CA1228255A - Self-attaching fastener and method of securing same to sheet material - Google Patents
Self-attaching fastener and method of securing same to sheet materialInfo
- Publication number
- CA1228255A CA1228255A CA000424638A CA424638A CA1228255A CA 1228255 A CA1228255 A CA 1228255A CA 000424638 A CA000424638 A CA 000424638A CA 424638 A CA424638 A CA 424638A CA 1228255 A CA1228255 A CA 1228255A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fastener
- sheet material
- strap
- remainder
- assembly according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
- B23P19/00—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
- B23P19/04—Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
- B23P19/06—Screw or nut setting or loosening machines
- B23P19/062—Pierce nut setting machines
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An assembly is disclosed having a simple, standard fastener secured to sheet material such as sheet metal. A support strap is integrally formed in an offset relationship with the sheet material, and opposite sides of the fastener are deformed to interlockingly engage the remainder of the sheet material. A method and apparatus are also disclosed for securing the fastener to the sheet material in substantially one operation, including alternate manual and automatic means for feeding fasteners to such apparatus.
An assembly is disclosed having a simple, standard fastener secured to sheet material such as sheet metal. A support strap is integrally formed in an offset relationship with the sheet material, and opposite sides of the fastener are deformed to interlockingly engage the remainder of the sheet material. A method and apparatus are also disclosed for securing the fastener to the sheet material in substantially one operation, including alternate manual and automatic means for feeding fasteners to such apparatus.
Description
32~ j The invention rela-tes to a self-attaching fastener and more particularly to a -threaded fastener that is forcibly mechani,cally interlocked or clinchingly attached to a portion of sheet ma-terial, Reerence is made to my related Canadian patent application, Serial No. ~47,~23, filed February 3, 1984. The present invention disclosed herein includes variations on the inventive principles disclosed in said rela-ted application.
It is frequen-tly desirable to secure objects to a member formed from a rela-tively thin sheet of material, such as sheet metal. Because such sheet material is generally too thin to form a threaded hole therein by drilling and tapping, a threaded female fastener or nut is fre~uently welded or otherwise secured to such sheet material, thus allowing a male fastener to be threadably secured thereto.
Alternatively, it may be desirable to provide a threaded male fastener extending from such sheet material in order to allow another objec-t to be mounted thereto by means oE a threaded female fastener. In such a case, -the head of a bolt may be welded or otherwise secured to such sheet material.
In one known method of securing a threaded fastener to sheet material, a specially formed clinch nut is fabrica-ted with a pilot por-tion extending Erom one of its faces. The pilot is smaller than the remainder~of the nut and thus forms one or more shoulder portions thereon. The pilot is inserted into a preformed opening in the sheet material and deformed to flow outwardly, therby interlockingly engaging the edges of the ~erformed ho]e in the sheet material.
In another me-thod oE securing a threaded fastener to she_t 82~ii5 ma-terial, a specially formed pierce nut with a pilot is provided which is specially adap-ted to pierce or punch an opening as -the nut is forcibly urged against the sheet material. Specially formed dies on a press appara-tus deform the sides of the pilot and the opening in the sheet material to form a clinch-type engagement therebetween. Such specially formed and fabrica-ted pierce nuts may also include shoulders on the main portion of the nut for abuttingly engaging the sheet material in order to a-ttain a more even stress distribution, thereby s-trengthening the joint between the nut and the sheet material.
The above-described methods and apparatus for securing a fastener to sheet material suffer the disadvan-tage of requiring an expensive specially formednutorfastener. Such methods and apparatus also tend to weaken the sheet material because o:E the necessity of removing a substantial amount of sheet material in order to form the opening in which the fastener is received. In a high production environment, -they also create a considerable amount of scrap.
The present invention overcomes the above dis-advantages by allowing standard fasteners such as ordlnary nuts or bolts to be secured to a sheet ma-terial member, thereby eliminating the need for the expensive special fasteners described above. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a standard off--the-shelf square nut or a square-headed bolt is secured to such sheet material, frequently without preforming an opening in the sheet material, thereby eliminating or minimizing the attendant scrap.
According to the present invention there is provided an assembly which includes a fastener, sheet material, and a strap formed out of -the sheet material and in-tegral
It is frequen-tly desirable to secure objects to a member formed from a rela-tively thin sheet of material, such as sheet metal. Because such sheet material is generally too thin to form a threaded hole therein by drilling and tapping, a threaded female fastener or nut is fre~uently welded or otherwise secured to such sheet material, thus allowing a male fastener to be threadably secured thereto.
Alternatively, it may be desirable to provide a threaded male fastener extending from such sheet material in order to allow another objec-t to be mounted thereto by means oE a threaded female fastener. In such a case, -the head of a bolt may be welded or otherwise secured to such sheet material.
In one known method of securing a threaded fastener to sheet material, a specially formed clinch nut is fabrica-ted with a pilot por-tion extending Erom one of its faces. The pilot is smaller than the remainder~of the nut and thus forms one or more shoulder portions thereon. The pilot is inserted into a preformed opening in the sheet material and deformed to flow outwardly, therby interlockingly engaging the edges of the ~erformed ho]e in the sheet material.
