Riveting Patents (Class 29/524.1)
  • Patent number: 11951529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cartridge-type rivet feeding mechanism of a flow drill screwing device including a rivet box, a magazine for storing rivets from the rivet box, a rivet pulling mechanism including a rivet pulling block, a rivet pulling block guide housing and a linear driving unit connected with the rivet pulling block, a blowing mechanism including a curved connecting tube and a third air inlet, the rivet pulling block is defined with a T-shaped through hole capable of accommodating a rivet and configured for transferring the rivet from the first connecting tube to the second connecting tube. The first air inlet and the second air inlet are both configured for introducing compressed air to push the rivet to move towards the riveter head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: JEE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lei Liu, Zhe Weng, Donghua Tang, Hongjie Liu
  • Patent number: 11867212
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a deformable sleeve nut that includes selectively strain hardening only a first portion of a material blank while not strain hardening a second portion of the material blank, then, after strain hardening the first portion of the material blank, internally threading the first portion of the material blank to define a nut portion and machining the second portion of the material blank to define a deformable sleeve portion that includes an end portion and a bulbing portion positioned between the end portion and the nut portion, where the bulbing portion is constructed to bulb outwardly and form a load bearing flange when the bulbing portion is compressed between the end portion and the nut portion. Also disclosed is a deformable sleeve nut made with this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Zoltan Furu-Szekely, Behrouz Khodnegah
  • Patent number: 11819905
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention there as provided a method of forming a riveted joint comprising a UHSS layer and a non-UHSS layer using a self-piercing rivet comprising a head and a shank, an outer diameter of a top of the shank being greater than an outer diameter of a bottom of the shank before insertion of the rivet, the method comprising pushing the self-piercing rivet into the UHSS layer such that the lower portion of the shank flares outwards and cuts a slug from the UHSS, and pushing the flared shank of the self-piercing rivet and the slug into the non-UHSS layer such that the non-UHSS layer deforms into a die recess and flows around an outer surface of the flared shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Atlas Copco IAS UK Limited
    Inventors: Russell John Trinick, Samuel Williams, Elliot Jones
  • Patent number: 11745250
    Abstract: Provided is a swaging device including: an upper anvil that is disposed in a state in which the upper anvil faces an end surface of a head of a rivet; a lower anvil that is disposed in a state in which the lower anvil faces an end surface of a shaft portion of the rivet; and a pressurizing mechanism that generates a pressurizing force of causing a distance between the upper anvil and the lower anvil along an axial line to decrease and plastically deforms the rivet, in which an end surface of the upper anvil includes a bottom surface that perpendicularly intersects the axial line X and a support surface that has a projecting length in a direction of the axial line with respect to the bottom surface gradually increasing from an inner circumferential side toward an outer circumferential side in the radial direction formed therein, and an inclination angle of the support surface is smaller than an inclination angle of the inclined surface of the rivet by a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Tsukioka, Akira Ikada, Michinobu Takahagi
  • Patent number: 11692545
    Abstract: A suction cover assembly for a reciprocating pump assembly includes a suction cover having a body that is configured to be held at least partially within an access port of a fluid cylinder of the reciprocating pump assembly. The body includes a receptacle that includes at least one radial opening that extends through the body. The suction cover assembly includes a suction cover retainer that includes a plug configured to be at least partially received within the receptacle of the body. The suction cover retainer includes at least one retention segment configured to be held within the at least one radial opening of the body. The plug is configured to be moved between a locked position wherein the at least one retention segment is in a radially extended position and an unlocked position wherein the at least one retention segment is in a radially retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Myers, Adalberto Cortes, Richard David Peer
  • Patent number: 11674586
    Abstract: A pulley device for a tensioner roller or winding roller of a transmission element, having a fixed inner element configured to receive a screw, a rotating outer element that is mounted to rotate coaxially about the fixed inner element and is intended to cooperate with the transmission element, and an annular protective flange bearing against a lateral surface of the fixed inner element. The fixed inner element provides a sleeve axially protruding from the lateral surface. The flange provides an inner axial portion mounted securely on an outer surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoit Arnault, Benoît Hauvespre, Nicolas Tronquoy
