Abstract: A fastener assembly, a fastener assembly assembled to a member, and a method of attaching a fastener assembly to a member is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a male fastener element which is fastened to a female fastener element wherein the male fastener element is adapted to engage and pierce through a panel. The female fastener element is adapted to rivet itself to the panel thereby forming a secure mechanical interlock between the female fastener and the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the female and male fastener include threaded surfaces which cooperatively engage one another thereby permitting the male fastener to be easily removed and used to fasten a structural member, or the like to the female fastener/panel assembly. While the fastener assembly is particularly suited for self-piercing applications, it may be used equally well in pre-pierced panel applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a bracket to a fixed member, the fixed member and the bracket each having at least one opening therethrough, where the apparatus includes a bolt having a threaded body and a head at a first end of the threaded body, where the bolt head abuts against a first surface of the fixed member, a nut threadably engaged to a second end of the threaded body, and a spacer positioned between the fixed member and the nut having an opening therethrough, the spacer having a flared portion at a first end which engages the bracket opening, wherein the threaded body of the bolt is positioned through the bracket opening, the spacer opening and the fixed member opening and secured together by the nut.

Abstract: A flange joint assembly having first and second attachment flanges are associated with first and second tubes through an interengagement of the ends of the tubes between an inner annulus and an annular corrugation which are inwardly of an attachment plate. The annulus and corrugation with the interengaged tube end are flared outwardly to interlock the components. The tube also includes an outwardly tapered section adjacent to the end. A tubular insert having inwardly tapered outer surfaces extending to each end from a midsection is positioned within the tapered portions of two axially abutting tubes. Fasteners draw the attachment flanges together to complete the assembly.

Abstract: A pipe flange is formed with an opening into which is fitted a pipe, and an annular groove which is coaxial with the opening and surrounds the same. A cylindrical is defined between the opening and the annular groove coaxially. A folding-back portion is led to the cylindrical portion and is adapted to retain one leading end of the pipe fitted into the opening. A pipe retaining portion is led to the folding-back portion and is folded back radially inwardly over the cylindrical portion in parallel therewith and is spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance. Therefore, the joining process can be simplified, and the work environment will not be contaminated. In addition, the joint strength and the air tightness can be enhanced. The pipe integral with the flange for pipe fitting is light in weight. Furthermore, the present invention is adapted for the mass production by the simple joining method.

Abstract: A fitting is secured to a flexible metal hose comprised of a corrugated tube, braid, and sleeve in a manner that provides a single weld operation. An end of the tube is axially compressed to define a generally planar surface with the braid and sleeve ends. Thereafter, a consumable flanged fitting is welded in a single weld to integrally secure all four components, namely, the tube, braid, sleeve, and fitting together.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral one piece plastic fastener for securing belt ends together. The fastener has upper and lower plastic plates clasped to a belt end with integral, hollow rivets projecting from the upper plate through openings in the bottom plate and with hollowed ends of the rivets deformed to form rivet heads for maintaining clasping of the plastic plates on the belt end. Also disclosed is a rivet head forming tool which smoothly forms rivet heads by a spinning process in which a rotating tool is forced against the hollow end of the rivet and spun with sufficient velocity and applied with a high force to create a sufficient heat and pressure to cause the end wall of the rivet to curl and turn over radially outwardly to form a rivet head tightly pushing against the lower plate of the fastener.

Abstract: A method of securing a shaft of a cam follower device for a valve action mechanism is provided such that after both ends of the shaft are engaged in an interference relationship in the through-holes which are formed in alignment in a pair of separated support walls provided opposing the cam to receive the action of a cam, the diameter at both ends of the shaft is expanded and the opposite ends of the shaft are caulked or crimped at the inner peripheral surface of the through-holes, and then both ends of the shaft are further expanded throughout the entire periphery thereof and inset or wedged into the inner peripheral surface of the through-holes.

