Patent ID: 8156631

Claim:
A process for attaching a functional element to a plastically deformable flat material, the functional element on a contact surface having a rivet collar which is formed by a hollow or tubular section and which stands away over the contact surface, in a joining area of the flat material by plastic deformation, a dome-like section being formed with a base projecting over a plane of the flat material surrounding the dome-like section, the base having a joining opening, and attachment of the functional element to the flat material in a joining and riveting process taking place by insertion of the rivet collar into the joining opening and by plastic deformation of the rivet collar forming a deformed rivet collar such that an edge region on the base which surrounds the joining opening is received between the deformed rivet collar and the contact surface of the functional element, whereby the functional element is anchored on the edge region which surrounds the joining opening without reducing a diameter of the joining opening, wherein the joining opening on the respective joining region is made in the flat material before or after forming the dome-like section.