In another me-thod oE securing a threaded fastener to she_t 82~ii5 ma-terial, a specially formed pierce nut with a pilot is provided which is specially adap-ted to pierce or punch an opening as -the nut is forcibly urged against the sheet material. Specially formed dies on a press appara-tus deform the sides of the pilot and the opening in the sheet material to form a clinch-type engagement therebetween. Such specially formed and fabrica-ted pierce nuts may also include shoulders on the main portion of the nut for abuttingly engaging the sheet material in order to a-ttain a more even stress distribution, thereby s-trengthening the joint between the nut and the sheet material.
The above-described methods and apparatus for securing a fastener to sheet material suffer the disadvan-tage of requiring an expensive specially formednutorfastener. Such methods and apparatus also tend to weaken the sheet material because o:E the necessity of removing a substantial amount of sheet material in order to form the opening in which the fastener is received. In a high production environment, -they also create a considerable amount of scrap.
The present invention overcomes the above dis-advantages by allowing standard fasteners such as ordlnary nuts or bolts to be secured to a sheet ma-terial member, thereby eliminating the need for the expensive special fasteners described above. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a standard off--the-shelf square nut or a square-headed bolt is secured to such sheet material, frequently without preforming an opening in the sheet material, thereby eliminating or minimizing the attendant scrap.
According to the present invention there is provided an assembly which includes a fastener, sheet material, and a strap formed out of -the sheet material and in-tegral
- 2 -., 5~
wi-th the remainder of the sheet material. The strap engages a first side of the fastener in order to restrain the fastener for movement relative to -the sheet material in a firs-t direction.
A portion of the remainder of the sheet material securely engages a second surface oE the fastener in order to restrai.n the Eastener from movement relative to the sheet material in a second direc-tion generally opposi-te the first direction, the fastener thereby being secured -to the sheet material.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, at least one lip is formed integrally ou-t of the sheet material in an offset relationship relative to the strap, the lip engaging a second surface of the fastener in order to restrain the fastener from movement relative to the strap in a second direction generally opposite -the first direc-tion.
~ccording to another aspect of the inventi.on there is provided a method of securing a fastener to sheet material utilizing a number of relat.ively movable die means, the fastener having at least two opposite sides, each of the sides having an edge thereof. The method includes the step of positioning the fastener and the sheet material between the relatively movable die means and forcibly moving the relatively movable die means toward one another. The fastener is forcibly urged into the sheet material as the die means are moved relatively -toward one another so that the die means and the edges of the fastener coact to forcibly deform the first por-tion of the sheet material in order to form an integral s-trap in an offset position relative to the remainder of the shee-t material.
The second portion of the sheet material and the sides of the fastener are forcibly urged into securing engagement with one another as the die means are moved relatively towardone another.
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These and other advantages of the invention will beco~e readily apparent from the following discussion and the acccmpanying arawings.
BRIEF DESC PTI~? OF E DR~NGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fastener ass~bly of the present invention, illustrating a female fastener secured to sheet material~
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. . .
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1. ' .
Figure 4 is a perspective vie~ of an alternate fastener asse~bly according to ~e present invention t~herein a male astener is secured to sheet material.
Figure S is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a c~oss-sectional vi~w taken alonq line 6-6 of Figure 4.
l , 5~5 Figure 7 is ~n elevatiGnal view o~ the press and ~orming die portions of an apparatus Eor ~ecurin~ a fastener to sheet ~aterial according to the p~esent inventiun.
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the forming die portion of the Figure 7 apparatus, illustrating a retaining spsing arrangement for holding a fe~ale fastene~.
Figure 9 is a ~iYW similar to that of Figure 8, illustrating an alternate retaining spring arsangement for holding a ma~e astener.
Figure 10 illustrates an alternate fastener feeding mechanism for the apparatus of FigurQ ~.
Figure ll is a view taken along line 11-11 of Figu~e 10.
Figure 12 is a cs~ss-section31 view of the fastener and the press and die portions of the Figure 7 apparatus, prior to the for~ing stroke.
Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 12, but illustrating the fastener and forming co~ponents at the end of the forming stroke.
D AILED D scRIprIcN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1 through 13 of the drawings illustrate vasious em~odiments of fasteners s~cured to sheet ~aterial memhers according to the prcsent invention, as well as an apparatus for forming the assemhly.
For purposes of illustration, the drawings illustrate embodim~nts wherein a standard syuare nut and a standard square-headed bolt are secured to the sheet material. One skilled in the art will rea~ily recognize, however, that other fasteners having othes shapes may also be secured to sheet material in a similar manne~.
Figures 1 through 3 illustrate a fastener asse~bly 10 in which a female fastener 12 is sigidly secured to sheet matesial 14. Prio~ tD
assembly, fastener 12 is a si~ple inexpensive square nut having a oentral ~Z2~25~
threaded holc 32, as is shown in phantom line~ ~t l~a. Sheet material 1 includes ~n integral support strap 16 p~sitioned in an offset relaticn relative to the plane of the remainder of ~he sheet. Support strap 16 i8 offset by means of shearinq alonq the opposite sides 18 of fastener 12, A~
indicated at reference numeral ~0. The sides 1~ of fastener 12 ~e deforn~d so that the fastener material flows outwardly to fo m a pair cf spaced protrusions 22 w~ich interlockingly engaqe the sheared edges 20 and so that a pair of flared lips 21 are formed along sheared edges 2~.
m e edges of support strap 16 are also preferably deform~d in a direction toward and slightly around the fastener, as shown at 24, to interlockingly retain fastener 12. An opening 3~ is punched or otherwis~
formed in the support strap 16 in align~ent with hole 3~ in the fastener to allcw a bolt, stud or screw to be threadably inserted into hole 32 for mounting another merber (not shown) to the assembly.
