Abstract: A family of rivets including both blind and bucked-type rivets made at least partially from an amorphous metal alloy. A blind rivet includes a head portion and a tail portion. At least one of the head portion and the tail portion is configured to elastically deform to secure a first member in position relative to a second member. The head portion and the tail portion may include one or more deformable legs having an interface feature configured to engage with one of the first member and the second member. A bucked-type rivet assembly includes a formable member and an anvil. The anvil is configured to thermoplastically deform the formable member proximate to the second member by passing current through an electrical circuit that includes at least one of the formable member and anvil.

Abstract: A surgical port feature may include a funnel portion, a tongue, a waist portion, and surgical instrument channels. The waist portion may be located between the funnel portion and the tongue. The surgical instrument channels may extend from the funnel portion through the waist portion. The surgical port feature may further include a second tongue, with the wait portion being located between the funnel portion, the tongue, and the second tongue.

Abstract: A cannula system provides a cannula formed of a soft conformable material such as silicone and having an exterior thread. The cannula lacks rigidity, especially axially, and an obturator therefor is provided with an external thread to interact with the cannula an maintain its shape as it is inserted into a patient's body.

Abstract: A sheet metal rivet, a body with a centerline and first side and second sides oppositely disposed with respect to the centerline; at least one first protrusion extending from the first side of the body and having a first width; and at least one second protrusion extending from the second side of the body and having a second width. The first and second widths are different or the at least one first and second protrusions are at least partially misaligned in a direction orthogonal to the centerline. In one embodiment, the at least one first and second protrusions include first and second pluralities of protrusions, respectively.

Abstract: A sheet metal rivet, a body with a centerline and first side and second sides oppositely disposed with respect to the centerline; at least one first protrusion extending from the first side of the body and having a first width; and at least one second protrusion extending from the second side of the body and having a second width. The first and second widths are different or the at least one first and second protrusions are at least partially misaligned in a direction orthogonal to the centerline. In one embodiment, the at least one first and second protrusions include first and second pluralities of protrusions, respectively.

Abstract: A generation of rust or electric corrosion between a rivet and a member is prevented by enhancing a degree of sealing between the rivet and the member. A first enlarged-diameter portion 16 and a second enlarged-diameter portion 20 are provided between a head part 12 and a leg part 14 of a rivet 10. A space portion 32 is formed among an upper layer workpiece 24, the first enlarged-diameter portion 16 and the second enlarged-diameter portion 20 in a state where the rivet 10 is driven into the upper layer workpiece 24 and a lower layer workpiece 26. Because of the existence of the space portion 32, the contact between the upper layer workpiece 24 and the first enlarged-diameter portion 16, and between the upper layer workpiece 24 and the second enlarged-diameter portion 20 can be secured. Therefore, the degree of sealing between the rivet 10 and the upper layer workpiece 24 is improved.

Abstract: A back plate assembly (100) for a board (200) comprises a back plate (110) abutting against a side of the board and a plurality of posts (120). Each post comprises at least one latching portion (1206) formed thereon. After the latching portions have passed through the back plate and the board, the latching portions are blocked by one of the board and the back plate to secure the back plate to the board. Screws (330) are used to extend through a heat sink (300) to threadedly engage with the posts thereby mounting the heat sink to the board. Thus, the heat sink can have an intimate contact with an electronic component (210) mounted on the board.

Abstract: The invention concerns a functional element, in particular a bolt, consisting of a shank portion (14) and a head portion (16) designed to be assembled riveted with a plate element, in particular a sheet metal part. The invention is characterised in that the head portion (16) is hollow and has practically the same external diameter as the shank portion. When mounted, the hollow head portion (16) of the functional element (10) forms a riveting edge (37) on one side of the sheet metal part and an annular groove (52) on the other side of the sheet metal part, the annular groove (52) acting as a flange. The invention further concerns a method for fixing the functional element in a sheet metal part and the resulting assembling element (16), as well as a matrix and a swaging assembly.

Abstract: There is provided self piercing rivet comprising a substantially planar metal body portion (160) having deformable tabs (161) symmetrically disposed about a slit (162) as per the first embodiment. The upper portion of the body portion (160) is provided with a V-shaped recess (163) diverging from a point (164) adjacent the centreline of the body portion (160) and terminating at the upper edge (165) of the body portion (160). The V-shaped recess (163) divides the upper portion of the body portion (160) into head tabs (166) disposed to each side of the body portion (160). The upper remaining edges of the head tabs (166) enable the rivet to be partially driven and then set by deformation of the deformable tabs (161) and the head tabs (166) against respective sides of the riveted workpiece. Methods of producing the rivets and tools for their use are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided self piercing rivet comprising a substantially planar metal body portion (160) having deformable tabs (161) symmetrically disposed about a slit (162) as per the first embodiment. The upper portion of the body portion (160) is provided with a V-shaped recess (163) diverging from a point (164) adjacent the centreline of the body portion (160) and terminating at the upper edge (165) of the body portion (160). The V-shaped recess (163) divides the upper portion of the body portion (160) into head tabs (166) disposed to each side of the body portion (160). The upper remaining edges of the head tabs (166) enable the rivet to be partially driven and then set by deformation of the deformable tabs (161) and the head tabs (166) against respective sides of the riveted workpiece. Methods of producing the rivets and tools for their use are also provided.

