Abstract: The self-penetrating fastening device proposed consists of a rivet (3), acted on by a punch (13), and a die (15), the rivet consisting of a head (4) and a shank (6) with a central cavity (8) whose open end partly penetrates a metal sheet (1) in which it is held. At the end of the rivet shank (6) remote from the rivet head (4), the cavity (8) is essentially conical in shape, the angle of the aperture being &agr;. In addition, the transition zone between the rivet shaft (6) and the underneath (11) of the rivet head (4) is essentially rounded (R1). A rivet joint produced using this device is sufficiently strong to meet severe requirements, and the surface of the metal sheet in the region of the rivet is not affected by the perforation process.

Abstract: A rivet capable of self-piercing at least one sheet of material and becoming embedded in one of such sheets, generally consisting of a head section and a shank section formed integrally with the head section, wherein the head section includes an upwardly and outwardly curved side wall surface extending from the shank section to an upper portion of the head section, and the shank section includes a recess in a lower end thereof, with the lower end of the shank section having a peripheral cutting edge sufficient to penetrate such material.

Abstract: A partially-hollow rivet (1), for joining aluminum sheets (3) and (7) by using the self-piercing technique, is made of light metal such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the front (2) of the rivet base has a surface with a blunt shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module, comprising at least one mounting part and at least one piece of fabric material which is stressed on activation of the gas bag module and which is provided with at least one opening. The gas bag module further comprises a force-transmitting device by which the piece of fabric material is fastened to the mounting part. The device comprises a first rivet reinforcing the opening in the piece of fabric material, and a second rivet penetrating the first rivet and connecting the piece of fabric material with the mounting part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orthopedic fastener for fixing an implant, suture, or tissue to a bone. The fastener comprises a blind rivet and a closing element. The blind rivet includes a head at a proximal end, a shank connected to the head, and an anchoring portion near a distal end. A bore extends through the head and shank from the proximal end to the distal end and the bore has a polygonal cross-section through the anchoring portion. The closing element has a body with an outer surface and is configured and dimensioned to be received in the anchoring portion. The outer surface of at least a portion of the closing element distal end has a polygonal cross-section flaring along the longitudinal axis toward the closing element distal end. The anchoring portion of the blind rivet severs into a plurality of anchoring legs when the closing element is pulled in the bore toward the blind rivet proximal end to thereby prevent rotation of the fastener.

Abstract: A fastening incorporates a tubular rivet (11) passing through an aperture in a workpiece (17, 19). The rivet has a tubular shank (15) which is deformed outwardly to retain the rivet in the aperture, the extent of the deformation being such that the tubular shank is rolled outwardly, for example through an angle greater than 180.degree., forming a toroid in which material which was originally on an inner surface of the tubular shank prior to deformation is on an outer surface of the toroid and able to contact the workpiece (19) and also that material which was originally on an outer surface of the tubular shank prior to deformation is on an inner surface of the toroid and is distant from the workpiece. The deformation is referred to as a "full-roll".

Abstract: A metallic fastening member of a one piece configuration formed of a metal material includes a shaft and a flange extending outwards from a first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a relatively thin-walled portion to be caulked at a second end opposite to the first end. A female threading is formed at an inner peripheral face of the shaft excluding the portion to be caulked. An annular groove is formed at an outer peripheral face of the shaft or at the inner peripheral face of the portion to be caulked, so that the shaft has a partially thin wall. Since the wall of the shaft is thinner at the annular groove, the metallic fastening member can be fractured at that area so as to be separated into upper and lower pieces when detaching the metallic fastening member from a workpiece. Therefore, the metallic fastening member can be readily removed from the workpiece to facilitate the recovery work for recycling purposes.

Abstract: A closure device for connecting two members which for example have at least in regions the form of plates, includes a closure pin which can be secured, if necessary, loss-proof on the first member and a receiving element which can be disposed on the back side of the second member. The closure pin has a head section for bracing on the front side of the first member and a shaft section which can be guided through an opening of a guidance sleeve disposed in an opening of the first member. The shaft section has threads cooperating with counterthreads of a connecting section of the receiving element. The guidance sleeve on the end associated with the heat section of the closure pin includes a radially expanded head section and at the end facing away from the head section of the closure pin a radially expandible collar-like securing section which is bent round-about outwardly.

