Self-attaching fastener
US6997659B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 29, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49947
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The self-attaching female fastener of this invention includes a re-entrant groove having a V-shaped bottom wall including relatively inclined bottom faces of equal width having an arcuate apex centered beneath the restricted opening to the groove. A die drives a panel portion through the restricted groove opening against the bottom faces, driving the panel portion into the apex and inwardly beneath the inclined inner side wall and outwardly beneath the inclined outer side wall of the groove, resulting in a better installation and accommodating a wider range of panel thicknesses. The V-shaped bottom wall also centers and balances the rolls during the rolling process resulting in a more accurate cross-section of the fastener.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.