Patent ID: 6220804
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A self-clinching fastener for attachment to a plastically deformable metal panel, said self-clinching fastener comprising a body portion with a central axis and a central punch portion extending from said body portion and coaxial with said central axis, said body portion forming a generally annular-shaped end face adjacent said central punch portion and a groove defined in said end face encircling said central punch portion, said groove having an inclined inner wall forming an undercut and an inwardly inclined bottom wall such that said groove has an increasing depth in a direction toward said undercut, said inclined bottom wall being formed by a plurality of generally flat faces, and a plurality of spaced apart lugs encircling said central punch portion and axially extending from said end face, said lugs forming abutments to improve torsional resistance of said fastener, said lugs having a generally rectangular cross-section formed by generally flat upper sides axially spaced from said bottom wall and having a width dimension extending in the direction of fastener rotation, said abutments having an axial dimension extending from said bottom wall to said upper side, said width dimension of said upper side being greater dimension than said axial dimension of said abutment.