NUT AND PANEL ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME

摘要

A nut and panel assembly useful for pierce, clinch and weld nuts used in automotive applications, wherein the nut bore must be masked or blocked during paint application, including electrodeposition coatings. A generally cylindrical polymeric plug or blocking member is press fitted into the nut bore preferably prior to attaching the nut to the metal panel. Following installation of the nut in the panel, the plug masks the nut bore during the later coating operation. The disclosed plug or blocking member includes an axial configured cavity and the plug may then be removed following coating by threading a bolt having an end protuberance configured to be received in the plug axial cavity into the nut bore. The plug is then retained on the bolt protuberance following removal from the threaded bore.