Blind rivet fastener

Abstract

Blind rivet fastener and method of forming blind rivet fastener. The blind rivet fastener includes a blind rivet sleeve having a set head end with a set head and a shank end, and a stud structured and arranged so that a receiving section projects from the set head end and so that an attachment section projects from the shank end.

Claims

1. A blind rivet fastener comprising: a blind rivet sleeve having a set head end with a set head and a shank end; and a stud being structured and arranged so that a receiving section projects from the set head end and so that an attachment section projects from the shank end, wherein the stud is non-rotatably fastened in the blind rivet sleeve, wherein the receiving section comprises at least one of a receiving/fastening geometry and the attachment section comprises an attachment/fastening geometry, and wherein both the receiving section and also the attachment section comprise a same fastening geometry.

2. A blind rivet fastener comprising: a blind rivet sleeve comprising: a deformable shank section; and a fastening section; a stud comprising: a section disposed inside the blind rivet sleeve; a receiving section that projects from one end of the blind rivet sleeve and comprises an external fastening geometry; and an attachment section that projects from an opposite end of the blind rivet sleeve and comprises an external fastening geometry; and the blind rivet sleeve being axially and rotationally fixed to the stud, wherein the receiving section and the attachment section each have an exposed and external thread.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a blind rivet fastener;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a blind rivet fastener;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a blind rivet fastener, partially in section; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a blind rivet fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied or formed in practice.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a blind rivet fastener 1 with a blind rivet sleeve 2 which comprises a shank 3, a set head end 4 having a set head 5, and a shank end 6.

(8) Furthermore, the blind rivet fastener 1 comprises a stud 7 that, at the set head end 4, projects out of the blind rivet sleeve 2 with a receiving section 8. The receiving section 8 is provided with an external thread 9.

(9) At the shank end 6, the stud 7 projects out of the blind rivet sleeve 2 with an attachment section 10. The attachment section 10 comprises an external thread 11.

(10) In the present exemplary embodiment, the stud 7 has a continuous thread which forms both the external thread 9 on the receiving section 8 and also the external thread 11 on the attachment section 10. The shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2 is pressed onto this thread 9, 11 in a fastening section 12 so that the stud 7 and the blind rivet sleeve 2 are connected to one another by a thread pairing. Thus, the stud 7 could theoretically be screwed out of the blind rivet sleeve 2. To prevent this, a welding point 13 can, for example, be provided in the fastening section 12 so that the stud 7 and the blind rivet sleeve 2 are non-rotatably connected to one another. In place of a welding point 13, it can also be provided that the blind rivet sleeve 2 is clamped to the stud 7, so that a rotation between the stud 7 and the blind rivet sleeve 2 is also not possible in this case.

(11) The external thread 9 forms a receiving/fastening geometry. The external thread 11 on the attachment section 10 forms an attachment/fastening geometry. The two external threads 9, 11 can, as indicated above, be embodied or formed identically. However, they can also be embodied or formed differently. For example, one of the two external threads 9, 11 can be embodied or formed as a metric thread and the other external thread 11, 9 can be embodied or formed as an inch thread. It is also possible to embody one of the two external threads 9, 11 as a course thread and the other external thread 11, 9 as a normal thread or as a fine thread, or threads with different pitches can be used in another manner.

(12) In place of external threads, other fastening geometries can of course be used, for example, a groove arrangement having one or multiple grooves or a projection arrangement having one or multiple projections. The specific type of the embodiment of the fastening geometries depends on the desired purpose of use. In any case, it is expedient if a setting tool can also act on the fastening geometry of the receiving section 8, i.e., in such a manner that the tool can exert a pull on the stud 7 sufficient to form a closing head.

(13) The shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2 can, as illustrated, be knurled. However, it is also possible to embody the shank 3 with a partial hexagon or a full hexagon or another polygonal shape. It is also possible to embody the shank 3 in a round or cylindrical manner. This is particularly advantageous if the fastening geometry is only loaded by tension or pressure and if no rotation is necessary to fasten objects, against which rotation the stud would need to be secured. With a round shank shape, the cost to produce the receiving opening for the blind rivet fastener 1 is relatively low.

(14) The closing head 5 can be embodied or formed as a flat head, as a small head or as a countersunk head. Of course, other forms are also possible.

(15) In the embodiment in FIG. 1, the receiving section 8 and the attachment section 10 have the same outer diameter.

(16) In FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a blind rivet fastener is illustrated in which identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

(17) In this case, the attachment section 10 has a larger diameter than the receiving section 8. Accordingly, the stud 7 comprises a diameter enlargement 14 which bears against the shank end 6 of the shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2. In this case, the diameter enlargement 14 can be used to apply a corresponding pressure to the shank end 6 when a tensile force directed out of the blind rivet sleeve 2 is applied to the stud 7, which pressure ultimately leads to a deformation of the shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2 and to the formation of a closing head.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a blind rivet fastener 1, in which identical elements have been provided with the same reference numerals.

(19) Here, the attachment section 10 has a smaller diameter than the receiving section 8. Accordingly, the stud 7 has a diameter enlargement 15 which bears against a step 16 in the blind rivet sleeve 2. The step 16 is located at the end of the internal thread 17 that is embodied or formed in the fastening section 12 of the blind rivet sleeve 2. If the stud has been screwed into the blind rivet sleeve 2 with a higher torque, then a certain prestress results between the diameter enlargement 15 and the step 16, which in many cases is sufficient to achieve rotation prevention. Despite this, a welding point 13 can be provided in order to ensure rotation prevention.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a blind rivet fastener 1, in which identical elements have been provided with the same reference numerals. In this case, the outer diameter of the attachment section 10 is also smaller than the outer diameter of the receiving section 8. On the attachment section 10, a flange 18 is arranged which bears against the shank end 6. This flange 18 can be used to transfer sufficient deformation forces from the stud 7 to the shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2.

(21) If the fastening geometry of the attachment section 10 is, as illustrated, embodied or formed as an external thread 11, then a rotation prevention can also be achieved in that the ring 18 is screwed against the shank 3 of the blind rivet sleeve 2 with a sufficiently large torque, so that the ring forms a “counter nut” as it were. In this case, the welding point 13 would, as illustrated, not be necessary.

(22) Of course, in all embodiments, other options for rotation prevention can also be used in place of a welding point 13, for example, an adhesive or a targeted thread deformation.

(23) It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.