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US 2026/0029016 A1Published application
Leak-resistant clinch fastener
OwnerIan Burkeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clinch fastener has material displacing features which create a lengthened leak path boundary between the fastener and an attached panel which can be a potential leak path of fluid from one side of the panel to the other. The material displacing features include a dimpled peripheral rim which displaces material of the attached panel along the perimeter of the fastener and lengthens the leak path. An increased installation pressing speed using these structures creates trapped compressed pockets of air above atmospheric pressure between the fastener and the panel providing additional leak resistance.
Claims10
A clinch fastener, Comprising:
- a body having top and bottom ends with a cylindrical shank at the top;
- a displacer bead defining the bottom end of the fastener;
- a radial undercut located immediately above the displacer bead;
- a displacer ring located immediately above the undercut and extending radially from the undercut;
- a flange located immediately above the displacer ring having a planar inner portion extending from the top of the ring;
- a peripheral rim being the greatest diameter of the fastener and extending downward from said inner portion of the flange to a distal edge;
- a shank extending upwardly from the flange having a distal end defining the top end of the fastener;
- and
- wherein the rim has a circular edge adapted and constructed to penetrate and displace material of a receiving panel into which the fastener is pressed.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.