Abstract: A method of upsetting and flaring a thin-walled metal tubular probe with one closed end onto a non-metallic plate in a single tooling set-up. The closed end of the tubing probe is inserted in a hole in the plate and a mandrel inserted in the open end of the tube and spring biased to register against the interior of the closed end of the tube which has an anvil washer received thereover which supports the tube wall. A pilot tool is registered against the closed end of the tube; and, an annular tool is received over the mandrel and registers against the open end of the tube. With the annular tool supporting axially the open end of the tube, the pilot tool is moved against the closed end of the tube and bulges a portion of the tube in a recess provided in the plate or in the anvil washer against one side of the plate. The annular tool is then moved axially to flare the open end of the tube against the opposite side of the plate.

Abstract: Two or more bodies of sheet-like material are secured together with a single rivet-like fastening device which has an expanded head, a shank extending from the expanded head and a chamfer at the junction of the expanded head and the shank having a radius which is larger adjacent the head and which has bosses extending radially therefrom. An aperture is formed in the first body of material which substantially conforms to the radial dimensions of the shank and the shank is inserted into the aperture. A shaped aperture having radial dimensions which cooperate with the shank to define voids adjacent the shank is formed in the second body of material and the shank inserted into the shaped aperture. The shank is then axially compressed to force the first body over the chamfer and deform part of the first body into the voids in the second body, thus locking the first and second bodies together.

Abstract: A semi-tubular or tubular rivet for joining soft or fragile parts such as composite materials and comprising a pre-formed head (1) and a shank (2) having an axial hole (3) forming a tubular portion (2b) opposite the head (1), a peripheral groove (4) on the outside of the shank (2) at the tubular portion (2b), a pinning surface (Sa) on the outside surface of the shank near the free end of the shank; and a process particularly suited for assembling materials using the rivet.

Abstract: A method of permanently attaching a fastening element, such as a nut or bolt to panels having a range of panel thicknesses, such as the metal panels used by the automotive and appliance industries. The fastening element includes a tubular barrel portion and preferably an annular bearing face surrounding the barrel portion. The method includes punching a hole in the panel, then plasticly deforming and drawing the panel surrounding the hole into a dome or frusto-conically shaped portion. The panel hole is thus enlarged to receive the fastener element barrel portion from adjacent the apex of the frusto-conically shaped panel portion and the bearing face is then driven against the panel, deforming the panel to a generally planar shape. The panel surrounding the hole is thereby driven against the tubular barrel portion which, in the preferred embodiment, includes radially projecting ribs, providing securement against rotation even in very thin panels.

Abstract: A crush tube is used to provide a fluid connection between a first and second member. The crush tube has two tubular portions with a spherical portion therebetween. The tubular portions are loosely received in nominally coaxial bores having entrance chamfers. The spherical portion is deformed into contact with the chamfers as well as between the members whereby the tube provides a sealed fluid path between the bores.

Abstract: A method of attaching a fastener assembly to a member is disclosed. The fastener assembly includes a male fastener element which is fastened to a female fastener element wherein the male fastener element is adapted to engage and pierce through a panel. The female fastener element is adapted to rivet itself to the panel thereby forming a secure mechanical interlock between the female fastener and the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the female and male fastener include threaded surfaces which cooperatively engage one another thereby permitting the male fastener to be easily removed and used to fasten a structural member, or the like to the female fastener/panel assembly. While the fastener assembly is particularly suited for self-piercing applications, it may be used equally well in pre-pierced panel applications.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of an elastic joint, which includes positioning an external casing member, an internal casing member and an elastomeric compound such that the external casing member surrounds the internal casing member, and such that the elastomeric compound is situated between the exterior surface of the internal casing member and the interior surface of the external casing member, and radially expanding an end portion of the internal casing member to thereby form an annular reinforcement on the end portion of the internal casing member, the step of radially expanding the end portion of the internal casing member being carried out by contacting a die member a plurality of times with the end portion of the internal casing member, the step of contacting the die member a plurality of times with the end portion of the internal casing member being carried out such that the force applied by the die member against the end portion of the internal casing member is exerted along different axes relative to

Abstract: A cylindrical shell for a motor/generator may be formed by cutting a rectangular blank, offsetting an edge, rolling the blank into a cylinder with the offset edge overlapping its opposite edge, punching through the overlapping edges to interlock them and form the cylinder, and then joining a base to the cylinder through a similar interlocking, punching process. In a variation, the base may be simultaneously joined to the cylinder as the edges are punched. Holes, or holes with locating nibs, may be used to align the blank in a cylindrical shape to reliably control the shell I.D. during fabrication.

