Rivets and methods for their production and use

摘要

There is provided self piercing rivet comprising a substantially planar metal body portion (160) having deformable tabs (161) symmetrically disposed about a slit (162) as per the first embodiment. The upper portion of the body portion (160) is provided with a V-shaped recess (163) diverging from a point (164) adjacent the centreline of the body portion (160) and terminating at the upper edge (165) of the body portion (160). The V-shaped recess (163) divides the upper portion of the body portion (160) into head tabs (166) disposed to each side of the body portion (160). The upper remaining edges of the head tabs (166) enable the rivet to be partially driven and then set by deformation of the deformable tabs (161) and the head tabs (166) against respective sides of the riveted workpiece. Methods of producing the rivets and tools for their use are also provided.