Abstract: A heat sink fastener is applied to fasten a heat sink contacted with an electrical element mounted on a substrate. The heat sink fastener has a pillar integrally formed by an upper segment and a lower segment that further has an arrowhead hook, a coil spring winded around the pillar, and a cannular column with two openings for receiving the pillar. A step is formed around the first opening defined at one end of the column, and the second opening is defined at the other end of the column to allow the lower segment and the hook to pass through. When heat sink fastener is applied to fasten the heat sink to the substrate, the column is pressed downward to the heat sink, and the hook is inserted through the heat sink and the substrate to be tightly and upwardly pressed against the bottom of the substrate.

Abstract: A punch rivet (1) has a cutting edge (6) which is arranged on the end face of its rivet shank (2) and is formed in the cutting region by an outer face (5) extending parallel to the axis and a conical inner face (4) of the rivet shank (2). The outer face (5) extends continuously parallel to the axis over the entire rivet shank (2) and the punch rivet (1) is provided with the same cutting edges (6, 7) on either side in an axially symmetrical design in the form of a tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rivet device. The device is characterized in that it comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular body (10), an annular collar extending outwards from the first end of the body, and at least two locking elements (20, 22) formed in the body. Each locking element is constituted by an elastically deformable strip (24) cut out in the body, extending in the direction of the axis of the body, and having a first end secured to the first end of the body and a second end secured to the second end of the body, with each strip having folds (30, 32, 34) in such a manner that in an initial state a portion of the strip projects into the inside of the body and in a deformed state the strip projects to the outside of the body.

Abstract: A boardlock for securely connecting an electrical device or connector to a printed circuit board without requiring post-soldering thereof, is shown comprising a pair of rigid arms joined at the lower end by a thinner bridge section. The boardlock is a flat unitary edge-stamped sheet metal part that is insertable through a hole of a printed circuit board such that the bridge portion extends below the printed circuit board and whereby outer portions thereof, extend outwardly of the hole for provisionally holding the boardlock to the printed circuit board. A die comprising an elongate slot of slightly greater thickness than the boardlock, can be engaged against the bridge portion for permanent plastic deformation thereof. The die has a convex bottomed surface in order to arc the deformed bridge portion towards the printed circuit board in order to enhance the mechanical resistance of the boardlock with respect to an upwards pulling force thereon.

Abstract: A flexible endoscopic surgical port comprises a trocar tube or cannula made partially or entirely of flexible material which can be inserted into a body wall at an intercostal location to allow the insertion and manipulation of endoscopic surgical instruments within the thoracic cavity. The surgical port includes a hollow tubular body which is inserted through an intercostal opening in the body wall extending into the thoracic cavity with an annular flange at one end of the tubular body projecting radially outward and engaging the body wall adjacent to the opening. The flange is able to flex relative to the tubular body whereby the surgical instrument inserted in the tubular body can be manipulated over a wide range of motion inside the thoracic cavity. A retainer ring can be installed at the end of the tubular body opposite to the flange to secure the surgical port in the body wall. Improved obturators are provided for installation of the flexible surgical port.

Abstract: A blind rivet having an easily settable secondary head with the rivet body having a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced weakened areas terminating in spaced relation from the rivet flange and the open end of the rivet so that upon setting, the rivet body separates at the weakened areas to form a plurality of outwardly extending deformed areas for an enlarged secondary head on the rivet.

Abstract: A composite rivet comprises an integral mandrel from which material is sheared to form a head on the blind side of a workpiece.

Abstract: A composite rivet comprises a preformed head portion, a shear portion, an integral mandrel extending from said shear portion having an annular recess therein, a deformable plastic locking ring radially aligned with and filling the recess in said mandrel, and a collar telescoped about and radially aligned with said locking ring for controlling deformation thereof.

Abstract: A composite rivet comprising an axially compressible and radially expandable tubular plastic preform with a mandrel extending centrally thereof and a collar radially aligned with an annular recess in said mandrel for controlling radial deformation of the preform and locking of the mandrel in the rivet.

Abstract: A composite rivet comprises an integral mandrel having a collar telescoped thereabout for controlling radial deformation of a head forming portion thereof.

Abstract: A one-piece sheet metal fastener (10) for joining two or more panels (14, 16) having a combined axial thickness (18) within a given range and aligned apertures (22, 24) of a given diameter (24) is provided. The fastener comprises two sidewall portions (28, 30) joined by a bight portion (32) which are aligned in the initial configuration of the fastener and which may be nonresiliently deformed by relative transverse movement of tab portions (46, 48) extending downwardly from transverse opposite sides of each sidewall portion.