Abstract: A self-attaching female fastener having a generally cylindrical body including opposed annular ends, a bore extending through the annular ends of the body including an inclined frustoconical outer surface and a radial flange portion integral with the body midway between the opposed ends having parallel outer surfaces surrounding the body. The fastener is symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the bore longitudinal axis. The parallel surfaces of the flange include radial grooves spaced from the body and the outer surface of the flange is tapered inwardly to a rounded outer edge. The installation method includes receiving either end of the body through an opening in the panel, which may be pierced by the annular end, deforming the annular outer periphery of the flange toward the end of the body received through the panel opening forming an annular groove surrounding the body and deforming an annular portion into the annular groove.

Abstract: A self-attaching female fastener having a generally cylindrical body including opposed annular ends, a bore extending through the annular ends of the body including an inclined frustoconical outer surface and a radial flange portion integral with the body midway between the opposed ends having parallel outer surfaces surrounding the body. The fastener is symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the bore longitudinal axis. The parallel surfaces of the flange include radial grooves spaced from the body and the outer surface of the flange is tapered inwardly to a rounded outer edge. The installation method includes receiving either end of the body through an opening in the panel, which may be pierced by the annular end, deforming the annular outer periphery of the flange toward the end of the body received through the panel opening forming an annular groove surrounding the body and deforming an annular portion into the annular groove.