Unitary connector pin formed by two-stage cold heading die

Abstract

A unitary metal connector pin formed by a cold heading die has a body with a disc-like expanded portion on a first end thereof which is adapted to engage and retain a first body when the pin is inserted through a first aperture in the first body. On a second, opposed end of the pin are disposed plural spaced flexible fingers each having a respective outwardly projecting, radially expanded portion. The radially expanded portions form a segmented outer ring on the pin capable of first undergoing inward deflection, followed by outward radial expansion for engaging a second body when the fingered end of the pin is inserted through a second aperture in the second body for securely coupling the two bodies together. The cold heading die includes a first stage for forming in a connector pin blank a first hollowed-out end portion with the flexible fingers and a second stage for forming the second radially expanded end portion and the outer projections on the flexible fingers.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A connector pin formed from a unitary piece of metal for connecting first and second bodies having respective first and second apertures extending therethrough and respective first and second opposed sides, said connector pin comprising:
 a solid, cylindrical, linear shaft having first and second opposed ends;   a disc-like member disposed on the first end of, and formed integrally with, said cylindrical shaft and extending laterally beyond and about the outer periphery of said cylindrical shaft;   a hollowed-out recessed portion disposed on the second opposed end of said cylindrical shaft and defined by plural spaced, flexible fingers formed integrally with, and disposed in a spaced manner about, the outer periphery of said shaft, wherein each flexible finger includes a respective projection disposed on an outer surface of, and extending radially outward from, a respective finger and formed integrally with its associated finger, wherein with the respective first sides of the first and second bodies in facing relation and the apertures aligned, and with said pin inserted through the apertures the fingers are adapted for initially undergoing inward radial deflection, followed by outward radial expansion of the fingers, said disc-like member securely engages the second side of the first body and said plural projections engage the second side of the second body in securely connecting the two bodies together.   
     
     
         20 . The connector pin of  claim 19 , wherein said hollowed-out portion is generally cylindrical in shape having a diameter slightly less than an outer diameter of said cylindrical shaft to form said fingers of reduced thickness and radial flexibility. 
     
     
         21 . The connector pin of  claim 19 , wherein each of said projections is disposed on an inner end portion of a respective finger to allow a distal end portion of said finger to deflect radially inwardly when the second end portion of the connector pin is inserted through the second aperture of said second body during insertion and withdrawal of said cylindrical shaft into and from said second body. 
     
     
         22 . The connector pin of  claim 19 , wherein a gap is formed between adjacent flexible fingers disposed about the hollowed-out portion on the second end of said cylindrical shaft to facilitate radially inward flexing of said fingers. 
     
     
         23 . The connector pin of  claim 19 , where in each of said projections disposed on an outer surface of a respective flexible finger includes a dual tapered portion to facilitate insertion of said connector pin through and removal of said connector pin from the first and second bodies. 
     
     
         24 . The connector pin of  claim 23 , wherein each dual tapered portion disposed on an outer periphery of a respective flexible finger includes respective inner and outer tapered portions. 
     
     
         25 . The connector pin of  claim 24 , wherein said inner tapered portion extends toward the first end of said shaft and said outer tapered portion extends toward the second end of said shaft. 
     
     
         26 . The connector pin of  claim 19 , wherein the second end of said cylindrical, linear shaft is generally flat and is comprised of respective flat distal ends of each of said flexible fingers. 
     
     
         27 . The connector pin of  claim 26 , wherein the distal ends of said flexible fingers form a generally circular opening in the second end of the cylindrical, linear shaft, and wherein said circular opening facilitates inward flexure of said flexible fingers when inserted through a circular aperture in said first or second body.