  • Patent number: 11597161
    Abstract: In a fastening method and fastening apparatus, workpieces are fastened using a fastener made of a thermoplastic polymer comprising carbon fibers. The method and apparatus involve induction heating of the carbon fibers to soften the thermoplastic polymer and then plastically deforming axial ends of the fastener using a die or dies to form first and second heads while a shaft body or a shaft part of the thermoplastic polymer comprising the carbon fibers is inserted through respective through holes formed in the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI DENTSU LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Eguchi, Daiki Tanabe
  • Patent number: 11453043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a riveting machine comprising a piercing tool (52), an upper sheet clamp (71), and a lower sheet clamp (21), mounted movable relative to each other in the direction of bringing said sheet clamps (71, 21) closer to each other, an upper riveting tool (51) and a lower riveting tool (29) for flaring a rivet disposed inside an orifice formed through the parts (8) to be riveted. The upper sheet clamp (71) has a passage opening (72) facing which the drilling tool (52) is adapted to be positioned to enable said drilling tool (52) to pierce an area of said parts (8) clamped between the upper sheet clamp (71) and the lower sheet clamp (21). The upper sheet clamp (71) and the lower sheet clamp (21) are mounted movable relative to each other along a direction transverse to the piercing axis. The invention also relates to a riveting method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CYBERMECA
    Inventor: Didier Ledoux
  • Patent number: 11428260
    Abstract: A blind rivet-nut having an annular-flange-like setting head and a hollow shaft for securing a blind rivet-nut in an opening of a carrier. The hollow shaft has a free end having a threaded portion for receiving a threaded element of a tensioning tool. A clamping portion adjacent to the setting head forms a bead-like deformation when the tensioning tool is used to clamp the carrier between the bead-like deformation and the setting head. A threadless shaft portion is formed between the clamping portion and the threaded portion. The threadless shaft portion is threaded by a thread self-rolling or thread self-tapping fastener. The fastener is received in a positive-locking manner when the fastener is screwed into the thread formed on the previously threadless shaft portion. A method is also disclosed for securing a component to a carrier by a blind rivet-nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jens Linsel
  • Patent number: 11260480
    Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI DENTSU LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Eguchi, Takayuki Kitou, Teruhiko Hirasawa, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 11110606
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for robot control. One embodiment is a method for coordinating operations of robots performing work on a part. The method includes assigning a group of robots to a part, initiating work on the part via the group of robots, determining that a robot within the group is unable to continue performing work at a first location of the part, removing the robot from the group while other robots of the group continue performing the work, adding a functioning robot to the group at a second location that the robot is scheduled to occupy, and continuing work on the part via the group of robots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Samuel F Pedigo, Veniamin Tereshchuk
  • Patent number: 10900510
    Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (SPR) joint includes a top layer including at least one steel material or at least one aluminum material, a middle layer including at least one magnesium material, and a bottom artificial aluminum layer including at least one aluminum material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS OF AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Gerry Gang Wang, Jonathan Patrick Weiler
  • Patent number: 10716905
    Abstract: A container, a nebulizer and a use of an indicator device are described, where the container comprises an indicator device fixedly mounted on the bottom of the container, the container is arranged within the nebulizer and the container can be detached by grabbing the indicator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Boehringer lngelheim International GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Eicher, Herbert Graessl, Mike Janetzko, Andree Jung, Martin Meisenheimer, Herbert Wachtel, Robert Gerhard Winkler, Gilbert Wuttke, Ying Yu
  • Patent number: 10675672
    Abstract: A tool system is provided and includes a securing element, a hammer element configured to drive a member toward the securing element and first and second orientation elements rigidly disposed on the securing and hammer elements, respectively. The securing and hammer elements have respective operational axes and the first and second orientation elements respectively include orientation sensors configured to cooperatively determine a relative orientation of the respective operational axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: John William Beisner