Abstract: A turn button for a picture frame back includes an elongated metal body portion. A pivot boss is provided on the bottom side surface adjacent to a first end. The pivot boss includes an upstanding cylindrical wall with a free upper edge and an aperture therethrough for rotatably securing the turn button to a first portion of a picture frame. The free upper edge of the cylindrical wall serves as a cutting edge and is capable of piercing through a picture frame back. A smooth glide pad is also provided and has a substantially smooth outwardly facing surface for engaging a second portion of the picture frame in order to retain a second portion in a predetermined position relative to the first portion and to avoid excess damage to the picture frame back. A turning knob is also provided to facilitate hand manipulation of the turn button by the user.

Abstract: A breakable-stem blind rivet (5) is having a mandrel (10) with an enlarged head (12) which is positioned in a shell (20). Before the beginning of the setting operation, the shell (20) is having an exterior diameter which at all points is smaller than the interior diameter of the hole (4) in which the breakable-stem blind rivet is to be set. The breakable-stem blind rivet therefore without any preformed set head has basically the form of a hollow cylinder. Preferably the shell (20) on both sides of a central section (21) is provided with areas (23, 25) in which the shell (20) is more easily deformable than in the central section (21). An apparatus for setting the breakable-stem blind rivets of this kind is provided with a workpiece pressing means (32) surrounding a mouth piece (30) which with respect to the mouth piece (30) is relatively movable and is exerting a force onto the front side of the workpiece.

Abstract: A pivot device for use with a notebook computer has a keyed washer and an axle corresponding to the keyed washer. The keyed washer has a keyed opening defined therein and a plurality of keys formed on an inner periphery defining the keyed opening. The axle has a plurality of slots defined in an end thereof, such that when the axle is inserted into the keyed washer, the keys will be forced into one of the corresponding slots and thus a secure connection between the axle and the keyed washer is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a mechanical frame to the base of a circuit breaker. The mechanical frame includes a U-shaped tab defined by first and second legs extending from the bottom of the frame. Each leg has an interior edge and an exterior edge. The interior edges of the legs are separated from one another by a predetermined distance, and at least one of the legs includes a lateral groove across its interior edge. The base includes a generally rectangular slot into which the tab is inserted. At the center of the slot is a cylindrical void extending through the circuit breaker base. A blind rivet having a head portion and a body portion, is inserted into the cylindrical void from the outside of the base such that the body portion of the rivet is between the legs of the tab. The blind rivet is then mechanically upset causing the body portion of the rivet to expand into the lateral groove in the tab and to pull the object securely toward the base.

Abstract: An improved self-riveting fastening element for permanent attachment to a metal panel within a panel opening by a die member having an annular concave die cavity. The fastening element includes a tubular riveting portion and a radial flange portion and a fastening portion. The internal and external surfaces of the tubular riveting portion are relatively uniformly inclined toward the radial flange portion such that the thickness of the tubular riveting portion at the free end is less than the thickness adjacent the radial flange portion. In the preferred embodiment, the internal surface of the tubular riveting portion is cylindrical and the external surface is slightly conical tapering inwardly toward the free end to reduce the force required to radially deform the free end of the tubular portion radially outwardly.

Abstract: A hollow self-lubricating thrust rivet or fastener is adapted to pivotably fasten first and second members to one another. The fastener is laminated on its outer surface with a self-lubricating or lubricious bearing material such as an organic polymer or plastic material. The bearing material provides the fastener with requisite lubricity to enable the members to rotate about the fastener without requiring application of a discrete lubricant to the interface of the fastener and the members. The fastener thus effectively combines the functions of a conventional fastener and a conventional bearing into a single unitary device. The fastener preferably includes an annular thrust portion laminated with the lubricious bearing material and adapted for placement between the members. The thrust portion effectively eliminates the need for installation of a discrete washer between the members.

