Patent ID: 7152294
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: B23P,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of installing a self-attaching female fastener element in a metal panel, comprising the following steps: forming a self-attaching female fastener element including a body portion having a threaded bore therethrough, a first tubular barrel portion integral with a first end of said body portion and a second tubular barrel portion integral with a second end of said body portion, each of said tubular barrel portions having a longitudinal axis coincident with a longitudinal axis of said bare and an outer diameter less than said body portion, such that said self-attaching female fastener element is symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said method comprising the following steps: inserting a distal open end of one of said first and second tubular barrel portions through an opening in said panel and performing the following steps substantially simultaneously, deforming said one of said first and second tubular barrel portions radially outwardly and inwardly to entrap an end portion of said panel surrounding said opening, permanently retaining said self-attaching female fastener to said panel; and deforming the other of said first and second tubular barrel portions radially outwardly and inwardly by folding an outer distal portion over an inner distal portion having a distal end adjacent said body portion, thereby reducing the longitudinal length of said self-attaching female fastener installed in said panel.