Patent ID: 6781088
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: B23K,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for providing a pin to plate joint, comprising the steps of:a) providing the plate comprising an entry side, an exit side, and a thickness extending between the entry side and exit side, b) cutting the plate through the thickness thereof and forming a cutout pattern in the plate, c) providing the pin comprising a surrounding side wall extending to a contact end having a contact surface, d) aligning the contact end of the pin with the cutout pattern, e) moving the pin through the cutout pattern in the plate from the entry side to the exit side of the plate, the pin forcing on the cutout pattern and causing tabs to raise from the exit side of the plate at bends, the tabs orienting at an angle with respect to the exit side of the plate and moving into a closely spaced relationship with the pin side wall, there being spaces defined between the pin side wall and the plate, f) heating at least one of either the tabs or the pin, thus creating melted tab material that flows into the spaces between the pin side wall and the plate and wicking over the contact surface of the pin, and g) cooling the melted material between the pin side wall and the plate and that wicked over the contact surface of the pin to thereby form a robust pin to plate joint.