Cookware Article with Internally Flush Rivets

Abstract

An article of cookware is assembled by the riveted attachment of a handle. Novel rivets are first attached from the interior of the cookware article via a flush hole such that the deformation of the cookware article around the rivet locks the rivet to the cookware article yet leaves the rivet head flush with the interior surface of the cookware article. The handle is subsequently attached by deforming the opposite end of the rivet.

1 . A rivet comprising:
 a) a substantially cylindrical shank portion, the shank having a first end and second end opposite the first end,   b) an inverted cone portion extending outward from the first end of said shank portion to form a substantially circular rivet head having a first diameter (D 1 ),   c) A V-shaped inward extending annular notch disposed within said cylindrical shank portion by the inward continuation of the conical surface of the inverted cone portion into the substantially cylindrical shank portion,   d) wherein the shank has a first portion at the first end adjacent said notch having a second diameter (D 2 ), the second diameter (D 2 ) being less than the first diameter (D 1 ), and a second portion disposed between the second end of said shank and the first portion, the second portion having a third diameter (D 3 ) less than the second diameter (D 2 ), wherein the second portion further comprises external helical threads, the threads having an external diameter (DT) not exceeding the second diameter (D 2 ) of the first portion of the shank.   
     
     
         2 . A rivet according to  claim 1  that is formed substantially of aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . A rivet according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially cylindrical shank portion has a rounded circular end. 
     
     
         4 . A rivet according to  claim 3  that is formed substantially of aluminum.