Method of installing a fastener
AssigneeFabriSteel Products, Inc.
InventorsStanley E. Wojciechowski, Michael J. McShane
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stud for installation in a host panel and for fastening a component to the host panel includes at least one shaft having a longitudinal axis. An annular flange extends radially from the shaft at a substantially right angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. A shoulder for engagement with the host panel has a top adjacent to the shaft and a base adjacent to the flange. The shoulder extends radially from the shaft wherein the shoulder and the flange define an undercut therebetween at the base of the shoulder such that a diameter of the shoulder is smaller at the base than at the top. At least one anti-rotation tab is located intermediate between the shoulder top and the flange, and is aligned for engagement with the host panel.
Claims5
A method for installing a fastener including a shank portion in a host panel aperture wherein the fastener has an annular flange with anti-rotation tabs and further has a shoulder with a crown and a face with a back angled portion surrounding said shank portion, said method comprising the steps:
- supporting one end of said fastener and said flange with an installation fixture;
- receiving said shoulder of said fastener through an aperture in said panel;
- placing an installation punch over an opposite end of said fastener wherein the installation punch has a face portion bearing on said shoulder crown and an annular protrusion bearing on said panel area proximate to said panel aperture receiving said fastener shoulder;
- applying force to the punch in a direction toward the installation fixture;
- deforming the panel material around the anti-rotation tabs;
- flowing the panel material defining the panel aperture into said back angled portion;
- and
- deflecting said shoulder crown radially outward to engage said panel at the periphery of the panel aperture.
A method of installing a fastener in a host panel, said fastener including a shank portion, a shoulder portion having an annular outer crown portion integral with and surrounding said shank portion, and a flange portion integral with and surrounding said shoulder portion having a diameter greater than said shoulder portion including a bearing face having anti-rotation tabs projecting from said bearing face, said method comprising the following steps:
- forming an opening in said panel having a diameter greater than said shoulder portion, but less than said flange portion;
- disposing said shank portion and said shoulder portion through said opening in said panel and receiving said flange portion against one face of said panel;
- driving an annular punch including an annular protrusion against an opposed face of said panel adjacent said panel opening, thereby
- deforming said panel around said anti-rotation tabs;
- deforming said panel adjacent said panel opening against an outer surface of said shoulder;
- and
- deflecting said shoulder crown radially outwardly to engage said panel at a periphery of said panel opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.