thereof. The fastener member has a novel point which facilitates engagement of the fastener member in the threaded bore, greatly reduces the possibility of cross-threading and is especially suited for use in applications involving blind holes or the use of very thin threaded holes. The fastener member has a threaded shank portion. A point is provided at the end of the shank portion and includes an unthreaded radiused portion and a threaded transition portion between the shank portion and the radiused portion. The major diameters of the threads of the transition portion gradually lessen between the opposite ends thereof. The minor diameters of the threads of the transition portion gradually lessen between the opposite ends thereof. The radiused portion can be provided with a truncated end surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plug and fastener for sealing in an opening formed in a workpiece, and the plug and fastener includes a shank having a threaded portion for engaging with an internal wall of the opening and providing a first seal, and having a sealing portion extending from the threaded portion. The sealing portion initially enters the opening and is configured to engage and provide a second seal against the internal wall of the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel fastener member, stud, or other threaded member, for engagement with a female member, and the method of assembly thereof. The fastener member has a novel point which facilitates engagement of the fastener member in the threaded bore, greatly reduces the possibility of cross-threading and is especially suited for use in applications involving blind holes or the use of very thin threaded holes. The fastener member has a threaded shank portion. A point is provided at the end of the shank portion and includes an unthreaded radiused portion and a threaded transition portion between the shank portion and the radiused portion. The major diameters of the threads of the transition portion gradually lessen between the opposite ends thereof. The radiused portion can be provided with a truncated end surface.