The invention relates to a functional unit for attachment to a workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part, said functional unit comprising a fastening element having a fastening section for the rotationally fixed fastening of the functional unit to the workpiece and having a head part that adjoins the fastening section in an axial direction and that has a functional section and a head part support surface remote from the fastening section; and a fixing element that can be fixed to the functional section of the head part of the fastening element by means of a rotational movement and that has a fixing element support surface that, in a state of the fixing element installed at the fastening element, faces the head part support surface such that an attachment part can be clamped between the head part support surface and the fixing element support surface.

A stud clip assembly is provided. The stud clip assembly includes a clip having a mounting platform and a retention platform. The mounting platform includes a mounting bore that extends away from the retention platform and that defines a mounting aperture. The mounting aperture includes a threaded portion formed therein and a collar arranged at a first end thereof. The stud clip assembly further includes a fastening element configured to be threaded into the threaded portion of the mounting aperture. The collar is configured to be crimped onto the fastening element.

A coupling bolt or pin, in particular a ball pin, with a coupling head, such as a ball head, and a thread shaft. The thread shaft comprises a thread in a longitudinal portion of the thread shaft, which extends parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the thread shaft. Within the longitudinal portion of the thread a thread inhibition is provided by means of which a frictional connection between the thread and a counter thread engaging therein and being present at a radial inner wall of a thread opening is increasable. A disc-shaped support structure is provided between the coupling pin and the thread, a radial extension of which is adaptable to a diameter of the thread opening so that the coupling pin is supportable against a lateral load with respect to the axis of the coupling pin within the thread opening.

A method of connecting a first component and a second component with the aid of an auxiliary joining part, wherein the auxiliary joining part is formed from a pin and a plate. A position of intended fracture is present between the plate and the pin. The first component, the second component and the auxiliary joining part are brought into a stacked arrangement such that the plate contacts the first component and the pin projects away from the side of the plate remote from the first component. A force is exerted on the pin of the auxiliary joining part in the direction towards the stacked components which leads to a fracture at a position of intended fracture and the pin is used in order to pierce slugs from the stacked components. The end of the pin which is pressed through the second component, and/or a washer which is optionally provided there, is deformed in order to provide a form-locked connection to the second component or to a washer which is provided there. Furthermore, an auxiliary joining part is claimed.

A suspension loop clamp consisting of a blind rivet nut, a metal strip, and a fastener. The blind rivet nut is inserted into the flat strip through a circular hole in the strip. The blind rivet is then plastically deformed by compression axially applied to both ends of the blind rivet nut from an unset condition to a set condition forming a radially outwardly protruding bulge, which serves to bind the blind rivet nut element to the strip. The blind rivet nut bulge and the loop clamp it is attached to are then additionally dented and thus deformed in a radial pattern so as to be zigzag in shape when viewed through a cross section. This stiffens the protruding bulge so as to restrict the blind rivet nut from reverting back to its original shape when a tensile load is applied opposite to the flange of the rivet nut. The strip of sheet metal is then formed longitudinally into a loop clamp which has bends with holes, at each end, through which a fastener is inserted to clamp the loop around a conduit.

A suspension loop clamp consisting of a blind rivet nut, a metal strip, and a fastener. The blind rivet nut is inserted into the flat strip through a circular hole in the strip. The blind rivet is then plastically deformed by compression axially applied to both ends of the blind rivet nut from an unset condition to a set condition forming a radially outwardly protruding bulge, which serves to bind the blind rivet nut element to the strip. The blind rivet nut bulge and the loop clamp it is attached to are then additionally dented and thus deformed in a radial pattern so as to be zigzag in shape when viewed through a cross section. This stiffens the protruding bulge so as to restrict the blind rivet nut from reverting back to its original shape when a tensile load is applied opposite to the flange of the rivet nut. The strip of sheet metal is then formed longitudinally into a loop clamp which has bends with holes, at each end, through which a fastener is inserted to clamp the loop around a conduit.

A fastener for retaining a bolt in a hole in a structure, comprising a bushing integrally formed with and extending from the bottom surface of a retainer, the bushing being dimensioned for insertion into the hole in the structure and having a wall thickness ranging from about 0.005 inches to about 0.030 inches, wherein the bushing is configured to be expanded within the hole, thereby securely coupling the expanded bushing within the hole of the structure and anchoring the retainer to the surface of the structure surrounding the hole. A tool for installing a fastener, comprising a tapered mandrel configured for insertion within a fastener situated within a hole of the structure, a drive mechanism configured to retract the mandrel through the fastener and thereby expand the fastener, and a force sensor configured for measuring a force applied by the drive mechanism to retract the mandrel through the fastener.

An axle assembly and method of assembly. The axle assembly may include a drive pinion and a preload nut. The drive pinion may have a recess. The preload nut may have a deformable ring. The deformable ring may engage the drive pinion inside the recess to inhibit rotation of the preload nut.

The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

Axle mounting unit (1), in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a surrounding element (10), an end element (20), at least one fastening element (30) and a securing device (40), wherein the axle mounting unit (1) is configured for mounting a first chassis part (A), in particular an axle, with a second chassis part (L), in particular a control arm, wherein the surrounding element (10) is configured to be arranged on the first chassis part (A), wherein the end element (20) is configured to be arranged on the second chassis part (L), wherein the surrounding element (10) has at least two legs (12) which each extend in a leg direction (S), wherein the end element (20) extends between the two legs (12) or is configured to extend between the two legs (12), wherein the fastening element (30) braces the end element (20) with the surrounding element (10) or is configured to brace the end element (20) with the surrounding element (10), wherein the securing device (40) is a form-fit securing device and/or is a means for creating a form-fit securing device, wherein the form-fit securing device serves to limit and/or prevent a displacement of the separated part in the leg direction (S) in a positive-locking manner in the event of mechanical failure or the severing of a part of the axle assembly unit (1), in particular a part of the leg (12).