Figures 4 through 6 illustrate a fastener assembly 40 in which a male fastener 42 is secured to sheet material 14. In its original form, fastener 42 is a simple inexpensive square-headed tolt having head 44 and threaded stud 46. The original form of head 44 is indicated in phant lines at 44a. Head 44 is secured to the sheet material in a ~anner similar to that described above in connection with female fastener 12 except that stud 46 protrudes through opening 30 in support strap 16.
Alternatively, however, fastener 42 nay be oriented in a position opposite to that shown in Figures 4 through 6, with stud 46 extending in the opposite direction, and thus support strap 16 would not require an opening
wi-th the remainder of the sheet material. The strap engages a first side of the fastener in order to restrain the fastener for movement relative to -the sheet material in a firs-t direction.
A portion of the remainder of the sheet material securely engages a second surface oE the fastener in order to restrai.n the Eastener from movement relative to the sheet material in a second direc-tion generally opposi-te the first direction, the fastener thereby being secured -to the sheet material.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, at least one lip is formed integrally ou-t of the sheet material in an offset relationship relative to the strap, the lip engaging a second surface of the fastener in order to restrain the fastener from movement relative to the strap in a second direction generally opposite -the first direc-tion.
~ccording to another aspect of the inventi.on there is provided a method of securing a fastener to sheet material utilizing a number of relat.ively movable die means, the fastener having at least two opposite sides, each of the sides having an edge thereof. The method includes the step of positioning the fastener and the sheet material between the relatively movable die means and forcibly moving the relatively movable die means toward one another. The fastener is forcibly urged into the sheet material as the die means are moved relatively -toward one another so that the die means and the edges of the fastener coact to forcibly deform the first por-tion of the sheet material in order to form an integral s-trap in an offset position relative to the remainder of the shee-t material.
The second portion of the sheet material and the sides of the fastener are forcibly urged into securing engagement with one another as the die means are moved relatively towardone another.
- 2a~-~ .
These and other advantages of the invention will beco~e readily apparent from the following discussion and the acccmpanying arawings.
BRIEF DESC PTI~? OF E DR~NGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fastener ass~bly of the present invention, illustrating a female fastener secured to sheet material~
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1. . .
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1. ' .
Figure 4 is a perspective vie~ of an alternate fastener asse~bly according to ~e present invention t~herein a male astener is secured to sheet material.
Figure S is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a c~oss-sectional vi~w taken alonq line 6-6 of Figure 4.
l , 5~5 Figure 7 is ~n elevatiGnal view o~ the press and ~orming die portions of an apparatus Eor ~ecurin~ a fastener to sheet ~aterial according to the p~esent inventiun.
Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the forming die portion of the Figure 7 apparatus, illustrating a retaining spsing arrangement for holding a fe~ale fastene~.
Figure 9 is a ~iYW similar to that of Figure 8, illustrating an alternate retaining spring arsangement for holding a ma~e astener.
Figure 10 illustrates an alternate fastener feeding mechanism for the apparatus of FigurQ ~.
Figure ll is a view taken along line 11-11 of Figu~e 10.
Figure 12 is a cs~ss-section31 view of the fastener and the press and die portions of the Figure 7 apparatus, prior to the for~ing stroke.
Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to that of Figure 12, but illustrating the fastener and forming co~ponents at the end of the forming stroke.
D AILED D scRIprIcN OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figures 1 through 13 of the drawings illustrate vasious em~odiments of fasteners s~cured to sheet ~aterial memhers according to the prcsent invention, as well as an apparatus for forming the assemhly.
For purposes of illustration, the drawings illustrate embodim~nts wherein a standard syuare nut and a standard square-headed bolt are secured to the sheet material. One skilled in the art will rea~ily recognize, however, that other fasteners having othes shapes may also be secured to sheet material in a similar manne~.
Figures 1 through 3 illustrate a fastener asse~bly 10 in which a female fastener 12 is sigidly secured to sheet matesial 14. Prio~ tD
assembly, fastener 12 is a si~ple inexpensive square nut having a oentral ~Z2~25~
threaded holc 32, as is shown in phantom line~ ~t l~a. Sheet material 1 includes ~n integral support strap 16 p~sitioned in an offset relaticn relative to the plane of the remainder of ~he sheet. Support strap 16 i8 offset by means of shearinq alonq the opposite sides 18 of fastener 12, A~
indicated at reference numeral ~0. The sides 1~ of fastener 12 ~e deforn~d so that the fastener material flows outwardly to fo m a pair cf spaced protrusions 22 w~ich interlockingly engaqe the sheared edges 20 and so that a pair of flared lips 21 are formed along sheared edges 2~.
m e edges of support strap 16 are also preferably deform~d in a direction toward and slightly around the fastener, as shown at 24, to interlockingly retain fastener 12. An opening 3~ is punched or otherwis~
formed in the support strap 16 in align~ent with hole 3~ in the fastener to allcw a bolt, stud or screw to be threadably inserted into hole 32 for mounting another merber (not shown) to the assembly.
Figures 4 through 6 illustrate a fastener assembly 40 in which a male fastener 42 is secured to sheet material 14. In its original form, fastener 42 is a simple inexpensive square-headed tolt having head 44 and threaded stud 46. The original form of head 44 is indicated in phant lines at 44a. Head 44 is secured to the sheet material in a ~anner similar to that described above in connection with female fastener 12 except that stud 46 protrudes through opening 30 in support strap 16.
