Punch rivet, riveted joints produced with it, riveting tool and method of producing a riveted joint

Abstract

A punch rivet ( 1 ) has a cutting edge ( 6 ) which is arranged on the end face of its rivet shank ( 2 ) and is formed in the cutting region by an outer face ( 5 ) extending parallel to the axis and a conical inner face ( 4 ) of the rivet shank ( 2 ). The outer face ( 5 ) extends continuously parallel to the axis over the entire rivet shank ( 2 ) and the punch rivet ( 1 ) is provided with the same cutting edges ( 6, 7 ) on either side in an axially symmetrical design in the form of a tube.

1 . A rivet comprising: 
 a shank having a corrugated shape; and    a tapered cutting edge located at an end of the shank.    
     
     
         2 . The rivet of  claim 1  wherein the ends of the shank are openly accessible.  
     
     
         3 . The rivet of  claim 2  wherein the shank is entirely hollow.  
     
     
         4 . The rivet of  claim 1  wherein the shank is corrugated in an elongated and axial direction.  
     
     
         5 . The rivet of  claim 1  wherein the shank has at least three alternating lobes and depressions.  
     
     
         6 . The rivet of  claim 1  further comprising a second tapered cutting edge located at an end of the shank opposite the first tapered cutting edge.  
     
     
         7 . The rivet of  claim 1  further comprising a radial wall located in the shank between the ends, the shank and radial wall defining a substantially H-like cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         8 . The rivet of  claim 1  wherein the shank has an axially elongated slot, and edges of the shank adjacent and parallel to the slot are spaced away from each other.  
     
     
         9 . A rivet comprising: 
 a shank having external corrugations aligned in an elongated and axial direction; and    a tapered cutting edge located at an end of the shank;    wherein the ends of the shank are openly accessible.    
     
     
         10 . The rivet of  claim 9  wherein the shank is entirely hollow.  
     
     
         11 . The rivet of  claim 9  wherein the shank has at least three alternating lobes and depressions.  
     
     
         12 . The rivet of  claim 9  further comprising a second tapered cutting edge located at an end of the shank opposite the first tapered cutting edge.  
     
     
         13 . The rivet of  claim 9  further comprising a radial wall located in the shank between the ends, the shank and radial wall defining a substantially H-like cross-sectional shape.  
     
     
         14 . The rivet of  claim 9  wherein the shank has an axially elongated slot, and edges of the shank adjacent and parallel to the slot are spaced away from each other.  
     
     
         15 . A method of producing a joint between multiple sheets with a rivet, the method comprising: 
 (a) piercing a first of the sheets with a cutting edge of the rivet;    (b) piercing a portion of a second of the sheets with the cutting edge of the rivet;    (c) causing the pierced hole in at least one of the sheets to have a corrugated shape essentially matching an external corrugated shape of the rivet; and    (d) outwardly expanding both opposite ends of the rivet.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising orienting either end of the rivet against the first sheet and then pushing the rivet into engagement with the sheets which are unpierced at the joint prior to rivet engagement.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising creating the rivet to be entirely hollow with open ends prior to engagement with the sheets.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the end of the rivet adjacent a ram is inserted into the first sheet to a depth such that it does not substantially project beyond an exposed ram-side surface of the first sheet after insertion.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising creating tapered cutting edges adjacent both ends of the rivet.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising preventing the cutting edge of the rivet from completely piercing the second sheet.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising retaining a pierced portion of the first sheet inside of the rivet when the rivet is fastened to the sheets.