Abstract: A fixing device places and layers a plurality of members between a die and a punch disposed in an opposed manner, and presses and fixes the plurality of members. The plurality of members include a first member including a first fixation portion, a second member including a second fixation portion smaller than the first fixation portion, and a third member including a third fixation portion larger than the second fixation portion. The die includes a projected portion that protrudes toward the punch, and the punch includes a sheltering portion recessed along a shape of the second fixation portion. The die and the punch press the first fixation portion and the third fixation portion, thereby forming an extruded portion and forming a recess-projection fitting structure EG in a thickness direction, so that the second fixation portion is sandwiched and fixed therebetween.

Abstract: A fixing device places and layers a plurality of members between a die and a punch disposed in an opposed manner, and presses and fixes the plurality of members. The plurality of members include a first member including a first fixation portion, a second member including a second fixation portion smaller than the first fixation portion, and a third member including a third fixation portion larger than the second fixation portion. The die includes a projected portion that protrudes toward the punch, and the punch includes a sheltering portion recessed along a shape of the second fixation portion. The die and the punch press the first fixation portion and the third fixation portion, thereby forming an extruded portion and forming a recess-projection fitting structure EG in a thickness direction, so that the second fixation portion is sandwiched and fixed therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for producing a overlapping connection, in which at least two overlapping components are connected to one another via a folded flange, with a first edge of a first component being folded over a second edge of a second component to form the folded flange, along with a body component that includes such an overlapping connection for a vehicle and a stamping tool for such a body component. According to the disclosure at least one connection region is formed on the folded flange, in which the stamping tool stamps the first component through the second component at least one stamping point, with displaced material of the first component passing into the second component and producing a positive connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a step drive mechanism to be attached into the hollow body of a tool, making it possible to produce a thrust movement that can be easily carried out. To this end, the mechanism includes: a rack (2) that has a first (3) and a second (4) cog having back-slanted teeth (3a, 4a) arranged on an upper (2a) and a lower (2b) edge, respectively; a front end (2c); a pivotable lever (5) that comprises a hollow top end (5a) receiving a torsion spring (8), bearing against said hollow top end (5a) of the lever and against a thrust pawl (7) pivoting in the hollow body (1) in front of the hollow top end (5a) of the lever, and has a crosspiece (7a) inserted between the teeth (3a) of the first cog (3); and a pivotable locking pawl (8) provided with a crosspiece (8a) inserted between the teeth (4a) of the second cog (4). A compression spring (9) is arranged such as to bear against the locking pawl (8) and against an abutment (2d) located at a rear end (2e) of the rack (2).

Abstract: A metal tab bending tool for securing an upright stud in place and relative to an elongated track of a wall assembly. The track includes an elongated flat web with first and second free-ended flanges extending in the same direction from opposed first and second side edges, respectively, of the web. Each flange of the web defines a plurality of spaced tabs extending toward the flat web from a free-end of each flange. The tool for connecting the stud in place and relative to the track includes a base. The tool also includes at least two pairs of bending arms each pivotally mounted to the base. Each pair of bending arms includes a first bending arm, adapted to be disposed to one side of the upright stud, and a second bending arm spaced apart from the first bending arm and adapted to be disposed to an opposite side of the stud.

Abstract: A hand tool adapted to manipulate and open split rings is provided. The hand tool has two elements both having handles operatively associated so that the distal end jaw portions of the elements are movable between a closed and an open position. An opening jaw has a penetrating probe for opening convolution of a split ring, while the opposing supporting jaw provides a supporting surface acting as an anvil providing opposing force to the other linear elements probe. The split ring is generally disposed around the spaced apart opposing jaws, permitting the probe to penetrate the convolutions over a deeper range because there is no limitation created by the opposing jaw.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pre-hemming apparatus including: an actuator which is coupled to one side of a main body; a pre-hemming body which is positioned at the other side of the main body and has a pre-hemming punch; and a driving link which connects the actuator with the pre-hemming body at the main body, has a plurality of link members that are operated by the actuator, and transmits force for pre-hemming a subject to the pre-hemming body when the plurality of link members are operated.

Abstract: A method of assembling vehicle-body components includes positioning a first component on a second component. The first component has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the second component and one of the first and second components defines a slot. The method also includes loosely installing a bolt though the slot and the first and second components, and creating a joint in the first and second components. The method further includes heating the first and second components, which causes the first and second components to move relative to each other due to thermal expansion in response to the heating. This movement causes the joint to fail. The method also includes tightening the bolt.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a crimping punch making it possible to obtain a crimping that is resistant to pulling out. To this end, the punch (20) comprises a fixing part (21) for fixing to the tool and a punching part (22) consisting of a spike (23) connected to the fixing part by a first (24) and a second (25) crimping face, the first crimping face (24) exhibiting a convex primary profile and a secondary profile comprising at least two teeth (241, 251), preferably between three and five teeth, advantageously three teeth.

Abstract: A frame for an image forming apparatus, includes: first and second plate members; a bent portion provided as a part of the first plate member and bent along the second plate member; a portion-to-be-fixed provided as a part of the bent portion; a positioning portion, provided on the first plate member, for positioning the second plate member relative to the first plate member by being abutted vertically against the second plate member, wherein a free end projects toward the second plate member more than the portion-to-be-fixed; and a fixing portion, provided as a part of the second plate member, to which the portion-to-be-fixed is fixed. The second plate member is deformed to contact and deform the fixing portion to the portion-to-be-fixed while the second plate member is in contact to the positioning portion, so that the first plate member and the second member are fixed to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a connecting structure in which it is difficult for a crack to occur, even if a connection location is set in a portion on which concentrated tensile stress may occur. Laminated metal plates are concurrently punched out downward in shape of tongue piece. A depth of punch-out is not smaller than a total thickness of the laminated metal plates. A tongue piece portion is punched out in shape of cantilever beam while a central connection portion is left behind. The tongue piece portion is bent downward in the out-of-plane direction at a connection portion linking to the central connection portion in order that a location of the tongue piece portion in the extension direction on its way is parallel to a bend line. The tongue piece portion is configured to widen in width gradually toward a front end thereof.

Abstract: A method of attaching a functional element (10, 210), in particular a fastener element to a sheet metal part (12, 212), optionally in liquid and/or gas-tight manner, is characterized in that the functional element (10, 210, 410) is pressed against the sheet metal part (12, 210, 410) supported by a die (14, 114, 214, 414) and sheet metal material (13) is pressed by means of at least one movably mounted shaped part (16, 116, 216, 416) of the die (14, 114, 214, 414) into an undercut (18, 218, 418) of the functional element (10, 210, 410). The disclosure also claims a die, a functional element, and a component assembly comprising the functional element and a sheet metal part.

Abstract: A grid tee of the double web type in which the elements of the web are integrally stitched together to prevent their separation. The stitches are created in an inexpensive rolling process that does not require control of the position of the stitches relative to the ends or other parts of the tee. According to the invention, after the stitches are formed and locked, they are flattened back into the plane of the web to a limited degree where they do not substantially increase the thickness of the web so that they do not interfere with subsequent manufacturing steps or with field assembly.