Sealing head design for self-penetrating and hole forming fasteners

A thread-forming and hole-forming fastener comprising:

• an elongated shaft extending between a first shaft end and a second shaft end, wherein the elongated shaft includes a tip provided at the first shaft end, wherein the tip is configured and arranged to create a hole by softening material of a workpiece, and a thread region provided between the tip and the second shaft end;
• a head arranged at the second shaft end, wherein the head includes a drive region that is configured and arranged to receive a rotary driving force;
• a plurality of annular undercut areas, including a first annular undercut area provided in an underside surface of the head, wherein the first annular undercut area is configured and arranged to receive material that has flowed from a substrate during installation of the fastener into the substrate, and a second annular undercut area provided in the underside surface of the head, wherein the second annular undercut area is located radially outwardly of the first annular undercut area;
• and
• an annular sealing member provided within the second annular undercut area, wherein the annular sealing member is configured and arranged to make sealing contact with an upper surface of the substrate, and
• wherein the second annular undercut area includes an axially extending annular wall and a radially extending annular wall, with a right angle defined therebetween, when considered in cross-section.

A thread-forming and hole-forming fastener comprising:

• an elongated shaft extending between a first shaft end and a second shaft end, wherein the elongated shaft includes a tip provided at the first shaft end, wherein the tip is configured and arranged to create a hole by softening material of a workpiece, and a thread region provided between the tip and the second shaft end;
• a head arranged at the second shaft end, wherein an upper surface of the head includes a drive region that is configured and arranged to receive a rotary driving force;
• a plurality of annular undercut areas, including a first annular undercut area provided in an underside surface of the head, wherein the first annular undercut area is configured and arranged to receive material that has flowed from a substrate during installation of the fastener into the substrate, and a second annular undercut area provided in the underside surface of the head, wherein the second annular undercut area is located radially outwardly of the first annular undercut area;
• and
• an annular sealing member provided within the second annular undercut area, without extending to the upper surface of the head, and radially outside of the first annular undercut area, wherein the annular sealing member is configured and arranged to make sealing contact with an upper surface of the substrate, and
• wherein the annular sealing member is comprised of soft compressible resin sealant.