Alternatively, however, fastener 42 nay be oriented in a position opposite to that shown in Figures 4 through 6, with stud 46 extending in the opposite direction, and thus support strap 16 would not require an opening
3~. ~ccause fastener 42 is otherwise secured to sheet material 14 in the same ~anner as is described above in connection Figures 1 through 3, corresponding reference nu~erals are used in Figures 4 through 6.
Ihe e~bodiments of Figures 1 through 6 acco~modate the use 5 standard threaded fasteners with no special configuYations or pilots being required. m e cost of such standard fasteners has been founa ~Z2~
to be approximately one-half of that of ~any specially shaped piercing-type fasteners. Furthe~mDre, the resulting strength d ~he joi~t created ky the fastener assemblies of the present invention have been found to be superior to joints formed using many specially for~ed fasteners. Specifically, the pull-out strength of the joint, which is ~he ~trength o~ the joint in resisting a force tendir.g to pull the f~stener upwardly away fro~ the sheet material, as shown, has been found to be significantly greater than ~h~t of many prior art fastener asse~blies.
Such improve~ent is believed to be due to the full interlocking engage~ent with the sheet material on tWD opposite sides of the fastener and to the support strap 16 extending over Gne face of the fastener. Similarly, the push-out strength, which is the strength of the joint resistin~ a force tending to push the fastener a~ay fro~ the sheet s~terial in the opposite direction, has also been found b~ co~pare favorably with that of the prior art fastener assemblies.
In Figures 7 through 13, an exe~plary joint-forming apparatus 60 is shown for purposes of illustration. One skilled in the art will readily recogni~e, hcwever, that other similar apparatus may be used to acco~plish the objectives of the present inven1:ion.
Apparatus 60 includes a punch assembly 62, shcwn in Figure 12 in a partially lowered position, and an anvil asse~bly 64. Punch assembly 6~
i5 operatively connected to a ram or press apparatus 66 which drives it in a reciprocating manner, and also includes a keeper member 68 which has a bore 69 extending partially therethrough for slidably receiving a circulas punch 70 and a tubular driver member 72 therein. Driver member 72 includes a die portion 74 on its lcwer end (as shown) and is retained within bore 6g by a retaining member 76 which allows limited reciprocating m~vement and prevents rotation of the driver member 72 within bDre 69.
Punch 70, at its upper end ~as shown), abuttingly engages the closed en~
o~ bore 69. A oompression spring 7~ biases driver ~ember 72 out of bore l.Z2~5~
69, thereby allcwing the driver member to perform a stripping function, as will be explained below.
Adjustment nut 116 may be threadably advanced or retracted to adjust the point of engagement by p~ch assembly 62 and thus the stroke length of driver member 72. Jam nut 117 lockingly abuts adjustment nut 116 to maintain its axial position on driver member 72.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, a pair of opposed retaining springs 115 on driver member 72 resiliently engage opposed sides of female fastener 12 to support it in proper alignment with anvil assembly 64, as explained below. Alternately, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9, a second pair of opposed retaining springs 118 are also used to resiliently engage corresponding sides of male fastener 42. Springs 118~ are shorter than springs 115, to avoid interfering with the forming of protrusions 22 on the fastener, and thus engage the sides of fastener 42 only when head 44 is in its original form 44a, as shown in Figure 5. One skilled in the art will readiy recognize that similar retaining spring arrangements may be employed for fasten~rs having other than four-sided heads.
Anvil assen~ly 64 includes a fixed die me~ber B4 having a die surface 86 thereon. Die portion 74 and die me~ber 84 each have a pair of spaced shoulders 75 and 85, respectively, which deform the sides of the fastener, as shown in Figure 13, to form the protrusions 22 thereon (see Figures 2 and 5). A pair of cutting members 88, in the form of die blades, are pivotally connected to the fixed die member 84 by means of a pair of pivot pins 90. Die member 84 includes a pair of integral shoulders 114 61 idably abutted by oorresponding surfaces 112 on cutting members 88. Thus, any vertical forces on the cutting members 88 are thus transmitted directly to die member ~4 and are not absorbed by pins 90, as is fully described in my above-referenced related applications. A
corresponding pair of com~ression springs 92 bias the cutting members B8 toward their positions adjacent die surface 86, as shown in Figures 12 and . ~
-: ) ~;~2~
13. Fixed die ~ nber B9 also includes a bore 96 extendin9 therethrough, which communicates with bore 117 in an adjusting screw 119 and is configured to acccmmcdate punch 70 and to provide for disposal of the blank 102 of sheet material which is removed by punch 70.
~ or purposes of illustration, the Gpera~ion of apparatus 60 is described herein in connection with the attach~ent of a female fastener to the sheet material, substantially in Gne operation. As will be readily recogni~ed by one skilled in the art, however, the operation of apparatus 60 in connection with the use of a male fastener is similar, with the minor exceptions noted belc~.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an auto~atic fastener feed apparatus 140 for use with forming apparatus 60 in lieu of the retaining springs discussed above. A fastener feed chute 142 serially transports a number of fe~ale fasteners 1~ by qravity or under air pressure to a fastener carrier mechanism 144. A retractible pin 14~, which may be actuated in any suitable manner, holds back the supply of fasteners until the carrier mechanism is cleared.
