A fastener structure and an assembling method thereof are introduced. The fastener structure includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably connected to the head portion and includes a connecting section for assembling to an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a material retaining section and can be further connected to an object. Partial material of the object would move or flow into the material retaining section when the intermediate member is forcefully pressed against the object, so that the intermediate member and the object are connected together. Since the body portion can be assembled to the intermediate member and the intermediate member can be further connected to an object, and the fastener structure can be fastened to and released from a target object, at least two objects can be repeatedly and quickly connected to and disconnect from one another using the fastener structure.

A fastener structure and an assembling method thereof are introduced. The fastener structure includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably connected to the head portion and includes a connecting section for assembling to an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a material retaining section and can be further connected to an object. Partial material of the object would move or flow into the material retaining section when the intermediate member is forcefully pressed against the object, so that the intermediate member and the object are connected together. Since the body portion can be assembled to the intermediate member and the intermediate member can be further connected to an object, and the fastener structure can be fastened to and released from a target object, at least two objects can be repeatedly and quickly connected to and disconnect from one another using the fastener structure.

There is provided an automated rivet apparatus for installing a semi-tubular fastener rivet. The apparatus includes a numerical control (NC) drilling and riveting machine and a controller. The NC drilling and riveting machine includes a lower head having a lower pressure bushing, a lower drill spindle, and a lower anvil to apply an upset force to a tail portion of the semi-tubular fastener rivet. The NC drilling and riveting machine further includes an upper head having an upper pressure bushing, an upper drill spindle, and an upper anvil that holds the semi-tubular fastener rivet to insert the semi-tubular fastener rivet in a rivet-receiving hole. The lower drill spindle countersinks the rivet-receiving hole from a lower side of a workpiece. The controller directs movement of a nose of the lower anvil to apply the upset force and form a predetermined flare contour in the tail portion within a lower countersink.

A fastener structure and an assembling method thereof are introduced. The fastener structure includes a head portion and a body portion. The body portion is movably connected to the head portion and includes a connecting section for assembling to an intermediate member. The intermediate member includes a material retaining section and can be further connected to an object. Partial material of the object would move or flow into the material retaining section when the intermediate member is forcefully pressed against the object, so that the intermediate member and the object are connected together. Since the body portion can be assembled to the intermediate member and the intermediate member can be further connected to an object, and the fastener structure can be fastened to and released from a target object, at least two objects can be repeatedly and quickly connected to and disconnect from one another using the fastener structure.

A wire mesh rivet (13) is provided which is used to produce a wire mesh isolator (11) in a bore (9) of a substrate such as a heat shield (7) for a vehicle exhaust system. The rivet (13) comprises a unitary wire mesh structure (19) which has a collar (15) and a shank (17). The collar (15) has a higher density than the shank (17), e.g., the collar (15) has the density of the finished isolator (11). The rivet (13) is formed into the finished isolator (11) by compressing the shank (17) to form a second collar, while restraining the original collar (15) from substantially changing its shape. The rivet (13) can include a metal insert (23) which prevents the wire mesh of the finished isolator (11) from experiencing high levels of compression when the substrate is fastened to its supporting structure. The rivets (13) can be carried by a dispensing strip (31) and can be formed into the finished isolator (11) using forming equipment (39) whose dimensions are compatible with the limited space available with some substrates.

A wire mesh rivet (13) is provided which is used to produce a wire mesh isolator (11) in a bore (9) of a substrate such as a heat shield (7) for a vehicle exhaust system. The rivet (13) comprises a unitary wire mesh structure (19) which has a collar (15) and a shank (17). The collar (15) has a higher density than the shank (17), e.g., the collar (15) has the density of the finished isolator (11). The rivet (13) is formed into the finished isolator (11) by compressing the shank (17) to form a second collar, while restraining the original collar (15) from substantially changing its shape. The rivet (13) can include a metal insert (23) which prevents the wire mesh of the finished isolator (11) from experiencing high levels of compression when the substrate is fastened to its supporting structure. The rivets (13) can be carried by a dispensing strip (31) and can be formed into the finished isolator (11) using forming equipment (39) whose dimensions are compatible with the limited space available with some substrates.

The invention relates to a method of fastening a rivet element to a workpiece which has a preshaped hole provided for the reception of a rivet section of the rivet element and which is made planar at least in the region around the preshaped hole. Prior to the fastening process, the workpiece is positioned at a well-defined spacing from a contact surface of a die by means of at least one spacer which is fixedly connected to the die for the reshaping of the rivet section during the fastening process, so that a gap is formed between a wall of the hole and a punch of the die, which is provided for the reshaping of the rivet section. The rivet section is introduced into the gap in the course of the fastening process and is reshaped by the punch in order to engage behind the workpiece in the region of the hole.

A tamper proof locking mechanism incorporating a first fixture for attachment to an index protective cover, a second fixture for attachment to an instrument, and a third fixture for connecting the first fixture to the second fixture. The first fixture may have a receptacle, the second fixture may have a plate with an opening, and the third fixture may have a protrusive structure that fits into the receptacle of the first fixture and into the opening in the plate to connect the first fixture to the second fixture. The protrusive structure may have a rivet that is partially embedded with a plastic-like material that reveals tampering when an attempt is made to break a connection between the first fixture and the second fixture.

A method of manufacturing a joint structure, includes: setting a shaft in a pre-fixed state in which the shaft is not fixed to a fixed part while the shaft is inserted into a through hole formed through a movable part, and a distal end of the shaft is inserted into a through hole formed through the fixed part; inserting a punch into an opening of a counterbore while swinging the punch; pressing, by lowering the punch while swinging the punch in the counterbore, sides of the punch alternately against sides of an inner curved surface of the counterbore according to the swinging of the punch; and fixing the shaft to the fixed part by enlarging an inner diameter of the counterbore to make the distal end of the shaft be closely in contact with the inner curved surface of the through hole of the fixed part.

A die for attaching a washer to a grommet to create a grommet-washer assembly for use in a system for opening and closing window treatments is described. The die includes a top die and a bottom die. The grommet is placed onto a top surface of the bottom die, and the washer is placed on top of the grommet. When the press is actuated, the top and bottom dies press together to attach the washer to the grommet. A system and methods are also described that features the die and a press on which the top die and the bottom die are installed so that the combined grommet-washer assembly is creatable when the press is actuated to attach the washer to the grommet. The grommet-washer assembly does not rotate when used with a system for opening and closing window treatments.