A rivet structure includes a female rivet plate and a male rivet plate. The female rivet plate defines an elongated countersunk hole. A size of the countersunk hole increases from a first side of the female rivet plate to a second side of the female rivet plate. The male rivet plate includes a rivet including a shaft portion and two head portions. The shaft portion extends from the male rivet plate. The two head portions are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the shaft portion on a side of the shaft portion facing away from the male rivet plate. The two head portions extend through the countersunk hole from the first side of the female rivet plate to the second side of the female rivet plate. The two head portions are configured to be stamped by a stamping member to fill in the countersunk hole.

A profile assembly having a first profile and having a second profile connected on its long side to the first profile, which two profiles each have a hook strip integrally formed on the long side, wherein the hook projection of the hook strip of the first profile points in the one direction, and the hook projection of the hook strip of the second profile points in the opposite direction, the hook strips brought into engagement with one another in a claw-like manner. The first profile has an anchoring channel following its longitudinal extent, and the hook strip of the second profile has a clamping strip which is integrally formed thereon, which hook strip is secured by its hook projection and its clamping strip in the anchoring channel of the other profile by a cold joining connection. In order to produce the cold joining connection, one of the two hook strips comprises an adjusting strip which is formed by the cold joining process and which is supported in the produced profile assembly by its free end face while being under prestress. The hook strip secured in the anchoring channel is placed under prestress within the anchoring channel, at two points situated opposite one another in the direction of the height of the profile assembly, with respect to the adjoining portions of the first profile as a result of the cold joining connection.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

Embodiments of connectors for joining metal sheets, and methods of using the same, are described.

A method is provided for producing a common connecting opening in two components, at least one of which is made from a plastically deformable material. In the method, at least the edge region of a first prefabricated opening of the first component is softened in order subsequently to introduce a mandrel which displaces the material softened by the heating so that a common connecting opening having a predetermined diameter is obtained.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for mounting hardware to a surface of a structure. The apparatus includes a main body with an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge. The apparatus also includes a distal pad with an upper and a lower planar surface, the distal pad being attached to the main body by at least two torsional joints. The apparatus also includes an attachment device with a contact surface, the attachment device is mounted to at least one of the planar surfaces. The contact surface is for engagement with the surface of the structure. The at least two torsional joints and distal pad may be manually rotated to achieve maximal surficial contact between the surface of the structure and the contact surface of the attachment device.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

A panel assembly including a main panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a first tab, a second tab, and an extension. The first tab defines a planar notch into which the extension is positioned to restrict movement of the first side panel and the second side panel.

This invention concerns a method of joining metal sheets, comprising the following operating0 steps: a) providing a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet intended to be joined together in the vicinity of a first and a second straight edge, respectively; b) bending said first metal sheet parallel to said first edge so as to obtain a first edge flap; c) bending into a U- or V-shape a portion of said second metal sheet parallel to said second edge to obtain a longitudinal pocket in such a way that between said second edge and said pocket a second edge flap is defined; d) coupling said first metal sheet with said second metal sheet inserting said first flap inside said pocket; e) bending said pocket and the first flap inserted therein against said second flap so as to create an irreversible mechanical joint between the two metal sheets.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for mounting hardware to a surface of a structure. The apparatus includes a main body with an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer edge. The apparatus also includes a distal pad with an upper and a lower planar surface, the distal pad being attached to the main body by at least two torsional joints. The apparatus also includes an attachment device with a contact surface, the attachment device is mounted to at least one of the planar surfaces. The contact surface is for engagement with the surface of the structure. The at least two torsional joints and distal pad may be manually rotated to achieve maximal surficial contact between the surface of the structure and the contact surface of the attachment device.