Abstract: A clutch cover having balancing holes (31) for fixing a balancing device. At least one recess (32) is formed in the cover adjacent to one of the balancing holes (31) wherein the recess reduces the local thickness of the cover plate.

Abstract: An adjustable expansion pivot rivet for connecting a movable member to a fixed member having a cylindrical exterior surface, a hollow interior portion with a terminating portion and a solid interior portion such that the hollow interior portion extends through the fixed member and the terminating portion and solid interior portion extends into the movable member, the hollow interior portion expanding in the hole of the fixed member to fill therein, and the termination portion and solid interior portion defining a gap forming a reservoir for lubricant in the movable member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rivet nail which can include two separate pieces or one single piece. Each rivet nail has a hollow rivet part having a head (1) and a cylindrical stem (2) axially connected to the head. The end located opposite to the end carrying the head (1) has a hollow cylindrical space extending inside the cylindrical stem (2) over at least a part of the cylindrical stem (2) length, and a nail part including a hollow cylindrical stem extending taperwise to form a nib (4).

Abstract: A temporary fastener that fastens two adjacent workpieces. The fastener includes a shank that extends through a hole of the workpieces. Extending from one end of the shank is a conical shaped head. The fastener also contains a pull stem which has a head located adjacent to the blind end of the shank. The stem head is pulled through the shank to expand and tightly fasten the shank to the workpieces. The fastener is removed by drilling through the head and the shank. The diameter of the conical shank head is smaller than the diameter of the drill so that part of the head does not become attached to the drill bit and scratch the workpiece. The conical shape of the head also reduces the volume of fastener material to further reduce the size and amount of chips produced during the drilling process. The tightly engaged shank prevents the fastener from rotating during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A non-blind rivet is disclosed that can be used to form a joint without the need for brazing, welding or threaded locknuts. The rivet 1 is placed in compression by opposing dies 15,20 causing a narrow region of the rivet wall to buckle forming a fold 24, the rivet thus being held to a workpiece 12 between a flange 6 and the fold 24.

Abstract: A blind rivet comprises a rivet body with an axial through bore, a head at one end and inwardly extending lugs at the tail which are provided with recesses. The rivet may be set by a tool having lugs adapted to engage in the recesses, and may be used as a drainage passage or as part of a releasable fastener.

Abstract: A blind rivet comprising a mandrel 2 and a sleeve 3 is provided with two external grooves 11, 12 of different cross-section. This enables the rivet to set on the blind side of a workpiece to form a taper 19 increasing in diameter towards the blind side of the workpiece 20.

Abstract: A method of riveting a plurality of panels utilizing a fastener which may then be used to attach a further element to the panel assembly and wherein the fastener is first permanently attached to a first panel for a later attachment to a second or plurality of panels to form the fastener and panel assembly. The fastener is attached to the first panel by piercing a tubular barrel portion through the panel and affixing the first panel in an annular groove in a flange portion surrounding the barrel portion. The groove includes radial ribs preventing rotation of the fastener in the first panel and a radial rib is deformed in an outer surface of the barrel portion preventing pull-out of the fastener. The second and further panels are pre-pierced with a conical lip surrounding the panel opening and received on the barrel portion of the fastener with the conical lip facing the first panel.

Abstract: A removable rivet which includes a shank and a preformed head located at at least one end of the shank, the shank being insertable through workpieces and being capable of being permanently deformed to rivet the workpieces together. The rivet includes an annular groove at the junction of the shank and the head, the annular groove extending radially inwardly of the diameter of the shank, thereby to facilitate separation of the head from the shank when a drill of diameter substantially equal to that of the shank is applied to the head of an installed rivet co-axially with the shank until the drill meets the annular groove; an annular rim carried by the head of the rivet for cooperating with a drill, thereby to locate the drill co-axially with the annular groove; and abutment faces carried by the head of the rivet for engaging dogs of a non-rotating sleeve of the drilling apparatus thereby to prevent rotation of the rivet under the influence of the rotating drill.