  • Patent number: 10612611
    Abstract: In order for a carrier body, which has a friction pad carrier plate (10) and at least one first absorber mass (14) rigidly connected to the friction pad carrier plate, to be further improved in such a way that the rigid connection between friction pad carrier plate and the first absorber mass is made more robust, provision is made for a first pin-like projection (18) of the first absorber mass (14) to be inserted into the first hole of the friction pad carrier plate (10) such that the head (28) of the first pin-like projection (18) protrudes out of the first hole and bears partially against a first chamfer (26) in the region of a first edge (22) of the first hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: FEDERAL-MOGUL BREMSBELAG GMBH
    Inventor: Ilhami Karatas
  • Patent number: 10556266
    Abstract: A tool including a pair of rails is attachable to the inside surface of the skin panel. A housing is pivotally and slidably connected between the pair of rails. The housing is pivotable about a first axis and is slidable along grooves in the pair of rails. The housing has a first end and a second end opposite each other. The tool includes a rod having a third end and a fourth end, the third end attached to and extending from the first end of the housing. The tool also includes a pressure foot attached to the fourth end of the housing. The pressure foot includes a curved ankle integrally formed with a flat flange, the curved ankle curving into the flat flange. The pressure foot is configured to apply pressure along a portion of the inside surface of the skin panel when the housing is in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean Dixon, William Ryan Cooper, Zachary David Talus, Christopher E. Plass, Lane W. Fuglevand, Ronald Steven Hetzel, Dennis R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10371190
    Abstract: A punch rivet for joining two workpieces, has a head and a shank. The shank is a hollow shank with a shank internal diameter (D3), a shank external diameter (D1) and a shank end face. On the shank end face is a ring cutting edge with the diameter (D4) that is smaller than the shank external diameter (D1) but greater than the shank internal diameter (D3). The ring cutting edge is radially spaced both from the shank external diameter (D1) and from the shank internal diameter (D3) by at least 20% of the radial shank wall thickness (M5). And the ratio D3/D1 of shank internal diameter D3 to shank external diameter D1 is smaller than 0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Matthias Wissling, Frank Wilhelm, Paul Bartig, Paul Hez
  • Patent number: 10323673
    Abstract: A metallic holding element for absorbing or introducing a torque in a plastic housing is presented, wherein the holding element in the holding area features a profile with three, four, or five main corners, which are connected to each other via straight or convex edges, preferably the edges are generally curved in a convex manner respectively through one or more obtuse-angled intermediate corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Splitt
  • Patent number: 10265759
    Abstract: A manually-actuated retention and release mechanism is disclosed for use with a blind threaded rivet setting tool. The mechanism has a cap with an internal screw thread which retains a drive screw immovably to a spindle such that axial or rotational movement of the spindle results in concomitant movement of the drive screw. The cap cooperates with a manually-actuable bar via series of serrations formed on the cap, each of which serrations is a latch point for the bar. Movement of the bar into or out of engagement with the serrations dictates whether or not the cap is locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AVDEL UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Oriano Mezzaqui
  • Patent number: 10240624
    Abstract: An assembly and method for minimizing an overlap of a composite member riveted to another member includes a first member having a first overlap area and a second member having a second overlap area. The overlap areas of the first and second members are in direct contact, thereby forming an overlapped region. The overlapped region may be thicker than the sum of the individual members. The second member includes an end defining a projection in the overlapped region. The rivet is disposed through the first member and at least partially through the second member in the projection, thereby interlocking the second member to the first member. The projections include a curved symmetrical body defining an apex. The rivet extends through the body such that a line extending from the center axis of the rivet is perpendicular to a tangent extending through the apex of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Blaski, Richard C. Janis, Pei-chung Wang, Douglas M. Linn
  • Patent number: 9926963
