Abstract: A connecting element includes a tapered head, a shaft, and a neck portion connected between the head and the shaft. A circumference of the head decreases towards the neck portion to form a slanted guiding portion functioning as a slanted guiding portion. The shaft includes a resisting portion facing and connecting with the neck portion. The guiding portion, the neck portion, and the resisting portion corporately form a slot.

Abstract: A section (10; 110) is provided for the manufacture of hollow body elements, in particular for the manufacture of pierce and rivet nuts having a square or rectangular outline in plan view and a ring-like piercing section (36; 236) at a side confronting a component consisting of a sheet metal material or the like. The section (10; 210) is at least substantially rectangular in cross-section with two bars (14, 16; 214, 216) at the side (12; 212) later confronting the component. The bars are spaced apart and extend parallel to the longitudinal sides (18, 20; 218, 220) of the section, are likewise at least substantially rectangular in cross-section and form, in the finished element (11, 211), a feature providing security against rotation. The bars respectively each have an inclined flank (68, 70; 268, 270) at the inner side which forms an undercut (69, 71; 269, 271).

Abstract: A rotatably captive clinch nut includes a body having an axial threaded bore and a flange forming a base of the nut body. The flange includes a surface on a bottom side thereof preferably unitary therewith for providing a bearing surface of reduced friction. A displacer unitary with the nut body is located directly below the flange and has an outside diameter less than an outside diameter of the flange. A tubular flared shank unitary with the nut body extends coaxially from the displacer and includes a neck immediately adjacent the displacer, forming an undercut area between the outside of the shank and an underside of the displacer. The neck may include an axially extending cylindrical portion so that the thickness of the displaced material in the region of the undercut is substantially less than the axial length of the nut.

Abstract: An exemplary rivet includes a main body, and a riveting portion extending from the main body. The riveting portion has a first flange, and a second flange nearer to the main body than the first flange. The first flange and the second flange cooperatively defines a receiving cavity. A distance between a side surface of a portion of the second flange and a center axis of the rivet is greater than the distance between a side surface of the first flange and the center axis of the rivet.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching a fastener to an opening of a sheet material is disclosed. The sheet material is typically located adjacent to a base structure and the fastener assembly affords radial movement of the fastener relative to the opening of the sheet material. The radial movement allows the fastener to be aligned with a desired location on the base structure, e.g. a threaded aperture—after being attached to the sheet material. In this manner, the fastener assembly provides for the placement of the fastener in difficult to reach and/or see locations until it can be attached to the base structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a functional element (10) comprising a longitudinal axis (14), a body part (16), a hollow pressed part (18), an annular supporting surface (20) which is arranged on the body part, substantially extended in a perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal axis and is radially displaced away from the pressed part and an annular groove (21) which axially extends and is embodied in the body part radially inside the supporting surface. Locking ribs (26) are preferably provided and at least partly cross the annular groove and the free end (28) of the pressed part is provided with a annular cutting edge (30). The inventive functional element is characterised in that an annular bulge (32) is embodied on the pressed part between the annular supporting surface and the free end of the pressed part and an annular cavity (34) is embodied around said pressed part between the bulge and the front free end thereof.

Abstract: A clinch suitable for an ejector of a line card is provided. The clinch includes a cylinder, which includes a shoulder flange, an extension portion and a plurality of knurls. The shoulder flange extends radially from a first end of the cylinder, and the extension portion is formed at a second end of the cylinder. The knurls are formed at the second end surrounding the extension portion.

Abstract: A mount for a machine includes a mounting member having an insertion portion and a shoulder portion. During assembly, the insertion portion is swaged into an opening in the frame. A mating member attached to a machine structure is seated on the shoulder portion, and a cap may be attached to the shoulder portion such that the mating member is disposed between the cap and the shoulder portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing hollow elements (200), such as nut elements, which are to be mounted on parts generally made of sheet metal, particularly for producing hollow elements having an at least substantially square or rectangular outer contour (202). According to said method, individual elements are cut to size from a profiled member that is provided in the form of a profiled bar or a reel after punching holes into said profiled member, optionally followed by embodying a threaded cylinder (206) using a follow-on composite tool (10) with several workstations (A, B, C, D). The inventive method is characterized in that a penetrating process, a punching process, and a flattening process are carried out in the workstations (A, B, C, D). Also disclosed are hollow elements (200), assembly pieces, and a follow-on composite tool (10).

