Abstract A combined self-clinching pierce-type fastener and panel is disclosed wherein by a single stroke of a ram a threaded fastener, such as a nut, acts as a punch and pierces its own hole in the sheet metal panel to which it is to be fastened. The nut has one or more laterally extending flanges which abut upon one side of the said panel, the corners of the nut being displaced laterally in the die associated with the piercing operation, preferably under the flange, to clinch the material therebetween. The panel is also displaced at the displaced region of the nut and in the same general direction as the displaced region of the nut. The displaced material of the nut and panel is compressed together to form in the plane of the panel a circular convex boss.
A sheet metal panel and a metal part of greater thickness than the sheet metal panel rigidly secured to said panel, said metal part having a bore and an abutment overlying one side of said panel, said metal part extending through said panel, and said panel and metal part having overlapping portions thereof extending laterally of the metal part on the other side of said panel, said overlapping portions together constituting for the major part adjacent the metal part a boss having an exterior surface in the form of a frusto-sphere the plane of the frustum substantially coinciding with the surface of the panel adjacent said metal part
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
A sheet metal panel and a metal part of greater thickness than the sheet metal panel rigidly secured to said panel, said metal part having a bore and an abutment overlying one side of said panel, said metal part extending through said panel, and said panel and metal part having overlapping portions thereof extending laterally of the metal part on the other side of said panel, said overlapping portions together constituting for the major part adjacent the metal part a boss having an exterior surface in the form of a frusto-sphere the plane of the frustum substantially coinciding with the surface of the panel adjacent said metal part
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination disclosed in claim 1, said metal part comprising a polygonal nut having intersecting sides to form corners and having further a second abutment diametrically opposite the first said abutment, and there being a boss disposed at each of the corners of said polygonal nut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A sheet metal panel and a metal part of greater thickness than the sheet metal panel rigidly secured to said panel, said metal part having a bore and an abutment overlying one side of said panel, and said panel and metal part having overlapping portions thereof extending laterally of the metal part on the other side of said panel, said overlapping portions of the panel and metal part being united to form an integral boss the major part of which adjacent the metal part has a frusto-spherical surface the plane of the frustum of which substantialy coincides with the surface of the panel adjacent said metal part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A sheet metal panel and a metal part of greater thickness than the sheet metal panel rigidly secured to said panel, said metal part having a bore and an abutment overlying one side of said panel, and said panel and metal part having overlapping portions thereof extending laterally of the metal part on the other side of said panel, said overlapping portions of the panel and metal part being united to form an integral boss the major part of which adjacent the metal part has a frusto-spherical surface the plane of the frustum of which substantialy coincides with the surface of the panel adjacent said metal part.