Unified Head for a Staked Fastener

Abstract

A unified head for a staked fastener wherein the unified head is made from a first member in combination with a supplemental member, and the two members have at least one shared fiber. In a staking operation that forms the unified head, the operation is conducted in such a manner that a portion of a fiber, initially within the first member or the supplemental member, crosses the boundary therebetween creating the shared fiber, i.e., a segment of a single fiber is embedded in the first member and a segment is embedded in the supplemental member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a rivet:
 providing a shank having an initial head,   passing the shank through a body, thereby defining on the shank a gripping portion and a clinching portion,   placing a supplemental member having at least one fiber therein proximate the clinching portion and the body, and   staking the clinching portion and the supplemental member such that at least one fiber of the at least one fiber in the supplemental member penetrates the clinching portion whereby a unified head is created.   
     
     
         2 . A method of staking a clinch portion of a fastener comprising the steps of:
 providing a clinch portion having at least one fiber therein,   providing a supplemental member,   staking the clinch portion into the supplemental member creating a pre-head, and   fixing the pre-head causing at least one of the at least one fiber in the clinch portion to penetrate the supplemental member.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein in the step of fixing, the fixing employs an ultrasonic method. 
     
     
         4 . A method of making a head on a shank:
 providing a shank,   passing the shank through at least one body, thereby defining on the shank, a gripping portion and a clinching portion, the clinching portion extending outwardly above a surface of one of the at least on body and having at least one fiber therein,   providing a continuous supplemental material having at least two holes, wherein the distance between the holes is sufficient to provide supplemental member for at least the creation of two heads,   positioning the shank through one hole of the supplemental body defining a clinching portion, and   staking the clinching portion thereby defining a supplemental member and a balance of the continuous supplemental material, the clinching being sufficient to cause the at least one fiber in the clinching portion to penetrate from the clinching portion into the supplemental member,   whereby a unified head is created.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the shank has a head on an end opposite from the clinch portion, such that the head, gripping portion and unified head create a formed rivet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the shank has an end opposite from the clinch portion and the end is attached to a surface, such that the stank is a stud. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  further including the step of removing the balance of the continuous supplemental material. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a head on a shank:
 providing a shank,   passing the shank through at least one body, thereby defining on the shank, a gripping portion and a clinching portion, the clinching portion extending outwardly above a surface of a body,   providing a continuous supplemental material having at least two holes, wherein the distance between the holes is sufficient to provide supplemental member for the creation of at least two heads and the continuous supplemental material has at least one fiber therein,   positioning the shank through one hole of the continuous supplemental material defining a clinching portion, and   staking the clinching portion thereby defining a supplemental member and a clinched portion, the clinching being sufficient to cause the at least one fiber in the supplemental member to embed in the clinching portion,   whereby a unified head is created.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the shank has a head on an end opposite from the clinch portion, such that the head, gripping portion and unified head create a formed rivet. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the shank has an end opposite from the clinch portion and the end is attached to a surface, such that the stake is a stud. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  including the further step of removing the balance of the supplemental continuous material.