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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11428260-B2
Application number	US-202016748072-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 21, 2020
Priority date	Jul 1, 2016
Publication date	Aug 30, 2022
Grant date	Aug 30, 2022

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 method comprising:
assembling a carrier defining an opening to a rivet-nut including a hollow shaft having an internal thread on a free end, a head, and an internal portion between the head and the free end;
compressing the rivet-nut by pulling the free end toward the head to form a bead on the opposite side of the carrier from the head; and
tapping a thread on the internal portion with a fastener.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
clamping the carrier between the head and the bead.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fastener is a self-tapping bolt.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of compressing the rivet-nut is performed by a tensioning tool having a threaded end that is threaded into the internal thread on the free end to pull the free end toward the head and thereby form the bead.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Linsel Jens

Classifications

• 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

• F16B37/127

  and self-tapping · 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

• F16B37/06

  by means of welding or riveting · CPC title