Abstract: A piercing fastener is attachable to a panel without a hole by penetrating its surface. The fastener further includes means for attachment of a device to it so that the fastener acts as an intermediate component attaching the device to the panel. The fastener has either male or female attachment means and further includes an outside surface extending from a top end to a bottom end. Near the bottom end, a reinforcement collar includes an annular top surface for receiving a downward pressing force to install the fastener into the panel. A displacer and undercut are located immediately below the collar to effect and receive a cold flow of deformed panel material to secure the fastener to the panel. A plurality of axially extending circumferential teeth are located immediately below the undercut and comprise triangular knurls with sharp edges which penetrate the sheet as the fastener is applied. The bottom of the fastener terminates in a sharp circular cutting edge for penetrating the panel.

Abstract: A clinch nut is used to attach a first panel and a second panel with a space therebetween for accepting a liquid primer. The body has a nut face for abutting a first panel and a threaded aperture through the nut body for receiving a threaded bolt. The nut face has grooves into which the first panel is deformed to clinch the nut body to the first panel. An abutment rises from the nut face a distance greater than the thickness of the first panel so that upon the bolting of the second panel to the first panel by the insertion of the threaded bolt into the threaded aperture of the nut body, the second panel will be spaced from the first panel by the abutment thereby assuring that the liquid primer can flow between the first and second panels.

Abstract: A bore serration for locking externally serrated inserts (3) against rotation, with the external serration (4) comprising several teeth (5), and particularly for use with components made of hard, brittle materials, includes an arcuate serration (10) featuring arcuate recesses (7) produced by plunge or circumferential surface milling. Each of the recesses positively accommodates at least two teeth (5) of the outer serration (4) of the threaded insert (3). The arcuate serration can be produced with high dimensional accuracy without damaging the workpiece and with reduced wear of the tool, and ensures a long service-life of the threaded insert.

Abstract: A connecting element includes a tapered head, a shaft, and a neck portion connected between the head and the shaft. A circumference of the head decreases towards the neck portion to form a slanted guiding portion functioning as a slanted guiding portion. The shaft includes a resisting portion facing and connecting with the neck portion. The guiding portion, the neck portion, and the resisting portion corporately form a slot.

Abstract: A method of attaching a clinch spacer to a panel including forming a clinch spacer having a body portion including an axial bore, an annular flange portion surrounding the bore and an annular barrel portion integral and coaxially aligned with the flange portion having a diameter less than the flange portion including an end face having an outer lip extending at an angle radially outwardly and axially from the end face; forming an opening in the panel; and driving the barrel portion through the opening in the panel against a die member having a generally V-shaped annular projecting lip which is driven against a second face of the panel, deforming the panel radially inwardly against the outer surface of the barrel portion and deforming the outer annular lip radially outwardly and axially against the panel, forming a secure installation.

Abstract: A loosening-proof screw fastening device, including at least one stop wheel on at least one of a plurality of contacting faces; the at least one stop wheel is rotatably assembled in a locating hole on said at least one contacting face with its stop tooth slightly protruded beyond the contacting face; upon application of a backward action force for loosening the fastening device a created torque will bring the at least one stop wheel into rotation and make a stop tooth of the at least one stop wheel protrude beyond the contacting face and penetrate into a surface closely opposed to the at least one contacting face for preventing the fastening device from loosening.

Abstract: A wall fastener includes a nut having a major planar structure having a hole for receiving a screw, the major planar structure having a first end with two staggered knife edges on opposite sides of the major planar structure and a second end; and a string, wherein the string is detachably connected to the major planar structure.

Abstract: An exemplary connecting member includes a head portion, a body portion, and a connecting neck portion connecting the head portion to the body portion. The head portion, the connecting neck portion, and the body portion cooperatively define a collar depression. An outer surface of the connecting neck portion connects with an outer surface of the head portion. The outer surface of the connecting neck portion and the outer surface of the head portion cooperatively define a smooth curved surface at a boundary of the outer surface of the connecting neck portion and the outer surface of the head portion.

Abstract: Process for attaching a functional element to a plastically deformable flat material or workpiece, the functional element on a contact surface having a rivet collar which is formed by a hollow or tubular section and which stands away over this surface, in the joining area in the flat material by plastic deformation a dome-like section being formed which with its base projects over the plane of the flat material surrounding this section and on the base has a joining opening, and the attachment of the functional element to the flat material in a joining and riveting process taking place by insertion of the rivet collar into the joining opening and by plastic deformation of the rivet collar such that the base is held in a region of the base which surrounds the joining opening between the deformed rivet collar and the contact surface or end side of the functional element, the functional element being anchored on the edge region which surrounds the joining opening without reducing the diameter of the joining openi

