Patent ID: 6487767
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: B25B,F16B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of connecting a fastener element to a wall, comprising:providing a wall of a predetermined thickness having first and second sides; providing a circular opening in the wall, extending between the first and second sides; providing an elongated fastener element having first and second opposite end portions; making the first end portion of said fastener element tubular so that it includes a center opening, and providing a first flange at the outer end of the tubular first end portion; sizing said tubular first end portion so that the center opening extends into the fastener element, axially inwardly of the flange, a distance that is longer than the wall thickness; providing the tubular first end portion with a outside diameter sized to snugly fit within the wall opening; providing the tubular first end portion with an annular sidewall region of reduced thickness; inserting the fastener element into the wall opening, from the first side of the wall, second end portion first, and moving the fastener element endwise until the first flange is against the first side of the wall; positioning the annular sidewall region of reduced diameter at a location that places it outwardly of the wall opening on the second side of the wall, but closely adjacent the second side of the wall, when the first flange is against the first side of the wall; providing a rod that has a free end that is adapted to be inserted into the tubular first end portion, from the first side of the wall, and is adapted to engage the fastener element at a location beyond the annular sidewall region of reduced thickness; inserting the rod into the tubular first end portion from the first side of the wall and engaging it with the fastener element at said location beyond the annular sidewall region of reduced thickness; providing a tubular mandrel and positioning it around the rod on the first side of the wall; providing the tubular mandrel with an outer end and a length at least substantially as long as the wall is thick, and an outer diameter that is larger than the diameter of the center opening in the tubular first end portion; sizing the diameter of the mandrel so that it will radially expand the tubular first end portion of the fastener element when moved axially into it; placing the end of the tubular mandrel into contact with the first end portion of the fastener element at the periphery of the center opening; pulling the rod relatively into and through the mandrel, to cause the annular sidewall region of reduced thickness to buckle and form a second flange and move the second flange against the second side of the wall, so that the wall is held between the two flanges; and moving said tubular mandrel relatively along the rod and relatively into the center opening in the first end portion of the fastener element, so that the mandrel will enter into and radially expand the tubular first end portion of the fastener when moved into it and will connect it to the wall at the wall opening.