Abstract: The riveting sleeve (6) described is used to connect the component parts (3, 4, 5, 10, 11) of compressor valves (2). The riveting sleeve (6) passes through the valve parts (3, 4, 5, 10, 11) to be connected to one another and is provided with at least one radial groove (16, 22, 26) which starts from the inner or outer generated surface (17, 18) thereof and weakens the wall thickness of the riveting sleeve (6) in this area. On the other side of the generated surface (17, 18) the groove (16, 22, 26) is adjacent either to the wall of a valve part surrounding it or surrounded thereby, or it has opposite it a recess (19, 23, 27) in the valve part (3, 5, 25) adjacent to the riveting sleeve (6). By upsetting the riveting sleeve (6) by means of an applied axial force, the riveting sleeve (6) is deformed radially outwards or inwards in the manner of a bead, it being securely clamped in or on the adjacent valve part.

Abstract: The invention relates to the replaceable element which bears against a rotating disc or rotor as part of a disc brake system for a vehicle. The replaceable element includes a backing plate and a friction pad. Unlike typical systems which rivet the pad to the backing plate, the backing plate has integral upstanding fixation studs or nips. The nips are made in the plate by a semi-piercing operation to give an upstanding stud or nip. The nip is then caused to cold flow in a pressing operation to provide a cylindrical collar at the end of the nip. To affix the friction pad to the backing plate an anvil similar to a riveting anvil is forced against the cylindrical collar to turn the collar over to contact the fixation surface of the typical bore holes in the friction pad. Because rivets are eliminated the fixation process can be conducted in a single stroke of a press.

Abstract: A method of forming a stem and assembling a snap ring in a groove in the stem without expansion of the snap ring. A stem blank is formed having a reduced diameter extension. A snap ring is slid over the extension without expansion of the snap ring and is positioned against a lower support surface. An orbitally rotating punch is inserted at an angle into the top end of the extension thereby deforming the top end and forming a continuous, tear free collar which forms an upper wall of a groove defined between the collar and the support surface. The snap ring lies within the groove and is free to move from the support surface towards the collar.

Abstract: A method of permanently attaching a fastening element, such as a nut or bolt to panels having a range of panel thicknesses, such as the metal panels used by the automotive and appliance industries. The fastening element includes a tubular barrel portion and preferably an annular bearing face surrounding the barrel portion. The method includes punching a hole in the panel, then plasticly deforming and drawing the panel surrounding the hole into a dome or frusto-conically shaped portion. The panel hole is thus enlarged to receive the fastener element barrel portion from adjacent the apex of the frusto-conically shaped panel portion and the bearing face is then driven against the panel, deforming the panel to a generally planar shape. The panel surrounding the hole is thereby driven against the tubular barrel portion which, in the preferred embodiment, includes radially projecting ribs, forming a secure anti-rotation assembly even in very thin panels.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastening element, such as a nut fastener, having a body portion and an integral annular riveting barrel portion. The body portion includes axial grooves and, in the preferred embodiment of the nut-type fastener, the body portion includes a radial flange and the grooves extend radially from the body portion into the flange portion. In the most preferred embodiment, the body portion is polygonal and the axial grooves are located in the juncture of adjacent flat surfaces. The method of attaching the self-attaching fastening element of this invention to a panel includes forming an opening in the panel coaxially aligned with the barrel portion having a diameter less than the barrel portion, driving the barrel portion into the panel, thereby drawing a cone-shaped portion in the panel receiving the body portion, driving the body portion into the cone-shaped panel portion, deforming the panel portion into the body portion and the axial grooves.

