A riveting system, for use in mechanically linking adjacent workpieces, including a rivet having a height greater than a sum of thicknesses, measured along a line of riveting, of the workpieces being linked, so that the rivet can pass fully through the workpieces. The system also includes a riveting die, which may be a separate product. The die includes a protrusion extending from a peak toward a transition point; and a trough having a trough surface. The trough surface includes a trough inner wall, extending from the transition point to a trough bottom, and a trough outer wall, extending from the trough bottom to a trough outer edge. The technology also includes computerized systems for comparing a load-displacement profile of riveting to a pre-set profile to determine whether the riveting was performed properly.

A drive shaft assembly for a vehicle includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member that is received by the first tubular member defining a coaxial relationship. The first tubular member defines a plurality of protuberances with each of the protuberances defining a side wall and the second tubular member defines a plurality of apertures with each of the apertures defined by a flange circumscribing the aperture and extending radially inwardly of second tubular member. Each aperture receives a protuberance so that the protuberance abuts the sidewalls of the aperture affixing the first tubular member to said second tubular member in a substantially fixed circumferential orientation.

In an example embodiment, the flange 10 has one or more openings 90 for accommodating fasteners 92 for fastening the flange and tubular member (e.g., for fastening the grab bar) to a structure such as a wall, as for example shown in FIG. 6. In example embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, flange covers 94 that extend over the flange 10, so as to cover the flange, may be used. The flange cover may be installed over the tubular member prior to the bucking, or from the opposite end of the tubular member after buckling. As can be understood, if flanges are connected to both ends of the tubular member in accordance with the example embodiment herein, the flange covers must be placed over the tubular member at least prior to the bucking of the second end portion of the tubular member. In an example embodiment, each flange cover has an opening 96 having a diameter larger than the outer surface diameter of the tubular member but smaller than the outer surface diameter of the buckled section of the tubular member. A such, the flange cover can be axially retained by the its corresponding buckled section of the tubular member. If the flange cover opening has a diameter greater than the diameter of the buckled section of the tubular member, the cover will be axially retained by the flange. The flange cover should have an appropriate area to cover its corresponding flange. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flange cover 94 has a radially extending surface 98 from which extends an axially extending surface 100. With this example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the radially extending surface 98 covers the flange 10, while the axially extending surface 100 surrounds the flange 10.

A tubular member and flange combination includes a tubular member having a buckled section proximate an end of the tubular member. A flange is penetrated by an end of the tubular member where an end section of the tubular member is bent over the flange such that the flange is axially retained by the buckled section and the bent end section of the tubular member. A method of forming the tubular member and flange combination includes buckling the tubular member at a location proximate an end of the tubular member forming a buckled section, placing the flange over the tubular member end section such that the tubular member end section penetrates an opening of the flange, and bending an end section of the tubular member to extend over the flange, such that the flange is axially retained by the buckled section and the bent end section of the tubular member.