The carrier mechanis~ 144 includes an opening 150 having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the fastener to ensure proper fastener orientation and alignment with die portion 74 and die ~ember 84 during the forming operation. ~ plurality of balls 152, biased by springs 156, extend partially into cpening 150 to support the fastener until it is engaged by driver member 72. As the fastener is urged downwardly, springs 156 co~press and balls 152 retract, and the fastener is forced through opening 150 to engage sheet material 14, as discussed below.
One skilled in the art will ~eadily recognize that similar apparatus ~ay be employed for auto~atically feeding male fasteners 42 to forming apparatus 60. In such an apparatus, for example, chute 142 would include a longitudinal slot for receiving st~d ~6, thus allc~ing head 44 ~L2~8~55`
~o be transport~d in a nanner similar b~ that sh~wn in the drawings fs~
fastener 12. Carrier mechanism 144 would also include a corresponding vertical slot to provide clearance for stud 46 at the junction with chute 142.
Referring p~ma2ily t~ Figures ~2 and 13, the OQeration of apparatus 60 is as follows. Sheet material }4 is po6itioned over anvil assembly 64 so that the area in which the fastener assembly is to be formed lies ~irectly belo~ punch assembly 62~ Fastener 12 is loaded onto driver member 72, with punch 70 e~tendin~ ~hrough hole 32 if opening 30 is desired. Ihe 1ioaaing of fastener 12 on apparatus 60 may be acc m plished manually, as shown i~ Fi~ure 12, or b~ ~eans of an automatic feed ~echanism, such as ~hat ill~strated in Fig~res lO and 11.
Ra~ 66 is then f~rther aet~ea to drive punch ~se~ly 62 downwardly, where~y F~ 70 ~or~s openin~ 3~ and die portion 74 forcibly presses fastener 12 against sheet ~ateria1 14 (after keeper me~ber 68 has moved int~ an abutting relationship ~ith driver member 72). If an opening havin~ a la~ger d~ametex than ~he inside dia~eter of threaded hole 32 is desi~ed, it may be pre-formed in the sheet material. Blank 102, resulting from the forming of open~ng 30, drops into bore 96 for disposal. Thereafter, die portion 74 presses fastener 12 against the sheet material 14 with sufficient force that the leading edges or corners of ~he opposite sides lE coact with the inner edges of ~ie blades 88 to cause the sheet ~aterial to be sheared or lanced along sides 18. Ibe fastener continues to be forced through the sheet material to offset support strap 16 in abutting and oonforming engage~ent with the face of the fastener.
Once sup~ort strap 16 contacts shoulders 85 on die mr~ber 84, both fastener 12 and support strap 16 are further deformed between shoulders 75 and 85 tD cause the material of fastener 12 to begin to flcw outwardly, forming protrusions 22 which interlockingly engage edges _ g _ , . .
.
,: .
20 of the sheet ~aterial. As prot~usions Z2 are formed, cutting members 88 are pivoted outwardly as shown in Figur~ 13. Continued deformation of support strap 16 and fastener 12 also causes edges 20 to bend toward die m~mber B4 to form the flared lips 21 shown in ~igures 2 and 5. ~ portion of support strap 16 is al50 deformed to interlock with the ~ides 18 as a result of the abo~ deformation.
Driver member 72 restrains the fastener as the punch 7~ retrac$s, thereby aidinq in the stripping of punch 70 from hole 32. As punch assembly 62 continues to retract, driver ~ er 7~ is raised s~ tha~ the sheet material may be removed.
m e apparatus for attaching fastener 42 to the sheet ~aterial is similar to that described above. ~ecause stua 46 p~otrudes frQ~ head 44, however, opening 3D in support strap 16 is preferably pre-punched so that stud 46 may be inserted therein, and faste~er asse~b1y 4Q IS ~hen formed as described above. If, however, fastene~ 42 is tD be oriented wit~ stud 46 protruding away fro~ support strap 16, pre-punching would not be required.
The sheet material may be embossed in an area surrounding the fastener, if desired, to create a flush, generally coplanar relationship between the sheet material and a faoe of the fastener. Such e~bossing may be performed prior to securing the fastener to the sheet material or simultaneously therewith by F~ans of specially formed die surfaces.
The foregoing disc~ssion and the acco~panying drawinqs disclose, illustrate and describe merely exemplary methods and ~rbodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize froQ
such discussion and drawings that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departin~ from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims~
Ihe e~bodiments of Figures 1 through 6 acco~modate the use 5 standard threaded fasteners with no special configuYations or pilots being required. m e cost of such standard fasteners has been founa ~Z2~
to be approximately one-half of that of ~any specially shaped piercing-type fasteners. Furthe~mDre, the resulting strength d ~he joi~t created ky the fastener assemblies of the present invention have been found to be superior to joints formed using many specially for~ed fasteners. Specifically, the pull-out strength of the joint, which is ~he ~trength o~ the joint in resisting a force tendir.g to pull the f~stener upwardly away fro~ the sheet material, as shown, has been found to be significantly greater than ~h~t of many prior art fastener asse~blies.
Such improve~ent is believed to be due to the full interlocking engage~ent with the sheet material on tWD opposite sides of the fastener and to the support strap 16 extending over Gne face of the fastener. Similarly, the push-out strength, which is the strength of the joint resistin~ a force tending to push the fastener a~ay fro~ the sheet s~terial in the opposite direction, has also been found b~ co~pare favorably with that of the prior art fastener assemblies.
