Patent ID: 7160072

Claim:
A combination of a functional element with a sheet metal part comprising a single continuous piece of sheet metal, said functional element being in the form of a pin having first and second ends, a length, a diameter and a thread formed at said first end and extending along at least a part of said length, said pin diameter being substantially constant along said length between said first and second ends and at said first end, said pin further having features interrupting said thread at said first end, said end being adapted for attachment to said sheet metal part, said sheet metal part having a cylindrical side wall and continuous base, recieving said first end with an end face of said first end contacting said continuos base, material of said sheet metal part being deformed radially inwardly of said thread at said first end and engaging said features, whereby said threaded pin is permanently attached to said sheet metal part and projects beyond said sheet metal part for the attachment of another component thereto.