Abstract: A welding stud designed to have reduced weight without loss of strength by having a stepped diameter, cylindrical form shank with a relatively thin head. The head is centrally depressed and the shank is of a first relatively large diameter closely adjacent the head and is extruded to a smaller diameter from there to the end opposite the head. The weight is additionally reduced by providing the head with a central depression which extends into the head from the axial outer end. The method of forming the stud starts with a workpiece of a diameter larger than the final desired stud diameter and cold heading the workpiece to form the stud head. Thereafter, the shank of the workpiece from a point spaced from the head to the free end of the shank is extruded through a circular die to reduce its diameter to the desired final diameter throughout the majority of its length.

Abstract: In a shopping cart comprising an undercarriage, a handle having two tubular portions extending generally upwardly from the undercarriage, and a basket mounted to the undercarriage and the handle, the basket has a gate hinged to the tubular portions of the handle via a hinge wire extending along an upper edge of the gate. Two tubular sleeves are fixed to the handle, each extending through an inwardly opening aperture in an associated one of the tubular portions of the handle. Each end portion of the hinge wire extends into one of the tubular sleeves. Two rivets are fixed to the handle, each having an outside head, a tubular shank extending inwardly through an outwardly opening aperture in an associated one of the tubular portions of the handle and through an associated sleeve, and a mandrel drawn outwardly into the shank so as to expand the shank and the associated sleeve.

Abstract: A riveted sidewall structure for a trailer body comprising a pair of upstanding side plate members and upstanding post members covering adjacent edges of the plate member. Rivets extend through aligned apertures in the plate members and the post member. The rivets have conical heads with an included angle for swaging the wall of the hole in the member through which the head extends for ensuring complete filling of the hole substantially at the sheer plane between the members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a riveted joint using a riveting tool. The essential feature is that a pin-shaped blank of a recrystallized, coarse-grained iron-based or nickel-based ODS superalloy having a grain elongation in the longitudinal direction of 5:1 to 50:1 is used for the rivets. The production of the rivet heads is performed under defined process temperatures, at a pin temperature between 600.degree. and 1000.degree. C. and at a tool temperature between 50.degree. and 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A fastening system device having dimensions of very small magnitudes for attaching a mesh prosthesis or tissue to body tissue. The device has a shaft member which has a continuous outer peripheral surface and so constructed such that the outer surface is a continuous surface and has a continuous curved cross-section where the center of curvature is in the radial direction of the longitudinal axis; the shaft has sufficient columnar resistance to bending to permit the shaft member to penetrate body tissue. A head member extends radially from the shaft member at a second end and is so dimensioned and proportioned to form a bearing surface for bearing against the mesh prosthesis. A resiliently collapsible anchor member is integrally fixed to the first end of the shaft and separately forms a conical distal tip.

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: Composite fasteners joining panels together are installed by a tool that grips the end of a fastener stem and exerts a pulling force which causes a rotating forming die to advance toward the fastener. The rotating die is pressed against the fastener to frictionally heat and deform a tail of the fastener to create an upset head. A sensing device stops the movement of the forming die and controls the size of the upset head. A portion of the stem extending from the fastener is then pulled away by a pulling force on the stem. Preferred dimensional relationships of said upset head are disclosed, together with various fastener constructions.

Abstract: A rivet for joining two panels together including a solid member and a member having a tubular portion surrounding part of the solid member. In one form, the rivet has a solid shank and a tail with a tubular forward portion. The shank extends entirely through an aperture in the panels to provide good shear strength. The deformable tail retains the rivet within the aperture but does not damage the edges of the aperture, which may be composite material. The tail forward tubular portion surrounds the shank and is fastened thereto mechanically or by welding. A cavity is created between the head of the tail and the rear face of the shank so that under axial compression the tubular walls of the tail buckle outward. The tail is configured to provide grip range wherein the buckling will occur against the rear wall of the workpieces being joined within a given range of workpiece thickness.