Abstract: Fastening apparatus and method for forming a rivet-type fastener are disclosed for joining two pieces together that is particularly suitable for use in constructing a building. The fastening apparatus utilizes an actuating rod preferably driven by a hydraulic cylinder with the rod being inserted through a fastening section and holes in pieces to be fastened. A set of dies has one fixed and one pulled by the rod through the holes to form at least one rolled flange or two rolled flanges to form a hollow fastener that secures the pieces together. The rod is automatically returned to an extended position to be ready for the next operation. The fastener has a relatively large inside diameter in relation to the thicknesses of the pieces being fastened to avoid shear of the piece and prevent having the flange deform under load.

Abstract: An electrical grounding connector, electrical grounding connector assembly, and a method of attaching an electrical grounding connector and electrical grounding connector assembly to an electrically conductive panel is disclosed. The grounding connector assembly includes a grounding stud connector having a body portion disposed between, and integrally joining, a stud portion and a riveting portion. The body portion includes a flange extending generally radially from the body portion and the flange includes a panel engaging surface and a lug engaging surface. A protective nut is adapted to engage in substantially cover the stud portion of the grounding stud connector thereby protecting the stud portion from contaminants. Barbed elements are disclosed on various surfaces of the grounding connector thereby giving the grounding connector excellent electrically conductive properties when it is assembled to an electrically conductive panel.

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the barrel portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes driving a plurality of staking projections into said slug, thereby pinching said slug between the projections and a barrel side wall. This pinching action causes the slug to deform outwardly and lodge between the side walls of said fastener. The staking projections are preferably arranged around the perimeter of the die post, and in a most preferred embodiment, the projections have a canted side wall proximal the wall, forcing a portion of said slug toward the barrel side wall, when said slug is pinched between said canted side wall and a bottom wall of said fastener.

Abstract: A method of forming a tubular, double wall, air gap, exhaust duct component for an internal combustion engine, the resulting exhaust duct component, and the blank for such, involving providing an inner membrane duct element, with orifices therethrough spaced along its length, providing an outer structural duct element in 360 degree engagement with the inner duct element in the areas where forming and bending operations are to be performed, conducting such forming and bending operations, securing the resulting blank in a hydroforming die cavity, sealing the ends of the inner element to the ends of the outer element, plugging the ends of the inner element, injecting a liquid, preferably water, into the inner duct element and increasing the pressure on the liquid to expand the outer element away from the inner element and ultimately into conformity with the die cavity while the inner element floats in place, in a manner to create an air gap substantially over the full length of the duct component, i.e.

Abstract: Climbing apparatus including a rolling tower support platform, and method and tooling for the same wherein one of two spaced double walls of each of opposed tower rails of a tower ladder is snugly gripped by detents formed on the end portions of spaced rail rungs and the extremities of the rungs are flared, the rails including expanded bottoms for snap lock and threaded lock assembly with unique caster boxes of a caster wheel assembly for the tower rails and a support platform mounted on the rails with slidable carriages having double grip and threaded pin tightening arrangements and also having sockets to receive collapsible hand rail assemblies with unique hinges for gates thereof.

Abstract: A spout is attached to a wall of an article, such as a paperboard container, by pushing a stem of a spout longitudinally through a pre-formed hole in the article and against an inclined face of a flare tool so that a portion of the stem is bent laterally outwardly and into the path of a staking tool. The staking tool is displaced so that the face thereof bends a laterally outer section of the bent portion against the wall of the article while leaving a laterally inner section of the bent portion spaced longitudinally from the wall.

Abstract: When shaping a film cartridge having a hollow cylindrical shell and caps mounted on ends of the shell, a shell plate is brought into abutment with a mandrel having a perfectly circular cross section and bent around the mandrel by a bending roller. A cap is mounted on an end of the hollow cylindrical shell while it is on the mandrel, and the cap is clinched to the hollow shell while the cap and the hollow shell are grasped from the outside.