In Figures 7 through 13, an exe~plary joint-forming apparatus 60 is shown for purposes of illustration. One skilled in the art will readily recogni~e, hcwever, that other similar apparatus may be used to acco~plish the objectives of the present inven1:ion.
Apparatus 60 includes a punch assembly 62, shcwn in Figure 12 in a partially lowered position, and an anvil asse~bly 64. Punch assembly 6~
i5 operatively connected to a ram or press apparatus 66 which drives it in a reciprocating manner, and also includes a keeper member 68 which has a bore 69 extending partially therethrough for slidably receiving a circulas punch 70 and a tubular driver member 72 therein. Driver member 72 includes a die portion 74 on its lcwer end (as shown) and is retained within bore 6g by a retaining member 76 which allows limited reciprocating m~vement and prevents rotation of the driver member 72 within bDre 69.
Punch 70, at its upper end ~as shown), abuttingly engages the closed en~
o~ bore 69. A oompression spring 7~ biases driver ~ember 72 out of bore l.Z2~5~
69, thereby allcwing the driver member to perform a stripping function, as will be explained below.
Adjustment nut 116 may be threadably advanced or retracted to adjust the point of engagement by p~ch assembly 62 and thus the stroke length of driver member 72. Jam nut 117 lockingly abuts adjustment nut 116 to maintain its axial position on driver member 72.
As illustrated in Figures 3 and 8, a pair of opposed retaining springs 115 on driver member 72 resiliently engage opposed sides of female fastener 12 to support it in proper alignment with anvil assembly 64, as explained below. Alternately, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 9, a second pair of opposed retaining springs 118 are also used to resiliently engage corresponding sides of male fastener 42. Springs 118~ are shorter than springs 115, to avoid interfering with the forming of protrusions 22 on the fastener, and thus engage the sides of fastener 42 only when head 44 is in its original form 44a, as shown in Figure 5. One skilled in the art will readiy recognize that similar retaining spring arrangements may be employed for fasten~rs having other than four-sided heads.
Anvil assen~ly 64 includes a fixed die me~ber B4 having a die surface 86 thereon. Die portion 74 and die me~ber 84 each have a pair of spaced shoulders 75 and 85, respectively, which deform the sides of the fastener, as shown in Figure 13, to form the protrusions 22 thereon (see Figures 2 and 5). A pair of cutting members 88, in the form of die blades, are pivotally connected to the fixed die member 84 by means of a pair of pivot pins 90. Die member 84 includes a pair of integral shoulders 114 61 idably abutted by oorresponding surfaces 112 on cutting members 88. Thus, any vertical forces on the cutting members 88 are thus transmitted directly to die member ~4 and are not absorbed by pins 90, as is fully described in my above-referenced related applications. A
corresponding pair of com~ression springs 92 bias the cutting members B8 toward their positions adjacent die surface 86, as shown in Figures 12 and . ~
-: ) ~;~2~
13. Fixed die ~ nber B9 also includes a bore 96 extendin9 therethrough, which communicates with bore 117 in an adjusting screw 119 and is configured to acccmmcdate punch 70 and to provide for disposal of the blank 102 of sheet material which is removed by punch 70.
~ or purposes of illustration, the Gpera~ion of apparatus 60 is described herein in connection with the attach~ent of a female fastener to the sheet material, substantially in Gne operation. As will be readily recogni~ed by one skilled in the art, however, the operation of apparatus 60 in connection with the use of a male fastener is similar, with the minor exceptions noted belc~.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an auto~atic fastener feed apparatus 140 for use with forming apparatus 60 in lieu of the retaining springs discussed above. A fastener feed chute 142 serially transports a number of fe~ale fasteners 1~ by qravity or under air pressure to a fastener carrier mechanism 144. A retractible pin 14~, which may be actuated in any suitable manner, holds back the supply of fasteners until the carrier mechanism is cleared.
The carrier mechanis~ 144 includes an opening 150 having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the fastener to ensure proper fastener orientation and alignment with die portion 74 and die ~ember 84 during the forming operation. ~ plurality of balls 152, biased by springs 156, extend partially into cpening 150 to support the fastener until it is engaged by driver member 72. As the fastener is urged downwardly, springs 156 co~press and balls 152 retract, and the fastener is forced through opening 150 to engage sheet material 14, as discussed below.
One skilled in the art will ~eadily recognize that similar apparatus ~ay be employed for auto~atically feeding male fasteners 42 to forming apparatus 60. In such an apparatus, for example, chute 142 would include a longitudinal slot for receiving st~d ~6, thus allc~ing head 44 ~L2~8~55`
~o be transport~d in a nanner similar b~ that sh~wn in the drawings fs~
fastener 12. Carrier mechanism 144 would also include a corresponding vertical slot to provide clearance for stud 46 at the junction with chute 142.
Referring p~ma2ily t~ Figures ~2 and 13, the OQeration of apparatus 60 is as follows. Sheet material }4 is po6itioned over anvil assembly 64 so that the area in which the fastener assembly is to be formed lies ~irectly belo~ punch assembly 62~ Fastener 12 is loaded onto driver member 72, with punch 70 e~tendin~ ~hrough hole 32 if opening 30 is desired. Ihe 1ioaaing of fastener 12 on apparatus 60 may be acc m plished manually, as shown i~ Fi~ure 12, or b~ ~eans of an automatic feed ~echanism, such as ~hat ill~strated in Fig~res lO and 11.
