Patent ID: 8186920

Claim:
A clinch element for clinching attachment to a panel, comprising: a body portion including an axial bore; a barrel portion coaxial with said body portion and said axial bore; an annular flange portion having a first end face proximate to said barrel portion, said barrel portion extending from said first end face to an annular planar surface defined proximate a barrel end; and an annular lip portion projecting from said annular planar surface, said annular lip portion circumferentially defined about said barrel portion and proximate said barrel end, said annular lip portion including an arcuate free end portion having a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of said annular flange portion and greater than an outer diameter of said barrel portion, a frustoconical inner surface proximate said arcuate free end portion and said annular planar surface surrounding said bore and extending generally perpendicular to an axis of said bore from said bore to said annular lip portion.