    Abstract: A method for the connection of sheet parts, of which at least one is formed as an organic sheet part, with the aid of an auxiliary joining part and an apertured metal washer, the auxiliary joining part having a functional section with an undercut and a piercing section with a shaft surface and a shaft recess. The sheet parts and the metal washer are brought into a stacked arrangement in such a way that the metal washer contacts the organic sheet part. The piercing section slugs are punched out of the stacked sheet parts. The auxiliary joining part is joined to the metal washer. The other of the undercut or of the shaft recess is brought into a holding engagement with a sheet part not formed as an organic sheet metal part or with a further metal washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Andreas Lembach
  • Patent number: 9446857
    Abstract: A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Rick Earl Sparks, Shelby T. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 9375781
    Abstract: A riveting device for the riveting of components in an overlap joint, with an upper tool for driving a rivet into a rivet hole passing through the components, and with a lower tool as a dolly, which has a deforming section for purposes of plastically deforming the end of a rivet shaft driven through the rivet hole, wherein the riveting device has a magazine with a feed device for purposes of feeding a rivet into a shot passage of the upper tool, an actuator for purposes of accelerating the rivet introduced into the shot passage of the upper tool in the direction of the components, and an adjustment system for purposes of aligning the shot channel with the rivet hole. Also disclosed is a method for the riveting of components in an overlap joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Alexander Goehlich, Holger Frauen
  • Patent number: 9321099
    Abstract: An ultrasonic riveting tool and an associated method for installing a rivet are provided. The ultrasonic riveting tool and the associated method rely upon acoustic energy to cause the rivet to be installed. In the context of a method, a rivet is inserted into a bore defined by one or more workpieces. The rivet extends from a head to an opposed tail. The method also includes placing a bucking bar in an operative position with respect to the tail of the rivet. The method further includes applying acoustic energy to the head of the rivet to cause interaction between the rivet and the bucking bar such that the tail of the rivet is deformed. In this regard, the method may drive the rivet through the bore in response to application of acoustic energy so as to force the tail of the rivet into operative contact with the bucking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Chin H. Toh
  • Publication number: 20150144664
    Abstract: A liquid pressure-reducing unit having a first half body with a contact surface and first groove extending over the contact surface is disclosed. The unit has a flexible resilient sealing element having a floor layer lining the floor of the first groove. The unit has a second half body with a contact surface and first and second walls extending out of the contact surface and defining a second groove. The contact surfaces of the first half body and second half body join, wherein the first and second walls penetrate into the first groove so that the free end of the first and second walls forms a fluid-tight contact with the flexible resilient floor layer lining the floor of the first groove, defining a fluid-tight channel bringing in fluid communication a fluid inlet with a fluid outlet. The channel is non-rectilinear and/or having a cross-section varying over the length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Stijn Franssen, Daniel Peirsman
  • Publication number: 20150121679
    Abstract: A punch-riveting die comprises a basic body, which has a recess for forming an underside of a punch-rivet joint, the recess having a base and an annular wall. In a central region of the base, the die includes an annular radial-flow inhibiting device, which inhibiting device limits a radial material flow out of the inner region of the annular radial-flow inhibiting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Paul BARTIG, Marco WIESSNER
  • Publication number: 20150102533
    Abstract: Method for producing a fuel tank provided with internal accessories and having a wall made of plastic made in a single piece by moulding a split parison or a parison in at least two parts, said method comprising the following steps: a) the parison is introduced in the heat-softened state into a mould comprising dies; b) a core on which the accessories are placed is introduced inside the parison; c) the parison is pressed onto the dies of the mould; d) the accessories are fastened to the parison with the aid of the core in an ideal layout; e) the core is withdrawn and the mould is closed; f) the tank is moulded from the parison; and g) the tank is removed from the mould.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bjorn CRIEL, Nadja WALLING, Fabrice LABORDE, Hervé LEMOINE
  • Publication number: 20150082607
    Abstract: A hollow punch rivet is described having a flange and a rivet section. Furthermore, a method for the attachment of individual components to one another using a punch rivet is described, with at least one of the components being formed by a material of the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Oliver Diehl, Richard Humpert, Andreas Lembach
  • Patent number: 8978231