Abstract: A clinch suitable for an ejector of a line card is disclosed. The clinch includes a cylinder, which includes a shoulder flange, an extension portion and a plurality of knurls. The shoulder flange extends radially from a first end of the cylinder, and the extension portion is formed at a second end of the cylinder. The knurls are formed at the second end surrounding the extension portion.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector insert is installed into two panels, one non-metallic and one metal, effectively locking them together and finishing flush with the surfaces of each panel. Both sheets have aligned apertures through which the connector is installed. The connector is a clinch-type fastener including a shank having a displacer head at one end and an endface at the opposite end, the head having a planar top surface and being the largest diameter of the fastener. An undercut groove is located on the shank immediately below the head and a plurality of axially-extending broaching teeth on the shank are located immediately below the undercut groove. The diameter of the broaching teeth is greater than the diameter of the undercut groove but less than the diameter of the head. At the end of the shank is a planar endface immediately below the broaching portion.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener includes a pilot portion having an outer side wall and is surrounded by an annular flange. The annular flange includes a planar end face defining a peripheral edge with a diameter greater than a diameter of said outer side wall of the pilot portion. The end face includes a plurality of first circumferentially spaced anti-rotation elements each having a planar top face spaced above the planar end face of the annular flange and a second plurality of second circumferentially spaced anti-rotation elements each having a planar top face spaced below the planar end face of the annular flange. Each of the first and second anti-rotation elements extend from about one of the peripheral edge of the annular flange and the outer side wall to a location spaced from the other of the peripheral edge of the flange portion and the outer side wall of the pilot portion.

Abstract: A package containing a roll of a long electrode plate which is a package for storing a roll of a long electrode plate, making it is possible to simplify the work process of containing and packaging the roll of a long electrode plate and prevent the electrode performance from deterioration without the electrode plate to absorb moisture, be damaged or the like, and the collection of packaging material constituting the package is not necessary since the packaging material is disposable after opening of the package.

Abstract: A fastener (10) for connecting two structural members includes a base (100) and a hollow protrusion (102) extending from the base. At least one supporting holder (160) extends from the base arranged around the protrusion. The supporting holder has a height above a top surface of the base equal to or greater than that of the protrusion.

Abstract: A method of installing fastening elements, and rivetless fasteners for use with the method. Rivetless nutplate fasteners are installed in metal structures by providing flush fit barrel shaped plug or bushing portions in a hole in the structure as defined by an edge wall. The barrel portion is acted upon axially, and expanded radially outward toward the edge wall of the hole, to provide an interference fit. The ends of the barrel portion are machined as desired for flushness. Also, a hole is installed as necessary. Rivetless nutplates are easily installed, and the installation enhances fatigue life of the hole surrounding the barrel of the nutplate.

Abstract: A press-in element for pressing into a non-pierced or pre-pierced component, in particular a sheet metal part is described. 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 and 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, with the apex of the ring bead having 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.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for mounting a fastening element (12) to a part (13), e.g. a sheet metal part, said fastening element comprising a head piece (14) with a tubular rivet section (16) which is disposed concentric to an axis of symmetry (18) of the fastening element (12) or a fastening section (20) of the fastening element (12) and extends into the head piece via a radially extending contact surface (22). The rivet section (16) is guided through the part (12) so as to form a hole in said part, and the rivet section (12) is flanged such that the part is clamped between the contact surface and the flanged rivet section in the area of the hole.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotatably captive clinch nut includes a body having an axial threaded bore and a flange forming a base of the nut body. The flange includes a surface on a bottom side thereof preferably unitary therewith for providing a bearing surface of reduced friction. A displacer unitary with the nut body is located directly below the flange and has an outside diameter less than an outside diameter of the flange. A tubular flared shank unitary with the nut body extends coaxially from the displacer and includes a neck immediately adjacent the displacer, forming an undercut area between the outside of the shank and an underside of the displacer. The neck may include an axially extending cylindrical portion so that the thickness of the displaced material in the region of the undercut is substantially less than the axial length of the nut.

Abstract: Method of forming a sealed joint between a nut (20) having a cylindrical pilot (22), an annular flange portion (28) surrounding the pilot and a re-entrant groove (32) and a panel with a die having an annular lip (62) which deforms a panel portion into the groove (32) and simultaneously shaves an outer surface of the pilot onto the panel. The annular groove in the flange portion includes an arcuately inclined outer side wall (36) and an inner side wall (38) arcuately inclined toward the flange portion.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free end of the tubular barrel portion is coined and deformed axially and radially outwardly against a planar die face into an annular shape having a planar annular bearing surface supporting the panel and a flat end face. The die includes a central post and an annular planar die surface extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the die member. The method of installation includes coining and deforming the barrel portion axially and radially eliminating cracking of the barrel, frictional resistance and hoop-stress.