Abstract: A means is disclosed by which the operational temperature of a sealed relatively rotating device may be achieved at lower than recommended operational temperatures for the elastomer compound used as the sealing material.

Abstract: In a tube fitting a nut which extends about the end of a tube allows the tube to be threadedly joined to a nipple. The end of the tube is formed in the shape of a collar which retains the nut. The face of the collar is flattened to sealingly meet with an o-ring which resides in an annular recess in the frontal surface of the nipple. The process of forming the collar in the end of the tube includes placing a nut on the tube, gripping the end of the tube with a die, and deforming the end of the tube with a tool of truncated cone-shape move in an advancing, precessing motion. The die is shaped with interior shoulders having the profile of the collar. A socket which forms the back side of the collar can be placed over the tube after the die grips the tube. After the collar formed the dies is removed.

Abstract: In the case of certain series-produced finished parts, such as switch cross ties, the precision of the assembly of components is of decisive importance. The components should neither be damaged nor should their position be changed during assembly. During the assembly process, they have to be non-slidably fastened in the casing, at the same time the fastening is not allowed to damage finished part, respectively the component, neither during the movements occuring in the hardening process, nor during the removal of the casing from the finished part, i.e. a fastening device has also to be easily detachable.

Abstract: A fastening means for an electronic air cleaner. The air cleaner containing an air cleaner collector section. The air cleaner collector section is a series of high voltage and low voltage plates which are held by cell expansion tubes. On either end of the air cleaner collector section, end plates are placed in order to hold the air cleaner collector section in place. Flare tubes are passed through the end plates and the cell expansion tubes and are flared in order to fasten the end plates in place, thereby fastening the air cleaner collector section.

Abstract: A method for connecting a coolant tube (20) and header (22, 24) of a heat exchanger (10) comprises manifolds (12, 14) forming fluid reservoirs (16, 18) and a plurality of coolant tubes (20) in fluid communication with the manifolds (12, 14). The manifolds (12, 14) comprise a header wall (22, 24) having a plurality of collars (26) forming collar openings (28). The tubes (20) include an axially extending mechanical seam (50) and deformable hollow end portions (52) extending through the collar openings (28). A flaring tool (70) having tapered side surfaces (74) is inserted in the end portion (52) of the tube (20) to expand the tube (20) outwardly against the collar opening (28). The flaring tool (70) includes a groove extending axially along the side surface (74) aligning with and straddling the seam (50) during expansion of the tube (20) and further forces the portions (62, 64 ) of the tube (20) adjacent the seam (50) outwardly into sealing engagement with the collar opening (28).

Abstract: A nut fixing structure for a resinous case which comprises a nut provided with an antirotative flange and caulking clicks on its respective ends, and a resinous case provided with a nut fitting hole and a flange receiving part. The nut is fixed in the nut fitting hole of the resinous case by bending the caulking clicks outwardly in the state of fitting the nut into the nut fitting hole and engaging the antirotative flange to the flange receiving hole. It is possible to fix the resinous case to the mounting position very firmly.

Abstract: In a method for joining a plurality of heat exchanger flat tubes with headers of a heat exchanger: each of the opposite end portions of the flat tubes has a cross section provided with a major axis and a minor axis; opposite major axis side walls of the cross section of each of opposite end portions of each of the flat tubes are obliquely cut off so as to form each of opposite minor axis side walls of the cross section of the end portion of the flat tube into a trapezoidal shape; the end portion of the flat tube is passed through an elliptical hole formed in the header; the end portion of the flat tubes thus passed through the header is flared over its entire peripheral wall; the thus flared end portion of the flat tube is then bent so as to be formed into a bent portion of the flat tube, which bent portion constitutes an essential part of a joint formed between the flat tube and the header; and the thus formed joint is dipped into a molten filler metal bath to form brazed or soldered portions around the join

Abstract: An improved die member and method of attaching a self-piercing and riveting fastener to a panel wherein a slug pierced from the panel by the riveting fastener is securely staked in the tubular riveting portion of the fastener during the installation of the fastener. The staking method includes shearing integral ribbons from the inside surface of the tubular barrel portion as the barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly in an annular die cavity of the die member. The integral ribbons are then preferably deformed radially inwardly in semicircular staking cavities defined through the free end of the central die post. In the most preferred method, radial tabs are simultaneously formed in the panel slug, which are deformed against an inside surface of the barrel portion, securely staking the slug in the tubular barrel portion and preventing inadvertent removal of the slug.

