Blind rivet-nut and method for securing a component to a carrier

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10570946-B2
Application number	US-201715637323-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2017
Priority date	Jul 1, 2016
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

A blind rivet-nut having an annular-flange-like setting head and a hollow shaft for securing a blind rivet-nut in an opening of a carrier. The hollow shaft has a free end having a threaded portion for receiving a threaded element of a tensioning tool. A clamping portion adjacent to the setting head forms a bead-like deformation when the tensioning tool is used to clamp the carrier between the bead-like deformation and the setting head. A threadless shaft portion is formed between the clamping portion and the threaded portion. The threadless shaft portion is threaded by a thread self-rolling or thread self-tapping fastener. The fastener is received in a positive-locking manner when the fastener is screwed into the thread formed on the previously threadless shaft portion. A method is also disclosed for securing a component to a carrier by a blind rivet-nut.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A blind rivet-nut having a setting head and a hollow shaft received in an opening defined by a carrier, wherein the hollow shaft has at a free end opposite the setting head, the free end includes a first threaded portion that is adapted to receive a threaded element of a tensioning tool, the hollow shaft having a clamping portion adjacent to the setting head, the clamping portion being adapted to form a bead-like deformation during a setting operation of the blind rivet-nut on the carrier to clamp the carrier between the bead-like deformation and the setting head, wherein a portion a threadless shaft portion is provided between the clamping portion and the first threaded portion, wherein a self-tapping fastener forms a second thread on an inner surface the threadless shaft portion, and wherein the self-tapping fastener is attached in a positive-locking manner to the second thread.

2. The blind rivet-nut of claim 1 , wherein the threadless shaft portion has a hole diameter which is smaller than a first diameter of the clamping portion and greater than a second diameter of the first threaded portion.

3. The blind rivet-nut of claim 1 , wherein a wall of the threadless shaft portion has a thickness sufficient to have an inner thread formed in the wall.

4. The blind rivet-nut of claim 1 , wherein a wall of the threadless shaft portion has a thickness that is sufficient to resist plastic deformation during a setting operation of the blind rivet-nut on the carrier.

5. An assembly comprising:
a rivet-nut having a head, a free end, and a sleeve between the head and the free end;
a carrier defining an opening that receives the rivet-nut, wherein the rivet-nut is compressed to form a bead securing the rivet-nut to the carrier; and
a self-tapping fastener forming a thread on an inner surface the sleeve that positively locks the self-tapping fastener to the thread.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the rivet-nut is a blind rivet that is deformed by a tensioning tool that engages the free end to pull the free end towards the head and thereby form the bead.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the sleeve has a smooth internal surface until the self-tapping fastener forms the thread on the smooth internal surface.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the rivet-nut has an internal opening including an intermediate portion formed by a smooth internal surface that defines a hole having a smaller internal diameter than a clamping portion of the internal opening that is formed into the bead and a greater internal diameter than an end portion of the internal opening at the free end.

9. A blind rivet nut adapted to be attached to a carrier with a tensioning tool and to secure a component to the carrier, the blind rivet nut comprising:
a rivet nut sleeve having a setting head and a hollow shaft, the hollow shaft having a first thread on an internal surface of a free end, a thread-less shaft, and a clamping portion, wherein the tensioning tool is inserted into the hollow shaft when the rivet nut is received in an opening defined by the carrier, wherein the tensioning tool has an external thread on a distal end that is received by the first thread on the free end, and wherein the tensioning tool is turned to draw the free end toward the setting head and form a bead on the clamping portion to clamp the carrier between the bead and the setting head; and
a self-tapping fastener having a thread forming end that is screwed into the thread-less shaft to tap a second thread on an inner surface of the rivet nut, wherein a threaded connection between the thread forming end and the second thread secures the component to the carrier.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Linsel Jens

Classifications

• F16B37/06

  by means of welding or riveting · CPC title

• F16B37/067 Primary

  the material of the nut being deformed by a threaded member generating axial movement of the threaded part of the nut, e.g. blind rivet type · CPC title

• F16B19/1072

  the pull-mandrel or the like comprising a thread and being rotated with respect to the rivet, thereby mechanically expanding and fastening the rivet (nuts fastened by riveting F16B37/067) · CPC title

• F16B25/00

  Screws that cut thread in the body into which they are screwed, e.g. wood screws {(F16B35/065 takes precedence; joining sheets or plates using screws with two separate threads F16B5/0275, using screws with adjustment sleeves F16B5/0283)} · CPC title

• F16B37/042

  locking by rotation · CPC title