Method of attaching a plate to a rod and assembly

Abstract

A method of securely attaching a plate to a malleable metal rod includes forming an integral, generally annular projection on one end of the rod. An opening through the plate is configured to receive the annual projection on the rod. The annual projection is inserted through the opening in the plate and is permanently deformed radially outwardly to overlie and contact the plate at a plurality of spaced locations. The deformations in the annular projection securely attach the plate to the rod.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of securely attaching a plate to a malleable metal rod, comprising the following steps: 
 forming an integral, generally annular projection on one end of said rod;    forming an opening through said plate configured to receive said annual projection on said rod;    inserting said annual projection of said rod through said opening in said plate; and    permanently deforming said annular projection on said rod radially outwardly to overlie and contact said plate at a plurality of spaced locations, permanently attaching said plate to said rod.    
     
     
         2 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said method includes forming an integral annular projection having a polygonal shape on said one end of said rod having a plurality of sides intersecting at corner portions and deforming said corner portions of said polygonal annular projection radially outwardly to overlie and contact said plate.  
     
     
         3 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said method includes forming an integral annular projection having a polygonal shape on said one end of said rod having a plurality of sides intersecting at corner portions and deforming said sides of said polygonal annular projection radially outwardly to overlie and contact said plate.  
     
     
         4 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said preferred method includes driving a die member against said integral annular projection on said rod having a plurality of spaced radial ribs, said ribs deforming an inside surface of said annular projection radially outwardly at a plurality of spaced locations to overlie and contact said plate, permanently attaching said plate to said rod.  
     
     
         5 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said preferred method includes driving a die member against said internal surface of said annular projection having a plurality of spaced conical radial projections angling inwardly from the axis of said die member deforming said annular projection radially outwardly at an angle relative to the axis of said rod and forming a plurality of spaced integral ribs angling outwardly and overlying said plate.  
     
     
         6 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said method includes forming an integral annular projection having an oval shape on said one end of said rod deforming said annular projection radially outwardly at spaced locations to overlie and contact said plate.  
     
     
         7 . The method of securely attaching a plate to a rod as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said method includes forming an integral annular projection having a circular shape on said one end of said rod deforming said annular projection radially outwardly at spaced locations to overlie and contact said plate.  
     
     
         8 . A rod and plate assembly comprising: 
 a rod including a head portion and an integral, generally annular projection having side walls surrounding a recess extending from said head portion;    a plate defining an opening therethrough configured to receive said side walls of said annular projection, said annular projection extending through said plate opening; and    said annular projection deformed radially outwardly overlying and contacting said plate at a plurality of spaced locations permanently attaching said plate to said rod.    
     
     
         9 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said side walls of said annular projection include a polygonal shape having integral corner portions and said corner portions being deformed radially outwardly overlying and contacting said plate.  
     
     
         10 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said annular projection having a polygonal shape defines a plurality of spaced integral ribs extending radially outwardly from an axis of said rod at an acute angle to said rod axis.  
     
     
         11 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said annular projection is star-shaped in plan view.  
     
     
         12 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said side walls of said annular projection includes an oval shape being deformed radially outwardly in spaced locations overlying and contacting said plate.  
     
     
         13 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said side walls of said annular projections include a circular shape having section of said wall spaced apart and being deformed radially outwardly overlying and contacting said plate.  
     
     
         14 . The rod and plate assembly as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said plate includes an anti-rotation member engagable for preventing said rod and said plate from rotating while being subjected to rotational forces.  
     
     
         15 . A die member used to secure a plate defining an aperture to a malleable member received by the aperture and being capable of being deformed outwardly fixedly attaching the plate to the member, said die member comprising: 
 a head portion;    a connecting portion integral with said head portion and attachable to a die press; and    wherein said head portion includes a die surface forming a plurality of spaced ribs extending radially outwardly from an axis of said head portion positioned to deform the malleable member radially outwardly to overly and contact the plate.    
     
     
         16 . A die member as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said dies surface includes six of said spaced ribs extending radially outwardly from said axis of said head portion.  
     
     
         17 . A die member as set forth in  claim 16 , further including a central portion having an axis of said die member centrally disposed therein.  
     
     
         18 . A die member as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said die surfaces each are angled rearwardly from said central portion defining a frustoconical surface.