Ra~ 66 is then f~rther aet~ea to drive punch ~se~ly 62 downwardly, where~y F~ 70 ~or~s openin~ 3~ and die portion 74 forcibly presses fastener 12 against sheet ~ateria1 14 (after keeper me~ber 68 has moved int~ an abutting relationship ~ith driver member 72). If an opening havin~ a la~ger d~ametex than ~he inside dia~eter of threaded hole 32 is desi~ed, it may be pre-formed in the sheet material. Blank 102, resulting from the forming of open~ng 30, drops into bore 96 for disposal. Thereafter, die portion 74 presses fastener 12 against the sheet material 14 with sufficient force that the leading edges or corners of ~he opposite sides lE coact with the inner edges of ~ie blades 88 to cause the sheet ~aterial to be sheared or lanced along sides 18. Ibe fastener continues to be forced through the sheet material to offset support strap 16 in abutting and oonforming engage~ent with the face of the fastener.
Once sup~ort strap 16 contacts shoulders 85 on die mr~ber 84, both fastener 12 and support strap 16 are further deformed between shoulders 75 and 85 tD cause the material of fastener 12 to begin to flcw outwardly, forming protrusions 22 which interlockingly engage edges _ g _ , . .
.
,: .
20 of the sheet ~aterial. As prot~usions Z2 are formed, cutting members 88 are pivoted outwardly as shown in Figur~ 13. Continued deformation of support strap 16 and fastener 12 also causes edges 20 to bend toward die m~mber B4 to form the flared lips 21 shown in ~igures 2 and 5. ~ portion of support strap 16 is al50 deformed to interlock with the ~ides 18 as a result of the abo~ deformation.
Driver member 72 restrains the fastener as the punch 7~ retrac$s, thereby aidinq in the stripping of punch 70 from hole 32. As punch assembly 62 continues to retract, driver ~ er 7~ is raised s~ tha~ the sheet material may be removed.
m e apparatus for attaching fastener 42 to the sheet ~aterial is similar to that described above. ~ecause stua 46 p~otrudes frQ~ head 44, however, opening 3D in support strap 16 is preferably pre-punched so that stud 46 may be inserted therein, and faste~er asse~b1y 4Q IS ~hen formed as described above. If, however, fastene~ 42 is tD be oriented wit~ stud 46 protruding away fro~ support strap 16, pre-punching would not be required.
The sheet material may be embossed in an area surrounding the fastener, if desired, to create a flush, generally coplanar relationship between the sheet material and a faoe of the fastener. Such e~bossing may be performed prior to securing the fastener to the sheet material or simultaneously therewith by F~ans of specially formed die surfaces.
The foregoing disc~ssion and the acco~panying drawinqs disclose, illustrate and describe merely exemplary methods and ~rbodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize froQ
such discussion and drawings that various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departin~ from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims~
Claims (16)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An assembly comprising: a fastener, sheet material;
a strap formed out of said sheet material and integral with the remainder of said sheet material, said strap engaging a first surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a first direction, and a portion of. the remainder of said sheet material securingly engaging a second surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, said fastener thereby being secured to said sheet material.
a strap formed out of said sheet material and integral with the remainder of said sheet material, said strap engaging a first surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a first direction, and a portion of. the remainder of said sheet material securingly engaging a second surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, said fastener thereby being secured to said sheet material.
2. An assembly comprising: a fastener; sheet material;
a strap formed out of said sheet material and integral with a portion of the remainder of said sheet material, said strap engaging a first surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a first direction; and at least one lip formed integrally out of said sheet material in an offset relationship relative to said strap, said lip engaging a second surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said strap in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, said fastener thereby being secured to said sheet material.
a strap formed out of said sheet material and integral with a portion of the remainder of said sheet material, said strap engaging a first surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said sheet material in a first direction; and at least one lip formed integrally out of said sheet material in an offset relationship relative to said strap, said lip engaging a second surface of said fastener in order to restrain said fastener from movement relative to said strap in a second direction generally opposite said first direction, said fastener thereby being secured to said sheet material.
3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said strap is offset relative to the remainder of said sheet material.
4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said strap engages a face of said fastener and said lip engages a side of said fastener.
5. A method of securing a fastener to sheet material utilizing a number of relatively movable die means, said fastener having at least two opposite sides, each of said sides having an edge thereon, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) positioning said fastener and said sheet material between said relatively movable die means;
(b) forcibly moving said relatively movable die means toward one another;
(c) forcibly urging said fastener into said sheet material as said die means are moved relatively toward one another so that said die means and said edges of said fastener coact to forcibly deform a first portion of said sheet material in order to form an integral support strap in an offset position relative to the remainder of said sheet material; and (d) forcibly urging a second portion of said sheet material and said sides of said fastener into a securing engagement with one another as said die means are moved relatively toward one another.
(a) positioning said fastener and said sheet material between said relatively movable die means;
(b) forcibly moving said relatively movable die means toward one another;
(c) forcibly urging said fastener into said sheet material as said die means are moved relatively toward one another so that said die means and said edges of said fastener coact to forcibly deform a first portion of said sheet material in order to form an integral support strap in an offset position relative to the remainder of said sheet material; and (d) forcibly urging a second portion of said sheet material and said sides of said fastener into a securing engagement with one another as said die means are moved relatively toward one another.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said second portion of said sheet material and said sides of said fastener are forcibly urged into a mechanically interlocking engagement with one another as said die means are moved relatively toward one another.
