Self-drilling blind rivet and method for making a pressure tight riveted joint by means of the same
AssigneeLindab AB
InventorsCarl-Gustaf Sonden, Kenneth Lennartsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A self-drilling blind rivet includes a deformable sleeve and a shaft having a drill bit at one end. The shaft extends through the sleeve and the drill bit is connected to one end of the sleeve. The shaft and sleeve are rotatable as a unit. A method for making a riveted joint with a self-drilling blind rivet includes the steps of passing the drill bit through a work piece and pulling the drill bit entirely within the sleeve so that the drill bit does not extend beyond the end of the sleeve to which it is connected. Thus, the diameter of a portion of the sleeve in increased and the riveted joint is rendered pressure tight.
Claims12
A self-drilling blind rivet, comprising:
- (a) a deformable sleeve having a first end and a second end, said first end having a flange;
- (b) a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end extending beyond said flange, said second end having a drill bit extending from said second end of said sleeve, and a region of weakened tensile strength between said first end of said shaft and said second end of said shaft, said region of weakened tensile strength dividing said shaft into a first portion and a second portion;
- (c) said shaft extending through said sleeve with such a fit that said sleeve, said shaft and its drill bit constitute a unit which is rotatable;
- and
- (d) said drill bit being permanently connected to said second end of said sleeve.
A method for making a riveted joint with a self-drilling blind rivet comprising a sleeve and a shaft extending therethrough, said sleeve having a first end including a flange and a second end opposite said first end, said shaft having a first end extending beyond said flange and a second end including a drill bit proximate said second end of said sleeve, and a region of weakened tensile strength between said first end of said shaft and said second end of said shaft, that divides said shaft into a first portion and a second portion;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) abutting said drill bit of said blind rivet against a work piece;
- (b) rotating said blind rivet and passing said drill bit through said work piece until said flange abuts against said work piece;
- (c) pulling said drill bit entirely within said sleeve so that said drill bit does not extend beyond said second end of said sleeve, said drill bit being permanently connected to said sleeve and deforming said sleeve by increasing the diameter of a portion of said sleeve, thereby making said riveted joint pressure tight;
- and
- (d) applying tension to said shaft until said first portion of said shaft separates from said second portion of said shaft at said region of weakened tensile strength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.