Patent ID: 6338191
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: B21D,B60N,Y10T

Abstract:
Procedure for attaching a headrest-support-tube, being of a ductile metal, to an elongate frame-piece comprising a top rail of an automobile seat, including:providing the headrest-support-tube with a first ring-bead, in which the metal of the headrest-support-tube is expanded radially outwards; providing the top-rail of the seat-frame-piece in the configuration of an I-beam, being a configuration that comprises a web between two flanges; providing a through-hole in the web of the top-rail, the through-hole being a clearance fit over the headrest-support-tube; making a sub-assembly by placing the headrest-support-tube in the through-hole in the top-rail, in such a manner that the first ring-bead abuts one side of the web of the top-rail; providing a die-set; placing the sub-assembly comprising the headrest-support-tube and the seat-frame-piece in the die-set; arranging the die-set so as to confine the headrest-support-tube against radial expansion, except in the region of the headrest-support-tube that lies immediately contiguous with the web of the top-rail, being a region on the other side of the web from the side against which abuts the first ring-bead; applying a heavy compressive force to the die-set, to compress the headrest-support-tube axially therein, while the headrest-support-tube remains in the hole in the web of the top-rail, and the first ring-bead remains in abutment with the one side of the web, the axial direction being the direction of the axis of the through-hole in the web of the top-rail; compressing the headrest-support-tube with enough force whereby the metal of the headrest-support-tube expands outwards in the said region, and forms a second ring-bead on the headrest-support-tube, and whereby the second ring-bead lies in direct contact with the web, on the other side of the web; taking the sub-assembly out of the die-set, leaving the web of the top-rail gripped between the first and second ring-beads.