SPLINED FASTENER

摘要

A splined pierce fastener of the present invention engages a plastically deformable panel having an aperture formed therein. A pilot portion of the splined pierce fastener defines an annular outer wall and includes a distal end and a proximal end. A flange portion of the splined pierce fastener surrounds the distal end of the pilot portion and defines an annular groove generally surrounding the pilot portion. An annular outer wall of the pilot portion defines a splined surface with abutting ribs each defining an apex spaced from the annular outer wall. A lead in wall forms a transitional surface from the apex of each spline to the distal end of the pilot portion for directing the pilot portion into the aperture disposed in the plastically deformable panel.