Self-clinching stud with a modified head

Claim 2

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having generally elliptical shapes rotated about 90* relative to each other, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 3

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defines two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 4

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defines two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 5

The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said flange defines two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform.

Claim 6

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 7

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 8

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surface of said platform and of said flange beIng smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent to the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 9

In the combination of a sheeted material having first and second surfaces and a hole therethrough, a stud including a head and a shank, said shank extending through said hole, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, said head being driven into said sheeted material flush with said first surface, a portion of the material of the sheet adjacent said stud being forced by said head to flow into said second recess and toward said first recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surface of said platform and of said flange beIng smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into the sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent to the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 10

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having generally elliptical shapes rotated about 90* relative to each other, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 11

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having generally elliptical shapes rotated about 90* relative to each other, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 12

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 13

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 14

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 15

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated shapes rotated relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 16

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank Having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces for being embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 17

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank Having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces for being embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two crescent-like shapes generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material, both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 18

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.

Claim 19

In a self-clinching stud having a head and a shank, said shank having a threaded portion spaced from said head, said shank having first and second undercut recesses between said threaded portion and said head, said first recess being closer to said threads than second recess, the volume of said first recess being larger than the volume of said second recess, the improvement wherein said head comprises a non-circular platform having an annular surface, and an undercut non-circular flange between said second recess and said platform, said flange having an annular surface radially inwardly of said platform and radially outwardly of said threaded portion, said platform and said flange having elongated, elliptical shapes rotated 90* relative to each other when viewed in the plane of said head which is at right angles to and transverse to the longitudinal axis of said stud, said platform and said flange having parallel flat surfaces embedded in said sheeted material, said annular surfaces of said platform and of said flange being smooth and continuous surfaces generally at right angles to said flat surfaces, and said flange defining two arcuate shaped members generally symmetrical about the longer axis of said platform, whereby, as the head is driven into a sheeted material both the platform and the flange displace a portion of the material of the sheeted material adjacent the stud and into said recesses.