Abstract: A double flush clinch stud includes adjacent clinch means of different diameters with planar end surfaces. The stud may be employed in forming an assembly wherein two metal sheets are joined in face-to-face contacting relationship. This assembly can provide a flush attachment on the outside surfaces of both sheets when the length of the stud is equal to the combined widths of the sheets. In an alternative embodiment, the top undercut groove can be adapted to be underfilled with the material of the top sheet. In this alternate configuration, the top sheet is effectively constrained between the head of the fastener and the second sheet while permitting the top sheet to pivot with respect to the second sheet.

Abstract: A captive clinch nut may be rotatably attached to an apertured sheet. The nut includes a body having an axial threaded bore and a flange forming a base of the nut body. The flange includes a surface on a bottom side thereof preferably unitary therewith for providing a bearing surface of reduced friction against the sheet. A displacer unitary with the nut body is located directly below the flange and has an outside diameter less than an outside diameter of the flange. A tubular flared shank unitary with the nut body extends coaxially from the displacer, and includes a neck immediately adjacent the displacer with an outside diameter less than the outside diameter of the displacer forming an undercut area between the outside of the shank and an underside of the displacer for receiving the cold flow of metal of the sheet.

Abstract: A first and second component joint includes using a fastener having a first end, and a flange having a diameter greater than a tubular barrel portion. A second end having a second tubular barrel portion merges into a shoulder of a flange part having a greater diameter than the barrel portion. The first tubular barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly sandwiching the first component between the flange and the first barrel portion. The second end of the fastener is introduced through a hole in the second component by applying the second component to the first component so the shoulder of the flanged part abuts the second component spacing the second component from the first component. The fastener device is fastened to the second component by deforming the second tubular barrel portion radially outwardly sandwiching the second component between the shoulder and the tubular barrel portion.

Abstract: A die (18) for use in a self-piercing rivet setting apparatus comprises a cavity (25) for receiving therein a protruded workpiece zone consisting of respective portions of the workpieces (2, 3) to be protrudingly deformed toward the die through the pressure of the self-piercing rivet (1). The cavity has a bottom surface provided with a central raised portion (29) protruding from the center of the bottom surface toward a punch. The central raised portion of the cavity has a vertical angle in the range of 90 to 160 degrees. Preferably, the central raised portion has a top formed in a spherical shape. The cavity has an approximately cylindrical outer wall (27) in the periphery thereof. The cavity has a curved inner surface extending from the top of the central raised portion to the lower end (33) of the outer wall through the bottom (35) of the cavity.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-punching fastener (10), which in a way safe against rotation and pressing out can be pressed into a metal sheet member (40) having an annular body, the side of which facing the metal sheet is having radially disposed projections (15, 25), which, during the pressing-in, are pressed into the metal sheet member (40) and thereby are securing the fastener (10) against rotation, wherein in the centre an interior thread (11) is positioned and, wherein on the side facing the metal sheet member (40) in the set state there is provided an annular depression (12) into which the material displaced during the setting is pressed.

Abstract: A nut feed system and method of feeding nuts through a nut feed passage which avoids contact between the feed pawl and the nut bore. The end face of the nut includes a nut feed groove extending perpendicular to the nut bore and the free end of the feed pawl is received in the groove to drive the nuts through a nut feed passage without contacting the bore. The disclosed embodiment of the nut includes a counterbore through the end face and radial channel-shaped feed grooves and the feed pawl includes a cylindrical center portion and radial portions received in the counterbore and feed grooves.

Abstract: A fastening structure capable of preventing deterioration in the flatness of a surface of a flange portion (2) when a serration (7) of a bolt (5) is press-fit into the flange portion (2). In this fastening structure, one portion in an axial direction of an outer peripheral surface (6) of the bolt (5) is provided with the serration (7). The bolt (5) is press-fit into a bolthole (3) formed through the flange portion (2) of a mounting member (1). The serration (7) is located apart from respective end surfaces (2A) and (2B) of the flange portion (2) by first and second distances (D, C), and the first and second distances (D, C) each exceed 13% of the thickness (A) of the flange portion (2). With this arrangement, the serration (7) presses a bolthole inner peripheral surface (13) only in the region located far apart from both of the end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).

