Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for welding a metal fastener to a metal member

US6624379B1 · kind B1 · utility

14Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 15, 2002
Grant dateSep 23, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 15, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K11/3081
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and apparatus for projection welding a metal fastener (e.g., a nut) to a metal member (e.g., a sheet) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first electrical contact and a locator assembly having a second electrical contact. For welding the fastener to the member, the locator assembly aligns through-holes of the fastener and sheet and a current is passed through protrusions of the fastener. In turn, the protrusions are softened to bond with the member.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.