Method of attaching a fastening element to a panel

Details Method of attaching a fastening element to a panel Method of attaching a fastening element to a panel

B - Operations, Transporting

23

P

B23P 19/02 (2006.01) B23P 19/06 (2006.01) F16B 37/06 (2006.01)

Patent

CA 2081688

A method of permanently attaching a fastening element, such as a nut or bolt to panels having a range of panel thicknesses, such as the metal panels used by the automotive and appliance industries. The fastening element includes a tubular barrel portion arid preferably an annular bearing face surrounding the barrel portion. The method includes punching a hole in the panel, then plasticly deforming and drawing the panel surrounding the hole into a dome or frusto-comically shaped portion. The panel hole is thus enlarged to receive the fastener element barrel portion from adjacent the apex of the frusto-comically shaped panel portion and the bearing face is then driven against the panel, deforming the panel to a generally planar shape. The panel surrounding the hole is thereby driven against the tubular barrel portion which, in the preferred embodiment, includes radially projecting ribs, forming secure anti-rotation means even in very thin panels. Finally, the free end of the barrel portion is deformed radially outwardly arid preferably squeezed to form a secure interlock between the fastening element and the panel.

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