Abstract: A composite fastener member, in one form, having integral head and shank portions is defined by a plurality of superimposed composite fiber reinforced sheets spirally wound about a longitudinal axis. A plurality of fastener members, oppositely disposed within an opening in an article, define a fastener especially useful in joining lightweight composite structures such as aircraft or aircraft engine components. In another form, the ends of a single spirally wound composite fastener member are splayed to fasten a plurality of sheets.

Abstract: A laminated friction disc and method of construction in which a layer (11) of carbon composite material which provides a wear surface is secured against a second layer (12) of material with said wear surface facing away from said second layer of material, holes (16) being formed in each of the layers either before or after the layers are arranged against one another with the holes in the layer of carbon composite material extending through said wear surface and aligned with the holes in the second layer, fastening means (15), such as rivets, being positioned to extend through aligned pairs of holes and arranged to secure the layers against one another with each of the fastening means lying wholly below and spaced from at least the wear surface of the layer of carbon composite material.

Abstract: A method of forming blind hole rivets by displacing metal from a relatively thick base metal includes positioning a die against one side of the base metal having a cavity mating with the projection. A tool having a reduced diameter forward portion is pressed into the base metal from the side opposite the die to forward extrude metal into the die cavity during an initial portion of tool penetration. The end portion has a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the die cavity. Rearwardly of the end portion, the tool provides a cylindrical rearward portion having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the die cavity. After the forward portion penetrates into the base metal, the rearward portion penetrates the base metal and completes the displacement of material into the die cavity. The height of the rivet or projection can be at least about equal to the original thickness of the base metal without producing cracks or fractures.

Abstract: A blind rivet (10) comprises a head (12), a shank (14) made at least partially of heat-softenable polymeric material, and force transmitting means (22, 24) operable to apply force to a portion (14a) of the shank (14) to cause it to deform to form a further head (30) opposed to the first-mentioned head (12). The rivet also comprises electrical heating means (26) arranged to be supplied with electrical current through the first-mentioned head (12) and operable to heat the deformable portion (14a) of the shank (14).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a grommet for relatively soft panels comprising male and female elements that mechanically interlock with one another. The male and female elements having complementary truncated conical surfaces that pinch and deflect a flanged portion of the skin of the panel into a complementary annular rib and groove thereby to fasten and minimize creep of the skin relative to the grommet. The male and female elements of the grommet are positively locked to one another by a relatively simple assembly operation.

Abstract: A fastener having an elongated shank formed of a shape memory alloy, a head at the upper end of the shank, and an annular segment at the lower end of said shank having a deformed cross-sectional shape suitable for insertion into an opening extending through adjacent workpieces. The annular segment has a frusto-conical trained shape that is larger than this opening. The annular segment radially flares from the deformed shape to an approximation of the trained shape when heated above a critical transformation temperature, thereby securing the fastener in place with respect to the workpieces. Alternatively, a sleeve made of a different material (e.g. aluminum) extending over a portion or the entire length of the fastener can be added for improved deformational characteristics, by providing the same frusto-conical shape through axial contraction of the shank.

Abstract: Closed end rivet with slots in shank is assembled to flange of an electrical connector and subjected to axial compression to radially expand exposed portion of shank and thus assure compliant fit in mounting hole through printed circuit board.

Abstract: A piston assembly is disclosed having a wrist pin for pivotably attaching a connecting rod to a piston for use in an internal combustion engine. The wrist pin is formed from an elongated circular cylindrical body having a pair of deformable sections formed adjacent each end and a relatively hard middle section therebetween. The wrist pin is sized for insertion along a longitudinal axis defined by a pair of coaxially aligned, spaced apart bores formed in diametrically opposed portions of the piston. The deformable end sections are adapted to be deformed sufficiently to engage the bores of the piston to limit the axial movement therebetween. The relatively hard middle section spans between the bores in the piston for pivotably engaging one end of the connection rod.

Abstract: A removable deformable portion 16 of a boss (12) initially fastens a first member 14 to a second member 18. Subsequent to removal of the deformable portion 16, a means (15 and 20) for alternatively fastening the first member 14 to the second member 18 fastens the first and second members.

