Patent ID: 6769595
Filing Date: 2004-08-03
Classification: B21J,B23K

Abstract:
A method of joining a pair of metal components comprising the steps of:(a) placing a first metal component having a first exposed continuous surface and a second metal component having a second exposed surface in overlapping relationship to each other; (b) providing a metal rivet having a head and a pointed tip opposite the head for entering into the first and second components; and (c) rotating the rivet about its longitudinal axis and simultaneously plunging the rivet through the first component continuous surface and into the second component, wherein the hardness of the metal rivet is substantially similar to the hardness of at least one of the first and second components, such that the metal of the rivet and the first and second components plastically deform; and (d) solidifying the plasticized metal to produce a metallurgical bond between the rivet and each of the first and second components, wherein a final position of the rivet tip is within the second component and the rivet tip raises a portion of the second exposed surface.