Patent ID: 7357614

Claim:
A component assembly comprising a fastener element in combination with a sheet metal panel having a thickness, said fastener element comprising a body part having first and second axial ends, said first axial end having a conical region with an at least substantially conical panel engaging surface, a generally cylindrical portion and a free end face, said conical region having a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end, said generally cylindrical portion adjoining said larger diameter end and said free end face being provided at said generally cylindrical portion at an end thereof spaced from said conical region, said generally cylindrical portion being dimensioned to have a diameter at a position adjoining said larger diameter end that is no larger than said larger diameter end such that it does not form a ring flange at said larger diameter end, and said second axial end comprising a hollow cylindrical rivet section provided adjacent said smaller diameter end and having a cylindrical outer surface and an internal cylindrical bore with an internal diameter, said fastener element further comprising one of a threaded shaft protruding from said first axial end in a direction away from said cylindrical rivet section and a threaded bore extending within said first axial end and having a maximum thread diameter smaller than said internal diameter, said sheet metal panel having a conical boss with a conical recess having an internal conical surface contacting said conical surface of said fastener element at least substantially over a full area of said conical surface, said conical region has an axial length corresponding to at least approximately twice said sheet metal thickness and said conical boss having a rim at an aperture at a smaller diameter end of said conical boss, said rim being received in a ring recess formed in said cylindrical rivet section by radially outward deformation of said cylindrical rivet section.