Thin-Sheet Clinch Fastener

摘要

A unitary metal clinch fastener comprises a top most head and an inwardly tapered shoulder extending axially downwardly from and located immediately below the head. The shoulder has an outwardly-facing angled surface for deforming material of a metal panel into which the fastener is installed. An outwardly-flared shank is located below the shoulder. The shank has an upwardly-facing outer surface adapted to engage an edge of an installation hole in the panel. A neck of reduced diameter is located at a junction of the shank and the shoulder and is adapted to engage the edge of the installation hole to attach the fastener to the panel. The panel installation hole is centered in a conical recessed section of the panel and is convergently-angled downwardly with the edge of the hole abutting the upwardly-facing surface of the shank.

主权项

1. A unitary metal fastener comprising:
a top most head, said head having the largest diameter of the fastener; a shoulder extending axially downward from said head, said shoulder having an outwardly-facing, inwardly-converging angled surface for displacing material of a metal panel into which said fastener is installed; an outwardly-flared shank located below the shoulder, said shank having an upwardly-facing outer surface adapted to engage an edge of a installation hole in the panel material deformed by said shoulder; and, a neck of reduced diameter located at a junction of said shank and said shoulder, said neck adapted to accept the installation hole edge of the panel such that the fastener is attached to the panel thereby.