Patent ID: 7010845

Claim:
A method of making a joint between a first and a second component using a fastener having a first end with an adjacent flange having a diameter greater than a first tubular barrel portion and a second end having a second tubular barrel portion merging into a shoulder of a flanged part having a greater diameter than said second tubular barrel portion, characterized by the following steps: a) making a joint between said first end of said fastener and said first component by deforming said first tubular barrel portion radially outwardly thereby sandwiching said first component between said flange and said first tubular barrel portion; b) introducing said second end of said fastener through a hole in said second component by applying said second component to said first component, whereby said shoulder of said flanged part abuts said second component spacing said second component from said first component; c) fastening said fastener to said second component by deforming said second tubular barrel portion radially outwardly thereby sandwiching said second component between said shoulder and said second tubular barrel portion; and d) optionally fixedly attaching said two components at one or more positions remote from the fastener device, with step d) being performable either before or after step c); wherein step a) comprises piercing said first component with said first end of said fastener.