Abstract: A locator stud including a shank and a flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the shank and a bearing surface between the shank and the flange portion, a method of installation in a panel, including forming an opening in the panel, inserting the flange portion into the panel opening and driving a plunger having an opening receiving the shank, a first annular die surface deforming the bearing surface radially outwardly and a second projecting annular die surface deforming the panel radially inwardly into a concave outer surface of the flange portion and wherein the panel of the locator stud and panel assembly includes a V-shaped depression surrounding the locator stud.

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 symmetrical self-attaching female fastener including a body having a bore, and identical integral tubular barrel portions extending from opposed ends of the body coaxially aligned with the bore. The installation method includes driving either barrel portion through an opening in a panel, which may be formed by piercing the panel with the barrel portion, and simultaneously deforming both barrel portions radially outwardly and inwardly, wherein one barrel portion entraps the panel and the other exposed barrel portion is folded at an acute angle relative to the bore to reduce the overall length of the assembly.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener for thick panels having a pilot and a groove in a flange portion including an inclined outer wall and a bottom wall having an inclined portion extending to the outer face of the pilot and a concave surface in the outer face of the pilot adjacent the bottom wall. A die set for various panel thicknesses each having a projecting lip including an end face and first and second inclined faces which deform the panel against the inclined bottom wall and beneath the concave surface of the pilot. And, a method of attaching the fastener to a metal panel, wherein the die lip deforms a panel against the inclined bottom wall portion adjacent the pilot portion, inwardly into the concave surface and outwardly beneath the groove outer wall.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut including a central pilot portion, a flange portion surrounding the pilot portion having an end face including an annular groove in the end face having inclined inner and outer side walls and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with the outer side wall extending beyond a midportion of the bottom wall, but spaced from the inner side wall. In one embodiment, the top faces of the radial ribs is inclined to adjacent the inner side wall of the annular groove and in another embodiment, the radial inner ends of the ribs are spaced above the plane of the bottom wall and include an inwardly inclined face.

Abstract: A self-attaching nut having a central pilot projecting from an end face of the body portion, an annular groove surrounding the pilot and an annular panel support face surrounding the groove, wherein the outer side wall includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced notches, each having an outer wall which extends from the bottom wall of the annular groove to the panel support face and the bottom wall of the groove includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs integral with either the outer or inner side walls of the annular groove having a radial end spaced from the opposed side wall and a top face inclined toward the bottom wall of the annular groove providing improved torque resistance and push-off strength. Alternating circumferentially overlapping radial ribs integral with the pilot and the outer groove wall and ribs which extend below the bottom wall of the groove are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow bodies such as nut elements to be fastened to components that usually consist of sheet metal. The invention especially relates to a method for producing hollow bodies with an at least substantially square or rectangular outline by cutting individual bodies from a profile in the form of a profile rod or a reel after respective holes have been punched into the profile, and optionally afterwards producing a threaded cylinder. The inventive method is further characterized in that before or after the punching of the profile a passage treatment is carried out in order to produce a cylindrical or annular projection, concentric to the punching or the intended punching, on the side of the profile facing the component by flow of material. The projection is optionally shaped to an annular punched section in an additional molding cycle. The invention further relates to various hollow bodies, assembly units and molds for producing said hollow bodies.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener including a central pilot, an annular flange surrounding the pilot including an annular groove having bottom, inner and outer side walls, wherein the bottom wall includes a first plurality of spaced anti-rotation elements each having a radial top face inclined above the bottom wall and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced anti-rotation elements each having a radial top face oppositely inclined below the bottom wall and a method of attachment which avoids distortion of the thread cylinder of a female fastener.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of a fastening system includes a self-piercing fastener having a thread-like pattern. In another aspect of the present invention, a fastener insertion machine employs an electromagnetic actuator without fluid actuation. A further aspect of the present invention uses a rotary-to-linear transmission within the machine to advance the fastener. In still another aspect of the present invention a self-piercing fastener is a clinch nut or a clinch stud.

Abstract: A fastening structure capable of preventing deterioration in the flatness of a surface of a flange portion (2) when a serration (7) of a bolt (5) is press-fit into the flange portion (2). In this fastening structure, one portion in an axial direction of an outer peripheral surface (6) of the bolt (5) is provided with the serration (7). The bolt (5) is press-fit into a bolthole (3) formed through the flange portion (2) of a mounting member (1). The serration (7) is located apart from respective end surfaces (2A) and (2B) of the flange portion (2) by first and second distances (D, C), and the first and second distances (D, C) each exceed 13% of the thickness (A) of the flange portion (2). With this arrangement, the serration (7) presses a bolthole inner peripheral surface (13) only in the region located far apart from both of the end surfaces (2A and 2B) of the flange portion (2).