Abstract: A blind riveting nut comprises a hollow shank portion and a setting head thereon at one end thereof. Towards the other end the shank portion has an internal screwthread for receiving the pulling mandrel of a blind rivet setting tool while at the end remote from the setting head, the shank portion has an element which closes off the interior of the shank portion at that end but which can be removed from its closure position. The closure element may be of various configurations including a ball and a portion of closure material fitted over the appropriate end of the shank portion.

Abstract: In interconnecting construction between a bolt and a mounting plate such as a shell of a brake booster is disclosed. A sealing, annular projection is formed in an end face of a bolt head so as to surround a bolt shank which is formed with a serration. Both the annular projection and the serration are caused to bite into the opposite surfaces of the mounting plate, whereby an excellent sealing effect and locking action against rotation are simultaneously achieved.

Abstract: A safety rivet arrangement for indicating the unauthorized opening of a housing whose wall parts are connected with each other at a separating joint which has a covered outer edge. A safety rivet extends through the connection and is considerably harder than the material of the housing wall parts. The rivet ends are arranged recessed, and the safety rivet is also only loosely peened-over so as to be rotatable. By reason of its high material hardness, and the rotatable arrangement, the rivet cannot be drilled out with some evidence of the drilling.

Abstract: An improved mounting part is designed for use in securing plastic panels to a metal framework. The mounting part comprises a base plate which is mechanically fastened to the framework by means of substantially oblong cups which are inserted into corresponding slots in the framework and then deformed into round; and a rectangular block for receiving a screw. The plastic panel is secured to the framework by means of a screw threaded fastener which is inserted through an opening in the panel and screwed into a guide hole drilled into the rectangular block and then into the framework. The improved fastener eliminates problems of rust initiation caused by the welded mounting part of the prior art, and acts as a combination of a stand-off washer and a nut.

Abstract: A pyrotechnical dowel has a shank and a deformation chamber located at the forward end of the shank. The chamber contains a blasting cap. Triggering of the blasting cap takes place from the rearward end of the shank by means of a triggering tool which is introduced into a longitudinal duct within the shank and which comes into direct contact with a bottom of the blasting cap.

Abstract: The wall plug anchor assembly is applicable to heavy-duty and reinforced concrete and the like, of a construction component such as a wall and the like environments. The wall plug anchor assembly includes a metallic sleeve having a head of a respectively greater diameter than the sleeve body, of a metallic material, such as a plastically deformable steel of German steel quality ST 34 or ST 37, and wedge means for permanently modifying the sleeve at a location remote from the crown end thereof, particularly to permanently modify the transverse cross-sectional dimension of the sleeve, for example to enlarge the diameter by plastic deformation of the sleeve walls.

Abstract: A rivet installation method creates a preload on the workpieces being joined. The rivet shank is urged to resist compression during installation while a ring on the end of the shank is compressed against the workpieces. Withdrawing the compression releases the shank to provide the preload.

Abstract: A bush for installation in easily crushed or marred work material such as apertured honeycomb sheet or fibre reinforced plastics material, enables the work material to be secured to a support, by means of a nut and bolt, without damage. The bush has a cylindrical body longer than the thickness of the work, and a flange for abutting a face of the work at one end of the body. The other end of the body has an annular boss which projects beyond the other face of the work, and, peripherally of the boss an annular skirt which during installation can be deformed to provide a retaining flange for engaging the other face of the work. A bolt can then be passed through the bush and a support, and secured with a nut. Only the bush directly engages the work.

Abstract: A composite blind plastic rivet having a ductile plastic sheath fully covering the blind head on the rivet to preclude protrusion of fibers upon formation thereof.

Abstract: The upper and lower cassette parts of a magnetic tape cassette are connected to each other by means of non-releasable fixtures, wherein a synthetic material bolt is introduced into at least one of the holes provided for screw connections according to the prior art. The bolt is provided with longitudinal ribs (8) or with an inner bore (9) or possesses a thread-like or saw tooth-like track (11) in the manner of a dowel (FIGS. 3a-3c).