# US 11,028,865 B2 · Method of attaching sheets together

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- Number: US 11,028,865 B2
- Document ID: US11028865B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/345,534
- Filed: 2017-12-04
- Published: 2019-10-10
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-12-02
- Assignees: Magna International Inc.
- Applicants: Magna International Inc.; John Richard Potocki; William Andrew Kokosza; Steven Reece Falter
- Inventors: John Richard Potocki; William Andrew Kokosza; Steven Reece Falter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028865B2

## CPC

- F16B 5/04: by means of riveting (rivets F16B19/04)
- B21J 15/02: Riveting procedures
- B21J 15/08: Riveting by applying heat {, e.g.} to the end parts of the rivets to enable heads to be formed {(B21J15/027 takes precedence)}
- B21J 15/10: Riveting machines (electric heating elements H05B)
- B21J 15/147: {Composite articles}
- B21J 15/36: Rivet sets, i.e. tools for forming heads; Mandrels for expanding parts of hollow rivets
- B21J 15/40: for forming rivet heads
- B21J 15/48: Devices for caulking rivets
- F16B 19/06: Solid rivets made in one piece
- B21J 15/025: {Setting self-piercing rivets}
- F16B 11/006: {by gluing (gluing of plastics material B29C65/48)}
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- B21J: FORGING; HAMMERING; PRESSING METAL; RIVETING; FORGE FURNACES (rolling of metal B21B; making particular products by forging or pressing B21K; cladding or plating B23K; finishing surfaces by hammering B23P9/04; compacting surfaces by blasting with particulate material B24C1/10; general features of presses, presses for consolidating scrap B30B; furnaces in general F27)

## Abstract

The method includes the step of positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship. The method continues with the step of inserting a rivet that has a height through an overlapping area of the sheets. The method proceeds with the step of, with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30° Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets. The entire method results in a very strong connection between the sheets and with a great durability at a low cost.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of attaching two or more metal sheets together, comprising the steps of:
positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship;
piercing or drilling a hole through an overlapping area of the sheets;
inserting a rivet that has a height into the hole in the overlapping area of the sheets, the rivet having a pair of end faces and a diameter at an axial midpoint that is greater than at either of the end faces and the diameter at the axial midpoint being similar to a diameter of the hole;
with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30° Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets, each of the ramming surfaces having a spike surrounded by a fully planar area.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of the sheets is made of a different metal than at least one of the other sheets.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rivet is made of a different metal than at least one of the sheets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rivet is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein at least one of the sheets is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, steel or a steel alloy.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein before the step of inserting the rivet into the hole, the rivet has no head or tail.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein before the step of collapsing the rivet, the rivet projects out of the hole on opposite sides of the sheets.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of the ramming surfaces having said spike projecting outwardly therefrom such that the step of collapsing the rivet causes metal of the rivet to plastically deform outwardly whereby a pair of flanges are created in the rivet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rivet is solid throughout.