# US 9,371,851 B2 · Method of forming joint for interconnecting adjacent elements and joint formed thereby

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- Number: US 9,371,851 B2
- Document ID: US9371851B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/310,692
- Filed: 2014-06-20
- Published: 2015-07-16
- Granted: 2016-06-21
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-15
- Assignees: Szuba Consulting, Inc.; Value Extraction LLC
- Applicants: Szuba Consulting, Inc.; Value Extraction LLC
- Inventors: Joseph Szuba
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9371851B2

## CPC

- F16B 17/00: Connecting constructional elements or machine parts by a part of or on one member entering a hole in the other {and involving plastic deformation}(riveting F16B19/04)
- F16D 65/00: Parts or details (similar members for clutches F16D13/58)
- F16D 2250/0061: Joining
- F16D 2250/0084: Assembly or disassembly
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- Y10T 29/49908: Joining by deforming
- Y10T 403/4949: Deforming component is inserted section
- F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D)
- F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method of forming a joint for interconnecting adjacent elements comprises providing a first element defining at least one aperture extending from a first edge to a second edge through a thickness of the first element. The method further comprises mating a second element to the first element with the second element overlaying the at least one aperture of the first element at the second edge thereof such that the second element extends through the at least one aperture perpendicular to the first element with an excess portion of the second element extending beyond the first edge of the first element. Finally, the method comprises compressing the excess portion of the second element such that the second element is continuous across the at least one aperture and adjacent the first and second edges of the first element, thereby interlocking the first and second elements and forming the joint.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of forming a joint for interconnecting adjacent elements being subject to divergent forces, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a first element defining at least one aperture extending from a first edge to a second edge through a thickness of the first element;
mating a second element to the first element with the second element overlaying the at least one aperture of the first element at the second edge thereof such that the second element extends through the at least one aperture perpendicular to the first element with an excess portion of the second element extending beyond the first edge of the first element; and
compressing the excess portion of the second element such that the second element is continuous across the at least one aperture and adjacent the first and second edges of the first element, thereby interlocking the first and second elements and forming the joint so that the excess portion becomes substantially coplanar with said second element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of deforming the second element after mating the second element to the first element to form the excess portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method set forth in claim 2 wherein deforming the second element comprises pressing a forming tool into the second element in a direction toward the first edge of the first element for a distance less than the thickness of the first element to partially dispose the forming tool and the second element in the at least one aperture.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method set forth in claim 3 wherein compressing the excess portion is carried out with the forming tool partially disposed in the at least one aperture and wherein removing the forming tool after compressing the excess portion defines a recess in the joint.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method set forth in claim 4 further comprising disposing a strengthening agent in the recess of the joint.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1 wherein providing the first element further comprises forming the at least one aperture into the first element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the first edge of the first element is further defined as a chamfered edge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method as set forth in claim 7 wherein the chamfered edge presents an acute angle relative to an axis of the at least one aperture of the first element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method set forth in claim 7 wherein compressing the excess portion of the second element comprises compressing the excess portion of the second element over and adjacent the chamfered edge of the aperture.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method set forth in claim 9 wherein the joint is flush with the chamfered edge of the first element.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one aperture is further defined as an irregularly shaped aperture.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising disposing a passivating layer between the second element and the first element.