    Abstract: A system and method for rivet setting comprising an anvil having an anvil face, a plunger having a sensor coupled to a control system that measures the distance between the anvil face and the work surface during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet driver when the driven rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: David L. LeMieux
  • Patent number: 8978230
    Abstract: A beverage bottle handling machine construction method for constructing a beverage bottle handling machine, such as a beverage bottle cleaning machine, a beverage bottle treating machine, and a beverage bottle shrink wrapping machine in a beverage bottling plant and container handling machines corresponding to the beverage bottle handling machine. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Jendrichowski, Ulrich Wiedemann
  • Publication number: 20150042139
    Abstract: A chair frame structure and method for making the same that allows efficient assembly without dependence on welding, provides reliable strength, and allows production costs to be reduced. The chair frame structure includes a gas spring receiving base into which an end of a gas spring is inserted and abutted is joined to a seat support base of a main seat support unit. The gas spring receiving base is joined to the seat support base using blind rivets applied at a plurality of positions by the operation performed from outside. Since the gas spring receiving base is joined using blind rivets without reliance on welding, it is possible to achieve an efficient, low-cost seat structure that provides adequate strength with a simple structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Fumio SUDOH
  • Publication number: 20150037600
    Abstract: A method for producing a punch-riveted connection between a first component and a second component having a flat cross-section, and a composite component that includes the first component and the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Bernhard HOFER, Reinhard HÖRMANN
  • Patent number: 8920593
    Abstract: The method and device provided herein relates to the field of screwed joints for panels and, in particular, for sandwich panels used in aerospace applications. It relates to a method for attaching a headless rivet nut to a wall of such a panel. The method comprises: injecting a predetermined quantity of adhesive into a blind hole made in the wall of the panel; fitting the headless rivet nut onto a rivet nut setting tool, the rivet nut setting tool comprising a pierced anvil and a mandrel passing through the anvil, the mandrel being screwed into the rivet nut so as to press the rivet nut onto the anvil; positioning the headless rivet nut in the blind hole, the anvil coming to press against the wall of the panel; setting the rivet nut so as to squeeze the wall of the panel between the anvil and a flange formed by deformation of the rivet nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Silvain Legrand, Alain Mistral, Damien Legloire
  • Patent number: 8918980
    Abstract: A beverage bottle handling machine construction method for constructing a beverage bottle handling machine, such as a beverage bottle cleaning machine, a beverage bottle pasteurization machine, and a beverage bottle shrink wrap machine in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Jendrichowski, Ulrich Wiedemann
  • Patent number: 8898880
    Abstract: A method for forming a joint using a self-piercing rivet includes the steps of: positioning the sheet material over a die and providing a rivet having a substantially cylindrical shank and a head, the shank having a central blind bore and an annular piercing end spaced from said head. The ratio of the difference between the outside and inside diameters of the shank in the region around the bore to the outside diameter of the shank is in the range 0.47 to 0.52. The method also includes positioning a rivet over the sheet material at a position opposite the die and using a punch to set the rivet and force it into the sheet material such that it pierces the upper surface thereof and such that the shank deforms outwardly to interlock with the material but without penetration to the die side of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Henrob Limited
    Inventor: John Russell Trinick
  • Patent number: 8898882
    Abstract: Described is a press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component. The press-in element has a head part having a ring surface confronting the component and a neck part which projects away from the ring surface, i.e. from the component contact side. The head part further has a ring-like projection surrounding the neck part with a radial spacing and projecting away from the ring surface. The neck part has a radially outwardly projecting ring bead, which can be formed as a continuous ring bead or as a ring bead interrupted at points. The apex of the ring bead has an axial spacing from the ring surface which is larger than the axial spacing of the apex of the ring-like projection from the ring surface, which lies radially within this projection and together with it and the ring bead forms a pocket which receives material of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Jiri Babej
  • Patent number: 8863364
