The present invention discloses a fastener assembly having an engaging portion with a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range. The stem includes a solid end most extending portion. A receiving portion is provided with an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between the rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of the stem. Upon forcible passage of the solid end of the fastener past the narrowed rim edge, an intermediate hollowed interior portion of the stem aligning with the narrowed rim edge and exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge in order to anchor the portions together.

The invention provides a composite metal sheet produced by joining two metal sheets together, comprising: a projection formed by cutting the two metal sheets along a cutting line and pressing an area surrounded by the cutting line and a reference line in the two metal sheets, with the two metal sheets overlapping each other, with the reference line remaining uncut, with the cutting line extending from and communicating with both terminals of the reference line while forming a predetermined shape together with the reference line, and with the projection formed at one portion of the area in response to pressure applied to the area; hole generated by forming the projection in the two metal sheets; and a joint disposed between an outer peripheral cutting face of the projection and an inner peripheral cutting face of the hole.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

A process for producing a textured laminate sheet includes a) positioning a substrate material adjacent a barbed face of a metal sheet. The barbed face has a plurality of barbs, and the metal sheet has an opposed face opposite the barbed face. The process further includes b) forcing the metal sheet and the substrate material together to impale the substrate material on the barbs and secure the substrate material and the metal sheet together as a laminate sheet, and c) debossing the opposed face to form a plurality of depressions in the laminate sheet and texture the laminate sheet.

A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

A double ended hand tool created to pick up place and position flatback crystals, gems or other tiny items is disclosed. The tool contains a hollow, conical end which securely encases each crystal allowing the operator to easily position the crystal with no slip. The tool has a first end and a second end coupled by a shaft. The first end has a wax tip which allows the user to pick up crystals or other small items. The second end has a hollow narrow extended portion which allows the users to manipulate the crystal or other small items.

A double ended hand tool created to pick up place and position flatback crystals, gems or other tiny items is disclosed. The tool contains a hollow, conical end which securely encases each crystal allowing the operator to easily position the crystal with no slip. The tool has a first end and a second end coupled by a shaft. The first end has a wax tip which allows the user to pick up crystals or other small items. The second end has a hollow narrow extended portion which allows the users to manipulate the crystal or other small items.

A method of installing a self-piercing rivet (SPR) is provided that includes providing an SPR installation tool with stack-up parameters prior to, during, and/or after insertion of the SPR into at least two adjacent workpieces, adjusting at least one insertion parameter of the SPR installation tool based on the stack-up parameters, and adaptively installing the SPR into the adjacent workpieces.

A method for producing and installing a fastener, including the steps of forming an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range, the stem including a solid end most extending portion, and forming a receiving portion having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between said rim edge being less than a diameter of the stem. Additional steps include pressing the solid end most extending portion of the engaging portion through the inner rim edge of the receiving portion and aligning with the inner rim edge a location of the interiorly hollowed portion of the stem, causing inward collapsing of the aligned location by the rim edge to secure the engaging portion to the receiving portion.