| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a clinch joiner (1) for clinch joining ductile layers of material (7,8), such as metal sheets, and in particular to and a joiner including a die (4) and a punch (2). The die comprises: a die anvil (44) with a body portion (48) and an anvil surface (46); at least two die blades (56) that extend transverse to the anvil surface (46) to form a die aperture (57), the separation between the blades (56) defining a die aperture width and the extension of the die blades above the anvil surface (46) defining a die aperture depth; at least one pivot recess (68) in the body portion (48); a protrusion (58) on each of the die blades (56) that is seated in a matching pivot recess (68) to form a pivot joint by which each die blade (56) may pivot to constrict and dilate the die aperture (57); at least one biasing member (70) by which the die blades (56) are biased to constrict the die aperture (57); and a die shield (14) that limits the extent by which the die blades (56) may pivot to dilate the die aperture (57). The pivot joints (58,68) extend underneath the anvil surface (46) so that when the die aperture (57) is dilated the depth of the die aperture is decreased. <IMAGE> |