    Abstract: The pinching device includes two cross-sections, each having a hollow part with a male indentation and a female indentation, and locking elements, whereby the surfaces of the indentations form a positive pinching passage of the tube; the male indentation has a U shape with a core and two wings; the female indentation has a U shape with a core and two wings; and the pinching passage has a U shape with a core and two wings; the two opposite wings will draw together toward their ends that are opposite to the cores of the indentations, and each of the two wings of the pinching passage has an opening whose width will diminish towards its end that is opposite to the core of the pinching passage; the width of the opening of the pinching passage is at most slightly smaller than twice the thickness of the wall of the flexible tube to be pinched, and, designed to constitute a pinching closing device, it is disposable, performing a function of closing the tube on itself in the pinching region, preventing any passage of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sartorius Stedim FMT SAS
    Inventors: Isabelle Valerie Christine Gay, Michael Bates, Ray Bassett, Chris Biddel
  • Publication number: 20140308090
    Abstract: Blind rivet nut with a rivet shank and method for forming blind rivet nut. The blind rivet nut includes a set head. a threaded section having a thread, and a deformation section arranged between the set head and the threaded section, having at least one reinforcement region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: GESIPA BLINDNIETTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Ilka BOERNER, Johannes GROSS, Richard GAERTNER
  • Patent number: 8850685
    Abstract: Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Henrob Limited
    Inventors: Rupert Andrew Craythorn, Ralph Fuhrmeister, Shane Peter Matthews, Wojciech Gostylla, Stuart Edmund Blacket, Nicholas Richard Clew, Michael Butler
  • Patent number: 8850666
    Abstract: A button includes a button body that is placed over a first main surface of a sheet having the first main surface and a second main surface opposing to the first main surface, the button body having a hole over the first main surface; a fixing member including a base that is placed over the second main surface, and a shaft that projects from the base and passes through the hole from the second main surface towards the first main surface side, in which a distal portion of the shaft includes: a plate-like base portion provided over the button body and covering the hole; and a plurality of ribs integrally formed with the base portion and onto a surface of the base portion, and radially extending from a center to a circumference of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20140290064
    Abstract: A method for producing a joint in at least two overlapping metal work pieces using a joining tool to obtain a mechanical joint between the overlapping work pieces, in particular joining by mechanical folding or pressure joining At least one of the first work piece and second work piece is a sheet material made of an aluminum alloy of the AA7000-series. A heat-treatment is applied to at least the work piece of 7000-series sheet material within 120 minutes prior to the production of the joint and/or for at least part of the time during production of the joint to temporarily reduce the tensile strength in the joining area of at least the work piece of said 7000-series sheet material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: ALERIS ALUMINUM DUFFEL BVBA
    Inventors: Axel Alexander Maria Smeyers, Sunil Khosla
  • Publication number: 20140283362
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a clinch-rivet connection using a rotary oscillating movement for connecting two metal components, wherein via the oscillating movement by means of forming rollers, a vertical, and simultaneously, a horizontal deformation is carried out, wherein one of the components has a preformed, flat, tab-like arc web, and the second component is provided with an at least partially V-shaped arc slot, which allows the accommodation of the preformed, flat, tab-like arc web, and via radial oscillating movement, the forming roller presses the arc web into the arced slot by superimposed axial movement, wherein the outer circumference of the forming rollers is provided with a wedge-shaped profile, and the oscillating movement of each forming roller with a specific pendulum path across the arc web does not exceed the length of the arc web
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Anton STRAUB
  • Publication number: 20140271039
    Abstract: A tacking fastener for securing workpieces together to form a temporary assembly includes a stem and an elongated sleeve. The stem includes a head disposed at a proximal end portion, a tapered portion extending between the proximal end portion and a central portion, a break notch extending around a circumference of the proximal end portion between the head and the tapered portion, and a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a distal end portion. The elongated sleeve is disposed around the stem between the head and the plurality of ridges and grooves and configured to form a tacking rivet upon installation of the tacking fastener. The elongated sleeve is plastically deformed during installation to form a plurality of bulbs, thereby being capable of securing workpieces of varying grip length. The stem and the tacking rivet remain within the workpieces after the workpieces are secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PCC STRUCTURALS, INC.
