Patent ID: 8708628
Filing Date: 2014-04-29
Classification: B23K,B23P,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A component for use with a rotary tool and to be inserted through a surface of a first workpiece to be assembled with a second workpiece, said first workpiece being substantially made of aluminum showing friction-induced plasticity for attachment to the first workpiece, said component comprising: a portion adapted to connect to said second workpiece; an insert portion extending along an insertion axis of said component and aligned with said connecting portion, said insert portion having a penetrating end defining a maximum outer diameter of said insert portion, at least an outer surface of said insert portion including said penetrating end being made of a material substantially harder than aluminum and showing a plasticizing temperature substantially higher than aluminum plasticizing temperature, said outer surface forms at least one generally circular anchoring recess centered with reference to said axis and defining a minimum diameter smaller than said maximum outer diameter; wherein said component is adapted to be secured to said rotary tool for rotation in a first direction while applying an axial force of a sufficient magnitude onto the component to produce substantially full insertion of the insert portion along said axis by plasticizing aluminum through friction which fills said anchoring recess to produce said attachment after a sufficient setting time; and wherein an overall dimension of the connecting portion in a direction transversal to said insertion axis does not substantially extend beyond said maximum diameter, said connecting portion being adapted not to substantially deform upon insertion of the insert portion, and wherein a ratio of said minimum diameter and said maximum diameter is between about 65% and 90%.