| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for interlocking at least one first tube (10) having a first diametric spacing between opposite points of the tube wall with a seco nd tube (4) having a second diametric spacing between opposite points of the tu be wall which is larger than the first diametric spacing. The first tube is loaded over a mandrel (50) having a punching end (54), and disposed into a holding block (30) having a holding cavity (32) conforming closely to the outer surface of the first tube. The second tube is disposed over a receivin g block (40), which has a receiving cavity conforming closely to the outer surface of the first tube. The punching end of the mandrel is driven through the second tube and into the cavity in the receiving block, followed by the first tube. When the first tube reaches a lower limit of the receiving cavit y, the first tube is compressed axially. The mandrel supports the interior of t he first tube, the holding cavity prevents the trailing portion of the first tu be from swelling outwardly, and the receiving cavity prevents the leading porti on of the first tube from swelling outwardly. Thus, the portion of the first tu be disposed inside the second tubular member swells under the axial compressive force, permanently interlocking the first tube with the second tube. The punching steps can be separated from the remaining steps of the method of th e invention, or the second tube can be pre-punched. In further embodiments the method and apparatus of the invention can create a clinched interlock and/or a 'T'-shaped interlocked assembly.
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