Abstract: A method for affixing pins to a ceramic substrate substantially eliminating cracking of the substrate by pre-bulging the pin blanks and, then after inserting the pin blanks into the substrate, a clearance is provided between the lower pin holding die and the lower face of the substrate for the subsequent head forming operation on the opposite face of the substrate.

Abstract: The sealing arrangement for joining a valve mounting cup to an aerosol container includes provision of a valve mounting cup having a bent over flange portion of sufficient extent to permit clinching as well as crimping of the valve mounting cup to the aerosol container. The bent over flange portion drapes a predetermined amount alongside the bead or curl of the container to permit a clinching operation that anchors the mounting cup to the container. A sequential crimping operation further secures the valve mounting cup to the container bead and effectively squeezes a gasket provided between the mounting cup and container bead to provide a leak tight seal. Any striations present in the container bead are effectively plugged by the gasket due to the tight envelopment of the bent over flange around the container bead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming core assemblies comprising supporting a plurality of flattened tubes in horizontally spaced relationship, applying forces to the ends of the tubes to align the tubes, interposing undulating fins between adjacent tubes, providing a stop for holding the ends of the tubes at one end in alignment, retracting the force on the opposite ends of the tubes applying a compacting force to the array tubes and undulating fins transversely of the tubes by applying forces to end plates, applying a force to a header plate to force the opposite ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate, applying a deforming force to the opposite ends of the tubes against the outer surface of the header plate to move any unaligned tubes into alignment with the remainder of the tubes against the stop, retracting the stop, applying a force to another header plate to force the one ends of the tubes through openings in the header plate and applying a deforming force to the one ends of the tubes onto

Abstract: A method of producing a pair of container bodies. A cylindrical, hollow preform of a thermoplastic polymer material having a cylindrical body having a sidewall and an opened neck finish on each longitudinal end of the preform is provided. The preform is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer and below the melting temperature of the polymer, and is stretched. The preform is stretched longitudinally by applying force to at least one of the ends, and is stretched transversely by introducing fluid pressure into the preform sufficient to form a stretch blown component having a first neck at one end and a second neck at the other end, and a body portion between the necks. The stretch blown component is separated transversely through the body to provide two container bodies, each having a neck finish corresponding dimensionally with the respective neck finish on the preform from which the container bodies are stretch-blown.

Abstract: In this fastening system two or more layers of material are fastened together by inserting a hollow sleeved fastener such as a rivet or a bolt into the hole in a high interference fit to expand the hole radially. The sleeve is configured either as a collar and a straight shank or as an angled upper portion combined with a shank for counterbored applications. The intersections between either the collar and the shank or the angle portion and the straight shank are designed with an enlarged radius such that when the sleeve is expanded after the insertion of the fastener inside of it, this radius is expanded, which in turn stress coins the adjacent edge of the hole in the layers. This localized stress coining as well as the hoop stress in the hole surrounding the hole dramatically increases the fatigue strength of the fastened layers in a structure assembly.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a fuel manifold designed to supply fuel to a number of fuel injectors includes forming the end of each of a number of cup shaped fittings into a rod having an axial hole, forming on an elongated semifinished metal part a series of seats for the aforementioned rods, inserting the rods inside the seats an permanently deforming the rods against the respective seats for securing the fittings to the semifinished metal part.