    Inventor: Caleb LEMLER
  • Publication number: 20140201974
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of dressing an installed blind fastener that includes machining through a top surface of the fastener along a longitudinal axis of a core bolt of the fastener and an extension that extends from a body of the fastener until intersecting the undercut between the extension and an upper surface of the fastener to remove the extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: James Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8707539
    Abstract: A gun rivet and a device for placing said rivet are disclosed. The gun rivet contains a rivet head (1) with a collar (3) at one end and a rivet tip (6) at the other. The rivet body contains a cavity (7) in the form of a bore in a sleeve section (22). As with other gun rivets, the gun rivet is shot with a percussive-type action and with the aid of its rivet tip into an opening in two sheets (13, 14) that are to be joined together, until the collar comes to rest on the upper face of the upper sheet. A tensile bolt is then introduced into the cavity and is connected to the base (8) of the latter. This can be achieved by resistance welding. The tensile bolt is then drawn until a rivet head is formed on the opposite side of the two sheets. The tensile bolt is then detached from the gun rivet, for example by shearing. The tensile bolt can be re-used to place another rivet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Wurth International AG
    Inventors: Uwe Frank, Marcel Strobel
  • Patent number: 8701285
    Abstract: A method for providing an electrically conductive connection between an electric terminal device having a cavity and a sheet metal part. A hollow fixing element is riveted to the sheet metal part to prevent torsion producing an electrically conductive connection between the fixing element and the sheet metal part. The assembled component is then provided with an electrically non-conductive or poorly conductive protective coating. A receptacle for the electric terminal device is configured near the front face of the fixing element, to which the electrical terminal device is attached. The receptacle prevents the torsion of the terminal device in relation to the fixing element. The sheet metal part and a thread forming or cutting screw is screwed through the cavity of the electric terminal device into the hollow fixing element to form or cut a thread. The invention also relates to a corresponding fixing element and an assembled component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert
  • Patent number: 8677598
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a torque converter, including: a cover; a piston plate including a hole; and a rivet in the hole. The rivet includes a rivet head. Prior to applying pressure to the rivet to fix the rivet to the piston plate, the rivet head is clamped between the piston plate and the cover. A clutch assembly for a torque converter, including: a cover; a piston plate with a hole; a leaf spring with a first end fixedly attached to the cover and a second end; and a rivet connecting the second end of the leaf spring to the piston plate. The rivet includes: a head disposed between the leaf spring second end and the cover; and a shaft in the piston plate hole. The piston plate or the cover is deflectable to clamp the rivet head between the cover and the piston plate before the shaft is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick Lindemann, Vural Ari, Alfredo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8656562
    Abstract: A structure of assembling a plastic locking device with a surface material includes a plastic locking device. A surface material forms holes. The plastic locking device is placed to have through-holes defined therein overlapping the holes of the surface material. Rivet fastener elements are respectively put through the through-holes of the plastic locking device and the holes of the surface material to be subjected to a riveting and fixing operation. The rivet fastener element includes a male button that is made of zinc and forms a pillar and a female button that is made of zinc and forms a hollow tube. Pressurizing equipment is used to couple the pillar and the hollow tube through interference fitting between the pillar and an inner wall of the hollow tube. Locking blocks are formed on the inner wall of the hollow tube to provide a tight interference fitting with respect to the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Trim Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 8646166
    Abstract: A component assembly comprises a sheet metal and a fastener element. A flange has a larger diameter and a shaft of smaller diameter extends away from the flange and merges at its end remote from the flange into a cylindrical rivet section. The fastener element is used with sheet metals with thicknesses in the range of 3 mm and larger. With thin sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a smooth pierced cylindrical opening with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the shaft. The cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a rivet bead contacting the sheet metal underside. Medium thickness sheet metal parts have a stepped hole with the hole region of larger diameter receiving the rivet bead. For thick sheet metal parts the sheet metal has a conical pierced hole and the cylindrical rivet section is reshaped to a conical rivet bead wedged in the conically diverging hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Profil—Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jiri Babej, Richard Humpert, Christian Sowa, Michael Vieth
  • Patent number: 8640322
    Abstract: Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Robert E. Nikkel