Fastener, method of attaching a fastener to a panel and fastener and panel assembly

Abstract

A fastener element including a barrel portion, a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the barrel portion and a second radial flange portion having a diameter greater than the first radial flange portion coaxially aligned with the first radial flange portion including an annular face having circumferentially spaced radial ribs and a method of installing the fastener element which includes forming an opening in a panel which receives the barrel and first radial flange portions, wherein the panel is deformed radially inwardly against the first radial flange portion and the first radial flange portion is preferably deformed radially outwardly forming a secure fastener and panel assembly.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A fastener element and panel assembly, comprising: 
 a panel having an opening therethrough;    a fastener element including a generally cylindrical shank portion, a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with said shank portion having a diameter greater than said shank portion, and a second radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with said first radial flange portion having a diameter greater than said first radial flange portion including an annular face surrounding said first radial flange portion having a plurality of spaced ribs projecting from said annular face;    said annular face of said second radial flange portion engaging one face of said panel, said plurality of ribs deformed into said one face of said panel preventing rotation of said fastener element relative to said panel, said shank portion and said first radial flange portion extending through said opening in said panel; and    said first radial flange portion including a radial portion overlying an opposed face of said panel and deformed against said opposed face of said panel and said panel deformed radially inwardly against an outer surface of said first radial flange portion beneath said radial portion.    
   
   
       23 . The fastener and panel assembly as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said radial portion of said first radial flange portion includes an annular recess.  
   
   
       24 . The fastener and panel assembly as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said second face of said panel includes an annular recess surrounding said radial portion of said first radial flange portion.  
   
   
       25 . The fastener and panel assembly as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said annular face of said second radial flange portion includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial ribs each having a top face inclined radially outwardly from said first radial flange portion deformed into said one face of said panel.  
   
   
       26 . The fastener and panel assembly as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said radial ribs are trapezoidal in cross-section each having opposed side faces inclined outwardly from said top face to said annular face of said radial flange portion.