7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of deforming a portion of said support strap into an overlying engagement with at least a portion of said fastener as said fastener is forcibly urged into said sheet material.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein said fastener includes a threaded aperture extending therethrough, said method further comprising the step of forming an opening in said support strap, said opening corresponding to, and communicating with, said threaded aperture.
9. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of embossing a portion of said sheet material around said fastener.
10. The method of claim 51 wherein said fastener includes a stud portion protruding therefrom, said method further comprising the steps of forming an opening in said sheet material and inserting said stud portion therethrough.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of embossing a portion of said sheet material around said fastener.
12. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said strap is offset relative to the remainder of said sheet material.
13. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said strap engages a face of said fastener, and wherein at least a portion of said remainder of said sheet material securely engages a side of said fastener.
14. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said fastener is deformed into engagement with at least a portion of said remainder of said sheet material.
15. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said remainder of said sheet material is deformed into engagement with at least a portion of said fastener.
16. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said fastenr and at least a portion of said remainder of said sheet material are both deformed into engagement with one another.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000486187A CA1243519A (en) | 1982-04-30 | 1985-06-28 | Self-attaching fastener and method of securing same to sheet material |
| CA000486188A CA1215221A (en) | 1982-04-30 | 1985-06-28 | Apparatus for manufacturing self-attaching fastener |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US37362182A | 1982-04-30 | 1982-04-30 | |
| US373,621 | 1982-04-30 |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000486188A Division CA1215221A (en) | 1982-04-30 | 1985-06-28 | Apparatus for manufacturing self-attaching fastener |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1228255A true CA1228255A (en) | 1987-10-20 |
Family
ID=23473162
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000424638A Expired CA1228255A (en) | 1982-04-30 | 1983-03-28 | Self-attaching fastener and method of securing same to sheet material |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (2) | JPH0228005B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1228255A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3314487A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2119683B (en) |
| MX (2) | MX172561B (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4610072A (en) * | 1983-12-21 | 1986-09-09 | Multifastener Corporation | Method of installing a fastener to a panel |
| US4555838A (en) * | 1983-03-28 | 1985-12-03 | Multifastener Corp. | Method of installing self-attaching fasteners |
| DE3404118A1 (en) * | 1984-02-07 | 1985-08-14 | Profil-Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co Kg, 6382 Friedrichsdorf | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A NUT TO A PLATE-SHAPED WORKPIECE |
| DE4215715C2 (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1995-02-16 | Telair Int Cargo Sys Gmbh | Bearing bush |
| US6004087A (en) * | 1995-08-18 | 1999-12-21 | Profil-Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Self-attaching fastener |
| US5882159A (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1999-03-16 | Profil Verbindungstechnik, Gmbh & Co. | Element, method of attaching the element to a plate-like component, component assembly and die button |
| DE19530466A1 (en) * | 1995-08-18 | 1997-02-20 | Profil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh | Hollow body element, die for use with the hollow body element, method for attaching the hollow body element to a plate-shaped component and assembly part |
| US6146072A (en) * | 1995-08-18 | 2000-11-14 | Profil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Press form element, method of installation and assembly |
| US6257814B1 (en) | 1995-08-18 | 2001-07-10 | Profil Verbindungstechnik & Co. | Self-attaching fastener, method of forming same and method of attachment |
| DE19535537A1 (en) * | 1995-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | Profil Verbindungstechnik Gmbh | Bolt element, method for inserting the same, assembly part and rivet die |
| DE19612619C2 (en) * | 1996-03-29 | 2001-07-26 | Hecralmat Schaan Fa | Process for producing a hole reinforcement in a sheet by means of a disc, and hole reinforcement |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB664979A (en) * | 1948-08-28 | 1952-01-16 | Svenska Flaektfabriken Ab | An improved method for fastening the end of a work-piece to the surface of a sheet metal plate |
| US3439723A (en) * | 1962-03-14 | 1969-04-22 | Multifastener Corp | Nut-panel assembly |
| US3469613A (en) * | 1967-12-19 | 1969-09-30 | Multifastener Corp | Nut-panel assembly and method of making same |
| JPS5840047B2 (en) * | 1980-01-29 | 1983-09-02 | 有限会社 新城製作所 | Natsuto. panel assembly |
-
1983
- 1983-03-28 CA CA000424638A patent/CA1228255A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-04-15 GB GB08310284A patent/GB2119683B/en not_active Expired
- 1983-04-20 MX MX1676583A patent/MX172561B/en unknown
- 1983-04-20 MX MX19698283A patent/MX159994A/en unknown
- 1983-04-21 DE DE19833314487 patent/DE3314487A1/en active Granted
- 1983-04-22 JP JP7204083A patent/JPH0228005B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1988
- 1988-03-30 JP JP7795888A patent/JPS63266206A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2119683B (en) | 1986-02-05 |
| JPH0228005B2 (en) | 1990-06-21 |
| MX172561B (en) | 1994-01-03 |
| DE3314487A1 (en) | 1983-11-17 |
| DE3314487C2 (en) | 1987-09-03 |
| GB2119683A (en) | 1983-11-23 |
| GB8310284D0 (en) | 1983-05-18 |
| JPS58217813A (en) | 1983-12-17 |
| MX159994A (en) | 1989-10-23 |
| JPS63266206A (en) | 1988-11-02 |
| JPH0423130B2 (en) | 1992-04-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |