An apparatus and a method for attaching functional elements, e.g. composed of metal, to a component, in particular to a component comprising fiber-reinforced plastic, while using a setting head, wherein the functional element has a contact surface provided with adhesive and wherein the adhesive can be supplied to the setting head in individual depots adapted to the functional elements on a carrier band is characterized in that the functional elements are taken over by a guide device and are each pressable to an adhesive depot and are subsequently guidable with the adhering adhesive depots and separately from the carrier band in the setting head to the setting position in front of a setting die.

Disclosed is a fastener assembly comprising: a bolt member, comprising a bolt head and a shank, at least a part of which is screw threaded; a nut member for threaded engagement with the shank; a first drive element allocated to the bolt member and a second drive element allocated to the nut member, each drive element comprising a body and adapted for engagement by a corresponding tool. The body of the first drive element is joined to the bolt member by a first interposed interlayer structure. The body of the second drive element is joined to the nut member by a second interposed interlayer structure. The first interlayer structure is adapted to fracture in response to relative rotational and/or tensile force applied to the first drive element. The second interlayer structure is adapted to fracture in response to relative rotational and/or tensile force applied to the second drive element.

A method includes forming a cutout in a bamboo pole, the cutout having a non-uniform perimeter, and in which the perimeter increases towards a region of the bamboo pole where fibers of the pole are stronger than other regions of the bamboo pole.

An attachment system may be used for attaching an assembly to a target. The attachment system includes an attachment element adapted to attach to the target. The attachment system also includes a receiver adapted to attach the assembly to the attachment system. A portion of the attachment system is reversibly detachable from the target. The portion of the attachment system is reversibly detachable from the target when the attachment system is attached to the target.

The method of bonding a first object (1) to a second object (2) uses a connector, the connector having a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion (32). The first sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding first attachment portion (33), and the second sheet portion has at least one outwardly protruding second attachment portion (34). The connector (3) further has a spacer between the first and second sheet portions. For bonding, the first and second objects (1, 2) and the connector (3) are positioned relative to each other so that the connector is placed between the first and second objects. Then the first and second objects (1, 2) are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy impinges on the first and/or second object until a first flow portion of thermoplastic material of the first object in contact with the first attachment portion(s) and a second flow portion of thermoplastic material in contact with the second attachment portion(s) become flowable allowing the respective attachment portions (33, 34) to be pressed into material of the first and second object, respectively. After re-solidification of the flow portions, a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects via the connector results. The spacer defines a width (w) of a gap between the first and second objects (1, 2) after bonding.

A vehicle includes a body structure having an occupant compartment, and a frame structure having a chassis. The body structure and the frame structure are fastened together using a plurality of fasteners and an adhesive. To illustrate, the plurality of fasteners may include 20, 50, 70, or more fasteners. The adhesive is arranged at one or more positions along the interface between the body structure to the frame structure. The plurality of fasteners extend beyond the wheel wells, and provide hard mounts between the body structure and frame structure. The adhesive helps to prevent stress concentrations by extending the locations of load transfer between the body structure and the frame structure. Body panels are added before or after the body structure is affixed to the frame structure.

A joined article includes a first component having a laser-treated surface portion and a second component having a laser-treated surface portion. An adhesive joins the first component to the second component at the treated surface portion. A method of making a joined article form components and a system for making joined articles are also disclosed.

An apparatus for securing a side mirror to a vehicle includes an adapter bracket and a solid body secured to the adapter bracket with screws. The adapter bracket has a plurality of first bracket holes in a first hole pattern and a plurality of second bracket holes in a second hole pattern. Each first bracket hole is positioned to align with a threaded hole in an exterior of the vehicle for receiving a screw through a first bracket hole and threadably fastening the screw to the threaded hole to secure the adapter bracket to the vehicle. A solid body has first and second threaded blind holes in a base surface for alignment with the second bracket holes for securing the solid body to the adapter bracket with screws. A third threaded hole in a top surface of the solid body is adapted for threadably securing the side mirror.

A structure (140) for adhering to a surface so as to support a desired weight includes a substrate (110) and a polymer layer (120). The polymer layer (120) is mounted on the substrate (110). A plurality of flaps (142) are drawn from the polymer layer (120). Each of the plurality of flaps (142) have dimensions and a density so that when the plurality of flaps (142) are placed against the surface (400) and when a coherent shear force is applied thereto, the plurality of flaps (142) will adhere to the surface (400) with a strength sufficient to support the desired weight. Each of the plurality of flaps (142) includes a first side (210) and an opposite second side (212). At least one of the first side or the second side is meniscus shaped.

A bonding tool for bonding a first workpiece to a second workpiece on a bonding machine is provided. The bonding tool includes a body portion for bonding the first workpiece to the second workpiece on the bonding machine. The bonding tool also includes a curing system for curing an adhesive provided between the first workpiece and the second workpiece.