Abstract: Ladder constructions and methods of forming the same wherein box-type or tubular rails are employed. The rung-to-rail connection or joint is formed by providing an opening in one of the rail side walls and an aligned clearance hole in the opposite rail side wall to afford an opening through which a swaging tool is projected and forms an annulus in tight engagement into the inner surfaces surrounding the opening in the first named rail side wall, cooperating swaging means forming an annulus on the outer surfaces surrounding the said opening. A ladder having tubular side rails is hence provided with a rail-to-rung joint on one of the walls by projecting a swaging tool through a clearance hole in an opposite wall. The clearance hole is adapted to be closed by placing a plug in the same and in the event the clearance hole is in the innermost side rail the rung is adapted to be used to close the space provided by the opening in the rail between the rung and one of the side rails.

Abstract: A method for assembling a cam follower in a rocker arm of a valve drive mechanism comprises the steps of forming through the walls of the rocker arm a first through-hole which has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cam follower shaft and a second through-hole which has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cam follower shaft, and inserting the shaft into the first through-hole and temporarily holding a tip end of the shaft with the second through-hole before permanently securing the shaft to the walls of the rocker arm by caulking.

Abstract: The invention is a close out fitting for installing in a structural element, the structural element having a port extending from a first surface to a second surface thereof, the port countersunk at both ends, and a method of installing the closeout fitting. In detail, the fitting comprises a hollow, tubular sleeve having a flared first end, a flarable second end and internal threads therebetween. The fitting further comprises a plug having a head portion and a shank portion attached to the head portion with the shank portion having external threads.

Abstract: An improved joint structure and tooling apparatus are provided for assembling a self-clinching fastener to sheet material, particularly sheet metal. The fastener includes head and shank portions with an intermediate locking groove formed in the shank. The fastener shank projects through the aperture and the head is at least partially embedded within the peripheral material surrounding the sheet metal aperture. A portion of the peripheral sheet metal is disposed within the groove to form a mechanical interlock for securement of the joint assembly. The shank has an outwardly flared end portion which is staked so that it has an exposed surface coplanar or flush with the exposed, opposite surface of the sheet material relative to the embedded fastener head, which provides a smooth continuous undersurface of the joint.

Abstract: A stem with a specially constructed groove and a snap ring is disclosed along with a method of forming the groove and assembling the snap ring whereby a snap ring is first assembled about a reduced diameter portion of a stem on which a support surface of larger diameter has been formed and a retention groove is then formed by peening over the top end of the stem to form a collar which becomes the upper wall of the groove and retains the snap ring about the stem.

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 blind fastener for securely and economically fastening a plurality of members having a mandrel with an enlarged head and a generally cylindrical stem with a locking groove, and a sleeve with a generally tubular portion surrounding a portion of the stem, a flange extending radially from the end of the tubular portion opposite the stem head, and a boss extending axially from the flange opposite the tubular portion, so that application of tension to the stem and compression to the boss causes upsetting of the fastener, compression of the members, elongation of the stem, and displacement of the boss material into the locking groove, thereby locking the mandrel and sleeve to prevent them from springing back upon breaking of the mandrel stem.

Abstract: A ball joint wherein a global head of a ball stud is covered with a bearing seat made of a hard synthetic resin so that the global head is movable in the bearing seat, a shank formed integral with the ball stud is projected from the global head, the bearing seat with the ball stud is pressed into a housing having openings at both ends, so that the shank of the ball stud is projected out of the opening at one end of the housing, engagement portions at both ends of the bearing seat are brought into engagement with the corresponding ends of the housing, and at least one of the engagement portions of the bearing seat is heated and caulked over the corresponding end of the housing to securely fix the bearing seat to the housing.

Abstract: A furnace heat exchanger and support plate assembly are joined together by a cooperating substantially elliptical rim defining an opening in the heat exchanger and an opening formed by a mating flange on a partition plate and extending perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The flange and the partition plate is inserted in the opening in the heat exchanger unit and expanded radially outward with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the openings by a multiple jaw expander mechanism which is inserted through the opening in the plate into the interior of the heat exchanger. The expander includes radially and axially moveable jaws comprising plural jaw segments which are engaged by an axially moveable mandrel. The number of jaws in the expander is sufficient to form a substantially leakproof seal between the exchanger unit and the support plate assembly in a single expander operation through a single bending sequence.