Rivet fastener assembly and method of use thereof

A rivet fastener assembly configured to securely clamp together one or more components, the rivet fastener assembly comprising:

• a pin including a longitudinal shaft having a first diameter, a ledge having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, a bulbous rim having a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter, and a head with a circumferential lip having a fourth diameter that is greater than the third diameter;
• and
• a rivet body including a collar having an outer surface, a column that extends from an inner surface of the collar to a lowermost edge of the column, and an internal passage defined through the collar and the column, and
• wherein the collar comprises a collar stop with a diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the pin and less than the second diameter of the pin,
• wherein the column comprises a first set of legs with a first set of radial gaps therebetween, each first leg in the first set of legs comprising a set of linear beams and an intermediate section positioned therebetween, wherein each intermediate section comprises at least one feature selected from the group consisting of (i) a bulge that extends radially outward, (ii) a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the linear beams, and (iii) a width that is less than a width of the linear beams, and wherein the first set of legs are configured to fold and directly contact the one or more components when folded,
• and a second set of legs with a second set of radial gaps therebetween, each second leg in the second set of legs comprising a set of linear beams and an intermediate section positioned therebetween, wherein each intermediate section comprises at least one feature selected from the group consisting of (i) a bulge that extends radially outward, (ii) a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the linear beams, and (iii) a width that is less than a width of the linear beams, and wherein the first set of legs are configured to fold and reinforce the first set of legs when folded,
• wherein the intermediate sections of the first set of legs are more flexible than the intermediate sections of the second set of legs, and
• wherein the pin is configured such that the bulbous rim pre-flexes the first and second sets of legs and a bottom surface of the circumferential lip contacts the lowermost edge of the column.

A rivet fastener assembly configured to securely clamp together one or more components, the rivet fastener assembly comprising:

• a pin including a longitudinal shaft having a first diameter, a ledge and a securing section each having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter, a bulbous rim having a third diameter that is greater than the second diameter, and a head with a circumferential lip having a fourth diameter that is greater than the third diameter;
• and
• a rivet body including a collar having an outer surface, a column that extends from an inner surface of the collar to a lowermost edge of the column, and an internal passage defined through the collar and the column, and
• wherein the collar comprises:
• (i) a collar stop comprising an annular groove defined between an outer wall and a flexible interior wall and surrounding an annular wall that extends radially inward from the interior wall, with the annular wall including an interior stop surface and defining an opening having a diameter that is greater than the first diameter of the pin and less than the second diameter of the pin,
• (ii) a reciprocal securing section that is positioned proximate the collar stop and comprising a plurality of internal annular grooves configured to reversibly interlock with the securing section of the pin,
• wherein the column comprises a first set of legs with a first set of radial gaps therebetween, each first leg in the first set of legs comprising a set of linear beams and an intermediate section positioned therebetween, wherein each intermediate section comprises at least one feature selected from the group consisting of (i) a bulge that extends radially outward, (ii) a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the linear beams, and (iii) a width that is less than a width of the linear beams, and wherein the first set of legs are configured to fold and directly contact the one or more components when folded,
• and a second set of legs with a second set of radial gaps therebetween, each second leg in the second set of legs comprising a set of linear beams and an intermediate section positioned therebetween, wherein each intermediate section comprises at least one feature selected from the group consisting of (i) a bulge that extends radially outward, (ii) a cross-sectional thickness that is less than a cross-sectional thickness of the linear beams, and (iii) a width that is less than a width of the linear beams, and wherein the first set of legs are configured to fold and reinforce the first set of legs when folded,
• wherein the intermediate sections of the first set of legs are more flexible than the intermediate sections of the second set of legs, and
• wherein the pin is configured such that the bulbous rim pre-flexes the first and second sets of legs and a bottom surface of the circumferential lip contacts the lowermost edge of the column.